a cute romantic cozy. the BFFs create a team against adversity, but it's obvious there is only one main character central to the plot... while she is a rather creative baker, i think more story and less wild flavourings filling paragraphs every chapter would have been nice.
but, it's a first book, so let's see how that changes (or doesn't) in future sequels... ( )

Cute book to read. It is very predictable, but a lighthearted, easy read. It's the story of Cindy Ella, a witch, who doesn't know how to control her magic other than through her passion, baking cupcakes! Her love life has never existed for the simple reason that whenever she kisses a date, he turns into a toad, and wouldn't you know she finally meets the guy whom we all know is the one. The characters are all so likable, I loved her roommates, even her cat Merlin has a personality, the story development kept me interested. Just a very enjoyable book to read. I also love the authors playing with the character names, Cindy Ella, Rose Redding, looking forward to the names in more books. There are 7 in the series, I will probably read them all. This is the perfect book for my niece, Natalie Shiner to read, I kept thinking of her and her cupcakes the entire book! ( )

See full post @ The Indigo Quill: http://theindigoquill.blogspot.com/2013/07/review-how-not-to-kiss-toad-cindy-ell...

Once upon a time, Barbie and her friends all had magical powers and baked delicious treats in their easy bake oven while searching for their own personal Ken doll. To their dismay, every guy they kissed literally turned into toads which metaphorically resembled the slime they truly were.

Okay, so it wasn't Barbie. But the redhead, blonde, brunette thing totally reminded me of her. Not to mention I felt like I was reading the book version of a chick flick

I thought this book was pretty funny and more of a "just for fun" read. I did think the first few chapters made a good start, but after meeting the new guy, it got a little out of control. Like...that guy really needs help. Between his inability to drive like a sane person, follow the law because of selfish ambition and his general lack of boyfriend material, I really don't understand what the heck Cindy saw in this guy. To me, he was probably the toadiest of them all.

Th whole relationship was also very quick and a bit underdeveloped. The shop owners and the mother were also a bit ridiculous, and it would've been find stopping the nonsense with them. However, making your hero unlikable doesn't usually bode well for readers.

I think if the story kept a certain momentum through its entirety and the hero wasn't so unlikeable, this would've been a fun little book to read. I did like her style of writing and integrating the paranormal character traits into a real-life setting. I would probably read her again after she writes a little more and learns a little a bit in plot and character development.

It was entertaining. Made me a bit frustrated at times with the uber toadiness of them all, including the supposed hero. If you're looking for a light, fun chick lit for summer then this is for you, just be prepared to be faced with some jerks, sugar coated with many tubs of ice cream. ( )

I really liked this story, it was light, fun, fast and a mouth-watering read. This is the story of Cindy Eller a baker who also happens to be a witch with powers she doesn't quite now how to control. She's kissed more guys into toads but usually they turn back but suddenly she's stuck with one very big toad. Now the bakery she's loved is being given to the owners nephew and she may be losing her powers because of her lack of control. What's a girl to do - bake of course. Great twist on the classic fairy tale and the descriptions of the baked goods are divine and make me want to bake, or rather find someone who can bake as well as Ms. Reeves can describe a finished product. Can't wait to read the rest of the series. ( )

I really liked this story, it was light, fun, fast and a mouth-watering read. This is the story of Cindy Eller a baker who also happens to be a witch with powers she doesn't quite now how to control. She's kissed more guys into toads but usually they turn back but suddenly she's stuck with one very big toad. Now the bakery she's loved is being given to the owners nephew and she may be losing her powers because of her lack of control. What's a girl to do - bake of course. Great twist on the classic fairy tale and the descriptions of the baked goods are divine and make me want to bake, or rather find someone who can bake as well as Ms. Reeves can describe a finished product. Can't wait to read the rest of the series. ( )