Semi-Sweet: A Novel of Love and Cupcakes by Roisin Meaney Review & Giveaway

Just days before Hannah Robinson is to open her own shop, her live-in boyfriend dumps her.  He says he has found someone new and moves out on the eve of her celebration party.  Shocked and heart-broken, Hannah throws herself into her shop.  She arises every morning at three am to make dozens of delectable cupcakes to sell in her shop. She knows she needs to find another housemate to help her pay the bills, but she is too sad and busy to worry about it right now.

Patrick feels bad about dumping Hannah, but it couldn't be helped.  He was enjoying juggling two women, but Leah became pregnant so he moved in with her.  But things are not going well with Leah's mother as she plays bridge with Hannah's mother and the two are not happy with their offspring.

Then Hannah's best friend Adam decides to move in with Hannah to help her pay the bills and to let his sister Nora use his flat, since she is recently divorced and needs somewhere to stay.  Nora finds a job as a PA assistant for Patrick and becomes the perfect dalliance for Patrick to escape his humdrum life.

Adam takes to going to a new wine bar on the weekends and urges Hannah to come along.  Adam has his eye on a shy blonde who plays the clarinet.  But Hannah starts to see one of the players who also comes into her shop, a carpenter named John. 

Meanwhile, Geraldine, Hannah's mother, works at the Glass Slipper for a woman named Alice.  Alice's husband Tom works with Geraldine's husband Steven.  Alice is concerned about Tom's habit of drinking and when an accident brings things to a head, life gets sticky for everyone concerned. 

A top-notch cast of characters whose live intermingle will have you cheering and booing at some of their choices and antics.  I totally despised the characters of Tom and Patrick but I really enjoyed Hannah, Adam and Geraldine.  You will find yourself caught up in their lives, sharing their heartbreaks, triumphs and zest for life.  Roisin Meaney's writing reminded me alot of Debbie Macomber and Jill Mansell.  I really enjoyed the writing and the dialogue between the characters as well as having a novel that ended without any loose ends.  Well worth the read!

GIVEAWAY

I have two copies of Semi-Sweet by Roisin Meaney for two USA Readers

*Please use a separate comment for each entry and include your email*

MANDATORY ENTRY

Leave a comment with your email

BONUS ENTRIES

What is your favorite flavor of cupcakes?

Follow Minding Spot GFC

Contest ends on April 24th.  USA Only.  Winners have 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be selected.  Winners selected via randomizer.org.  I received a free copy of Semi-Sweet to faciliate this review.