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Cupcake Club #1
Un amore di cupcake
La trentenne Leilani Trusdale non ce la fa più: i ritmi frenetici, le pressioni costanti e il carattere burbero dello chef Baxter Dunne, che ormai dedica più tempo alla sua trasmissione televisiva che alla cucina, sono ormai diventati insostenibili. Insomma, è giunto il momento di darci un taglio. Così, dopo oltre quattro anni di duro lavoro e poche soddisfazioni come executive chef del ristorante Gâteau di New York, Leilani decide di tornare nella città natale della bisnonna materna dove vive suo padre, sulla piccola isola di Sugarberry, per realizzare il sogno che coltiva sin da ragazzina: aprire una pasticceria di cupcake, un luogo caldo e magico dove poter creare irresistibili dolcetti da decorare con golose glasse. E le cose sembrano andare subito per il verso giusto, anche grazie all’aiuto degli amici di sempre, del padre e dell’intera comunità di Sugarberry, tutti convinti che il suo talento e la sua passione possano finalmente trovare un degno riconoscimento. Quando però viene a sapere che Baxter ha intenzione di girare la prossima serie del suo show proprio a Sugarberry, Leilani inizia ad agitarsi, ad emozionarsi… perché, in fondo al cuore, sa che il suo scontroso ex-capo è proprio l’ingrediente «magico» che le manca per essere felice. Prima però sarà necessario superare la dura scorza di Baxter e mettere a nudo il suo lato dolce, nascosto eppure irresistibile, come un cupcake...
352 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2011
248 people are currently reading
2098 people want to read
About the author
Donna Kauffman
147 books1,798 followersUSA Today bestseller and award winning author of the Cupcake Club series and the Blueberry Cove series, DONNA KAUFFMAN has been gratified to see her books get rave reviews in venues ranging from Kirkus Reviews and Library Journal to Entertainment Weekly and Cosmopolitan. She lives in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains in southwestern Virginia, where she is happily working on the next book in her brand new Blue Hollow Falls series, set right in her mountain home area. When she's not writing, she can be found recapping the popular tv show NCIS for USA Today, or escaping into her garden to play in the dirt. Donna also works as a volunteer wildlife transporter for two local sanctuaries, giving orphaned and injured wildlife a second chance at survival. You can catch up on all of her adventures via her author page on Facebook, or on Twitter, or Instagram @writerchick. Donna loves to hear from readers!
Donna Kauffman passed away on April 9, 2020 of pancreatic cancer.
Donna Kauffman passed away on April 9, 2020 of pancreatic cancer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 352 reviews
May 3, 2012
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★★★½☆ If you want dialogue, this is the book for you. Good dialogue? Sometimes. Sometimes very good dialogue. Sometimes just a rehash of what we already know. I also felt that Leilani was originally this really nice person who had to get a little ‘bitchy’ to get the sexual tension percolating with Baxter. That just didn’t work for me.
However, if you are one of those people who wish the couple would just talk to one another, this is the book for you. This couple is finally talking about all the things they haven’t been for the past four or five years. For me, there was a lot of in-depth discussions about what I’d previously read.
While I loved some of Leilani’s late night consultations with her girl-friends, but the book didn’t get good until the second half.
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★★★½☆ If you want dialogue, this is the book for you. Good dialogue? Sometimes. Sometimes very good dialogue. Sometimes just a rehash of what we already know. I also felt that Leilani was originally this really nice person who had to get a little ‘bitchy’ to get the sexual tension percolating with Baxter. That just didn’t work for me.
However, if you are one of those people who wish the couple would just talk to one another, this is the book for you. This couple is finally talking about all the things they haven’t been for the past four or five years. For me, there was a lot of in-depth discussions about what I’d previously read.
While I loved some of Leilani’s late night consultations with her girl-friends, but the book didn’t get good until the second half.
July 8, 2012
I enjoyed several of Kauffman's other books (notably the "Glass Slipper, Inc" series). They were light, but I could identify with the characters and they were fun reads. This book just seemed to drag on forever... I actually listened to it, rather than reading it-- which meant that I couldn't "skim". It was excruciating! I got so tired of the main female character's angst, hand-wringing, and indecision. There was lots of "wrestling" going on, but most of it was metaphorical and not particularly compelling or interesting. And it was very repetitive!
I never grew to like, much less identify with, any of the characters. And I didn't think that the "baking" schtick created an interesting hook, at least not the way that it was portrayed. By the time the main characters finally hooked up (which, of course, was inevitable), I didn't really CARE-- I just wanted to be done with the book! I MAY read the second book in the series, but only because several other reviewers who seem to share my opinion about this one have indicated that it is a better book!
I never grew to like, much less identify with, any of the characters. And I didn't think that the "baking" schtick created an interesting hook, at least not the way that it was portrayed. By the time the main characters finally hooked up (which, of course, was inevitable), I didn't really CARE-- I just wanted to be done with the book! I MAY read the second book in the series, but only because several other reviewers who seem to share my opinion about this one have indicated that it is a better book!
February 25, 2017
This was a really sweet (quite literally) romance between Leilani the former right hand woman of Baxter Dunne, celebrity pastry chef. Leilani has since moved to Sugarberry to be closer to her father and away from the hustle of New York City and get over Baxter. But Baxter has other plans, and decides he is into Lei and comes looking for her in the tiny town in Georgia and upsets all her plans of small town life.
I liked how the small town life was well fleshed out and juxtaposed against the lights/glam of Baxter's life. I also really liked that Leilani was given a rich, full life with friends, neighbors, her dad, the backstory of her mom and grandparents, her work and her place in the town outside of the romance. It really hammered in the idea of the main conflict of the novel-- that Leilani and Baxter were perfect for each other but their lifestyles weren't---- Baxter is a celebrity chef tub Leilani loves her life that she has carved out for herself in Sugarberry.
And i'm glad that the book addressed it the whole way, and also allowed Leilani to be selfish about it, that she knew what she wanted for her work/home life and while she loved Baxter, she was also not willing to compromise on her own achievements and need for a quieter life in a small town.
I liked how the small town life was well fleshed out and juxtaposed against the lights/glam of Baxter's life. I also really liked that Leilani was given a rich, full life with friends, neighbors, her dad, the backstory of her mom and grandparents, her work and her place in the town outside of the romance. It really hammered in the idea of the main conflict of the novel-- that Leilani and Baxter were perfect for each other but their lifestyles weren't---- Baxter is a celebrity chef tub Leilani loves her life that she has carved out for herself in Sugarberry.
And i'm glad that the book addressed it the whole way, and also allowed Leilani to be selfish about it, that she knew what she wanted for her work/home life and while she loved Baxter, she was also not willing to compromise on her own achievements and need for a quieter life in a small town.
March 30, 2012
Finally! I'm so happy to be done with this book! It took me a week to read due to the big pages and small text and the fact that the first 200 or so pages were so boring it was a book I could only take in small portions.
Lani is a pastry chef and a good one. She quit her job at a high profile restaurant in New York to move to Sugarberry Island, where her Dad is sherriff and her family came from. She opens up a cupcakery and is enjoying it. That is, until Baxter Dunne decides to follow her there. Baxter was her boss and she always had a huge crush on him. When he left the restaurant in her hands to he could have his own cooking show, she decided it was time to leave and make a new life for herself. Now he's in Sugarberry and he wants to take his show on the road and use her cupcakery to film a few episodes of his show. AND, he has the hots for Lani as well.
The meat of this book is Lani constantly telling herself, BAxter and anyone who will listen that she doesn't want him in her life because it'll never work. She's in Sugarberry and she's not moving and Baxter would never settle down there. The author spins this scenerio every way she can spin it to fill the pages. That's what I hated about the book. What i did like was her late-night bitch and bake sessions w/ her friend Charlotte and the old lady on the island who she refers to as a sort of Betty White-like character. Those were funny, especially when Alma, (the Betty White character) calls the sessions bitchin' bakes.
Only after 240 pages do we get any sex from this book, which was good and was deserved after reading 240 pages of boring. I'll cut my losses and not read the next book in the series which has a new cast of characters anyway.
Lani is a pastry chef and a good one. She quit her job at a high profile restaurant in New York to move to Sugarberry Island, where her Dad is sherriff and her family came from. She opens up a cupcakery and is enjoying it. That is, until Baxter Dunne decides to follow her there. Baxter was her boss and she always had a huge crush on him. When he left the restaurant in her hands to he could have his own cooking show, she decided it was time to leave and make a new life for herself. Now he's in Sugarberry and he wants to take his show on the road and use her cupcakery to film a few episodes of his show. AND, he has the hots for Lani as well.
The meat of this book is Lani constantly telling herself, BAxter and anyone who will listen that she doesn't want him in her life because it'll never work. She's in Sugarberry and she's not moving and Baxter would never settle down there. The author spins this scenerio every way she can spin it to fill the pages. That's what I hated about the book. What i did like was her late-night bitch and bake sessions w/ her friend Charlotte and the old lady on the island who she refers to as a sort of Betty White-like character. Those were funny, especially when Alma, (the Betty White character) calls the sessions bitchin' bakes.
Only after 240 pages do we get any sex from this book, which was good and was deserved after reading 240 pages of boring. I'll cut my losses and not read the next book in the series which has a new cast of characters anyway.
January 17, 2012
(Will insert book talk later...)
I was rather disappointed with this one. Though I liked all the characters, it just seemed like all the conversations the hero and heroine had were the same:
Her: "I know you don't understand why I want to live in this tiny town and make cupcakes"
Him: "No I don't - you're destined for better things."
Her: "Let me explain why I love it so much for a long time"
Him: "Ok, wow, I respect your decision, though I don't understand it."
It just felt a little same-y after a while. I usually really like this type of romance, so I'm surpised I felt this way. I may read the next in the series just to see if things change in the next book.
I was rather disappointed with this one. Though I liked all the characters, it just seemed like all the conversations the hero and heroine had were the same:
Her: "I know you don't understand why I want to live in this tiny town and make cupcakes"
Him: "No I don't - you're destined for better things."
Her: "Let me explain why I love it so much for a long time"
Him: "Ok, wow, I respect your decision, though I don't understand it."
It just felt a little same-y after a while. I usually really like this type of romance, so I'm surpised I felt this way. I may read the next in the series just to see if things change in the next book.
April 16, 2013
I quit. 60% and I still am not invested in the characters. I can't take them talking about why their lives together won't work anymore. I haven't managed to figure out why they are even interested. I will just predict what happens instead.
They continue to discuss why it won't work beating the dead horse for another couple of chapters. They exchange kiss number 3 which blows their minds (btw they need to get out more) and convinces them they must try. So, they write up a life plan that meets their individual goals while allowing them to be together. Sign on the dotted line. Exchange kiss number 4 and Ta Dah! The end.
They continue to discuss why it won't work beating the dead horse for another couple of chapters. They exchange kiss number 3 which blows their minds (btw they need to get out more) and convinces them they must try. So, they write up a life plan that meets their individual goals while allowing them to be together. Sign on the dotted line. Exchange kiss number 4 and Ta Dah! The end.
June 23, 2024
“UN AMORE DI CUPCAKE” è dolce, zuccherosa e romantica proprio come il titolo lascia presagire.
Leilani, chef patissier ispirata e di talento, abbandona il suo prestigioso lavoro a New York per rifugiarsi su una tranquilla isoletta della Georgia. Varie sono le motivazioni che hanno portato la ragazza a cambiare vita e ad aprire un negozio specializzato in cupcake a Sugarberry, a partire dall’infarto del padre, ma soprattutto per lo stress e le malelingue della metropoli. Girava voce, infatti, che il successo lavorativo di Leilani fosse dovuto allo speciale feeling instauratosi con il suo capo, il famoso chef Baxter Dunne, ultimamente dedito solo agli show televisivi e per il quale, oltretutto, aveva in effetti un debole (mai manifestato apertamente). Ciò ha condotto la giovane ad optare per una sorta di fuga e a ricominciare da capo altrove, modificando le priorità di vita. Peccato che Baxter non si rassegni a non averla più intorno ed escogiti un piano ingegnoso per riproporle la propria presenza.
Si è trattato di un romance piuttosto scontato ma ho apprezzato lo stile narrativo di Donna Kaufmann, scorrevole ma non banale e soprattutto ricco di descrizioni evocative di luoghi, persone, situazioni, sentimenti (che vanno sempre in crescendo con lo scorrere delle pagine) ed anche delle creazioni culinarie. Insomma, è stato un piacevole passatempo.
Leilani, chef patissier ispirata e di talento, abbandona il suo prestigioso lavoro a New York per rifugiarsi su una tranquilla isoletta della Georgia. Varie sono le motivazioni che hanno portato la ragazza a cambiare vita e ad aprire un negozio specializzato in cupcake a Sugarberry, a partire dall’infarto del padre, ma soprattutto per lo stress e le malelingue della metropoli. Girava voce, infatti, che il successo lavorativo di Leilani fosse dovuto allo speciale feeling instauratosi con il suo capo, il famoso chef Baxter Dunne, ultimamente dedito solo agli show televisivi e per il quale, oltretutto, aveva in effetti un debole (mai manifestato apertamente). Ciò ha condotto la giovane ad optare per una sorta di fuga e a ricominciare da capo altrove, modificando le priorità di vita. Peccato che Baxter non si rassegni a non averla più intorno ed escogiti un piano ingegnoso per riproporle la propria presenza.
Si è trattato di un romance piuttosto scontato ma ho apprezzato lo stile narrativo di Donna Kaufmann, scorrevole ma non banale e soprattutto ricco di descrizioni evocative di luoghi, persone, situazioni, sentimenti (che vanno sempre in crescendo con lo scorrere delle pagine) ed anche delle creazioni culinarie. Insomma, è stato un piacevole passatempo.
February 14, 2021
I would like to say that I enjoyed this, but that wasn't the case... Parts of this, I really loved. They were sweet, and funny, but this just felt long. Normally, I can blow through a 300 page romance in a matter of hours. This book made me want to stop reading.
I think a lot of my problem with this was that the only plot was Leilani and Baxter getting together. And because they didn't even acknowledge feelings until the 65% mark made this feel so slow. This needed something else, or at least some fun banter.
I did love the small town feel of this book though! The portions with the Cupcake Club were super fun, and I loved meeting all of the town's residents. Alva was a favorite of mine, she was the perfect interfering character.
I'll definitely be picking up another romance after this to make up for my disappointment in this one. I would've liked this if it had been a hundred pages shorter, but oh well.
I think a lot of my problem with this was that the only plot was Leilani and Baxter getting together. And because they didn't even acknowledge feelings until the 65% mark made this feel so slow. This needed something else, or at least some fun banter.
I did love the small town feel of this book though! The portions with the Cupcake Club were super fun, and I loved meeting all of the town's residents. Alva was a favorite of mine, she was the perfect interfering character.
I'll definitely be picking up another romance after this to make up for my disappointment in this one. I would've liked this if it had been a hundred pages shorter, but oh well.
March 20, 2018
I liked this story but it tended to drag on for me. It felt like SO much happened but like nothing was happening at all. That doesn’t even make sense but it’s the only way to explain it. I’m glad I read the story and I thought it was sweet but I don’t see myself coming back to reread.
February 2, 2012
Anyone who knows me knows that I am a guilty pleasure fan of girly contemporary romances. I swear by anything Sophie Kinsella/Madeline Wickham-related, and Jane Green, Jennifer Weiner, and Helen Fielding all have a fan in me. When offered the chance to read and review the first two books in the new Cupcake Club series from Donna Kauffman, I leaped at the chance. So yes, this is going to be a double review of SUGAR RUSH and SWEET STUFF, books one and two in the series from Kensington.
Book one, SUGAR RUSH, chronicles Lani Trusdale’s life as a baker on a small island off the coast of Georgia. She’s left her life in New York City and her ex-boss, Baxter (aka Chef Hot Cakes), a man she completely drooled over. When Baxter shows up on the island wanting to film a new show in Lani’s cupcake store, is it a recipe for love or a mess? The story is about cupcakes and the path for Lani and Baxter’s relationship to get back off the ground.
I really enjoyed the story. It was a sweet, fluffy tale in the vein of Sophie Kinsella, so of course I was a happy camper. The relationship between Lani and Baxter is tense and makes you question what will happen next, but somehow the story does manage to keep the story as sweet as you would imagine a book about cupcakes could be. Baxter’s drive to woo Lani back was impressive and swoon-worthy, leaving me wanting more of Kauffman’s work – so of course I wanted more Cupcake Club! It’s a mix of romance, recipes, and television shows. It’s like blending the Food Network together with CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC, leaving me quite pleased with this book. I thought it was a touch long, however, but the story was a fun, quick read for those of you who enjoy cute contemporary romances.
In book two, SWEET STUFF, we are introduced to some new lead characters, which of course means new shenanigans! Author Quinn and fresh-of-the-boat Riley meet in a rather happenstance way – she sets up cupcakes in an open house, the same house that Quinn buys that same day. Quinn and Riley both have a lot of things to deal with, from broken careers to a return home after years away. Neither were looking for a relationship, but with cupcakes as a main focus, their relationship slowly unfolds in an intense yet cute manner.
I was quite pleased by SWEET STUFF. Like SUGAR RUSH, it’s a cute, light romance full of fun situations and of course the Cupcake Club. My feelings about SWEET STUFF were much like my feelings for book one – cute, fluffy, a little repetitive, and good for a pick-me-up. These books were both quick reads with fun characters. SWEET STUFF has a great element of what it takes to build a relationship from scratch, which I loved. It’s a good break from the usual dreary books I read – hot and heavy romances based on sex, or depressing books about being depressed.
The Cupcake Club books are great new additions to a market among the Kinsellas and Weiners on the shelves. If you are in the market for a sweet contemporary romance with emphasis on the sweet (in more ways than one), these books are definitely books for you to check out for yourself.
VERDICT: A sweet romance series with a focus on cupcakes, the first two CUPCAKE CLUB books by Donna Kauffman are a sugary treat with a touch of fun, excitement, and love.
Book one, SUGAR RUSH, chronicles Lani Trusdale’s life as a baker on a small island off the coast of Georgia. She’s left her life in New York City and her ex-boss, Baxter (aka Chef Hot Cakes), a man she completely drooled over. When Baxter shows up on the island wanting to film a new show in Lani’s cupcake store, is it a recipe for love or a mess? The story is about cupcakes and the path for Lani and Baxter’s relationship to get back off the ground.
I really enjoyed the story. It was a sweet, fluffy tale in the vein of Sophie Kinsella, so of course I was a happy camper. The relationship between Lani and Baxter is tense and makes you question what will happen next, but somehow the story does manage to keep the story as sweet as you would imagine a book about cupcakes could be. Baxter’s drive to woo Lani back was impressive and swoon-worthy, leaving me wanting more of Kauffman’s work – so of course I wanted more Cupcake Club! It’s a mix of romance, recipes, and television shows. It’s like blending the Food Network together with CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC, leaving me quite pleased with this book. I thought it was a touch long, however, but the story was a fun, quick read for those of you who enjoy cute contemporary romances.
In book two, SWEET STUFF, we are introduced to some new lead characters, which of course means new shenanigans! Author Quinn and fresh-of-the-boat Riley meet in a rather happenstance way – she sets up cupcakes in an open house, the same house that Quinn buys that same day. Quinn and Riley both have a lot of things to deal with, from broken careers to a return home after years away. Neither were looking for a relationship, but with cupcakes as a main focus, their relationship slowly unfolds in an intense yet cute manner.
I was quite pleased by SWEET STUFF. Like SUGAR RUSH, it’s a cute, light romance full of fun situations and of course the Cupcake Club. My feelings about SWEET STUFF were much like my feelings for book one – cute, fluffy, a little repetitive, and good for a pick-me-up. These books were both quick reads with fun characters. SWEET STUFF has a great element of what it takes to build a relationship from scratch, which I loved. It’s a good break from the usual dreary books I read – hot and heavy romances based on sex, or depressing books about being depressed.
The Cupcake Club books are great new additions to a market among the Kinsellas and Weiners on the shelves. If you are in the market for a sweet contemporary romance with emphasis on the sweet (in more ways than one), these books are definitely books for you to check out for yourself.
VERDICT: A sweet romance series with a focus on cupcakes, the first two CUPCAKE CLUB books by Donna Kauffman are a sugary treat with a touch of fun, excitement, and love.
January 9, 2012
I like variety when reading and the first reads of 2012 are a perfect example of that. A supernatural werewolf mystery, bizarro and a romantic bit of chic lit. Chic lit being one I'd say I read the least but I won this book on twitter from the publisher and was dying for a different kind of book and this was sitting on my shelves so I rebelled and read it. See I'm a bad ass. Yep that much of one.
Sugar Rush was sweet. No pun intended, though it's hard to escape the sweet food references when it's a book about a baker and her love life. Leilani has had the hots for her boss for ages but after some family issues and a need for a change she moves way down south to a little island off the coast of Georgia. ( I've so always wanted to go to Savannah )
She sets up her own business which takes plenty of time and effort. Leilani who's name is way cool is a character I really liked she's sweet ( yeah, yeah but she is ) she's smart, she's a baker and I totally want to get in her kitchen and lick the bowl and spoon. Just when her life is orderly her ex boss shows up. Yes the one she had the hots for. So much for moving on. Men!
Baxter Dunne aka chef Hot Cakes. < yes he's hot of course it's never fat ugly guys in these books but this is in reference to his hot, hot, hot tv show. Anyhoo Baxter wants to film his show in her kitchen and yes chaos ensues along with some sexual tension in the air. You can see it a mile away.
I enjoyed the characters all nicely well written and just nice good people. My one and only issue with the book is that the reasons given for the two not to be together were well very legitimate so while reading this I'm thinking wait.... they can't be together but, but that's not the way this is supposed to work. They like each other they fall in love have hot sex and live happily ever after. Usually the things that keep the characters apart till the whole oh I realize I love you now and you were meant for me why didn't I realize it all along is usually lame. Here totally legit and no this story didn't go like that but they so often are written that way it seamed like a fine example to use.
Which brings me to my next point it's not written like that thank god. It was very legit arguments and that had me sad which meant I liked them and wanted them to get together asap I may add. I also liked that there wasn't any oh my how could he like me I'm so fat and frumpy and he's a god with a giant penis. That would be what I don't like about chic lit it's so lame and predictable. The guy is always so hot and the girl is so blah but the stud sees her for what she really is a beauty on the inside and then when he jams the penis home boom instant orgasm for her. Um yeah. No. This one has a fun, sweet twist and gasp well written. No lameola bs with the chick not being hot enough or the guy being a god just two people who respect each other, care about each other and finally give it a chance and yeah yeah happily ever after.
I'm still a girl dammit. I want my happy ending, this one delivers and with cup cakes!
Sugar Rush was sweet. No pun intended, though it's hard to escape the sweet food references when it's a book about a baker and her love life. Leilani has had the hots for her boss for ages but after some family issues and a need for a change she moves way down south to a little island off the coast of Georgia. ( I've so always wanted to go to Savannah )
She sets up her own business which takes plenty of time and effort. Leilani who's name is way cool is a character I really liked she's sweet ( yeah, yeah but she is ) she's smart, she's a baker and I totally want to get in her kitchen and lick the bowl and spoon. Just when her life is orderly her ex boss shows up. Yes the one she had the hots for. So much for moving on. Men!
Baxter Dunne aka chef Hot Cakes. < yes he's hot of course it's never fat ugly guys in these books but this is in reference to his hot, hot, hot tv show. Anyhoo Baxter wants to film his show in her kitchen and yes chaos ensues along with some sexual tension in the air. You can see it a mile away.
I enjoyed the characters all nicely well written and just nice good people. My one and only issue with the book is that the reasons given for the two not to be together were well very legitimate so while reading this I'm thinking wait.... they can't be together but, but that's not the way this is supposed to work. They like each other they fall in love have hot sex and live happily ever after. Usually the things that keep the characters apart till the whole oh I realize I love you now and you were meant for me why didn't I realize it all along is usually lame. Here totally legit and no this story didn't go like that but they so often are written that way it seamed like a fine example to use.
Which brings me to my next point it's not written like that thank god. It was very legit arguments and that had me sad which meant I liked them and wanted them to get together asap I may add. I also liked that there wasn't any oh my how could he like me I'm so fat and frumpy and he's a god with a giant penis. That would be what I don't like about chic lit it's so lame and predictable. The guy is always so hot and the girl is so blah but the stud sees her for what she really is a beauty on the inside and then when he jams the penis home boom instant orgasm for her. Um yeah. No. This one has a fun, sweet twist and gasp well written. No lameola bs with the chick not being hot enough or the guy being a god just two people who respect each other, care about each other and finally give it a chance and yeah yeah happily ever after.
I'm still a girl dammit. I want my happy ending, this one delivers and with cup cakes!
December 8, 2011
Review by Valerie:
Ahh...New York City. If you’ve ever been there, you know the energy the city has. Leilani also knows the energy the city has, after all, she worked there for years, but she felt the city drained her. After having a crush on her boss for most of those years, she loses her mom, almost loses her dad, and hightails it out of there and finds herself opening up her own cupcake shop on the little island of Sugarberry. Then one day, plop, out of the blue, her ex-boss shows up and turns her world upside down.
Baxter, aka Chef Hot Cakes, misses his steadfast assistant. His life isn’t the same. So, without thinking, he does what he thinks will be best and moves his famous cooking show to the small island of Sugarberry. His reception isn’t met warmly by his previous assistant who becomes very flustered, voices her opinion – loudly, and now drives a red SUV. Who is this woman wearing eclectic aprons decorating boring cupcakes in the middle of nowhere? Where’s the woman he missed?
As these two characters try to figure out exactly what they have going on between them, there is a heart-warming supportive cast of characters from Alva, Sugarberry’s own Betty White who has a rap sheet, Charlotte, Leilani’s best friend who drops everything to help her, Leilani’s dad, who is the town sheriff, Rosemary, Baxter’s assistant, and Dre, the Art Design student. These people manage to work their way into Leilani’s heart and before she knows it, her life is upside down and the little “B**** and Bake” time that she and her best friend enjoyed so much has turned into a therapeutic baking club.
A fun romantic read for the serious baker, the not-so-serious baker, and the buy-your-cupcakes type of reader (like me)!
For several months now, I have been following the author’s blog chronicling her attempts at mastering the world of cupcakery, http://www.cakesbythecupblog.com/, while doing research for this book. At times I laughed so hard I cried because her blogs were so descriptive and real – who else would admit to having a pink kitchen after trying to make red velvet cupcakes? But, throughout it all, I admired her persistence to understand the world of baking and get it right. Kudos to the first Cupcake Club Romance with recipes included at the end!
Quote: “Maybe if she repeated that often enough, she’d be able to look at him and not think about what it was going to be like when she didn’t have him. When he left for good. And when she didn’t leave with him.” Page 271
Ahh...New York City. If you’ve ever been there, you know the energy the city has. Leilani also knows the energy the city has, after all, she worked there for years, but she felt the city drained her. After having a crush on her boss for most of those years, she loses her mom, almost loses her dad, and hightails it out of there and finds herself opening up her own cupcake shop on the little island of Sugarberry. Then one day, plop, out of the blue, her ex-boss shows up and turns her world upside down.
Baxter, aka Chef Hot Cakes, misses his steadfast assistant. His life isn’t the same. So, without thinking, he does what he thinks will be best and moves his famous cooking show to the small island of Sugarberry. His reception isn’t met warmly by his previous assistant who becomes very flustered, voices her opinion – loudly, and now drives a red SUV. Who is this woman wearing eclectic aprons decorating boring cupcakes in the middle of nowhere? Where’s the woman he missed?
As these two characters try to figure out exactly what they have going on between them, there is a heart-warming supportive cast of characters from Alva, Sugarberry’s own Betty White who has a rap sheet, Charlotte, Leilani’s best friend who drops everything to help her, Leilani’s dad, who is the town sheriff, Rosemary, Baxter’s assistant, and Dre, the Art Design student. These people manage to work their way into Leilani’s heart and before she knows it, her life is upside down and the little “B**** and Bake” time that she and her best friend enjoyed so much has turned into a therapeutic baking club.
A fun romantic read for the serious baker, the not-so-serious baker, and the buy-your-cupcakes type of reader (like me)!
For several months now, I have been following the author’s blog chronicling her attempts at mastering the world of cupcakery, http://www.cakesbythecupblog.com/, while doing research for this book. At times I laughed so hard I cried because her blogs were so descriptive and real – who else would admit to having a pink kitchen after trying to make red velvet cupcakes? But, throughout it all, I admired her persistence to understand the world of baking and get it right. Kudos to the first Cupcake Club Romance with recipes included at the end!
Quote: “Maybe if she repeated that often enough, she’d be able to look at him and not think about what it was going to be like when she didn’t have him. When he left for good. And when she didn’t leave with him.” Page 271
February 24, 2019
I am torn about this book.
On the one hand, I was so grateful to get a hero and heroine who actually talked to each other I was willing to excuse almost anything. The female friendships with the baking therapy were excellent, and the descriptions of cupcakes and other dessert baking made me really want to do some baking of my own (spoiler alert, there are cupcake recipes in the back).
On the one hand, this was one of the most tell-don't-show books I've ever read. Almost every page was 75% dialogue, and people described their thoughts and conclusions and self-reflections in excruciating detail. The first third of the book, easily, featured a lot of conversations followed by conversations about the previous conversations. And the dialogue is...it's not great, honestly. These characters do not ever stop talking, including in bed, which, whatever floats your boat, but the dialogue didn't get any better when it got explicit. Then when they did stop talking, the descriptions used in the sex scenes made me snort-laugh (please let me never hear again about someone "suckling" someone else's tongue).
There was also (spoiler alert for the middle of the book) a piece of backstory that to me REALLY STRONGLY INDICATED that Baxter's "mentor" was a child molester. He even says that he had "outgrown his charms," making it seem pretty clear that this lady is only into adolescent boys...and everyone acted like that was normal and the whole business was never mentioned again. What? Really? No warning bells for anyone?
So yup, not really recommended, but not that bad, either. Plus cupcake recipes.
On the one hand, I was so grateful to get a hero and heroine who actually talked to each other I was willing to excuse almost anything. The female friendships with the baking therapy were excellent, and the descriptions of cupcakes and other dessert baking made me really want to do some baking of my own (spoiler alert, there are cupcake recipes in the back).
On the one hand, this was one of the most tell-don't-show books I've ever read. Almost every page was 75% dialogue, and people described their thoughts and conclusions and self-reflections in excruciating detail. The first third of the book, easily, featured a lot of conversations followed by conversations about the previous conversations. And the dialogue is...it's not great, honestly. These characters do not ever stop talking, including in bed, which, whatever floats your boat, but the dialogue didn't get any better when it got explicit. Then when they did stop talking, the descriptions used in the sex scenes made me snort-laugh (please let me never hear again about someone "suckling" someone else's tongue).
There was also (spoiler alert for the middle of the book) a piece of backstory that to me REALLY STRONGLY INDICATED that Baxter's "mentor" was a child molester. He even says that he had "outgrown his charms," making it seem pretty clear that this lady is only into adolescent boys...and everyone acted like that was normal and the whole business was never mentioned again. What? Really? No warning bells for anyone?
So yup, not really recommended, but not that bad, either. Plus cupcake recipes.
July 9, 2018
Absolutely loved this! Witty, funny, hit all my happy buttons relating to my love of food, and definitely broke a LONG streak of less than satisfying reads.
February 7, 2020
Loved it!!
September 30, 2020
3.5 stars
I like foodie romance and the basic story of this book. The baking competence porn was great and the narrator did well with various accents to distinguish the characters. I also liked the diversity of the characters and tight friendships.
However, the pace was too slow and there was too much dialogue that went round and round, rehashing internal monologues, and repeating points already mentioned in previous conversations. The push-and-pull got tiresome and made the book longer than it should be.
That said, I’m now inspired to bake cupcakes. 🧁
I like foodie romance and the basic story of this book. The baking competence porn was great and the narrator did well with various accents to distinguish the characters. I also liked the diversity of the characters and tight friendships.
However, the pace was too slow and there was too much dialogue that went round and round, rehashing internal monologues, and repeating points already mentioned in previous conversations. The push-and-pull got tiresome and made the book longer than it should be.
That said, I’m now inspired to bake cupcakes. 🧁
July 7, 2019
This was fine, but I feel like there were points where the dialogue wasn't entirely natural and points when there was too much telling of what had already been told. My biggest hangup was that I didn't buy Lani's anger at the beginning of the book and why the backstory was so painful.
February 10, 2019
This was cute. I enjoyed the cupcake shop, but most of this had me putting it down. It fell a little flat for me.
September 24, 2019
It started off interesting enough but after a couple of chapters I just couldn’t go on anymore. I had such high hopes.
December 4, 2012
Now I definitely wish I had read this series in order. Not that the second book doesn't stand on its own, it does. I just think I would have appreciated Lani and Baxter's scenes in it more having read this. Also, I wouldn't have had expectations of certain occurrences explained in the second book happening in this one.
Once again, I loved the characters in this book. With the exception of Alva, which is just an archetypal character I cannot stand, I really liked their interaction and their stories. Even though Baxter and Lani had worked with each other and developed feelings for each other for years, their coming together in the book was slow and rather fulfilling.
Even though the decision keeping them apart was rather silly as the solution seemed fairly simple, or at least it's ridiculous to me to be so fatalistic about the prospects of a relationship with someone you love without trying first, the angst between Lani and Baxter was delicious. I don't know what it was but I was really loving that aspect of the story. Which is also maybe why the first love scene was so fantastically sensual to me. The set up was a bit annoying and heavy-handed (because it made a secondary character look like an asshole), but once they got into it I was into it.
I think there were probably some info dumps in this book as well, but obviously they were nowhere near as dense and noticeable as they were in the second book since I can't really pinpoint any. I definitely could have used more time on Lani and Baxter's two weeks together and, say, less Alva. I also didn't like the way Kauffman spelled the world "luv" when Baxter said it as an endearment. There's really no difference between the pronunciation of the proper spelling and that spelling. It's like how I detest the word being spelled "cum" instead of "come." There's just no real reason for it to me.
I'm going to get on my soapbox here for a moment as this is something I've been noticing more and more and it is irritating the hell out of me to the point it dampens my enjoyment of good books/series like this one. In this book one of the secondary characters is Charlotte, Lani's best friend from culinary school who comes from New Delhi. Charlotte is around the same age as Lani, and she's given a side plot of falling for a man who works for Baxter, named Carlo (I believe it's said in the second book that he's Puerto Rican). In the second book their relationship has advanced and there are some rather interesting hurdles they're working through. The thing is, the second book isn't about them. Instead, in a tacked on Epilogue, Riley Brown the completely random, white, Heroine of the second book is introduced.
Do you see where I'm going with this?
It is driving me absolutely nuts that romance authors create these dynamic secondary characters of different races then advance the series by creating white characters out of the blue for/in the next book instead of exploring the lives of the character(s) they've already introduced that are primed for their own book. That basically says to me that we're good enough to be the interesting friend/sidekick – and, sure, get an HEA on the side – but not good enough to headline a book. The author of my favorite contemporary romance series did this as well. It's getting to be upsetting and these are good books I really like and I don't want this negative black cloud hanging over them. I hope that authors in this genre will be better about this in the future.
Overall, however, I really enjoyed reading this book. And I definitely plan on reading the third in the series (single father who isn't really a father!). Although maybe not for a while as I've been obsessed with cupcakes lately thanks to these books. Now to reward myself with one I bought, actually, from one of the bakeries thanked in the acknowledgements of this book!
Once again, I loved the characters in this book. With the exception of Alva, which is just an archetypal character I cannot stand, I really liked their interaction and their stories. Even though Baxter and Lani had worked with each other and developed feelings for each other for years, their coming together in the book was slow and rather fulfilling.
Even though the decision keeping them apart was rather silly as the solution seemed fairly simple, or at least it's ridiculous to me to be so fatalistic about the prospects of a relationship with someone you love without trying first, the angst between Lani and Baxter was delicious. I don't know what it was but I was really loving that aspect of the story. Which is also maybe why the first love scene was so fantastically sensual to me. The set up was a bit annoying and heavy-handed (because it made a secondary character look like an asshole), but once they got into it I was into it.
I think there were probably some info dumps in this book as well, but obviously they were nowhere near as dense and noticeable as they were in the second book since I can't really pinpoint any. I definitely could have used more time on Lani and Baxter's two weeks together and, say, less Alva. I also didn't like the way Kauffman spelled the world "luv" when Baxter said it as an endearment. There's really no difference between the pronunciation of the proper spelling and that spelling. It's like how I detest the word being spelled "cum" instead of "come." There's just no real reason for it to me.
I'm going to get on my soapbox here for a moment as this is something I've been noticing more and more and it is irritating the hell out of me to the point it dampens my enjoyment of good books/series like this one. In this book one of the secondary characters is Charlotte, Lani's best friend from culinary school who comes from New Delhi. Charlotte is around the same age as Lani, and she's given a side plot of falling for a man who works for Baxter, named Carlo (I believe it's said in the second book that he's Puerto Rican). In the second book their relationship has advanced and there are some rather interesting hurdles they're working through. The thing is, the second book isn't about them. Instead, in a tacked on Epilogue, Riley Brown the completely random, white, Heroine of the second book is introduced.
Do you see where I'm going with this?
It is driving me absolutely nuts that romance authors create these dynamic secondary characters of different races then advance the series by creating white characters out of the blue for/in the next book instead of exploring the lives of the character(s) they've already introduced that are primed for their own book. That basically says to me that we're good enough to be the interesting friend/sidekick – and, sure, get an HEA on the side – but not good enough to headline a book. The author of my favorite contemporary romance series did this as well. It's getting to be upsetting and these are good books I really like and I don't want this negative black cloud hanging over them. I hope that authors in this genre will be better about this in the future.
Overall, however, I really enjoyed reading this book. And I definitely plan on reading the third in the series (single father who isn't really a father!). Although maybe not for a while as I've been obsessed with cupcakes lately thanks to these books. Now to reward myself with one I bought, actually, from one of the bakeries thanked in the acknowledgements of this book!
July 12, 2013
Quando ho detto che volevo aspettare per leggere questo libro, non intendevo aspettare 10 mesi. Va be, almeno adesso posso leggere anche il seguito subito.
Leilani Trusdale ha trentanni, ed è un chef di grande talento che lavora a New York per uno dei più grandi chef famoso in tutto il mondo, ma non ce la fa più, le pressioni e le male lingue da parte dei suoi colleghi gelosi per il suo talento e il carattere dello chef Baxter Dunne, che ormai preferisce i riflettori degli studi televisivi alla cucina, sono diventati per la nostra protagonista insostenibili. Decide cosi di cambiare vita, secondo lei un cambiamento radicale è proprio quello che ci vuole. Cosi Leilani decide di lasciare New York e il posto di executive chef del ristorante Gâteau, per tornare nell'isola di Sugarberry, dove l'amata nonna e sua madre sono nate e cresciute. Non vuole rimanere con le mani in mano e cerca di realizzare il suo sogno: aprire una piccola pasticceria, un luogo magico dove poter creare irresistibili cupcake da decorare nei modi più fantasiosi. Vuole vedere il viso deliziato delle persone che mangiano le sue creazioni, quella si che sarebbe la sua massima soddisfazione. E le cose sembrano andare subito per il verso giusto, grazie all’aiuto degli amici più intimi, del padre, ma soprattutto può contare sul supporto dell'intera comunità di Sugarberry che viene accettata subito da tutti. Questa cittadina è come una grande famiglia e Leilani entra subito a farne parte. Ma la sua oasi di felicità viene minacciata Baxteril suo ex capo. Perchè Baxter ha intenzione di girare la prossima stagione del suo show proprio a Sugarberry, Leilani inizia ovviamente ad agitarsi, ma non può negare di essere anche un pò emozionata, è stata per anni innamorata di lui, e lo è ancora.
Premetto che non è una storia molto originale, ma l'autrice con il suo stile di scrittura e i suoi personaggi riesce a farci dimenticare questo piccolo inconveniente, e farci apprezzare fino in fondo questo magnifico romanzo, dolce come quei deliziosi cupcake sfornati dalla bella pasticciera.
Leilani, ha avuto molto coraggio, abbandonare New York e iniziare da zero, non è da tutti rischiare in questo modo. E' una donna incredibile con un dono straordinario, ed è riuscita non solo a realizzare il suo sogno, ma ha farsi accettare dalla comunità.
Lei cerca in tutti i modi di essere felice e soddisfatta, ma per essere veramente al settimo cielo deve avere Baxter al suo fianco. Deve stare attenta a quello che desidera perchè una mattina il suo ex capo si presenta nel suo negozio. La protagonista cerca di negare di essere in minima parte contenta di rivederlo, e si concentra sulla rabbia che prova verso di lui.
Baxter è un uomo che non ha avuto un'infanzia serena, ha dovuto lottare, spaccarsi la schiena per arrivare dov'è arrivato. Non ha mai avuto una famiglia ma quando ha Leilani vicino si sente a casa, lui la rivuole nella sua vita, ma non sarà per niente facile.
Tutti i personaggi sono una forza della natura, soprattutto la vecchietta Alma o Alva? ora perdonatemi ho un vuoto di memoria pazzesco. Per essere un ottantenne, è un vulcano, vorrei avere solo la metà della sua energia.
Anche io abito in un piccolo paese, ma la gente non è cosi cordiale come quella di questo libro, peccato, vicino cosi esistono solo nei libri.
Vi consiglio di leggere questa storia, con i suoi cupcake, con i suoi personaggi sono sicura che vi conquisterà.
Nel mentre vado a leggere il seguito "Un bacio alla vaniglia" spero non mi deluda.
Leilani Trusdale ha trentanni, ed è un chef di grande talento che lavora a New York per uno dei più grandi chef famoso in tutto il mondo, ma non ce la fa più, le pressioni e le male lingue da parte dei suoi colleghi gelosi per il suo talento e il carattere dello chef Baxter Dunne, che ormai preferisce i riflettori degli studi televisivi alla cucina, sono diventati per la nostra protagonista insostenibili. Decide cosi di cambiare vita, secondo lei un cambiamento radicale è proprio quello che ci vuole. Cosi Leilani decide di lasciare New York e il posto di executive chef del ristorante Gâteau, per tornare nell'isola di Sugarberry, dove l'amata nonna e sua madre sono nate e cresciute. Non vuole rimanere con le mani in mano e cerca di realizzare il suo sogno: aprire una piccola pasticceria, un luogo magico dove poter creare irresistibili cupcake da decorare nei modi più fantasiosi. Vuole vedere il viso deliziato delle persone che mangiano le sue creazioni, quella si che sarebbe la sua massima soddisfazione. E le cose sembrano andare subito per il verso giusto, grazie all’aiuto degli amici più intimi, del padre, ma soprattutto può contare sul supporto dell'intera comunità di Sugarberry che viene accettata subito da tutti. Questa cittadina è come una grande famiglia e Leilani entra subito a farne parte. Ma la sua oasi di felicità viene minacciata Baxteril suo ex capo. Perchè Baxter ha intenzione di girare la prossima stagione del suo show proprio a Sugarberry, Leilani inizia ovviamente ad agitarsi, ma non può negare di essere anche un pò emozionata, è stata per anni innamorata di lui, e lo è ancora.
Premetto che non è una storia molto originale, ma l'autrice con il suo stile di scrittura e i suoi personaggi riesce a farci dimenticare questo piccolo inconveniente, e farci apprezzare fino in fondo questo magnifico romanzo, dolce come quei deliziosi cupcake sfornati dalla bella pasticciera.
Leilani, ha avuto molto coraggio, abbandonare New York e iniziare da zero, non è da tutti rischiare in questo modo. E' una donna incredibile con un dono straordinario, ed è riuscita non solo a realizzare il suo sogno, ma ha farsi accettare dalla comunità.
Lei cerca in tutti i modi di essere felice e soddisfatta, ma per essere veramente al settimo cielo deve avere Baxter al suo fianco. Deve stare attenta a quello che desidera perchè una mattina il suo ex capo si presenta nel suo negozio. La protagonista cerca di negare di essere in minima parte contenta di rivederlo, e si concentra sulla rabbia che prova verso di lui.
Baxter è un uomo che non ha avuto un'infanzia serena, ha dovuto lottare, spaccarsi la schiena per arrivare dov'è arrivato. Non ha mai avuto una famiglia ma quando ha Leilani vicino si sente a casa, lui la rivuole nella sua vita, ma non sarà per niente facile.
Tutti i personaggi sono una forza della natura, soprattutto la vecchietta Alma o Alva? ora perdonatemi ho un vuoto di memoria pazzesco. Per essere un ottantenne, è un vulcano, vorrei avere solo la metà della sua energia.
Anche io abito in un piccolo paese, ma la gente non è cosi cordiale come quella di questo libro, peccato, vicino cosi esistono solo nei libri.
Vi consiglio di leggere questa storia, con i suoi cupcake, con i suoi personaggi sono sicura che vi conquisterà.
Nel mentre vado a leggere il seguito "Un bacio alla vaniglia" spero non mi deluda.
November 5, 2012
This book is a light and sweet read. Since I'm a sucker for HEA novels, I did enjoy this one. The story is very simple and not very memorable but still a good one. The only thing that I probably wont forget in this book is Baxter! Only because I associate his name to my BP apparatus(sphygmomanometer). LOL!
In the beginning of the book we find Lani preparing a hundred cupcakes for an auction in Sugarberry. Actually, she was doing her baking therapy because she's too stressed when she found out that her former colleague and mentor Chef Hot Cakes Baxter Dunne is coming to Sugarberry. Lani left the Big Apple to stay with her father in Sugarberry when she found out that he got sick, however that isn't just her reason. Her success in New York as a pastry Chef made her a topic of vicious gossips. Aside from that, Baxter's trust and closeness to Lani didn't help either. People are talking about their "relationship" when in fact they weren't involved at all. Tired of the drama in the city, she stayed in Sugarberry and opened her own bake shop.
Baxter Dunne have been attracted to Lani since he first laid his eyes on her when she applied to work for Gateau. However, due to their professional relationship, he can't do something about it. When the oppurtunity to become a celebrity chef came knocking on his door, he jumped on it and left the Gateau in Lani's care. When Lani left the Gateau and opened her own shop in Sugarberry, Baxter felt lost. He wants her and he will do anything to get her back, but this time, it's for personal reasons.
First of all, I would like to say that the cupcakes mentioned in this book sound so damn amazing that I felt like I gained several pounds just by reading it. LOL! Second, the people of Suagrberry are crazy, haha, I especially like Alva. Although Charlotte was from NY, I also like her character. I wish she and Carlo had a separate book, instead being just a supporting character in this story.
One thing that I didn't like in this book is that the main characters talked too much and they both overanalyze their situation. So what if he's from New York? So what if she can't leave Sugarberry? If you want each other you just have to make it work, right?
Here's an example:
“A long distance relationship isn’t going to work,” Lani said. “For either one of us. We’re too much to settle for that.”
“So, you’ll take your too much-ness and settle for nothing?” Charlotte rolled with a bit more vigor than was absolutely required. “That makes no sense to me. None at all.”
And I agree with Charlotte in this one. It doesn't make sense to me either. Anyway, I'm glad they eventually figured out what they really want. Love the epilogue!
In the beginning of the book we find Lani preparing a hundred cupcakes for an auction in Sugarberry. Actually, she was doing her baking therapy because she's too stressed when she found out that her former colleague and mentor Chef Hot Cakes Baxter Dunne is coming to Sugarberry. Lani left the Big Apple to stay with her father in Sugarberry when she found out that he got sick, however that isn't just her reason. Her success in New York as a pastry Chef made her a topic of vicious gossips. Aside from that, Baxter's trust and closeness to Lani didn't help either. People are talking about their "relationship" when in fact they weren't involved at all. Tired of the drama in the city, she stayed in Sugarberry and opened her own bake shop.
Baxter Dunne have been attracted to Lani since he first laid his eyes on her when she applied to work for Gateau. However, due to their professional relationship, he can't do something about it. When the oppurtunity to become a celebrity chef came knocking on his door, he jumped on it and left the Gateau in Lani's care. When Lani left the Gateau and opened her own shop in Sugarberry, Baxter felt lost. He wants her and he will do anything to get her back, but this time, it's for personal reasons.
First of all, I would like to say that the cupcakes mentioned in this book sound so damn amazing that I felt like I gained several pounds just by reading it. LOL! Second, the people of Suagrberry are crazy, haha, I especially like Alva. Although Charlotte was from NY, I also like her character. I wish she and Carlo had a separate book, instead being just a supporting character in this story.
One thing that I didn't like in this book is that the main characters talked too much and they both overanalyze their situation. So what if he's from New York? So what if she can't leave Sugarberry? If you want each other you just have to make it work, right?
Here's an example:
“A long distance relationship isn’t going to work,” Lani said. “For either one of us. We’re too much to settle for that.”
“So, you’ll take your too much-ness and settle for nothing?” Charlotte rolled with a bit more vigor than was absolutely required. “That makes no sense to me. None at all.”
And I agree with Charlotte in this one. It doesn't make sense to me either. Anyway, I'm glad they eventually figured out what they really want. Love the epilogue!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 17, 2014
Caffeinated Aspects
Cupcakes, a bakery, chefs and sinful talks about chocolate. Be sure to brings snacks to listen to this one!
Small-town setting. The tale takes place in Sugarberry Island, a small coastal community in Georgia. It was a delightful place with busy bodies, local businesses and a million stars at night. It sounds heavenly. Right? Now sniff..Yep cupcakes, coffee and fresh air.
Leilani Trusdale moves away from the hustle and bustle, not to mention the pressure of being a pastry chef in New York to this quaint little town, near her father. She was not escaping just the big city though. She had a serious crush on her boss Baxter Dunne, aka Chef Hot Cakes. Despite the rumors in their kitchen, there was no cooking after hours. Convinced Baxter only saw her as a chef; she moved away to get over him. Guess who is coming to town, and wants to film a segment from her little cupcake shop? Yep, with his smexy British accent that makes Leilani’s insides melt like chocolate lava.
Baxter is hilarious, and apparently, he has been harboring feelings for Leilani as well. She thinks she is finally happy and over her crush..nevertheless, the man is persistent, and it led to some intense moments.
Meddling best friends, side romances, small-town drama and cupcakes added to the story.
Decaffeinated Aspects
Sometimes Leilani thought too much and hashed things out in her head and to us as she did so. This made for some repetitive areas that I would have been happy to miss.
The romance is slow building, and sometimes I wanted both parties to go at it like monkeys and just admit they had a thing for each other instead of gawking and declaring things like, “We shouldn’t, It will never work, We should be reasonable adults.” I wanted to fill their mouths with frosting and lock them in the pantry.
Audible copy received from publisher.This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer
Cupcakes, a bakery, chefs and sinful talks about chocolate. Be sure to brings snacks to listen to this one!
Small-town setting. The tale takes place in Sugarberry Island, a small coastal community in Georgia. It was a delightful place with busy bodies, local businesses and a million stars at night. It sounds heavenly. Right? Now sniff..Yep cupcakes, coffee and fresh air.
Leilani Trusdale moves away from the hustle and bustle, not to mention the pressure of being a pastry chef in New York to this quaint little town, near her father. She was not escaping just the big city though. She had a serious crush on her boss Baxter Dunne, aka Chef Hot Cakes. Despite the rumors in their kitchen, there was no cooking after hours. Convinced Baxter only saw her as a chef; she moved away to get over him. Guess who is coming to town, and wants to film a segment from her little cupcake shop? Yep, with his smexy British accent that makes Leilani’s insides melt like chocolate lava.
Baxter is hilarious, and apparently, he has been harboring feelings for Leilani as well. She thinks she is finally happy and over her crush..nevertheless, the man is persistent, and it led to some intense moments.
Meddling best friends, side romances, small-town drama and cupcakes added to the story.
Decaffeinated Aspects
Sometimes Leilani thought too much and hashed things out in her head and to us as she did so. This made for some repetitive areas that I would have been happy to miss.
The romance is slow building, and sometimes I wanted both parties to go at it like monkeys and just admit they had a thing for each other instead of gawking and declaring things like, “We shouldn’t, It will never work, We should be reasonable adults.” I wanted to fill their mouths with frosting and lock them in the pantry.
Audible copy received from publisher.This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer
November 27, 2011
Leilani Trusdale has always had a love for baking. Lani decides to leave New York City and head to Sugarberry Island to escape her past. She knows she is making the right decision well, that is until her former boss, Baxter Dunne makes an appearance in her shop. Chef Hot Cakes wants to film a season of his show there, but it's that all he is there for?
Every one of Lani’s friends is convinced this time around Baxter is what she needs in her life to make it complete. Although, Lani doesn’t believe so, Baxter will have his work cut out for him for sure. Can Lani get past the betrayal that she thinks Baxter caused in the past and him the chance he has been waiting for?
I really did enjoy this book from the beginning to the very end. The story wasn’t just filled with baking yummy treats, but romance, friendship and a second chance. Lani is a strong heroine who has made some major changes and takes even more chances with her heart.
Baxter was a bit complex. There was so much that happened to him that made him the man he is today. He has had a thing for Lani since the day he took her under his wing to teach her everything she needed to know. Now it is time to get to know the new her, the real her. He doesn’t just have the sexiest British accent but the dreamy looks to go along with it. I want my own Baxter.
Everything about this story was fun and lovable. Kauffman brings in some very funny and creative scenes with frosting and dancing. I found myself smiling and laughing throughout the entire book. I also enjoyed all the emotions that were brought out in each character. Each one has a special quality about them that just adds to the story. The friendships are made of the richest fillings that will keep you craving more. It all made me want to move to Sugarberry Island.
I am truly excited to read the next book in the series, Sweet Stuff, which is due out February 2012. I can’t get enough of this new town, characters and the romances that have bloomed and will continue to bloom in this new series.
Happy Reading!!!!
Every one of Lani’s friends is convinced this time around Baxter is what she needs in her life to make it complete. Although, Lani doesn’t believe so, Baxter will have his work cut out for him for sure. Can Lani get past the betrayal that she thinks Baxter caused in the past and him the chance he has been waiting for?
I really did enjoy this book from the beginning to the very end. The story wasn’t just filled with baking yummy treats, but romance, friendship and a second chance. Lani is a strong heroine who has made some major changes and takes even more chances with her heart.
Baxter was a bit complex. There was so much that happened to him that made him the man he is today. He has had a thing for Lani since the day he took her under his wing to teach her everything she needed to know. Now it is time to get to know the new her, the real her. He doesn’t just have the sexiest British accent but the dreamy looks to go along with it. I want my own Baxter.
Everything about this story was fun and lovable. Kauffman brings in some very funny and creative scenes with frosting and dancing. I found myself smiling and laughing throughout the entire book. I also enjoyed all the emotions that were brought out in each character. Each one has a special quality about them that just adds to the story. The friendships are made of the richest fillings that will keep you craving more. It all made me want to move to Sugarberry Island.
I am truly excited to read the next book in the series, Sweet Stuff, which is due out February 2012. I can’t get enough of this new town, characters and the romances that have bloomed and will continue to bloom in this new series.
Happy Reading!!!!
July 2, 2013
Originaly posted here.
I got the recommendation for the Cupcake Club series from Laura Florand. I wanted to try out more contemporary romance that centered around food, especially desserts because I'm a huge fan of sweet things. In Sugar Rush, Lani leaves behind a successful career as a pastry chef and starts her own cupcakery in a small town. I love that Lani was brave enough to leave New York to start her own business and that she feels it's the right move for her even though others believe it's a step down. Yay Lani for going after what she wants! I felt like the first half of the novel was a little slow and I was just waiting for things to happen. The pace picked up in the second half and just like the cupcakes that Lani bakes, I found the romance sweet. Baxter is a delightful and charming guy, it was fun to see him and Lani getting to know each other beyond their previous professional relationship. The small town setting of Sugarberry Island had its own charm as well and it was cute how the secondary characters were also important in the story. I'm planning to check out the rest of the books in the series.
A quote near the start of the novel that I loved: "She breathed in the mingled scents of dark chocolate and sweet berries. It was inspiring, really, how much power a single, sweet cup of baked deliciousness could wield. Cupcake salvation."
Cupcake salvation, indeed! But while Lani finds salvation in baking cupcakes, I find it therapeutic to eat them.
I got the recommendation for the Cupcake Club series from Laura Florand. I wanted to try out more contemporary romance that centered around food, especially desserts because I'm a huge fan of sweet things. In Sugar Rush, Lani leaves behind a successful career as a pastry chef and starts her own cupcakery in a small town. I love that Lani was brave enough to leave New York to start her own business and that she feels it's the right move for her even though others believe it's a step down. Yay Lani for going after what she wants! I felt like the first half of the novel was a little slow and I was just waiting for things to happen. The pace picked up in the second half and just like the cupcakes that Lani bakes, I found the romance sweet. Baxter is a delightful and charming guy, it was fun to see him and Lani getting to know each other beyond their previous professional relationship. The small town setting of Sugarberry Island had its own charm as well and it was cute how the secondary characters were also important in the story. I'm planning to check out the rest of the books in the series.
A quote near the start of the novel that I loved: "She breathed in the mingled scents of dark chocolate and sweet berries. It was inspiring, really, how much power a single, sweet cup of baked deliciousness could wield. Cupcake salvation."
Cupcake salvation, indeed! But while Lani finds salvation in baking cupcakes, I find it therapeutic to eat them.
August 10, 2013
Maybe I am too logical/practical to suspend disbelief enough to like this book. I just found it too improbable. First of all, could a remote island off the coast of Georgia that doesn't even have it's own grocery store really sustain a shop as specialized as a cupcake bakery? I can understand wanting to set the story in a small town, but I think Sugarberry is to small.
And I know the whole plot line revolves around Baxter showing up unexpectedly, but really would a big-time food channel program just show up in this little burg with all its production crew and then hope to find a location where they could film? Wouldn't advance scouts have been sent down to secure a location and deal with permits and contracts?
Then there is the poor editing. At one point Lani talks about how softball season is almost over and football season will start as soon as the clocks move forward. Hello! Clocks don't move forward in the fall. It's, "spring forward, fall back." Later in the story Baxter and Lani are driving back to Sugarberry in a rental car. Turn the page, same scene, they are in a taxi.
But the reason I read the book was to get to the recipes at the end: Gingerbread Cupcakes with Cinnamon Mascarpone Frosting and Red Velvet Cupcakes with Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting. Definitely need to try those.
And I know the whole plot line revolves around Baxter showing up unexpectedly, but really would a big-time food channel program just show up in this little burg with all its production crew and then hope to find a location where they could film? Wouldn't advance scouts have been sent down to secure a location and deal with permits and contracts?
Then there is the poor editing. At one point Lani talks about how softball season is almost over and football season will start as soon as the clocks move forward. Hello! Clocks don't move forward in the fall. It's, "spring forward, fall back." Later in the story Baxter and Lani are driving back to Sugarberry in a rental car. Turn the page, same scene, they are in a taxi.
But the reason I read the book was to get to the recipes at the end: Gingerbread Cupcakes with Cinnamon Mascarpone Frosting and Red Velvet Cupcakes with Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting. Definitely need to try those.
December 11, 2017
The book was killed by dialogue. It was just one lengthy conversation after the next, very little inner thought. I think one phone call went on for over 10 pages. There was way too much exposition in each conversation as well which made for very little intrigue, since everyone said exactly what they were thinking. Where's the inner turmoil, the character growth, the passion? All killed by the chatter (which honestly I started just skimming half way through).
I also felt very little for the hero/heroine combo. They were boring, and sorry but an accent is not a personality trait which is what felt like was being conveyed.
And that sex scene...who talks that much during sex, let alone the first time you're having sex with someone you've fantasized about for years??? Nobody. Plus their "dirty" talk was just plain puzzling. I don't know what it means to maraud someone but it's both confusing and a mood killer when said in the middle of sex.
The best part of the book was Alva. I'd read a whole series with that crazy woman as the focal point! I would never have guessed that the nosy town gossip would be a welcome addition to every scene she was in. The book was so boring though and she was the only character with any hidden depth.
I also felt very little for the hero/heroine combo. They were boring, and sorry but an accent is not a personality trait which is what felt like was being conveyed.
And that sex scene...who talks that much during sex, let alone the first time you're having sex with someone you've fantasized about for years??? Nobody. Plus their "dirty" talk was just plain puzzling. I don't know what it means to maraud someone but it's both confusing and a mood killer when said in the middle of sex.
The best part of the book was Alva. I'd read a whole series with that crazy woman as the focal point! I would never have guessed that the nosy town gossip would be a welcome addition to every scene she was in. The book was so boring though and she was the only character with any hidden depth.
January 31, 2013
I kinda hate to go with the obvious, trite, analogy, but I just gotta say it--this book was like a cupcake: fun, fluffy, sweet, and totally addictive. Granted, it was a fairly standard romance novel, so there were no surprises on the ending, and Leilani's multiple passages of justifying why she was happy where she was (or, the mirror side of that as other characters had their "grand revelation" that she really was happy) got a bit repetitive eventually. But the characters overall, main and supporting alike, were just adorable. All I can say is, it kept me up late two nights in a row and when I wasn't reading (you know, to do silly stuff like work) I kept wishing I was. And the cupcake descriptions sound awesome...makes me want to pass it along to my local Gigi's and see if I can convince them to add some new flavors.
I do have to admit to one pet peeve--her "Black Forest" cupcakes were raspberry. Now, don't get me wrong, I love me some raspberry and chocolate, and maybe it's considered acceptable in the food world, but as far as I'm concerned, if it's not cherry, it's not Black Forest. Just saying. But I'd still totally eat one if someone actually made them. :)
I do have to admit to one pet peeve--her "Black Forest" cupcakes were raspberry. Now, don't get me wrong, I love me some raspberry and chocolate, and maybe it's considered acceptable in the food world, but as far as I'm concerned, if it's not cherry, it's not Black Forest. Just saying. But I'd still totally eat one if someone actually made them. :)
October 30, 2012
Sugar Rush is a quality contemporary romance. What I liked most here was that Lani was sincere and serious about her reasons for not wanting Baxter around. In so many romances, the heroine is wishy washy and caves far too quickly. Though Lani recognized that she wasn’t over Baxter, she gave real consideration to her decisions and what she told him. Readers can tell that both she and Baxter mean everything they’re saying. Further, I liked that Baxter listened to her. It took a few times, but he truly heard what she said. Obviously, readers know they’ll get together, but I liked the maturity the main characters showed leading up to that inevitability.
It seems many readers have an issue with the fact that the characters aren't having sex every 30 pages. I think there were only 1-2 of those scenes in the whole book. So if you're looking forward to the author's more erotic stories, this is not the book for you. Additionally, while there is a lot of dialogue, I didn't find it disingenuous or unrealistic on either characters part.
September 29, 2024
✔ Sugar Rush by Donna Kauffman 2★
(Cupcake Club: Book 1)
Predictable. Too wordy. I had ended up skipping some (just a little bit though) because there was too many redundant topics. On and on and on.
Also, I don't think I'll continue on with this series. The characters were just ok. The writing style I just didn't like.
I picked this as January's challenge mainly because this was a chore to read. I love chick lit and romance books, but this was not my thing. Everything (feelings, thoughts, etc) was repeated over and over. This book was just pages of the same. I'd speed read through that and then turn the kindle page to find more of the same. I really don't like authors that do that. So yes, this was out of my comfort zone!
oh also, I didn't pick this book as a out of my comfort zone book. I picked it as just a fluff read because I thought I'd like this. The plot and characters seemed like a story I would have liked. Another author, and I would have loved them. So this book just transgressed to the January challenge in the end.
(Cupcake Club: Book 1)
Predictable. Too wordy. I had ended up skipping some (just a little bit though) because there was too many redundant topics. On and on and on.
Also, I don't think I'll continue on with this series. The characters were just ok. The writing style I just didn't like.
I picked this as January's challenge mainly because this was a chore to read. I love chick lit and romance books, but this was not my thing. Everything (feelings, thoughts, etc) was repeated over and over. This book was just pages of the same. I'd speed read through that and then turn the kindle page to find more of the same. I really don't like authors that do that. So yes, this was out of my comfort zone!
oh also, I didn't pick this book as a out of my comfort zone book. I picked it as just a fluff read because I thought I'd like this. The plot and characters seemed like a story I would have liked. Another author, and I would have loved them. So this book just transgressed to the January challenge in the end.
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