Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Don't Call Me Cupcake by Tara Sheets Series: The Holloway Girls #1
on April 24, 2018
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 304
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
Goodreads
Amazon, Barnes & Noble
Most families have a favorite recipe or two, handed down through generations. The Holloway women are a little different. Emma Holloway, like her grandmother before her, bakes wishes into her delicious cupcakes, granting the recipient comfort, sweet dreams, or any number of good things. It’s a strange gift, but it brings only happiness. Until gorgeous, smooth-talking newcomer Hunter Kane strolls into her shop, Fairy Cakes—and Emma makes the mistake of selling him not one, but three Sweet Success cupcakes.
Hunter, it turns out, is opening a fancy new restaurant and bakery right on the waterfront—Emma’s competition. To make matters worse, the town committee has decided to split the upcoming summer festival contract between the two, forcing Emma to work with her nemesis. But she can’t afford to split her profits. The solution: create a recipe that will make Hunter leave town permanently.
The Holloway charms are powerful. But there are other kinds of magic in the world—like red-hot first kisses, secret glances, and the feeling that comes with falling truly, madly, inconveniently in love . .
Anytime there is cooking involved with the main character as a baker, chef or restaurant owner, I have to consider reading. Magic is my favorite speculative fiction. So I easily convinced myself to read Don’t Call Me Cupcake.
The setting is a small waterfront town in the pacific Northwest. There are some old families, including the Holloways and some quirky people, as well as plenty of small businesses. Emma is the baker with a specialty in cupcakes. She’s kind, generous and talented. She’s also had some troubles and has an ex-fiance who was a big mistake. Emma continues to work hard and do her best. I totally want some of her cupcakes!
Hunter comes to town as a real estate developer and opening a new waterfront restaurant and bakery. He will be competition to Emma and he seems to be only about the money. They have to work together on the food part of the summer festival, so they get to know each other. Hunter and Emma are attracted even though they don’t want to be.
The standard of the rich guy and the girl down on her luck and in trouble financially is not my favorite and is all too common. These characters were likable and even the townspeople were well drawn enough to make a fun story. Overall, they work things out with a few ups and downs. The town and its festival are interesting as we get to know the folks here. I loved the magic and Emma’s house and her dog, Buddy.
I look forward to the next story in The Holloway Girls series in September and after reading the first chapter of Don’t Touch My Petunia, expect some fireworks as Emma’s cousin Juliette clashes with an old high school crush returning to town. Plus there’s more I want to learn about this family and the town.
Rafflecopter for Don’t Call Me Cupcake Blog Tour Giveaway:
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About Tara Sheets
Tara Sheets is an award-winning author of contemporary romance and women’s fiction. Her debut novel, Don’t Call Me Cupcake, is a winner of the 2016 Golden Heart® award sponsored by Romance Writers of America®. It is the first in The Holloway Girls series, available from Kensington Publishing.
Tara began her career as an author in the Pacific Northwest, inspired by the rain and the misty mountains and the rivers of Starbucks coffee. She now lives in the warm, wonderful South where she can stand outside with no coat on, and she finds that pretty inspiring too.
When not writing, Tara enjoys life with her book-loving family and a book-eating dog named Merlin
I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 2018 New Release Challenge
