Rating: 3 out of 5

Style/Trope: Fake dating, soft enemies to lovers, reality tv

Spice: 2.5/5

Jada turned down a proposal on reality TV, and her grandmother is threatening to cut her off from her trust fund. Her grandmother does offer her a job, at the cupcake bakery of a man who she insulted the day before. When she tries to convince him to date her in an effort to fix her reputation, how will he respond? And if they fake date, what will happen if it becomes real for one of them?

This dual-POV book was a fun ride. Jada and Donovan are both good characters and the author went through pains to try to give the characters depth through some backstories. It was fine, enjoyable but I wouldn't seek to buy this book or ultimately reread as it doesn't feel like it adds much. However, I do feel like the author is setting up a sequel between Donovan's sister Sloane and August who works in the bakery. That book I'd like to read.

Fake dating wins again with an Ex-reality star villain and a cupcake baking football player! Jada is all adorable chaos and Donovan needs a little shaking up. This was such a cute and fun read. You will not be disappointed and I’m looking forward to reading more from Jamie Wesley and hope to see more from the other characters.

I loved reading this! Fake dating is one of my favorite tropes, and the characters in this story and their situations were unique. This was the perfect story to read curled up on my couch on my snow day. Highly recommend to romance lovers.

I didn't like this book, to put it bluntly. It was an average fake dating story but there wasn't a hook drawing me in. The setting was cute and had a lot of potential but the story failed to intrigue me. When it comes to romance novels that use popular tropes, I, as a reader, am always looking for how a specific book does a new take on the overused trope. This story, however, failed to introduce anything new which made the story very 2-dimensional for me.

I hate to give this book a poor review as I'm sure it could be a great mindless beach read for some, but I personally just found it boring.

There have been so many baking-themed romances over the past year and FAKE IT TILL YOU BAKE IT was a fun addition. I didn't connect to the protagonists as much as I wanted to, but it was an enjoyable read. Especially if you love baking, this will be a title to add to your Summer 2022 reading list.

Thiswas a sweet little cupcake of a novel. The idea of a bunch of NFL guys running. a bakery was a fun and unique one. The granddaughter is the perfect foil. I enjoyed this light romance.

This was a cute and a little steamy romance. This is perfect for fan of the Bachelorette - there is just enough character development and plot but overall an easy read.

I enjoyed this book. The characters were interesting and sexy. The relationship started as a fake but ended in love. The story was light and fun. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely enjoyed this book. The witty banter between Jada and Donovan made me fall in love with them immediately. This novel is the perfect blend of baking, sports, enemies-to-lovers, and fake relationships tropes.

I think what I loved most about this novel is that it featured strong, intelligent, and driven Black protagonists. It was refreshing to read a novel that was real - the characters weren't perfect but at the end of the day they were successful personally and financially. We need more stories with Black characters such as Jada and Donovan.

I highly recommend this book and if Jamie Wesley ever sees this review, I'd love to see a novel about Mrs. T!

A sweet and fun addition to the baking romance subgenre. A recommended purchase for collections where contempoary romance is popular.

In "Fake It Till You Bake It", professional football player Donovan Dell runs a San Diego cupcake business on the side. One day, socialite and reality star Jada Townsend-Matthews walks into his store with a friend and is rather derogatory about the store's aesthetics. Overhearing her, Donovan speaks up and sparks fly. After their "meet cute", Jada ends up working at the bakery and sparks continue to fly. They decide to fake a relationship when Donovan needs more customers and Jada needs better social media PR, but lines quickly get blurred. I enjoyed their chemistry and thought this was a cute and enjoyable romance novel.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

This starts with a former reality tv star coming off declining a proposal on a bachelor-type show that landed her marked as the season’s villain. In an effort to gain access to her trust fund, Jana agrees to work at the cupcake shop of a professional football player. Through a series of events, the two make a deal to fake a relationship for the publicity and anyone who has ever seen a rom com knows how this ends.

I wanted this book to be a real meet cute, but it felt like there was a heavy lean into romance for a small piece. The story also got to the “conflict” very late in the store (almost 90%). The conflict also seemed to come out of left field and resolve without adding much of anything to the plot. I also think jump cuts in stories or movies are a really boring way to skip over the part of the story where the two main characters are meant to spend figuring out what they want.

I’m not totally sold on the couple even by the end. I think the details about Jana’s grandmother owning the team Donovan played for, Jana taking the job to earn her trust fund and Jana’s family problems centered around her learning disability all added up to a story that just felt like it was a bit of an over exaggeration of any possible situation that could be part of the story.

It’s a really quick and fun read for anyone looking for a sweet story with some spicy moments.

This was a really cute romance that I read in a day. I loved the witty banter between our characters and how much they try to deny the chemistry between them because they are so different.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC!

This is a very well written book. The plot is interesting and easy to read . The characters are relatable and you can’t help falling in love with them. You root for the 2 main characters the entire time. I throughly enjoyed reading this book!

A cute, quick read with heart that will resonate for members of the social media generation! Donovan and Jada's "relationship" takes social media by storm after her fall from grace on a Bachelor-like reality show. What comes next is a classic tale of a buttoned up baker and an impulsive influencer turned event planner winning hearts all over San Diego. Filled with sweet treats and strong supporting characters (including her football team owning grandmother), this book creates a world that can easily support follow-up books. Watching Donovan and Jada support each other through trials and tribulations made their HEA that much more satisfying.

Fake It Till You Bake It by Jaime Wesley is an excellent contemporary romance that is just beyond fabulous. I loved it!

This is the first book I have read by Ms. Wesley, but after enjoying this as much as I did, I am now a huge fan.

I am always a fan of the opposites attract and business arrangement-to-friends-to relationship tropes. To have both tied in together and done well, why I am beyond sold.

Donovan and Jada could not be further apart in regards to their respective places in life at the beginning of the book, but after the rough start, their “fake relationship” that was supposed to be cut and dry…well plans change.

I loved these two characters. The wit, the banter, the humor, the complexity…they are perfect for one another…it just takes them a while to realize it. The chemistry….wow. It is definitely undeniable.

I loved the plot, pacing, and I loved the ending.

Perfect in every way.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and St. Martin’s Press for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.