Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
You're definitely going to want to eat at least one cupcake after reading DON'T CALL ME CUPCAKE - especially if it is one of the special, magical cupcakes that main character Emma Holloway bakes. DON'T CALL ME CUPCAKE is a contemporary romance novel by Tara Sheets. It is her debut novel, and it will be published on April 24, 2018 by Zebra Shouts. The novel is the first in the Holloway Girls series.
Emma Holloway - as well as all of the Holloway women - are special. Emma has the ability to bakes wishes into the cupcakes that she sells at her bakery. Things are going okay for Emma and Fairy Cakes is on the small Pine Cove Island near Seattle - she's behind on her mortgage, the house is starting to fall apart, and she's got a lot of bills to pay. Emma is counting on the influx of tourists during the summer months to keep her afloat. Then Hunter Kane shows up in town to open up a new restaurant that will be selling all sorts of pastries and baked goods. Hunter's restaurant, Haven, is a serious threat to Emma and Fairy Cakes. And, before she knows who he is, Emma sells him three of her Sweet Success cupcakes. The last thing Emma wants is for Hunter to succeed - mainly she just wants him to leave town and never come back. The good thing is that Emma has a recipe for that! With the help of her cousin, Juliette, Emma plans to bake a cupcake that will send Hunter from her life, and from Pine Cove Island.
DON'T CALL ME CUPCAKE is a fun, sexy contemporary romance with a magical twist. Emma's ability to bake wishes into her cupcakes is an intriguing aspect. And Hunter is a great leading man - he has commitment and intimacy issues that he needs to overcome. Emma initially sees Hunter as the enemy - his restaurant is a threat to her livelihood - but even as she falls in love with him, she remains true to herself. The secondary characters are also intriguing. Emma's sleazy ex-boyfriend acts as a great foil against Hunter. The ex-boyfriend also adds another complication to Emma's life and her budding relationship with Hunter. Emma's cousin, Juliette, has a special talent that helps her grow flowers and make natural products like soaps and potions. Juliette will make a great leading lady in the second Holloway Girls novel, DON'T TOUCH MY PETUNIAS. Pine Cove Island sounds like a wonderful place, and it makes the perfect backdrop for the story. Oh, and did I mention that there's a puppy? Because there's a puppy...and cupcakes. Yummy, delicious sounding cupcakes.