Review of A Spoonful of Sugar: Don't Beg for Love by Oopsie Daisy

A Spoonful of Sugar: Don't Beg for Love is a Romance (or shall we say anti-romance) novel with a very blunt message on self-respect and human dignity.

Genre: Romance (Billionaire)

Total chapters: 859

Writer: Oopsie Daisy

Update status: Ongoing

Synopsis: Hesper marries the guy of her dreams, Rickard, who turns out to be a coldhearted SOB. She gets pregnant with his baby accidentally after a one-night stand, and he's forced to marry her as a result. Alas, this pregnancy is anything but smooth. With her life and that of her baby on the line, Rickard expressly instructs the doctor to focus solely on saving the child. Infuriated by this, and after barely making it through, Hesper is determined to ask for a divorce, but Rickard would not take that very kindly!

Author Introduction | Oopsie Daisy

There's little information on who Oopsie Daisy is or where she's from, apart from the fact she's the GoodNovel author who penned the novel under review. So far, "A Spoonful of Sugar" has been the only novel she has written (at least to our recollection).

1. Theme: "Don't Be a Simp, Please!"

Have you ever been in a relationship in which you didn't feel reciprocated? If so, then this novel might hit home for you.

In this instance, we read about a married couple in which one of the parties ends up falling out of love (albeit justifiably so!) The husband, once realizing his mistake, tries hard to reach his wife and get her to love him again, almost at the risk of coming off as a "simp" - as in, a person desperately seeking another person's attention to the point of losing all sense of dignity and self-esteem.

Another theme this novel explores is that of "not knowing what you have till it's gone." The Duval family prioritizes preserving their good name over every other value, including their own family members' well-being and safety. As a matter of fact, it was that particular fixation that ultimately caused the relationship to crumble. By the time the husband (the "offending party") realized his blunder, it was already too late.

2. The Characters: "The 'Love Beggar' and His Wife"

The protagonists in this enticing story are obviously Hesper Rivera and Rickard Duval. That said, we should also mention other story drivers, if only in passing.

Let's first start with a brief description of the main characters:

Hesper Rivera

Hesper is a hardworking woman from a very humble background. She had a crush on moneyed Rickard Duval for a very long time, and it was rumored that she drugged him so that they could have sex, an allegation she vehemently denies.

Rickard Duval

Rickard is the opposite of Hesper. He's the heir of the opulent Duval family. He's also quite prideful and snobbish, feeling entitled to call the shots at every turn. This would explain why he was outraged when Hesper asked him for a divorce, but he had to swallow his pride.

Madam Duval

Madam Duval is Rickard's mother and probably even prickier than him. She would express her disdain towards Hesper at every opportunity.

Sophia Duval

Sophia is Richard's sister and is arguably one of the most despicable people in the novel. She is capable of killing a baby just to make a point.

Juniper Wight

Juniper Wight comes from yet another influential family. She is Sophia's best friend and Rickard's other love interest.

3. Point of View in "A Spoonful of Sugar"

The novel is narrated wholly from a third-person point of view and as if all the events have already happened.

4. Plot: "A Chooser Becomes a Beggar!"

A Troubled Pregnancy

The novel begins on a sour note, with Hesper on the verge of death as she goes through a complicated childbirth. The Duval family is content with the baby surviving at the expense of the mother, whom they deem below their stature, both financially and socially.

Even the husband, Rickard, doesn't think twice before displaying just how little he cares about Hesper. He swiftly signs a document emphasizing that the baby's life must be prioritized over the mother's. The doctor still wouldn't budge as he'd help Hesper every step of the way, encouraging her not to give up.

"I Want a Divorce!"

After much struggle, Hesper manages to survive and deliver the baby. However, what's supposed to be a joyous occasion turns bitter as she realizes how quickly her own husband was willing to give her up. She consequently says, "I want a divorce."

Despite the fact Hesper had wanted to be with Rickard for such a long time, she ended up marrying him due to an unplanned pregnancy that would otherwise tarnish the Duval family's reputation. Yet, Rickard would shiver at the prospect of Hesper taking the initiative to propose a divorce.

While Rickard hesitantly accepts the divorce proposal, he becomes concerned at the thought that Hesper could have been cheating on him, so he orders a check on the guys Hesper interacted with in the past.

His jealousy may have been triggered by pride at first, but it soon develops into mad love as Rickard desperately realizes how much attention Hesper is getting after their separation. He insistently asks her to marry him again, a proposal she would decidedly reject.

5. "A Spoonful of Hot Chapters"

‎Chapter 20 · ‎Chapter 16 · ‎Chapter 17 · ‎Chapter 8

While this novel has a whopping 859 chapters (with more to come), chapters 15 and chapter16 were incredibly thrilling since we get to witness just how evil Sophia and Juniper can be, hurting Hesper's baby to "make their point."

Readers are also expected to be intrigued by Rickard's sudden concern over Hesper's life, one he wouldn't show while she was giving birth.

6. Writing Style: "Sweet and Smooth Language"

"A Spoonful of Sugar: Don't Beg for Love" is astonishingly well-written. It appears to have been authored by a native English speaker with a rich vocabulary, though the language is still simple enough to be understood even by non-natives.

Is "A Spoonful of Sugar: Don't Beg for Love" Worth Its Salt?

"A Spoonful of Sugar: Don't Beg for Love" is an impressive work of art that promises to constantly keep you at the edge of your seat. It's surprisingly action-packed even though it's not an action novel, properly speaking.

That said, we acknowledge some of the characters may seem one-dimensional and over the top. Likewise, 800+ could be a bit overkill. Yet, the experience is a net positive in our books (no pun intended).

You can read this amazing novel over at GoodNovel!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is "A Spoonful of Sugar: Don't Beg for Love" free to read?

The first 15 chapters of the novel are available for free. The rest of the chapters must be unlocked via in-app purchases.

Is "A Spoonful of Sugar" for all ages?

The novel is not really meant to be read by children. That said, at first sight, its content seems to be generally safe for people of all ages.