LIBERTY Jones fell in love with Hardy Cates when she was 14-and-three-quarters and he was 17.

However, Hardy wasn't going to let even love stand in the way of his ambition to escape the poverty of his childhood.

He not only left town but also left Liberty broken hearted. But Liberty is also a survivor, and determined to make a better life for herself and her baby sister, Carrington.

Moving to the city, she finds a job and an unlikely friend in billionaire tycoon Gage Travis. Gage's son is convinced she's a gold digger looking for a sugar daddy, but their relationship goes deeper than most people think. But just as Liberty and her sister begin to feel settled in their new life, Hardy comes back into their lives and turns everything upside down.

Despite the retro-style cover, the book is set in the modern day. Liberty, the main character, is likable and well written, and you can find yourself relating to some of the issues.

At first, Hardy comes across as a decent man, although towards the end he shows his true colours.

Sugar Daddy is difficult to put down. It made me laugh out loud at times, but also made me cry. It almost felt as though it was based on a true story as it was nice to read that there's someone else out there with the same hopes and fears for a relationship as you.

Kleypas is a historical author and this is her first contemporary novel.

She is definitely up there with Marian Keyes and Cecelia Ahern. Recommended for everyone who enjoys a good, funny and emotional read.