Cookie

The Fluffy Cupcake #3

by Katie Mettner

Cookie Pearson is at the precipice of her dream—owning The Fluffy Cupcake. As a second-generation master baker, she’s ready to take the pastry world by storm until she comes face-to-face with Ares Halla, her ex-best friend. He’s back to claim his rights to the bakery, which Cookie never saw coming.

Ares Halla wants a do-over with The Fluffy Cupcake and Cookie Pearson. It’s been thirteen years since he’s set foot in the bakery, but now, he’s ready for a second chance at the life he’s always wanted. Will that life include Cookie Pearson? All signs point to no, but Ares has never been one to accept defeat.

Caught up in a cookie competition that could put The Fluffy Cupcake on the map, Cookie and Ares must navigate their complicated past with their bakery and hearts on the line. Can these best friends find a way to forgive and forget for a second chance at sweet, sweet love?

Get lost in the small-town charm of Lake Pendle and The Fluffy Cupcake, with strong female characters, heartfelt romance, and plenty of drama. Cookie will captivate readers from page one with a unique perspective on forgiveness and second-chance love stories. Readers will cheer on Cookie and Ares as they overcome their past mistakes and work to build a future together.

Genres: Fiction

274 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 29, 2023

About the author

Katie Mettner wears the title of 'the only person to lose her leg after falling down the bunny hill' and loves decorating her prosthetic leg to fit the season. She lives in Northern Wisconsin with her own happily-ever-after and spends the day writing romantic stories with her sweet puppy by her side. Katie has an addiction to coffee and dachshunds and a lessening aversion to Pinterest — now that she’s quit trying to make the things she pins.

Read about more of Katie's adventures as an amputee writer at http://katiemettner.com/
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Reviews

[Tammy Lunsford - Escape to Books By Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will make you want to either go out and buy cupcakes or make them yourself. Cookie Pearson is anxiously awaiting the time when The Fluffy Cupcake will be hers. Her parents plan on signing their portion of the business over to her. She is definitely a master baker. Her joy quickly turns to sorrow and anger when Ares Halla returns to town. Ares is her ex-best friend. He left town 13 years ago and broke her heart. She soon finds out that Ares will be receiving a portion of the ownership of the bakery from his parents. She is distraught and does not believe she can work with him. Her family calms her down, and she decides to make the best of the situation in the only way she knows how - ignore him. She enters a cookie competition after being prodded by her friends and family and this is when everything gets interesting.

The descriptions of the cookies she designs and creates will cause your mouth to water. This is a wonderful second chance romance where two individuals will have to overcome hurdles from their past and be honest with one another. There is also a little intrigue and mystery mixed into the story. If you like a good romance with a dose of bakery goods, you will enjoy this book.

Thank you to the author for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[DebM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cookie is an upbeat, fun book to read! Author Katie Mettner keeps the series in the family by continuing with the “kids” (though they are also adults). I’m glad she continued the storyline and also keeping the parent in the story!
After 13 years Cookie’s best friend and crush has come to town and she’s determined to keep him at arm’s length. Needless to say, Ares has different ideas. He has returned back to Lake Pendle to heal himself after the big city and he’s ready to put down some roots!
This is a very entertaining story! The women are strong and forge ahead despite any challenges that are in their life and their men are supportive. As always I shed some tears but the majority of the time I find myself cheering and smiling for these characters. I believe in all my reviews I also mention the community — I always feel Katie’s stories make me wish I lived in these towns where the people whole heartedly support others! And as for Blake— he was an interesting character in this storyline and I’m glad he got what he deserved!!!

Katie, you, once again made me sit back and think about everyday challenges people go through and what makes them stronger and succeed! I feel happy after reading your books, Although I was hoping there might be a Rye and Ben book!?

[KristieReadsBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the first two books in this series - Cupcake and Tart; this is a fantastic addition to the series. This is a story about the next generation of The Fluffy Cupcake. Katie always bring us amazing characters that are facing challenges…but they always come away stronger, successful and filled with determination.

Cookie is on the verge of living out her dreams. She has so many plans for her business and is excited to make it hers (along with her business partners). She is blind sided by those closest to her and she struggles to forgive and move on…I don’t blame her!!!

Ares arrives back in town after being away for a long time. He has his reasons for being back but holds them pretty close…not wanting to share. He’s back in town for good and to help with a family business. He has some baggage to work through and also needs to earn back trust from those closest to him.

I really enjoyed the banter, push and pull, undeniable attraction between Cookie and Ares. Their journey to forgiveness, new beginnings and a bright future are so beautifully told through Katie’s words.

[Renee Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cookie Pearson’s dream is coming true. She has grown up in her parents bakery , The Fluffy Cupcake and now that her parents are retiring, she will be the new owner. Well, part owner. Her mother’s best friend owns the other half and is also retiring and signing her half over to her children. All of the children grew up in the bakery and took over the responsibilities as they got older. All except Ares, no, he walked out and left to go to college and to the big city , bigger and better things. He also walked out on Cookie, his best friend since birth. Now he is back to take ownership of his share. But he expects everything and everyone to be the same. But he has changed and his best friend has changed. They are no longer friends, but partners. The hurt and anger can ruin the business that their parents worked so hard to make a success. I loved this book, as if takes us through the struggles of accepting, learning to understand disabilities, some visible, and some not. learning that hurt can heal, and anger can kill. And that ex best friends, really are still best friends

[Karen Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kinda read! I absolutely love baking! Both Cookie and Ares have their secrets. Ares has been gone for 13th years. He comes back to Lake Pendle to run the finance side of the bakery with Cookie, Rye, Athena and Taylor after their parents retire. It’s no secret over the years Ares has come back, but Cookie is never around. They were best friends back in the day, and did everything together. With Ares coming back, how will Ares and Cookie get along? Will they give into the feelings that are obviously there? Can Cookie trust that Ares won’t leave again? Cookie even tries dating again, with Rye’s help. Wait til you see how that plays out! You won’t want to miss that. Cookie is so outgoing and wants to make sure she does what she needs to do to keep The Fluffy Cupcake going. This comes with doubts of course, but Cookie is strong and determined!

[Darla Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

This second generation story is going to play with your heartstrings. As Cookie tries to come to terms that her best friend growing up, Ares, has left right after graduation, she is making the best of it by working harder at the bakery their parents own. Then one day out of the blue, 13 years later, he returns and no one warned her. She has been hurt by so many people that she calls family, she doesn't know where to turn. She isn't sure how to feel and decides to start dating again and that doesn't go well. But Ares seems to have changed, so Cookie let's her guard down. Has Ares really changed? Or is he the same immature boy that left 13 years ago? You will have to read it to find out whether they find each again after all these years. Thank you Katie for another 5 star read!!! Loved it !!!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a sweet Romance. I loved seeing how Cookie and Ares learned to trust each other and eventually fell in love. Ares pushed Cookie outside of her comfort zone and it paid off. Poor Ares, he truly messed up, and Cookie refused to forgive him easily. I loved how even though this story is about the kids moving forward with the bakery, their parents played a key role in how things unfolded. As you read this story you can’t help but get lost in Lake Pendle and root for Cookie and Ares, a perfect getaway. One of my favorite parts was the cookie competition and the value they saw in Cookie and her beliefs for the future.There are so many amazing moments that draw you into this story. You have to read the book and see for yourself how a cookie pie helped develop the bakery's new vision. I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 3rd book in the series but can be read as a standalone this is the first one I have read!

Cookie is excited to be taking part ownership of The Fluffy Cupcake. Her family and her best friend growing up family own it currently but are ready to retire. She is blindsided by those closest to her, parents, friends, and those whom she has known and considered family.


Ares is back in town to claim his stake in The Fluffy Cupcake and to try making things right with Cookie.

I really enjoyed this story of second chances, forgiveness, and love. This author gives readers real-life issues and struggles to work through. A great read!

[Jill Johns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cookie Pies yum

This is book 3 and is the story of the next generation. There is emotional struggle as one can imagine growing up with a Mom with PTSD from surviving a childhood storm and the continued pain caused by that tragedy on the son. Or that of the daughter of the Mom who almost died after winning a baking competition, who has a heart big enough for all. But best friends having kids together leads to cookies and cookie pies. Read what all the excitement is about in this book. The only thing better would be the recipe or two of the creation made in The Fluffy Cupcake or the Cuckoo for Cookies truck.

[stacy n · Rating 3 out of 5]

favorite story of the bunch

I loved this story, and I should prob give it more stars. I hate that the timelines are totally off. This literally started in the first chapter, with the 57 year old bakery that began with “cupcake” tale. That would make main characters about 50 years old instead of 30.

I also did not like storylines not being wrapped up. Such as Sara and Taylor/ rye and Ben. Such big pieces of the stories that are missing, again with the time line jumps.

All of that being said, the series was great. The characters are great, the plot is good in all three. I read the series over 5 days.

[Laura R · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a small town second chance romance between two characters have known each other their whole lives. Cookie and Ares were best friends growing up until suddenly their senior year of high school he said some hurtful things to her. And then he left town right after graduation. Now that he's back to take his place working at the bakery, will Cookie finally learn what why he left? There are also other family matters for both of them to deal with, along with a cookie competition, and Cookie re-entering the dating scene.

[Caroline Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cookie is happy about her life and the bakery and her new plans to take over the shop but, is in for a shock!
Ares is about to come back to his hometown after spending nearly thirteen years away.
The storyline had me engrossed from the start and kept the pages turning, I love this story and I'm so pleased that Ms Mettna continued the series with the children of the bakery.
I love to see characters continuing in all the books of a series because you really get to know them.
A brilliant read!

[Mary Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me hooked on page 1. Cookie has been working in her family bakery & is all set to take the reins when her father retires. She feels betrayed by her family because no one warned her that her former best friend was returning to town. Ares & Cookie have to learn to trust each other again. This story subtly deals with people with disabilities, and how their lives are not so different from ours. I definitely will be reading more Katie Mettner books!

[Jessie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cookie

This installment is just as simple and sweet as the other two books. I really enjoyed getting to explore this quaint setting and all the characters. The realistic plots and conclusions were a nice element. I wished the stories, especially the last one, had an epilogue to see how all the characters were doing in their happily ever afters.

[Toothpick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story. The characters were so real I felt like I could feel their angst, joy, questioning, wondering, dislike, etc. I enjoyed how the author kept the friendships and the relationships going throughout the timeline. The story is one that found me rooting for a happily ever after, but not sure if there would be one.

[Robin Gross · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book captured my attention fast and the need to keep reading to find out what would happen with Cookie and Ares. These two have a past and now 13 years later meet again. I loved how this story evolved from start to finish. You won't be disappointed!

[Karen Pratt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast and fun read. I love that a new generation is taking over the Fluffy Cupcake and giving us continued stories of love, forgiveness and hope.

[Holly Cameron · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the first one I have read in the series and I LOVED IT.

Cookie's feistiness and all the banter towards her childhood best friend Ares had me hooked from the beginning!

This is a fantastic long lost best friends to lovers book. The story line kept the pages turning. All the feelings and emotions are shared and some yummy cookies are made along the way!!!

These two have some deep seeded past trauma to work through- and struggle to include each other in the healing, even though they each need each other’s help.

Definitely a great romantic read!!

[Larissa Schuller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved Cookie and Ares. Learning how to be honest about the past and feelings for each other.

[Anne Wondra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This pushed too many betrayal buttons (for me) from tha beginning. And even though it cleared out fairly early, it still felt like a manipulative vibe was still playing out on tha part of tha main male character. Supposedly everyone's heart was in tha right place, justifying their actions. That might have made tha story and characters who they were; just didn't leave me with tha kind of feelings or emotional trip I want to read again and repeat, to get to their happy ending. There was some deep emotional stuff covered in this one. Both main characters had once considered ending their life. I'm glad I read it; was good to meet Cookie and Ares, and to catch up on both sets of parents from Cupcake and Tart in this series.

[Patricia Furstenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get ready to fall in love with a heartwarming small town romance!
This delightful tale follows the journey of two childhood friends whose parents co-own a charming bakery. When Ares, one of the friends, leaves for college, Cookie is left heartbroken. But now, Ares is back to claim his share of the bakery and, just maybe, win Cookie's heart as well. I absolutely adored the storyline, and the characters felt so genuine and relatable.
Katie Mettner has delivered an entertaining and heartwarming story that will leave you with a cozy, fuzzy feeling inside.