Disclosure: I received an ebook of
All's Fair in Love and Cupcakes, at no cost to me, for review purposes.
It's romance, it's cupcakes ... what's not to like?
This is the publisher's synopsis of
All's Fair in Love and Cupcakes, from author Betsy St. Amant:
Kat inspected rows of the same old cupcakes. They seemed to blink back at her, as if they knew she was capable of so much more.
Kat Varland has had enough of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry.
At twenty-six years old, Kat is still living in the shadows of her family in Bayou Bend, Louisiana. Still working shifts at her Aunt Maggie’s bakery. Still wondering what to do with her passion for baking and her business degree. And still single.
But when Lucas Brannen, Kat’s best friend, signs her up for a reality TV bake-off on "Cupcake Combat," everything Kat ever wanted is suddenly dangled in front of her: creative license as a baker, recognition as a visionary . . . and a job at a famous bakery in New York.
As the competition heats up, Lucas realizes he might have made a huge mistake. As much as he wants the best for Kat, the only thing he wants for himself—her—is suddenly in danger of slipping away.
The bright lights of reality cooking wars and the chance at a successful career dazzle Kat’s senses and Lucas is faced with a difficult choice: help his friend achieve her dreams . . . or sabotage her chances to keep her in Louisiana.
Kat and Lucas are best friends and twenty-somethings. While Lucas is settled in his role as a football coach, Kat hopes to escape the family business and the limitations that accompany it. Both are looking for love. Each of them, however, is in love with the other, but neither wants to say anything and risk their friendship.
Without telling Kat, Lucas enters her in the "Cupcake Combat" TV competition. Kat is shocked when she receives the acceptance email, and she persuades Lucas to join her in Los Angeles as her assistant.
The competition and the main characters' internal struggles all blend to create the suspense of
All's Fair in Love and Cupcakes.
My take: I've been reading nonfiction lately, and I was looking forward to reading something lighter, fictional, and fun. This book was exactly that. It's a quick and easy read, a fun escape. I enjoy food-centered fiction and, since I'm limiting my intake of sweets these days, this story was a good "fix."
I liked the "behind the scenes" look at the reality show (even though this story is fictional). The interactions among competitors were interesting to read, and maybe that's what it's really like.
A significant part of the book tells the story of Kat and Lucas's internal debates about whether to reveal their romantic interest. I understand that this would be a difficult situation, but I felt as though after a while it got drawn out, even repetitive. That's the only thing I would change about the book.
All's Fair in Love and Cupcakes isn't a life-changing book--it's as fluffy as the frosting on Kat's cupcakes--but if that's what you're looking for, this is a fun read.
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
