The Cupcake Queen

Title: The Cupcake Queen Author: Heather Hepler Publisher: Dutton (Penguin) Number Of Pages: 242 Publication Date: September 17^th, 2009

Synopsis from back of book: When her mom moves them from the City to Hog’s Hollow, Penny’s life isn’t at all what she expected. Instead of running an art gallery, Penny’s mother is now running a bakery that only sells cupcakes—and guess who has to help. Actually, that part isn’t bad. The bad parts are leaving her father and friends behind in the City. Penny’s parents have separated, but neither one will tell her what the future holds for them. And then there’s Charity, the girl at her new school who’s out to get Penny for some unknown reason.

Penny finds some bright spots in the small seaside town that is obsessed with its annual Hog’s Hollow pageant and parade. There’s Tally, and expert in playing Rock Paper Scissors, and Tally’s friend Blake, who can make even tomato picking fun. Best of all, there’s Marcus, the boy who runs on the beach with his dog every night—and has a knack for running into Penny.

Just when it looks as though Penny is settling into her role as Cupcake Queen, her parents ask her to make a choice that will turn everything upside down again. Will her life ever be the way it should be?

This confection of a novel has enough city sophistication and small town charm to appeal to anyone who has ever wished for a sweet and happy life.

Review: The Cupcake Queen was simply cute. I read it in a day, and everything about this book is completely adorable. One of the cutest books I have read this year!

The characters were all quirky, and different. You really get to know them all by the end of the book, especially Penny! Penny is relatable, and fun to read about. Tally is a Rock Paper Scissors extraordinaire and someone I would like to be friends with in real life. But, I could go on and on about the characters.

The writing was superb, and the way Heather describes the small town of Hogs Hollow made me feel like I WAS there. The plot may not seem super original but the execution made it original, if that made sense. Also, Heather’s descriptions of the cupcakes were amazing, I totally craved cupcakes while reading it.

Overall, The Cupcake Queen is not to be missed if you like cute, sweet novels, and romance. And of course CUPCAKES!!!

I recommend this book if you like young adult novels, romance, and cupcakes.