Honey Pie by Donna Kauffman

 

Mocha Chocolate Chip… Caramel Fudge…Strawberry Lemonade…Butter Rum…There’s no such thing as guilt when it’s another delicious bitch and bake session with the women of the Cupcake Club…

When Honey D’Amourvell inherits property on tiny Sugarberry Island, she’s prepared to start a whole new life. Her plan is simple—make a home, open a shop, and maybe, finally, find a place to belong. But the building she now owns is leased to none other than the owner of Babycakes, which means her spot is already occupied. Honey isn’t sure how to put down roots when she has nowhere to plant them. But sexy, softhearted mechanic Dylan Ross seems determined to help. He’s everything she never imagined she would find in a man, and each kiss is more persuasive than the last…

Soon enough, Honey is another important ingredient in the spicy mix of the Cupcake Club. But will Dylan convince her that what she craves most is his love?

*****

Honey Pie is the fourth book in Donna Kauffman’s Cupcake Club series and not at all what I was expecting. The cover had me thinking chick-lit meets chock-lit, and the blurb did not do the story justice!

I’m such a fan of small town romances, so when I saw this book I had to grab it! But, like I said, this isn’t at all what I had thought it would be. I began this expecting a light, romantic, feel good read, which it definitely is, but it’s got such a deep, wonderful story to it, too.

I haven’t had the pleasure of reading the previous books, so I'm not sure how much information was given about Aunt Bea other than what we get in Honey Pie. I don’t want to give away anything that might be a spoiler, but Honey turns out to be a very complex, conflicted heroine! Not weak, not mousey, but definitely struggling with what some might consider a blessing, but what she considers a curse.

Luckily for Honey, Dylan Ross isn’t quite the standoffish, unapproachable man he seems to be, even after he realizes that the pretty newcomer to Sugarberry Island is all kinds of trouble. Just a single touch – and what happens because of that touch – is all it takes for Dylan to open up and – whether she wants it or not – help Honey find her footing and put down roots in this tiny community where secrets, especially the kind Honey has, are impossible to keep.

I can’t even begin to tell you how much I enjoyed this story! Sweet, sexy, passionate… it’s not so much a story about letting go of your past, but learning to live with what Fate has given you. It’s about opening yourself up to friendship and love, knowing it’s better to take a chance on having it all rather than hide yourself away and living with the regret of knowing you never even tried.

The bottom line: I’m excited to have found another author who knows how to blend the wonderful female friendships of chick-lit with the passion and romance of contemporary romance. I am so looking forward to reading more of the Cupcake Club series!

My thanks to Kensington/Brava for providing me with a copy of this delightful story in exchange for an honest review. It’s been such a treat!