Like the first in the series, Legend in the Baking was a really cute romance, this time taking on the "older brother's best friend" trope. By and large I enjoyed it, though it did burn a little too slowly for my taste!

I hadn’t read the first book in this universe, but I enjoyed this book so much that immediately went and read the first book. I love Sloane and August together, and I really enjoyed their own individual growth throughout the book. Would definitely recommend.

2.5 ✰

I didn’t completely click with this story but I still think august and sloane had their sweet moments 💘

august is the CUTEST MMC EVER !! he’s a football player but he loves baking and isn’t afraid to admit that. when a gross stranger attacks him for doing something “unmasculine” and “stupid” like baking, he goes on a feminist rant defending the woman that work hard in this industry and how he doesn’t feel threatened and scared to do what he loves just bc society expects him to 🙈

and then his speech goes viral and everyone goes crazy for him 🥹 sloane, the fmc, is his social media manager (and best friend’s sister) and helps him navigate his way through this new fame. and they fall in love ~~ even though they’ve been lowkey crushing on each other since childhood 💓

whilst I didn’t completely love this story bc im not the biggest fan of very slow burn, I still appreciated their love for eachother and how they both got eachother through tough times <33 if you want something short and sweet, this is the book for you 🤭🤭

thank you netgalley and the publisher for providing me this arc in exchange for an honest review !!

I like things that are sweet and this book was just that. A sweet, cute romance that was exactly what I was looking for.

I'm very bummed that I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as the first one. The miscommunication was just so annoying and terrible- it's one of my biggest pet peeves and automatically lessens my enjoyment. Also the slow burn was too much and didn't feel worth it in the end, because it just made the whole story feel extremely slow. But then at the end everything just kind of quickly is resolved and it was a head scratcher as to how it happened, with Sloane and August, but also with August and his dad. Felt a little bit like whiplash, honestly.
Disappointed with #2, but willing to give Wesley another chance because the first book showed me I can enjoy her writing.

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Thank you for the opportunity to read an ARC of A Legend in tge Baking by Jamie Wesley.

The book was as sweet and savory as the cupcakes baked at Sugar Blitz. I love a good second chance at love romance novel, and Ms. Wesley delivered.

The love story of Sloane and August. Two people who fell in love early in life, but one chose to go in a different direction. When the stars aligned, they both realized that the feelings they had for each other as young adults still lived in their hearts.

A Legend in the Baking by @jamiewesleywrites is a "sweet" romance from start to finish (see what I did there). Sloane is a social media manager who quit her job after being passed over for a promotion. Although she never wanted to depend on her NFL star brother, she finds herself managing the communications for his cupcake shop, Sugar Blitz. There she reconnected with August, her brother's teammate and her long-time crush. August, Nick and Donovan are co-owners of the cupcake shop, and they are looking to open a new location. When the new neighborhood thinks they are going to gentrificate the whole block, Sloane jumps into action to help matters.

-Cupcake shop (does the setting get any cuter?)
-Football players
-POC main characters
-big brother's friend-to-lovers

I liked the chemistry between August and Sloane, did not realize it is a second in the series, I did not feel like it took anything away that I didn't read the first. This is a Hallmark movie waiting to happen- it has all the excellent cheesy elements.
August- BJ Britt
Sloane- Halle Bailey
(you are welcome, Hollywood)

Thanks to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for the ARC. Book to be released November 19, 2024

Being completely honest "Fake it til you bake it" is still sitting on my TBR but after reading "A Legend In The Baking" I am moving it up.

August is definitely a fictional character that makes you swoon. He is a man of few words but man does he know hot to connect to women. I love the fact that the man he grew up to be was because the love and respect he had for his mother.

I hated how the people in his life who was suppose to love him; had such a huge impact on how he viewed himself.

The chemistry between Sloane and August was not smooth sailing but one thing I loved about them is that even when they were both unsure the patient's and respect they had for one another well being was amazing to experience. They were understanding of each other and gave each one space even if they were both yearning for one another.

A bit of a slow burn to get the plot going in this one. I really enjoyed the previous book in the series and was excited to read August’s story. I loved the growth and depth to August’s character, and the fact that he and Sloane had known each other for so long. However I did feel like there wasn’t as much depth to Sloane and her story as there could’ve been. I also feel like there could’ve been a bit more push and pull with the “brother’s best friend” of it all, versus everyone being immediately okay with it. All in all it’s a fun read and was great to go back to Sugar Blitz again.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC.

The concept of this book sucked me in right away. As a note, I have not read the first book in this series but this books stands very well on its own.

August, professional football player who also owns a cupcake shop, goes viral on social media for putting some men in their place about sexism. Enter Sloane, a recently unemployed (she quit after she didn’t get a promotion she earned go off girl) social media manager who is coerced into helping after an interview requires her to lead a 2 week campaign. This seems like an insane ask for an interview but hey what do I know. A fun wrench in this situation, August and Sloane have been in love with each other since they were teenagers. Together there is hijinx, weird first dates for social media, cupcake baking competitions, and a little bit of spice for a treat.

My big complaint with this book was it was so hard to figure out whose point of view we were reading. Sometimes it would flip mid chapter and it was super jarring. I would’ve preferred alternating chapters that were labeled just to make it more reader friendly.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I found it to be a quick read and I liked the dynamic between the MMC and FMC.

A Legend in the Baking by Jamie Wesley
Genre: RomCom
Troupe: Best Friends Sister, Second Chance, & Slow Burn
Pages: 336
Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Spice: 🌶 🌶
Series?: Book 2 in the Sugar Blitz Series
ARC?: Yes, I was approved for this ebook through NetGalley.

I absolutley love the banter in this book just as much as the book one (Fake it till you Bake it). I loved the character development of August and Sloane. This slow burn made me want to scream to Sloane, "GIRL GO GET YOUR MAN!" As she has had feeling for August for a long time as they have a past, as does he. With Sloane helping out in the shop after quitting her job, gives them more time to spend with one another to unknowingly rekindle the past.

August is so sweet and easily makes a great book boyfriend. Seriously willing to do anything for those he loves. Sloane is very independent and strong willed and will improve anything she has to do with. These two were meant for each other.

I really loved the representation of black love in the most realistic way. I also loved how Sloane is characteristed as a boss in her own right. The discussion of social issues and realistic struggles solidified this 4 Star read for me.

If you haven't read book , I recommend reading that first before reading, "A Lengend in the Baking".

A great book! I enjoyed reading it so much! The characters I just enjoyed them and their banter as well as their journey to love. Such a good read and book!

A great sequel book, that can be read alone but i would recommend reading the first one. The characters are great and the story kept me hooked from beginning to end. I love that the guys are the bakers and the ones running the shop. It's so unique!

I thought this book was cute and enjoyable. I always enjoy the beat friend's sister trope- something about her loving him for a long time and him finally seeing her as more than just a little kid gets me. This book made me want to go back and read Fake it Til You Bake It.

I've been looking forward to this book! I loved Fake it Til you bake it and and how the characters were in this book were introduced. This was so dang cute and fun. A baking romance is always a good time!

I was excited to receive an early copy of this book. I really enjoyed book 1 in the series and was excited to see these football players baking their cupcakes again!

While I loved the vulnerability of August and Sloane, there was a piece of the storyline that I just couldn’t get past and I feel like it tainted the rest of the book for me. This may not be a problem for other people, so I would definitely recommend reading this one if you liked the first one or if you like:
🏈 brothers best friend
🧁 nfl players who own a cupcake shop
🏈 slow burn
🧁 semi-second chance romance

Thank you to netgalley and St Martin’s Press for an early copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this book.

Oh wow!!!!! This was a first for me by this author but will not be my last! Such a good story! The characters worked so well together. Such great chemistry. Good love story!!

This book was so stinkin’ sweet!!! I didn’t realize it was the 2nd book in a series, so I’m super excited to go and read that one!

The characters were lovable and I felt a connection with her flaws & all. It was a fun easy read & I really enjoyed the slow burn! I do agree with the other reviews that this was approx 50 pages too long as it did drag…. But other than that, the book was so much fun to read!

A Legend in the Baking by Jamie Wesley is a unique blend of romance, humour, and the irresistible charm of cupcakes set against the backdrop of social media. The story starts with August Hodges, who unexpectedly becomes a local sensation after a passionate rant about the importance of women bakers goes viral. His sudden fame is both a boon and a challenge, especially when he has to work closely with Sloane Dell, his best friend's younger sister and his long-time crush.

Sloane, a social media manager, leverages August's newfound popularity to boost the bakery's online presence. The tension between Sloane and August is palpable from the start. Their history adds complexity to their interactions, making their journey both heartwarming and frustrating. Their chemistry is undeniable, and their banter adds a playful touch to the narrative and keeps you entertained and engaged.

One of the book's highlights is how it handles the dynamics of past infatuations and present attractions. Sloane's teenage crush on August and its emotional fallout are portrayed realistically, making her a character many readers can relate to. On the other hand, August is a mix of charm and stubbornness, making him both endearing and infuriating. Their relationship development is engaging, with moments that make you root for them and others that make you want to shake them into seeing sense. This relatability of the characters will make you feel a part of their journey.

However, some parts of the story felt predictable, and the resolution of their conflicts, while satisfying, was somewhat rushed. The supporting characters, including the other bakery partners, add a nice touch to the story, though they sometimes fade into the background when more depth could have been given to their interactions.

Overall, A Legend in the Baking is a sweet read with a fair share of romantic tension and heartwarming moments. It's perfect for those passionate about romance, especially with a side of baked goods and social media shenanigans. If you're a romance enthusiast, this book is tailored for you.

This book was very sweet! I read the first book and didn’t hesitate to be able to read this one! I love how this story spoke about past trauma and how it can affects future outlooks. Not being able to get closure to be able to be loved properly. August was well reserved and he needed some pushing to be able to understand the things he couldn’t answer for himself. I can’t wait for the third book for Nicholas story!