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chronicacademia's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Addiction, and Emotional abuse
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
laheath's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
3.5
A fun combination of several tropes including enemies to lovers, fake dating, slow burn, and workplace romance in a cupcake shop. The male lead seemed uptight, but had a soft spot for family and friends. The female lead seemed shallow and weak, at least in part due to her unsupportive parents who faulted her for her past impulsive decisions, lack of direction, and dyslexia (which was represented well without too much explanation of what it is). The secondary characters, such as some of the shop patrons and friends of the male lead, added to the fun, while others were the love-to-hate variety, such as the female lead's parents.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol and Addiction
aus10england's review
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Addiction and Toxic relationship
Cute! Fun! I really liked the backdrop of this story.headinthepages's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Overall, I enjoyed this book. I did find elements of it a bit rushed or superficial. The narration itself was generally ok but a little stilted sometimes.
It was a cute story and I liked the characters so I will definitely try another book by the same author!
It was a cute story and I liked the characters so I will definitely try another book by the same author!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Mental illness, Addiction, Alcohol, Toxic relationship, and Emotional abuse
sophiesometimesreads's review against another edition
emotional
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
3.75
Minor spoiler warning.
This book was a fun, easy, lighthearted read, which is exactly what I needed after a few darker books. It’s really a book that you should take a surface level to really enjoy and not think too hard about the details of how things (eg the cupcake shop) work, otherwise you may lose your immersion (eg if Nicholas is constantly baking cupcakes to restock, how does it work during the football season when he’s not there?).
The main characters were generally well-written and rounded and their relationship was cute. It was a very fast-paced relationship in a real-world context but I felt that wasn’t an issue in the context of the story (coming from someone who does not like instalove). The banter between the couple was also good and I loved the dyslexia representation! I think the side characters could’ve been fleshed out a little bit more, though.
I was really enjoying the storyline, even if it was a little ridiculous, up until the end. I didn’t like the fact there was a third-act break up, it didn’t seem necessary and the conflict and growth could have happened without it. The fact there was miscommunication just sprinkled in there as well made me like it less. Literally 10 pages or so before this happened, I had written a note saying that there were so many opportunities for miscommunication and/or a break up to be put in here and I’m loving the fact it hasn’t happened… then we got a break up with miscommunication… at 90% of the way through the book. This also meant the pacing of the ending was not great, it felt super rushed. One moment they’re broken up and next paragraph they’re basically back together. Also, did I miss something or did they just not explain how/why August went viral?
Overall, I enjoyed the middle part of this book, I thought it was fun, but it was let down a bit by the ending.
This book was a fun, easy, lighthearted read, which is exactly what I needed after a few darker books. It’s really a book that you should take a surface level to really enjoy and not think too hard about the details of how things (eg the cupcake shop) work, otherwise you may lose your immersion (eg if Nicholas is constantly baking cupcakes to restock, how does it work during the football season when he’s not there?).
The main characters were generally well-written and rounded and their relationship was cute. It was a very fast-paced relationship in a real-world context but I felt that wasn’t an issue in the context of the story (coming from someone who does not like instalove). The banter between the couple was also good and I loved the dyslexia representation! I think the side characters could’ve been fleshed out a little bit more, though.
I was really enjoying the storyline, even if it was a little ridiculous, up until the end. I didn’t like the fact there was a third-act break up, it didn’t seem necessary and the conflict and growth could have happened without it. The fact there was miscommunication just sprinkled in there as well made me like it less. Literally 10 pages or so before this happened, I had written a note saying that there were so many opportunities for miscommunication and/or a break up to be put in here and I’m loving the fact it hasn’t happened… then we got a break up with miscommunication… at 90% of the way through the book. This also meant the pacing of the ending was not great, it felt super rushed. One moment they’re broken up and next paragraph they’re basically back together. Also, did I miss something or did they just not explain how/why August went viral?
Overall, I enjoyed the middle part of this book, I thought it was fun, but it was let down a bit by the ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction
Moderate: Ableism
roorooreads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
5.0
What an amazing romance! The beginning reminded me a lot of how Hook Line and Sinker began (rich girl get cut off and needs a job) and Donovan the football player/baker um yes please. He was so sweet but also had so much sass that complimented Jada's perfectly. There was banter, there was a bit of spice, but mostly two people who originally disliked each other falling in love ❤️ I also appreciated the dyslexia rep in this book and how it was handled (in that it's not something that ruins your life and you don't have to be ashamed of it)
Tropes: Forced proximity, fake dating, sporty hero with cinnamon roll energy, self discovery, family drama
Tropes: Forced proximity, fake dating, sporty hero with cinnamon roll energy, self discovery, family drama
Content Warnings
Minor: Addiction
ashleycmms's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction and Emotional abuse
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