Don't Call Me Cupcake

Sweet, engaging, witty, and absolutely charming! This first Holloway Girls story is a great feel-good read. The angst level is low and the fun is high with everything from magical cupcakes to a bit of an enemies to lovers romance. As if our couple isn't entertaining enough, the story is packed full of quirky, lovable characters, including the house. Yes, the house is most certainly a character and asserts itself quite effectively. I would easily recommend this one to any romance fan who enjoys a touch of magic. It's well-written, fast-paced, and guaranteed to leave you with a smile.

Emma and Juliet Holloway are the last left on Pine Cove Island, cousins with a special magical inheritance (if not much money). Emma is known on the island as a baker of some talent: her cupcakes sold at her shop Fairy Cakes bring hope, healing, peace and determination to those lucky enough to sample them. When Hunter appears in the shop, she offers him the cupcake she feels will best help him in his endeavors, a cupcake that brings success. It isn’t until she discovers that he’s the owner of the new restaurant that will cause her struggling bakery even more problems, that she discovers her mistake. It’s been a struggle with dwindling profits, a house that is falling down around her, and now, a new puppy that her cousin Juliette has dropped off. With the upcoming summer festival, source of her plans to pay off both a mortgage, her shop rent and perform necessary repairs now a joint venture between her and Hunter – she’s convinced that no good can come of this, no matter how intriguing the man is. Throughout the story, we are treated to Emma’s reliance on routine and specific information: a mother with wanderlust, an unknown father, a childhood as one of the ‘weird” kids, and the struggles with her business, relationships with anyone but her very opinionated house aren’t in Emma’s plans. But Hunter makes all of those worries dim….. at least momentarily, even as she and Juliette with her ‘plant magic’ are planning a special cupcake to encourage Hunter to move on and far far away. So damn cute and adorable, especially with the sentient house that has very decided and definite opinions about the people in Emma’s life. And that connection with Hunter, that they both are determined to ignore, until they can’t ignore the pull…. Both Hunter and Emma, with a tiny bit of advice and pushing from other townspeople, finally come to their senses in the most dramatic ways possible. But, it’s the sweetness of their interactions (when they aren’t bickering), and the electric chemistry that mixes with the wondrous magical moments that weave through the recipes, the plants, and even the island. A lovely start to a new series – and plenty of fun for those who want a different flavor of bakery story. I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Like the characters she creates, Sheets strives to spread happiness with her confectionery brand of sunshine. Don't Call Me Cupcake is an ideal introduction to an at times kooky, yet always light hearted series. A gesture of kindness sparks a professional rivalry and an irresistible romance. Tara Sheets' and her Holloway Girls will definitely put a little love in your heart, even as they tempt readers with sugary sweetness.