How to Eat a Cupcake
by Meg Donohue
by Meg Donohue
March 13, 2012 by HarperCollins
Paperback 320 Pages
Review Copy
Funny, free-spirited Annie Quintana and sophisticated, ambitious Julia St. Clair come from two different worlds. Yet, as the daughter of the St. Clair’s housekeeper, Annie grew up in Julia’s San Francisco mansion and they forged a bond that only two little girls who know nothing of class differences and scholarships could—until a life-altering betrayal destroyed their friendship.
A decade later, Annie is now a talented, if underpaid, pastry chef who bakes to fill the void left in her heart by her mother’s death. Julia, a successful businesswoman, is tormented by a painful secret that could jeopardize her engagement to the man she loves. When a chance reunion prompts the unlikely duo to open a cupcakery, they must overcome past hurts and a mysterious saboteur or risk losing their fledgling business and any chance of healing their fractured friendship.
Review
A good humored romp about two girls at totally different ends of the social spectrum who each in their own ways have special things to offer. Julia St. Clair comes from money and prestige, has talent with her no nonsense and smart business skills and Annie with her fun, carefree attitude creates magic in the kitchen with her beautiful and tasty cupcakes.
Things aren't that cut and dry in the girls life though, Julia is dealing with depression and secrets and tends to medicate herself with alcohol, while Annie is bitter from the past having grown up with the St. Clair's as her mother was their housekeeper. Annie always felt in the shadows next to Julia once starting highschool together, was always resentful of having to share her mom and had a sneaking suspicion that Julia was the cause of some tremendous consequences in her life . With all the past mistakes, rumors and hard feelings, its surprising when Annie years later excepts a business proposition to open her own cupcakery with no other than Julia as her partner. As the business launches and the girls reconnect a bit of romance and slice of mystery is added to plot. When things begin heating up and the cupcakery is vandalized, hurts, betrayals and major similarities from the past begin piling up, Annie could easily point the finger at Julia....but she chooses to trust her and no one knows for sure who the masked man stalking them really is, until one night when everything comes crashing down..........
Things aren't that cut and dry in the girls life though, Julia is dealing with depression and secrets and tends to medicate herself with alcohol, while Annie is bitter from the past having grown up with the St. Clair's as her mother was their housekeeper. Annie always felt in the shadows next to Julia once starting highschool together, was always resentful of having to share her mom and had a sneaking suspicion that Julia was the cause of some tremendous consequences in her life . With all the past mistakes, rumors and hard feelings, its surprising when Annie years later excepts a business proposition to open her own cupcakery with no other than Julia as her partner. As the business launches and the girls reconnect a bit of romance and slice of mystery is added to plot. When things begin heating up and the cupcakery is vandalized, hurts, betrayals and major similarities from the past begin piling up, Annie could easily point the finger at Julia....but she chooses to trust her and no one knows for sure who the masked man stalking them really is, until one night when everything comes crashing down..........
This was a charming, super fast and super cute read that left me drooling for a lemon cupcake. I really loved everything about this book, despite the St. Clair's who came off a bit stuffy and uppity and Jake used for superficial reasons, I had fun connecting to Annie and Julia as their friendship grew, changed, overcame and confronted things that needed to be said. I also found (however much I wanted to dislike the silver spoon) Julia's character to be the most developed and realistic voice in the story, showing the reader a struggle through depression, loss, devastation, guilt, remorse and truly having a heart outside of the status of her wealth. Donohue has created an exceptional Chick-Lit drama sure to keep you reading, keep you laughing and guessing at its twists and turns.
Rating/Advisory
How to Eat a Cupcake is recommended to adult readers and contains: Mild sexuality, violence, issues with rumors, alcohol use and lots of fluffy yummy cupcakes.
4/5- Contemporary
Thanks to Harper and TLC for review copy
Sounds like a cute beach read. I've been looking for stuff to recommend to people during Spring Break and I think this one fits the bill quite nicely. Thanks for the review, Tina!
ReplyDeleteLots of yummy fluffy cupcakes, you say? Umm.. yes, this book is for me. Here I thought that I knew how to eat cupcakes, but maybe I'm doing it wrong and that's why I gain wait. I bet reading this book would teach me the calorie free way to eat cupcakes...And now I'm day dreaming, huh.
ReplyDeleteSorry about that. LOL
Dammit Tina! Now I really want cupcakes! I have a craving and it's entirely your fault:) This sounds like such a cute read, I could use a fun book, I've been reading some heavy ones lately.
ReplyDeleteGirls this is for sure a fun read...I think you would all love it....one of those just float you on a breeze type books...:D And Missie Im really really sorry, but I did not nor did I find any info on how to eat a cupcake and loss weight...thats a bummer!!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd if I could spell right that would say lose and but I did would be lined out...GEEZZ!!!!
ReplyDeleteI thought this was a very cute book!
ReplyDeleteMmmm...cupcakes! Seriously though, I think that we all need some quick cute reads to balance out some of the more heartbreaking reads. Though this sounds like it has a bit of depth as well.
ReplyDelete♥Melissa
I've seen so much about this book since it came out and really want to read it...but I gave up sweets for Lent, and it's hard enough without the temptation. I'll have to wait until after Easter to pick this one up! :)
ReplyDeleteSounds fun and hunger inducing. Great review.
ReplyDeleteI am so happy to read your review! I saw this book on goodreads recently and have been toying with idea of picking it up. My interest gets piqued when the word cupcake is involved! :)
ReplyDeleteThis one does look cute. And the cover is supercute. I've been waiting for someone to read it and tell me their thoughts!! Thanks Tina!! I might pick it up one of these days when I need something like this. ;)
ReplyDeleteSo were you able to find a delicious lemon cupcake after you finished reading?!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed this one. Thanks for being on the tour.
I'm so glad you enjoyed the book, Tina! Thank you so much for reading and reviewing!
ReplyDeleteHow To Eat a Cupcake does not necessarily involve actually eating a cupcake as the title suggests but serves a metaphor of how two friends Annie Quintana and Julia St. Claire share their ups and downs to keep their friendship together despite the distractions of life that come their way. Meg Donohue's debut novel centers upon Annie and Julia that represent working women of this day and age whom stayed friends for so long and have found a way to work with each other. But there is more than meets the eye in terms of their friendship.
ReplyDelete