Series: Meet Me at The Cupcake Café, #1
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Released: July 2, 2013
Source: Review copy from NetGalley
Baking is in Issy Randall’s blood. Growing up above her grandfather’s bakery taught Issy that a delicious pastry could make any day better. So when she’s laid off from her desk job—by the man she thought was her boyfriend, no less—Issy knows now is the time to start her own little café.
Armed with her grandfather’s tried and true recipes, as well as her own new dishes, Issy’s new dream job should be a piece-of-cake, right? But managing a café, delivering products on time and trying to have a new love life aren’t exactly going as Issy planned. And when her ex comes back into the picture, perhaps with his own motives, Issy’s search for the perfect pastry and a groundbreaking idea to save her café are much more than she bargained for…
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MEET ME AT THE CUPCAKE CAFE was a fun book to read. The main character, Issy, was delightful and quirky, and I was rooting for her every step of the way. After getting laid off from her clerical job at a real estate office, she decides to follow her dream of running her own bakery, just like her beloved grandpa did while she was growing up. This is a huge life change for Issy, and the road to success is rocky with many hard lessons to learn along the way.
Issy was an endearing and kindhearted character, and it was amazing how she was able to create friendships among unlikely people. Of course, people weren’t always doing things in her best interest, and I had to shake my head a few times. Luckily, she had a strong group of friends who loved and supported her, and weren’t afraid to tell it like it is.
Mixed into this sweet story is a little romance, a lot of laughs, a few tears, and cupcakes! Several recipes are included, and they all sound delicious. MEET ME AT THE CUPCAKE CAFE was such a cute book, and if you like chick lit, you shouldn’t pass this one up.
Favorite Quote:
“I have a head for business and a body for sin,” said Issy. Then she glanced down at the popcorn in her lap. “Unfortunately, the sin appears to be gluttony.”
Rating: 4 Stars
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Jenny Colgan was a fussy eater as a child and didn’t even begin to learn to cook until she was 21, when her then boyfriend tried to teach her a few basics purely out of exasperation. While she is now able to make a variety of good, wholesome food for her family, she still can’t make scones. A former columnist for The Guardian, Jenny contributes regularly to national BBC radio and is the bestselling author of more than eleven novels, including The Loveliest Chocolate Shop in Paris (coming out in the US in early 2014). She is married with three children and lives in London and France. For more information, please visit http://www.jennycolgan.com/ and follow her on Twitter, @JennyColgan.
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