Ice Skates and Cupcakes

Foodie Romance Journeys #14

by Isabella May

Ex-ballerina and cupcake connoisseur, SUMMER SIMPSON is four years into running her controversial but successful cupcake emporium in Montmartre, Paris. All of which has created enough drama, but then there are the grumpy but hot handball star, FABIEN ROBERT and his snooty, overbearing aunt.

When Fabien isn’t turning the heating off in their apartment block to annoy Summer, his beloved family member is circulating new streams of gossip in a bid to make her scurry back to the UK ‘where she belongs’.

But Summer is as tough as her sugarspun Eiffel Tower cupcake toppers… even in the snow flurries of a French winter. Until disaster strikes and a corporate Christmas delivery for the biggest business in the neighbourhood has the power to make or break the emporium, forcing even Fabien to defrost - and the sparks to fly.

Can the prickly Parisian really turn into the role model golden retriever boyfriend? Festive dates on the outdoor ice skating rink are well and good (and a fabulous excuse to dust down Summer’s pirouettes) but her business comes first and there’s no way she will share her heart with a man whose meddling family cannot be trusted.

A slow-burn - but steamy - enemies-to-lovers romcom dusted with lashings of icing sugar!

Genres: Romance, Comedy, Christmas

284 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 17, 2024

About the author

Isabella May lives in (mostly) sunny Andalusia, Spain with her husband, daughter and son, creatively inspired by the mountains and the sea. She grew up on Glastonbury's ley lines and loves to feature her quirky English hometown in her stories.

After a degree in Modern Languages and European Studies at UWE, Bristol (and a year working abroad in Bordeaux and Stuttgart), Isabella bagged an extremely jammy and fascinating job in children's publishing... selling foreign rights for novelty, board, pop-up and non-fiction books all over the world; in every language from Icelandic to Korean, Bahasa Indonesian to Papiamento!

All of which has fuelled her curiosity and love of international food and travel - both feature extensively in her cross-genre novels, fused with a dollop of romcom, and a sprinkle of magical realism.

Isabella is also a Level 4 Pranic Healer and a stillbirth mum.

You can follow her Foodie Romance Journey series at the following hang-outs:


www.isabellamayauthor.com

Twitter - @IsabellaMayBks
Instagram - @isabella_may_author
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/IsabellaMayA...

Reviews

[CB]

DNF @ 5/276, 2%.
Nope no no no. So boring. I think the first paragraph made me go cross eyed lol.

[Kimberley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set at Christmas in Paris, Ice Skates and Cupcakes takes you on a dreamy foodie Christmas adventure. This enemies to lovers romance features Summer the owner of a cupcake shop and Fabien the nephew of her nemesis and her neighbour. The story captivates you from the beginning with its dreamy descriptions of delicious cupcakes, the Christmas festivities and a lovable cast of characters, it was so beautifully written. This was my first book by Isabella and it definitely will not be my last. I thoroughly enjoyed this one especially if you are looking for a festive romance I would highly recommend it. I received a complementary copy from the author.

[Holly Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have started my Christmas reading for 2024 with an author who always delivers delightful foodie stories, perfect for the festive season.

Ice Skates and Cupcakes was a wonderful way to start getting excited for Christmas - the settings (Montmartre is one of my favourite areas in Paris), the characters, and of course, the mouth-wateringly delicious descriptions of so many varieties of cupcakes make for a pleasant way to pass the time.

The romance is filled with naughty moments and humorous misunderstandings that will keep you giggling.

Highly recommend this one!

[L A King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Isabella has mixed love, humour and food and written a delightful Christmas novel. Cupcakes and ice-skating what a wonderful combination. If you are not a lover of cupcakes, I am sure you will want to sample some of the flavours that Summer Simpson has created. I would love to meet this wonderful woman.

Set in Montmartre in Paris, Summer has against all odds, opened up a cupcake emporium, which is extremely successful.

Fabien Robert, nephew of Veronique Robert, falls under the spell of Summers looks and cupcakes of course, much to Veronique’s disgust.

Read this exquisite, well written and witty novel to find out why Veronique is against this union. You will not be disappointed. Find out if Summer is able to sweeten up this awful woman.

The characters are all completely different and compliment each other. Congratulations Isabella May for another flavourful sexy romcom.

[Keita Brizuela · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5! It took me quite a bit to finally fully delve into this read. However, once it finally grabbed my attention, I was full in. It was like a beautiful Hallmark movie and I loved every HEA that completed it!

[Sarah the reading addict · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is so funny some of the happenings in the cupcake cafe.

I loved this book from Chapter 1. Isabella's writing is spot on, it's absolutely captivating and I love all the characters.

I think I say this on most reviews but the way some authors are able to create a character and how you (as a reader) are able to fall in love with them, it's writing on a page but Its fascinating how you can feel.

Isabella's writing skills are so good, she knows how to draw you and hold you. Reading her books is like a warm hug and this book is no exception.

I love Cupcakes and Paris, and this is also a relatable story in some ways because my hubby and I visited a cupcake shop in Paris when we went for my 30th birthday (which was our first ever holiday), it took me right back to there.

Oh my God I love the excitement of the match at the end too. Fabien is a very good book boyfriend. Fabien's Aunt doesn't seem to approve of the potential blossoming of a relationship and is trying to get between them by whatever means she can. Will he be able to shake her off and stand up to her.

[Claire Rowlands · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Isabella May foodie, travel romance novels and this did not disappoint!

Summer runs a cupcake emporium in Montmartre, and loves creating new flavours to try with her cakes and decorating them with exquisite embellishments, along with her colleagues, who feel like her family, life is good, except for one day each year …

A meddling grumpy woman holds a grudge against Summer, for being in that shop, and tries to ruin her business’s reputation, seemingly with the assistance of her very attractive nephew, Fabien, all is not as it seems , as Summer and Fabien live in the same apartment block also and sparks begin to fly!

Some very sweet (excuse the pun) moments also very romantic and steamy.

Christmas, cupcakes of unimaginable flavours and an enemy to lovers theme all set in the city of love, Paris, what’s not to love?

[Angela Pearse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh, this book takes the (cup)cake for being the most delicious Christmas rom-com I've ever read! If you've got a sweet tooth then you'll definitely want to dive into it immediately.

Ice Skates and Cupcakes is set in Paris, and is centred around a cupcake shop run by Summer Simpson, an ex-ballerina with a talent for creating eyecatching and mouthwatering cupcakes.

But a revengeful French woman, who wanted the shop for her pet clothes business, is out to ruin her, and her gorgeous nephew Fabien (handball player extraordinaire) seems determined to help her. Until he gets an eyeful of Summer's Eiffel Tower cupcakes, then he takes a different kind of interest.

I totally loved Summer, such a great character, so funny and feisty but also kind and caring. Summer and Fabien's interactions were extremely entertaining, especially when things heat up. There were plenty of witty one liners that made me lol (too many to mention here), but special mention goes to:

"Her arse might have been wedged between two wooden ladder rings but she didn't care."

This is THE Christmas rom-com you can curl up with and sink-your-teeth-into. Highly recommended!!

[Susanne Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a splendid story!
The most perfect setting - Montmartre in Paris.
Scrumptious food, (and not just the cupcakes!)
Gorgeous characters who start off as enemies. It was so intriguing to watch them slowly drift together and find themselves spending time together and actually enjoying it!
Summer is fantastic, I love her attitude and zest for life, she comes across as a strong woman who still cares about others. I really wanted her to succeed and overcome the obstacles thrown at her.
Fabien, oh la la! He was a mysterious person to start with, but soon his true nature began to shine through and I was hooked! I do love an enemies to lovers trope, and this one was so well written and so very engaging.
Some great twists to the story keep me reading avidly and I adored the ending so much!
This book ticked off so many of my favourite things in a romance story, I actually think it’s my favourite book by Isabella! Full of festive fun and shenanigans, in a beautiful setting with some amusing scenes that made me laugh, alongside two characters that I was emotionally invested in!
Absolute perfection!

[Catherine Clapperton · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute hug in a book! The characters are loveable and some loathable(if such a word exists), in perfect measure.

I love the cosiness of the Christmas setting and the fact we get to imagine cupcakes in Paris (perfectly described by Isabella), makes this such an ideal read for Autumn/Winter.

I enjoyed that our protagonist was named Summer and the book is set in Winter. I did chuckle at the fun juxtaposition of Her name and the season. The characters are so well thought out. Summer being a Scorpio with a slight sting in her tail and Fabien a Gemini with 2 sides to him. I won't give any spoilers but on the surface the pair are quite opposite so you'll have to get your own copy to see if it's a case of opposites attract or one difference too many.

The only problem is, I now want cupcakes and a trip to Paris! Excellent!

[Elizabeth Taeed · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful festive food romance! I love Isabella's writing, it is fun and well-paced, and I need to add Montemarte to my To Visit list now, her descriptions are so enticing. She did a very nice job of fleshing out the characters, they are complex enough to feel believable - and deserving of a happy ending. However I am also now craving cupcakes, badly.

Isabella also avoided some of the frustrating tropes so common in romances, but teased at them which made it all the more satisfying when she took the story in a different direction, or had the characters give a more realistic reaction or response.

Definitely add this to your Must Read for Christmas list, you won't regret it!

(I received this book as an advanced reader's copy, but all opinions are my own - I have read a lot of Isabella's books, and look forward to reading the rest!)

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a quick, charming, funny, and delicious read! I know my sweet tooth came out big time reading this book. I was just imaging all of the delectable treats featured in this book and how they must taste.

In the beginning, I was Team Summer all the way. We did not like Fabien and how he treated Summer. Yet, once I got to know him better, he did win me over. He has a bit of a cheeky side to him. There is a spark between Summer and Fabien. It slowly grows as this is a slow burn romance. The innuendos and touchy feely these two shared is entertaining.

If you like slow burn romances that have engaging characters, and tons of yummy food in the story than you will want to pick up a copy of this book. One final parting word of wisdom..."Cupcakes are muffins that believed in miracles".

[Maria Sinclair · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used to be firmly in the camp of no Christmas activities until November, but when Isabella May releases a new book about the festive season in September, then my rule is definitely being broken, because no way am I waiting two months to read it! In fact, I have to gobble them up just as quickly as I would the sugary treats that she writes about.

Once again, Isabella May has created a strong-willed and feisty heroine, and I quickly found myself rooting for Summer's success, both in business and in love. In Fabien, she has given us a love interest who is just as tempting as the cupcakes that Summer so lovingly bakes and decorates, and the characters who make up the staff at the Emporium are an absolute delight.

The snowy streets of Montmartre are the perfect backdrop to Summer and Fabien's romantic misadventures, and the thought of wandering its streets shopping for the perfect gift, sampling the food at its cafes, and admiring the work of its artists really put me in the mood for Christmas. I know I would a trip to the Emporium to buy a box of Summer's festive cupcakes would be irresistible, and it would be impossible to just choose one flavour!

Ice Skates and Cupcakes is a real winter warmer of a book that wraps you up in a big hug and soothes your soul.

[Joan Brimage · Rating 4 out of 5]

I normally read crime fiction, and other genres, so I was excited to read something different. Ice skates and Cupcakes was perfect!! The setting was Montmartre, (Which sounds fabulous!) With an array of loveable characters. It's such a feel good story with many laugh out loud moments. Its heartwarming, and really puts you in a festive mood, and the delicious descriptions of the many types of Cupcakes leave you wanting more.
It's my first time reading Isabella May books and certainly won't be my Last. I loved it.

[Em Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book by this author and what a sweet rest it was! A delightful rom-com set in Paris with lovely descriptions of the city. Summer is making Parisiens fall in love with cupcakes one delight at a time, but every year she is hounded by the former tenant of her shop and this year things get out of control. Summer shares a building with the woman’s nephew and they keep crossing paths. He’s gorgeous but is an accomplice - Summer wants nothing to do with him. Does she?

[Grace Power · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Paris and cupcakes! Summer has a cupcake emporium and in the run up to Christmas is baking and creating so many delectable cupcakes with the most wonderful flavours and decorations.
I wasn’t sure what to make of Fabian in the beginning but soon warmed to him.
Christmas, cake and romance is a winning combination and Isabella May’s book had the perfect recipe.

[Kate Wells · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nope didn't grab me. The ‘boy teasing and being a jerk to get your attention’ trope does not sit well with me. He might have a hot bod but his brain/attitude is sub par. I received this as an advance copy from the author and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Liz Dawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holed up in wet West Wales at the end of August I had a chance to read this lovely book and was whisked ( no pun intended) to a dreamy Paris with mouthwatering bakes, and a classic story. Will only get better in the coming colder months, get yourself a cosy nook, your own cupcake and dig in!

[Book.Lover.1986 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book.

I love the characters in this book and the storyline that Isabella has written. She is one of my go to authors for light, fluffy and foodie romance stories.

Can't wait to see what you write next Isabella

[S.C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I probably would have given it four stars because it is a cute silly little romcom romp, but around the fifth time she referenced “Emily in Paris” I started to be done.

[Vanessa Hilario Mata · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dreamy Christmas time in Paris! Enjoyed reading this steamy enemies to lovers romance. Summer is running her cupcake emporium and Fabian is a hot hardball star that comes with a meddling family. Amazing read! A must read!