Jamie Wesley’s work is always charming, and this is no exception! Nobody writes snappy banter the way she does, and it’s a joy and a delight.

I love the fake dating trope! This book delivered on so many levels! The chemistry between the two main characters was amazing! I loved the concept for this book, it was a good change from the normal fake dating troped books!

The premise of this book caught my eye and I’m always up for trying a new to me author when the story sounds interesting but for me this book didn’t quite live up to the promise. Fake dating, yes…sort of and it turned into real dating very quickly with insta-love following and my problem was I didn’t feel it. I just didn’t feel the heat between these two and part of it was these characters got off on the wrong foot and they were written in caricature like fashion and neither one fit that mold they were stuffed into. I felt like the author was trying to make this story appeal to many different groups of people and thusly, it wasn’t cohesive, it felt contrived and that is a shame. The set up was good, three pro football players open a cupcakery shop that was interesting but it also didn’t ring true that the shop was struggling. Sorry, if I know anything it’s that when a pro athlete opens anything people flock to it hoping to get a glimpse of them and with these three hanging around daily, they were going to be busy. I get that Sugar Blitz not being busy was a reason for the heroine, Jada, to find her calling, but again that fell flat because the reason didn’t ring true. Everything about this book felt a bit off from the way they were manipulated to be together, the way Jada’s parents treated her, Donovan’s childhood issues, Jada’s dyslexia, Jada’s most hated reality star moniker; I just felt like the relationship they supposedly were building was lost in the shuffle of everything else going on in the story.

Fake It Till You Bake It was a story that had promise but the execution of it was off. It pains me when a story has good bones but instead of reading through unable to put it down, I’m slogging through it wondering if it will ever end.

Thanks to NetGalley for this good rom com. It was very insta. love. and it was very fast paced. The relationship did not take long to start and it was very easy to read and enjoy.

Donovan is an NFL player who also owns a struggling cupcake bakery with a few of his friends. Jada is internet famous, and not in a good way. She rejected a proposal on a bachelor-like tv show and now she’s got haters all over!

After taking a job at Donovan’s store, she lies to a reporter and says she was still thinking of Donovan when she rejected the proposal.

So now she is fake-dating Donovan and helping the cupcake store in the process. But can they turn this fake relationship into something more?

Um yes, and with SIZZLING chemistry to boot!

A perfect beach read. It was funny and sweet (umm hello bakery!). The chemistry between the two leads was authentic, there is some spice and definitely enough banter to keep me laughing and entertained. And the cover - absolute perfection!

I want to thank NetGalley, Jamie Wesley and St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin for the e-ARC of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are honest, my own and left voluntarily.

This book was alright. It was fun and fluffly most of the time. I did feel a bit uncomfortable with how possessive the male lead got (I like possessive men in fiction usually but this was a little over the line for my tastes), and there were a few errors in the baking aspects of the book that even I, a novice, noticed (my dad was a professional chef at one point, though, so maybe that was why I noticed). Hopefully those mistakes were taken care of by the final printing.

Anyway, not a bad read, but not really a favorite or memorable, either.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC of this book to review.

This book was a delight to read! I enjoyed both the main characters and the cut sexy and light hearted relationship they have. I think that fake dating make end up being my new favorite trope - it always comes with a fun storyline that leaves me smiling as I read along with the characters falling for one another. My only complaint is that it took me a little longer to get through than I would've liked. However, once I had finished 3/4 of the story, it took off for me and I finished it in one sitting.

This was such a great romance novel! I really liked the characters, both the leads, and the supporting ones, too. And I love the book cover! Overall, I would definitely recommend reading!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

My first by Jamie Wesley and I really enjoyed it. Definitely my kind of romcom! I listened to some of the audio and preferred the physical copy.

I'm really sad this one didn’t work out for me ☹️

The premise is interesting—an ex-reality star ends up, against her will, working at a cupcake shop run by football players—but the writing did not deliver. Jada and Donovan had no chemistry or connection that I could feel, the fake dating was boring (they didn't even go anywhere together 😩), and yes … there was a third-act breakup for absolutely no reason at all!!!

Fake It Till You Bake It is a romance novel about Jada, a recently failed reality star trying to find her way, and Donovan, professional football player and bakery owner extraordinaire. Though a series of unfortunate events Jada ends up working at Donovan's bakery and chemistry ignites! I love books about food and baking and thought this one looked cute. It did not disappoint!

I really enjoyed the banter, characters, food descriptions, and the way that the characters actually talked to each other and learned throughout this book. The romance progression felt natural even though it was in a fairly contrived setting. Donovan is a huge hottie and I quite enjoyed reading his descriptions! Both he and Jada felt well rounded and I liked the side characters as well.

One thing that I think this book did really well is the depiction of dyslexia. I'm a psychologist who identifies dyslexia vs. a specific reading disability in reading, which are different disorder. This is the ONLY book that I have ever read that actually shows dyslexia and not a misnomer for a reading disability. I loved seeing Jada working with her disability and showing real strategies that are helpful for people with dyslexia (and would not be helpful for people with a reading disability!)

This book shifts perspectives between Donovan and Jada and while that is not always my cup of tea, I thought it worked really well in this book. While there tragically is a third act breakup, it is at least short and the characters act like they are in possession of their brains when they finally freaking talk to each other!

Overall, I had a great time reading this book and recommend it to anyone who wants a cute and steamy romance. 4 stars from me. Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the electronic advanced reader's copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

Reality tv, football and baking are 3 of my favorite things. The fake romance and great characters were great and I really enjoyed this one.

If you’re in the mood for a low angst black romance that will definitely make you crave a cupcake then add Fake It Till You Bake It by Jamie Wesley to your TBR. Jada Townsend-Matthews is home after turning down a marriage proposal on a reality dating show. Her grandmother gives her a challenge: hold one job for six months, and then she’ll get access to her trust fund. Football player Donovan Dell’s cupcake shop Sugar Blitz is struggling. So when the team owner suggests her granddaughter work for the shop to learn discipline from him, he’s open to it. Too bad it’s the same woman he overheard insult his business and thought he’d never see again. And when a reporter assumes Donovan is the reason Jada turned down the marriage proposal, only fake dating can save her reputation and his business. There is so much tension in this book! Donovan and Jada are opposites, and I liked how she showed him how to let go and he gave her support when her impulsiveness took over. There are so many sweet moments where they’re both just *looking* at each other and I kept wanting them to just KISS already! I’m glad this is the first of a series because I’m very interested in reading more about Donovan’s teammates August and Nicholas.

Meh. Writing was fine, and the plot was interesting, but I didn't feel the chemistry between the love interests. It wasn't a bad book...but it could have been better.

4.5
Fake dating.
Enemies to lovers.
Grumpy sunshine.
WHAT ELSE DO YOU NEED
I loved the book. It was a really cute romcom. Loved the characters. Took a while to finish it but it was worth it. I would definitely recommend it

I love a fake romance turned real. Donovan is the picture perfect boyfriend and jada was relatable. Such a cute romcom!

This was a really cute rom-com! I loved the adorable story and the wonderful characters. This made me feel so happy reading, and I just loved it!

Go read this book! It has such familiar and authentic characters. Plus, the descriptions of the food had me running to the nearest bakery. The love story between Jada and Donovan was a pleasure to read. If you are looking for a light romance, run to the bookstore (or website) and purchase it.

I found this to be just okay all around. I really didn't care for the couple and I didn't connect with the characters at all..