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bitchie's review against another edition
3.0
ARC received from Netgalley.
I wanted to love this more than I did. I never really connected with either character, and a few things that happened just didn't ring true to me. I didn't understand how Vic went from so insecure, never having dated before, to knowing just what to do with Robin, and then back to totally insecure. I also thought the guys needed to talk more, because I don't think Robin ever really knew why Vic was so insecure.
It also felt like I missed a whole lot of backstory, that should have been explained somewhere. How/why did Robin end up on drugs, what caused him to get clean, what did Vic like so much about Robin, and I would have liked to have seen Vic and Robin meet and get to know each other, rather than coming into things quite a bit later, after they are already friends.
I'd probably read this author again, but hopefully, future books will have more detail in the getting to know you and communication parts of the story.
I wanted to love this more than I did. I never really connected with either character, and a few things that happened just didn't ring true to me. I didn't understand how Vic went from so insecure, never having dated before, to knowing just what to do with Robin, and then back to totally insecure. I also thought the guys needed to talk more, because I don't think Robin ever really knew why Vic was so insecure.
It also felt like I missed a whole lot of backstory, that should have been explained somewhere. How/why did Robin end up on drugs, what caused him to get clean, what did Vic like so much about Robin, and I would have liked to have seen Vic and Robin meet and get to know each other, rather than coming into things quite a bit later, after they are already friends.
I'd probably read this author again, but hopefully, future books will have more detail in the getting to know you and communication parts of the story.
a_reader_obsessed's review against another edition
4.0
Well once again this was far more angsty than one would guess from such a benign cover and title. Way more than a simple, superficial romance, throw in some weighty issues like drug use, unaccepting families, and homelessness to add some emotional gravitas.
I loved the doubt and insecurity and vulnerability between Vic and Robin, and despite said benign cover and title, make no mistake about the hot factor. Yum. Eee.
This pretty much solidified that Annabeth Albert will be an automatic buy for me from here on out.
I loved the doubt and insecurity and vulnerability between Vic and Robin, and despite said benign cover and title, make no mistake about the hot factor. Yum. Eee.
This pretty much solidified that Annabeth Albert will be an automatic buy for me from here on out.
wisecraic's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
c_marie226's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.25
pewterwolf's review against another edition
3.0
Review taken from The Pewter Wolf.
So, history time! Back in March 2020, when Corona was making everyone very scared (as UK Government was giving us little/no information), a bunch of book bloggers/vloggers/instgrammers started doing threads on Twitter going “Share your Amazon Wishlist and buy something for a stranger if you can afford it”. Now, this is lovely idea and I bought a few people one/two things from their lists and, probably against my better judgement, put mine public and shared it.
So imagine my surprise when Kate (aka @Mummy2aRockStar on Twitter) kindly messaged me and went “Can I buy you this?” and we spend a good half an hour trying to figure out how to gift something onto my kindle. It’s so strange!
Baked Fresh is the second novella in the Portland Heat series and we follow baker on the rise, Vic Degrassi, who is a rare ability to make and keep New Year’s resolution. Whether it’s quitting smoking, graduating culinary school or losing weight, he keeps them. This year, he wants to meet someone and have a relationship. Not a fling.
So, when he discovers that a sweet-hearted Robin who volunteers at the local homeless shelter has been unceremoniously dumped, Vic is more than happy to be his shoulder to cry on. Vic has been harbouring a crush on Robin, so he’s delighted when they going a date and their flirting turns to a steamy night together. But Robin isn’t ready for a relationship and with both having issues to deal with, can they just be friends with benefits or something more?
I needed something short, light and fluffy and I binged this over a weekend. It was exactly what I needed. Both characters are sweet with their issues. Vic has self-esteem issues and sees himself as fat, though he spends hours at the gym and he’s actual quite muscular. Robin struggles with his past and when a tragedy strikes the homeless shelter, we see him fall apart.
This is a sweet, tender novella. And I think the fact this is the novella works both for and against this story. Both characters have issues and it would have been interesting to dig a little deeper, even if it was only for a few more pages within the novella. I wanted a tad more weight to these issues and how they were tackled.
Plus, there is one moment in the book where the troupe of miscommunication creeps in and this author uses this troupe often. I’m not a fan of this troupe and, luckily, this is only used for a few chapters so I didn’t hate it as much as I could have. There are other things going on that I was far more that I thought that needed a closer look and the troupe wasn’t exactly needed.
But this was fun, light and what I needed one weekend when I felt like I hit a reading wall.
So, history time! Back in March 2020, when Corona was making everyone very scared (as UK Government was giving us little/no information), a bunch of book bloggers/vloggers/instgrammers started doing threads on Twitter going “Share your Amazon Wishlist and buy something for a stranger if you can afford it”. Now, this is lovely idea and I bought a few people one/two things from their lists and, probably against my better judgement, put mine public and shared it.
So imagine my surprise when Kate (aka @Mummy2aRockStar on Twitter) kindly messaged me and went “Can I buy you this?” and we spend a good half an hour trying to figure out how to gift something onto my kindle. It’s so strange!
Baked Fresh is the second novella in the Portland Heat series and we follow baker on the rise, Vic Degrassi, who is a rare ability to make and keep New Year’s resolution. Whether it’s quitting smoking, graduating culinary school or losing weight, he keeps them. This year, he wants to meet someone and have a relationship. Not a fling.
So, when he discovers that a sweet-hearted Robin who volunteers at the local homeless shelter has been unceremoniously dumped, Vic is more than happy to be his shoulder to cry on. Vic has been harbouring a crush on Robin, so he’s delighted when they going a date and their flirting turns to a steamy night together. But Robin isn’t ready for a relationship and with both having issues to deal with, can they just be friends with benefits or something more?
I needed something short, light and fluffy and I binged this over a weekend. It was exactly what I needed. Both characters are sweet with their issues. Vic has self-esteem issues and sees himself as fat, though he spends hours at the gym and he’s actual quite muscular. Robin struggles with his past and when a tragedy strikes the homeless shelter, we see him fall apart.
This is a sweet, tender novella. And I think the fact this is the novella works both for and against this story. Both characters have issues and it would have been interesting to dig a little deeper, even if it was only for a few more pages within the novella. I wanted a tad more weight to these issues and how they were tackled.
Plus, there is one moment in the book where the troupe of miscommunication creeps in and this author uses this troupe often. I’m not a fan of this troupe and, luckily, this is only used for a few chapters so I didn’t hate it as much as I could have. There are other things going on that I was far more that I thought that needed a closer look and the troupe wasn’t exactly needed.
But this was fun, light and what I needed one weekend when I felt like I hit a reading wall.
fdpayne's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
lifeand100books's review against another edition
5.0
This book was absolutely incredible and totally wrecked me. Vic and Robin are both such worthy characters. I am head-over-heels in love with them and this book.
norwayellesea's review against another edition
4.0
Baked Fresh is the second book in the Portland Heat series, which is a standalone M/M novel.
Vic has set himself life changing goals in the past few years and as the end of the current year is on the horizon, he's thinking about a new resolution for the coming year. He decides to stop hook-ups and begin dating in the hope of finding a special someone to share his life with. Sounds easy, except Vic knows exactly who he wants to date... someone who he's had his eye on for a while. Someone not interested in dating, not that he thinks he has a chance with the guy anyway!
Robin volunteers at Victory Mission, a place that helped to save him when life got really tough a couple of years ago. He's recently come out of a relationship so helping out at the Mission is something he enjoys to do. He loves spending times with the other volunteers including Vic, the guy who delivers baked goods from his work place. He likes Vic, but has swore off dating. Forever!
Both Vic and Robin have had a fair share of challenges throughout their lives and their tentative relationship brings more issues to the surface. The author has a knack of wringing out all the emotional insecurities of her protagonists in a caring way, as sensitive topics are broached throughout the story line.
What I love about the guys' relationship is that it isn't rushed. Yes, it is hot and sexy, but not in an insta-love kind of way. They take their time to compromise and work through their problems, supporting and comforting each other when needed.
I've previously read Served Hot, so was a nice touch to see Robby and David at the place on Alberta eating from the vegan buffet. I loved Vic's thoughts about Robby too, although Robin didn't ;-)
Overall another fun and sexy book in this very enjoyable series.
4 stars
***arc generously received courtesy of publisher via NetGalley***
Vic has set himself life changing goals in the past few years and as the end of the current year is on the horizon, he's thinking about a new resolution for the coming year. He decides to stop hook-ups and begin dating in the hope of finding a special someone to share his life with. Sounds easy, except Vic knows exactly who he wants to date... someone who he's had his eye on for a while. Someone not interested in dating, not that he thinks he has a chance with the guy anyway!
Robin volunteers at Victory Mission, a place that helped to save him when life got really tough a couple of years ago. He's recently come out of a relationship so helping out at the Mission is something he enjoys to do. He loves spending times with the other volunteers including Vic, the guy who delivers baked goods from his work place. He likes Vic, but has swore off dating. Forever!
Both Vic and Robin have had a fair share of challenges throughout their lives and their tentative relationship brings more issues to the surface. The author has a knack of wringing out all the emotional insecurities of her protagonists in a caring way, as sensitive topics are broached throughout the story line.
What I love about the guys' relationship is that it isn't rushed. Yes, it is hot and sexy, but not in an insta-love kind of way. They take their time to compromise and work through their problems, supporting and comforting each other when needed.
I've previously read Served Hot, so was a nice touch to see Robby and David at the place on Alberta eating from the vegan buffet. I loved Vic's thoughts about Robby too, although Robin didn't ;-)
Overall another fun and sexy book in this very enjoyable series.
4 stars
***arc generously received courtesy of publisher via NetGalley***
piperclover's review against another edition
Bored. I feel like I don't know Robin at all so I don't care about him or their relationship
chambersaurusrx's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction
Moderate: Death and Drug abuse