Review: Cupcake

Rachel Cohn. Cupcake. Simon Pulse: 2007.

Cupcake continues the tale of Cyd Charisse, the fast-talking, independent-minded heroine of Cohn's Gingerbread and SShrimp. In this third installment, we find CC living with her gay half-brother Danny in New York City getting ready to start on her adult life.

Even though I have nothing in common with Cyd Charisse's rebellious ways, I find this trilogy utterly delightful. I'm am particularly charmed by CC's unconventional voice and punk rock style. This series deals with very adult situations in such an honest, whimsical manner that I can't help but fall in love with it. Cohn has crafted vibrant characters that make real-world places and situations feel like fairy tales in which acceptance of others and living in harmony with family and friends are happily every after. It's the kind of world that makes me appreciate my own family of choice and the connections and choices we make in this world. It's a story of growing up and finding yourself and making a home among like-minded people and I love it for that.

This book reminds me of Dangerous Angels but feels more realistic in its portrayal of punk rock aesthetic New York with real-life actions and consequences than Block's fairy tale punk rock Los Angeles. I highly recommend it! I also love this cover, and I really wish I had these covers for Gingerbread and Shrimp as well!