Goodread

Release date: October 26, 2021

Publisher: Berkley Romance

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

A baker provides the sweetest escape for an actor in this charming romantic comedy.

Actor Ryan Kwok is back in Toronto after the promotional tour for his latest film, a rom-com that is getting less-than-stellar reviews. After the sudden death of his mother and years of constant work, Ryan is taking some much-needed time off. But as he tries to be supportive to his family, he struggles with his loss and doesn’t know how to talk to his dad—who now trolls him on Twitter instead of meeting him for dim sum.

Innovative baker Lindsay McLeod meets Ryan when he knocks over two dozen specialty donuts at her bakery. Their relationship is off to a messy start, but there’s no denying their immediate attraction. When Ryan signs up for a celebrity episode of Baking Fail, he asks Lindsay to teach him how to bake and she agrees.

As Lindsay and Ryan spend time together, bonding over grief and bubble tea, it starts to feel like they’re cooking up something sweeter than cupcakes in the kitchen.

Review:

The first thing I had heard about this was that it was like Notting Hill with sweet treats and that’s all I needed to know before adding it to my TBR. Donuts and romance is basically all I need in my life and this delivered. I don’t know if it’s a trend in publishing or if I’ve just been seeing it more but romances with a side of grief have been working so well for me lately, maybe it’s the mix of depth and sweetness that strikes a perfect balance for me but whatever it is I’m loving it!

The Asian representation was so great here, specifically the discussion of Asian rep in the entertainment industry and seeing how Ryan dealt with this was so good. I loved Ryan and Lindsay together too, they had smoking hot chemistry and that translated to fireworks in the bedroom, the author brought the steam here phew 🥵 Ryan’s relationship with his father stole the show for me, I mean his dad trolls the hell out of him on Twitter and it was too funny. There was lots of exploration of family dynamics, again so much depth alongside a storyline about a celebrity baking competition so basically all I could want and then some. Read this if you like foodie romance, inclusive rep and some sexy heat!

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.