The opening hooked me. I enjoyed this book, and I'll be going back to read book 1 in this series, and looking out for book 3!

My outward facing review can be found here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6726602790.

Copyedit & proofing notes:
--*NOTE: page numbers are based on phone/app pagination and may differ from word processor layout

Pg 5, 2nd paragraph: why is the first set of parenthesis there?
Pg 21, last sentence: consider using "nor" instead of "or" to enhance the negative.
Pg 22, penultimate sentence: "owing" should be "owning"
Pg 22, penultimate paragraph uses "brain" then pg 23, second paragraph, 2nd to last sentence uses "brain " again. Maybe change one instance to "mind"?
Pg 35, 1st paragraph. End with a question mark instead? The dry/slightly condescending statement works, but the question gives more sisterly sarcasm.
Pg 35, paragraph 4: "acknowledge the shiver *that* the quick..." missing "that"
Pg 46, 2nd paragraph, replace full stop midsentence with comma.
Pg 80, 2nd to last paragraph: what is that string of capitalized letters? "HOPHMJJJ"
Pg 108, paragraph 2, sentence 2: "overhead" should be "overheard"
Pg 161: paragraph 1, second to last sentence: ".. Every day." End with question mark?

This was 3. 5 stars for me.

Although the characters cross over between this boon and the first book, Fake It Till You Bake it, it is a stand alone book and do not need to read the first book to read this one. I did read the first book and seeing how August's character was written about in that book I was very curious to see how he went viral in this one. The viral post happened very early in the book; however, after that it moved slow for me. While I appreciated the author writing about what happened between him and Sloane' before to make their relationship what it was in present day they way the writing kept going from past to present took a little away from the story to me and it didn't quite flow as easily. In addition to that, when Sloan and August were written about in the present day I felt it dragged with whether they should be together or not. Every time I thought this is it something would happen and it wouldn't be which made me feel like just tell each other how you feel already. I will say it was cute the way in which August did finally take her out but it just took way to long to get there for me.

While I appreciated how the author tried to make social media a focal point of the story as well, it didn't work as well for me in this book the way it did in the first as I couldn't really make the connection with the social media posts and August's dating life and how it was supposed to help the new bakery come to the fore front. There were other ideas in the story that helped with the new bakery but the dating aspect just didn't fit for me. Also since they were talking about the new bakery they were planning to open in this one it would have been nice to see a littler of the bakery once it was opened. I liked the August and Sloane together but overall I felt the book was lacking in certain areas. Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

First, a big thank you to St. Martin's Press and Jamie Wesley for providing me with an advanced e-reader's copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Tropes:
-Brother's Best Friend
-Second Chance Romance
-Slow Burn

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

This is the second book in the Sugar Blitz series, focusing on Sloane Dell and August Hodges.
August is the quiet (heavy on the quiet) partner/co-owner of Sugar Blitz. When a customer claims baking is unmasculine, he goes on a rant defending not only baking but also how he is not threatened or scared about society's thoughts about his doing so because he loves it and how the women in the industry are treated. This immediately goes viral, and he is branded SugarBae and pushed into the public eye.
Sloane, who recently quit her job, takes this opportunity to use her social media manager skills to not only help Sugar Blitz (since they're opening a new shop and could use the exposure) but also propel herself into a new job. The only problem is that Sloane and August had a semi-fling a decade ago, and feelings still linger.

This book was a super slow burn. There was no real action until about 70% into the book, which was very different from the books I usually read, but I think people who enjoy slow burns would like this book. I personally felt it was a tad long, and some parts dragged, but overall, it was a good book. I really found myself caring about the characters and falling for August like all the SugarBaebies.

Such an amazing read! I’m so happy with the journey August and Sloane were on together. This book dealt with feeling abandoned, trauma, and finding the closure that was absolutely needed. It definitely had me smiling the whole book and I consider it a medium burn. I can’t wait to get a final copy of the paperback because I hope it includes an epilogue, I need a little bit more from August and Sloane.

Hoping for this series to be turned into a trilogy with the focus being on Nicholas.

Jamie Wesley's writing style is engaging and witty, with a good balance of humour and heartfelt moments. The dialogue is snappy and realistic, and the descriptive passages bring the bakery to life, making readers crave the delicious cupcakes described in the story. Wesley's ability to blend romance with everyday challenges adds depth to the characters and makes the story relatable.

Overall, "A Legend in the Baking" is a delightful read for anyone looking for a heartwarming romance with a unique twist. Jamie Wesley's engaging writing and charming story make it a worthwhile addition to the romance genre.

I love August and Sloane event more than a I loved Jada and Donovan!

I would highly recommend this for people who love a slowburn, friends to lovers, workplace romance that is also forced proximity and brother's best friend! Both August and Sloane are struggling with their past and have to finally address that in order to move forward together.

3.5⭐

This is a slow burn. Personally, I felt like the pacing was a little too slow for my taste. I was invested in the characters at the beginning. However, I lost some interest because of the story development. It took almost 70% for Sloane and August to realize they had feelings for one another. 🫣 By that point it was clear as day.

Like the first in the series, Legend in the Baking was a really cute romance, this time taking on the "older brother's best friend" trope. By and large I enjoyed it, though it did burn a little too slowly for my taste!

I hadn’t read the first book in this universe, but I enjoyed this book so much that immediately went and read the first book. I love Sloane and August together, and I really enjoyed their own individual growth throughout the book. Would definitely recommend.

2.5 ✰

I didn’t completely click with this story but I still think august and sloane had their sweet moments 💘

august is the CUTEST MMC EVER !! he’s a football player but he loves baking and isn’t afraid to admit that. when a gross stranger attacks him for doing something “unmasculine” and “stupid” like baking, he goes on a feminist rant defending the woman that work hard in this industry and how he doesn’t feel threatened and scared to do what he loves just bc society expects him to 🙈

and then his speech goes viral and everyone goes crazy for him 🥹 sloane, the fmc, is his social media manager (and best friend’s sister) and helps him navigate his way through this new fame. and they fall in love ~~ even though they’ve been lowkey crushing on each other since childhood 💓

whilst I didn’t completely love this story bc im not the biggest fan of very slow burn, I still appreciated their love for eachother and how they both got eachother through tough times <33 if you want something short and sweet, this is the book for you 🤭🤭

thank you netgalley and the publisher for providing me this arc in exchange for an honest review !!

I like things that are sweet and this book was just that. A sweet, cute romance that was exactly what I was looking for.

I'm very bummed that I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as the first one. The miscommunication was just so annoying and terrible- it's one of my biggest pet peeves and automatically lessens my enjoyment. Also the slow burn was too much and didn't feel worth it in the end, because it just made the whole story feel extremely slow. But then at the end everything just kind of quickly is resolved and it was a head scratcher as to how it happened, with Sloane and August, but also with August and his dad. Felt a little bit like whiplash, honestly.
Disappointed with #2, but willing to give Wesley another chance because the first book showed me I can enjoy her writing.

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Thank you for the opportunity to read an ARC of A Legend in tge Baking by Jamie Wesley.

The book was as sweet and savory as the cupcakes baked at Sugar Blitz. I love a good second chance at love romance novel, and Ms. Wesley delivered.

The love story of Sloane and August. Two people who fell in love early in life, but one chose to go in a different direction. When the stars aligned, they both realized that the feelings they had for each other as young adults still lived in their hearts.

A Legend in the Baking by @jamiewesleywrites is a "sweet" romance from start to finish (see what I did there). Sloane is a social media manager who quit her job after being passed over for a promotion. Although she never wanted to depend on her NFL star brother, she finds herself managing the communications for his cupcake shop, Sugar Blitz. There she reconnected with August, her brother's teammate and her long-time crush. August, Nick and Donovan are co-owners of the cupcake shop, and they are looking to open a new location. When the new neighborhood thinks they are going to gentrificate the whole block, Sloane jumps into action to help matters.

-Cupcake shop (does the setting get any cuter?)
-Football players
-POC main characters
-big brother's friend-to-lovers

I liked the chemistry between August and Sloane, did not realize it is a second in the series, I did not feel like it took anything away that I didn't read the first. This is a Hallmark movie waiting to happen- it has all the excellent cheesy elements.
August- BJ Britt
Sloane- Halle Bailey
(you are welcome, Hollywood)

Thanks to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for the ARC. Book to be released November 19, 2024

Being completely honest "Fake it til you bake it" is still sitting on my TBR but after reading "A Legend In The Baking" I am moving it up.

August is definitely a fictional character that makes you swoon. He is a man of few words but man does he know hot to connect to women. I love the fact that the man he grew up to be was because the love and respect he had for his mother.

I hated how the people in his life who was suppose to love him; had such a huge impact on how he viewed himself.

The chemistry between Sloane and August was not smooth sailing but one thing I loved about them is that even when they were both unsure the patient's and respect they had for one another well being was amazing to experience. They were understanding of each other and gave each one space even if they were both yearning for one another.

A bit of a slow burn to get the plot going in this one. I really enjoyed the previous book in the series and was excited to read August’s story. I loved the growth and depth to August’s character, and the fact that he and Sloane had known each other for so long. However I did feel like there wasn’t as much depth to Sloane and her story as there could’ve been. I also feel like there could’ve been a bit more push and pull with the “brother’s best friend” of it all, versus everyone being immediately okay with it. All in all it’s a fun read and was great to go back to Sugar Blitz again.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC.

The concept of this book sucked me in right away. As a note, I have not read the first book in this series but this books stands very well on its own.

August, professional football player who also owns a cupcake shop, goes viral on social media for putting some men in their place about sexism. Enter Sloane, a recently unemployed (she quit after she didn’t get a promotion she earned go off girl) social media manager who is coerced into helping after an interview requires her to lead a 2 week campaign. This seems like an insane ask for an interview but hey what do I know. A fun wrench in this situation, August and Sloane have been in love with each other since they were teenagers. Together there is hijinx, weird first dates for social media, cupcake baking competitions, and a little bit of spice for a treat.

My big complaint with this book was it was so hard to figure out whose point of view we were reading. Sometimes it would flip mid chapter and it was super jarring. I would’ve preferred alternating chapters that were labeled just to make it more reader friendly.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I found it to be a quick read and I liked the dynamic between the MMC and FMC.

A Legend in the Baking by Jamie Wesley
Genre: RomCom
Troupe: Best Friends Sister, Second Chance, & Slow Burn
Pages: 336
Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Spice: 🌶 🌶
Series?: Book 2 in the Sugar Blitz Series
ARC?: Yes, I was approved for this ebook through NetGalley.

I absolutley love the banter in this book just as much as the book one (Fake it till you Bake it). I loved the character development of August and Sloane. This slow burn made me want to scream to Sloane, "GIRL GO GET YOUR MAN!" As she has had feeling for August for a long time as they have a past, as does he. With Sloane helping out in the shop after quitting her job, gives them more time to spend with one another to unknowingly rekindle the past.

August is so sweet and easily makes a great book boyfriend. Seriously willing to do anything for those he loves. Sloane is very independent and strong willed and will improve anything she has to do with. These two were meant for each other.

I really loved the representation of black love in the most realistic way. I also loved how Sloane is characteristed as a boss in her own right. The discussion of social issues and realistic struggles solidified this 4 Star read for me.

If you haven't read book , I recommend reading that first before reading, "A Lengend in the Baking".

A great book! I enjoyed reading it so much! The characters I just enjoyed them and their banter as well as their journey to love. Such a good read and book!

A great sequel book, that can be read alone but i would recommend reading the first one. The characters are great and the story kept me hooked from beginning to end. I love that the guys are the bakers and the ones running the shop. It's so unique!