Eat Dessert First

by Michelle Paris

Can a plus-sized, big-hearted baker discover the recipe for happiness? Abbey Reilly has heard “you have such a pretty face” enough times to know that it’s code for “if only you’d lose weight.” Giving up her architectural career to care for her ailing mom and working in a bakery to make ends meet, she is convinced no one will ever find her attractive. So she’s stunned when a handsome regular customer not only shows interest but asks her on a date.Devastated when she learns her would-be beau is married, Abbey resigns herself to a lonely future. But the insecure woman can hardly believe her luck when she draws the attention of a dreamy guy at a bachelorette party… until his horrible ex plots revenge. Will Abbey claim the confidence she deserves and find a keeper who recognizes her true beauty?With light humor and loving insight, Michelle Paris weaves a delightful tale of learning to believe in yourself. Juggling elder parent care, tight finances, and hating the image in the mirror, Abbey Reilly will charm any reader fond of rooting for an underdog.Eat Dessert First is a heartwarming work of women’s fiction. If you like relatable heroines, chasing a dream, and finding hope and happiness, then you’ll adore Michelle Paris’ sweet story of fulfillment.

Genres: Romance, Fiction

318 pages, Paperback

Published May 7, 2024

Reviews

[Jessica (Odd and Bookish) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book for free from the author for promotional purposes.

This was a sweet romance with a lot of heart.

The story is about Abbey, a plus sized architect turned baker, and her journey towards love and self acceptance. I loved that the book explored deeper topics like fat shaming and aging parents. Caring for an ailing parent is a very common thing these days, but I rarely see it depicted in books, so I am glad this book addressed it.

Despite the heavier topics, the book still retained a fun and comical tone. I laughed out loud many times. One of the characters, Caroline, was a comedic standout. She was hilarious but also incredibly caring towards Abbey. Magda was another character I loved. She was so encouraging to Abbey.

As for the romance, I enjoyed it but I wanted a little more development between Abbey and her love interest, Jax. I felt like some of the romance disappeared towards the end. I wanted to see more of their relationship and its growth.

The writing style was also a delight. I breezed through this book because it was so engaging and easy to read.

Overall, this romance was as sweet as cake! I recommend this book to romance readers looking for something a little different.

[Cover Lover Book Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Eat Dessert First” is a sweet, easy-to-sink-into story. If you’ve ever struggled with insecurity, low self-esteem, or body image issues, you’ll certainly relate to Abbey Reilly, the main character in this charming tale.

I connected with Abbey rather quickly, even though we are very different on many levels. As a caretaker for my mother (in the past) I related to her circumstances and trials, and I was also able to pull from my own esteem issues from younger days to connect with her distorted views of herself. I rooted for her and wanted her to see herself through others’ eyes.

I adore stories with a bakery or café setting. There’s just something universal about these gathering places that transports me to a group of townsfolks that feels like my own. This is a delicious redemption story with elements of romance, acceptance, and selflove.

First Line: Abbey’s finger hovered over the little blue arrow on her phone—the point of no return.
Genre: Women’s Fiction, ChickLit
Author: Michelle Paris
Page Count: 318

#CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions are 100% mine.

[Jacklyn B · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun and cute read!! This book is funny and heartwarming and oh so relatable. I really liked the message of knowing your worth and self confidence and growth.

Abbey has a lot on her plate! She’s her aging parent’s caretaker and had to put her career aside to help take care of them. She is working at a bakery to make ends meet and after her latest date ends up being married and her insecurities skyrocket…

I really love how we get to see Abbey’s confidence grow! Learning to love yourself and feel confident can be really hard, and I think Abbey’s experience is really going to resonate with a lot of people. Her experiences felt so authentic and real and I just wanted to give her a hug!!

I also loved the bakery setting and especially the ending!!! Be sure and check out the cake recipe at the end of the book!!!

✨What To Expect:
💞Romantic Comedy
💖Sweet Romance
🧁Bakery Setting
💋Plus size FMC
💜Found Family
😂Banter
♥️HEA

[Matea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eat dessert first is one beautiful book that I could relate to so much. It's easy and fast to read and I really enjoyed every moment of reading it. If you're insecure about yourself, the way you look or anything, just like me, this book helps you to realize that there is a happily ever after for you. I was just like Abbey before, in some ways I still am, but this books showed me hope that some day, I can have a story just like everyone else.

[Denise Schenk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abbey Reilly has left her job as an architectural engineer to return home to look after her mother. She has always heard about having a pretty face; but she is on the cubby side. She is now working in a bakery and is a great baker; but is missing out on life. She has never really had a steady boyfriend. She is asked out by a judge that comes into the bakery often; but finds out later he's married. When returning to Philly for her BFF's bachelorette party she meets a really nice handsome and rich guy. He seems to pursue her and they ghost her. They meet again at the wedding, and he tells her he is not sure about dating since he recently broke up with is fiancé. Abbey needs to learn to accept and love herself.
Great story of Abbey finally standing up for her herself and taking charge of her own life. I really enjoyed reading this book.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eat Dessert First, the adventurous new novel by author Michelle Paris, is a primer for lessons of love, especially of one’s self.
E is for Ellicott City, Maryland and Elle
D is for Delightful but Dementia-suffering mom Millie, Deceased Dad Mickey, Dress Designer Magda, Dreadful Dates and Definitely, Dessert.
C is for Caroline, Camille, Charlie, Criminal Crazy Cat Figaro, Cupcakes and Cookies.
B is for Bakery, Beatles, a Big girl with ‘such a pretty face’, Bobo, Betty, Boyfriends, Bullies and Brownies.
A is for Artists and Architects, and
A+ is for Abbey, the learning as-she-goes conquering heroine.
I hope the author has a sequel in the works as I want to see how Abbey continues her fun and surprising life.
A++ for Eat Dessert First by Michelle Paris!

[Helen Blackshear · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute rom com book! While I was reading the book it was easy to bring pictures to my mind. It was like I was watching a movie coming off of each page! I felt all the emotions along with Abbey as she navigated the issues she was going through. Through the ups and downs of relationships, family responsibilities, and figuring out what truly made her happy in life! I highly recommend this book!

[Tyler Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet romance for your TBR!

I instantly love Abbey our FMC, she's super relatable and easy to connect too. Following her story was such a fun treat even if it started off not so happy and she doesn't have the best of luck when it comes to men. Paris does an excellent job of writing characters that feel realistic and that you want to root for. The character development we get to see in the fmc from start to finish is wonderful and at then end I felt like Abbey was a whole new person.

If you love romances with plus size fmc's and multiple love interests then this is for you. While this is a romance I enjoyed how the author focuses on a lot of different topics such as friendship, self image and self love as well as found family. Overall a feel good read that I immensely enjoyed, this is my second book by this author and I have to say she never disappoints.

[Leona Walton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute, easy read with a happy ending to warm your heart.
Makes you want to move to a small town and open a bakery.
Bonus recipe at the end.
Thank you to Voracious readers for a complimentary copy in return for an honest review.

[Abigail Singrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a truly scrumptious delight that left me with a smile on my face! This is one of my favorite romances that I've read this year.

Abbey is a plus-size baker who gave up a successful architecture career to care for her mother with Alzheimer's. Her life is full with her beloved boss, Caroline, who's trying to convince her to come on as a partner in a bakery, her best friend Camille, and her love for her mother. She's just missing that special someone and a little self-confidence that she truly deserves love.

It was a delight to watch Abbey sort through her romantic and career options and learn to love herself and her life. This book has plenty of comedy, too, especially when it comes to Abbey's naughty cat Figaro. She also learns to deal with haters - both online and in real life. Through it all, she's such a good person who deserves the true happiness she finds. A wonderful read from an author who I'm sure will become a favorite!

Thank you to the author for the complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Beth Troxel · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off, I want to say, as a curvy girl myself, I can really relate to how Abbey feels and thinks. It’s hard to love yourself when you’ve been bullied because of your size. If you feel like you aren’t beautiful, you are. Even if you don’t believe it, you will!

At first, I wasn’t sure about this. I felt like maybe it was a little cheesy but the more I read, the more I realized how amazing it was. Some people just have low self-esteem and it’s hard to be positive about yourself. I’m one of those people. But reading this gave me more confidence about myself. I love how Abbey has such great friends who have her back. If it wasn’t for Caroline, I don’t know if Abbey would’ve had the guts to truly be herself.

Jax seemed to really be a good guy. From the start, I had a feeling he would be the one to give Abbey hope. All the others were terrible for her. But I understood why she went on those dates with the other men. She wanted to feel loved. Elle is a “bad word”. She’s the type that if she doesn’t get what she wants, she will sacrifice everyone else happiness for herself.

Paris has a way to get her meaning across without over doing it but still hitting you in the feels. Her first book was amazing, so naturally, I knew this would be great too. It has comedy, heartbreak, confidence. Just about everything that you need in a good heartwarming book. And as a woman who has severely low self-esteem, this book has opened my heart more about loving myself and not worrying what others think of me. It’s hard to love myself, but as Caroline said, “you have to love yourself before others will love you.”

Thank you, Michelle, for making this book. It’s truly one of those books that has opened my heart and let me see me for myself.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from Voracious Readers Only in exchange for my honest review.

So, as a fellow curvy girl, I could really relate to this in a lot of ways.

First of all , it can be incredibly difficult to figure out how to love yourself and your body in the modern day for just about any female presenting person. It is even harder to figure out how to do that when you've been mercilessly bullied during your formative years by people who are supposed to love you unconditionally- not to mention all the other people outside of family who feel it's necessary to add their two cents in where it's not needed. I've been on the receiving end of that infamous “you have such a pretty face” backhanded compliment more times than I care to count.

That being said, for me personally, as someone who is both curvy and in a relationship with someone who is both a wonderful human being and considered to be *conventionally attractive (*see also: wildly and unnaturally handsome- like really, where did you even come from??), this one was extra loud for me. I've had so many of those same thoughts and doubts. Thankfully for both Abbey and myself, the men in our lives really rise to the occasion to help retune those negative thoughts and remind us that we are actually worthy of love, regardless of what we look like in the eyes of society.

(Special thanks to my guy for being a real life version of Jax- he's endless proof that book boyfriends do actually exist beyond the pages of a novel- even if they do take their sweet time to walk into your job and give you a smile so adorable you almost drop your broom.)

My opinion might be incredibly biased for the above reasons, but I genuinely do recommend this one. It was overall a really great story and I do think it says a lot about a book when someone can relate so personally to what they're reading. Abbey is a really vivid character in the way that she struggles with her self esteem and self doubt, but still finds a way to overcome it to blossom into who she always was underneath all the layers of pain she'd been carrying around.
I also appreciate that despite eventually finding the love of a good partner, Jax was not written as her savior. They don't fall in love and suddenly all her problems are solved- she finds that confidence on her own and through the other bonds of friendship she forms during the course of the plot. Jax definitely does his part to build her up, but he is far from the be-all-end-all, Mr.Fix It and it's great.

[Nana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abbey Reilly, had an architectural career, but when her mother had a stroke, she made the decision to give it up and move back to become her mother's caregiver. When she moved back home, she got a job in a bakery. Abby was overweight, and she just couldn't seem to believe in herself. Caroline, the owner of the diner, see her as she truly was, and tried to help Abbey see it too.
She was at a dress fitting because she was in her best friend's wedding, and the seamstress told her after asking her who picked out this dress, and Abbey said she did. Magda, the seamstress, told her that the dress was horrible for her and proceeded to find the dress that would make her feel beautiful. When she was going to take two identical dresses and sew them together and make her beautiful, Abbey. Poor Abbey felt even worse, but what could she do. When it came the day for Abbey to pick up the dress, she was surprised, because she was beautiful in the dress. Magda said she was a magician who created magic, and when she went to the wedding, others saw the confidant, beautiful, Abbey, One of the groom's college friends, Jax asked her out. She really didn't believe he was sincere, and they left each other without trading numbers.
Abbey was working at the bakery, when Jax showed up, because Yelp, said they had the best chocolate chip cookies. They were comfortable talking to each other, but Abbey's lack of self-confidence, was dragging her down. Caroline and Magda, tried to get her to see what they saw, but the only one who could change what she believed was herself.
She did make progress because she had given up her career, moved back home to take care of her mother, and when she had a date and asked her sister to watch their mother, her sister said no. She finally stood up for herself. We started to see a new side of Abbey, and her journey took a new path. You will have to read the book to see what her new journey is, but a new path has many ways to go, things to learn and to see, and I don't want to spoil it for you. Hope you buy the book and enjoy it as much as I do.
I received an ARC from Books Go Social through NetGalley.

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eat Dessert First was a fun and quick read. I found the main character, Abbey, to be relatable and humorous, albeit rather anxious and desperate. I also enjoyed the cast of supporting characters, especially Caroline and Magda. Cooking and baking are hobbies of mine, so I always like reading books where those activities are show cased, and this book even includes a recipe at the end for Nona's Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting, which is featured several times throughout the story. Make it ahead of time to enjoy with the book!

The premise of the book, is that Abbey had to give up a promising career in architecture at a company in Philadelphia to take care of her mother after she had a stroke. Abbey then settles for a low-paying job in a bakery, simply because it's within walking distance of her mother's house where she's staying, and because she's passionate about baking. This results in some financial hardship for Abbey. I struggled with this career move for several reasons, but clearly, the bakery is integral to the entire plot so I chose to accept it and move on with the story. It is fiction, after all, and anything can happen.

As far as the romance aspect, I didn't feel like there was much chemistry between Abbey and any of her three suitors. I wasn't sure if Abbey decided to try dating the guy she ended up with because there was something really there, or because she was desperate. Although, by the end it did seem like they had some things in common, and had at least developed a foundation as friends.

While I enjoyed this book overall, I wish there had been a little more growth on Abbey's part. I didn't feel like Abbey was able to accept herself until she had some external validation, which didn't happen until practically the epilogue when she finally found some contentment and pride with herself, despite already being a pretty capable and accomplished human being.

I give this book 3 out of 5 stars. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a light, quick, and fun read that has a happy ending and doesn't get too deep.

[Farida Yasser · Rating 3 out of 5]

Compared to other books featuring an overweight main character, this one was quite good!
It didn't offer false affirmations and didn't glorify obesity. It was just realistic, Abbey was a big girl according to the measurements written in the dress fitting scene. She isn't obese, but she was big enough to be bullied by her peers growing up.
Her insecurities about her body and looks were understandable. While I disagree with her putting all her value on how she looks, I know how shallow and mean people could be to others.
However, there was something mentioned that I thought should've more spotlight; Abbey's relationship with food. Leaving the weight aspect aside, dealing with stress, or problems in general, with food is extremely dangerous. I didn't understand why the people around her didn't tell her to go to therapy until the very end, and they suggested it for her self-esteem only. Instead of telling her to love herself, the more pressing concerns should've been how to regulate her emotions and deal with them in a healthy manner.
Moving on to the romance, I thought it wasn't supposed to be a priority. Truth be told, the three men weren't at all suitable for her. One was married, the other was just looking for someone to have fun with and Jax was just a typical perfect love interest who has the sole job of loving Abbey and being supportive. There was no chemistry because there wasn't any semblance of balance. Their whole relationship was just to prove that Abbey is loveable, which made it feel forced and unauthentic.
The last part of the book was kind of disappointing. It was like one day a switch was turned and Abbey chose to be confident. She was basically waiting for people to validate her to be able to rise to her potential.
I liked the side characters, Caroline was definitely my favorite, she was at times the only interesting character. Such main character energy.
Overall, I liked it enough to keep reading and not feel bored.
*I received an ARC of this book through netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

[Ankit Sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michelle Paris’s Eat Dessert First is a heartwarming and inspirational guide that invites readers to reimagine their approach to life. Published by Apprentice House, this book offers a refreshing perspective on prioritizing joy and fulfillment amidst life’s challenges.

The title itself is a playful and evocative metaphor. Paris encourages readers to “eat dessert first,” symbolizing the importance of embracing and prioritizing the things that bring us the most happiness. The concept serves as a central theme throughout the book, promoting the idea that indulging in what we love can lead to a more satisfying and balanced life.

Paris’s writing is engaging and accessible, filled with personal anecdotes and practical advice. Her style is both motivational and relatable, making complex ideas about joy and fulfillment easy to grasp and implement. Each chapter is thoughtfully crafted to provide readers with actionable insights and strategies for integrating more pleasure and satisfaction into their daily routines.

One of the book’s strengths is its focus on mindfulness and self-care. Paris emphasizes the value of appreciating small moments and finding joy in everyday experiences. Her guidance is grounded in real-life examples, which adds authenticity and depth to her recommendations.

The structure of the book is well-organized, with each section addressing different aspects of living a joyful life. Paris combines theoretical insights with practical exercises, encouraging readers to actively engage with the content and apply it to their own lives.

Overall, Eat Dessert First is a delightful and empowering read. Michelle Paris’s thoughtful reflections and actionable advice make it a valuable resource for anyone looking to enhance their personal well-being and embrace life’s pleasures. It’s a charming reminder to savor life’s sweet moments and prioritize what truly brings us joy.

[Romantic Reads and Such · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75*s

There were so many characters to love in this story. Jax for his wooing of Abbey, Caroline for her support, Magda for her no nonsense attitude, and Abbey for her journey to seeing her true worth.

It’s hard to be a bigger girl, especially during those formative teenage years. Kids can be cruel and those wounds from our youth can leave long term scars. There are so many moments of “I’ve been there” in how Abbey views herself, how she interacts with others, and how her insecurities are laid out so baldly. There are some sweet moments and a lighthearted touch here and there, but it’s not easy for Abbey and takes pretty much the entire book.

**minor spoilers ahead** But I felt like it would have been better for Abbey to grow a little more earlier in the story. She could have really embraced who she was, learned to look at herself in a more positive light. I also feel like there needed to be more resolution to Abbey’s relationship with her sister. There is A LOT to unpack there and we just don’t get that. It’s a throw-away in the epilogue and really needed more to feel like it had been addressed. And as much as I love Jax and his patience in pursuing a relationship with Abbey, I’m surprised that he was willing to keep coming back. I get why she felt the way she did but she sure did not give that man a fair shake. He was almost too perfect but it’s a woman’s fiction novel not a true romance so as such the focus, rightly, was on Abbey.

While there were a few things that I think could have been handled either differently or with more detail, I enjoyed Paris’s newest. She gives readers supportive friends and a kind hearted beau, to allow Abbey to slowly work her way to seeing herself the way they do. And it all leads up to a deliciously feel-good HEA.

(I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

THIS BOOK!! It was so so good. I couldn't wait for my company to leave so I could finish it in one day. It's going to leave a book hangover for sure.
This book is all about self appreciation, learning to self love and knowing that it's more than just a pretty face that matters.

Abbey, named after her fathers love for the Beatles, thinks she's this larger than a blimp sized woman who is "just" a baker. She doesn't see what other see, this accomplished, beautifully curvy, tenderhearted woman who changed her lifestyle and career to take care of her mother after her father died. Jax is a well-known real estate mogul with a love for old record albums who was told he couldn't follow his dreams because it didn't fit the picture his parents had of their family.

Pros-
-There wasn't much I didn't like about this book.
- Abbey definitely got her esteem back in the end. SHE got to pick who she wanted when some men in her life came around.
-The banter in the book was funny and easy.
-The characters VERY likeable and relatable.
-The storyline around Abbey having to take care of her mother, and her mother getting her own HEA was nice.

Cons-
-The ONLY thing I can think of is Abbeys weakness and indecisiveness when it came to the men in her life. It made it relatable because I personally would've done the same. "Do I go back to safe, or explore something new that's not a for sure thing?" I would choose safe, so I'm glad she didn't but I wanted her to be stronger.

Overall, I'd give this book a 4.8-5.0. I loved it. I will be recommending this everywhere and buying it on its release date.

I received this ARC in return for an honest review. The opinion is of my own and completely unbiased.

Grab this book, dont hesitate.

[Kath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a realistic, relatable and heartwarming story! Loved this book. Main female character, Abbey, is a warm, compassionate, loyal woman who apparently carries some extra pounds her whole life and was at the receiving end of people's cruel verbal jabs about this fact. Words hurt as bad as physical abuse, only never visible. Can relate and understand this character's emotional feelings about this issue along with her lack of self-care and respect.

With giving up her much loved architect position in New York to come home to take care of her mom, Millie, speaks volumes. She works at a bakery, Sweet Caroline's Bakery, Ellicott City, NJ, with an older boss Caroline, who is an eccentric, life loving and motherly woman. Abbey's delicious cookies brings new and a lot of business. She has made a name for them on Yelp as the go to for delicious and outstanding cookies.

During the past almost 2 years one sees dating is not an active part of Abbey's life. No wonder with the looks and total lack of charm that comes in the shape of her first boyfriend, Charlie. Later on enters a gentleman who is less then honorable for her with his hiding the fact he's married! Jax comes along when they meet at her friend's bachelorette party, where she's the maid of honor. While this is all happening in her life, don't forget she manages to get and give her mom 24 hr constant care. The story takes off in several directions and Elle, Jax's ex-fiancee is not a warm or caring person who wants back in Jax's life is thrown into the scene along with baking and it's opportunities and her mom's health is always plaguing as well and Abbey does the best she can in taking care of her.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Mariam Mulla]

“Eat Dessert First” is a heartfelt and empowering novel that speaks directly to the soul. Let’s delve into the layers of this delightful story:
Abbey’s struggle with self-love resonates deeply. As a curvy girl who has faced bullying, she embodies the universal battle to embrace our own beauty.
The book reminds us that even when we doubt our worth, there’s inherent beauty within us.
Initially, you hesitated, thinking it might be cheesy. But as you immersed yourself, the magic unfolded.
Sometimes, the simplest stories carry profound messages that touch our hearts.
Abbey’s friends, especially Caroline, play a pivotal role. True friends provide the courage to be authentic.
Caroline’s unwavering support empowers Abbey to break free from self-doubt.
Jax, the genuine and good-hearted guy, becomes Abbey’s source of hope. His presence hints at brighter days.
The contrast with the other men Abbey dates underscores the importance of authentic connections.
Elle, the self-centered character, adds tension. Her actions reveal the darker side of human nature.
Sacrificing others’ happiness for personal gain—Elle embodies this flaw.
Paris strikes a balance—conveying depth without overdoing it. Her storytelling hits the emotional bullseye. Just as her first book amazed you, this one delivers comedy, heartbreak, and newfound confidence. As a woman with severely low self-esteem, I found solace in these pages. The book encourages self-love.
Caroline’s wisdom—“love yourself before others will love you”—is a powerful truth.
“Eat Dessert First” isn’t just a novel; it’s a mirror reflecting our struggles and our capacity for growth.
Michelle, the author, deserves gratitude for creating a book that opens hearts and reveals our true selves.

[Marcia Crabtree · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book written by novelist Michelle Paris and the second one that I have read. Ms. Paris’s first book, “New Normal,” was a thinly veiled, fictionalized memoir of herself as a suddenly young widow after only 8 years of an extremely happy marriage. That very short novel is, at times, sad, but mostly it’s unexpectedly entertaining and often humorous. These same characteristics are inherent in Ms. Paris’s second novel, “Eat Dessert First.” It contains some extremely funny phrases, as in her description of swiping right so often on a dating app that she developed a callous on her swiping finger, and, after finally landing a boyfriend from the app, a mid-thirties, acne faced man who played a lot of video games, lamenting that his proficiency with a joystick did not translate to his abilities in bed. These types of characterizations had me chuckling out loud.

Nevertheless, the book mostly has a very sad undertone, because the main character, a “fat girl with a pretty face,” has a complete lack of confidence in herself and is her own worst enemy. Having been bullied and ridiculed for most of her life by people who judged her solely on her weight, she had zero sense of self worth. Although there are several people in her life who try to counteract these negative images and feelings about herself, it isn’t until the very end of the book that she finally internalizes these same, positive emotions. And, like all good romantic stories and fairy tales, this one has a very happy ending.

As with her previous book, I am thankful to Ms. Paris, Apprentice House Press, and BookSirens for giving me a digital advanced reader’s copy of “Eat Dessert First.” My review is 100% voluntary.

[Lilian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abbey is a beautiful curvy woman who was previously an architect at Philadelphia. She moves back to her hometown and starts working at Sweet Caroline’s Bakery, infusing her own creations into the original list of desserts prepared by Caroline, the owner.

Caroline is a spunky older woman who becomes Abbey’s greatest supporter / friend. We are also introduced to Millie, Abbey’s mum who has just suffered from a stroke and thus requires close monitoring , whether from Millie herself or paid help.

One day, Abbey visits Philadelphia to prepare for Camille’s upcoming wedding where she is the Maid of Honor. At the bachelor-bachelorette party, she meets Jax, a charming Paul McCartney lookalike who is also CEO of a real estate company.

Despite interest from potential suitors (including Jax), Abbey still suffers deeply from low self esteem due to bullying which started during her school days. She finds it difficult to be confident and see herself as the beautiful, attractive woman that she is.

As the book progresses, we see her growing more confident, while we also learn more about her parents, and the conflict she has with her sister. An incident threatens to put a stop to the relationship between Abbey and Jax but thankfully, we move beyond the misunderstanding for them to have their Happy Ever After. The ending is beautifully written and perfect for Abbey.

Note: reading this makes me crave red velvet cake.

[Joy's Atheneum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here’s a delicious new book to add to your TBR.
The author is a master with characters, each one felt unique and perfect for their role in the story.
The message of accepting and loving yourself, as well as not letting yourself think that everyone is out to get you, really hit close to home with me.

I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to just kick back, relax, and enjoy a cute read that will have you kicking your feet and giggling with glee.

We follow Abbey, our FMC, as she struggles with self worth and self sabotage, and watch her grow and blossom into a confident woman with the help of the people around her (including two spunky and awesome fairy-godmother-like women who I absolutely LOVE).

Abbey struggles with accepting her body size, and has a love/hate relationship with food, so just keep that in mind when you are deciding whether or not to read this book. As someone who struggles with that same problem, I feel like this book handled the subject very well.
Abbey does not magically become skinny and “beautiful” at the end of the book, it’s not that type of book.

Disclaimer, I did receive a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Cindi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abbey is now a baker who gave up her previous career as an architect to take care of her mother after she suffered a stroke. This was her last promise to her father on his deathbed and one that her sister frequently reminded her of. Abbey struggled with seeing her own worth and was unhappy with her size throughout the book. The cast of supportive side characters (Madga, Caroline) really hammered home the theme of accepting yourself and believing in your worth. I had a hard time connecting with two of Abbey's potential love interests and did feel that the relationship with Jax was wrapped up rather quickly. I would have liked to see more of their relationship develop.

I really enjoyed the end of the book and how Abbey came to accept herself and found her true passion. I loved the idea of Eat Dessert First and how it tied back to her father. I felt that the writing was the strongest in the final few chapters and it showcased the struggle of dealing with an aging parent.

I would recommend this book to someone looking for a fairly quick read with a main character who finds her passion and becomes comfortable with herself.

Thank you NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for this ARC opportunity
#EatDessertFirst #NetGalley

[Susanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to the author, BooksGoSocial and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. My apologies for the delay in posting this review, I had a bit too much going on.

This was a quick read, and had a lot of potential - but I found myself really annoyed with the female main character. Yes, it's realistic in portraying her as a larger-sized woman, without glorifying obesity or offering false affirmations. And while I hated that she put so much emphasis on what she thought other people thought of her, her insecurities were understandable, given how horrible people can be. She gave up a promising career as an architect to move back to the small town where she grew up, to take care of her mother, whose health is failing, and is now working as a baker. Her romantic relationships were torpedoed by her insecurities - but no one ever suggested she go to therapy, which would have been essential to help her work through her issues. And then suddenly a switch is flipped and the perfect man - with whom there is no chemistry at all - enters her life and everything changes. Overall, I ended this frustrated, because this could have been so much better.

[Frida Hemborg · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a uplifting, soulsearching, heartfelt and sweet (in more ways than one!) romance book! This book tackles subjects such as not accepting yourself, bodyimage and self doubt. We have a plus sized main characters that’s constantly been put down throughout her life. ”You’re so cute, despite being fat”. Which also leads to an unhealthly relationship with food and desserts, as a way of coping. She also have to take care of her mother, a stroke survivor, with no help from her ungrateful sister (who I really wanted to jump into the book and shake some sense into). Fortunately we do have several lovely characters that rally around Abbey, and try to lift her up. To see herself the way they see her, an incredible human being. We also get several potential love interests, with a varying degree of disaster. A book about finding yourself, to stop letting others walk all over you and finding love. In all kinds of ways. The ending was soo good, such a good way to wrap up this story and give Abbey the ending she deserves. Wonderful story, witty characters and lots of sweet treats.

[Donna Spencer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a lovely story about a young woman learning to value her strengths.

Abbey is currently a baker, though still thinks of herself as an architect - a situation triggered by needing to care for her sick mother. She's had limited previous experience with relationships, which she explains to herself as being about her plus-sized curviness. The story covers a short time in her life, some new relationships with potential partners and some solid relationships with friends.

I read it in one sitting on a flight. I liked it well enough, but didn't love it. I'm not sure if it is just that I don't really like romance novels (it was listed as women's fiction, which I do read), or if it felt a bit shallow (it is a short book, so maybe not a lot of room for depth).

I'd recommend it for anyone who wants an easy read, with character growth and a positive ending.

(Read a ARC via net galley in exchange for an honest review)

[JANELLE · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick fun read!

Abbey has moved back to her hometown to take care of her ailing mother - she left a great career as an architect and takes up a position baking at a local bakery, Sweet Caroline's. She's plus sized and has always heard the annoying refrain "you have such a pretty face"....but..... soon she discovers she enjoys baking and Caroline's character is a hoot! The storyline follows Abbey as she's starting to date, first a judge who turns out to be married - and then on a return trip to the city for a wedding, she meets another guy - who seems really interested, then his ex shows up and he ghosts her for a while. Madga is another incredible character, she helps Abbey and it's so great! There is a lot going on in this book, but it's smooth and fast moving and really enjoyable!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

[Lisa Heidke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed Eat Dessert First, a captivating women’s fiction novel by Michelle Paris.

Heartwarming and authentic, I loved protagonist, Abbey Reilly, who’s heard "you have such a pretty face" from enough bullies to know it's code for "if only you'd lose weight." Giving up her architectural career to care for her ailing mom, recovering from a stroke, and working in a bakery, Abbey’s convinced no one will ever find her attractive. Therefore, she's dumbfounded when a handsome customer asks her on a date, only to discover he’s married.

I enjoyed getting to know Abbey - her intelligence, humour, and calm - and hoped she’d find the confidence to believe in herself, despite the negative and destructive comments of those around her. I loved her friend Caroline, who encourages Abbey to fine her true self and embrace her gorgeousness. Completely charming, positive, and aspirational.

[Christy Putz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read in 1 night cause I had to know the ending!! I haven't been able to relate to a character like Abbey in a long time. So many similarities and things that I myself have gone through. I've dealt with body issues all my life being a plus-size woman and I didn't find my husband until I was in my 30s. Dealing with failed love interests and heart ache hit close to home. I would've like to have seen Jax fight a little bit harder or maybe just be in the book more. He was a great love so I felt that maybe some more focus should've been on them. I love how Elle got what was coming to her. I also prefer a bit more smut in my book but that's just a personal preference. This was a sweet romance and a journey to self love that ended in a happily ever after that I quite enjoyed. If you like these types of books I would highly recommend giving it a read!