How to Eat a Cupcake is a light read that I'd recommend for anyone who likes stories about estranged friends coming back together for a cause. Of course, in this case, the cause is a cupcakery, which is honestly the part that really drew me in.

Though the story is slow to get to it, the element that kept me wanting to read was Julia's secret that prompted her to suddenly quit her job in New York and return home to San Francisco. I was wrong with my guess of what her secret was, which felt weird because I'm normally better at predicting these things. It did give me a better perspective on why Julia was acting the way she was in the beginning of the novel and when it was revealed it was definitely a turn for the better of her mending friendship with Annie.

Annie was a character I liked for the most part. She was guarded due to the hurt she experienced in high school and from losing her mother at only 18 years old. I could relate in the way that I'd be lost without my mom if anything happened to her, even though she's not my only family (I'm just very close to her). It was more her playful sarcasm that won me over, especially when it was aimed toward Julia, because it showed that she was learning to forgive Julia's actions as a teenager and give their friendship another shot.

The mystery behind who is trying to sabotage the cupcakery was another plot point that is worth reading for, though the answer is a little weird in my opinion. I think I would have preferred the author to go a different way with it, but it is what it is.

Overall, I liked this book for the most part, and I think others will too, as long as you don't expect too much from it. ( )

Annie Quintana is a talented but underpaid baker in San Francisco and the daughter of the wealthy St. Clair family's former housekeeper. When Julia, the prodigal St. Clair daughter and Annie's erstwhile friend, returns to her home, the two women rekindle their friendship and open a cupcake shop. They also stir up some buried feuds and solve the mystery of Annie's mother's death. "How to Eat a Cupcake" makes for good chick lit. The alternating perspective between Annie and Julia helps keep the story moving forward and provides a glimpse into each woman's thoughts. The story moves quickly and reads well, perfect for a weekend read, but the ending seems a little too much. This is Donahue's debut novel, and for the first time out of the gate, she really did well.

Amy R. / Marathon County Public Library
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I definitely liked this book and I'd give it 3.5 stars easily. There were some cute moments, some good friendly banter, and some emotional areas. Julia's secret was something I wasn't expecting, but I'm glad I was wrong. One of the main things I didn't care for was the side story with Jake.

Overall, good book! And it made me really hungry for cupcakes each time I opened it up! ( )

Quick read that was one of those dollar deals on nook. Pretty sure there were no surprises. I do have a cupcake eating technique, but only when alone. Public cupcake eating is pretty straightforward. ( )

downloaded sample to read first (pricey for a kindle book so will have to blow me away)