jennms_qkw's review against another edition
Am I an angliophile or a francophile? Yes.
This was fun. And the baking!
This was fun. And the baking!
sianiebananie's review against another edition
3.0
3.5. I would’ve given it a 4 but it started off a little rocky and I had trouble with all the cake terminology. There were definitely scenes that made me cry which is a testament to the authors ability to write good dialogue and character development.
megs_s's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
leiaaaa's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 i’m glad it wasn’t a fortnite book. very cute and unique concept, they were very slow burn and very realistic which i LOVEDDD abit better could’ve been some parts and abit more angst slay
starry's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
nadiareadsstuff's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely loved it. Finally, mature people dealing with things maturely. And… I love Dominic, like a lot. Can’t wait to see the next story in this world unfold.. sounds like fun!
tesssierra's review against another edition
4.0
honestly it was wholesome n cute and had interesting characters all around! midly predictable but oh well
drizzydre's review against another edition
4.0
**Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for an arc of Battle Royal in exchange for an honest review**
Battle Royal was an absolute treat to read and it was the perfect recipe for the most enjoyable book for me. Enemies to lovers mixed with Lucy Parker's version of Great British Bakeoff?! Take. My. Money.
The story revolves around the two main characters, Sylvie and Dominic, who originally met on the competitive baking show, Operation Cake - Sylvie as the upbeat, glitter-obsessed contestant and Dominic as the very serious, very harsh judge. Sylvie was voted off the show by Dominic after an unfortunate malfunction with one of her creations that ended with Dominic getting cake catapulted straight to his head. Cut to 4 years later, we find Sylvie running her own bakery, Sugar Fair, that just so happens to be right across the street from Dominic's bakery, De Vere's. And to top it off, they are now also competing against each other for one of the biggest contracts of their careers, a cake for an upcoming Royal Wedding. So, so good.
What I liked:
- The natural progression of Sylvie and Dominic's relationship. I adored the pure, wholesome moments between them and they gave me all of the heart eyes. I love how little by little they shared their most vulnerable parts with each other and how in tune Dominic's body language was with Sylvie's. Also, the give and take with allowing contact and physical intimacy was just, ugh. Beautifully done. I loved the consent with even the littlest gestures, like hand holding and so on.
- The maturity of it all. I find that in a lot of these type of romances, towards the end, some minor inconvenience happens and gets blown out of proportion and causes a huge rift between the couple all because of poor communication. It was so refreshing to read about a couple that communicated so well and were simply honest with each other. Sure, there were some hiccups, but they dealt with them like mature, emotionally intelligent adults and I really appreciated that.
- The plot. It was fun and whimsical with plenty of emotional, heart wrenching moments. It's so much more than just a romance between two rivals and I was absolutely here for it.
- The supporting characters were wonderfully written and I am so excited for the next installment in this series.
What I didn't like:
- Every now and then, I'll have to look up words when I'm reading, but never as often as I had to with Battle Royal. Maybe I am just a complete dunce, but it was constant and it made me feel... well, like a dunce. Again, maybe it was just me, but it was something to note because it took me out of the story a few times.
- There were several parts where it was hard to follow what was going on. Partly because I wasn't sure who was saying what and partly because I just didn't understand what the author was talking about. This is not an issue that I deal with, if ever, and again, I only mention it because it took me out of the story.
Overall, though, I thoroughly enjoyed this and I give it a solid 4 stars. This was my first Lucy Parker and I will definitely be checking out her other books!
Battle Royal was an absolute treat to read and it was the perfect recipe for the most enjoyable book for me. Enemies to lovers mixed with Lucy Parker's version of Great British Bakeoff?! Take. My. Money.
The story revolves around the two main characters, Sylvie and Dominic, who originally met on the competitive baking show, Operation Cake - Sylvie as the upbeat, glitter-obsessed contestant and Dominic as the very serious, very harsh judge. Sylvie was voted off the show by Dominic after an unfortunate malfunction with one of her creations that ended with Dominic getting cake catapulted straight to his head. Cut to 4 years later, we find Sylvie running her own bakery, Sugar Fair, that just so happens to be right across the street from Dominic's bakery, De Vere's. And to top it off, they are now also competing against each other for one of the biggest contracts of their careers, a cake for an upcoming Royal Wedding. So, so good.
What I liked:
- The natural progression of Sylvie and Dominic's relationship. I adored the pure, wholesome moments between them and they gave me all of the heart eyes. I love how little by little they shared their most vulnerable parts with each other and how in tune Dominic's body language was with Sylvie's. Also, the give and take with allowing contact and physical intimacy was just, ugh. Beautifully done. I loved the consent with even the littlest gestures, like hand holding and so on.
- The maturity of it all. I find that in a lot of these type of romances, towards the end, some minor inconvenience happens and gets blown out of proportion and causes a huge rift between the couple all because of poor communication. It was so refreshing to read about a couple that communicated so well and were simply honest with each other. Sure, there were some hiccups, but they dealt with them like mature, emotionally intelligent adults and I really appreciated that.
- The plot. It was fun and whimsical with plenty of emotional, heart wrenching moments. It's so much more than just a romance between two rivals and I was absolutely here for it.
- The supporting characters were wonderfully written and I am so excited for the next installment in this series.
What I didn't like:
- Every now and then, I'll have to look up words when I'm reading, but never as often as I had to with Battle Royal. Maybe I am just a complete dunce, but it was constant and it made me feel... well, like a dunce. Again, maybe it was just me, but it was something to note because it took me out of the story a few times.
- There were several parts where it was hard to follow what was going on. Partly because I wasn't sure who was saying what and partly because I just didn't understand what the author was talking about. This is not an issue that I deal with, if ever, and again, I only mention it because it took me out of the story.
Overall, though, I thoroughly enjoyed this and I give it a solid 4 stars. This was my first Lucy Parker and I will definitely be checking out her other books!
witandsin's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars - Reviewed for Wit and Sin
Sylvie Fairchild and Dominic De Vere have been at loggerheads ever since she was a contestant on Operation Cake, a Great British Bake Off-style show. She accidentally beaned him with a unicorn hoof, he voted her off the show, she loves edible glitter and fantasy, he’s a staid traditionalist, he’s grumpy, she’s sunshine… you get the idea. Four years later, Sylvie has a successful shop on the same street as Dominic’s and they’re still poking at each other. It’ll only get worse now that Sylvie is also a judge on Operation Cake. Sylvie and Dominic are also competing for the contract of a lifetime: the opportunity to make the cake for Princess Rose. The monarchy loves Dominic’s style but the bride is drawn to Sylvie’s personal, fantastical touch. The stakes have just been raised on Dominic and Sylvie’s personal battle. Which baker will prevail? More importantly, will being in close quarters cause the simmering attraction that’s always been between them to boil over?
Battle Royal is sweet, sassy, and sparkling! Lucy Parker swept me away with this enemies-to-lovers/opposites attract romance. There’s fondant and fun for ages, but Parker gives the book emotional depth that will hit you in unexpected moments.
I wish Sylvie were real just so I could be friends with her (and go to her amazing bakery, Sugar Fair). She’s bright, sparkly, and so loveable, but there’s a core of loneliness to her. I loved that she had a found family and Parker does a great job showing those relationships but my heart still broke for Sylvie and all she’s lost. I adored Sylvie’s sweetness and spine of steel, her determination, and her whimsy. Dominic is a harder nut to crack at first. He comes across as cold and foreboding; a staid traditionalist who will never color outside the lines. But Parker does an excellent job of showing his true character and his growth without changing him completely. There’s a core of loneliness in Dominic that broke my heart and I wanted to see him find love. He seems like he’s made of ice but he really does have a good heart, one that’s slightly battered. He is unexpectedly sweet and incredibly supportive; he just has trouble showing it sometimes. Dominic and Sylvie’s romance starts off slow burn but once things turn you’re in for a ride. The two of them are not as different as they seem and I loved how well they complemented one another. It’s a bumpy ride for them at times but I truly enjoyed watching their relationship unfold.
Relationships – romantic, familial, and between friends – are at the heart of Battle Royal. I enjoyed how Parker interwove all types of relationships throughout the story. The one small issue I had with the book is there were a lot of plot points vying for attention (to give them away would spoil the book) and the elimination of one or two would have given the others room to breathe and develop better. Even with that issue, I still adored Battle Royal from beginning to end and I cannot wait to see what Parker has in store for Dominic’s sister, Pet.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Sylvie Fairchild and Dominic De Vere have been at loggerheads ever since she was a contestant on Operation Cake, a Great British Bake Off-style show. She accidentally beaned him with a unicorn hoof, he voted her off the show, she loves edible glitter and fantasy, he’s a staid traditionalist, he’s grumpy, she’s sunshine… you get the idea. Four years later, Sylvie has a successful shop on the same street as Dominic’s and they’re still poking at each other. It’ll only get worse now that Sylvie is also a judge on Operation Cake. Sylvie and Dominic are also competing for the contract of a lifetime: the opportunity to make the cake for Princess Rose. The monarchy loves Dominic’s style but the bride is drawn to Sylvie’s personal, fantastical touch. The stakes have just been raised on Dominic and Sylvie’s personal battle. Which baker will prevail? More importantly, will being in close quarters cause the simmering attraction that’s always been between them to boil over?
Battle Royal is sweet, sassy, and sparkling! Lucy Parker swept me away with this enemies-to-lovers/opposites attract romance. There’s fondant and fun for ages, but Parker gives the book emotional depth that will hit you in unexpected moments.
I wish Sylvie were real just so I could be friends with her (and go to her amazing bakery, Sugar Fair). She’s bright, sparkly, and so loveable, but there’s a core of loneliness to her. I loved that she had a found family and Parker does a great job showing those relationships but my heart still broke for Sylvie and all she’s lost. I adored Sylvie’s sweetness and spine of steel, her determination, and her whimsy. Dominic is a harder nut to crack at first. He comes across as cold and foreboding; a staid traditionalist who will never color outside the lines. But Parker does an excellent job of showing his true character and his growth without changing him completely. There’s a core of loneliness in Dominic that broke my heart and I wanted to see him find love. He seems like he’s made of ice but he really does have a good heart, one that’s slightly battered. He is unexpectedly sweet and incredibly supportive; he just has trouble showing it sometimes. Dominic and Sylvie’s romance starts off slow burn but once things turn you’re in for a ride. The two of them are not as different as they seem and I loved how well they complemented one another. It’s a bumpy ride for them at times but I truly enjoyed watching their relationship unfold.
Relationships – romantic, familial, and between friends – are at the heart of Battle Royal. I enjoyed how Parker interwove all types of relationships throughout the story. The one small issue I had with the book is there were a lot of plot points vying for attention (to give them away would spoil the book) and the elimination of one or two would have given the others room to breathe and develop better. Even with that issue, I still adored Battle Royal from beginning to end and I cannot wait to see what Parker has in store for Dominic’s sister, Pet.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.