You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
4.5 ⭐️
Okay, James was seriously as Darcy-ish as they come! And Winnie was a firecracker—loved her!
Throughout the story, my sympathies were torn—I very much understand James’s frustration with “helping” (meddling) and the struggle of feeling constantly overwhelmed, particularly with crowds. BUT I am completely on board with Winnie’s feelings of vexation in being mansplained or having her ideas & contributions brushed aside. In short, this book made me feel very seen. And James’s final break? That broke me.
Okay, James was seriously as Darcy-ish as they come! And Winnie was a firecracker—loved her!
Throughout the story, my sympathies were torn—I very much understand James’s frustration with “helping” (meddling) and the struggle of feeling constantly overwhelmed, particularly with crowds. BUT I am completely on board with Winnie’s feelings of vexation in being mansplained or having her ideas & contributions brushed aside. In short, this book made me feel very seen. And James’s final break? That broke me.
I am completely and totally biased toward Emma St. Clair's books. This one especially as I had a wee cameo, along with my cat. (Possum Boots the sphynx is real, everyone!)
Reader’s Notes:
– this is part of a series, but can be read as a stand-alone
– this is told from Winnie & James’s points of view
Review:
There is just so so much about this story that I loved! From James & Winnie’s banter to the residents of Sheet Cake, it led to a great many laughs! And I think I stopped highlighting passages after getting 20% into the book because of how sucked into it I got! Some of my favorite scenes included: not just family poker night, the talk Chevy had with James and how they both reacted during that conversation, James and Jo playing chess, the Thanksgiving celebration, what happened after Winnie’s nightmare, and anything that included the orange cat.
Winnie is determined to do well working for James. At first, it’s because she needs something to pay the bills while deciding what she wants to do with her life. But then Winnie learns more about the business and can’t stop asking questions and coming up with ideas. If only James would take her ideas and use them…instead of taking pleasure in keeping her and her ideas on the outskirts. Maybe the best way to get him out of this is to bug him into submission while being the best at her job…
James didn’t want to expand his business, but he’d do just about anything for his family. Even if that means hiring his brother’s new wife’s best friend because they asked him to. Even though Winnie is too gorgeous for her own good and sends him into a bit of a tailspin just being there. With her confidence, he’s definitely out of his element around her and keeps pushing her away in hopes that whatever she’s doing to him will just go away. But when does that ever really work?
– this is part of a series, but can be read as a stand-alone
– this is told from Winnie & James’s points of view
Review:
There is just so so much about this story that I loved! From James & Winnie’s banter to the residents of Sheet Cake, it led to a great many laughs! And I think I stopped highlighting passages after getting 20% into the book because of how sucked into it I got! Some of my favorite scenes included: not just family poker night, the talk Chevy had with James and how they both reacted during that conversation, James and Jo playing chess, the Thanksgiving celebration, what happened after Winnie’s nightmare, and anything that included the orange cat.
Winnie is determined to do well working for James. At first, it’s because she needs something to pay the bills while deciding what she wants to do with her life. But then Winnie learns more about the business and can’t stop asking questions and coming up with ideas. If only James would take her ideas and use them…instead of taking pleasure in keeping her and her ideas on the outskirts. Maybe the best way to get him out of this is to bug him into submission while being the best at her job…
James didn’t want to expand his business, but he’d do just about anything for his family. Even if that means hiring his brother’s new wife’s best friend because they asked him to. Even though Winnie is too gorgeous for her own good and sends him into a bit of a tailspin just being there. With her confidence, he’s definitely out of his element around her and keeps pushing her away in hopes that whatever she’s doing to him will just go away. But when does that ever really work?
I FINALLY went back to Sheet Cake, Texas. I absolutely ADORED The Buy-In when I read it last year and I’m not sure why I have waited so long to revisit this wonderful series.
THINGS I LOVED:
•Winnie: Winnie is such a boss. I loved her quick wit and go get ‘em attitude. She was a gem and she saw James so so well and gave him exactly when he needed even if he didn’t know that’s what he needed (and especially when he didn’t even want it). She’s tough as nails and is one of my absolute favorite female characters.
•James: I was so sure I would not love James. I don’t typically go for a grumpy MMC, and honesty James was very frustrating at the start of the book. But then I saw it: James is a caregiver. He may be grumpy and dislike most people, but he cares fiercely for those he loves. And my heart broke for him when he realized the weight he had been carrying. He ended up being a wonderful character.
•The Graham Family: Ugh I love this family so much. I wish they were real and would buy the town I live in so I could be friends with them. I love Tank’s wisdom and I love the chaotic antics this group gets into. I also loved seeing more of Chase and Harper.
Emma St. Clair writes some wonderful characters and she writes some PHENOMENAL female friendships. This series is the most fun and I can’t wait to continue in it.
This is a closed door romance with mild innuendo and no language.
4.5⭐️
THINGS I LOVED:
•Winnie: Winnie is such a boss. I loved her quick wit and go get ‘em attitude. She was a gem and she saw James so so well and gave him exactly when he needed even if he didn’t know that’s what he needed (and especially when he didn’t even want it). She’s tough as nails and is one of my absolute favorite female characters.
•James: I was so sure I would not love James. I don’t typically go for a grumpy MMC, and honesty James was very frustrating at the start of the book. But then I saw it: James is a caregiver. He may be grumpy and dislike most people, but he cares fiercely for those he loves. And my heart broke for him when he realized the weight he had been carrying. He ended up being a wonderful character.
•The Graham Family: Ugh I love this family so much. I wish they were real and would buy the town I live in so I could be friends with them. I love Tank’s wisdom and I love the chaotic antics this group gets into. I also loved seeing more of Chase and Harper.
Emma St. Clair writes some wonderful characters and she writes some PHENOMENAL female friendships. This series is the most fun and I can’t wait to continue in it.
This is a closed door romance with mild innuendo and no language.
4.5⭐️
This book made me cry. Books don’t make me cry. At least I’d like to think they don’t. But I have never had a book make me want another book for every single character (except He Who Must Not Be Named…) and make me never want to leave Sheet Cake. I actually cried when I ended this book.
And I spent so much time trying to think of how to write this review because I loved the characters so much that I didn’t think I’d be able to do them justice. I want back in Sheet Cake now.
All these characters felt like real people. They were wonderfully flawed and funny and sad and happy and I just wanted to meet them all.
Honestly, this book was hotter in the romance department than any book I’ve read with smut. But that was just a bonus.
And I spent so much time trying to think of how to write this review because I loved the characters so much that I didn’t think I’d be able to do them justice. I want back in Sheet Cake now.
All these characters felt like real people. They were wonderfully flawed and funny and sad and happy and I just wanted to meet them all.
Honestly, this book was hotter in the romance department than any book I’ve read with smut. But that was just a bonus.
3.75/5*
Winnie gets hired by James in his new brewery. He is a very grumpy person and doesn't let Winnie get involved in his business. But she is determined to show him that she can be a real asset and help him, even though he claims he doesn't need any help.
This book was better than the first one in the series. I liked both Winnie and James and the progression of their relationship. I didn't like some of James behavior (him being rude and mean in the most unnecessary moments) and Winnie forgiving James too easily.
Winnie gets hired by James in his new brewery. He is a very grumpy person and doesn't let Winnie get involved in his business. But she is determined to show him that she can be a real asset and help him, even though he claims he doesn't need any help.
This book was better than the first one in the series. I liked both Winnie and James and the progression of their relationship. I didn't like some of James behavior (him being rude and mean in the most unnecessary moments) and Winnie forgiving James too easily.
I did like this one better than the first one. 3.5 would be my rating. I do like grumpy/sunshine books apparently. They seem to be missing something for me but I do want to continue with the series to see where it goes.
4 stars.
“ I have a theory. It’s that every woman has two fantasies - One where she’s rescued by a dashing hero, and one where she doesn’t need a hero at all and rescues herself.”
Highlights:
- dual POV
- book 2 in a series; can be read as a standalone
- Grumpy x sunshine trope
My thoughts:
I really liked Winnie and James together. The truth is that this author just knows how to write chemistry. Top notch chemistry. Sizzling, romantic, swoony chemistry. I could feel it strong with Winnie and James.
James and Winnie felt very third dimensional- full of depth and had clear strengths and weaknesses.
Having James’ POV made all the difference for me. It gave him so much more of a personality than just a “grump”.
The only thing that made me rate this a 4 star rather than a 5 is that I think James had severe anxiety- and I think this rarely involves an easy, quick-fix. I go into detail on this at the very end (will give heads up- as it contains slight spoilers).
Overall- I loved this one. This series by Emma St. Clair continues to be a hilarious and romantic adventure for me. I can’t wait for her third book in the series!
Thank you so much Emma St. Clair for providing this ARC for us to read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
“ I have a theory. It’s that every woman has two fantasies - One where she’s rescued by a dashing hero, and one where she doesn’t need a hero at all and rescues herself.”
Highlights:
- dual POV
- book 2 in a series; can be read as a standalone
- Grumpy x sunshine trope
My thoughts:
I really liked Winnie and James together. The truth is that this author just knows how to write chemistry. Top notch chemistry. Sizzling, romantic, swoony chemistry. I could feel it strong with Winnie and James.
James and Winnie felt very third dimensional- full of depth and had clear strengths and weaknesses.
Having James’ POV made all the difference for me. It gave him so much more of a personality than just a “grump”.
The only thing that made me rate this a 4 star rather than a 5 is that I think James had severe anxiety- and I think this rarely involves an easy, quick-fix. I go into detail on this at the very end (will give heads up- as it contains slight spoilers).
Overall- I loved this one. This series by Emma St. Clair continues to be a hilarious and romantic adventure for me. I can’t wait for her third book in the series!
Thank you so much Emma St. Clair for providing this ARC for us to read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
4.5/5
This was an enjoyable book about a grumpy boss that won't let Winnie do her job so she decides to try to break his shell. This is the second book in the series but could be read as a standalone. I really enjoyed reading this book because first of all it had all of my favorite tropes in one. St. Clair has an incredible writing style because I was hooked from the beginning of the story. I enjoyed the fact that this book took place in Texas because it helps readers imagine the city more and that it took place in a cute town. The pacing was perfect and I enjoyed the story plot line. St. Clair did such an amazing job with bringing conflicts into the story for the characters. This is a dual pov book which means you get it from both of the main characters.
This book is written from both Winnie and James pov. I enjoyed both characters in this book and their character development (James more than Winnie). Winnie is a temporary assistant and is such a unique person. She pokes many of James' button and tries to get his sunshine out. James is our grumpy dude who is dealing with many responsibilities and anxieties. They banter a lot and have many cute scenes together. There are also some side characters in this book (I'm guessing some are form the previous book and some will be in the third book) whom I enjoyed too. The romance is a enemies to lovers, grumpy and sunshine, also one bed trope with closed door scenes. As a spicy fan, I was still happy with how the romance turned out to be.
The ending was well done and I enjoyed how the story played out. This was such a well written story and I need to go back to read the first book because I know I will love that one too. St. Clair is an incredible writer and I will for sure be reading their future works. If you love closed door romance books then I totally recommend this to you! Especially for fans of Lynn Painter and Sarah Adams.
*this arc was sent to me by the author to give an honest review in return*
This was an enjoyable book about a grumpy boss that won't let Winnie do her job so she decides to try to break his shell. This is the second book in the series but could be read as a standalone. I really enjoyed reading this book because first of all it had all of my favorite tropes in one. St. Clair has an incredible writing style because I was hooked from the beginning of the story. I enjoyed the fact that this book took place in Texas because it helps readers imagine the city more and that it took place in a cute town. The pacing was perfect and I enjoyed the story plot line. St. Clair did such an amazing job with bringing conflicts into the story for the characters. This is a dual pov book which means you get it from both of the main characters.
This book is written from both Winnie and James pov. I enjoyed both characters in this book and their character development (James more than Winnie). Winnie is a temporary assistant and is such a unique person. She pokes many of James' button and tries to get his sunshine out. James is our grumpy dude who is dealing with many responsibilities and anxieties. They banter a lot and have many cute scenes together. There are also some side characters in this book (I'm guessing some are form the previous book and some will be in the third book) whom I enjoyed too. The romance is a enemies to lovers, grumpy and sunshine, also one bed trope with closed door scenes. As a spicy fan, I was still happy with how the romance turned out to be.
The ending was well done and I enjoyed how the story played out. This was such a well written story and I need to go back to read the first book because I know I will love that one too. St. Clair is an incredible writer and I will for sure be reading their future works. If you love closed door romance books then I totally recommend this to you! Especially for fans of Lynn Painter and Sarah Adams.
*this arc was sent to me by the author to give an honest review in return*