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Cakespell
15-year-old Rose Zapata is an aspiring professional baker (with a secret crush) who's only seen love in the movies. But all that changes when she discovers her late grandmother's vintage baking tools in her grandpa's closet. Along with a family secret: Rose is a witch--a kitchen witch. And after accidentally releasing her nana's matchmaking "Cakespell," Rose is the only one who can wield its power.
When news spreads about Rose's love-infused goodies, classmates, teachers, and even her crush, Caleb, flock to her door. As business booms, fame does too. Principal O'Dell enlists her in the school's Battle of the Bakers, everyone wants a taste of Rose's cake magic, and even her overprotective mother begins to feel the Cakespell's sweet effects.
Can Rose whip up some love for herself before she drowns in orders, or will the Cakespell overtake her life? A story about family and friendships, Cakespell will have you believing in love, magic, and the power inside us all.
* Cover art by Curtis Sponsler
When news spreads about Rose's love-infused goodies, classmates, teachers, and even her crush, Caleb, flock to her door. As business booms, fame does too. Principal O'Dell enlists her in the school's Battle of the Bakers, everyone wants a taste of Rose's cake magic, and even her overprotective mother begins to feel the Cakespell's sweet effects.
Can Rose whip up some love for herself before she drowns in orders, or will the Cakespell overtake her life? A story about family and friendships, Cakespell will have you believing in love, magic, and the power inside us all.
* Cover art by Curtis Sponsler
230 pages, Paperback
First published April 22, 2018
2 people are currently reading
64 people want to read
About the author
Gaby Triana
21 books184 followersGABY TRIANA is the Cuban-American author of 25 books for adults and teens, including Moon Child, Island of Bones, River of Ghosts, City of Spells, Wake the Hollow, Cubanita, and Summer of Yesterday. Her short stories have appeared in Classic Monsters Unleashed, A Tribute to Alvin Schwartz's Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, A Conjuring for All Seasons, Novus Monstrum, and Weird Tales Magazine. She has co-authored ghosthunters Sam & Colby’s horror novel, Paradise Island, and edited the ghost anthology series, Literally Dead (Tales of Halloween Hauntings; Tales of Holiday Hauntings).
As a ghostwriter, Gaby has penned 50+ novels for bestselling authors in every genre. Her own books have won the IRA Teen Choice Award, ALA Best Paperback, and Hispanic Magazine's Good Reads Awards, and she writes under several pen names, including Gabrielle Keyes for her paranormal women’s fiction. She lives in Miami with her family and the four-legged creatures they serve.
FB: @GabyTriana.author
IG: @GabyTriana
YT: The Witch Haunt
As a ghostwriter, Gaby has penned 50+ novels for bestselling authors in every genre. Her own books have won the IRA Teen Choice Award, ALA Best Paperback, and Hispanic Magazine's Good Reads Awards, and she writes under several pen names, including Gabrielle Keyes for her paranormal women’s fiction. She lives in Miami with her family and the four-legged creatures they serve.
FB: @GabyTriana.author
IG: @GabyTriana
YT: The Witch Haunt
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 23, 2018
Cakespell by Gaby Triana tells a story about Rose. Rose loves baking and has aspirations of becoming a famous baker and opening her own shop someday. Her mother hates the idea of Rose baking or working and she wants Rose to only focus on her schoolwork so she can eventually support herself, be self-sufficient and independent. Rose decides to spend her time baking at her grandpa’s house and keeps it a secret from her mother. Her grandpa, who she calls Papa, is more than happy to have Rose at his home. Papa gives Rose all of her deceased grandma’s baking utensils and her special apron that Rose has wonderful memories of. Papa believes that Rose has special baking skills like her grandmother and he teaches her a special Cakespell that makes her baked goods help people fall in love. Rose’s creations are delicious and she begins to gain customers by the dozens. Cakespell is a cute, fun story that also deals with the heavier issues of self-image, losing a loved one, friendship struggles, setting and working toward goals, sportsmanship and lack of parental support. An enjoyable young adult read with crushes, humor and love that round out this adorable tale of baking with a bit of mischief, 4 stars!
April 16, 2018
DISCLAIMER: I received an advanced reader copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
That being said, Gaby Triana is one of my favorite YA authors. I have enjoyed many of her books, and CAKESPELL is no exception. In CAKESPELL, Triana weaves a tale of a teenage baker, Rose Zapata, whose mother is opposed to her baking. So much so, that she tells Rose she is not ALLOWED to bake. Well, if you know any teenagers, you know full well that telling one they are not allowed to do something leads to sneaking around to do it anyway, which Rose does by incorporating the help of her grandfather. Papa also confides in Rose that her grandmother had baking secrets . . . that included spells to create magical goodies. As the story develops, Rose tries to use the Cakespell on her crush (only to discover she CAN’T – boo!) and, as expected in a light YA, bad things ensue throughout before bringing Rose around to her happy ending. Romance, parental discord, and friendship all abound in this sweet (but witchy!) book.
That being said, Gaby Triana is one of my favorite YA authors. I have enjoyed many of her books, and CAKESPELL is no exception. In CAKESPELL, Triana weaves a tale of a teenage baker, Rose Zapata, whose mother is opposed to her baking. So much so, that she tells Rose she is not ALLOWED to bake. Well, if you know any teenagers, you know full well that telling one they are not allowed to do something leads to sneaking around to do it anyway, which Rose does by incorporating the help of her grandfather. Papa also confides in Rose that her grandmother had baking secrets . . . that included spells to create magical goodies. As the story develops, Rose tries to use the Cakespell on her crush (only to discover she CAN’T – boo!) and, as expected in a light YA, bad things ensue throughout before bringing Rose around to her happy ending. Romance, parental discord, and friendship all abound in this sweet (but witchy!) book.
April 17, 2018
I can't find the right words that will do this book or the author any justice. Gaby Triana is a magical author who imbues this story with her very own spell-like dream, casting a web that simply will not release you until you've devoured this storyline. Full of teenage angst Rose is a high school student with the gift for baking and a big crush on Caleb. There's so much I want to say, but I fear that I will share spoilers and I don't want to ruin this magical read for anyone.
The story and characters are beautiful and I was caught up in the magic of it all. Once you start reading this, you won't want to put it down as you feel the spell enveloping you and that's the beauty of being able to read a book just like this one. I highly recommend not only this book but the author as well.
{ I requested an ARC for review purposes and made no guarantee of a favorable review. The opinions expressed herein are unbiased and my own.}
The story and characters are beautiful and I was caught up in the magic of it all. Once you start reading this, you won't want to put it down as you feel the spell enveloping you and that's the beauty of being able to read a book just like this one. I highly recommend not only this book but the author as well.
{ I requested an ARC for review purposes and made no guarantee of a favorable review. The opinions expressed herein are unbiased and my own.}
April 23, 2018
I received an ARC of this book for an early review... And I am SO GLAD!
From the very first page, Gaby Triana cast a book spell over me! (aha... Get it guys?! Sigh. Mom jokes) But seriously though... I read this ENTIRE BOOK in one sitting and I am not sure I have ever done that in my entire adult life!
This book was so wonderful and relatable. The friend and family dynamics... The girl who just wants to be herself... Everything, from beginning to end, truly was magical.
I have been a long time fan of Ms Triana and loved this book from the moment she revealed the cover. I can't wait to share this book with my daughter and, hopefully, turn her into a huge fan like I am!
I just wish my review could have been better, my words cannot begin to do her or her book justice!
From the very first page, Gaby Triana cast a book spell over me! (aha... Get it guys?! Sigh. Mom jokes) But seriously though... I read this ENTIRE BOOK in one sitting and I am not sure I have ever done that in my entire adult life!
This book was so wonderful and relatable. The friend and family dynamics... The girl who just wants to be herself... Everything, from beginning to end, truly was magical.
I have been a long time fan of Ms Triana and loved this book from the moment she revealed the cover. I can't wait to share this book with my daughter and, hopefully, turn her into a huge fan like I am!
I just wish my review could have been better, my words cannot begin to do her or her book justice!
April 19, 2020
Such an inspiring read. Cakespell shows you that through all the speedbumps life may throw at you, and whether you have support or not that all dreams are possible. It just takes a little courage. I absolutely loved that the main character wasn't the most popular, and gorgeous girl in school. She was just average, and it's so hard to find a book with just an average human being. This book promotes confidence, and I love that about it! DEFINITELY had me craving cake the whole freaking time so keep some sweets on deck haha warning: this book will make you cry (that or I'm just a sissy). 10 out of 10 would recommend this book!!
April 21, 2018
Ever since Triana's taken a turn into magical realism/fantasy, she's kept the heart and emotion of the characters in her earlier work, but the magic makes the concept and plot that much cooler.
Cakespell more than delivers, weaving the subversion of certain tropes, biting sociological commentary, and . Fifteen-year-old Rose is very much herself (a creative genius as a baker and an old-movies nerd) while her mom pushes her to be a STEM superstar.** When Rose discovers an old family spell that gives her already-famous cakes a little something extra, family, friendships, love life and her future career are thrown into the Kitchenaid mixer of life.
Triana's contemporary fiction background shows in the way Cakespell plays out in Rose's life: At the end of the book, she's still struggling to master and channel it; the ending is a mixed bag of expected and unexpected, rather than a happy fairytale ending with neatly wrapped-up ends. Triana nails high schoolers perfectly, and the results are hilarious.
Extra points for having a multi-ethnic main character who spends 99% of her time... being Rose, vs being a multi-ethnic person. As a mother in such a family, the kidlit world desperately needs more books reflecting this reality.
In future print editions, I expect a recipe for the Oreo cake with Oreo buttercream frosting. TIA. <3
--- I received a free ebook copy in exchange for an honest review, but plan to buy a paper copy. To any YA or upper-MG writer out there, this is an excellent mentor text for character development and contemporary world-building.
**Sidenote - Creativity and creative people HAVE A PLACE IN STEM. In fact, the organization, innovation, ideation, attention to detail, and creativity that writers, artists, etc thrive on, are also crucial to traditional STEM careers. Regardless, STEM is not a panacea and should not be treated as such. Thank you Gaby for showing a character who succeeds by being true to herself.
Cakespell more than delivers, weaving the subversion of certain tropes, biting sociological commentary, and . Fifteen-year-old Rose is very much herself (a creative genius as a baker and an old-movies nerd) while her mom pushes her to be a STEM superstar.** When Rose discovers an old family spell that gives her already-famous cakes a little something extra, family, friendships, love life and her future career are thrown into the Kitchenaid mixer of life.
Triana's contemporary fiction background shows in the way Cakespell plays out in Rose's life: At the end of the book, she's still struggling to master and channel it; the ending is a mixed bag of expected and unexpected, rather than a happy fairytale ending with neatly wrapped-up ends. Triana nails high schoolers perfectly, and the results are hilarious.
Extra points for having a multi-ethnic main character who spends 99% of her time... being Rose, vs being a multi-ethnic person. As a mother in such a family, the kidlit world desperately needs more books reflecting this reality.
In future print editions, I expect a recipe for the Oreo cake with Oreo buttercream frosting. TIA. <3
--- I received a free ebook copy in exchange for an honest review, but plan to buy a paper copy. To any YA or upper-MG writer out there, this is an excellent mentor text for character development and contemporary world-building.
**Sidenote - Creativity and creative people HAVE A PLACE IN STEM. In fact, the organization, innovation, ideation, attention to detail, and creativity that writers, artists, etc thrive on, are also crucial to traditional STEM careers. Regardless, STEM is not a panacea and should not be treated as such. Thank you Gaby for showing a character who succeeds by being true to herself.
May 12, 2018
Cakespell is like birthday cake. Everyone needs a good birthday cake. It's a cake that brings on a new year and celebrates life and love. It's a cake that is needed in everyone's life. Cakespell is a birthday cake.
Triana's writing instantly pulled me into the story of Rose Zapata. Rose loves baking. Her dream is to one day own her own shop and spread love to the people who buy her baked goods. As a baker, I love this. I try to have the same happy mindset when I'm baking and it really is important in the food that is made, even if you don't believe it.
With Rose though, the magic is real.
After a birthday cake sprung a proposal for marriage, Rose goes on a mission. A mission to see if Cakespell is the real deal, a mission to find love for herself, and a mission to bring her bakery dream a reality.
This is a confectionary filled fun book that had me smiling and crying with Rose. I loved the dynamics of the characters and the amount of love put into their relationships with Rose. This is definitely a book I recommend for my contemporary reading friends and the friends who love a bit of magic with their romance.
final rating: 4/5
Triana's writing instantly pulled me into the story of Rose Zapata. Rose loves baking. Her dream is to one day own her own shop and spread love to the people who buy her baked goods. As a baker, I love this. I try to have the same happy mindset when I'm baking and it really is important in the food that is made, even if you don't believe it.
With Rose though, the magic is real.
After a birthday cake sprung a proposal for marriage, Rose goes on a mission. A mission to see if Cakespell is the real deal, a mission to find love for herself, and a mission to bring her bakery dream a reality.
This is a confectionary filled fun book that had me smiling and crying with Rose. I loved the dynamics of the characters and the amount of love put into their relationships with Rose. This is definitely a book I recommend for my contemporary reading friends and the friends who love a bit of magic with their romance.
final rating: 4/5
June 30, 2019
This book was so incredibly adorable. I was looking for a lighter read to take a break from drowning myself in horror all the time, and this novel proved to be the perfect antidote. Triana's writing is wonderful -- her humor is flawlessly done and made me laugh aloud several times throughout the book. She captures the confusing minds of teenagers perfectly, and the addition of the focus on baking and witchy goodness just made this book impossible to put down. Watching Rose's growth and changes throughout the book was a great experience, too. These characters and the ideas would make for a great series, so I may secretly be hoping Triana gives us a sequel!
June 7, 2018
Cakespell is one of books you can just feel pulling you in!! i had so many emotions going on through my head. one second I was irked at her mom for not letting Rose bake. to wanting to wave my hand In front of Rose's face an go HELLO! Can you not see the boy in front of you!?!?!? so likes you silly!! overall I loved the book an cried along with Rose when her grandpa died.
thank you for giving me the chance to read such an amazing book 10 stars!!
thank you for giving me the chance to read such an amazing book 10 stars!!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews