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Romance novels are the latest storytelling genre to jump on the reality entertainment bandwagon, and a Bethesda couple isn't afraid to share their love story with the world.

Michelle Snow Bracken and Todd Bracken share a sweet story — in every sense of the word. Not only did they have a love-at-first-sight kind of courtship, but they also traded in their non-stop professional lives to start the boutique cupcake business Michelle had dreamed about.

Every moment — from Michelle's decision to take her girlfriends' advice and create a Match.com profile to the couple's first date at Bethesda's Mon Ami Gabi to Todd's proposal at the finish line of the annual Chevy Chase Turkey Chase run – is captured in "The Icing on the Cake," which was officially released Sept. 13. Romance novelist Alison Kent, who has published dozens of books for Kensington Brava, Harlequin Temptation and Harlequin Blaze, wrote the reality-based romance.

"She captured our personalities so well," says Michelle. "In the end, she produced an amazing story of us."

The Brackens met online in September 2007 and married on New Year's Eve 2009. They opened the bakeshop Frosting, A Cupcakery, in Chevy Chase in April.

A fellow romance writer asked Kent to write for the True Vows series being created by publisher Health Communications Inc.

"I really loved [the Brackens'] story because I met my husband online, plus, cupcakes ... you know," says the author about the irresistibly sweet story line.

Staff at the Willard Intercontinental Hotel, where the Brackens were married, approached the couple about being the subject of a feature story for The Washington Post. Shortly afterward, the True Vows creator e-mailed them.

"We figured they [the publisher] couldn't be out for any bad intentions," says Todd of the couple's decision to take part in the book project.

So, during January's blizzard, each of the Brackens wrote more than 20 pages in response to four pages of questions about their romance. Kent used the answers to write the book, taking creative license to craft dialogue and scenes. Todd and Michelle corrected anything they thought was out of character.

The couple sent Kent a photo of their Bethesda condo to aid in the imagining of some scenes. Todd went back to his Match.com profile and both searched through old e-mails and text messages to provide real content for their communication in the book. Michelle scanned some cards and notes she had written to give Kent an idea of her female protagonist's personality.

"It was really cool reading it, because I forgot I told her so much," Michelle says.

The couple had initial reservations about sharing details of their love life with the public. They asked the publisher what the book would be rated if it were a movie. When the answer was PG-13, they agreed.

"There are a couple of pages in there that we tell our family just to skip over," says Todd with a laugh.

But overall, the Brackens are pleased with the book. It's kind of like a relationship album, says Todd. Michelle says that so much was going on in their lives during the first years of their relationship that the book helps them remember how everything happened.

"We'll have that forever," Todd says.

"The Icing on the Cake" is available for purchase at Frosting, 1 Wisconsin Circle, Chevy Chase and at www.amazon.com.