This book was delectable in more ways than one!
You have an NFL player that is a baker, passionate about pastry life, owns a cupcake shop! Like how swoony is this premise already?
He meets the vivacious lead while she is at his bakery talking smack and he catches her, dares her to try a cupcake and she leaves on such a sassy note.
Which sets up for some more hilarious and addictive banter between them two for the rest of the book.
The banter between them is probably my most favorite part, and the supporting cast is my second fav part. I know this is setting up for more books in the series so you can color me invested and ready for the next.
This has all the elements I love in Rom Coms plus lots of yummy cupcake talk! Def recommend to all!

This was a sweet romance, the fake dating trope is always fun and I liked how this was introduced into the story felt believeable.
Jada has been villified on social media for refusing a proposal on a reality dating show and has returned to her home town to lie low and figure out her life. Donovan is a pro football player who likes order and control and plans in advance. And as such he knows football wont last forever and has invested in a cupcakery (adorable! first time Ive heard this term, I know, I live under a rock!) That is not doing great. Through a misunderstanding they enter a mutually benificial fake dating situation. Her to improve her image and him to drum up business for his cupcakery.
I loved how Jada owned the situation she was in (though I didnt think she was at fault at all!) and was determined to brazen it out. They both have past issues with parents that they were working through and I loved that they were slowly learning to lean on each other. And that Jada was finally able to figure out what she really wanted to do with her life. Donovan was swoony and I loved the relationship he had with his two sisters. The plot was uncomplicated and just allowed the characters to shine and I fell in love with them. This was a fun, quick (at times spicy) romance read and I think its a perfect one to get you out of a slump.

Thanks to St. Martin's for an advanced copy of Fake It Till You Bake It.

This has everything I love in a book:
-Football player
-Bakery
-Fake Dating
-Workplace Romance

But unfortunately, this one was a miss for me. I didn't feel the chemistry between the two and Jada seemed a little too immature for me.

Fake dating is one of those tropes that never feels old to me. It's intriguing to see a pair/group of people land up on faking a date as the best viable solution to their problem, especially when it's because the characters panic.

In the case of this book, fake <i>anything</i> can lead to a storm that obliterates everything in its path.

Jada Townsend-Matthews is a social media pariah. Everyone hates her for rejecting the fan favourite bachelor publicly, on a reality TV show, and she can't turn two steps without being recognized for it. San Diego seems like a good bet to lie low for a while, but as usual, she has no idea how wrong she is.

Baking and football are the two things Donovan Dell invests his energy in. He's no-nonsense, likes to have a plan for everything, and has a ten step idea of what his future is going to look like. Unfortunately, that future is put into jeopardy when his cupcake business starts to decline in sales and popularity, and further so when Jada crashes into his life.

She comes into Sugar Blitz as a critic of his cupcakes, but stays as the newest employee...and later, his very public, very fake girlfriend.

Jada's desperate to give some backing to the story she spun with the showrunners about why she, who was top contender for marrying the most sought-after bachelor, rejected him - she told them that she had someone at home.

When faced with her lies, she's more than a little desperate, and one impulsive move on her part sends her and Donovan on a whirlwind of fake dating that ends up benefitting both of them, but also ends up balancing each other out.

That was one of the things I loved most about these protagonists - they were very clearly opposites, but instead of feeling that they're out of each other's leagues, or that they don't even belong in the same circles, you end up seeing a balance struck between them. Jada draws Donovan out of his shell without shoving him alone into the unknown, and Donovan patiently centers her without suffocating her. And I love that you don't end up seeing them leaving the other in the dust - even when they're not obliged to be there, they are!

With the way the whole conflict and antagonist were hyped, I expected the resolution to give us a little more excitement. All the strings were wrapped up, but it felt a little rushed to me. Maybe it's the drama-chasing personality in me, but the ending felt flat to me.

Still, this was a very cute read, and I do think that the author has left just enough strings for another book...perhaps starring a certain stoic side character...?

[Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for providing this ARC to me in exchange for an honest review!]

Cute, lighthearted romance with likeable characters. Jada starts off as a terrible person but becomes more likeable as the book progresses. I loved the concept of the cupcake shop owned by three athletes and Jada's events were a fun addition to the shop. Great vacation read.

This was an okay example of fake dating, but the book never really flowed well for me and felt more like vignettes with Jada and Donovan. The timeline felt strange with time skips that didn't make sense or even feel like they were at a different point in time. The biggest problem is that I just didn't care about Jada or Donovan. Nothing made them interesting or likable, and I felt like facts were thrown at me about both of them while never knowing either of them. This might be due to having both points of view in the book because everything felt repetitive.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press for the free book.
I binged this book in a day, and it was so much fun. I loved Jada and Donovan. There's fake dating, lots and lots of yummy cupcakes, and so much drama in this book. The characters were relatable and flawed. I enjoyed how they complemented each other, which added chemistry to the fake dating scene. The friend side characters were lots of fun. I also enjoyed Jada's character arc. She had to work through so many difficult problems yet kept moving forward - which looked different as she grew in the story. These characters were heartwarming and fun to read about. If you're looking for a fun romance with depth with memorable characters, check this one out.

3.5 stars

After turning down a proposal on a reality dating show, Jada Townsend-Matthews becomes public enemy # 1 on social media. Circumstances lead Jada to work at Sugar Blitz, a cupcake bakery owned by uptight professional football player Donovan Dell. When a reporter mistakenly believes that Jada and Donovan are dating, they go along with the ruse to create some positive publicity for both Jada and the bakery.

The blurb gives you an idea of the main tropes at play, but it doesn't reveal how Jada first meets Donovan and how she actually ends up working at his bakery. And I won't spoil it for you because their first meeting is epic 😂

I loved the dialogue, the banter, the chemistry, and the humour. I think the author nailed all the necessary elements of a romcom. The plot is ordinary, but the characters are all SO MUCH fun!! I enjoyed the main leads and the supporting characters so much. I even loved the regular customers at the bakery. The steam level is not as high as I was expecting, but it didn't diminish my enjoyment of the romance.

Fake It Till You Bake was a solid 4 stars until the final act. There was already a really good conflict in the final act that Jada and Donovan resolved together as a couple. But the author added another conflict that I felt was unnecessary. Furthermore, since the story is mostly focused on Jada's issues, I felt like Donovan's issues were quickly wrapped up for the sake of getting wrapped up. Aside from the final act, I really enjoyed this book! I hope we're getting August's book after that ending 😂

This is a new-to-me author so I was interested in checking out her writing style and excited to see if the story matched the cover. After reading it, I can easily sum this book up in one simple word. Cute. From the cover to the title to the story. It's just a cute. I can honestly say that I enjoyed this tale about football player/baker Donovan Dell and rich girl without a plan Jada Townsend-Matthews.

The Good
-The snark between the two. Not over-the-top, but enough to see it's just covering stubbornness and mutual attraction.
-Donovan. I was liking me some uptight Donovan. He wasn't over-the-top masculine or anything. He was just a believably real man and came off as someone that I'd be attracted to.
-Nicholas and August. Ummm, yes please give me more.
-Surprisingly, Jada. I wasn't sure I was gonna like Jada but her character had layers and she grew on me. Likable but flawed.
-No silly misunderstandings. This couple actually talked!
-Men baking!!!

The Bad
-This is just me, but I can't stand sports romance most of the time. Particularly when the male protagonist is black. It always feels like a lazy stereotype. As if the only successful black men are the ones who play football or basketball. In this case, it is only a mild strike since Donovan is a baker too! Like I said, my personal dislike.
-Jada isn't likable in the beginning. This isn't necessarily a bad point, since she grows and you fully get to know what her issues are. Just don't stop reading when you first meet her!
-The story drags in certain areas.

While cute isn't usually my go-to in romance, it is something that I enjoy when it's well written. Fake It Till You Bake It, while not the most exciting, is lighthearted and easy to read. Perfect for a lazy, hot day. When this book releases, get yourself a cool drink, a sweet treat (preferably a cupcake!) and settle in front of the AC for a relaxing couple of hours. Overall it was pretty good and it looks like it will be a series so I'll be keeping a look out. 4 stars.

3.5⭐️

I love a good fake dating romance, but this one was a bit underwhelming for me.

Jada was a contestant on (essentially) The Bachelor, where she turned town a proposal from the lead. Her billionaire grandma (the owner of a football team) sets her up with a job at a cupcake shop owned by one of her players.

I liked the setting a lot!! Most of the book was set inside the cupcake shop, and it was cute and cozy. I also though Jada was a likable main character, and the writing was good! It flowed well and was a pretty quick read.

Unfortunately I just couldn’t believe in the chemistry between the main characters… I felt no sparks whatsoever. They said the right things, but I didn’t feel it. This is also a bit of a slow burn… but without the sexual tension.

The MMC described the FMC as bougie soooo many times and it felt excessive to me, especially since she was so humble. Just because she likes shoes she’s automatically the most bougie person he’s ever met? Eh

Overall there isn’t anything wrong with this book and parts of it I had a lot of fun with, it just didn’t fully do it for me. I’d definitely recommend still giving it a try though!!

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

let me first say that i enjoyed this book... because i did.

but when i got to the breakup 92% into the story i wanted to throw my tablet across the room.

I was loving Donovan and Jada. They were such a cute couple. I loved their meet-cute and I loved how they went from not liking each other to fake dating to real dating to falling in love.

But that breakup really pissed me off. I just knew they were going to slide right into their happily ever after once they conquered those two twits plotting against them. I felt like that whole section was totally unnecessary. It happened so late in the book and spanned only a few pages.

Overall, the book was good. That breakup just irked my soul.

Fake It Till You Bake It was such a delight! I loved Donovan and Jade so much. They had such fun banter and hot chemistry. I normally don’t read a ton of books about athletes and I was a little hesitant to read this one. I’m happy I read it anyway because I loved it! I think this might turn into series and if it does, I can’t wait!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Totally awesome book. Jada is coming out of a reality tv show where she turned down a marriage proposal. This has made her hated by everyone on social media. Donovan is a professional football player and part owner in a cupcakery. The story is full of wonderful humor. Jada is a walking disaster with a mouth that often says the wrong thing. Donovan loves order and things that are practical. The two of them together are spectacular. The sparks fly as they parry words. Falling in love is not in their playbook but it’s just what happens to these two.

I LOVED it. I loved the relationship Jada had with her Grandma, and thank goodness she had that. I also loved the relationship that Donovan had with his family, including his sisters. Another one where I forgot to read the summary and was so surprised with the initial twist! This was such a good story that mixed my favorite things - sweets and a good romance. I couldn’t read this one fast enough and really hope this will become a series.

Let me begin by saying how much I love the fake dating trope. This book took that trope up a notch with the humor element and instant sparks.

Jada Townsend-Matthews is a very opinionated woman who is visiting a cupcake shop with her best friend Olivia. A comment made leads to her interacting with Donovan, one of the owners, who is a little stunned with her attitude, but intrigued by her beauty. Donovan Dell, along with two other co-owners, are also football players for the local NFL team, that happens to be owned by Jada's grandmother, Mrs. T. As luck would have it, during Donovan's visit with Mrs. T, she asks Donovan to hire her granddaughter in the cupcake shop, and Donovan agrees. As they continue to talk, in walks the beautiful woman who was criticizing the cupcake shop and Donovan learns that she is Mrs. T's granddaughther, Jada! The rest is history. Great story. 4 out of 5 stars.

Fake It Till You Bake it was a good and perfectly acceptable Enemies to Lovers romance with some sports and The Bachelor sprinkled in. Jada and Donovan butt heads upon their first meeting when she insults his cupcake shop. Lo and behold Jada is being sent to work for Donavan by her grandmother who owns the football team that Donovan plays for. Her grandmother wants to instill some responsibility into Jada and help her grow up a bit, if she succeeds she will allow Jada access to her trust fund.

I loved the intentional baiting Jada would do to Donovan just to see how he would explode, it was hilarious. I also really loved Donovan's internal struggle to fight his attraction to his fellow employee and essentially his boss's granddaughter...he did not take the crossing of those lines lightly. Jada and Donavan's chemistry was smoking from the start and the spice Jamie Wesley wrote was delicious, that supply closet scene...whoa! Also how Jada was not ashamed of her dyslexia, even though it was obvious her parents were...she had no doubts about speaking publicly about her learning disorder and I really loved and admired that about her.

I did feel this one was maybe at times...too sweet? Like it was all a bit too easy for them to be together if that makes sense? I think maybe more struggle with the publicist from the reality show or from Dr. John might've made this a bit more juicy, but overall I liked it and would love to read the next book involving August. Gotta love those silent brooding types!

Thank you so much to St. Martin's Press for gifting me an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Deliciously fun!

Jada is trying to navigate the fallout from her latest impulsive move when she accidentally insults Donovan’s cupcakery. Donovan needs something to help improve business but he never expected it to be his rudest customer to date!

I love a good fake dating romance and this one has it all; personality clashes, fierce defense of each other (while also snipping at each other), attraction and tension, and those pesky feels that creep up! Donovan’s understanding and support of Jada is heart melting and her vulnerability is so endearing, especially after we meet her tough outer shell first.

And I canNOT wait for August and Nicholas to get their stories (I’m hoping BFF Olivia gets her a partner too)!

I received a complimentary review copy of this book but all opinions are my own.

Title: Fake It Till You Bake It
Author: Jamie Wesley
Publisher: St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review: Fake It Till You Bake It" by Jamie Wesley

My Assessment:

'Fake It Till You Bake It' was a good read of what can happen when enemies become friends too much because of cupcakes and fake dating. The novel was an enjoyable read that will keep one's attention as you turn the pages to see what's coming next for Donovan and Jada. The characters were well-developed, which helped so well with a good ending.

Thank you, NetGalley and St Martin's Press, for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Sugar and spice and falling in love is the sweet premise of the lovely story behind Fake It Till You Bake It, a funny and warm hearted plot with a delicious ending!

When Jada Townsend-Matthews goes on a reality love show and is proposed to by the perfect guy on television and she says no, her life turns into its own reality story as she becomes one of the most disliked women on social media and in person.

After this episode, one of many missteps in Jada’s life, her grandmother who owns a football team gives her one last chance to figure out what she really wants to do with her life and ground herself or she will not be able to gain access to her trust fund.

As much as her grandmother believes in her, her own parents feel quite differently. You see, Jada comes from a hard-working science-based family who owns a lab. Jada, who is dyslexic has always had a hard time in school and was not able to follow in the family business.

So, she has tried many other careers such as DJing, working as an actress and finally her most embarrassing career, as a reality star. Her parents have had enough of her antics and have cut her off financially. She must now find a job and pay her own bills.

Enter Donovan Dell, hunky professional football player and co-owner of an up and coming, struggling cupcake bakery called Sugar Blitz. Begrudgingly and as a favor to Jada’s grandmother, his boss, he agrees to give Jada a job at his bakery. Jada is not a baker.

Things turn from bad to worse when she is recognized by a customer as that woman who dumped that doctor on television. That’s when with her quick thinking she devises a scheme to get her reputation back. A plan which throws Jada and Donovan and the bakery into chaos. Antics soon ensue but Jada thinks she has everything under control until she finds out she has a few enemies who would like to see her fail. But Jada may surprise everyone and come out of this smelling like a fresh vanilla!

This adorable story is a definite beach read filled with lighthearted witty dialogue and a charming love plot which, if I may suggest being read with your favorite treat, perhaps a cupcake!

Thank you #NetGalley #St.Martin’sPress #FakeItTillYouBakeIt #JamieWesley for the advanced copy. The book will be out June 21.

<b>Get ready for your dose of sugary sweet rom com goodness with a hint of spice from Fake It Till You Break It by Jamie Wesley. What happens when the paths of a scorned reality tv star and a NFL star turning cupcake business owner cross? Sparks fly. Chemistry is created. Swoon and witty banter are delivered in every page.</b>

NFL star Donovan Bell needs control and plan in his life and opening The Sugar Blitz with his best friends aka teammates is one of the very few impulsive things he has done in his life. So he is naturally offended when a stunning customer with bougie attitude criticises his cupcakes. Even worse, she turned out to be his team owner's granddaughter and his new employee. Jada Townsend-Matthews has been trying to get her life together after she has become a source of public hatred for turning down the doctor in the popular reality show finale. Her accidental kiss with Donovan creates a fury of new customer that the business badly needs. But fake dating can always turn real.


<b>This story has so many of my favourite tropes. Enemies to workplace colleagues to lovers. Grumpy hero- sunshine heroine. I instantly loved Donovan for his calm presence and brooding personality and his instant protectiveness over Jada. He didn't like the chaos Jada brought in his life at first. But her colourful sassy personality infused lots of fun and spontaneity in his life and I loved how it changed him for better. He was always too serious and too closed off before Jada. I had a bit difficulty connecting with Jada initially because she appeared like this spoiled rich princess who has too much money to spend and is all about glamour and fame. But slowly the layers of her character are peeled off and we find a vulnerable, big hearted, witty woman at the core. She experienced a lot of rejection and neglect and criticism and reality tv is no joke. This job was her chance for a fresh start and she took it. She was reluctant to the idea and she was a bit annoyed how serious Donovan is. But slowly they formed a cute friendship and their fake dating helped them to know each other. They are like yin and yang. And I love both of their new version so much more. I laughed and swooned and had a marvellous time.</b>

I reviewed an early copy voluntarily