Super cute, and an excellent second book in the series. I loved how both MCs worked/are working through their emotional trauma to be the best they can be for each other. Because wanting to be together is so clearly the ultimate goal (even if they’re in denial), they put in the work to make it happen.

🧁Second Chance
🧁Brother’s Best Friend
🧁Forced Proximity
🧁Mutual Pining
🧁Dual POV, 3rd Person

I completely enjoy August and Sloane! Sloane was pretty fierce! A determined, sassy go-getter. I didn’t feel she needed much character growth, but I’m so glad she was able to let go of past hurts and fully opened her heart to August. As for August, my heart was hurting for him! He was hurt so badly by two people who would have to deepest impact and it left him emotionally broken. However, he got everything he deserved and I’m happy for his closure. I was eating up the pining these two were doing for each other. 🫠 I could feel the push and pull but when they came together…🥵👌🏼.

There are some flashbacks interwoven through the story that helped with their backstory. As much as I wanted these two to get together and even though her hurt her, good on August!

I LOVED Jada and Donovan in Fake It Till You Bake It! Now I cannot wait to see Nicholas to fall hard!

When Sloane is fired from her job she goes to her brother's bakery to help them with social media. She has to try to stay away from August after he's already turned her down many years ago

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC!

I had such a great time reading this book. The characters were lovable, relatable, and had a lot of depth, which kept me wanting to learn more about them and follow their journeys. There's just something about baking in books that makes me hungry, and even though I don’t like cupcakes, I craved one every time I picked this up. It’s not every day you get to read about three football players who own a cupcake shop, which made it such a fun read.

I especially enjoyed how August handled all the social media stunts, even though he wasn’t a fan of being in the spotlight—I can totally relate. I love doing what Sloane does but prefer not to be the face of it. It was great to see myself reflected in both main characters.

It was also nice to see our favorite couple from the previous book. I received an ARC for that one too, but I have to say, I enjoyed this one even more. Overall, I’d rate this book 4.5 stars, and I definitely recommend picking it up when you get the chance!

After reading ‘Fake It Till You Bake It” I couldn’t wait to read this one and boy did I throughly enjoy this read. Sloane was the perfect FMC she was driven, funny, tenacious and was a woman who knows what she wanted. August was the definition of a cinnamon roll character but also a gentle giant. It was clear as day that he and Sloane were in love with each other and watching them trying to maneuver these feelings was so entertaining to read. I love how they both grew together throughout the book which will make their relationship much stronger in the long run. I also loved how this was a second chance romance but with a different twist on it. Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC

I thought this was such a cute book with great characters and a fun plot. This is the 2nd in the fake it till you bake it series and each book are a stand-alone book and having not read the first book I don't feel like I was missing anything in this book. There were definitely mentions of things that happened in the previous book, but it had no impact on this book. But having read and enjoyed this book I definitely want to check out the first book and the next book as well.

One of the reasons I chose this book was that I bake as a hobby and love to make cupcakes so reading about a cupcake shop run by athletes where one athlete goes viral for a feminist rant... sign me up! August was the MMC and he was such a charming and kind sweetheart. He is the quieter of the 3 business partners who is uncomfortable with the spotlight that is being shined on him now but is willing to step out of his box to help the business especially as they open a 2nd location. I just loved the dichotomy of a touch huge football player able to make delicate tasty desserts who is also in tough with his feelings.
Then you have Sloane who I also adored as she is a strong and determined woman who is trying to make it in her own career without having to as she says rely on her famous brother. I really admired so much about her because along with her drive she has the ability to step back and think of the people she is trying to promote and make sure that while she is pushing them outside their comfort zone, she is respecting their boundaries and not exploiting them. What I mean is that August is an introvert and while he was willing to step outside his box especially to help Sloane when she saw something that would obvious exploit him and cross boundaries she refused to give in even if it meant she might not get her dream job. That is very admirable in my opinion and not something we see in this day and age.
I loved these characters, and the plot was so cute with them struggling with their feelings and trying not to give in meant there was a lot of tension and buildup. So, this is a sloooooow burn but it was so worth it in the end.
This book is about Sloane who quits her job after being passed over for a well-deserved promotion. But that's okay as she is in the running for a job at an amazing company...there is just one thing. She and the other candidate need to show and prove to the company that they can run a successful marketing campaign generating growth for a product/company. Little hard to do when your unemployed or it would be if you didn't have a famous brother who runs a cupcake store with 2 best friends who are going viral at the moment. While normally she wouldn't want to work for her brother because she wants to make it on her own and not ride his coattails, she can't risk this opportunity. The issue is the reason for their viral moment is that one of her brother's friend and fellow owner August went on a feminist rant resulting in him being dubbed sugarbae. So, to capitalize on this moment she will have to work closely with August a man who she has history with and who she has pushed down her feelings about him for years but as they spend more time together those feelings are getting harder and harder to push down all leading up to an explosive moment between the two of them that leads to them both having to reconsider everything they know about their relationship as it stands.

I received and ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

BIPOC Romance in which a social media maven and a cupcake-baking football player find themselves working together only to have their old feelings and attractions reawaken.

4/5 stars: This is the second entry in Wesley's Fake It Till You Bake It series which is a BIPOC Romance that follows a cupcake-baking football player and a social media maven, who just so happens to be his best friend's little sister, find themselves working together after he goes viral and she needs a project to help her land a new job only to have their decade old feelings and attractions to reawaken with a vengeance. The two are forced to reconsider what it means to take a risk and chase your dreams. Told in dual POV with flashback chapters, Wesley's writing and character work are excellent; the characters are well-rounded, complex and yet remain likable. Sloane and August are both great characters and I enjoyed seeing them dealing with their personal and family issues and finally come together and earn their HEA. The romance is top notch with plenty of swoony banter and the OPS sex scenes are incredibly steamy and very hot. Additionally, Wesley's humor hits just the right spot. While there are plenty of heartfelt and lighthearted moments, Wesley does takes on some sensitive subjects; so take care and check the CWs. This can be read as a stand-alone, but if want to read the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, Fake It Till You Bake It.

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

Delicious, delectable, and delightful! I binged it in one sitting just like a cupcake from Sugar Blitz. It was easy to become enamored with August, he has the recipe for book boyfriend PERFECTED! He’s a massive feminist, built like an NFL player (bc he is), and a bit growly. This is the second in the series, and I don’t think I’ve read the first one but this plot flowed seamlessly. If you want an easy-to-dive-into escape, don’t miss this out Nov 19!

🧁fun bakery
💕second chance
🏈Football star
👫🏾best friends little sister

When a pro-baller stands in his bakery defending the history and present of hard-working women and mothers he ends up a viral sensation. This was not his intention at all, but his partners and him are opening up a second bakery and need to capitalize on him trending. Enter Sloane, a past friend who had a crush on him and he rejected who just happens to be his partner’s sister AND he might just be lusting after all the time. Yeah, life just got a whole lotta complicated for August.

I absolutely adored A Legend in the Baking. I wish I had known that this book was the second in the series, because I totally would have read the first one before reading this one. You don’t need to - at all. I actually didn’t know there was a first one until I was laying out this review, but seeing how good this one is (rubbing my hands gleefully) I would have totally read the first one (chuckle).

I love Sloane and August’s back story. I don’t want to give anything away, but you can see both sides of the relationship. How it developed and why it didn’t go any further. Then there is their current lust. Whoooowheee. Damn. Jamie Wesley can write some steam. This is a slow-burn that actually works for me. It’s just not torture because it works consistently with the storyline. Then when the action happens…yup, I took a moment…just saying. Y’all know me so don’t act all shocked. (chuckle)

There are layers of serious issues interweaved in the romance. Parental death can have long-lasting effects. Wesley also incorporates gentrification and community impact into the story. Something that isn’t spoken about enough. I already mentioned misogyny in social context and how August stands up and speaks out for women. Once again, snap, snap, snap.

I love everything about A Legend in the Baking. A must read this baking season.

This sweet romantic comedy has overtones of a Hallmark story but with more substance. The main characters, Sloane and August, are convincing, and their love story unfolds believably. August struggles with a strained father/son relationship with his dad, and both he and Sloane must learn how to trust again, and to be honest about their feelings. There are some serious themes explored in the story, such as neighborhood gentrification vs neighborhood revitalization and the dangers and responsibilities inherent in social media. The neighborhood characters, notably Cynthia, who is protesting the changes that August and his friends propose for her community, provide good foils for the main characters and bring some light humor into the novel. All in all, this second chance, brother's best friend romance is an engaging story that has enough conflict to keep the action moving but is never too heavy on the angst.

3 🌟

This book was a little too sweet.

I mean, I love the idea of a football player who loves to bake (two of my favorite things) but this book was a little too cliche. Also, I don't love books that center around social media/going viral so that's on me.

Thanks, Netgalley for the ARC of this book!

This was a super sweet book, and I loved that I already knew the characters from the first book. I did feel like it resolved rather quickly and there could’ve been a bit more suspense there, but other than that it was an enjoyable read!

I liked the premise of this book and thought both Sloane and August were good characters. They are both loveable and flawed, and their romance was believable and cute. Despite enjoying the characters, I found the pacing to be too slow for my tastes. The story dragged at times, and it took me longer than usual to finish because there was nothing drawing me to pick it back up after I paused each night. It has a sweet ending, that makes sense for the characters, I just felt it could have gotten there a bit faster.

A Legend in the Baking is just as sweet as Fake it til you Bake it! Read as a stand alone or sequel, A Legend in the Baking continues showcasing the San Diego Sugar Blitz cupcake business, but shifts the romance focus from Jada and Donovan (enemies to lovers) to Donovan’ sassy sister, Sloane and Sugar Blitz co-owner, August. (friends to lovers). When these two are forced to work together, truths from their past are slowly revealed, and forever shifts the dynamic of their relationship and Sugar Blitz’s success.

While the premise of this romance story line is light and sweet like a Sugar Blitz cupcake, the deeper themes Jamie Wesley weaves through the novel create a mature balance and allow the reader to grapple with important social issues like gentrification and financial independence along with the highs and lows of corporate America and the impacts past family traumas can have on present day relationships.

With one more Sugar Blitz owner to highlight, I’m excited to keep reading more from Jamie Wesley!

POV ~ dual 3rd
Featuring ~ dual timeline, football player/cupcake shop owner, social media expert, forced proximity, brother's best friend, best friends sister, slow burn then super fast burn, workplace romance, some steam age.

Sloane is the sister of Donovan from Fake It Till You Bake Ii, so he has a good amount of page time, but I suppose it's not absolutely necessary to read that one first.

This was in all ways a typical contemporary romance. It was filled with misunderstandings and miscommunication. It also had quite a bit of denial especially on Sloane's part. The characters were well-developed and interesting people.

I DNFed this at about 20% because...

I didn’t like the main character, Sloane.. and once that happens I feel like I just can’t come back from it ever. I already have to give enough IRL people second chances.. book characters seem like too much work lol

After a few entitled statements , then quitting a job with no backup etc that my brain just was immediately repulsed by.

I’m sure there was some character growth - but I really loved August’s character and felt like he deserved a better heroine.

POV ~ dual 3rd
Featuring ~ dual timeline, football player/cupcake shop owner, social media expert, forced proximity, brother's best friend, best friends sister, slow burn then super fast burn, workplace romance, some steamage

Sloane (29) & August (35) have known each other for years. There was a bit of a miscommunication back when she was 17, so they've really been avoiding each other since. Rightfully so since I did not care for what went down. Now she's stepping in at Sugar Blitz as a social media consultant.

August is not a fan of the spotlight, but one viral video puts him in it. It wasn't a bad video, so Sloane is trying to use it to promote the bakery and help herself in her own career path. I really liked August. He's a sweet and humble man that did not care for all of the attention.

I wasn't a super big fan of Sloane, now or in the 12 years ago chapters. She was basically using August, knowing he was uncomfortable, to help herself mostly. Yeah the bakery benefited too, but her main goal seemed to be herself.

Overall, the burn was very, super slow, but then once they get together it's full on lightening fast and that didn't really work for me. I wish the pace was steadier with their feelings for each other. I do look forward to reading Jamie's next book, which I assume will follow our 3rd bakery owner, Nicholas.

Series notes:
Sloane is the sister of Donovan from Fake It Till You Bake Ii, so he has a good amount of page time, but I suppose it's not absolutely necessary to read that one first.

A LEGEND IN THE BAKING is the second romance in the Sugar Blitz series. It stars quiet football player August Hodges and social media maven Sloane Dell. August and his partners Donovan and Nick are getting ready to open their second cupcake store.

Sloane has just quit her job in social media after she was passed over for a promotion. She finds herself working for her older brother Donovan when August goes viral after an impromptu speech on women's rights. Knowing that she can capitalize on August's new popularity to build interest in the second story, Sloane comes up with all sorts of ideas.

But Sloane and August have a history. She had a massive crush on him when she was in high school, and he was her brother's roommate and teammate. After an embarrassing incident, they went their separate ways. But Sloane's crush is still part of her life. It's a large part of why her relationships were failures. And August has always been interested in Sloane, but a girlfriend turned wife and now ex-wife got in his way.

The romance rekindles as they work together even though Sloane is intent on denying that she is still attracted to August. August is more willing to begin a new relationship. He's a quiet guy who really doesn't like talking and doesn't like being the center of attention. He's willing to go along with Sloane's plans on social media but it is hard for him. He knows that his cooperation will help Sloane get her dream job.

This was in all ways a typical contemporary romance. It was filled with misunderstandings and miscommunication. It also had quite a bit of denial especially on Sloane's part. The characters were well-developed and interesting people. She's a knock-out, and he's a handsome pro football player which shows that even beautiful people can have trouble with romance. The love scenes, once they began, were spicy.

Fans of contemporary romance will enjoy this one.

A Legend in Baking is a fun sweet second chance/best friend’s little sister romance! After going viral, cupcake-baking football player August Hodges needs help from his best friend (and business partner)’s little sister Sloane Dell to help promote his new bakery. This is told mostly in the present, with snippets of the past when August and Sloane first connect. I loved the contrast and growth. I will say the story felt a little narrow, there are other characters but it really is just zeroed in on August and Sloane in a way I wanted to see more of their lives and wanted to get to know them a little better. But I did really enjoy August and Sloane together. There was good angsty and steam and chemistry. They have a lot of sweet moments, and I liked the commitment to their community both had. I think the middle moves a little slow, but it’s a fun rom-com with a lot of heart and cupcakes.

Real Rating: 3.5* of five
It worked before...do it again. People love formulas because they're very soothing. Jamie Wesley's on a winner here because it hits the beats, makes the current landscape...the social-media and baking-as-entertainment landscape that is...her own, and does it in readable prose that gets out of the story's way.

Yay!

Coming November 19th from St. Martin's Griffin.