Hating the Cinnamon Roll CEO

Cinnamon Rolls and Pumpkin Spice #1

by Camilla Evergreen

Is it rational to hate my billionaire boss because he’s too nice ?

Maybe not.

However, it’s definitely rational to apply to become a billionaire stranger’s housewife so I can quit being a personal assistant.

When—in a shocking turn of events—I encounter billionaire scarcity and learn I’ve signed up to become my boss’s wife before Christmas, I backpedal so hard I’m liable to pull something.

Shame indeed my too nice boss picks this moment to blackmail me.

The agreement is I date him; he pays off my crippling debt; I have until the end of November to decide whether or not I’m saying “I do.”

It’s one measly autumn, and then I’m free.

There’s no way I'll fall in love before this contract’s up…

Even if Finnegan Marsh proves to be so much more than nice.

Hating the Cinnamon Roll CEO is a laugh-out-loud romantic comedy with cozy autumn vibes, office romance, and plenty of closed-door sizzle.

~

Enjoy the other full-length books in the Cinnamon Rolls and Pumpkin Spice series, which can be read in any

Hating the Cinnamon Roll CEO by Camilla Evergreen

Falling for Autumn (Again) by Jen Atkinson

Paris, Pumpkins & Puns by Marion De Ré

Fall With Me by Amanda P Jones

Cinnamon & Spice Conundrum by Leah Busboom

Cinnamon Roll Set Up by Genny Carrick

Coffee Break with the Billionaire by Holly Kerr

The Friendly Fall by Kristine W Joy

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Clean Romance, Fiction, Marriage Of Convenience, Billionaire Romance, Rom Com

234 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 10, 2024

About the author

Camilla Evergreen is an alias of USA Today bestselling author Anne Stryker. Originally intended as a dumping ground for all things lacking fantasy, Camilla/Anne came to the shocking discovery that writing sarcastic, chaotic romcoms full of quippy heroines and adoring heroes has a kick to it.

Camilla/Anne’s neurodivergent tendencies leave her hyperfocused on writing sweet and sassy romances from dawn till dusk and lending whatever her current creative obsessions are to her characters. From arranged marriages to falling for the boss, there’s lots of love to go around.

Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/authorannemilla

Reviews

[Jen ♥]

Dnf @ 26%


I couldn't get into the story; there's something about the writing style that doesn't vibe with me. Also, I'm not sure, but I think this is a romcom, yet the humor felt so forced and not funny at all. Like it's trying way too hard; I don't feel it or get it.

And I don't like the FMC. Maybe this is way too early to whine about her, but every time she opens her mouth, all I want to do is shut it again. 🤧 I don't understand her behavior and hatred for the MMC. Is she supposed to be the grumpy one? Because all I'm getting from her is the witchy, ungrateful, judgmental attitude. I don't like this type of MC, so I'm going to stop while I can. She's grating on my nerves. 😮‍💨

And again, this is probably way too soon to say, but I'm still gonna say it: the MMC is way better off with someone else. For some weird reason, I already feel like he's way too good for her, and she doesn't deserve him. 🤷‍♀️

Anyway, this is not for me, so DNF it is.

[Toni Shiloh · Rating 5 out of 5]

When is a Camilla Evergreen book not great? Hating the Cinnamon Roll CEO gave me all the autumn vibes in her signature style. I needed to read this book at this time to escape and enjoy reading once again.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Too Much Fun

I would never have guessed I would use “fun” in the title of my review at the beginning of this book. Marcella is the world’s grumpiest and most pessimistic female I ever met in print. For some reason, said grumpy female got drunk alone on her birthday and filled out a 200 question application to marry a millionaire found that she found online. One of the questions is: why are you filling out this form? The answer was that she hates her job.

The millionaire in question turns out to be none other than Finnegan Marsh, Marcella’s always super nice and happy boss and CEO of a grocery empire.

Marcella is actually very funny and has the best comebacks to everything. Finn is just a nice guy who likes her just the way she is. The fun part is finding out if Marcella can get out of her own way enough to find a forever love. Five star fun.

[Yvette Jarrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Warning: 'Hating the Cinnamon Roll CEO' may cause excessive happiness, spontaneous smiling, and a sudden craving for all things autumn. This rom-com is a total winner, starring Marcella as the lovable, introverted grump and Finnegan as the ultimate charmer. Their romance is a witty, charming, and heartwarming adventure that'll leave you feeling cozy and uplifted.

And let's be real, Finn is the kind of guy who'll make you laugh, cry, and fall head over heels in love - with him and with cinnamon rolls. I loved this book! Finn is the ultimate sweetheart, and though it took some time for Marcellalittle time to warm up to him, she fell for him. I loved how charming Finn is and in perfect opposites, Marcella is full of sarcasm, which at times was very relatable.

If you love autum vibes, grumpy vs. sunshine, and workplace romances, this book is for you! I enjoyed the different changes with our MMC being the grump. I also understood why at times she was that way. The story worked so well because of Finn’s patience. And I love, love the gifts! I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!

I was given this book as an ARC. All opinions are honest and of my own.

[Rita · Rating 4 out of 5]

DID NOT foresee this book being so adorable and emotional!

[Julie Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, this book! I loved it soooo much! Marcella is the grumpy one in this story. She cracked me up in the opening scene. Just know she's not this cuddly and happy sunshiney character. But she was very endearing the more I read of the book and came to understand her. And goodness, she's hysterically funny!!! Seriously! And pair her up with her boss... *happy sigh*

Finn, the billionaire cinnamon roll CEO, sunshiney happiness, that you just can't help but love and connect with. He's wonderful and everything that being a cinnamon roll character implies. Combine him and Marcella together and you'll see magic.

They might start off their friendship to more relationship in an unconventional way, but I loved watching them truly come to know each other and be sincere with each other. It was so sweet and heartwarming. Finn is the real deal. And watching Marcella come to know she is worth love and being understood was something great to behold.

Content: Clean. There are some kisses but nothing further. The characters do sleep in the same bed but nothing is implied in happening between them.

I received a copy from the publisher, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-Op, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

[Kimberley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hating The Cinnamon Roll CEO is the first book in the multi author Cinnamon Rolls and Pumpkin Spice series and is a closed door romance with kissing only. It does have a few trigger warnings like suicide, death of a parent and a parent with dementia. It’s a workplace enemies to lovers story all with cosy fall vibes. It took me a little while to get into this unique story especially with the main character Marcella but once reading the story you could totally understand why Marcella is the way she is. Finnegan was patient and a true cinnamon roll who truly deserved to be loved. This was an enjoyable read and I can’t wait for the rest of the series. I received a complementary copy from the author.

[Carissa · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hated the cinnamon roll CEO as well…. 🫠🫠
The more I think about it the more I hate it. Maybe the worst book I’ve ever read. Horrible to say. But some books should just live in someone’s mind and never make it to reality.

[Alicia (aliciasalwaysreading) · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: romcom
Content: kisses, loss (including suicide), parent with dementia (present), parent with cancer (survivor/in the past), some innuendo

I freaking loved this book. This was my first ever read from Camilla Evergreen and you'd better believe that I'll be diving into her backlist!

From the very first chapter, I was literally laughing out loud. Our FMC, Marcella, has a bit too much to drink on her birthday and ends up answering 200 questions on an application to be a billionaire's wife. Her reasoning? She has crippling debt (for a good reason, #cancersucks) and she really hates her job. She neglects to look at the name of the billionaire that she applies to wed...which of course happens to be her boss, Finnegan.

These two are grumpy/sunshine to a T. Marcella was snarky, sassy and has kind of a general pessimistic attitude. I saw other reviews calling her abrasive and harsh, but honestly, I thought she was hilarious, even with her morbid sense of humor. She's endured some serious trauma and she didn't fit in as a child; I can see why her personality is what it is. She really only hates Finn because he's so bubbly, kind, and happy.

Finn is, as the title indicates, a gooey cinnamon roll. Marcella has always put on a "work persona" so he honestly had no idea that she disliked him at all. Once he asks her to be herself around him, he is fascinated by her and all the facets of her personality. He treats her so well! Marcella is touch averse and dislikes physical contact, and Finn was so respectful of her boundaries in that regard. I also loved the scene with the loan company. It showed us a slightly different side to Finn and was so good.

The wedding was absolutely perfect. It was PERFECT!

Okay, you should read this book and I should go read my ARCs and then promptly devour Camilla's backlist. Let's GO!

Favorite Quotes:

😆Question 93: Do you consider yourself to be high maintenance?
Absolutely not. Lock me in a room with snacks and the internet for a month. I will thrive.

🏠 Whatever the opposite of wanderlust is—that's what I have. Stay home lust. Leave me alone lust. For why lust.

😂 “No one's supposed to be rich, handsome, and kind with no medical issues to speak of. The least you could do is have a mild case of asthma. Come on."

🤣"You have very complicated feelings."
"Thanks. I think it's called being a person. Not a fan, honestly. But here we are."

🔥 My mouth goes dry as I recall the last thing he said to me. Add decimating JustBorrow to my schedule. Since when does bright sunshine boy say words like decimating? Heaven help me. I'm only flesh and bone. What am I supposed to do with the information that he wants to destroy something for me?

❤️ "It's okay, Finn. I'm right here. And I'm going to stay right here. I don't think anyone can ever really replace anyone else, but I can promise that, for the rest of your life, you'll be subjected to my existence until you're completely sick of me."

😍 “People don't change; they grow.
You gave me the space I needed to thrive. You taught me I wasn't hard to love. Loving you after that was easy. I kind of just... grew into it."

[Catarina Águas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanna thank netgalley for this ARC in exhange of an honest review. And I also wanna thank the author for this copy of the book:

I loved this book. Honestly, I didn't think I would but it really captured me.
Marcella was an intriguing character, she was complex and maybe not totally lovable. She was diferent from others FMCs that I have read and that was a good thing. She was a literal black cat and I was living for it. She was so grumpy and touch repulsed (I am too) that it really felt so real. FMCs are always so sunshine and lovable and approachable and she wasn't, and that was everything.
Finn was the perfect boyfriend. That man deserved the whole freaking world. The way he loved her and respected her and didn't want her to change anything about her because for him, she was perfect as she was.
They made a very improbable couple but they worked so well, they fit like pieces of a puzzle. I loved them and I'm glad they had their HEA

[Cheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Marcella is so negative and sarcastic. I was about 60% into the book before I really started to like her. When you understand why she pushes everyone away, it is easier to like her.
Finnegan is extremely wealthy but is lonely and looking for a wife. He was likable from the beginning.

[Kiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

i lovedddddddddd this book.

we have the reverse grumpy vs. sunshine. i love the communication, the dedication to each other and the candid conversations.

i loved every single bit of this book, the pages just kept turning.

i loved camilla!!

[mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

i read this book in one sitting. it was so so cute. when marcella drunkenly submits an application to be an anonymous billionaire’s wife, she doesnt think anything of it. but then… that billionaire is her boss (who is the sweetest man alive and therefore the exact opposite of everything marcella stands for) and he is set on her accepting his proposal. naturally, dating hijinks ensue where he tries to romance her and she tries to deny the fact that she likes him.

i loved this book!! the relationship between marcella and finn was adorable, her friendships were PERFECT, and the best part? stardew valley is a plot point. if you know anything about me, its that i have an unhealthy obsession with stardew valley. so when the love interests bond over the most adorable farming sim in the world, that makes for the most adorable romcom in the world.

i’d recommend to anyone and everyone looking for a feel good, cozy, lighthearted romance for fall!! it definitely got me into the autumnal spirit.

thank you so much to netgalley for the arc <3 out september 10th!!

[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This pair don’t just give off black cat and golden retriever energy. Our beautiful, aloof feline heroine also has a bunch of traits I’d call neurodivergent. To see Marcella find her person, who adores her for all of the things that make her unique in a world that wants to squash us all into the same little boxes is just so incredibly emotional for me. Happy-go-lucky Finnegan isn’t exclusively sunshine, and roses though. He’s dealing with some personal tragedies that have been known to break other people; starting with the reason he and Marcella are in the situation they’re in. These two took some work to really fall in love with them, but it was one hundred percent worth the effort. The time I spent with them went by so quickly and I don’t know what to do with myself now that the book is over.

[Alberta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable reading experience.

I found this book to be a refreshing and hilarious read. I could deeply relate to the main character in ways I haven’t experienced with characters from other books.

The author’s writing style is unique and engaging, breaking away from the usual, predictable formulas.

However, some of the dialogue felt a bit exhausting to read at times, which slowed down the pace for me. Despite that, it was still an enjoyable experience overall.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny!

I think that’s what stuck with me most about this book. It was FUNNY! Marcella was a whole crazy mess but dang was she quippy. No wonder Finn fell in love with her. Girl has me rolling.

The love story was cute and I loved how careful Finn was with her and was so instinctually able to give her what she needed. They really ended up being this adorable opposites attract couple.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

The end of this book had me absolutely SOBBING. No spoilers, but be prepared. 🥹

I can’t even put into words how much I love this book. The opposites attack/reverse grumpy x sunshine tropes were done so, so beautifully. The stardew valley references, the friendships, the consent, giving people space to be who they are. Everything was just so well executed.

I definitely recommend that you all pick this one up!

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in one cozy start of autumn evening and it gave me all the cozy vibes. This is the first book I’ve read by this author and it will not be my last, so talented with story weaving. Thanks to the author, NetGalley and publishers for the arc.

[Devika · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hating the Cinnamon Roll CEO is the first part in a multi author closed door series. This series will feature eight books. I was excited to dive into this first part of the series. What will this book bring?

Hating the Cinnamon Roll CEO does have romance tropes, however it didn't feel like an ordinary romance or romcom. Camilla Evergreen does have a nice writing style and she really incorporated the romance tropes in a fun and unique way. Both Finn and Marcella are worked out really well and I feel like I really got to know them through this book.

Check out my full review on my blog Boekensteeg

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is delightful, and everything I've come to expect from Camilla Evergreen. Snarky, sarcastic, and characters that truly need therapy, but still a great love story.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute

Very cute story with a grumpy as ever heroine. Interesting switch and was sweet how loving and kind the hero was - especially to her.

[modezireads · Rating 2 out of 5]

this was... questionable.

[Hazelgreen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too many extra details. I found it a little boring especially after reading the " How to Rom com) series.

[Tiffany Hubbard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was CUTE!!!! I laughed out loud a lot.

[Gracie Tompkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a FUN time!!

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 more like, I read it as my thanksgiving smut, in reality it was a really cure ending. Also my wish for jackie.

[bookgirlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know when you think a man is a green flag? Well, multiply that by 10 and you get Finn.

[Lisa McAuliffe · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was just ok - I’m not going to tell you to rush to read it - but this girl took the grumpy of the grumpy / sunshine trope to another level and I got a kick out of it.

[Lissa Ruck · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved Finn & Marcella's feisty, sweet, caring, heartachingly beautiful, loving, swoony story!!

[zel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reseña al rato

Una lectura rápida de leer, trata sobre un fake dating con grumpy x sunshine con el jefe del trabajo (el CEO)

Disfrute la lectura, aunque siendo sincera esperaba mas, a veces sentía que no entendía a la protagonista mujer, y sentía que algunas palabras o cosas que hacia estaban de mas, jajajaja, nunca entendí su sarcasmo jajaja

¿La forma en la que empezó todo? fue muy random, pues fue por medio de un formulario donde su jefe hizo 200 preguntas para poder encontrar a su esposa ideal, y ella un día estando fuera de sus cabales (tomada) decidió contestar dicha encuesta, por lo que a su jefe le gustaron las respuestas y le ofreció que fingiera un compromiso con el, con contrato y hasta con fecha de la boda

Ella al principio no quería, pues se le hacia muy raro, sin embargo sus amigas la terminaron de convencer.

Yo digo que fue la forma en la que empezó todo, literal en el primer capitulo ya le ofrece su fake dating, que no me termino de convencer

2.5-3