Pepper rating: ( )

Super-cute, low-stakes romcom -- perfect for beach reading and nights you just wanna wind down and grin at adorableness without anything *too* stressful happening. I really appreciated that none of the conflict here was from stupid misunderstandings or jumping to conclusions like in so many romances. I hope Wesley writes some sequels, there's potential here for a series!

I always love when my two loves - food and romance collide and this book definitely delivered.

Our 2 leads meet in a classic "we got on the wrong foot" encounter and via the romance gods, get thrown together and have to fake date! Donovan was a doll. I liked him so much, August and Nicholas were a hoot too and I could have gladly read a book just about their antics. I will confess it took a while for me to warm up to Jada as I didn't appreciate her attitude initially. But I will admit that I was totally onboard by a third of the way and was rooting for their HEA fiercely.

Minor quibbles- it took a while for the book to find its groove as I felt the beginning was a bit slow. I also didn't like how over the top the villainess was (although I loved her comeuppance).

Overall, this was a fast, FUN read! I wanted to eat alllll the cupcakes described. The book also had very good supporting characters like Donny's friends I initially mentioned but also Grandma, Ella and the Sisters. I am so happy it seems we are getting a book too and I know its between August and S... :)

Thanks to the Publishers and NetGalley for the ARC ( )

I love loathe-to-love and "fake dating" tropes and this has both! Add in a sprinkle of self discovery, two cups of character growth for both leads, and top with fun side characters who had BETTER get their own stories. ( )

The heroine gained TV-reality show notoriety after refusing a proposal that has hounded her to become a recluse. Her best friend urged her to get out of her home and try retail therapy to raise her spirits up. The heroine met the hero at his cupcakery store and made a comment that riled him up. This memorable first meeting remained in their memory as their second meeting resulted in them becoming with the heroine becoming an employee for the hero's business. When a reporter mistakes the relationship between the hero and the heroine as a romantic one, the two main characters decided to keep up the charade for the hero's business and the heroine's image. Yet the two never thought of making their fake relationship into reality until a turning point changed everything...

This is my first Jamie Wesley book that I've read. I really enjoyed reading the story of a couple with opposite personalities falling in love with each other. There were also some memorable secondary characters that made the story a lot more entertaining, especially the hero's best friends and business partners. I would have liked some better resolutions to certain situations that the couple had, but it didn't detract from my reading enjoyment. Overall, a satisfying contemporary romance and I look forward to reading more Jamie Wesley books in the future. ( )