This is a sweet read, perfectly befitting its rapidly-becoming-its-own-trope bakery setting. Speaking of tropes, this one focuses on the brother’s little sister—and Sloane has been gaga for August since she was a teenager. An ill-timed play for his attentions (he has a steady girlfriend at the time and she’s just finishing high school) leaves both of them wanting to push that memory far, far away.

But football player August is now divorced, and Sloane has been building a successful career in social media marketing. And when she’s offered a chance for her dream job if she can demonstrate a successful media campaign, what better to champion than her brother’s (and August’s) expanding bakery chain?

It’s a little far-fetched that all three football-player friends would be so hands-on in a bakery, but the setting makes for a charming location. And I love how Wesley focuses on the impact of social media and viral moments in this series. Those moments can be both good and bad, and Wesley delves into the impacts of both.

But Sloane has a deeply competitive edge that turns everything she does into a dare, and I frankly got bored with that. After a while, it just seemed childish and worked against what she really wanted. Seeing how August dealt with social-media fame was a treat, and the secondary characters come across nicely. So pick up A Legend in the Baking if you’re looking for a pick-me-up of a book.

Meet football player, August, who was supposed to be the silent partner in a bakery. How and why did this change? What will happen when he again meets up with his friend’s sister and social media personality Sloane? There will be bakery sprinkles and romantic sparks.

Recommended for romance readers. They may then want to go back to read the first title in this delightful series.

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press-St. Martin’s Griffin for this title. All opinions are my own.

A Legend in the Baking by Jamie Wesley (Book 2 of Fake It Till You Bake It series) delivers a slow-burn romance that will leave your heart aching in the best way. Sloane, reluctant to work for her brother, accepts a temporary position managing social media and community outreach for his bakery, Sugar Blitz, after co-owner August—her former teenage crush—goes viral. Sloane and August are forced to work together in close proximity in order to capitalize on the viral moment and for Sloane to prove to her potential employer she is able to lead a social media campaign.

I am a sucker for past and present timelines between childhood (loosely used here) friends. August’s and Sloane’s rich history is an intimate undercurrent to how they interact with each other as adults. August is a charming, thoughtful hero with a quiet magnetism, determined to prove they belong together despite Sloane's efforts to guard her heart against another break by August. This book made my heart squeeze!

Perfect for fans of:
+ brother’s best friend trope
+ workplace romance
+ childhood friends to lovers
+ sweet treats
+ girl boss

Thank you to Griffin for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This was the SLOWEST burn ever. Reading the other reviews, I'm happy I'm not the only one absolutely bothered by the disgusting groping and basically sexual assault. When the entire premise was August standing up for women, then women turned around and assault him, and nothing was said about it? It just didn't seem right or good for the story.
Sloan was a hard character to like. I'm not going to say I hated her, but she was so self-involved and selfish that I didn't support her and August's relationship.

Anybody who loves angsty, slow-burn romances is probably going to love this book. I adored the first one, and I desperately wanted to see stories about the rest of the cast of characters that filled out those pages. This was quite different than I had been expecting. For a series centered around a cupcake bakery, this book felt kind of somber. Added to the incredibly slow burn between Sloane and August plus my rising frustration level that they wouldn’t (perhaps couldn’t) tell one another how they really felt, and I started questioning if I was the right audience for this story. But I hung in there, and the ending made up for just about all my misgivings. The conclusion was as sticky sweet and adorable as I was hoping. Now, I need to know what it’ll take to bring their third business partner to his knees.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley.

Two strong characters who come together to make a strong relationship - plus cupcakes. What's not to like?

A Legend in the Baking by Jamie Wesley is a fun, well written contemporary romance with a cupcake shop in the mix. I didn’t realize this book 2 in the Fake It Till You Bake It series, this reads perfectly fine as a standalone.

Author Jamie Wesley pens a fun romance and she does a great job at giving her characters backstories. Second chance romance is one of my favorite tropes. I liked August. He started baking to honor his mom’s memory and he’s a sensitive beta hero who likes to stay on the sidelines. He’s an introvert and plays pro football as a fullback. I also liked Sloane, she’s smart and straightforward. Much of the storyline revolves around August accepting that he is worthy of love and Sloane letting go of the past and being vulnerable. Although the guys in this story are pro-football players, there are no football scenes involved, in case anyone is curious on that part.

I recommend A Legend in the Baking by Jamie Wesley if you enjoy contemporary romance that will leave you craving cupcakes.

“Just like old times, they were on the same page with no words being spoken. Her heart tugged in remembrance of those good times.”-29% Kindle, A Legend in the Baking by Jamie Wesley

This charming romance is as sweet as the cupcakes Sugar Blitz is famous for, with some added spice to keep things interesting.

Sloane and August lit up the pages with their sizzling chemistry. But talk about mixed signals. Both of them had so many hangups about themselves and their value as a partner. And they had a lot of growing up to do.

It was a quick read with captivating characters, and I enjoyed this journey through past hurts to find redemption and love. There were some flashbacks to when Sloane and August first became friends. This book follows Fake It Till You Bake It, but you don’t need to read them in order.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Imgur link goes to Instagram graphic scheduled for 11/27
Blog post goes live Dec 10th
Amazon review submitted

**TL;DR**: Cute with some very good moments but overall nothing mind blowing.
**Source**: NetGalley, thank you so much to the publisher!

**Plot**: August ends up famous on Social Media for being a feminist and Sloane just so happens to need a job. It was very convenient
**Characters**: Interesting but nothing standout. I did like the brief appearance of August’s ex. She was interesting.
**Setting**: We mainly stayed in the cupcake shops which, in all fairness some effort was put into it, but it didn’t stand out to me.
**Romance:** Weirdly though it was shown in bits and pieces I didn’t really feel much chemistry or angst here.

**Thoughts**:

A Legend in the Baking was… cute. I know I’ve used that word a few times in other places for this but it’s the best I can do. The word fits. It wasn’t stand out, it wasn’t bad - it was cute. I can’t say I’ll remember much of this in the future, and if I do I’ll change my rating but if you’re wanting something in the moment fun than try this!

August goes on a feminist rant at some young guys in his cupcake shop which is caught and posted to social media. He gains traction as #SugarBae and the cupcake shop is swamped with new customers and fans. Enter Sloane - who has just quit her job as a successful social media manager and is looking for work. Her older brother is one of August’s best friends and partners and she swoops in to manage and save August from his swarming fan club. The two have some unrequited love and we see them begin to sort that out and fall into a relationship.

While I didn’t feel the romance, I did like how these two interacted and talked. There wasn’t much as far as miscommunication (one small event in the last 15% serves as a climax), most conflicts being external. That was truly the focus of the story, we spent a lot of time with the two and their thoughts on each other. There was a secondary plot running about the new shop and the neighborhoods worry of gentrification but it is quickly and fairly painlessly resolved.

If you enjoyed the first book I’d say this one is a good follow up. It’s very low stakes and sweet, and if you need something fast and distracting. I definitely found myself wanting a cupcake after that so be wary if you’re watching what you eat!

3 stars

ALC Review: A Legend in the Baking by Jamie Wesley
Pub Date: November 19

Thank you to SMP for the eARC.

This is the second book in this series which follows professional NFL players that own a cupcake shop. Sloane is the sister to one of the owners and has a history with August, one of the other owners. This history has caused a very antagonistic relationship between the two of them so they mostly avoid each other. But when a viral moment causes August to be in the spotlight (which he hates), Sloane helps the cupcake shop use the publicity to their advantage and her own as she tries to get a handle of her career in social media.

I liked the first book in this series but had some issues with the pacing and the fourth act breakup. But I really really enjoyed this one! I loved the relationship between August and Sloane, from them antagonizing each other to them finding common ground once they have to work together.

Read this for:
- Brothers best friend
- Second Chance/It's always been you
- Flashbacks (but not too many!)
- Forced proximity
- Slow Burn

I liked this second installment of Wesley's interconnected romance novels even more than the first. This time we get the romance of bakery co-owner August and Sloane, the younger sister of one of his partners. I thought their backstory made the romance believable and made their chemistry evident on the page. The stakes were a bit higher than the previous novel, and I think that offered the substance that I wanted in the first book. It was definitely an enjoyable read. In my opinion, each can be read as a standalone, but seeing the connections from book to book is always fun.

This was so cute and I loved it!! A football player running a bakery? Sold. The romance was cute and I love a book that involves food and baking.

Just like in the first book, I like the MMC better than the FMC. Sloane just came across as a user. I did like the slow burn between August and Sloane, making it more believable, but then it changed too quickly, making it unbelievable. I'm not sure why this author makes such unlikeable female characters, and yet the men fall for them. They are redeemed sometimes, but it doesn't make for an enjoyable story.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for providing an eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

I loved the last book in this series, Fake It Til You Bake It, and this was such a sweet sequel! I will read every single book in this series. So good.

This book was amazing! I love the build up and anticipation between August and Sloane. The flashbacks give context to why they are behaving the way they are. This is just an beautifully written romance with some comedic elements too.

I would 100% recommend this to my friends and reading peers!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of Jamie Wesley's A Legend in the Baking! I look forward to seeing more literary works by this author.

A Legend in the Baking is another cute romance that I enjoyed well enough. I didn't care for the whole social media setup that drew them together but over time, the MCs and their backstories grew on me.

The story is told in past and present so we get to see the younger version on Sloane and August and where their stories began. I liked August's growth and self reflection, his process of trusting himself and allowing himself to be loved. He's a good example of what it means to have tough conversations with the people you love to get the closure you need after being hurt or let down.

Not to mention he is sexy and charming in the most humble, swoony way. I have a deep appreciation for romance books with men being vulnerable and emotionally open. August was that man.

Sloane took some time to grow on me. I found her feelings around trust to be valid based on her relationship history. I loved the connection with her and August. She's cute and funny but slightly annoying and immature at times.

Because of both their mistrust and miscommunication with each other, the story and inner monologs made the story drag more than was necessary. I found myself speed reading because of the repetitiveness but nevertheless, this had an enjoyable mix of sweet, sexy, romantic connection between characters who are also working through deeper individual issues.

Pick this up if you're in the mood for a sexy, slow burn romance.

Sugar Blitz Two is the slowest burn, but oh so worth it.

I was eager for this one, and ever since I read Fake It Till You Bake It, I have wanted Sloane and August’s story. It’s finally here! This has the tropes you want: the tortured hero, the brother’s best friend, the high school crush. There is nothing like a good tropey book with rom-com vibes.

August is the stoic, brooding football player. Natural introvert, and the guy who likes to bake and be behind the scenes at Sugar Blitz, the cupcake shop he runs with his two best friends. Though a momentary lapse in judgment when some customers act like jerks sends August viral via social media. Of course the man who never wants to be seen is suddenly the face associated with his company. With a second location opening up soon it would make sense to capitalize on this fame, though the one person capable of assisting with that is the one woman he broke the heart of years ago, add in her being his best buddies is sister is a double whammy.

I loved August. He’s probably going to be added to the ranks of preferred book boyfriends. He is not just an athlete or a baker but an intelligent, profound, polite, and caring individual. I definitely understood why Sloane was lusting after this man, and I don’t blame her one bit.

Sloane is also a treat. She’s this conundrum of smart and sassy with a hint of internal dialogue mess. She tends to speak too soon, but in the same vein has brilliant ideas that make up for any of her ‘mouth insert foot’ moments. What I love about her is her independence and determination to make it on her own, along with a hint of self-deprecating humor and a witty attitude that reminds me of myself in many ways.

She’s only into the social media work to help her get a job. Though it puts her side-by-side, the man she’s still crushing on since high school, even after he rejected her. Though August is all grown up, Sloane isn’t incapable of falling right back into August’s arms if the circumstances are right.

What keeps this from being a five for me? The pacing felt off. I respected the fact this relationship had to build slow, the romance elements of the story made sense. But the blend of romance with the external goals was a bit disjointed. It felt like the ending was rushed, and I didn’t get nearly the satisfaction that I wanted. Let me say that this book was very adult in how it wrapped up, which I applaud the author for, though I wanted to see a few people get their just desserts. Give me that fairy tale, please.

Overall, this is a good second story in the series, and I will definitely be reading the last book as I want to see how the playboy Nicholas falls. One additional note: if you enjoy stories that showcase widely different characters done extremely well, this is the series you want to dive into. For those who like rom-coms that are a bit more realistic and a grovel that will make you tear up, A Legend in the Baking should be at the top of the TBR.

~ Landra

3.75stars-A LEGEND IN THE BAKING is the second instalment in Jamie Wesley’s contemporary, adult SUGAR BLITZ ( Fake It Till You Bake It) erotic, romance series focusing on professional football players and business owners Donovan, August and Nicholas. This is San Diego Knights fullback, divorcé and co-owner of Sugar Blitz Cupcakes August Hodges, and twenty-nine year old, social media manager Sloane Dell’s story line. A LEGEND IN THE BAKING can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

Told from omniscient dual third person perspectives (Sloane and August) focusing on two timelines, A LEGEND IN THE BAKING follows the building relationship between our story line couple. After a rant defending femininity and masculinity goes viral, August Hodges finds himself at the mercy of the internet but when Donovan Dell’s sister is hired to help control the social media content, August Hodges finds himself facing the woman who stirs all of his urges, a woman whose heart he destroyed years ago. Enter twenty-nine year old Sloane Dell, his best friend and teammate’s younger sister. As Sloane attempts to navigate and control the online media explosion surrounding August Hodges, our couple find themselves facing another type of vitriol when Sugar Blitz Cupcakes sets about to open a second location.

The world building focuses on the past and the breakdown of a dysfunctional family unit: the incident that pushed Sloane out of August’s life, ; the fall-out and of a marriage, and a career going nowhere fast. As August’s defense of femininity goes viral, so too does his popularity with the women, and the explosion of interest in Sugar Blitz Cupcakes.

The relationship between Sloane and August is a best friend’s younger sister, unrequited love. Sloane has been in love with her brother’s best friend August for as long as she can remember but Sloane was always treated as the little sister but the heart wanted something more, and August was about to destroy any hopes for a happily ever after. Working with August brings Sloane up close and personal with the fame and fortune of a professional football player, the fame of being pulled in several directions. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate and intense.

The secondary and supporting characters are energetic and entertaining including the return of Sloane’s brother Donovan Dell, and his girlfriend Jada Townsend-Matthews, and football player and Sugar Blitz co-owner Nicholas; August’s ex wife Melinda DeJesus; August’s father Dale Hodges; football fans and angry neighbors.

A LEGEND IN THE BAKING is a story of family and friendships, relationships and love. The premise is edgy and entertaining; the characters are animated and determined; the romance is spicy and spirited.


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Such a fun concept for a series! A trip of football players who co-own a cupcake shop--I've never read anything like it. This is the second book in the series and an absolute delight. An easy and quick read that will have you craving cupcakes throughout the whole thing lol

I didn't realize when I started this book that it was the sequel to a book I really liked, Fake It Til You Bake It. We finally find out in small flashbacks what happened with August and Donovan's sister Sloane in the past. He was my favorite side character in the first book and still my favorite now. As the guys navigate opening a new cupcake shop against community protests and the crazy fans of his unintended viral video, Sloane steps in to help with their social media presence. They fall back easily into their friendship, while both secretly wishing for more. I'm so happy they got their HEA. I'm looking forward to Nicholas's story next.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.