Dare I say the sequel was better than the first? A bit of a second chance romance meets unrequited, lingering feelings with some social media and cupcakes thrown in :). Sloane and August's inner thoughts were so perfectly captured you could easily see why both were hesitant to make a move but also just wanted to push them in a room together to watch the sparks fly. I was hooked from Sloane's first work scene and wished I saw even more of that but found her energy well matched with August. Hoping there's a Nicholas book next!

Jamie Wesley writing is like a warm hug. A legend in baking is no different. I adore that way she brings her characters to life in a unique way. Don’t get me wrong this is a romcom at its best so you know what to expect when you go into it, but the ways Jamie brings them off of the page is just one of my favorite ways. I love anything that has baking it in and this was no exception. This was just a fun quick read.

Another very fun read from Wesley - having a hard time deciding if I like this or the first book better!

The tough, football player August is also a baker, with his two teammates. His coworker and teammate’s off-limits little sister Sloane is a social media pro. When his rant about masculinity and feminism and roles in baking goes viral, he and his bros in Sugar Blitz Bakery need Sloane and her expertise to get the bakery back on track and in folks good graces. She needs a project to apply for a new job, and this one is perfect. Her brother has been trying to hire her to do it forever, anyway.

The close proximity of working with their taboo crushes is tough-going, but makes for an awesome romance read. I love how Wesley has written this and deals with everything that goes along with the difficult situations involved. It’s a fantastic story and I read it quickly. Definitely one I recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press (St. Martin's Griffin) for the early copy. This is my honest feedback.

Once I found out this book was not only a 2nd book to one of my fave reads this year but it was about the most grumpiest side character in the 1st book. Yes August got his own book. And it did not disappoint.

Once again her writing ate. Had me captivated once I started I didn’t want to stop! I love the way she writes because I always feel the emotion behind it. Whatever the characters experienced I felt as I was in there right with them.

August, Mr. Grump, SugerBae I’m glad you got your girl!! From page one I know this was going to give strong resisting tension. It was literally dripping off the pages. So once the resisting stop oh the ride I was on, I had a time!!!

Sloane was everything! From her wittiness to her passion for her career. Even tho she had her reservations for a lot of things her growth was one I loved as well. Not only finally accepting love but also realizing she was holding her self back from amazing things!

I highly suggest this ofc if you love :

❤️ Men Who Bake
🏈 Brothers Bestfriend / Bestfriends Sister
❤️ 2nd Chance Lovers
🏈 Amazing Character Development
❤️ Football Rep ( minimum )


This is the 2nd book in the Sugar Blitz Duologu but can be read as a standalone, but I suggest reading in order to get the full experience.

Thank you to Jamie Wesley and NetGalley for allowing me this arc in exchange for a review 🤭🏈❤️.

I really enjoyed this one! A Legend in the Baking by Jamie Wesley is the second standalone romance in her series Sugar Blitz about a cupcake-baking football player and his best friend’s little sister. August Hodges is the silent partner/baker at Sugar Blitz Cupcakes until his impromptu rant about how women bakers are the backbone of the industry and baking cupcakes doesn’t diminish masculinity goes viral. With a new location soon to open, August and his partners decide to capitalize on his newfound fame. But the girl who haunts his dreams is the one they hire to help them do it.

Sloane Dell is the little sister of Donovan, one of the owners and the MMC in the first book. I was excited to see how she would fit with the football players. Sloane is a social media manager and, after being passed up for another promotion, just quit her job. So when Donovan offers her a position at the bakery, she begrudgingly takes it in the hopes that it will help her land her dream job. The only problem is it puts her in close proximity with August, the man who she’s been crushing on since she was a teenager and who broke her heart twelve years earlier.

August isn’t in much better of a position. Sloane was, at one time, his closest friend, yet he ruined that by not returning her feelings when he should have. Now he pines for her from afar, but he’s going to be working with her on the social media campaign, capitalizing on his status as SugarBae. He is all outside his comfort zone. Even as a professional football player, August is not the one the reporters want to talk to, fans don’t flock to him. So this is all new.

I was so excited to start this one. I devoured Fake It Till You Bake It, the first book of this series. I liked August in it, so was even more excited when I realized it would be his book and Sloane’s. This is a classic slow burn, second chance romance. I liked how Wesley integrated chapters from the past to set the scene for the present. It added tension to the story at the right moments and slowly revealed what had gone down between August and Sloane all those years earlier.

Overall, I really enjoyed A Legend in the Baking. It was easy to root for Sloane and August, maybe even attempt to knock some sense into them through the pages when they were being obstinate. If you are a fan of slow burn romance, I highly recommend it.

3.5 ⭐️

Really enjoyed this slow burn. I love the inclusion of the flashback chapters but I wish it was more showing how their bond grew rather than the lead up to the downfall. None the less, the pining was real. I love the representation of a true introvert and it was great seeing a guy in a story be the kind of awkward one instead of the girl.

If you like a slow burn, this is for you. I was giggling and kicking my feet over our two MCs. They had fantastic chemistry and I was screaming at my kindle for them to HURRY UP AND KISS but in the best way.

In the atmosphere of wanting more and more spice, it was so fun to run across something sweet! The family ties between August and Sloane made this romance a cozy and easy read, imagining the "guy next door" vibe laid over this professional romance frame.

A Legend in the Baking is the second book in the Sugar Blitz series and can be read as a stand alone. The story focuses on August, the quiet one of the trio, and Sloane, Donovan’s sister. Sloane has had, and maybe still has, a life long crush on August.

Sloane just quit her job and as part of the interview process for a new social media role, she must work for a well know company for two weeks as their social media manager…just to prove herself. Good thing Sugar Blitz needs some social media help after August goes viral after a rant about toxic masculinity.

This is a slow burn romance…so much longing and pining between Sloane and August with all the little interactions between them and the overthinking that goes with it. We also have flashbacks to 12 years ago are included so we could see how their friendship, and Sloane’s crush, began. I also enjoyed how both Sloane and August have these aha! moments of how they need to put themselves out there, ask for what you want and live life.

Read this if you enjoy
🧁 Slow Burn
🧁 Workplace Romance
🧁 Forced Proximity
🧁 Open Door Romance

This was a hard one to review. I didn’t actually care for the first one so I wasn’t super excited for this one. But then I got a copy in the mail and I wanted to make sure I read it and gave it a review. For this I was thankful tho because I actually liked this one so much more!

Ok so this one is definitely a slow burn and y’all know that annoyed me lol But when they started flirting I was like fineeee ok. And then when the things started happening, they started happening lol It was like a switch flipped. The only thing was, since it was a slow burn, it was too slow. For them to be adults, I was wondering the whole book why no one opened their mouth and said “I DO like you” It was very weird how they couldn’t say anything. And yes I know that miscommunication is real, but when it’s been years and they’re not young anymore, JUST SAY IT WITH YOUR FULL CHEST LOL

The rest of the romance was pretty basic. There was nothing that really set them apart from the other one. This one also had a viral something and then they were co-workers all of a sudden. I wanted some variety since like I said I wasn’t the first one’s biggest fan. Like the story was different enough, but it just wasn’t enough of a difference for me. I DID like the flashbacks tho. That definitely helped with learning more about their backgrounds and helped fill in the blanks when they weren’t flirting yet.

The baking was cute in this one too. I love seeing the man baking and his reason why he’s doing what he does?! Whew Chile I can’t say I blame him. I DID wish there was more there tho. She basically told us the conflict with his dad and they reconciled at the same time. Why not spread that out throughout the story? Give it more depth. Because let me tell you I would have rather read about the drama with his dad than that damn lady. She was literally mad for no reason. She didn’t know them people from a can of paint and was just mad to be mad. Extra af and annoying lol Because who tf needs to do all that instead of just asking what it is they plan to do? And the husband with no spine that didn’t tell her to chill tf out was annoying too lol (If you’re wondering, yes I was very passionate about that. Like girl, let this Black man BE!)

I also saw that this has been categorized as a sports romance. And I don’t feel like it is. Sure he had a background in sports, and there’s a nod here and there when talking about him on the field etc, but it really had nothing to do with the sports. It was “off season” yeah, but it just had nothing to do with sports, so I just didn’t want to call it that. I did just say that sports were involved, but I don’t think it was enough to warrant a full genre. Is that weird? Idk how to explain it.

This book was really fun, but it wasn’t without its faults. I believe this was my favorite of the series. I hope this next one is a little different than these first two. I also lowkey hope that he acts the same way he did in this one. He was hilarious

3.5*
I liked this, I didn’t love it sadly. I like the premise of a man loving to bake and showing that it’s not just a “woman’s” thing. That’s a topic that should be talked about more. I’d still read more from this author :)

This is the second in a series about a trio of professional football players who also open and run a cupcake bakery. Sloane Dell is the sister of the male MC in the first book, Fake It Till You Bake It (June 2022). She quits her social media job after getting past over for a promotion she felt she’d earned. Interviewing for a new dream job, she is in direct competition with an old college classmate. She needs to show her skills and takes over the social media for the bakery to demonstrate her abilities.

August Hodges, one of the owners goes viral in a pro women bakers rant. Sloane wants to capitalize on the situation for her and the bakery. She had a crush and was friends with August when he played in college with her brother. He has some insecurities of his own after a failed first marriage.

I enjoyed this more than I was expecting. Sloane was likable and a go getter, but it did feel like she was using him outside of his comfort zone. It takes more than half the book to get to a first kiss and longer for more. It is hard to be overly concerned about a bakery that is essentially a side gig for millionaire pro athletes. But the story is easy to read and can be read as a stand alone novel if you missed the first book. I did like the secondary storyline about the impact of gentrification on neighborhoods. (3.5 Stars)

A Legend in Baking was the perfect blend of slow=burn romance and "friends" to lovers. Sloane and August were friends once upon a time. But something happened to them that led them to not talk to each other for years. Fast forward, August is not the hot NFL bachelor in need of some social media management for his new bakery. In comes Sloane, who was once in love with her brother's best friend August.

As the two of them are working together to balance August's popularity, they find themselves in a bit of a relationship predicament. I love the tension between August and Sloane. All too often, this tension gets over used and drug out, but not in this instance!

It is definitely a slow-burn, so be prepared for the rise and falls.

Thank you NetGalley for this eARC!

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, Fake it Till You Bake It. I loved the storyline and men breaking gender roles. I was excited to receive an e-arc of the next book in the series, A Legend in the Baking. This book follows August, a fellow football star/baking enthusiast who is one of the three men who own Sugar Blitz. August prefers remaining in the background of Sugar Blitz, but when a viral video circulates of him standing up for women in baking, he’s suddenly thrust into the one place he never wanted to be: the spotlight. Enter Sloane. Diego’s baby sister and social media manager. Sloane encourages August to cash in on his new found popularity by creating content online for Sugar Blitz. She pushes August out of his comfort zone, both in his personal life and his romantic life. The two have history, which causes some tension and misunderstandings. Despite all this, however, the two decide to work together and through this perhaps discover a second chance they didn’t know they needed.

Overall I enjoyed A Legend in the Baking. I didn’t enjoy it as much as the first book in the series, but it was a cute and easy read nonetheless. I look forward to the next book in the series

When Jamie Wesley released Fake It Till You Bake It, I was excited to read it. Now, the series continues with A Legend in the Baking, starring Sugar Blitz co-owner August and Donovan’s younger sister, Sloane.

Sloane has just been passed over for a promotion she deserved, so she quits and decides to pursue a better marketing job. As part of the interviewing process, she needs to prove her social media prowess by working with another client for two weeks. So she finally takes up her brother’s offer to help out with the cupcake bakery he co-owns, Sugar Blitz. His best friend August works there, too… the man Sloane was once friends with and had a huge crush on. And when he accidentally goes viral, he becomes the star of her social media campaign. But will spending so much time together give the two a chance to finally pursue something sweeter between them?

Tropes & Narrative Devices:
• Former friends to lovers
• Second chance romance
• Workplace romance
• Dual timeline
• Dual third-person POV (Sloane and August)

What I Liked:

• Cupcakes! Real talk: I love baked goods, and cupcakes are definitely near the top of the list of deliciousness. This is what first drew me to both Fake It Till You Bake It and A Legend in the Baking, and reading about Sugar Blitz, cupcakes, and all things baked comfort was both a delight and a bit mouthwatering. It’s probably best to have some cupcakes to snack on while reading this!

• Feminism! I love that here, the feminist ideals first come from August’s impromptu speech to some sexist guys who think cupcakes and baking aren’t “manly.” Shoutout to him for speaking out about it, even if it was unintentional how it spiraled from there. Yes, men can and should bake, enjoy sweet treats, and stand up against outdated, sexist thinking.

• SugarBae! This is how August becomes known as SugarBae and inadvertently becomes a sort of mascot for Sugar Blitz. A bit objectifying to him? Perhaps. But he rolls with it despite being an introvert who avoids attention as much as possible. (As a fellow introvert, I can relate.)

• Baking contest! When Sloane and August have a little baking contest in the Sugar Blitz kitchen? Loved that!! It was a highlight in developing their relationship and reminding readers to reach for those cupcake snacks I mentioned.

What Didn’t Work for Me:
• She went after a guy with a girlfriend. Girl, no!! (In the past; no cheating really happens, thankfully.)

Final Thoughts
A Legend in the Baking is a great mixture of career ambition, friendships and family relationships, baked goods sweetness, and a delicious love story. I enjoyed getting to know August and Sloane, and I definitely want to continue the series. I still need to read Fake It Till You Bake It, and I’ll be ready for Nicholas to get his HEA in the third book!

After reading "A Legend in the Baking" I'm definitely going to pick up the first book in the series and now really looking forward to the next book! The banter between August and Sloane is so great. Two words I would use to describe this book are charming and captivating.

A Legend in the Baking by Jamie Wesley is a delightful blend of romance, humor, and personal growth. The story centers around August Hodges, a football player who co-owns a cupcake shop, and Sloane Dell, his best friend's sister and the new social media manager for their bakery. When August's impromptu feminist rant goes viral, he becomes an unexpected internet sensation, and Sloane is brought in to capitalize on his newfound fame.

Wesley's writing is engaging and full of charm, making the characters come alive. August is a refreshing romantic hero—secure in his masculinity and passionate about his bakery. Sloane is equally compelling, with her determination to succeed in her career and navigate her complicated feelings for August.

The chemistry between August and Sloane is palpable, and their journey from past heartbreak to rekindled romance is both heartwarming and realistic. The novel also touches on themes of family, friendship, and the courage to pursue one's dreams, adding depth to the sweet romance.

While some plot elements could have been more fully developed, the overall story is satisfying and leaves you with a warm, fuzzy feeling. A Legend in the Baking is a perfect read for fans of contemporary romance who enjoy a mix of sweetness and spice.

I loved the first book in this series - Fake It 'Till You Bake - when I read it last year. This one definitely lived up to that and did not disappoint!

This book is full of tension and slow burn between the main characters. As much as the plot could feel un-realistic at times, there were lots of parts that made it feel like this could be a real story: the social media aspect of it, the emotions behind August feeling ashamed of his love for baking, and the romantic vibes definitely felt realistic too! There were so many little details that tied this one together.

Overall it was a very fun read with a great setting. It was entertaining and had a good ending. I can't wait for the next!

I loved this quick, easy read that focused on Sloane Dell (Donovan from the first books little sister) and his business partner, August. Sloane was helping them and their third partner with the social media for their cupcake shop since August blew up on social media and they needed to capitalize on his sudden fame. They knew each other in high school, but August was slowly trying to break down the walls that Sloane had put up. I love the baking storyline and of course there was plenty of spice. Their chemistry was great and I love when a couple is truly friends first, even if the went through a period of not liking each other.

If the reader is looking for an entertaining quick read this is the book for them. They will thoroughly enjoy the push and pull interaction between Sloane and August.

Author Jamie Wesley's development of these two characters was believable and I found myself really wishing to do an intervention so they would take down their walls and talk. This part of their relationship felt very real and twisted my heart with pain.

Sloane was my type of female character she was smart and quick witted in business. Her character opened my eyes to the fact that we can overprotect our heart so much that we will lose out on love.

My first impression of August was that he was the strong silent type, but nothing stood out as memorable and it took me a while to warm up to him. Once the author revealed other facets to his personality I became quite enamored with him.

I hope the reader enjoys this story as much as I did.