Sloane may have fallen hard for August but I was right there with her. A professional football playing cinnamon roll feminist hero who is handy with tools and also bakes cupcakes? It's like the author created him just for me. Of course, she actually created him for Sloane but, hey, a girl can dream.

Jamie Wesley reeled me in with the first book in this series, Fake It Till You Bake It, and kept me hooked through this second installment, A Legend in the Baking. It's a slow-burn romance with a best friend's sister trope, a second chance, chosen family, well-placed humor, and a fair amount of emotional depth.

I enjoyed the layers Wesley gave both August and Sloane. It made them feel authentic and relatable. My heart ached for August. Watching him work his way through long-held issues and beliefs to emerge at the other end with confidence and knowledge of his own self-worth was immensely satisfying. Sloane's journey was no less impactful. I especially appreciated the fact that she finally came to realize the impact her actions were having, apologized, and grew from the experience. In the end, I was confident their relationship would be long lasting and happy.

I'm really enjoying the bonds of brotherhood that August, Donovan, and Nicholas have formed. These partners both on the football field and in the bakery may not be related by blood but in every meaningful definition of the word, they are family. I can't wait to discover what Wesley has planned for Nicholas, the last (single) man standing.

One more thing, in case the cupcake baking football stars are listening. I really need a recipe for those Lemon Meringue Cupcakes, the drool-inducing confections that August bakes and Sloane devours. I'm not above begging.

4.5 Stars
ARC received from publisher via NetGalley

#SugarBae for the win!

With an opening that will make you want to stand up and cheer in solidarity with the FMC, this book starts off strong and gets better and better as it goes on. Sloane quits her job when it becomes clear she's hit the ceiling, and takes refuge at her brother's bakery, where she runs into August, another of the three bakery co-owners.

August and Sloane have a bit of a slow start, owing to their long friendship and reluctance to mess that up. I appreciated that there wasn't any "her brother/my best friend will kill me" sentiment here - why would a guy be best friends with someone he doesn't think is good enough for his sister? One internet viral sensation, a smidgen of daddy issues, and a sneaky date or two later, they're finally realizing just how good they can be together.

This is a standalone romance that you're going to want to read whether or not you've already read the first book (hint - go read it anyway if you haven't yet). I really enjoy this author's writing style, infusing her well-developed characters with plenty of charm and a hearty sense of humor. I just loved their story, sweet and sassy at the same time, and I was very satisfied with the HEA. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

I loved the first book in this baking x football romance, so I knew I had to read this one. I like the behind the scenes look of expanding a business and being a social media manager. The cupcakes sounded delicious. There's a great examination here of social media and what it looks like to work in it. I also appreciate and am interested in the conversation about gentrification. It’s a slow burn, and I like how the author built up the relationship through flash backs to their previous attraction as teenagers.

Thank you NetGalley, Jamie Wesley, and St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin for an advanced copy of A Legend in the Baking. My review is based on my honest opinion about the book.

The characters from the previous book also appear in Fake It, Till You Bake It. This book features another football star. August Hodges, a shy football player, aspires to be in the limelight. He is the silent partner of a cupcake bakery with his teammates. After a passionate rant is filmed by a customer and goes viral, he has to be in the spotlight. But he needs help.

That is when his former crush, Sloane Dell, comes to the rescue. Sloane is a social media manager. She is also the younger sister of his best friend and business partner. For more than a decade, Sloane has had a crush on August, which is why she is reluctant to work with him. But she needs the break to earn a better position. She also wants to help her brother revamp their business and social media presence.

I enjoyed the first one because the main characters had a love-hate relationship. The book stands out from the rest. It is a slow burn because both like each other but do not want to cross that line. It frustrated me, but it makes sense I understand the two connections in the past. But Jamie Wesley includes small sexy scenes and flirting, which made me glad I continued to read. The moment they finally connect is filled with a delightful sweetness.

I love how the author added dramatic moments to the book in various ways. Reading those scenes had me hooked. I wanted to see how everything ended. This book is perfect for those who love slow-burn romance or second-chance romance books.

A Legend in the Baking by Jamie Wesley, book two in the Fake It Till You Bake series, is a heartwarming second chance romance about regrets and memories.

Sloane Dell, a social media manager, just quit her job after the failure to receive the recognition she deserved; turning to her brother, football player, and part-owner of Sugar Blitz bakery, Donovan, for much needed advice. Visiting the bakery isn't high on Sloane's list of things to do because she knows she will run into August Hodges. Sloane fell hard for her brother’s best friend the moment she met him more than a decade ago, but that teenage infatuation cost her dearly. She accepts her brother’s request to revamp the bakery’s social media presence to take advantage of August’s newfound popularity; knowing it’s the big break her new career needs. She’ll just ignore the fact that August is still attractive and sweeter than any man has a right to be; despite driving her crazy by resisting all her ideas.

They promise to leave the past in the past; although the chemistry still sparks between them. When an intense make-out session makes it clear their attraction sizzles hotter than ever, Sloane and August are forced to reconsider what it means to take a risk and chase your dreams. As they’re both about to find out, all’s fair in love and cupcakes.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

Thank you to SMP Romance for the free book. These opinions are my own.

I adored Fake It Till You Bake It, the first book in Jamie Wesley's series about three football players who open a cupcake shop in San Diego, CA. And I have been so eager for this second in the series, A Legend in the Baking.

In this book, we focus on August, the quiet fullback who has never been out for the media spotlight. But his rant celebrating women and putting down toxic masculinity goes viral. Enter Sloane: she's his teammate and business partner's little sister, and she needs to show she can manage a social media account well.

This was just so sweet. I loved their history and that it feels a bit like a second chance romance since they were into each other twelve years earlier. And in the current timeline, they are so competitive while also really caring for each other.

Sloane is my kind of girl, preferring the cupcake to the frosting. And she wants to get ahead on her own merit. And August is so genuine and honest. I love the pair of them.

And of course, I loved reading about all the amazing cupcake flavors. In addition to addressing toxic masculinity, Jamie also brings in bigger social issues around gentrification and the role of social media.

2.5 stars

While there are some aspects I liked, this just wasn’t for me. I loved the start where she quit her job. The female mc sort of went downhill from there for me. I found her controlling and pushy to the male mic whom I found shy and charming. I hated the past time line (and the fact their relationship started really when she was underage). I also didn’t like the cheating that went on (not between our main couple) but I’m pretty picky about that. It was great seeing the characters I liked in the previous book. I think if the cheating and underage things aren’t dealbreakers for another reader, they will probably like this book. The cupcakes seemed to improve in this one.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy to form opinions from.

I enjoyed reading A Legend in the Baking by Jamie Wesley. You will fall in love with all the characters. I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely. Happy Reading!

A Legend in the Baking is a charming second chance, sibling’s BFF romance. If you are a fan of diverse characters who try to ignore their feelings on their way to their HEA, you’ll enjoy this one.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Social Media guru Sloane’s had a crush on her brother’s BFF August since high school. Now she’s working on promoting her brother’s cupcake bakery, Sugar Blitz, and his partner/football teammate August just went viral. What’s an Instagram savvy professional to do? Sloane and August are forced to spend tons of time together promoting Sugar Blitz, and it’s simply unfortunate that all her warm, fuzzy feelings about sweet and shy August have rushed back. He doesn’t feel the same way. Right?

Outgoing Sloane and quiet, reserved August are very different characters, and it’s interesting to watch how they draw each other out of their comfort zones while trying to ignore their feelings. And Sloane’s professional struggles of being passed over for a promotion after coworkers take credit for her work is sadly relatable.

When you have a second chance romance, you need to have a good reason why it didn’t work out and a good reason why the characters get back together. In this case, I wasn’t entirely convinced that these two had a love for the ages, even with flashbacks to their earlier interactions. But it’s a cute, slow burn story, and I was mostly able to keep my disbelief at bay.

This series of standalones about football players who own a cupcake bakery is light and, well, sweet. I enjoyed reading about the diverse cast of characters, with a backdrop of social media, gentrification, and cake. If you are a fan of siblings bff romance, with some forced proximity and opposites attract chemistry thrown in, you’ll enjoy A Legend in the Baking.

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

🎈Happy BOOK BIRTHDAY to A LEGEND IN THE BAKING by Jamie Wesley 🎂

That's right! Today's book birthday spotlight shines on this delicious release that's about to romcom up your TBR. Take one part hot 🔥 bachelor that's a dynamite... in the kitchen (mind out of the gutter people!), one part social media manager with a past crush that isn't so much in the past, and you've got a recipe that's sure to ignite reader's tastes buds and/or imaginations 😉.

I really enjoyed this fun little romp through the pages. The culinary aspects mixed with the will-one-of-you-just-admit-to-your-feelings moments, and the positive voice for women in what can still be considered in the professional side of things a man's world. There's a bit of spice, but it sure tastes nice, and, as they say, if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen!

🧁 Add this sweet treat to your reading escape list today for a delightful way to step away from the holiday hubbub and enjoy some me time!

This story was AH-AMAZING. I am a total sucker for baking/cooking romances. This took the *cup*-cake 😏 for this years top favorite for romance.
The story follows August Hodges, a pro-athlete football star who also co-owns a bakery with 2 of his teammates. We also follow Sloane Dell a younger sister of one of the co-owners, trying to make a name for herself in the social media manager world she’s aiming to help the 3 men with the opening of their second location.
This story had, a past, lust, secrets, emotions, real life problems, and a shot at second chance romance if only they could heal from their pasts.

I highly recommend this book but start with book 1! While this book could be read as a standalone( I did and realized this wasn’t the first in the series 🤣). But there were Easter eggs from book 1 that would be spoilery!

This was soooo cute! Literally made me want to bake while reading A Legend in the Baking. Also, I love me a good brother's best friend romance. August and Sloane had such a good dynamic. I love how believable their relationship was with a quirky premise.

Totally recommend this for the holidays because football and baking!

A LEGEND IN THE BAKING has a very popular cupcake shop run by 3 football players, one of whom is a whiz baker and the hero of this book. He is beguiled by the younger sister of one of the other players, and wouldn’t you know it, the two of them just can’t get on the same page with their romance. Missed opportunities and misunderstandings permeate the early portions of this romance almost to distraction. Luckily, our heroine loses her job and a plot starts to materialize and yes, it involves our hero and his amazing appeal. The tale gets better and better as the plot builds and by the end it is very good, indeed. I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

4.25 ⭐️

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book and its characters! The writing is super bingable and overall a super enjoyable read.

The slow burn is TOP TIER. The MCs first kiss is over halfway through the book and i never once wished it was getting spicier faster! The glances, the touches, the tension was 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥

I absolutely adored the FMC. Boss energy when she didn’t get the promotion she deserved so she quit on the spot. She knew what she was worth and she stood on business. 👏🏼 👏🏼

I didn’t read the first book in series - and while i was able to enjoy and really love the characters, I think it would have added even more to the story to have read them in order. So while I don’t think you have too to love the book, i’d say start from book 1! 😊

Our book boyfriend was top tier. A quiet football player who also co-owns a CUPCAKE shop. PLEASE. that in and of itself is enough - but he’s such a little romantic, teddy bear it makes it 10x better.

Tropes:
-Brother’s best friend
-It’s ALWAYS been you
-Football / Bakery
-Slow Burn 🔥

I will absolutely be reading more by this author & would def recommend this book to my peers!

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Jamie Wesley for the early access copy of A Legend in the Baking.

A Legend in the Baking follows the story of August the silent partner in the Sugar Blitz Cupcakes trio. August does not like to be in the spotlight, he would rather blend into the crowd and observe than be front and center. That is until he makes an impassioned speech about women in the baking industry and that baking doesn't threaten masculinity. When the speech goes viral, August becomes the hottest bachelor. In comes Sloan, a social media manager who happens to be the sister of one of the Sugar Blitz Cupcakes trio. Sloan and August have a history. So, when they are thrust into working together to manage the social media storm, tensions get high.

The pining in this book is something fierce. This is a dual point-of-view, brother's best friend romance.

I love the title and tagline. The cover is very inviting and made me want to read it.

A Legend in the Baking is book two of a series featuring professional football players who own a cupcake bakery. August who is the strong silent type, goes viral for defending a man’s right to bake, and the meaning of masculinity. He now finds himself in need of someone to help manage the situation. Sloane, who is the little sister of his best friend and business partner, works in social media and is in need of a job.

Sloane is a strong female character, who I liked from the first chapter. She is a woman who knows her self worth, and doesn’t accept anything beneath her. Yet, August is a vulnerable area for her. She had a major crush on him when she was younger and she still feels vulnerable around him. August has had feelings for Sloane for a long time, but he doesn’t want to jeopardize his friendship and business partnership with Donovan, her brother.

This book is a sweet brother’s best friend, forced proximity romance, with likeable and relatable characters. The friends provide interesting side characters and a good representation of close friendships. I did feel that because Sloane and August both liked each other from the start, there was a lack of tension at times, and the reason for the delay in giving in to their feelings felt a repetitive in the middle. However, there was enough of an interesting storyline to keep me reading. There is a good dose of spice and the setting of a bakery certainly was enough to whet my appetite.

August Hodges was supposed to be the silent partner in Sugar Blitz Cupcakes. Emphasis on silent. That is until his impromptu feminist rant about how women bakers are the backbone of the industry and baking cupcakes isn’t a threat to masculinity goes viral, making him the hottest bachelor in town. With a new location in the works, August and his partners decide to capitalize on this perfect opportunity to help cement their place in the community. But the hiring of his best friend’s younger sister, the woman who has haunted some of his best dreams for years, was as much of a shock as his new-found fame.

Social media manager Sloane Dell fell hard for her brother’s best friend the moment she met him more than a decade ago, but that teenage infatuation cost her dearly. Still, she accepts her brother’s request to revamp the bakery’s social media presence to take advantage of August’s newfound popularity, knowing it’s the big break her fledgling career needs. She’ll just ignore the fact that August is still August, i.e. sexier and sweeter than any man has a right to be. And that he drives her crazy with his resistance to all her ideas.

They vow to leave the past in the past. But when an explosive make-out session makes it clear their attraction burns hotter than ever, Sloane and August are forced to reconsider what it means to take a risk and chase your dreams.

As they’re both about to find out, all’s fair in love and cupcakes.

Loved it

August is one of 3 football players turned cupcake bakery owner all my with Donovan and Nicholas. Everyone has the thought of macho football players, but August was a cinnamon roll (or cupcake). I couldn’t help but fall in love with him. I loved how the author shows August’s vulnerability and insecurities throughout the book. It’s always refreshing to have vulnerability seen from the male perspective and not always the female. August had a lot to overcome within the story from a trash father to dealing with his mom’s death and ex-wife. He also was the type that liked to stay in the back and never be upfront. Well, Sloane made that kind of hard for him. After loosing her job, she helps the bakery (and August) gain a huge social media presence to help her gain a new position, but other things happen along the way. Oh, I forgot to mention Sloane and August have a history and they both don’t know how to face or navigate that years later and after what happened in the past.

As I said, I loved August but Sloane was a bit too much at times. I’ll say she was a go getter for sure though! I enjoyed them getting their HEA. In the beginning the book quickly drew me in, in the first chapter. Towards the middle the book did slowed down for me. I think it was because I wanted August and Sloane to get out of their head heads and talk to one another a little sooner.

This is a delightful fit for readers who adore lighthearted, humorous, and feel-good romance stories, particularly those who enjoy friends-to-lovers and second-chance romance tropes, as it promises a sweet and swoony tale of two people rekindling a long-held spark.

I loved MOTY - August! He's such a unexpected hero. I hurt for all the things he lost and experienced in the past. Sloane was a great lead too. And you can feel how much she feels for August. I enjoyed the glimpses to their past too. The story was a sweet, feel good romance. August is absolutely swoonworthy! I received an advance copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.