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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
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:
Complicated
Really sweet read! Loved the story and character development.
emotional
hopeful
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cursing, Sexual content, Vomit, Medical content, Death of parent, Alcohol
funny
lighthearted
slow-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:
Complicated
Overall: 4/5
Spice level: 2/5
Tropes: grumpy/sunshine, boss/employee, billionaire, fake dating, slow burn
Representation: FMC is a plus-sized Punjabi woman
This was a new-to-me author, and I found the story pretty enjoyable, though the pacing was fairly slow for a while.
It felt like the pacing picked up once the spice started. The characters did have really good chemistry, and I love the grumpy/sunshine trope.
It also took a while for the fake dating part of the storyline to happen. Initially the hero was hellbent on proving he was a good person.
I really loved the family support our heroine had. Her friends and uncle were amazing for her.
I also saw pretty strong character development among our couple.
I'd definitely be interested in reading more by this author.
Spice level: 2/5
Tropes: grumpy/sunshine, boss/employee, billionaire, fake dating, slow burn
Representation: FMC is a plus-sized Punjabi woman
This was a new-to-me author, and I found the story pretty enjoyable, though the pacing was fairly slow for a while.
It felt like the pacing picked up once the spice started. The characters did have really good chemistry, and I love the grumpy/sunshine trope.
It also took a while for the fake dating part of the storyline to happen. Initially the hero was hellbent on proving he was a good person.
I really loved the family support our heroine had. Her friends and uncle were amazing for her.
I also saw pretty strong character development among our couple.
I'd definitely be interested in reading more by this author.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism
Cakes for the Grump is an entertaining grumpy/sunshine, fake relationship, billionaire romantic comedy by Sookh Kaur that explores sensitive family issues and interesting cultural differences. Rita is an aspiring chef from Mumbai trying to survive in Barcelona, when she gets a job prepping meals for grumpy billionaire, Luke Abbott. Luke is in pursuit of a huge deal, that requires a softening of his cutthroat reputation. As series of events leads to a fake relationship proposal between him and Rita with concessions that will benefit both of them. But when she ends up having to move in with him, lines start to blur, and the risk seems like it might be too great. Can two people from totally different worlds really fall for each other, or are they destined for utter heartbreak?
I had no idea what to expect when I started this book, but I liked Luke and Rita right away. The grumpy/sunshine theme was well done with fun feisty banter in both dialogue and text. I enjoyed learning more about her culture through her recipes, and I loved the relationship she had with her two best friends, even from far away. There were times in the book that I felt it was lagging a bit or could be shorter, but it would eventually pick up again. I appreciate the authenticity of the emotion surrounding Rita’s dad’s alcoholism and the way it was handled. But watching the the ice melt around the stoic Luke’s heart was a joy. It was like he was a closet romantic and didn’t even realize it, he just needed Rita to bring out his true self.
I had no idea what to expect when I started this book, but I liked Luke and Rita right away. The grumpy/sunshine theme was well done with fun feisty banter in both dialogue and text. I enjoyed learning more about her culture through her recipes, and I loved the relationship she had with her two best friends, even from far away. There were times in the book that I felt it was lagging a bit or could be shorter, but it would eventually pick up again. I appreciate the authenticity of the emotion surrounding Rita’s dad’s alcoholism and the way it was handled. But watching the the ice melt around the stoic Luke’s heart was a joy. It was like he was a closet romantic and didn’t even realize it, he just needed Rita to bring out his true self.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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:
Complicated
emotional
funny
fast-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:
Complicated
As a daughter of an alcoholic father this book hit hard in unexpected ways. I learned some hard truths right along with Rita and took some time to evaluate my own relationships. That being said it was a great journey with these two and I’m sad to leave them behind.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism
I think that Cakes for the grump would have been a really great book to write in Dual POV between Luke and Rita. Luke is such a closed off character that we really need that insight to his mind and thoughts to actually get the character development in the story. I kept saying to myself the whole time while reading this, “it needs dual POV” “we need to hear from Luke” and then the last chapter is in Luke’s POV?!? Like come on… it should have been the whole book. While I do think it would have been a much better read if it was written as a Dual POV that doesn’t mean it was a terrible book. I would put it right in the middle, not terrible but not the best.
Amazing Story!!! I very much loved it. As someone who is unfamiliar with Indian culture, I didn't feel like an outsider because the Author brought me into this world with an open heart & an open mind!!! She did an excellent job at explaining the culture & food in a way that brought me in, but I also don't feel like it was done in a way that would alienate those who would be familiar!
Cakes for the Grump by Sookh Kaur basically melted me into a puddle of happy. We are introduced to our main characters, Luke Abbot - stern, sugar hating, hottie of a CEO and Rita Singh - a very recently unemployed personal chef with a heavy secret. Luke is confounded by the fact that his peers liked a cake so much that it turned around his business deal and hires Rita to be his personal chef and bake (in his horribly, awfully, wrong opinion detestable) cakes. Lovely flirty banter ensues as personalities clash.
“If you look at it like you want it in your mouth, I’ll put it into your mouth.” Rita starts to slowly feel more and more… you’ve got to read it to find out more!!
I must say, having just come out of a Mariana Zapata slow burn coma, this book hit the spot! It did not hurt that it also contained one of my all time favorite tropes of fake dating. My biggest problem is that Luke isn’t real and I’ve gone and fallen in love with him right alongside Rita.
“If you look at it like you want it in your mouth, I’ll put it into your mouth.” Rita starts to slowly feel more and more… you’ve got to read it to find out more!!
I must say, having just come out of a Mariana Zapata slow burn coma, this book hit the spot! It did not hurt that it also contained one of my all time favorite tropes of fake dating. My biggest problem is that Luke isn’t real and I’ve gone and fallen in love with him right alongside Rita.