Well wasn't that the most charming book I've read in a long time! I've been in a bit of a slump lately in that I have no motivation to read, but Don't Call Me Cupcake entirely enamored me from start to finish. You're going to want to add this one to your TBRs, friends!

The entire concept of Don't Call Me Cupcake was so unique. It was refreshing to read something different in the romance genre and Tara Sheets certainly knew how to deliver. The Holloway girls are known on Pine Cove Island for their gifts. The heroine, Emma Holloway, can bake charmed cupcakes. Her bakery has a cupcake for everything ranging from a luck-bringer to a hangover-cure! I love how important Emma's gift was to her. It was a tie to her grandmother and she was proud of her abilities. Emma was a great heroine. She was the kind of heroine I actually want so badly to be real so I can befriend her. She has got a heart of gold and she was always willing to help the people around her. She was also incredibly devoted and hardworking. Even when life wasn't entirely rosy for her, she made the best of what she can. At the start of Don't Call Me Cupcake, she was battling with financial issues as her jerk of a fiance had run away with all of her savings. Despite her shabby situation, she was willing to do everything she could to save her family's home and legacy.

Enter Hunter Kane. He was a big city fellow in town opening up a fancy restaurant, which had the potential to steal Emma's business and leave her in even more despair. Gahh! I just love heroes like Hunter. He started off in the book being this stoic, stubborn and very goal-oriented man, but as he got to know Pine Cove and its residents, a different side of him emerged. He grew a soft spot for Emma and found himself being completely enchanted by Emma and her fieriness around him, which forced him to be a better version of himself. There were times when I wanted to shake Hunter by the shoulders because he would make some dumb mistake, but this was a guy with honest and pure intentions. Plus, he was someone who learned from his mistakes, which made him even more attractive in my eyes. Besides Emma and Hunter, I also loved each and every one of the secondary characters in Don't Call Me Cupcake. Juliette, Emma's cousin who happened to have an affinity for plants, was the best. I loved the close-knit bond between these two women. Then there was Buddy, the cute little puppy who wreaks havoc in Emma's life, but the good kind. And I was also a big fan of Emma's sentient house - yes, you read that right! All of the secondary characters and elements in the book only served to amplify my delight.

The romance between Emma and Hunter in Don't Call Me Cupcake was a rivals-to-more romance. As you can imagine, there was a hint of animosity between the two, understandably so! However, fate has something else in store for them. As they keep running across each other, their attraction continued to grow. I loved loved loved the two of them together. Anytime they were in a scene together I was just grinning like a fool. They were just so adorable. I loved how even though the sex scenes in Don't Call Me Cupcake happened behind the scenes, the chemistry between Emma and Hunter was always prevalent. I was telling Nereyda this, but I actually appreciated the lack of steamy scenes because I was starting to get bored with the abundance of them in some of the books I was reading. Anyways, I digress. The romance was just really really good and it's one reason I devoured this story.

Don't Call Me Cupcake was an instant 2018 favorite for me. I will certainly be going back and re-reading this one in the future. While I wait for Juliette's book, which also promises to be amazing from that snippet at the end of this book, I hope you guys will check out Don't Call Me Cupcake. I promise you'll fall in love with Pine Cove Island in all its charming package.

Don't Call Me Cupcake is as sweet and magical as the icing on a cupcake. Emma Holloway is struggling to make ends meet. She bakes a little magic into every cupcake she makes but she needs a little magic in her life. When hunky Hunter Kane walks into her shop she thinks he may just be the magic her heart needs. That is until she finds out that he is opening a competing business. Will the Holloway magic be enough to keep her in business? Fans of Angie Fox and Jill Shalvis will love Don't Call Me Cupcake. Looking forward to Juliettes story.

This was a quick read filled with magic and romance. You feel a connection with the small shore town and the quirky characters that reside there.

I really enjoyed this book. The characters, from Emma & Hunter, to the townsfolk and, of course, Buddy, I could not put this book down. Well-written with a fast, flowing plot, it was "magical". This is now a "must read" author for me.

**Publisher's Description:

There’s a very special kind of sweetness to life on Pine Cove Island . . .

Most families have a favorite recipe or two, handed down through generations. The Holloway women are a little different. Emma Holloway, like her grandmother before her, bakes wishes into her delicious cupcakes, granting the recipient comfort, sweet dreams, or any number of good things. It’s a strange gift, but it brings only happiness. Until gorgeous, smooth-talking newcomer Hunter Kane strolls into her shop, Fairy Cakes—and Emma makes the mistake of selling him not one, but three Sweet Success cupcakes.

Hunter, it turns out, is opening a fancy new restaurant and bakery right on the waterfront—Emma’s competition. To make matters worse, the town committee has decided to split the upcoming summer festival contract between the two, forcing Emma to work with her nemesis. But she can’t afford to split her profits. The solution: create a recipe that will make Hunter leave town permanently.

The Holloway charms are powerful. But there are other kinds of magic in the world—like red-hot first kisses, secret glances, and the feeling that comes with falling truly, madly, inconveniently in love ....
**My two cents
I was gifted this book from Netgally for a honest review. I loved Tara Sheets style of writing, she sucks you in and has you invested in the Hero and Heroine and ALL the secondary character's. I even felt for Emma's house. ( seriously loved her house)
I really enjoyed the relationship between Emma and her cousin, Juliette. They were goofy, suportive and funny. Hunter and Emma together were sweet, funny, combative and adorable!!
I however was not in love with Hunter and that's only because I felt it took way to long for him to figure out his feelings for Emma. His character seemed so closed off it was hard for me to connect to him. However it says alot about Tara Sheets writing, when it held little sway for me because everything else was so well developed. I would highly recommend this book and excited about Juliette's book. Overall this book is as sweet as the cupcakes look.

NB: I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. A massive thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley!

Wow! I really enjoyed this novel. Tara Sheets has really worked her own *magic* into writing two main characters that share some major chemistry and just a beautiful relationship. Hunter and Emma really had an *interesting* start to their relationship, particularly with the whole Sweet Success cupcakes and the road to the Go Away cupcakes. That road kind of became a little lost in the whole heated chemistry and the 'love spell' storyline. Not that I'm complaining...

Emma was a great character. Headstrong, always wanting to help others, and an utter romantic, she was the perfect match for someone like Hunter. I loved how they ended up trying to make their relationship work, and Hunter realized how much of a douche he was unintentionally being.

However, the whole Rodney storyline and particularly the few scenes towards the end were a bit *meh*. It seemed a bit too dramatic and while I understand what Tara Sheets was trying to do, I just wasn't the biggest fan of it. It was cute don't get me wrong, but I felt it was a bit overly dramatic.

Overall, however, I really enjoyed this novel, and I am incredibly excited to read her next novel focussing on Juliette, particularly after reading the excerpt!

4.5☆
Cute and fun
This is my first book by Tara Sheets.

What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Part of a series: The Holloway Girls
Standalone
HEA
Epilogue

I look forward to reading the other books in this series.

Don’t Call Me Cupcake by Tara Sheets is a fun romantic read with a twist of magic. The descriptions so rich I could smell the sugar. Emma owns a cupcake store, Fairy Cakes that has been passed down from her grandmother. The women in the family have special gifts. Emma’s gift is baking something ‘special’ in her cupcakes. Hunter is the new guy in town and is putting in a restaurant on the waterfront. Emma sees him as competition for her cupcake store. Hunter is buying part of the downtown and wants to increase the business and then move on to his next venture.
I enjoyed the relationship between Emma and her cousin, Juliette. They supported each other and teased each other. Juliette’s special gift is in gardening. (Her book is coming out in the fall). The puppy was a sweet addition to the story that melts your heart.
The house Emma lives in almost takes on a role in itself.
The banter between Emma and Hunter was fun and watching Hunter change as he adjusts to life in a small town where everyone knows your business. I will be excited to see Juliette get her own book.
Sexual content; A couple scenes without details, mostly closed door
Language: Sh#t - 2, d@mn - 12
Violence - 1 exboyfriend
alcohol - drinking

This is the perfect book for when you need a pick me up! Emma bakes magical cupcakes in a lovely town in the Puget Sound area. Hunter looks so good that she makes him a very special one- and then she discovers that he will be her competition! Well, you know what's going to happen but Sheets has done a terrific job of creating two lovely characters who dance around each other until things work out. Emma's cousin Juliette is also a treat with some magic of her own. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This is nicely plotted light entertainment and I'm looking forward to more of the Holloway girls!

Having recently finished “Don't Call Me Cupcake” by Tara Sheets, I am happy to have had the chance for the preview; thank you Net Galley!

This was a sweet and magical story with predictable will they won't they tension, and a bit of bad guy drama, but sometimes that is exactly the recipe... I mean storyline... that a mind needs.
Mix in an enchanted house, one magical recipe book and an adorable Labradoodle puppy and the sweetness in this story is nearly complete. Emma's cupcakes are definitely part of the fun throughout... if only eating a cupcake could create a little magic in all our worlds!

***I look forward to reading the next in this series... Juliette's story in "Don't Touch My Petunia".

Emma bakes wishes into her cupcakes that come true for the one who eats them. When a hot stranger comes into her shop, she sells him 3 sweet success cupcakes not realizing he is her competitor.
Hunter is in Pine Cove Island to expand his business, and opening a restaurant with a bakery is the first step in his plans.
Don’t call me cupcake is a sweet and enchanting read. The characters primary and secondary are endearing with their quirky and unique characteristics. Emma and her cousin Juliette are laugh out loud funny in their attempts to make Hunter leave Pine Cone. The chemistry between Emma and Hunter is hot. I loved reading this book and look forward to more from the author.

This story is just delicious. It has magic, cupcakes, an island in the Pacific Northwest, and a handsome stranger.. This is a perfect formula for romance right from the start and it doesn’t disappoint until the end. My only complaint is I had to stop and make some cupcakes.

You're definitely going to want to eat at least one cupcake after reading DON'T CALL ME CUPCAKE - especially if it is one of the special, magical cupcakes that main character Emma Holloway bakes. DON'T CALL ME CUPCAKE is a contemporary romance novel by Tara Sheets. It is her debut novel, and it will be published on April 24, 2018 by Zebra Shouts. The novel is the first in the Holloway Girls series.

Emma Holloway - as well as all of the Holloway women - are special. Emma has the ability to bakes wishes into the cupcakes that she sells at her bakery. Things are going okay for Emma and Fairy Cakes is on the small Pine Cove Island near Seattle - she's behind on her mortgage, the house is starting to fall apart, and she's got a lot of bills to pay. Emma is counting on the influx of tourists during the summer months to keep her afloat. Then Hunter Kane shows up in town to open up a new restaurant that will be selling all sorts of pastries and baked goods. Hunter's restaurant, Haven, is a serious threat to Emma and Fairy Cakes. And, before she knows who he is, Emma sells him three of her Sweet Success cupcakes. The last thing Emma wants is for Hunter to succeed - mainly she just wants him to leave town and never come back. The good thing is that Emma has a recipe for that! With the help of her cousin, Juliette, Emma plans to bake a cupcake that will send Hunter from her life, and from Pine Cove Island.

DON'T CALL ME CUPCAKE is a fun, sexy contemporary romance with a magical twist. Emma's ability to bake wishes into her cupcakes is an intriguing aspect. And Hunter is a great leading man - he has commitment and intimacy issues that he needs to overcome. Emma initially sees Hunter as the enemy - his restaurant is a threat to her livelihood - but even as she falls in love with him, she remains true to herself. The secondary characters are also intriguing. Emma's sleazy ex-boyfriend acts as a great foil against Hunter. The ex-boyfriend also adds another complication to Emma's life and her budding relationship with Hunter. Emma's cousin, Juliette, has a special talent that helps her grow flowers and make natural products like soaps and potions. Juliette will make a great leading lady in the second Holloway Girls novel, DON'T TOUCH MY PETUNIAS. Pine Cove Island sounds like a wonderful place, and it makes the perfect backdrop for the story. Oh, and did I mention that there's a puppy? Because there's a puppy...and cupcakes. Yummy, delicious sounding cupcakes.

Creepy house.

Does he know who lives here? This restaurant is way too fancy.

Oh no, hahaha!

Shoot, I'd put ipecac in a cupcake and force-feed it to him.

Nice "bend and snap" Bethany.

Poor Molly needs a good date.

Ugh, men are stupid.

This is a charming read. I was only slightly disappointed in the book. I felt it a little too light on the romance and the plot. Yes, this book is more then just about "cupcakes". There is another part to the story that was obvious. However, the cherry on the top is the humor.

There is Emma, Hunter, Emma's cousin, Juliette, and Mrs. Mooney and Mr. Bonbon (the dog). Emma seemed like such a sweet woman but she had a spark to her. I think back to her first encounter with Hunter after she found out who he was. How angry she got when she confounded him; especially after she sold him several "good luck" cupcakes.

Hunter just knew how to push Emma's buttons but without going too far. He was charming. Then you throw in a dash of Juliette and Mrs. Mooney and Mr. Bonbon and you do get a sweet and fun read.

**Don’t Call Me Cupcake by Tara Sheets received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

Don't Call Me Cupcake (The Holloway Girls #1) is the first book I've read by aukthor Tara Sheets and I LOVED it! This book has it all including quirky, fun characters (Emma and Hunter), ,unique plot and hot steamy romance. Now if only I could get ahold of one of those magical cupcakes :) Can't wait for The Holloway Girls Book #2.

A confection as sweet as the magical treats baked by our heroine Emma, the star of this book is the sentient house in which she resides on the Pacific North West tourist mecca of Pine Cone Island. Developer and restauranteur Hunter Kane is also a draw, but somewhat less of one, as he learns to let go of his big city cynicism and just believe. Emma herself, meanwhile, is quite frustrating to cheer for, as she is far too easily won over by her arrogant business rival, but in the end, you gotta love her. This You’ve Got Mail/Practical Magic/Simply Irresistible/Cedar Cove hybrid is entertaining and amusing, and its sequel – plant witch Juliette’s tale – is now eagerly awaited.

3 stars

OK I don't fancy the cover but I LOVED this book!

Emma bakes cupcakes and they are magical. She lives in a sentient house (!) and has a shop called Fairy Cakes.
Hunter just bought restaurant space nearby and it threatens her livelihood. And she accidentally sold him Sweet Succes cupcakes!

I could not put the book down and was miffed when real life kept disturbing my reading. I liked so many aspects of the story. It has a small town setting, a lovely heroine with magical powers and a handsome investor who needs to realize there is more to life than earning money and having success.

The secondary characters were interesting as well. Emma's cousin Juliette has her own gift (and her own book next). I thought the story was really well thought out. There are no descriptive sex scenes but the book doesn't need those to convey the attraction between Emma and Hunter!

I really look forward to the next book!!

I requested and received an ARC via Netgalley and this is my honest and voluntary review. I fortunately recognized the author's name as the winner of a RITA Golden Heart award for this book in 2016 (why did it took so long to publish?)

Emma Halloway and her cousin Juliette are the last of the Halloway’s on Pine Cove Island. The Halloway women have, for generations, had magical powers that they use for the good of the inhabitants of Pine Cove. Emma, like her grandmother before her, bakes her magic into her cupcakes for her bakery. Hunter Kane is a real estate developer, who has bought the empty restaurant in Pine Cove and is planning on selling French pastries. Emma is convinced that he will put her out of business. This is a cute light confection of a book. I liked this book overall. It is sweet (there is sex, but done in a PG rated way), the secondary characters were charming, and I did want to read Juliette’s book. What kept this from being a five star book, Emma. Emma was a bit of a whiner. When she finds out what Hunter is in town for, instead of figuring out how to beat him in the bakery business, she seems to throw up her hands and wants to resort to her magic. I just wish that she was a stronger character.

I received an arc of this book for my honest review.