Christmas At The Cupcake Cafe (Cupcake Cafe #2) by Jenny Colgan

Book Review Jan 02, 2023

My review

4/5 stars

I read the first book in this series, Meet Me At The Cupcake Cafe, a few months ago and found it to be a bit mediocre. Despite that, I decided to give this festive sequel a go after seeing it on a Christmas Reads recommendation shelf at my local library.

I'm glad I did, as it allowed me to make up for what I felt I'd lost in the first book. I connected with the characters more in this story than in the first. They all felt more well-rounded and real in this book. This was particularly noticeable for me in Issy's relationship with her best friend, Helena. Helena has had a baby and the two have drifted somewhat because one struggles to talk about babies and the other struggles to talk about anything else. As someone who is deep in the thick of parenting young children, and in a similar predicament with some of my oldest friends, I really related to this particular aspect of the content and it bought a new level of enjoyment to the story for me.

I also enjoyed getting to know Darny and Pearl better as characters in this sequel. Darny was beautifully written as a tweenager, stuck between the independence of growing up and the vulnerability of childhood. His bonds with both Issy and Austin helped flesh out their worlds. Pearl had provided some interest in the first story with her adorable child, but she really came into her own in this story and was shown to mature significantly; I appreciated seeing it.

The development of Issy and Austin's relationship felt real and tangible throughout the story. At the start of the book, I was a bit concerned that it was going to be too much of that over-the-top mushy kind of love, but it quickly developed into a very adult drama surrounding whose career was going to take priority. It was nice to seeing something so genuine and everyday in a romcom.

The festive element of the book was decent throughout. A bakery in the lead up to Christmas is hard to get wrong, as there are festive bakes galore to help get readers in the mood. Despite this, I felt like the Christmassy feel really came into the book when the setting shifted to New York, though I'm not sure I can put my finger on why that is. It was cosy enough, but it wasn't overdone or the main feature of the story.

I'm happy I was able to round the story out after finding myself slightly disappointed the first time round, the author definitely managed to redeem the characters in my eyes during this sequel.

Book blurb

Issy Randall, proud owner of the Cupcake Cafe, is in love and couldn't be happier. Her new business is thriving and she is surrounded by close friends, even if her cupcake colleagues Pearl and Caroline aren't quite as upbeat about the upcoming season of snow and merriment. But when her boyfriend Austin is scouted for a possible move to New York, Issy is forced to face up to the prospect of a long-distance romance. And when the Christmas rush at the cafe - with its increased demand for her delectable creations - begins to take its toll, Issy has to decide what she holds most dear.

This December, Issy will have to rely on all her reserves of courage, good nature and cinnamon, to make sure everyone has a merry Christmas, one way or another . . .