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!

📚 Book Review 📚

Thank you @netgalley and @readforeverpub for the free eARC in exchange for a review!
Meet Cute by Helena Hunting was one of my favorite rom coms I read last year, so I was excited when I got approved for this ARC! Though I didn’t love this one as much as Meet Cute it was still a fun story! 🚨 Kind of spoiler-y below 🚨

What I Liked: This story had some very solid banter between Blaire and Ronan. It really made their chemistry come alive. I liked that we had a few chapters from Ronan’s perspective. I really enjoy it when we get alternating POV from both MCs in a romance. Ronan’s Gramps was an adorable supporting character. I wish we’d gotten more of him! Lastly, and most importantly, Hunting didn’t create some forced conflict between these two once they got together. They didn’t have some problem that could have been resolved with one, sit down chat. Once they were together, they were together. That was so refreshing to have happen in a romance.

What I Struggled With: I am a steam lover, and I know Hunting writes good steam. I was disappointed because we didn’t get to any steam until 70% through. So then we only really got one (albeit very good, very steamy) scene between Blaire and Ronan. I prefer, if I know it’s going to be a book with steam, to have it occur at least by half way through.

This was a fun enemies to lovers story. I’d recommend it if you’re looking for a more light hearted read. Be warned: you will get incredibly hungry for a cupcake while reading it 😂.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫


I will be posting my review to my Instagram on pub day, 8/11/20! Review is currently on my Goodreads as well.

This new rom-com from Helena Hunting is a perfect summer read! Kiss My Cupcake balances everything you can expect from this author: witty humor, amazing characters and lots of steam. Combined with Helena’s writing style, you’re in for a delicious experience that’s a smooth mix of sweet and spicy!

I loved how quirky Blaire is. She’s smart, unique and sassy. A real spitfire dosed in sprinkles. Determined to be independent and bring her business to success, she's relentless and fierce.
Ronan on the other hand is this broody type, a complete opposite of his bubbly business-neighbor. But as we get to know him better, we learn that he’s a kind-hearted, funny and charming man. I just loved him!
It has been known for a long time that opposites attracts, and Blaire and Ronan couldn't be more different. Yet, they complement each other beautifully. Even though their first interactions were far from perfect, the chemistry was definitely palpable. I enjoyed their banter, I loved the sexual tension between them and I just adored when they buried battle axes and joined forces to save their businesses when the threat reared its ugly head.

Kiss My Cupcake is a feel-good romance that will entertain you and make you blush. It’s funny, flirty and low on angst. Both Blaire and Ronan, as well as secondary characters, are just amazing and their story was as hilarious as it was heartwarming. Recommended read!

Thank you to Helena Hunting, Forever, and Netgalley for the advance reader copy of Kiss My Cupcake, releasing on August 11th.

I absolutely adore Helena Hunting’s books and this new release is awesome. It has the perfect quirkiness that Helena brings to her books.

Characters: Blaire and Ronan are the main characters of this love story. Blaire is the quirky main character of Kiss My Cupcake, she has distanced herself from her weird family and is opening her own cupcake business. Ronan runs the neighbouring business and quickly turns on the charm. Blaire quickly falls into competing for customers, business, and ultimately who has the better bar.

Setting: The setting truly jumps between the two bars, Buttercream and Booze which is Blaire’s bar. B&B sells the cutest cupcakes and fancy cocktails. Ronan’s bar is the Knight Cap which has the classic pub foods, beer and for fun axe throwing!

Romance: I absolutely adored the chemistry that Blaire and Ronan had. This story is that classic enemies to lovers story where you cannot but wait with bated breath for the couple to finally get together!

This story receives five out of five stars!

Wowza! I loved this so so much that I devoured it in one setting. Well technically two because I stopped, made cupcakes and restarted. The witty banter between Blaire and Ronan when her spicy additude came out was 💯💯. This is a huge reason I love enemies to lovers trope, all that banter. I also have a huge soft spot for all things plaid and cupcakes. 😍😍

What does a sexy axe throwing lumberjack looking bar owner and a fiery quick witted pin-up looking baker have in common? They both need to prove their success and knock out the competition, which includes each other. Swipe for the full synposis.

This one is a must buy! The witty banter, the perfect amount of 🔥🔥, the supporting characters filled with one crazy family. So humorous and proves why I love rom-com books so much!

4.5 Stars!
Blaire Calloway is a baker following her dreams. She's finally an independent business owner of a cupcake cocktail cafe in downtown Seattle, and is determined to succeed on her own. Everything is going according to plan until she crosses paths with the owner of the pub next door. Ronan Knight owns an axe throwing sports bar that is set to open the same day as her cupcake shop. They clash from the moment they meet and become rivals. A little not-quite so friendly competition begins as they try to outdo each other in very way. From new customers to social media, nothing is off limits. Blaire won't let anything ruin her chance at having everything she's ever wanted, not even a swoony looking guy. She can admit he's hot if you're into the hipster lumberjack type that love plaid and tattoos. She has to stay focused and not get distracted, but will he prove too much to resist when they are forced to call a temporary truce and work together.

Ronan Knight is busy trying to get his bar renovated and needs his business to be a success. When he meets his feisty neighbor Blaire she's a force of nature. Smart, beautiful, driven, and a total spitfire, she challenges him at every turn. He enjoys pushing her buttons and soon it becomes a game and he likes how easy it is to get under her skin. As they spend more time together a connection forms and he finds himself intrigued with the stunning queen of cupcakes.

Kiss My Cupcake by Helena Hunting is a fun, flirty, standalone enemies to lovers romantic comedy where opposites attract, and sparks ignite. Two neighbor shop owners battle it out as chemistry explodes and we get a sweet, sexy story full of fabulous banter and hilarious antics.

I adore this book! Really well written character banter, and the build to lovers. The Thanksgiving dinner felt like I was reading about the dinner party in Beetlejuice. It was so great! For me personally, this is my favorite Helena Hunting book by far.

As soon as this book was announced I knew I needed it - a rom-com from Helena Hunting + enemies to lovers + cupcakes? It sounded like a hit to me, and after reading it I can assure you it is!

I loved absolutely everything about this book. It was sweet, sexy, and absolutely hilarious. I adored Blaire & Ronan and couldn't get enough of them. Their chemistry was off the charts, and Helena Hunting's signature banter was next level. I devoured every word, and wished I was devouring every single cupcake!

The side characters were just as amazing, Gramps was such an amazing addition and I actually teared up a bit during some of his scenes. Lars provided that extra oomph and Daphne was such a fun "sidekick" for Blaire.

All in all, this was a fun and refreshing story that left me laughing, swooning, and majorly craving cupcakes!

This was such a fun romcom to read! Blaire and Ronan have adjacent businesses and a bit of a rivalry for customers. Blaire has just opened a cupcake and cocktail establishment, and Ronan is renovating his grandfather’s bar (he added an axe throwing room- did you know that’s a thing?). This enemies to lovers story is charming. The cupcake descriptions are delicious, Ronan and Blaire are mutual pranksters, they have steamy chemistry and a slow burn, and there is lots of witty dialogue. I was rooting for both of them because they are both so likable. Bonus, they have some memorable family members- ones you love and ones you love to hate.

Thanks to Forever Publishing and NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review!

“I’m just a cupcake, looking for my stud muffin.”

What a great, original story!

Blair Calloway comes from a family of wealthy restauranteurs who insist that once she’s over her little fascination with cupcakes, she join the family business. They are pretty ruthless in their approach (or reproach as the case may be) and although they have the financial means to help, Blair would rather struggle to make it on her own than have their interference (which would surely come with the money). She may be retro in her fashion and decorating sense, but fierce independence and will to succeed hide beneath her 50’s housewife exterior.

“What is this?” I snap!
Axe man’s full lips pull up into a grin.
“It’s called a bar, and judging from the look of it, I think you fell down the wrong rabbit hole, Alice. Wonderland isn’t here.”

Ronan Knight, AKA Hot Lumberjack, comes from the finance world. While the income was good, he wasn’t particularly fulfilled. He dreamed of opening his own brewery one day. When his grandmother dies leaving his grandfather to run their family bar, Knight Cap, Ronan jumps in without hesitation to bring the struggling bar back to life. This is his legacy. It’s been in his family for 3 generations. He isn’t going to let it or his grandpa down.

Blair needs her Buttercream and Booze to succeed to not only prove her idea was good but to prove to her family that she’s capable and perfect the way she is. And Ronan needs Knight Cap to succeed so he can revitalize the family business, and prove he is capable of starting his own brewery. When YouTube extraordinaire Tori, sets out to find the best bar in the Pacific Northwest, the two neighbors are in it to win it.

These charming characters start out like fire and ice, which makes for some hysterical banter and serious sexual tension, and what ensues are hilarious and touching moments that will surely keep you entertained!

This is a top favorite of this author. It was a joy to read, the perfect book to take on vacation with you and read while sunning on the beach.

Blaire has finally managed to open the shop of her dreams, her very own cupcake and cocktail bar.  She won't let anything or anyone stand between her and her dream, least of all the annoying bartender from the bar next door and his axe throwing arms. 

Ronan is managing the family bar, he didn't expect to like it or the cute 50s style cupcake baker so much. He likes even more riling Blaire while eating her cupcakes, so much that he can't stay away. 

They became rivals when a famous youtuber is organizing a competition to find the number one bar in the area. They both want to win, they need the advertisement and TV coverage to make their bar known to a wide audience and succeed. 

But when an even bigger threat opens a bar close by they decide to team up and work together.

I completely loved this book. The banter is top notch, they are so in tune and everything they do creates lots of tension. The cupcake and beer puns are so witty. 

I especially loved when they supported each other while they worked together. Their chemistry is instant and it grows up until the moment they decide to explore it, from that point it reaches a new level.

The book is very sweet and not only because there are cupcakes featured. Fair warning that it will make you crave baked goods so it's good to have some nearby.


*I received an ARC from Forever and this is my honest opinion.

Let me start off by saying that Meet Cute by Helena Hunt was one of my favorite romance reads from last year, so I have been dying to read Kiss My Cupcake. That being said, this book just lacked all of the magic that I loved from Meet Cute.

Blaire Calloway is the daughter of wealthy restaurateurs but wants to venture on her own and make a success of Buttercream & Booze. Ronan Knight inherits his grandparents' pub and turns it into a pub slash axe throwing place. This is an enemies to lovers situation since neither one respects the other, and they are out for blood in order to get their businesses to succeed.

I didn't hate this book by any means. . As far as the characters go, I felt that both relied too heavily on stereotypes. Blaire is constantly described as the wholesome, 50s pin-up classic beauty, which I find frustrating because historically, it only applies to white women. This automatically made me realize that I am not the target audience for this book. Now when it comes to Ronan, he is this lumberjack hipster that wears plaid shirts every day with black framed glasses...again, hello stereotypes.

When it comes to the depth of Blaire's and Ronan's characters, there was none. What you saw was pretty much what you got. Sure, they warmed up to each other, but everything was surface level. There's this entire scene that unfolds when Blaire invites Ronan to her family's house for Thanksgiving, and honestly, it felt more out of place than anything.

One of the things I did love in this book was Blaire's cupcake cafe, which included speciality cocktails to much. I thought it was creative and a lot of fun. The pairings definitely made me super jealous.

Overall, I liked this one, but it wasn't one to brag home about.

Thank you to Forever for providing a review copy through NetGalley. This didn't influence my review. all opinions are my own.

Despite the disapproval of her family of high end restaurateurs, Blaire is determined to open her version of a cute Cupcake store that serves alcohol. To her dismay, her new neighbor is a “ hunky lumberjerk” whose bar includes an ax throwing wall abutting her store. Ronan is a plaid wearing guy who is trying to keep his family’s bar open and makes it clear he will not compromise for Blaire’s Cupcake wonderland.
Thus begins a series of one up events that keeps the two planning their next move against each other. It’s really just the restaurant version of foreplay.When they actually start to talk about why they started their businesses, things start to progress in the right direction.
I really liked this book. It had just the right amounts of snark, romance, family story, and of course hot sex to be a fun summer read. The cupcake descriptions made my WW a little harder to follow for three days!
Ms. Hunting’s books are always a solid must buy and this one is no different.

After running a successful cupcake food truck with her partner, Blaire has opened a store-front cupcakery by herself. She’s planned everything down to the last detail. That is everything except for her GQ Lumberjerk neighbor, Ronan, who runs a sports bar next door that features ax throwing. Blaire and Ronan get off on the wrong foot when Ronan’s construction causes some damage to Blaire’s business, and he steals her customers during her grand opening. Their rocky start sparks a not-quite-friendly competition and undeniable chemistry between the two. They end up calling a truce when a chain restaurant threatens both of their businesses. Blaire and Ronan join forces to battle this new threat and spend a lot of time together in the process. While working together so closely, they realize that they are falling for each other. They have a shot at love that neither was looking for.

I adored this sweet, fun-and-flirty rom-com. There’s so much to like about this book. It is a realistic view of starting a business and hard work involved. Both Blaire and Ronan are dedicated to their work and achieving their dreams. The snarky banter between Ronan and Blaire is a highlight of the book and will have you laughing out loud. I also really liked Blaire. She’s feisty and unconventional with her 50s style poofy dresses. Blaire could have taken the easy road paved by her family, but she was determined to define her path based on her interests and succeed on her merit.

The fun side characters add so much to the story. Gramps is so sweet with his sage advice. Lars and Daphne are hilarious. Blaire’s crazy family adds an unexpected twist to the story.

Though lighthearted, this book does a great job of addressing some serious issues like the importance of pursuing your dreams, interfamily rivalries, and grief.

Fans of enemies-to-lovers romances will love Kiss My Cupcake for its banter and pranks as well as the great cast of characters!

This is a voluntary review of an advanced reader copy.

Overall Grade: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

“‘God, you’re beautiful.’ He squeezes both of my hands. ‘You look like you were made for me.’ I squeeze back. ‘That’s because I am.'”

There are times in your life when you just need to laugh. Maybe it’s the stress of the day-to-day or maybe it’s something far more onerous. No matter the reason, laughing is INDEED the best medicine. I didn’t realize until Chapter 1 of Helena Hunting’s newest romance, Kiss My Cupcake, that I needed a good laugh. And every chapter after that chapter reminded me again why I adore her stories, why they make me swoon and chuckle and become awestruck by her ability to weave contemporary romance tropes with the type of humor that feels absurd at times but natural to real life. Since I stepped into her Pucked world, I have never turned back, and Kiss My Cupcake is more of the same type of humor you love from Helena Hunting.

This story follows two business owners. Blaire is opening a cupcake/Instagram-ready cocktails business. This woman is 1950s-inspired, driven, organized, and creative. Unbeknownst to Blaire, her business neighbor, the hipster-looking, Brawny man-inspired, Ronan, is in the process of reimagining and renovating his grandfather’s bar, The Knight Cap. From the moment these two meet, the sparks fly. Over time, these two enemies realize a partnership will save their businesses from a corporate, cookie-cutter bar. As they work together, those initial sparks are grounded more in chemistry than anything. However, these two are also competing for the title of Best Bar in the Pacific Northwest. Who will win? Even so, will Blaire and Ronan’s burgeoning romantic relationship survive?

From the start, I was all in with Blaire and Ronan. While seemingly opposites, these two are actually more alike than different. One is the yin to the other’s yang, and the initial disdain they feel for each other is simply kindling for a growing blaze of chemistry. And to be clear, this fire is a slow burn. A real slow burn. I think what I love about Hunting’s characterizations here is her need to build a story before that chemistry builds to a bonfire. It’s what I think makes her an exceptional writer. She recognizes that romance is built through a careful plodding of that chemistry-build, and it allows the reader to believe the relationship, even when some of the circumstances seem unbelievable. If you’re a fan of a steadily growing relationship, not a quick jump in the sack, then you WANT this book.

It’s so hard to say what I love most about this book because it all conspires to grab your heart. Blaire and Ronan’s characterizations and chemistry are obviously the best part. However, the families of both Blaire and Ronan add an additional layer of color. Gramps is my FAVORITE character of this story. With his Scottish accent and life lessons, you will fall madly for him. With Blaire’s family, Hunting illustrates how she’s set apart from other romance writers: the ludicrous finds its reality. When I read a Hunting romance, I belly-laugh. Kiss My Cupcake is no different. Yet, even between laughs, I’m caught up in the story of this book. Blaire and Ronan’s need to prove themselves, their burgeoning coupleship, and their eventual happy ending make this book the perfect afternoon (or evening or morning) read. This is the type of book you can sit outside with your favorite alcoholic beverage while the sun is high in the sky (or setting) and get lost. It’s really easy to do with Kiss My Cupcake.

When I began reading Helena Hunting’s newest book, I intended to use it as a shield of protection for my heart. I was reading another ARC with quite a bit of angst (something very different from Hunting’s stories), and I was going to read a couple of chapters of Kiss My Cupcake and a couple of chapters of the other book, alternating between the two. My hope was that Hunting’s book would save me from the anxious feelings that you feel when reading an angsty book. What happened was typical for me while reading one of Hunting’s romances: I couldn’t stop reading it. While the other book could hold my attention, I didn’t want to leave Blaire and Ronan because the hilarity, the storytelling, the characters, and the plot drew me in and suspended me. I found myself negotiating: “just a couple of more chapters” and I will take a break. After two hours, I finally resolved myself to keep reading until the end because Blaire and Ronan are quite magical. From unicorn martini glasses to va-jay-jay cupcakes to ax-throwing, plaid-wearing bartenders, Kiss My Cupcake is the perfect savior from the most horrible of days. Grab this one QUICK and fall in deep.

"When I adopt an obsession, I don't half ass it; I commit fully."

This book was exactly what I hoped it would be. Blaire and Ronan have a firey and fun hate-to-love relationship that sizzles from the pages. The two start out as competing shop owners - Blaire runs a cupcake cafe while Ronan runs his family's bar next door. But competition leads to camaraderie and eventually the two find themselves working toward a common goal and realizing there's a fine line between hate and love.

Everything about this romantic comedy drew me in - from the characters and their fashion choices to their shops, their family situations and their friends. I enjoyed the fact that this story developed over several months, so readers could feel that natural progression of the relationship. The descriptive writing helped me feel like I was in attendance at comedy nights, concerts, trivia contests, and karaoke events. This whole book was one tasty treat.

Alice and the lumberjerk were everything I needed and more! this story was amazing! I couldn't put it down!

4.5/5

Oh my lord was this one CUTE y’all! If you like baking, enemies to lovers and a slow burn romance this one is a must. It made me feel all the warm and fuzzies and was such a perfect escape for me.

Blaire was downright adorable and quirky to boot, and Ronan was basically her polar opposite. From the moment they meet their banter was hilarious and HH is the queen of creating amazing chemistry between her characters so this one had some heat to it. It does take awhile for their to be any sexy scenes, there’s a lot of buildup before they hookup, but I think the wait was definitely worth it. This was heartfelt and sweet, tons of endearing characters and the most charming and adorable love story I’ve read about in awhile. I adored this sweet couple and was definitely bummed when I finished. Highly recommended by me for romance fans!

There's so much going on in the world right now that sometimes all you need is a feel good, deliciously sweet romance!

If you're like me and just looking for a sweet romance with a side of humor and banter that you can get lost in, then Kiss My Cupcake is the recipe you've been looking for.

This story of business rivals turned into passionate lovers is as cute and sweet as a cupcake! I enjoyed reading it and as an added bonus, was left with a warm feeling that love stories do exist and my only complaint is that I wanted more at the end...

I couldn’t help but adore this book! It is so full of sweetness and cupcakes that you better have some readily available to eat because you will definitely crave some after reading this one!
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Blaire has had one dream for a long time. To start her own cupcake cafe and to start it on her own without taking any help from her parents who always have ideas as to how she can do better if she did it their way. And she is finally there! Her cupcake cafe will be opening in a matter of days and everything is going perfect. Until her next door bar owner neighbour decides to ruin it.
Ronan is tired of working the nine to five and knows that’s not where his heart is. It’s in his grandfather’s bar or more precisely in opening a brewery. But to do that he needs funds which his grandfather has promised to provide if he can bring their family bar back on the radar. He is determined to accomplish the goal and isn’t going to let his crazy cupcake neighbour stop him.
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Helena Hunting is an author of whom I have read only a few books out of which A favor for a favor is my absolute favourite. One of the things I like about her is how she writes the enemies to lovers story. She keeps the enemies part light and fun, making it only a dislike instead of actual hatred which seems more understandable when they go from hating to jumping each other. Blaire and Ronan were at odds regarding Ronan stealing Blaire’s customer, causing noise with his axe throwing, and disturbing her cafe’s peaceful ambience. But they soon talk it out and come to an understanding that he didn’t intend to do any of those things and just wishes for a little friendly competition between the two.
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I LOVED their dynamic! It was so cute and fun and I had a grin on my face the entire time they argued or teased each other. I love a good banter and smart dialogues in my books and this one delivers on that aspect. The writing was light, sweet, funny and I enjoyed the way the story flowed which was not the way I expected but much better! I also loved both of their families, how completely opposite they were yet still just how families are that is embarrassing.
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Overall a great Enemies to Lovers and Rivals story that is sweet and spicy and a whole load of fun that you won’t be able to put down!