Book Review: Cupcakes and Kisses in Micklewick Bay by Eliza J Scott

It’s a pleasure to be welcoming Eliza J Scott back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for, Cupcakes and Kisses in Micklewick Bay.

Every night, Jasmine Ingilby dreams of delicate sugar flowers and perfectly swirled buttercream. By day, she steals moments between her cleaning shifts to craft stunning cakes from her tiny kitchen, hoping to transform her passion into something more. But as a fiercely independent single mother of two, finding time to grow her fledgling business feels like reaching for the impossible.

Just when her hard work seems about to pay off, Jasmine’s carefully balanced world begins to crumble. Her landlord puts a ‘For Sale’ sign outside her rented home. Then a figure from her past returns to town, reopening old wounds Jasmine thought had long healed and causing trouble at school for her young children.

Then Max Grainger – her childhood best friend – unexpectedly returns to Micklewick Bay after twenty-five years away, and Jasmine is blindsided by the emotions his presence stirs. Now a successful businessman with a son of his own, Max seems determined to solve all her problems. But years of self-reliance have built walls around Jasmine’s heart that even the sweetest gestures struggle to break through.

Will Jasmine’s fear of getting burned again stop her from accepting help when she needs it most? Or will the loyal support of her friends help her discover the perfect recipe for love?

A heartwarming, emotional read about second chances, friendship, and finding the courage to believe in yourself, perfect for fans of Jessica Redland, Jenny Colgan, and Phillipa Ashley.

*****

Jasmine is spinning a lot of plates. As a single mother with several jobs, she doesn’t have time for a lot, especially love. However, when old friend Max returns to Micklewick Bay, could space be made for love after all? 

Being a big fan of Eliza J. Scott’s novels outside of this series (I’m really not sure how this is the first time I’m discovering these books) I was really excited to be invited into the blog tour for Cupcakes and Kisses at Micklewick Bay. 

Although this is book five in the Micklewick Bay series, it can be read as a standalone. 

Eliza J. Scott has a wonderfully way of pulling you into her stories from page one by creating endearing, relatable characters. 

Jasmine is no exception. She is a woman I feel a lot of people will empathise with. She has a lot going on and, having been raised by a single mother, I salute her. She’s loyal,strong, hardworking and it’s clear that everything she does is for her children. 

I also liked Max as a character. Like Jasmine, he has a tragic history and I wanted to hug him. The other characters are wonderful and I will definitely be adding the previous novels to my reading list. 

This story deals with themes such as bereavement, bullying and single parenting with grace and sensitivity. There is such warmth and humour running through it too though. 

The plot moves well and in a believable way. I was reading, not realising how much time had gone by. 

Cupcakes and Kisses in Micklewick Bay is a lovely tale of friendship, family and love. It’s a reminder that not only are you’re capable of anything, you just need the courage to go for it, but that love can also be found, even when you’re not expecting it. 

About Eliza J Scott –

Eliza J Scott lives in North Yorkshire with her family and has wanted to be a writer as far back as she can remember. She is inspired by her beautiful surroundings and loves to write heartwarming stories based on romance and friendship with a generous dollop of community spirit and a hint of humour. She has written fifteen novels (including this one) and has been an Amazon UK Kindle bestseller.

When she’s not writing, Eliza can usually be found with her nose in a book or working in her garden doing a spot of plot wrangling (of the writing variety), and battling against the weeds. The weeds, unfortunately, are currently winning but Eliza is undeterred. Roses are amongst her favourite flowers and she doesn’t need much of an excuse to visit a plant centre, where a new rose always seems to mysteriously find its way onto her trolley much to her husband’s astonishment.

Eliza also enjoys having a catch-up with friends over tea and cake, as well as bracing walks in the countryside, rounded off by a visit to a teashop – for yet more tea and cake!

Say hello to Eliza via her Amazon Author Page, Amazon Author Page (US), website, X, Facebook, Instagram and Bookbub. 

Cupcakes and Kisses in Micklewick Bay is book five in the Micklewick Bay series and was released on 4th July 2025. Click to buy on Amazon UK, Amazon US, Waterstones and Barnes & Noble. 

by

Laura

I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.