In the Case of Heartbreak is the second in a series. Unfortunately I didn’t read the first, so my only meeting with these two characters is in this book. Apparently they have known each other for years, and have been unknowingly pining for one another the entire time.

Ben is a baker and on a reality TV show. He’s sent a cease and desist order for using a recipe allegedly handed down from his father (not the case) but Ben is already grappling with a hefty dose of trauma courtesy of his father, so this doesn’t help at all. The TV network proposes it’s not such a big deal and can be mitigated if they see more of Ben with Adam, his friends brother, who is mistaken for Ben’s boyfriend on the reality show, and subsequently has the world -shipping them.

Ben takes some time out to work out his options, taking two weeks for his Grandmother’s birthday party. Unlike the rest of the cast of this book G-ma sounds like a real hoot, but it appears she’s got money problems and might have to be bailed out by Ben’s mother. G-ma and her parties sound like a cross between Priscilla Queen of the Desert and the Rocky Horror Picture Show. When Adam turns up at G-ma’s party the writing is on the wall, and the boys are declaring their love left right and centre for one another.

There’s more but it makes for a bit of directionless book, as much as I wanted to love it.

What didn’t work for me with this one is -
* it was about cake-ing and baking but apart from the little at the start there wasn’t a whole lot of either, just loose references to Ben owning the business (which really G-ma gifted to him) and his friend who was covering for him in his absence. And there’s the one cooking scene which was more like foreplay really, and somewhat cringey.
- the one POV from Ben felt emotionally juvenile and made him sound like he was whining.
- there was no buildup to Ben and Adam getting together. I can’t say whether it happened to some extent in the previous book
- the romance scenes seemed as if they were going to be off page and then there’s a scene with oral sex that was pretty graphic. It didn’t make sense to me. Particularly when the off the page happened first … (it doesn’t bother me either way, it just seemed as if the author couldn’t decide how far to go).
-the resolution of Ben’s father being a shitbag was really unsatisfactory, and a real whimper considering the trauma and disruption caused throughout the book.
- Adams voice was like an annexure and I wanted to know more about how he’d arrived at the point he was at.

Thanks to Kensington Books and Netgalley for the eARC of this book.

I really loved the previous book in this serious, but I was overall disappointed by this one.

I thought there would be more baking, but there’s only the one baking scene, and its mostly used as foreplay. And there’s more alcohol consumption described than tasty baked goods, which was surprising given this book was marketed as a bakery-focused romance.

And even with the very steamy romance, this book was a lot heavier than the first one, as the main character, Ben, deals with a lot of weighty issues, still working in therapy on some MAJOR emotional damage from his childhood, and a lot of old wounds being reopened by the current-day plotline involving a cruel father and the perils of owning your own business and being on reality TV.

I loved that Ben has people that he can - and does! - talk to and a network of support that rally around him. Even better that he acknowledges how privileged that is. Its nice to see a main character that doesn't bottle everything up and create manufactured tension by deliberately withholding crucial intel from the love interest.

But then, after putting the main character through the wringer, in the end, everything is solved by Grandma’s typical Boomer dragon horde of money and Ben is told not to worry his pretty head about anything, G-Ma has waved her checkbook and fixed everything for you. Also, the father is never punched in the mouth or taken away in handcuffs, I would have accepted either one. But no, he merely slithers away with no final confrontation or take down by Ben. He just pays an unofficial fine to Grandma off stage.

Not the ending I was looking for! It felt too easy and un-cathartic after everything Ben went through.

title: In the Case of Heartbreak

author: Courtney Kae

publisher: Kensington

publication date: July 25, 2023

pages: 320

peppers: 3 (on this scale)

warnings: childhood trauma talked about a lot, drug use

summary: narrator Ben runs a bakery that is competing, using a cinnamon roll recipe that mom adapted from absent/neglectful father's recipe, on a baking television show. At the same time, Ben finds out that his father issued a Cease and Desist order about using the recipe, that his grandmother, who's throwing a huge, multi-day birthday bash for herself, is going broke, and that his longtime crush Adam will be playing at G-ma's party and sharing the guest cabin with Ben.

tropes:

rockstar
baker
the one that got away
longtime crush
wild grandmother
two-week party
vacation town
forced proximity (which is also the  name of the band in the book)
childhood trauma
children who try to take care of their parents
don't want to ruin the friendship
bad father/good mother

what I liked:

describes some fun costumes
grandmother's parties sound entertaining
some good puns

what I didn’t like:

the two MC spend ten years pining for each other and not saying anything about it; then, once they start talking, they talk about everything and say exactly what a textbook of a supportive person would say.
the first person voice is too whiny and insecure; he covers the same emotional ground too often and doesn't listen to all the people saying just the right things to him.
the dialogue seems forced and juvenile

overall rating: 1 (of 5 stars)--I didn't like the narrative voice on this one at all.

Such a great romcom! After reading book one in this series, I just knew Ben and Adam had to have their story told. And it’s finally here!

This book seems to almost jump right into the middle of the story, with Ben already involved in a baking reality show and head-over-heels for Adam. This worked really well for the book, with lots happening right off the bat.

The secondary characters are top notch (and fun to revisit some we met in book one), although I’d love to punch Ben’s dad right in the face. Just me? Nope, I didn’t think so 😜 And now… let’s hear from Whitney and Tanner next, please!

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. Watch for In the Case of Heartbreak to come out July 25, 2023.

Having read Kae's first Fern Falls book, I was already in love with Ben and Adam and couldn't wait to see what their love story would bring. In a lot of ways, this second book shows maturity in Kae's storytelling. The plot was not so predictable that I could see every move coming like I could in book one. Far from being a light and fluffy read, this story contains deeper emotional arcs and darker themes despite the sunny beach backdrop. My primary concern with this book is characterization. Ben and Adam's voices are at times not terribly distinct. It's hard to feel like they come to life when their voices can be so one note. Furthermore, Kae has a tendency to make multiple allusions to cultural touchstones that may fall flat if a reader isn't familiar with the references. However, I do salute Kae for modeling a relationship between two men that demonstrates solid, healthy emotional communication. And the overall message is as sweet and rich as Ben's cinnamon rolls: that while the love of others can nourish us, first we have to learn how to accept it.

Thanks to NetGalley for an arc of this book.

I already feel in love with Fern Falls and Ben in the “Event of Love” and “In the Case of Heartbreak” doesn’t disappoint. The book feels like a warm hug and gives the reader a heartfelt love story to root for.

The book centers on Ben, the owner of Peak Perk Cafe, who is desperately in love with his former best friend Adam who seems to only have eyes for his band mates. Enter a baking competiton, a famous idiot of a father, miss-understandings and a G-Ma that loves to celebrate her birthdays in style.

I love character-driven love stories and Ben’s anxiety and his growth are what kept me following along. I once more fell in love with the side characters from Ben’s G-Ma to Whitney his temporary replacement at the café, they all adds much life to the story.

I highly recommend this book to everyone who is looking for a cute love story with an honest representation of mental health struggles.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for an arc of this book. Below is my honest review.

This is the second book in the Fern Falls series. It can be read as a standalone. However, keep in mind that some of the events in “In the Event of Love” will be spoiled.

Ben, who we met in book one, runs Peak Perk Cafe which is one of two finalists in a baking competition show called “Take the Cake National”. One month after filming at the bakery, Ben’s famous cinnamon rolls will face off on live tv versus a cupcake baked in a waffle cone. (Okay, that sounds amazing, but I’m still rooting for Ben). The winners confections will be mass produced and sold in a big box store. All Ben wants is to prove to his mother and G-ma (yes, that is how his grandmother wants to be referred to in her ninth decade) is that he can and will succeed. Except for maybe possibly not being able to tell his long time crush Adam his feelings.

Then, a double whammy hits Ben and he has no idea how to handle everything. Fortunately, he has plans to go to Maywell Bay for two weeks to celebrate g-ma’s 80th birthday with his family. And who happens to be there? Read and find out.

Oh my, how I adored this book. I am very much a character-driven reader. I could not get enough of Ben and Adam. Adams love, trust, and understanding was goals. He is one of my all time favorite love interests …and, that’s saying something because I read a lot. Seeing Ben working through his anxiety was so heartwarming and hopeful. The anxiety representation felt spot on. How Kae handled triggers that place you right back in that situation from your past was masterful and done with care.

And, we can’t forget the secondary characters. G-ma is a laugh riot. I loved each and every scene she was in. Ben’s family was lovable and huge. Oh, and I forgot how much I liked Whitney. We better get a Whitney (and Tanner?) book next! Please and thank you.

Listen, I cannot recommend this one enough. I know I will be rereading many many times. Solid five star book. Go out and get this as soon as you can I if the plot seems up your alley. You won’t be disappointed.

CW’s provided at the start of the book. They include childhood trauma, mental and emotional parental abuse and neglect, depression, and anxiety. Parental divorce.

In the Case of Heartbreak is a book I’ve been anticipating for a long while, at least since I first read In the Event of Love early last year. So, obviously, I devoured it the moment I got my grubby little mitts on the ARC.

This one is Ben and Adam’s story, which I was hoping for from the second they appeared together in the first book. Ben believes that his crush on Adam is unrequited, a position only strengthened when Adam seemingly emphasises their friendship and thus rejects him on live TV. Ben takes two weeks away with his grandma at her birthday party in a bid to recover his equilibrium, only to discover that she’s gone and invited Adam too. On top of this, Ben is having to deal with his arsehole of a dad claiming Ben’s cinnamon roll recipe as his own.

Adam and Ben’s relationship is very sweet and it’s one that, throughout, you’re rooting for them to make work. There are stumbling blocks, of course, and the minor quibble of a third act break up to navigate (which, frankly, I thought they both seemed to take out of proportion — was Ben not simply asking Adam… to go on holiday for a bit, give themselves a moment to breathe? It was hardly a break up! — but maybe I’m not cut out for this drama), but the best thing about this book is you can tell how much they love one another from the very start.

It was also lovely to return once again to Fern Falls and to see the family that’s starting to build up around these books. I really hope there’s going to be a third book because there’s a certain pairing I am very curious about (you can probably guess who it is…) but also because I don’t want to leave these characters behind just yet.

So if you’re looking for your next small town romance series to dive into, let Fern Falls be it!

This book was so deeply sweet and heartfelt and I felt like I was being wrapped in a huge hug. It's also so deeply painful and I loved Ben's personal journey with trying to accept love and loving himself in the process. I loved every single part of it. I think Ben is one of the sweetest characters ive ever read about. Ben and Adam's love story is so pure and precious and full of light.
Thank you to NetGalley, Kensington, and the Author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
tw: narcissistic father, past parental neglect, and emotional abuse.

Thanks you Kensington Books and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. Such a cute and heartwarming story! Ben is trying to save his bakery by going on a TV baking contest. During the live opener it’s made are that his friend Adam, and the guy he had crushed on his whole life, doesn’t see him that way. Luckily he has two weeks at his G-MA’s for her 80th birthday to get over Adam and prepare for the baking show. That is of course if he can stop his father, who he hasn’t seen in years and barely speaks to, from getting in the way. Not to mention how he’ll move past Adam when his G-MA has hired him to play in the band for her birthday. Will something more develop between the two? Can Ben make it to the baking competition? I love the backstory that Courtney Kae creates for Ben it enhances everything that Ben is currently going through! I love that I could see myself in Ben and that anyone who’s ever had a crush that might not have been reciprocated could as well! I love that Ben is sweet, kind, and genuine! Adam is caring, outgoing, and fun! I love G-MA and her extremely loose idea of boundaries! Ben and Adam’s story is filled with ups and downs! In The Case Of Heartbreak is touching, deep, and very romantic! Everyone should have a connection like Ben and Adam’s! Highly recommend for romantics! Can’t wait to read it again!

This book was enjoyable.
I loved how the side characters of this book really added to the story. They were funny, had strong personalities, and I loved the banter between them and the main characters. However, I missed some depth in the main characters, especially from adam.
The book also had great representation from diverse characters. There were people with different gender identities and different mental health issues. Unfortunately, sometimes, I was a little bit overwhelmed with the anxiety from ben. I was also not a fan of the miscommunication trope in this book.
Last but not least, i enjoyed the setting. It really gave some cute summer vibes.
Overall, I think this is a cute and enjoyable read. If you enjoy a cute romance with also a strong representation of mental health issues, I will definitely recommend this to you.

Thank you, netgalley, for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All the opinions are my own.

This book leaned hard into the miscommunication trope, and not just when it came to the romantic relationship. Honestly, if any of the characters would have just communicated their thoughts, worries, concerns, etc at any point in this story, everything would have been so much smoother. The MC and love interest didn't even manage to hash out a full conversation until 50%. (Literally, it was the 50% mark in the book.) They kept getting obnoxiously interrupted or straight up assuming what the other person had to be thinking. It made the second half seem almost too easy, even though they still didn't communicate well. And even when one character would clearly say what they were feeling, the other would decide to ignore what was said and believe what they wanted to anyways. It was a bit frustrating.

That said, the overall story was cute. I liked the characters and was rooting the main couple to get together. There was a lot going on with the plot and I feel like it could've been a little simpler (a birthday party PLUS a baking show PLUS a legal battle PLUS a budding relationship PLUS a possible music touring gig PLUS everything else going on in their personal lives), but it mostly worked even if parts were lost in the chaos. Everything came to a nice, neat conclusion with a delightful HEA.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.

Getting a one-two punch of contact with his absent/neglectful/narcissistic father and being told on live TV that his lifelong crush is only interested in friendship within an hour was a lot for Ben to manage and away we went with this book.

I just loved Ben so much in In the Event of Love. He was clearly the Ethan Embry character to Morgan's Reese Witherspoon in their Sweet Home Alabama moments in Book 1. The eternal helpful character who doesn't seem to take anything for himself. In this book we see exactly why that is and ouch.

I will love Adam forever for being so stable and loving with his feelings after we got through the initial awkwardness in this book. Once he realized he had permission to court Ben, it was ON. I am still unwell from "my feelings from you are not fragile."

His father though, I loathe entirely. I even messaged the author and asked if she can arrange to have him murdered or imprisoned in any future books. TBD, friends. I tried though.

Thank you to Courtney Kae for a copy in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own.

Adam and Ben are literally goals, i loved their relationship so much, the communication, the understanding, the mutual pining!!! Ben's anxiety hit close because i too struggle with anxiety but seeing him fight every day to get better made me feel really good and proud of him.
it was a cozy read and all the summer vibes were much needed!

Courtney Kae is back and this sophomore offering is as sweet and swoony as the first. A recommended purchase for collections where romance is popular.

What an exceptional sophomore novel! Courtney Kae has really found her groove in writing emotionally healing and romantically mushy books. I loved Ben’s characterisations, his journey with anxiety and depression, and his strength in breaking the toxic cycle with his father. I loved the straightforward nature of his relationship with Adam and how once the anxiety of initial admission was overcome, the story became one of honest communication and growing into the best version of themselves to be good partners to each other. A stunning stunning book!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Kensington, and the Author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

CW: parental neglect (past), parental abuse (emotional, past), depression, anxiety (on page), alcoholic father (side character), parental abandonment, blackmail

The second book in the series, this can be read entirely as a standalone

I would recommend if you're looking for (SPOILERS)

-m/m contemporary romance
-childhood crush
-slooow burn
-friends to lovers
-quirky family

I'd been rooting for Adam and Ben since I read In the Event of Love. Their romance was soft, tender, and very much about learning how to trust in love after being hurt.

Ben had a traumatic childhood, emotionally and physically abandoned by his father. But therapy, friends and families have truly benefited him, though in a lot of ways he hasn't dealt with those feelings of abandonment and what happened with his dad. Striking gold with a cooking competition show has his dad also knocking on his door, and with the added complication of things potentially falling into place with Adam, Ben is stressed to say the least. Ultimately this is Ben's journey as he learns to accept love and lean on everyone in his life. His family, Adam and trust in himself.

The romance between Adam and Ben is just soft. Adam courts Ben, as they both admit their feelings and learn how to be all in with each other and figure out their lives with each other. All while dealing with Ben's G-ma's wild birthday extravaganza.

Emotional and tender this was a beautifully written read.

Steam: 3

A sweet, swoony cinnamon roll of a romance! In the Case of Heartbreak is full of romantic yearning, quirky characters, fabulous parties, and, most importantly, healing through self-love.

After reading and loving In the Event of Love last year, I was SO excited for Adam and Ben's story. Sadly, I was really let down by this novel. The writing felt clunky, the plotline far-fetched, and the romantic development all over the place. There was very little tension and buildup before Adam and Ben finally got together, and then once they were together it felt like nothing was really going on. I also found the dialogue/conversations in this book to be really forced; it took me out of the story and got in the way of me rooting for this romance. Really sad to say but this was a big disappointment. :(

✨ ARC REVIEW ✨

4.5⭐️ 1.5🌶️

In the Case of Heartbreak met all of my expectations!! It was so warm and tender and absolutely full of love. It’s definitely a book I see myself coming back to.

Courtney Kae delivered the small town vibes we came to love in Fern Falls but in a new setting of seaside town, Maywell Bay. Perfect for a summer romance! The plot was fun and entertaining, but also lended itself to more serious conversations surrounding mental health, self-worth, and the lasting effects of trauma.

I think Adam is the kindest, most thoughtful character I’ve ever read, and I just love him to bits. The way he loves Ben is so beautiful that it truly made me tear up several times while reading 🥹 The man fantasizes about making Ben coffee, for god’s sake!!

And oh, my sweet baby Ben. What an accurate and heart wrenching portrayal of anxiety and self-doubt. I saw so much of myself in Ben that his journey was painful to read at times, but also filled me with such hope. The way I was rooting for him the whole time!!

Courtney Kae has the unique ability to make you love the side characters just as much as the MCs (petition for everyone to have a G-ma!!). They always create such a diverse cast of kind, genuine characters.

In the Case of Heartbreak is a sweet and swoony queer love story full of delicious baked goods, meddling grandmas, and a path to self-acceptance.

Thank you so much to Courtney Kae, Kensington Books, and NetGalley for the ARC!