A rivals-to-lovers romcom that's as sweet as the confections they're baking!

Magda and Mac, respective owners of a bakery and coffee shop in their small hometown, have been feuding for the last 14 years. The town knows the basics- something about a stolen family recipe, or maybe it was a swiped location on the town's square- but no one knows the what really started the decade of glares and avoiding each other. So when Magda gets the call that she's been cast for the new season of The Great American Cake-Off she's ecstatic to finally live out her dream of being on the show, until she gets there and finds Mac already on set. Turns out this season has a twist and each baker will have a rival in the kitchen. Now Magda will have to do whatever it takes to win- and keep the producers from finding out the real reason behind their feud.

This book honestly felt like it was written just for me with all of the GBBO and show tune references. Throw in a second-chance romance with a little forced proximity and I was an absolute goner.

I thought the banter in here was top-tier and it had me actually laughing out loud. Our two love interests have so much chemistry and tension that they gave they saying "if you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen" a whole new meaning. Though, this is a closed door romance for those of you who prefer that. I really loved Magda's character and found that I related to her quite a bit. It was a joy to see her character develop and find both self-fulfillment and love.

This is the 6th book in the Pine Hollow series, and since I haven't read the rest of the series, I can only guess from context clues that Magda and Mac's feud has been featured in the other books. However, I thought the author did a really good job of laying out their backstories and making this totally readable as a standalone. I'll definitely be going back and reading all the books in this series though!

Thank you to the publisher, Forever (Grand Central Publishing), for the eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and Forever for an Advanced Reader Copy - pub date 11/12/2024. Rom-coms, GBBO, enemies to lovers, a character or two that you really want to end up face down in a pie. Now this is a recipe for success! Apparently this is the sixth book in a series set in the same small town of Pine Hollow so it looks like I've got some back-reading to do. However, don't worry because Lizzie Shane cleverly wrote this in such a way that you can still follow it without having read the previous books. That is always something I appreciate in romance series... It also means I have FIVE other books that are sure to be just as charming as this one to read now. It's like bonus karma for a book reader.

Magda and Mac have been feuding for over a decade and, though the entire town of Pine Hollow views it with amusement and take playful sides in the fight between them, about 98% of the town has no clue about the origins of it all or the depth of it. You see, a bright-eyed 18 year old Magda declared her love for Mac, 6 years her senior, after a summer spent side by side in a baking course. For obvious reasons, Mac turned her down... But he did it in the absolute worst way possible. Then there was the incident of the stolen maple cake recipe and the snaking of a prime retail location from the other and how his cat terrorizes her dog and... Let's just say, they have a lot of baggage and a lot of reasons that they can't exchange a civil word. So, of course, we're going to trap them together on the set of a baking reality show! The new show-runner (I'll call him Evil Incarnate) has declared this season to be all about archrivals and is determined to force as much drama out of the poor bakers as he can. As all good fans of GBBO understand, this is NOT the way you do things and, while it is amusing watching Magda and Mac fight, it is anxiety-inducing. Luckily, this is a romance novel.

Both main characters grow throughout the book, both as individuals and as a pairing. With the exception of things that deal with Magda, Mac is surprisingly stable and at-ease with himself as things begin but it becomes clear that there was therapy work there (thanks to grandma and grandpa!) and it actually only took him so far. It's refreshing to see the male main character show so much emotional maturity even before he gets his HEA. As for Magda, my heart hurt for her repeatedly even as I identified so much with her imposter syndrome and feeling of invisibility and general self-doubt... Even if she's pretty darn capable. Which of us haven't been there?

The romance is believable, the banter fun, and the side characters (with the exception of Tim and Stephen) are pretty darn adorable. Though you might want to avoid reading this book when hungry. I ask you, where are our recipes, Ms Shane? I demand recipes.

What a great book. Reality television comes to life in print in this charming enemies to lovers romance.

Magda Miller and MacKenzie Newton have been battling each other for so long that their hatred toward one another is legendary in the small town of Pine Hollow. They are rival bakers in their small town, but they also have a past that you will slowly learn about. Now they will have to face off in The Great American Cake-Off. This kitchen is about to get hot.

Tempers are hot, but I saw crackling chemistry between these two as soon as they started sparring. Funnily enough, their pets are even enemies. This brought a chuckle to me every time I read about Mac's cat intimidating Magda's dog.

It was an enjoyable book with irresistible characters that you will love. A word of warning. This book will cause hunger pangs as you read the description of the delectable desserts.

Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

So, I may have gained a pound or two by reading this book. I can’t get enough of reality cooking shows. Give me all that kitchen drama. Offer to throw in a cutesy enemies-to-lovers, small town romance and I’m ready to binge watch (or read) the entire season.

This was adorable and exactly what my mood reader self was craving. Classically trained Magda and local coffee shop owner Mac have been feuding for more than a decade. Everyone in their small town knows they despise each other, but no one knows why. When Magda is cast as a contestant on The Great American Cake-Off, it’s the fulfillment of a long held dream. What she doesn’t know is that the producers added a twist - Her season will be the first ever Arch Rivals edition and Mac is also a contestant. It’s about to get hot in that kitchen!

This was lighthearted and fun, and it satisfied my sweet tooth.

Thanks to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the advance copy in exchange for my unbiased review.

Like Cats & Dogs is book six in the Pine Hollow series by Lizzie Shane.
I loved being back in Pine Hollow, Vermont.
This book is definitely a cute story, perfect for those who enjoy the Hallmark Channel.
The characters had fast & witty dialogue with each other, which actually sounded like conversations real people would have. And the characters themselves were authentic.
This is one of those novels that will have you wanting to read more.

In Pine Hollow, Vermont, Magda Miller and Mackenzie Newton have had a feud for fourteen years. So long, that most people have no idea why they don’t get along to start with. They avoid each other every chance they get, which is sometimes hard since her friends are married to his friends and his tabby continues to enter her apartment and terrorize her dog.

Magda has dreamed of competing on Cake-Off for years to prove to herself and everyone else that she’s worth it, even though the only one with doubts is Magda herself. She finally gets the call…it will mean a month away from Pine Hollow and her bakery, but it will also mean a month away from Mac.

Once arriving at the Cake-Off facility Magda learns that this isn’t an ordinary season, but an Arch Rivals edition, meaning she’s not going to get a month away from Mac after all. If she wasn’t rattled enough by the competition already, having Mac there isn’t going to calm her nerves. Initially they give the producers exactly what they’re looking for—a taste of their long-standing feud. Soon they come to realize that maybe they bring out the best in each other and it’s time to put the past behind them.

I’ve watched a number of reality tv baking/cooking shows over the years and really enjoyed this fictional behind-the-scenes look into what goes into a show. This book did not disappoint and I look forward to reading other books in the Pine Hollows series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for allowing me to read an ARC of this novel. #NetGalley #LikeCatsDogs

Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the advance reader copy. These opinions are my own.

It's such a delight to return to Pine Hollow and finally learn Magda and Mac's backstory. They have a long-standing feud, but nobody in the town has seemed to know what started it. Now they are rivals with her bake shop competing with his coffee shop. And it comes to a new level when both are on the Arch Rivals edition of Cake-Off, a reality competition that is Great British Baking Show but with nemesis pairs.

I liked getting to know what was going on between them but was a bit surprised it wasn't a bigger deal. While they were definitely and strongly rivals-to-lovers, I appreciated that both were good people and not out to hurt or sabotage each other.

I enjoyed the baking angle. This book made me want to bake more. Or maybe not, I just went and bought more pastries to eat. I missed some of the amazing dog antics that we typically get in this series. But the author tried to bookend cats and dogs as much as possible within a format that called for both characters leaving home to compete in a reality show. I similarly would have enjoyed more of the Pine Hollow characters throughout. Especially for a series wrap up, I would have liked to spend a greater portion in Pine Hollow.

Ultimately though, it still maintained all of the sweetness I enjoy for this series. And I am thrilled to see Magda and Mac earn their HEA.

I have read a few Lizzie Shane books now and I just can't get enough of her books. Her books are always guaranteed to give you a good time. This book was so much fun because like most people we love the Food Network. Mac and Magda have a feud that has been going on for 10 years. It all started with her offering her heart to Mac and instead he ran off with her Grandma's Maple Cake recipe. Well now 10 years later Mac has a coffee shop/bakery and Magda has a bakery in the same town. Mac's cat likes to wonder over and annoy Magda and her dog. So they are constantly bickering. Magda finally learns after three tries she is finally gonna be on the TV Show Cake-Off. Little does she know they changed the way this show is done and now they are doing a rivals series. When she should be all excited about this new opportunity she is disappointed when she see's Mac walk in on the set. This game changer changes EVERYTHING!! This was such a fun and entertaining story. I really enjoyed this small town, enemies to lovers story. I would definitely recommend this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) | Forever for allowing me to read this ARC for my honest opinion.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

It was a dream come true! Magda had FINALLY been selected as a contestant for her favorite show, The Great American Cake-Off. Happy to escape Pine Hollow, she was shocked to find herself head-to-head with her arch nemesis, Mac. Removed from their day-to-day drama, would Mac and Magda finally put an end to their long running feud?

Though I still have two books in this series to read, the author's note made this sort of bittersweet for me as she mentioned this being the final visit to Pine Hollow. It does feel appropriate that we FINALLY find out what started the feud between Mac and Magda while also getting glimpses into where the other Pine Hollow couples are now.

This book was a bit different from the others I have read as the bulk of the story took place outside of Pine Hollow. I thought this would dampen my enjoyment as the townsfolk are something that delighted me in each book. I am glad to say Shane was able to fill that void for me. Between the colorful group of contestants and all the Cake-Off action and drama, I found myself happily flipping the pages.

I am not a big TV watcher, but I love competition shows. I greatly enjoyed all the challenges featured here and especially loved that it helped Mac and Magda find their way back to each other. There was certainly a lot of passion between them, and I wanted that funneled into love instead of animosity.

Not only was the show a great place for their friendship to be repaired as their romance blossomed, it was also a place for them to find themselves. Though being in their "bubble" was beneficial for both, it was Magda who really needed that distance from Pine Hollow. At home, people defined who she was, but away, she was able to really discovery herself.

Overall, this was another wonderful Pine Hollow book! It was a delicious rivals-to-lovers tale that was elevated with a tasty competition. Should this be the final Pine Hollow book, it was a sweet and fitting farewell.

I love baking shows and enemies to lovers tropes, so this one was just right for me.

Magda and Mac live in the same small town and therefore, have a past. It's a past full of misunderstandings and hurt. They seem to live to antagonize each other. When Magda arrives at the baking show she's wanted to be on for years, she discovers Mac in there also and her enthusiasm dims dramatically. She is also pretty rattled. Mac really doesn't want to hurt her, but he's not sure he'll ever be able to convince her of that.

I really loved the baking show basis for the story. The character's reactions when things went wrong and one of them could help the other was a great way to show the changing attitudes. I also loved the grumpy cat and Cupcake!

Thanks to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.

4.5⭐️

This is book six in the Pine Hollow series! I have absolutely loved these sweet small town romances. Pine Hollow and all of its residents are easy to love! This book can be read as a stand-alone, but I’d definitely recommend checking the full series. I’ve been eagerly awaiting Magda and Mac’s story and it didn’t disappoint!

I’m a big fan of baking shows, so this book grabbed me right from the start! It also made me hungry! I loved all of the different bakes the contestants made and all of the fun banter.

Mac and Magda have had a long standing feud. A silly feud, but still a feud. I’m a sucker for a good enemies to lovers story. These two were just cute and made sense right from the start! I loved how it all came together for them!

I definitely recommend this fun book to anyone who loves baking shows and small town romance!

Like Cats and Dogs by Lizzie Shane is the sixth and last book in the Pine Hollow series. Set in Vermont with characters I’ve grown to love.

Mac and Magda finally get their turn to star in their own story, and it has been a long time coming. They’ve hated each other for fourteen years but they do say the opposite of hate is love.

We get deep into their rivalry and why they are nemeses, but when they are both invited to be contestants on Cake-Off, the rivalry goes into the stratosphere. Cake-Off is a cooking show with a twist, with all the contestants having a rival who was also invited to compete. There are lots of challenges, and we get to see the process. The baked goods sound amazing, and there are vivid descriptions of everything happening in the kitchen and at their stations. There’s a good flow to the story, multiple stories relayed, and not all occur in the kitchen.

There are tears and meltdowns, lots of competition, friendships formed, practice sessions, rivalries and pairings, and successes and failures. Through it all, Magda and Mac seem to take a step back and start to support each other. There are surprises throughout, but especially where the finale is to take place. The winner was announced, but I’m glad the story didn’t end there but went on a little longer. It was a satisfying read and finale for the series.

Set in Vermont, Like Cats and Dogs is filled with baked goods, competitive characters, a reality cooking show, and more. It was easy to root for the various contestants as friendships formed, and romance was in the air.

The review is posted on NovelsAlive.

Like Cats and Dogs is the perfect read if you enjoy the enemies to lovers trope or solid romances and Top Chef. I enjoy both so this was a great book for me, and so well written I can’t say anything to improve!

Magda and Mackenzie get pitted against each other in a reality show called Cake-Off, and a lot comes up about their past and the reason they are arch rivals on this toxic season of the show. I adored all the baking descriptions and that this felt a bit like a behind the scenes read of Top Chef. I also adored Magda and Mackenzie who were the perfect main characters for this novel. I’m hoping to find this is part of a series in the same universe because this was the perfect romance!

Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for my complimentary eARC of Like Cats & Dogs. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was fast paced and nerve wracking. I love all enemies to lovers and this one did not disappoint. Add in the high pressure world of a reality baking show and my weekend was booked!

Magda and Mac are the perfect enemies with an incredible back story. Magda has a dog, Mac has a cat, and boy oh boy, when they are together the fighting is off the charts. I enjoyed seeing the growth between the MC's as the show progressed. This is a closed door romance, but there is plenty of heat when Magda and Mac are in close proximity.

I do not watch much TV, but I have seen a few episodes of Crime Scene Kitchen. It was interesting to see how the shows come together. Seeing how the producers will stop at nothing to get ratings I now see these shows in a different light.

I don't think my head was in the right space for this Hallmark romance. If you are looking for a reality baking show romance. This is the book for you. I didn't connect with the characters and wasn't rooting for any of them.

4.5 stars

This was a fun read but honestly every reality cooking show romance is fun for me. I love GBBO and the Food Network and would love to watch a real life romance spawn from them so this was fun for me. I cannot believe some of the arch nemesis’s they chose for the other contestants though. A cheating ex husband?? An estranged parent due to homophobia?? An ex best friend who slept with the contestant’s husband?? Thank goodness our MCs weren’t at odd that badly. I also appreciated why he turned her down in the past, 18/24 is a significant age gap at that age so I respected the MMC more for that reason. Overall I had a good time. I’ve read only one other from this series but I have a feeling fans of the series will like how it wraps up.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

Cake-Off is filming a new season and Magda Miller is finally living a dream come true - she’s been invited to compete! Leaving her small town bakery in the hands of family, she heads off to bake her way to $250K.

Except.

Except this is the first season with a twist. This season will feature contestants’ arch rivals against whom they will compete.

That would be Mackenzie Newton.

Mac also lives in Pine Hollow, Vermont, where he owns a little coffee shop restaurant, The Cup, and feeds the feud with Magda by allowing his cat to terrorize her dog on the regular.

But while the chemistry is sizzling on screen, Magda can’t stop thinking of the moment more than a decade ago when she misread Mac’s signals and thought they were in love only to be rebuffed.

Now she’s out to win, but not if he has anything to say about it.

I wish this worked better. I’m an absolute die hard fan of GBBO and other baking competition shows, so I was excited by that aspect of the story; however, it fell flat. Where I expected it to be a major character, it was merely a backdrop. There were a few side plots that didn’t dig deep enough to warrant time on the page. And most disappointingly, there was no real chemistry between our two leads. This one was just ok for me.

Perfect addition to the Pine Hollow series!

Baker Magda was thrilled to finally have made it into the cast for the baking show the Cake-Off and the $250,000 first prize. But she never expected to find out that there was a twist to the current year with the Archrival Edition and one of the competition was Mackenzie Newton, her nemesis from Pine Hollow.

Mackenzie Newton had been feuding with Magda forever over a maple cake that Magda thought he had stolen from her before she went to France to take a pastry course with both of them running businesses in Pine Hollow with both of them wanting to win Cake-Off.

If you like the enemies to lovers trope you will love Like Cats and Dogs because neither of them want to admit their attracting to each other after Mac turned down Magda when she was eighteen.

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

An engaging and entertaining look behind the scenes of a baking show. Fun concept. Delightful couple, friends and family. This was only my second visit to Pine Hollow. Very enjoyable. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

I would almost put this up there with my other two favorite baking/cooking competition romances -- Love at 350° and Recipe for Love! This also had a SERIOUS enemies to lovers trope that was well done. I just wished this was a bit more backstory/character development and a bit more time of the lovers not just the enemies. I found this very technical baking competition forward so if you like baking romances give it a try!

Like Cats & Dogs comes out next week on November 12, 2024 and you can purchase HERE.

He didn't know what had just happened. He didn't know if this thing between them had grown out of the feud, or if they'd been feuding all along because both of them had sensed this thing between them under the surface-and he didn't care.
Their past was a shitshow, but the future? The future was suddenly very, very interesting.