The Icing on the Cupcake

Starred review from May 1, 2010
Texas Southern belle Ansley is on the brink of getting engaged when her boyfriend reveals that he just doesn't like her very much. Her general cattiness and downright meanness have gotten the best of her, and she finds herself fiancé-less as well as friendless. When she runs off to New York City to live with her estranged grandmother, she realizes it's time to find a purpose for her life and turn things around. Cooking and baking skills run in the family, and she soon decides to open a cupcake bakery all on her own. VERDICT Debut author Ross shows real skill for realistic characters and funny situations. Chick-lit lovers and fans of food fiction will eat up this one, which includes cupcake recipes. [Ebook ISBN 978-0-345-51906-1.]

Copyright 2010 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 15, 2010
Ansley thought her fianc', Parish, loved her unconditionally until he dumps her. In order to escape the subsequent gossip and pity, she heads to New York City to visit her maternal grandmother, Vivian, whom she has never met. While Vivian is delighted to have the chance to reconnect with her family, she currently has problems of her own: her recently deceased husbands creative tax shelters have brought down the wrath of the IRS, specifically agent 1432. As a way of coping, Ansley begins baking cupcakes, and as she mixes up batches of home-baked goodness, she realizes she may have stumbled on the answer to her and her grandmothers problems. Striking the perfect balance between tart wit and sweet romance, Ross spoons up a thoughtful blend of chick lit and womens fiction, complete with a tempting assortment of cupcake recipes, the icing on this irresistible culinary literary creation. For a list of culinary romance novels, see the Read-alikes column, Seasoned with Love on p.28.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)