Kat inspected rows of the same old cupcakes. They seemed to blink back at her, as if they knew she was capable of so much more.

Kat Varland has had enough of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. At twenty-six years old, Kat is still living in the shadows of her family in Bayou Bend, Louisiana. Still working shifts at her Aunt Maggie’s bakery. Still wondering what to do with her passion for baking and her business degree. And still single.

But when Lucas Brannen, Kat’s best friend, signs her up for a reality TV bake-off on Cupcake Combat, everything Kat ever wanted is suddenly dangled in front of her: creative license as a baker, recognition as a visionary . . . and a job at a famous bakery in New York.

As the competition heats up, Lucas realizes he might have made a huge mistake. As much as he wants the best for Kat, the only thing he wants for himself, her, is suddenly in danger of slipping away.

The bright lights of reality cooking wars and the chance at a successful career dazzle Kat’s senses and Lucas is faced with a difficult choice: help his friend achieve her dreams . . . or sabotage her chances to keep her in Louisiana.

My first Betsy St. Amant book. Love her voice. Easy to read. Great storytelling.

So why only three stars? (SPOILER ALERT)

I don’t like friends-to-lovers. I’ve tried. I don’t like it. I can’t handle it.

I will definitely pick up another book by this author (like I said, if it wasn’t for the plotline I would have enjoyed her writing), but I can’t handle friends to lovers. That’s my bad for not paying attention before I picked up the book.

Rated PG. Get your copy here!

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