Title : Cupcakes at Carrington's (Carrington's series, #1)
Author : Alexandra Brown
Publisher : Harper (17th Jan 2013)
Source : Sent by the publisher for review, thank you!
Georgie Hart loves her job – running the luxury handbag concession at Carrington's Department store in the pretty seaside town of Mulberry-On-Sea, and treating herself (once too often!) to a red velvet cupcake with buttercream icing in Carrington's café.
But Georgie is thrown into disarray when Carrington's is plunged into a recession-busting makeover, cueing the arrival of femme fatale Maxine, who wields the axe in her immaculately-manicured hands.
It spells a recipe for disaster for Georgie and soon she is fighting not only for her job, but also for the attentions of her gorgeous boss, James. And when hot newcomer Tom arrives, who may or may not be the best thing since sliced bread, Georgie must decide where her loyalties really lie…
Well.... What can I say about a book I've been dying to read for ages, which I polished off as soon as I got it in my mailbox? Let me introduce you to Alexandra Brown, lover of chick lit, addict of delectable cupcakes and a real sweetheart! After exchanging tweets a few times, we quickly bonded over our love of chick lit and hot men. Shhh.
When I was told I was on the list for a copy of her debut novel, Cupcakes at Carrington's, I was beyond ecstatic. I whooped. I laughed. I giggled whenever I thought of it. I walked around with a spring in my step. I was on a high. Okay, you probably don't want to know how I felt. Let's just say my sister found it so annoying she told me the world would end and I wouldn't get the chance to read it. I received my copy yesterday, I started it in the evening and finished it half an hour ago. Hardly a day, right?
But Georgie is thrown into disarray when Carrington's is plunged into a recession-busting makeover, cueing the arrival of femme fatale Maxine, who wields the axe in her immaculately-manicured hands.
It spells a recipe for disaster for Georgie and soon she is fighting not only for her job, but also for the attentions of her gorgeous boss, James. And when hot newcomer Tom arrives, who may or may not be the best thing since sliced bread, Georgie must decide where her loyalties really lie…
Well.... What can I say about a book I've been dying to read for ages, which I polished off as soon as I got it in my mailbox? Let me introduce you to Alexandra Brown, lover of chick lit, addict of delectable cupcakes and a real sweetheart! After exchanging tweets a few times, we quickly bonded over our love of chick lit and hot men. Shhh.
When I was told I was on the list for a copy of her debut novel, Cupcakes at Carrington's, I was beyond ecstatic. I whooped. I laughed. I giggled whenever I thought of it. I walked around with a spring in my step. I was on a high. Okay, you probably don't want to know how I felt. Let's just say my sister found it so annoying she told me the world would end and I wouldn't get the chance to read it. I received my copy yesterday, I started it in the evening and finished it half an hour ago. Hardly a day, right?
What I thought about it:
My thoughts are still jumbled up after reading. I'm still missing Georgie's big heart and Eddie, whose gorgeous flair has left me wanting a GBF (gay best friend). So I'll layer things so you won't have a headache when you read this. Here goes!
Cupcakes at Carrington's follows the story of Georgie Hart, a super sweet twenty-something with a penchant for luxury bags and an incurable addiction to red velvet cupcakes with buttercream icing and sprinkles. It's rare to come across a heroine who loves her job - hardly so. In Georgie's case, she loves hers because she's blooming good at what she does. She runs the Women's Accessories department at Carrington's and frankly, I'm pretty jealous. I would LOVE to caress lovely, soft leather handbags and the smell of newness on them is mouth-watering. Ugh, how disgusting of me.
Everything seems to be going her way until disaster strikes and the perfect job is turned into a helpless pursuit to fight for her job. Enter the femme fatale, Maxine. Stuck-up and a horrendous cow. Putting everyone's job at stake and making life working at Carrington's a living hell with her manipulative ways, making perfectly sure everyone suffers. Oh, no! How could I have forgotten. Introducing devastating heartthrob, Tom. Handsome, flirty and utterly delicious Tom. Without giving much away, of course. You'll have to read it to know what happens. *wink*
Georgie Hart is such a down-to-earth, sweet, adorable heroine. She's friendly, she gets on with anyone who is everyone, well except certain people of course. She's a wonderful character, humble and kind to all around her. I think the both of us would hit if off pretty well. I can imagine us having cupcakes at Cupcakes at Carrington's, gossiping with Eddie and Sam over a lovely cup of milky tea. She carries herself very well in the book, how she tells everything that's happening around her. I loved how I could relate to her feasibly - from sharing her heart-skips-a-beat moments to the painful, heartbreaking stabs of her past. Although on the surface, this may seem like a fun, feel-good chick lit book, but there are some heartbreaking parts in the book which would compel you to give your heart out to Georgie.
The characters in the book were amazing to read about - they were really real - a wonderful presence in the book as they made it more fun and colourful. Georgie's GBF, Eddie is such a winner for a best friend. He's the kind of friend you'd rely on and would confide in him without a moment's doubt. If I can say so myself, I kind of fell in love with him from the first chapter. You'll know why. He's charming, adorable and I have a massive crush on him. Sadly, he's fictional. Georgie's other best friend, Sam is another darling friend I would want to have, super supportive and understanding. Despite being extremely loaded, how shallow of me, she is adamant that she has a job. I really like her for that, instead of being one of those spoilt Chelsea girls, she's a rather lovely girl with a big heart. And as for the gorgeous, panty-ripping handsome blokes, I'll let you read so you'll experience the fireworks in your stomach, the flips and of course, the flutters and blushes.
Georgie Hart is such a down-to-earth, sweet, adorable heroine. She's friendly, she gets on with anyone who is everyone, well except certain people of course. She's a wonderful character, humble and kind to all around her. I think the both of us would hit if off pretty well. I can imagine us having cupcakes at Cupcakes at Carrington's, gossiping with Eddie and Sam over a lovely cup of milky tea. She carries herself very well in the book, how she tells everything that's happening around her. I loved how I could relate to her feasibly - from sharing her heart-skips-a-beat moments to the painful, heartbreaking stabs of her past. Although on the surface, this may seem like a fun, feel-good chick lit book, but there are some heartbreaking parts in the book which would compel you to give your heart out to Georgie.
The characters in the book were amazing to read about - they were really real - a wonderful presence in the book as they made it more fun and colourful. Georgie's GBF, Eddie is such a winner for a best friend. He's the kind of friend you'd rely on and would confide in him without a moment's doubt. If I can say so myself, I kind of fell in love with him from the first chapter. You'll know why. He's charming, adorable and I have a massive crush on him. Sadly, he's fictional. Georgie's other best friend, Sam is another darling friend I would want to have, super supportive and understanding. Despite being extremely loaded, how shallow of me, she is adamant that she has a job. I really like her for that, instead of being one of those spoilt Chelsea girls, she's a rather lovely girl with a big heart. And as for the gorgeous, panty-ripping handsome blokes, I'll let you read so you'll experience the fireworks in your stomach, the flips and of course, the flutters and blushes.
The book is written from Georgie's point of view and I really enjoyed reading it from her perspective. Alexandra's (Alex) writing is fresh, upcoming and it complements the plot as it really worked for me. However clichéd this may sound, it was a book I could escape to. Pure escapism for me. I let go all my worries and thought accumulated over the past weeks and delved into it wholeheartedly. The book is set in Mulberry-On-Sea, a picturesque seaside town as opposed to the busy metropolitan London. The characters were fabulous. The plot carried me throughout the book and made me fall in love with the characters, Carrington's and even Dusty the Labrador!
Verdict:
I loved it. Here, I've said it. Perfect for you if you loved Ali Harris's Miracle on Regent Street, the Shopaholic series by Sophie Kinsella and the I Heart series by Lindsey Kelk, not to mention Meet Me at The Cupcake Cafe by Jenny Colgan!
A sparkling debut by Alexandra Brown, probably one of the best books I've read these past months. You'll devour this delicious slice of chick lit like how you polish off your favourite cupcake. Sinfully delectable and delightful.
A sparkling debut by Alexandra Brown, probably one of the best books I've read these past months. You'll devour this delicious slice of chick lit like how you polish off your favourite cupcake. Sinfully delectable and delightful.
Look out for my INTERVIEW WITH GEORGIE HART and INTERNATIONAL GIVEAWAY on Valentine's Day.
I'm giving one lucky reader a copy of Cupcakes at Carrington's!
Rating : 5/5
RACHEL MCADAMS as Georgie Hart
Lovable, down-to-earth Ms McAdams! Loved her in The Vow!
JOSHUA BOWMAN as Tom
Familiar? The hottie from Revenge ;)
MICHAEL URIE as Eddie
The super fabulous PA of Wilhelmina Slater? Ugly Betty!
BLAKE LIVELY as Sam
Love her. She's the perfect Sam!
Brilliant review, popping this one on my wish list right away!
ReplyDeleteLOVE your review hun! Eddie was brilliant, I think we should all go work in Carrington's and spend most of our time having a gossip!
ReplyDeleteGreat character pictures - especially Rachel McAdams :)
PS - Do you watch Revenge? :D It's my FAVOURITE show! <3 xxxxxxxxx
MEGGGGG!
DeleteI love REVENGE! Joshua Bowman (Daniel) is so bloody gorgeous!! Man alive, posh boy with Adonis looks and a loaded wallet. SWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!
I love your casting! FABULOUS! And also, love the review...just done mine :))
ReplyDelete