I’m delighted today to be joining the blog tour for the latest book from Eliza J Scott, Cupcakes and Kisses in Micklewick Bay, and sharing my review. Published by Storm Publishing on 3rd July, this is the fifth book in her lovely Micklewick Bay series, and is now available for kindle (free via Kindle Unlimited), in paperback and as an audiobook via Amazon in the UK and US. My thanks, as always, to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for the invitation and support, and to the publishers for my advance reading e-copy (provided via netgalley).
This really is the loveliest series. I knew I was going to love the first book, The Little Bookshop by the Sea, as soon as I picked it up, and so enjoyed the story of Florrie and Ed, their jointly owned bookshop, and the many stumbles of their relationship on the way to the hoped-for happy ending (you’ll find my review here). I sadly still haven’t managed to catch up with the next two books – Summer Days at Clifftop Cottage and Finding Love in Micklewick Bay, the stories of Florrie’s friends Maggie and Stella. But I was so thrilled to return to the Happy Hartes Bookshop for Christmas last year – Christmas at the Little Bookshop by the Sea was such an enjoyable read, full of everything that makes Christmas special (you can read my full review again here).
It’s the turn of another of Florrie’s friends this time – it’s Jasmine’s story. And having already fallen for her children (and I don’t say that very often…), I was rather looking forward to getting to know her a little better…
Every night, Jasmine Ingilby dreams of delicate sugar flowers and perfectly swirled buttercream. By day, she steals moments between her cleaning shifts to craft stunning cakes from her tiny kitchen, hoping to transform her passion into something more. But as a fiercely independent single mother of two, finding time to grow her fledgling business feels like reaching for the impossible.
Just when her hard work seems about to pay off, Jasmine’s carefully balanced world begins to crumble. Her landlord puts a ‘For Sale’ sign outside her rented home. Then a figure from her past returns to town, reopening old wounds Jasmine thought had long healed and causing trouble at school for her young children.
Then Max Grainger – her childhood best friend – unexpectedly returns to Micklewick Bay after twenty-five years away, and Jasmine is blindsided by the emotions his presence stirs. Now a successful businessman with a son of his own, Max seems determined to solve all her problems. But years of self-reliance have built walls around Jasmine’s heart that even the sweetest gestures struggle to break through.
Will Jasmine’s fear of getting burned again stop her from accepting help when she needs it most? Or will the loyal support of her friends help her discover the perfect recipe for love?
A heartwarming, emotional read about second chances, friendship, and finding the courage to believe in yourself, perfect for fans of Jessica Redland, Jenny Colgan, and Phillipa Ashley.
Jasmine really couldn’t squeeze any more into her busy days – being a hands-on mother, the cleaning work for Stella’s mum (and there’s one lovely old lady that’d really miss her), the shifts at the bakery, producing the most wonderful special occasion cakes in her small kitchen. She’d love to spend all her time on the cake-baking she loves, but she’s barely keeping her head above water as it is. She can only just fit in the Friday nights in the pub with her close circle of friends – but they’re so very important to her, and keep her going. And just when a new opportunity crosses her path – with the potential to make her dreams come true – she returns one day to find a for sale sign on her rented house, with the need to find a new home for her small family.
And then there’s the surprise return of Max – the little boy she protected from bullies when they were little, as he spent time with her family to escape his father’s neglect. When he left, he said he’d return for her – with a flashy sports car, having made his fortune, to marry her. And his life has certainly changed – a beautiful house overlooking the bay, a property empire, a PA who looks after his son, a lifestyle Jasmine can only dream of. Romance is the last thing on her mind – her experience with her former husband put an end to all that. But behind the new glossy front, Max the man is still the boy she remembers…
The story shifts – quite seamlessly – between past and present, as Jasmine tries to decide the direction her life should follow. And her friendship circle – it was so lovely to spend time with them again – are always there to provide both emotional support and practical help. It’s a particularly engaging story, emotional at times, and filled with the same warmth as the earlier books in this lovely series. All the characters are wonderfully drawn, including the villains of the piece who certainly bring complications – I really loved both Jasmine and Max, so hoping they could overcome the obstacles and find their way to a happy future together. And Jasmine’s friendships – and her relationship with the family – were something I very much enjoyed.
Do read this one as a standalone if you’ve missed the earlier books in the series – you’ll soon be wrapped up in everyone’s lives, and feel part of the lovely community. And don’t be put off by the book’s title – I know the mention of “cupcakes” can be a red flag to many – because this is a book with real emotional depth and none of the fluffiness you might be expecting. I really loved it – and I know so many others will too.
About the author
Eliza J Scott lives in North Yorkshire with her family and has wanted to be a writer as far back as she can remember. She is inspired by her beautiful surroundings and loves to write heartwarming stories based on romance and friendship with a generous dollop of community spirit and a hint of humour. She has written fifteen novels (including this one) and has been an Amazon UK Kindle bestseller.
When she’s not writing, Eliza can usually be found with her nose in a book or working in her garden doing a spot of plot wrangling (of the writing variety), and battling against the weeds. The weeds, unfortunately, are currently winning but Eliza is undeterred. Roses are amongst her favourite flowers and she doesn’t need much of an excuse to visit a plant centre where a new rose always seems to mysteriously find its way onto her trolley much to her husband’s astonishment.
Eliza also enjoys having a catch-up with friends over tea and cake, as well as bracing walks in the countryside, rounded off by a visit to a teashop – for yet more tea and cake!
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