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vaniavela's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A reality star and a cupcake-making soccer player pretend to be a couple to save their bakery.
Fake It Til You Bake It is a cute, lighthearted read. Even when the romance moves too fast for my taste, I enjoyed it.
The author's writing is really good. I could picture the desserts perfectly, and I was craving cupcakes non-stop while reading this book.
I love the fake dating trope. If I put aside how insta-love their romance was, I loved it. There is so much chemistry between them, even when they've known each other for a couple of days. They complement each other's personalities, full of flirting and banter. That being said, when they started saying "I love you" to each other after a week I cringed.
I found this charming, and the addition of deep themes like gambling addiction, social media harassment, and family relationships make this book better.
tw: Sexual content, Bullying, Toxic relationship, Addiction, Ableism, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia.
Fake It Til You Bake It is a cute, lighthearted read. Even when the romance moves too fast for my taste, I enjoyed it.
The author's writing is really good. I could picture the desserts perfectly, and I was craving cupcakes non-stop while reading this book.
I love the fake dating trope. If I put aside how insta-love their romance was, I loved it. There is so much chemistry between them, even when they've known each other for a couple of days. They complement each other's personalities, full of flirting and banter. That being said, when they started saying "I love you" to each other after a week I cringed.
I found this charming, and the addition of deep themes like gambling addiction, social media harassment, and family relationships make this book better.
tw: Sexual content, Bullying, Toxic relationship, Addiction, Ableism, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Ableism, Addiction, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Fatphobia
churrosmom's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Disclaimer: I received an eARC from the publisher on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Such a fun, sweet, tension filled fake dating Black romance between Donovan, a pro football player who owns a struggling cupcake shop, and Jada, a rich young woman who social media made into a reality TV show villain. In a last minute bid to get access to her trust fund, Jada goes to work for Donovan at his cupcake shop. And in a moment of panic in response to paparazzi, Jada ropes Donovan into a fake relationship. There is great banter and chemistry, and unlike some other reviewers, I don't feel like it was insta-love. Insta-attraction, definitely, and the pace does move quickly, but I think that is pretty realistic for someone you have a strong attraction to and basically are spending 24/7 with working together.
Such a fun, sweet, tension filled fake dating Black romance between Donovan, a pro football player who owns a struggling cupcake shop, and Jada, a rich young woman who social media made into a reality TV show villain. In a last minute bid to get access to her trust fund, Jada goes to work for Donovan at his cupcake shop. And in a moment of panic in response to paparazzi, Jada ropes Donovan into a fake relationship. There is great banter and chemistry, and unlike some other reviewers, I don't feel like it was insta-love. Insta-attraction, definitely, and the pace does move quickly, but I think that is pretty realistic for someone you have a strong attraction to and basically are spending 24/7 with working together.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, and Emotional abuse
jkpiowa's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was cute! A fun, mindless read that I was able to finish within a Saturday. I loved the narrative against toxic masculinity and the female lead's decision to make it on her own before committing to a relationship, even if it felt sad in the moment. Not overly steamy (only one or two relatively mild scenes that I can recall). I absolutely loved the Grandmother character! I'd totally read another book with her in it, maybe about Jada's sister?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying and Emotional abuse
jass_readingnook's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
A special thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC of this novel!!!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5) / 🌶🌶 (Spice Level 2)
Rep: black romance, dyslexia rep
TW/CW: Sexual content (18+), toxic parental environment, mentions of gambling addiction, harassment on social media (cyberbullying)
Do you like?: black romance, enemies to lovers, fake dating, workplace romance, and mutual pining
If so, then I highly recommend this book for you!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Bullying, and Sexual content
marareading's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Adorable! This was such a light and fun rom-com. Absolutely what I needed. I loved this. When an author writes a man this well it's hard to want to return to real life!
Jada was on a reality TV show, where she rejected the proposal and now the internet hates her. She stumbles into Donovan's cupcake shop one day with a friend and doesn't realize he is also a football player she should recognize (had she ever paid attention to sports). He plays for the San Diego Knights and used his logic and planning to get the business going so he wouldn't have to rely on football forever.
I won't add too much more so you can experience the fun interwoven moments of these characters, but the fake dating, and slight enemies to lovers that are in this book are SO GOOD. I really enjoyed this book. All black cast, dyslexia rep, and set in my favorite city, San Diego
Jada was on a reality TV show, where she rejected the proposal and now the internet hates her. She stumbles into Donovan's cupcake shop one day with a friend and doesn't realize he is also a football player she should recognize (had she ever paid attention to sports). He plays for the San Diego Knights and used his logic and planning to get the business going so he wouldn't have to rely on football forever.
I won't add too much more so you can experience the fun interwoven moments of these characters, but the fake dating, and slight enemies to lovers that are in this book are SO GOOD. I really enjoyed this book. All black cast, dyslexia rep, and set in my favorite city, San Diego
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Toxic relationship
sdupont's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This is a fun romance between Donovan, a football player who owns a cupcake shop, and Jada, a woman fresh off a season of a reality dating show. Sparks fly immediately between Donovan and Jada, who have clear chemistry from the start. I recommend this romance for fans of fake dating. Don’t be surprised if this book has you craving some cupcakes and a hot football player to make them for you!
*I received the ARC for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
*I received the ARC for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Addiction
decklededgess's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
trigger warnings: internet harassment, bullying, blackmail, sexual content, alcohol mention, addiction mention, gambling addiction, divorce, fire
This book opens very similarly to Act Your Age Eve Brown in the sense that rich main character is put on a time limit to access her inheritance unless she gets a stable job and ends up working at the business of the grumpiest man alive.
Everything else diverges and it grows into its own beautiful story. The chemistry between Jada and Donovan is so cute it hurts. Jada's spunk breaks through Donovan's prickly exterior and as they get to know each other's life stories they really bond. The physical chemistry between the two of them is just chefs kiss.
The ending is a wee bit cheesy but that's really the hallmark of a solidly trope-y romance so no complains. The third act break up is level headed and brief and that's the crowning glory of the book. No pain all gain baybeyyy.
This book opens very similarly to Act Your Age Eve Brown in the sense that rich main character is put on a time limit to access her inheritance unless she gets a stable job and ends up working at the business of the grumpiest man alive.
Everything else diverges and it grows into its own beautiful story. The chemistry between Jada and Donovan is so cute it hurts. Jada's spunk breaks through Donovan's prickly exterior and as they get to know each other's life stories they really bond. The physical chemistry between the two of them is just chefs kiss.
The ending is a wee bit cheesy but that's really the hallmark of a solidly trope-y romance so no complains. The third act break up is level headed and brief and that's the crowning glory of the book. No pain all gain baybeyyy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Bullying, Sexual content, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
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