I have been a big fan of Helena Hunting's previous work. The preview of this book did not disappoint. Hunting has a way with words & wit that is not comparable! I preordered this immediately after putting down this preview.

This preview of Kiss My Cupcake was pretty good. I have read almost all the books by Helena Hunting and was naturally interested to read this as well. Blaire, Ronan and all the other characters mentioned in this extract seem to be quite interesting. Now I really want to know what is going to happen in the rest of the book.

I loved everything about this book! From the characters, to Blaire’s 50’s-era fashion, to cupcakes, to their unique families and craft brews. Did I mention it’s based in Seattle?! I could see exactly where it would be in Cap Hill! This book encompassed Seattle perfectly: small businesses, boozy cupcakes, axe-throwing, plaid, quirky style and beer flights.
I always love a good enemies-to-lovers trope and, especially, a good competition. The banter and cupcake/beer puns are really the “eat-me-candy on top.”

Not enough of story available to get full aspect of the story line. Interesting description would love access to more

I have read the preview here and I actually checked the book out from the library!

My Review:
Oh my gosh! This book made me laugh many times. I so needed this with everything going on in my life. My oldest kid even asked me,” Mom what are you laughing at?” I replied with “This library book that I’m reading. It had some funny parts in it.” The oldest kid replied, “That’s great mom.”

Anyways the main characters Ronan and Blaire are so opposite. I loved it. I love how Blaire is into cupcakes, unicorn glasses, wearing dresses, knowledgeable of Grease and being uplifted by so many things. She is determine to get her bakery up and running on her own. Ronan is so the opposite of Blaire. He’s a prankster, seems a tad moody, wears plaid, has knowledge of Harry Potter, and has tattoos! He is also running a sports bar next door to Blaire. Can we say sparks fly when they first meet?

They become rivals to each other but then slowly that shifts when another store opens up. They began to team up and work together helping each other out! I loved loved loved this. The banter between them was sweet and spicy. Sparks continued to fly! They worked really well together which was great to see. The themes they came up with was so creative.

Another point in the story is when they got to see each other’s family. Ronan’s family was great. They were so down to earth. Ronan’s Grandpa was adorable and made me laugh at some of the things he said. I was glad that Ronan had a cool grandpa like that. Even Blaire liked him when she met him. Blaire’s family was a little strange. I just had to shake my head at some parts but it kept me laughing! I do have to admit that I liked how Ronan was a tad protective of Blaire when he was with her at the family get together.

I am glad that I took the time to read this book from the library. It was just so fun, charming and made me laugh tons. If you are looking for something light, cute, funny and relaxing to read, then this book will do it! Check it out today. I think I am going to read more of Helena’s books!

I'd like to preface this review with the statement that romance is not typically a genre I like. <em>Kiss My Cupcake</em> by Helena Hunting is a <em>prime</em> example for why I tend to avoid most books in this genre. And sure, over the years I've found some that stand out and are actually enjoyable for me to read. But there are so many that fit into the same category as this one that I've found it quite difficult to stumble across the really good ones.

<b>Laziness</b>

My problems with this book can literally be tied down to that one word. The writing for this book was lazy. The character development for this book was lazy. The set-up was lazy. Everything I read was lazy.

Now, this is a DNF for me because NetGalley only gave me a preview. And in most instances, I include a disclaimer to that effect. For this book, though, I would like to add that I spent some time reading a number of the review for this book and my predictions regarding the laziness appear to be corroborated by a number of them.

Basically, Hunting knows what she wanted out of this book. She had a goal in mind and she got to it. That goal being to get the two main characters into a relationship. And that's really it. There's no goal of developing well-rounded characters, no goal of writing deep prose. It's solely meant to be nothing more than your average romance. And I don't read for that nonsense.

<b>Opportunities?</b>

I don't know if this book really had a lot of opportunities. What I will say, though, is that there are a lot of misses. Blaire's parents are never really fleshed out. In fact, beyond existing as a motivation for her to "do well on her own," they're basically pointless. And honestly, I find that whole thing disingenuous anyway because collaboration is an amazing thing that I think we need more of.

This book also featured a cupcake shop and barely took any advantage of that. The love interest supposedly had an axe throwing room, but apparently we don't get to see it except for that brief bit in the beginning when he's setting it up. And then the reason that their rivalry slowly began to stop? Yeah, that was <em>awful</em>.

<b>Stereotype</b>

I feel like this book could be a stand-in for just about any stereotypical modern romance that doesn't put a lot of depth into its story. Sure, it can be a quick and enjoyable read at times...but it's also lazy and disappointing in a lot of ways. It's like those terrible rom-coms that had a small budget and you know are awful, but you watch anyway. The difference, though, between those and this is that at least you can watch shitty rom-coms while multi-tasking, and it only takes up about 90 minutes of your life.

You can't really do that with a lazy romance novel.

<em>I was provided a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.</em>

This review will be live on the Reader Fox blog on October 3, 2020.

Oh how I love a good rom com and Helena Hunting knows how to deliver! I loved Blaire and Ronan are the most adorable enemies-to-lovers I've ever read. I really enjoyed that there was tension without angst and that it was a sweet and sexy slow burn. I do wish that we had gotten to know the characters a bit better - but as business owners (especially in the food and beverage industry) I understand why so much focus was on their day-to-day work habits and interactions (and I actually appreciate how realistic that is). I also appreciate how different their families are and the impact that that had on each of them. But more than anything, I really loved how there was potential for final act drama that was totally bypassed and resolved by people communicating, not jumping to unnecessary conclusions, AND not being douche canoes. I thought I loved Helena Hunting from her Pucked series, but it looks like standalone rom com HH is giving her a run for her money! 4.5 out of 5 wine glasses.

Oh how I love a good rom com and Helena Hunting knows how to deliver! I loved Blaire and Ronan are the most adorable enemies-to-lovers I've ever read. I really enjoyed that there was tension without angst and that it was a sweet and sexy slow burn. I do wish that we had gotten to know the characters a bit better - but as business owners (especially in the food and beverage industry) I understand why so much focus was on their day-to-day work habits and interactions (and I actually appreciate how realistic that is). I also appreciate how different their families are and the impact that that had on each of them. But more than anything, I really loved how there was potential for final act drama that was totally bypassed and resolved by people communicating, not jumping to unnecessary conclusions, AND not being douche canoes. I thought I loved Helena Hunting from her Pucked series, but it looks like standalone rom com HH is giving her a run for her money! 4.5 out of 5 wine glasses.

I love Helena Hunting! This quick preview was the perfect tease for the full length novel! Blaire is hilarious and the "lumberjerk" made me LOL a few times.

Now all I want to do is read the full book! This preview got me hooked! The writing is well done and the setting is described in a vibrant way. I look forward to reading the whole book.

I really enjoyed this reading and its occurrences. I would like to read the whole book and know how it ends. I liked the way the author writes and the characters that I create in this story. I can't say much because it was a little revision so I need more.

This was only a preview but it had me HOOKED!! I adore Helena Hunting's writing and this did not disappoint.

I will be reading the full book now that it's out but based on the preview I know I will be laughing and loving the witty banter and sassiness of Blaire. Full review to come after I get my copy!

I need more. Blaire is adorably feisty. Ronan is like a little boy pulling on the pigtails of his crush. I love the food related insults. The only reason I rated it 4 stars is because it is only a preview. I can't say too much because it was only a few chapters but I can't wait to read the full book. And now I seriously need a cupcake.

All I want to say is that this preview made me get the audiobook right away and I’ve finished it already!!!! Loved this story and also I need some cupcakes like rush!! I think this is a story that you should dive in without spoilers so you don’t expect anything and be swoon by it if you know what I mean. Helena Hunting always surprise me with awesome storytelling and a fresh voice. This is an enemies to lovers and has the slow burn too. Just dive in!

I loved reading the preview! I love the story so far! The characters have such great chemistry! I highly recommend it since I need to read the rest of the story!

I just read the preview, but I already know this book will be amazing. Helena writes the best stories.

Helen Hunting is one of my favorite one-click authors without the new to read the blurb.
Ronan and Blaire are LOL gold. Once again, Ms. Hunting did not disappoint. This preview was not enough. I can't wait to finish the story.

Let’s just say ... I can’t wait to buy the full copy. This little teaser was so good. Had me laughing. It’s been a while since a book had me laugh this hard. I love Helena huntings writing and her goofy humor. I can’t wait to read the rest!

Kiss My Cupcake is typical Helena Hunting, which is a good thing!! In just the few chapters I read I was laughing half of time. I love how she brings humor and quirkiness to her writing. Her books are always to fun to read. I will definitely be buying the full copy to finish.

This is a really good book that caught my attention from the very beginning! I can't wait to read the rest of the book!