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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
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.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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
Rita Singh has always wanted to be a chef. Her love for food and cooking is what she lives for but chefs don't get paid well in Mumbai. When the company she works for offers her an opportunity to be a meal prep chef for a wealthy businessman in Barcelona, she grabs it. She needs the money, not just to follow her dreams, but also to help her father with his treatments.
But instead of an amazing experience, Rita finds herself wrongly accused of theft and fired after only a month in this new city. She struggles to find her feet and the living conditions at her apartment building really take a toll on her. But then Luke Abbot calls her back to his office and instead of being yelled at, she is offered her job back with one condition, she bakes cakes for his business meeting on request.
It is hard to put up with him. He is grumpy and seems to be allergic to anything sugary and delicious. He is always pressing the wrong buttons. Until Luke needs her to pretend to be his Fiancé to close a deal, then things get really, really strange. Because for some reason, this grumpy man actually seems nice, and caring, and nothing like she thought he was. But Rita and Luke are from different worlds and she knows she just cannot be the person he would need her to be.
My thoughts:
I thought this book was absolutely wonderful! I loved Rita, I loved her backstory and her strength and her struggles in life and how she always pushed forward. Luke was really a grump but man he was amazing like deep, deep down! Lol just kidding. Their banter, her smart mouth! I freaking laughed so much reading this. The story is so unique and I loved every single page. It's a subtle he-falls-first trope and I loved that too! Especially because he was the hardass. They had so much chemistry and the spicy scenes were perfect. I loved that Rita is a bigger woman and yet she embraced her body and was confident. I HIGHLY recommend this book to EVERYONE!!
But instead of an amazing experience, Rita finds herself wrongly accused of theft and fired after only a month in this new city. She struggles to find her feet and the living conditions at her apartment building really take a toll on her. But then Luke Abbot calls her back to his office and instead of being yelled at, she is offered her job back with one condition, she bakes cakes for his business meeting on request.
It is hard to put up with him. He is grumpy and seems to be allergic to anything sugary and delicious. He is always pressing the wrong buttons. Until Luke needs her to pretend to be his Fiancé to close a deal, then things get really, really strange. Because for some reason, this grumpy man actually seems nice, and caring, and nothing like she thought he was. But Rita and Luke are from different worlds and she knows she just cannot be the person he would need her to be.
My thoughts:
I thought this book was absolutely wonderful! I loved Rita, I loved her backstory and her strength and her struggles in life and how she always pushed forward. Luke was really a grump but man he was amazing like deep, deep down! Lol just kidding. Their banter, her smart mouth! I freaking laughed so much reading this. The story is so unique and I loved every single page. It's a subtle he-falls-first trope and I loved that too! Especially because he was the hardass. They had so much chemistry and the spicy scenes were perfect. I loved that Rita is a bigger woman and yet she embraced her body and was confident. I HIGHLY recommend this book to EVERYONE!!
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
The story follows Rita who is a recently unemployed chef and queen of cakes - and Luke, a CEO that eats nothing but bland chicken and smoothies. Whilst Luke doesn’t eat anything containing sugar, his business associates are won over by Rita’s magical recipes. Luke needs her talent, but as the story unfolds that will not be the only thing he needs from Rita…
Such a heartwarming read, the tension between the MC’s is built up perfectly for a passionate slow burn. Absolutely adore the side characters in this book too which is always a plus.
* Enemies to lovers
* Opposites attract
* Fake engagement
* Fish out of water
Such a heartwarming read, the tension between the MC’s is built up perfectly for a passionate slow burn. Absolutely adore the side characters in this book too which is always a plus.
* Enemies to lovers
* Opposites attract
* Fake engagement
* Fish out of water
dark
emotional
relaxing
sad
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
I’m so thankful for the author reaching out to me and giving me a copy of this arc!
Rita has recently been fired from her job which she desperately needed to fund her work visa and her dad’s rehab.
Luke is the well known billionaire responsible for the corrupt Abbot industries.
When Luke is in need of Rita’s baking skills to impress his clients he offers Rita a well needed job.
Two worlds combine in this amazing rom-com.
I loved hearing more about the Punjabi culture in all aspects of Rita’s life. I loved Luke and Rita’s relationship, especially Luke he was an amazing character with so much depth and personality.
I felt as if the beginning writing wasn’t as developed as the second half which really improved. Rita’s character at the beginning was so argumentative which I understand was supposed to be like the trope but she could of literally just been fired, I wish they were fake dating from the beginning to give her a reason to be able to act like that without being fired.
I really enjoyed the ending as it was a fresh concept as opposed to the typical billionaire romances.
Can’t wait to read more from this author, dare I say maybe even a sequel for some of the other characters to get their own story.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
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:
No
4.25/5 stars
2/5 spice
This book had all the banter and tension you need a grumpy/sunshine story. These MCs had me giggling on more than one occasion.
Tropes:
Grumpy/sunshine
Boss/Employee
Plus size heroine
Billionaire MMC
Fake dating/fiancée
Forced proximity
Protective & Obsessed hero
He falls first
Single POV
I think the only issue I had with this story was the length... while I was reading it, the story felt slow in the middle. But now that it's done, I can see how each scene played its part in building up to the end. Personally, I was dying with the tension... oh my 🥵 But it was sooooo worth it. I loved how much Luke cherished Rita in small ways that built up to the grand gesture. Their love story was prefect blend of precious and sexy. It's just amazing chemistry between these two.
Overall, it is a great grumpy/sunshine story that gets you your feels but also delivers on that spice.
Thank you to the author for giving me an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and offered voluntarily.
Trigger/Content warnings:
Addiction/alcoholism, renters abuse, manipulation, coercion, explicit language, sexual content
2/5 spice
This book had all the banter and tension you need a grumpy/sunshine story. These MCs had me giggling on more than one occasion.
Tropes:
Grumpy/sunshine
Boss/Employee
Plus size heroine
Billionaire MMC
Fake dating/fiancée
Forced proximity
Protective & Obsessed hero
He falls first
Single POV
I think the only issue I had with this story was the length... while I was reading it, the story felt slow in the middle. But now that it's done, I can see how each scene played its part in building up to the end. Personally, I was dying with the tension... oh my 🥵 But it was sooooo worth it. I loved how much Luke cherished Rita in small ways that built up to the grand gesture. Their love story was prefect blend of precious and sexy. It's just amazing chemistry between these two.
Overall, it is a great grumpy/sunshine story that gets you your feels but also delivers on that spice.
Thank you to the author for giving me an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and offered voluntarily.
Trigger/Content warnings:
Addiction/alcoholism, renters abuse, manipulation, coercion, explicit language, sexual content
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Cakes for the Grump by Sookh Kaur is a slow-burn, fake engagement romcom! Fake dating is one of my favorite tropes in the romance world; there is something about the banter and watching them struggling with pretending to be in love while trying to pretend they aren't in love, and this book hit just the spot!
The main characters, Grumpy/Sunshine Dynamic, were fun, flirty, and exciting to read. I loved their banter and mock disdain for one another from the beginning. Sookh Kaur did a great job writing characters so that you become invested in their individual success and the success of their relationship.
Cakes for the Grump has been one of my favorite faking dating romcoms this year, and I highly recommend picking it up for a read!
*ARC Review: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The main characters, Grumpy/Sunshine Dynamic, were fun, flirty, and exciting to read. I loved their banter and mock disdain for one another from the beginning. Sookh Kaur did a great job writing characters so that you become invested in their individual success and the success of their relationship.
Cakes for the Grump has been one of my favorite faking dating romcoms this year, and I highly recommend picking it up for a read!
*ARC Review: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.