As two neighborhood shop owners battle for business, they prove opposites attract in this “deliciously sweet and savory new romantic comedy” (USA Today bestselling author Abby Jimenez). Blaire Calloway has planned every Instagram-worthy moment of her cupcake and cocktails shop launch down to the tiniest detail. What she didn’t plan on? Ronan Knight and his old-school sports bar next door … Knight and his old-school sports bar next door opening on the very same day. He may be super swoony, but Blaire hasn’t spent years obsessing over buttercream and bourbon to have him ruin her chance at success.
From axe throwing (his place) to frosting contests (hers), Blaire and Ronan are constantly trying to one-up each other in a battle to win new customers. But with every clash, there’s also an undeniable chemistry. When an even bigger threat to their business comes to town, they’re forced to call a temporary time-out on their own war and work together. And the more time Blaire spends getting to know the real Ronan, the more she wonders if it’s possible to have her cupcake and eat it too.
Oh my hat, I seriously laughed out loud with this one. I love love Helena Hunting books, you cn always count on that ‘feel good’ type of feeling while reading her books.
When Blaire decides to open her own cupcakr and cocktails shop she didn’t plan on a sexy, stubborn, loud mouth lumberjack to start renovating his new bar just as she wasplanning her opening.
After a showdown with Ronan all bets are off and now it’s survival of the fittest
I loved these two and their hilarious and sometimes flirty Banter, especially that fist meeting :
Kiss My Cupcake
Freaking hilarious. I loved everything about this book. And if you in the mood for some lightheaded reading then this is the one
Sweet with a lot of sass! A very nice guy, friendly and playful, meets this sassy, June Cleaver dressing type who doesn’t fall for his charms. He has his work cut out for him if he wants them to get along as business neighbors. This was a fun, charming story!
Blaire comes from restauranteurs royalty, but she decided to strike out on her own. When you meet her family, you’ll realize why, it’s a necessary move to keep her sanity. After many years of incessant work, little hours of sleep, a lot of learning, she finally opens up her cupcake store called Buttercream & Booze. With a novel approach, mixing delicious cupcakes with matching cocktails, it’s a recipe for success. But she has a new storefront neighbor, who renovated the bar into an axe throwing bar and diner, with loud music and a charming owner who promises to take away a lot of her clientele. Never mind that he’s a gorgeous and friendly hunk!
Ronan took over his grandfather’s bar, The Knight Cup, to renovate it and bring more clientele in. He had a deal with Gramps that he would improve the operation and then Gramps would help him start his brewery, which is Ronan’s ambition. What Ronan didn’t expect was to have such an enticing neighbor, and with such an enticing trade: delicious cupcakes. Pretty soon he and his Gramps were addicted!
Blaire and Ronan had outrageous chemistry that at first looked like fighting, then competition, then turned into co-hosting events. It really felt like foreplay! His daily visits to Blaire’s store to indulge and moan at her daily cupcake inventions are comical. There’s a scene during a bridesmaid event, in which Blaire got back at Ronan for all his tricks, that’s hysterically funny.
This is one of those books that you read with a smile on your face. It alternates funny moments, with cute moments, and some serious with a touch of angst. The scenes with Gramps, Ronan’s grandfather and owner of The Knight Cap, are tender and poignant. The scenes with Blaire’s family are cringe worthy with a touch of WTF.
“In the very short time I’ve been here, I come to the conclusion that Blaire’s family is entertaining, but definitely a whole bag of WTF with a side of this reminds me of a bad reality show.”
Initially, I didn’t like the contentious interactions between Blaire and Ronan. While Ronan was having fun playing tricks on Blaire to raise her hackles, she was always uptight and snarky. I liked her because she was nice with everyone else but with Ronan she was so nasty. Then I saw why she was so defensive about her business, and loved how she worked it out for the benefit of both. Their fighting eventually changed into banter, into cooperation, playfulness and finally loved creeped in. As a love story it was exceptional, as a family tale it was inspiring, both sides supporting the other. A great mixture of laughs, sighs, and happy cheer!
This book was sweet, absolutely hilarious & sexy as hell! I loved the banter in this book! It was definitely a Helena Hunting favourite of mine!
Blaire was awesome. I loved her character. I wish I could have tried like all of her cupcakes & drinks. They sounded absolutely delicious! Her family on the other hand, while I couldn’t help but laugh it was definitely a cringe worthy laugh.
I really liked Ronan too, although I wasn’t sure at the beginning. These two were so cute together! I think my favourite part was the strength & love that the small town business’s had. Made for such a great fun read!
I received an arc of this book in return for an honest review.
This was a hysterically adorable read. As with all Helena’s read she knows how to bring on the laughs in true rom-com fashion. Blaire and Ronan are hysterical with the banter back and forth.
This isn’t a hot and heavy book, but there is a whole bunch of magnetic and sexual chemistry…. but it is definitely is a slow burn. Once the couple finally stop fighting each other and their connection we see what great couple they make.
I really enjoyed this book and loved the breakaway from her last few series!
What a delightful, delicious and entertaining story.
Kiss My Cupcake is such a feel good book with characters that have incredible chemistry and the snarky banter is just really on point.
I devoured this book and it honestly made me hungry too.
Blaire is a breath of fresh air! She’s her own woman striving to get her cupcake business up and running.
However nothing is ever easy and when the business next door starts making the walls of her store start to crumble, needless to say she goes to confront the person.
Well lets just say that once she meets Ronan, she doesn’t expect the kind of man he is. The sass she exudes and the pranks he does to get her going is entertaining at best. What they both dont count on is the sizzling chemistry.
These two are a definite match made in heaven but what happens when big business threatens their livelihood. Can these two band together in a time of need?
Loved Ronans relationship with his family and how he handles the bar is a sign of a great man.
Loved everything about this fun storyline. Definitely a must read.
Love a read that brings out all the oohs and ahhs? Then Kiss My Cupcake with its cuteness overload is for you! Hunting’s teamed up two business rivals, their competitiveness driving the story forward at a steady pace. Of course, holding back on the juicy parts you know are coming but not quite sure when is what the author does exceedingly well in all of her books. And if the title doesn’t pique your curiosity, I don’t know what will!
I got the feeling that the author’s a dab hand at making cupcakes with a difference. How on earth would she have been able to come up with so many filling and outrageous topping if not? Throw into the mix a couple of unique cocktails served in Buttercream and Booze, good beer and chicken wings that would most likely melt in my mouth in The Knight Cap next door, and I’m game to try out what’s on the menu in either establishment.
I bellyache laughed with Helena’s characters’ fashion likes. Firstly, to say that Blaire Calloway’s retro attire didn’t capture my attention would be a fib. Ooh, my! Who on earth wears petticoats nowadays? And Ronan Knight; you might not be keen too on the lumberjack look, but he pulls it off to a tee. And the black-rimmed glasses…no freaking words!
What bowled me over was this young lady’s hard-working attitude, her aptitude for business and enthusiasm. While doing her utmost to resolve problems, listening to any wild ideas from whoever is a no-go. In contrast, Ronan’s a bit of a dreamer. I yearned for his dream to come true and never held this against him because, well, who on earth would want to water down this slightly cantankerous but gorgeous guy’s spirits? No pun intended!
Their smaller businesses are faced with challenging competition, things get sticky and these two have to decide whether it’s worth joining forces. I loved how the author put a spin on the big-fish-small-pond concept, that she gave her protagonists the will to hold their own, to fight for what they want on all fronts.
Although I thoroughly enjoyed the tweets at the end of each chapter, I thought a couple of recipes would have gone down a treat. Lol, especially the sugary frosted glazings! I also liked learning the ins and outs of Blaire and Ronan’s families. Despite hers having their peculiarities, not only did they make me smile, but I also understood where they were going. Ronan’s grandad is such an adorable character that I’d make him mine at the drop of a hat, and the rapport he has with his brothers is fabulous!
Ronan and Blaire’s flirty banter had me roaring with laughter but when they can no longer ignore their feelings, it wasn’t only the pages that got heated up! I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this sweet as sugar romance perfect to get lost in on a summer’s day. Bravo, Hunting!
A deliciously good read! Helena Hunting combined sweets and spirits into the perfect enemies-to-lovers summer romance.
While Blaire’s new business, Buttercream and Booze, caters to a more upscale clientele with cupcakes, martinis and mixed drinks. Ronan’s pub located right next door, The Knight Cap, sells on tap beer, wings, and offers axe throwing for your nightly entertainment. Even though these two get off on the wrong foot and begin as enemies it doesn’t take long to realize that working together and planning coordinated events actually might help them achieve the same goal.
Helena has covered Kiss My Cupcake in sweet buttercream…okay she really just covered all the bases and made this book extra fun to read. Between crazy family members which will make you chuckle, delicious treats that totally made me crave everything in my kitchen, fantastic chemistry between the two main characters, and not to mention plaid – yes, I even wanted to dress the hubby up in everything plaid while I was reading. Hunting brings all the magic to this fun, very unputadownable read.
Kiss My Cupcake is a total win to add to your collection!
Kiss My Cupcake by Helena Hunting, published by Forever (Grand Central Publishing), is an enemies to lovers romance. A witty and fun, much needed summer read.
Meet Blaire and Ronan. They’re businesses are next door and their first encounter includes unicorn glasses and axes, enough said. Believe me when I say there isn’t much love between these two. While Ronan sees some hilariousness, own business call. And failure isn’t an option. So what to to?? Easy peesy, pact with the competition and see, Ronan’s a good guy.
So the mountainman-like guy – be still my beating heart and the quirky and determined heroine, together with a beautiful storyline and excellent writing checked all my boxes. A great read, I loved it, 5 stars.
4.5 Sweet & Swoony Stars!
Kiss my Cupcake has the perfect recipe for a delicious enemies to lovers romcom! It is the perfect blend of light comedy, lots of sass and sizzling hot sexual tension and chemistry! Blaire is following her own sweet dreams apart from her family legacy of upscale dining. She is opening a small boutique bakery called Buttercream and Booze. Unfortunately right next door is an axe throwing, rock & roll bar that rattles her walls and her nerves. Things don’t go well when she tries to get the owner, Ronan, to stop shaking her shop. She is not happy to be attracted to the flannel wearing, sexy bearded lumberjack, especially when he plays practical jokes on her. When a social media influencer is holding a contest, they both have their earnest reasons to win. They start out trying to out do each other with special events, but soon realize they can be more successful working together. But when it comes down to the finals, can they really trust the other to play fair? This story was so much fun and was so clever. I loved the way Blair and Ronan’s relationship evolved. The way they challenged each other that grew into unconditional support, their witty banter, and their sizzling chemistry made them so perfect together. Their family dynamics were both sweet and frustrating and I loved Ronan’s family history. I also loved the creative names and combinations that Blaire came up with for her delectable cupcakes and cocktails, they all sounded so yummy! This fun, emotional and steamy romance captured my heart and made me completely happy!
This was cute, fun, and funny! Blaire and Ronan are kinda rivals, though I think she’s the only one who thinks so. He has been pretty straight forward about his attraction. But oh the banter! And the pranks, the sassiness, the chemistry!
Blaire is so comfortable with who she is and what she wants. She set out to make her dreams come true the hard way, without help from her (really weird) family. She dresses in cool retro clothes and makes awesome themed cupcakes. I mean, she seems like someone I’d want to be friends with.
Ronan is super hot, but has a good heart, a soft spot for his grandpa, and is like a nerdy lumberjack bar owner. He’s so genuine, and I love the way he eats her cupcakes. It sounds like everyone around enjoys the show.
Kiss My Cupcake was such a fun read. It tells the tale of rival bar owners Blaire and Ronan. Blaire is all cupcakes, pretty drinks and pin up dresses. Ronan is a tattooed, plaid wearing, axe throwing bar owner. They couldn’t be more opposite and couldn’t be more right for each other. What started as friendly rivalry turns into them needing each other to survive in the small business world. I love their collaboration and all that they make happen for themselves. Also I want to try all the cupcakes described in this book— they sound so delicious!! Great book by Helena Hunting!
Wonderful rivals to lovers romance from Hunting. Like most of her books this one is entertaining and quick witted from the very beginning. I thought the banter between Ronan and Blaire was so great it made it hard to put the book down. I definitely recommend this book, just be warned reading this book may leave you craving cupcakes for days.
Blaire is excited and anxious that her dream of opening her own cupcake shop and boutique bar is finally happening. She has saved and worked hard to get out of her family’s shadow and make something on her own. She is a perfectionist, creative, and thrives on details.
But the bar owner next door is doing his best to steal her joy. Ronan Knight is improving his Grandpa’s bar so that means lots of noise. When the high strung girl next door comes over to give him a piece of her mind, he takes it as a challenge. And he enjoys taunting her, competing with her, and sampling her goods. And he really brings out her sassy and feisty side. She is retro-chic and put together, but he loves to unravel her.
A not-so-friendly competition, snarky verbal foreplay, and bar wars give way to flirting and eventually a necessary truce.
He is a man addicted to her baked goods, and kind of starting to feel the same way about her. And even she can admit the hipster, lumberjack-looking piece of man meat is easy on the eyes. The more they get to know each other, the more they realize how much is at stake for them both.
This is a sweet and salty, opposites-attract, enemies-to-lovers story. It is mostly told in Blaire’s point of view but we get some in Roman’s. I enjoyed the uniqur settings of both of their businesses and how creative they were. I wish these places existed in my town as they sound like such fun places to hang out. And I really, really want a cupcake right now!
This book was exactly what I needed! It ticked all the boxes and gave me such a high on a bleak week.
There really wasn’t anything not to love about it. I’m not a fan of overstated angst, I’m all for the romcom and sweet romances.
From the first chapter we get an overall feeling of what the book is about. I wouldn’t go as far to say it’s an enemies to lovers romance, but it got close. They have a disagreement over renovations, which starts off the delightful banter between them. Blaire is smart, beautiful and driven, and she has a 50’s fetish that was born indirectly from her quirky family. She is the proud owner of her own cupcake and booze cafe. What she doesn’t need on her opening week is a plaid hipster that is running the bar next door. Ronan definitely was a distraction, what with the good looks, arm candy and tattoos, but he was exceptionally loyal and even though he’d never admit it, he was a romantic at heart.
There were so many funny moments with this book that had me either smiling like a goon or snorting along with their spiritedness. Her family were unique and worrisome all mixed together but really only had her best interest deep down. I also loved the way Ronan’s brothers gave him schtick too. I could appreciate Blaire’s sleep deprived mind going places when Ronan was busy else where, and grateful it didn’t go down a melodramatic path. It made for a more pleasing conclusion and kept to their characters. I adored the epilogue and felt we got their happily forever after they deserved because, who says you can’t find true love at the bottom of a martini glass? Now if I can only find a place that will serve one up with a cupcake to go with it.
Kiss My Cupcake was cute, funny, steamy, and everything in between. The book sucked me in right away and kept me hooked until the last page. I loved the concept of the neighboring businesses and rivalry between Blaire and Ronan. It made for an interesting and entertaining read, especially with the pranks and banter. Blaire is a sweet, hardworking woman who deserves more credit for everything she has accomplished. She was easy to like and root for. While her family is definitely unique, I didn’t care for them and how they treat her, she deserves better. Ronan is a charming man who has also worked hard to get where he is. I loved learning more about him and getting to see the sweet and caring side of him. His relationship with his Gramps was also wonderful to read about. Him and Blaire are unbelievably cute together, and I loved seeing it go from rivals to friends to more. My only complaint is about how part of the story wraps up, but it was a minor one and didn’t take away from my love of the book. The epilogue was also very cute and a perfect ending to the story. *I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.*
Kiss My Cupcake was so sweet and entertaining! I loved the animosity between Blaire and Ronan and their awesome banter as their attraction built and sparks flew. I loved the ups and downs and playfulness!
It was smart, sweet, and sexy. I loved it! The banter between the two main characters was wonderful. I definitely recommend this book and this author.
I loved everything about this slow burn enemies to lovers rom com! The story is fantastic and so cute! The chemistry between Ronan and Blaire is obvious from their first meeting despite the argument and continues to heat up, eventually instead of killing each other they band together to combat the big chain restaurant that has moved onto their block. Although it takes a while for them to give into their feelings for each other you will enjoy every minute of the build. The banter is fantastic, that characters fabulous.
The only thing negative I can say about this book is I now have an insane need to eat !
I was generously provided with an advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for my fair and honest review.**
I adore Helena Hunting as an author, and this book was absolutely a win. The frenemies vibe throughout the book and the slow burn of tension is an excellent mix. I loved Blaire’s quirkiness and determination and Ronan’s ferocity and loyalty. A prim girl with a tattooed hottie, the perfect escape from reality into a world that is blissfully COVID-free!!
I really enjoyed this enemies to lovers romcom. Fun, flirty and oh so dirty banter between Ronan and Blaire will keep you hooked. Their chemistry is sizzling hot. Their antics will have you laughing out loud and Ronan is definitely swoon worthy. I highly recommend this book.