3.5 stars

After turning down a proposal on a reality dating show, Jada Townsend-Matthews becomes public enemy # 1 on social media. Circumstances lead Jada to work at Sugar Blitz, a cupcake bakery owned by uptight professional football player Donovan Dell. When a reporter mistakenly believes that Jada and Donovan are dating, they go along with the ruse to create some positive publicity for both Jada and the bakery.

The blurb gives you an idea of the main tropes at play, but it doesn't reveal how Jada first meets Donovan and how she actually ends up working at his bakery. And I won't spoil it for you because their first meeting is epic 😂

I loved the dialogue, the banter, the chemistry, and the humour. I think the author nailed all the necessary elements of a romcom. The plot is ordinary, but the characters are all SO MUCH fun!! I enjoyed the main leads and the supporting characters so much. I even loved the regular customers at the bakery. The steam level is not as high as I was expecting, but it didn't diminish my enjoyment of the romance.

Fake It Till You Bake was a solid 4 stars until the final act. There was already a really good conflict in the final act that Jada and Donovan resolved together as a couple. But the author added another conflict that I felt was unnecessary. Furthermore, since the story is mostly focused on Jada's issues, I felt like Donovan's issues were quickly wrapped up for the sake of getting wrapped up. Aside from the final act, I really enjoyed this book! I hope we're getting August's book after that ending 😂

This is a new-to-me author so I was interested in checking out her writing style and excited to see if the story matched the cover. After reading it, I can easily sum this book up in one simple word. Cute. From the cover to the title to the story. It's just a cute. I can honestly say that I enjoyed this tale about football player/baker Donovan Dell and rich girl without a plan Jada Townsend-Matthews.

The Good
-The snark between the two. Not over-the-top, but enough to see it's just covering stubbornness and mutual attraction.
-Donovan. I was liking me some uptight Donovan. He wasn't over-the-top masculine or anything. He was just a believably real man and came off as someone that I'd be attracted to.
-Nicholas and August. Ummm, yes please give me more.
-Surprisingly, Jada. I wasn't sure I was gonna like Jada but her character had layers and she grew on me. Likable but flawed.
-No silly misunderstandings. This couple actually talked!
-Men baking!!!

The Bad
-This is just me, but I can't stand sports romance most of the time. Particularly when the male protagonist is black. It always feels like a lazy stereotype. As if the only successful black men are the ones who play football or basketball. In this case, it is only a mild strike since Donovan is a baker too! Like I said, my personal dislike.
-Jada isn't likable in the beginning. This isn't necessarily a bad point, since she grows and you fully get to know what her issues are. Just don't stop reading when you first meet her!
-The story drags in certain areas.

While cute isn't usually my go-to in romance, it is something that I enjoy when it's well written. Fake It Till You Bake It, while not the most exciting, is lighthearted and easy to read. Perfect for a lazy, hot day. When this book releases, get yourself a cool drink, a sweet treat (preferably a cupcake!) and settle in front of the AC for a relaxing couple of hours. Overall it was pretty good and it looks like it will be a series so I'll be keeping a look out. 4 stars.

3.5⭐️

I love a good fake dating romance, but this one was a bit underwhelming for me.

Jada was a contestant on (essentially) The Bachelor, where she turned town a proposal from the lead. Her billionaire grandma (the owner of a football team) sets her up with a job at a cupcake shop owned by one of her players.

I liked the setting a lot!! Most of the book was set inside the cupcake shop, and it was cute and cozy. I also though Jada was a likable main character, and the writing was good! It flowed well and was a pretty quick read.

Unfortunately I just couldn’t believe in the chemistry between the main characters… I felt no sparks whatsoever. They said the right things, but I didn’t feel it. This is also a bit of a slow burn… but without the sexual tension.

The MMC described the FMC as bougie soooo many times and it felt excessive to me, especially since she was so humble. Just because she likes shoes she’s automatically the most bougie person he’s ever met? Eh

Overall there isn’t anything wrong with this book and parts of it I had a lot of fun with, it just didn’t fully do it for me. I’d definitely recommend still giving it a try though!!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

let me first say that i enjoyed this book... because i did.

but when i got to the breakup 92% into the story i wanted to throw my tablet across the room.

I was loving Donovan and Jada. They were such a cute couple. I loved their meet-cute and I loved how they went from not liking each other to fake dating to real dating to falling in love.

But that breakup really pissed me off. I just knew they were going to slide right into their happily ever after once they conquered those two twits plotting against them. I felt like that whole section was totally unnecessary. It happened so late in the book and spanned only a few pages.

Overall, the book was good. That breakup just irked my soul.

Fake It Till You Bake It was such a delight! I loved Donovan and Jade so much. They had such fun banter and hot chemistry. I normally don’t read a ton of books about athletes and I was a little hesitant to read this one. I’m happy I read it anyway because I loved it! I think this might turn into series and if it does, I can’t wait!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Totally awesome book. Jada is coming out of a reality tv show where she turned down a marriage proposal. This has made her hated by everyone on social media. Donovan is a professional football player and part owner in a cupcakery. The story is full of wonderful humor. Jada is a walking disaster with a mouth that often says the wrong thing. Donovan loves order and things that are practical. The two of them together are spectacular. The sparks fly as they parry words. Falling in love is not in their playbook but it’s just what happens to these two.

I LOVED it. I loved the relationship Jada had with her Grandma, and thank goodness she had that. I also loved the relationship that Donovan had with his family, including his sisters. Another one where I forgot to read the summary and was so surprised with the initial twist! This was such a good story that mixed my favorite things - sweets and a good romance. I couldn’t read this one fast enough and really hope this will become a series.

Let me begin by saying how much I love the fake dating trope. This book took that trope up a notch with the humor element and instant sparks.

Jada Townsend-Matthews is a very opinionated woman who is visiting a cupcake shop with her best friend Olivia. A comment made leads to her interacting with Donovan, one of the owners, who is a little stunned with her attitude, but intrigued by her beauty. Donovan Dell, along with two other co-owners, are also football players for the local NFL team, that happens to be owned by Jada's grandmother, Mrs. T. As luck would have it, during Donovan's visit with Mrs. T, she asks Donovan to hire her granddaughter in the cupcake shop, and Donovan agrees. As they continue to talk, in walks the beautiful woman who was criticizing the cupcake shop and Donovan learns that she is Mrs. T's granddaughther, Jada! The rest is history. Great story. 4 out of 5 stars.

Fake It Till You Bake it was a good and perfectly acceptable Enemies to Lovers romance with some sports and The Bachelor sprinkled in. Jada and Donovan butt heads upon their first meeting when she insults his cupcake shop. Lo and behold Jada is being sent to work for Donavan by her grandmother who owns the football team that Donovan plays for. Her grandmother wants to instill some responsibility into Jada and help her grow up a bit, if she succeeds she will allow Jada access to her trust fund.

I loved the intentional baiting Jada would do to Donovan just to see how he would explode, it was hilarious. I also really loved Donovan's internal struggle to fight his attraction to his fellow employee and essentially his boss's granddaughter...he did not take the crossing of those lines lightly. Jada and Donavan's chemistry was smoking from the start and the spice Jamie Wesley wrote was delicious, that supply closet scene...whoa! Also how Jada was not ashamed of her dyslexia, even though it was obvious her parents were...she had no doubts about speaking publicly about her learning disorder and I really loved and admired that about her.

I did feel this one was maybe at times...too sweet? Like it was all a bit too easy for them to be together if that makes sense? I think maybe more struggle with the publicist from the reality show or from Dr. John might've made this a bit more juicy, but overall I liked it and would love to read the next book involving August. Gotta love those silent brooding types!

Thank you so much to St. Martin's Press for gifting me an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Deliciously fun!

Jada is trying to navigate the fallout from her latest impulsive move when she accidentally insults Donovan’s cupcakery. Donovan needs something to help improve business but he never expected it to be his rudest customer to date!

I love a good fake dating romance and this one has it all; personality clashes, fierce defense of each other (while also snipping at each other), attraction and tension, and those pesky feels that creep up! Donovan’s understanding and support of Jada is heart melting and her vulnerability is so endearing, especially after we meet her tough outer shell first.

And I canNOT wait for August and Nicholas to get their stories (I’m hoping BFF Olivia gets her a partner too)!

I received a complimentary review copy of this book but all opinions are my own.

Title: Fake It Till You Bake It
Author: Jamie Wesley
Publisher: St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review: Fake It Till You Bake It" by Jamie Wesley

My Assessment:

'Fake It Till You Bake It' was a good read of what can happen when enemies become friends too much because of cupcakes and fake dating. The novel was an enjoyable read that will keep one's attention as you turn the pages to see what's coming next for Donovan and Jada. The characters were well-developed, which helped so well with a good ending.

Thank you, NetGalley and St Martin's Press, for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Sugar and spice and falling in love is the sweet premise of the lovely story behind Fake It Till You Bake It, a funny and warm hearted plot with a delicious ending!

When Jada Townsend-Matthews goes on a reality love show and is proposed to by the perfect guy on television and she says no, her life turns into its own reality story as she becomes one of the most disliked women on social media and in person.

After this episode, one of many missteps in Jada’s life, her grandmother who owns a football team gives her one last chance to figure out what she really wants to do with her life and ground herself or she will not be able to gain access to her trust fund.

As much as her grandmother believes in her, her own parents feel quite differently. You see, Jada comes from a hard-working science-based family who owns a lab. Jada, who is dyslexic has always had a hard time in school and was not able to follow in the family business.

So, she has tried many other careers such as DJing, working as an actress and finally her most embarrassing career, as a reality star. Her parents have had enough of her antics and have cut her off financially. She must now find a job and pay her own bills.

Enter Donovan Dell, hunky professional football player and co-owner of an up and coming, struggling cupcake bakery called Sugar Blitz. Begrudgingly and as a favor to Jada’s grandmother, his boss, he agrees to give Jada a job at his bakery. Jada is not a baker.

Things turn from bad to worse when she is recognized by a customer as that woman who dumped that doctor on television. That’s when with her quick thinking she devises a scheme to get her reputation back. A plan which throws Jada and Donovan and the bakery into chaos. Antics soon ensue but Jada thinks she has everything under control until she finds out she has a few enemies who would like to see her fail. But Jada may surprise everyone and come out of this smelling like a fresh vanilla!

This adorable story is a definite beach read filled with lighthearted witty dialogue and a charming love plot which, if I may suggest being read with your favorite treat, perhaps a cupcake!

Thank you #NetGalley #St.Martin’sPress #FakeItTillYouBakeIt #JamieWesley for the advanced copy. The book will be out June 21.

<b>Get ready for your dose of sugary sweet rom com goodness with a hint of spice from Fake It Till You Break It by Jamie Wesley. What happens when the paths of a scorned reality tv star and a NFL star turning cupcake business owner cross? Sparks fly. Chemistry is created. Swoon and witty banter are delivered in every page.</b>

NFL star Donovan Bell needs control and plan in his life and opening The Sugar Blitz with his best friends aka teammates is one of the very few impulsive things he has done in his life. So he is naturally offended when a stunning customer with bougie attitude criticises his cupcakes. Even worse, she turned out to be his team owner's granddaughter and his new employee. Jada Townsend-Matthews has been trying to get her life together after she has become a source of public hatred for turning down the doctor in the popular reality show finale. Her accidental kiss with Donovan creates a fury of new customer that the business badly needs. But fake dating can always turn real.


<b>This story has so many of my favourite tropes. Enemies to workplace colleagues to lovers. Grumpy hero- sunshine heroine. I instantly loved Donovan for his calm presence and brooding personality and his instant protectiveness over Jada. He didn't like the chaos Jada brought in his life at first. But her colourful sassy personality infused lots of fun and spontaneity in his life and I loved how it changed him for better. He was always too serious and too closed off before Jada. I had a bit difficulty connecting with Jada initially because she appeared like this spoiled rich princess who has too much money to spend and is all about glamour and fame. But slowly the layers of her character are peeled off and we find a vulnerable, big hearted, witty woman at the core. She experienced a lot of rejection and neglect and criticism and reality tv is no joke. This job was her chance for a fresh start and she took it. She was reluctant to the idea and she was a bit annoyed how serious Donovan is. But slowly they formed a cute friendship and their fake dating helped them to know each other. They are like yin and yang. And I love both of their new version so much more. I laughed and swooned and had a marvellous time.</b>

I reviewed an early copy voluntarily

3.5 Stars. Fake It Till you Bake It is a contemporary romance with fake dating, fun banter, and likeable characters.

Donovan is a pro football player on the fictional NFL San Diego Knights, but he and two of his teammates also own and operate a cupcake shop. Jada just came off a reality dating show, and to the shock and horror of its fans – turned down the proposal, so she is not the most popular person on that side of the internet. She’s trying to find some direction in her work life, and her grandma (who happens to own the Knights), get’s her a job working at the player’s cupcake shop. Jada and Donovan clash a bit but end up fake dating to help Jada’s image as well as give the cupcake shop of publicity. But you guessed it, real sparks fly, and one thing leads to another….

Overall, I had a good time reading this. I thought there was good banter and found myself laughing out from time to time. I also like a story where one character is up tight and the other is more of a mess and they balance one another out. What brought it down for me is while I liked the characters, I wanted more from them and their relationship, which is unfortunate because I thought this could be a favorite of the year. The main thing that brought it down for me was the pacing/structure – the 3rd act breakup is at about the 90% mark and for me personally this is too late in a story. I want there to be time for the characters to communicate and resolve the issue and have some story after the resolution. This may not be a big thing for most readers, but something to be aware of when picking it up.

I did like the author’s writing and would read more in this world and HOPE she write more with the other players in the cupcake shop being the heroes.

Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martin’s Press for the advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to @smpromance @netgalley for if this book. This was a fun enemies to lovers story. I enjoyed Jada's spunk to Donovan's stoic personality. The story was cute but I wanted to see more of Jada and Donovan's relationship develop.

Fake It Till You Bake It is the sweet, light-hearted story of Jada, a woman from a wealthy family who has been kind of directionless in trying to figure out what to do with her life. Her parents have cut her off financially to try and force her to get a real job, because the last "job" she held was on a reality dating show in which she turned down the bachelor's proposal during the final episode, making her the most hated woman in the country. Her grandmother has charge of Jada's trust fund, and will release it to her she proves that she can be financially responsible. To that end, Grams uses her influence as owner of the local pro football team to get Jada a job at a cupcakery owned by three of her players. Side note: muscled men who bake cupcakes all day? Sign me up!

Donovan is one of the owners of Sugar Blitz, and he's worried about the recent downturn in the shop's sales. What he needs is more customers, and what he absolutely doesn't need is Jada coming in and upsetting his ordered life. Soon after Jada starts working at the cupcakery, there is an incident in which a little white lie she told on national TV catches up with her and forces her into a fake dating situation with Donovan.

While I mostly enjoyed this book, I did have some issues. The first half of the book runs a little slow and takes a while to develop. On the other hand, the ending seemed really rushed. I think a happy medium could be found with another round of edits. And this next bit may be slightly spoilery, so stop reading now if you want to go into the book completely blind. The whole breakup thing? I really didn't understand it. I mean, I get the whole wanting to succeed on your own thing, because doesn't everybody? But completely cutting Donovan out of her life - like, not even texting each other? That seemed a bit extreme to me. And the way he just tossed aside the three months she completely ignored him and just welcomed her back with open arms? Not realistic. I think I would be very skittish about this behavior repeating in the future and would want to at least have a serious discussion about it. But overall this was a fun read with some likeable characters and, you know, cupcakes.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Griffin for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating 3.75

This was just the cutest book. I’m giving this book 3 stars purely on the basis that I thought this book needed just a little more drama. The drama was basically non existent haha. I did enjoy reading this love story. Donovan is definitely book boyfriend material in every way. Where there’s a problem Donovan is there to validate and reassure his lady. H definitely caused me to swoon.

This was a light and fun read. This book definitely will put a smile on your face.

from fake dating to dynamics between a cupcake baking football player and former reality star, this romance was a refreshing summer read with much entertainment! what i love is when the characters are truly multi-faceted and backstories that show readers their development and have us empathize with them which is exactly what wesley providing with jada and donovan. jada coming back home after going on a reality dating show on a whim for it to end in disaster as she becomes most hated for turning down the proposal, it's surprising to see how much more there is to her background and family connections in the beginning. i truly sympathized with jada on her decisions in life figuring things out, even though she has familial provided financial backup plans, but the way she grew up with many expectations and her family only wanting a specific path for her. donovan is truly an admirable man with his pro-football career as well as opening a cupcake business with two of his best friends and teammates along with stability in his life as he grew up in a household of financial instability due to his gambling dad.
the romance itself seemed a bit quick-paced at times but i still definitely enjoyed it a lot. with the banter between both characters along with both their headstrong personalities clashing at times though they had a high regard of one another's successes. the way social media was intertwined with the fake dating proposal along with how it provided business to the cupcake shop was really clever with the appearances they made contributing to the development of truly falling for one another. the messiness of people coming back into jada's life as she tries to shed that reality show past behind was fun as we got to see jada really come to be secure in herself in addition to finding out what she is best at and the confidence she gains with donovan at her side supporting her. i really hope the author continues this romance's world as donovan's friend, august's story is implied next and there seemed to be a romance hinted at with him and another character.

Read if you like:
☕︎ Fake dating
☕︎ Enemies to friends to lovers
☕︎ Hallmark movies
☕︎ Open door romance

Summary: Disgraced reality TV star Jada Townsend-Matthews is having a rough go of it. After turning down an on-air proposal from the most eligible bachelor, she is both cut off from her parent’s lucrative checking account and at the wrong end of a social media blitz.

When her Football team owning grandmother make a deal with one of her star players to find her a job at his Cupcake shop, she reluctantly agrees. The problem is, she’s already met Donovan Dell, and is not a fan of him or his cupcakes. Soon however, they decide on an arrangement that might help get them both what it is they want in life.

Thoughts: Equal parts sweet, salty and spicy, this book is a quick, fun romantic read perfect to throw in your beach bag or pack for a summer vacation.

First and foremost, the author’s descriptive language is so good, I felt I was watching a movie while reading, that kept me engaged the entire time. I also really enjoyed the setting of this story (except that now I am low key craving cupcakes non-stop) and getting to know not just the main characters, but the utterly charming supporting characters like Nicholas, August, and Olivia.

Speaking of August, I felt hints of a sequel to come and I am hoping it fills in the blanks between August and a certain sister (wink wink). I had so much fun reading about their fabulous book club featuring baked goods and wine galore, basically the book club of my dreams.

I have seen some criticism that this book is too cheesy. Is it cheesy at times, definitely. Are most rom coms cheesy, heck yes. I feel that occurs in most romance novels I read, so I generally don’t judge that too harshly unless it was unreadable. Given that I demolished this book in a day, I would say that is not the case with this one.

My only criticism is that it is dual points of view, but both are told in third person narration which always keeps the characters at arms length for me. With a romance like this, I prefer to really experience it through their eyes and third person keeps me from being able to do that.

Overall though, this is a super cute and fast read, and I recommend checking it out. I am excited to read more from this author soon.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Donovan and Jada were likable in this story. Seemingly oil and water based on their first meeting they quickly worked well together. For as quickly as they had each other’s backs I felt the story dragged.