Book Review: All's Fair in Love and Cupcakes

All's Fair in Love and Cupcakes

Betsy St. Amant

Contemporary, Romance

See on: Goodreads

Buy from: Christianbook.com ll Amazon

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.

Before I begin with this review, let me just express
my sincere and utmost liking
to the beautiful
and most delectable cover
that I have ever laid eyes on
for this year!
I mean, just look at that cover.
Doesn't it make you crave for a cupcake or two?

Okay, before you drool over your laptop, I'd continue on (then you can buy a cupcake after reading this review).

One fact about me is that I really like the best friend-turned-couple theme. It gets to me so much more than the usual "picking up the girl in a bar and you-know-what-happens-next". Still, it depends on how the author weaves the words, elements and characters that would make me love the book from the get-go. I am happy to say that this book has done it and has hit my sweet read spot.

Not only that, Lucas Brannen is such a totally worthy book boyfriend! He is so caring, and rightfully handsome but what sold him, for me, is that he would push you to your limit as he knows your true potential. After all, he's a football coach.

I also admire Kat Varland's character. Never feeling the support of her family, she felt like an underdog amidst them. She wants to succeed and yet she can't because she's pushing herself down even before she get to act out on any of her dreams.

Good thing she has a best friend like Lucas Brannen, right?

I sincerely love the way the plot developed throughout the story. The tensions, joy and funny tidbits here and there compelled me to read more and more and see how the characters develop and deal with their struggles. Though I can't personally connect to their story, I felt like they're distant friends whose story was like one of those that a friend passed on to another that eventually came to me. 

To top it off, the book is filled with cupcakes! I mean, the author has generously added a huge dollop of descriptions of sumptuous baked goodies.
Here's an excerpt:

She knew right away what Lucas's flavor would be-dark chocolate with cherry ganache filling. A deep, bittersweet taste that lingered long after it was gone.

Suffice to say, the sweetness of these cupcakes match the sweetness between Lucas and Kat. And yet, there is more to this novel than romance. It's about finding yourself, of reaching for your dreams and of truly loving someone enough to let them go.

The story may have its slow moments but the cherry or chocolate chip topping at the end makes it a worthwhile read.

If you're into something light, funny and yet enlightening at the same time, go pick this book, look beyond the cupcake cover and divulge into the wonderful story of Lucas and Kat. 

 

  Betsy St. Amant lives in Louisiana and is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers group. Betsy is multi-published through Steeple Hill and has been published in Christian Communicator magazine and Praise Reports: Inspiring Real Life Stories of How God Answers Prayer. One of her short stories, ‘Kickboxing or Chocolate’, appears in a Tyndale compilation book, and she is also multi-published through The Wild Rose Press. She has a BA in Christian Communications and regularly freelances for her local newspaper. Betsy is a fireman’s wife, a mommy to a busy toddler, a chocolate-loving author and an avid reader who enjoys sharing the wonders of God’s grace through her stories

Author links: Website ll Twitter