I binged the entire Cupcake Bakery series so I could listen to this and this series is now one of my new fav cozy series. Also, this addition is amazing. Scorpions? Pro football players? Mel is pregnant? Yes, just everything about this was amazing. I can't wait to see what's next for the crew.

This book was super cute! Jenn McKinlay never disappoints. I love her writing and her characters. She is on my always-read list. I jumped into the series with this book and I loved it so much I now have to read all the previous books in the series!

#FondantFumble
#NetGalley

I absolutely adore this series and will continue to read every one that comes out because this trio of friends is delightful. One of my favorite cozy mystery series!

So thansk to #NETGALLEY AND #JENN MCKINLAY for the free arc of this title. I have not much knowledge of the football world but really loved the football charcters involved with the mystery. Jenn's characters as always are likeable and relateable. Mystery was very engaging and hard to put down.

I was eagerly anticipating the release of "Fondant Fumble," the latest installment in Jenn McKinlay's beloved Cupcake Bakery Mystery series. However, my excitement quickly turned to disappointment due to the change in narrators for the audiobook.

Allison Ryan, who has narrated several cozy mysteries that I enjoy, takes over for Susan Boyce in this book. While Ryan is a talented narrator, she doesn't capture the essence of these characters like Boyce did. After 15 books with Boyce’s distinctive and unique voices for each character, especially Angie and Mel, the sudden switch is jarring and detracts from the listening experience. However, Ryan's version of our beloved Marty is detestable.

Boyce had an incredible ability to bring each character to life with distinct vocal nuances, making them instantly recognizable and beloved. Unfortunately, Ryan's narration lacks the same depth and familiarity, making it difficult to connect with the story and characters I've grown to love over the years. Just five minutes into the audiobook, I found myself frustrated and wanting to stop listening.

This is particularly disheartening for dedicated fans of the series who have followed it for over a decade. The change in narrator without explanation feels abrupt and unsettling. Both narrators are talented in their own right, but Boyce was the perfect fit for this series, and her absence is deeply felt. If she narrates the next book, I won't be listening,

While the book itself maintains McKinlay's engaging storytelling and charming characters, I cannot recommend the audiobook. If you're a long-time fan of the series, I suggest picking up the paperback or e-book version instead. The change in narration significantly impacts the enjoyment of the audiobook, and it's a tough adjustment for those accustomed to Boyce's exceptional performance.

It's worth noting that Ryan excels in other series, such as Jacqueline Frost Christmas Tree Farm Mysteries, where her narration is well-suited. However, for the Cupcake Bakery Mysteries, Boyce's departure is a significant loss, and it’s hard not to feel disappointed by the change.

Mel and Angie are surprised to learn that two Football players for the Arizona Scorpions (Keogh and Tyler) want to buy a franchise of Fairy Tale Cupcakes. At the opening of the new store, they meet the owner of the Scorpions who throws a fit that macho football players are "playing" with cupcakes. His wife is the ex-girlfriend of Keogh. When the owner, a nasty man, is found dead in the story the next day, all fingers point to Keogh. Mel doesn't believe he is a murderer. It could be anyone, the wife, another player, his own children. Mel sets out to prove his innocence.

I enjoy this series. It is fun and light. It is easy to read and the characters are likeable and quirky.

The Fairy Tale Cupcake Bakery get sporty in the series latest installment.

Things are going well for the bakery franchise, but they can hardly believe it when professional football players Keogh Graham and Tyler Matthews decide to buy into the franchise as part of their retirement plan.

But when the owner of their team, the Arizona Scorpions, is found dead in their new bakery covered in scorpions, Keogh who had fought with him not long before, becomes the prime suspect.

**spoilers ahead**

I enjoyed this latest book in the series, it's nice to see all the characters living their happy ever afters and the murders not all happening in Old Town. However in this book I seriously wanted to slap Mel for the way she kept putting off telling Joe she' was pregnant.

As this was an audiobook, in regards to that, I thought the narrator did a good job, the narration flowed well and was easy to listen to.

I loved this next book in the series. Two football players open a franchise and things do not go well for them. Two people they know wind up dead and soon it becomes apparent that the killer is not done. It is up to Mel and company to find up what is going up before the store is sunk for good. Also it is interesting as a secret comes out and how everyone learns of it.

I always enjoy this series. There was less time with Tate and Angie than in the past, but the book was still packed with their fun friendship and movie quotes. I really enjoyed the new characters - especially Mama June. The book wast fast paced, as always, and made for a fun read. I recommend reading these in order, but they can be read as stand alone books as well. Can’t wait to see what Jenn McKinlay cooks up next. The audiobook narrator was also great!

Thank you to #NetGalley and #DreamscapeMedia for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When two pro football players buy a cupcake franchise Mel is thrilled! The team’s owner and coach are less than thrilled. When the owner and coach are found dead, both players become suspects. Add to that Mel is pregnant and can’t seem to find the right time to tell Joe! Another amazing cupcake story by Jenn!

Fondant Fumble is a sweet, bakery-based cozy mystery that I adored listening to. The set up, two professional football players buy a cupcake bakery franchise as part of their long-term plan for after they retire from the sport, but shortly after the cupcakery opens, the owner of the team is is found dead one the bakery floor.

I loved all of these characters, but I definitely want more Mama June. Like, can she have her own spin off, please? And, I appreciate the recipes at the end of the book (because SO MANY CUPCAKES!) but it’s a shame that the peach cobbler cupcake recipe was read on an audiobook and I don’t have it in my hand.

I did feel like the suspect was a little too obvious, but that didn’t hinder my enjoyment of the book and the journey to the conclusion.

I received a copy of this audiobook from #NetGalley and #dreamscapemedia for an honest review.

Another winner from Jenn! I love the cupcake series and I am so excited for what's to come based on the ending of this one!!




I received an advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

Football and baking mixed, stirred and baked into a cupcake mystery ? Jenn McKinlay makes it work! This new addition to the Cupcake Mystery series was out June 4th!
Keogh and Tyler, big time Football players with the Arizona Scorpions both nearing retirement from professional football, contact Tate because they want to open a Fairy Tale Cupcakes franchise - maybe less pink than the original but also closer to the Football stadium. The football stars need to learn the basics on cupcake baking since Mel requires this of all her franchisees. The team owner is quite worried about their opening a cupcake shop, though, thinking the new business venture will take their minds away trom the game, and he is quite vocal in his opposition to their business. When his body is found in their new bakery, the two men become prime suspects, and Mel and the rest of her team pitch in to prove their innocence.
This is was such a fun cozy mystery to read and enjoy, listen to and relax. I was excited about getting access to this audiobook provided by @dreamscape_media through@netgalley #audiobookstagram
I have read other books in this series so it was fun to just jump in and see what Mel and the DeLaura siblings are up to and catch up. The mystery provided all the excitement necessary to make this fun.
The primary murder victim in this story was one of those people everyone loves to hate, so there was a whole list of viable suspects to consider...

<b>Story [Library Book] - 2 Stars</b>

What I loved:
* GREAT new narrator
* New franchise owners that really work with the story and are fun and engaging whenever they are on the page and left me hoping we see them again in future books [and can we please have more kind, caring gentlemen in books? Jenn McKinlay is knocking it out of the park in this department! Well done]
*Gruesome dead body [I know, I am a weirdo]. I too do not want a bucketful of scorpions dumped on me!!
* I will always love when Oz is on the page. I am so glad that he has stayed in the stories even whilst working his skills elsewhere.
*MAMA JUNE!!! What an outstanding character and I found myself missing her when she wasn't on the page.
*Second chances and forgiveness and the renewal of trust.

What didn't work for me:
** New narrator adjustment. I know this seems weird, but even though I was seriously NOT a fan of the previous narrator, I was "used to" her way of voicing the characters, so its going to take me some time to adjust to the new voices, especially Angie, Joyce, Olivia, and Marty [Angie and Marty especially; those were the two voices I actually enjoyed the previous narrators version of, and the new narration left me missing Angie's sharpness and Marty's cackling and smart-alekness]. I know I will adapt, but it did affect my listening experience.
** Speaking of Angie, there was not nearly enough of her and of Tate and WHERE THE HECK was Uncle Stan [one showing of him was not nearly enough]. I missed them tremendously.
** The mystery, or rather, the lack of it. I missed having to think even a little bit about it or being led astray by a red herring. It made me sad.
** The whole surprise that takes up most of the book. Meh.

Will I keep reading these? As of now, yes [the new narrator was a game-changer for me and made a book I was struggling with better]. We will see how they progress.
After 16 books, I am so fully invested in these characters that I'd hate to let them go. I do hope that we get back to more mystery-centered stories though; there have been really good ones in the past and it would be awesome to get back to that vibe.

Audiobook [NetGalley] - 4 Stars

Allyson Ryan is one of my favorite narrators [I first heard her in Ms. McKinlay's other series that I love, The Library Lover's Series] and am always excited to see her as a narrator for a book I am reading.
Other than my issue with adjustment [see double bullet point 1 above], Ms. Ryan did an amazing job and I was so glad to listen to her tell this tale.

Thank you to NetGalley, Jenn McKinlay, Allyson Ryan - Narrator and Dreamscape Media for providing this audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Another great installment in the A Cupcake Bakery mystery series. I am so happy for Mel and Joe and I can't wait to see how this plays out in future books.
This one was twisty, every time I thought I figured out who the killer was, I was proven wrong by a new piece of information or evidence. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series, when it is written and released.

Allyson Ryan did a great job narrating the book. Allyson set a great pace, kept a modulated tone, and I was able to easily increase the speed and understand everything that Allyson was saying. I will be looking for more books narrated by Allyson in the future.

Mel is back and you'll never believe this but there is another murder!

I know I've only read two of this series so far but I really enjoy them. As a HUGE fan of Stephanie Plum this series seems to run in the same vein of entertainment.

The Bakery's newest franchise owners are professional football players! Keogh Graham and Tyler Mattews realize there needs to be life after football and why not make it something yummy?! Keogh and Tyler are working hard to get their new franchise up and running with the help of Mel and her team. No one could guess that this would cause as much drama as it did! From crazy rival fans to a team owner who is less than happy his star player is "distracted" by cupcakes. When the bakery is trashed and the team owner ends up dead, suspicion flies. There are so many suspects, can you guess who it really was?

We also get a super awesome surprise in this one. Very exciting and I cannot wait to read the next one!

Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media and Jenn McKinlay for the opportunity to read and review this book. All opinions are my own.

Fans of Jenn McKinlay’s Cupcake Bakery mysteries will want to immediately pick up the 16th installment in the series, Fondant Fumble. Keogh Graham and Tyler Matthews, best friends and star football players, for the local NFL team, the Arizona Scorpions, are looking into early retirement and wanting to open a Fairy Tale Cupcakes franchise from protagonist, Mel, and are learning the business from her during the off season. There are some who are furious that the athletes are baking cupcakes, including the team’s owner, who is found dead in their new bakery. Keogh and Tyler are the prime murder suspects, and Mel is sure they are not guilty. She investigates and with the help of her friends, works to find the real killer.

Anyone who has read McKinlay’s cozies knows that this series is well-written and is an easy, fast read. McKinlay does an excellent job of developing her characters, and they seem real, and not unlike people most of us are acquainted with. Most of the sub characters in this novel are very likeable, with the exception of the team’s owner and his new wife who is Keogh’s ex-girlfriend. Their negative traits play an integral part in the plot.

All told, this installment is a fun read. It is a nice addition to the series, and most readers will want to go back and read the previous novels. One bonus is that there are mouthwatering recipes included.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

I spent a huge part of this novel wishing I could eat the cupcakes as they sound mouthwatering.
Not the first in a series but it can be read as a stand alone. Well plotted, entertaining, and tightly knitted.
The solid mystery kept me guessing
Want to read the rest of the series, loved the narrator
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

DNF. This was one of the cringiest most secondhand-embarrassment books that I've ever started and I physically could not force myself to finish it. The characters were way over the top and incredibly unrealistic and the book was rife with sexism and misogyny. Definitely not for me.

SWEET SIXTEEN!!
This was my first Jenn McKinlay book and certainly will nt be my last , in fact I will at least be reading the previous 15 books in this series because I had the best time getting to know this cute little Cozy Cupcake Mystery. I was not familiar with McKinlay's books, I just happened to see her on an author event at the Poisoned Pen Bookstore, and she was hilarious and really great speaker. It was fate because the next day I checked Net Galley and this book was available for request. So I was even more excited when I was approved.
Even though I had not read the previous books in this series it didn't take me too long to get acquainted with the fun characters in this book [I need more Mama June!]. I could not think of a better thing t combine than football and cupcakes. I found this to be the perfect amount of cozy without going over the top. McKinlay moved the story along nicely and truly had me guessing "Who Done It" until the final reveal.
WARNING: You will crave cupcakes the whole time you read this!
I am so thankfuly for Jenn McKinlay, Berkeley Publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to review this advanced copy of Fondant Fumble. I was not influenced or pain in exchange for this honest review.