Review: The Sweetest Thing

Author: Christina Mandelski
Release Date: May 10, 2011
Publisher: EgmontUSA
Pages: 336
Source: NetGalley
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the world of Sheridan Wells, life is perfect when she's decorating a cake.  Unfortunately, everything else is a complete mess: her mom ran off years ago, her dad is more interested in his restaurant, and the idea of a boyfriend is laughable.  But Sheridan is convinced finding her mom will solve all her problems-only her dad's about to get a cooking show in New York, which means her dream of a perfect family will be dashed.

Using just the right about of romance, family drama, and cute boys, The Sweetest Thing will entice fans with its perfect mixture of girl-friendly ingredients.  

Honestly, I wasn't sure what to expect with this book.  I love the cover, of course I do, and the summary sounded perfect for what I needed at the time.  I have to say that the book was not at all what I had thought I was settling down to read.  I mean I think I was expecting cake.  Sweet, fluffy with creamy icing on top.  That's not what this book is, though there is plenty of cake, because there is more to it than fluff.  Sheridan faced some real life problems including an absent mother and an overworked father.

As I read the book, I could never decide if I liked Sheridan or not.  Maybe she was too sixteen.  I don't know.  She had moments when she was a little whiny.. or just incredible unaware of what was going on.  I felt like I knew way more than she did most of the book.  I hated that feeling.  But then she would begin making a cake.  Or think about creating a cake.  And I would decide that I did like her until she did something else a little too sixteen.  So I'm still undecided.

Sheridan had such a great grandmother though.  And friends.  She had some amazing friends.  I'm picturing Jack in my mind (her best friend), and let me tell you, he is gorgeous in that slightly shaggy kind of way.  The small town charm was enjoyable, and really it was a pretty big part of what kept me reading.

Either way, the story had a lot going for it with the whole sexual tension between Sheridan and Jack, the great Nanny, that father/daughter relationship that you can't help but root for, and lots of incredibly creative cakes.

I guess it doesn't help that even I wasn't a big fan of myself at sixteen.  Perhaps I saw a little too much of myself in Sheridan, and that may have been where my dislike came from.  I wouldn't let that stop you from reading the book.  It really was a great *and quick* read.