finished reading

From the publisher:

Free-spirited Annie Quintana and sophisticated Julia St. Clair come from two different worlds. Yet, as the daughter of the St. Clairs' housekeeper, Annie grew up in Julia's San Francisco mansion and they forged a bond that only two little girls oblivious to class differences could—until a life-altering betrayal destroyed their friendship.

A decade later, Annie bakes to fill the void left in her heart by her mother's death, and a painful secret jeopardizes Julia's engagement to the man she loves. A chance reunion prompts the unlikely duo to open a cupcakery, but when a mysterious saboteur opens up old wounds, they must finally face the truth about their past or risk losing everything.

I was excited to read an exploration of friendship with a background of cupcakes. And I enjoyed much of the book. My complaint is that the author packed in too many threads. In packing in so many storylines, there is a reliance on cliches and stereotypes. Which prevented me from loving the book. Because less is more and I could have loved this book.