The Billionaire's Cupcake

by Chloe Horne

My bakery goes up in flames, my life goes viral, & my brother’s best friend pulls me from the smoke.

I swore I’d never fall for my brother’s best friend.
Now I’m fake-engaged to him after my bakery catches fire.

My life goes viral for all the wrong reasons—the cake collapses, my ex dumps me, and my bakery literally burns down.

Then he shows up.
Jacob Wolcott. My brother’s best friend.
Grumpy, bossy, too handsome for his own good—and the man who once broke me as a teenager just by smiling.
He saves me from the smoke, hires me to rebuild his dessert menu, and drives me insane every single day.
We fight. We flirt. We cross lines we shouldn’t, and somewhere between flour fights and midnight tastings, I start to fall for him.

Then his ex-wife ambushes us together in a custody power move. When Jacob blurts out the one lie that changes everything—that we’re engaged.
Now I’m pretending to love a man who already owns my heart.

If the truth comes out, I’ll lose my reputation, my bakery…
and the only man who’s ever truly seen me.

256 pages, ebook

Published January 16, 2026

Reviews

[Brenda Sullivan]

The Billionaire's Cupcake: An Off-Limits Forced Proximity RomanceChloe Horne
## **The Billionaire’s Cupcake – Chloe Horne**


**Tropes:**

Brother’s Best Friend • Childhood Crush • Fake Engagement • Single Dad • Found Family • Surprise Pregnancy • Protective MMC • Strong FMC

---

This book truly had *everything* and somehow still felt refreshing.

Lila finds herself trying to rebuild her life after a very public fallout that affects both her bakery and her reputation. Just when everything feels like it’s crumbling, Jacob—her brother’s best friend and the man she once had a crush on—steps back into her world.

Years ago, things between them didn’t exactly go the way Lila hoped. Now, older and far more established, Jacob shows up in ways that matter. What starts as support and proximity slowly evolves into something neither of them can ignore.

Jacob is a devoted single dad (his son is absolutely adorable), and that dynamic adds so much heart to the story. The fake engagement trope unfolds in a way that feels natural rather than forced, and watching their relationship shift from guarded and complicated to deeply connected was incredibly satisfying.

What I loved most is that Lila isn’t waiting to be rescued. She’s strong, capable, and fully willing to call Jacob out when he slips into overprotective mode. Their chemistry is balanced—protective but not overpowering, independent but still tender.

There were laughs. There were emotional moments. The found family vibes were immaculate. And honestly? Lila completely stole the show.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

💋 **Spice:** Moderate (open door, emotionally driven)

If you love a protective billionaire who falls hard, a strong heroine rebuilding her confidence, and a fake engagement that turns into something very real… this one is for you.

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

[Sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via BookSirens. This in no way impacted on my view.

Lila Carpenter never thought her life could get any worse, until it did. Becoming a viral meme for an edited video her ex boyfriend sends, her world collapses when the bakery she has poured her time and soul into is burnt down. And to make matters worse, her brother's best friend, billionaire Jacob Wolcott, sees her at her worst. Jacob was always drawn to Lila, but as his best friend's little sister, she was always off limits. Now though, she's single, and he can help her. Giving her a job in his restaurant, in charge of pastry, Jacob discovers that spending time with her every day is not the easiest, when he's trying to fight his growing feelings. But then to complicate things further, Jacob blurts out that they are engaged, so that he can protect his custody rights over his soon. Will their fake engagement stay fake, or can Lila and Jacob act on their feelings.

I can't get enough of the brother's best friend trope, and The Billionaire's Cupcake dealt with the trope well. Lila and Jacob had a connection for the last 15 years, but Jacob never acted on it because of his loyalty to his best friend, Zachary. Now, however, they are both consenting adults, and there's next to now reason why they shouldn't be together. Even so, the path to true love was not easy, and they go through a lot of twists and turns before they are able to be happy. There were a few times when I wish the main characters had communicated better, and didn't immediately jump to conclusions. That being said, I still enjoyed the book, and the found family aspect of Lila, Jacob, and Jace, was great to explore.

[Sue Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable brother’s best friend romance. I liked this story of baker Lila who loses everything when her ex dumps her & posts a damning video of it; then her bakery burns down. Jacob comes to her rescue - having had a crush on his friend's little sister for years – when he offers her a job in his restaurant. The characters are really likeable and have the reader engaged in their relationship from the start. Lila tries to fight her growing feelings for Jake especially when he asks her to pose as his fiancée enabling him to gain full custody of his young son. I also loved the way Jakes sees that her ex gets his just desserts (no pun intended!) An enjoyable read of two individuals who are well suited.

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Talk about drama this book is filled with it from start to finish. Lila's life is in an uproar in more ways than one and when her bakery burns down Jacob sees her at her lowest. He offers her a job in his restaurant as a pastry chef and their path begins. He has always been drawn to her, but she was off limits because she is the sister of his best friend, but when he blurts out that she is his fiancé things begin to change. Will these two finally find happiness.

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

[D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet & Scary:

Chloe Horne has delivered a book filled with love, support, suspense, crazy ex's, family, sweet treats, etc. It was a quick read because I just couldn't put it down. I just had to know what was coming next. Between Trevor & Vanessa, you just never knew what was happening next. I wish I could have tasted the desserts that Lila created, just the description had me drooling. The cupcake was just the "icing on the cake" (pardon the pun).

I received a free advance reader copy of this book via BookSirens and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tk · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Billionaire’s Cupcake by Chloe Horne

Reviewed by TheresaK

Well, I have to admit straight up - I loved this book! I did not want to go to bed (but I did have to, alas.) The main characters, the setting and supportive players are well conceived, and everything just flew from there.

I am currently reading another author for review, so I had to check back and reread parts of this book again to write this. I caught myself an hour later, really enjoying this one again (my current read not so much.)

Read this book! You will be so happy you did.

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Grumpy. Off-limits. Infuriatingly perfect.'

The characters drove the storyline and they were so very appealing and likeable and complicated and perfectly steamy together. Plot was intriguing and well paced. World building was excellent and solidly drawn. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.

Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.

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

[Nupur · Rating 4 out of 5]

A soft, feel good romance that blends sweetness with emotional warmth. The story focuses on two very different worlds slowly colliding, where small moments, quiet tension, and unspoken feelings take center stage.

With a cozy atmosphere and gentle character growth, the book leans into comfort, connection, and the idea that love can arrive when least expected.

Overall, it’s a light, comforting read perfect for when you want something simple, warm, and quietly romantic.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the first to the last page, Chloe’s new novel is a beautifully spun tale of romance and courage to fight for what your heart wants. Jacob and Lila’s characters are real and more like actual people than characters in a romance story. The way Chloe writes this book is like a breath of fresh air. This book is a masterpiece of creativity and romance wrapped up nicely from cover to end.

[Kerri Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great cover. I love books that deal with desserts! Jacob is a sexy billionaire that owes a restaurant. He needs help with the dessert menu. Lila is a beautiful baker but has the worse luck ever. She has been in love with Jacob since there were teenagers. Her bakery burns down and Jacob steps in to help her. Such a great book.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an adorable book about a chef and a pastry chef. She went to work in his restaurant, got involved in a fake engagement and everything blew up from there. He fought with an ex-wife, she fought with an ex boyfriend, they started having real feelings, a cute little boy is part of the picture, flour, icing, etc is found everywhere and happiness takes center stage.

[Mary Simpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

received a free copy of this book via Hidden Gem books and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

LIKE THE BOOK
slow start

sweet romance

This is where I say the author gives enough information.
So, I do not give anything away