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Cinnamon Roll Alphas #1
Tempting Taste
She stopped in for cake and accidentally flambéd his life
Erik was always happy to watch customers taste his high-end wedding cakes from the safety of the kitchen.
But that was before the maid of honor sampling his chocolate hazelnut ganache picked a fight with the bakery owner and the situation... escalated.
Now Erik has bigger problems than losing his dream gig, and they're all wrapped up in the chatty PR whiz who wants to apologize for the mess she made by turning him into Chicago's hottest baker.
Josie’s the type of woman Erik’s always avoided: breezy, confident, and so frustratingly gorgeous that someday he’s going to slip and bury his fingers in her fiery red hair.
That’s the day he’ll show her just how well his salty and her sweet combine.
That’s the day it’ll all go up in flames.
"Definitely one of my top 10 favorite book boyfriends of all time.” Laurie, Laurie Reads Romance
Grab this steamy opposites-attract romance about a quiet baker who saves his sweetest, hottest words for the feisty PR whiz he never saw coming. Tempting Taste is book 1 in the award-winning Cinnamon Roll Alphas series, which delivers all the playful banter, upbeat vibes, and HEAs your romance-loving heart craves.
Erik was always happy to watch customers taste his high-end wedding cakes from the safety of the kitchen.
But that was before the maid of honor sampling his chocolate hazelnut ganache picked a fight with the bakery owner and the situation... escalated.
Now Erik has bigger problems than losing his dream gig, and they're all wrapped up in the chatty PR whiz who wants to apologize for the mess she made by turning him into Chicago's hottest baker.
Josie’s the type of woman Erik’s always avoided: breezy, confident, and so frustratingly gorgeous that someday he’s going to slip and bury his fingers in her fiery red hair.
That’s the day he’ll show her just how well his salty and her sweet combine.
That’s the day it’ll all go up in flames.
"Definitely one of my top 10 favorite book boyfriends of all time.” Laurie, Laurie Reads Romance
Grab this steamy opposites-attract romance about a quiet baker who saves his sweetest, hottest words for the feisty PR whiz he never saw coming. Tempting Taste is book 1 in the award-winning Cinnamon Roll Alphas series, which delivers all the playful banter, upbeat vibes, and HEAs your romance-loving heart craves.
Unknown Binding
First published February 18, 2020
492 people are currently reading
1745 people want to read
About the author
Sara Whitney
22 books287 followersSara Whitney writes sexy, sunny contemporary romance that's unforgettable and unputdownable. She worked as a journalist and film critic before she earned her Ph.D. and entered academia. She divides her time between professoring, authoring, and entertainment reporting, and she almost certainly has an opinion about your favorite TV show.
Sara lives in Illinois, where she's surrounded by books, cats, half-full coffee cups, and practically empty bags of Swedish Fish. Keep up with the latest by subscribing to Sara's mailing list at http://www.sarawhitney.com/subscribe
Sara lives in Illinois, where she's surrounded by books, cats, half-full coffee cups, and practically empty bags of Swedish Fish. Keep up with the latest by subscribing to Sara's mailing list at http://www.sarawhitney.com/subscribe
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 194 reviews
August 25, 2021
I read this book because it won a very prestigious award this year in a very prestigious contest that was very much overshadowed by a controversy that was entirely the fault of the contest runners...who will not be named. But the OTHER winning books should still get a chance to shine!
TEMPTING TASTE is a super fun Rom Com with wonderful characters and a great story.
Josie is a whirlwind of passion and drama and talking and fun! I loved her (maybe because I saw so much of myself in her). She makes big plans and gets carried away often, dragging along all those around her into her schemes (yep, still me).
Erik is a grumpy, introverted, silent type who just wants to bake wonderful cakes and live in peace. I adored him so much! I truly loved how the reader sees these two changing each other as their relationship progresses.
These characters have great chemistry and the steamy scenes are super-hot. Sex that breaks furniture? YES PLEASE.
The cast of supporting characters are also incredibly likable and realistic and this author dud a great job at avoiding overused side-character stereotypes.
TEMPTING TASTE can get a bit slow in the middle and the central conflict was a bit overblown, but those are minor nitpicks on an otherwise great read!
Sara Whitney is a new to me author and I will definitely read more from her again!
RATING:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
STEAM LEVEL: Rated R
TRIGGERS: absent parents
FEELS-O-METER: 2/5 - a bit of drama, but still a pretty light read.
BUY IT HERE: https://amzn.to/2WonntP (aff.)
👇🏻HANG OUT WITH ME HERE!👇🏻
INSTAGRAM | YEAR OF SMUT CHALLENGE
TEMPTING TASTE is a super fun Rom Com with wonderful characters and a great story.
Josie is a whirlwind of passion and drama and talking and fun! I loved her (maybe because I saw so much of myself in her). She makes big plans and gets carried away often, dragging along all those around her into her schemes (yep, still me).
Erik is a grumpy, introverted, silent type who just wants to bake wonderful cakes and live in peace. I adored him so much! I truly loved how the reader sees these two changing each other as their relationship progresses.
These characters have great chemistry and the steamy scenes are super-hot. Sex that breaks furniture? YES PLEASE.
The cast of supporting characters are also incredibly likable and realistic and this author dud a great job at avoiding overused side-character stereotypes.
TEMPTING TASTE can get a bit slow in the middle and the central conflict was a bit overblown, but those are minor nitpicks on an otherwise great read!
Sara Whitney is a new to me author and I will definitely read more from her again!
RATING:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
STEAM LEVEL: Rated R
TRIGGERS: absent parents
FEELS-O-METER: 2/5 - a bit of drama, but still a pretty light read.
BUY IT HERE: https://amzn.to/2WonntP (aff.)
👇🏻HANG OUT WITH ME HERE!👇🏻
INSTAGRAM | YEAR OF SMUT CHALLENGE
September 3, 2021
Erik’s dream is to open his own bakery, but he doesn’t know if his dream will ever come true. In the meantime, he’s been working for a questionable bakery-owner who is happy to take his recipes & treat their customers terribly. After a spicy redhead stands up to her, Erik is inspired to quit on the spot.
Josie is now planning her best friend’s wedding and is in desperate need of a baker to make their cake. And that’s where Erik comes in. She had a run-in with his boss, but now that Erik’s unemployed, Josie immediately hires him for the job. And on the side, she convinces him to let her help him start up his own business & open up his own bakery.
Josie & Erik couldn’t be more different, but Josie pushes Erik in the ways he needs and Erik helps Josie take a step back from time to time. But when their business goals butt heads, it makes Erik & Josie question if they are just too different after all.
Tempting Taste by Sara Whitney is book 1 in the Cinnamon Roll Heroes series. This was a sweet and lighthearted romance full of sugary creations that’ll make you in the mood for dessert ASAP. This is a slow burn, grumpy/sunshine romance that takes quite a while to develop. Both Josie & Erik’s pasts are getting in the way of their happiness and I did like seeing them both work through their past issues. By the end, I was really wanting Josie & Erik to get together, although I was unsure about my feelings for the majority of the book. It ended up coming around for me and I want to continue on in the series. 4/5 stars.
Josie is now planning her best friend’s wedding and is in desperate need of a baker to make their cake. And that’s where Erik comes in. She had a run-in with his boss, but now that Erik’s unemployed, Josie immediately hires him for the job. And on the side, she convinces him to let her help him start up his own business & open up his own bakery.
Josie & Erik couldn’t be more different, but Josie pushes Erik in the ways he needs and Erik helps Josie take a step back from time to time. But when their business goals butt heads, it makes Erik & Josie question if they are just too different after all.
Tempting Taste by Sara Whitney is book 1 in the Cinnamon Roll Heroes series. This was a sweet and lighthearted romance full of sugary creations that’ll make you in the mood for dessert ASAP. This is a slow burn, grumpy/sunshine romance that takes quite a while to develop. Both Josie & Erik’s pasts are getting in the way of their happiness and I did like seeing them both work through their past issues. By the end, I was really wanting Josie & Erik to get together, although I was unsure about my feelings for the majority of the book. It ended up coming around for me and I want to continue on in the series. 4/5 stars.
January 24, 2023
DNF 48%
It's nice? Just not doing much for me.
It's nice? Just not doing much for me.
December 15, 2021
This was relatively cute but without being particularly memorable.
It’s an opposites attract sort of deal with a confident go-getter in Josie, the main female character who works in PR/marketing and is very good at what she does. She crosses paths with the hero, Erik a very big strapping Nordic Viking looking type on a train at first and then later, at a bakery where Erik works. When the owner refuses to bake a cake for Josie’s best friend, a man who is marrying another man Erik is confronted by the bigotry and he quits. He contacts Josie and offers to make the cake her best friend liked so much and in return, Josie decides she will market Erik, who is very shy and kind of taciturn and never uses more than the minimum amount of words and most of the time, no words does him just fine.
Josie is a bit of a force, she’s got some issues revolving around not feeling adequate because of her over-achieving and somewhat narcissistic mother so she’s always about proving herself and driving herself forward and Erik is sort of something of a project, yet again something to succeed at. Erik, despite his phenomenal baking talent and excellent good looks which would definitely boost his profile and draw a lot of clientele, he’s very reluctant for his image to be used or for him to do certain things revolving around publicity. Josie tends to just barrel over Erik’s wishes and decide she knows better (and although she kind of does she definitely doesn’t listen to him and this ends up resulting on one very serious blow up).
This book definitely made me want cake. A lot of cake. The flavours described just sound so delicious and who doesn’t love reading about cake and a big, handsome, muscly man who can make amazing cakes? Yes please, sign me up! Especially because Erik’s somewhat intimidating exterior hides a cinnamon roll interior (hence the name of the series!). I really liked Erik, I liked the way the book explored his background and his quiet manner and the way he was prepared to let Josie pretty much have her way with a lot of things, despite the fact that sometimes it made him uncomfortable (not every single thing, as I mentioned above, but most things). Erik trusts that she’s good at her job but I feel like he also needs to be heard as well on things that are important to him.
The chemistry between the two of them was okay – Josie was at times, a bit difficult to like because she can be really over the top sometimes. In their first scene together, she kind of goes on the attack to him even though he didn’t actually do anything other than show up and say nothing. Also her issues with her mother seep into every aspect of her life, including her romantic life and there are times it feels like Josie lashes out at Erik because he’s there (and because he can take it) rather than deal with her thing. It got a bit frustrating and made me feel somewhat sympathetic towards Erik, who had to deal with a lot of what could only be described as tantrums or meltdowns.
This was a nice read, had some funny moments and I did really enjoy Erik as a character. The book also sets up the next one in the series but honestly I’m not sure I’ll go on with them. If I happen to see a book on sale I might grab one in the future but I wasn’t blown away by this enough to actually hunt them down when I currently have so many other books to read. It was a nice, cute way to pass the time but had nothing that really made it stand out to me.
It’s an opposites attract sort of deal with a confident go-getter in Josie, the main female character who works in PR/marketing and is very good at what she does. She crosses paths with the hero, Erik a very big strapping Nordic Viking looking type on a train at first and then later, at a bakery where Erik works. When the owner refuses to bake a cake for Josie’s best friend, a man who is marrying another man Erik is confronted by the bigotry and he quits. He contacts Josie and offers to make the cake her best friend liked so much and in return, Josie decides she will market Erik, who is very shy and kind of taciturn and never uses more than the minimum amount of words and most of the time, no words does him just fine.
Josie is a bit of a force, she’s got some issues revolving around not feeling adequate because of her over-achieving and somewhat narcissistic mother so she’s always about proving herself and driving herself forward and Erik is sort of something of a project, yet again something to succeed at. Erik, despite his phenomenal baking talent and excellent good looks which would definitely boost his profile and draw a lot of clientele, he’s very reluctant for his image to be used or for him to do certain things revolving around publicity. Josie tends to just barrel over Erik’s wishes and decide she knows better (and although she kind of does she definitely doesn’t listen to him and this ends up resulting on one very serious blow up).
This book definitely made me want cake. A lot of cake. The flavours described just sound so delicious and who doesn’t love reading about cake and a big, handsome, muscly man who can make amazing cakes? Yes please, sign me up! Especially because Erik’s somewhat intimidating exterior hides a cinnamon roll interior (hence the name of the series!). I really liked Erik, I liked the way the book explored his background and his quiet manner and the way he was prepared to let Josie pretty much have her way with a lot of things, despite the fact that sometimes it made him uncomfortable (not every single thing, as I mentioned above, but most things). Erik trusts that she’s good at her job but I feel like he also needs to be heard as well on things that are important to him.
The chemistry between the two of them was okay – Josie was at times, a bit difficult to like because she can be really over the top sometimes. In their first scene together, she kind of goes on the attack to him even though he didn’t actually do anything other than show up and say nothing. Also her issues with her mother seep into every aspect of her life, including her romantic life and there are times it feels like Josie lashes out at Erik because he’s there (and because he can take it) rather than deal with her thing. It got a bit frustrating and made me feel somewhat sympathetic towards Erik, who had to deal with a lot of what could only be described as tantrums or meltdowns.
This was a nice read, had some funny moments and I did really enjoy Erik as a character. The book also sets up the next one in the series but honestly I’m not sure I’ll go on with them. If I happen to see a book on sale I might grab one in the future but I wasn’t blown away by this enough to actually hunt them down when I currently have so many other books to read. It was a nice, cute way to pass the time but had nothing that really made it stand out to me.
August 21, 2021
What a fun read! Opposites attract can be hard to pull off when the personalities lean extremely one way or the other, but Whitney did a great balancing act. At first, I didn’t think I’d like Josie’s brash attitude and thought maybe she was too pushy with Erik, however… hold out hope! I loved the chemistry between Josie and Erik. Her feistiness and his stoic demeanor worked really well and I loved how things worked out. (Josie’s fascination with Erik’s muscled forearms and smexy man bun moments had me cracking up so, so much!) The side characters were just as vibrant and memorable! And cake. Lots of cake.
Read
December 21, 2021Multiple attempts to finish this left me frustrated because i want to love it. It’s got potential, but is just a bundle of romance clichés with a pushy heroine.
February 24, 2020
First book that I have read from this author and I thought it was a good read. Great characters and a good story line. Will be reading more from this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 13, 2020
Erik and Josie are a match made of fun. Whitney serves up a delicious blend of sugar and spice that definitely hits the spot. From tempting attraction to heartwarming angst. Tempting Taste leaves it's mark on the funny bone and heart.
March 1, 2022
Lots of fluffy fun - I really liked both Josie and Erik, and they were opposites that truly complimented each other well. Also the 80% breakup was realistic and believable, which I feel like can be rare in romance-land
January 10, 2022
OMG, this was too adorable!
Josie and Erik's story is an opposites attract story of the absolute best kind--one with food porn and muscle-y bare arms thrown in for good measure. Oh--and the banter! I mean sure, most of it is one-sided, but Josie does an excellent job of keeping up both sides of the convo while Erik stands there all stoic-like.
He's very good at looking stoic. And Josie is excellent at talking. And they're both really good at...other things ;)
Ms Whitney has put together a fabulous world of cinnamon roll alpha heroes here, and I for one am here for it. Of course she started the series off (if you discount the prequel novella, which I'm going to have to at the moment since I read this one first) with the ultimate cinnamon roll alpha with the man-bunned, magic baker that is Erik Andersson--he's definitely going to be a hard act to follow. But I'm all for giving her other heroes a chance to try and live up to his example.
I'm generous like that.
Honestly, I don't even like man buns, but every time we saw Erik put up/take down his hair through Josie's eyes, I swear *I* got all hot and bothered. And don't even get me started on the descriptions of his bare forearms. And his cakes...
*swoon*
Yeah, I'm ready for book 2.
Rating: 4 stars / A-
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Josie and Erik's story is an opposites attract story of the absolute best kind--one with food porn and muscle-y bare arms thrown in for good measure. Oh--and the banter! I mean sure, most of it is one-sided, but Josie does an excellent job of keeping up both sides of the convo while Erik stands there all stoic-like.
He's very good at looking stoic. And Josie is excellent at talking. And they're both really good at...other things ;)
Ms Whitney has put together a fabulous world of cinnamon roll alpha heroes here, and I for one am here for it. Of course she started the series off (if you discount the prequel novella, which I'm going to have to at the moment since I read this one first) with the ultimate cinnamon roll alpha with the man-bunned, magic baker that is Erik Andersson--he's definitely going to be a hard act to follow. But I'm all for giving her other heroes a chance to try and live up to his example.
I'm generous like that.
Honestly, I don't even like man buns, but every time we saw Erik put up/take down his hair through Josie's eyes, I swear *I* got all hot and bothered. And don't even get me started on the descriptions of his bare forearms. And his cakes...
*swoon*
Yeah, I'm ready for book 2.
Rating: 4 stars / A-
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
February 24, 2024
Josie Ryan is a woman who in some ways is larger than life, at least her imagination is. When she meets her best friend to try wedding cakes, she never expects to see her man bun subway passenger the baker behind the delicious concoctions created for her best friends wedding.
Erik Andersson had been hoping his role at the bakery would yield a ton of success but when he finds the owner is cruel in many ways he leaves. His dreams are not completely out the door though when he offers to bake the wedding cake. Little does he realize that Josie is a PR guru and she has plans to introduce him to the world, the only problem in his way though is his attraction to Josie. Can he keep away or can the grumpy baker have it all, including Josie?
This was very fun. Josie is a bit of a dreamer and her confidence is a bit of a thrill ride to read. Erik is a bit of a grump and he doesn't know quite what to think of Josie, she is completely opposite him. Would check out more in this series.
Erik Andersson had been hoping his role at the bakery would yield a ton of success but when he finds the owner is cruel in many ways he leaves. His dreams are not completely out the door though when he offers to bake the wedding cake. Little does he realize that Josie is a PR guru and she has plans to introduce him to the world, the only problem in his way though is his attraction to Josie. Can he keep away or can the grumpy baker have it all, including Josie?
This was very fun. Josie is a bit of a dreamer and her confidence is a bit of a thrill ride to read. Erik is a bit of a grump and he doesn't know quite what to think of Josie, she is completely opposite him. Would check out more in this series.
April 2, 2022
I really ended up loving this book. A Quick, fun read. Great characters, good dialogue, sexy, sweet story. A random find , but definitely will keep reading the series now
July 21, 2022
There was nothing overtly wrong with this book, it was FINE. Aggressively fine ™, even, to quote a good friend of mine. Problem is, I'm almost positive that by tomorrow or Sunday at the latest, I will no longer remember this book.
There is a giant softie of a hero whose name I have already forgotten but let's call him Faux Thor. He is a baker and full of guilt and remorse for following in his own dreams instead of doing what his late grandfather wanted him to do, which was run the family farm.
There is a brash, take-no-prisoners heroine, constantly trying to find external validation from others in order to make up for the lack of maternal love in her life.
There's also a surprising amount of homophobia, some of it ripped straight from the headlines, towards the heroine's gay best friend, who is engaged to be married to his longtime boyfriend. (The bakery the heroine and her best friend go to about ordering a wedding cake declines to serve them when the owner realizes it's for a gay wedding. When the hero finds out, he immediately quits. I'm not sure what purpose this storyline served other than to force the hero to find other employment which he does basically by opening his own business which the heroine has to nudge him and then help him start. But I feel like there were other options to get the hero to leave that job).
Anyway, it was fine. Like I said, nothing that I will remember going into the weekend.
Here are some content notes:
1. Homophobia, both on page and referred to in the past;
2. Toxic parental relationships;
3. Parental abandonment;
4. Off page car accident, resulting in surgery and lengthy hospital stay of minor character;
There is a giant softie of a hero whose name I have already forgotten but let's call him Faux Thor. He is a baker and full of guilt and remorse for following in his own dreams instead of doing what his late grandfather wanted him to do, which was run the family farm.
There is a brash, take-no-prisoners heroine, constantly trying to find external validation from others in order to make up for the lack of maternal love in her life.
There's also a surprising amount of homophobia, some of it ripped straight from the headlines, towards the heroine's gay best friend, who is engaged to be married to his longtime boyfriend. (The bakery the heroine and her best friend go to about ordering a wedding cake declines to serve them when the owner realizes it's for a gay wedding. When the hero finds out, he immediately quits. I'm not sure what purpose this storyline served other than to force the hero to find other employment which he does basically by opening his own business which the heroine has to nudge him and then help him start. But I feel like there were other options to get the hero to leave that job).
Anyway, it was fine. Like I said, nothing that I will remember going into the weekend.
Here are some content notes:
1. Homophobia, both on page and referred to in the past;
2. Toxic parental relationships;
3. Parental abandonment;
4. Off page car accident, resulting in surgery and lengthy hospital stay of minor character;
February 20, 2023
this was really cute.
he’s introverted and a baker.
and a Thor lookalike (!!!). sign me up.
she’s extroverted and a marketing executive.
the problems they went through felt real and each brought their own baggage but I liked how they were open with each other and communicated.
she stirs things up (😉) for him by encouraging him to take whisks (i’m not sorry).
he provides some calm to her storm and realizes he kneads her.
alright I’ll take myself home now.
he’s introverted and a baker.
and a Thor lookalike (!!!). sign me up.
she’s extroverted and a marketing executive.
the problems they went through felt real and each brought their own baggage but I liked how they were open with each other and communicated.
she stirs things up (😉) for him by encouraging him to take whisks (i’m not sorry).
he provides some calm to her storm and realizes he kneads her.
alright I’ll take myself home now.
February 22, 2020
Due to his past Erik is a man who thrives on routine and order but sometimes a man can only take so much. He loves his occupation of being a baker but his employer not so much. When an altercation occurs between a client and his boss he stands up for his principals and now finds himself unemployed.
Josie has made a successful career in marketing despite what her mother thinks about it. When she and her best friend visit the bakery to discuss a cake for his upcoming wedding, she wasn’t prepared for him to be disrespected because he was marrying another man and her temper ignites.
When fate brings them together, they forge an alliance but what happens when their business relationship is starting to feel like so much more?
Humor, heat and heart as two very different people find out that they sympatico where it really counts and that is their feelings for each other.
Josie has made a successful career in marketing despite what her mother thinks about it. When she and her best friend visit the bakery to discuss a cake for his upcoming wedding, she wasn’t prepared for him to be disrespected because he was marrying another man and her temper ignites.
When fate brings them together, they forge an alliance but what happens when their business relationship is starting to feel like so much more?
Humor, heat and heart as two very different people find out that they sympatico where it really counts and that is their feelings for each other.
January 20, 2022
This is a book for all of your grump/sunshine lovers out there. Erik is a total brooder. He hasn't found much happiness in life and doesn't trust that anything good is out there for him. And Josie's the sunshine that believes everything's going to work out, but she's struggling with her own insecurities as a result of her mother's constant criticisms.
There's one big "SAY WHAT!" moment, and I thought I was going to hate Erik for a second. LOL! But, I promise that it all works out okay! And despite Erik's insecurities, I love that he goes for a nice gesture in the end to patch up all misunderstandings.
4.5 Stars
There's one big "SAY WHAT!" moment, and I thought I was going to hate Erik for a second. LOL! But, I promise that it all works out okay! And despite Erik's insecurities, I love that he goes for a nice gesture in the end to patch up all misunderstandings.
4.5 Stars
June 26, 2021
Who would go to war to protect socially anxious, built like a norse god, cake-baking, filth-talking, cinnamon roll hero, Erik Andersen?
Dear, sweet, merciful Frigg... I've got to go rebuild my reproductive system now because IT EXPLODED,'kay? Bye.
Dear, sweet, merciful Frigg... I've got to go rebuild my reproductive system now because IT EXPLODED,'kay? Bye.
November 30, 2021
Good read.
Funny and cute. Had all the makings of a good read. Looking forward to the next one in the series.
Funny and cute. Had all the makings of a good read. Looking forward to the next one in the series.
May 14, 2022
So cute!
July 29, 2022
This was not a four star read but it was also not a three star read so anyway I'm just a girl, standing in front of goodreads, asking for a goddamn half star rating.
June 12, 2024
DNF @ 18%
Ultimately wasn't invested enough in the characters to continue. I felt my interest wither and die upon reading "her inner redhead awakened". Cliché aside, temperamental redheads are fine - as long as there's more to her personality than that!
Ultimately wasn't invested enough in the characters to continue. I felt my interest wither and die upon reading "her inner redhead awakened". Cliché aside, temperamental redheads are fine - as long as there's more to her personality than that!
June 27, 2022
I really loved this. Erik and Josie were great and I loved how they complemented each other. Super fun quick read. I'll definitely be going on to read more in this series.
November 1, 2022
I adored this book! The hero is one of my recent favorites. He's a hulking cinnamon roll baker and she's a chaotic PR rep trying to prove herself. The character backstories and their personal issues were really well handled. This is one of those books I just wanted to sit and read and not do anything else. I'm definitely down for the rest of the series.
February 18, 2020
Sara Whitney, ‘Tempting Taste’.
The Tempt Me series, book 2.
As a Hidden Gems ARC reader I received a free copy and promised an honest review. Here it is.
Rating: 4 stars (of 5).
In general: Love between sassy PR wiz kid and talented, taciturn baker.
Main characters:
- Erik Andersson (28).
He had a chaotic childhood. His father disappeared before his birth and his mother moved almost every 6 months to chase a new - for her unfeasible - dream. Now he’s head baker at a bakery, owned by Dora an old, bitchy lady with very conservative opinions.
- Josie Ryan.
Her mother is a famous, self-centered photographer who despises everything Rosie achieves. Mom wants her to become a photographer too. But she’s a successful marketing wiz kid, working at a PR firm. Her best friend is her co-worker Richard who is engaged with Byron, also one of Josie’s co-workers. She’s ‘brides maid’ for the coming marriage of her two boyfriends.
Josie and Erik realy meet when she and Richard try to choose cakes for the wedding party at Dora’s bakery. But Dora refuses to prepare cakes for a marriage between two men. When they leave the bakery, Erik - without success - tries to mediate between the hurt Ricard, the fuming Josie and his stubborn, vicious lady boss. After the discussion - in spite of loving his job - Erik quits for he realizes he had accepted Dora’s whims and malicious behavior far too long.
The author, Sara Whitney, then describes how Rosie and Erik meet again. They become interested in each other’s personal and professional activities. Josie learns that Erik is a very caring person but he hides this quality because he’s very taciturn. And for Rosie, the speech waterfall, that’s difficult to understand. But step by step their relationship deepens in spite of their fears caused by a difficult youth, the difference of their personalities and the insecurities both concealed so successfully for a long time.
The story is well written with interesting, sometimes sassy and funny dialogues, a few wonderful extra characters and a lot of info about baking (cup)cakes and marketing. For me there was only one small point of criticism: the doubts about yes or no to commitment caused a lot of temporary breakups. Perhaps too many for persons who in general know what they want?
But all in all the book was a pleasure to read.
R.Huiszoon.
The Tempt Me series, book 2.
As a Hidden Gems ARC reader I received a free copy and promised an honest review. Here it is.
Rating: 4 stars (of 5).
In general: Love between sassy PR wiz kid and talented, taciturn baker.
Main characters:
- Erik Andersson (28).
He had a chaotic childhood. His father disappeared before his birth and his mother moved almost every 6 months to chase a new - for her unfeasible - dream. Now he’s head baker at a bakery, owned by Dora an old, bitchy lady with very conservative opinions.
- Josie Ryan.
Her mother is a famous, self-centered photographer who despises everything Rosie achieves. Mom wants her to become a photographer too. But she’s a successful marketing wiz kid, working at a PR firm. Her best friend is her co-worker Richard who is engaged with Byron, also one of Josie’s co-workers. She’s ‘brides maid’ for the coming marriage of her two boyfriends.
Josie and Erik realy meet when she and Richard try to choose cakes for the wedding party at Dora’s bakery. But Dora refuses to prepare cakes for a marriage between two men. When they leave the bakery, Erik - without success - tries to mediate between the hurt Ricard, the fuming Josie and his stubborn, vicious lady boss. After the discussion - in spite of loving his job - Erik quits for he realizes he had accepted Dora’s whims and malicious behavior far too long.
The author, Sara Whitney, then describes how Rosie and Erik meet again. They become interested in each other’s personal and professional activities. Josie learns that Erik is a very caring person but he hides this quality because he’s very taciturn. And for Rosie, the speech waterfall, that’s difficult to understand. But step by step their relationship deepens in spite of their fears caused by a difficult youth, the difference of their personalities and the insecurities both concealed so successfully for a long time.
The story is well written with interesting, sometimes sassy and funny dialogues, a few wonderful extra characters and a lot of info about baking (cup)cakes and marketing. For me there was only one small point of criticism: the doubts about yes or no to commitment caused a lot of temporary breakups. Perhaps too many for persons who in general know what they want?
But all in all the book was a pleasure to read.
R.Huiszoon.
February 24, 2020
I adored Sara Whitney's "Tempting Taste" and highly recommend it. Even though it is technically the second book in the Tempt Me series, it reads as a complete standalone, so readers (like me) who are new to the series will not feel lost at all by starting here. Fair warning, however: reading this book will probably make you crave cake. I know I am! I have never tasted peach cake before, but thanks to the description of it in this book, I am now searching all of my local bakeries to find it because it sounds so delicious. ;-)
The main characters of this story, Josie and Erik, were both very likeable and well-developed. The female lead, Josie, was what my grandmother might describe as a "firecracker": outgoing, energetic, independent, and maybe even a bit bossy. There was a world of hurt hiding beneath her seemingly confident exterior, however, mostly related to her mother, Pamela. It wasn't difficult to figure out why; Pamela seemed like a real witch who alternately ignored Josie and treated her cruelly, for no apparent reason. Her mother's behavior drove Josie's determination to be successful in her career, if for no other reason than to get Pamela's attention. Unfortunately, this ambition was at the root of a lot of the problems Josie and Erik had to work through to get to their HEA.
I found Erik to be completely swoon-worthy, and he was definitely one of my top 10 favorite book boyfriends of all time. (It didn't hurt that I was picturing Chris Hemsworth as Thor the entire time I was reading about him. A man who looks like Thor/Hemsworth who can also bake me delicious cake on demand is pretty much my idea of perfection!) I love grumpy heroes who slowly open up as they fall in love, and Erik's grumpiness was particularly adorable. He was so shy and sweet, and I loved the way he came out of his shell with Josie and made such an effort to use his words with her. They really seemed to bring out the best in each other, and I found it very easy to root for them both individually and as a couple.
I am very much looking forward to reading the other books in this series. (I'm going to need to find and sample that peach cake first, though.)
*ARC provided by the author via InkSlingerPR. All opinions expressed are my own.
The main characters of this story, Josie and Erik, were both very likeable and well-developed. The female lead, Josie, was what my grandmother might describe as a "firecracker": outgoing, energetic, independent, and maybe even a bit bossy. There was a world of hurt hiding beneath her seemingly confident exterior, however, mostly related to her mother, Pamela. It wasn't difficult to figure out why; Pamela seemed like a real witch who alternately ignored Josie and treated her cruelly, for no apparent reason. Her mother's behavior drove Josie's determination to be successful in her career, if for no other reason than to get Pamela's attention. Unfortunately, this ambition was at the root of a lot of the problems Josie and Erik had to work through to get to their HEA.
I found Erik to be completely swoon-worthy, and he was definitely one of my top 10 favorite book boyfriends of all time. (It didn't hurt that I was picturing Chris Hemsworth as Thor the entire time I was reading about him. A man who looks like Thor/Hemsworth who can also bake me delicious cake on demand is pretty much my idea of perfection!) I love grumpy heroes who slowly open up as they fall in love, and Erik's grumpiness was particularly adorable. He was so shy and sweet, and I loved the way he came out of his shell with Josie and made such an effort to use his words with her. They really seemed to bring out the best in each other, and I found it very easy to root for them both individually and as a couple.
I am very much looking forward to reading the other books in this series. (I'm going to need to find and sample that peach cake first, though.)
*ARC provided by the author via InkSlingerPR. All opinions expressed are my own.
July 17, 2022
Lately, I had been in a bit of a bookish slump where everything I keep trying is just not grabbing me at all. Scrolling through my kindle, this book looked fun with its bright cover and seemed like something that would hit the spot. As I started it, I was into it with our bright fiery red-headed character Josie standing up for poor souls on the train and then our Viking-like male Erik. What I loved about this book was that it had a role reversal where the female was a marketing executive/ businesswoman and the guy despite his stereotypical looks and body shape and the fact he was a farm boy/ football player - loved to bake cakes and was darn good at what he did. Josie meets Erik on the train initially but their second encounter is when the sparks fly as Erik is baking for Dora who is as prejudiced and racist as they come which causes Erik to quit and then be without a job. This turns into a blessing in disguise as Josie will pool her resources and skills and help Erik develop his dream of owning a bakery. What will happen though when the lines of business partners /friends start to cross into romantic feelings? Can these two who are so used to pushing people away overcome their past rejections and work together? I found these characters reminded me of Penny Reid's Cletus and Jenn, except if Cletus had been the Baker, not Jennifer. If you love cake, baking, and romantic comedy and want a fun, light read with a hint of M/M as Josie's gay best friends get married in the book which is a secondary storyline that runs through the whole book - then Tempting Taste by Sara Whitney is the delicious scrummy read for you.
March 22, 2024
Tempting Taste by Sara Whitney is the first book in the Cinnamon Roll Alphas series. All Erik Andersson wanted was a life of peace and stability. But when Josie Ryan comes into the bakery where he worked, exposing the toxicity of his boss, Erik finds himself quitting on the spot. Now, he resumes the search for work while entering into a business arrangement with a woman he calls a redhead tornado. Josie wows clients with her PR events and when she learns Erik is now jobless, she makes it her mission to turn his amazing talents into a successful business empire. Rule no. 1: keep it professional. However, Josie and Erik begin to find it harder and harder to follow this simple rule. Can they find a way to blend business with pleasure or will it fizzle like a deflated souffle?
After reading Tempting Heat, the prequel novella, I was looking forward to the rest of the series, starting with Tempting Taste. Unfortunately, I did not love Josie and Erik like I did Finn and Tom. Their initial meeting was funny and when they ran into each other again was great. However, the story quickly fell from there. It is an opposite attracts romance but Josie has a strong personality and Erik is so shy that she overpowers him with decisions and directions. Josie was easily the most annoying character especially how she constantly harps on how she saw Tom first but he fell for Finn. Not true (read Tempting Heat to see why). While Erik was enjoyable but geez, speak up! Overall, I found Tempting Taste disappointing and I haven’t decided if I will continue the series. I do not recommend Tempting Taste.
Tempting Taste is available in paperback and eBook
After reading Tempting Heat, the prequel novella, I was looking forward to the rest of the series, starting with Tempting Taste. Unfortunately, I did not love Josie and Erik like I did Finn and Tom. Their initial meeting was funny and when they ran into each other again was great. However, the story quickly fell from there. It is an opposite attracts romance but Josie has a strong personality and Erik is so shy that she overpowers him with decisions and directions. Josie was easily the most annoying character especially how she constantly harps on how she saw Tom first but he fell for Finn. Not true (read Tempting Heat to see why). While Erik was enjoyable but geez, speak up! Overall, I found Tempting Taste disappointing and I haven’t decided if I will continue the series. I do not recommend Tempting Taste.
Tempting Taste is available in paperback and eBook
August 7, 2021
Really enjoyed this and I can see why it won a Vivian which Whitney ended up returning because the RWA continues to RWA. Unfortunate as that was, it's because of the SM attention around the genocide book that I discovered this one and because it was free through koboplus, I decided to give it a read, although I started with the prequel novella about Josie's roommate Finn.
Josie's your stereotypical fiery redhead with the temper to match, but it's a front, armour to protect herself from the rejection she's always felt from her famous photographer artist mother. Erik is a stoic, introverted baker of amazing wedding cakes. They initially meet on the subway where Josie perhaps unwisely intervenes to help a girl who's being sexually harassed on an otherwise empty train but Erik shows up out of nowhere as the quiet heavy who actually scares the asshole off. They meet again when Josie is with her BFF Richard tasting wedding cakes at the bakery Erik works. Turns out the owner Doris is a racist bigot who didn't want to do business with her friend Richard who was black, but when she found out that he was gay, too, she told them their business was not welcome...and this is when Erik shows up and finally has to confront what he always suspected about Doris and quit.
Long story short, through a series of fortunate events, Josie helps Erik with the PR for his fledgling bakery they fall for each other, have a fight when she pushes him too far out of his comfort zone but make up and live HEA. Obviously.
Josie's your stereotypical fiery redhead with the temper to match, but it's a front, armour to protect herself from the rejection she's always felt from her famous photographer artist mother. Erik is a stoic, introverted baker of amazing wedding cakes. They initially meet on the subway where Josie perhaps unwisely intervenes to help a girl who's being sexually harassed on an otherwise empty train but Erik shows up out of nowhere as the quiet heavy who actually scares the asshole off. They meet again when Josie is with her BFF Richard tasting wedding cakes at the bakery Erik works. Turns out the owner Doris is a racist bigot who didn't want to do business with her friend Richard who was black, but when she found out that he was gay, too, she told them their business was not welcome...and this is when Erik shows up and finally has to confront what he always suspected about Doris and quit.
Long story short, through a series of fortunate events, Josie helps Erik with the PR for his fledgling bakery they fall for each other, have a fight when she pushes him too far out of his comfort zone but make up and live HEA. Obviously.
August 30, 2021
I read this with mind that I need a little bit romance after reading heavy stuffs. Surprise, surprise this book was so good.
The book started with Josie, the bright girl and also kinda drama queen, met with Thor-kind-of-guy named Erik. They have opposite character that with Josie is all about talks and bright and with Erik is all about quiet and stiff and grunt. But they found comfort for each other and I just love that.
"𝐼'𝑚 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑠𝑎𝑦𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑖𝑡 𝑚𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑠 𝑚𝑒 𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑒𝑡. 𝑁𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑑𝑜𝑒𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡. 𝐵𝑢𝑡 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑠𝑜𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡'𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑚𝑒."
Moreover, I feel Josie is a little bit personal for me. I feel like similarities between me and her. Having Erik beside Josie made me choked up. Eric had successfully identified Josie's imperfections and her weaknesses. He didn't really hurt her but pinpoint what mistakes she made and he knew it's not her fault but it just how she grows up.
𝑆𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 ℎ𝑒𝑟. 𝑊ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑎 𝑛𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑙 𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑡. 𝐻𝑒𝑟 𝑐𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑑 ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑓𝑜𝑟 ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑘𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑎𝑣𝑣𝑦. 𝐻𝑒𝑟 𝑚𝑜𝑚 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑑 ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑠 𝑎 𝑑𝑎𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑜𝑟𝑦. 𝑊𝑎𝑠 𝑖𝑡 𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑠ℎ𝑒'𝑑 𝑙𝑒𝑡 ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑓 𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑣𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝐸𝑟𝑖𝑘 𝑜𝑛𝑙𝑦 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑑 ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑓 𝑠ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑠 ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑝𝑖𝑛𝑔?
As I read the paragraph above, I couldn't help but hurting for Josie. She didn't trust herself is worth to love. Her argument with Erik was so intense that even I don't even know who's fault or what Erik's fault. All I could think, I might do the same of what Josie's did too. No matter who was at fault, Josie will certainly blame herself for the damage. It hurts me how I relate her. And I'm glad that Erik knew how to handle her and for once, I hope that somebody knew how to handle me like Erik.
The book started with Josie, the bright girl and also kinda drama queen, met with Thor-kind-of-guy named Erik. They have opposite character that with Josie is all about talks and bright and with Erik is all about quiet and stiff and grunt. But they found comfort for each other and I just love that.
"𝐼'𝑚 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑠𝑎𝑦𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑖𝑡 𝑚𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑠 𝑚𝑒 𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑒𝑡. 𝑁𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑑𝑜𝑒𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡. 𝐵𝑢𝑡 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑠𝑜𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡'𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑚𝑒."
Moreover, I feel Josie is a little bit personal for me. I feel like similarities between me and her. Having Erik beside Josie made me choked up. Eric had successfully identified Josie's imperfections and her weaknesses. He didn't really hurt her but pinpoint what mistakes she made and he knew it's not her fault but it just how she grows up.
𝑆𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 ℎ𝑒𝑟. 𝑊ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑎 𝑛𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑙 𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑡. 𝐻𝑒𝑟 𝑐𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑑 ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑓𝑜𝑟 ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑘𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑎𝑣𝑣𝑦. 𝐻𝑒𝑟 𝑚𝑜𝑚 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑑 ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑠 𝑎 𝑑𝑎𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑜𝑟𝑦. 𝑊𝑎𝑠 𝑖𝑡 𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑠ℎ𝑒'𝑑 𝑙𝑒𝑡 ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑓 𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑣𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝐸𝑟𝑖𝑘 𝑜𝑛𝑙𝑦 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑑 ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑓 𝑠ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑠 ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑝𝑖𝑛𝑔?
As I read the paragraph above, I couldn't help but hurting for Josie. She didn't trust herself is worth to love. Her argument with Erik was so intense that even I don't even know who's fault or what Erik's fault. All I could think, I might do the same of what Josie's did too. No matter who was at fault, Josie will certainly blame herself for the damage. It hurts me how I relate her. And I'm glad that Erik knew how to handle her and for once, I hope that somebody knew how to handle me like Erik.
October 9, 2021
3.5 stars. this was fun! i do love a good opposites attract/grumpy-sunshine pairing. this started off very strong with Josie and Erik working together and i thought their relationship was very sweet. Josie is a firecracker and Erik is a broody cinnamon roll. that said, once again all i am asking for is a slow burn!!!!! the pacing is very choppy and really lagged in the second half. also the third act conflict was annoying. Josie had a major victim complex that i was not about. the best parts were the relationship bits when you can see just how much each characters made each other better. Erik’s pov is also a standout to me because he thinks so similarly as me that it’s actually kind of funny.
fave lines:
“Erik gripped the edge of the table. His poor brain. First there was his bakery dream coming true before his eyes. Then there was this fuck-hot woman, dripping with the kind of breezy confidence that had always left him tongue-tied, shaping her lips around words like “money shot” and “plump.” And she just kept blithely talking.”
“He did as commanded because that’s how their relationship worked these days. She gave a command, and he picked up or put down or shifted whatever she required.”
“She wanted to own all his stories, to know what sun under what sky had kissed those tan specks into his skin, to identify the sharp objects that had pierced him and dared to leave their marks on his body. At the reception, he’d promised her time, and she planned to take everything that he’d give her.”
fave lines:
“Erik gripped the edge of the table. His poor brain. First there was his bakery dream coming true before his eyes. Then there was this fuck-hot woman, dripping with the kind of breezy confidence that had always left him tongue-tied, shaping her lips around words like “money shot” and “plump.” And she just kept blithely talking.”
“He did as commanded because that’s how their relationship worked these days. She gave a command, and he picked up or put down or shifted whatever she required.”
“She wanted to own all his stories, to know what sun under what sky had kissed those tan specks into his skin, to identify the sharp objects that had pierced him and dared to leave their marks on his body. At the reception, he’d promised her time, and she planned to take everything that he’d give her.”
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