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The Missing Cupcake: A Short Story
Lucy works in marketing but dreams of opening her own bakery in the future. She loves testing recipes, posting her creations online, and sharing her most successful treats with the office staff. So when the caterer drops out of one of the corporate events she’s planning and a colleague volunteers her to supply the dessert—one hundred cupcakes—Lucy feels like she has to accept the challenge.
If she performs well, it could lead to the promotion she’s had her eye on, which should come with a pay raise that will help make her bakery dreams a reality.
But there’s a she has to make those one hundred cupcakes in the tiny kitchen of her one-bedroom, Boston-based apartment, and she has to do it in one night. And of course that one night is her anniversary with Ian.
Ian isn’t typically a planner, and Lucy knows he’s gone out of his way to make this anniversary extra special. But this opportunity could be huge for her—for her future, which she hopes Ian will be part of.
Her decision to spend the night in her kitchen instead of at a romantic dinner for two with Ian seems to put a strain on their relationship just as Lucy starts the daunting task of baking and decorating the cupcakes.
Can Lucy finish and deliver all of the cupcakes in time for the event? More importantly, can she do it and somehow save her relationship with Ian?
This story first appeared in Recipes for A Sweet Valentine’s Day Anthology, released in January 2025 by And You Press. This ebook contains edits by the author; this version is no longer centered around Valentine’s Day.
If she performs well, it could lead to the promotion she’s had her eye on, which should come with a pay raise that will help make her bakery dreams a reality.
But there’s a she has to make those one hundred cupcakes in the tiny kitchen of her one-bedroom, Boston-based apartment, and she has to do it in one night. And of course that one night is her anniversary with Ian.
Ian isn’t typically a planner, and Lucy knows he’s gone out of his way to make this anniversary extra special. But this opportunity could be huge for her—for her future, which she hopes Ian will be part of.
Her decision to spend the night in her kitchen instead of at a romantic dinner for two with Ian seems to put a strain on their relationship just as Lucy starts the daunting task of baking and decorating the cupcakes.
Can Lucy finish and deliver all of the cupcakes in time for the event? More importantly, can she do it and somehow save her relationship with Ian?
This story first appeared in Recipes for A Sweet Valentine’s Day Anthology, released in January 2025 by And You Press. This ebook contains edits by the author; this version is no longer centered around Valentine’s Day.
23 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 12, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
January 21, 2026
This was a random grab a few weeks ago. The cover was just so cute and I had to know about this missing cupcake. I didn't read the summary before jumping in.
Lucy wants to own her very own bakery. But that seems like a pipedream until a caterer drops out of her corporate event. And now she has a chance to show her skill! She has to make 100 cupcakes and if she succeeds, she might just get the promotion and pay raise so she can start saving for her bakery. Problem is....she has a small apartment and a small kitchen, and she only has one night to bake these cupcakes. Also....it is her anniversary with Ian. Will she be able to have her cake and eat it, too?
Do I remember what I read? Barely. And mind you...it was only like 23 pages. Everything went by in a blur, and the drama was silly. Why is she even concerned? It's just an anniversary that can be celebrated the next day or whatever. :S
Ian was immature.
Lucy was an overthinker, and she deserved better.
Sure, it seems Ian does "justice" by her at the end, but I would be pissed if he used one of the cupcakes. >_> DUDE, I have to make 100 cupcakes. Like wtf man.
I was hoping for some actual mystery and maybe more romance. The chemistry felt as flat as a pancake.
Maybe, just maybe, I'm not seeing the full picture with this romance. Maybe we need another short of them after she opens her bakery.
I'll give this 2 stars because I did like Lucy. She deserves the world and more. Go away, Ian.
Lucy wants to own her very own bakery. But that seems like a pipedream until a caterer drops out of her corporate event. And now she has a chance to show her skill! She has to make 100 cupcakes and if she succeeds, she might just get the promotion and pay raise so she can start saving for her bakery. Problem is....she has a small apartment and a small kitchen, and she only has one night to bake these cupcakes. Also....it is her anniversary with Ian. Will she be able to have her cake and eat it, too?
Do I remember what I read? Barely. And mind you...it was only like 23 pages. Everything went by in a blur, and the drama was silly. Why is she even concerned? It's just an anniversary that can be celebrated the next day or whatever. :S
Ian was immature.
Lucy was an overthinker, and she deserved better.
Sure, it seems Ian does "justice" by her at the end, but I would be pissed if he used one of the cupcakes. >_> DUDE, I have to make 100 cupcakes. Like wtf man.
I was hoping for some actual mystery and maybe more romance. The chemistry felt as flat as a pancake.
Maybe, just maybe, I'm not seeing the full picture with this romance. Maybe we need another short of them after she opens her bakery.
I'll give this 2 stars because I did like Lucy. She deserves the world and more. Go away, Ian.
January 3, 2026
“He dropped down on one knee and revealed a fully decorated cupcake, which he held out toward me. Sticking out of the very top of the small, uneven mound of icing was a bright, shiny ring.”
For a 23 page book, there is not much to say. It was so short that I honestly thought of leaving it with no rating.
The book or maybe I should call it a short story, had some unnecessary details that could have been switched with something else to make it more interesting. Because, with all due respect, I really do not care how the MMC walked through the doorway or where he put his stuff.
Everything went kind of fast, and I get it, but maybe the story could have been 20–30 pages longer so some things could’ve been more expanded on at least. Like maybe a better description of the event she had to bake for, or her receiving her promotion, or opening her dream bakery, even if it happens fast in the last pages, at least we would get more out of the story. All in all, it missed a lot of details.
Also, just to rant real quick about Ian, no, about both of them actually. I don’t know, but I felt like Ian was a bit immature and that Lucy overthinks way too much. Like Ian, I get it, he started being distant because he wanted to propose, but man… man up. If you knew your woman, you would’ve known she’d start overthinking. And Lucy, seriously, instead of asking yourself all these questions, you should’ve just asked him or picked up the phone and said, “Dude, what is your deal?”
Two years in a relationship, and I felt no chemistry whatsoever. And again, I understand it was only 23 pages, so not much was bound to happen, but still, a little more about the relationship wouldn’t have hurt. Also, OMG, girl, what do you mean that for two years you’ve been the one planning the dates? And that he was excited to plan the second-year anniversary date??? In a relationship that long, it would’ve been nice for the guy to plan some dates… just my opinion.
One thing I did like, though, was that he proposed using something she loved—baking🧁💍
But hey, now I know why the short story is called “The Missing Cupcake.”
For a 23 page book, there is not much to say. It was so short that I honestly thought of leaving it with no rating.
The book or maybe I should call it a short story, had some unnecessary details that could have been switched with something else to make it more interesting. Because, with all due respect, I really do not care how the MMC walked through the doorway or where he put his stuff.
Everything went kind of fast, and I get it, but maybe the story could have been 20–30 pages longer so some things could’ve been more expanded on at least. Like maybe a better description of the event she had to bake for, or her receiving her promotion, or opening her dream bakery, even if it happens fast in the last pages, at least we would get more out of the story. All in all, it missed a lot of details.
Also, just to rant real quick about Ian, no, about both of them actually. I don’t know, but I felt like Ian was a bit immature and that Lucy overthinks way too much. Like Ian, I get it, he started being distant because he wanted to propose, but man… man up. If you knew your woman, you would’ve known she’d start overthinking. And Lucy, seriously, instead of asking yourself all these questions, you should’ve just asked him or picked up the phone and said, “Dude, what is your deal?”
Two years in a relationship, and I felt no chemistry whatsoever. And again, I understand it was only 23 pages, so not much was bound to happen, but still, a little more about the relationship wouldn’t have hurt. Also, OMG, girl, what do you mean that for two years you’ve been the one planning the dates? And that he was excited to plan the second-year anniversary date??? In a relationship that long, it would’ve been nice for the guy to plan some dates… just my opinion.
One thing I did like, though, was that he proposed using something she loved—baking🧁💍
But hey, now I know why the short story is called “The Missing Cupcake.”
June 13, 2025
sweet and fast read
If you have a few minutes and desire a short feel good story this is a good one. Lucy has a dream of opening a bakery and she’s given an opportunity to try her skills. When her boss at an event planning company losses the caterer at the last minute she’s thrust into problem solving. Bake 9 dozen cupcakes by Saturday and cancel her anniversary plans. Luckily her boyfriend Ian is supportive and finds a way to still surprise her.
Through baking mistakes and the stress of baking a cupcake goes missing…or does it?
Let’s get baking…um reading!
If you have a few minutes and desire a short feel good story this is a good one. Lucy has a dream of opening a bakery and she’s given an opportunity to try her skills. When her boss at an event planning company losses the caterer at the last minute she’s thrust into problem solving. Bake 9 dozen cupcakes by Saturday and cancel her anniversary plans. Luckily her boyfriend Ian is supportive and finds a way to still surprise her.
Through baking mistakes and the stress of baking a cupcake goes missing…or does it?
Let’s get baking…um reading!
June 12, 2025
This is a new to me author, and it is such an adorable read! As it is short it does not take long to read.
Lucy and Ian are so lovely together as a team.
Perfect for sweet romance readers with a sweet tooth, I would happily read more from this author.
Lucy and Ian are so lovely together as a team.
Perfect for sweet romance readers with a sweet tooth, I would happily read more from this author.
July 5, 2025
Lucy is frazzled when she gets volunteered to bake one hundred cupcakes for her job on her anniversary. Can she rise to the occasion and more importantly will her boyfriend be understanding of her dilemma? This must read short story is the refreshing break I needed.
August 22, 2025
Super cute short story!
This super short story is so cute! I loved the little bit of drama and the comedy of the missing cupcake only to be hit with an absolutely adorable golden retriever energy. So much was happening in so short pages 🩵
This super short story is so cute! I loved the little bit of drama and the comedy of the missing cupcake only to be hit with an absolutely adorable golden retriever energy. So much was happening in so short pages 🩵
September 1, 2025
FINALLY!
Something cute and original FINALLY! Every single book lately has been short blonde this, blue eyed that and cliché after cliché this was a nice breathe of fresh air and a new ending for once! Super cute and fast read !
Something cute and original FINALLY! Every single book lately has been short blonde this, blue eyed that and cliché after cliché this was a nice breathe of fresh air and a new ending for once! Super cute and fast read !
January 29, 2026
Sweet Like Cupcake!
For such a bite-sized cupcake, the emotional intensity is surprisingly palpable. Overall, it’s utterly adorable ♥️. For such a bite-sized cupcake, the emotional intensity is surprisingly palpable. Overall, it’s utterly adorable ♥️. Perfect for reading break 🙌.
For such a bite-sized cupcake, the emotional intensity is surprisingly palpable. Overall, it’s utterly adorable ♥️. For such a bite-sized cupcake, the emotional intensity is surprisingly palpable. Overall, it’s utterly adorable ♥️. Perfect for reading break 🙌.
June 12, 2025
What a sweet short story 🤭 I ate this up, it’s a perfect cupcake sized read if you only have a little time to read and it’s definitely going to make you hungry 😍🧁
July 14, 2025
This short story was cute and sweet!! The characters were lovable and relatable. I enjoyed Lucy’s adventure with the happy ending!
July 24, 2025
Fun!
July 28, 2025
Wasn’t really a fan of this one. But cute ending
July 31, 2025
Good read
August 6, 2025
Stop this was so cute!! It was fast and sweet!
October 10, 2025
4 stars
January 29, 2026
Cute short story.
February 1, 2026
Short and sweet
February 4, 2026
A very cute short story! I saw the ending coming from a mile away. <3
July 30, 2025
Short sweet romantic story with a happily ever after. Loved it.
January 18, 2026
Cute, funny, and confused me.
I still liked it. But loved the ending.
I still liked it. But loved the ending.
August 26, 2025
Cute, short and sweet. First book I read on my new kindle reader device just to test it out lol.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews