She’s nursing a broken heart. They want to help her put it back together.
Delilah Goodwin pours all of her energy into baking sweet treats that make people smile. Although she’s mostly happy, has amazing friends, and belongs to the best smutty book club on campus, she can’t help feeling like a key ingredient is missing from her life.
When the famous rockstar who broke her heart transfers to Scent Valley University, Delilah vows to leave him and their painful memories in the past.
What she doesn’t know is that he’s returned for one reason: to win her back. A mission his new, secret pack quickly gets behind after meeting the omega they believe is their scent match.
Jagger… The tortured artist who never stopped loving her.
Nash… A gentle giant whose steady hands can fix almost anything.
Tae… The beta barista with a knack for creating hilarious latte art and showing up when she least expects it.
As fate pulls Delilah closer to the alpha she swore to avoid, her carefully built walls begin to crumble. But Jagger has serious groveling to do, and the Ward Pack will have to earn her trust while proving that they’re worthy of her heart.
Will she be able to forgive Jagger and claim her own fairy-tale ending with three men who adore her, or will she have to close the chapter on romance for good?
Claims and Cupcakes is a sweet, standalone, second chance, omegaverse romance set in the quirky world of Scent Valley University. Get ready to swoon over three hot guys, meet your new fictional BFFs, gasp at spicy knotty heats, and giggle along with their banter. This low-angst, why choose romance series will hit you in the feels like a warm hug and comes with a guaranteed HEA.
Polly Maple writes sweet omegaverse romance filled with all the fuzzy feels. Her fated mate love stories feature swoon-worthy alphas, characters you'll want to befriend, and a side of fun banter, all wrapped up in knotty heats that feel like coming home.
When Polly isn't dreaming up love stories, she's chasing her feral toddler, pestering her husband to make her chai lattes, and snuggling up under blankets watching reruns of her favorite comfort shows.
This book wrapped around my heart like warm frosting on a fresh cupcake and refused to let go. I swear every book in this series becomes my new favorite, but Claims and Cupcakes might actually have stolen the crown… though choosing is basically an Olympic sport at this point.
Delilah was such an easy heroine to love. Her quiet heartbreak, her love for baking, the way she tried so hard to protect herself while still craving that missing piece… it all felt so genuine. And then enter the Ward Pack, ready to piece her back together one sweet, swoony moment at a time. I was DONE for.
Jagger’s groveling? Absolutely necessary and beautifully done. That man had me frustrated, emotional, and melting all over again in equal measure. Nash was basically human comfort in oversized form, and Tae brought so much charm and humor that every scene with him felt like sunshine breaking through clouds. Together, they balanced each other perfectly, and the chemistry with Delilah was chef’s kiss levels of addictive.
What really made this one shine for me was how deeply emotional it felt without becoming heavy. It had the warmth of a cozy blanket fort filled with cupcakes, smutty books, and people who love you exactly as you are. The romance hit every emotional note: yearning, heartbreak, healing, forgiveness, and that overwhelming feeling of finally finding home in other people.
And yes, the spice absolutely delivered. The knotty heats, the tension, the tenderness woven into the intimate moments… perfection.
I laughed, I swooned, I got emotional enough to clutch my Kindle dramatically at 1 AM like a Victorian widow staring out a rain-soaked window. This series continues to own me completely, and Scent Valley University feels like a place I never want to leave. Five stars without hesitation.
Our fmc, Delilah, such a sweetheart and so kind and caring but really fierce at the same time. Del is so intelligent and I really loved her energy.
Our mmc's are Jagger, Tae and Nash. Jagger is a lead guitarist in a popular band. I really like him but he really shouldn't have done what he did. Tae, he is the group's Beta and possibly my favourite. He is so bubbly, fun and easy going. Nash, loved him, he is very protective, at times hard but in a loving way, especially with Delilah. Jagger and Nash are both Alpha's but there is no lead alpha, they make decisions as a pack which i think is so commendable.
The plot was really good. Delilah was left heartbroken by Jagger and it had taken a year to find her peace again. But, her peace was short lived when she runs into said alpha and he tries to explain what was actually going through his head. From there, it was a rollercoaster of emotions for Delilah and her guys especially considering they are all scent matches. I really liked how the relationship grew with Delilah, Tae and Nash, but I know that Delilah had to show Jagger how hard it was for her so I get it took longer for them to find their happiness. Delilah gets her happy ending but it took a lot to get there for sure. Shoutout to the Stella girls, they are truly amazing ride or die friends.
A really sweet read and I am really excited for Sabs book, I know it's going to be amazing.
Thank you so much Polly and your lovely team for the opportunity to read this story. I am forever grateful 🩷
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 🌶🌶🌶
🧁 why choose 🧁 multiple pov 🧁 grovelling 🧁 scent matches 🧁 second chance 🧁 sweet omegaverse 🧁 spicy 🧁 so much more...
This is a sweet and cozy, with a dash of angst, university omegaverse. I have been so excited for Delilah’s story and it is finally here!
What’s Inside? 💖Omegaverse 💖MFMM 💖Interconnected Standalone 💖Scent Matches 💖 University Setting 💖Groveling 💖Insta-connection 💖Sweet & Cozy vibes Delilah is such a sweetie and I am so glad we finally have her story! I love her character and her vibes, I really identify with her personality a lot! One thing I love about every Scent Valley university book is the really close group of omega gal pals that run to support each other through everything and anything! That aspect of this university setting in this universe is so neat! It feels unique to this series, and yet also so believable in the omegaverse world that they might support omegas at university in this way! It is also the sort of university friendships I wish I had had, so it is easy to love!
I do want to say that these relationships solidify FAST, a bit faster than plausible (even with scent matching involved) given the history some of the characters have with each other (for me).
Claims & Cupcakes is the third installment in the set of interconnected standalones in the Scent Valley University. These can be read as standalones but I do think that anyone who loves a cozy university omegaverse should start at the beginning! You get to know the women so well through the series, it is great! I was gifted a copy of this book by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you!
Delilah's story is finally here!! And it could not have been more perfect for her 🥺 We've seen Delilah in the background, dealing with her heartbreak, coming back stronger, and hoo boy, did Jagger have his work cut out for him! Del is a kind, caring, sweetheart Omega - but with being reunited with the Alpha that broke her, she channeled her inner Kady and Sabs to make Jagger know for damn sure that she wasn't going to roll over and forgive at first sight (or scent). But, this is where the complications came, in the shape of Sweet, funny, Golden Retriever, Tae and Grumpy, Protective, Gentle Giant, Nash... swooooon🫠. Jagger's secret Pack and Del's completely unrelated meet cutes. Claims and Cupcakes was an absolutely beautiful read, the grovel, the character growth, the sweet acts of service and love. It was all *chefs kiss* 🫶 I loved that we didn't jump in with both feet, Pack Ward had to WORK for Delilah's trust and love - her forgiveness (and the Stella's 🙈). It was sweet, it was spicy, it was BEAUTIFUL. I'm so glad Del got her happy ever after, after seeing her struggle for the last two books with the thoughts of not being good enough. 5 stars, no notes 🖤
I liked it (maybe slight spoiler - if you didn’t read the first two)
I love the SVU series, both of the first two were amazing. This one is not on the same level. I was really excited about this one, but did start to get a little annoyed with MFC at the end. I really liked Delilah in all of the other books and in the beginning but towards the end she became unreasonable. I understand groveling for leaving, but it really felt like she was starting to beat Jagger down. Everything he did seemed to need her approval before doing it or she’d spew some nonsense about how she couldn’t trust him because he made a decision for himself that honestly wouldn’t really affect her.
I wouldn’t say don’t read the book, just prepare to possibly get frustrated with the FMC for ended up being a little too demanding and selfish when all Jagger was trying to do was show her he loved her, even if he may have gone about it sometimes the wrong way. I’m happy they got their HEA.
Oh my goodness, what, it’s over?! No! I absolutely adored Claims and Cupcakes! It might even be my favorite book so far in the Scent Valley University series! I’m a sucker for second chances and there’s so much groveling after betrayal and mending fractures from heartbreak and tearing down walls built up for the sake of self-preservation. I can never get enough of scent matches and the irresistible pull that comes with soul mates - so many swoon-worthy moments and devoted declarations. Delilah is the ultimate sweetheart and yet she has the grit and willingness to stand up for herself, which I love so much. The undying support from the Stellas gives all kinds of powerful vibes and the glimpses at the lives of characters from previous books in the series were lovely. The MMCs in Delilah’s story were so unique and brought something different to the pack. Claims and Cupcakes is an insanely sweet and spicy second chance omegaverse romance that you definitely don’t want to miss!
I’ve been waiting and waiting for Delilah’s story since book 1 and the wait was worth it.
Delilah’s hopes and dreams were yanked away from her abruptly when she meets Jagger then spends a heat with him only for him to disappear after it’s over. But, finally, our sweet and loving baker gets the love and fairytale ending she deserves when Jagger finally comes back with his pack in tow ready to grovel and yearn for her.
Tae, the sweet Beta, who was captivated by Delilah the instant he saw her ready to do anything for her. Nash, the large alpha, who wanted to fix everyone’s problems but most of all Delilah’s. And Jagger, the messy alpha, who while chaotic loves and protects fiercely and is completely helpless without Delilah.
It was hard not to love each and every one of these characters.
Now I’m biting my nails and sitting at the edge of my seat waiting for Sabs story. AHH.
This was easier to handle than Kady's book, Nests and Nuptials. Not as angsty and not as frustrating. But I still was rubbed the wrong way on certain things that made it hard to enjoy.
Delilah as a character is loveable for sure, but the way she treated Tae in the beginning hurt my heart. None of it was his fault, and honestly, if an MMC had treated Delilah the same way we would expect major groveling. Hurt people- Hurt people I suppose, but it doesn't make it okay. Their relationship did get better somewhat quicker. Which brings me to the next point.
Jagger couldn't do anything to satisfy Delilah. Honestly, her disdain and her quick judgement drug on for so long that it was painful for me to read. It got to the point that I had to start skipping over parts because I just couldn't handle the shit she would spew towards him. Groveling is not supposed to beat a person down, and that is all Delilah did to him. Beat him down with every move he tried to make to make things right. Actually, I am getting more upset as I write this review so I may change the rating.
Nash is perfect though and so is Delilah and his relationship. There was a seriously sweet moment that had me in tears, as I expect most book lovers will be when they get to that part.
In the end, I expect Polly Maple's writing may just not be for me. I don't mean that in a cruel or discouraging way. I just mean that my preferences in books doesn't align with her writing. I loved the very first book of this series. Faye's book is more along the lines of how I picture a sweet romance read.
For the angst lovers, this book may be right up your alley. For those who are an anxious reader, proceed with a lot of caution.
Polly Maple has done it again! I love the scent valley Omegaverse realm! I have just fallen in love with each and every one of the girls!
Delilah definitely earned her story after being there for everyone else. This book started with a bang and honestly drew me in really quick! The scene in the cafe will live rent free in my head for the rest of time. I was shocked, laughing and even messaged the author!
I did like the male characters. I just kind of felt like I wasn't sold on the chemistry with Jagger. I feel like she had the most connection truly with Tae. With the alphas I feel like it was more of just that Bond that was drawing them together. Ultimately I can understand why Delilah treated Jagger the way that she did after what happened, but I kind of found a hard time finding the balance between. Did he grovel and work for her love enough? And also was he being mistreated. There were definitely some heavy feelings in that that led to some hurtful decisions.
Definitely still worth a read. I really enjoy her writing style and enjoy the girls in these books so much! I'm excited to read the next book after that! Cliffhanger. Thank you so much for the ARC!!!
➕ - Jagger disappears from Delilah's world after a life altering weekend together. After a year apart, he's more sure than ever that she's his destiny. Will Del open up her broken heart to Jagger and his pack? - This sweet omegaverse why choose romance (MFMM) is great as a palate cleanser or slump buster. - Del's pack has it all: a gruff protector as the lead, a sunshine golden retriever beta and a troubled yet passionate rockstar. - Nash is my favorite. I can't resist the quiet and thoughtful guardian with a heartbreaking past. He anchors Del and their pack.
➖ - I'm not sure if it's the book or me but I lost steam near the end. - I had high expectations for Jagger as the rockstar alpha who brings everyone together. Instead, I found him to be a bit emotionally immature and I wish he would've done more growing and reflecting before going back to Del.
reading bonds & blossoms and then nests & nuptials had me so excited to read Delilah’s story knowing that this was going to be a second-chance romance, but when I tell you that this was SO GOOD!!!!!!!! I freaking mean it!!!! THE GROVELING??? Oh my god the absolute perfect amount. Delilah didn’t cut that man one OUNCE of slack!! And I love and respect her so much for it. Her pack is utter perfection. Jagger and his music that he writes for his girl. Nash and his ability to fix anything including her favorite mixer. And Tae with the flowers and the chai lattes??? They’re literally everything 🥹 I love the scent valley uni series so much and I literally can’t wait for Sabs story!! I screamed “ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME?” at the top of my lungs when I finished this and July CAN NOT COME FAST ENOUGH!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Five blissfully happy stars for how this story turned out! A wonderful Omegaverse with spice and knotting and sugary sweet goodness!
I ADORED Delilah! A talented baker and a total sweetheart, this omega wants a pack, but having her Ex come to SVU and his pack be her scent matches is quite unexpected for her!
Jagger is unhappy and filled with anguish that he hides from everyone he cares about. Tae is a gentle loving pierced barista with a heart of gold. And Nash?! Good Lord. The alpha can praise like no other and he was definitely my favorite!
I also loved getting to see all the Stella girls again and get glimpses of their guys; they’re all such fun characters!
I loved Delilah’s story and was absolutely thrilled to receive this as an ARC! I can’t wait for the next one!
This was such a great Omegaverse book! I have loved all of the books in this series, but this one is definitely my favorite.
Delilah, the FMC, is such a great character. She is adorable and is always baking for the other Stella House girls. Her heartbreak was hinted at in the first two books, so I was happy to finally read her story. And it was a great one! There was groveling, along with sweet and steamy moments with her new pack. I loved each of the characters in this book, and it’s always fun to see the Stella House girls again.
This book, and the series overall, was an excellent Omegaverse read.
I LOVED Del’s book!!! This story was absolutely adorable and the perfect amount of fluff to grovel. Nash- the protective & grumpy alpha (who’s also good with his hands) Tae- the golden retriever & ray of sunshine beta Jagger- the anxious & deeply tortured alpha Delilah- the sweet as pie & heartbroken omega
The epilogue had me 😮 I can’t wait for Sab’s book!
It was nice to finally see Delilah’s story with Jagger. I did find the early on back and forth between the present and the past annoying. Either we should’ve started in the past and then come to the future? Or we never needed to see the past. The back and forth was annoying because I hadn’t even determined if I cared about them yet.
Tae and Nash were a great addition. I love that we got to spend so much time with the Stellas. I wish we had met any of their families. I wish we knew more about what Jagger was going to do and what his contract said that allowed him to leave.
The Sabrina cliffhanger while following the others was annoying.
Polly Maple has done it again. At this point, it’s basically a guarantee, each book in this series gets better, sweeter, and even more exciting than the last.
Delilah has completely won me over as my current favorite SVU girl. She’s just… adorable. Soft, loving, a little baker who lights up every room (and every page). Her story had everything she deserved: second chances, the perfect scent matches, and all the groveling a girl could want.
If you haven’t started the SVU omegaverse series yet, this is your sign to curl up and dive in. These books are cozy, cute, and sprinkled with just the right amount of spice, like the perfect treat fresh out of Delilah’s oven.
Sweet, Sweet Delilah. The wait for Del’s story is finally over! I must have a thing for the underdogs who are just trying to do the right thing, but end up saying/doing the wrong things. Jagger had me all up in knots. I felt for him. He just felt so misunderstood. It took some time for him to make amends, but I was cheering for him the entire time. Nash and Tae were solid forces. It was exactly what both Delilah and Jagger needed. These Stella sisters have worked their way into my heart, I cannot wait for Sabs’s story!
Delilah is probably my favorite girl because she's just so sweet and such a ray of sunshine and loves her friend so fiercely. And they love her just as fiercely and 1% her and they showed up for her 100% in this book like nobody's business. And Jagger he was such a train wreck while trying to get her back but it was cute at the same time. Tae I absolutely love him immediate. Nash is a giant sexy teddy bear with a dominant side that would do anything for Delilah and I love that for her.
I cannot tell y'all how happy and cozy this book made me feel! Everything plays out so well like a romance drama series, has me addicted! The grovelling without a doubt was my favorite. The drama of a rockstar life, it's not for everyone but Delilah made it work. Jagger, Nash and Tae are a combo made in heaven. Especially their scents. 😍 I wish I had someone like Nash, such a handy man! 😍 Especially the book binding scene from his pov. Tae is absolutely a fun sweetheart beta. Such comfort! Jagger may be misunderstood but he's trying with all his heart. I loved this book!
I love this Series a lot and I love the characters in this book . Delilah is really a strong character and I do see why it took a lot for her to trust Jagger again. Yes he did her so wrong but he did come back and try to make amends with her . I love Tar as the beta he made the story fun and Nash was such a great addition to the pack . Now I’m not going to lie I was kind of with Jagger on one part and I’m not going to give it away but we do get a HEA . Great story
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 I really loved this story. There’s just something about when the MCs find their way to each other by stumbling into each other-sometimes literally- that hooks me. Plus, I love a good groveling and this one had it-even if Jagger didn’t always do it the right way. He still tried lol Tar has got to be my favorite of them all. His golden retriever, happy go lucky energy just makes me happy. Each one of the guys was such a perfect fit for Delilah. I love this world and group of friends Polly has created and I can’t wait for the next book.
I sometimes have a hard time with scent matches that majorly mess up and come to grovel not groveling enough...this was not the case for this book!! Jagger definitely did so much to make up for leaving Delilah!
I loved Nash and Tae as well!! This pack was perfectly balanced, and I loved how nash and tae didnt let Jagger off the hook but also stuck by him through it all!!
With every book I fall more in love with the Stella house ladies! I might love their relationship even more than the romance, though it’s a close contest. I’ve been so excited for Delilah’s story, and Claims and Cupcakes absolutely delivered. This book was a much needed dose of sweet and cozy, with a good bit of spice thrown in. If you like rockstar romance, a sunshine beta, quality groveling, and acts of service as a love language, snag this baby right now!
3/3.5 TW: alcohol abuse (past), death of sibling (past, off page), grief/loss, bigotry, vomiting, alcohol consumption, panic attack, strained family relationships, brief mention of car accident (past, off page),
Tropes: mmmf, omegaverse, pierced nipples, pierced dick, size difference, grovelling, second chance, I see the way they look at you, baker x rockstar, found family,
Omg Delilah’s story was amazing. I felt all the emotions! From laughing and kicking my feet to crying to Polly because how Delilah was treated was so unfair and broke my heart. But man does Jagger grovel. This was a story that touched my heart! If anyone wants to know how to woo me they can learn book binding from Nash 😏🤭. Tae, Nash and Jagger end up being the absolute perfect pack for Delilah!
A sweet collage-verse Claims and Cupcakes is so good. The fact is was a second chance was chief kiss. I loved the past/present time chapters with Delilah and Jagger. It's so well written. I enjoyed the rockstar-sweetnes over all. I adored Tae and grumpy Nash. I totally crave some of the themed cookie Delilah baked. I'm excited to read what's next.
What do you get when you put a spunky baking omega with a rockstar with a broken soul, a tinkering gentle giant and a coffee loving golden retriever beta?? Only the best swoon worthy love story. I’ve been waiting for this flour explosion since book one ands it did not disappoint. Jaggers redemption is everything I needed. 9.7 out of 10
The only reason I say a 4 instead of a five was because one of her mates is just an ass. We don’t really see any redemption yes he says he loves her but he never puts action to words. Apart from this I think it was a lovely story and I really love this universe, and can’t wait for Sab’s story to come out!