Sugar Rush (Cupcake Club #1)

May 03, 2012 Lisa Kay rated it liked it

Shelves: genre-romance-contemporary, theme-mrs-robinson, character-blonde-hero, genre-chick-lit-ish, vocation-chef, setting-usa-georgia, 2012-in-2012-group-challenge, challenge-dessert, zzcover-pink, xyzcover-food-drink, authors-d, authors-k, series-c

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If you want dialogue, this is the book for you. Good dialogue? Sometimes. Sometimes very good dialogue. Sometimes just a rehash of what we already know. I also felt that Leilani was originally this really nice person who had to get a little ‘bitchy’ to get the sexual tension percolating with Baxter. That just didn’t work for me.

However, if you are one of those people who wish the couple would just talk to one another, this is the ...more

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Mar 01, 2012 Ana rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary-romance, zz-read-in-2012, culinary-romance

I apologize in advance for the large number of pictures featuring cupcakes - I simply couldn't resist. And be prepared for the urge to hunt down and eat a massive number of them. :D

When Leilani Trusdale left New York and her rising career as a pastry chef to open a cupcake shop in a small town of Sugarberry, most people didn't understand her decision. But she knew something had to give. It's not that she was unhappy with her life, more like she wasn't happy with it. All the backstabbing in the r ...more

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Jul 07, 2012 Regina rated it it was ok

Shelves: ugh

I enjoyed several of Kauffman's other books (notably the "Glass Slipper, Inc" series). They were light, but I could identify with the characters and they were fun reads. This book just seemed to drag on forever... I actually listened to it, rather than reading it-- which meant that I couldn't "skim". It was excruciating! I got so tired of the main female character's angst, hand-wringing, and indecision. There was lots of "wrestling" going on, but most of it was metaphorical and not particularly ...more

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Mar 30, 2012 Kim Smiley rated it it was ok

Finally! I'm so happy to be done with this book! It took me a week to read due to the big pages and small text and the fact that the first 200 or so pages were so boring it was a book I could only take in small portions.

Lani is a pastry chef and a good one. She quit her job at a high profile restaurant in New York to move to Sugarberry Island, where her Dad is sherriff and her family came from. She opens up a cupcakery and is enjoying it. That is, until Baxter Dunne decides to follow her there. ...more

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Jan 17, 2012 Jen rated it it was ok

Shelves: romance, adult, fiction, kindle

(Will insert book talk later...)

I was rather disappointed with this one. Though I liked all the characters, it just seemed like all the conversations the hero and heroine had were the same:

Her: "I know you don't understand why I want to live in this tiny town and make cupcakes"
Him: "No I don't - you're destined for better things."
Her: "Let me explain why I love it so much for a long time"
Him: "Ok, wow, I respect your decision, though I don't understand it."

It just felt a little same-y after a w ...more

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Jan 09, 2012 Jessica rated it really liked it

Shelves: own

I like variety when reading and the first reads of 2012 are a perfect example of that. A supernatural werewolf mystery, bizarro and a romantic bit of chic lit. Chic lit being one I'd say I read the least but I won this book on twitter from the publisher and was dying for a different kind of book and this was sitting on my shelves so I rebelled and read it. See I'm a bad ass. Yep that much of one.

Sugar Rush was sweet. No pun intended, though it's hard to escape the sweet food references when it's I like variety when reading and the first reads of 2012 are a perfect example of that. A supernatural werewolf mystery, bizarro and a romantic bit of chic lit. Chic lit being one I'd say I read the least but I won this book on twitter from the publisher and was dying for a different kind of book and this was sitting on my shelves so I rebelled and read it. See I'm a bad ass. Yep that much of one.

Sugar Rush was sweet. No pun intended, though it's hard to escape the sweet food references when it's a book about a baker and her love life. Leilani has had the hots for her boss for ages but after some family issues and a need for a change she moves way down south to a little island off the coast of Georgia. ( I've so always wanted to go to Savannah )

She sets up her own business which takes plenty of time and effort. Leilani who's name is way cool is a character I really liked she's sweet ( yeah, yeah but she is ) she's smart, she's a baker and I totally want to get in her kitchen and lick the bowl and spoon. Just when her life is orderly her ex boss shows up. Yes the one she had the hots for. So much for moving on. Men!

Baxter Dunne aka chef Hot Cakes. < yes he's hot of course it's never fat ugly guys in these books but this is in reference to his hot, hot, hot tv show. Anyhoo Baxter wants to film his show in her kitchen and yes chaos ensues along with some sexual tension in the air. You can see it a mile away.

I enjoyed the characters all nicely well written and just nice good people. My one and only issue with the book is that the reasons given for the two not to be together were well very legitimate so while reading this I'm thinking wait.... they can't be together but, but that's not the way this is supposed to work. They like each other they fall in love have hot sex and live happily ever after. Usually the things that keep the characters apart till the whole oh I realize I love you now and you were meant for me why didn't I realize it all along is usually lame. Here totally legit and no this story didn't go like that but they so often are written that way it seamed like a fine example to use.

Which brings me to my next point it's not written like that thank god. It was very legit arguments and that had me sad which meant I liked them and wanted them to get together asap I may add. I also liked that there wasn't any oh my how could he like me I'm so fat and frumpy and he's a god with a giant penis. That would be what I don't like about chic lit it's so lame and predictable. The guy is always so hot and the girl is so blah but the stud sees her for what she really is a beauty on the inside and then when he jams the penis home boom instant orgasm for her. Um yeah. No. This one has a fun, sweet twist and gasp well written. No lameola bs with the chick not being hot enough or the guy being a god just two people who respect each other, care about each other and finally give it a chance and yeah yeah happily ever after.

I'm still a girl dammit. I want my happy ending, this one delivers and with cup cakes! ...more

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Feb 01, 2012 Megan rated it really liked it

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a guilty pleasure fan of girly contemporary romances. I swear by anything Sophie Kinsella/Madeline Wickham-related, and Jane Green, Jennifer Weiner, and Helen Fielding all have a fan in me. When offered the chance to read and review the first two books in the new Cupcake Club series from Donna Kauffman, I leaped at the chance. So yes, this is going to be a double review of SUGAR RUSH and SWEET STUFF, books one and two in the series from Kensington.

Book one, SU Anyone who knows me knows that I am a guilty pleasure fan of girly contemporary romances. I swear by anything Sophie Kinsella/Madeline Wickham-related, and Jane Green, Jennifer Weiner, and Helen Fielding all have a fan in me. When offered the chance to read and review the first two books in the new Cupcake Club series from Donna Kauffman, I leaped at the chance. So yes, this is going to be a double review of SUGAR RUSH and SWEET STUFF, books one and two in the series from Kensington.

Book one, SUGAR RUSH, chronicles Lani Trusdale’s life as a baker on a small island off the coast of Georgia. She’s left her life in New York City and her ex-boss, Baxter (aka Chef Hot Cakes), a man she completely drooled over. When Baxter shows up on the island wanting to film a new show in Lani’s cupcake store, is it a recipe for love or a mess? The story is about cupcakes and the path for Lani and Baxter’s relationship to get back off the ground.

I really enjoyed the story. It was a sweet, fluffy tale in the vein of Sophie Kinsella, so of course I was a happy camper. The relationship between Lani and Baxter is tense and makes you question what will happen next, but somehow the story does manage to keep the story as sweet as you would imagine a book about cupcakes could be. Baxter’s drive to woo Lani back was impressive and swoon-worthy, leaving me wanting more of Kauffman’s work – so of course I wanted more Cupcake Club! It’s a mix of romance, recipes, and television shows. It’s like blending the Food Network together with CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC, leaving me quite pleased with this book. I thought it was a touch long, however, but the story was a fun, quick read for those of you who enjoy cute contemporary romances.

In book two, SWEET STUFF, we are introduced to some new lead characters, which of course means new shenanigans! Author Quinn and fresh-of-the-boat Riley meet in a rather happenstance way – she sets up cupcakes in an open house, the same house that Quinn buys that same day. Quinn and Riley both have a lot of things to deal with, from broken careers to a return home after years away. Neither were looking for a relationship, but with cupcakes as a main focus, their relationship slowly unfolds in an intense yet cute manner.

I was quite pleased by SWEET STUFF. Like SUGAR RUSH, it’s a cute, light romance full of fun situations and of course the Cupcake Club. My feelings about SWEET STUFF were much like my feelings for book one – cute, fluffy, a little repetitive, and good for a pick-me-up. These books were both quick reads with fun characters. SWEET STUFF has a great element of what it takes to build a relationship from scratch, which I loved. It’s a good break from the usual dreary books I read – hot and heavy romances based on sex, or depressing books about being depressed.

The Cupcake Club books are great new additions to a market among the Kinsellas and Weiners on the shelves. If you are in the market for a sweet contemporary romance with emphasis on the sweet (in more ways than one), these books are definitely books for you to check out for yourself.

VERDICT: A sweet romance series with a focus on cupcakes, the first two CUPCAKE CLUB books by Donna Kauffman are a sugary treat with a touch of fun, excitement, and love. ...more

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Dec 08, 2011 Romancing the Book rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, contemporary

Review by Valerie:
Ahh...New York City. If you’ve ever been there, you know the energy the city has. Leilani also knows the energy the city has, after all, she worked there for years, but she felt the city drained her. After having a crush on her boss for most of those years, she loses her mom, almost loses her dad, and hightails it out of there and finds herself opening up her own cupcake shop on the little island of Sugarberry. Then one day, plop, out of the blue, her ex-boss shows up and turns Review by Valerie:
Ahh...New York City. If you’ve ever been there, you know the energy the city has. Leilani also knows the energy the city has, after all, she worked there for years, but she felt the city drained her. After having a crush on her boss for most of those years, she loses her mom, almost loses her dad, and hightails it out of there and finds herself opening up her own cupcake shop on the little island of Sugarberry. Then one day, plop, out of the blue, her ex-boss shows up and turns her world upside down.

Baxter, aka Chef Hot Cakes, misses his steadfast assistant. His life isn’t the same. So, without thinking, he does what he thinks will be best and moves his famous cooking show to the small island of Sugarberry. His reception isn’t met warmly by his previous assistant who becomes very flustered, voices her opinion – loudly, and now drives a red SUV. Who is this woman wearing eclectic aprons decorating boring cupcakes in the middle of nowhere? Where’s the woman he missed?

As these two characters try to figure out exactly what they have going on between them, there is a heart-warming supportive cast of characters from Alva, Sugarberry’s own Betty White who has a rap sheet, Charlotte, Leilani’s best friend who drops everything to help her, Leilani’s dad, who is the town sheriff, Rosemary, Baxter’s assistant, and Dre, the Art Design student. These people manage to work their way into Leilani’s heart and before she knows it, her life is upside down and the little “B**** and Bake” time that she and her best friend enjoyed so much has turned into a therapeutic baking club.

A fun romantic read for the serious baker, the not-so-serious baker, and the buy-your-cupcakes type of reader (like me)!

For several months now, I have been following the author’s blog chronicling her attempts at mastering the world of cupcakery, http://www.cakesbythecupblog.com/, while doing research for this book. At times I laughed so hard I cried because her blogs were so descriptive and real – who else would admit to having a pink kitchen after trying to make red velvet cupcakes? But, throughout it all, I admired her persistence to understand the world of baking and get it right. Kudos to the first Cupcake Club Romance with recipes included at the end!

Quote: “Maybe if she repeated that often enough, she’d be able to look at him and not think about what it was going to be like when she didn’t have him. When he left for good. And when she didn’t leave with him.” Page 271 ...more

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Apr 16, 2013 Gilles rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: library, dnf

I quit. 60% and I still am not invested in the characters. I can't take them talking about why their lives together won't work anymore. I haven't managed to figure out why they are even interested. I will just predict what happens instead.

They continue to discuss why it won't work beating the dead horse for another couple of chapters. They exchange kiss number 3 which blows their minds (btw they need to get out more) and convinces them they must try. So, they write up a life plan that meets the ...more

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Sep 16, 2014 Kimberly rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: audio

Caffeinated Aspects

Cupcakes, a bakery, chefs and sinful talks about chocolate. Be sure to brings snacks to listen to this one!
Small-town setting. The tale takes place in Sugarberry Island, a small coastal community in Georgia. It was a delightful place with busy bodies, local businesses and a million stars at night. It sounds heavenly. Right? Now sniff..Yep cupcakes, coffee and fresh air.
Leilani Trusdale moves away from the hustle and bustle, not to mention the pressure of being a pastry ch ...more

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Jan 02, 2016 Kait Nolan rated it it was amazing

Shelves: contemporary-romance, 2013, small-town-romance, romantic-comedy

Absolutely loved this! Witty, funny, hit all my happy buttons relating to my love of food, and definitely broke a LONG streak of less than satisfying reads.

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Dec 04, 2012 Alicia (is beyond tired of your *ish) rated it really liked it

Shelves: series-ongoing, romance

Now I definitely wish I had read this series in order. Not that the second book doesn't stand on its own, it does. I just think I would have appreciated Lani and Baxter's scenes in it more having read this. Also, I wouldn't have had expectations of certain occurrences explained in the second book happening in this one.

Once again, I loved the characters in this book. With the exception of Alva, which is just an archetypal character I cannot stand, I really liked their interaction and their storie Now I definitely wish I had read this series in order. Not that the second book doesn't stand on its own, it does. I just think I would have appreciated Lani and Baxter's scenes in it more having read this. Also, I wouldn't have had expectations of certain occurrences explained in the second book happening in this one.

Once again, I loved the characters in this book. With the exception of Alva, which is just an archetypal character I cannot stand, I really liked their interaction and their stories. Even though Baxter and Lani had worked with each other and developed feelings for each other for years, their coming together in the book was slow and rather fulfilling.

Even though the decision keeping them apart was rather silly as the solution seemed fairly simple, or at least it's ridiculous to me to be so fatalistic about the prospects of a relationship with someone you love without trying first, the angst between Lani and Baxter was delicious. I don't know what it was but I was really loving that aspect of the story. Which is also maybe why the first love scene was so fantastically sensual to me. The set up was a bit annoying and heavy-handed (because it made a secondary character look like an asshole), but once they got into it I was into it.

I think there were probably some info dumps in this book as well, but obviously they were nowhere near as dense and noticeable as they were in the second book since I can't really pinpoint any. I definitely could have used more time on Lani and Baxter's two weeks together and, say, less Alva. I also didn't like the way Kauffman spelled the world "luv" when Baxter said it as an endearment. There's really no difference between the pronunciation of the proper spelling and that spelling. It's like how I detest the word being spelled "cum" instead of "come." There's just no real reason for it to me.

I'm going to get on my soapbox here for a moment as this is something I've been noticing more and more and it is irritating the hell out of me to the point it dampens my enjoyment of good books/series like this one. In this book one of the secondary characters is Charlotte, Lani's best friend from culinary school who comes from New Delhi. Charlotte is around the same age as Lani, and she's given a side plot of falling for a man who works for Baxter, named Carlo (I believe it's said in the second book that he's Puerto Rican). In the second book their relationship has advanced and there are some rather interesting hurdles they're working through. The thing is, the second book isn't about them. Instead, in a tacked on Epilogue, Riley Brown the completely random, white, Heroine of the second book is introduced.

Do you see where I'm going with this?

It is driving me absolutely nuts that romance authors create these dynamic secondary characters of different races then advance the series by creating white characters out of the blue for/in the next book instead of exploring the lives of the character(s) they've already introduced that are primed for their own book. That basically says to me that we're good enough to be the interesting friend/sidekick – and, sure, get an HEA on the side – but not good enough to headline a book. The author of my favorite contemporary romance series did this as well. It's getting to be upsetting and these are good books I really like and I don't want this negative black cloud hanging over them. I hope that authors in this genre will be better about this in the future.

Overall, however, I really enjoyed reading this book. And I definitely plan on reading the third in the series (single father who isn't really a father!). Although maybe not for a while as I've been obsessed with cupcakes lately thanks to these books. Now to reward myself with one I bought, actually, from one of the bakeries thanked in the acknowledgements of this book! ...more

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Oct 30, 2012 Cee rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Sugar Rush is a quality contemporary romance. What I liked most here was that Lani was sincere and serious about her reasons for not wanting Baxter around. In so many romances, the heroine is wishy washy and caves far too quickly. Though Lani recognized that she wasn’t over Baxter, she gave real consideration to her decisions and what she told him. Readers can tell that both she and Baxter mean everything they’re saying. Further, I liked that Baxter listened to her. It took a few times, but he t ...more

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Nov 04, 2012 Novel rated it liked it

Shelves: contemporary-romance, dessert-angels

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This book is a light and sweet read. Since I'm a sucker for HEA novels, I did enjoy this one. The story is very simple and not very memorable but still a good one. The only thing that I probably wont forget in this book is Baxter! Only because I associate his name to my BP apparatus(sphygmomanometer). LOL!
baxter

In the beginning of the book we find Lani preparing a hundred cupcakes for an auction in Sugarberry. Actually, she was doing her baking therapy because she's too stressed when she found out tha This book is a light and sweet read. Since I'm a sucker for HEA novels, I did enjoy this one. The story is very simple and not very memorable but still a good one. The only thing that I probably wont forget in this book is Baxter! Only because I associate his name to my BP apparatus(sphygmomanometer). LOL!
baxter

In the beginning of the book we find Lani preparing a hundred cupcakes for an auction in Sugarberry. Actually, she was doing her baking therapy because she's too stressed when she found out that her former colleague and mentor Chef Hot Cakes Baxter Dunne is coming to Sugarberry. Lani left the Big Apple to stay with her father in Sugarberry when she found out that he got sick, however that isn't just her reason. Her success in New York as a pastry Chef made her a topic of vicious gossips. Aside from that, Baxter's trust and closeness to Lani didn't help either. People are talking about their "relationship" when in fact they weren't involved at all. Tired of the drama in the city, she stayed in Sugarberry and opened her own bake shop.

Baxter Dunne have been attracted to Lani since he first laid his eyes on her when she applied to work for Gateau. However, due to their professional relationship, he can't do something about it. When the oppurtunity to become a celebrity chef came knocking on his door, he jumped on it and left the Gateau in Lani's care. When Lani left the Gateau and opened her own shop in Sugarberry, Baxter felt lost. He wants her and he will do anything to get her back, but this time, it's for personal reasons.

First of all, I would like to say that the cupcakes mentioned in this book sound so damn amazing that I felt like I gained several pounds just by reading it. LOL! Second, the people of Suagrberry are crazy, haha, I especially like Alva. Although Charlotte was from NY, I also like her character. I wish she and Carlo had a separate book, instead being just a supporting character in this story.

One thing that I didn't like in this book is that the main characters talked too much and they both overanalyze their situation. So what if he's from New York? So what if she can't leave Sugarberry? If you want each other you just have to make it work, right?

Here's an example:

“A long distance relationship isn’t going to work,” Lani said. “For either one of us. We’re too much to settle for that.”

“So, you’ll take your too much-ness and settle for nothing?” Charlotte rolled with a bit more vigor than was absolutely required. “That makes no sense to me. None at all.”

And I agree with Charlotte in this one. It doesn't make sense to me either. Anyway, I'm glad they eventually figured out what they really want. Love the epilogue! ...more

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Jul 02, 2013 Chachic rated it liked it · review of another edition

Recommended to Chachic by: Laura Florand

Shelves: ebooks

Originaly posted here.

I got the recommendation for the Cupcake Club series from Laura Florand. I wanted to try out more contemporary romance that centered around food, especially desserts because I'm a huge fan of sweet things. In Sugar Rush, Lani leaves behind a successful career as a pastry chef and starts her own cupcakery in a small town. I love that Lani was brave enough to leave New York to start her own business and that she feels it's the right move for her even though others believe it' ...more

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Jan 30, 2013 Stacy rated it really liked it

I kinda hate to go with the obvious, trite, analogy, but I just gotta say it--this book was like a cupcake: fun, fluffy, sweet, and totally addictive. Granted, it was a fairly standard romance novel, so there were no surprises on the ending, and Leilani's multiple passages of justifying why she was happy where she was (or, the mirror side of that as other characters had their "grand revelation" that she really was happy) got a bit repetitive eventually. But the characters overall, main and suppo ...more

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Nov 27, 2011 Danielle rated it really liked it

Leilani Trusdale has always had a love for baking. Lani decides to leave New York City and head to Sugarberry Island to escape her past. She knows she is making the right decision well, that is until her former boss, Baxter Dunne makes an appearance in her shop. Chef Hot Cakes wants to film a season of his show there, but it's that all he is there for?

Every one of Lani’s friends is convinced this time around Baxter is what she needs in her life to make it complete. Although, Lani doesn’t believ Leilani Trusdale has always had a love for baking. Lani decides to leave New York City and head to Sugarberry Island to escape her past. She knows she is making the right decision well, that is until her former boss, Baxter Dunne makes an appearance in her shop. Chef Hot Cakes wants to film a season of his show there, but it's that all he is there for?

Every one of Lani’s friends is convinced this time around Baxter is what she needs in her life to make it complete. Although, Lani doesn’t believe so, Baxter will have his work cut out for him for sure. Can Lani get past the betrayal that she thinks Baxter caused in the past and him the chance he has been waiting for?

I really did enjoy this book from the beginning to the very end. The story wasn’t just filled with baking yummy treats, but romance, friendship and a second chance. Lani is a strong heroine who has made some major changes and takes even more chances with her heart.

Baxter was a bit complex. There was so much that happened to him that made him the man he is today. He has had a thing for Lani since the day he took her under his wing to teach her everything she needed to know. Now it is time to get to know the new her, the real her. He doesn’t just have the sexiest British accent but the dreamy looks to go along with it. I want my own Baxter.

Everything about this story was fun and lovable. Kauffman brings in some very funny and creative scenes with frosting and dancing. I found myself smiling and laughing throughout the entire book. I also enjoyed all the emotions that were brought out in each character. Each one has a special quality about them that just adds to the story. The friendships are made of the richest fillings that will keep you craving more. It all made me want to move to Sugarberry Island.

I am truly excited to read the next book in the series, Sweet Stuff, which is due out February 2012. I can’t get enough of this new town, characters and the romances that have bloomed and will continue to bloom in this new series.

Happy Reading!!!!

...more

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Jul 12, 2013 ..Mary.. rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Quando ho detto che volevo aspettare per leggere questo libro, non intendevo aspettare 10 mesi. Va be, almeno adesso posso leggere anche il seguito subito.
Leilani Trusdale ha trentanni, ed è un chef di grande talento che lavora a New York per uno dei più grandi chef famoso in tutto il mondo, ma non ce la fa più, le pressioni e le male lingue da parte dei suoi colleghi gelosi per il suo talento e il carattere dello chef Baxter Dunne, che ormai preferisce i riflettori degli studi televisivi alla c Quando ho detto che volevo aspettare per leggere questo libro, non intendevo aspettare 10 mesi. Va be, almeno adesso posso leggere anche il seguito subito.
Leilani Trusdale ha trentanni, ed è un chef di grande talento che lavora a New York per uno dei più grandi chef famoso in tutto il mondo, ma non ce la fa più, le pressioni e le male lingue da parte dei suoi colleghi gelosi per il suo talento e il carattere dello chef Baxter Dunne, che ormai preferisce i riflettori degli studi televisivi alla cucina, sono diventati per la nostra protagonista insostenibili. Decide cosi di cambiare vita, secondo lei un cambiamento radicale è proprio quello che ci vuole. Cosi Leilani decide di lasciare New York e il posto di executive chef del ristorante Gâteau, per tornare nell'isola di Sugarberry, dove l'amata nonna e sua madre sono nate e cresciute. Non vuole rimanere con le mani in mano e cerca di realizzare il suo sogno: aprire una piccola pasticceria, un luogo magico dove poter creare irresistibili cupcake da decorare nei modi più fantasiosi. Vuole vedere il viso deliziato delle persone che mangiano le sue creazioni, quella si che sarebbe la sua massima soddisfazione. E le cose sembrano andare subito per il verso giusto, grazie all’aiuto degli amici più intimi, del padre, ma soprattutto può contare sul supporto dell'intera comunità di Sugarberry che viene accettata subito da tutti. Questa cittadina è come una grande famiglia e Leilani entra subito a farne parte. Ma la sua oasi di felicità viene minacciata Baxteril suo ex capo. Perchè Baxter ha intenzione di girare la prossima stagione del suo show proprio a Sugarberry, Leilani inizia ovviamente ad agitarsi, ma non può negare di essere anche un pò emozionata, è stata per anni innamorata di lui, e lo è ancora.
Premetto che non è una storia molto originale, ma l'autrice con il suo stile di scrittura e i suoi personaggi riesce a farci dimenticare questo piccolo inconveniente, e farci apprezzare fino in fondo questo magnifico romanzo, dolce come quei deliziosi cupcake sfornati dalla bella pasticciera.
Leilani, ha avuto molto coraggio, abbandonare New York e iniziare da zero, non è da tutti rischiare in questo modo. E' una donna incredibile con un dono straordinario, ed è riuscita non solo a realizzare il suo sogno, ma ha farsi accettare dalla comunità.
Lei cerca in tutti i modi di essere felice e soddisfatta, ma per essere veramente al settimo cielo deve avere Baxter al suo fianco. Deve stare attenta a quello che desidera perchè una mattina il suo ex capo si presenta nel suo negozio. La protagonista cerca di negare di essere in minima parte contenta di rivederlo, e si concentra sulla rabbia che prova verso di lui.
Baxter è un uomo che non ha avuto un'infanzia serena, ha dovuto lottare, spaccarsi la schiena per arrivare dov'è arrivato. Non ha mai avuto una famiglia ma quando ha Leilani vicino si sente a casa, lui la rivuole nella sua vita, ma non sarà per niente facile.
Tutti i personaggi sono una forza della natura, soprattutto la vecchietta Alma o Alva? ora perdonatemi ho un vuoto di memoria pazzesco. Per essere un ottantenne, è un vulcano, vorrei avere solo la metà della sua energia.
Anche io abito in un piccolo paese, ma la gente non è cosi cordiale come quella di questo libro, peccato, vicino cosi esistono solo nei libri.
Vi consiglio di leggere questa storia, con i suoi cupcake, con i suoi personaggi sono sicura che vi conquisterà.
Nel mentre vado a leggere il seguito "Un bacio alla vaniglia" spero non mi deluda.

...more

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Aug 24, 2013 Natalia rated it it was ok

Shelves: ebook, library, 2013

I read this for my book club - we read fluff during the summer. And this is totally fluff. It's a romance set in a cupcake shop - it's all fluff. I don't read a lot of romance, so it was a nice way to spend an afternoon and turn my brain off. Though the whole time I am mentally screaming at the book, "Why are you assuming this is so hard? The compromise is obvious, everyone moves to Savannah!" Hell, I'd love to have problems where the solution is moving to Savannah.

I got a little wrapped up in t ...more

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Sep 20, 2013 Caro rated it liked it

Shelves: contemporary

A good book with good characters and plot. The characters and their personalities were pretty good and definitely kept the book going. I liked the story line and the ending was perfect. There was humor, emotions, some steamy scenes, a great feeling setting and small-town feel, and some spitfires to keep it interesting. This would be a good book for cuddling-up, a rainy day read, or something for relaxing with. Although the main characters tended to get a little on my nerves, it was in a minor wa ...more

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Oct 02, 2014 Steph McVicker rated it really liked it · review of another edition

*This review refers to the Audible Audio Book*

I have a real soft spot for chick-lit rom-com's set in a kitchen, and SUGAR RUSH, book 1 in the Cupcake Club series, was a great addition to my growing collection of sexy food stories.

Leilani Trusdale has made a home for herself in Sugarberry Island, GA, after fleeing a successful job as a pastry chef in NYC partly due to untrue rumors of how she slept her way to the top with her former mentor and boss, Baxter Dunne (aka Chef Hot Cakes). When Baxter
*This review refers to the Audible Audio Book*

I have a real soft spot for chick-lit rom-com's set in a kitchen, and SUGAR RUSH, book 1 in the Cupcake Club series, was a great addition to my growing collection of sexy food stories.

Leilani Trusdale has made a home for herself in Sugarberry Island, GA, after fleeing a successful job as a pastry chef in NYC partly due to untrue rumors of how she slept her way to the top with her former mentor and boss, Baxter Dunne (aka Chef Hot Cakes). When Baxter suddenly shows up in her sleepy little town asking for her bakery, Cakes by the Cup, to be the first on-location restaurant for his hit cooking show, and to give a relationship with him a shot, Lani is floored. She's been half in love with the British baker for years, but not only did he not return her feelings in NYC, he also didn't defend her reputation, which totally broke her heart.

While their initial reunion is prickly, Baxter is certain he can get Lani to agree to see him as something more than just a chef, and spending a few weeks by her side filming his show is the perfect excuse to get close to her once again. But just as Lani stops fighting her feelings and gives in to his roguish charm, the two of them realize that they're now living in two very different worlds, making a real relationship next to impossible.

SUGAR RUSH is my very first Audible book (my first audio book ever, actually), and though I'm less than convinced that listening instead of reading is the way to go, I will admit that it was pretty convenient to be able to get some housework done as I listened to Lani and Baxter's story. One issue I had with this format is that I don't have the ability to highlight or dog-ear a passage, making it difficult to jot down thoughts or notes when they come to me. Additionally, I found that a woman affecting a man's voice in a British accent is quite...disturbing...particularly during the racy scenes. I think I also blushed once or twice when my husband walked in during those particular parts and he gave me "the look" that said "What on earth is THAT?"

Anyway, as far as the story goes, I did really like it. Lani was a hard ass at times, much to her detriment when she starts treating the man she's wanted for years like persona non grata. She came off slightly whiny and needy to me, though I respected the tough decisions she made in life. I felt bad for Baxter, the poor guy. He uprooted his life to go after her, making serious career choices based on where Lani was. Lani just wouldn't give the guy an inch, even after finding out his reasoning for not verbally defending her reputation. I can't really speak as to the heat of the sex scenes too much...they were definitely hot and passionate, but since I felt really awkward listening to them, I can't say I particularly enjoyed them.

The Audible version of SUGAR RUSH was a different experience for me, but this book was fun and sweet enough that I enjoyed it.

...more

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Feb 02, 2016 Rachael rated it really liked it

This book surprised me. I started reading with the expectation of something light and fluffy, something that I could easily read in just a few hours. It was an easy read and I finished it in just two sittings. But, while it was light and fluffy and a pretty standard cut and dry love story, it wasn't full of all of the horrible gimmicks that usually make me give a three star rating.

Of course Lani and Baxter have a lot of issues. Lani left behind a promising career in NYC as an up-and-coming past This book surprised me. I started reading with the expectation of something light and fluffy, something that I could easily read in just a few hours. It was an easy read and I finished it in just two sittings. But, while it was light and fluffy and a pretty standard cut and dry love story, it wasn't full of all of the horrible gimmicks that usually make me give a three star rating.

Of course Lani and Baxter have a lot of issues. Lani left behind a promising career in NYC as an up-and-coming pastry chef and chose instead to set up her own cupcake shop on a small island off the coast of Georgia. She had been hopelessly in unrequited love with her boss Baxter and was no longer able to deal with all the gossip and rumors that accused her of sleeping her way to the top. And she is beyond hurt that Baxter never once stepped in to defend her for her malicious coworkers. So, the story opens with Lani carrying a big chip on her shoulder concerning Baxter and when he shows up in her kitchen wanting to film episodes of his cooking show with her in her kitchen, he's more than a little surprised to find that Lani is not at all happy to see him, especially considering the fact that he's come to realize that he can't live without her.

Now, if this were a typical romance, the rest of the story would revolve around this single issue and there would be a lot of misunderstandings, concealed emotions, with Lani and Baxter both finally confessing their love and things ending happily ever after. But, thankfully, that doesn't happen. Lani and Baxter communicate a lot and are up-front and honest with each other about their feelings, even the negative ones. It was so refreshing. And because they actually talked instead of presuming what the other was thinking and feeling, it allowed their relationship to grow and for them to confront new and unexpected hurdles in their relationship. While reading, I knew that they would end up together- that's not exactly a surprise, but I really couldn't figure out how they were going to get to that ending. I can't even fully express how wonderful it was to not know exactly what was going to happen next while still confident in the happy ending.

And all of that communication actually allowed both Lani and Baxter to grow personally. The Lani and Baxter introduced to us started as cookie cutter leads but they became interesting and relateable, and I was genuinely cheering for them to work things about.

So, while it wasn't the best book that I've ever read, I was pleasantly surprised and am looking forward to the next book in this series. I also got a major craving for cupcakes and ended up making some for myself, so proceed with caution if you're going to pick this book up. ...more

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Feb 08, 2015 Debby (Alwaysbooking) rated it really liked it

This was my first time reading Donna Kauffman. It was a really good romantic read.

Lei of course has a history who doesn't. While she was working in NY she was cool, calm, and collected even though on the inside she was in love with her boss Baxter. After some horrible rumors in New York and some bad things happen back home she decides to change her life plan that doesn't include Baxter. She's doing great in her small town bakery relaxing and enjoying life when he waltzing right back in and ruin ...more

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Aug 30, 2014 Stories rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Blog Stories Review:,http://storiesbooksandmovies.blogspot...

Dolci, colorati, invitanti. In una parola: cupcake! Sono un vero e proprio fenomeno mediatico-gastronomico decisamente non indifferente. Da qualche anno, infatti, questi piccoli pasticcini cremosi e zuccherati hanno conquistato golosi di tutti i generi e le età.

Anche il mondo dei libri non poteva limitarsi a guardare questa ondata di dolcezza: qualcuno doveva farsi portavoce, o meglio, pasticcere per un giorno. Iniziò così l'invasione Blog Stories Review:,http://storiesbooksandmovies.blogspot...

Dolci, colorati, invitanti. In una parola: cupcake! Sono un vero e proprio fenomeno mediatico-gastronomico decisamente non indifferente. Da qualche anno, infatti, questi piccoli pasticcini cremosi e zuccherati hanno conquistato golosi di tutti i generi e le età.

Anche il mondo dei libri non poteva limitarsi a guardare questa ondata di dolcezza: qualcuno doveva farsi portavoce, o meglio, pasticcere per un giorno. Iniziò così l'invasione delle librerie consistente in migliaia - che dico? - milioni di romanzi zuccherati disposti a tutto. E con tutto intendo veramente tutto.

A colpi di stelline, crema pasticcera e pan di spagna è arrivato anche l'agguerrito Un amore di cupcake di Donna Kaufmann, primo volume della serie Cupcake Club, titolo che si rifà palesemente a Fight Club. Purtroppo di questo presunto gruppo segreto/setta/confraternita di calorie c'è solo un'ombra. Sì, solo quella, niente di più. Nasce quasi per caso e viene accennato, per sbaglio, qua e là. Leilani, la protagonista piuttosto ambigua, viene involontariamente trascinata, infatti, in questo progetto campato in aria, ideato - come se una mente tale potesse dare frutti - dall'amica Charlotte e da altre illustri sconosciute poco memorabili.

Ma, allora, cosa cappero centra questo club con la storia? Beh, onestamente, più o meno niente. Esso risulta un semplice contorno alla storia che è una creatura completamente indipendente. Seguendo l'approvato ed acclamato(?) modello di moltissimi altri romance, il libro vede come protagonista una trentenne di nome Leilani. È una cuoca molto brava ed in passato ha lavorato per un famoso locale di New York gestito dall'affascinante Baxter. Dopo aver realizzato di essere innamorata del brillante datore di lavoro, Lei scappa dall'affollata e confusa metropoli per ritirarsi in stile eremita a Sugarberry, un'isola sperduta in Georgia.

Come avrete ormai immaginato, non vi consiglio questa lettura. I personaggi sono stereotipati, non sono minimamente approfonditi, non sono per niente accattivanti. Questo è dovuto anche ad un'assenza completa di descrizioni che aiuterebbero ad orientarsi in questo paesino fantasma.

Buona lettura (che non sia questa!) ;D

-[ Fede ...more

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Jan 28, 2014 Mandy rated it did not like it

After two really sad books, I had to cleanse my palate with the worst fluffiest book in the world. I chose this book to fill my purpose. Here’s why: pink cover, cupcakes everywhere, contemporary romance. It should have worked, right?

It should have. Instead of fluff filled fun-ness, I was left with a book with internal monologue diarrhea. It was seriously everywhere, completely uncontrolled, and dripped from each page. I found myself skimming over pages, literally pages, of emotional internal mo ...more

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Jan 26, 2014 Jae rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: romance-contemporary, borrowed-library, 2014-read

That was quite a sweet story, if you'll forgive the pun, even if it did drag on a bit. I thought that the emotional dilemma was harped on a bit too much, which made the book a bit repetitive? Why couldn't Lani and Baxter try a long-distance thing? Because...reasons. It made me a bit less sympathetic, but I really did enjoy (most) of the struggle.

I was super happy to see Lani call Baxter on his big, supposedly romantic gesture though. I am not a fan of the super-public, overly-involved romantic ...more

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Mar 23, 2012 KatharinaM rated it really liked it

Shelves: contemporary

Quite honestly? I got this book only because of the cupcakes on the cover - I LOVE cupcakes - but I was positively surprised. Not only were the characters both lovable and hilarious (hello, Alva!!!), and frequent use of cupcake therapy was made, but the sincere and intense dialogues between Lani and Baxter made me want so laugh, sigh and cry at the same time. A solid 4 stars for me.

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Jan 22, 2014 Emily rated it liked it

Shelves: grown-up-books, fun-fluff, food-fiction

Why I picked it up: It was in my house. I think Snow gave it to me? It’s a romance novel with cupcakes on the cover; I figured it couldn’t be all bad.

Lani was a big-time pastry chef in NYC but she left for the small island town of Sugarberry, GA and opened her own cupcakery. The chef she learned from and worked under shows up unexpectedly. Lani had feelings for him but never told him; turns out he had feelings for her as well. He has brought his nationally famous television show to Sugarberry an ...more

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Sep 23, 2012 Laura Florand rated it it was amazing

Loved the realness of the characters, the sense of fun, the sweetness to the story (and I'm not just talking about the cupcakes!), and the great details of what it means to be a pastry chef as well as one of my favorite settings, an island on the Georgia coast.

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Mar 21, 2016 Linda rated it really liked it

I really enjoyed this book and the story behind bakeries and cooking shows and how they are produced. Leilani Trusdale was a well renown pastry baker who had accomplished so much in her life but she was still missing something that she finally found when she left New York for a small island near Georgia. It was not a fancy resort island like most of the islands nearby but it was here her father was Sheriff and where her mother had been raised. Here she found peace, quite, and her center. When sh ...more

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