Susan Jean Ricci

Written in Cindy’s voice with her lovely, self deprecating humor and straight talk, this book presents the hope that having gone through two marriages in the past, the third time is the charm. Do we learn from past experiences? Can we change the patterns of our behaviors the past? How do we deal with the imprint of out past, which seldom leaves us unblemished, and find a way to do it together with our loved one?

In Susan Ricci’s snappy, concise writing, she takes us through an honest show more look at the challenges of the relationship, starting here: “During Jay’s courtship, I spent a lot of time figuring out how to deal with his emotional support, simply because I wasn’t used to it. Now that we’re married… it’s not something I take for granted.”

One of the major difficulties is sharing her ‘baggage’ with Jay. “Try explaining to your new boyfriend you have a handicapped brother who not only thinks he’s a dog, but barks and growls like one, too.” When that secret is out of the bag, Jay rises to the occasion, not only because his work involves mentally ill persons, but because he is a warm, loving guy: “I’m so sorry, Cindy. Why haven’t you told me about all this before? Is there anything I can do?”

The complications that arise from trying to balance previous commitments to her children and grandkids and to her brother Bobby with this new relationship with Jay, especially around the holidays: “Between doing what I’ve always done for Bobby and wanting to do what I wanted to do for a change, I felt like the taffy getting yanked back and forth in a pull contest.”

Heading for their wedding in honolulu, everything seems to be ready: “Our divorce papers, travel documents, receipts for wedding insurance, were packed and ready for travel. Check. Weddng rings purchased. Check. Dog sitter hired… Check.”

It is after the ceremony that the real challenges begin: learning to live together, to adjust to the particular sensitivities of each other, for example: “Our ex-spouses soon joined the taboo topic list… Since he has never uttered a nasty word about either of his former wives, this kind of make me wonder why he ever divorced at all.”

These words summed it best for me: “The Sugar Ticket is the sweetness of your present when you alleviate the sour taste of the past.” show less

Susan Jean Ricci's The Sugar Ticket is a touching and amusing sequel that follows Cindy and Jay DeMatteo through the second act of their love story. In a society too frequently obsessed with immaculate protagonists and flawless relationships, Ricci provides something refreshingly authentic: a middle-aged couple with eccentricities, baggage, and an enduring, if occasionally irritated, love for one another.

The Sugar Ticket picks off where their story left off, with Cindy and Jay attempting to show more sweeten a sour past. With the holidays approaching and a birthday celebration adding to the emotional weight, the couple must face both the mundane challenges and the unforeseen twists that come with marriage in middle age. Ricci expertly depicts the entire emotional spectrum of long-term devotion, from hilarious banter to quietly touching moments of reflection.

What makes this work stand out is its flawless blend of wit and warmth. Cindy and Jay are far from picture-perfect, which is exactly what makes them so appealing. Their "out-of-the-box" approach to life and love results in adventures that are both silly and sincere, keeping readers interested while rooting for their happily ever after. The style is light and well-paced, making the book an easy and delightful read. The humor lands exactly where it should, adding appeal and relatability to even the most serious situations.

The Sugar Ticket is more than just a love story; it is a celebration of what it takes to stay in love. For anybody who has weathered the storms of real-life romance, Ricci's tale serves as a gentle reminder that love, properly nourished with laughter and grace, may last a lifetime.

The audiobook format adds to the story's appeal, with narration that captures the humor, complexity, and real passion of Cindy and Jay's relationship, creating an even more immersive experience. show less

A witty, heartwarming, and hilariously relatable romp through the trials of dating after divorce, Dinosaurs & Cherry Stems proves that romance doesn’t end with your first heartbreak, or your second.

Cindy Layton is equal parts sass and vulnerability, a woman navigating the post-divorce wilderness with a prehistoric amount of baggage and a healthy dose of skepticism. Her foray into the wild world of online dating is refreshingly honest and laugh-out-loud funny, peppered with scams, awkward show more encounters, and digital misadventures that many readers will recognize (perhaps too well).

Enter Jay DeMatteo, whose accidental email sparks something unexpected—and real. But Susan Jean Ricci doesn’t hand over a fairy tale. Instead, she guides readers through the messy, endearing, and often frustrating path of a mature romance—complete with emotional baggage, exes that won’t stay exed, family complications, and those universal fears of vulnerability.

Jay and Cindy’s chemistry feels authentic, and their journey is as much about self-discovery as it is about love. Ricci’s writing is sharp and insightful, balancing humor with heart, and reminding us that second (or third) chances at love are not only possible, they’re often the sweetest.

For fans of romantic comedy with bite, warmth, and wisdom, Dinosaurs & Cherry Stems is a delightful read that leaves you cheering for love, laughter, and life. No matter your age.

Enjoyed with Audible. show less

Some lovely festive tales

All of these stories are set in late December, but not all are festive. I like a Christmas story to make me long for presents under the tree, and to make me cry. All are romantic, but only a couple fulfilled my desires. Still, most are enjoyable and well -written so you could do worse.