Meet Me at the Cupcake Cafe

Cupcake Café Series, Book 1

By: Jenny Colgan

Narrated by: Michelle Ford

Length: 12 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's Summary

Issy Randall can bake. No, Issy can create stunning, mouthwateringly divine cakes. After a childhood spent in her beloved Grampa Joe's bakery, she has undoubtedly inherited his talent. She's much better at baking than she is at filing, so when she's laid off from her desk job, Issy decides to open her own little café. But she soon learns that her piece-of-cake plan will take all of her courage and confectionary talent to avert disaster.

Funny and sharp, Meet Me at the Cupcake Café is about how life might not always taste like you expect, but there's always room for dessert!

©2013 Jenny Colgan (P)2013 Tantor

Critic Reviews

"A funny novel about friendship, food and love. . . . [Listeners] with an interest in baking will love this book." ( Kirkus)

A feel good romcom

This story was so charming. A young woman gets fired from her corporate job and decides to open her own bakery/ cafe using her grandfather's recipes. There are real recipes featured in the beginning of the chapters that are later relevant to the story. The descriptions were so mouth watering. I also loved the characters. They were lovable with realistic motivations. I felt like this was something that could have happened to my friends. Cupcake cafe also managed to to ugh on serious issues will still managing to be lighthearted. But I think that why I found this story so relatable. They dealt with their problems as a family.

Although it is in the romance category, I would describe this more as "slice of life" with a romance on the side. The story did not revolve around the heroine finding love, but more about finding herself and rebuilding her life.

Michelle Ford was wonderful. I adored her charming British accent.

a fun bit of fluff

Sometimes you just want to listen to something young and fun, that isn't annoyingly written. This is that kind of book. i'd give it 3-4 stars.

Lovely story

Definitely not a romance, but a fantastic story.

The bulk of the book is about Izzy, a sweet, sometimes frustrating, truly kind woman trying trying to find happiness in life. Sounds boring, right? Well it’s not. The writing is incredibly engaging, and the characters are so very relatable you can’t help but care for them.

This isn’t just about Izzy, though. Pearl, Helena, Austin and even selfish Graham each have their own stories to tell, woven through the main theme of life, choices, and change.

Michelle Ford is a great reader. Each character was recognizable, and that’s got to be tough for a large cast. My favorite part was Caroline’s recipe; I knew who it was instantly, even before all the odd ingredients were read, and it made me laugh. Kudos!

Lovely story, well narrated

What did you love best about Meet Me at the Cupcake Cafe?

The honesty of the main character's strengths and weaknesses

What was one of the most memorable moments of Meet Me at the Cupcake Cafe?

The moments with the grandfather sharing his recipes and love

What about Michelle Ford’s performance did you like?

Very dynamic performance. Understood the material and made the right choices for emphasis.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Following your heart can lead you to your dreams.

Cute story, fun read, delicious recipes

Where does Meet Me at the Cupcake Cafe rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I liked it a lot, but it isn't one of my very favorites of all of the Audible books I have listened to. I liked this the best of all of this author's books. I find her books get a little overdrawn by the end, after good characters and good story and development, but somehow they lose their way a little. I listen as I drive and I drive a lot, so her books are fun for the most part but this is the only one I have kept in my library.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I liked this lead character a lot because she actually cares about her Grandfather and isn't just angry at the world and judging everyone for half the book...I find this author's female leads a little whiny and strident and nit-picking for the first few chapters. Just as I am about to say "I quit! I can't stand this character for one more chapter!" the lead character gets more developed and likable and starts to show some gumption and I stick it out for a good story till she starts to wrap it up and they all get a little off track again. But I like her books enough to keep trying them!

What about Michelle Ford’s performance did you like?

This has been the best narrator of all of Jenny Colgan's books. She did a good job bringing each of the characters to life.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Life can be delicious if you just start baking

Any additional comments?

If you want to try one of this author's books, this is the most well-rounded one and really an enjoyable listen.

A perfect read for hard times!

Such a lovely book! I’m usually not a romance genre fan (usually too trite and predictable,) but the characters and the triumph of a girl creating her dream of prividpiece of Sweet recipes and well developed and real characters. And the narrator’s voice was perfect for this; especially Izzy’s voice. Her voice brought out the sheer sweetness of the story: family, friends, dear children, fulfilling dreams and of course, love. Not too sickly sweet, just lovely. I truly enjoyed reading a book that was (mostly) empty of meaness, that was a feel-good book but also well written, and real and believable. And then there are the cupcakes... I truly enjoyed every minute of it!

And the cupcake goes to

I loved it! It was great fun and sweet and I always love a happy ending!

Super cute

Fun story with a nice plot and good narration. I listened to it as part of the romance package. Well worth it!

I wish the Cupcake Cafe was near me!

I have to love that the women in the story are of all shapes and sizes, and are all described as beautiful. This story is sweet and suspenseful and lovely. Sometimes, it’s even laugh out loud funny! The characters are rich and varied and intriguing. No one is perfect; they are human and delightful. Except the baddie. He is not delightful! I also have to say that the narration is spot-on. I love it when they get kids’ voices right.

I love jenny colgan books. good storytelling.

audible needs to get more jenny colgan books. they are simply wonderful and endearing.