by Donna Kauffman
Narrator: Amanda Ronconi
Length: 11 hrs and 7 mins
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: Audible
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Narration: 4 cups
Devil's Food...Angel Cake...Red Velvet...Praline Crunch...Lemon Chiffon...How's a woman to choose? Luckily, the members of the Cupcake Club are about to taste it all... When baker extraordinaire Leilani Trusdale left the bustle of New York City for Georgia's sleepy Sugarberry Island, she didn't expect her past to follow. Yet suddenly, her former boss, Baxter Dunne, aka Chef Hot Cakes, the man who taught her everything pastry, wants to film his hit cooking show in her tiny cupcakery. The same Chef Hot Cakes whose molten chocolate brown eyes and sexy British accent made Lani's mouth water and her cheeks blush the color of raspberry filling - stirring all kinds of kitchen gossip, much of which Lani wished was true... Lani's friends are convinced that this time around, Baxter is the missing ingredient in her recipe for happiness. But convincing Lani will be a job for Baxter himself. And he'll need more than black velvet frosting to sweeten the deal... Recipes included!
I listened to the audio version of Sugar Rush, the first book in the Cupcake Club by Donna Kaufman and narrated by Amanda Ronconi. Sugar Rush was a fun, predictable romance with cupcakes! It was friends, or should I say former associates to lover’s romance. Sugar Rush made me laugh, with its small –town setting, banter and community.
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 chef in New York to this quaint little town, near her father. She was not escaping just the big city though. She had a serious crush on her boss Baxter Dunne, aka Chef Hot Cakes. Despite the rumors in their kitchen, there was no cooking after hours. Convinced Baxter only saw her as a chef; she moved away to get over him. Guess who is coming to town, and wants to film a segment from her little cupcake shop? Yep, with his smexy British accent that makes Leilani’s insides melt like chocolate lava.
- Baxter is hilarious, and apparently, he has been harboring feelings for Leilani as well. She thinks she is finally happy and over her crush..nevertheless, the man is persistent, and it led to some intense moments.
- Meddling best friends, side romances, small-town drama and cupcakes added to the story.
Decaffeinated Aspects
- Sometimes Leilani thought too much and hashed things out in her head and to us as she did so. This made for some repetitive areas that I would have been happy to miss.
- The romance is slow building, and sometimes I wanted both parties to go at it like monkeys and just admit they had a thing for each other instead of gawking and declaring things like, “We shouldn’t, It will never work, We should be reasonable adults.” I wanted to fill their mouths with frosting and lock them in the pantry.
Overall Sugar Rush was a fun, foodie romance that made me smile. Perfectly whipped and fluffy for a nice escape.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Donna C
I’m a sucker for books with something yummy looking on the cover. Sounds like a quick, fun read.
kimbacaffeinate
It was a cute, fun, listen great for a short road trip 🙂
Katherine
I just recently discovered Kauffman and have been enjoying her Bachelor’s of Blueberry Cove series. I’m definitely interested any book about cupcakes and thrown in that it’s written by an author I enjoy and I’m definitely in! I’ll be prepared to be patient for the slow moving romance though!
kimbacaffeinate
I need to check out that series, despite a few issues, this was a fun read
Cyn
I love Donna Kauffman’s fairy tale romances, but I haven’t checked out the cupcake series yet! I know how much you love small town romances, glad to hear this was enjoyable!
kimbacaffeinate
This was a first for me and despite some frustration, I really enjoyed it 🙂
Lisa
This looks super cute! Especially with that adorable cover. 🙂 I’m glad to see you enjoyed it overall!
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Lisa, it was cute 🙂
Siiri
Cupcake Club seems like the perfect series name! I’d want to be a part of one lol. I loooove food and cooking so reading about these wouldn’t hurt too much 😉 HAAAAA!!!! I already ship them and I’m so glad you liked Baxter. Heh! Side romancs and small-town drama is always good 🙂 I love my romances slow, but there does indeed come a point where I just want them to get it on or something ad not fight it, so I get you. I’m glad you enjoyed as a whole, Kim!
Siiri @ Little Pieces of Imagination
kimbacaffeinate
Exactly Siri 🙂
Paij Slater
I just love how you separate you likes and dislikes :). I love it when books have recipes with them, it makes it so fun. Great review 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Paij. I use different formats for what fits the book and what I want to say 🙂
Diana Leigh
Very sweet! I love that the setting is a Georgia island.
kimbacaffeinate
Agreed between the foodie stuff and setting I knew I had to read it 🙂
Braine Talk Supe
I want a cupcake…
I’ve read a few books where I want to lock up the MC’s and give them lots of porn, lube, and condoms so they can do the deed and be done with it. Yup, it’s frustrating.
kimbacaffeinate
:snort: I want a cupcake too
Melissa (Books and Things)
Oh I’m not sure about this one. I mean I think I would be hungry throughout the whole book. LOL Actually this one sounds cute and something I would enjoy. Might have to try the audiobook.
kimbacaffeinate
Yeah, you need a box of donuts, coffee and a tub of frosting for sure..LOL
Angela Adams
Thanks for the post!
kimbacaffeinate
Anytime Angela.
Lauren
I have a feeling this would make me hungry! 🙂 Sounds like a fun listen!
kimbacaffeinate
Oh it does, I was craving sweets all day 🙂
Laurel-Rain Snow
Oh, I love cupcakes!! And British accents…LOL.
Sounds like fun. In the audio format, does the narrator do the British accent?
kimbacaffeinate
Hehe, she gave each character a unique voice, so a little of that Brit was there.
Nick
Haha! Sticking frosting in their mouth and locking them in a pantry. LOL! 😀
I love the sound of the bakery and you know I enjoy a good slow burn romance, but I would be irritated by the constant pushing away of each other. That would frustrate me very much.
Lovely review, Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
Yeah, I was feeling naughty 🙂
Debbie Haupt
OOH small town busybodies and baking a delectable combination and great review. Thanks Kimba 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Agreed, just need a little coffee
Jennifer Bielman
I hate when characters are too much in their head. But this book looks adorable….and tasty. I’m hungry now.
kimbacaffeinate
It is adorable, and made me seriously hungry 🙂
Melliane
Oh yes we have these ones translated in French but I confess that I haven’t read any. It sounds cute and sweet though and maybe one day. But I know it’s not something I’ll jump on to buy.
kimbacaffeinate
It was fun and sweet Melliane
Christy
You are really burning through audiobooks now. This book sounds like a lot of fun. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
That is because I can listen and clean, cook, shop, mow etc.
Lupdilup
Sounds cute Kimba, and I do enjoy the narrator, but I have to wonder if I’m going to feel like sticking more than just frosting in their mouth…lol You make me laugh 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
hehehe…yeah. It was fun though