Cupcake

About the Book:

Title: Cupcake
Author: Cookie O’Gorman
Publisher: Entangled: Teen
Release Date: November 2, 2021
Genre: YA Fiction

I know what you’re thinking.

You’re thinking this will be just one more story of the ignored, “big-boned ” girl, who sheds her glasses and a few extra pounds and finally attracts the notice of the most popular guy in school.

Except it isn’t. Because I’m not unpopular. Not all that ignored. And I love the way I look—just as I am.

Then someone puts my name in for Homecoming Court.

The bigger surprise?

People actually vote for me!

Now, I’m a “princess”—whether I like it or not—but the guy I’m paired with isn’t exactly Prince Charming.

Rhys Castle is the strong, silent type who always wears a frown—he’s certainly never smiled at me. I’m 99.9% sure he hates being on Court and being my partner, but surprisingly…he doesn’t switch when he gets the chance.

Turns out Rhys has a secret—something that makes him run hot and cold throughout the entire three weeks of Homecoming festivities. Whether he’s stepping on my feet during dance lessons or gallantly escorting me through the Homecoming parade, I can’t get a read on this guy, and for the first time, I find my confidence wavering.

But there’s more to Rhys than meets the eye. And the more the spotlight shines on me, I realize there’s more to me, too.

Book Review:

This was such a cute and fun YA book! I enjoy reading YA books, but I am really picky. However I am happy to say that this was a winner! Cupcake is the first book that I have read written by Cookie O’Gorman and I loved it. I have her other books on my TBR now. 

Ariel was such a fun character to read about. She was fearless and she was confident. I adored the story and how O’Gorman wrote her. Ariel, or Cupcake which is what people called her at school, was a baker who baked whenever she felt stressed or really any kind of emotion. Cupcake was a relatable character. She wasn’t the most popular person in school but she was kind. I loved how she thought of others and how she loved to bake. 

Rhys was also an awesome character. He was the mysterious type, but as you got to know him you found a sweet thoughtful guy. I loved getting to know him and finding the kindness in him. However, he wasn’t perfect and he had struggles of his own. 

Okay, so what I really liked about this book was it wasn’t a book about Cupcake learning to love her body. She loved who she was and she was okay with being “different”. However, this book was about Cupcake learning more about herself and even seeing that it was okay to have some cracks in her confidence. She did love her body, but there were days where the voices of doubt got louder and it was okay. I loved the message this book gave, at least this was what I got out of this book. Being different and being yourself is something you should be proud of, don’t let the doubts of others bring you down. 

Cupcake was an awesome book! This was an amazing, clean, fun YA book. I would definitely recommend it to those who love reading teen books and even to those who don’t usually read teen books. This didn’t have a lot of unnecessary drama, but instead felt like it could be a real life situation. I would recommend Cupcake to those 13 and up

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, a positive review was not required.