2026 Literary Titan Book Awards Gold Winner

“Sugar Sand Land by Patricia Leavy is a love story for the ages . . . It begs the question: what is real and what is illusory? This is first and foremost a beautiful love story, though, and it is one I thoroughly enjoyed. I highly recommend this book.”—Readers’ Favorite, 5-star review

“What begins as a glamorous, high-heat romance opens into something heavier and more tender . . . the meaning of Sugar Sand Land itself, gave the book a deeper emotional center than I expected at the start. It gives the title a softness and ache that the early Hollywood scenes only hint at . . . this is a romance for readers who want both swoon and reflection.”—Literary Titan, 5-star review

“A tour de force! I’ve never read a novel that better captures appearance versus reality in contemporary culture. Gorgeous writing, a super smart story, and a sweet and sexy romance. I can’t get the ending out of my mind. Leavy gets to the essence of art, illusion, and love like no other. Sugar Sand Land is a modern masterpiece.”—Laurel Richardson, author of Lone Twin

“You will be surprised by how much you end up loving the characters. Just when you think you’re reading a book about Emerson Blue and Renn Walker, you realize you’re really reading about all of us in the age of social media. Sugar Sand Land is a brilliant romance novel with twists, turns, and timely messages. Leavy’s smartest novel to date and a must-read as a personal escape or with your book club.”—U. Melissa Anyiwo, editor of Gender Warriors

“Still waters run deep in this tale of whirlwind romance that conceals deeper currents of torment and transformation. Readers seeking jubilant love stories will find plenty here—and themselves pulled beneath the surface of private pain underlying public performance. A sweet escape with a wrenching twist, haunting in the negative space left behind. Sugar Sand Land poignantly crystallizes how intentional choices make the difference between love conquering all and all conquering love.”—Alexandra “Xan” Nowakowski, coauthor of Other People’s Oysters

“Sugar Sand Land is a delicious romance that follows two celebrities embroiled in social media fervor. The biggest reality star in the world. A canceled country singer. How can these two fall in love with the whole world watching? This love story rings so true it could have been pulled from the headlines and it’s impossible to put down. A smart take on life, art, and social media.”—Jessica Smartt Gullion, author of October Birds

“This book is about that space between appearances and reality, love and hurt, social media and illusion, and how a couple in love can navigate that space while remaining true to their art and themselves. I found myself rooting for Renn and Emerson and felt like I had a backstage pass to their hit movie about love as a balm for the hurt places we don’t know how to heal. An amazing novel.”—Sandra L. Faulkner, author of Poetic Inquiry: Craft, Method and Practice

“Sugar Sand Land is full of romantic magic that will leave readers captivated and utterly spellbound with each passing page. Leavy writes with heart and wit. This is such a fun book to read and think about.”—J. E. Sumerau, 2021 George Garrett Fiction Prize–winning author of Transmission

“Page-turning, sexy, smart, and full of love. Leavy brilliantly weaves a beautiful romance with questions about identity in contemporary culture. There are layers of depth in a read that feels effortless. Sugar Sand Land is the new great American novel. An absolute must-read.”—Jessie Voigts, Ph.D., founder of Wandering Educators

“Sugar Sand Land is about what happens when romantic love inspires art and art inspires hope and social change in the world. Timely and wonderfully written. Love it!”—Mary E. Weems, author of Fall and Response