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Taking the Cake
As a popular wedding cake baker in her hometown of New River, Sabrina Moss spends her days giving everybody perfect happily ever afters, even though happily ever afters seem to be for everybody but her. She’s spent the past several years building her business while reeling from the breakup from her longtime love Ben Sadler and when the news breaks that he’s engaged, she finds herself questioning all the choices she’s made in the past and all the things she let get away.
After years away from New River, Gray Forrester is back to care for his grandfather. His childhood was rocky, moving from state to state, so he finds himself looking forward to settling down and finding some stability.
When a chance encounter between Sabrina and Gray at the local coffee shop leads to an unexpected friendship, Sabrina decides it might be time to open herself up again. But their budding friendship almost ends before it even begins when she discovers that not only does Gray know Ben, he’s set to be his groomsman. And when the friendship starts to veer into more-than-friends territory, they both struggle with the emerging feelings.
When the past meddles its way in and threatens to ruin everything, Sabrina and Gray must navigate the messy waters of past and present and decide what is worth fighting for to get to the happily-ever-after they’ve both been looking for.
After years away from New River, Gray Forrester is back to care for his grandfather. His childhood was rocky, moving from state to state, so he finds himself looking forward to settling down and finding some stability.
When a chance encounter between Sabrina and Gray at the local coffee shop leads to an unexpected friendship, Sabrina decides it might be time to open herself up again. But their budding friendship almost ends before it even begins when she discovers that not only does Gray know Ben, he’s set to be his groomsman. And when the friendship starts to veer into more-than-friends territory, they both struggle with the emerging feelings.
When the past meddles its way in and threatens to ruin everything, Sabrina and Gray must navigate the messy waters of past and present and decide what is worth fighting for to get to the happily-ever-after they’ve both been looking for.
327 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 19, 2023
6 people are currently reading
108 people want to read
About the author
Natalia Williams
3 books13 followersNatalia Williams writes contemporary romance featuring characters in their thirties and all their emotional baggage. Born in Argentina, now residing in Florida, she spent over a decade in the culinary field, but now she spends her days wrangling kids and writing love stories. She loves a good cheeseburger, dogs, and has a freezer full of ice cream.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 19, 2023
Thank you so much to Natalia Williams for the eARC!
This book, much like the desserts it's filled with, is incredibly sweet. The main characters are so real, and the way that they communicate with each other is so wonderful. I loved seeing Sabrina embrace herself and grow as a person from how her previous relationship treated her, it definitely took some time, but it was great to see her be so confident with Grey. He's such an angel, and the way he falls for her immediately is so swoon-worthy. All he wants to do is make her laugh, and make sure she knows how beautiful, talented, and kind she is. These two are so right for each other and I absolutely adored how their story began as friends (even though it's so obvious they were never going to be just friends from the very beginning). This was such a cute, light read. Perfect for if you need something super sweet, filled with heartfelt dialogue and loads of sappy moments. 🤍
This book, much like the desserts it's filled with, is incredibly sweet. The main characters are so real, and the way that they communicate with each other is so wonderful. I loved seeing Sabrina embrace herself and grow as a person from how her previous relationship treated her, it definitely took some time, but it was great to see her be so confident with Grey. He's such an angel, and the way he falls for her immediately is so swoon-worthy. All he wants to do is make her laugh, and make sure she knows how beautiful, talented, and kind she is. These two are so right for each other and I absolutely adored how their story began as friends (even though it's so obvious they were never going to be just friends from the very beginning). This was such a cute, light read. Perfect for if you need something super sweet, filled with heartfelt dialogue and loads of sappy moments. 🤍
December 28, 2023
This was a great read! I took longer than usual to read it because like a delicious dessert I wanted to savor it. The characters were believable, and I was throughly rooting for Gray and Sabrina all along. I loved how the characters were both flawed in their own ways, and owned it and worked through it. And the sexy parts, were the perfect amount of sugar and spice! Add this to your TBR pile ASAP!
March 1, 2024
This was a really sweet, quick read — but also open door. I loved the meddling friends, Pop, all the talk of desserts. Gray and Sabrina were so patient with each other and allowed space to process feelings and communicate. I loved that both MCs were in their 30s. Also I want a Nutella iced coffee now.
August 22, 2023
I was lucky enough to get an advance copy of this book, and it was the perfect summer read! It was a fun and sweet romance with likable narrators. Romance isn’t usually my thing, but I couldn’t put it down and finished it in a day. It should be noted that this book will make you very hungry.
September 18, 2023
Read If You Enjoy:
🍰 Small Town Romance
🍰 Dual POV
🍰 Friends to Strangers to Lovers
Sabrina, a wedding cake baker in her hometown of New River, has been solely focused on growing her business and moving on from heartbreak for the past several years. One morning at her regular coffee shop, she meets Grey, who has returned New River to take care of his grandfather. The two become fast friends, and Sabrina, in the spirit of moving on from her ex and finding a better work-life balance, agrees to spend time with Grey, showing him the local sites and activities. As they find themselves moving towards more than friends, Sabrina finds out her ex-boyfriend is engaged and Grey is one of the groomsmen.
The chaotic cast of characters in this story was so lovable. From Grey wise and tough love giving grandfather, to Sabrina’s best friends/co-workers that are always there for each other. This book is filled with sweet and heartwarming moments, from rooftop dancing to wedding crashing. But my absolute favourite part was the main character's descriptions of her friends as the type of cake they would be.
This is the perfect summer romance read full of swoony exchanges and open door spice in a small beach town setting.
Thank you, Natalia, for providing me with an ARC copy of Taking the Cake in exchange for an honest review.
🍰 Small Town Romance
🍰 Dual POV
🍰 Friends to Strangers to Lovers
Sabrina, a wedding cake baker in her hometown of New River, has been solely focused on growing her business and moving on from heartbreak for the past several years. One morning at her regular coffee shop, she meets Grey, who has returned New River to take care of his grandfather. The two become fast friends, and Sabrina, in the spirit of moving on from her ex and finding a better work-life balance, agrees to spend time with Grey, showing him the local sites and activities. As they find themselves moving towards more than friends, Sabrina finds out her ex-boyfriend is engaged and Grey is one of the groomsmen.
The chaotic cast of characters in this story was so lovable. From Grey wise and tough love giving grandfather, to Sabrina’s best friends/co-workers that are always there for each other. This book is filled with sweet and heartwarming moments, from rooftop dancing to wedding crashing. But my absolute favourite part was the main character's descriptions of her friends as the type of cake they would be.
This is the perfect summer romance read full of swoony exchanges and open door spice in a small beach town setting.
Thank you, Natalia, for providing me with an ARC copy of Taking the Cake in exchange for an honest review.
June 10, 2024
This book was just so sweet! Sabrina is a wedding cake baker in her small town of New River and is now overthinking her decisions from when she was with her longtime ex who's now engaged. Now comes in Gray who moved back to New River to take care of his grandfather and is now looking to plant some roots. Going through Sabrina and Grays journey as strangers to friends then to lovers was such a blast. I loved Sabrinas best friends James and Liz and I also can't forget Grays Pops. This book surprised me in a lot of ways. For one I didn't expect it to make me so emotional. With Sabrina not feeling like she'll ever love again to realizing she's never been in love before until gray. Hearing about Sabrina and Gray falling in love warmed my heart. Them starting out as friends touring New River and finding some new and old spots. To Sabrina and Gray just being honest to each other at the end of the day and admitting how they felt. After they both were able to sit and think about what they truly wanted. To Sabrina being able to forgive Ben was definitely not what I had expected but I'm so happy she was able to get the closure she's been needing. Gray making amends with his mom and going to visit her. And Gray and Pops relationship just has my heart. And that Sabrina loves to describe people as cake flavors is now my favorite thing. This book is also dual pov and open door! I also can't wait to pick up my own physical copy!
August 30, 2023
I was lucky to receive this as an arc and it did not disappoint. It came at a perfect time when I was looking for a cute small town romance to read, but at the same time, it was so much more than that and there were so many things I enjoyed.
I loved the dual pov and that both Sabrina and Gray had their struggles. Often in romance, the mmc doesn't really have a personality and I was so glad that Gray did, he might even be one of my favourite book bfs. Sabrina was amazing, too. Her character was so well-written and I liked that she was such a strong fmc with a career she built herself.
What I enjoyed most was the way Sabrina's fear of opening up to love was described. How she struggled after her past relationship, how she felt like she doesn't deserve to be happy and how she overcame that gave the book a lot of depth that I hadn't been expecting. I also liked the way both characters communicated their feelings and that there wasn't a misunderstanding trope. And the feeling of being in love was so nicely written! I hate it when love is described as hard work and constant struggle. Of course everyone in a relationship has to work together and put effort into it, but I think with the right person, being in love should feel light. This was definitely the case in Taking the Cake with both characters supporting each other to become the best version of themselves.
I loved the dual pov and that both Sabrina and Gray had their struggles. Often in romance, the mmc doesn't really have a personality and I was so glad that Gray did, he might even be one of my favourite book bfs. Sabrina was amazing, too. Her character was so well-written and I liked that she was such a strong fmc with a career she built herself.
What I enjoyed most was the way Sabrina's fear of opening up to love was described. How she struggled after her past relationship, how she felt like she doesn't deserve to be happy and how she overcame that gave the book a lot of depth that I hadn't been expecting. I also liked the way both characters communicated their feelings and that there wasn't a misunderstanding trope. And the feeling of being in love was so nicely written! I hate it when love is described as hard work and constant struggle. Of course everyone in a relationship has to work together and put effort into it, but I think with the right person, being in love should feel light. This was definitely the case in Taking the Cake with both characters supporting each other to become the best version of themselves.
September 23, 2023
I really enjoyed this book! it's fun and it's funny and there's cake and coffee super lovable relatable characters (and some hateable ones too) and friendships that will remind you that even though this is totally a romance novel and it's oh so swoony that also sometimes your {other} soulmate is your best friend(s). The friendships in this book are the friendships we all deserve. Every once in a while we all need someone comfortable enough to call us on our crap and make us face our bs. I loved everything about this book and can’t wait to see what comes next from this author!
June 24, 2024
such a cute hallmark read!! 🍰☕️
I really enjoy finding local authors in my bookstore! This one was lighthearted and very sweet just like the cover!
My favorite part was how Sabrina (MFC) picked what type of cake each character would be throughout the book! It really made you enjoy every character even more!
It took me a minute to get used to scenes changing back and forth, but for a local author and this be one of her first books this is amazing!
I would say for a shorter book, it was very spicy with multiple scenes. So just keep that in mind to whoever wants to read it!
I really enjoy finding local authors in my bookstore! This one was lighthearted and very sweet just like the cover!
My favorite part was how Sabrina (MFC) picked what type of cake each character would be throughout the book! It really made you enjoy every character even more!
It took me a minute to get used to scenes changing back and forth, but for a local author and this be one of her first books this is amazing!
I would say for a shorter book, it was very spicy with multiple scenes. So just keep that in mind to whoever wants to read it!
September 23, 2023
Invasive, pushy friends are triggering for me. The story was cute and ultimately sweet but I HATED every interaction where her employees/friends PUSHED her to accept his attention. And the friends were always around. Always interfering. Always telling the FMC what she should do to be happy. Fuck friend who don't respect boundaries and make you feel inferior.
September 28, 2023
I’m not usually a romance reader, but I loved these characters and their sweet story. This is a fun, easy read. I loved all the descriptions of cakes and the snappy dialogue between characters. I still think about the rooftop dancing! Oh swoon. Can’t wait to see what Ms. Williams gives us next.
October 18, 2023
A perfect debut! The banter, the little details, how real the characters felt, how authentic the challenge were, how genuine the communication & the struggles & the life advice. This book is fantastic. Absolutely soaked it up & inhaled it. Will definitely be recommending it to everyone & eagerly anticipating future books by this author!
April 10, 2025
Another great romance by Natalia Williams (I read Two to Tango first).
This was a sweet story about a wedding cake baker finding love. I loved that the characters were a little older and had each been through some difficult times individually before finding each other.
This was a sweet story about a wedding cake baker finding love. I loved that the characters were a little older and had each been through some difficult times individually before finding each other.
February 19, 2024
Super cute book!!! I want a slice of Gray 🩷
May 28, 2024
Super cute, swoony romance about two people who fight really hard for their HEA and win it. So much fun with these characters who already feel like old friends. Love it. Highly recommend. :D
August 2, 2024
Cute Summer Read
November 28, 2024
3.75 ⭐️ this was such an enjoyable, sweet, and heartwarming story about self worth, love, and our imperfections as human beings. An easy read, perfect for when you’re in a book slump.
December 17, 2024
Love the story and characters- my favorite character outside of the main love interests is Pop!!
August 3, 2025
What a fun and sweet rom com! I really enjoyed it!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews