There's a slow burn type of book...and then there is one that just drags on. Yep, this one drags on. 😫

I wanted to love "A Legend in the Baking" more than I did because I enjoyed the first book, "Fake It Till You Bake It". But this one I really didn't connect with the story or the characters as much. I love how we are introduced to the same cast of characters from the first book, but this time we are following August & Sloane, who we know have some type of history.

I also enjoy how August is more vocal in this story and we see how he puts his foot down on gender stereotypes & roles. There is a instance in this book where I wish the author would have spoken out more on how just because it's a guy doesn't mean that sexual harassment is okay. August also opens up about his father & ex-wife and those feelings he's carried with him for so long.

Usually I finish romance books pretty quickly but with this one I struggled. Like I said, it really dragged on and on about how they just didn't want to communicate their feelings (repeatedly) on the past & present. Yes, there's a few sexy scenes but even they were drawn out 😂. (Never thought I would say that)

I wonder if the 3rd owner, Nicholas, will have his book..🤔

Thank you to NetGalley & St Martin's Press for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.❤️

This was a fun book to read! The interaction between the characters is funny and entertaining and the storyline was cute.

It's the second book in a series, I'll go back and find the first one to read now! But easy could be a standalone, too. August, a famous football player, owns a cupcake shop with two of his teammates. They're opening the second shop in this book and use the social media influences from Sloane, one of the other owners sister to hype their new location. But some of the townsfolk revolt back.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

Another super sweet read from the Sugar Blitz Family!

Sloane and August have some history. Twelve years ago, Sloane laid her heart on the line and got badly burned by August, who was with someone else at the time. They've danced around it in the years since, but never were able to retain their close friendship.

When Sloane spontaneously quits her job and August accidentally goes viral telling off some misogynists in the shop, the two are forced to be close once again -- Sloane is going to capitalize on the ten seconds of fame to boost sales before Sugar Blitz opens a second location and land herself another social media manager gig. The only problem is sweet and shy August has no desire to be in front of a camera -- the only reason he will do it is to help Sloane.

The more they interact the more they both realize the feelings on both sides are very much present -- but they'll need to address the past if they have a shot at a future.

Both characters were really enjoyable -- a fun and fluffy read!

I got a chance to real this early through NetGalley. A Legend in the Baking was so cute! I loved how the main characters clearly knew each other so well because of their past. This felt like a second chance to me and I eat that up every time. 3.5 stars

This book was just so gorgeous! The MMC is EVERYTHING! He's charming, loyal, sweet, and the fact that he's an introvert makes the story so much more fun. Him being a football player who also bakes cupcakes is such a unique combination and I'm so happy the author didn't forget to show him in action. Sloane is the determined, assertive FMC that I didn't realize I craved so much. She knows her worth and that's power. I enjoyed the slow burn with second chance romance, but I do think some things could've gone so much better.

I've read books with a similar scenario with the fame where no one's getting objectified, and if they are, it's not passed off as normal. There were also a lot of themes and sub-plots being juggled here, making the pacing of the book vary at times and the romance took a backseat at times. Now this isn't something that really bothered me, but if you can't stand slow burn or changes in pacing, this book probably isn't for you. That put aside, the side characters were awesome as was the banter, so I'm keeping an eye out for future books in the series, and I also want to read the first one.

This was my first book by this author. The book started off strong but then it started dragging for me. I felt that the few chapters that went into the past, weren't needed. It was actually a bit confusing. August was a likeable MMC as an athlete who was also smart & down to earth. Now Sloane was all over the place. Sometimes I liked her but other times, I didn't because it seemed to be all business for her, and then blam they were connected. The burn was so slow that i found myself not interested at some parts.
Now the spicy parts I did enjoy, but by the time they came, it didn't seem to mesh well & I was largely uninterested in them being together. Overall it could be a better book if it was about 50-75 pages shorter and a bit more character development.
Thank you NetGalley, the publisher & of course the author for gifting me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A cute sequel to one of my favorite books. I really enjoyed this one, and it was just my speed. The main characters and the relationship was cute and the slow burn was just enough. I would have did less with the flashbacks... they kind of made the story drag even though it was for the build up. I'll be looking forward to the third (if it's in the works).

Dnf 59%

I’m kinda disappointed because I loved the first book, but there were quite a few issues in here that I can’t overlook.

1. What is up with all these women copping a feel? Grabbing his butt and some being bold enough to try for the front? Why are we playing this off as it being a part of the “game”. Let’s call it sexual harassment and not play it down. It’s no consensual and disgusting.

2. There were comments of he’s not married so he’s still in the market that other women made to dismiss any girlfriend he potentially could have.

3. Someone is in a relationship and you’re still going to kiss them? That’s disrespectful. I truly don’t care how long you’ve had a crush for.

All in all, this is not the book for me.
It’s pushing a lot of themes that I just don’t care for nor tolerate.

I have mixed feelings about this slow burn romance. First, I totally enjoyed the book for the first sixty percent of the story. It looked like it would be as good as the first one. I like Sloane and August and there are a lot of amusing moments in the story. While I understand why the relationship between Sloane and August build so slow, there were a couple of decisions that they made to promote her career that I didn't agree with. It also put them both in uncomfortable decisions. I didn't understand why they kept doing that. I also thought that something should have been said to try to stop women pawing August while he was promoting the business. I received a free copy of this ebook from the publisher through Netgalley. This is my honest and voluntarily given review.

I didn't read the first book in the series, but now I might because this was a really fun and cute read. August and Sloane were a delight to read and this story was heart warming. Even thought this is a part of a series it was easily to follow along and read as a standalone with out being confused in general. I really found myself really chuckling as I read through this because there were plenty of fun and silly moments. The dialogue and banter flowed really well throughout the story and never felt cringe. I had fun with this.

Thank you @netgalley and @stmartinspress for the opportunity to read and review this eARC.

I need to premise this by stating I read Fake It Till You Bake It and thought it was adorable, so of course I requested this one as soon as I saw it.

Way. To. Go. Sloane. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 You’re every woman’s spirit animal. This was a cute, the girl finally got her man, read for me. I enjoyed the flirty wit and the spice. This was a quick, fun read for me.

The most unique taste on a spicy romance. I think that was the best part of this book. A football player who is a baker and proud to be one! Loved that!
I think the rest of the book was cute in the way that there was some slow burn, second chance, and brother's best friend, which I never usually read, so it was interesting to read this trope. I think some of the topics were talked about, are not something we conventionally read about, so it shed a light to certain topics, in regards to loss. and addiction.

The story otherwise did not really connect with me and there were parts where it felt very unrealistic. I was unsettled by something Sloane did as well, and it went unspoken and was excused which did not feel right to me.

Otherwise, I think August is the best MMC ever, he reminded me so much of one of my favorite basketball players, and I just love soft, quiet MCs! He was such a gentleman, and I loved every interaction I got with him.

A Legend in the Baking by Jamie Wesley is a sweet and charming romance novel that will leave readers with a smile on their faces. The story follows the unexpected journey of August Hodges, a cupcake-baking football player whose life takes a sudden turn when his viral online video propels him into the spotlight.

The dynamic between August and Sloane, his best friend's younger sister and the social media manager hired to help promote his bakery, is both heartwarming and full of sizzling chemistry. Their long-standing history adds depth and tension to their burgeoning relationship, making their interactions feel authentic and relatable.

Wesley expertly weaves together themes of love, friendship, and pursuing one's passions in this delightful tale of second chances and new beginnings. The banter between August and Sloane is witty and engaging, keeping readers hooked from the first page to the last.

As August and Sloane navigate the challenges of fame, attraction, and past regrets, they must learn to take risks and follow their hearts in order to find true happiness. The character development is well-crafted, allowing readers to connect with the protagonists on a deeper level and become invested in their journey towards love and fulfillment.

Overall, A Legend in the Baking is a feel-good romance with heart, humor, and a touch of sweetness that will appeal to fans of the genre. Jamie Wesley's storytelling is engaging and uplifting, making this novel a perfect escape into the world of love, cupcakes, and second chances. A truly delightful read that is sure to satisfy romance enthusiasts looking for a heartwarming story with a delicious twist.

I loved the first book in this series, so I was excited to watch another football-playing cupcake shop owner fall in love. A Legend in the Baking combines two of my favorite tropes--second chance at brother's best friend. It was every bit as good as the first book. Wesley has become a one-click author for me.

I guarantee you'll fall in love with the characters. If you're looking for a second chance romance, brother's best friend, and slow burn, this is your book. I can't wait to see if Nicholas gets a story because I am so ready to read that.

I love a man who knows the value of women!!!

This was an easy, low stakes, joyful read. Not much more to say other than it made me smile with his sweet it was.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Stand alone sequel, I definitely will be reading the first in the series. Loved the premise: unrequited crush, finding your time, brother's best friend! I love a good viral moment, and August did not disappoint. I thought it was clever the way the viral moment happened: not because of an embarrassing moment or lack of judgement. An honest viral moment.

I usually shy away from anything about social media content creators but this one showed the actual numbers on how to use social media in a positive way.

This book is a lot of fun. The two MCs are Sassy and fun. She has had a long time crush on him. And he is realizing he has too. Sloane is a social media manager. And August is a football player/co-owner of a cupcake store. A series of events makes her helping the cupcake store take advantage of August's viral fame (he goes on an anti-toxic masculinity rant that is caught on camera). The majority of the book is them dancing around each other and their feelings. The author has made them complex enough, that I wasn't screaming "just have a conversation". Though it was close. All and all, good fun. perfect for a poolside rad.

This is the second part of a 3-part series. I did not know that initially, so this is a standalone book, but I’ll definitely go back to read book one.
One theme that I enjoyed reading in this book was the growth that August experienced. Seeing him confront his feelings around his dad and ex-wife was really touching and inspiring. I particularly enjoyed the conversation he had with his ex-wife. It gave him closure that he didn’t know he needed.
I liked how the author introduced feminist themes around the discussion of men doing things that are considered feminine. It’s a good conversation starter, as well as a mind shifting thought. It does a powerful thing to read about three black men who are athletes but find pleasure in baking.
I also enjoyed how the book, albeit briefly touched on gentrification and how communities get affected. I really enjoyed this book beyond the storyline and romance for how it encompassed different topics that are relevant in today’s world.
Bonus reason I enjoyed this book, black characters and black author!
Themes in this book: brother’s best friend, slow burn, second chance, friends to lovers.

𝐞𝐀𝐫𝐜 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
4 🌟
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I enjoyed how August Hodges' impromptu feminist rant about how women bakers are the backbone of the industry and baking cupcakes isn't a threat to masculinity went viral. Sloane Dell is a social media manager whose brother is August's best friend. A Legend in the Baking is book two in the Fake It Til You Bake It series. While this is a series, these books are stand-alone and don't have to be read in order. The beginning of this story held my attention and went at a decent pace, but once you hit the middle, it kind of slows down.
𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬:
•Slow burn
•Black Romance
•Brother's bestfriend - to - lover
•Second chance
•Dual Timeline (Past and Present)
𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 Nov.19
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Thank you, Netgalley, and St.Martin Press for the eBook in exchange for my honest review.