SYNOPSIS

After publically turning down a proposal to her parent’s business partner’s son and going viral, Ellie’s parents want her to help run a new business they’re opening with her brother. Her mom, with her money and influence, goes as far to get her fired from her job to push her into taking the role. Fed up with their controlling and manipulative ways, she decides to move away and open a business.

What could happen?

RECAP AND REVIEW

Thank you NetGalley and Bramble for an arc in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.

Out now! Happy release day!

This is currently a standalone romance book told in the first person of Ellie.

I enjoyed Ellie’s perspective on what was going on. She was a little dramatic with her humor, which was funny for me, and it all stemmed from genuine feelings. I liked the author’s writing style for her and I didn’t miss Alec’s perspective.

Ellie has Type 1 Diabetes. I don’t know much about diabetes, but the author used her experience with her son being diagnosed (said in her Author’s note) to discuss it, and I got an understanding of it. I appreciate how it was weaved into the story and how others ignorance about her experience with her diagnosis didn’t deter her from what she knew she could do or be.

I’m Ellie’s mom’s biggest hater. While I will say there may be some cultural differences because I have no experience with immigration or having immigrant parents, nor am I Chinese Indonesian, I can say Ellie was patronized, talked down to, and manipulated by her mother. I don’t blame her for the choices she made.

This is a fake dating story between people who have history. The fake dating moments were cute. The banter and “hatred” between Ellie and Alec was fun. I felt the chemistry. At the same time, I don’t know how I feel about some of how it played out leading up to the end. I understand Ellie’s feelings and disappointment to what she learned, but I also kinda understand the choices of the younger Alec.

Also, one of them was flip floppy that part of it didn’t land for me the way a will they, won’t they usually does for me.

I really liked the bakery setting and how that played out. I also liked Ellie’s relationship with her brother and her brother’s girlfriend, her best friend.

Read this for:

🧁 Fake dating

🧁 Brother’s best friend

🧁 Childhood crush

🧁Type 1 Diabetes rep

🧁 Bakery Owner x Construction Company Owner

🧁 Starting over in a new town

OVERALL

Overall, I give this a 4 out of 5 stars. I recommend this for fake dating and bakery lovers and anyone who is a fan of humor. I want to go back and read more from this author.