Wow. That's all I can say is WOW! Everything about this was out of this world to be honest. The magic system that Liselle created had be sucked in from the beginning. While this could definitely classified as an urban fantasy, I loved the contemporary-esque elements involved. The focus on familial pressures, how secrets destroy relationships, and trying to figure out how to find yourself when you have no idea who you want to be, hit me right in the chest. Don't get me wrong, Voya frustrated me throughout the entire story, but I also understood her. She had a lot placed on her shoulders and it's hard to break out of people pleasing and stand strong in your decisions when you've had a life of people disappointing you and also telling you that your worth is measured in the gifts you have or what you can provide to your family. I can't wait for the next book.

CW for blood, discussions of murder, ritual sacrifice, dysfunctional family relationships, systemic racism, torture, familial death

First of all, get into this cover. It's absolutely gorgeous. Two beautiful Black characters on the cover of a romance? Oh sign me up and do it QUICKLY. Second, I love a fake dating trope and so that immediately sucked me in as well. Throw in cupcakes and we've hit the trifecta.

Jamie Presley did not disappoint with this wholesome, cute read. Jada is fresh off of a reality dating show nightmare that has turned her into public enemy number one. She's been stuck in her condo for weeks because the other alternative is facing the world, which apparently hates her for breaking their heartthrob Dr. John's heart. And of course there's the fake boyfriend she made up to justify why she turned down Dr. John's proposal. It's under these circumstances that she meets Donovan, a football player/baker/bakery owner. Her best friend drags her into his shop on her first day out in public and of course she, unintentionally, puts her foot in her mouth when she trashes his bakery and his cupcakes right in front of him without knowing he's the owner. To add even more awkwardness to this series of events, Donovan happens to be one of the star football players on the team that her grandmother owns. Of course neither Donovan nor Jada know this until the two meet for a second time right in said grandmother's office. Mrs. T (as she's affectionately called by her players) has a proposition for the two of them. If Jada can work successfully in Donovan's shop for the next few months, then she can have early access to her trust fund. Jada is mortified. Yes, she has trouble figuring out what she wants to do in life, but that doesn't mean she needs her grandmother to find her a job! Still, no one says no to Mrs. T.

This is truly an opposite's attract romance and I love that just as much as I love the fake dating premise. Where Donovan is all logic and order, Jada is all impulse and slight chaos. Both of them balanced one another out and helped them find the pieces of themselves they were missing. Donovan was dealing with left over trauma from having a father addicted to gambling so he craved stability. To him, order without surprises meant that he would never again be placed in a situation where the rug could be snatched out from under him. Jada has been struggling against her parents' expectations of her her whole life. Between her lack of direction and her struggles with dyslexia, she's never felt good enough. Their relationship, which blossoms into something beautiful and real, helps them both realize that sometimes stepping outside of your comfort zone is just what the baker ordered.

Besides being completely adorable with one another, I loved watching them getting on each other's nerves. There are a few moments where Donovan is teaching Jada how to bake and when I tell you his patience with her was so sexy! WHEW! Speaking of sexy, if you're expecting a sexy read here, that's not what you're going to get. There is one steamy scene about...65% into the book, but most of the physical moments don't involve anything above kissing. I love a spicy romance, but I didn't mind that this was lacking in this area because the cuteness made up for it. 

I also thought the pacing was great, though towards the end it gets a little rushed. Jada will definitely make you want to shake her, especially towards the end, but it's all for a great cause. Other than cute baking scenes and wholesome encounters, this book will also give you some funny side characters (who we'll explore in the next book), cupcake cravings, nosey book club members, a steamy book cover shoot, and an all around cute time. I can't wait to have this book on my physical shelf!