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Codename Cupcake
Molly Peterson, frazzled mom of two, takes her first day "off" from full-time parenting to explore NewYork City. When she witnesses a crime in progress, her mommy instincts kick in and she simply grabs the gun out of the would-be-robber's hand. The incident is recorded by an onlooker with an iPhone and the "hero mom" video goes viral. Molly becomes an instant, albeit reluctant, celebrity. But the real fun begins when she is zapped by an "enhancement ray" and recruited by a super-spy agency. At first she is Super powers! A turbo charged mini-van! Secret tunnels from suburban NJ to spy headquarters in Manhattan! Life is great!
But then she is given her to infiltrate the PTA at her son's elementary school to solve a great mystery and prevent a potential calamity. Molly, a staunch PTA avoider, must now join every committee and volunteer for every event in order to spend as much time as possible in the building. Molly is completely on board for the spying; it's the PTA she dreads.
Codename Cupcake is quite simply hilarious. Readers will cheer for Molly Peterson as she grapples with both the ordinary and the outlandish in her new life as a super-mom. This sharp satire is fast paced and funny with the underlying message that life really is better when you have super powers.
But then she is given her to infiltrate the PTA at her son's elementary school to solve a great mystery and prevent a potential calamity. Molly, a staunch PTA avoider, must now join every committee and volunteer for every event in order to spend as much time as possible in the building. Molly is completely on board for the spying; it's the PTA she dreads.
Codename Cupcake is quite simply hilarious. Readers will cheer for Molly Peterson as she grapples with both the ordinary and the outlandish in her new life as a super-mom. This sharp satire is fast paced and funny with the underlying message that life really is better when you have super powers.
277 pages, ebook
First published October 22, 2015
43 people are currently reading
1140 people want to read
About the author
Jillian Green DiGiacomo
2 books37 followersJillian Green DiGiacomo grew up in a New Jersey suburb and currently lives in a New Jersey suburb (though not the same suburb). Once upon a time, she graduated with a degree in Asian studies from Vassar College and received a master’s degree in teaching from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education. Before having children, she spent most of her time either teaching English in Japan or teaching Japanese to high school students in New York. After having children, she completely forgot how to speak Japanese and has a hard time with English most days.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
December 20, 2019
DNF. Life is short. The holidays are busy. This book about a dumpy, harried suburban mother who finds herself turned into a superhero whose "mom" skills are enhanced is just too ridiculous to waste my time on. Even when I was "just a mom" I had talents that went beyond cleaning, cooking and getting my kids places on time. I had a grasp of science, current events and world politics that would have made me a better superhero than my ability to make a lot of spaghetti to feed a crowd.
I was insulted by the premise.
I received this book free in exchange for an honest review.
I was insulted by the premise.
I received this book free in exchange for an honest review.
July 13, 2019
Erma Bombeck V.S. Martha Stewart. Many of us mom would love to be like Martha but relate to Erma. This is an entertaining read. As a mom who quit rather than deal with the micromanaging moms of the PTA, I cheered for our heroine. I laughed out loud and rolled my eyes while I enjoyed this lighthearted story.
June 21, 2016
Married mother of two, Molly Peterson, decides to give herself some cherished alone-time after her youngest child, Olivia, finally starts school full-time with her older brother, Michael. When every misadventure imaginable creeps into her mind, Molly cancels her alone-time and she starts heading home as fast as she can... just in case the children need her. After ducking into Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum for a tour before mindlessly foiling a robbery outside, Molly collects her daughter from school. On learning that both of her children had a miserable first day at school, she makes jokes which result in both of her children smiling before they get home. Little does Molly realize that her confrontation with the gun-toting would-be robber that day had actually been caught on camera. The following morning, reporters are camped out on Molly’s front lawn, with the news headlines labelling her as crazy Vigilante Mom. As a camera flashes a blue light in front of her, Molly suddenly feels strange and sleepy. On waking, she finds herself full of energy, transformed into a mother who loves to cook, clean, bake, organize and take charge. Enlisted by the SSO under the code name of Cupcake, Molly’s first assignment is to investigate a rather unusual occurrence of cold temperatures at her son’s school, requiring her to join the PTA and get involved with every aspect of school and faculty, with surprisingly shocking and hilarious results!
Oh, the hilarity! I woke my sleeping shift-worker husband a few times from laughing so raucously at regular intervals while reading Codename Cupcake. Jillian Green DiGiacomo’s visual wit when creating the verbal motherly advice of Molly Peterson is unbeatable! Before becoming a mother, Molly’s idea of not being impressed involved rolling her eyes and silently muttering things under her breath, but after bringing two children into the world, she can now go nose-to-nose with the best of them without cracking a sweat. Going from a food-stained, bed-haired mother who is full of excuses to a super tough and efficient mom who never runs out of energy takes a phenomenal piece of imagination which combines comic book heroes with Stepford wives and beyond. I thoroughly enjoyed Codename Cupcake and recommend this book to all readers aged 15 years and over who enjoy action, adventure, humor, mystery and fun bundled up with their outside-the-box superhero adventures.
- Rosie Malezer for Readers' Favorite
Oh, the hilarity! I woke my sleeping shift-worker husband a few times from laughing so raucously at regular intervals while reading Codename Cupcake. Jillian Green DiGiacomo’s visual wit when creating the verbal motherly advice of Molly Peterson is unbeatable! Before becoming a mother, Molly’s idea of not being impressed involved rolling her eyes and silently muttering things under her breath, but after bringing two children into the world, she can now go nose-to-nose with the best of them without cracking a sweat. Going from a food-stained, bed-haired mother who is full of excuses to a super tough and efficient mom who never runs out of energy takes a phenomenal piece of imagination which combines comic book heroes with Stepford wives and beyond. I thoroughly enjoyed Codename Cupcake and recommend this book to all readers aged 15 years and over who enjoy action, adventure, humor, mystery and fun bundled up with their outside-the-box superhero adventures.
- Rosie Malezer for Readers' Favorite
July 24, 2016
I purchased this book from the author when she was doing a book signing at Bekky's Village Workshop in Peddler's Village in Lahaska, PA. Being an author myself, my time to read, purely for enjoyment, is sparse at best, so I was THRILLED Codename Cupcake was time well spent.
It is a thoroughly enjoyable read with countless laugh out loud moments. Just when you thought things started to become a little too far fetched, DiGiacomo would throw something in to make you go, okay... this could be plausible, and off you go, merrily reading along. As strange as it may sound, I have a funny feeling Jillian has figured out a way for her enhancement ray to permeate the pages and have an effect on her readers (no I do not mean my shirt got too tight, I mean the dishes got done).
There are characters you love, characters you hate, and characters who leave you scratching your head and rolling your eyes, not because they are bad, but because you know someone who, hands down, reminds you of the character. Molly, the main character, reminded me a lot of Stephanie Plum, the less than perfect, self-deprecating, often bungling, amateur sleuth, who somehow manages to get the job done. Throughout the book, especially if you are a mom, you find yourself cheering Molly on, and envying her for her "tell it like it is" way.
I absolutely ADORED this book, and would HIGHLY recommend it to anyone one who is looking for a lighthearted, tongue-in-cheek read.
It is a thoroughly enjoyable read with countless laugh out loud moments. Just when you thought things started to become a little too far fetched, DiGiacomo would throw something in to make you go, okay... this could be plausible, and off you go, merrily reading along. As strange as it may sound, I have a funny feeling Jillian has figured out a way for her enhancement ray to permeate the pages and have an effect on her readers (no I do not mean my shirt got too tight, I mean the dishes got done).
There are characters you love, characters you hate, and characters who leave you scratching your head and rolling your eyes, not because they are bad, but because you know someone who, hands down, reminds you of the character. Molly, the main character, reminded me a lot of Stephanie Plum, the less than perfect, self-deprecating, often bungling, amateur sleuth, who somehow manages to get the job done. Throughout the book, especially if you are a mom, you find yourself cheering Molly on, and envying her for her "tell it like it is" way.
I absolutely ADORED this book, and would HIGHLY recommend it to anyone one who is looking for a lighthearted, tongue-in-cheek read.
Read
November 16, 2015True story: On my nightstand I had two books: Last year's Pulitzer Prize winner "All the Light They Cannot See" which I was 100 pages into, and "Codename Cupcake". I cannot tell a lie, the former is the greater literary achievement. BUT which book did I actually want to read more? It was Codename Cupcake. I laughed out loud at the adventures of a struggling stay-at-home mom recruited into a super secret organization to infiltrate the PTA and investigate strange goings on at her son's school. I am still only 100 pages into "All the Light..." but I finished "Cupcake" and am ready for the sequel
April 24, 2017
Funny, suspenseful, and a delicious satire. I loved the author's voice, which manages to be both hilarious and wise. I thoroughly enjoyed this.
April 16, 2017
Won in a Goodreads giveaway!
I would have finished a lot sooner, but I recently got a new game, and have the attention span of a ten year old. That being said, I really liked this book. It's an interesting, charming, and hilarious take on the superhero genre.
I would have finished a lot sooner, but I recently got a new game, and have the attention span of a ten year old. That being said, I really liked this book. It's an interesting, charming, and hilarious take on the superhero genre.
October 18, 2015
Molly Peterson, a stay-at-home Mom of two, is recruited by a spy agency to infiltrate the PTA of her son’s elementary school to inspect some mysterious matters and prevent a potential calamity.
I was interested in the story right from when I read the description It certainly looked quite out-of-the-box. Codename Cupcake happens when a spy novel meets the story of a superhero-ish Mommy. This book is a complete package and there’s no doubt you are going to have fun reading this. Yes, life does get easier if we have superpowers! Molly with her superpowers is the super Mommy who becomes a spy to save her son’s elementary school. That’s how an ordinary story takes an extraordinary turn. I was pleasantly surprised to find how the book combines different themes and yet follows one single track. It has got humor. What is great about the story is that the pivotal figure is a regular person, a “frazzled mother of two” as the description says and she is definitely lovable! If you’re looking for thrill, you’ll find quite a lot of that too! I’d say this book is worth checking out! No matter what you prefer reading, Codename Cupcake will entertain you and put a smile on your face!
I was interested in the story right from when I read the description It certainly looked quite out-of-the-box. Codename Cupcake happens when a spy novel meets the story of a superhero-ish Mommy. This book is a complete package and there’s no doubt you are going to have fun reading this. Yes, life does get easier if we have superpowers! Molly with her superpowers is the super Mommy who becomes a spy to save her son’s elementary school. That’s how an ordinary story takes an extraordinary turn. I was pleasantly surprised to find how the book combines different themes and yet follows one single track. It has got humor. What is great about the story is that the pivotal figure is a regular person, a “frazzled mother of two” as the description says and she is definitely lovable! If you’re looking for thrill, you’ll find quite a lot of that too! I’d say this book is worth checking out! No matter what you prefer reading, Codename Cupcake will entertain you and put a smile on your face!
January 10, 2018
A hilarious take on superheroes
This book was absolutely hilarious, even though it was a bit long-winded. I gave it four stars because I found myself getting a little lost in the details. It probably could have been cut by 6000 words or so and be just as good, if not better.
In the beginning, I kept wondering “where is this going?” But when our heroine, Cupcake, was recruited as a superhero, the plot thickened enough to keep me interested. I can easily see this as a comedic film. The writer pulls the hilarity from the woes of motherhood, and draws a picture of a woman doing the best she can to just get through the day with her sanity intact when an event she thinks nothing about, puts her on the radar of a superhero recruiting agency.
The mix of comedy, a little mystery, and a real look at motherhood, makes this an enjoyable read. If you’ve got kids, you’re definitely going to relate - and wish someone had an enhancement ray to zap you with!
This book was absolutely hilarious, even though it was a bit long-winded. I gave it four stars because I found myself getting a little lost in the details. It probably could have been cut by 6000 words or so and be just as good, if not better.
In the beginning, I kept wondering “where is this going?” But when our heroine, Cupcake, was recruited as a superhero, the plot thickened enough to keep me interested. I can easily see this as a comedic film. The writer pulls the hilarity from the woes of motherhood, and draws a picture of a woman doing the best she can to just get through the day with her sanity intact when an event she thinks nothing about, puts her on the radar of a superhero recruiting agency.
The mix of comedy, a little mystery, and a real look at motherhood, makes this an enjoyable read. If you’ve got kids, you’re definitely going to relate - and wish someone had an enhancement ray to zap you with!
January 26, 2016
I read a lot of books, and never have I come across a character like Molly. She's the most awesome non-Marvel superhero out there. A "frazzled mom of two" living in New Jersey (yeah, me too!), Molly is the kind of mom I want to hang out with. Part comedy, part sci-fi, part spy thriller, Codename Cupcake is a laugh-out loud, spit-out-your-tea romp that reminds us that we're doing the best we can as moms, although a superpower boost would help from time to time (and a traffic-free underground shortcut into NYC would be spectacular!).
August 10, 2017
looking forward to receiving and reading this book. i will update my review once received and read
thank you
May 17, 2018
Really GOOD
This is a can,t put it down book! The intertwined mom story with the detective events makes a great story that will keep you absorbed from cover to cover!
This is a can,t put it down book! The intertwined mom story with the detective events makes a great story that will keep you absorbed from cover to cover!
May 13, 2018
In honor of Mother's Day, I want to give a big shoutout to all the moms out there scribbling away. I don't usually review self-published books, but this one had me laughing right away. I started writing seriously as a way to work at home, but also to vent my frustrations with motherhood. Back then there was no indie publishing or internet, so I'm grateful that more women's voices have the opportunity to be heard.
DiGiacomo is the perfect example. She has a sharp story sense in which to air both her angst and her gratitude. She also has a Masters degree from Harvard, but every middle class mom with young children can relate to Molly, the hero of this book. Molly reveals how we really feel about the PTA, hardworking husbands who don't understand, and how impossible it is just to keep up. Her humorous and heartfelt internal dialogue balances the superhero plot to let the reader relax and enjoy the fantasy. And to be honest....she had me at cupcake.
DiGiacomo is the perfect example. She has a sharp story sense in which to air both her angst and her gratitude. She also has a Masters degree from Harvard, but every middle class mom with young children can relate to Molly, the hero of this book. Molly reveals how we really feel about the PTA, hardworking husbands who don't understand, and how impossible it is just to keep up. Her humorous and heartfelt internal dialogue balances the superhero plot to let the reader relax and enjoy the fantasy. And to be honest....she had me at cupcake.
October 7, 2018
Mwah ha ha! Evil genius at work!
A terrific tongue in cheek read about a superhero taking on the bad guys who intend on taking over the world. Math ha ha!! Okay maybe not the world but her small corner of it. Using an overweight, tired, harassed mother is a stroke of genius.
Getting both children off to school has given her precious free time. On a whim she goes into the big city and after several hours stops for snack. Only to have an attempted robbery occur in front of her. Without thinking she relieves the robber of his gun and lectures him on queue jumping. Add in a viral download, media attention, a super ray flash (disguised as a camera), a secret organisation and a super villian intent on causing harm to the children and parents of the local school. How will she cope with all this? Will she thwart the attempt? How will it affect her family? Wonderful characters - most mothers will relate to her feelings completely. Great fun!!
A terrific tongue in cheek read about a superhero taking on the bad guys who intend on taking over the world. Math ha ha!! Okay maybe not the world but her small corner of it. Using an overweight, tired, harassed mother is a stroke of genius.
Getting both children off to school has given her precious free time. On a whim she goes into the big city and after several hours stops for snack. Only to have an attempted robbery occur in front of her. Without thinking she relieves the robber of his gun and lectures him on queue jumping. Add in a viral download, media attention, a super ray flash (disguised as a camera), a secret organisation and a super villian intent on causing harm to the children and parents of the local school. How will she cope with all this? Will she thwart the attempt? How will it affect her family? Wonderful characters - most mothers will relate to her feelings completely. Great fun!!
September 10, 2019
I received this book for free. I am voluntarily posting this review and all opinions expressed herein are my own.
This is a light, breezy, fun book. I didn't find it to be a laugh-out-loud kind of book but certainly elicited a smile or a chuckle as exasperated, exhausted but well-meaning and totally relatable mom Molly navigates through her world to try to fit her own needs and the needs of her husband and her kids into each day. I really enjoyed the aspect of the story where Molly becomes a superhero/undercover agent for a Super Secret Organization [SSO] and has to infiltrate the PTA.
I listen to this book - the narrator did a very good job portraying Molly and provided distinct voices to the various characters. The problem with listening to this book was that most every breath, swallow, and other mouth noises are evident and distracted from the enjoyment of this book.Ginger
This is a light, breezy, fun book. I didn't find it to be a laugh-out-loud kind of book but certainly elicited a smile or a chuckle as exasperated, exhausted but well-meaning and totally relatable mom Molly navigates through her world to try to fit her own needs and the needs of her husband and her kids into each day. I really enjoyed the aspect of the story where Molly becomes a superhero/undercover agent for a Super Secret Organization [SSO] and has to infiltrate the PTA.
I listen to this book - the narrator did a very good job portraying Molly and provided distinct voices to the various characters. The problem with listening to this book was that most every breath, swallow, and other mouth noises are evident and distracted from the enjoyment of this book.Ginger
July 25, 2019
What happens when a stay-at-home mom, kind of on autopilot, disarms a thief? Well, first comes notoriety. Then an enhancement of her mom skills as she is asked to join a secret society where her new superpowers will help her discover what's wrong at her elementary school. Battling an over-achieving PTA president, getting dinner on the table, and doing the laundry all combine as her super powers kick in. Can she save not only the school but the town? It helps that her minivan has been tricked out with some unusual add-ons. This is a fun book. It takes a while to get going, but picks up considerable speed towards the end.
September 16, 2024
This was a lighthearted, funny mystery. I liked Molly as a main character from the moment she hit the wax museum. While the whole premise of the book was not believable, this book never was meant to be believable. It was a good book to read between books with heavy themes. I listened to this on audiobook and one thing that almost killed the book for me was the loud and frequent sniffing of the narrator. It almost felt like she was reading too fast and getting out of breath so she needed to sniff for air or something like that. It was extremely distracting. Aside from Molly, I also loved Morty and Birdie. They were such fun characters. This was worth reading.
August 9, 2019
Codename Cupcake
: Jillian Green DiGiacomo
This is a fun, laugh out loud tale of a mother of two kids that suddenly finds a little alone time, when her youngest starts all day pre-school. On her first adventure something strange happens and the story takes off with more twists and guessing on the part of the listener. Fun listen!!!
The narration was well done. The characters were well portrayed by Jenny Kelly.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
: Jillian Green DiGiacomo
This is a fun, laugh out loud tale of a mother of two kids that suddenly finds a little alone time, when her youngest starts all day pre-school. On her first adventure something strange happens and the story takes off with more twists and guessing on the part of the listener. Fun listen!!!
The narration was well done. The characters were well portrayed by Jenny Kelly.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
March 30, 2019
Light-hearted and humorous story that takes the idea of a secret agent organization and a super mom through a myriad of unique situations. The adventure while sounding simple at its core, identifying and solving the mystery of a temperature drop at local elementary school, becomes much much, more. 4 star recommended read.
My thanks to goodreads and this book's giveaway sponsors for the opportunity to win and read this book.
My thanks to goodreads and this book's giveaway sponsors for the opportunity to win and read this book.
April 24, 2019
I approached this book with great enthusiasm and it was off to a great start. However, the author felt the need to walk us through every single aspect of the day. Far too wordy and not enough plot to take you there. I could not connect to the characters or even care. The book is terribly predictable and the premise of the book was juvenile at best. I completed this book out of sheer willpower.
2 stars is being generous.
2 stars is being generous.
April 11, 2019
I am not a stay at home wife and mother, but I believe they are some of the hardest working people in the world. So the moments with "Cupcake" getting the best of criminals or the head of the PTA had me cheering for her and/or laughing out loud. One small issue bothered me, and that was the few grammar mistakes, such as using passed instead of past.
April 1, 2018
Pleasant, light, cozy mystery offering both humor and a slight fantasy twist. The book is well done, even though its flights of fantasy are not my cup of tea. Those who have been moms and raised grade school age children will relate to the heroine's struggles to manage her household.
April 28, 2019
One of the best mystery stories I've read, with humor
I loved the characters right from the start. Being that I also served on the school PTA, I could relate to some of the happenings when people get together. I was thoroughly entertained from start to finish.
I loved the characters right from the start. Being that I also served on the school PTA, I could relate to some of the happenings when people get together. I was thoroughly entertained from start to finish.
November 26, 2019
A delight
This book started out a little bit wacky, and it's warmth and humor kept me from putting it down. It is wildly imaginative, and I recommend it highly. It is a fun adventure.
This book started out a little bit wacky, and it's warmth and humor kept me from putting it down. It is wildly imaginative, and I recommend it highly. It is a fun adventure.
April 17, 2018
This debut has some funny moments and some "really? you want me to believe that?" moments. It was an entertaining read.
April 3, 2019
A fun read!
I loved this book! It offers comedy and a look into what so many mom's love and feel all set with a superhero twist. A great read that highly recommend!!
I loved this book! It offers comedy and a look into what so many mom's love and feel all set with a superhero twist. A great read that highly recommend!!
May 21, 2019
I loved it! This is a perfect beach read. I didn't want to put it down. I love original stories that have fun characters and plot lines that keep you guessing. This book was all that and more!
December 28, 2019
Positive Modern Fantasy
A light, and enjoyable read. Just the right amount of fantasy mixed with realism in which to lose yourself! The main character’s voice enhanced the humor.
A light, and enjoyable read. Just the right amount of fantasy mixed with realism in which to lose yourself! The main character’s voice enhanced the humor.
April 16, 2019
**I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway**
A nicely amusing, uncomplicated read. Just what I needed in the run up to Spring break. I would definitely like the chance to visit that secret room!
A nicely amusing, uncomplicated read. Just what I needed in the run up to Spring break. I would definitely like the chance to visit that secret room!
December 10, 2018
This humorous and quick read is for anyone who knows anything about parenting, not living up to your potential, and trying to play nice with others. If you have had kids in elementary school, you will recognize everything and think, "ok, so it's not just me..." If you have kids in elementary school now, well, it won't be a quick read for you because you're currently immersed in all that, but try to read a page or two a day. It'll be worth it because in the characters, you will find kindred spirits. Reading this book will inspire you to be a little more superhero than you already are. I'm off to go clean out my pantry, which I would not be doing now had I not read this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews