So yeah, this was one of those books that I couldn't help wishing they'd make into a chick-flick. It's full of vibrant and well-developed characters, complete with a quirky leading lady who often finds herself in awkwardly hilarious situations of her own making.
It's got a fun trio of girlfriends (Shannon, Butter, and Liz) who, in some combination, co-own or work in Kat's business, a bakery called Cup My Cakes, as well as a couple of male "love interests" and significant others. It definitely wouldn't be lacking for a supporting cast (if it was made into a movie).
There was actually one part in the book where I was laughing out loud, and so hard that I was crying. I don't remember the last time a book made me do that.
Food on the pages is always a bonus, and since the main setting was usually in a bakery, you can rest assured that there was plenty of it. Cupcakes are pretty much the "food star" on these pages, and the descriptions definitely sounded mouthwatering, even though I'm sometimes considered a bit strange in that I'm not a big cupcake fan. I don't hate them, I just don't care one way or the other. I think it's because they're mostly frosting, and I'm not big on frosting. But hey, I have no problem reading about them (I'm not a monster).
The front door bell jingles, letting us know our first customer of the day has arrived, and we know a whole gaggle isn't far behind. Shannon races off with her brownies, and I grab a tray of orange muffins with warm cinnamon glaze and follow her.
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The Awkward Path to Getting Lucky
author: Summer Heacockpublisher: MIRA (July 25, 2017)
genre: Literature & Fiction > Humor & Satire > Humorous (Romance > Romantic Comedy)
paperback: 384 pages
"foodie" read: Yeah, a bit. Lots of cupcakes and baked goods.
opening sentence(s): I can't frost this cupcake. My vagina is broken.
teaser: In thirty-four days, it will have been exactly two years to the day since I’ve had sex.
Having sex wasn’t exactly high on Kat Carmichael’s priority list while her successful bakery was taking off, especially since things hadn’t been working very well in that department. And the last time she and her boyfriend, Ryan, even attempted the act, they found it to be physically impossible—resulting in pain and disappointment for Kat instead of sunshine and orgasms.
With just over a month until their four-year anniversary, Kat calls for a break in her relationship with Ryan, encouraging him to see other people while she throws herself into physical therapy. Yet even with the well-intentioned (but wildly inappropriate) attempts at help from her best friends, Kat quickly discovers that a solo mission may not be the best approach.
Fortunately, physical therapist Ben Cleary, the shop’s best (looking) customer, volunteers to help out—strictly as a friend, of course. But as the line between love and friendship begins to blur, Kat stands to lose much more than a functioning set of lady bits if she can’t figure out what to hang on to…and what to let go.
about the author: Summer Heacock is an author of contemporary women’s fiction and prances through life like a Disney cartoon that says the “F” word a lot. She lives in a teeny Indiana town, where she’s a stay-at-home-mom to two scampy tots, wife to an amazingly understanding husband, herder of a rescue critter menagerie and collector of life-size celebrity cardboard cutouts. When not writing or hoarding jellybeans, she’s a member of the Midwest Writers planning committee and a cohost of PubTalkTV. The Awkward Path to Getting Lucky is her debut novel.
connect with the author: website | facebook | twitter
recipe inspired by the book: Orange Muffins w/ Cinnamon Glaze
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Yield: 9 muffins
Orange Muffins w/ Cinnamon Glaze
prep time: 10 MINScook time: 20 MINStotal time: 30 mins
These tender and bright muffins featuring fresh orange zest and juice bring the sunshine to any morning!
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon finely grated orange zest (from 2-3 oranges)
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon fine-grain salt
- 1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 teaspoon orange blossom water, optional (can substitute vanilla extract)
For the Cinnamon Glaze:
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 to 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed orange juice
- big pinch of ground cinnamon
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Preheat oven to 375° F. Grease or line 9 muffin cups.
- Sift flour into a large bowl, then add the sugar, orange zest (*tip: grate the orange zest right over the sugar into the bowl to capture all of the oils that are released), baking powder, and salt; stir to combine.
- Whisk the orange juice, sour cream, oil, and orange blossom water together in a separate bowl until well-combined.
- Make a well in the dry ingredients and pour the wet ingredients into it, then stir with a wooden spoon until just combined (take care not to over-mix, or the muffins will be tough and rubbery). Divide batter evenly between muffin cups (about 3/4 of the way full).
- Slide into the preheated oven and bake for ~20 minutes or until lightly golden around the edges, and a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
- Set on a wire rack and allow to cool for 10 minutes.
Make the cinnamon glaze:
- After you set the muffin tray on the rack to cool, stir the orange juice into the powdered sugar a little at a time in a small bowl, until you have a thick glaze; stir in cinnamon.
Glaze the muffins:
- Put a sheet of wax or parchment paper underneath the cooling rack.
- When you turn the muffins out of the pan, flip them over and lightly dip the tops in the glaze, then return to the wire rack to finish cooling. They will drip a little, but that's what the wax/parchment paper is for.
- The muffins are the best the same day they are made, but if you need to, you can store the completely cooled muffins at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 24 hours. You can also freeze the cooled muffins for up to 30 days.
©All Roads Lead to the Kitchen. Loosely adapted from Pretty. Simple. Sweet.
Created using The Recipes Generator
