Donut Fall in Love by Jackie Lau is a contemporary romance currently scheduled for release on October 26 2021. Actor Ryan Kwok is back in Toronto after the promotional tour for his latest film, a rom-com that is getting less-than-stellar reviews. After years of constant work and the sudden death of his mother, Ryan is taking some much-needed time off. But as he tries to be supportive to his family, he struggles with his loss and doesn't know how to talk to his dad—who now trolls him on Twitter instead of meeting him for dim sum. Innovative baker Lindsay McLeod meets Ryan when he knocks over two dozen specialty donuts at her bakery. Their relationship is off to a messy start, but there’s no denying their immediate attraction. When Ryan signs up for a celebrity episode of Baking Fail, he asks Lindsay to teach him how to bake and she agrees. As Lindsay and Ryan spend time together, bonding over grief and bubble tea, it starts to feel like they’re cooking up something sweeter than cupcakes in the kitchen.

Donut Fall in Love hooked from the very beginning. I really enjoyed Ryan and Lindsey as characters, they were each complex and dealing with their own issues before they even meet. Family, identity, friendships, grief, racism, and more are all part of the story. These issues come together to show a realistic experience; good and bad all wrapped up together like in the real world. The complications of grief and family in this book really hit me hard, and I appreciated the open way it was discussed and dealt with. I think the story did a great job of balancing the hope and dream chasing with the realities of coping with public perception, family, and grief. I also liked the emphasis that is placed on communication, because as much as most of us dread the hard conversations they need to be had, and even if the results are unexpected they can still have a needed impact. I was engaged through the entire read, and rooting not only for our main couple, but their friends and family as well. I will be looking to read more from this author.

Donut Fall in Love is a fun romance that also tackles some serious topic. It is a well balanced and enjoyable read.

Donut Fall in Love is hilarious but I have to issue a serious warning...you will crave donuts impossible to find in this small town in New Mexico where we do not have fancy gourmet shops. Just sayin' you have been warned. (Seriously the description of the donuts and cupcakes and cakes in this book will have you craving all the things.) Now that we have handled the warning (that I am sure you will not listen to either), let's talk about the book.

Ryan Kwok literally runs into Lindsay McLeod in her donut shop and knocks over an expensive tray of delicious gourmet donuts and does not make her day. Even though they have a rough start, Ryan convinces Lindsay to teach him how to bake so that when he stars on a celebrity baking show he does not look too ridiculous. Lindsay accepts his generous offer and that gets them connecting in a different way.

What I really like about Donut Fall in Love is the chemistry that develops between Lindsay and Ryan and the character development they both go through during this quick read. It feels genuine, and Lindsay's struggles with dating a celebrity felt legitimate as well. The romance is adorable, but the character that really steals the show is Ryan's dad. I wish I could meet him in person, he sounds fun! He has his own side plot of growth going on as well, which really adds more dimension to the novel. Definitely a good read, and I highly recommend not having baked goods in the house while reading the book.

Thank you to NetGalley, author Jackie Lau, and Berkley Publishing Group for this advance, digital review copy for me to read and enjoy. I still want donuts! As always, my reviews are voluntary and my opinions are my own.

#DonutFallinLove #NetGalley #Berkleywritesstrongwomen #buddyreads

Ok, I really wanted to like this book, and I did. It was fine. I loved the backstories of our main characters and their families...thought that all was really well developed but what I didn't love, and this is argueably the most important relationship in the book, is the relationship between our main characters. I did not feel the chemistry. It all felt very surfacey to me. I didn't believe the love ran deep. I had a hard time keeping on top of reading the book because it just wasn't grabbing me. I wasn't invested in the leads. I felt like there was so much that felt rushed. The sister's post pardum depression for one. The baking competition for another and more time developing the relationship between Ryan and Lindsey. I also felt like other parts dragged on unnecessarily. There was a lot of good in this book, but overall, it wasn't my favorite.

Heat Factor: There’s a bunch of sex around the halfway point

Character Chemistry: Believable in a real-world kind of way, but not sparkling

Plot: Ryan takes baking classes from Lindsay in preparation for appearing on a celebrity baking show. They develop a connection, but can Lindsay handle dating a movie star?

Overall: Cute

I read most of this book in the middle of the night during a bout of insomnia, and that experience really highlighted for me what I like about Jackie Lau’s books. When I pick up one of her books, I know exactly what I’m going to get, and that’s soothing.

For those of you who haven’t read Lau, here’s what I know I’m going to get: I know I’m going to get a mix of comedy and tough stuff (in this case, grief over the death of a parent and some anti-Asian racism and a secondary character really struggling with the post-partum life). I know that the protagonists are going to start off their relationship with a tropey premise (in this case, celebrity baking lessons) but then work through their bumps by communicating with each other. Even when one character freaks out (in this case, Lindsay, because the media attention she starts getting as Ryan’s girlfriend is hard) and maybe even runs away, that character will come back and apologize and explain their feelings. No grand gestures and groveling, just putting in the work. I know I’m going to get many descriptions of food. And I know that there will be some kooky family funtimes, and also probably some trauma around families that the main characters need to process (in this case, both of these components show up in Ryan’s relationship with his father—and his father’s new Twitter account).

To speak more specifically to this book, Ryan is an up-and-coming movie star, whose big rom-com is in the process of kind of flopping. He’s also taking a mini-hiatus to support his father and sister in the wake of his mother’s recent death (which seems to be his way of processing his grief). When he first meets Lindsay, she doesn’t recognize him, and scolds him for ruining a batch of donuts, and he finds the dynamic refreshing enough that when he decides he wants to get better at baking, she’s the first person he thinks of to give him lessons. Ryan and Lindsay have cute banter and spend a lot of time baking together—so if you like details about baking, but at a pretty basic home cook level, that part is a particularly fun read. (They’re not building chocolate sculptures or anything, just learning the basics of making cupcakes.) They also bond over dealing with the death of a parent, which I thought was a nice touch in developing the connection between the leads, especially since the grief bit is not heavy-handed. Overall, the relationship is pretty cute, and builds up in a pretty natural way, from acquaintances to friends to lovers.

Here’s where the insomnia bit becomes important. The prose is really direct; I never have to interpret what’s going on, because the narration is telling me. For example:

“You’re amazing,” he murmured, and she felt like she was the most amazing freaking woman on the planet. She was so glad she could make him feel like this.

This is an extreme example of Lau telling us exactly what’s going on in Lindsay’s head, but I think it really encapsulates what I’m getting at with the directness of the prose. I know exactly what Lindsay is feeling, and I don’t have to work too hard to get there. In other words: this book was perfect for the moment I needed it.

I will admit that this is not my favorite Lau book. She generally self-publishes, and this book was brought out by Berkeley—which means that this book is a bit longer than her usual fare. In this case, it felt saggy. Her books are generally really tightly focused on the couple, and the extra word count here was spent fleshing out some secondary characters in ways that I didn’t feel added much to the story.

With that said, Donut Fall in Love delivered exactly what I needed in the moment I needed it. And that’s what I want in a romance.


I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.

I am really torn by this book. I wanted to love it and was drawn in by the adorable title. I love any kind of book that revolves around food or drinks. I feel like bakeries, or a book I recently read, bar, lead to fun times and cozy settings. This seemed like a book that was to describe two characters who would have this fun romance, be a “romcom,” – which I explained to a person a little older than me this past week – and be full of nice chemistry. This did not play out that way, however. I felt there were lots of serious subject matter, and there is nothing wrong with that, but it did not lead to this funny, lighthearted romance I was expecting. Also, the main characters just did not seem to have the level of romance I was expecting. They did not seem to have that much chemistry. I feel this book was good, and okay, but it was not the cute, sizzling romcom I expected from the title. I will say it did one thing though. It made me have to go out and get a donut.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Overall, I found this to be quite the fun read! I really wish I could have given it 5 stars but it did feel a little slow in a few places. Now that I listed the only bad thing about it, let's get to the good stuff. 1-It is a rom com and therefore a good time! 2-It is my favorite kind of rom com as it tackles some difficult topics along the way to HEA, including grief after the loss of a parent, postpartum depression, difficult parent-child relationships, racism, and the dark side of fame. 3-The Chinese Canadian representation. I don't read many books set in Canada so this was a real treat! 4- Baking and a baking competition are essential to the plot. I love baking and eating baked goods, even if I don't watch reality TV. I think it is most similar to Nailed It, if you are a fan of cooking shows.

A donut baker and a movie star fall in love? Sure! I'll read that book. And it's by Jackie Lau... I'm all in. And Lau didn't disappoint. With well-developed characters and a relationship arc that made sense, this was a book that I adored.
Lindsay McLeod can be forgiven for not recognizing Ryan Kwok when he ducks into her bakery. After all, his most recent fame is for his abs and he's wearing a shirt. But when he calls later to ask her for some help learning how to bake for when he's on a celebrity baking fails show, she's hesitant. The man is hot but way out of her league (as she sees it).
Ryan is reeling from his mother's death. He was never as close to his father and now the man is practically only talking to him in grunts. When he answers the phone; which isn't often. Ryan goes on the baking show as a way to be closer to his mother though it doesn't hurt that Lindsay is a woman at whom he'd definitely look twice.
I loved the way the two fell in love and can't wait to read the next book that Lau puts out.

Ryan Kwok is a sitcom actor staring in his first leading movie roll. The movie and actor aren’t getting the best reviews, although his abs are receiving a lot of airtime on social media. Determined to take a moment to grieve his mother’s death and spend quality time with his family, Ryan takes off a few months to stay home in Toronto.

Lindsay owns a bakery with her best friend Noreen. They specialize in gourmet donuts and other custom baked goods. Lindsay is in the process of displaying her latest creation when a good looking man runs into her, causing all the donuts to fall. She’s annoyed, but when he returns later asking for baking lessons, she’s intrigued.

Donut Fall in Love is a delightful romance that hits all the right notes. Ryan and Lindsay have a meet cute and an immediate attraction. But they come from two different worlds, so the idea of Lindsay teaching Ryan how to bake provides the perfect “forced proximity” situation. They spend time together and learn that they can be themselves with one another. They are two people who were ready for a relationship with the right person, even though they don’t know it. Being around one another helps them to be their best selves.

I love that the story feels genuine. Yes, there is some fairytale/romcom vibes, but when the couple is together, they are real. The humor, friendship, and struggles are all relatable on some level. The author does a great job of getting readers into the mind and heart of her main characters. I appreciate the weight Ryan feels of being an Asian male in a lead role and his worries the bad reviews will make it harder for Asian men to get good leads. I adore that Lindsey is confident and doesn’t doubt Ryan’s interest; she just feels practical about the fact he’ll leave some day. I also love the family dynamics and how each deals with it. Their story is feel good without lots of unnecessary drama.

Donut Fall in Love is a sweet romance with a side of sexy abs. I highly recommend.

My Rating: A-

Ahhhhhh. I loved this book!! I thought it was such a fun and refreshing celebrity romance set around baking (my favorite!). There were some heavy themes of grief with both main characters having lost a parent, but it was handled in a sensitive and realistic way.

Here’s what else I loved:
🍩 The baked goods. It’s my fave book setting.
🍩Ryan! What an incredible guy. I thought he was just so sweet with Lindsay and his family
🍩 The Twitter posts and interactions. Hilarious. Really added to the story for me.
🍩 #ryankwoksfather OMG. Mr Kwok. My heart just swelled for him trying to navigate the loss of his wife and being a dad to his adult kids. ♥️
🍩 Great open door steam!

I posted about this one when I was reading it last week because I was guilty of doing the exact thing the title of this book told me not to: I fell in love. It's not surprising, given that I have read and loved most of Jackie's books (and the ones I haven't are on my TBR and will be read, hopefully sooner rather than later). From charming meet-cute (a donut disaster) to flirty, dirty baking lessons, to the exceptional drawing of grief and how it colors every corner of your life, Donut Fall in Love is an absolute delight. The balance of light-hearted and fun feels to heartbreak and loss is on point and did I find myself reaching out to the author in the hopes of picking her brains about this book? Absolutely, so be on the lookout for my interview with Jackie Lau soon. And in the meantime, feel free to enjoy Ryan's mouthwatering abs and Lindsay's delicious (and also mouthwatering) sweet treats.

Full post at: https://ververomance.com/app/article/54120

I seem to have developed a sweet tooth for romantic comedies that feature food, especially baked goods. As soon as I saw the title of Jackie Lau’s new book, Donut Fall in Love, with its promise of a swoony romance and delicious desserts, I knew I had to read it.

Set in Toronto, Canada, Donut Fall in Love follows Ryan Kwok, a popular Asian actor whose career has stalled a bit thanks to the less than stellar reviews his latest film has received. Ryan decides to take some time off to spend time with his sister, who is a new mom, and with his dad, who has recently become a widower. He figures he can help both of them while he also works through his own grief.

Lindsay McLeod is a talented baker who is known for her innovative and tasty cupcake flavors. She and her best friend run a very successful bakery together. Life is pretty good for Lindsay, although she is still dealing with the death of her father and the fact that her mom is now actively dating again. Ryan and Lindsay first cross paths when Ryan literally crashes into her, ruining an entire tray of gourmet cupcakes. Even though she wants to murder him, Lindsay has to admit that Ryan is pretty hot.

I thought both Lindsay and Ryan were just so adorable and likable right from the start. I was thrilled when Ryan is asked to appear on a celebrity edition of a popular cooking show called Baking Fail, and he decides to approach Lindsay to hire her to give him baking lessons. I knew it was the perfect recipe for an entertaining romcom. From the moment of their first lesson, I flew through the pages, enjoying every moment of their initial awkwardness, the increasingly cute and flirty banter and the steamy scenes as they get to know each other better and realize their attraction to one another, and of course the often hilarious moments as Ryan tries to recreate the desserts Lindsay instructs him on.

I also really enjoyed their more personal moments with their own families and friends. Ryan is trying so hard to have a relationship with his father and it’s incredibly awkward between them. I had already thought Ryan was precious, but his refusal to give up on his dad, no matter how difficult and stubborn he was being, just made me love him all the more. I also very much enjoyed the relationship between Lindsay and her new roommate. It starts off incredibly awkward and the two barely speak, but like Ryan, Lindsay is a person who refuses to give up. She keeps trying and trying until she can find something she and the awkward roommate can bond over, and I just really enjoyed the progression of that friendship.

Donut Fall in Love is exactly the kind of book I’m looking for when I’m in the mood for a rom-com. It’s the perfect blend of sweet and steamy and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to anyone who enjoys rom-coms, reality TV baking shows, and of course the hate-to-love trope.

🍩 I loved this meet cute! I mean, our hero Ryan literally runs into our heroine, Lindsay while she is carrying a tray full of donuts!
🍩 Ryan is a Golden Globe winning actor with abs of steel!
🍩 I loved watching Ryan and Lindsay slowly fall in love through their weekly baking lessons.
🍩 I also really enjoyed Lindsay and Ryan working through their family dynamics/struggles. One of my favorite parts of the whole book was when Lindsay’s mom goes to Ryan’s sisters house to help with her baby!
🍩 There are a few steamy scenes but honestly, I would have taken more.

I liked it! This was a cute novel that is centered around baking and donuts, one of my favorite sweet treats. There was nothing that made this book stick out to me, but I enjoyed the development of Lindsay and Ryan's relationship. They had a connection over grief and loss which added an emotional factor. Overall, I would recommend this book if you are looking for an easy read romance that is not super spicy but will leave you wanting to eat a donut.

Thank you to Berkley for a gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I'm so glad to see more asian romance authors! is it just me or is there a trend on donuts in romance novels?

Let's start with what I liked:
- Loved how the author tackled race, culture, PPD, and grief in this story.
- A male hero that wasn't afraid to be vulnerable and cry (multiple times)
- Description on typical asian family dynamics

What I didn't love:
- The very detailed descriptions of baking. I love to bake but I don't need the step by step in a story
- Miscommunication trope

Overall, it was a bit slow for me but I liked the messages conveyed in the story.

Baking and romance – there is no sweeter combo for a romance novel! Don’t get me started on the adorable pun of a title.

Lindsay is a badass baker, constantly creating new and exciting donut flavors for her small bakery. Ryan is taking some time off from filming to look after his family when he decides to sign up for a celebrity fail baking show (think: Nailed It!). He turns to Lindsay to learn the basics of baking, but they cook up more than cakes over the course of their lessons.

The relationship between Lindsay and Ryan is excruciating slow to built. I am not a fan of the slow burn, but it was fun to watch the feeling develop and the intensity between them grow. I loved the baking elements. There were so many times during their lessons that made me laugh out loud. They also use this time to explore their feelings of grief and help each other through tough times.

The only thing holding me back from being absolutely obsessed with this story is the writing. It seems a little disjointed. There were plenty of instances where it felt like the author was telling rather than showing and the dialogue was a little cheesy/unbelievable. It wasn’t awful by any means, but it did pull me out of the story every once in a while.

The true star of the story is Ryan’s dad - #silverfox. The way the families played a role in the story broke my heart a little and then slowly put it back together again. This story deals with a lot of important elements like race, discrimination, post-partum depression… and it is all handled really well.

Overall, a fantastic read and not a bad way to spend a couple afternoons!

Up-and-coming actor Ryan Kwok has arranged to spend a few months in Toronto after a family tragedy. To make matters worse, his latest movie, a romantic comedy, is getting skewered by reviewers which could not only affect his career but also make it difficult for Asian actors to headline romances.

Heading into a bakery for a treat, he literary knocks baker and co-owner Lindsay McLeod off her feet, ruining a large batch of her specialty donuts. When he contacts her for baking lessons so he compete on the show “Baking Fail,” Lindsay is skeptical but agrees. Soon, they are cooking up more than donuts In the kitchen, but they might not have all the ingredients for a winning dish.

I loved that the book tackled heavier issues like grief, postpartum depression, family relationships, and Asian stereotypes, particularly in the movie industry. Ryan’s dad, Stanley, started a Twitter account, and his Tweets were hilarious! Of course, all the descriptions of baked goods were scrumptious!

I had less enthusiasm over the romance. Ryan and Lindsay’s attraction was primarily based on looks, and I wish it had developed more than it did beyond that. Additionally, their main obstacle to a HEA is one of my least favorite—I won’t mention specifically to avoid spoilers.

DONUT FALL IN LOVE is an entertaining and steamy romance that addresses important struggles while maintaining a sense of humor. Great for fans of THE INTIMACY EXPERIMENT and SHIPPED.

Thank you Berkley and Lets Talk Books Promo for an arc of Donut Fall in Love in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this sweet story! There was strong chemistry between Ryan and Lindsay. They had such a strong connection especially with their shared loss of a parent. It was nice that they were able to help each other with their grief. I loved all of the baking scenes, although they made me hungry! I am all for all of the baking related romances that have been released this year. I really liked Ryan's character and how he cared for his sister and her family and constantly worked to maintain a relationship with his father. I laughed out loud several times especially with some of his father's tweets. I would definitely recommend grabbing a copy of this sweet romance!

This was a cute story filled with self-doubt, overcoming and coping with loss, and finding home in another person. It was also filled with all things baking and donuts.
Actor Ryan Kwok is well-known for three things: he’s Asian, has killer abs, and knows how to be charming. But when he is hit by a wave of loss and nostalgia, he finds himself bursting into a bakery and knocking donuts to the ground, leaving the gorgeous baker, Lindsay, scowling in his direction. But it’s not until he propositions Lindsay to teach him how to bake for a TV special that they actually get to know each other.
Arguably an enemies to lovers, chance romance, first-time meeting, proximity, celebrity romance, and teach-me-how story, Lindsay and Ryan have great chemistry. The one part that was a bit challenging for me was when the dialogue felt a bit stunted – both unnatural, forced, and rushed. This wasn’t at all times, but enough to make it noticeable for me. Even still, a sweet story – inside and out.

Donut fall in love is a perfect mix of sweet and savory. Who knew that donuts could lead to love? Ryan and Lindsay's journey is heartfelt and beautiful.

This is such a sweet and fun steamy read. I love how its premise is about a celebrity & a shy bakery who owner fall in love. It’s a slow burn, friends to lovers story with baking & lots of sexual tension. There is a good mix of romance and serious topics. I appreciate the awareness it brought to social media bullying & racism in the entertainment industry. I also really enjoyed the baking & food setting. It definitely made me super hungry, so don’t read on an empty stomach! 

You can expect:

* Based in Toronto,
* Celebrity/non celebrity romance
* Friends to lovers 
* Steamy romcom 
* Family dynamics