Letizia Lorini, I bow to your chaotic, messy, emotional, and spicy genius once again. With a Cherry on Top gave me everything I wanted and things I didn’t know I needed. Age gap? Forbidden romance? Single dad navigating life post mistake while falling for the one woman he really shouldn’t? Sign me UP.

Aaron Coleman’s redemption arc is chef’s kiss (pun intended). I’ll admit, I wasn’t Aaron’s biggest fan in Riding the Sugar High because it felt like he had villain vibes, but he peeled back the layers here and showed us the broken, soft hearted dad beneath the mistakes. And don’t even get me started on he cooks. That microtrope of cooking is my kryptonite and Aaron wears it so well. 😏

Charlotte is an absolute firecracker. She’s flirty, messy, bold, and yet so deeply vulnerable. She lives under her mother’s suffocating control, but she’s still clawing for independence and identity. Her job gave me pause at first, but the way Letizia handled her profession with care, nuance, and zero judgment was spot on. I appreciated how real and layered Charlotte felt, and the push pull between her maturity and her youth made her incredibly human.

Their chemistry was really explosive. The forbidden aspect was chef’s kiss #2, and the tension between them was thick enough to slice with a knife. But what really got me was the communication. The honesty. There was no third act breakup nonsense. Just two people, flawed and hurting, choosing each other again and again. The emotional intimacy was just as strong as the sexual tension and yes, the spice delivered.

I also have to shout out the found family vibes in this book. Sadie was a bright little star, and I adored how quickly she and Charlotte bonded. Aaron and Amelie’s friendship was another emotional gut punch (in the best way), and seeing Logan and Aaron work through their strained sibling relationship gave me feels.

This book managed to be cozy and comforting while also dealing with heavy themes like emotional abuse, guilt, and addiction. It was messy, heartfelt, and vulnerable and yet, so fun and romantic too. And don’t even get me started on that epilogue. I’m still crying. Like full on, soft girl tears. 🥲

Letizia’s books are just a guaranteed hit for me. This one? Absolutely devoured it.

Thank you so much for the ARC, Letizia! If you write it, I’ll read it. No questions asked. 💕