Semi-Sweet By Roisin Meaney

Inside Look

Hannah Robinson is just about to open the doors to her new shop Cupcakes on the Corner when out of the blue her boyfriend Patrick announces that he’s leaving her for another woman. Faced with starting a business on her own, Hannah begins to wonder if her life-long dream has just turned into a nightmare. So her best friend Adam sets his birthday as a deadline – seven months to make her shop a success, or walk away from it all. And as Hannah immerses herself in her new business, she soon discovers that she’s too busy to think about Patrick and his now pregnant girlfriend …or to notice an increasingly regular customer who has recently developed a sweet tooth for all things cupcake. But while Hannah is slowly piecing her life back together, family friend Alice’s is falling apart. Her husband Tom’s drinking is getting out of control and things are about to get a whole lot worse. As the seven-month milestone approaches, Hannah must decide her future. And while she’s figuring out what’s really important, it becomes clear to everyone that happiness in life, and in love, is all in the making.

Did I Love It?

The cover of this book is so charming and sweet, I just wanted to walk right into the picture. Who can resist a cupcake anyway? I sure know I can’t. Cupcakes have always been my guilty pleasure, so when I saw this book sitting on the shelf, I thought this story would be the perfect combination of love and cupcakes.

Of course, one can’t judge a book by the cover alone; one must absorb and digest the contents to truly appreciate the power of the words penned.

I spent a delightful afternoon with the residents of Clongarvin, Ireland and became engrossed in their stories interlacing together. Semi-Sweet is an engaging book with surprising depth and emotion.

Hannah, the main character, is stronger than she gives herself credit for. I found her actions admirable and uplifting. She opened up her own business, the cupcake shop of her dreams, even when her world crashed before her. Hannah is a lighthearted testament to women everywhere…fights for what you believe in and believe in yourself.

I must say Semi-Sweet wasn’t the chick-lit I was expecting, it is something more. This is a story about friendship, family, and love with a delicious dose of cupcakes.

Gracefully Yours,
Elle