Wicked Sweet (review)

Slightly nerdy Chantal wants the summer before her senior year to be like all the ones before it, spending her time working on a quirky project with her best friend, Jillian. Jillian, though, has other ideas: she's got her sights set on finding a boyfriend, namely, the very cute, very rich Parker. Parker seems more than willing; in fact, he and his friend Will, who's a bullying jerk, are aggressively pursuing Jillian and Chantal, respectively. It turns out that the boys also stage projects, and their latest challenge is to get kisses from these two smart girls. While Parker finds himself drawn to Jillian, Chantal plots a complicated revenge on Will. Channeling the velvety voice and serene attitude of British "domestic goddess" Nigella Lawson, Chantal begins a comically sensual cake baking campaign that will ultimately end with Will being seriously and publicly embarrassed. What makes this rather silly plot work are the well-developed characters, all of whom struggle with complicated family situations. Jillian, for instance, has an irresponsible mother who expects her to take care of her younger brothers, while Parker's family has high expectations for his corporate future. Will, on the other hand, seems destined to follow in his father's emotionally stunted footsteps even though he hates the man, and Chantal is happy to lose herself in the precision and sweetness of baking despite her mother's rigid prohibitions against sentiment and desserts. Readers are given intimate access through chapters from each character's perspective, a technique that renders the girls and Parker more likable and Will more hatable. At once funny and poignant, this will appeal to readers with a taste for cake and romance, but be aware that you may be moved to bake something decadent.