I love enemies to lovers and the grumpy & sunshine trope, so it's no surprise that Battle Royal hit the spot. The slow burn between Sylvie and Dominic worked wonderfully and I appreciated that their relationship was given time to evolve and develop. The baking competition, the location of their businesses, and the royal wedding cake contract all worked so well for the forced proximity trope. It was refreshing to see characters who were a little older and more established in their lives and that there wasn't some push for marriage and children to enter the mix.

This is my first book by Lucy Parker and I really enjoyed the humor and writing style. It did take me a bit to get used to it though, and there were a lot of characters and subplots to keep track of. I loved how Dominic and Pet's strained sibling relationship was addressed and how the importance of found families versus biological was presented in the book. The secondary characters were a hoot and I really loved Mabel and Pet. I could have done without all the drama involving Jay, Penny, and Helena though. I felt that parts of those storylines added a lot of unnecessary drama and bogged down the main story. Overall, this was a wonderful read and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series featuring a certain personal protection officer and hopefully Pet!

CW: parental infidelity and abandonment, death of loved ones, grief, stutter, physical assault (knife related), discussions of mental illness

*I voluntarily read an advance review copy of this book*

OMG I absolutely loved loved this story - it seriously had Great British Bake Off vibes featuring a much younger, taller and dapper Paul Hollywood !

I am not surprised I like this one as much as I did because I've actually loved all the other Lucy Parker books I've read but this might just be my favorite. This story was just filled with so much emotion and fun and sweetness... literal and figurative.

I'm definitely already planning a reread!

thank you for the opportunity to read early!

I really liked this book. It was well written and each character was layered and kept me rooting for their happiness. I wish there was just a little more competition between Sylvie and Dominic when it came to the wedding cake contract, but it was still a great story! I highly recommend this book, I can't wait for the next one in the series. If you love anything to do with shows similar to The Great British Baking Show, steamy romance, and captivating competition then you will adore this book!

I enjoyed all of the relationships from the main romantic one, to siblings, coworkers, and friendships. All of it was well written, believable, and sincere. A very cute romance with a few low/medium steam scenes.

Not being a big fan or promoter of romance books, I was honestly surprised to recieve this ARC and also by the fact that I absolutely adored this book. If someone had told me earlier that romance books were this heartfelt, sweet, and adorable I would’ve become a diehard romance fan a longggg time ago. Seriously, I had so many misconceptions about the genre and I feel as if this book has proved a majority of them wrong and it’s left me as someone who will inevitably seek out more books like this (I’m already giddy to get my hands on the sequel).

I legitimately had to tear myself away from this book at times to go and actually be a functioning human. I cried, I squealed in a way that I can only describe as the , I screamed, this book is a freaking rollercoaster ride, and it is one that you will not want to leave and that you will take over and over again.

Okay about the book itself, the word I would use is simply enchanting. This book oozes charm and the characters feel like genuine real people who you’d want to be friends with.

Sylvie has so much energy and she seems like one of the sweetest people you would know (both in a baking sense and in a person sense), but she also has a sharper side when it comes to the people she loves being in danger. She’s gone through a lot and I adore the portrayal of a protagonist who has taken all of the terrible things she’s gone through and then used it to become a better person, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it doesn’t come back to her sometimes as you can’t truly lose your past, but you can embrace it.

Dominic is one of those characters that seems to start off as the sarcastic, harsh, jaded male stereotype but as you learn about him, you discover such vulnerability and genuine care for everyone around him. Like Sylvie, he’s gone through a lot and I’d say his journey is more compelling than hers as throughout the book he’s the one who learns how to embrace his past and to be truly vulnerable, and she helps him in that journey

Am I absolutely soft for this grumpy sunshine romance? Yes. The chemistry that these two have is undeniable as well. There are so many tender touches, small gestures of care, and adorable kisses from these two, but they also provide so much steam, with very hot scenes and some er private scenes. (They pull off both being adorable but also a hot couple very well.)

Besides them, there are so many incredible side characters with subplots that I adored. This book has so much plot it’s almost ridiculous, like there’s so many components that you’ll grow to love, but it does a great job of balancing and resolving these conflicts. I’d say my favorites were probably the Pet subplot and the baking show subplot. The Royal one takes up the most space but it’s probably no by the least intriguing one, and I’m still a little confused on some aspects

Still, this book is absolutely adorable and incredible. It’s honestly the perfect beach read as it’s light but still a little tender and emotional, with so many heartfelt storybeats. Go read it even though it may raise your standards for fictional men yet again. (Even though Sylvie and Dom are perfect together, I’d date both of them. Threesome? 👀)
~
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper-collins for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review

Who doesn’t want a romance set between two rival chefs? Especially two with such an intriguing backstory involving unicorn cake? Sylvie and Dom are irresistible. Grumpy-sunshine romances are such a treat and watching these two fall for each other despite themselves and their rivalry for a royal cake while co-judging a baking show was a delight. Also, you’re probably going crave cake. Best to be prepared.
There is a LOT more happening in this book than the blurb lets on. They’re falling in love, there’s their relationships with their found families, the royal subplot as they work to find the information to build just the right cake. It’s woven together well, and mixes the bitter with the sweet in regards to love and relationships with family and friends. Once again, Parker writes a deeply satisfying romance that offers all the feels.

This book, Battle Royal by Lucy Parker, had so many elements that initially caught my attention: a British baking show, enemies-to-lover romance, and a vying for royal wedding cake contract! It sounded like a really fun read.
All the elements were a lot of fun, but ultimately, I think there was maybe too much going on in this story. I never felt fully interested and ended up skimming the chapters to finish.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this book. Set during a fictional Great British Bake-off, a quirky baker named Sylvie is asked to be a judge in the next season. Another baker named Dominic is also a judge and he’s the exact opposite of Sylvie. He’s also His Majesty the King’s favorite baker. When a once in a lifetime baking opportunity arises, the two must compete against each other for the commission.
The GBBO scenes were great, and the personalities of the characters shined through. I’m hoping there will be a follow up! 5 stars.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Two rival bakers. The wedding of the century. Reality TV. And one unfortunate incident involving a unicorn hoof...

Four years ago, Sylvie Fairchild refused to squirm under the eye of critical and moody Dominic De Vere, grandson and heir of the famous baker Sebastian De Vere, on "Operation Cake", a reality TV baking show. Did she win? No. (See above regarding an unfortunate incident) But did she let that kill her baking dreams? Absolutely not. Instead, she set up shop right across the street from De Vere's, starting a rivalry that even the Montagues and Capulets would have been frightened of.

On one side of the street, De Vere's specializes in classic elegance. Lots of whites and neutral tones. And then there's Sugar Fair, bold and bright and a fantasyland.

Sylvie and Dominic have not spoken in person in four years, but now Sylvie has been asked to return to "Operation Cake" as a judge, putting the two in close proximity. And when royal wedding bells begin to ring, Sylvie and Dominic find themselves in the running to be selected to make the cake of the century.

Who will win in this battle royal? And what will Sylvie and Dominic do when they realize that there's not just a contract at stake, but their hearts as well?

Brilliant, funny, witty, emotional, and sweet (pun intended) "Battle Royal" is perfect for fans of the Great British Bake Off, rom-coms, and cake!

This book was sugary sweet!

Enemies-to-lovers ✔️
Baking show ✔️
Royal Wedding ✔️

Battle Royal had me laughing from the very first chapter with iconic unicorn scene! It pits ice-cold Dominic against eternally optimistic Sylvia.

The two meet when Sylvia is a contestant on Operation Cake, where Dominic is the judge. Fast forward four years, and these two have opposing bakeries across the street. They’re not only competing store fronts: they are currently co-hosting Operation Cake and competing for a contract to make Princess Rose’s wedding cake.

Sylvie and Dominic may be the stars of the show, but there are other lovable characters throughout. We get to see more of Pet and the royal couple as Sylvie and Dom grow closer. There’s definitely more than meets the eye with all the characters and it was fun getting to see the multi-faceted sides of them all!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I've really liked other Lucy Parker rom com's before but I'm not sure this one is her best.
Two bakers with very different styles who end up being reality baking show judges love to hate each other. This of course turns into love (think Shop Around the Corner or You've Got Mail.) I liked the setting and the main characters but got so tired of the repetitive description of just how important their friends and staff were to them. Throw in an utterly ridiculous storyline about a royal wedding and the competition for baking the wedding cake, see-it-a-mile-away sabotage, and overly brooding relationships, and this one wasn't a win for me.

If you like enemies to lovers, open door romances (with some very descriptive sex scenes), then maybe this book is more for you than me. However, I still like Lucy Parker and will continue to catch up on her backlist.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy for review.

Reading this book was like eating a fresh out of the oven baked good - a pure delight! I think I gained 10lbs trying to satisfy my cravings after reading this one. I hope it’s the start of a delicious new series!

When I started reading this book, I was unsure what a romantic take on the Great British Baking Show would look like. It looks great! I really enjoyed this book, it’s concept, it’s characters, and it’s general feel-goodness. I guess you could say this was an “enemies to lovers” trope, but I definitely don’t think they thought of each other as enemies. More like competition. They definitely respected each other, even if they didn’t have the same aesthetic.

This book also gives me grumpy hero/sunshine heroine vibes. Dominic is your typical grumpy hero. You think he’s full of himself and he can be rude. Sylvie is bright, sunshiny, and loves glitter and color. They each own rival bakeries across the street from each other and are in competition to win the bid for the royal wedding cake. They also have to be coworkers on “Operation Cake” - a very close look alike to the Great British Baking Show.

I enjoyed all of the relationships from the main romantic one, to siblings, coworkers, and friendships. All of it was well written, believable, and sincere. A very cute romance with a few low/medium steam scenes.

I suppose I can stop sighing and hugging this book to my chest to throw together a few sentences that proclaim my love for it. I loved this book! I loved Dominic the borderline grumpy hero. I loved his fully grumpy cat and not grumpy at all sister. I loved Sylvie, the heroine, and the way she is creative and joyful and damn good at what she does. I love that they met when she was contestant on the baking show where he is the harsh but truthful judge. I love that they are being reunited four years after not clicking on that show when she is returning as a judge, I love that they end up in their own competition for a contact to bake a cake for a royal wedding. I love the way all of the relationships in this book are developed. I love that I lost track of many times I giggled while reading and how many times I swooned. I love that the only thing about this book I didn't love was the fact it had to end.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Battle Royal by Lucy Parker was not your typical enemies-to-lovers story. It was more of a rivals-to-lovers story, because although the protagonists were certainly in competition with one another, it was obvious that they respected each other.

In Battle Royal, bakers Sylvie and Dominic, are competing for the contract of a lifetime, designing the wedding cake for the upcoming royal wedding. They are also judges on Operation Cake, a highly popular baking show. Sylvie and Dominic have a notorious rivalry stemming from Sylvie's time on the show as a contestant.

Sylvie was an absolutely delightful character full of sunshine and kindness and Dominic's tough exterior hid the sweetest and softest man. I loved watching these two fall in love. I also loved the supporting characters, especially, Dominic's sister, Pet. I really hope she gets her own story, too.

Lucy Parker is a new author to me and I cannot wait to read more of her work and the wonderful characters and stories she creates.

Sylvie Fairchild gained fame and a following after appearing on a popular British baking show called Operation Cake four years ago. Looking like a fairy realized in the flesh, the imaginative Sylvie’s fanciful creations and superb sugar work charmed viewers and most of the judges but one for important exception: Dominic De Vere. Sylvie’s creativity came crashing down when a unicorn cake blew off a hoof right into the face of Dominic, who was not amused…at all.

Sylvie was able to parlay her fame into opening her dream bakery, Sugar Fair, with her childhood best friend right across the street for Dominic De Vere’s well-known and respected bakery which counts the Royal Family as patrons. Dominic is the very opposite of Sylvie not only in terms of baking, but personality: she is whimsical and cheerful where he is wooden and a confirmed grouch. Known for his icy demeanor and death stare on the baking show, Dominic does not suffer fools or the likes of Sylvie gladly.

When they have the to opportunity to submit plans for a royal wedding cake for a favorite but controversial princess, Dom and Sylvie realize this would be a pinnacle of success for the winner's career and a financial boost which their respective bakeries need. Both of them have family background issues causing Sylvie and Dom to guard their hearts where relationships are concerned. Initially enemy combatants, they began to work together to fulfill the very complicated flavor requests that the betrothed couple has for their over the top wedding cake.

This fun enemies to lovers tale is very entertaining especially for fans of the Great British Baking Show, British Royal Family aficionados, as well as those who enjoy the British stiff upper lip persona. There are some unsurprising aspects of intrigue including someone who is ripping off Sylvie’s recipes at a competing bakery, and some other predictable moments; however, this story will please fans of Ms. Parker who enjoy her clever slow burn romances

Grumpy/sunshine with a healthy dose of communication and touches. All the touches. They literally cannot be in a room without connecting with one another. I did wish to see a tad more of the ‘enemy’ aspect of the relationship which got swallowed by plot. I felt they softened toward each other a bit too fast. Still enjoyed it. I really liked that the competition stayed fierce between them and they didn’t get wishy-washy from falling in love. No sign of competition martyrdom, thank god.

🦄🧁❤️ “However, the feeling of absolute faith that when the cracks started to appear, someone else would be crouching at your side, helping to bail out the water, and that you could do the same for them. Pretty indescribable.” - Lucy Parker, Battle Royal

How cute! Oh my goodness. It’s enemies to lovers y’all! And I love Sylvie so much! She makes me laugh out loud. So beautiful! ❤️ and it’s the first in a series! I cannot wait for the rest of the books! 😍 I loved it so much.

I loved this book so much!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was a solid read and kept me engaged for the entirety of the novel. I loved Sylvie and Dominic. This is definitely an enemy to lover's trope. I loved that from the very beginning you could tell that Dominic had a thing for Sylvie. I loved the baking element and I loved both of their unique baking styles. I loved the royals and I can't wait to read the second book in the series. Everyone should give this book a read. SO GOOD.

Two rival bake shops. One who loves color and all things glitter, the other who sticks to neutral palettes and despises anything not simple and elegant. When the two bakers find out that they are both competing with each other to win the opportunity to make a cake for a royal wedding, things get crazy. I loved how Dominic reminded me of Paul Hollywood from GBBO. Sylvie is the kind of person I would be if I was a baker.

The relationship in this story is both unexpected and perfect. I loved how both characters butt heads with each other, but at the same time, cannot get enough of each other. This story was an addicting read.

I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.