Vanilla Beaned: 05/12/22

Vanilla Beaned by Jenn McKinlay is the eighth book in the Cupcake Bakery mystery series. I swear the only thing keeping me reading this series is the acting chops of Susan Boyce. If I were reading this series in print, I probably would have stopped by now.

Mel has finally given in to the idea of franchising Fairy Tale Cupcakes. Tate has found a potential franchisee in Las Vegas, so the Mel, Angie and Tate are on their way there. But from the very get go, their attempts to franchise the business are met with disastrous accidents.

Mel and Angie end up becoming best buddies with their franchisee, a show girl who wants out of the business. Holly Hartzmark might not have a formal background in baking but she has real world experience from a family shop. She's done her homework and her cupcakes are as good as Mel's. If only she can sign the paperwork on the franchise and on a location for her future shop!

Coming on the heals of two mob themed volumes, the continued hook is that the mob boss who now on trial is somehow orchestrating the accidents in Las Vegas. With him somehow vaguely a threat, the melodrama that is Mel's romantic life is dragged out further. I am so entirely sick of Mel's love life.

If, like me, you're bored with the mob, and thus not pulled into the "what if it's the mob?" question, the actual mystery is frankly pretty obvious. There's really not much mystery here beyond all the stage dressing and mob themed subterfuge.

The ninth book is Caramel Crush (2017).

Three stars

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