A very cute novel centered around a cooking show and and two chefs at different points in their careers. The writing was fast and quick paced with a few speed bumps I wasn't expecting and didn't really enjoy. Overall this was a cute read and I will look forward to reading more by Jayci Lee in the future.
Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an ARC for an honest review.

The light-hearted romance between master chefs, a food critic, and baker. I enjoyed A Sweet Mess. It was a quick easy and entertaining read.

I received this ARC copy of A Sweet Mess from St. Martin's Press - St. Martin's Griffin. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Was it just me or did Landon and Audrey lack an actual connection? Sure the sexual attraction was high and you can easily cut the tension with a knife but that was it. I just couldn't picture this couple together and just about the majority of the lines were focused on their 'spark' which became more than exhausting after the first few chapters.

Furthermore I had an issue with the dialogue, scene transitions, POV structure and the instant love feels that I won't further elaborate on because everyone knows how much I hate those types of romances with a passion. It was an absolute mess.

The POV was all over the place and the scenes and dialogue hopped back and forth so often that it got to the point that it took me a second to figure out whose POV I was reading, where the hell they were and what they were trying to convey. The characters didn't have a unique voice which caused them to all sound the same. It definitely wasn't smooth sailing but I have read worse. I just really hope prior to this release, the author does some fine-tuning and major editing to save this from being a complete disaster of a romance novel.

This is a very sweet romance! The characters were adorable and the story was mouthwatering. I loved reading about a pastry chief! This is a nice calm read, great for a day at the beach!

This was the first book I had read by this author so I can't judge based on past books. This book ( A Sweet Mess) by Jayci Lee is a fairy tale for adults. If you enjoy the standard Hallmark movie you will enjoy this book. I didn't feel any real connection to the characters and didn't miss them when I had finished. The characters have no depth and the story is superficial but put together it was enjoyable. It was very cute and a quick, easy and entertaining read perfect for travel or a relaxing bubble bath.

Experiences are more potent when you use all your senses. A Sweet Mess is one of those uncommon prose poetry adventures that engages the unusual literary sense of taste. This one is a feast for foodies. So decadent, so rich! The descriptions of food will come to life and make you crave to taste the real thing. And being able to resist them? Tough challenge. As is the challenge of Landon and Aubrey resisting each other. Which they must. Their lustful appreciation of one another mirrors their sensual relationships with food, one being a food critic with CIA credentials and the other being a self-taught owner-entrepreneur of a custom bakery.

Irresistible! The eroticism that courses between Landon and Aubrey is absolutely palpable. Who needs a plot! Was there a plot? Who knows? I was immersed in all the feelings. Landon and Aubrey appear to spend most of the book cooking and baking, or eating someone else’s cooking and baking, or imagining cooking up sexy times with each other but exercising uncharacteristic restraint. Oh, for heaven’s sakes! Just give in! Indulge! You know you two so badly need to work off all those calories!

This story makes my mouth water and my heart clench. The sexual tension is unrelenting. The emotional tension towards the end nearly killed me. Reading this was a total body experience! I wish I could live in their world and have them keep narrating food to me forever!

I’m grateful to discover this new author via a NetGalley ARC.

Within a few pages, I can already tell it is shaping up to be a sugary-sweet romance, and it didn't let me down. One thing is that the book switches perspective between Landon and Aubrey abruptly at a new paragraph, which is confusing at first. Also, the timeline abruptly jumps in places, which this swap is too sudden and out of nowhere mid-chapter. But, all in all, it's a fun and indulgent romance read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It gets juicy and dramatic, and I'm loving it! The two protagonists have such an undeniable chemistry that it made the read so engaging in this slow-burn, friends-to-lovers book. I couldn't put this book down; It's just an enjoyable, indulgent, and cute love story. The character of Aubrey is so raw and vulnerable, it's real and makes it more appealing and authentic as a reader. It's chock full of twists and turns, yet turns out to be pretty darn cute; absolutely precious. Then, when Landon has realized he's been a total idiot at the end, it's such a sweeping and swoon-worthy HEA. This story was so emotional, it just had my entire heart. All that raw, real emotion makes the HEA earned, justified, better, and cuter.

I have voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this title given to me via NetGalley. This was just a wonderful book to read and it was just easy to lose yourself in the story. I can’t wait to read more from this author.

A Sweet Mess is a sweet read. Aubrey has a thriving bakery in a little CA town, when she has a one night stand with a handsome stranger, who turns out to be a major food critic, who gave her bakery a scathing review due to a mistake that was beyond her control. From there, it's a fun read to see Landon and Aubrey fall for each other and attempt to keep their feelings a secret, but yet salvage both of their careers. I enjoyed reading this book.

I absolutely loved this romance! the main characters had great chemistry, and the secondary characters added some great texture to the plot. Can't wait to read the next in the series.

Aubrey Choi is a self made baker in a small town in California and she is expanding her bakery when she is given a highly critical review from a snarky food critic when he is mistakenly given a cake designed by a 6 year old. Little does the food critic or Aubrey know that they shared a memorable one night stand.
When the food critic, Landon Kim tries to make up for his mistake by getting Aubrey to be a guest chef on his friends cooking show. Sparks have flown from the first time they have met but will their priorities ever line up or will they have to walk away knowing that they are meant for each other to keep their reputations intact.
It is so nice to have a romcom written by an own voices author and to have diverse characters, Jayci Lee also spreads a liberal amount of descriptive food and travel writing that makes your mouth and eyes water!

This was a bit of a hot mess for me. I absolutely loved the first half of it... however by the end I was not having such a great time. The story itself is interesting and the premise caught my attention. I enjoyed the meet cute and the shenanigans. However, what really did not work for me was Landon’s wishy washy breakup reasons and how he seemed to constantly flip between wanting Aubrey and pushing Aubrey away. I really liked Aubrey but kept thinking “ girl you have a business to save. FOCUS.” What really got me was the surprise twist and the way Landon handles it. Overall I’d have to say my biggest issue with this book is Landon. I just found myself frustrated with him and the last minute twists and plot ending. (If I’m being honest, I’d rather Aubrey have ended up without him. It would have been bittersweet but better). Overall it’s a sweet read but it just did not work for me. I think some people would really like it and enjoy it though! I did like the writing style of the author and will definitely read her future works!

This was a enjoyable story to read. All the food made me hungry. I liked the humor in the story. Both Aubrey and Landon are very likable characters. Things started out a mess but I was happy to se them get their Happily Ever After.

I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A big thank you to St. Martin's Griffin for the advanced copy of A Sweet Mess, out July 14!

A Sweet Mess is a very light, adorable romance novel. The main character Aubrey, owns her own bakery, Comfort Zone, a favorite for locals and online orders alike. That is, until there is a cake mix-up, leaving a weird cake meant for a child's birthday in the hands of food critic Landon Kim, stuck in town as his car is repaired instead of on his way to reviewing a fabulous restaurant.

When Landon's less than favorable review about the accidental cake that landed in his possession is published, Aubrey's business takes a huge hit. Everyone writes him attempting to explain the mix up, but he has a rule that he never apologies and never reviews the same place twice, leaving Aubrey on her own. As if it weren't stressful enough, Comfort Zone is supposed to be expanding into a new space. Without the business doing well, who's to say that they'll make it out alive.

Instead of rescinding his review, Landon finds another way to help Aubrey and Comfort Zone back in a favorable light. This book was just so enjoyable to read. As I mentioned at the top, it was so light and fresh. The storyline kept me engaged and was just very cutely written. It'd be perfect as a book for the pool or beach, without being too heavy of a topic. I'd definitely recommend grabbing a copy if you're looking for your next romance novel when it's out July 14th!

A very cute love story -- would recommend. An enjoyable romance around sweets and desserts, what more could you ask for?

You know that feeling when you’re reading a book and just know it will make a perfect movie? I had that almost from page one. Aubrey and Landon are just so charming. The California scenery is incredible. And the food! OMG the food!

All that said, I also had one of those “I wouldn’t have gone that way with the plot” feelings about 3/4 of the way through. But I felt warm and fuzzy again by the end. And I would love to see a sequel with Aubrey’s BFF Tara.

Thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for the ARC of A Sweet Mess by Jayci Lee. A Sweet Mess is a “sweet” romantic comedy about a pastry chef and a food critic who fall in love under the worst possible circumstances.

Aubrey Choi is a pastry chef who owns The Comfort Zone in the small town of Weldon. Landon Kim is a food critic who writes critiques for a magazine. Landon stumbles upon The Comfort Zone when his car breaks down as he is passing through Weldon and decides to give it a try. Unfortunately, there is a mishap with his order and his critique of The Comfort Zone will not be favorable. As Landon waits for his car to be fixed, he heads to a local bar where he meets Aubrey Choi. You guessed it; love at first sight for both of them. They end up spending the night together and they are both smitten. The next day, Landon leaves. Neither of them can shake the thought of one another. When Landon’s review of The Comfort Zone is published, they soon discover who the other is. Aubrey starts to lose customers and may even lose The Comfort Zone as a result of Landon’s review.

However, Landon soon presents Aubrey with an opportunity of a lifetime and if it’s successful; The Comfort Zone will stay in business. But; there is a catch; Aubrey will have to leave Weldon and spend 3 weeks with Landon for this business venture to be successful. Having no other options, Aubrey accepts the offer and hopes for the best. What will happen during this 3 week period? Will Aubrey be able to save The Comfort Zone? Will Aubrey and Landon’s romance ignite or sizzle? Will there be a sweet ending for Landon and Aubrey? No spoilers here, you have to read to find out.

Honestly, rom coms are not my jam. But I found A Sweet Mess to be a fun read! I loved the characters of Aubrey and Landon and loved the dynamic of their relationship. The cover of this book is amazing. Jayci Lee has written a delightful contemporary romance novel. Add it to your summer reading list! A Sweet Mess will be published on 07/14/2020

This review will be posted on Bookstagram on 5/26/2020

A sweet mess sure had it's fair share of mess in the lives of it's characters. A light hearted,sweet,steamy love story.

***Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***

I loved the interactions between the characters, but later in the story something happens that kind of ruins the story for me.

A minor cake mix up leads to a super sweet love story. Aubrey Choi, baker, has the best one-night stand of her life with Landon Kim. Little does she know, Landon is a food critic and his review of her Frankencake (meant for a six year old) nearly ruins her business. After figuring out what happens, Landon tries to fix his error, but he doesn't want to ruin his integrity. After coming up with a solution to both save her business and his reputation, the two are forced to work together and attempt to fight their attraction to each other.

First, this book made me so hungry! The author describes food so vividly, and it's really obvious that the characters are passionate about it. I definitely finished this book with an urge to bake something. I loved that all of the main characters were POC - much appreciated. I also love a close proximity romance, and this one does not disappoint. There were a few instances when the characters frustrated me and I had to put the book down, but overall, I enjoyed it. 4⭐️

I was provided a copy of this novel from @netgalley. It will be available for purchase on 7/14.