(3.5⭐️s)
Baking It Merry - Samantha Chase
Narrated by Melanie Mendez

🚩This review is based off of the audio book and most likely will have SPOILERS so be warned🚩

MCs: Daphne and Tristan

What I liked:
- The fake dating
- All the baking the FMC does
- The tension, chemistry, and flirting
- Side characters

What I didn’t like:
- I think the FMC should’ve apologized to the MMC after she found out the truth. I mean, the guy did nothing wrong and yet he’s the one who groveled.

Overall: This was a very cute christmas story. Melanie Mendez did such a great job narrating and I’m glad I got the chance to listen to this.

Happy Reading🖤

Oh and I received an ARC from NetGalley but this review is 100% all me.

This was such a cute, sweet holiday read. It had all the things Christmas that I could want in a book.

Plot: Daphne is a small business owner who bakes. She sets up a little holiday shop on the first floor of Knight Architecture. Enter Tristan Knight who loathes the holidays and Daphne. He attempts to get her banned from the building by complaining but it doesn't work. Fast forward a few days and Tristan is eating dinner with his family and his mom announces that each of the kids need to take on some of the holiday parties this year due to her helping grandma move into an assisted living facility. Tristan gets assigned 3 parties and they are dessert parties. He enlists the help of Daphne much to his dismay. As she's leaving the first party, Tristan's mother catches them in a compromising position and assumes that they are dating. Throw in the fake dating trope. The more they "fake date" the more they actually like each other. Do they end up together or does the miscommunication trope keep them apart?

There were so many cute things about this book. Some of the best tropes were used and one of my least favorite:
-enemies to lovers
-grumpy/sunshine
-miscommunication
-he falls first
Daphne is tough as nails and isn't afraid to speak her mind with Tristan which I like. I was worried that I would never come around to liking him, but he finally pulled through at the end.

I gave it 4 stars because there were a couple of things that I felt could have been better. I did listen to this as an audio book and the use of 1 narrator was not ideal. I would have much preferred dual narrators: male and female. Also, her last name - Noel. It was a bit on the nose wasn't it?

Thank you to @NetGalley and @DreamscapeMedia for allowing me to listen to this audio ARC in return for an honest review. This was such a cute holiday read.

Review posted to Amazon on 11/21/24
Review posted to Barnes and Noble on 11/4/24 - Review posted as Drew B.
Review will post to IG on November 17 to stories and to feed. Will tag Dreamscape Media and NetGalley in post
Review posted to GoodReads on 11/4/24 - posted as Drew-pawsitivelybookish9

Baking it Merry feels much like a Hallmark holiday movie…albeit a bit spicier. Daphne loves the holidays. While she dreams of one day owning her own bakery, the best she can do is running a small bake shop (hut shaped like a gingerbread house) during the months of November and December in the lobby of an office building. Tristan doesn’t overtly hate the holidays (though he’s quite reserved) but he does find the various shops in the lobby (Daphne’s especially) to be an eyesore. When a family situation arrises that makes Tristan responsible for hosting multiple holiday parties he’s dismayed to realize his only hope to seek help from Daphne. Daphne isn’t thrilled either, but she can’t pass on the extra business opportunity. Before she knows it not only has she agreed to help him with his parties but she also finds herself having to pretend to be his girlfriend. It’s the classic enemies to lovers trope, and even though the story may feel a bit cookie cutter-ish (pun intended and yes it’s probably not a word, lol) I didn’t mind at all. There is something comforting about knowing exactly where a holiday romance is going. It’s why I still enjoy watching the same Hallmark movies year after years. Melanie Mendez does a wonderful job with the narration. If you’re looking for something to put you in the holiday spirit, this fits the bill. I’d like to thank Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review an advanced copy of the audio version of Samantha Chase’s Baking it Merry.

https://www.amazon.com/review/R2YJ1ZZNZVAPOE/ref=pe_123899240_1043597390_SRTC0204BT_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

This was a short Christmas Romance by Samantha Chase, an author I’ve not read prior to this. The story line was very Hallmark Movie style with G rated spice and a very improbable storyline. This is not my cup of tea, but it was okay for a holiday romance. I can’t say I’ll be back to read more by this author since it didn’t blow me away, but I could see Christian women liking it enough for a little escape.

Samantha Chase does it again with “Baking It Merry”, a festive, flirty, and downright adorable holiday romance!

Daphne is a part-time baker with big dreams and a permanent sunny disposition. Tristan is a grumpy architect who hates change, holiday cheer, and—most importantly—her gingerbread house-themed booth in the holiday bazaar clogging up his lobby. He’s this close to shutting the whole thing down when a family emergency lands him in charge of the office holiday parties. Suddenly, he needs Daphne’s help to save his behind. Oh, and when his mom assumes they’re dating? Boom—fake relationship time. (What could possibly go wrong?)

Tristan, a.k.a. Grinchy Grincherson, quickly discovers there’s more to Daphne than sugar and sprinkles, and she starts to see cracks in his frosty exterior. Their banter? Hilarious. Their chemistry? Totally undeniable. Watching them go from “please leave” to “please stay” is pure holiday magic.

This book is stuffed with all the best: workplace romance, fake dating, a dash of enemies-to-lovers, and just enough holiday charm to warm even the grumpiest of hearts. Think Hallmark movie vibes with more wit and less sap—plus baked goods. Lots of baked goods. Grab some cookies (or five) and settle in—“Baking It Merry” is a holly-jolly good time!

🎧 Listened to the audiobook? Melanie Mendez totally nails it. Her narration is fun, expressive, and really brings the characters to life, making the humor and heart shine.

Thank you @samanthachaseromance, @dreamscape_media and @netgalley for the #gifted advanced listening copy. All opinions are my own.

This was a sweet, grumpy sunshine, forced proximity, fake dating Christmas romance - not what I was expecting from Chase nor her typical style, but still an extremely enjoyable holiday escape. I’m used to all of her series and characters, so it took a bit of time to settle into this one.

I did quite enjoy the banter between Daphne and Tristan, a very bubbly and sunshiny baker who rents seasonal market space in the lobby of a skyscraper, where grumpy architect Tristan’s company is located. He hates the two months every year when the Christmas market sets up shop and brings in the Christmas cheer… especially the gingerbread house bakery!

When his entire staff brags about the baked goods and suddenly his mother leaves him in a Christmas party dessert shaped disaster, Tristan has to seek out help from Daphne, causing him to spend a lot of party planning time with her, and discovering that her personality is really quite contagious - and maybe he even likes her afterall? Maybe he isn’t such a Grinchy Grincherson.

A fun read, an even better listen, and a definite recommendation to add to everyone’s holiday reading TBR this year! Fake dating (they fake a relationship to fool his parents for the Christmas parties his mother is forcing him to host), is my favorite!… said like Buddy the Elf!

Narrated by Melanie Mendez, she’s done an excellent job - I just would’ve liked to have two narrators with two POV.

I received an advance listen version from NetGalley and Dreamscape Media, and an early copy from the author. Thanks so much to both! This is my honest feedback.

Daphne Noelle could not be more opposite than Tristan Knight. For the last few years, Daphne, with her effervescent , cheery disposition, runs a charming Christmas bakery in the same building as Tristan's family's architecture business is located. Tristan is serious, driven, all business, and, in this case, a bah humbug! He can't stand the cute little gingerbread house front and thinks it looks tacky in their sophisticated business structure.

Circumstances bring their business and personal lives together. Right when Daphne thinks Tristan has a softer side, she finds out that he has been trying to sabotage her business!

What I liked: L🩷VED Daphne 's character. She is so sweet, smart, and stands up for herself. I like the style of writing the author exhibits. It's free and flowy, which fits the story.

What I didn't like: These two didn't fit together for me. It was too quick of an encounter, and their relationship was not convincing.

The narration: I liked her voice, but she elongated the end of words, and a bit of an upward lilt bothered me a bit. She has a beautiful voice and read well, though.

This was a cute Christmas story, but it wasn't for me.

Thank you, NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the advanced reader's copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This book was so cute! It was the perfect holiday read! I loved the tension between Tristan and Daphne and how grumpy he was. They were an adorable couple and I could not wait for them to start a real relationship. This was a fun and sweet romantic read.

I love audiobooks and am getting into the Christmas spirit with this one. Baking it Merry is written by one of my favorite romance authors and narrated by the perfect narrator. The narrator is new to me, which always makes me nervous, but she had the perfect voice to bring this story to life.

Daphne and Tristan are such different characters with Tristan’s moodiness and Daphne’s holiday spirit. They did not really make sense together and did everything they could to not be together. I loved watching them circle each other, trying to figure out what made the other tick while not wanting to get too close or fall for each other. I laughed out loud many times and swooned a couple times too. Tristan is use to being in charge and getting his way. It was fun to see him have to work to get something he wanted.

Baking it Merry by Samantha Chase
Contemporary small town holiday romance.
Every year during the holidays, Daphne Noelle happily runs a pop-up bakery as part of an office complex temporary shopping festival. Her gingerbread house is popular with the building employees and she sells out of her baked goods and treats most days.
There’s one grouch in the building that complains that the shops are the equivalent of a traveling circus, in particular the overly cheerful woman in her gingerbread house. Tristan is determined to get them out!
Tristan is told he will be hosting the annual holiday parties for the firm and family and that he can limit his menu to drinks and desert. Unable to find a caterer at short notice, his office manager pushes him to the baker in the gingerbread house. Impressed with her proposal, he hires her for the parties and although his interference causes her additional work and stress, it’s a win for them both. Until it’s assumed he’s in a relationship with Daphne and then they have a lot more to figure out this holiday season.

🎧 I listened to an audiobook narrated by Melanie Mendez who did a fantastic job with specific voices for Daphne and Tristan and the secondary characters. The performance held joy for the season and a tension between the two as they initially sparked against each other. It was enjoyable to listen as Daphne and Tristan began to understand each other and like turned to more. I had to increase the rate I listened at to 1.5 to match my local conversational speed.

Cute and cheery, this opposite attracts romance is adorable and a joy to read. Frankly it made me want to hunt down a bakery for some holiday treats.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley and Dreamscape Media.

This was such a cute holiday romance! I really enjoyed this audiobook. The small town and enemies to lovers mixed with all the holiday cheer made for such a fun read!

Although described as being set in a small town, this book is actually set in a New York office building. It’s very festive and full of gentle humour and romance. Tristan and Daphne are opposites in every way, but after Tristan asks her for help they begin to get to know each other and break down barriers. Daphne is a delight but Tristan isn’t the most likeable character to start with, only improving as we get to know him and through his interactions with Daphne. If you like Hallmark Christmas films or Alina Jacobs books, you’ll love this. The narrator is great and really brings the story to life.

This is a delightful fit for readers who adore lighthearted, humorous, and hopeful holiday romances, particularly those who enjoy the enemies-to-lovers trope, grumpy-sunshine pairings, and fake dating scenarios, as this charming story promises to bring a heartwarming and festive touch to their reading experience.

A Christmas romance with yummy sweet treats?!? What’s not to love? This is a cute Christmas romance with a cherry FMC and a grinchy MMC. It’s short and sweet so would recommend this festive romance.

This was a cute enemies to lovers holiday romance. Daphne opens a pop up bakery in an office complex each year, but Tristan who works in the building can't stand the gingerbread house eye sore. When he finds himself in need of help hosting holiday celebrations for his family, he turns to Daphne's baking expertise.

This was an easy and quick listen if you want to get into the holiday spirit. Tristan was kind of a jerk most of the time, so not quite a swoony male lead, but I enjoyed Daphne's spirit and passion for baking. If you like a grumpy/sunshine pairing with a bit of fake dating, I'd recommend picking this one up.

I enjoyed the audiobook narration, but wish we got two narrators since it was told in dual POV.

A cute Christmas story. Loved the set up of the story and how it all played out. The narrator was also very good and brought the story to life

Baking it Merry is a feel-good holiday romance filled with some of my absolute favorite tropes: enemies-to-lovers, fake dating, grumpy/sunshine and forced proximity. The pacing kept me hooked while the story blended the perfect amount of humor, warmth and of course – Christmas magic! ✨

Seeing the relationship between Daphne and Tristan evolve from rivalry to romance was a delightful experience, filled with fun banter and adorable chemistry. It was chef’s kiss – or in this case – baker’s kiss! 💋 It really reminded me of a cute Hallmark holiday movie, and the way it was written allowed me to picture the scenes perfectly in my mind. If you’re wanting a cozy Christmas rom-com, this is definitely one I’d recommend! 🎄♥️

🎧 Audio review: This is my first experience with Melanie Mendez as a narrator, but she delivered a fantastic performance! Her inflection and pacing really brought the character’s personalities to life, allowing both the humor and emotional depth of the story to shine through.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to review this ALC. All opinions expressed are my own.

This book had a little bit of everything — humor, heart, and little heat! It was an absolute delight. I loved this holiday version of the classic grumpy x sunshine trope. Seeing both main characters following their dreams and their love for each other grow was truly endearing. The audiobook only makes it more enjoyable. The narrator really channeled Daphne’s quirky Christmas spirit so well. But also the right amount of grump in Tristan. Truly a holiday romance not to be missed!

I really don’t like giving negative reviews, but this story was just awful. It wasn’t the writing or the premise, it was the characters. This male main character is in the top 3 worst that I’ve read this year. He wasn’t grumpy, he was an abusive, manipulative, childish jerk who needed therapy. The fact that the fmc had to tell him to never touch her again that way after he grabbed her shoulders was shocking. He constantly guilted her into spending time with him even when she was past the point of exhaustion. He was an elitist prick talking down about people who work jobs like hers. Lacking social skills does not always make for an abusive mean hearted person which is the excuse that was given by his family. The fmc should have never gotten involved with this man and had plenty of chances to stand up but never did to the degree that was necessary. I don’t even know how they ended up together honestly. Cute holiday romance? Not so much, I felt icky after reading it and only finished it to see how bad it got.

This audiobook was narrator was not for me. The cadence and pronunciation of certain words was bizarre and distracting from the story.

Thank you so much to Netgalley, Samantha Chase, and Dreamscape Media for providing this free ARC. This is my honest review. This publishes on November 19th.

This was a delightful holiday romance that perfectly captures the charm of the season. The story follows Daphne, who runs a pop-up bakery in a high-end office building where Tristan, an architect, works. Tristan isn't shy about his disdain for the festive holiday shops cluttering up the building's polished space. But when he finds himself in urgent need of a baker, he has no choice but to turn to Daphne for help. As the two start spending time together, their initial tension gives way to undeniable chemistry. Though they’re opposites, their personalities complement each other beautifully, with Daphne’s warmth and spontaneity balancing out Tristan’s structured, orderly approach to life.The narrators truly bring Daphne and Tristan to life, capturing every ounce of their charm, quirks, and growing attraction. If you're in the mood for a sweet, heartwarming holiday read, this is one you’ll definitely want to add to your TBR.

Thank you, Samantha Chase, Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the ALC.