Bookshelf Friday - All's Fair in Love and Cupcakes by Betsy St. Amant (and my August Bookshelf Giveaway)

Today I've got a book that looks good enough to eat! Take a look and we'll chat on the otherside:)

Kat Varland has had enough of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry.

At twenty-six years old, Kat is still living in the shadows of her family in Bayou Bend, Louisiana. Still working shifts at her Aunt Maggie’s bakery. Still wondering what to do with her passion for baking and her business degree. And still single.

But when Lucas Brannen, Kat’s best friend, signs her up for a reality TV bake-off on Cupcake Combat, everything Kat ever wanted is suddenly dangled in front of her: creative license as a baker, recognition as a visionary . . . and a job at a famous bakery in New York.

As the competition heats up, Lucas realizes he might have made a huge mistake. As much as he wants the best for Kat, the only thing he wants for himself—her—is suddenly in danger of slipping away.

I'll admit it. I love shows on HGTV and Food Network, so when I saw this book (after just reading Betsy's Bride novella) I was eager to snap it up!

As before, I really enjoy Betsy's voice as an author. She writes engaging characters who are easy to like with just enough quirks to make them real. Her dialogue moves smoothly and often makes me laugh. And, having married my best friend, the relationship between Lucas and Kate was one I could relate to! At times I did wish they'd open up more with one another. There were moments where their internal fears or worries could easily have been solved with a good conversation. Because of that I'd have liked to see a bit more of the external conflict the show produced. If that angle had been more prominent I think I would have liked the book even more.

That said, this was a fun read and I'll definitely pick up Betsy's books again. Her wit and romance are a wonderful match and as mentioned above, her characters are people I enjoy seeing on the page.

I happily give All's Fair in Love and Cupcakes 3.5 out of 5 stars. You can purchase it here.

Betsy St. Amant is one Good Girl who enjoys writing about Bad Boys in her YA fiction novels. She lives in Louisiana with her adorable kindergartener, is often found consuming massive amounts of chocolate, and is an avid reader who is constantly wondering where Mr. Darcy went. A freelance journalist and fiction author, Betsy is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and is multi-published in Contemporary Romance. Her ninth Love Inspired novel will release January 2014, while her first YA novel, ADDISON BLAKELY, CONFESSIONS OF A PK, released 2012 through Barbour Books. She recently contracted a 2-book deal with Zondervan. When she’s not reading, writing, or singing along to the Tangled soundtrack with her daughter, Betsy enjoys inspirational speaking and teaching on the craft of writing.Betsy is proud to be represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of The Steve Laube Agency. You can find Betsy at her website: www.betsystamant.com

If you'd like to see a break-down of what my stars equal, check out my page My Ratings System to the right there. And a big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free ecopy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

It's also time for my August Bookshelf Giveaway. Leave a comment here or on Facebook and I'll announce who wins next Friday. If your name is chosen, you can pick one book I've reviewed in August and I'll send it your way just as a thanks for being here:)