It’s hard to get revenge without getting a rap sheet.After Tempest Cassidy walks in on her husband banging her high school nemesis, her whole world gets turned upside down. She goes from being known as the Duchess of Muffins to the town crazy. Her new MO: revenge.Eventually, Tempest grows weary being arrested. Yet what choice does she have? If she’s not angry, then she’s simply . . . sad.Just as … sad.
Just as she decides to get her life back on track, in walks Cage Erickson, the new bouncer at the local strip club. He’s scary-handsome and the polar opposite of her ex. She’s attracted to him, but she’s not looking for a rebound. He’s attracted to her, but he’s not looking for a serious relationship. So, they agree to be friends.
But when lines get blurred in the friend zone, will they both get burned? Or will it be a TKO?
‘Stud Muffin’ is a full-length contemporary romantic comedy, can be read as a standalone, and is book#2 in the Donner Bakery series, Green Valley World, Penny Reid Book Universe.
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Sweet and so, so funny, another favorite
Donor Bakery book 2, part of the Penny Reid book universe, Green Valley world and another new to me author—well, authors. As to be expected for the bakery setting, Jenn has a small role here, as do Sherriff James and Hank Weller but you really don’t need to have read any of Winston Brothers/Green Valley books to enjoy this. That said, there are a couple of minor references that have more context if you’ve read Cletus and Jenn’s book, Beard Science.
A strangers to friends to lovers story, Cage and Tempest are both dealing with life changing events and struggling to find their new normal. Tempest, ahh, I really feel for her. As someone who is typically calm, but can have an explosive temper once I reach the breaking point (and someone who’s been known to hold a grudge or two), I winced in familiarity as she gave into the urge to throw whatever was handy at her cheating husband, and couldn’t blame her when she couldn’t resist the opportunity to seek a little revenge. Cage says it best: “I love that she’s strong and fierce and sexy as hell.”
As for Cage himself, even before he knew her (and while he was still a little lost himself), he was so sweet with Tempest as he took care of her, I was practically in tears. It didn’t take long for their chemistry to kick in, though neither acted on it right away. “Not only is Tempest Cassidy going to be a temptation, so are her muffins.” I just loved how the two them were together. The only downside was I wanted muffins the entire time I was reading—you know, actual muffins ‘cuz I don’t swing that way, lol.
If my heart hurt for Tempest as she has to deal with the aftermath of her husband’s cheating and her own reactions to it, and for Cage as he tries to find a new path for himself, this story isn’t all sadness and angst, far from it. Tempest was a riot at the grocery store (“And when did the produce section get so erotic?”), and the baby shower and following scene practically had me in hysterics. Seriously, y’all (no, I’m not southern but I can’t help it), I had to stuff a pillow in my mouth to keep from waking up the house with screams of laughter.
In addition to the appearances by familiar faces I’ve already mentioned, there are quite a few new secondary characters added to the mix, including Cage’s four brothers. With his youngest brother coming to Green Valley, I’m hopeful we may get a story for him sooner rather than later. I also loved Tempest’s cousin Cole, and wife Anna (of the baby shower), plus a few love to hate characters, like the ex-husband and the woman he cheated on Tempest with.
Sweet and so, so funny, with a little angst to balance things out, this is a wonderful, life affirming story about not only surviving the storms life throws at us, but learning to grab the new opportunities that come along with both hands. Another addition to my “read more from, stat!” authors list, and another favorite new read that I wouldn’t be surprised to see on my best of 2019 list. 5+ stars
B2B Kelly
This is the perfect example of one event totally transforming a person’s life!! Tempest thought her life was as good as she could ever want it until she went to surprise her husband, and then her entire world flipped upside down.
Take this heartwarmingly steamy sweet journey with Tempest as she figures out what to do next, and if she can learn to trust her own instincts.
If you like books that grab your attention, make you laugh, make you angry for the characters and then make you cheer them on, then this is definitely the book for you!!
This is my first Jiffy Kate book and I have to say I am really mad at myself for not jumping on this train sooner!! I have a lot to catch up on and I am going to thoroughly enjoy reading all I can from this hilarious duo.
I loved Tempest and Cage’s story. Both of them are getting a life reset. Tempest because she caught her lying douche bag of a husband cheating on her with her worst enemy and she kind of let her crazy out afterwards. Cage because he’s learned that his MMA fighting days are over due to his last injury so he takes a job as a bouncer in Tempest’s tiny town thinking it’ll just be a quick stopover. The heat between these two is off the charts but the emotional connection is as well. Together they help each other heal and see a path forward individually and together. It’s a crazy, quirky, swoony wonderful journey full of strong characters and deep storylines. Plus the muffin names are just fantabulous.
Going back to Green Valley and seeing Donner Bakery, what?!?!? This book had me on a roller coaster of feels. I couldn’t put it down. I cooked and held my kindle. I went to the bathroom with my kindle. (I cleaned it) I totally recommend this book to everyone. Here I was worried I wouldn’t relate or understand as I’ve never been divorced. But let me tell you, this book is that good you will still love it.
I love how it opens right into the action. Right away we are peeking at Jen & the new bakery. We see the fun character of Tempest, the Duchess of Muffins.
Then everything takes a huge turn when she gets home. Like shoes flying, shit hitting the fan. I Love Love Redheads. Maybe partial cause I am one. Tempest aka Em aka T is a lovely ginger with spice. “Momma calls them episodes.” That’s a southern thing. My momma always did and said I had them as a teen. Lordy, I gave her grey hair.
VHS players & housecoats! Love it! I love the throw back references from JiffyKate that were unexpected and hilarious.
Cage, a former UFC fighter, friends with Hank since Harvard. Hired to be new bouncer at Pink Pony.
This book is giving me all the feels. Poor girl, I feel a burden lift for her when her divorce is final. I can’t blame her for wanting to celebrate. Even choosing the PP.(I love how she calls her Cousin wife a nun.)
When Cage meets Em I expected some sorta meet cute. Instead it’s drunk bar dancing. Not what I saw coming. And why doesn’t he introduce himself sooner?
I think I like Cage. I hope he likes G.V. I understand what Hank is saying about the small town. We moved to one 3 years ago and I couldn’t think about moving away now. Everyone in everyone’s business. But there is always someone there for you.
I love the way Cage sees Em in the beginning. “Can’t say I pegged her for one to break the law, but it also doesn’t surprise me. There was a fire behind those green eyes… like an angry, sleeping dragon.”
Cage makes me laugh so hard. “Oh, fuck me… fuck him and his pink pony he rode in on.”
Even Em makes me laugh, with the cucumber in the grocery store.
I never understood why girls break their own hearts.
I do love how it comes together in the end. Not so sure about pineapple cupcakes though. I feel like we need some recipes from all of these cupcakes mentioned. Can I get a recipe book next?
I loved this book so much. I laughed and cried (both happy and sad tears). This book was just everything! And I think you’re going to love Tempest and Cage as much as I did.
Tempest finds out that she has a little bit of an anger issue. But then again I would too after finding my husband in bed with the town slut. This girl just can’t seem to catch a break and finds herself in jail on more than one occasion. Everything that she thought was good, has turned into a nightmare for this sweet girl.
Cage finds himself in small-town Tennessee after being injured and no longer able to fight. He luckily has a friend that could use him at his bar (strip club) as a bouncer and he figures he’ll spend a little time and try to navigate what’s next in life. He never expected to run into a firey, fierce redhead by the name of Tempest, who temps him in more ways than one.
These two together were magical. I started this book and could not put it down! Cage is sexy and a beast. Tempest has her moments of insecurities but with Cage’s help (and a little help from the anger management classes she has to take…) she is like a butterfly going through this new metamorphous. The best revenge for Em was finding her true self and owning it.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this book. And it will be a Top Read for me this year for sure!
3.75 stars. Stud Muffin was a pretty good book. This is the second book in the Donner Bakery series, which is a spin off of the Winston brothers series by Penny Reid and part of the Smartypants romance world. This is Cage and Tempest’s story. Tempest works at the Donner Bakery as the muffin specialist. She was happily married to her high school sweetheart and trying for a baby when she caught him cheating in their bed with her high school mean girl nemesis. Very quickly, they are divorced and he is remarried with a baby on the way. Tempest is shocked and very angry about everything that happened. She has some major public meltdowns and even gets arrested for her antics several times. Cage is a former MMA fighter. His career ended when he was injured and he has moved to Green Valley to get a fresh start. He is working as a bouncer at the local strip club when he meets a very drunk patron, Tempest. They become friends and he helps her get back on her feet. Eventually they begin a relationship and have an HFN.
I enjoyed this book. This is the first book I’ve read by Jiffy Kate and it won’t be my last. I liked Tempest and Cage. They were interesting characters and made a good match. There was a lot of focus on her breakup with her ex and drama to do with that right up to the end. It left a rather negative tone and focus on cheating, which felt like it went overboard. I wanted a bit more focus on moving on for Tempest. Also, the relationship between her and Cage was a little too slow burn. I felt strong like between them by the end, but not quite love. I would have liked a further ahead epilogue to see their HEA secured. Still, I found the book entertaining with moments of humor and sweetness. I was happy Tempest and Cage were able to get a new start and find happiness together.
Overall, Stud Muffin was an easy, fun read. Tempest and Cage’s journey was entertaining and sweet. I look forward to more from this series and will definitely read Jiffy Kate again.