Bake My Day: A Hilarious Cozy Mystery Romantic Comedy

by Em Tate

In the quirky town of Havana Heights, the annual Spring Festival is in full swing—until the Golden Acorn trophy mysteriously vanishes, leaving the entire town in chaos. Enter Lola Bramble, the whimsical bakery owner with a knack for solving problems—and stirring up a little trouble along the way. When she teams up with Oliver Pierce, the brooding private investigator hired to find the missing trophy, sparks fly... but it’s not just the mystery that’s heating up.

As they race against time to uncover the truth, Lola’s sweet charm and Oliver’s gruff demeanor lead to unexpected chemistry—and a whole lot of cake. But can they solve the case before the town turns on them? Or will love be the most surprising twist of all?

Sweet treats, sizzling romance, and a mystery that will keep you guessing—this cozy, charming romcom is the perfect recipe for a fun, feel-good read!

286 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 28, 2025

Reviews

[Sophie Toovey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute romance with a heavy emphasis on mystery. It wasn't as light-hearted as I expected, but I didn't mind. In fact, after a bit of a slow start, I was really gripped by the final third. Things got really interesting!
There are two fade to black scenes.

[Sheila (sheilasbookreviewer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bake My Day is a charming mystery with a sweet romance. The story takes place in Havana Heights during its Spring Festival. The Golden Acorn trophy vanishes, throwing the festival into chaos. Without it, the festival may not happen.

Lola Bramble owns a cute bakery. She counts on the Spring Festival and tourists for money to run her business. She meets Oliver Pierce, a private investigator. They work together to find the missing trophy. They interview quirky townspeople, and it gets pretty funny. Lola and Oliver run all over as they try to solve the mystery. It's fun watching them fall in love.

The mystery deepens as the thief gets desperate near the end. The culprit's reveal was a bit of a surprise. You can expect an exciting and happy ending. Bake My Day is perfect if you enjoy a sweet romance with a puzzling mystery.
3.5-4 stars

[The Twilight Bookworm · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book.

This was a cute and very quick cozy mystery read, but I felt like the plot line was a bit lacking in terms of depth and complexity. The progression of solving the “mystery” felt a bit disconnected as there did not really seem to be any proper flow to the main characters following any clues. Most of the time, it was simply back and forth conversations with the same side characters that did not really lead to solving the investigation. In terms of characters, Lola and Oliver are cute together with their closed door romance. However, they lacked layering that would provide more emotion or personality for each of them. Their instant love at first sight was also a bit off putting and caused the entire romance sub plot to feel extremely rushed since they have only really known each other for a few days. Overall, i think this book has a lot of potential in terms of the concept, but there needs to be a bit more depth to the plot to really make it a more entertaining read.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cozy whodunnit with a small-town romance? SIGN. ME. UP!

Lola, a small-town baker, teams up with Oliver—an out-of-town private investigator—to get to the bottom of the mystery. While racing against the clock, will they uncover the true culprit, or will they unravel what lies in their hearts as well?

This book was everything! The mystery plot kept me on the edge of my seat, turning every page just to find out the truth. The twists were well executed, and the mystery all made sense in the end. Lola and Oliver's relationship was adorable.

Y’all can count on me to read anything pastry- and mystery-themed! This book is a perfect blend of romance, comedy, and mystery, making it such a fun, quick read.

Check out this title if you're looking for a lighthearted cozy mystery!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. Thank you!

[Sheri Bolinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such a delight to read! Oliver was a terrific MMC! Hes hired by his Aunt, the mayor, to help find a stolen town statue. Enlisting the help of the local baker, Lola, they set off to solve this mystery that seems to keep hitting dead ends. Along the way we get to see Oliver's protective and playful sides. He is ready to jump in and help wherever needed. He's just an all around good guy. Lola is the sweetheart of the town. She dearly loves her little town and is eager to jump in and help Iliver with the locals, even if its a little daunting. And then there is the chemistry between these two!!! Wow! They fit together so perfectly but he doesn't live there. Can they solve the mystery? And an even bigger question, what happens if/when they do? Such a great book!

[Jacquelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Bake My Day’ was entertaining. Its quirky plot involved baking up a storm for the festival, missing the Golden Acorn Trophy, working with the mayor’s nephew, bits of humor, speaking with persons of interest, baking with the P.I., an errant driver after midnight, things being tossed about: lies, half-truths, and inuendos, a budding romance, some missing persons, keeping their eyes on the prize, and falling in love. Also, Lola and Oliver, the protagonists, were ideally suited to each other. I kept rooting for them. In addition, I liked the author’s vivid descriptions including imagery, figurative language, and just-the-right word choices that created a lively tone. Overall, I liked the lighthearted narrative.
I received a copy for free and am voluntarily giving my honest review.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to start by saying I received an ARC of this book. It is a cozy mystery book. The main characters are Oliver and Lola. Oliver is a private investigator and Lola owns a bakery. Oliver gets called in by his aunt to investigate a missing trophy. Along the way he meets Lola and they end up partnering up. Will they find out who stole the trophy? Will they find the trophy in time for the festival? Will they fall in love along the way. I really enjoyed this book it kept me guessing who was behind everything. I would probably classify this book as closed door/fade to black. I will say with how the book ended there will probably be another book with Oliver and Lola solving mysteries. I can’t wait to read the next book if so.

[Ria · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Havan Heights it's the time of the spring festival and the unveiling of the Golden Acorn.
But just before the day, the Golden Acorn disappears.
The town is in chaos and the festival is in jeopardy.
But Lola Bramble the local bakery owner is on the case and so is Oliver Pierce an out of town PI when his aunt Meredith, the mayor asks him to lend his skills to help them find it.
The pair team up to help save the festival but there is romance in the air as they find themselves falling for each other over a missing acorn!
A sweet and whimsical, charming small town mystery with a big dash of love and romance.
Great read.

[Tanya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lola, a bakery owner, gets involved with solving the case of a missing trophy with Oliver, a PI who has come to town to help crack the case. Sparks fly as they try to solve the Case of the Missing Acorn.

I was keen to read this because I love cozy mysteries and I am trying to find a romance genre that appeals.

I enjoyed this book but it's way more romance than mystery and I prefer more mystery with a side of romance.

For a freshman book in a series, I think it has promise for future books. The characters need more depth and fleshing out. If the mystery plots continue, need more connection and direction to the main story and all characters involved.

[Patricia Baxes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ohmigod…this is laugh out loud good! Once I got past the introductory part, the book really takes of and you absolutely literally laugh your a$$ off while trying to keep up with all the zany action. I kid you not—the storyline is incredible; the characters are zany but amazingly well developed; the plot twists and turns are absolutely outrageous but totally fitting; and the crazy road to the HEA?? Truly a masterpiece! It’s such a good read…be sure to add it to your TBR list today! (I voluntarily reviewed an advance review copy and absolutely loved this book!!) ❤️❤️

[Tami Willard · Rating 4 out of 5]

First book in the series. Has a couple of mild curse words and borderline fade to black/closed door scenes.
When a trophy is stolen from the town the mayor calls him in to help find it before they have to cancel the festival. She owns a bakery and depends on the festival to help make ends meet.Between his skills and her knowledge of the townspeople will they be able to solve the mystery in time? What happens when things start to get dangerous?.

I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[G · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the golden acorn goes missing Oliver and Lola are asked to team up to recover it. This is a super fun rom com crossed with a cozy mystery. Fun characters that make you root for them, and a storyline with a few surprises along the way make this a really enjoyable book to read. I can only recommend this book, fun to read and relax.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ineta · Rating 5 out of 5]

New series is baked!
What happens when cozy mystery meets sweet charming romance? Adorable romcom.
What happens when bakery owner Lola meets private investigator Oliver? Adorable relationship.
Everything is so well blended together - romance, comedy, mystery. It is so entertaining, you just laugh-out-laud. Enjoyed it so much!

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[LaurenB · Rating 3 out of 5]

It pains me to give this book 3 stars because I really loved the characters and the town. But the mystery was slow moving and not at all exciting. And the instant connection between the two MCs was a bit obnoxious, but that’s my own personal feeling about that trope. I will say it picked up towards the end. I hope when these characters return we get an exciting mystery!

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[R.S.05 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Em Tate has come out with a great rom-rom once again.

The plot was cozy and sweet, and I enjoyed reading this.

Lola and Olivers story was cute, but despite this, I felt that there was something lacking.

I was at times bored while reading this, and it took me some days to get through this book.

Nonetheless a good book.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Holly Zegalia · Rating 4 out of 5]

What happens when the Golden Acorn goes missing? Lola and Oliver work together to suss out the suspects, return the Acorn, find a love match and have some fun!

This is a cute cozy mystery with a closed door romance as well. Definitely hit my two fave book types in one. Some scenes are slightly disjointed but overall I enjoyed the plot and characters.

[Bonnie Theel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this rom com, mystery, and romance. I really liked Lola and Oliver. There were a few suspects who could have stolen the Golden Acorn. Would they find the culprit in time to save the festival?

I received a free ARC, and this is my honest opinion.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn’t expecting the (mild) language or (closed door) bedroom scenes. There was too much repetition in “case recaps” & details like the sugar flour scents surrounding Lola & her bakery. I don’t think this author is for me.

[MaryEllen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Argh, not as clean as I like. The main couple sleeps together after knowing each other for just a few days.

The mystery was well written. Though there were many suspects, there wasn't an obvious culprit until the person was revealed pretty far into the investigation. I did like that.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is just as advertised, a mystery, a romance and some fun. I liked the characters and how they solved the mystery. I hope we hear more about Lola and Oliver they are so cute together.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Looking for a cute, easy read with a mystery and a little romance? Join Oliver and Lola as they search for the missing acorn, will the search for the acorn bring them together?

[Destini Burnsed · Rating 1 out of 5]

I dnf'ed at page 96. About 30% little more in. It's boring. Nothing of any action/adventure happening. Nor laughs.

[Lucy Fawcett]

DNF

[Laurel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had me bored silly. I would pick it up to read, and put it down. It really isn't a bad read. Just a very light plot.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who took the trophy and why? Lola and Oliver team up to solve the crime and fall in love along the way. I really enjoyed going along for the ride and following the clues to help this duo solve the mystery. Kept me guessing.