3.5 ( )

A death reunites a group of old friends around a beloved bakery—exactly when all five could use renewed friendship to help sort through their problems. Of course, life proves complicated, offering no easy solutions for the Berry Lake Cupcake Posse (which leaves a few loose ends for future books in the series to handle), but the stories of these five women do mix together for an entertaining read.

Melissa McClone’s Cupcakes & Crumbs is a deliciously sweet story of friendship. While I did have a hard time with all the characters at the beginning, I did settle into the story well and enjoyed their various perspectives and circumstances. I look forward to reading more of McClone’s Berry Lake Cupcake Posse series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own. ( )

What a delicious read!! Having read some of the books from the Indigo Bay series I knew this was going to be a charming read, and I am positively smitten!!

Cupcakes & Crumbs is the first book in the Berry Lake Cupcake Posse series, and focuses on each member of the "posse," life-long friends that have drifted apart the past fifteen years, but have reunited due to a recent tragedy that has affected the entire town.

Because there are multiple narrators, it can get a tad confusing at times, keeping all the characters, and their back stories, straight, but the pace is great, and once you get into the rhythm of the story you find yourself completely invested.

Each character has their own struggles, but are so personable and likable, I could see myself being friends with them in real life. Cupcakes & Crumbs is written in a sweet, down-to-earth fashion that is full of heart. Speaking of sweet...the detailed descriptions of cupcakes that will seriously make your mouth water, pair that with wonderfully relatable characters, and a picturesque backdrop, it can't get more yummy than that!

I am already craving the next book in the series, and can't wait to see where the author takes the characters! There are a few questions that are left unanswered, relationships that I can't wait to see explored, and a mystery that I can't wait to find out if I'm right about!

Such a fun and charming book and the perfect series starter! ( )

I was not ready for this book to end (so it’s a good thing this is the first in a series). Cupcakes & Crumbs follows five women who formed friendships as teenagers while working at a local cupcake shop.

While the death of the shop owner brings all the women together, a common goal draws them close again. These ladies have each followed their own paths in life. Some the ones the planned and others have had to find a new one and I was engaged learning about each of them.

While this is a quick women’s fiction read, there is a little something for all readers mixed in—a light touch of romance, some mystery, and lots of conflict. I have an inkling of what happened to the shop (and you’ll have to read Cupcakes & Crumbs to find out what that is) and have already hunted down the release date for the next book in the series. It’s February 23, 2021 for those who need to know.

Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own. ( )

This was a delightfully fast paced beginning to an exciting new series - Berry Lake Cupcake Posse. This "posse" consists of five estranged friends who are brought back together at the death of a mutually beloved friend. After fifteen years, all their lives had changed into a very interesting varation.

This is a fascinationg culmination of individual lives, berievement, self discovery, conflicts, reconciliation, dysfunctional relationship, friendship, and much more.

With not only, their loved one's death, more discoveries and tragedies occur. The reader is left with several "cliff hangers" leaving him/her anxius for more.

The wrinting is exceptional, the characers feel real and "draws" the reader into the group. The scenes are portrayed very realistically and easily visualized. The Book Cover and image is very well chosen - simple, yet, eye-catching.

Surely this series will become a favorite and it is "clean"!

This book was gifted me with no pressure to offer a positive review. This is my honest review. ( )

Cupcakes & Crumbs by Melissa McClone introduces the Berry Lake Cupcake Posse, five friends who reunite and rediscover the sweetness of their friendship. At the beginning, it was difficult to keep the characters and their stories straight. However, as the story progressed, it became easier to switch between the narratives.

Each woman in the Berry Lake Cupcake Posse struggles with her own issues – be it a crumbling marriage, a matchmaking mother, the loss of a beloved grandmother, or something else. Though the story explored difficult situations, the novel did not feel emotionally heavy. I enjoyed watching the women grow and develop.

Cupcakes & Crumbs by Melissa McClone is clean, women’s fiction that will appeal to readers who enjoy stories of female friendships. Though there are some budding romances, the story focuses on the power of friendship and how it can support, encourage, and enhance life. In several ways, this novel’s ending was left open and served as set up for the rest of the series.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own. ( )