A cute romance for dessert lovers and social media fans. Fairly fast read, three stars.

*I received an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thanks so much to St. Martin's Press and netgalley for the arc of this one in exchange for an honest review!

Unfortunately, this book was not for me. I liked the premise and I think the cover is super cute. The characters were likeable as well. However, this book was just way too slow for me. It was a slow burn, which is not my favorite, and it was just too slow. I wish they would've had some more action or something to keep me interested.

I think people who like slow burn will like this one but it just wasn't for me.

This book as a follow up from the first one is phenomenal. I enjoyed Sloane and August chemistry immensely. The whole premises was a bit extra, him doing everything just for her ro get a job. But in between that there was a lot of growth of the characters and they moved forward which I did liked a lot. Only thing I wasn’t thrilled about if 4 or 5 chapters that are developed in the past and mostly because I figured what must have happened from hints and I wasn’t invested on that line of the plot as much as I was on the present plot. Overall really good book, and I can wait to add it to my collection 😍

A Legend in the Baking takes us back to Sugar Blitz cupcakes for August and Sloanes story. Sloane has just quit her job. She’s interviewing for the head of social media position at a new company, but her experience is lacking. She’s tasked with a two week challenge to market and turn around a company’s social media presence. Around the same time, August is caught ranting to a customer about feminist rights and its role in the creation of baking which goes viral. On the cusp of opening a new cupcake shop, Sloane uses Augusts internet fame to help launch the success of the newest shop. However, the path is not as easy as she expects it to be. This is a great second installment of the baking series. It’s friends to lovers, slow burn, grumpy sunshine, no third act break up book. The chemistry was already present between August and Sloane because of their childhood. We get to see the return of Donovan and Jada. Plus, the antics in the book were stellar. I cannot wait to see if there is a third installment featuring Nicholas.

This was on okay book. Characters were enjoyable as was the writing of the plot. I thought this was a fun easy read

This was a cute story! I love the way this book really
empowers to be your true self and not “fit molds”

This is a REALLY SLOW BURN. I felt like this story highlighted their development of finding themselves, and less on the romantic side of their relationship but in the end they fit together so well.

this was such a cute story but not for me because i can’t stand the slow burn😭😭😭😭 i would still recommend this book if u love brothers best friend mixed wit a second chance type read you might like this :)

**A Legend in the Baking**: A Delightful Treat That Will Leave You Hungry for More

Imagine savoring a cupcake that’s beautifully decorated, with flavors unfolding layer by layer—this perfectly describes *A Legend in the Baking* by Jamie Wesley. This charming romance novel, the second in the series following *Fake It Till You Bake It*, offers a sweet, slow-burn love story that is as comforting as a warm kitchen on a rainy day.

From the get-go, we know that August and Sloane have a history. Twelve years of friendship and unspoken feelings simmer beneath the surface, creating a delicious tension that makes the reader's heart flutter. Sloane is on a mission to revamp her brother's cupcake bakery, blending her passion for social media with the art of baking. August, the best friend's protective older brother, is there every step of the way, adding a sprinkle of complication to their journey.

Wesley’s writing shines in her portrayal of complex characters who are relatable and lovable, each with their own set of challenges and growth arcs. Sloane’s determination to succeed in the baking business is both inspiring and heartwarming, while August’s support and subtle flirtations add a layer of sweetness that’s impossible to resist.

However, it’s the pacing that truly sets this novel apart. The slow burn between Sloane and August might test your patience, especially in the middle chapters where the story drags slightly. Yet, it’s this very slow simmer that makes their eventual union so satisfying. The lack of a significant, dramatic conflict in the second act might seem like a missed opportunity for some, but it’s a refreshing take on romance where the focus remains on the characters' development and their journey together.

The second book in the series, *A Legend in the Baking* doesn’t just reintroduce us to familiar faces but also delves deeper into the lives of football players turned bakers. This unique twist adds a fun, quirky element to the story, making it a delightful read for anyone who enjoys a mix of sports and sweets.

As someone who didn’t realize this was a sequel, I was pleasantly surprised by how well Wesley integrates backstory, making it easy for new readers to dive right in. And for those who loved the first book, revisiting the bakery and its characters feels like catching up with old friends.

If you're a fan of second-chance romances, brother’s best friend dynamics, and stories that blend ambition with heartfelt connections, then *A Legend in the Baking* is your perfect pick. While the story may have its slow moments, the overall experience is nothing short of delightful. I found myself invested in Sloane and August’s journey, rooting for them as they navigated their complicated lives and blossoming relationship.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone looking for a feel-good romance that’s as comforting as a well-baked cupcake. Whether you’re reading it by the pool or curled up on the couch, *A Legend in the Baking* is sure to put a smile on your face. Solid 3.5/5 stars—Jamie Wesley, you’ve gained a fan for life.

Interested in learning more about this sweet romance? Dive into the first book, *Fake It Till You Bake It*, and join us in eagerly awaiting more from this talented author.

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Burn Rating: Very Slow Burn

Tropes:

Second-Chance Romance - Sloane and August have known each other for twelve years, and their relationship evolves from a long-standing friendship.
Brother's Best Friend - August is the best friend of Sloane’s brother, adding an extra layer of tension and familiarity to their romance.
Found Family - Both characters find support and family-like connections within their close-knit group of friends and colleagues.
Workplace Romance - Sloane takes on the challenge of revamping her brother's cupcake bakery, bringing her into close professional contact with August.
Friends to Lovers - The story focuses on the gradual transition from friendship to romantic love, enriched by their shared history and deep emotional connection.

Sloane is a driven woman looking to make her own way. If she'd just get out of her own way she'll be set up with exactly the life she wants! August just needs that safe place to be himself and sometimes get the little push out of the comfort zone he needs.

This was such a sweet read. I'm not generally a fan of the time jumps, but these were the right length with the right information. I loved it and now I need to go back and read the first companion book by Wesley.

This was an incredibly cute and fun read since I'm such a sucker for a good brother's best friend trope! The premise of a pro-athlete owning a cupcakery was so endearing. I love how passionate August is for baking, which he never shies away from, and his eventual willingness to step out of his comfort zone after spending so much time in the background in both his careers. Sloane really tried to get August to come out of his shell while respecting his boundaries when it would cross the line for him. Each snippet of their history provided so much insight to each of their behaviors and motivations and I wish we saw more of their late night conversations. It was so cute how they remember little details about the other which were briefly mentioned years ago and it seemed to full circle on their first date (loved that scene so much!). Overall, it was such a fast-paced and lighthearted romance that I thoroughly enjoyed. I thought Nicholas was such a stand out character and I'll definitely be tuned in for his book.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was such a cute read!

I loved the slow burn between August and Sloane, and at times was a little annoyed with how slow it was going 😂 but good things are worth the wait! August was so patient with her, and I loved seeing their romance blossom.

Some tropes that stood out to me for this book were slow burn, small town romance, and second chance. It gives the vibe of community and togetherness, and is all around a cute and cozy read. Plus, who doesn’t love some baked goods!

I plan on putting my public review up on Goodreads and Instagram about 1-2 weeks before pub date!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

This book was cute in the end but holy cow was it a sloowww burn. I also didn’t feel particularly invested in the characters themselves but I ended up loving August and Sloane together FINALLY. I’m glad I pushed past the slow parts but I don’t know if I’d read it again. The concept of the pro football players owning a cupcake shop is cute though! I like seeing a softer side of pro athletes portrayed in books!

In all honesty the book was pretty enjoyable. But that was all it was. It sort of felt like it had things it wanted to say, but then never spoke about them. It sort of felt like a lot of drama was thrown into the book (the ex wife, the protesters) but none of it really gave the book a higher standing. I thought that the whole premise of the guy getting famous from social media was applicable to todays times, but it also seemed a bit far fetched. At some point I kept thinking about how there was no way he would remain that popular for so long, but had to remind myself that it was fiction. After finishing the book I wasn’t deeply disappointed or anything, but it just wasn’t one of those books that had me on my toes. I couldn’t remember most of what happened through the book, and found myself scrolling through chapters to try and remind myself. It’s a fun book for when you want to pick something up that doesn’t require much attention and focus, but it isn’t something that I would consider a must need for the library.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was lighthearted with just enough romance. I do wish there had been a little more character development especially with August as it felt like him being a professional footballer player was treated as an afterthought. Would still recommend this book and look forward to reading more from this author.

There are books that have a slow burn than there are books that have a sloooooow burn and this falls into that category. August and Sloan have had feelings for each other going on 12 years. This is a brothers best friend romance so there is a lot of history between them which is enjoyable. The characters have some fun banter and the premise is cute. The problems lie in the pacing. Due to the relationship moving so slow the ending feels very rushed. Overall it is an enjoyable read.

A Legend in the Baking is the second book in the series about a trio of pro football players who also own a cupcake shop. When the quieter one of the trio, August, unexpectedly goes viral after a rant in the shop one day the friends know they need some help managing the chaos. Enter Sloane Dell aka Donovan’s (book 1) younger sister and social media guru to help bring more exposure to the shop and their second location while capitalizing on August’s viral moment. What makes this matchup more interesting is that there’s history between the two of them in the form of unrequited love from a young friendship them formed. Now August knows he will do anything to help Sloane secure her new job even if that means embracing social media because he just wants to make her happy. Sloane has walls up around August because of the past but he’s slowly breaking them down and she doesn’t know if she can trust herself to put herself out there again.

Cute story to add to this series and I look forward to the last book. I always love a book about baking so this was an easy pickup for me.


Thank you @stmartinspress and @netgalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

thank you to netgalley and jamie wesley for the chance to read this arc.

this one was really fun for me because i won a goodreads giveway for the ARC of fake it til you bake it. i enjoyed that one when i read it in 2022 so i was excited to see august get his own book. i enjoyed the story and the realness of it. i do love a brothers best friend trope. the lack of communication in the beginning was a little much for me, like come on, just share your feelings already. BUT once they did it was perfect. i also loved that there wasn’t any conflict when sloanes brother found out about sloane and august. their story felt real and relatable.

recommend? yes.

a cute, fast-paced romance read, following a pro american football player who part-owns a cupcake shop and goes viral, and a social media manager - who also happens to be his best friend’s little sister. and unrelated to the main romance plot line, this is a book with some great messages throughout, which i liked.

it took me a little while to feel invested in this and at one point i didn’t pick it up for over two weeks, but no major issues! though i will say i think the plot felt quite rushed in the last part, suddenly loads was happening at once and things were being resolved really easily, regardless of any previous build-up, but overall i had a good time.

i’d like to read the first book in this series at some point and am also interested in reading book three when it comes out!

There was so much about this I really liked! I loved the premise, the well developed main characters, and the major plot points. I struggled a bit with some of the flow of the storyline, and some outright unbelievable side characters and their motivations/actions. Also, you will 100% understand exactly what a fullback’s role is in a football team by the end of this book, as we are reminded over and over (and over) about it… Overall though, this was a really fun read. I want to follow Sugarbae, and stop into Sugar Blitz for a cupcake! If you like romance, bakeries, or hunky cinnamon roll football players - you won’t regret reading this one.

3.5 stars the book was cute! I loved the main characters and felt like the secondary ones had a good background as well. Maybe I'm a sugarbaeby

took off a star because I wanted to know the drama between August and Sloane. It kept being referenced

Wish I read book one first but can be read as standalone

Best friends sister
Pro footballers
Men who bake
Feminist
He falls first ish
No third act break up

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the arc