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The Cupcake Queen #1
The Cupcake Queen
A confection of a novel, combining big city sophistication with small town charm.
When her mother moves them from the city to a small town to open up a cupcake bakery, Penny's life isn't what she expected. Her father has stayed behind, and Mom isn't talking about what the future holds for their family. And then there's Charity, the girl who plays mean pranks almost daily. There are also bright spots in Hog's Hollow, like Tally, an expert in Rock Paper Scissors, and Marcus, the boy who is always running on the beach. But just when it looks as though Penny is settling in, her parents ask her to make a choice that will turn everything upside down again. A sweet novel about love, creativity, and accepting life's unexpected turns.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
156 people are currently reading
4851 people want to read
About the author
Heather Hepler
12 books273 followersI was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, which I think is one of the cooler places to be born, because initially people think I’m being funny—like I’m saying I was born on the moon, but then they see I’m actually being serious. It feels like since then I’ve lived nearly everywhere (well, only in the US—which is a bummer because I want to travel so much). In high school, I was in band and honors society and science club and worked on the school newspaper. All this in Texas where football was king and cheerleaders were the school royalty. When people ask me what I remember about middle school and high school, I stand there for several seconds not saying anything. This isn’t because I can’t remember anything, but because I remember too many things and I can’t figure out what to say out loud.
I spent the first part of college in Alaska, which was amazing. The first time I saw Northern Lights, I thought I was imagining it. I just couldn’t get my head around the idea that something so beautiful existed in the real world. That’s when I first started writing. This was my bad poetry phase. I think it was the combination of living there with long very cold winters and being in love with a guy that barely knew I existed that made me do it. People ask me all the time if I write poetry. I wish I could and maybe I will someday, but for now I am firmly a fiction writer.
I spent the first part of college in Alaska, which was amazing. The first time I saw Northern Lights, I thought I was imagining it. I just couldn’t get my head around the idea that something so beautiful existed in the real world. That’s when I first started writing. This was my bad poetry phase. I think it was the combination of living there with long very cold winters and being in love with a guy that barely knew I existed that made me do it. People ask me all the time if I write poetry. I wish I could and maybe I will someday, but for now I am firmly a fiction writer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 827 reviews
February 10, 2024
how to weaken the structural integrity of 3 tier cupcake display stands without leaving visible indicators. a guide to making your own luck at charity baking contests...
December 13, 2009
I have a confession to make. It was the cupcakes on the cover that got me. I mean don't they look so delicious? I could just feel my mouth water by just looking at them. It's no wonder lately I've been craving cupcakes...
Penny Lane feels out of place since she has moved to middle of nowhere Hogs Hollow. Her mother has opened up a cupcake shop and Penny's parents are taking a "break". Penny just want things to get back to how they use to be but she finds out quickly that things don't always work out how you want them to. That maybe she just is going to have to figure out things as she goes.
I'm having a hard time explaining why I enjoyed this book so much. I loved the RPS (Rock Paper Scissors) Society, the theory of how a Jolly Rancher can tell you a lot about your personality, or how magical the beach really is. Again the beach is just so key in this book. It makes me want to live near one, and never go back. Marcus (ie the "guy" in the book) is so adorable but has much more to him than what meets the eye. The dynamic between Tally and Blake (friends of Penny) is just so awesome. I laughed numerous times and couldn't help but think that Penny was so mature for her age. She finds that she isn't the only one with problems and that maybe just maybe Hogs Hollow may not be all that bad.
Art plays a huge role in the story, and it was interesting to see the many forms of art there was. I was glad to see that the whole book did not concentrate on the revenge against Charity (Penny's bully from day one). I have read Dream Factory by her and Brad Barkley, but I very much prefer this one. I'm not sure if it's because she did The Cupcake Queen alone, or that there wasn't a change of narrators but this one did it for me. Though in the end things seemed a little rushed, it was fine because sometimes in real life things happen at break neck speed without you noticing. As always I have to nitpick at something. At school Marcus doesn't seem to pay much attention to Penny and when we find out what it is it's just seemed like it doesn't fit. It's just doesn't explain everything in my opinion. Nevertheless this book was just what I needed. It made me think of how much everyone has to deal with but somehow things seem to work out if you just let people in.
Penny Lane feels out of place since she has moved to middle of nowhere Hogs Hollow. Her mother has opened up a cupcake shop and Penny's parents are taking a "break". Penny just want things to get back to how they use to be but she finds out quickly that things don't always work out how you want them to. That maybe she just is going to have to figure out things as she goes.
I'm having a hard time explaining why I enjoyed this book so much. I loved the RPS (Rock Paper Scissors) Society, the theory of how a Jolly Rancher can tell you a lot about your personality, or how magical the beach really is. Again the beach is just so key in this book. It makes me want to live near one, and never go back. Marcus (ie the "guy" in the book) is so adorable but has much more to him than what meets the eye. The dynamic between Tally and Blake (friends of Penny) is just so awesome. I laughed numerous times and couldn't help but think that Penny was so mature for her age. She finds that she isn't the only one with problems and that maybe just maybe Hogs Hollow may not be all that bad.
Art plays a huge role in the story, and it was interesting to see the many forms of art there was. I was glad to see that the whole book did not concentrate on the revenge against Charity (Penny's bully from day one). I have read Dream Factory by her and Brad Barkley, but I very much prefer this one. I'm not sure if it's because she did The Cupcake Queen alone, or that there wasn't a change of narrators but this one did it for me. Though in the end things seemed a little rushed, it was fine because sometimes in real life things happen at break neck speed without you noticing. As always I have to nitpick at something. At school Marcus doesn't seem to pay much attention to Penny and when we find out what it is it's just seemed like it doesn't fit. It's just doesn't explain everything in my opinion. Nevertheless this book was just what I needed. It made me think of how much everyone has to deal with but somehow things seem to work out if you just let people in.
May 25, 2010
You know, life's too short, and when I don't like a book in chapter two I'm really probably just not going to like it. I tried to power through after getting offended in the first chapter (more on that soon) but when the tale of parental separation and move to a small town sounded so cliched I could have just filled in all the blanks for Hepler, I put this one down.
Hey, so, writers? I am many things: loudmouth and opinionated and really into musical theatre and also: I am whatever you want to call it, fat or plus-size or chubby or curvy or whatever your favorite euphemism is. I shop at Torrid, OK? I'm not saying this to excuse or explain or to make you grossed out or to garner your sympathy or for you to say something like "but laaaaaaaaames you are so cute anyway!" because, whatever.
But here is the thing: I know what it is like to live in a society where the ideal is something much smaller. I know what it's like to already be a lady in a culture that already doesn't want me to take up any space, and here I am taking more than my supposedly allotted share.
So, writers. If you want to pepper your books with wacky and supposed-to-be-funny hijinx where those goofy fat people are so fat and aren't they fat and hi ho ho ho so fat and they just have noooo idea how fat they are and of COURSE they'd lean against something causing everything to fly through the air because har har har so fat!
Look: we know. I know I tiptoe around not drawing attention to my size. I certainly don't go literally throwing myself around causing pastries to rain down on events. And I don't think I'm some lone exception who's figured out how to, you know, be a normal person. People are normal people, regardless of how thin or fat they are. So let's just not do this anymore, OK? Let's be better, especially when we write for kids. Let's not make people be jerks or jesters or anything so one-dimensional based on appearance. People are so much more than that, and I think we should be too.
Hey, so, writers? I am many things: loudmouth and opinionated and really into musical theatre and also: I am whatever you want to call it, fat or plus-size or chubby or curvy or whatever your favorite euphemism is. I shop at Torrid, OK? I'm not saying this to excuse or explain or to make you grossed out or to garner your sympathy or for you to say something like "but laaaaaaaaames you are so cute anyway!" because, whatever.
But here is the thing: I know what it is like to live in a society where the ideal is something much smaller. I know what it's like to already be a lady in a culture that already doesn't want me to take up any space, and here I am taking more than my supposedly allotted share.
So, writers. If you want to pepper your books with wacky and supposed-to-be-funny hijinx where those goofy fat people are so fat and aren't they fat and hi ho ho ho so fat and they just have noooo idea how fat they are and of COURSE they'd lean against something causing everything to fly through the air because har har har so fat!
Look: we know. I know I tiptoe around not drawing attention to my size. I certainly don't go literally throwing myself around causing pastries to rain down on events. And I don't think I'm some lone exception who's figured out how to, you know, be a normal person. People are normal people, regardless of how thin or fat they are. So let's just not do this anymore, OK? Let's be better, especially when we write for kids. Let's not make people be jerks or jesters or anything so one-dimensional based on appearance. People are so much more than that, and I think we should be too.
Read
November 5, 2009When I finished THE CUPCAKE QUEEN by Heather Hepler, my first thought is that the cover is slightly misleading. But not in a bad way. You can look at the cover and think you'll be getting a cute, fun story but this book has a lot more substance to it. While it was an adorable quick read, it dealt with some issues that not only teenagers can relate to, but also others as well--a child's relationship with their parents. The main characters all had problem with their problems they had to deal with, such as losing a parent, separating parents, or being abandoned by one. It made the book more emotional than I was expecting, and I felt the author did a good job of letting me experience Penny's turmoil with her parents.
I liked Penny's narration. She had incredibly insightful and funny things to say about her life in Hog's Hollow, such as "If someone found out they only had one day to live, they should totally move to Hog's Hollow, because here every day feels like an eternity" (56). Another of my favorite lines was "...I think about the problem with running from your trouble . The problem is in the stopping. The whole time you think you're getting away from everything, the trouble is running like mad, too, trying to catch up with you. And it doesn't slow down when you do--it keeps on sprinting. So when trouble finally reaches you, it hits you hard" (107). There are other passages in the story that I really liked but I won't give them all away.
Even though I found the beginning a little slow, it picks up and becomes more intriguing. I continued to read the story because I came to care what happened to Penny, and when I closed the book, I was happy for her, which is always a great feeling to have at the end of a novel.
I liked Penny's narration. She had incredibly insightful and funny things to say about her life in Hog's Hollow, such as "If someone found out they only had one day to live, they should totally move to Hog's Hollow, because here every day feels like an eternity" (56). Another of my favorite lines was "...I think about the problem with running from your trouble . The problem is in the stopping. The whole time you think you're getting away from everything, the trouble is running like mad, too, trying to catch up with you. And it doesn't slow down when you do--it keeps on sprinting. So when trouble finally reaches you, it hits you hard" (107). There are other passages in the story that I really liked but I won't give them all away.
Even though I found the beginning a little slow, it picks up and becomes more intriguing. I continued to read the story because I came to care what happened to Penny, and when I closed the book, I was happy for her, which is always a great feeling to have at the end of a novel.
May 1, 2011
Pink Frosting with Black Sprinkles
How would you feel if you left your home town and where alone? The Cupcake Queen by Heather Hepler is a great book that shows sadness, happiness and lonliness to a girl in a new town.
Penny is a city girl with separated parents who just moved to the middle of nowhere, Hog’s Hollow. Hog’s Hollow is a small town with no tall bulidings or the smell of coffee and ciaggrettes in the morning. Hog’s Hollow is a place where people grow there own tomatoes and build a solar system replica in the forest. Penny is not used to such a small town with nothing to do and has no friends.
Penny just started school and already has an enemy, Charity. All Penny wants to do is move back to NYC with her dad, but when Penny makes a best friend, gets a boy friend and her mom opens a bakery, everything changes. Penny has fears to face and decisions to make.
Every page I read in this book I was either smiling or crying. Penny held through her sad times and kept on a smile on her face like I do. I recommend this book to anyone who has been strong during sad times and kept on a smile for the world to see.
How would you feel if you left your home town and where alone? The Cupcake Queen by Heather Hepler is a great book that shows sadness, happiness and lonliness to a girl in a new town.
Penny is a city girl with separated parents who just moved to the middle of nowhere, Hog’s Hollow. Hog’s Hollow is a small town with no tall bulidings or the smell of coffee and ciaggrettes in the morning. Hog’s Hollow is a place where people grow there own tomatoes and build a solar system replica in the forest. Penny is not used to such a small town with nothing to do and has no friends.
Penny just started school and already has an enemy, Charity. All Penny wants to do is move back to NYC with her dad, but when Penny makes a best friend, gets a boy friend and her mom opens a bakery, everything changes. Penny has fears to face and decisions to make.
Every page I read in this book I was either smiling or crying. Penny held through her sad times and kept on a smile on her face like I do. I recommend this book to anyone who has been strong during sad times and kept on a smile for the world to see.
October 12, 2009
Cute and sweet as the cupcakes on the cover!
The Cupcake Queen was just that, a very cute book. It dealt with some serious issues, like divorce, but it didn’t have much depth to it. It could have easily been much more cliche than it was, but thankfully Hepler makes it a little more interesting and incorporates some fresh ideas. Although, I will say I’m really tired about reading about the MC getting picked on by the spoiled rich popular girl.
Penny was a likable character, as was Tally and Blake. I didn’t really get the appeal of Marcus, except that he was cute. The whole ignoring thing at school was a little strange, I don’t understand why he just didn’t come out with it! The whole out of school- nice, flirty Marcus, and the in school- won’t even look Penny’s way Marcus was a little really unnerving.
Despite my small problems, I actually liked the story. I had fun reading it!
The Cupcake Queen was just that, a very cute book. It dealt with some serious issues, like divorce, but it didn’t have much depth to it. It could have easily been much more cliche than it was, but thankfully Hepler makes it a little more interesting and incorporates some fresh ideas. Although, I will say I’m really tired about reading about the MC getting picked on by the spoiled rich popular girl.
Penny was a likable character, as was Tally and Blake. I didn’t really get the appeal of Marcus, except that he was cute. The whole ignoring thing at school was a little strange, I don’t understand why he just didn’t come out with it! The whole out of school- nice, flirty Marcus, and the in school- won’t even look Penny’s way Marcus was a little really unnerving.
Despite my small problems, I actually liked the story. I had fun reading it!
September 30, 2015
"running from your trouble, the problems is with the stopping. The whole time you think you're getting away from everything, the trouble is running like mad, too, trying to catch up with you. And it doesn't slow down when you do - it keep on sprinting. So when trouble finally reaches you, it hits you hard."
This is a pretty wonderful story. Because it feels like a true story. Moving is hard. Moving as a young teen is even harder. Starting a new highschoool, struggling to understand what's really going on with your parents and...magically getting on the bad side of the meanest girl at school.
This is Penny at 13, almost 14. And she's still trying to figure it out.
This is a pretty wonderful story. Because it feels like a true story. Moving is hard. Moving as a young teen is even harder. Starting a new highschoool, struggling to understand what's really going on with your parents and...magically getting on the bad side of the meanest girl at school.
This is Penny at 13, almost 14. And she's still trying to figure it out.
August 22, 2017
What a fun and refreshing read!! I definitely enjoyed it much more than I thought I would. It made me smile and laugh at all the super cheesy cliches. There wasn't anything too special about the book so that's why I took away a star. But overall I'm glad I picked this one up!
September 2, 2018
A special thanks to Lenni Jones for recommending this and so many other clean romance novels 🙂
I found it to be a very well-written book. I think the author, Heather Hepler developed the scenes in this book very well, and I like how she put it all together. I was glowing with mirth at the cute sense of humor the story was interspersed with. It was a very light read for a heavily burdened farm labour and her husband . Dari said her got as much pleasure from my radiant facial expression and shining eyes as he did from the story .( we were planting collards as we listened to it . Dari figured out long ago that it's a lot cheaper to buy audio books and do the work our selves than to hire farm workers . ( an audio book is 9.50 (1 credit ) and lasts 8 hours on on average while paying a laborer 7.25/hr fro 8 hours is $58.00 . So yeah we go through alot of audio books :)
I enjoyed getting to know Penny over the course of the book. I adored Tally and wanted to make things right for her with her Dad and everything but I’m so glad that she had her Aunt and Blake. Tally’s revenge on Charity and those other nasty girls had me smiling like a loon throughout the book. That is exactly what Charity got. I enjoyed getting to know the folks around Hogs Hollow as well. From Mr. Fish to Penny’s grandma and just everyone mentioned in the book.
My favorite part of the book was of course, Marcus. I thought the blossoming relationship between him and Penny was too cute. I’m glad that the book ended the way that it did because it was perfect for the way that this story was told. It stayed true to Penny’s personality. Penny was private and quiet, she told you the basic things you needed to know and let you make up your mind about everything else.
Overall, this book was a good read. If you guys are in the mood for light and fluffy, this is the book for you.
I found it to be a very well-written book. I think the author, Heather Hepler developed the scenes in this book very well, and I like how she put it all together. I was glowing with mirth at the cute sense of humor the story was interspersed with. It was a very light read for a heavily burdened farm labour and her husband . Dari said her got as much pleasure from my radiant facial expression and shining eyes as he did from the story .( we were planting collards as we listened to it . Dari figured out long ago that it's a lot cheaper to buy audio books and do the work our selves than to hire farm workers . ( an audio book is 9.50 (1 credit ) and lasts 8 hours on on average while paying a laborer 7.25/hr fro 8 hours is $58.00 . So yeah we go through alot of audio books :)
I enjoyed getting to know Penny over the course of the book. I adored Tally and wanted to make things right for her with her Dad and everything but I’m so glad that she had her Aunt and Blake. Tally’s revenge on Charity and those other nasty girls had me smiling like a loon throughout the book. That is exactly what Charity got. I enjoyed getting to know the folks around Hogs Hollow as well. From Mr. Fish to Penny’s grandma and just everyone mentioned in the book.
My favorite part of the book was of course, Marcus. I thought the blossoming relationship between him and Penny was too cute. I’m glad that the book ended the way that it did because it was perfect for the way that this story was told. It stayed true to Penny’s personality. Penny was private and quiet, she told you the basic things you needed to know and let you make up your mind about everything else.
Overall, this book was a good read. If you guys are in the mood for light and fluffy, this is the book for you.
October 19, 2009
Heather Hepler rocks!
I've read the novels that Hepler co-authored with Brad Barkley and they were wonderful, but her first solo novel is truly awesome! There is the common storyline of the "new-girl-in-town-and-doesn't-want-to-be-there," but Hepler freshens up the storyline by bringing her own unique twists to it. The characters in The Cupcake Queen are believable, quirky, and so well written that you, too, will find yourself disliking Charity and her peeps as much as Penny does. The rich descriptions of setting enable readers to feel as if they are a part of Hog's Hollow, experiencing life in the town that has become the bane of Penny's existence.
Would I read this novel again? I surely would, and I've already read it three times. If you have never read any of Hepler's novels, this would be an excellent one to start with. Drop what you are doing and head to the nearest bookstore...this novel is just that great.
I've read the novels that Hepler co-authored with Brad Barkley and they were wonderful, but her first solo novel is truly awesome! There is the common storyline of the "new-girl-in-town-and-doesn't-want-to-be-there," but Hepler freshens up the storyline by bringing her own unique twists to it. The characters in The Cupcake Queen are believable, quirky, and so well written that you, too, will find yourself disliking Charity and her peeps as much as Penny does. The rich descriptions of setting enable readers to feel as if they are a part of Hog's Hollow, experiencing life in the town that has become the bane of Penny's existence.
Would I read this novel again? I surely would, and I've already read it three times. If you have never read any of Hepler's novels, this would be an excellent one to start with. Drop what you are doing and head to the nearest bookstore...this novel is just that great.
June 7, 2017
I think this story is more talking to the teenagers, But I enjoied reading it alot ^^
I would recmoned it to my cousin Shayma'a
You will love it my dear cousin ^^
I would recmoned it to my cousin Shayma'a
You will love it my dear cousin ^^
August 19, 2019
3.5
Reading Challenge Categories:
-#Booked2019: Food or beverage on cover
Reading Challenge Categories:
-#Booked2019: Food or beverage on cover
February 14, 2020
2.5 stars
I didn’t like that the love interest bared his soul to her in private and then acted like she didn’t exist in public. I thought this would be a fluffy, light read, but it dealt with some heavy issues like divorce and abandonment. The “mean girl” Charity seemed over the top and her dislike of Penny wasn’t really explained. Penny’s parents weren’t really engaged with their daughter, but I liked her grandmother.
I didn’t like that the love interest bared his soul to her in private and then acted like she didn’t exist in public. I thought this would be a fluffy, light read, but it dealt with some heavy issues like divorce and abandonment. The “mean girl” Charity seemed over the top and her dislike of Penny wasn’t really explained. Penny’s parents weren’t really engaged with their daughter, but I liked her grandmother.
February 12, 2017
This was cute and fun. I wish it had a little more depth to it.
January 8, 2010
This book reminds me of why I’d started reading when I was 13 in the first place. It was good to remember. Although I wasn’t really like Penny when I was 14 I could see her point of view fairly well.
Penny is in a rough patch at the time we see her. She has moved from the city and now needs to make new friends at this new school with a mom who won’t talk to her and a dad who is busy. I can never fully sympathies with kids who make moving this big sob story but that is just me, but she doesn’t make it too big of a deal. As Penny makes friends –as well as enemies- she discovers that all her self-pity is not without reason but it isn’t nearly as bad as others have it. In other words it’s not all about her. It gave her a maturity that isn’t unrealistic. I liked it that Penny worked at the bakery instead of completely try to rebel against her mother –which again shows maturity. She seems to really like making cupcakes.
What bothered me was that Penny didn’t seem to know how to confront her problems, whether it was bullies or talking to her mom. Also Marcus(the crush)seems to ignore Penny when he sees her in school but is all sweet with her when they are alone. You find out the reason but honestly I wasn’t satisfied. I was okay with it but …sigh… never mind. I really liked Penny’s friends because they were funny and not overbearing at all.
I liked how everything turned out. It reminded me that everyone doesn’t always get exactly what they wanted but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy what you’ve been given.
Penny is in a rough patch at the time we see her. She has moved from the city and now needs to make new friends at this new school with a mom who won’t talk to her and a dad who is busy. I can never fully sympathies with kids who make moving this big sob story but that is just me, but she doesn’t make it too big of a deal. As Penny makes friends –as well as enemies- she discovers that all her self-pity is not without reason but it isn’t nearly as bad as others have it. In other words it’s not all about her. It gave her a maturity that isn’t unrealistic. I liked it that Penny worked at the bakery instead of completely try to rebel against her mother –which again shows maturity. She seems to really like making cupcakes.
What bothered me was that Penny didn’t seem to know how to confront her problems, whether it was bullies or talking to her mom. Also Marcus(the crush)seems to ignore Penny when he sees her in school but is all sweet with her when they are alone. You find out the reason but honestly I wasn’t satisfied. I was okay with it but …sigh… never mind. I really liked Penny’s friends because they were funny and not overbearing at all.
I liked how everything turned out. It reminded me that everyone doesn’t always get exactly what they wanted but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy what you’ve been given.
January 4, 2016
Nobody really bothers with cake anymore - it's cupcakes that everyone wants these days. They make a great backdrop for a cute coming-of-age storyline.
This is the story of Penny, whose parents are separated. She's moved with her mom to somewhere north of New York City, about 300 miles north to a small town called Hogs Hollow. It's a beach town despite the clear farming reference. Penny is a 14-year old freshman in high school and is learning to cope with high school, new surroundings and her mom's cupcake shop.
There is bullying that happens here and it goes unaddressed by the adults who are clearly aware of it. This is sad - while it is realistic it isn't ok for kids to behave this way. Fortunately Penny finds some friends who help her cope. But it doesn't erase what is clearly adding to Penny's heartbreak over her parents' split. The great thing that balances this is the maturity of the characters. One is quirky, one is wry. Penny herself is quiet and reserved, handling the abuse doled out to her by a jealous mean girl with aplomb. Marcus, the love interest, is adorable. And the romance develops on the side, enhancing the plot without overtaking it.
This was just a sweet little slice of life, a peek into the life of a high school girl whose life is dramatically changing. It's a quick read and thoroughly enjoyable. Just a bit of sugar - not a whole cake, just a cupcake's worth.
This is the story of Penny, whose parents are separated. She's moved with her mom to somewhere north of New York City, about 300 miles north to a small town called Hogs Hollow. It's a beach town despite the clear farming reference. Penny is a 14-year old freshman in high school and is learning to cope with high school, new surroundings and her mom's cupcake shop.
There is bullying that happens here and it goes unaddressed by the adults who are clearly aware of it. This is sad - while it is realistic it isn't ok for kids to behave this way. Fortunately Penny finds some friends who help her cope. But it doesn't erase what is clearly adding to Penny's heartbreak over her parents' split. The great thing that balances this is the maturity of the characters. One is quirky, one is wry. Penny herself is quiet and reserved, handling the abuse doled out to her by a jealous mean girl with aplomb. Marcus, the love interest, is adorable. And the romance develops on the side, enhancing the plot without overtaking it.
This was just a sweet little slice of life, a peek into the life of a high school girl whose life is dramatically changing. It's a quick read and thoroughly enjoyable. Just a bit of sugar - not a whole cake, just a cupcake's worth.
March 14, 2016
In The Cupcake Queen by Heather Hepler, Penny Lane (her father loves the Beatles) is living far away from her hometown NYC. Hogs Hollow is everything "not NYC": small town USA known for its pork products! Penny's mother decides to open The Cupcake Queen, a cupcake bakery, in her hometown of Hogs Hollow while working through a divorce with Penny's father. You travel with Penny through her trials and tribulations, cheer for her with her triumphs, laugh with her and her best friend Tally, and cry with her dealing with her parents' divorce.
I don't usually read high school drama but Penny drew me into her life. This was a fun, quirky read and I will definitely recommend this book to my actively teaching middle school teacher friends.
Go Cards! L1C4!!
I forgot about the RPS (Rock Paper Scissors) Club founded by Tally. She believes that RPS is the perfect personality test. For example, if a person throws three papers in a row, that person is quiet with a lot of confidence. Each one matches a personality type: predictable, unstable, open, closed. Never underestimate the power of a thinking teenager!!!
I don't usually read high school drama but Penny drew me into her life. This was a fun, quirky read and I will definitely recommend this book to my actively teaching middle school teacher friends.
Go Cards! L1C4!!
I forgot about the RPS (Rock Paper Scissors) Club founded by Tally. She believes that RPS is the perfect personality test. For example, if a person throws three papers in a row, that person is quiet with a lot of confidence. Each one matches a personality type: predictable, unstable, open, closed. Never underestimate the power of a thinking teenager!!!
November 3, 2012
More like 3.5
I started reading this two or three hours ago. It was cute and fluffy but it had depth. I definitely enjoyed reading it and mostly breezed throughout the book.
The thing I probably liked best was Ms. Hepler's description about everything. It was like I was also in Hog's Hollow, experiencing things with Penny and seeing the environment she sees. I loved how intricate and elaborate the descriptions are. My imagination went haywire as I visualized everything I've read in this novel.
However, this garnered a 3.5 for me because I know that I would forget this book soon. It didn't really stand out to the other books that I've read before. It was not ugly nor was it strikingly beautiful. It was just alright. The main character is okay, although she annoys me sometimes. The supporting characters are alright enough. Not much had been explained about the background of some characters so they appeared as blobs and flat characters to me. In general, the characters are average.
I would still recommend this to people I know. If you like to read something light after doing something strenuous, read this to relax your mind.
I started reading this two or three hours ago. It was cute and fluffy but it had depth. I definitely enjoyed reading it and mostly breezed throughout the book.
The thing I probably liked best was Ms. Hepler's description about everything. It was like I was also in Hog's Hollow, experiencing things with Penny and seeing the environment she sees. I loved how intricate and elaborate the descriptions are. My imagination went haywire as I visualized everything I've read in this novel.
However, this garnered a 3.5 for me because I know that I would forget this book soon. It didn't really stand out to the other books that I've read before. It was not ugly nor was it strikingly beautiful. It was just alright. The main character is okay, although she annoys me sometimes. The supporting characters are alright enough. Not much had been explained about the background of some characters so they appeared as blobs and flat characters to me. In general, the characters are average.
I would still recommend this to people I know. If you like to read something light after doing something strenuous, read this to relax your mind.
September 20, 2015
What do you expect of a book called "The Cupcake Queen"?
Something sweet? You'll find plenty of that. Cupcakes, cupcakes, cupcakes, but also young love, real friendship, and cute pets.
On the even-more-plus-side, there are also real problems to be dealt with. Parents abandoning kids, parents putting up impossible choices, other kids being totally mean, ... the list goes on. And, thankfully, the author doesn't present you with endless discussions or how and why protagonist Penny thought about things. Penny just thinks, and she makes her cupcakes, which keeps this book surprisingly lighthearted and uplifting, even during some of the darker moments.
I think you shouldn't place too much weight on a book - treat it as light as a cupcake, and think of author Heather Hepler being not too much of an artist, but doing what Penny wants to do - make people smile. The book achieves that on full scale, and what more could you possibly ask for?
Oh, right. I want a cupcake!
I'm off to the kitchen.
Something sweet? You'll find plenty of that. Cupcakes, cupcakes, cupcakes, but also young love, real friendship, and cute pets.
On the even-more-plus-side, there are also real problems to be dealt with. Parents abandoning kids, parents putting up impossible choices, other kids being totally mean, ... the list goes on. And, thankfully, the author doesn't present you with endless discussions or how and why protagonist Penny thought about things. Penny just thinks, and she makes her cupcakes, which keeps this book surprisingly lighthearted and uplifting, even during some of the darker moments.
I think you shouldn't place too much weight on a book - treat it as light as a cupcake, and think of author Heather Hepler being not too much of an artist, but doing what Penny wants to do - make people smile. The book achieves that on full scale, and what more could you possibly ask for?
Oh, right. I want a cupcake!
I'm off to the kitchen.
November 10, 2012
why is it that the food books i've recently read tackles a lot more deeper topics other than food?
it's a light read that deals a lot with change. Penny and her mom moves in with her grandmother after her parents separated. Not only does she have to deal with the separation but she had to deal with a new school and with bullies.
i like her friend Tally who helps her deal with the bullies. i find her romantic interest Marcus cute.
all in all, an enjoyable read.
it's a light read that deals a lot with change. Penny and her mom moves in with her grandmother after her parents separated. Not only does she have to deal with the separation but she had to deal with a new school and with bullies.
i like her friend Tally who helps her deal with the bullies. i find her romantic interest Marcus cute.
all in all, an enjoyable read.
March 26, 2012
I grabbed this book when Borders was closing and I paid less than a dollar for it. I honestly wish I would have paid more attention to what I was grabbing. Maybe it's just me, but I don't want to read a book about a 13-year-old falling in love.
February 16, 2011
Mean Girls came out in 2004. This book is copyright 2009. It is practically identical, and isn't even half as awesome.
December 27, 2015
Rendue à la moitié, j'ai décidé de mettre fin à mon agonie.
Résolution pour 2016 : Ne plus jamais choisir un livre pour sa jolie couverture...
Résolution pour 2016 : Ne plus jamais choisir un livre pour sa jolie couverture...
May 30, 2018
I absolutely love to bake and cook! So, when I saw the cover of yummy cupcakes, I was instantly attracted and curious. The bright colors on the cover made me turn over the front page to read what the book would consist of. Although the book does not revolve entirely around baking, the plot seemed interesting to me where I also enjoy romance and drama.
The Cupcake Queen is a novel by Heather Hepler. The story follows the main character, Penny, as she tries to put the pieces of her life together after her parents separate and she moves with her mother from New York City to Hog's Hollow. Penny's mother, Lizzie, opens a bakery that only sells specialty cupcakes. Penny is the primary designer, sketching and finding ways to turn the sugary creations into works of art. When Penny and her mother first to move to town to live with Gram, Penny believes the move is only temporary. She can't wait until the day comes when her parents tell her they are getting back together and she and her mom are moving back to the city. Penny meets her arch nemesis, Charity, when she is helping her mother set up for Charity's Sweet 14 party of the Hog's Hollow Country Club. When Charity's father sends the refreshment table to collapse, Penny and her mother take the blame for it and Charity vows to make Penny's time a living hell. A few days later, school starts, and sure enough, Charity and all of her friends continue to taunt and bully Penny. Penny makes two new friends, Tally and Blake. She also has a crush on a boy, Marcus. Slowly, Penny finds her way in the town of Hog's Hollow. During her journey, she also uncovers some details about her mom that she once didn't know, such as the fact that her mom was Hog's Hollow Queen for the four years she was in high school—even beating out Charity's mom all four years. In the end, Penny has the choice to go live with her father or stay living with her mother.
I must admit that I was very excited when I heard just the title of the book, I mean, how could you possibly go wrong with cupcakes?! I loved everything in the book from the strong bonds of the characters to the writing style Heather displays in this piece. There is lots of humor and you can really get lost in the content and associate with the characters. It outlines all of the troubles and hard times that many teenagers and adults go through. I loved the RPS (Rock Paper Scissors) Society, the theory of how a Jolly Rancher can tell you a lot about your personality, or how magical the beach really is. Again the beach is just so key in this book. It makes me want to live near one, and never go back. Marcus (ie the "guy" in the book) is so adorable but has much more to him than what meets the eye. The dynamic between Tally and Blake (friends of Penny) is just so awesome. I laughed numerous times and couldn't help but think that Penny was so mature for her age. She finds that she isn't the only one with problems and that maybe, just maybe Hogs Hollow may not be all that bad.
I do not want to give any spoilers, but the only problem with this book, in my opinion, is the ending. There wasn’t any real excitement or improvement. I was hoping for better relationships and a happy ending as I read the book but unfortunately did not get it.
The Cupcake Queen is a novel by Heather Hepler. The story follows the main character, Penny, as she tries to put the pieces of her life together after her parents separate and she moves with her mother from New York City to Hog's Hollow. Penny's mother, Lizzie, opens a bakery that only sells specialty cupcakes. Penny is the primary designer, sketching and finding ways to turn the sugary creations into works of art. When Penny and her mother first to move to town to live with Gram, Penny believes the move is only temporary. She can't wait until the day comes when her parents tell her they are getting back together and she and her mom are moving back to the city. Penny meets her arch nemesis, Charity, when she is helping her mother set up for Charity's Sweet 14 party of the Hog's Hollow Country Club. When Charity's father sends the refreshment table to collapse, Penny and her mother take the blame for it and Charity vows to make Penny's time a living hell. A few days later, school starts, and sure enough, Charity and all of her friends continue to taunt and bully Penny. Penny makes two new friends, Tally and Blake. She also has a crush on a boy, Marcus. Slowly, Penny finds her way in the town of Hog's Hollow. During her journey, she also uncovers some details about her mom that she once didn't know, such as the fact that her mom was Hog's Hollow Queen for the four years she was in high school—even beating out Charity's mom all four years. In the end, Penny has the choice to go live with her father or stay living with her mother.
I must admit that I was very excited when I heard just the title of the book, I mean, how could you possibly go wrong with cupcakes?! I loved everything in the book from the strong bonds of the characters to the writing style Heather displays in this piece. There is lots of humor and you can really get lost in the content and associate with the characters. It outlines all of the troubles and hard times that many teenagers and adults go through. I loved the RPS (Rock Paper Scissors) Society, the theory of how a Jolly Rancher can tell you a lot about your personality, or how magical the beach really is. Again the beach is just so key in this book. It makes me want to live near one, and never go back. Marcus (ie the "guy" in the book) is so adorable but has much more to him than what meets the eye. The dynamic between Tally and Blake (friends of Penny) is just so awesome. I laughed numerous times and couldn't help but think that Penny was so mature for her age. She finds that she isn't the only one with problems and that maybe, just maybe Hogs Hollow may not be all that bad.
I do not want to give any spoilers, but the only problem with this book, in my opinion, is the ending. There wasn’t any real excitement or improvement. I was hoping for better relationships and a happy ending as I read the book but unfortunately did not get it.
September 21, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. I remembered reading it a few years ago and I remembered that I really liked it but I couldn't remember why. I love this book because it deals with drama in school and family situations which is common in most teen lives at some point. The main character (Penney) is bullied by the most popular girl in school which many teens can relate to. I also know other teens in my school who relate to Penney because they enjoy art. All of the characters are so different and I loved learning about them. Penney is the type of character who deals with all of the things getting thrown at her and doesn't fight with anyone. I enjoy the author's use of events in this story. She made some things funny and other things had a lot of thought put into them. I liked how it made you look back in the story or in what you remembered to understand certain parts. For sure one of my favorite books!
June 15, 2018
I think the book is SUPER good. When I was reading the book I wanted to stop reading for a little bit but I Wanted to keep reading the book because it is so good. After I get done with this book I'm going to try to get the sequel with is "Frosted kisses". Since the first book is so good.
July 8, 2020
Very cute. Definitely doesn’t make me miss being in high school, with how snobby and mean girls can be (and this was written 10 years ago!). Sweet story overall, and I’m a sucker for a bakery setting.
February 28, 2021
Nothing spectacular, but nothing awful. Falls kinda flat. There were some things that were building up then kinda just dumped by the end of it, the whole journey of them pointless.
August 1, 2024
Loved it. Probably my 20th reread. It’s just a fun, fast paced book to read especially in a reading slump.
February 20, 2025
Incredibly sweet and just what teenage me loves about contemporary YA.
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