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lisa07xie's review
emotional
funny
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
4.0
It is SO cute I really like the relationship between Jada and Donowan they are so good for eachother I love how they develop and strengthened eachother! Special loves to Mr. Till, August, Nicholas, Grams they made the book even better! Such good dynamics and just a cute wholesome book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Bullying, Cursing, Sexual content, and Emotional abuse
rickireadss's review against another edition
3.5
the premise of this was really good, but the execution fell a little flat for me. i don't know if it was the insta-lovey-ness of their relationship but i just needed more. at times, i felt like the story dragged and others it was going wayyy too fast. AND i really thought we would get away with out miscommunication because there were *multiple* opportunities for it but wesley actually had them communicate and then BAM right at the end it happened, and i was disappointed. also i will say, while i have seen this marketed as a sports romance (the MMC is a professional American football player), there is NO sports talk or anything about the actual sport on page - so if that's what you like, then pick this up! if you'd rather have some of the sport happening on-page, this isn't the book for that.
⚠️: bullying, toxic relationship (FMC & parents), addiction, emotional abuse, ableism, fire/fire injury
⚠️: bullying, toxic relationship (FMC & parents), addiction, emotional abuse, ableism, fire/fire injury
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Addiction, Emotional abuse, Ableism, and Fire/Fire injury
lindsayerin's review
emotional
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, and Bullying
d0505's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Bullying
linnea_tornblom's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Bullying
nbreezy17's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying and Emotional abuse
juffnstuff's review
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Sexual content
readingthroughinfinity's review
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
This was cute and light-hearted, but there was something missing for me, which I'm sad about because I'd been looking forward to it for months. I think it was a combination of the writing style and dialogue making me cringe at times and the lack of chemistry between the two leads, which meant I couldn't fully invest/believe in their romance. As a result, their fake dates and gradual realisation that they actually loved each other just didn't hit that sweet spot that most fake dating romances usually do for me.
Having said that, I did enjoy the baking, the initial 'enemies' vibes, and Jada's grandmother, who was a great character. I also liked the focus on Jada's dyslexia and the way her parents' ableism was challenged. There's a particular scene when Jada explains (live on television) that her dyslexia doesn't mean she can't read things, just that she may need a little more time and patience from people, which I thought was fantastic and so well worded. I also thought the use of social media and the online hate Jada receives felt (sadly) very realistic to real life.
But there were other things that felt like they'd been added to the story without much thought and they ended up needing more time spent on them. Donovan's football career, for example, is introduced early on but then never really developed. I also wanted to see Jada challenge her own financial privileges more, instead of just accepting that her grandmother's wealth could bail her out of most situations.
On the whole, this was an enjoyable read, but sadly not a new favourite.
Having said that, I did enjoy the baking, the initial 'enemies' vibes, and Jada's grandmother, who was a great character. I also liked the focus on Jada's dyslexia and the way her parents' ableism was challenged. There's a particular scene when Jada explains (live on television) that her dyslexia doesn't mean she can't read things, just that she may need a little more time and patience from people, which I thought was fantastic and so well worded. I also thought the use of social media and the online hate Jada receives felt (sadly) very realistic to real life.
But there were other things that felt like they'd been added to the story without much thought and they ended up needing more time spent on them. Donovan's football career, for example, is introduced early on but then never really developed. I also wanted to see Jada challenge her own financial privileges more, instead of just accepting that her grandmother's wealth could bail her out of most situations.
On the whole, this was an enjoyable read, but sadly not a new favourite.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism and Bullying
Minor: Emotional abuse, Abandonment, and Sexual content
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: Sexual content, Bullying, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Addiction, Ableism, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Fatphobia
churrosmom's review
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: Bullying, Ableism, and Emotional abuse