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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
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.
⭐⭐⭐⭐️⭐️(5/5 Stars)
Sookh Kaur’s romance novel, Cakes for the Grump, had me chuckling at Rita and Luke’s dynamic as it evolved from angry jabs to playful banter and finally, flirtatious innuendos. Then, the tears came streaming down when things went haywire. I cannot say how much I treasured this enchanting love story. I adore Rita and Luke. This is a slow-burn romance, but it is so captivating that you find yourself blowing through the chapters in no time and crashing right into the sensual spice. I highly recommend you give this book a go if these tropes speak to you.
🅃🅁🄾🄿🄴🅂:
🍰 grumpy vs. sunshine
🍰 billionaire romance
🍰 forced proximity
🍰 slow burn
🍰 fake dating
🍰 mild spice
🍰 enemies to lovers
🍰 rich vs. poor
🍰 opposites attract
🍰 boss vs. employee
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Oh my gosh.
Had all my fave tropes plus the banter was top notch.
Had all my fave tropes plus the banter was top notch.
If you're looking for a fake dating billionaire romance with a plus size Indian FMC this is for you. So good.
It was hilarious, spicy (well after
the slow burn)and just super romantic.
i've been drenching myself in romantic korean dramas recently - the kind that burn so slowly and gently but constantly. this has the same vibes, and the payoff is so good. while the pacing might be slow for some, it's fast enough for me where rita is grappling with her personal life and side hustle, while still getting a chance to connect and bond with luke, one milky cup of earl grey at a time.
maybe not a completely out of the box romance (albeit, i don't know if anyone goes into a romance novel wanting some major plot twist) and i do have notes about the whole he's a *good* billionaire though vibe, but still very sweet and cozy.
maybe not a completely out of the box romance (albeit, i don't know if anyone goes into a romance novel wanting some major plot twist) and i do have notes about the whole he's a *good* billionaire though vibe, but still very sweet and cozy.