This was a super sweet book, and I loved that I already knew the characters from the first book. I did feel like it resolved rather quickly and there could’ve been a bit more suspense there, but other than that it was an enjoyable read!

I liked the premise of this book and thought both Sloane and August were good characters. They are both loveable and flawed, and their romance was believable and cute. Despite enjoying the characters, I found the pacing to be too slow for my tastes. The story dragged at times, and it took me longer than usual to finish because there was nothing drawing me to pick it back up after I paused each night. It has a sweet ending, that makes sense for the characters, I just felt it could have gotten there a bit faster.

A Legend in the Baking is just as sweet as Fake it til you Bake it! Read as a stand alone or sequel, A Legend in the Baking continues showcasing the San Diego Sugar Blitz cupcake business, but shifts the romance focus from Jada and Donovan (enemies to lovers) to Donovan’ sassy sister, Sloane and Sugar Blitz co-owner, August. (friends to lovers). When these two are forced to work together, truths from their past are slowly revealed, and forever shifts the dynamic of their relationship and Sugar Blitz’s success.

While the premise of this romance story line is light and sweet like a Sugar Blitz cupcake, the deeper themes Jamie Wesley weaves through the novel create a mature balance and allow the reader to grapple with important social issues like gentrification and financial independence along with the highs and lows of corporate America and the impacts past family traumas can have on present day relationships.

With one more Sugar Blitz owner to highlight, I’m excited to keep reading more from Jamie Wesley!

POV ~ dual 3rd
Featuring ~ dual timeline, football player/cupcake shop owner, social media expert, forced proximity, brother's best friend, best friends sister, slow burn then super fast burn, workplace romance, some steam age.

Sloane is the sister of Donovan from Fake It Till You Bake Ii, so he has a good amount of page time, but I suppose it's not absolutely necessary to read that one first.

This was in all ways a typical contemporary romance. It was filled with misunderstandings and miscommunication. It also had quite a bit of denial especially on Sloane's part. The characters were well-developed and interesting people.

I DNFed this at about 20% because...

I didn’t like the main character, Sloane.. and once that happens I feel like I just can’t come back from it ever. I already have to give enough IRL people second chances.. book characters seem like too much work lol

After a few entitled statements , then quitting a job with no backup etc that my brain just was immediately repulsed by.

I’m sure there was some character growth - but I really loved August’s character and felt like he deserved a better heroine.

POV ~ dual 3rd
Featuring ~ dual timeline, football player/cupcake shop owner, social media expert, forced proximity, brother's best friend, best friends sister, slow burn then super fast burn, workplace romance, some steamage

Sloane (29) & August (35) have known each other for years. There was a bit of a miscommunication back when she was 17, so they've really been avoiding each other since. Rightfully so since I did not care for what went down. Now she's stepping in at Sugar Blitz as a social media consultant.

August is not a fan of the spotlight, but one viral video puts him in it. It wasn't a bad video, so Sloane is trying to use it to promote the bakery and help herself in her own career path. I really liked August. He's a sweet and humble man that did not care for all of the attention.

I wasn't a super big fan of Sloane, now or in the 12 years ago chapters. She was basically using August, knowing he was uncomfortable, to help herself mostly. Yeah the bakery benefited too, but her main goal seemed to be herself.

Overall, the burn was very, super slow, but then once they get together it's full on lightening fast and that didn't really work for me. I wish the pace was steadier with their feelings for each other. I do look forward to reading Jamie's next book, which I assume will follow our 3rd bakery owner, Nicholas.

Series notes:
Sloane is the sister of Donovan from Fake It Till You Bake Ii, so he has a good amount of page time, but I suppose it's not absolutely necessary to read that one first.

A LEGEND IN THE BAKING is the second romance in the Sugar Blitz series. It stars quiet football player August Hodges and social media maven Sloane Dell. August and his partners Donovan and Nick are getting ready to open their second cupcake store.

Sloane has just quit her job in social media after she was passed over for a promotion. She finds herself working for her older brother Donovan when August goes viral after an impromptu speech on women's rights. Knowing that she can capitalize on August's new popularity to build interest in the second story, Sloane comes up with all sorts of ideas.

But Sloane and August have a history. She had a massive crush on him when she was in high school, and he was her brother's roommate and teammate. After an embarrassing incident, they went their separate ways. But Sloane's crush is still part of her life. It's a large part of why her relationships were failures. And August has always been interested in Sloane, but a girlfriend turned wife and now ex-wife got in his way.

The romance rekindles as they work together even though Sloane is intent on denying that she is still attracted to August. August is more willing to begin a new relationship. He's a quiet guy who really doesn't like talking and doesn't like being the center of attention. He's willing to go along with Sloane's plans on social media but it is hard for him. He knows that his cooperation will help Sloane get her dream job.

This was in all ways a typical contemporary romance. It was filled with misunderstandings and miscommunication. It also had quite a bit of denial especially on Sloane's part. The characters were well-developed and interesting people. She's a knock-out, and he's a handsome pro football player which shows that even beautiful people can have trouble with romance. The love scenes, once they began, were spicy.

Fans of contemporary romance will enjoy this one.

A Legend in Baking is a fun sweet second chance/best friend’s little sister romance! After going viral, cupcake-baking football player August Hodges needs help from his best friend (and business partner)’s little sister Sloane Dell to help promote his new bakery. This is told mostly in the present, with snippets of the past when August and Sloane first connect. I loved the contrast and growth. I will say the story felt a little narrow, there are other characters but it really is just zeroed in on August and Sloane in a way I wanted to see more of their lives and wanted to get to know them a little better. But I did really enjoy August and Sloane together. There was good angsty and steam and chemistry. They have a lot of sweet moments, and I liked the commitment to their community both had. I think the middle moves a little slow, but it’s a fun rom-com with a lot of heart and cupcakes.

Real Rating: 3.5* of five
It worked before...do it again. People love formulas because they're very soothing. Jamie Wesley's on a winner here because it hits the beats, makes the current landscape...the social-media and baking-as-entertainment landscape that is...her own, and does it in readable prose that gets out of the story's way.

Yay!

Coming November 19th from St. Martin's Griffin.

Cute & sassy from the very start! This book just solidified my putting Jamie Wesley at the top of my new favorite authors list! August and Sloane’s story is a fun read with likable characters and a sweet HEA! Oh Nicholas, watch out cause hopefully your story is next!!

A cupcake backing football player? Sign me up! This is a second chance romance between August and Sloane. I really wanted to like this more than I did but unfortunately it was not for me. It was a very slow burn and I didn't like that August has a long term girlfriend he was essentially emotionally cheating on.

I can encapsulate my feelings about this book in one word: sweet! Initially unaware that it was the second installment in a series, I now eagerly anticipate delving into Donovan and Jada's story in their own dedicated volume. The characters are as comforting as freshly baked cookies—well-developed, immensely lovable, and charmingly flawed. This slow-burn romance culminates beautifully, despite experiencing a few lackluster moments in the middle. It serves as a light, enjoyable read, ideal for a day cozied up on the couch or out on a porch on a cool day. "A Legend in the Baking" is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face. I am rating it a robust 4 out of 5 and have officially become a fan of this author.

Always There

I didn't read the first book in the series. I enjoyed traveling with Slone and August as they navigate from friends to enemies, back to friends, while trying to love themselves. This was a slow burn, as both were dealing with past hurts. When things were strained between them, they still supported each other. Sloane's brother and Nicholas were the perfect secondary characters. I will go back and read book one before three drops.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers of A Legend in the Baking for an ARC above is my honest review and opinion.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Jamie Wesley for the advanced copy of A Legend in the Baking!

I really enjoyed reading Sloane and August's story. I loved that August defended women who work their asses off and shut down toxic masculinity, even though it led to some unfortunate events for him. I don't think the whole plot point of August needing to date was necessary, but I liked how they turned it around.

My only hang up on this book is that it's heavily implied that Sloane and August had a full-on tryst, but as discovered in a series of flashbacks, it was only a one-sided kiss and crush.

I found the complete lack of communication between the two characters to be so frustrating. 66% of the way in and all they have done is mildly pine for each other without a single conversation to acknowledge feelings. I wanted to enjoy this story more but I found it hard to be invested when not much plot had happened (or character development).

A Legend in the Baking by Jamie Wesley is a delightful romance that blends the worlds of culinary arts and unexpected love. The story follows a talented baker who, while trying to secure her future in a competitive baking competition, finds herself entangled with a charming rival. Wesley’s engaging writing and well-developed characters create a sweet and satisfying narrative filled with tension, humor, and heartfelt moments. This book is perfect for those who enjoy romance infused with delicious recipes and a sprinkle of friendly competition!

Watching these two learn and grow and find themselves together was such a fun read. Their chemistry was off the charts and I was hooked from the first chapter.

This sequel of A Legend in the Baking was just as good as the first in the series. Jamie Wesley has created really likable characters but ones that are cookie cutter but have flaws too.
The premise was a good reason for them even though at times silly.
I did get to start to hate the phrase riding my brothers coattails though. lol
Oh and also loves the not typical third act conflict.
Now will we get a third book for Nicholas? I do hope so.
Thank you Net Galley, Jamie Wesley and St. Martins Griffen for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I wasn't personally a fan of this book. While people who may have enjoyed things such as "Hook, Line, and Sinker" might enjoy it. The plot was boring at most times. This wasn't my taste but it may be yours.

DNF at 25%
I couldn’t believe how long it took me to read 25% of this book which should have been my first clue to put it aside. But two things really put me off it.

First, when the male character goes viral, his place of business is swarmed by women who touch him, kiss him, and pinch his butt without consent. Gross.

And second, the female main character is competing for a job. The potential employer asks her to do two weeks worth of work FOR FREE to “prove herself”. Absolutely not. We do not give away our labor in the year of our Lord 2024, especially not women and women of color.

I received a gift copy of this book. All opinions are my own.