Author: Jenny Colgan
Genre: Chick-lit
Rating: 4/5
Verdict: A light, fun and lovely read!
After reading a couple of dark and serious novels about immigrants, I was looking to pick-up something that was really light-weight and fun. I came across this book on a couple of book review blogs and given my huge addiction to all things-cupcakes, I just had to pick this up and I'm glad I did.
From goodreads:
"Come and meet Issy Randall, proud owner of The Cupcake Cafe. Issy Randall can bake. No, more than that - Issy can create stunning, mouth-wateringly divine cakes. After a childhood spent in her beloved Grampa Joe's bakery, she has undoubtedly inherited his talent. When she's made redundant from her safe but dull City job, Issy decides to seize the moment. Armed with recipes from Grampa, and with her best friends and local bank manager fighting her corner, The Cupcake Cafe opens its doors. But Issy has absolutely no idea what she's let herself in for. It will take all her courage - and confectionery - to avert disaster"
This is a wonderful story about a woman finding the courage to follow her dreams, keeping faith and pursuing her passion in life while developing wonderful friendships and finding true happiness and love along the way! The central character Issy Randall grows up with her grandfather, who is a baker. After getting laid off from her job at a real-estate agency and being ditched by her boss-boyfriend on the same day, she decides to use the redundancy money from her lost-job and the time off to pursue her dream - running her own bakery. This is a huge step for Issy and the rest of the story is about how she uses her skills and talent to transform her life and in the process finds a network of supporters and friends who all come forward to help her become successful in her venture. The recipes found in this book sound absolutely delicious and mouth-watering. Each chapter starts with a recipe for a cake/pastry and beware - by the time you finish reading the book, you will be left craving for some thin-as-air fluffy cupcakes with lip-smackingly yummy buttercream icing.
All of the supporting characters in the book were really endearing and lovable. Jenny makes it a point explain much detail about each of them that in the end, you want all of them to succeed in their lives. All of the characters leave a special mark and touch your heart and bring a smile to your face when you think about each one of them. Be it Helena, Issy's best friend, or Pearl who helps Issy in starting her cupcake cafe, or Caroline who was deserted by her husband. The strength with which all of the women stuck together in running the business during times of crisis and support each other was very heart-warming. I really enjoyed the romance and the spark between Issy and Austin, the cute banker guy. Al though the story is very predictable, nevertheless, it doesn't stop you from turning the pages to know what is Issy's next move. Even the death of Grampa Joe was really well-handled by Jenny and not as emotional as I thought it would be. As I turned to the last page, I really wanted to step inside the cupcake cafe and have a nice long chat with all of the women in the book over a nice cup of coffee and some of Issy's adorable cupcakes.
This is a really feel-good book and if you are a chick-lit fan, I strongly recommend this. Its a delightful read best enjoyed munching on some yummy treats!
Genre: Chick-lit
Rating: 4/5
Verdict: A light, fun and lovely read!
After reading a couple of dark and serious novels about immigrants, I was looking to pick-up something that was really light-weight and fun. I came across this book on a couple of book review blogs and given my huge addiction to all things-cupcakes, I just had to pick this up and I'm glad I did.
From goodreads:
"Come and meet Issy Randall, proud owner of The Cupcake Cafe. Issy Randall can bake. No, more than that - Issy can create stunning, mouth-wateringly divine cakes. After a childhood spent in her beloved Grampa Joe's bakery, she has undoubtedly inherited his talent. When she's made redundant from her safe but dull City job, Issy decides to seize the moment. Armed with recipes from Grampa, and with her best friends and local bank manager fighting her corner, The Cupcake Cafe opens its doors. But Issy has absolutely no idea what she's let herself in for. It will take all her courage - and confectionery - to avert disaster"
This is a wonderful story about a woman finding the courage to follow her dreams, keeping faith and pursuing her passion in life while developing wonderful friendships and finding true happiness and love along the way! The central character Issy Randall grows up with her grandfather, who is a baker. After getting laid off from her job at a real-estate agency and being ditched by her boss-boyfriend on the same day, she decides to use the redundancy money from her lost-job and the time off to pursue her dream - running her own bakery. This is a huge step for Issy and the rest of the story is about how she uses her skills and talent to transform her life and in the process finds a network of supporters and friends who all come forward to help her become successful in her venture. The recipes found in this book sound absolutely delicious and mouth-watering. Each chapter starts with a recipe for a cake/pastry and beware - by the time you finish reading the book, you will be left craving for some thin-as-air fluffy cupcakes with lip-smackingly yummy buttercream icing.
All of the supporting characters in the book were really endearing and lovable. Jenny makes it a point explain much detail about each of them that in the end, you want all of them to succeed in their lives. All of the characters leave a special mark and touch your heart and bring a smile to your face when you think about each one of them. Be it Helena, Issy's best friend, or Pearl who helps Issy in starting her cupcake cafe, or Caroline who was deserted by her husband. The strength with which all of the women stuck together in running the business during times of crisis and support each other was very heart-warming. I really enjoyed the romance and the spark between Issy and Austin, the cute banker guy. Al though the story is very predictable, nevertheless, it doesn't stop you from turning the pages to know what is Issy's next move. Even the death of Grampa Joe was really well-handled by Jenny and not as emotional as I thought it would be. As I turned to the last page, I really wanted to step inside the cupcake cafe and have a nice long chat with all of the women in the book over a nice cup of coffee and some of Issy's adorable cupcakes.
This is a really feel-good book and if you are a chick-lit fan, I strongly recommend this. Its a delightful read best enjoyed munching on some yummy treats!
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