Beloved author Lucy Parker pens a delicious new romantic comedy that is a battle of whisks and wits.
Ready…
Four years ago, Sylvie Fairchild charmed the world as a contestant on the hit baking show, Operation Cake. Her ingenious, colorful creations captivated viewers and intrigued all but one of the judges, Dominic De Vere, the hottest pastry chef in London. When her glittery unicorn cake went spectacularly sideways, Dominic was quick to vote her off the show. Since then, Sylvie has managed to use her fame to help fulfill her dream of opening a bakery, Sugar Fair. The toast of Instagram, Sugar Fair has captured the attention of the Operation Cake producers…and a princess.
Set…
Dominic is His Majesty the King’s favorite baker, the go-to for sweet-toothed A-List celebrities, and a veritable British institution. He’s brilliant, talented, hard-working. And an icy, starchy grouch. Learning that the irksome Sylvie will be joining him on the Operation Cake judging panel is enough to make the famously dour baker even more grim. Her fantastical baking is only slightly more troublesome than the fact that he can’t stop thinking about her pink-streaked hair and irrepressible dimple.
Match…
When Dominic and Sylvie learn they will be fighting for the once in a lifetime opportunity to bake a cake for the upcoming wedding of Princess Rose, the flour begins to fly as they’re both determined to come out on top.
The bride adores Sylvie’s quirky style. The palace wants Dominic’s classic perfection.
In this royal battle, can there be room for two?
Review:
OHMYGOSHYOUGOTTAREADTHISBOOKNOW.
That is all.
OK, OK–I suppose I can *try* and write a review, even though there’s no way it will at all adequately portray the fabulousness of this book.
Sylvie and Dominic do *not* have a meet cute. Instead, there is almost an instantaneous intense dislike between the two–a dislike that is not at all alleviated when Lucy’s spectacular cake fail (helpfully televised for all of Britain to see) happens, well, essentially to Dom.
(I’m not even going to attempt to describe what actually happens beyond that. You truly have to read it yourself. Have I already mentioned that you NEED to read this book?)
Fast forward a few years, and not only are Sylvie and Dominic businesses competitors who work across the street from one another, but they’re both competing for the commission of the century–to create the cake that will be seen around the world at the royal wedding. Princess Rosie and her fiance have a few unusual requests, though, that will soon have Sylvie and Dom working together to solve some intriguing puzzles. The more time they spend together, the more they are forced to rethink their preconceived notions, and…
You can guess where this is going, right? 😉
Except you really can’t, because even though yes, of course this is a romance and Sylvie and Dom are on their way to a (spectacular) HEA, there is so much more to this book than just a competitors-to-lovers story. One of the mysteries that they investigate–OMG, I’m getting a little teary right now just thinking about it. SO MANY FEELS. I’m not kidding. I can’t even tell you how many times I got a little weepy while reading this. OK, maybe it was a bit more than “a little” at times.
This is why I wear waterproof mascara every day, clearly.
Besides that plot thread, there were others, including: another (far lesser) competitor stealing recipes from Sylvie’s store, Dom trying to forge a relationship with his (OMG, so sweet) younger sister, employee and personal drama at both Dom and Sylvie’s shops, and oh yeah, the excitement of the baking-themed reality show that they are both judging–the same show where they once met so memorably.
All of that’s not even the best part of this book–the slow burn, absolutely delightfully layered relationship that develops between Sylvie and Dom, and Ms Parker’s portrayal of it. Goodness, the depth of it, on top of the OTT steam factor? Beyond delicious. (See what I did there? #sorrynotsorry)
I closed my ereader when I finished this with a happy sigh–and maybe a little bit of a delighted cackle. You’ll understand why when you get to the last page.
I can’t even begin to express my delight when I went to Goodreads to see that the next book will apparently be Pet’s–AND I AM HERE FOR IT.
It doesn’t even have a title yet, but surely it will be out soon, yes? 😉
Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
About the author:
Lucy Parker is an award-winning romance author who lives in New Zealand. A romance
reader from a young age, she loves to write about people pursuing their dreams and
falling hopelessly in love along the way—often with the last person they would expect!
Her previous titles have been featured in Entertainment Weekly, Cosmopolitan,
and Oprah Magazine, and were included in NPR’s Book Concierge for four consecutive
years. Learn more at www.lucyparkerfiction.com and follow Lucy on social media via
Twitter (@_lucyparker) and Instagram (lucyparkerauthor).