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Salty, Spiced, and a Little Bit Nice
Crazy Rich Asians meets Always Be My Maybe in this deliciously sugar-free rom-com from debut author Cynthia Timoti.
Ellie Pang has had enough of her controlling family who has been micromanaging her life since her type 1 diabetes diagnosis. When her parents orchestrate a public proposal from their business partner’s son, a proposal that goes humiliatingly viral, Ellie escapes to the other side of the country to put her dream of opening a sugar-free bakery into action. Afterall, she’d done her research. How hard can it be?
She hits a snag when her storefront turns out to be a dump and in need of major renovations. Worse, the only person who can help her turn things around is Alec Mackenzie, her brother’s best friend and the man responsible for crushing her teenage heart ten years ago.
But Alec has a proposal of his own: he needs a pretend girlfriend in order to cement a business deal. All they need to do is feign love and affection, while trying not to maim each other. But when the thin line between hate and fake-madly-in-love starts to blur, and buried secrets resurface, Ellie must learn to trust her heart, and choose between love and family.
Ellie Pang has had enough of her controlling family who has been micromanaging her life since her type 1 diabetes diagnosis. When her parents orchestrate a public proposal from their business partner’s son, a proposal that goes humiliatingly viral, Ellie escapes to the other side of the country to put her dream of opening a sugar-free bakery into action. Afterall, she’d done her research. How hard can it be?
She hits a snag when her storefront turns out to be a dump and in need of major renovations. Worse, the only person who can help her turn things around is Alec Mackenzie, her brother’s best friend and the man responsible for crushing her teenage heart ten years ago.
But Alec has a proposal of his own: he needs a pretend girlfriend in order to cement a business deal. All they need to do is feign love and affection, while trying not to maim each other. But when the thin line between hate and fake-madly-in-love starts to blur, and buried secrets resurface, Ellie must learn to trust her heart, and choose between love and family.
336 pages, Paperback
First published May 6, 2025
59 people are currently reading
11495 people want to read
About the author
Cynthia Timoti
4 books66 followersCynthia Timoti writes fun multicultural romcoms with plenty of heart and snark, where happy endings are always guaranteed. She was born and raised in Jakarta, Indonesia, and moved to Australia when she was seventeen. She later studied Commerce and spent too many years working in finance, even though numbers aren’t her strongest suit.
When she isn’t writing, she's probably trying to make a dent in her TBR pile, hunting for the perfect cup of bubble tea, and collecting pretty notebooks that she’ll never use. Cynthia currently resides in Melbourne with her husband and two sons.
Find her on Instagram: @cynthiatimoti
When she isn’t writing, she's probably trying to make a dent in her TBR pile, hunting for the perfect cup of bubble tea, and collecting pretty notebooks that she’ll never use. Cynthia currently resides in Melbourne with her husband and two sons.
Find her on Instagram: @cynthiatimoti
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 224 reviews
May 29, 2025
3.5⭐
Genre ~ multicultural romance
Setting ~ Washington
Publication date ~ May 6, 2025
Publisher ~ Tor
Est Page Count ~ 325 (30 titled chapters +e)
Audio length ~ 10 hours 36 minutes
Narrator ~ Eunice Wong
POV ~ single 1st
Featuring ~ debut, small town, fake relationship, forced proximity, slow burn, roommates to lovers, enemies to lovers, brother’s best friend, best friend’s sister, minimal steamage
Ellie (28) has had enough of her OVERBEARING mother, who is not only mad that she didn’t marry a man she doesn’t love just because of his family connections, but she also got fired her from her job. Wow, what a supportive mother, not! She takes the cake and there's definitely no sweetness in it.
Now is as perfect a time as any to move across the country, purchase a storefront and follow her dream of owning a bakery. Unfortunately when she arrives she discovers the store has recently been ruined from a storm. Luckily though her brother’s best friend, and her childhood crush/enemy, Alec, lives in town and is in the construction business. They work a deal ~ he’ll find her contractors and she’ll pretend to be his girlfriend in order to close a business deal.
Some of the recipes she makes sound super duper scrumptious. I want to try them all. All sugar free and low carb since she has type 1 diabetes. It’s apparent the author is knowledgeable on the topic as we get the ins and outs of what it’s like living with it, and that’s confirmed in the author's note.
I was really rooting for Ellie to succeed because I've never been so happy to see a character leave their family behind to follow a dream. Well really just her mother because her brother was perfectly fine and supportive. Although I tagged this as brother's best friend/best friends sister that trope isn't explored as they typically are.
I did like Ellie & Alec together to an extent, but I really wish this was dual POV, so that we weren’t just assuming Alec’s feelings. Also, I wouldn’t have minded some flashbacks to when they first met 20 years ago to get a glimpse of their crush on each other. This would have made me feel their connection slightly more. A little too slow burn for me waiting for them to figure everything out, but all works out as we know it would.
Overall, a well written debut. I enjoyed the friendships Ellie made with Kim and Jenna and it’d be nice if they got their own books. Alec's friend, Rob, sounds like a nice fella, too.
Narration notes:
I did not listen to this one, but am just giving the above info for reference.
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ X
Genre ~ multicultural romance
Setting ~ Washington
Publication date ~ May 6, 2025
Publisher ~ Tor
Est Page Count ~ 325 (30 titled chapters +e)
Audio length ~ 10 hours 36 minutes
Narrator ~ Eunice Wong
POV ~ single 1st
Featuring ~ debut, small town, fake relationship, forced proximity, slow burn, roommates to lovers, enemies to lovers, brother’s best friend, best friend’s sister, minimal steamage
Ellie (28) has had enough of her OVERBEARING mother, who is not only mad that she didn’t marry a man she doesn’t love just because of his family connections, but she also got fired her from her job. Wow, what a supportive mother, not! She takes the cake and there's definitely no sweetness in it.
Now is as perfect a time as any to move across the country, purchase a storefront and follow her dream of owning a bakery. Unfortunately when she arrives she discovers the store has recently been ruined from a storm. Luckily though her brother’s best friend, and her childhood crush/enemy, Alec, lives in town and is in the construction business. They work a deal ~ he’ll find her contractors and she’ll pretend to be his girlfriend in order to close a business deal.
Some of the recipes she makes sound super duper scrumptious. I want to try them all. All sugar free and low carb since she has type 1 diabetes. It’s apparent the author is knowledgeable on the topic as we get the ins and outs of what it’s like living with it, and that’s confirmed in the author's note.
I was really rooting for Ellie to succeed because I've never been so happy to see a character leave their family behind to follow a dream. Well really just her mother because her brother was perfectly fine and supportive. Although I tagged this as brother's best friend/best friends sister that trope isn't explored as they typically are.
I did like Ellie & Alec together to an extent, but I really wish this was dual POV, so that we weren’t just assuming Alec’s feelings. Also, I wouldn’t have minded some flashbacks to when they first met 20 years ago to get a glimpse of their crush on each other. This would have made me feel their connection slightly more. A little too slow burn for me waiting for them to figure everything out, but all works out as we know it would.
Overall, a well written debut. I enjoyed the friendships Ellie made with Kim and Jenna and it’d be nice if they got their own books. Alec's friend, Rob, sounds like a nice fella, too.
Narration notes:
I did not listen to this one, but am just giving the above info for reference.
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ X
July 1, 2025
*me actively in book club* “I refuse to talk about this book -“
*actively talks about everything I hated from this book*
*actively talks about everything I hated from this book*
April 24, 2025
This was such a cute read, I really want to read more from the author cause I love her easy and fun writing style. The fmc in this book has overprotective parents because of her diabetes diagnosis and is stifled. Everything comes to a headway when she finds out her mom paid her boss to fire her because she declined a proposal that would have benefited their business. The fmc decides to leave her family and the inheritance and start her own business that's a bakery that makes diabetic-friendly cookies and pastries. The mmc is her brother's best friend, they aren't on the best terms because of what happened in the past but they they agree to fake date.
I really liked the part about the fmc struggle with her immigrant parents and them being overbearing about her and her diagnosis because that seemed very realistic. I also just liked the FMC's voice and how fun she was. The romance is a slow burn with the ' he fell first' and the 'It's always been you' and one-room trope. There is a bit of steam but that's toward the end. I wanted more emotional romantic scenes but I thought the romance was very real. Overall this was a good debut, i loved the diverse voices and characters and I enjoyed it. Thanks to Bramble for this arc.
I really liked the part about the fmc struggle with her immigrant parents and them being overbearing about her and her diagnosis because that seemed very realistic. I also just liked the FMC's voice and how fun she was. The romance is a slow burn with the ' he fell first' and the 'It's always been you' and one-room trope. There is a bit of steam but that's toward the end. I wanted more emotional romantic scenes but I thought the romance was very real. Overall this was a good debut, i loved the diverse voices and characters and I enjoyed it. Thanks to Bramble for this arc.
December 22, 2024
Romcom with heart and some cultural twists. Can her first crush be her true love? Ellie fell in love with her brother’s best friend Alec when she was just a girl. After he broke her heart and left town, she hadn’t seen him in years. Present day, Ellie has just gone viral for refusing a proposal - which her family pushed for. Ellie’s family is all about their business and the bottom line - so when Ellie turns down the proposal, they cut her off. With her family always controlling her life, Ellie decides to pick up and move away to focus on her dream of starting a bakery. Not just any kind of bakery - but a low sugar/carb one that specializes in treats for people like her with type 1 diabetes. But who does she run into in this new town? But of course it’s Alec. With Ellie needing help with repairs on her bakery, and Alec needing a fake girlfriend to help his business - they decide to make a deal. But what if the feelings aren’t all that fake?
I loved Ellie. She is a strong independent woman with a good sense of humour. And I like that she stood up for herself and the type of love and relationships she deserves.
I loved Ellie. She is a strong independent woman with a good sense of humour. And I like that she stood up for herself and the type of love and relationships she deserves.
February 9, 2025
From the moment I read the query letter and page 1 of this book, I just knew I was going to fall DEEPLY and IRREVOCABLY in love with it. And I did. I read this book last year, and then again, and again, and every time, I fell more and more in love with it.
SALTY, SPICED, AND A LITTLE BIT NICE is a brilliant rom-com with a chaotic, strong, and lovable main character who never lets what others deem to be her “weakness” ever bring her down and dives headlong into what she wants. She is incredibly easy to root for, which is why Cynthia’s rom-com is a one sitting read, because people just won’t be able to put it down when they start.
I also really love how this book is an easy, breezy read, even when we are going through some tension-loaded pages. It came to me at a time when I was going through a terrible reading slump, and I literally had to read paragraphs multiple times before I understood them, but I didn’t have to do that with this book. It’s smooth to follow through, and Ellie’s narrative is engaging, funny, and cute.
And the romance!! I swear to god, the chemistry between these two characters was SIZZLING. I loved the banter, the tension, and the history between them so much. There’s also a certain 🦋scene🦋 between the characters that gives me butterflies to date, and OHMYGOSH, just thinking about this book and reminiscing about everything I loved is making me want to read it again!!
When Cynthia announced her book deal, I was more excited about it than I would be about my own book deal, which should prove to you just how much I love this book! I AM SO THRILLED THAT I’M GOING TO GET TO HOLD A PHYSICAL COPY OF THIS BOOK IN MY HANDS OMG!
Now add it and scream about it all you can because this book is literally 🤌🫶🏻
SALTY, SPICED, AND A LITTLE BIT NICE is a brilliant rom-com with a chaotic, strong, and lovable main character who never lets what others deem to be her “weakness” ever bring her down and dives headlong into what she wants. She is incredibly easy to root for, which is why Cynthia’s rom-com is a one sitting read, because people just won’t be able to put it down when they start.
I also really love how this book is an easy, breezy read, even when we are going through some tension-loaded pages. It came to me at a time when I was going through a terrible reading slump, and I literally had to read paragraphs multiple times before I understood them, but I didn’t have to do that with this book. It’s smooth to follow through, and Ellie’s narrative is engaging, funny, and cute.
And the romance!! I swear to god, the chemistry between these two characters was SIZZLING. I loved the banter, the tension, and the history between them so much. There’s also a certain 🦋scene🦋 between the characters that gives me butterflies to date, and OHMYGOSH, just thinking about this book and reminiscing about everything I loved is making me want to read it again!!
When Cynthia announced her book deal, I was more excited about it than I would be about my own book deal, which should prove to you just how much I love this book! I AM SO THRILLED THAT I’M GOING TO GET TO HOLD A PHYSICAL COPY OF THIS BOOK IN MY HANDS OMG!
Now add it and scream about it all you can because this book is literally 🤌🫶🏻
October 9, 2025
2/5
would have gotten 1.75 but i bumped it up for t1d and explanation of condition and accuracy. i think it’s important to have main characters with chronic conditions to better educate the public.
other than that though? this was not yearning it was whining. so much whining. and why so many pro and con lists??
notable quote: “i opened my eyes to find a pair of eyes the color of matcha.” it was at this point on page 43 that i lost hope
would have gotten 1.75 but i bumped it up for t1d and explanation of condition and accuracy. i think it’s important to have main characters with chronic conditions to better educate the public.
other than that though? this was not yearning it was whining. so much whining. and why so many pro and con lists??
notable quote: “i opened my eyes to find a pair of eyes the color of matcha.” it was at this point on page 43 that i lost hope
May 12, 2025
4.5 stars
This was an excellent example of a contemporary rom-com that gets everything right. The romantic tension, the plot pacing, the humour is all perfectly balanced making this a thoroughly enjoyable read. Hate to love, childhood crush and fake dating; this book somehow included all the best tropes without feeling overdone or cliche.
I know from the author's note that the inclusion of Ellie's type 2 diabetes was very personal to the author and I think it was handled really well. Ellie's struggles with managing her type 2 diabetes didn't define her, but through her experience the book showcased her resilience. There were lots of great conversations and moments where Ellie challenged people's expectations of her or their ignorance about what it is like living with type 2 diabetes.
This was an excellent example of a contemporary rom-com that gets everything right. The romantic tension, the plot pacing, the humour is all perfectly balanced making this a thoroughly enjoyable read. Hate to love, childhood crush and fake dating; this book somehow included all the best tropes without feeling overdone or cliche.
I know from the author's note that the inclusion of Ellie's type 2 diabetes was very personal to the author and I think it was handled really well. Ellie's struggles with managing her type 2 diabetes didn't define her, but through her experience the book showcased her resilience. There were lots of great conversations and moments where Ellie challenged people's expectations of her or their ignorance about what it is like living with type 2 diabetes.
April 15, 2025
Thank you to the publisher for a free physical ARC of this book.
By far this is the best book I’ve read that handles type 1 diabetes well and with care. As someone who has been living with the disease for 21 years this was absolutely refreshing. I deeply appreciated how the author went out of her way to provide context to parts of the book where diabetes is referenced on page and how integral it is to the story. I did find Ellie’s family’s overbearing and honestly diminishing behavior to be quite weird though.
What I didn’t like about the book was the relationship. I didn’t feel like enough was there between the two of them to really be invested in it nor did the relationship develop. I also felt like the tropes in this book were overdone we jump around between enemies to lovers, fake dating, one bed, brothers best friend and it feels like a lot is happening. The third act conflict felt rushed as well as the resolution.
I also felt the “guilt free” baking was a choice. Diabetics can have sugar and Ellie does point this out about two thirds of the way through the book however I wish this was mentioned sooner. I think generally guilt free in the connotation with food is a slippery slope that I personally fine to be a turn off.
As this is a debut I would be willing to give this author another try.
By far this is the best book I’ve read that handles type 1 diabetes well and with care. As someone who has been living with the disease for 21 years this was absolutely refreshing. I deeply appreciated how the author went out of her way to provide context to parts of the book where diabetes is referenced on page and how integral it is to the story. I did find Ellie’s family’s overbearing and honestly diminishing behavior to be quite weird though.
What I didn’t like about the book was the relationship. I didn’t feel like enough was there between the two of them to really be invested in it nor did the relationship develop. I also felt like the tropes in this book were overdone we jump around between enemies to lovers, fake dating, one bed, brothers best friend and it feels like a lot is happening. The third act conflict felt rushed as well as the resolution.
I also felt the “guilt free” baking was a choice. Diabetics can have sugar and Ellie does point this out about two thirds of the way through the book however I wish this was mentioned sooner. I think generally guilt free in the connotation with food is a slippery slope that I personally fine to be a turn off.
As this is a debut I would be willing to give this author another try.
February 23, 2025
The best enemies to lovers rom com I've read in years!
I'm blown away that this is Cynthia's debut novel!
This delightful romcom has the added bonus of deeper issues like Type 1 diabetes and multicultural characters (Indonesian Chinese) so it balances cultural expectations with the lighthearted romance.
Absolutely loved it!!!!
I'm blown away that this is Cynthia's debut novel!
This delightful romcom has the added bonus of deeper issues like Type 1 diabetes and multicultural characters (Indonesian Chinese) so it balances cultural expectations with the lighthearted romance.
Absolutely loved it!!!!
May 3, 2025
💫ARC Review
AHHHHHH!!!
Just finished Salty, Spiced and a Little Bit Nice, and I’m seriously in love with this debut romantic comedy!
The story follows Ellie, a young woman who’s trying to escape her overbearing conglomerate family and her micromanaging mother while dealing with a Type 1 diabetes diagnosis.
She moves across the country with hopes of opening her dream sugar-free bakery, but things don’t go quite as smoothly as she hopes.
Enter Alec Mackenzie, her childhood crush and her brother’s best friend, who has a plan of his own: asking Ellie to pretend to be his girlfriend in exchange for helping her with her business.
Of course, Ellie and Alec can’t stand each other… or can they?
The chemistry between Ellie and Alec was off the charts. The tension and banter between them were some of my favorite parts of the book. I’m such a sucker for the “it’s always been you” trope, and Cynthia Timoti really nailed it for me!
Very true to her blurb, if Crazy Rich Asians and Always Be My Maybe had a baby…it would be this book. I couldn’t put it down.
Ellie was such a great main character—tough, resilient, and 120% relatable, but still with that soft edge. She handled everything life threw at her, and I loved seeing her grow throughout the book.
The secondary characters were also fantastic and played an important role in pushing the story forward. I’m definitely hoping for more, maybe even a follow-up book about Kim’s story, as it seemed like there was a nice setup for it!
As a parent of a child with Type 1 diabetes, I really appreciated how well the diabetes representation was done. Ellie’s struggles with managing her condition felt so real, and Alec’s dedication to learning about it made him even more lovable. It was clear that Cynthia Timoti put a lot of care into this aspect, and it really made this debut stand out.
This book is the perfect rom-com for fans of Abby Jimenez, Mia Sosa, or Ali Hazelwood, with that extra multicultural twist.
If you love a great fake dating story with amazing chemistry and a touch of sweetness,m and even a bit of steam, you definitely need to add this to your TBR!
Thank you NetGalley & Tor Publishing Group for the ARC.
AHHHHHH!!!
Just finished Salty, Spiced and a Little Bit Nice, and I’m seriously in love with this debut romantic comedy!
The story follows Ellie, a young woman who’s trying to escape her overbearing conglomerate family and her micromanaging mother while dealing with a Type 1 diabetes diagnosis.
She moves across the country with hopes of opening her dream sugar-free bakery, but things don’t go quite as smoothly as she hopes.
Enter Alec Mackenzie, her childhood crush and her brother’s best friend, who has a plan of his own: asking Ellie to pretend to be his girlfriend in exchange for helping her with her business.
Of course, Ellie and Alec can’t stand each other… or can they?
The chemistry between Ellie and Alec was off the charts. The tension and banter between them were some of my favorite parts of the book. I’m such a sucker for the “it’s always been you” trope, and Cynthia Timoti really nailed it for me!
Very true to her blurb, if Crazy Rich Asians and Always Be My Maybe had a baby…it would be this book. I couldn’t put it down.
Ellie was such a great main character—tough, resilient, and 120% relatable, but still with that soft edge. She handled everything life threw at her, and I loved seeing her grow throughout the book.
The secondary characters were also fantastic and played an important role in pushing the story forward. I’m definitely hoping for more, maybe even a follow-up book about Kim’s story, as it seemed like there was a nice setup for it!
As a parent of a child with Type 1 diabetes, I really appreciated how well the diabetes representation was done. Ellie’s struggles with managing her condition felt so real, and Alec’s dedication to learning about it made him even more lovable. It was clear that Cynthia Timoti put a lot of care into this aspect, and it really made this debut stand out.
This book is the perfect rom-com for fans of Abby Jimenez, Mia Sosa, or Ali Hazelwood, with that extra multicultural twist.
If you love a great fake dating story with amazing chemistry and a touch of sweetness,m and even a bit of steam, you definitely need to add this to your TBR!
Thank you NetGalley & Tor Publishing Group for the ARC.
November 14, 2025
A delightfully playful sweet (yet sugar-free) fake-dating story between type 1 diabetic Ellie and Alec.
May 9, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Bramble Romance for the eArc!
I was recommended this one by a friend I trust wholeheartedly because it has a type one diabetic character and jumped on the opportunity to apply for this arc.
This was a fun read with a wonderful representation of T1D and loved the authors note at the end explaining Cynthia’s connection to diabetes.
Here is what you need to know:
Ellie Pang is a 28 year old with Type one diabetes who is ready to see if she can make it on her own after a proposal gone awry. She declines the “man of her family’s dreams” to choose something that is more authentic to her. (I mean who is truly ready to marry someone after 2 months?!?) But with her rejection of George her family also cut her off unless she changes her mind.
Ellie, who is not content with being under the manipulative thumb of her family any longer moves across the country to finally fulfill her dream of opening a bakery. But as she makes the move across she comes into contact with someone she hasn’t seen in 10 years- Alec Mackenzie, her brother’s best friend and the first man to break her heart. Will Ellie finally be able to make her sweet dreams come true? Or will it all be burnt to a crisp?
My thoughts:
The T1D portrayal was near perfect! And the way Cynthia educated readers through the process felt seamless and authentic. I enjoyed the book overall but it felt cheesy at times, which is not necessarily a bad thing, but might not be for everyone. Also the drama between the family was at an all time high! And love the growth that Ellie showed throughout the book.
Overall I would recommend to a person that likes romance who is interested in learning more about diabetes.
Spice: 2 open door scenes
I was recommended this one by a friend I trust wholeheartedly because it has a type one diabetic character and jumped on the opportunity to apply for this arc.
This was a fun read with a wonderful representation of T1D and loved the authors note at the end explaining Cynthia’s connection to diabetes.
Here is what you need to know:
Ellie Pang is a 28 year old with Type one diabetes who is ready to see if she can make it on her own after a proposal gone awry. She declines the “man of her family’s dreams” to choose something that is more authentic to her. (I mean who is truly ready to marry someone after 2 months?!?) But with her rejection of George her family also cut her off unless she changes her mind.
Ellie, who is not content with being under the manipulative thumb of her family any longer moves across the country to finally fulfill her dream of opening a bakery. But as she makes the move across she comes into contact with someone she hasn’t seen in 10 years- Alec Mackenzie, her brother’s best friend and the first man to break her heart. Will Ellie finally be able to make her sweet dreams come true? Or will it all be burnt to a crisp?
My thoughts:
The T1D portrayal was near perfect! And the way Cynthia educated readers through the process felt seamless and authentic. I enjoyed the book overall but it felt cheesy at times, which is not necessarily a bad thing, but might not be for everyone. Also the drama between the family was at an all time high! And love the growth that Ellie showed throughout the book.
Overall I would recommend to a person that likes romance who is interested in learning more about diabetes.
Spice: 2 open door scenes
May 5, 2025
Salty, Spiced, and a Little Bit Nice by Cynthia Timoti is a delightful rom-com that blends humor, heart, and a dash of spice. The story follows Ellie Pang, who, after a public proposal orchestrated by her controlling parents goes viral, escapes to the other side of the country to pursue her dream of opening a sugar-free bakery. However, her plans hit a snag when she enlists the help of Alec Mackenzie, her brother's best friend and the man responsible for crushing her teenage heart ten years ago. Alec proposes a fake relationship to help her secure a business deal, leading to a slow-burn romance filled with tension, banter, and undeniable chemistry.
I really appreciated the portrayal of T1D that I found out was derived from the author's own personal experiences with her youngest son being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. There were T1D awareness scenes involving hypoglycemia, bolusing before meals, changing insulin pump sites.
Timoti's debut novel is a charming mix of fake dating, older brother's best friend, forced proximity, only one bed, grumpy x sunshine, second chance romance, enemies-to-lovers, and multicultural representation, with a touch of sweetness and spice. Fans of rom-coms with emotional depth and cultural authenticity will find this book a delightful read.
Huge thank you to Bramble for the ARC of this book!
I really appreciated the portrayal of T1D that I found out was derived from the author's own personal experiences with her youngest son being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. There were T1D awareness scenes involving hypoglycemia, bolusing before meals, changing insulin pump sites.
Timoti's debut novel is a charming mix of fake dating, older brother's best friend, forced proximity, only one bed, grumpy x sunshine, second chance romance, enemies-to-lovers, and multicultural representation, with a touch of sweetness and spice. Fans of rom-coms with emotional depth and cultural authenticity will find this book a delightful read.
Huge thank you to Bramble for the ARC of this book!
February 13, 2025
One of the best romance book in my 2025 so far. It also has my Indonesian roots mixed into the story 😍 this book also has the nicest romance tropes, grumpy sunshine, brother's best friends, one bed. How not to love? It talks about cause close to author's heart, which is an extra brownie point. You wouldnt want to miss romance book that includes all the nice food too. Recommend ☺️
Want to read
May 8, 2025🤍┆‧₊˚ ⋅* 𝐩𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 ౨ৎ
this looks so so cute and i love the asian and type 1 diabetes rep!!
thank you to bramble for sending me a free copy of this book
this looks so so cute and i love the asian and type 1 diabetes rep!!
thank you to bramble for sending me a free copy of this book
February 7, 2025
Hilarious and charming, this book was everything I needed to get my rom-com fix!! The culture, the food, the feisty MC—I loved it all. Definitely looking forward to more from Cynthia in the future!
November 22, 2025
Cute easy read with lots of drama which is expected in a rom com.
January 21, 2025
OMGGGGGG A CHINESE/INDONESIAN ROM-COM I'VE BEEN WANTING! IT DELIVERED!
Ellie (fmc) is over it. her parents have been running her life like they’re CEOs of Her, Inc.—picking her clothes, her career, and practically her every thought so, she flips the script and sets out to prove she can do something on her own—like opening a SUGAR-FREE BAKERY. why? because, fun fact, Ellie has type 1 diabetes, and she’s tired of sweet treats being landmines of doom. she wants desserts that won’t spike her blood sugar or send her straight to the ER.
but here’s the catch: running a bakery? turns out, not a solo sport. cue Alec: her brother’s obnoxiously charming, know-it-all best friend. AKA, the worst. Alec swoops in with an offer she can’t refuse: his business know-how in exchange for Ellie pretending to be his girlfriend. (yes yes i'm here for the fake-dating.) why does he need a fake girlfriend? oh, just to get his meddling family off his back. no biggie. it's a win-win, right? except for the part where they can’t stop bickering long enough to bake a cupcake. or the part where Alec is somehow annoyingly good at making her laugh. or that thing where the fake feelings might be turning real. Ellie is an absolute riot, and her story had me hooked from the first page. it's the perfect mix of laugh-out-loud chaos, heartwarming vulnerability, and sizzling chemistry. the way it dives into family expectations, self-discovery, and love feels so real and relatable, yet it’s all wrapped up in humor so sharp it should come with a warning label.
also, the enemies-to-lovers dynamic is pure gold! full of banter that had me grinning like an idiot and tension so thick you could cut it with a spatula. their journey isn’t just about finding each other; it’s about finding themselves, and that emotional depth hits hard in all the best ways. the balance of sweet and spicy is chef’s kiss, and let’s be honest: we all need more sugar-free baked goods and fake-dating disasters in our lives.
what could possibly go wrong when you mix fake dating, real sparks, and sugar-free cake? spoiler: EVERYTHING! if you’re into rom-coms with big laughs, big feelings, and even bigger swoons, this one’s a must-read.
thank you so much Tor Publishing Group!
i enjoyed this WAY TOO MUCH. I MIGHT READ IT AGAIN.
Ellie (fmc) is over it. her parents have been running her life like they’re CEOs of Her, Inc.—picking her clothes, her career, and practically her every thought so, she flips the script and sets out to prove she can do something on her own—like opening a SUGAR-FREE BAKERY. why? because, fun fact, Ellie has type 1 diabetes, and she’s tired of sweet treats being landmines of doom. she wants desserts that won’t spike her blood sugar or send her straight to the ER.
but here’s the catch: running a bakery? turns out, not a solo sport. cue Alec: her brother’s obnoxiously charming, know-it-all best friend. AKA, the worst. Alec swoops in with an offer she can’t refuse: his business know-how in exchange for Ellie pretending to be his girlfriend. (yes yes i'm here for the fake-dating.) why does he need a fake girlfriend? oh, just to get his meddling family off his back. no biggie. it's a win-win, right? except for the part where they can’t stop bickering long enough to bake a cupcake. or the part where Alec is somehow annoyingly good at making her laugh. or that thing where the fake feelings might be turning real. Ellie is an absolute riot, and her story had me hooked from the first page. it's the perfect mix of laugh-out-loud chaos, heartwarming vulnerability, and sizzling chemistry. the way it dives into family expectations, self-discovery, and love feels so real and relatable, yet it’s all wrapped up in humor so sharp it should come with a warning label.
also, the enemies-to-lovers dynamic is pure gold! full of banter that had me grinning like an idiot and tension so thick you could cut it with a spatula. their journey isn’t just about finding each other; it’s about finding themselves, and that emotional depth hits hard in all the best ways. the balance of sweet and spicy is chef’s kiss, and let’s be honest: we all need more sugar-free baked goods and fake-dating disasters in our lives.
what could possibly go wrong when you mix fake dating, real sparks, and sugar-free cake? spoiler: EVERYTHING! if you’re into rom-coms with big laughs, big feelings, and even bigger swoons, this one’s a must-read.
thank you so much Tor Publishing Group!
i enjoyed this WAY TOO MUCH. I MIGHT READ IT AGAIN.
April 26, 2025
This was a really cute debut rom-com. I actually enjoyed this much more than I was expecting. I was first drawn into this adorable cover, and then I read the description and knew it sounded right up my alley. This author created such a fun story and great characters. A FMC that was so independent and knew the kind of love and life that she deserved. I was rooting for her from the start in her bakery venture and then finding true love. I loved the banter between the two characters and the descriptions of food, it was just so lovely. There's a blend of romance tropes like grumpy sunshine, enemies to lovers, one bed, and the building up of the characters feelings for each other felt relatable and real. Overall a solid, sweet debut.
thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
October 28, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
This book has the most accurate description of Type 1 Diabetes of anything I’ve read in a book before. That’s the biggest take I have from this book.
This book has the most accurate description of Type 1 Diabetes of anything I’ve read in a book before. That’s the biggest take I have from this book.
July 11, 2025
Reviewed for
Wit and Sin
After an ultimatum from her mother and a viral proposal gone wrong, Ellie Pang is ready to start over. She breaks out of the box her parents have put her in and moves across the country to start her own sugar-free bakery. Except the minute she walks into her new store, she sees the disaster in front of her. Luckily/Unluckily for her, Alec Mackenzie – her old crush turned nemesis – is in town and has contacts to help her. All he needs in return is a fake girlfriend. Except, as we all know, fake dating has a way of turning into something all-too-real…
Salty, Spiced, and a Little Bit Nice is a cute story of enemies to friends to lovers. Cynthia Timoti’s debut novel has a lot of promise, although I had mixed feelings about the story overall.
I was on board with Ellie’s move at the beginning. She’s determined to make the life and business that she wants, which I appreciated. But when Ellie gets around Alec, she can be kind of petulant and frustrating. Her reasons for being upset with Alec made sense when she was a teenager, but not so much years later. Alec is kind, hardworking, and a little stuffy. I liked him as a hero but wanted a bit more depth from him. The development of their romance was predictable with the expected obstacles, stubborn protagonists, and interfering third parties. It was entertaining enough, but not as much as I would have wanted from a love story. That being said, I think there’s a lot of promise and I want to see how Timoti’s work develops in the future.
Where Salty, Spiced, and a Little Bit Nice shines is in the Type 1 Diabetes representation. Ellie has T1D and you can tell Timoti knows what she’s talking about. The way she weaves T1D rep into the story is fantastic and it was central to Ellie’s character without making it the only thing interesting about her. I really appreciated the care and attention to detail that was given to not just how Ellie managed her T1D but also how she stood up for herself in the face of others’ reactions to it. I also really enjoyed watching her build her sugar-free bakery and wish there was more time in this story devoted to it because it was wonderful. While I liked but didn’t love Ellie and Alec’s love story, there’s enough to enjoy about Cynthia Timoti’s writing that I’m very much looking forward to reading more of her work.
After an ultimatum from her mother and a viral proposal gone wrong, Ellie Pang is ready to start over. She breaks out of the box her parents have put her in and moves across the country to start her own sugar-free bakery. Except the minute she walks into her new store, she sees the disaster in front of her. Luckily/Unluckily for her, Alec Mackenzie – her old crush turned nemesis – is in town and has contacts to help her. All he needs in return is a fake girlfriend. Except, as we all know, fake dating has a way of turning into something all-too-real…
Salty, Spiced, and a Little Bit Nice is a cute story of enemies to friends to lovers. Cynthia Timoti’s debut novel has a lot of promise, although I had mixed feelings about the story overall.
I was on board with Ellie’s move at the beginning. She’s determined to make the life and business that she wants, which I appreciated. But when Ellie gets around Alec, she can be kind of petulant and frustrating. Her reasons for being upset with Alec made sense when she was a teenager, but not so much years later. Alec is kind, hardworking, and a little stuffy. I liked him as a hero but wanted a bit more depth from him. The development of their romance was predictable with the expected obstacles, stubborn protagonists, and interfering third parties. It was entertaining enough, but not as much as I would have wanted from a love story. That being said, I think there’s a lot of promise and I want to see how Timoti’s work develops in the future.
Where Salty, Spiced, and a Little Bit Nice shines is in the Type 1 Diabetes representation. Ellie has T1D and you can tell Timoti knows what she’s talking about. The way she weaves T1D rep into the story is fantastic and it was central to Ellie’s character without making it the only thing interesting about her. I really appreciated the care and attention to detail that was given to not just how Ellie managed her T1D but also how she stood up for herself in the face of others’ reactions to it. I also really enjoyed watching her build her sugar-free bakery and wish there was more time in this story devoted to it because it was wonderful. While I liked but didn’t love Ellie and Alec’s love story, there’s enough to enjoy about Cynthia Timoti’s writing that I’m very much looking forward to reading more of her work.
April 24, 2025
Rating: ✨3.5 stars✨
Wow, I can't believe I finished this book in less than 2 days! Fun and fast paced, Salty, Spiced, and a Little Bit Nice is an engaging rom-com with lots of diverse representation.
Ellie is tired of her micromanaging, toxic family and of course, the best time to move across the country and start over is after an embarrassing and now viral failed marriage proposal (set up by said controlling family). So, Ellie moves across the country to finally follow her dream of starting a sugar-free and low carb bakery, inspired by her experience living with type 1 diabetes. And then she runs into Alec Mackenzie, (brother's best friend, childhood crush, and hot developer guy) who's one of the few people she knows in her new town to help her set up her bakery. So, its a romance book :)
tbh, before starting this book, I expected more from the romance and less from the T1D rep. What I got was pretty much the opposite. The romance was cute, a little steamy, and filled with plenty of tropes (fake dating, only one bed, a little second chance, it's always been you, and more), which is somehow both fun and too much at the same time...but both the MCs could be kind of stubborn and difficult about it and the romance wasn't all that memorable.
However, the best thing about this book is the T1D representation! Finding books with T1D rep is pretty difficult and finding accurate rep is near impossible. So I was pretty surprised and really happy to find that this book did a great job representing T1D. It was a surprising and refreshing change!
I also really liked the bakery idea. I don't know if I'm fully on board with branding it as "guilt-free", but low carb and delicious baked goods? I like the idea and definitely want Ellie's recipes!
Final thoughts: This book is a sweet and fast paced rom-com, a solid debut novel, and has a great storyline idea.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All thoughts are my own.
Find me on my blog at All Things Book Wise!
Wow, I can't believe I finished this book in less than 2 days! Fun and fast paced, Salty, Spiced, and a Little Bit Nice is an engaging rom-com with lots of diverse representation.
Ellie is tired of her micromanaging, toxic family and of course, the best time to move across the country and start over is after an embarrassing and now viral failed marriage proposal (set up by said controlling family). So, Ellie moves across the country to finally follow her dream of starting a sugar-free and low carb bakery, inspired by her experience living with type 1 diabetes. And then she runs into Alec Mackenzie, (brother's best friend, childhood crush, and hot developer guy) who's one of the few people she knows in her new town to help her set up her bakery. So, its a romance book :)
tbh, before starting this book, I expected more from the romance and less from the T1D rep. What I got was pretty much the opposite. The romance was cute, a little steamy, and filled with plenty of tropes (fake dating, only one bed, a little second chance, it's always been you, and more), which is somehow both fun and too much at the same time...but both the MCs could be kind of stubborn and difficult about it and the romance wasn't all that memorable.
However, the best thing about this book is the T1D representation! Finding books with T1D rep is pretty difficult and finding accurate rep is near impossible. So I was pretty surprised and really happy to find that this book did a great job representing T1D. It was a surprising and refreshing change!
I also really liked the bakery idea. I don't know if I'm fully on board with branding it as "guilt-free", but low carb and delicious baked goods? I like the idea and definitely want Ellie's recipes!
Final thoughts: This book is a sweet and fast paced rom-com, a solid debut novel, and has a great storyline idea.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All thoughts are my own.
Find me on my blog at All Things Book Wise!
May 25, 2025
Needed another editing pass to make the vocabulary US-coded (why not set it in Australia if you're going to be leaving all the references to "going on holiday"?), get the dialogue to sound like actual, non-robotic people, and to give the secondary characters actual personalities.
April 17, 2025
Salty, Spiced, and a Little Bit Nice by Cynthia Timoti (ARC)
Pub Date: 6th May (US), 13th May (Aus & NZ)
Short Synopsis:
After a humiliating public proposal orchestrated by her controlling parents, Ellie Pang retreats to a small town to open a sugar-free bakery inspired by her life with type 1 diabetes. When things start to fall apart, the only person who can help is Alec Mackenzie, her brother’s best friend, former crush, and a known heartbreaker. Alec also needs a fake girlfriend to impress a business partner, so they strike a deal: he’ll help Ellie with her bakery if she pretends to be his girlfriend. As fake sparks begin to feel a little too real, Ellie finds herself caught between old wounds, new dreams, and the unexpected hope of something more.
My Thoughts:
I’m loving this a lot! Cynthia’s writing is sharp, fun, and easy to get lost in. From the first page, I was hooked. The romance has everything: fake dating, first crush, brother’s best friend, forced proximity, and grumpy sunshine. It might sound like a lot of tropes, but I love this combination. Ellie and Alec’s chemistry is amazing, their banter, the tension, and the way their relationship developed felt natural and satisfying, even though the romance was a bit slow-paced. This didn’t bother me at all. I really enjoyed watching their relationship unfold at its own pace.
I really connected with Ellie’s journey, especially how she stood up to family pressure and the use of money to control decisions. As someone from a Chinese Indonesian background, her courage felt personal and inspiring.
I also liked how the issue of type 1 diabetes was subtly and authentically integrated into the story. It added depth to Ellie’s character without overshadowing the main plot, and the sugar-free baking concept was super intriguing to me!
Overall, this is a perfect mix of charm, chaos, and swoony romance. I highly recommend this debut novel and can’t wait to see what Cynthia writes next.
Overall Rating:
⭐️: 5/5
Thank you so much, @cynthiatimoti , for sending me this wonderful arc book from the giveaway! 🙏
Pub Date: 6th May (US), 13th May (Aus & NZ)
Short Synopsis:
After a humiliating public proposal orchestrated by her controlling parents, Ellie Pang retreats to a small town to open a sugar-free bakery inspired by her life with type 1 diabetes. When things start to fall apart, the only person who can help is Alec Mackenzie, her brother’s best friend, former crush, and a known heartbreaker. Alec also needs a fake girlfriend to impress a business partner, so they strike a deal: he’ll help Ellie with her bakery if she pretends to be his girlfriend. As fake sparks begin to feel a little too real, Ellie finds herself caught between old wounds, new dreams, and the unexpected hope of something more.
My Thoughts:
I’m loving this a lot! Cynthia’s writing is sharp, fun, and easy to get lost in. From the first page, I was hooked. The romance has everything: fake dating, first crush, brother’s best friend, forced proximity, and grumpy sunshine. It might sound like a lot of tropes, but I love this combination. Ellie and Alec’s chemistry is amazing, their banter, the tension, and the way their relationship developed felt natural and satisfying, even though the romance was a bit slow-paced. This didn’t bother me at all. I really enjoyed watching their relationship unfold at its own pace.
I really connected with Ellie’s journey, especially how she stood up to family pressure and the use of money to control decisions. As someone from a Chinese Indonesian background, her courage felt personal and inspiring.
I also liked how the issue of type 1 diabetes was subtly and authentically integrated into the story. It added depth to Ellie’s character without overshadowing the main plot, and the sugar-free baking concept was super intriguing to me!
Overall, this is a perfect mix of charm, chaos, and swoony romance. I highly recommend this debut novel and can’t wait to see what Cynthia writes next.
Overall Rating:
⭐️: 5/5
Thank you so much, @cynthiatimoti , for sending me this wonderful arc book from the giveaway! 🙏
April 26, 2025
Right off the bat, the "Crazy Rich Asians meets Always Be My Maybe" description completely drew me in. Huge thanks to NetGalley for providing a complimentary copy; rest assured, all opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
The portrayal of Ellie's family immediately brought to mind the "Crazy Rich Asians" world, but beneath the surface glamour lies a genuinely poignant depiction of a manipulative and controlling mother. Contrasting this is Alec, who initially presents as rather grumpy, making Ellie's inherent resilience and unwavering positivity a compelling force – especially considering the personal challenges she's faced.
One particularly impactful aspect of the novel was its informative and insightful representation of Type 1 diabetes. It offered a valuable perspective and fostered a greater understanding of the daily realities for individuals living with this condition.
Timoti skillfully incorporates beloved romantic comedy tropes, including the brother's best friend, fake dating, and only one bed , adding layers of engaging anticipation to the narrative. As a devoted bubble tea enthusiast, I also appreciated the authentic Asian representation woven throughout the story, with delightful mentions of this favorite beverage.
While the book does contain some decidedly spicy scenes (which I personally chose to skip), the overall tone remains charming and endearing. A significant highlight was witnessing Ellie's personal evolution as she bravely begins to extricate herself from her toxic maternal relationship and establish a supportive community in her new surroundings, finding strength in the relationships with her brother and Naomi. The nuanced push and pull between Ellie and Alec, the engaging "will they, won't they" tension, provided a delightful layer of sweetness to the overall reading experience.
The conclusion and epilogue offered a sense of satisfaction, although the pacing felt somewhat accelerated. The narrative effectively builds the connection between the protagonists, explores their individual growth and conflicts, and ultimately culminates in a happy resolution. I appreciated that the ending, while optimistic, acknowledged the ongoing complexities of their respective family dynamics, underscoring the reality that no family is without its challenges, yet they choose to navigate those challenges together.
In conclusion, I thoroughly enjoyed Salty, Spiced, and a Little Bit Nice. It's a captivating story with well-developed characters, impactful representation, and a rewarding journey of self-discovery and romance.
The portrayal of Ellie's family immediately brought to mind the "Crazy Rich Asians" world, but beneath the surface glamour lies a genuinely poignant depiction of a manipulative and controlling mother. Contrasting this is Alec, who initially presents as rather grumpy, making Ellie's inherent resilience and unwavering positivity a compelling force – especially considering the personal challenges she's faced.
One particularly impactful aspect of the novel was its informative and insightful representation of Type 1 diabetes. It offered a valuable perspective and fostered a greater understanding of the daily realities for individuals living with this condition.
Timoti skillfully incorporates beloved romantic comedy tropes, including the brother's best friend, fake dating, and only one bed , adding layers of engaging anticipation to the narrative. As a devoted bubble tea enthusiast, I also appreciated the authentic Asian representation woven throughout the story, with delightful mentions of this favorite beverage.
While the book does contain some decidedly spicy scenes (which I personally chose to skip), the overall tone remains charming and endearing. A significant highlight was witnessing Ellie's personal evolution as she bravely begins to extricate herself from her toxic maternal relationship and establish a supportive community in her new surroundings, finding strength in the relationships with her brother and Naomi. The nuanced push and pull between Ellie and Alec, the engaging "will they, won't they" tension, provided a delightful layer of sweetness to the overall reading experience.
The conclusion and epilogue offered a sense of satisfaction, although the pacing felt somewhat accelerated. The narrative effectively builds the connection between the protagonists, explores their individual growth and conflicts, and ultimately culminates in a happy resolution. I appreciated that the ending, while optimistic, acknowledged the ongoing complexities of their respective family dynamics, underscoring the reality that no family is without its challenges, yet they choose to navigate those challenges together.
In conclusion, I thoroughly enjoyed Salty, Spiced, and a Little Bit Nice. It's a captivating story with well-developed characters, impactful representation, and a rewarding journey of self-discovery and romance.
July 17, 2025
I LOVED this book!! Such a fun and cute romcom.
Ellie comes from an affluent business family who were always controlling of her. After rejecting a marriage proposal, Ellie decides to move across the country to open her own bakery. Once she gets there, she runs into Alec, whom she hadn't seen for 10 years and broke her heart. They eventually agree to help each other, which includes fake dating temporarily.
Ellie is such a strong and brave character who I was rooting for the entire time. She took risks and went after what she wanted. She and Alec had great chemistry and seeing their enemies to lovers-style relationship develop was enjoyable. If I could end up with someone like Alec one day, that'd be ideal.
I appreciate that this was written to help raise awareness about type 1 diabetes. As soon as I read that the FMC had it in the synopsis, I had to read this. I also have t1d, and I related to Ellie a lot when it came to her dealing with the disease. I felt so seen and validated. T1D is so misunderstood, and the author did an excellent job describing it and portraying an authentic experience of what it is like to live with it. Ellie inspired me - she showed that those of us living with t1d can still achieve so much and live full lives despite our condition. Reading a romcom book with T1D representation was awesome.
The story was super interesting and unique. So many surprises and twists. Well-written and funny. The food, the culture, and the romance. It didn’t have as much emotion as I’d like though. Has some steam. It reminded me a bit of the Crazy Rich Asians movie, which I also enjoyed (only saw the movie).
I would love to read a sequel.
Ellie comes from an affluent business family who were always controlling of her. After rejecting a marriage proposal, Ellie decides to move across the country to open her own bakery. Once she gets there, she runs into Alec, whom she hadn't seen for 10 years and broke her heart. They eventually agree to help each other, which includes fake dating temporarily.
Ellie is such a strong and brave character who I was rooting for the entire time. She took risks and went after what she wanted. She and Alec had great chemistry and seeing their enemies to lovers-style relationship develop was enjoyable. If I could end up with someone like Alec one day, that'd be ideal.
I appreciate that this was written to help raise awareness about type 1 diabetes. As soon as I read that the FMC had it in the synopsis, I had to read this. I also have t1d, and I related to Ellie a lot when it came to her dealing with the disease. I felt so seen and validated. T1D is so misunderstood, and the author did an excellent job describing it and portraying an authentic experience of what it is like to live with it. Ellie inspired me - she showed that those of us living with t1d can still achieve so much and live full lives despite our condition. Reading a romcom book with T1D representation was awesome.
The story was super interesting and unique. So many surprises and twists. Well-written and funny. The food, the culture, and the romance. It didn’t have as much emotion as I’d like though. Has some steam. It reminded me a bit of the Crazy Rich Asians movie, which I also enjoyed (only saw the movie).
I would love to read a sequel.
March 30, 2025
Ellie Pang has had enough with her family’s micromanagement of her life, ranging from her type 1 diabetes (T1DM) to her career aspirations. When Ellie decides to pick up her life and move as far away across the country as she can, she lands in a small town with aspirations to open up a sugar free bakery. However, she runs into a snafu with her new building, and the only person who can help her turn things around is her brother’s best friend, Alec Mackenzie, who broke her teenage heart a decade ago and they’ve been rivals ever since. #EnemiesToLovers But Alec isn’t doing this solely to help out a friend, he needs Ellie to be in a #FakeRelationship with him so he can impress a potential business deal. Ellie has to make this work, to prove to her family that she can be independent, and to prove to herself that she can trust her heart.
Quite the definition of sweet and spicy! Ellie’s T1DM is almost its own character and a central plot point, and it was so refreshing (and realistic!) to see this used as a plot point without feeling overly didactic or exploitative. There’s so much chemistry between Ellie and Alec, and I found myself rooting for them from the very beginning. I can’t believe this is the author’s debut novel - it had all the amazing qualities that #RomCom lovers will immediately gravitate toward it! I can’t wait to read more from Cynthia Timoti!
Reviewed as part of #ARC from @NetGalley. Many thanks to @brambleromance for the opportunity to read and review. Spice level: moderate
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Quite the definition of sweet and spicy! Ellie’s T1DM is almost its own character and a central plot point, and it was so refreshing (and realistic!) to see this used as a plot point without feeling overly didactic or exploitative. There’s so much chemistry between Ellie and Alec, and I found myself rooting for them from the very beginning. I can’t believe this is the author’s debut novel - it had all the amazing qualities that #RomCom lovers will immediately gravitate toward it! I can’t wait to read more from Cynthia Timoti!
Reviewed as part of #ARC from @NetGalley. Many thanks to @brambleromance for the opportunity to read and review. Spice level: moderate
Follow me on Instagram for more book reviews!
April 20, 2025
I knew based on the first chapter that I would be giving this book a 5 star review. Interesting, surprising, and well written. I started paying more attention to the chapter titles around Chapter 5, and found them fun and intriguing! The last sentence of each chapter was so riveting, I couldn't help but keep reading on to the next - and before I knew it, I'd finished the book in a couple of hours.
Our FMC, Ellie has a lot to deal with when she leaves her home and family, to break out on her own on the other side of the country. Her goal of starting a bakery with healthy alternatives (for others with T1D like her or similar conditions) faces many challenges, and I love the way she creates her own motivation to pursue her dream. "Swallowing the scream that was threatening to spill out of me, I took a few deep breaths, counted to twenty, then opened my eyes, feeling my heartbeat slowing down. Okay, shit happens, right? Problems and challenges are part of life. It was how I reacted to them that mattered."
Enemies to lovers is a favorite trope of mine, and this one was different enough to be really enjoyable. There are a couple of miscommunications (as expected in a rom-com), but the ones detailed here aren't ones you encounter often. If you like fake dating and enemies to lovers, definitely pick this one up!
Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group/Bramble for an e-arc of this book!
Our FMC, Ellie has a lot to deal with when she leaves her home and family, to break out on her own on the other side of the country. Her goal of starting a bakery with healthy alternatives (for others with T1D like her or similar conditions) faces many challenges, and I love the way she creates her own motivation to pursue her dream. "Swallowing the scream that was threatening to spill out of me, I took a few deep breaths, counted to twenty, then opened my eyes, feeling my heartbeat slowing down. Okay, shit happens, right? Problems and challenges are part of life. It was how I reacted to them that mattered."
Enemies to lovers is a favorite trope of mine, and this one was different enough to be really enjoyable. There are a couple of miscommunications (as expected in a rom-com), but the ones detailed here aren't ones you encounter often. If you like fake dating and enemies to lovers, definitely pick this one up!
Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group/Bramble for an e-arc of this book!
March 8, 2025
"Salty, Spiced, and a Little Bit Nice" by Cynthia Timoti is a delightful debut rom-com that blends humor, heartfelt moments, and a touch of spice. The story follows Ellie Pang, who, after a humiliating public proposal orchestrated by her controlling parents, decides to pursue her dream of opening a sugar-free bakery. Complicating matters, she enlists the help of Alec Mackenzie, her brother’s best friend and past heartbreaker, leading to a fake dating arrangement that blurs the lines between pretense and genuine affection.
Timoti skillfully navigates themes of family expectations, personal independence, and cultural identity. A standout aspect is her nuanced portrayal of type 1 diabetes, offering readers an authentic insight into the daily challenges without resorting to stereotypes.
The chemistry between Ellie and Alec is fun and well-developed, making their fake-dating dynamic all the more enjoyable. I particularly appreciated the book’s deeper themes of family expectations and personal growth, which added substance to the romance. Cynthia Timoti’s storytelling is both charming and impactful, and I’m looking forward to reading more from this author!
Thank you to Bramble and Tor Books for receiving this ARC
Timoti skillfully navigates themes of family expectations, personal independence, and cultural identity. A standout aspect is her nuanced portrayal of type 1 diabetes, offering readers an authentic insight into the daily challenges without resorting to stereotypes.
The chemistry between Ellie and Alec is fun and well-developed, making their fake-dating dynamic all the more enjoyable. I particularly appreciated the book’s deeper themes of family expectations and personal growth, which added substance to the romance. Cynthia Timoti’s storytelling is both charming and impactful, and I’m looking forward to reading more from this author!
Thank you to Bramble and Tor Books for receiving this ARC
May 3, 2025
2.5 stars ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆
i love seeing medical diversity in books and i love when it’s constantly being realistic, like with our fmc always checking her insulin and her monitors. i loved the unstable relationship of her family from the point of view that not everyone has a happy family or has family members that care enough to understand you.
Eunice Wong did an amazing job of delivering this book in the audiobook form. i really appreciated all the accents and different voices to differentiate all the characters.
but for a romance book, the romance did absolutely nothing for me. it just felt lack luster for a fake dating & childhood friends to lovers trope. i personally am also just not a fan of miscommunication especially when it’s in the case of “oh i liked you.” and “oh i liked you too but i couldn’t tell you cause ___”. i genuinely found it a little hard to root for or really care for their romance especially when it’s been so obvious that they clearly like eachother from early on. (also that bathroom scene when she’s in the shower and he doesn’t see her??? how?? why???) idk i just don’t really care about them.
i love seeing medical diversity in books and i love when it’s constantly being realistic, like with our fmc always checking her insulin and her monitors. i loved the unstable relationship of her family from the point of view that not everyone has a happy family or has family members that care enough to understand you.
Eunice Wong did an amazing job of delivering this book in the audiobook form. i really appreciated all the accents and different voices to differentiate all the characters.
but for a romance book, the romance did absolutely nothing for me. it just felt lack luster for a fake dating & childhood friends to lovers trope. i personally am also just not a fan of miscommunication especially when it’s in the case of “oh i liked you.” and “oh i liked you too but i couldn’t tell you cause ___”. i genuinely found it a little hard to root for or really care for their romance especially when it’s been so obvious that they clearly like eachother from early on. (also that bathroom scene when she’s in the shower and he doesn’t see her??? how?? why???) idk i just don’t really care about them.
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