Member Reviews
I really enjoyed this breezy, light summer read!
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for my advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest feedback.
"Piece of Cake" is a cute lovestory, set in the heartwarming southern USA with the wedding industry as the backdrop. The story flow was smooth, like buttercream on cake. While it didn't sweep me off my feet or change my life's trajectory, I must admit, it was a delightful distraction. No long-lasting effect? Nope. But did I have fun? Yes. But here's the twist. While I was happily savoring this feel-good romance, there was this tiny nagging thought. The full caucasian, heteronormative, higher-class cast shedding tears over their generational wealth left a sour taste in my mouth. If you're in the mood for a slice of charming romance, this one might just be the icing on your literary cake!
Cute romance but not my favourite. I did expect a lot of the plot and the characters could have been pore profond. But still a nice romcom when you need an easy read in which to escape!
Love it!
Thank you soooooo much netgalley, the author and the publisher for the advanced review copy if this book💗
"I voluntarily read and reviewed the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”
This story has all the makings of a cute romcom with a southern setting, a workplace obstacle to overcome, and an office rivalry that drives the story. There were some laughable moments, and it definitely keeps your attention as the two main characters navigate different social events and settings. Female MC Claire is a writer for a local magazine, and is paired with New Englander Dominic to make videos to showcase the bridal industry. While on assignments, I feel like authors did a good job on detailing some of the bridal events and hiccups that can happen day of during events. Though my planner brain was having anxiety reading about these moments. It’s a fun story to pick up as a quick pool or beach read.
Where the story fell flat for me is I didn’t feel like Claire was a really likable character, and she didn’t do too much to apologize for errors in her past. She came across as a typical southern socialite, who despite being “cut off”, was still not connected with what modest living is. Which is too bad because the male MC Dominic had potential to be a swoonworthy book boyfriend, but he was almost along for the ride of catering to her.
Read if you like…
Office Place Rivals to Friends to Lovers
Wedding Planning
Kissing only, no spice
Southern Locations
HEA
I really enjoyed the narrator. She had the perfect southern charm and accent down. She was fun to listen to, and would listen to more narrated by her.
Thank you to the authors, HarperMuse Audio and Netgalley for the copy of this arc.
A southern belle disgraced after a massive mistake that, not only left her reputation in tatters but also her trust fund frozen, Claire is trying to make it on her own in Nashville. Unfortunately, the wedding magazine she works for is going under and it's up to her and New Yorker, Dominic, to turn things around. This was a cute audiobook that had a fun, interesting angle. I appreciate it when books have unique storylines--reading about all the different weddings, the issues that can arise, being a content creator, etc was fun. The romance itself was cute and I liked Dominic and their banter, however, Claire in particular was a tad annoying. She acts like she is completely destitute even though her millionaire parents are a phone call away and she can access her trust fund when she turns 40. This made it a little hard to relate to her, but overall, this was a good audiobook and I enjoyed the narration.
I tried with this, but the narrator drove me nuts.
I received an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.
first i wanna say tanhks to Net Galley and Author for provinding me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
So the descrition of thr book really got my attention, because , of rom-com, romance kinda slow, i', totally in guys but in the first 36% the book was fine great fnny even. But than the girl was saying some things that was, idk, kinda weird. And from then on the book started to get a bit boring.
For me maybe was cause i was expecting something and than, boom. But i really thnik you guys should try read this one, cause c'mon wwe are talkinh a TV show how cool is this!!!!
First I want to thank Harper Muse Audiobooks for providing me a copy of the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
This is the story of Claire, a magazine staffer for the last print bridal magazine in Nashville, who after coming up with a digital show for the magazine is forced to work with Dom, NYC based content creator, to develop the show and save the magazine. When Claire's baby sister gets engaged midway through the project she is forced to face her past and include her sister's wedding and wedding planner, Claire's former employer, in the digital pitch.
What I loved:
- Narration, I think the narrator for this audiobook did a great job differentiating between the different accents even between a Nashville and a Dallas accent which are slightly different
- Weddings, as this is a story based around weddings I loved the mix of weddings throughout the story from the most extreme to a more subdued courthouse nuptials
- Dom, he is a content creator focused on weddings and it was refreshing to have a man choose weddings for his niche since it wasn't expected and brought unique insights
- Family, I think the authors hit the nail on the head when describing Claire's family and the dynamic. Some might think aspects of it was unreasonable but sadly its how some families actually are
There was a lot of good in the book but some of the aspects that I didn't love was how slow of a burn the romance was and Claire not being upfront about her past with anyone. Overall, this was a sweet romance and I would recommend to any reader who likes reading about weddings and slow burn very light romance books.
I found this rom-com to be quite cheesy. I didn't really buy the relationship development throughout the story so it seemed kind of forced by the end. Overall just an ok read.
This was a decent, quick read. I had a little bit of a hard time connecting to Clarie at first (which is no fault of the narrator- they did amazing) but I eventually enjoyed her character more. The romance was alright, nothing I would write home about but decent.
Overall rating: 2.5 (rounded to 3) stars
I love a sweet, clean, classic romantic comedy! This is my first narration by Brittany Pressley, and I think she nailed it. It was really perfect!! It was hard to connect with Claire at the beginning due to all the negativity, but that's just me personally.
This was a really fun listen! The narrator did a great job! Very lively and enjoyable voice; if I'm honest, she reminded me of Reese Witherspoon in Sweet Home Alabama, and I love that movie!
I will admit that Claire's negativity frustrated me at the beginning, but it made it even more enjoyable to see her grow as a person throughout the book. Dom was absolutely lovely throughout the whole book! So kind, fun, carefree, encouraging, dependable., etc. I loved the way their work dynamic/friendship adapted as the book progressed. There was a good, natural, healthy progression that felt genuine and not forced. They were put in so many fun situations throughout the book that had me cracking up!
There were really great moments of growth and understanding throughout the book. There are strong family dynamics that I feel many can relate to in their own way. The third-act drama isn't your typical scenario and that was appreciated.
I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it to others.
I was excited to read this romance featuring Claire, a wedding magazine writer and set in Nashville. Claire has been displaced from her family but when her sister plans to get married, she has to begin to face her choices from the past. I wasn't sure how to feel about Claire, at first, but I enjoyed as the story went on and I got to know her and her journey a bit better. Dom, won me over from the start and I enjoyed the scenes that he was in! I liked the pace and narrators for this story as I listened to it. Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for an advanced copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own!
This was a sweet clean romantic comedy. I listened to this audiobook and although the narrator Brittany Presley is one of my favorite, I wish it had a male narrator as well. I laughed many times at Claire and her antics. I loved this story and the path that Claire takes to find herself and make a name for herself despite her upbringing in a rich prestigious family. This was a fun read and will be added to one of my favorites.
I just didn’t connect with this character. It felt like the romance wasn’t prominent and should be more womens fiction.
Just like the title, this book was a “piece of cake”. The story was very entertaing, if lacking substance. The enemies to lovers trope was very effective and the two main characters had as much chemistry as a couple can have in an audiobook. I enjoyed the narrator and she did a great job expressing a variety of emotions. Overall, if you are craving a light read with some heart, check this book out.
I honestly enjoyed listening to the audiobook version of this title. This was the first book I read from Mary Hollis Huddleston. I enjoyed the message about cancel culture and the romance aspect was really sweet. I wasn't overly enraptured by the story but I enjoyed listening to it in passing. I loved that it partially took place in Dallas because I understood all of the references to the different known Dallas spots. I recommend this if you are looking for something light and romantic.
🍰Review🍰
4🌟🌟🌟🌟
📖Book 70/100
📚Piece of Cake
💫Genre: Romance
✍️by Mary Hollis Huddleston, Asher Fogle Paul
🎧Narrated by Brittany Pressley
🍰🍰🍰🍰🍰🍰🍰🍰🍰🍰🍰🍰🍰🍰
📝Synopsis 📝
Claire escapes her Dallas, Texas past and moves to start fresh in Nashville, Tennessee. She’s trying to live independently and not rely on her daddy’s money and social status. She and her coworkers are about to lose their job, which is by the way a magazine company called Piece of Cake, how cute huh ? Anyways she gets challenged by being paired up with Dominic after she pitches an idea to get their business booming.
💭My Thoughts 💭
Was this cheesy? Yes
Did I enjoy it? Yes
Am I from Texas and felt this vibe? Yes 😆 Alright y’all back to the review….
This was a cute & cozy read (hardly any spice) but it was also a fun one that I listened to as I made breakfast, did laundry, and made brunch. Yes the FMC was a bit whiny and annoying, but the MMC was just a swooner and it evened it out…come one there has to be one person with flaws…and it was our girl😆 I would have loved for a little bit more character development on her behalf and a tad bit more spice from Dom’s behalf🔥(not just cute banter). I can totally picture this one falling into a Netflix RomCom.
🗣The narration was perfection!
✨Thank you @netgalley & @HarperMuse for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
📌Publication Date:
June 20, 2023
(I applied for ARC a tad bit late)
✨✨✨✨
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Thank you NetGalley and Harper Muse Audiobooks for the opportunity to review the audiobook of Piece of Cake.
Claire Sommers is a former debutante now magazine writer, writing on the biggest southern weddings in Nashville. However, after the pandemic, many magazines are in danger of shutting down, including the magazine Claire works for, Piece of Cake. In an effort to save the magazine, Claire suggests a document-series on the South’s most outlandish weddings. However, she will have to work with “The Bride’s Man”, Dominic.
Can Claire and Dominic work together through Elvis impersonators, country music royalty and family drama without feelings or Claire’s past as Wedding Planner get in the way?
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The narrator was perfect for this story and I enjoyed her playing both Claire’s and Dominic’s character. I liked reading how Claire grew as a character after the events in Dallas and throughout her time at Piece of Cake. The outlandish weddings were humorous and I will admit, I was a little jealous of the country royalties wedding. Throughout the book I found myself rooting for Claire and Dominic as a couple. Even though they are very different, their chemistry was spot on.