Alexis and the Perfect Recipe

Cupcake Diaries #4

by Coco Simon, Elizabeth Doyle Carey

The fourth book in Spotlight's fun and delicious tween series is told from the perspective of Alexis, the most organized member of the Cupcake Club. Alexis likes everything to be exact and logical, but she's finding that when it comes to love, there's no room for logic!

Genres: Middle Grade, Childrens, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Friendship, Coming Of Age, Contemporary

160 pages, Paperback

First published July 5, 2012

About the author

Coco Simon always dreamed of opening a cupcake bakery, but she’s afraid she would eat all the profits. When she’s not daydreaming about cupcakes, Coco edits children’s books and has written close to 100 books for children, tweens, and young adults, which is a lot less than the number of cupcakes she’s eaten. Cupcake Diaries is the first time Coco has mixed her love of cupcakes with writing.

Reviews

[Crys · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Cupcake Club is back - and this book's focus is on Alexis.

Alexis' sister, Dylan, is turning sixteen, and The Cupcake Club has been hired to provide the dessert. There is just one problem: Dylan. She is an unreasonable customer, but sticking with the theme of this series, all things are worked out in the wash.

The true focus of this novel is not on The Cupcake Club and their dilemma with Dylan; the focus is growing up and developing first crushes. For Alexis, that crush is Matt Taylor, brother to her best friend.

This installment deals with the importance of friendship and remaining true to yourself no matter the situation, difficult older sisters and crushes included.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book, but I gave it four instead of five stars because I felt the focus was too much on Alexis. But as all things happen when growing up, the author is moving the series from being about the group as a whole to giving readers individual characters that are enhanced when with their group of friends. I guess you could say that by book four in the series, the author begins to show young readers the importance of friendship, but also the importance of one's self.

[Cadee · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I liked this book because this book has a lot of cupcakes and I love cupcakes. One character fell in love with a person named Matt Taylor. So if you like romantic story's you would like this book." -Cadee, age 8

[Asuka Mai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Usually it takes me a couple days to continue the series book after finishing one of the series. But not with this Cupcake series.
I was eager to go on and on and it didn't bored me at all.
This series is so entertaining me and give heart warming.

This time we'll meet Alexis, who a math lover and geek in counting profit.
Well, after she helped Emma by calling up Matt with the dress she couldn't afford to Mia's Mom's wedding ( book 3 ).

She realized that she's in love with Matt, but too bad Callie from PGC in love with him too.
And this time, the Cupcakers will be in Dylan's birthday project, in Black and Gold theme.
Dylan is Alexis older sister.

[Pooja Banga · Rating 3 out of 5]

The fourth book in Spotlight's fun and delicious tween series is told from the perspective of Alexis, the most organized member of the Cupcake Club. Alexis likes everything to be exact and logical, but she's finding that when it comes to love, there's no more room for logic anymore!

[Den Alessandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like this book. It is all about Alexis crushing on Emma's brother Matt Taylor. And she wants to get his attention. She worked on her Matt Taylor Project.

And her sister is throwing a birthday party. But Dylan, Alexis' sister is being mean. Her mother and father had a peep talk about Dylan. She finally learned her lesson and discovers Alexis likes Matt. Dylan helped her sister impress Matt and get his attention.

That's all I've got! Thank you Coco for writing Cupcake Diaries. They're all my favorite! I hope you open your cupcake bakery! Goodbye and Good luck!!!

[Brandi Fox]

I was honestly expecting to hate this book but it’s not so bad. I would rather my kid read this than the sweet valley high series I used to devour.

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

En commençant et en lisant ce livre,j’étais en complète panne de lecture.En le finissant,je ne l’était plus du tout!Merci à ce livre de m’avoir changé les idées 🥰

[maheen · Rating 4 out of 5]

hood classic

[Jaya Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alexis and the perfect recipe was about a girl named Alexis Becker and her and her friends
(Mia,Katie,and Emma)have a cupcake club and they sell cupcakes at school.YAY! GO CUPCAKES! Enyway, Alexis' mom is planning Alexis' older sister Dylan's Sixteenth birthday party and Alexis has to make cupcake's for Dylan's birthday but, Dylan has to have her cupcake's black and gold ( which i am not pickie with cupcake's,if there good and pretty you can't go wrong.) So, Alexis has yo deal with that, but there is a boy in her life to, his name is Matt and she realy like's him,even though it is Emma's older brother, and in the end there all happy.

[L'Abri des Pages · Rating 5 out of 5]

Comme pour les précédents, l'histoire commence immédiatement, dès la 1e page. Alex la boss des maths qui transforme tout en équation, y compris une soirée entre amies. Paf, équation. Comment draguer le garçon qu'elle aime bien ? Rebelote, équation 🥴 Je suis pas du tout forte en maths donc j'ai survolé gentiment, vous pensez bien 😂

Mais comment faire lorsque son crush est aussi le frère de sa meilleure amie.. L'amitié sera-t'elle en péril ? Heureusement je n'ai jamais vécu ça, je n'aurais pas aimé du tout ça, comme si inconsciemment il fallait faire un choix malgré tout. L'anniversaire de Dylan, la grande sœur d'Alex, l'aidera beaucoup à se rapprocher de son Matt chéri 😇 Alala ça me rappelle quand j'étais gamine, j'étais un vrai cœur d'artichaut 😂🥴

Je l'ai lu en 2j parce que les chapitres sont à la fois courts, peu nombreux et intéressants. J'ai presque eu l'impression de "bâcler" ma lecture, je préfère prendre mon temps que de rush, mais je n'avais pas envie d'attendre. Je pense que me voilà repartie dans ma frénésie de lectrice. Ou peut-être est-ce même une nouvelle découverte : lire sans m'occuper du découpage en chapitres 😱

Bref, j'adore Alex et j'ignore laquelle de Katie ou elle est ma préférée. Mais Alex gagne certainement énormément de points dans ce 4e Tome.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C_VxjkcNJo0/

[Book Concierge · Rating 3 out of 5]

The fourth entry in the popular Cupcake Diaries series for middle-school-age children, shines the spotlight on Alexis Becker, who is the business champion of the four friends who make up the Cupcake Club.

Alexis likes math and feels comfortable doing research and analyzing data before making decisions. She usually handles the finances for the club, but right now she can’t think straight because she is in a fog with a major crush on Matt Taylor, Emma’s older brother.

Ah, the drama of first love! The flutters and stomach aches. The chance for a dance and the embarrassment of not being able to control a blush. But the middle-school years are full of more than just crushes. There are other issues including an older sister who is demanding all the attention lately, a fight with a best friend, a rival for the crush’s attention, a cupcake business to run, and math homework.

I’m glad I had the chance to read these first four books, which introduce each of the Cupcake Club members. They’re delightful books with relatable characters and scenarios. I’d have no hesitation recommending them to middle-school students.

[Nicole Fajardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Cupcake Diaries, Alexis and the Perfect Recipe” by Coco Simon is one of my favorite non-holiday book I have ever read! The book is about a girl named “Alexis” and she is in a cupcake club with her best friends. But she develops a crush on one of her best friends brother. Meanwhile her older sister, “Dylan”, is having a sweet sixteen party and needs the perfect cupcakes to match her theme from the Cupcake Club and Dylan can become bossy when she wants to be. I really enjoyed this book because it's the type of books I enjoy, it’s interesting, enjoyable, and it’s a series of books so if you love one of the books, there is more to read! I recommend this book to sixth grade girls!

[Ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Cupcake Diaries, Alexis and the Perfect Recipe by Coco Simon is one of my favorite books I have read. The book is about a girl named Alexis and she is in a cupcake club with her best friends Emma, Katie and Mia. But she has a crush on one of her best friends brother. Her older sister Dylan, is having a sweet sixteen party and needs the perfect and really yummy cupcakes to match her birthday theme. Dylan can get bossy sometimes. I really enjoyed the book, it’s interesting, fun, and its a series of books so you can have more of the action! I recommend this book to people who like drama and fun books!

[Manda Marigold · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This book's central focus is Alexis. Alexis is a mini mathematician. She keeps the cupcake club on track about the business aspects of the club. When Alexis's sister Dylan throws her sweet sixteen and invites Emma's whole family, Alexis starts to view the situation as a problem. The problem is Alexis has developed a secret crush on Emma's older brother, Matt. Alexis soon discovers that not all situations can be handled with numbers and logic. In certain situations, feelings trump everything. Overall, this is a cute book. I enjoyed that this book was from Alexis's perspective. This writing style gives the stories in the series variety. The cupcakes sound delicious.

[Keziah Oduro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to read this book for the nostalgia and see what I liked as a kid, and it did not disappoint. Alexis is overly annoying and every issue was so stupid but it was so cute and sweet. It’s so interesting to see how different my interpretation of these characters/books are from now to when I was like 10. Back then, it took me a couple days to a week so finish the books but I crushed it in like 3 hours.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! It was just so cool to see Alexis having a crush! Although one thing that bugs me is that in the previous books in the series Alexis wears skirts pretty often. Yet, in Alexis and the Perfect Recipe, she said she always wore jeans. Coco Simon missed that. Though that annoys me, I still think it is an awesome book!

[Mia]

I think this is such a great read! Perfect for young girls any age from, I'd say, 8 - 14. Yes, some slightly more mature 8 and 9 year olds will enjoy reading this, too! Like all books, it does have its highs and lows, but I do feel it's worth it. Also check out the other Coco Simon books -- just as great!

[Abi]

Did I read this book solely because my 7 year old niece spent 40 mins showing me the whole cupcake diaries series and told me they were her favorites books and that Alexis was her favorite and then proceeded to innocently asked me if I wanted to read it??? …. Yes

This is proof that I love my niece

[Jen Bury · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute addition to the series exploring the questions "what is this feeling for this boy?", "what do I want to do about it?", "Does having a crush mean I want a boyfriend?" etc... I like the way the book treated the process as typical feelings, but without pressure to categorize or make them mean certain actions were needed.

[kaleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't love this book as much as the first three books in the series, but I still loved it! I thought that it was sweet that Alexis liked Matt so much but at times I was like ok kid slow your roll he's not the love of your life. But this is a middle grade book, so what'd I expect? Besides for that I really liked the friendship aspect in this book and I honestly had such a fun time reading it.

[Addie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book took me a long time to read because at the beginning it was super boring because it was the exact same things that happened over and over. Alexis is the most boring character in the series.mNear the end of the book it got really good.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

devoured this book in a whizz. Loved Alexis's side of story and it's so well panned out. this is such a mature and apt read for a teen. most importantly, the values instilled are very much appreciated and precious for even an adult. I want to finish each and every book in the whole series.

[Zoey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing! It not only shows how to make friends but it also describes how to make businesses(in this case cupcakes) I loved how there are over 20 books in the series, I am currently looking for the 5th book!

[Addison]

Oh Alexis, don't try so hard to get him to like you. If he doesn't like you for who you are, then he's not worth it. You shouldn't have to change your entire style to attract a boy's attention.

Oh, who am I kidding? They're ELEVEN. This is ridiculous. They're acting like high schoolers.

[lire.des_livres · Rating 3 out of 5]

J’ADORE Alex. Donc déjà, c’est un bon point. En plus, j’ai trouvé que le livre était intéressant, les cupcakes n’étaient ni trop présents ni pas assez. Et les sujets évoqués sont ceux que l’on peut connaître à l’adolescence

[blueygurl2016 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute book about an analytical girl having a monster crush for the first time and not really knowing what to do about it. It brought back memories of my awkward junior high, high school, and college crushes that I really didn’t know how to handle. Lol.

[Haleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book!!!

[Kaitlyn Zambrana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it!

[ally · Rating 4 out of 5]

haha

[Vznessa]

I love this book