The Cupcake Queen by Heather Hepler

Title: The Cupcake Queen
Author: Heather Hepler
ISBN: 9780525421573
Publisher: Dutton Children's Books

Summary:
"When her mom decides to leave Manhattan and open a cupcake bakery in Hog's Hollow, Penny gets dragged along. She doesn't know how she'll survive high school without her lifelong friends and big-city comforts. To make matters worse, her father is staying behind, and Mom isn't talking about what the future holds for them. And as if that wasn't enough, Penny's clumsiness leads to a cupcake-avalanche mishap at the Queen Bee's birthday party that instantly makes her a social pariah.

But small town life isn't all bad. Penny finds bright spots in Hog's Hollow - like the art studio and her free-spirited friend Tall. Then there's Marcus, the cute and enigmatic boy who is always running on the beach... and into Penny.

Just when Penny is settling in, her parents ask her to make a choice that will turn everything upside down again."
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Review:

I'm not gonna lie... this book made me wish for cupcakes! Not good for my so-called-diet. haha.

This book was a sugary treat and satisfied just as well. The story was a fun and light without getting bogged down with some of the more serious issues that are faced. There are some real-life issues that Penny deals with (parents divorce, making friends/enemies, etc) that could have dragged the story down, but the author deals with those things really well. It's almost like the power of laughter kept the story light.

There are definitely some parts that are handled a bit TOO lightly. And things seem to turn out a bit too rosey in the end. I mean, that is sort of the point, it's just too easy for things to turn out perfectly. Perhaps I'm just bitter :). Kidding... and wishing my life was a storybook.

Anyway, I would recommend this one to anyone reading YA lit - especially the younger readers. It's a solid story and is a fun lower high school stuff. Check out the author's website. I've also read Dream Factory by her and loved it. She's great at the realistic, light chick lit!
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