Thanks go to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an electronic copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This is my first experience with Jenny Colgan’s writing and I can happily say it won’t be my last. I dearly love stories with main characters who step outside their comfort zones to pursue a dream, and that’s exactly what this sweet story serves up with main character Issy.

I was thrilled to see that Issy and the supporting cast of characters return in a few sequels, which I look forward to reading. I believe I’ve found a new “go-to” author in Jenny Colgan!

Warning: this book will make you crave sweets. Super cute, charming novel. I loved all the aspects of this story.

What a cozy, heart warming read! I thoroughly enjoyed Meet me at the Cupcake Cafe and will be recommending it to friends!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for granting me access to this title in exchange for an honest review.

This book was about family and friendship and starting a business with a little wholesome romance sprinkled in. It kind of read like a Hallmark movie but in another part of the world and I liked it.

The main character Issy was a sweetheart and a delight to read and get to know.

Jenny Colgan kept me engaged and invested in everyone’s separate storyline and I can’t wait to pick up another one of her books!

I picked this up for an easy read, a summer novel, for a break. However, as I was reading I couldn't help but have my suspicions and point out all that was bothering me. So bullet points it is, with the bad and the good.

1. I may not be a business owner or know the first thing about opening a café, but things sure seem to have fallen into place for Issy. Sure, you're rooting for her, but I can't help but wonder what would have happened with the café had there been no bus accident and thus no newspaper article about her.
2. At about 40%, when the café is up and running, you know there's still a long way to go, so you're curious and want to read more.
3. It dragged a bit in some parts.
4. Why can't there be a balance between healthy and sugar-filled desserts? People eat a lot of cupcakes in this novel, obviously. What bothered me, however, was the lack of compromise. Caroline, one of the Cupcake Café employees is a health freak. Why not make something that appeals to this category as well, Issy? From the beginning, not as an afterthought.
and this leads me to...
5. So many references to women's body shape. I appreciated the main character not being a skinny woman who can eat all the sugar she wants and still look like a supermodel, but rather looking like a normal, healthy, food-loving woman. But the author seemed to defend women's shapes and to make excuses as if not looking like a star is not normal. For example, Pearl, a friend and employee of Issy's, lost a few pounds just because she had a job, didn't stay in all day, so she walked a lot, so she obviously now looked better. Why? Why do that? Maybe some people reading this novel can't so easily lose pounds by going to their job and walking.
6. The perspective, in the same chapter, shifted so often and quickly from one character to another that at first it was tricky to keep up. It didn't read smoothly, but more like an attempt at writing. But once you get into the novel it's fine.
7. Stop saying "yummy mummies" as refered to the women who look skinny/ posh and don't eat cupcakes all day, and stop talking about them driving 4x4s.
8. Why all the stabbing at Caroline and the very fit women? It's their choice. Sure, complexes inducing for some, but it's their choice, just as it is one's choice to eat another cupcake without thinking of the consequences.
9. Most married men are junk in this novel, as concluded by Caroline, and that is sad. It means that once the marriage novelty has worn off and the children are present, there is a life of gloom and doom to be had, where kids don't get to see their dad only rarely, fathers miss children's milestones and events.
10. Of course the one meant to be "the one" for Issy is top notch.
11. Desperate much, Issy? Once she had her business rolling all she seemed to think about and want was a husband and children, but it was nice to see Issy still hanging on those traditional roles. It gets me eye-rolling to see people determined to be carreer people and completely break with all that's old. Still, she's desperate.
12. I kept wanting to read, despite all the above mentioned. I was after a novel that didn't promise to be deep, and I got what I wanted. There's a time for this kind of novels.
13. For those who love romance this is a nice read. I was looking for a summer novel and this one spans from winter to summer, so it ticked the box.

Loved this book. It's so fun to read novels with recipes sprinkled in. Looking forward to reading more from this series by Jenny Colgan.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

Meet Me At The Cupcake Cafe is a cute chick lit romance. Its characters are fun and the relationship between the women seems real. The writing style was well developed and the story is really charming. The recipes look amazing. I enjoyed it thoroughly

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

In terms of chick lit, Meet Me at the Cupcake Cafe is as good as it gets! It is relaxing and entertaining and has just enough tension to keep you guessing but not so much to ruin your afternoon. Issy is a lovable protagonist, and she makes you want to root for her. Her friends and family round out the story nicely (though it can be slightly confusing with all of the different POVs). And the cafe itself serves as a wonderful character. Can't wait to read the next books in the series!

4 stars
This book has it all! Issy loses her job, however
she isn't going to sitting back and taking it, she instead follows her dream. Opening up a cupcake cafe!
I loved the friendships and courage in this book. She had a dream and she went for it. She had some up and downs but she powered through. This book has beautiful recipes, friendships, relationships, it also has courage and is really really sweet!

This was a super cute read. I loved all the recipes in the book - even though the reason they are there is a sad. I am interested in reading the next one in this series and some of Jenny Colgan's other books. Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for an arc of this title!

this was cute. i enjoyed it for the most part but had a really hard time with how she kept going back to her dirtbag ex. on top of that, i really really did not need his POV. it was a bit of a slow start and then it picked up but i kept getting hung up on the ex boyfriend and how she acted with him. i liked the ending, i liked the other characters, i liked the story. take out how much of a doormat she was and i would have liked this a lot more. oh well. it was cute and i would read another one of her books (i have read one and own another) but i just hope for no doormats :)

What a fun book Jenny Colgan wrote when she wrote Meet Me At The Cupcake Cafe! Jenny fill the pages with great writing and super fun characters. I love how I was able to snuggle up on my sofa and devour this book in a day and how happy the ending made me feel!

Excellent chick lit with solid writing, characters developed appropriately to their role in the plot, and relatable relationships - friendships, flirtations, and business arrangements. I really liked that Colgan spent time building the relationships among the women at the cake shop - giving Issy some support while also showing the reader who Issy was when she wasn’t baking or mooning over her ex boyfriend. The banking and real estate thread was clever, as was the backstory of the iron worker across the way. Fave part? Colgan’s description of the courtyard, the big old tree, the fairy lights.... and the love of a family of friends.
NetGalley provided a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Jenny Colgan perfection:
I love her books and Meet Me At the Cupcake Cafe did not disappoint. An easy, quick, happy read. The recipes at the start of each chapter won't be doing my waistline any favours but it's a charming touch. The lead character, Issy, is absolutely charming and Austin is oh so sexy and yet attainable. I think I have a new book boyfriend. I would highly recommend.

This book was originally published in 2011, which was a little off putting. It's a sweet story. Issy was reared by her baker grandfather, who now resides in a nursing home but has been sending her all of his recipes. Laid off from her career, she decides to gamble and open up her own sweet shop. She finds a community she didn't even know she was missing among her employees and her customers. She keeps making the same mistakes in love until finally she sees the light. The entire street is threatened by a new development and the story reveals there still is integrity and kindness, even in fiction. It's a sweet story through and through and not just because after reading it you'll want to eat a lot of pastry.

3 1)2 ⭐ rounded down! This is the second book I've read of Jenny Colgan! I did enjoy this one, but it was a bit slower. Took me awhile to get into the story. I didn't feel connected to the characters untill maybe the halfway point. I think this book would be a good summer book and good book for a change of pace from thrillers. I loved how it has the recipes too! They sound great and I definitely want to try them out!

An enjoyable read with some great recipes! I think it's just a new cover of the old novel, but Jenny Colgan definitely knows her genre. A book you can curl up on the couch with.

Such a lovely women's fiction book. I love all the baking and recipes added. The story is uplifting and sweet and sucks you right in. Jenny Colgan books are perfect way to relax.

If you enjoy Jenny Colgan’s formula, you’ll love this. If you aren’t a fan of her formula, you will highly dislike this. I had high hopes, but I’m in the latter.

This was my first Jenny Colgan book and I definitely will try another one of hers. I enjoyed her writing, the story was pretty predicable to me but a cute beach read. Excited to try some of the recipes as well!

Issy learned to bake with her grandfather and now that he is losing his memory Issy is gathering his recipes and passing them out to acquaintances at work. When her life falls apart she takes a risk and opens a Cupcake Cafe. Will the Cafe give her the confidence to be true to herself?