Notting Hill meets The Prince & Me in Icing on the Cake, the second standalone laugh-out-loud romance in Ann Marie Walker's Wild Wedding series.
Cassandra Miller doesn’t have time for men. She’s far too busy trying to open a cupcake shop with her silent partner and best friend, not to mention catering her brother’s wedding. And let’s face it, it’s not like Prince Charming is going to stroll into the bakery and sweep her off her feet.
Henry has been a prince his entire life but for one wild wedding he wants to be nothing more than an “Average Joe”, or in this instance, “Average Hank”. However, when a case of mistaken identity and a batch of burned cupcakes ends in a night of passion, Cassie and Hank must decide if theirs is a recipe for disaster or the makings of true romance.
Ann Marie Walker is the author of nine novels, ranging from romantic suspense to romantic comedy. She's a fan of fancy cocktails, anything chocolate, and '80s rom-coms. Her superpower is connecting any situation to an episode of Friends, and she thinks all coffee cups should be the size of a bowl. You can find her at AnnMarieWalker.com, where she would be happy to talk to you about alpha males, lemon drop martinis, or Chewbacca, the Morkie who is kind enough to let her sit on his couch. Ann Marie attended the University of Notre Dame and currently lives in Chicago.
Icing on the Cake by Ann Marie Walker is the second book in the Wild Wedding contemporary romance series. Each book in this series features a new couple so they can all be read as standalones. There is a bit of a glimpse of previous characters though for those that follow the entire series.
In this edition of the series Cassie is helping to cater her brother’s wedding when a man walks into the shop looking for directions. Henry is a prince who had attended college with Cassie’s brother and wanted to spend the weekend without the paparazzi stalking him so he decided to use the name “Hank”.
When Hank meets Cassie he is immediately taken with her and the chemistry between the two flies off the charts. After some wild moments together Hank knows he needs to come clean about his true identity but keeps being held back from doing so but both Hank and Cassie find themselves quickly falling for one another.
I’ve read both books in this series and find them a nice combination of funny moments mixed with incredibly steamy ones. The couple coming together in this installment were both nice characters however I’m not a huge fan of the identity deception trope so this brings in my lower rating on this one. The book was still fun overall but I can’t help but always wish the character in question would just man up and tell the truth sooner.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
“I don’t have time to be swept off my feet.” Cassie opened the recipe book that was sitting on the counter next to her and began flipping through the pages. “Maybe just pressed up against the fridge,” she added with a giggle.
I adored Ann Marie Walker's first book in this series, 'Black Tie Optional.' She has an intelligent and witty writing style that I love. 'Icing on the Cake' however is a complete standalone and you do not have to read the first book in the series. There is nothing angtsy or overly dramatic in this book so if you are in the mood for a funny, sexy story with a guaranteed HEA, then you're in the right place.
"Well you won’t find a cure for re-virginization in one of those cookbooks,” Olivia said. “What you need is a little adventure. Put some spice in your life.”
Cassie is a seriously overworked baker but she LOVES her job. She owns her own business and is visiting a small Georgia town to help with a wedding. Her best friend pushes her to live a little. After all, what better place for a hook-up then a wedding? Also in attendance: "Hank", also known to the rest of the world as Prince Henry. He is desperate for anonymity but is quickly smitten with the smart, sexy Cassie. They have tons of chemistry and the romance is yummy.
Prince Henry ditches his security detail and swears his friends to secrecy. But will Cassie be able to forgive him once she learns his true identity? And will Henry be able to have any kind of normal relationship with Cassie? This story is a fun confection that is humorous, hot and light.
“I might look like a bloke who doesn’t know his way around a kitchen, aside from making a mean bowl of cereal. But I’m a fast study.”
Fast. Fast and furious. Fast and furious against the refrigerator. Or maybe he could just spread her out on the stainless steel counter, lower his head to her—
“What’s next on the list?”
Jeez Louise. Forget cooking foreplay, she was halfway to the finish line all on her own."
I enjoyed this fun & sexy book and appreciated that Cassie was independent and strong-willed. 'Icing on the Cake' is a lovely story if you are in the mood for some sweetness and light mixed in with some hot chemistry.
she might have forgiven her brother for lying to her way too easily but I don't I mean come on..it is def my thing I hate mistaken identity plot twists.. wasn't impressed with the characters...
if you are in the mood for some light no-fuss story check this out and especially if you are into royal/prince storyline
When I read the first book in this series, I thought I’d never find another book with a more perfect blend of humor and romance. Evidently I was wrong because Icing On The Cake is even more delicious than its predecessor. I found Cassie delightful in the first book and couldn’t wait for her story. Hank and Cassie’s story is the perfect mixture of sweet and spicy with a heaping spoonful of humor. If you’ve been craving an amazing romance, this newest addition to the Wild Wedding series will more than satisfy your apetite.
Cassie Miller had a lot on her plate. After leaving her CPA job to pursue her passion for baking, she and Livvy, her silent partner and BFF, were anticipating the opening of Sugar Rush, Cassie’s new bakery. It was what Cassie had dreamed of but it was also a lot of work. So much so that it consumed her every minute. Not only was she preparing for the opening in just two months, but she’d also offered to make the cake for her brother’s wedding this weekend. When Livvy suggests that Cassie take advantage of the wedding for a little relaxing fling, Cassie balks at the idea. With invoices to check and shelves to stock, she had no time for men. Of course, once she returned from the wedding it would be crunch time. This might be her only chance for the romance she’d been lacking in her life. It wasn’t like Prince Charming was going to stroll into her bakery and sweep her off her feet. Maybe Livvy’s idea wasn’t so crazy after all. For the next 3 days, Cassie didn’t have to be an overstressed entrepreneur. Instead, she could be a hot single girl without a care in the world. Royal bloodlines came with lots of perks but they also came with a price. Security, no anonymity, and the paparazzi always stalking “the poster boy for overindulgence” were just a few of the things Prince Henry had to deal with. And it would only get worse once it was his time to take the throne. Even more reason to make the most of his time now. And the upcoming wedding of one of his old school mates was the perfect time to do so. With a little shave and a change of his usual attire, only the bride and groom would have to know who he was. He could have a weekend without the cumbersome title. A normal American experience. For the next 3 days, he didn’t have to be His Royal Highness Prince Henry William Arthur George. He could just be Hank Green, another wedding guest without a care in the world. When Hank runs into Cassie at the bakery she’s using to create the wedding cake, the chemistry between them is immediate. In her wildest dreams, Cassie couldn’t have conjured up anyone more delicious than Hank. He was gorgeous, and that sexy accent and cute little dimple were icing on the cake. Hank was every bit as enchanted with her. She was beautiful. The perfect mix of sexy and innocent. And she smelled divine. Sparks flew immediately. And inhibitions flew out the window. They were different around each other. Cassie found herself uncharacteristically flirting. She’d never been so bold with a man. It was liberating. There was just something about him that made her go from being Martha Stewart to being the Slutty Gourmet. Hank was different too. He was known for being a player- a love them and leave them ASAP kind of guy. But after a few moments with Cassie, he only wanted more. And when they kissed, it was out of control. What started as a wild fling quickly became more complicated than either anticipated. It wasn’t just the physical attraction either. Though that was explosive. They enjoyed being together, talking and sharing their lives. But Hank wasn’t sharing the whole truth. And once the truth came out, so would all the baggage. He knew he needed to tell Cassie who he was but he wanted a little more time with her as Hank before she discovered who he really was.
This is what romance should be. Sexy and fun. I adored Cassie and Hank. They were the perfect match. They both discovered new sides of themselves that they never would have found alone. While content with their lives, they were still missing something. Their time together made them realize they could have everything they wanted if they were willing to seize the moment and take the risk. Even though it was a whirlwind romance, it didn’t feel rushed. The evolution of their relationship felt believable. And the chemistry was intense. The sexual innuendoes alone were off the charts. When they dipped strawberries in chocolate, I was sweating and giggling at the same time. And I will never look at a confessional the same way again! I loved watching Cassie embrace her wild side and I loved seeing Hank find someone worth fighting for. Each was exactly what the other needed. It was wonderful to see Cole and Olivia again too. I always enjoy the banter between them and I hope they’ll pop in for a visit in future books. I’m still hoping for a book about Cole’s sister. And carefree Conor. I think that might be an interesting match. Regardless of whose story it is, I can’t wait to read it. This series has been the perfect balance of funny, witty, sweet, and sexy. Definitely a series made for romance lovers. I voluntarily read an Advanced Readers Copy of this book. This and other reviews can be read at facebook.com/loveat1stread.
I really enjoyed the first book in this series Black Tie Optional, and so, despite the Prince pretends to be a commoner premise, I jumped at the chance to request this book from NetGalley.
I just cannot believe that the two books were written by the same author. The first book was funny and challenged a few romantic tropes. This one, so far, is just such a cliche of a prince from a minor kingdom trying to go incognito at a friend's wedding where he meets a fellow guest, using the local bakery to cook cakes for the wedding.
I get that Prince Henry is supposed to come across as an entitled, thoughtless rich kid but he really had no redeeming features. Ann Marie Walker didn't seem to have even attempted to make him sound royal, an English accent doesn't cut it, and after three uses of the word 'vixen' to describe a wholesome baker (my Kindle tells me the word is used 26 times in the book and 'cock' is used 27 times) I decided I didn't want to read any further. I mean vixen, really? This isn't a Victorian novel FFS.
I have a filthy cold and a lowered tolerance for this kind of ridiculous fiction. Maybe if I read further I would get invested in the characters but I just can't drum up the enthusiasm to try.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
I absolutely loved Ann Marie Walker's Black Tie Optional (BTO) and was so excited to read the second standalone book in the Wild Wedding series: Icing on the Cake. In this book we have Caasie (bestfriend to Olivia from BTO) and "Hank" aka Crowned Prince Henry. I absolutely loved them together and could not get enough of their fiery banter, chemistry and connection!
When Prince Henry is invited to the small town wedding of his college buddy he decides to forego all the pomp and circumstance associated with his title and just go as a "regular" guy aka "Hank". But when he meets the groom's sister, Cassie, lines are crossed and sparks fly in a smoldering night of passion. But what happens when Cassie realizes that her brother's friend and the regular guy next door "Hank" is really a Prince? Can they make it work?
I really enjoyed this novel and liked that Cassie was strong and independent and focused on her new business. Hank was sweet and sexy and this couple had HOT chemistry in spades. All in this was a great addition to the series amd I look forward to more from this author in the future. I would like to thank Netgalley and the SMP romance team for an advanced copy of this book for an honest review. Bravo! 4 stars! ~Ratula
A smokin’ hot prince, a spunky red-head, and delectable cupcakes are the main course of this Rom-Com style novel from Ann Marie Walker.
Cassie is getting ready to open her own cupcake shop in the heart of Chicago. But first, she has to make it through her brother’s wedding weekend in Georgia. She’s rented out the local bakery kitchen to make a zillion cupcakes, the groom’s cake, and the wedding cake as a present for her brother and future sis-in-law. She is focused on the task at hand and has no designs on breaking her dry streak in the sheets. Cassie’s plan doesn’t go exactly they way she wanted, but adding a devilishly handsome European male to the mix was more than welcomed.
Prince Henry decided he would like to lay low for the weekend and has convinced his security team to stay to the shadows while he plays the part of Hank Green, college roommate of the groom. After more than a few grumbles, his team agrees and they check in to a B&B that just happens to be located above the bakery Cassie is working out of. While asking for directions, sparks fly between Cassie and Hank. Things get more than a little crazy as the couple connects physically and emotionally.
Hank was a hard sell for me. On the surface, he seemed like a womanizing playboy. Walker quickly turned him around into the handsome man with a heart of gold walled in by a devastating past. Hank lets Cassie break down that wall while she finds her wild side instead of working herself to the bone. Cassie was easier for me to love. She and I shared a devotion to cupcakes of any combination. Walker should’ve included some recipes with this novel so I can whip up some of Cassie’s delicacies. Alas, I will just have to find some of my own, but reading about them saved me more than a few calories.
If you are looking for a witty romance with a panty-melting prince and a vivacious cupcake darling, Icing on the Cake is the novel for you!
This was my first time reading Walker’s work. While this was the second book in the Wild Weddings series, I never felt lost so can be read as a stand alone. If after reading you want to know more about Cassie’s BFF, Olivia, and billionaire Cole, run to read their story in Black Tie Optional.
I received this book for free. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Fun, sweet and beyond the standard trope of the Royal Romance, I loved Icing on the Cake and think this is Ann Marie Walker's best story to date! The tale is charming and lol-funny and definitely one to add to your TBR!
Cassie and Henry are sweet characters. It's so easy to invest in their happiness; and also to see that their greatest happiness comes when they're together! Henry is anything but an "average Hank" and a name change certainly can't mask his darling smirk and roguish charm. Cassie is drawn to him in a way she's never been attracted to another man; and he feels exactly the same about her. In so many ways they're able to be their true, authentic selves with one another. Even if Hank isn't completely on the up and up.
I know that I'm not the only one counting down the days until Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will tie the Royal Knot. (110 days at the time this review posts live!) There's something about a royal love story. Particularly when the heroine is a commoner AND an American - SWOON! If you're patiently biding your time until the Royal-I-Do's, Icing on the Cake is the perfect way to pass the time!
I think you'll love Cassie and Hank's story and cheer for their HEA! You should definitely one-click this one TODAY!
An advance copy of this book was received. Receipt of this copy did not impact the content or independence of this review. BFF Book Blog also uses a set of icon ratings. This story received additional ratings for: butterflies, character development, funny, romance, steamy, and sweet.
Ohhhh I loved this book!!! This series is so much fun! The romance is amazing and the characters are wonderful and fun-loving.
So this book picks up right after Olivia gets hitched to Cole and are getting ready to open the bakery as partners with Cass. Of course Olivia is giving Cass a hard time about not taking the time to have a relationship. Cass puts all her time into work and getting the bakery ready for opening day. On top of all of this her brother's wedding is coming up and she is in charge of all the cakes and cupcakes for the wedding. Olivia suggests that Cass has a wedding fling. Take time out of her busy schedule and dust off the cobwebs. When a handsome stranger wanders into the borrowed bakery lost, she is floored and her girly bits are starting to feel warm and fuzzy. Maybe a fling is what she needs after all.
Prince Henry wants to be normal Hank for the weekend and stay on the down low, to enjoy his mate's wedding. When he wanders into a bakery lost he runs into the most beautiful woman he has ever met. She has flour on her face, hair messy and smells like vanilla. What he wouldn't do to get her. What happens when the weekend is over?
This is a sweet romantic story with a comedy flair. There is so much entertaining banter between the main characters that it will have you laughing out loud. The characters are wonderful and engaging. Cass and Henry have an electric pull that cannot be denied. The chemistry is strong. Cass is a fiery redhead, who is shy but has a little vixen in her. Henry is a playboy who is used to getting his way, but there is a sense of loneliness about him.
This book is Hallmark Movie worthy. It is like the Prince and Me all over again, with the perfect blend of humor mixed with romance. It makes for a real page turner. With lovable characters and wonderful story plots this book is sure to entertain you for hours. I really hope that the Wild Wedding series has another book in its future.
First of all, I love the titles chosen by the author. Then comes the covers, always fun. And that's exactly what story is all about: fun for the reader.
With all this publicity about the marriage of the male character's homonym, I found it fascinating to know, behind the scenes, what inspired the author to write this novel. --------------------------
Cassandra is totally committed to her work. She always gets more things done than she can handle. She currently has two priorities: her cupcake shop and her brother's wedding. Until one day, Hank, a charming and lost man, asks her for some information. He was new in town.
Cassandra did not know that Hank, actually, was Prince Henry, and he was there for her brother's wedding, but he did not want to get the media attention.
That gave him the perfect opportunity to spend time with that interesting woman. As the days go by, Henry/Hank finds himself wanting something more with Cassandra, but he needs to tell her who he really was. And that's where all the confusion comes from. The many times he tries to tell her and is frustrated.
At some point, these attempts have also frustrated ME a bit, but even so, the comedy is set.
A sweet reading, like the character's cupcakes, and always with an HEA. 4 stars
I simply adored this delicious offering from Ann Marie Walker - one night stands gone terribly right for the win! Check out my full review on Scandalicious Book Reviews; http://bit.ly/2nBjj5t
I wish I could have liked this one more. Cassie and Hank's romance seemed too rushed and made the ending feel unrealistic, especially given who Hank is.
The Icing on The Cake is a book that from the very first page draws you in with great character dialogue between girlfriends. The way the dialogue is written, you feel as if you are just one of the girls. I love when books have great dialogue right off the bat because it really helps you get to know who the characters are. This book has great characters. The story itself takes a little bit to develop but the style of writing allows for the book to be read pretty quickly as the pace of the characters and story is quick. This is an especially great book for those that love the romance of fairy tales as this book specifically is about a girl who falls in love with a Prince. The story is centered around the main character's (a baker) brothers wedding and the majority of the story takes place over the course of a couple days. Throughout the book there are several "50 Shades of Gray" style sex scenes which took me by shock because of how quickly they occurred but rest assured this book is not about sex - it's about love, intimacy, sexual chemistry and a sweet fairy tale. The only thing that would have made this book a huge hit with me would have been if the author had included recipes throughout seeing that the main character is a baker. I love when authors do that! Overall a good read! I did receive this book free on Net Galley but my opinion is independent of how I received the book.
A prince in disguise... Henry just wants one weekend where he can be himself. He decides to go incognito at his friend's wedding. How was he to know he'd meet a sassy baker who brings heat and passion to his weekend. Can "Hank" and Cassie keep it as a one weekend stand?
From the get go I wanted to love this book. It checks all the boxes. I wanted to know more at the end (I'm a logistics kind of girl), and since this is a series (that can be read as a standalone), I am pretty sure I might get my answers there. I just wanted them now!
Definitely one click this if you like steamy hot fairy tales!
Icing On The Cake is a fun, sexy, sweet romance! I loved Hank(Henry) and Cassie! Cassie was working on opening her cupcake shop and Hank was a prince who has come to her brothers wedding disguised as a regular guy. After a night together they realize they want more. Hank knows he has to tell Cassie the truth. Will he be the one that tells her or will his secret catch up to him? I loved this story! I loved the secret prince/Prince Charming storyline! I love the Wild Wedding series! I can’t wait for the next book!
How does a heart bounce back from being Walkerized? Amidst the laughter and temptation, lies an enchanting amount of emotion. Icing the Cake takes the sweetest part of romance and turns into a spicy brand of fun.
Swoon alert. Not only will Icing on the Cake make you swoon, give you gooey feelings but it also will make you giggle. I love Icing on the Cake. The pages flew by before I knew it and I was so not ready for this one to be over. I mean come on who wouldn't want a Prince Henry (Hank) in your life. Cassie is just your girl next door you can't help to love. You wish she was your best friend so you can have endless supplies of cupcakes too. Once you see the sparks fly between Hank and Cassie you can't help but watch all the sparks fly. Hank may be known as a Prince with a reputation but like everyone he is just looking for time to be himself for once. I love how everything unfolded between Hank and Cassie. It was beautiful. Be prepared to giggle out loud with a little help from Cole, Olivia and Connor too. If you don't know those names then clearly you need to read Black Tie Optional too. I'm so hoping for Connors book next because I simply can't wait for more from this group of friends.
This is the first book that I’ve read from Ann Marie Walker and I really enjoyed this book. Cassie might not have time to find her Prince Charming what with her trying to open her cupcake shop but one weekend changes her view on that. Meeting Hank, Cassie realizes what she was missing in her life. Hank aka Henry was trying to have a weekend to be a normal guy but meeting Cassandra and getting to know her makes him realize that lying to her about who he really was might not have been a very good idea. Icing on the cake was a really great book and I can’t wait to read more of Ann Marie Walker’s books.
***Received this ARC by NetGalley as an exchange for an honest review.
Cassandra Miller would love to have the same kind of romantic luck as her best friend, Olivia. Unfortunately, she has always attracted jerks and now that she and Olivia is opening up a new bakery, her time is limited. To make matters worse, her brother is getting married and she offered to make the wedding cake as a gift to the bride and groom. Olivia is pushing her to let loose for one weekend but what are the odds of that happening when she can barely leave the kitchen?
Prince Henry is excited to come to the states for one of his best friend’s wedding. He and Matthew have been friends since their college days. The town is small and Henry doesn’t want to attract too much attention so he decides to go shave his hair and change his name for Hank for the next three days. His grandmother, the Queen, would lose her mind if she ever found out. He plans to be on his best behavior and support his best friend. He never imagined meeting his sister and spending the best weekend of his life in the small town.
I really did enjoy this book. While it is predictable and easy flowing, it ticks off all of the boxes to be a sweet and delightful romantic comedy. Cassie and Hank’s banter is hilarious. The chemistry between them is off the charts. Yes, it is just suppose to be a weekend of fun and sex but I love that they share so much in common.
I held my breath because Hank refuses to share his identity with Cassie despite Matthew warning him to do. When everything blows up and more drama is added into the mix, I became a bit worried on how everything would tie together. Obviously, it did. I love Cassie’s references to some of the most popular romantic comedy movies because Hank doesn’t have a clue.
I love discovering new authors. I can’t wait to go back and read the first book in this series because Olivia’s dirty mind and mouth had me in tears. I want to know her story. I hope there is more in the series to come. Fans of romantic comedies will enjoy this story.
I received a complimentary arc from Netgallery for review.
I loved the first book in the series. This story stands alone but includes characters from the first book as well. Cassies the best friend of the heroine from book 1. And I totally loved her. She is a strong, independant woman and is very busy baking for her brothers wedding when she meets Hank.
Hank is Prince Henry and he has decided to go to his ex roomies wedding as Hank, a normal guy. He meets Cass and at first doesn't realise she is his friends sister. Meanwhile he wants her to get to know the man behidn the prince so he does not tell her who he is.
It was a sweet romance and I enjoyed all the characters. My real issue with the story was two fold. 1. Most of it happens in another city, as it is where the wedding takes place 2. Until the last minute Cass does not know Hank is Henry
I really like seeing a couple being a couple and that means being a part of their real lives rather than a vacation from home. While I enjoyed the story I wanted to see more of after the big secret is out rather than the time when Cass does not know the secret.
Thant said it was a sweet and very hot book and I really enjoyed it.
OMG ICING ON THE CAKE by Ann Marie Walker was just an outstanding book, I was hooked from page one and was so disappointed when the end of the book came, I wanted so much more. There has not been an Ann Marie Walker that book that I have not loved to pieces.
This book is about Cassandra Miller and her brothers wedding and letting loose for the first time ever, what she did not realize was the man she choose for her weekend of fun was an actual Prince. The romance that starts between Cassandra and Henry aka Hank was hot enough that it could have heated the ovens to cook the cupcakes for Cassandra's brothers wedding. There were only happy moments between Cassandra and Hank, that is till the press revealed who he really was and breaks Cassandra's heart with all the "lies" he told her (in order to have a normal weekend). Can this relationship be fixed with a cupcake catering job?
I was so in love with Cassandra and Henry, please give us more, although this is the second book in the series you do not have to have read book one in order to understand the story line of this book (but book one was just as great so I would suggest you read it all the same).
A delightful, well written royal romance. Cassie, a pasty chef meets Hank a prince in hiding while making bake goods at a borrowed shop for her brother's wedding. Cassie was ready to forget the up coming opening of her own bakery for a few days and what better way to do that then by having a weekend fling with the handsome stranger. Hank (Price Henry) was her brother's college roommate and was hoping to attend his friend wedding away from the press's prying eyes. But you know how secrets have a way of being exposed at the worst possible moment making it harder to set things straight. Their adventure to love was filled with steam and humor. This book can be read as a standalone but if you enjoyed the first book in the series "Black Tie Optional" Olivia and Cole's continuing story is included in this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy provided by St. Martin Press/NetGalley.
This book hits different feelings. From the first chapter I was hooked. What happens when a prince wants to be normal? He has an adventure he will never forget. When we first meet Cassie she’s all business and has no fun. But Prince Hank had different plans.
This book is worth the read. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Icing on the Cake by Ann Marie Walker is the 2nd book in the Wild Wedding series, and my first book by this author. This book is a steamy romance, not my usual genre, but it was OK. This book is a quick read, and perfect for those who enjoy this genre.
I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Cassandra Miller hasn't been with a man in a long time, so she's decided to take her friend's advice and have a fling while away at her brother's wedding. However, she never imagined she'd fall in love with the man she chooses. Yet, Hank Green is keeping a huge secret and when she discovers the truth that his real name is Henry and that he's a prince, will she be able to forgive the fact that he broke her trust, or will she walk away from her chance at happy ever after?
I really enjoy Ms. Walker's books and this second story of her Wild Wedding series was such a delightful and compelling read that was full of hot romance; wonderful main characters and fascinating second ones; and the dialogue was riveting, as Henry brings out a side of Cassandra that she doesn't normally show to anyone. In fact, she's playful and a total vixen around him where as she's usually quite boring as she puts it.
The way this story started drew me into this story immediately, as Cassandra is finally living the dream in that she's opened a cupcake shop and is doing something she loves. However, it was her discussion with her best friend that had me laughing, because Cassandra definitely has a dilemma. How can she not follow her best friend's advice? Yet, it was from the moment Henry and Cassandra come face-to-face for the first time that had me reading quickly, determined to discover how long it would take for the heroine to get lucky since she and Henry have splendid chemistry that needs to be explored sooner rather than later.
Both the main characters were wonderful, but it was the secondary characters that had me liking this story even more, as their advice definitely needs to be taken to heart by this hero and heroine otherwise they don't stand a chance of forever after once everything goes awry in their relationship. Will Henry be able to make things right once the truth comes out about who he really is? Will Cassandra's stubbornness keep her them apart? Moreover, the heroine is strong and brave in giving Henry a chance and then with what she has to deal with when their relationship goes awry. I also liked how enthused and passionate she is about her new venture in opening a cupcake shop and being able to bake for a living, because it's a dream come true. Yet, what I liked most of all about the heroine was the close relationship she had with her brother and that he would do anything to protect her.
Although, in saying that, I loved what he did for her towards the end to make her see that her stubbornness was exhausting and that she should forgive Henry because nothing is more important than love and happiness, which he believes she found with the hero. While the hero, I could understand his need to just be an average guy because he's always in the spotlight and doesn't want to take the focus off the soon-to-be bride and groom. Really, he's a good guy that is determined to have fun and not turn the wedding into a media circus. I also liked how determined Henry was to win the heroine over, because she fascinates him and he can't seem to get her out of his head.
Overall, Ms. Walker has delivered a fantastic read in this book where the romance was hot and heady and had me liking these two together, as Cassandra needs a wonderful man such as Henry in her life in order to make sure she's having fun both personally and professionally; and the ending had me liking that the hero doesn't give up on winning Cassandra back, even though she gives him every reason to with her stubbornness. Will the heroine listen to the hero's plea of forgiveness? Will she be able to handle the fact that he's a prince if they get back together? Yet, what I liked most of all about the ending was the last line and how it ties in with the title of this book. I would recommend Icing on the Cake by Ann Marie Walker, if you enjoy the mistaken identity trope, the opposites attract trope, the brother's friend trope, or books by authors Kira Archer, Jennifer Probst, Kate Meader and Jessica Lemmon.
Who can't resist a romance at a wedding when a member of the British Royal Family is attending?
Prince Henry's reputation with the ladies has given the tabloid press far too many stories to print over the years. The playboy acknowledges his life and privileged background interests people around the world but sometimes he wishes his every exploit wasn't a headline in a newspaper. When his friend from university invites him to celebrate his wedding, Henry is keen to attend without alerting the paparazzi, so he hatches a plan, calls himself Hank and hopes he can attend without drawing attention away from the bride and groom.
Cassie Miller doesn't have time for men and romance because she has spent all her adult life chasing her dreams. After becoming an accountant, she decides to give it up and become a pastry chef and open her own bakery. She loves what she does, but working sixteen hours a day leaves no time for fun or an occasional fling, a situation she hopes to change after she finishes baking the cake for her brother's wedding.
The dialogue between the protagonists and the secondary characters is fun, and sexy, although sometimes it's a bit excessive, childish and repetitive. As a British Prince, I didn't find his persona convincing and found him immature when I expected him to act with a little more decorum and grace. Those character traits did eventually show, but we had to wait until near the end of the novel to get a hint of the man born to be king. As Hank, his role as average American didn't convince me either, so I was totally unimpressed by him. Apart from his need to bed women, there wasn't much about him that was endearing.
The banter between Cassie and her best friend Olivia is typical girl talk; amusing observations about men and sex. Like Henry, I didn't feel I got to know who Cassie really is throughout the storyline. The concept of the narrative is fun and enjoyable but it lacked character development to make the hero and heroine's relationship convincing.
I really enjoyed Black Tie Optional, the first book in the Wild wedding series and it was nice we can catch-up with Cole and Olivia, the protagonists in Icing On The Cake. What I found difficult in this novel was how different it read from the previous one. Even the dialogue between Cole and Olivia seemed childish and overly sexual. The same for Hank (Henry) Considering he's supposed to be royal, his thoughts and actions didn't fit his persona, even though he was incognito.
Overall, its a fun read even though I prefer the first book in the series because the feel of this one is so different. However, if Ms Walker writes more in this series, I'm likely to pick up and read them when they're released.
***arc generously received courtesy of Swerve via NetGalley***