Kiss My Cupcake

Wow. So this was a ridiculously cute story. And it was amazing! The downside is of course its terrible influence on my diet. All the delicious baked goods described in this read gave me a serious sweet tooth. All I wanted to do while reading it was to eat cupcakes (and also, open up my own cupcake-shop). Kiss My Cupcake is the very best if you’re looking for a cute, feel-good, rom-com. There’s absolutely nothing to gripe about – which makes writing a review pretty darn difficult. I can absolutely gush when the occasion calls for it, but it’s also kind of boring to read overly gush-y reviews. Therefore I’ll simply say this once: Kiss My Cupcake is super awesome. I fell head over heels in love with this book. The story-setting, the whole vibe of the story was just so delightful. You know, it’s the kind of read where you just want to move into the book and stay there. Blaire was insta-likable. She’s driven and strong, but silly and quirky too. Ronan was also great, but since the first chapters are told from Blaire’s point of view, Ronan takes a bit more time to get to know and love. So the story is told through dual POV’s, but about two thirds are Blaire’s viewpoint. This is a funny read as well. There’s banter and wit and you can’t can’t laugh. Also, the euphemisms are pure gold. Now, I doubt I’ll ever actually say anything out loud about riding a metaphorical bologna pony, but you can bet I’ll be thinking it. It’s not easy to pinpoint exactly what made this story such a winner because there are so many things that I liked about it. The writing is top-notch (but that pretty much goes without saying) and I was sucked into the story from page one. Blaire’s and Ronan’s interactions are just so fun. And frustrating. And the sexual tension is through the roof. They had me really invested and I couldn’t but the book down. There was a part, maybe 75% into the book, where the story lost a bit of steam. That would be after Blaire and Ronan get it on and there doesn’t appear to be any more hurdles to overcome. So for a few chapters there weren’t really a direction to the story. But that changed quickly and I was all in once again. And really. Kiss My Cupcake is the kind of story where I just wanted to keep on reading. I wanted Blaire’s and Ronan’s happily ever after and I wanted to read about them having a bunch of cute babies and a dog. That’s the level of engaging this book was. So this book left me feeling all the warm fuzzies – while also providing me with completely inappropriate sayings about mounting metaphorical sausage equines. I highly recommend!

This was a reasonably quick and entertaining read. I don't think I'd classify this as an enemies to lovers, but more of an opposites attract. Blaire takes out her frustrations on Ronan who in turn takes joy in pushing her buttons. The attraction is there from the start so it was more her getting cranky and the pair of them winding each other up. Blaire's family are rich and own many successful restaurants that they all work in, catering to the high end of town. She goes off on her own path, resisting family pressure, by selling cupcakes at the market, then owning a food truck and finally breaking the bank to open her own cupcake and cocktail shop. This is where our story starts. Next to her shop is the The Knight Cap, a family-owned pub catering to the beer and wings college crowd. When the current manager, Ronan, starts undertaking renovations, including an axe throwing area, to modernise the place, it affects Blaire's shop. Barbs are thrown back and forth but underlying it all is sexual tension. While they bicker throughout, they aren't actually overly mean to each other. There's also competition between the two as a popular social media influencer is looking for the best shop in Seattle, pitting the two against each other... until it brings them together instead. If you've read any cute 'enemies to lovers' type books before, you won't find any surprises here. It was still a fun read and a great palate cleanser which is what I was after. There was a steady amount of humour throughout the book that I enjoyed for the most part. Sometimes I find this author's humour obvious and laid on too thick to be funny. The comedic touches in this book weren't as ridiculous as they sometimes are (with one exception - I'll get to this in a tick) which definitely added to my enjoyment of the novel. There was a nice bit of background added in to develop the story a little and I really liked how the author avoided dragging out unnecessary angst. There was the opportunity for her to go down this path and I'm really happy she didn't take the easy and obvious route and do this. I liked the main characters. Blaire was a bit of a harpy with Ronan at times and while her snapping and snarling at him made me roll my eyes a couple of times, he had done a couple of things that made him a bit of a jerk, too. He seemed to ride the coat tails of Blaire's hard work for his own benefit, a trait that probably wouldn't endear him to a potential mate, especially when it was costing her business. Apart from a couple of hiccups with this, he was really likeable. There was also a bit of jealousy and possessiveness from Ronan as well - the good kind, not the 'I think she's property' kind. The book was told from both of the main character's points of view but the majority of chapters were definitely from Blaire. I didn't mind this as I liked her snark for the most part. There was an ex-boyfriend story chucked in there but it didn't really go anywhere except provide an excuse for a bit of drama at one stage. A bone of contention for me in the book was Blaire's family. They were eccentric and I think they were supposed to be a bit of fun and comedic relief - think statues with giant dongs holding serving platters. I hated them. They put her down, had dreadful, tacky taste in decor, constantly commented on her looks, namely that she was fat or had put on weight, didn't support the opening of her store, hadn't even bothered to go and see her store or ask her about it and to top all of that off, her sister had hooked up with Blaire's then boyfriend with her cousin also having a history of taking potential and actual partners. Nope and nope. Oh, and her parents had split with the mother and father remarrying... wait for it.... Blaire's uncle and aunty (who had also been married to each other and split), respectively. Nope again. I didn't find it funny. I found it frustrating and it made me stabby, especially how she just put up with the nastiness. I got this on sale for around $2.99. I probably wouldn't have rated it quite as highly if I'd paid over twice that, which I see it currently is. I liked the cupcake aspect in the book and the detail about the flavours was a nice touch. The author took time to describe the main character's style and that added to the reading experience, too. Overall, the book wasn't anything groundbreaking and it was predictable but it was entertaining enough. It had two small but very satisfying epilogues and I thought it was a real feel good story.

Talk about a cute and fun Rom Com! Kiss My Cupcake was absolutely just what the doctor ordered. This is an enemies to lovers story with a sweet and sassy heroine and a hot, attractive hero you can’t help, but fall in love with. You get plenty of laughs, tension and spice that will keep you asking for more. Blaire is a baker who makes delicious cupcakes and is finally opening the cafe she’s been dreaming of owning and running. She is an independent woman determined to succeed without the help of her meddling family. As her opening gets closer she soon meets Ronan the attractive proprietor of the bar right next to her cafe. He’s quick witted , handsome and absolutely rubs Blaire the wrong way. They soon start a rivalry that can only end up one way and boy do the sparks fly! This was such a fun story. I loved the banter between Ronan and Blaire. They have such instant chemistry full of bickering and tons of tension. This serves to make it all the more satisfying once they finally do get their moment. I adored how Rohan could be sweet and tender , but still absolutely alpha when needed. His love for his family, especially his Grandfather was lovely, not to mention his Grandfather was an absolute gem of a character! Blaire likewise was just as endearing. She’s unique and embraces her differences and I just loved that about her. This was a sweet and romantic story that left me with a happy, warm hug around my heart.

Oh how I wish I would have loved this book. I liked it. I liked it plenty. I just didn't fall in love with it. I'm going to dive right in. I had a very difficult time connecting to the characters and feeling their chemistry. And I know one of the main reasons why. The dual point of view, but not having even close to an equal split between the two. I think the number of chapters that the book is from the hero can be counted on one hand. And they were very short. I needed more equal chapters with the characters to connect fully. The book is cute though. A very fun plot with enemies to lovers. Those that follow my reviews know that I am a sucker for enemies to lovers. This one had some really fun scenes. Overall, the book is worth the read. I am pretty sure many will love this story. I really wanted to love it instead of liking it. It's a quick, fun story though.

Let the fracas of the bars begin, complete with unicorn martini glasses, fake doggy do, and axe throwing. This book swept me off my feet and absconded with my heart! I adore both Ronan and Blaire, but the icing on top for me was Gramps and Dottie's story and how they influenced Ronan and Blaire. Blaire's family is very restaurant-centric, owning several restaurants around the world, with that being their sole focus. And holy wow, this bunch is way out there and beyond my capacity for words to explain. Her sister is married to Blaire's ex and her cousin goes after anything with beard-growing potential (including Blaire's ex). And her parents! *gigantic eyeroll* Well they’re just one big, perplexing mess, but they’re family. Blaire is a bit of an outlier, and she's determined to make it on her own. She's thrown everything into her new cupcake and cocktails venture, and things are looking promising until the pub next door gets a makeover. Ronan’s dream is to open a craft brewery, which his gramps has promised to finance. First though, Gramps wants Ronan to bring the family pub, into the black. The pub is special to Gramps because he met his late wife and the love of his life there years ago when he was working for his father. Ronan has some great plans for the pub, and setting off the firecracker next door is just an added benefit, and way too much fun for Ronan to ignore. OMGee, these two are so much fun! A rivalry of epic proportions, complete with snark, sass and pranks, they kept me in stitches and it seemed like the book read itself. And when they finally decide to stop trying to best each other and work together, they are unstoppable. This one is clever, cute, lighthearted, and steamy, but it's all that heart in heavy doses throughout the book that makes it a phenomenal read and elevates it above the other romantic comedies out there. You’ll love watching the sparks arc and pop between Blaire and Ronan, but watching them grow and change, and seeing them bring Gramps back to life after losing his soul mate will make your heart sing. This story has that extra special, undefinable something that lands it on my list of top reads for the year. If you’re looking for a wild, hysterical, touching ride that will delight your romantic heart, run to the 1-Click and start reading today!

WARNING: THIS BOOK WILL INDUCE AN INSATIABLE CRAVING FOR CUPCAKES. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK. Ever read a book so adorable that you would pinch its cheeks if you could? That was me pretty much the entire time I was reading Kiss my Cupcake. It was so stinking cute and had me craving cupcakes for a solid 5 hours. On top of that it checked all the boxes for the elements I look for in this type of rom-com story. Funny, sexy, and romantic all in one delicious little package. Blair’s life-long dream was to open a bakery. As the proud new owner of the cocktail cafe, Buttercream and Booze, she is determined to make it a success and prove to her wealthy and HIGHLY eccentric family (which were one of the highlights of the book for me) that she can stand on her own without their help or money. Everything is going exactly according to Blair’s plan until she meets Ronan Knight, the sexy, sarcastic, tattooed, plaid wearing owner of the bar next door who is the complete opposite of her in almost every way. When Ronan starts renovations for a new axe throwing room in his bar, things immediately get off on the wrong foot when he and Blair come face to face for the first time. He enjoys pushing her buttons and getting under her skin, but Blair refuses to be a push over and gives it right back to him. Both of them have dreams they are chasing, so when the Best Bar in the Pacific Northwest competition is announced, Blair and Ronan are determined to win it, and what follows is a series of one-upmanship and shenanigans that pits the business owners against one another. But a big chain restaurant opens up across the street however, and Ronan and Blair are forced to put their competition aside and work together. Kiss my Cupcake is a quirky rivals to lovers romance that’s a slow burn with minimal angst. Everything about this story utterly charmed me...the characters, the setting, the chemistry, the banter. It’s the perfect feel-good read for those lazy summer days where you just want to kick back and relax with a book that is the perfect amount of sweetness and heart, with humor and a dash of sizzle mixed in to balance it all out. If you love cupcakes, bar wars, and lighthearted romance I definitely suggest checking this one out!

Great read. Not the same old stuff. Unique and sweet. Characters are almost complete. Could use a little more background but otherwise it was well written.

First, I can always count on Helena Hunting to make me smile, laugh, and fall in love. Kiss My Cupcake did all of that for me and more! It was the right book at the right time. During this awkward time in our world, this book made me feel good and smile! Blaire is such a fantastic heroine!!! She may seem a little timid when it comes to her family, but everywhere else this girl is fierce!!! She doesn't want to ride her family's success in the restaurant field, she wants to do things on her own terms with cupcakes. I so admire her for putting herself out there and fighting for her dream!! Ronan is helping revamp his family's bar, The Knight Cap, which is right next door to Blaire's shop. Due to his renovations, they don't exactly get off on the right foot. But it's entertaining!!! Ronan is a wonderful hero in the sense he doesn't step in and try to sweep the heroine off her feet. He flirts with her but he's also in competition with her for business. He comes off as sarcastic at times but you can tell he likes Blaire. She on the other hand is kind of oblivious to his flirting for awhile. I especially LOVED that the majority of this book was them flirting and developing their relationship rather then them falling into bed then figuring things out!! The build up was amazing!! The secondary characters were great! Blaire's friend Daphne was a great balance to Blaire, and sometimes a voice of reason. Lars, Ronan's bartender, actually became an important character in their relationship. And he was fun! Blaire's family - WOW!!! They were absolutely bat crap crazy, and bring a whole new meaning to dysfunctional!!! There are no words to express how messed up they are, but they love Blaire - even though they have a strange way of showing it! Ronan's Gramps was just the sweetest man! My heart went out to him for the loss of his wife. His love for Ronan was beyond compare! This book was amazing, fantastic, wonderful, etc!!! It made me happy, smile, laugh, swoon, hungry and craving a cupcake, and just made my day!! And Ronan can eat a cupcake in front of me anytime!!!