All's Fair in Love and Pizza

by Lane Hayes

A bake-off between enemies…what could go wrong?

Mateo

Can you believe this? Haverton’s football hero is opening a bagel shop next to my pizzeria and he’s selling—wait for it—pizza bagels. The nerve!

And this guy isn’t above using his fame to attract clients. It’s annoying and yes, I’m feeling a little crusty about the situation. My temper has gotten me into a few binds, but a pizza bagel war? This is a first.

I’m gonna crush him.

Rob

After years of playing in the pros, I’m beat. All I want is to open a bagel shop in the town that gave me a shot at the big time. I’d love some peace and quiet too, however, I won’t be getting that with Mateo Cavaretti next door.

Geez, I can’t believe I had a crush on that guy in college. Sure, he’s still incredibly good-looking, but he’s a grouch. And while I like my business partner’s idea to settle our dispute with a classic bake-off, Mateo and I can’t be in the same room without fireworks going off.

Okay, some of those fireworks are extra sexy and that might be a problem.

Or is all truly fair in love and pizza…and bagels?

All’s Fair in Love and Pizza is an MM grumpy/sunshine, small-town romance featuring former teammates, a culinary challenge, and a HEA worth fighting for.

*A portion of All's Fair in Love and Pizza was originally included in the Delicious Anthology. This new version has doubled in size to 40k words and a whole lot of bake-off shenanigans!

Genres: M M Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Romance, Audiobook, Sports, Novella

183 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 16, 2026

About the author

Lane Hayes loves a good romance! She’s the bestselling author of the Out in College, Starting From, Better Than, A Kind Of, Right and Wrong, and Leaning Into Series! Lane loves red wine, chocolate and travel (in no particular order). All things she can find in sunny SoCal where she lives with her amazing husband in a not quite empty nest.

Reviews

[Snjez · Rating 2 out of 5]

A quick read, but kind of surface-level and generic.

The rivalry between Mateo and Rob felt forced, especially on Mateo's side. The same goes for the romance. It's based on insta lust, followed by becoming friends, followed by calling each other boyfriends.

An interesting premise, but I would have preferred a more natural development and more character depth.

[~✡~Dαni(ela) ♥ ♂♂ love & semicolons~✡~ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. Everything about this story felt forced: the enemies to lovers (the MCs were former teammates, so this honestly made no sense); the romance (lackluster and random); even the large Italian family antics (although to be fair, I liked Matteo's cousins more than I liked the MCs. I wanted more of Matteo's mom and aunt too; they were a hoot).

There was just no depth. I didn't really connect with either of the main character. Rob had the personality of a wet noodle, and Matteo was a jealous little bitch.

The insta lust was off, like they're arguing and five second later they're kissing and coming out to each other, like huh?

And why was Matteo so upset about Rob opening a bagel shop next door to his pizzeria? I can't think of two food concepts less likely to compete. In the States, where this story is set, bagels are largely a breakfast/brunch food, while pizza is an evening meal, with some minor overlap for lunch. And a "pizza" bagel is still just a bagel lol.

[Cadiva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this expanded version!

I read it when it was part of an anthology and it's been increased in length seamlessly, without any obvious fillers.

The small town rivalry element works so well and Mateo and Rob are such compelling characters that you're rooting for them from the off.

[Lily S (Cover Lover) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was adorable! I wasn’t sure at first if I was liking it but it grew on me. I’d say this is the perfect read if you’re looking for something short and sweet.

Now I’m craving pizza….

The cover is so cute too! I am really liking these illustrated covers. Maybe it’s because I have a hard time with the characters I think of in my head and the ones I see in a cover. They very rarely meet my expectations. These illustrated covers are so much closer to the characters for me.

ARC received for review
All thoughts and opinions are my own

[Kez Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cosy mm romance, with a rivals to lovers romance and neighbour/business feud. I loved the grumpy sunshine dynamics and how they wind each other up until it erupts into passionate chemistry.
The family atmosphere was wholesome and I loved how they both fall hard.

[Lady Macbeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Rob and Mateo haven't seen each other since they playe together in college. After graduation, they both started their careers in the NFL but, while Rob's was great, Mateo's tanked quite soon, so he came back home to help his family with their pizza parlor.

When the story starts, Rob (retired from football) has just bought the place next door to open a bagel shop; MAteo sees this move as a competition for his business and the two of them start bickering almost at first sight.

Their animosity can't prevent them to feel a strong attraction, that will inevitably grow up until they will surrender to it and start a friends with benefits arrangement.

I adored all the moments were they were vulnerable and opened up about their fears and their worries. I loved how they sought each other's comfort and support.

What prevented me from giving a higher rate:
The rivals to lovers trope felt a bit forced, especially about Mateo.
I also would have liked for the romance to come earlier in the story.

The Italian loud big family was a bit stereotyped but at least the author used all the right Italian words (except for a couple of names).

The epilogue was lovely and I liked that we got to see how their life was in the future.

I received an ARC of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review.

[Bárbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick and easy read!
It was a fun story, even if a little over the top at times (but that's the key to comedy so I'll allow it!)
Mateo and Rob have amazing chemistry, and the progression of their relationship was nice to see, to see them trust each other slowly and to become closer outside of the physical aspect was nice.
I understand the role inside the story, but I wasn't always a fan of the side characters (Mateo's family and Amber). Nothing major though, I could still enjoy the story overall.
Overall, I liked the flow of the story. It was a quick and easy read.

[Julie Underhill · Rating 5 out of 5]

All’s Fair in Love and Pizza by Lane Hayes is the story of two ex pro football players who have pizza and bagel shops next to each other, start a feud over pizza bagels, and end up falling in love. Mateo Cavaretti was a football player who started a pro career but had it cut short when his Uncle Sal got sick and his father passed away. Their pizza parlor, Boardwalk Pizza, in Haverton, California, had been in the family for several generations and it was now up to him and his cousins Sal, Vanni, and Jimmy to run it. He had a business degree so he ran the financial side and Sal was head of the kitchen and the others helped out, but Mateo wasn’t sure that this was where he wanted to spend the rest of his life. They had hoped to expand the parlor when the business next door closed but it was bought by someone else. Rob Vilmer had played pro ball for several years and always knew he wanted to start a bagel shop because his grandfather had one in Philly and he had loved growing up there. Both he and Mateo had played college football at Haverton College but didn’t know each other very well then. Now it was 8 years later and he had the shop, Great H Bagels, and his best friend Amber, who went to cooking school, would help him with it. Both men had been in the closet but Mateo was out now and Rob was going to come out when the time was right. They meet outside the shop and Rob tells him he wants to make pizza bagels and Mateo promptly tells him he can’t do that next to a pizza parlor, but Rob is going to do it anyway. Things escalate and they start a war, with Mateo wanting to make and sell pizza bagels, which his cousins thought was a bad idea, and each man needling the other every time they saw one another. Rob wants to buy one of Mateo’s pizza bagels to try it and Mateo refuses to sell him one and then he retaliates by telling Mateo that he can have anything in his shop for free. Meanwhile they seem to be the only ones disliking each other because Mateo’s cousins like Rob and Amber likes Mateo. Mateo grudgingly goes to the bagel shop opening and looks around the kitchen, shoves a pizza bagel in his mouth, and says he wouldn’t have done it if he wasn’t challenged and with a storm brewing they kiss. Both men don’t want to admit it but they are attracted to each other. Everyone has noticed their animosity and Amber comes up with the idea for a pizza bagel bake off that would be a fundraiser for the area football team since both had been members there. They decide this isn’t a bad idea. They start needling each other again and this leads to a kiss and both realize that neither is in control. They start spending time together as they develop the PR and Mateo goes to Rob’s house to teach him to make marinara since he really can’t cook. They have fun together which leads to some hot love scenes but they decide they are not in a relationship. They talk about growing up and what led them to the pizza and bagel businesses, their lives being closeted and how scary that was, and how Mateo’s family knew he was out and how Rob was ready to come out but not sure when he would do it. Mateo’s mom and Aunt Sylvie and his cousins have realized that something has changed between them and that they like each other but they aren’t willing to commit. Rob also gets invited to the Cavaretti family Sunday dinner and learns a lot more about the family while seeing how chaotic it is. Soon they were spending every night together and being protective of each other and after surfing one morning Mateo tells him the story of leaving football to be with his family and help them out. They have a love scene and Rob knows that what they have is special, feels real, and that he is with the right person. After that Mateo has a talk with his mother about his dad and then goes to Rob and tells him he’s all in and he cares for him and wants to be boyfriends. When the bake off comes, Amber’s PR has included ESPN and bloggers from all over the country, and people from everywhere show up to see it. They held it on the football field and invited other businesses from the community to have booths to sell their goods and it is a huge success. The judges come up with a pizza bagel winner but the two men are both winners because they kiss in front of everyone and say they love each other. The epilogue happens 3 years later and finds them still in love and looking forward to the future together. I really enjoyed this book. Mateo was kind of mean and angry at first and was outraged that Rob would sell pizza bagels next to his pizza parlor. Rob wasn’t going to let Mateo railroad him so he went right ahead and did it which led to some very snarky banter and the pizza bagel war. But they were intrigued with each other from the start and this attraction only grew until they were kissing and more. Both men had some baggage they needed to work through but they helped each other and along they way found they really liked each other. Amber, Mateo’s mom and aunt, and his cousins were all there to egg them on, add some humor, and finally help them know they belonged together. The actual bagel war was fun, involved the whole community, and made lots of money for the football team. I highly recommend this book, especially if you like stories involving former football players and now rival restaurant owners, a grumpy man trying to decide what he wants to do with his life, another who wants to be accepted for who he really is, and how they come together over a pizza bagel war and fall in love.

[Pontiki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mateo loves his family and runs their family pizza shop with his cousins. He’s still mourning the loss of his father and regrets not telling him he was gay for fear of rejection.

Next door Rob and his best friend Amber are getting ready to open a bagel shop, in the tradition of Rob’s grandfather, who owned a bagel shop and passed along his recipes. Rob is a retired football player and used to play with Mateo on the same team when they were younger.

When they meet Mateo has a chip on his shoulder and when Rob jokingly mentions making a pizza bagel Teo declares war.

At first Rob doesn’t take it seriously, but each time Teo challenges him it makes things worse. Then Amber sees it as a golden opportunity to promote their businesses and do some fundraising for the local football team.

Mateo agrees to be civil and goes to Rob’s to help him with his marinara sauce. The two finally give in to their attraction and start hooking up while trying to keep the secret from everyone. Rob isn’t out, though he’s planning to announce it, but now wants to wait until after the bagel wars.

Their relationship builds as they confess their fears and worries, and share their dreams. Teo’s Mom talks to him and reassures him his Dad would have understood and loved him as a gay man.

At the finale of the pizza wars Rob can’t hide his joy and love for Mateo and kisses him with the media and all the town present.

This was a hilarious story about rivalry and a fun challenge, Teo is hilarious and Rob is a sweetie. I love Amber, who starts dating Teo’s cousin eventually, but she’s a star all on her own.

I received this ARC for free and am pleased to provide my honest review with appreciation for the great book.

[Anne Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

First let me say I got this book for gay romance reviews and this is me leaving my honest review.
I’ve gotta say overall, I found this a really cute read.
Mateo is running the local pizzeria. It has been in his family for generations and him and his cousins are doing their best to bring it into Modernliving. But that will cost money. They had hoped to expand but the shop Next Door sold before they could put an offer in. They have found out it was going to be a bagel shop and it seemed that Mateo knew exactly who one of the new owner was. Mateo used to play football in college and had managed to get a few games in, but never really made it to the professional status but his teammate Rob had managed to make it all the way.
Rob and his best friend was really excited to open a bagel shop he had always wanted to continue with his grandmother‘s recipe Book but he was a rubbish chef thankfully his best friend and partner was amazing at cooking and tweaking recipes. When he sees Mateo he instantly remembers him they weren’t pals on the team in college but he knew his face and when they start talking Rob jokes about making a pizza bagel and oh my gosh the Italian in Mateo kicks off this is war. And they both go back to their shops although Rob was joking about making a pizza bagel he was now certain that was going on the menu.
And that’s the first couple of chapters. This book is so much fun the banter just made me laugh constantly but it was also the sexual tension between these two and all it took was one kiss and these two just couldn’t keep their hands off one another. But there’s a twist in the story all in good fun and all in good faith a real good happy feel good Read.

[Tara Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

MY OPINION: Pizza and Bagels… Pizza Bagels. This is such a sweet low-angst love story. Two men whose lives went in different directions find themselves back together again. The book takes us through their finding a partner, even though it wasn’t planned.

Mateo runs the family pizza parlor with his cousins. They are the typical Italian family. Loud, nosy, and direct. After football didn’t take him far, he went home to run the business. He has a lot of internalized hurt because he was never honest about his identity with his father, and he feels he hasn’t done well for the family.

Rob had a solid football career and has decided to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps and sell bagels. This was the time and place he would become his authentic self and do something he was proud of. It wasn’t supposed to be where he found love, but going back to where he played college football felt right.

They ended up in a battle of sorts; the only problem was that they had this energy between them, and they couldn’t resist. Enemies to lovers, friends to lovers… lovers. It flows easily into a relationship while their original battle rages on. It's a fun story of two men figuring things out, letting go of some feelings that held them back, and embracing a future that scares them.

There are some spicy bits that aren’t super graphic but clear in what is happening. The characters are fun, and you get a romcom vibe. This would be a fun story for the weekend, one that makes you feel good. No deep drama, lots of family love, and food. I like a good food book.

I’m glad I got to read it, and if you are looking for something simply enjoyable, this might be the one for you.

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

After retiring from the NFL, Rob moves back to his college home town to open up a bagel shop. The bagel shop is something his family has done for many years and Rob felt it was his turn to pick up the legacy. And next door to his new business is Mateo and his family’s pizzeria. Mateo and Rob played college football together and while they weren’t close then, they weren’t unfriendly either. But when Rob tries to make a joke about making pizza bagels, Mateo doesn’t take it well…or realize it’s a joke. After heated conversations and instigating one another left and right, they soon find themselves in a pizza bagels war. And the only way to settle is to have a town bake-off. It blows up larger than either wanted or expected, but when their teams work together to take advantage of the hype for their businesses, Mateo and Rob realize that have to play along. And soon they find themselves spending more time together where their heated conversations spark into all out attraction where neither of them can keep their hands off the other. These two were a lot of fun! They both knew they were being ridiculous with their war but were also stubborn enough to keep it going. And it soon just turned into more of a reason to be around one another. I also loved that they were able to open up to one another on some deep personal levels as well. It really turned their relationship to so much more. A sweet and fun story you don’t want to miss for sure!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Ana Silva · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love Lane Hayes! Her books always put a smile on my face because they’re always so sweet, low angst and with the right amount of spice.

I loved Rob and Mateo so much. Their impromptu rivalry was so funny to read because they were so attracted to each other but neither wanted to give in to those feelings. The safer way to deny that attraction was to feud over their businesses.

And when Rob decides to open up his shop right next to Mateo’s offering pizza bagels, things escalated really quickly. What ensues is the cutest food war ever where both parties are the winners.

Having a crush on Mateo when they were younger and finding out he was such a grump, didn’t exactly deter him from wanting him. I think he actually liked him more because of his grumpiness.

There was so much more to Mateo than what he let on and Rob wanted to uncover every little detail of him. If the way to doing so meant a food war, he was more than willing to give him that.

In the end, they both won because they found a love they weren’t expecting. This story just proves that pizza and bagels are the best food ever.

I really enjoyed this book. A perfect story to lift your spirits and put a smile on your face 🥰

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute novella! Full disclosure, I read the original short story this was expanded from in the Delicious anthology, so I was already familiar with the large arc of the story coming in.

Overall, this is a pretty cute and fluffy novella. Our two main characters get off on the wrong foot when Mateo misinterprets an offhand comment from Rob and basically declares war on the new bagel shop next door. Their feud had some amusing moments, and their chemistry when they finally stopped sniping long enough to make out was definitely hot.

The added material to this novella did help bring some other characters to life (like Mateo's large and loud family), and did help flesh out Rob and Mateo's encounters more to show them together more before falling in love. I don't think it 100% got me to believing the feelings part, since we were kind of told that they were having these deeper discussions and stuff more than we were shown it. I also ws hoping we would see more of the actual competitions between the two restaurants, but the whole feud and competition between the two shops was largely sidelined in the story. However, overall this was a cute expansion of a solid short story, and I had a good time with it!

[SNik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Standalone. Former teammates. Adversarial to lovers. Small town. Quick read. Dual POV.

Retired from professional football, all Rob wants to do is open a bagel shop in his small college town. However, he doesn’t expect fireworks and anger from his business neighbor and former teammate Matteo, and especially not the sparks that fly from their mutual attraction.

I was happy that this story balanced the bake-off concept with the romance brewing, leaning more into the relationship, which was fine with me. Matteo embraced his anger, fear for his family business, and snark, never really backing down given that he slowly was becoming more attracted to Rob. And Rob was the golden retriever energy to Matteo’s black cat, was genuinely confused by Matteo’s attacks, but still wanted to protect Matteo once feelings started to grow. I found myself smiling through a lot of this story which had banter, steam, and a group of secondary characters that were secretly supporting the Matteo and Rob ‘ship. This was a fun romp with the small town feel and two men that couldn’t deny their connection. 4.5 rounded up

[Nancy Lockett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really fun, cute, and low angst read with the tropes of rivals to lovers and old college teammates. Rob had a secret crush on Mateo who played QB for their college team in Haverton. They both wen t off to the NFL but Mateo didn't last long and came back to Haverton to run the family pizza parlor with his cousins. He is out to his family after he returned. He only regrets not telling his father before he died. Rob had a long and illustrious career playing defense in the NFL but has retired and decided up to open up a bagel shop with his best friend next door to the pizza parlor. Mateo and Rob do not hit it off when they meet up again. Rob meaning it as a joke stand that he might have a pizza bagel which infuriated Mateo and the sparks started flying. This made Mateo try his own pizza bagel. Rob's business partner suggested a bake off with Mateo and Rob both making bagels and red pasta sauce. As they spent time together, the two men's rivalry turned into attraction then love. They learned to let down their walls and be vulnerable with each other. I enjoyed Mateo's crazy family who were nosy and supportive. This is a great beach read.

[fortheloveofmmromancebooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mateo Cavaretti owns the best pizza restaurant in Haverton, along with his cousins, he is happy running the shop, that is until he finds the shop next door has been given a new lease of life.

Rob Vilmer has just retired from the NFL and is now pursuing a dream of opening a bagel shop, right next door to a pizza shop.
He remembers Mateo from college, and never really got along all that well.
Rob declares he is going to make a pizza bagel, which does not go down too well with Mateo.
Finding each other attractive, they find themselves in each others proximity more than they realise, and when the sparks fly, they hookup and keep hooking up. Before they realise it, they are in deep.

This sweet, short story from Lane Hayes, was just the hug I needed. There is no angst and the writing flows wonderfully. The descriptions of the food had me salivating, and craving pizza.
I loved the side characters of Sal, Vanni, Jimmy and Amber were perfect.

[Vols77 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not read book one in this series but need to go back and do so as I loved this short, easy, and sweet on the heart book. The idea of centering a book around a pizza bagel war was laugh out loud funny to me and the main characters made it more fun. Rob and Mateo, were not full on enemies as they played college ball together, but just did not know one another well), but their relationship becomes full on enemies when Rob opens a bagel shop (selling pizza bagels) next to Mateo’s pizzeria. This pissed Mateo off and he is determined to crush Rob and his ideas, but soon a town back off results in them having to spend time together. As they spent time together, the walls come down and suddenly they are all over one another. I thought the book took it up a notch when the two honored their feelings as that made the book for me. This is a perfect feel good book to read when needing to escape the harshness of life.

[Deb Kel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely persevere with this as it turned out such a fun and charming read. The rivalry between Mateo and Rob over pizza bagels was ridiculous in the best possible way, and their constant bickering made me smile the whole way through. The grumpy/sunshine dynamic worked well as underneath all the annoyance there was clearly unresolved attraction simmering away.

Mateo’s stubbornness and fiery temper balanced perfectly with Rob’s calmer, more easygoing personality, and I loved watching their competitive energy slowly turn into something softer. The small-town atmosphere added to the cosy feel of the story, and the bake-off moments were honestly adorable.

It’s definitely a lighter, feel-good romance, but there’s still enough chemistry and emotional connection to keep you invested in the characters. Overall, this was a sweet, entertaining read that left me craving carbs and rooting hard for these two to figure themselves out.
I received a free arc and this is my honest review

[Marion · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the story of Mateo and Rob. Both men played football together in university and then in the pros. Mateo's career was short lived and he returned home to his family's pizza parlor. Then Rob decided to return home after his retirement from a successful career in the pros. Honoring his grandfather, he decides to open a bagel shop. Right next door to Mateo's family pizzeria. Mateo is afraid that Rob will negatively impact his restaurant. Then when pizza bagels are being mentioned; friendly rivalry becomes an all out war. This is their story. I received a complementary advanced review copy of this book from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review. The book is written well and is easy to read. The grumpy/sunshine trope comes shining through. It is a nice read but not one that I would bother to reread. I found it to be a light read and not one in which I really felt engaged. A good afternoon book read.

[Jack Harkness · Rating 5 out of 5]

bagel belly, family marinara secret, break pasta in half!, BJ maestro, loud chaotic Italian family, bocce, gorilla snoring, 'In crust we trust', Annual Pizza-Bagel Bake-off

This is a cute book. Mateo and Rob make a delightful couple even if Mateo is crotchety and temperamental. That's one of the traits Rob finds endearing. He can see Mateo's true self beneath all that crustiness. Mateo's loud and chaotic Italian family provides hilarity, support, and love.

Rob opens a bagel shop next-door to Mateo's pizza restaurant. Mateo sees red when Rob jokingly says he's going to offer pizza bagels. So begins the competition. They're both a&&holes, but Mateo continues to be one while Rob starts to find the whole thing ridiculous and amusing. He loves to wind up Mateo, which makes Mateo even angrier. Mateo's family doesn't see what the big deal is.

I loved the MCs and reading this book. I think you will too. Recommended.

[Marian. · Rating 4 out of 5]

🗓️ Release day: May 12.

⭐ 3.5

Este fue uno bueno, nuestros protagonistas: Mateo: dueño de la pizzería y Rob: dueño de la tienda de bagels que abre justo al lado de la pizzería se enfrentan en una rivalidad desde el primer momento y digamos que así va todo hasta que ven que tienen “sentimientos” entre ellos. La verdad es que este libro fue bueno de leer, rápido, sin mucho drama, y lo de la rivalidad casi solo es al principio, me gusto mucho el aspecto de found family que hay en este libro y la manera en que la autora escribió el coming out de Rob fue bueno.

*******

This was a good one. Our main characters: Mateo, the owner of the pizzeria, and Rob, the owner of the bagel shop that opens right next door, are locked in a rivalry from the very start and let’s just say things stay that way until they realize they have “feelings” for each other. The truth is, this book was a good read, fast-paced, without much drama and the rivalry is really only at the beginning. I really liked the “found family” aspect of this book, and the way the author wrote Rob’s coming out was well done.

📌 I received an e-arc, and this is my honest opinion/review of it.

[Victoria Poulter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book without having read the original shorter version that first appeared in the Delicious anthology last year, so it was a totally new story for me.
It’s the story of Mateo and Rob - two former college football teammates who’s lives post college went in different directions - one to the NFL and one back to his hometown - but they have now ended up running businesses next door to each other - Mateo, the family run pizza shop and Rob, a new bagel shop.
After a confrontation over pizza bagels, a fiercely contested competition follows. There is a fine line between love and hate, and as the competition heats up so does their hook ups.
It took me a while to get into this one, but once I got to the 25-30% mark I was invested in both who was going to win and if they were going to properly get together. It ended up being a really enjoyable read.

[Harrison Hicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a really lovely book. The story of Rob and Mateo is a variation of the enemies to lovers trope, and the journey to get them there is quite entertaining. The banter between the two men, particularly at the beginning, is quite funny, with the progression to friendship believable and poignant at times as they learn to lean on one another.

Mateo finds himself confronting old fears and wounds with Rob's help and the story turns quite moving as the two men find themselves falling for one another, despite swearing they're "not interested in a relationship". There are some great supporting characters, particularly Mateo's mother, and Rob's best friend, Amber. I might have wished for a bit more background with Rob's mother and the rest of his family, but what we did get is a great read, with Hayes' usual quirky characters and some great pacing with the plot.

[Jeanette Waters · Rating 4 out of 5]

"All's Fair in Love and Pizza" is the expansion of a short story that originally appeared in an anthology. I enjoy Lane Hayes' work, however, this story gives proof that not all stories SHOULD be expanded. It's a tad sweet. The MCs are not extraordinary, Mateo's cousins outshone them. Sal, Vanni, and Jimmy are definitely fodder for future books. Rob and Mateo? Their former friends to enemies/lovers to lovers relationship felt forced.
Loved the concept. It's been done before, and should have been a bullseye for Ms. Hayes. But it just missed it's mark. Grade A concept, B+ delivery. Lite and lite on the floo
This was adorable! I wasn’t sure at first if I was liking it but it grew on fy. Not a bad read. Because, honestly, Lane Hayes doesn't do bad. But... maybe... not her best.
I received an advanced copy of this e book and this is my review.

[L H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mateo and Rob were former teammates, went to college together but they were not close. After Rob's career as a pro athlete came to a close he winds up opening a bagel business next door to Mateo's family's pizzeria. Things do not start out great between these two, although everyone around them seems to get along. But the attraction gets there relatively quickly. At first, they keep insisting to one another that it is only physical and even engage in a bake-off that benefits both businesses and the community. But it seems everyone around them gets that they have fallen even as they continue to not be ready to tell one another. This is such a fun story with fun characters, including the main couple. And in the end their competition leads to a closer knit community with everyone ending up in a better place.
I received an ARC from GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Edga · Rating 4 out of 5]

A classic grumpy sunshine, setup (one of my favorite tropes!). Mateo bakes pizza for a living, and Rob is the local ex jock golden boy who raises the bar with a line in pizza bagels. (How very dare he!?)
As is usual in Lane’s stories, there is great banter between the two, and their bake off rivalry is both ridiculous and hilarious. The character development is spot on. Watching Mateo let his guard down and become at least half human, while Rob proves he’s more than just a former jock gives the story real emotional depth.
They don't have instant sex, but when they finally do, the fireworks are real 🎇, showing just how well matched they are. I loved the upbeat, small town charm of this one. It’s full of bake off shenanigans, humour, and a great HEA. Thanks for the smiles Lane 🥰

[Lora Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re like me, you have to be patient

I had to be patient with this, and hope that it wouldn’t be another enemies to lovers story that I just really wanted to be over. Rob & Mateo started out as rivals but it was stupid and unnecessary. Like, really contrived. Mateo being angry and wanting to hate Rob literally made no sense. But the story reveals - after they’ve started sleeping together - that Mateo was sad and angry and bitter. And because of that he was still a jerk over halfway in. It made sense but none of that was Rob’s fault. Plus it’s revealed that Mateo was a “hothead” according to his family, and temperamental even in his early football days. If you can be patient and get past that, it’s a cute story.

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

I smiled the entire way through this book!! I read the original short version in an anthology and I love how it's been expanded.

Mateo is so prickly but with a huge heart and so much love for his family and their pizza legacy.

Rob is much more laid back but also refuses to back down with Mateo. His concern about protecting Mateo was adorable!

I really liked these two together and they were so wholesome and cute with their pretty instant domesticity, even if they kept insisting they weren't together 😂

I definitely want a pizza bagel now!

*****

I received an ARC of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review   

[CatOnABlueBackground · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read. Super cute romance between the pizza guy and the bagel guy. They start out as enemies (who are wildly attracted to each other) and end up with an HEA.

Rob moves back to town after his NFL career has ended. He wants to make bagels, so he buys the shop next door to the pizza place. Mateo is the owner of the pizza place and is annoyed by the competition, and the fact that Rob bought store space that he'd hoped to expand into. They start out annoyed with each other, but quickly realize it's not annoyance but attraction. There's a bake-off between the 2 businesses that raises lots of money for the town.

There's plenty of spice and lots of snark. Enjoyed it.