When I saw this on NetGalley back in March I clicked "request" so fast!! First off, the book blurb had me sold but then I saw it was translated to English that intrigued me even more!

This book reads like a gripping historical fiction (even though it's not) - the dual timeline storytelling, characters, even the darn sourdough starter will grab your heart and not let go.

There are two open-door scenes BUTTTTTT they are very quick page flips, not even whole chapters, so if you are like me and tend to read closed-door don't let that discourage you.

This book has:
❤️‍🔥 slow burnnnnnnn - but it makes the story that much better because you get two very dynamic characters that stand apart from one another and then seamlessly blend together when the time is right
🍞 generational traditions and recipes - when I say you WILL cry over a sourdough starter, I truly mean it!
🧲 opposites-attract romance
👯 strong friendships
🎄 Christmas time setting!
🇸🇪 Swedish to English translated

Thank you @NetGalley and @nordinagency for allowing me a chance to read an ARC copy of this upcoming release 🥳

loved this mystery and keeping secrets and the different point of views. Also loved trying to figure out who did it . I enjoyed the mystery behind it.

The synopsis for Time to Rise neglects to mention that this story is set around the Christmas season. While that isn’t a killer for me, it was a surprise. Thankfully, the way the story is told, the season is a minor character. Yes, it’s set in a bakery at Christmas time, so there’s plenty of discussion of seasonal treats. There’s also a discussion of the decorations. But Christmas isn’t a main character. Does that make sense?

Most of the story is set in a current timeline, but a few chapters hop back to 1945. Initially, those chapters feel out of place and need to be clarified. But the more you read, the more you understand that addition to the story. The time jumps happen every 3-5 chapters and are always labeled so the reader knows what happens.

There are a few toxic relationships in the book. One is between Henrik and his father, Haase. He always seems to be trying to one-up his children. Why would a parent do that? The other relationship issue involves the executive producer of the show.

Who would I recommend read Time to Rise? Do you enjoy opposites-attract romances? Or ones that are enemies to lovers? What about a book whose primary setting is a reality TV show? Or a book featuring a bakery? If you say yes to one of these, you should give Time to Rise the time of day.

Super cute book. I loved how the characters came together and how they also dealt with some real issues but it didn’t distract from the cute romantic heart of the story. Generally the translation was good, but there were a few instances where the American references seemed odd and maybe they were part of the original, but I’m not sure. Once I got into it the dual timelines made more sense and didn’t feel as disjointed (although the “secret” was easy to guess, but it didn’t matter because it was so cute). I would definitely recommend the book. I wonder if it would be possible to include some recipes with the book, that might be fun.

Such a delightful book, perfect for the winter holidays!

The story follows Nora, with her failing patisserie, and Henrik, the star of a baking TV series meant to help businesses such as Nora's. These two have to work together on a Christmas episode and they do it begrudgingly, fighting a lot more than being nice to each other. I loved their banter and how it slowly grew into something more. Both of them are strong characters with complicated backgrounds, and I enjoyed their separate stories immensely. The time-line jumps between modern day, Nora and Henrik's story, and 1945, when it all began. I loved seeing the beginning of this wonderful story, and the author did a nice job blending these two together. The writing style is easy to engage with, and the side characters are memorable, easy to distinguish, and loveable (most of them).

All of the tropes are done well and work together seamlessly — enemies to lovers, forced proximity, workplace romance, fake dating, he falls first and harder, and more! The Christmas atmosphere made it all extremely cozy, despite some of the heavy topics — grief, the impact of a controlling parent, anxiety, childhood trauma, being in the spotlight, financial difficulties, close mindedness and hostility towards war refugees... It sounds heavy, but the author did a great job mixing all of those with a sweet romance.

I would highly recommend this, especially if you're in the mood for something festive! The translation is done by Marlaine Delargy, but if you know Swedish you can read the book immediately!

This was a fun romcom with some heavy themes and backstory that I think really added to the story (but TW for parental loss!) I enjoyed flipping back and forth through the timeline and was very invested in the love story. Maybe a few of the tropes were a bit played out and the language barrier caused a bit of confusion in the translation, but generally I enjoyed this novel.

I enjoyed Henrik and Nora and their romance. The path to their HEA was not easy but entertaining to read. I found these two relatable, intriguing, wounded, complex, interesting, entertaining characters. I loved their development as individuals throughout the course of the story. I enjoyed the friends and family aspects of the story. I wish that we had gotten more from the ending and had seen Henrik’s father get his just deserts. The secondary characters added to the fabric of the story and my enjoyment.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

It's a good book, it gave me an excellent reading time, I loved the experience, a very fun book with engaging writing

Thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I requested a bunch of romance on here because I wanted to try it out. However, romance is just not working for me at the moment. I think its more me than the books themselves so I will be giving this one a neutral rating.

I liked the idea of this one and the cover is super cute. However, the reality show aspect was not working for me and I just didn't care for the characters.

I hope others love this one but it was not for me.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced reader copy to read, rate, and review.
I was completely expecting a cutesy romcom based on the cover, but this is a little deeper with dual storylines. The setting was beautiful and I the author gave readers a slice of culture abroad, too.

“Time to Rise” is by Helene Holmstrom. This book was translated into English. I found the idea of this book to be a decent one - how much are reality TV shows manipulated? 2/3 of the book follows Nora and Henrick, and 1/3 is devoted to a 1945 timeline that was introduced seemingly suddenly that I got confused at first. The two timelines do connect. I found the cover of this book adorable and really wish that the cover had lived up to the book’s insides. I found Henrick to be a bit overbearing (channeling Paul Hollywood?) and Nora at times a bit wooden. I didn’t like Henrick’s father at all and reading scenes with him were difficult. Usually I fly through enemies to lovers books, but this one took me a number of days to, at times, plow through. Overall, I did find the parts about baking and holiday customs interesting - but this wasn’t quite what I was expecting. I’d recommend this book if you want to know more about Christmas baking and traditions in Sweden and like a slow burn romance and more about reality TV shows.

this book was SO cute, this was exactly the book i've been craving for ages! the plot was fantastic, and i LOVED the relationships in this book, they were so lovely and genuine. 4.5/5 i DEVOURED this book it was fantastic!!

Time To Rise

3/5 ⭐️

You will like this book if you enjoy;
•fast-paced
•enemies to lovers
•reality tv

Firstly, thank you to NetGalley for the eARC opportunity to read this book!

This was my first Helene Holmstrom read, and I think it needed a little more to it, or it possibly could be the translation! The relationship in this book was cute, had good development, some spice- but felt very rushed and clinical. It was not romance forward, more along the lines of character development and following their lives and watching the two grow to come together at the end.

Everything about this book “clicked” - the Swedish setting, Christmastime, delicious-sounding baked goods and the enemies to lovers arc. Add to this a parallel storyline, which meets up with the present-day one, and you have an engaging, warm and easy read.

ARC from NetGalley

Pros:
I would say this book is one of the better romance books with actual stakes, where many of them feel incredibly superficial.
The enemies to loves story starts out really good, yet I feel that answering the question “why should we care” does not get answered wholly.
There is nice detail to the backstories of both protagonists.

Cons:
There are so many conflicts happened both in the A storyline and the B storyline that it makes it difficult to piece together what’s important.
I see why the B storyline was included, but it feels like a different story entirely.
I have personal issue when “romance testing” happens in the last 10% of a book. It always feels rushed and like it is not well thought out. This book suffers from that.

"Time to Rise" serves up a delectable blend of romance, humor, and culinary delights in a charming tale that will leave readers hungry for more. As Nora Jansson struggles to save her family bakery from financial ruin, she finds herself thrust into the spotlight when a reality TV crew, led by the enigmatic celebrity pastry chef Henrik Eklund, invades her kitchen. What follows is a delightful romp through the ups and downs of baking mishaps, on-screen flirtations, and unexpected romance.

The author's adept storytelling brings both Nora and Henrik to life, creating characters that leap off the page with their quirks, flaws, and undeniable chemistry. Nora's feisty determination to save her bakery clashes hilariously with Henrik's brash persona, setting the stage for a romance that is as sweet as it is satisfying.

Overall, "Time to Rise" is a delightful confection of a novel that will leave readers smiling, craving a freshly baked treat, and definitely can't take their eyes off of this irresistible romantic comedy story.

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

I enjoyed this book a lot. It was a very fun book!

This might be one of my favorite Christmas themed books ever. I usually hate Christmas romcoms. They feel repetitive and predictable.
This was anything but. Sure, the plot was a little on the nose but the subplots! The characters felt original and every detail felt right and thought of. It didn’t feel cheesy or overdone or forced.
I’m glad it was the classic, hate each other for no reason, enemies to lovers for Henrik and Nora.
I LOVED Nils and Tuula.
Henrik and Nora were just okay.
Over all, two love stories that were done very tastefully and the ending gave me the closure I needed.

‘I didn’t miss the train. I missed the love of my life.’
Shoot me😭

This was a great book. I connected with the characters. I felt engrossed with the plot. I would read another book by this author.

What I envisioned to be the European Hallmark type book: drama, loss, love, complicated families, and sex.

Bouncing between present day and 1945 we see the strength of love, culture and traditions. Nora is nominated for a reality show reminiscent of the US “Bar Rescue” only based in Sweden and focused on bakeries. The harsh criticism of the celebrity baker, Henrik, is so hard for her to take. After all, it’s just her and the bakery - which he not so gently points out that’s she’s run into the ground. After facing reality, she agrees to allow his help and sparks fly. The side stories of Finnish refugees in 1945, as well as Frederick’s highly dysfunctional family seems a bit disconnected but do tie up at the end with a pretty bow.

Quick easy read, perfect for the holiday season. Beware - the descriptions of the yummy pastries may make you hungry!

Thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Crossing and Helene Holmstrom for the eARC.