Ellie's 31st birthday brings home to her the fact that everyone is expecting her to announce she's got a bun in the oven. She's happily married to the lovely Pete, is working as an ad rep at a foodie magazine, and has a passion for baking. But having a baby is such a big step - one that Ellie really doesn't know if she's ready for yet. So she goes out into the field, gathering information from friends, throwing herself into some childcare situations and blogging about her indecisiveness. Meanwhile, friend Lydia talks her into signing up for a baking class, so she can size up cute classmate Joe for her. But Ellie will have to be careful that their simmering flirtation doesn't lead to her being burnt. Although I couldn't relate to Ellie's drawn-out baby deliberations (or love of baking for that matter!), many readers no doubt will. But I did enjoy how Ellie progressed throughout to take on more creative work. The story, created with dollops of humour and a pinch of sentimentality, is just like a cupcake - light, fluffy and sweet. It will be scoffed down by anyone with a taste for chick lit.
Molly has always been close to her brother Sam and can't help but give him some big sisterly advice from time to time. When yet another of Sam's romances ends, Molly decides to train Sam in how to be a good boyfriend. The outcome of her training is that Sam meets, falls in love with and gets engaged to the gorgeous Iris. Molly then prides herself on a job well done and as her current entrepreneurial escapade is stagnant and with debts to pay, especially to her highly successful businesswoman of a mother, Molly hits on the idea of marketing what she has done for Sam to a few other lonely hearts. Sam has several friends who are keen for advice and so with best friends Rachel and Josie on hand to provide wardrobe assistance and fitness conditioning, the concept of the Bad Boyfriends Bootcamp is born. This is a great debut novel which will keep you entertained and involved right to the last page. (LM)
