Jamie Wesley serves up a delightful romance in Fake It Till You Bake It, mixing fake dating, a grumpy-sunshine dynamic, and delicious cupcakes into one irresistible package. Jada, a reality TV star with a PR problem, and Donovan, a straight-laced football player turned bakery owner, fake a relationship for mutual benefit—only to realize the sparks between them are very real. If you love swoony sports heroes, strong-willed heroines, and a cozy, feel-good vibe, this book is a must-read.

2.5 stars! Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

I was really into Fake It Till You Bake It at first, but after the initial chapters, it started to feel a bit too cliché and predictable. The enemies-to-lovers vibe had potential, but it got bogged down with too many unnecessary elements. I liked the characters, but the pacing slowed, and I lost interest—even the first spicy scene didn’t hold my attention.

The characters themselves were solid—Jada and Donovan have good chemistry and growth, but I felt like the story packed in too much. We had social media drama, family issues, business stress, and tons of conflict, and at some point, it just felt like there was too much going on for the romance to shine through.

The second breakup felt repetitive and unnecessary—it wasn’t needed when there were already plenty of layers to their relationship. Also, some of the phrasings seemed off, like when Donovan, a guy from Brooklyn, casually says “besotted fool.” It felt out of place and pulled me out of the story.

It was decent overall, but nothing that will stick with me or make me revisit it. I’m unsure if I’ll pick up the second book, but I’m curious to see if the writing improves.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a super sweet romance and I really loved the setting of the bakery. The fake dating and enemies to lovers aspects were a lot of fun and I really found myself rooting for Jada and Donovan!

Jada, a reality TV pariah, and Donovan, a perfectionist football player-turned-bakery owner, strike a fake-dating deal to save both her reputation and his struggling business. A sweet and delicious blend of fake dating and grumpy x sunshine! I love a good swoon-worthy love story, and this one delivered with an added amount of spice.

Even though parts of the novel felt a bit exaggerated and like the romance was moving too fast, I still had a good time. The chemistry between Jada and Donovan really enhanced the plot. Beyond enjoying the romance, I appreciated that the book covered some serious topics like gambling addiction, the effects of social media, and parental relationships. All in all, I thought this was a fun and delightful read filled with humor and some genuinely touching moments. The writing was solid, the setting was fantastic, and the characters felt fully developed.

OK JAMIE! What a fun, hot, witty book. I loved everything about this from start to finish. The banter!! THE! BANTER! I love fake dating and this was executed perfectly.

A reality star and a cupcake-baking football player pretend to be a couple in order to save his bakery in this sweet and sexy romance

This was such a great story that will make your heart smile several times as the main characters come to the conclusion that they are more important to each other than the "fake" reasons they were pretending.

This book has been on my Netgalley shelf for years and I haven’t picked it up. No shade to the author or the book, I think my taste has just changed and I’m not the right person to review it anymore.

This was so very cute! I loved the idea of Donovan being a pro football player while also being a baker! The connection between Jada and Donovan was sugar-y sweet cuteness!

I didn't care for the third person narration and I just wasn't fully blown away by this story!

But still a very cute and easy read!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced eARC.

I wanted to like this, but it was just meh to me. I didn’t really like either one of the characters. The plot wasn’t that interesting either, but overall, it was just an okay read.

Life got in the way and I could not finish the book. Thanks to the publishers for the chance to read the book.

"Fake It Till You Bake It" was a fun, light read that delivered exactly what I expected: a sweet romance with plenty of cupcakes and a dash of fake dating drama. Jada and Donovan have an opposites-attract dynamic that’s entertaining to watch unfold, and the bakery setting adds a cozy, feel-good vibe.

That said, while I enjoyed the story, it didn’t quite hook me the way I hoped it would. The characters were likable but didn’t feel particularly unique, and the plot followed a pretty predictable path without too many surprises. Still, the chemistry between Jada and Donovan had its moments, and their banter kept things lively.

It’s the kind of book that’s perfect for when you’re in the mood for something light and low-stakes—enjoyable, but not a new favorite. If you love fake dating tropes, cupcakes, and feel-good romances, it’s worth a read.

This was a slow, quiet, but then explosive read.
Relatable aspects to each of their lives.
The romance was off the charts!
Real life issues, gambling addiction to the impact of social media on lives to blackmail to teamwork to how parents’ opinions and actions affect their children even as adults.
The pot was well thought out and was well written!

I loved this book. I have a weakness for bakers as I love to bake so this was perfect for me. A very sweet and perfect romance..

Loved this book so much and can’t wait to continue this series. It’s exactly the type of book I love to read.

What a delicious and fun romance featuring witty banter, fake dating, and the charm of a bakery setting. This rom-com is a lighthearted escape that left me smiling with a story that serves up the perfect mix of romance, humor, and personal growth.

We meet Jada Townsend-Matthews, a reality TV star who has recently faced public scrutiny after rejecting a proposal on a dating show. To escape the backlash, she ends up working at a local cupcake bakery owned by professional football player Donovan Dell, who has dreams of making his bakery a success. When a media mishap forces Jada and Donovan to pretend they are in a relationship, sparks fly, and what starts as a business arrangement quickly turns into something more. Bonus, because of the bakery setting, it added a nice cozy vibe to the romance, and I found myself craving cupcakes.

I enjoyed the chemistry between Jada and Donovan, with their opposites-attract dynamic fueling plenty of witty dialogue and playful moments. Jada’s bold personality contrasts well with Donovan’s more reserved nature, creating a tension that kept me invested in their developing relationship.

Fake Relationship Saves Bakery

Fake It Till You Bake It is a delightful romantic comedy that offers a perfect escape into a world of love, cupcakes, and second chances. Jamie Wesley's engaging writing and well-developed characters make this book a must-read for fans of the genre. While it may follow some predictable tropes, its charm and humor more than make up for it, leaving readers with a warm and satisfying experience.

Too much foul language right out of the gate on this one so I DNF’d it. I was immediately drawn into an accountant sister and baker brother but I won’t keep reading because of the language

Fake It Till You Bake It is a delightful and feel-good romance that offers a perfect blend of sweet treats and sweet romance. Jamie Wesley’s ability to craft engaging characters, a flavorful setting, and a heartwarming story makes this novel a standout in contemporary romance. It’s a testament to Wesley’s talent as a writer and her knack for creating a story that is as satisfying as it is entertaining.

For readers looking for a charming romance with a dash of culinary magic, Fake It Till You Bake It is a must-read. It’s a joyful celebration of love, ambition, and the power of following one’s dreams, and it’s sure to leave readers with a smile on their faces and a craving for something delicious.