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Book Review: How to Eat a Cupcake by Meg Donohue & Giveaway (Open Int’l)

March 14, 2012 by Darlene

A heartwarming tale is what you will find within the pages of How to Eat a Cupcake by debut novelist Meg Donohue! I love a book about friendship and when you throw in the most delectably sounding cupcakes into the mix; well I’m sold! This novel was a pure delight to read with it’s beautiful writing and mouth watering descriptions of cupcakes you swear you can taste just by reading about them! Ultimately it’s a story that shows us the power of truth and forgiveness; for realizing that true friendship can stand the test of time and troubles.

Annie Quintana and Julia St. Clair grew up side by side essentially – going to the same schools and living a life made better by money. The big difference though was that Annie’s mother was the St. Clair’s cook and housekeeper and they lived out in the carriage house on the St. Clair grounds. Yet the Quintana’s were much more to the St. Clair family than that; they were friends. Growing up though Julia was often jealous of of Annie because of the fact that she had such a wonderful mother. Unfortunately she made Annie’s years at a private school more of a nightmare than anything else and when Annie’s mother dies, that is the final straw in their friendship and they drift apart.

Ten years later finds Annie as a baker, having inherited her mother’s talents in the kitchen and Julia is still the beautiful socialite. Julia has moved back home to plan for her wedding and try to mend her soul after a devastating incident leaves her unable to function as the perfect person she used to be. Worse yet she is hiding this secret from everyone, even her fiance. When Annie is hired by Julia’s mother to bake the cupcakes for a benefit she’s giving and Julia tastes one, it leaves her feeling just a tiny bit more hopeful about life than she had been.

Julia, being the businesswoman she is, lays out a proposal to Annie for them to open a cupcakery together. While Annie can barely stand to be in the same room as Julia she realizes this is an opportunity not to be given up lightly. So they venture into owning a business together and surprisingly, over time and working together, both Annie’s and Julia’s walls begin to tumble and old truths are brought forward and healing begins.

I loved Annie; she is smart and sassy and she had me giggling more than a few times. Julia is a more complex person. You would think to hate her because of her privileged life and the fact that she still likes to have everything perfect. Yet you can’t. Her life altering incident leaves her looking at life differently and the vulnerability she shows ensures that she worms her way into your heart. The story is told alternately from Annie’s and then Julia’s point of view and I really liked this. It gave you a chance to understand where each character was coming from and how they were feeling. It also allowed me the time to become fully invested in both of their lives and by the end of this novel I was crying both happy and sad tears at times. It truly is a beautiful novel and I look forward to more from this terrific author!

I read How to Eat a Cupcake by Meg Donohue for her book tour with TLC Book Tours. Check out the other tour stops to see what everyone else is saying about the book. Meg can be found on her website, Facebook, and Twitter. As well Meg will be joining Book Club Girl on Air on Tuesday, April 24/12 at 7pm ET for a book chat (click here for the link to the chat) and I’m sure going to try my hardest to be there. I’d love to hear her discuss her book! Your own copy of How to Eat a Cupcake can be purchased here in the US and here in Canada.

 

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

I just happen to have one brand spankin new copy of How to Eat a Cupcake by Meg Donohue to share with my readers and best of all it is open internationally as it’s my copy. To enter…

  • For 1 entry simply leave me a comment entering the giveaway.
  • For 2 entries, follow my blog.  If you already do please let me know so I can pass the extra entry on to you as well.
  • For 3 entries, blog or tweet this giveaway and spread the word.
  • For 4 entries, follow me on Networked Blogs.  Click here to be taken directly there.  Log into your Facebook account and hit follow.  Thanks!

This giveaway is open to everyone internationally!  I will draw for the winner on Saturday, April 7/12.  Good luck!

Source: Review copy provided by TLC Book Tours and William Morrow via Edelweiss. No compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

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Filed Under: 2012 - 100+ Books, 2012 ARC's, 2012 Book Reviews, 2012 eBooks, TLC Tours

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mystica says

    March 14, 2012 at 2:01 am

    Thank you for making it open to all. Much appreciated.

    I follow you on GFC

  2. Birgit says

    March 14, 2012 at 2:04 am

    Thanks for the chance! This book sounds yummy ;-)!

    +1 GFC follower (Birgit)
    +1 Networked Blogs (Birgit Lehner)

    danaan at gmx dot at

  3. vivienne says

    March 14, 2012 at 2:57 am

    Ooh Dar, I love the look of this one. Can I please enter your competition.

    I am a follower and I already follow you on Networked Blogs.

    So I think that makes 3 entries.

  4. DarcyO says

    March 14, 2012 at 5:56 am

    Sounds like a great read. Thanks for the chance.

    +1 follower with GFC
    +1 tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/darcy1956/status/179898302567952384

  5. Linda B says

    March 14, 2012 at 6:05 am

    I would love to read this book and share it with my college-age granddaughter, who is getting a degree in math, and yet dreams of having a bakery.

    Google follower.

  6. Pat L. says

    March 14, 2012 at 6:14 am

    I am a gfc follower.

    This book hooked me with the cover – it sounds v.g. Love food related books and have really been into baking lately.

  7. Bonnie says

    March 14, 2012 at 6:22 am

    +1 I love books about friendship and add cupcakes to the mix and it makes it even sweeter! I added this book to my wishlist as soon as I heard about it. I’d love a chance to win a copy.

    +2 I follow your blog

    +4 I follow on Networked Blogs

  8. Anne says

    March 14, 2012 at 7:38 am

    What a delightful book. Many thanks. I subscribe via e-mail.

  9. Maria D. says

    March 14, 2012 at 7:39 am

    This book looks really great! Thanks for the giveaway.

    +2 Follower of the blog GFC/Rss
    +3 Tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/crazymidwestgal/status/179922985757577216
    +4 Follower on Networked Blogs (Maria Durst)

  10. Ellie says

    March 14, 2012 at 7:43 am

    This book would be a treasure. Thanks for this giveaway. I am an e-mail subscriber.

  11. Bookworm says

    March 14, 2012 at 8:07 am

    This sounds great Dar. I enjoyed your review! What a cute cover. Now I’m craving a cupcake 🙂

  12. Nise' says

    March 14, 2012 at 8:37 am

    Sounds like my kind of book! Friendship and Feed.

    I am a follower.

  13. TheBookGirl says

    March 14, 2012 at 8:37 am

    The title cracks me up — as if I needed instructions, lol.

    Seriously, though, I love food-related fiction and this sounds like a winner. Onto the list it goes 🙂

  14. rhonda says

    March 14, 2012 at 8:44 am

    Another. Fun giveaway.email subscriber twitter follower@rhondareads network follows.

  15. Sandra K321 says

    March 14, 2012 at 8:57 am

    +1 I would love to read this; I think my mom would like it also.

    +1 I follow with GFC as Sandra K321.

    +1 Follow on Networked bloggers.

  16. Serena says

    March 14, 2012 at 10:02 am

    This sounds like a fun one. I like the idea of opening a cupcakery! Thanks for the giveaway…and you know I follow you and will post this in my sidebar.

  17. zibilee says

    March 14, 2012 at 10:17 am

    I have heard a lot of good things about this book, and really would love the chance to read it, and how could I not live a book about my favorite food in the world? This was a great review, Dar, and I am so glad that you loved it! Count me in on the giveaway!

    zibilee(at)figearo(dot)net

  18. Ann* says

    March 14, 2012 at 10:27 am

    +1 Cupcakes – yum sounds like a good read. Thanks
    +1 GFC follower – amhengst
    +1 email subscriber
    amhengst at verizon dot net

  19. Carl says

    March 14, 2012 at 10:36 am

    Even though it’s pi(e) day, I’m going for a cupcake. I’m quite flexible that way.
    I follow this blog by email carlscott(at)prodigy(dot)net(dot)mx
    I Tweeted about the giveaway https://twitter.com/#!/carlrscott/status/179968730288226304
    I followed with Networked Blogs ((Carl Scott)
    That should be 10 total entries, the max available, but you can check my arithmetic if you want.
    Thanks!

  20. Mary Ward says

    March 14, 2012 at 10:41 am

    I so want to read this one!

    I follow on GFC (mamie316)

  21. Karen B says

    March 14, 2012 at 10:51 am

    +1 YUM – now I have a cupcake craving!!
    +1 Email subscriber
    +1 Networked Blogs

    kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

  22. CassandraG says

    March 14, 2012 at 11:54 am

    Sounds like a wonderful story.
    GFC Follower

  23. bermudaonion (Kathy) says

    March 14, 2012 at 12:13 pm

    What could be better than friends and cupcakes? This sounds wonderful. No need to enter me.

  24. Sherri says

    March 14, 2012 at 12:33 pm

    Darlene, I would love to win this book!!! Hope you are doing great!

  25. Sherri says

    March 14, 2012 at 12:34 pm

    I am a follower of your blog!

  26. nan says

    March 14, 2012 at 12:42 pm

    Sounds good. Thanks. I’m a follower.

  27. mamabunny13 says

    March 14, 2012 at 1:17 pm

    I love to read, I love cupcakes I would love to win this book!
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

  28. mamabunny13 says

    March 14, 2012 at 1:17 pm

    I follow via gfc -mamabunny13
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

  29. mamabunny13 says

    March 14, 2012 at 1:18 pm

    I follow on networked blogs – mamabunny shelor
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

  30. Muzette says

    March 14, 2012 at 2:16 pm

    I’ve been looking forward to this book! I’m a follower of your blog! 🙂

  31. Karen Wapinski says

    March 14, 2012 at 3:17 pm

    This looks like a wonderful story, thank for posting this!!
    I am a follower on email and networked blogs (as faefever25 at hotmail dot com, & Karen Quezada)
    Tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/Parakiss25

  32. Linda Kish says

    March 14, 2012 at 3:52 pm

    That’s making me hungry.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

  33. Linda Kish says

    March 14, 2012 at 3:52 pm

    I am a GFC follower

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

  34. Michele W. says

    March 14, 2012 at 3:57 pm

    Thank you. I follow via GFC.

    brn2shop9 at gmail dot com

  35. Margaret says

    March 14, 2012 at 4:00 pm

    +1 Totally my kind of book. I love the title!

    +2 blog follower

    +3 tweeted on twitter

    +4 Network blog follower

    Margaret
    singitm(at)hotmail(dot)com

  36. Shayna Gier says

    March 14, 2012 at 4:14 pm

    I saw the title on Twitter and HAD to check it out! Great review!

    +1- Follow on Networked Blogs Shayna Gier
    ((You need to get linky followers!))
    +1 Tweet- https://twitter.com/#!/ShaynaGier/status/180054068163641344

  37. Margie says

    March 14, 2012 at 4:29 pm

    Sounds like interesting friendship dynamics in this book. And who doesn’t love cupcakes! Thanks for the giveaway.
    -follower by GFC and email
    -follow by Networked Blogs

  38. Krista says

    March 14, 2012 at 6:25 pm

    I love the title, the cover speaks 1000 words!
    I follow your blog
    tweeted the giveaway and follow you on networked blogs. Thanks

  39. Tanya Quilts in CO says

    March 14, 2012 at 8:04 pm

    Cupcakes and reading yummo!

    I follow your blog!

  40. Beth says

    March 14, 2012 at 8:35 pm

    This looks great! Please enter me!

    bethsbookreviewblog2 AT gmail DOT com

  41. Beth says

    March 14, 2012 at 8:35 pm

    I’m a follower.

    bethsbookreviewblog2 AT gmail DOT com

  42. Beth says

    March 14, 2012 at 8:37 pm

    I’m a Networked Blogs follower (Beth Book Review).

    bethsbookreviewblog2 AT gmail DOT com

  43. Sheila (Book Journey) says

    March 14, 2012 at 8:40 pm

    Darlene I have had my eye on this one for awhile – it sounds so good!

  44. Mary Preston says

    March 14, 2012 at 8:43 pm

    I would love to read HOW TO EAT A CUPCAKE thank you.

    GFC: Mary Preston

    Networked Blogs: Mary Preston

    Email Subscriber

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

  45. LilMissMolly says

    March 14, 2012 at 8:53 pm

    Love the title! Thanks for the review!
    GFC follower

  46. bn100 says

    March 14, 2012 at 10:22 pm

    Sounds like an enjoyable read.

  47. bn100 says

    March 14, 2012 at 10:22 pm

    I follow the blog.

  48. blodeuedd says

    March 15, 2012 at 12:38 am

    Sounds lovely 😀
    I follow here and on networked blogs 🙂

  49. Angela/Griperang says

    March 15, 2012 at 6:28 am

    Thank you for the chance to win this book. It looks like a good one.

    I am a current follower on here, on twitter, networked blogs and facebook as well as I shared the contest on my blog, twitter and facebook.

    griperang at embarqmail dot com

  50. amandasue says

    March 15, 2012 at 9:18 am

    Sounds like a delightful book!

  51. amandasue says

    March 15, 2012 at 9:19 am

    I’m a follower thanks!

  52. Anne says

    March 15, 2012 at 9:37 am

    Hello– I’m a follower. I’m looking forward to reading this, thanks for the giveaway. 🙂

  53. Liz says

    March 15, 2012 at 10:57 am

    Thanks for giveaway.

  54. Alexis @ Reflections of a Bookaholic says

    March 15, 2012 at 3:37 pm

    I think it can be easy to dislike the girl that has it all but I love when authors make characters so complex that you want to dislike them but you can’t. Thanks for the awesome opportunity.

    reflectionsofabookaholic[at]gmail[dot]com

  55. faith hope & cherrytea says

    March 15, 2012 at 4:49 pm

    great title! and perfect cover 🙂
    thanks for sharing the review and participating in the tour… your links are appreciated!
    i’m already anticipating this read {just not w/o a cupcake at hand!!}

  56. faith hope & cherrytea says

    March 15, 2012 at 4:50 pm

    and i am already your follower!

  57. faith hope & cherrytea says

    March 15, 2012 at 4:51 pm

    @_eHope tweeted

    https://twitter.com/#!/_eHope/status/180425988067434496

  58. faith hope & cherrytea says

    March 15, 2012 at 4:53 pm

    following on networked blogs as well… TY for this offer 🙂

  59. Lisa Garrett says

    March 16, 2012 at 7:21 am

    I love books about relationships and how people’s lives mesh.

  60. Lisa Garrett says

    March 16, 2012 at 7:21 am

    I follow via GFC and email.

  61. Lisa Garrett says

    March 16, 2012 at 7:22 am

    Tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/lag32583/status/180645070742106112

  62. Lisa Garrett says

    March 16, 2012 at 7:23 am

    I follow on networked blogs.

  63. Diane Bojda says

    March 16, 2012 at 7:35 am

    I’ve read a couple reviews on this book & it really sounds great, a real “pick-me-uper” which I’m sure most of us could always use.
    I’m a follower on on Networked Blogs Diane Bojda
    https://twitter.com/#!/Dyniy/status/180648064640487424

  64. Jenners says

    March 16, 2012 at 10:22 am

    The title and the cover always grab my attention. Good to hear that is a nice story inside!

  65. Heather J. @ TLC Book Tours says

    March 16, 2012 at 4:22 pm

    Sounds like both these characters made a home for themselves in your heart!

    Glad you enjoyed this one. Thanks for being on the tour.

  66. Judith / Leeswammes says

    March 18, 2012 at 11:15 am

    I’d love to try this book. Thanks for the giveaway.

    I follow your blog (Judith H) by GFC

  67. Staci@LifeintheThumb says

    March 19, 2012 at 7:58 pm

    This one not only sounds delightful but also delicious!! I have a copy of this one on my Kindle. I need to get to it!

  68. Gmapeony says

    March 20, 2012 at 9:50 am

    This book looks really good – have heard about on a few sites.

    gmapeony@yahoo.com

  69. Gmapeony says

    March 20, 2012 at 9:50 am

    I am a gfc follower.
    gmapeony@yahoo.com

  70. Melissa B says

    March 20, 2012 at 7:26 pm

    Im a new GFC follower, and I also follow you on twitter.

    Thanks for the giveaway!

  71. faith hope & cherrytea says

    March 20, 2012 at 10:22 pm

    i’m luvin’ the cover alone! story sounds good too..

  72. faith hope & cherrytea says

    March 20, 2012 at 10:22 pm

    follwr gfc

  73. faith hope & cherrytea says

    March 20, 2012 at 10:24 pm

    https://twitter.com/#!/_eHope/status/182321698526334976

  74. faith hope & cherrytea says

    March 20, 2012 at 10:24 pm

    NB conncted fllwr too..

  75. Colleen Turner says

    March 21, 2012 at 10:22 am

    This sounds like a really touching story. Please include me in the giveaway!

  76. Colleen Turner says

    March 21, 2012 at 10:23 am

    I am a GFC follower (Colleen Turner) and email subscriber.

  77. Colleen Turner says

    March 21, 2012 at 10:23 am

    I am a Networked Blogs follower (Colleen Turner).

  78. Maureen says

    March 21, 2012 at 2:01 pm

    It looks like a good story.
    I follow on GFC
    I follow on networked blogs
    Tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/MaureenCE/status/182557422890663936

  79. Patty B Coral says

    March 22, 2012 at 7:27 am

    I love to read and love dessert. So What could be a better pairing.

    pattyb43coral@gmail.com

  80. Anita Yancey says

    March 22, 2012 at 8:15 am

    I love that the two characters can repair their friendship. It sounds like a wonderful story. Thanks for having this giveaway.
    ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

  81. Anita Yancey says

    March 22, 2012 at 8:15 am

    Follow on GFC as Anita Yancey.
    Email Subscriber
    ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

  82. Natalie's Mama says

    March 22, 2012 at 10:41 am

    I love books with desserts in them.
    lovesthemets@yahoo.com

  83. Natalie's Mama says

    March 22, 2012 at 10:43 am

    I follow you via email.
    lovesthemets@yahoo.com

  84. Debbie Kennedy says

    March 23, 2012 at 8:11 pm

    I suddenly have a craving for cupcakes?
    Thanks for the giveaway.

  85. Jonnie (JB) says

    March 27, 2012 at 11:07 pm

    This book sounds like it’s right up my alley. Please enter my name into the draw

  86. Jonnie (JB) says

    March 27, 2012 at 11:07 pm

    I already follow with GFC

  87. kay swederski says

    March 29, 2012 at 11:31 am

    This book sounds sooo good! I would love to win.

  88. kay swederski says

    March 29, 2012 at 11:31 am

    GFC follower – kayswederski

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