Fake It Till You Bake It

April 1, 2022

In this steamy contemporary romance told in dual-point-of-view narration, Wesley's ("One-on-One" series) writing is accessible and readable, if a bit naive in style, with a fast-paced storyline. Professional football player and bakery co-owner Donovan Dell has been strong-armed by his team's owner, Mrs. T, into hiring her granddaughter, Jada Townsend-Matthews, at the bakery. Jada is infamous for rejecting a marriage proposal on reality TV (she claimed there was a man back home who occupied her thoughts). She's also broke. When word of her employment at Sugar Blitz hits social media, the bakery is mobbed with reality TV fans asking Jada who her mystery man is, so she does the first thing she can think of: kiss Donovan and hope he'll go along with her ruse. VERDICT. The strength of Wesley's novel lies in the likable, relatable characters. who share witty, well-crafted dialogue and sizzling chemistry; readers won't want their story to end. Fortunately, there are lively, amusing supporting characters waiting in the wings for their own happily-ever-afters. Recommended for general purchase.--Heather Miller Cover

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April 15, 2022
A reality TV show star falls in love with an NFL player who also owns a cupcake shop. Jada Townsend-Matthews has never quite figured out what she wants to do with her life. Her high-powered family thinks she's a failure, never appreciating how her dyslexia made school nearly impossible. Her latest brilliant idea--being a contestant in a Bachelorette-style TV show to launch a career as an influencer--failed when she turned down the proposal in the final episode. She slinks home to San Diego, determined to avoid the social media firestorm she created, only to discover that her meddling grandmother has arranged a job for her at Sugar Blitz, a cupcake shop co-owned by three NFL players. Donovan Dell didn't enter into the bakery business on a lark; he's determined to have a retirement plan in place, knowing that football careers are short. The cupcake business has stagnated, though, and he and his partners are at a loss for how to right the ship. Donovan is drawn to Jada. She's effortlessly charming with customers and implements several improvements that bring in new business. When the paparazzi discover Jada and Donovan cozily working together, it boosts foot traffic, visibility, and profits in the store. The two agree to pretend to date in order to keep the bakery in the spotlight. This is a straightforward, low-conflict romance. Jada and Donovan are good for each other and easily overcome any obstacles by working together. When Jada's family treats her unkindly, Donovan is her staunch defender; meanwhile, her charm and spontaneity are the perfect counterbalance to his deep-seated need for control and stability. A romance that delivers on the sweet, sugary premise of the title.

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April 18, 2022
Opposites attract in this low-angst rom-com from Wesley (Make the Play), which follows a self-centered reality star and a rule-following, cupcake baking football player who fake a relationship to save his bakery. Jada Townsend-Matthews is infamous for turning down the proposal of a fan favorite contestant on a reality-TV dating show. She’s working to restore her image when her grandmother, the owner of a San Diego football team, ropes her into working at Sugar Blitz bakery, which is owned by the team’s star, Donovan Dell. Jada must prove her ability to be responsible and hold down real work in order to gain access to her trust fund. When the tabloids mistake Jada and Donovan for a couple, Jada goes with it in order to save face, and Donovan, seeing an opportunity to increase sales for his failing cupcakery, agrees to fake a relationship. Proximity pushes their relationship to become more real than fake, but familial baggage could cost them their happy ending. After a slow start, Wesley does a good job bringing these two together through some fun tropes, though their chemistry remains a bit tepid. Readers will long for a greater connection between the romantic leads but will appreciate the mellow sweetness of the atmosphere.