Review: The Trouble with Love – Beth Ciotta

Rocky Monroe’s bad luck is legendary. So it stands to reason that during a quick trip to New York on behalf of the Cupcake Lovers’ forthcoming book, she winds up in the arms of the one man she never wants to see again. So what if he’s also the man she can’t stop dreaming about? Mouth-watering Jayce Bello has always been Rocky’s biggest mistake, and she’s not going to let history repeat itself … unless she gets a new taste of his delicious kisses.

When Jayce Bello left Sugar Creek ten years ago, it was the right thing to do—for him and for Rocky, his best friend’s little sister. But one passionate night with gorgeous, reckless Rocky is enough to prove that she’s the missing ingredient in his happiness. Now, with scandalous secrets souring the sweetness of the Cupcake Lovers’ club, Jayce needs to convince Rocky that their love is something to savor …

Series: Cupcake Lovers #2
Release Date: March 26, 2013
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Source: Provided by Publisher
Buy the book at:

Reviewer’s Thoughts

I knew when the minute that Rocky and Jayce were together in Fool for Love that I was going to love them as a couple.  There was just something about the two of them together that I loved.  So you can imagine how excited I was for their book to come out.  I can tell you, it was definitely worth the wait and I was a little sad when it was all over.

Rocky has been in love with Jayce Bello since she was a young girl.  But Rocky’s world came crashing down when she Jayce’s proposal of marriage when she was seventeen is seen as a duty rather than a heartfelt confession of love.  Thirteen years later, Rocky is still harboring that resentment towards Jayce.  She tries to channel some of her energy into other things:  her B & B, the Cupcake Lovers and her family, but Rocky’s convinced she has bad luck.  And it seems that bad luck is following her as she goes to New York City with her nemesis to speak with a book publisher about the Cupcake Lover book they are trying to publish for charity.  Good thing the last person she wants to reach out to for her, aka Jayce, is there when she needs it most.

Jayce and Rocky has a lot of personal demons they need to dig through in order to get to a place where they can actually have some sort of a relationship.  There’s Rocky’s misunderstanding of just what that proposal meant all those years ago, Jayce’s demons when it comes to his family and then all the feelings they have towards each other and if they are on the same page with each other when it comes to a relationship.  They have the sex stuff down, but it’s all the other stuff that seems to get in their way.  The good thing about Jayce and Rocky was once they did get things out in the open, they talked about just what they needed to do to move forward.  In some stories you have to wonder if the couple will ever to go their HEA.  With this one, you knew Jayce and Rocky were going to make it, no matter what life threw in their way.

A Cupcake Lovers book wouldn’t be complete without having practically the entire town of Sugar Creek, VT show up in the pages.  They do not disappoint and they add a level of comic relief to the story that has me wishing they were in it more.  And Beth Ciotta wets our appetites for book three, Luke’s story.  You’ll have to read this book to figure out just who Luke’s going to be paired up with, but I can tell you I can wait.

Cocktail (Cupcake) Recipe

Pina Colada Cupcakes With Coconut Rum

1 box white cake mix (yes, I cheated and I’m proud of it! No one could tell!)

1 cup pineapple juice

1/3 cup coconut rum

eggs (according to package)

vegetable oil (according to package)

8 oz. can crushed pineapple in juice, drained well (optional)

1/2 cup shredded, sweetened coconut (optional)

Directions: Add mix, eggs, and oil according to the package. Substitute water for 1 cup pineapple juice and 1/3 cup coconut rum. Blend well with electric mixer. Add pineapple (optional). Make sure it was well-drained and mix until just blended. Fold in coconut (optional). Bake according to the package instructions.

My Standard Buttercream Recipe – This tasted great with the cupcakes.

1/3 cup white Crisco shortening, softened

1/3 cup stick butter or margarine, softened

4-6 tablespoons cream, unwhipped (you can use half and half or milk)

Pinch of salt

1 ½ teaspoons vanilla

4 cups confectioner’s sugar, sifted

Ina a large bowl, using an electric mixer at medium speed, beat together shortening and butter. Add whipping cream, salt and vanilla and continue mixing until smooth (about 2 -3 minutes). Add in sifted powdered sugar, gradually, beat well until smooth and fluffly. To reach the consistency you need, you may need to add more confectioner’s sugar or cream. Add food coloring ( I used Wilton’s teal gel coloring) and blend well. Remember, gel or paste coloring will darken over time.

Recipe courtesy of:  http://grinandbakeit.com/pina-colada-cupcakes-with-coconut-rum