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The Cake Chaos Chronicles #3
Faking Your Mate and Other Recipes for Disaster: A Fated Mates Fantasy RomCom
What do you get when you serve a heap of exile with a dash of fake mating? A recipe for disaster.
Banishment for accidentally making someone into a hot bowl of soup with my uncontrolled food magic wasn’t on my to-do list. Luckily, my best friend has a plan for my return so unhinged it might just work. Join his wolf pack so his mom will teach me her mystical cooking wiles to prove I have my magic under control. The catch – I have to pretend to be his mate. No biggie, I’m just a work-obsessed human saddling a sunshine wolf shifter with my problems, including the illness I’ve told absolutely no one about. This should work out fine.
Because we agreed. We’re just friends… who have to share a bed after a fermenting mishap. And whose fake kisses grow a bit too heated. As we deal with whomever is stealing women in his small town. And avoid catching feelings. All while I master my food magic.
Those treacherous feels whisper he might be the person I tell my well guarded secret to, but he seems to be keeping an explosive one of his own. I need out of this mess because this is definitely NOT real and I have a life to get back to.
Right?
Banishment for accidentally making someone into a hot bowl of soup with my uncontrolled food magic wasn’t on my to-do list. Luckily, my best friend has a plan for my return so unhinged it might just work. Join his wolf pack so his mom will teach me her mystical cooking wiles to prove I have my magic under control. The catch – I have to pretend to be his mate. No biggie, I’m just a work-obsessed human saddling a sunshine wolf shifter with my problems, including the illness I’ve told absolutely no one about. This should work out fine.
Because we agreed. We’re just friends… who have to share a bed after a fermenting mishap. And whose fake kisses grow a bit too heated. As we deal with whomever is stealing women in his small town. And avoid catching feelings. All while I master my food magic.
Those treacherous feels whisper he might be the person I tell my well guarded secret to, but he seems to be keeping an explosive one of his own. I need out of this mess because this is definitely NOT real and I have a life to get back to.
Right?
396 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 17, 2026
About the author
Emma Eden
6 books61 followersEmma Eden’s favorite food is drama, which she indulges in with every single one of the characters she’s written over 15 years of scribbles.
That’s why only fantasy worlds and strong heroes can contain her most outrageous, fun, silly and romantic impulses. The women she writes are complex messy beasts in worlds you’ll never want to leave. She brings this “big shark energy” and Happily Ever Afters to every one of her books.
When she’s not cooking up words, she’s cooking soup, burning baked goods and avoiding the sun.
You can read her thoughtful ramblings by signing up for her newsletter and ignoring her on socials.
Let’s be moon magic besties!
That’s why only fantasy worlds and strong heroes can contain her most outrageous, fun, silly and romantic impulses. The women she writes are complex messy beasts in worlds you’ll never want to leave. She brings this “big shark energy” and Happily Ever Afters to every one of her books.
When she’s not cooking up words, she’s cooking soup, burning baked goods and avoiding the sun.
You can read her thoughtful ramblings by signing up for her newsletter and ignoring her on socials.
Let’s be moon magic besties!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 144 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Title: Faking Your Mate and Other Recipes for Disaster
Author: Emma Eden
Synopsis: Banishment for accidentally making someone into a hot bowl of soup with my uncontrolled food magic wasn’t on my to-do list. Luckily, my best friend has a plan for my return so unhinged it might just work. Join his wolf pack so his mom will teach me her mystical cooking wiles to prove I have my magic under control. The catch - I have to pretend to be his mate. No biggie, I’m just a work-obsessed human saddling a sunshine wolf shifter with my problems, including the illness I’ve told absolutely no one about. This should work out fine.
Because we agreed. We’re just friends… who have to share a bed after a fermenting mishap. And whose fake kisses grow a bit too heated. As we deal with whomever is stealing women in his small town. And avoid catching feelings. All while I master my food magic.
Those treacherous feels whisper he might be the person I tell my well guarded secret to, but he seems to be keeping an explosive one of his own. I need out of this mess because this is definitely NOT real and I have a life to get back to.
Right?
Review: This book was so cute! If you love good cozy fantasy with spice this is the book for you! I loved Fallon and Declan’s relationship! I loved getting to meet his family and their whole dynamic! The man character Fallon has a chronic illness and I think the way it was written was well done! The food descriptions in this book also made me feel hungry! I don’t realize that when j started this book it was the third book in a series however, o was still able to understand it so I will definitely be reading the previous books!
Thank you so much to the author for giving me the opportunity to read this book in advance!
Author: Emma Eden
Synopsis: Banishment for accidentally making someone into a hot bowl of soup with my uncontrolled food magic wasn’t on my to-do list. Luckily, my best friend has a plan for my return so unhinged it might just work. Join his wolf pack so his mom will teach me her mystical cooking wiles to prove I have my magic under control. The catch - I have to pretend to be his mate. No biggie, I’m just a work-obsessed human saddling a sunshine wolf shifter with my problems, including the illness I’ve told absolutely no one about. This should work out fine.
Because we agreed. We’re just friends… who have to share a bed after a fermenting mishap. And whose fake kisses grow a bit too heated. As we deal with whomever is stealing women in his small town. And avoid catching feelings. All while I master my food magic.
Those treacherous feels whisper he might be the person I tell my well guarded secret to, but he seems to be keeping an explosive one of his own. I need out of this mess because this is definitely NOT real and I have a life to get back to.
Right?
Review: This book was so cute! If you love good cozy fantasy with spice this is the book for you! I loved Fallon and Declan’s relationship! I loved getting to meet his family and their whole dynamic! The man character Fallon has a chronic illness and I think the way it was written was well done! The food descriptions in this book also made me feel hungry! I don’t realize that when j started this book it was the third book in a series however, o was still able to understand it so I will definitely be reading the previous books!
Thank you so much to the author for giving me the opportunity to read this book in advance!
April 3, 2026
This was my very first ARC read and I couldn’t be more pleased! Thank you for this opportunity!
I’d give this book a solid 4.5. The story and characters were so fun. Loved the plot and the ending for sure. Had me biting my nails off!! But I loved this so much.
I’d give this book a solid 4.5. The story and characters were so fun. Loved the plot and the ending for sure. Had me biting my nails off!! But I loved this so much.
April 16, 2026
After Fallon accidentally turns a guest into a bowl of soup with her magic, she’s banished from the kingdom. With no other options, her best friend Declan, a wolf shifter, brings her to his home to help her learn to control her powers. The catch is that Fallon has to pretend to be Declan’s fated mate. Fallon thinks it’s just an act, but Declan knows they really are true mates, and this could be his last chance to show her how he feels and make their bond real.
I really liked Fallon and Declan. They were both so stubborn that I kept wishing they would just get together, but the wait made their story even better. I enjoyed seeing them slowly move from being best friends to something more. Declan was always there for Fallon as she worked on controlling her magic and battled with her chronic illness. It was tough to see how Fallon’s illness affected how she saw herself and her relationship with Declan.
Faking Your Mate and Other Recipes for Disaster is a great romance. The story made me want to kick my feet with excitement, and all the food references made me hungry. Even though it’s the third book in the series, you can read it on its own. I hadn’t read the first two, but I could still follow the characters and the main events from earlier books. Now that I’ve finished this one, I want to go back and read the rest.
Faking Your Mate and Other Recipes will be released on April 17.
I really liked Fallon and Declan. They were both so stubborn that I kept wishing they would just get together, but the wait made their story even better. I enjoyed seeing them slowly move from being best friends to something more. Declan was always there for Fallon as she worked on controlling her magic and battled with her chronic illness. It was tough to see how Fallon’s illness affected how she saw herself and her relationship with Declan.
Faking Your Mate and Other Recipes for Disaster is a great romance. The story made me want to kick my feet with excitement, and all the food references made me hungry. Even though it’s the third book in the series, you can read it on its own. I hadn’t read the first two, but I could still follow the characters and the main events from earlier books. Now that I’ve finished this one, I want to go back and read the rest.
Faking Your Mate and Other Recipes will be released on April 17.
April 17, 2026
Faking Your Mate and Other Recipes for Disaster is the third and final book in the Cake Chaos Chronicles.
The book starts with Fallon getting banished for losing control of her magic and accidentally turning someone into a bowl of soup 😅. Her best friend, Declan, offers to take her to his village to help her learn how to control her powers. The only catch? They have to pretend to be fake mates.
If you’re looking for a fantasy romcom to read in-between your heavier fantasies or simply love a cozier read, then you have to pick this one up. It's well written, short, fast–paced, funny, full of banter, and with the perfect mix of sweet and spicy. It handles chronic illness with care, and is overall a beautiful story.
What to expect:
❄️ Fated mates
❄️ Fake dating
❄️ Wolf shifters
❄️ Forced proximity
❄️ Friends to lovers
❄️ Food magic
❄️ Chronic illness rep
❄️ Dual POV
This book is part of an interconnected standalone series. You could technically read it on its own, but, in my opinion, you would get the best reading experience if you read the three books in order.
Thank you Emma for the ARC! I just love your books so much.
The book starts with Fallon getting banished for losing control of her magic and accidentally turning someone into a bowl of soup 😅. Her best friend, Declan, offers to take her to his village to help her learn how to control her powers. The only catch? They have to pretend to be fake mates.
If you’re looking for a fantasy romcom to read in-between your heavier fantasies or simply love a cozier read, then you have to pick this one up. It's well written, short, fast–paced, funny, full of banter, and with the perfect mix of sweet and spicy. It handles chronic illness with care, and is overall a beautiful story.
What to expect:
❄️ Fated mates
❄️ Fake dating
❄️ Wolf shifters
❄️ Forced proximity
❄️ Friends to lovers
❄️ Food magic
❄️ Chronic illness rep
❄️ Dual POV
This book is part of an interconnected standalone series. You could technically read it on its own, but, in my opinion, you would get the best reading experience if you read the three books in order.
Thank you Emma for the ARC! I just love your books so much.
April 6, 2026
Just finished an ARC of Faking Your Mate and Other Recipes for Disaster by Emma Eden 🐺✨
This one felt like coming home in the best way. Werewolf stories are where my love for fantasy first started, so getting to dive back into that world was such a nostalgic, cozy experience for me.
I really appreciated how Emma Eden handled chronic illness—it felt thoughtful and real, without taking away from the fun and chaos of the story. And as always, I love seeing a plus-size FMC getting her moment, especially in a genre that doesn’t always highlight that representation.
Overall, such a fun, comforting read with heart, humor, and just the right amount of disaster 💫
This one felt like coming home in the best way. Werewolf stories are where my love for fantasy first started, so getting to dive back into that world was such a nostalgic, cozy experience for me.
I really appreciated how Emma Eden handled chronic illness—it felt thoughtful and real, without taking away from the fun and chaos of the story. And as always, I love seeing a plus-size FMC getting her moment, especially in a genre that doesn’t always highlight that representation.
Overall, such a fun, comforting read with heart, humor, and just the right amount of disaster 💫
April 6, 2026
Oh my heart, I loved this so much! Thank you so much for the chance to ARC read Fallon and Declan’s story! Fallon’s journey battling a chronic illness is something I can kind of relate to. I’m so glad she got her HEA, but I’m sad that the journey through the Harrowlands is over now! This was an amazing read filled with internal struggles, adventure, unconditional love, and top notch banter.
August 3, 2026
4.75⭐️
My sweet baby Declan! The book I was waiting for. I clocked these two in book 1 (have the notes app to prove it) and I wasn’t disappointed.
This is friends to lovers done right. I absolutely bought their friendship and I love when the man is down bad and literally everyone else in the vicinity is waiting for them to get together. Maybe there’s some shenanigans from her friends to get there quicker. Like no, not everyone can communicate through mindspeak, you aren’t a shifter!
My man Declan is a golden retriever Wolf Shifter with bite! He may be a virgin, but he’s got a room full of romance books so he’s got IDEAS and can get you there with no touching!
The only reason this wasn’t 5⭐️ was because my girl was a little TOO STUBBORN in wanting to deal with her chronic illness (HOLLOW FEVER, lol) alone. Like you’re friends with powerful witches, shifters, a nightmare walker! Ask them for help! This man has proven time again that he just wants to help AND DOES even when he can tell you’re lying about it.
This was the epic conclusion to this trilogy. My girls discovered their power, got their mans and saved the kingdom. Love randomly discovering authors. Can’t wait to see what @Emma Eden - Author writes next.
“When did you start that?” she asked instead, pointing to her forehead. “What, mind speaking to Declan? Since we met. All of us magic-types can do that now, right?” The last thing I needed was one of her tangents when another set of clangs rocked the kitchen. “Oh, girl,” she said. “You can’t ignore–”
She left it hanging long enough that I leaned forward, needing to know what she would say. Fallon dropped too many sentences for her not to be hiding things. I only saw her change the conversation with her face because I had mapped it so well.
“Careful about giving up things you might beg for someday, Honey.”
“When you control the sun, let me know. I’ll open a shrine to you.” I would anyway, and pray on my knees to her every day. Her cl*t, her n*pples, called for me as I reached through the bond. She felt it because her heart raced in her chest and her legs clenched together. “Dec, where are your hands?” “Glued to the floor, Honey,” I said. “Can you feel–”
If ever I needed confirmation that we were mates, the fact that I could heal her was it.
It always seemed rude to stare at his body when he couldn’t help it with his shift. So even though I had actually seen all of him a thousand times, I never really registered what he was packing. “You can touch it. If you want.”
“You never have to apologize for taking what you need.”
I wasn’t sure when I started wanting more, but as he slipped another piece of cake into my mouth, I realized I was always going to be hungry.
“I didn’t know you did magic.” He turned to me, checking the water temperature. “I can’t. I just understand how to ask nicely.”
My pain wasn’t gone, but he seemed to be sharing it, distributing it between us, and no one deserved that.
With all his usual good cheer, Declan had waited for me to come to him, for me to see him the way he saw me - as someone to love.
“More!” I demanded. “You ask for too little, Honey.” He took more pearlescent magic and unerringly squelched his fingers inside me like he knew exactly where I lived after one try.
“I didn't know it felt like this.”
“I love how your body yields to me.”
“Fuck the checklist. Declan. Do it however you want.”
But I would fight for her, even against herself.
I knew I wouldn’t cure her, but she didn’t seem to comprehend that my soul was on the line… Sometimes her stubbornness made me want to tear my hair out. I needed to breathe.
“I’ll never forget this,” he breathed into my hair.
I don't love you on accident, Honey.
She thought we were playing a game when I was playing for keeps.
A bit of his old voice crept back in. “I like your lists. It means I always know what you’re thinking about.”
My sweet baby Declan! The book I was waiting for. I clocked these two in book 1 (have the notes app to prove it) and I wasn’t disappointed.
This is friends to lovers done right. I absolutely bought their friendship and I love when the man is down bad and literally everyone else in the vicinity is waiting for them to get together. Maybe there’s some shenanigans from her friends to get there quicker. Like no, not everyone can communicate through mindspeak, you aren’t a shifter!
My man Declan is a golden retriever Wolf Shifter with bite! He may be a virgin, but he’s got a room full of romance books so he’s got IDEAS and can get you there with no touching!
The only reason this wasn’t 5⭐️ was because my girl was a little TOO STUBBORN in wanting to deal with her chronic illness (HOLLOW FEVER, lol) alone. Like you’re friends with powerful witches, shifters, a nightmare walker! Ask them for help! This man has proven time again that he just wants to help AND DOES even when he can tell you’re lying about it.
This was the epic conclusion to this trilogy. My girls discovered their power, got their mans and saved the kingdom. Love randomly discovering authors. Can’t wait to see what @Emma Eden - Author writes next.
“When did you start that?” she asked instead, pointing to her forehead. “What, mind speaking to Declan? Since we met. All of us magic-types can do that now, right?” The last thing I needed was one of her tangents when another set of clangs rocked the kitchen. “Oh, girl,” she said. “You can’t ignore–”
She left it hanging long enough that I leaned forward, needing to know what she would say. Fallon dropped too many sentences for her not to be hiding things. I only saw her change the conversation with her face because I had mapped it so well.
“Careful about giving up things you might beg for someday, Honey.”
“When you control the sun, let me know. I’ll open a shrine to you.” I would anyway, and pray on my knees to her every day. Her cl*t, her n*pples, called for me as I reached through the bond. She felt it because her heart raced in her chest and her legs clenched together. “Dec, where are your hands?” “Glued to the floor, Honey,” I said. “Can you feel–”
If ever I needed confirmation that we were mates, the fact that I could heal her was it.
It always seemed rude to stare at his body when he couldn’t help it with his shift. So even though I had actually seen all of him a thousand times, I never really registered what he was packing. “You can touch it. If you want.”
“You never have to apologize for taking what you need.”
I wasn’t sure when I started wanting more, but as he slipped another piece of cake into my mouth, I realized I was always going to be hungry.
“I didn’t know you did magic.” He turned to me, checking the water temperature. “I can’t. I just understand how to ask nicely.”
My pain wasn’t gone, but he seemed to be sharing it, distributing it between us, and no one deserved that.
With all his usual good cheer, Declan had waited for me to come to him, for me to see him the way he saw me - as someone to love.
“More!” I demanded. “You ask for too little, Honey.” He took more pearlescent magic and unerringly squelched his fingers inside me like he knew exactly where I lived after one try.
“I didn't know it felt like this.”
“I love how your body yields to me.”
“Fuck the checklist. Declan. Do it however you want.”
But I would fight for her, even against herself.
I knew I wouldn’t cure her, but she didn’t seem to comprehend that my soul was on the line… Sometimes her stubbornness made me want to tear my hair out. I needed to breathe.
“I’ll never forget this,” he breathed into my hair.
I don't love you on accident, Honey.
She thought we were playing a game when I was playing for keeps.
A bit of his old voice crept back in. “I like your lists. It means I always know what you’re thinking about.”
Review of advance copy received from Author
Faking your Mate and Other Recipes for Disaster: A Fated Mates Fantasy Rom Com by Emma Eden is the third book in The Cake Chaos Chronicles. It is an interconnected standalone series, so you can read this book even if you haven’t read the first two, but I can promise it is going to make you want to go back and read those.
In this book, the main characters are a stubborn witch that has a passion for food and a wolf shifter that is pure sunshine. Declan is the wolf shifter that is always happy to help, and Fallon (Declan calls her Honey for reason he explains very well) is the stubborn kitchen witch at her best friend’s castle. Well, that is until things go a bit haywire and Fallon gets banished. Yes, BANISHED! How could her best friend do that to her?! She was already feeling separated from her two best friends after they got married, all while hiding chronic pain and illness from everyone she cares about.
Thrown out in the cold, with nothing but a cloak, Declan gets supplies packed and finds Fallon. He knows just the place to go. Just one little issue, Fallon is going to have to pretend to be his mate. Whatever she needs to do to get her magic under control so she can get back to her life. They are best friends. No big deal, right? Right?! I mean, a few kisses get out of hand, but it is all under control. Totally.
This book had me kicking my feet, laughing, yelling at both of them, and bawling…sobbing!! You see, I deal with chronic illness and pain. Oh, how I felt seen in this book. There are a few lines that got me, but these two hit so true.
“I didn’t want to bore you with my long history of rejection. You tend to stop telling people when you get hit for it.”
and
“Rest isn’t a reward, Fallon. You don’t need to deserve it,” I said.
Metaphorically speaking, not actually being hit, although there are some out there that do suffer physical abuse on top of emotional abuse and rejection due to an illness and pain out of their control. If you push through, you pay. If you don’t, people think you are lazy. People in your life get tired of you being unable to do things, or if you smile through it, when you do crash you must be faking, seeking attention, or just a flake. So, Fallon says nothing. Now, Declan is her best friend and “mate”, so he knows something is going on. It is a battle even when he finds out.
Can they survive being back with his pack and Fallon trying to learn from his mom, who has eyes like a hawk watching them? Will Fallon be able to keep her health from getting worse? Will her best friend welcome her back? Will we get a book list with the book marks from some very educational books??? Will they survive the girthquake? WTF is slut juice? You will have to read to find out all of these answers and so much more!! OMG, I almost forgot to mention the most important character of all. Ned. You will love Ned.
There is indeed spice and very much on page and graphic s*x scenes (they are soooo good), blood and gore, unaliving of people…peoplish beings? and animals, and as I have mentioned, multiple mentions of what it is like living with a chronic illness and chronic pain. Also, the MMC is a virgin.
I am so thankful that Emma reached out to see if I would be interested in being an ARC reader. I absolutely loved this book, and cannot wait to go back to read the other two. This book is special. I think anyone could love it, but those that hide their suffering on a daily basis, this will get ya. Luckily (again), the humor and smexy scenes perk you right back up! So, thank you to Emma, for writing this representation so beautifully.
My review is my own honest opinion, and all thoughts are my own.
In this book, the main characters are a stubborn witch that has a passion for food and a wolf shifter that is pure sunshine. Declan is the wolf shifter that is always happy to help, and Fallon (Declan calls her Honey for reason he explains very well) is the stubborn kitchen witch at her best friend’s castle. Well, that is until things go a bit haywire and Fallon gets banished. Yes, BANISHED! How could her best friend do that to her?! She was already feeling separated from her two best friends after they got married, all while hiding chronic pain and illness from everyone she cares about.
Thrown out in the cold, with nothing but a cloak, Declan gets supplies packed and finds Fallon. He knows just the place to go. Just one little issue, Fallon is going to have to pretend to be his mate. Whatever she needs to do to get her magic under control so she can get back to her life. They are best friends. No big deal, right? Right?! I mean, a few kisses get out of hand, but it is all under control. Totally.
This book had me kicking my feet, laughing, yelling at both of them, and bawling…sobbing!! You see, I deal with chronic illness and pain. Oh, how I felt seen in this book. There are a few lines that got me, but these two hit so true.
“I didn’t want to bore you with my long history of rejection. You tend to stop telling people when you get hit for it.”
and
“Rest isn’t a reward, Fallon. You don’t need to deserve it,” I said.
Metaphorically speaking, not actually being hit, although there are some out there that do suffer physical abuse on top of emotional abuse and rejection due to an illness and pain out of their control. If you push through, you pay. If you don’t, people think you are lazy. People in your life get tired of you being unable to do things, or if you smile through it, when you do crash you must be faking, seeking attention, or just a flake. So, Fallon says nothing. Now, Declan is her best friend and “mate”, so he knows something is going on. It is a battle even when he finds out.
Can they survive being back with his pack and Fallon trying to learn from his mom, who has eyes like a hawk watching them? Will Fallon be able to keep her health from getting worse? Will her best friend welcome her back? Will we get a book list with the book marks from some very educational books??? Will they survive the girthquake? WTF is slut juice? You will have to read to find out all of these answers and so much more!! OMG, I almost forgot to mention the most important character of all. Ned. You will love Ned.
There is indeed spice and very much on page and graphic s*x scenes (they are soooo good), blood and gore, unaliving of people…peoplish beings? and animals, and as I have mentioned, multiple mentions of what it is like living with a chronic illness and chronic pain. Also, the MMC is a virgin.
I am so thankful that Emma reached out to see if I would be interested in being an ARC reader. I absolutely loved this book, and cannot wait to go back to read the other two. This book is special. I think anyone could love it, but those that hide their suffering on a daily basis, this will get ya. Luckily (again), the humor and smexy scenes perk you right back up! So, thank you to Emma, for writing this representation so beautifully.
My review is my own honest opinion, and all thoughts are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you so much Emma Eden for the ARC of Faking Your Mate & Other Recipes for Disaster. This was my favourite instalment of the series, and I was ecstatic to see our girl Fallon in the spotlight!
This was a 5-star read! This was such a surprise because I went into this expecting to have a good time (which I absolutely did), but the heartache?? I did not see that coming! I felt ALL the things with this instalment.
✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✩₊˚.⋆☕︎ ˖⋆☾𓃦☽⋆⁺₊✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✩₊˚.⋆☕︎ ˖⋆☾𓃦☽⋆⁺₊✩
☕︎ This book focusses on Declan and Fallon, two characters that I absolutely believe deserve the world! The story starts with Fallon overexerting herself in the kitchen, as usual, with her feastweaving magic and accidentally turning someone into a bowl of soup. Fallon, who lives and breathes control, suddenly finds herself unmoored and banished from her home. Declan is a wolf shifter hailing from a land of old and mysterious magic. He is our golden retriever MMC and Fallon's best friend. He offers to take her to his village to help Fallon hone her powers. The only catch? His village is stuck in their ways, meaning they have to pretend to be mates. There’s no way this could go wrong, right?
☕︎ Fallon and Declan were so perfect for each other, their banter felt natural and realistic. They built a relationship based on friendship which meant they had a comfort and familiarity with one another that melted my heart. Declan is our patient king, he is head-over-heels for Fallon, he never pushes or forces, only provides steadfast love and support with no expectations or strings attached. We all need a Declan in our lives! “I don’t own you my love. If it’s not our lifetime to be together, I will wait for you a thousand lifetimes if you need me to.”
☕︎ Whilst Declan may be more outward with his affections, Fallon’s love isn’t any less beautiful. She is an act of service girly and shows her love through her food. She may not be openly affectionate at times, because she is always buried deep inside the checklists in her mind, but when she lets her walls down she shines. Cooking is her language of love that Declan can read like his personal library of romance novels. They have a deep and innate way of understanding each other, a love and care that is neither flashy nor over the top. Their love is quiet devotion in a way that comforts and warms your soul like your favourite meal.
☕︎ The chronic illness representation in this book is so important. Emma Eden sheds light on how difficult it is to navigate your way through life when society's expectations do not serve or suit you. Fallon is chronically ill and bases her self-worth on how much she contributes to society. She believes her value is intrinsically linked to her work. Through the love and care of those around her, she learns that her inherent value as a person is not linked to arbitrary rules that have been imposed by society but on what she decides. Faking Your Mate & Other Recipes for Disaster tells us that we never have to apologise for taking what we need, that rest isn’t a reward and that we do not need to earn the right to be loved. “I can only be me” and “that’s more than enough.”
This was a 5-star read! This was such a surprise because I went into this expecting to have a good time (which I absolutely did), but the heartache?? I did not see that coming! I felt ALL the things with this instalment.
✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✩₊˚.⋆☕︎ ˖⋆☾𓃦☽⋆⁺₊✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✩₊˚.⋆☕︎ ˖⋆☾𓃦☽⋆⁺₊✩
☕︎ This book focusses on Declan and Fallon, two characters that I absolutely believe deserve the world! The story starts with Fallon overexerting herself in the kitchen, as usual, with her feastweaving magic and accidentally turning someone into a bowl of soup. Fallon, who lives and breathes control, suddenly finds herself unmoored and banished from her home. Declan is a wolf shifter hailing from a land of old and mysterious magic. He is our golden retriever MMC and Fallon's best friend. He offers to take her to his village to help Fallon hone her powers. The only catch? His village is stuck in their ways, meaning they have to pretend to be mates. There’s no way this could go wrong, right?
☕︎ Fallon and Declan were so perfect for each other, their banter felt natural and realistic. They built a relationship based on friendship which meant they had a comfort and familiarity with one another that melted my heart. Declan is our patient king, he is head-over-heels for Fallon, he never pushes or forces, only provides steadfast love and support with no expectations or strings attached. We all need a Declan in our lives! “I don’t own you my love. If it’s not our lifetime to be together, I will wait for you a thousand lifetimes if you need me to.”
☕︎ Whilst Declan may be more outward with his affections, Fallon’s love isn’t any less beautiful. She is an act of service girly and shows her love through her food. She may not be openly affectionate at times, because she is always buried deep inside the checklists in her mind, but when she lets her walls down she shines. Cooking is her language of love that Declan can read like his personal library of romance novels. They have a deep and innate way of understanding each other, a love and care that is neither flashy nor over the top. Their love is quiet devotion in a way that comforts and warms your soul like your favourite meal.
☕︎ The chronic illness representation in this book is so important. Emma Eden sheds light on how difficult it is to navigate your way through life when society's expectations do not serve or suit you. Fallon is chronically ill and bases her self-worth on how much she contributes to society. She believes her value is intrinsically linked to her work. Through the love and care of those around her, she learns that her inherent value as a person is not linked to arbitrary rules that have been imposed by society but on what she decides. Faking Your Mate & Other Recipes for Disaster tells us that we never have to apologise for taking what we need, that rest isn’t a reward and that we do not need to earn the right to be loved. “I can only be me” and “that’s more than enough.”
April 13, 2026
✨ARC Review✨
🌶️🌶️
🐺 reverse grumpy/sunshine
🍯 best friends to lovers
🐺 fated mates
🍯 chronic illness rep
🐺 banter, awkward flirting, and spice
🍯 hurt/comfort
This was laugh out loud romcom gold with the depth of heavier themes subtly laced throughout. I found Fallon so relatable, I laughed so hard at her inner thoughts and awkward adult-flirting. She’s 35 with a chronic illness, neurotic OCD managed with check lists, hips she thinks are too wide, and no patience for men and their antics. She is most of us early-midlife women battling gravity, calories, and bad knees. She was the perfect grumpy to Declan’s sunshine, a 100-year-old virgin wolf shifter with as much optimism as secrets. Their journey from best friends to lovers was riddled with magical food, a meddling pack of wolves, awkward but hot first times, sledding dates, the best banter, and all the things they should have said to each other but couldn’t.
I’m not usually a fan of secrets/miscommunication so I did get a little irritated with both MCs for their lack of divulging, but both had their reasons. This book was hilarious though. The one liners, the best friend banter, the ridiculous inner thoughts. I cackled aloud multiple times. Fallon was down right comedy gold in some of her inner thoughts. I would reread this for the laughter alone.
The chemistry between Declan and Fallon was there from the first page, and I love chemistry layered over friendship because you get all the inside jokes and nuances from years knowing someone with the added awkwardness of the relationship changing. It was delicious. The spice was yummy, and sweet, and hilarious at times. Wedge pillow anyone..? Iykyk. The found family was great. The villain wrap-up was good, if a bit rushed. But the action was a nice chance of pace.
While there is a whole heap of angst in this one, and yearning (my sweet Declan how you can yearn my love), thankfully the third act isn’t too heart wrenching.
This was a super fun ride, with the best things about best friends to lovers, fated mates, shifters, and cooking all whipped up for one deliciously sweet romcom!
🌶️🌶️
🐺 reverse grumpy/sunshine
🍯 best friends to lovers
🐺 fated mates
🍯 chronic illness rep
🐺 banter, awkward flirting, and spice
🍯 hurt/comfort
This was laugh out loud romcom gold with the depth of heavier themes subtly laced throughout. I found Fallon so relatable, I laughed so hard at her inner thoughts and awkward adult-flirting. She’s 35 with a chronic illness, neurotic OCD managed with check lists, hips she thinks are too wide, and no patience for men and their antics. She is most of us early-midlife women battling gravity, calories, and bad knees. She was the perfect grumpy to Declan’s sunshine, a 100-year-old virgin wolf shifter with as much optimism as secrets. Their journey from best friends to lovers was riddled with magical food, a meddling pack of wolves, awkward but hot first times, sledding dates, the best banter, and all the things they should have said to each other but couldn’t.
I’m not usually a fan of secrets/miscommunication so I did get a little irritated with both MCs for their lack of divulging, but both had their reasons. This book was hilarious though. The one liners, the best friend banter, the ridiculous inner thoughts. I cackled aloud multiple times. Fallon was down right comedy gold in some of her inner thoughts. I would reread this for the laughter alone.
The chemistry between Declan and Fallon was there from the first page, and I love chemistry layered over friendship because you get all the inside jokes and nuances from years knowing someone with the added awkwardness of the relationship changing. It was delicious. The spice was yummy, and sweet, and hilarious at times. Wedge pillow anyone..? Iykyk. The found family was great. The villain wrap-up was good, if a bit rushed. But the action was a nice chance of pace.
While there is a whole heap of angst in this one, and yearning (my sweet Declan how you can yearn my love), thankfully the third act isn’t too heart wrenching.
This was a super fun ride, with the best things about best friends to lovers, fated mates, shifters, and cooking all whipped up for one deliciously sweet romcom!
April 30, 2026
Happily Ever After
Grumpy-Sunshine
He falls first
Wolf Shifter
Fated Mates
Fake relationship turns real
Loving and supportive partner
Chronic Illness/Disability representation
All the rom com contemporary romance feels with a fantasy world setting.
While Faking your Mate and other Recipes for Disaster is book 3 in the Cake Chaos Chronicles, I read it first and it was fine as a standalone, maybe I missed an inside joke or background but I was able to enjoy the book as is. That said if able I would start with the first book Mates and Other Obstacles to Accidentally Saving the World. From what I gather it is a series where each friend in this friend group (Evie, Maggie, Fallon and Declan) has a book dedicated to them finding their mate/partner/spouse and an adventure (because what is a fantasy book without an adventure) And it is also pretty apparent that by book 3 the only friends left in this friend group that havent met their mate/soulmate/love are Fallon and Declan. Fallon is our FMC, she is a feastweaver (food magic) and she is a perfectionist workaholic but, she has a secret chronic illness and a tendeency to overwork herself making the illness worse. Declan is a wolf shifter, always happy, always trying to cheer Fallon on. In the opening of the story Fallon is trying desperately to keep the friend group together, and is cooking for an event for Evie and her magic goes haywire. She turns an important guest into a bowl of soup. Much to her surprise and Horror Evie, banishes her. BANISHES her... and tells her she can't come back until she has her magic under control. Declan follows her and tells her he knows where they can go, and brings her to his childhood home. Declan's mother is a feastweaver and she can teach Fallon how to control her magic but there is one catch, she needs to be family, she needs to pretend she is his mate, only He is keeping a few secrets of his own, like how they REALLY are mates, and he has been in love with her since the day they met....Declan hopes this banishment will finally give him the opportunity to show Fallon that they are mates...Spicy, Funny, Sweet and Endearing....Loved it...
Grumpy-Sunshine
He falls first
Wolf Shifter
Fated Mates
Fake relationship turns real
Loving and supportive partner
Chronic Illness/Disability representation
All the rom com contemporary romance feels with a fantasy world setting.
While Faking your Mate and other Recipes for Disaster is book 3 in the Cake Chaos Chronicles, I read it first and it was fine as a standalone, maybe I missed an inside joke or background but I was able to enjoy the book as is. That said if able I would start with the first book Mates and Other Obstacles to Accidentally Saving the World. From what I gather it is a series where each friend in this friend group (Evie, Maggie, Fallon and Declan) has a book dedicated to them finding their mate/partner/spouse and an adventure (because what is a fantasy book without an adventure) And it is also pretty apparent that by book 3 the only friends left in this friend group that havent met their mate/soulmate/love are Fallon and Declan. Fallon is our FMC, she is a feastweaver (food magic) and she is a perfectionist workaholic but, she has a secret chronic illness and a tendeency to overwork herself making the illness worse. Declan is a wolf shifter, always happy, always trying to cheer Fallon on. In the opening of the story Fallon is trying desperately to keep the friend group together, and is cooking for an event for Evie and her magic goes haywire. She turns an important guest into a bowl of soup. Much to her surprise and Horror Evie, banishes her. BANISHES her... and tells her she can't come back until she has her magic under control. Declan follows her and tells her he knows where they can go, and brings her to his childhood home. Declan's mother is a feastweaver and she can teach Fallon how to control her magic but there is one catch, she needs to be family, she needs to pretend she is his mate, only He is keeping a few secrets of his own, like how they REALLY are mates, and he has been in love with her since the day they met....Declan hopes this banishment will finally give him the opportunity to show Fallon that they are mates...Spicy, Funny, Sweet and Endearing....Loved it...
Review of advance copy received from Author
Fallon, a stubborn kitchen witch with a passion for food, is already feeling left behind as her closest friends move on with their lives—something made harder by the chronic illness she keeps hidden. When a magical mishap gets her unexpectedly banished, she finds herself with nowhere to go until Declan, her relentlessly cheerful wolf shifter best friend, steps in to help. His solution is simple, if slightly chaotic: she’ll pretend to be his mate while she regains control of her magic. Forced into close quarters and an increasingly unconvincing “fake” relationship, Fallon and Declan quickly find that their long-standing friendship might be far more complicated than either of them planned for.
This was a genuinely charming read, with a dynamic between Fallon and Declan that’s easy to get invested in. Fallon’s chronic illness is particularly well handled. It feels like a natural part of her character rather than something that appears and disappears for convenience, and she’s never reduced to a source of pity. Declan, meanwhile, is a refreshing change of pace: warm, supportive, and still bringing enough heat to keep things interesting. The balance between humor and emotional depth works well, and the banter and chemistry carry the story through its quieter moments. I also appreciated the more nuanced take on family and good intentions.
That said, the pacing does slow a bit in the middle, though it didn’t detract too much given the cozy tone of the story. The focus remains firmly on the relationship, which works in its favor, but may feel a little meandering at times. That’s not to say that this is a story completely devoid of action. There are still dangers to be faced and dark moments to be had. Still, this is largely a sweet, slightly dorky romance with enough emotional weight to keep it grounded. If you’re in the mood for something light but still meaningful, this delivers. Many thanks to the author for this ARC. This is my honest review.
4/5 Cozy romance with a little extra bite.
This was a genuinely charming read, with a dynamic between Fallon and Declan that’s easy to get invested in. Fallon’s chronic illness is particularly well handled. It feels like a natural part of her character rather than something that appears and disappears for convenience, and she’s never reduced to a source of pity. Declan, meanwhile, is a refreshing change of pace: warm, supportive, and still bringing enough heat to keep things interesting. The balance between humor and emotional depth works well, and the banter and chemistry carry the story through its quieter moments. I also appreciated the more nuanced take on family and good intentions.
That said, the pacing does slow a bit in the middle, though it didn’t detract too much given the cozy tone of the story. The focus remains firmly on the relationship, which works in its favor, but may feel a little meandering at times. That’s not to say that this is a story completely devoid of action. There are still dangers to be faced and dark moments to be had. Still, this is largely a sweet, slightly dorky romance with enough emotional weight to keep it grounded. If you’re in the mood for something light but still meaningful, this delivers. Many thanks to the author for this ARC. This is my honest review.
4/5 Cozy romance with a little extra bite.
April 18, 2026
📖ARC Review📖
Faking your Mate & Other Recipes for Disaster by @emma_eden_books
“”𝑰 𝒅𝒐𝒏'𝒕 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕, 𝑯𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒚. “𝑺𝒉𝒆 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒅. 𝑴𝒚 𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒌𝒆𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒔 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒅 𝒅𝒆𝒆𝒑𝒆𝒓 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒃𝒐𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒐 𝑰 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒉𝒆𝒓. 𝑭𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒏. “𝑰 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒆𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒌. 𝑵𝒐 𝒘𝒆𝒂𝒌𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒌 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒎𝒆. 𝑵𝒐 𝒃𝒖𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒌 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒐𝒐 𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒎𝒚 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔”.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)
Posting this today — the actual release day of this book! First of, again, thanks so much @emma_eden_books for the ARC! I’m so happy to be part of your ARC readers again as I trully enjoyed “How to Murder…”!
This is only the 2nd book I’ve read of Emma, and I’ve got to say, while both are Romantasies, both never fails to make me laugh as well! 😉 This book focuses on Fallon and Declan as a couple, from being best of friends to lovers. The development of their relationship was not a smooth sailing one. Fallon needed so much time to accept that she deserves Declan. While Declan is just the most selfless man there is, willing to let her go instead of trapping her in a relationship that he thinks would just hinder her on achieving her full potential. They are both self-sacrificing idiots, but they are such adorable idiots! 😂
For me though, I can relate to Fallon very much. For working too hard almost all of the time because you want people to see that you are not useless. So while I found her being so insecure most of the time, a bit, annoying - it’s still fine. I get it. I understand. I just wish I could find a Declan that is just as patient 😍
One more thing I love about this series is that “Family Matters” - the MCs literally found a family in these books. Not friends that treat each other as family, but actial siblings, Mother, Grand mother! It’s quite refreshing for me to see that these families are not always lost, abusive, missing or dead 😅 I’m just happy to read banters with sisters, and comfort hugs from a Mom.
I feel like there’s another couple, thus another book, that Emma will write about 😏 I’m looking forward to read about them too! This book is now available in Amazon everyone! Check out the link in Emma’s bio and grab your copies now!
Faking your Mate & Other Recipes for Disaster by @emma_eden_books
“”𝑰 𝒅𝒐𝒏'𝒕 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕, 𝑯𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒚. “𝑺𝒉𝒆 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒅. 𝑴𝒚 𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒌𝒆𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒔 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒅 𝒅𝒆𝒆𝒑𝒆𝒓 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒃𝒐𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒐 𝑰 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒉𝒆𝒓. 𝑭𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒏. “𝑰 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒆𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒌. 𝑵𝒐 𝒘𝒆𝒂𝒌𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒌 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒎𝒆. 𝑵𝒐 𝒃𝒖𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒌 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒐𝒐 𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒎𝒚 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔”.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)
Posting this today — the actual release day of this book! First of, again, thanks so much @emma_eden_books for the ARC! I’m so happy to be part of your ARC readers again as I trully enjoyed “How to Murder…”!
This is only the 2nd book I’ve read of Emma, and I’ve got to say, while both are Romantasies, both never fails to make me laugh as well! 😉 This book focuses on Fallon and Declan as a couple, from being best of friends to lovers. The development of their relationship was not a smooth sailing one. Fallon needed so much time to accept that she deserves Declan. While Declan is just the most selfless man there is, willing to let her go instead of trapping her in a relationship that he thinks would just hinder her on achieving her full potential. They are both self-sacrificing idiots, but they are such adorable idiots! 😂
For me though, I can relate to Fallon very much. For working too hard almost all of the time because you want people to see that you are not useless. So while I found her being so insecure most of the time, a bit, annoying - it’s still fine. I get it. I understand. I just wish I could find a Declan that is just as patient 😍
One more thing I love about this series is that “Family Matters” - the MCs literally found a family in these books. Not friends that treat each other as family, but actial siblings, Mother, Grand mother! It’s quite refreshing for me to see that these families are not always lost, abusive, missing or dead 😅 I’m just happy to read banters with sisters, and comfort hugs from a Mom.
I feel like there’s another couple, thus another book, that Emma will write about 😏 I’m looking forward to read about them too! This book is now available in Amazon everyone! Check out the link in Emma’s bio and grab your copies now!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you Emma Eden!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥
Kindle - 396 pages
There’s something quietly addictive about Faking Your Mate and Other Recipes for Disaster by Emma Eden—the kind of story that draws you in with a smile, then leaves you sitting in its emotions a little longer than you expected.
At its core, this is a shifter romantasy, but it feels more intimate than that label suggests. The magic hums beneath everything—instinctual, emotional, sometimes a little feral—and it mirrors the characters in a way that makes every moment feel charged. There’s a softness to the worldbuilding, even when the stakes flicker higher, like something wild being held just barely in place.
The dynamic between the characters is where it really lingers. There’s that delicate push and pull—hesitation, curiosity, longing—all wrapped in moments that feel both tender and a little chaotic. And woven through that is a thread of humor that keeps everything from becoming too heavy. It’s sharp in places, self-aware in others, and often shows up exactly when the tension feels like it might snap. The balance works—it lets you breathe, even as the emotions deepen.
And then there’s the MMC—his quieter vulnerability adds a different kind of depth to the story. There’s something unexpectedly endearing about the way his inexperience shapes his reactions, making the connection feel more tentative, more real. It softens the dynamic in a way that makes the slow build feel even more earned, especially as the story leans into its spicier moments without losing that emotional core.
What stays with you is that feeling of standing on the edge of something—wanting it, resisting it, not quite knowing what it will cost. It’s messy in a very human way, even within the magic. A little funny, a little aching, and just unsteady enough to keep you turning the page.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥
Kindle - 396 pages
There’s something quietly addictive about Faking Your Mate and Other Recipes for Disaster by Emma Eden—the kind of story that draws you in with a smile, then leaves you sitting in its emotions a little longer than you expected.
At its core, this is a shifter romantasy, but it feels more intimate than that label suggests. The magic hums beneath everything—instinctual, emotional, sometimes a little feral—and it mirrors the characters in a way that makes every moment feel charged. There’s a softness to the worldbuilding, even when the stakes flicker higher, like something wild being held just barely in place.
The dynamic between the characters is where it really lingers. There’s that delicate push and pull—hesitation, curiosity, longing—all wrapped in moments that feel both tender and a little chaotic. And woven through that is a thread of humor that keeps everything from becoming too heavy. It’s sharp in places, self-aware in others, and often shows up exactly when the tension feels like it might snap. The balance works—it lets you breathe, even as the emotions deepen.
And then there’s the MMC—his quieter vulnerability adds a different kind of depth to the story. There’s something unexpectedly endearing about the way his inexperience shapes his reactions, making the connection feel more tentative, more real. It softens the dynamic in a way that makes the slow build feel even more earned, especially as the story leans into its spicier moments without losing that emotional core.
What stays with you is that feeling of standing on the edge of something—wanting it, resisting it, not quite knowing what it will cost. It’s messy in a very human way, even within the magic. A little funny, a little aching, and just unsteady enough to keep you turning the page.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review ❣️
❤❤❤❤❤ 5 hearts for me
One thing about me, I will always have a soft spot for wolf-mate stories. Those alpha, fated-mate dynamics were such a huge part of my reading life back in my Wattpad era, and lately it feels like those kinds of stories quietly disappeared from the mainstream romance shelves. So discovering Faking Your Mate and Other Recipes for Disaster honestly felt like stumbling into something nostalgic but also fresh.
From the start, Fallen’s food magic instantly pulled me in. It’s such a unique element in the worldbuilding, and it adds this cozy, almost intimate layer to the story. I also really appreciated how the book handled chronic illness. Fallen is stubborn, independent, and not always great at asking for help but watching her slowly open up while still holding onto that strong personality made her feel very real.
The romance is definitely on the spicier side, but it never felt empty. Beneath the heat there’s a really tender emotional thread running through the story. The dynamic between the characters has that perfect push and pull—curiosity, tension, and a growing softness that slowly builds into something deeper.
And then there’s the MMC. His quieter vulnerability and inexperience make him incredibly endearing. The fact that he’s a virgin MMC adds an interesting twist to the alpha dynamic, and it gives their connection a more tentative, emotional feel that I really loved.
What made this book especially fun for me is how many of my favorite tropes show up together: wolf shifters, fated mates, friends-to-lovers, alpha energy, and that slow emotional tension before everything finally falls into place. It felt like a combination of so many things I loved reading years ago, but written with a lot more emotional depth. Emma really did a great job with this book and I'm eager to read the first 2 books which I missed till now.
❤❤❤❤❤ 5 hearts for me
One thing about me, I will always have a soft spot for wolf-mate stories. Those alpha, fated-mate dynamics were such a huge part of my reading life back in my Wattpad era, and lately it feels like those kinds of stories quietly disappeared from the mainstream romance shelves. So discovering Faking Your Mate and Other Recipes for Disaster honestly felt like stumbling into something nostalgic but also fresh.
From the start, Fallen’s food magic instantly pulled me in. It’s such a unique element in the worldbuilding, and it adds this cozy, almost intimate layer to the story. I also really appreciated how the book handled chronic illness. Fallen is stubborn, independent, and not always great at asking for help but watching her slowly open up while still holding onto that strong personality made her feel very real.
The romance is definitely on the spicier side, but it never felt empty. Beneath the heat there’s a really tender emotional thread running through the story. The dynamic between the characters has that perfect push and pull—curiosity, tension, and a growing softness that slowly builds into something deeper.
And then there’s the MMC. His quieter vulnerability and inexperience make him incredibly endearing. The fact that he’s a virgin MMC adds an interesting twist to the alpha dynamic, and it gives their connection a more tentative, emotional feel that I really loved.
What made this book especially fun for me is how many of my favorite tropes show up together: wolf shifters, fated mates, friends-to-lovers, alpha energy, and that slow emotional tension before everything finally falls into place. It felt like a combination of so many things I loved reading years ago, but written with a lot more emotional depth. Emma really did a great job with this book and I'm eager to read the first 2 books which I missed till now.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart to the author for allowing me the the absolute privilege of being able to arc read her latest book. I truly appreciate it.
This one was my absolute favorite book so far in this series (which you can completely read out of order, but you're going to love the others as well)! Gosh Fallon and Declan are everything, they're the perfect embodiment of friends to mates/ lovers I've ever read and I loved every minute of it! If you're looking for your next cozy romantasy its going to be this one!
Watching Fallon grow and find all her potential well being truly supported and loved the whole time and knowing she is, was everything I was hoping for! I also really loved the hidden illness rep as well! It reminded me so much of how every day feels for me with fibromylagia and I'm forever grateful to finally see something like that represented so well in a book. Declan however is going to definitely be your next favourite book boyfriend though! His love and devotion to Fallon is everything you will always want and deserve for yourself! The adventures though, and Brad! Hehe that whole part was so epic and I loved every minute of it! If you know about Brad you're going to enjoy what happens!
If you're looking for your next absolutely cozy romantasy full of love, adventure and found family that also gives you the feeling that you're right there beside them and that you're apart of that family too let it be this book and this series! You won't regret it!
Thank you so very much again from the bottom of my heart for allowing me the absolute privilege of being able to arc read this book again! I truly appreciate it and I loved every minute of it!
This one was my absolute favorite book so far in this series (which you can completely read out of order, but you're going to love the others as well)! Gosh Fallon and Declan are everything, they're the perfect embodiment of friends to mates/ lovers I've ever read and I loved every minute of it! If you're looking for your next cozy romantasy its going to be this one!
Watching Fallon grow and find all her potential well being truly supported and loved the whole time and knowing she is, was everything I was hoping for! I also really loved the hidden illness rep as well! It reminded me so much of how every day feels for me with fibromylagia and I'm forever grateful to finally see something like that represented so well in a book. Declan however is going to definitely be your next favourite book boyfriend though! His love and devotion to Fallon is everything you will always want and deserve for yourself! The adventures though, and Brad! Hehe that whole part was so epic and I loved every minute of it! If you know about Brad you're going to enjoy what happens!
If you're looking for your next absolutely cozy romantasy full of love, adventure and found family that also gives you the feeling that you're right there beside them and that you're apart of that family too let it be this book and this series! You won't regret it!
Thank you so very much again from the bottom of my heart for allowing me the absolute privilege of being able to arc read this book again! I truly appreciate it and I loved every minute of it!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you Emma Eden for choosing me to read an advanced readers copy of Faking Your Mate and Other Recipes for Disaster, while this was still a romantasy of sorts, it also falls into the RomCom category which is a category I don’t read often.
I have a few thoughts regarding this book. To start, this book was a great pallet cleanser but it was also a great story! I don’t often read books where the MMC is the sunshine in the grumpy/sunshine trope so that was a switch up! My next point I wanted to make is actually regarding Fallon and her representation with chronic Illness. Fallon makes a statement regarding being mad because her body is betraying her and I now understand completely how she feels. Having recently been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at the age of 28 and having lesions on my spinal cord my mobility has been struggling because of nerve communication disruptions due to those lesions. I have 2 little kids and often get frustrated and mad at my body feeling like it has betrayed me because most days I struggle to walk more than a few steps without my legs becoming too heavy to move.
This book was funny, spicy, but also serious and tense when it needed to be! I feel the spice was not over the top and was not the main point of the story and actually helped contribute to it as it helped Fallon and Declan learn more about themselves while they are on an adventure helping Fallon with her magic.
Overall, I think this book really was amazing and even as a romantasy reading of the enemies to lovers and slow burn genre, this was so fun to read but also still a great romantasy plot line!!!
🌶️🌶️🌶️ (spice level)
💧 (emotional destruction level)
I have a few thoughts regarding this book. To start, this book was a great pallet cleanser but it was also a great story! I don’t often read books where the MMC is the sunshine in the grumpy/sunshine trope so that was a switch up! My next point I wanted to make is actually regarding Fallon and her representation with chronic Illness. Fallon makes a statement regarding being mad because her body is betraying her and I now understand completely how she feels. Having recently been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at the age of 28 and having lesions on my spinal cord my mobility has been struggling because of nerve communication disruptions due to those lesions. I have 2 little kids and often get frustrated and mad at my body feeling like it has betrayed me because most days I struggle to walk more than a few steps without my legs becoming too heavy to move.
This book was funny, spicy, but also serious and tense when it needed to be! I feel the spice was not over the top and was not the main point of the story and actually helped contribute to it as it helped Fallon and Declan learn more about themselves while they are on an adventure helping Fallon with her magic.
Overall, I think this book really was amazing and even as a romantasy reading of the enemies to lovers and slow burn genre, this was so fun to read but also still a great romantasy plot line!!!
🌶️🌶️🌶️ (spice level)
💧 (emotional destruction level)
Review of advance copy received from Author
Looking for a cozy read that’ll actually give you the belly laughs? 🧁✨ “Faking Your Mate & Other Recipes for Disaster” is the Romantasy RomCom you didn’t know you needed. Honestly, I’ve been a little bored with the same old Romantasy lately, but this one completely drew me in and wouldn’t let go. It’s refreshing, it’s spicy, and it’s the perfect end to The Cake Chaos Chronicles (though it totally works as a standalone too!)
💖 The layered Trope 🍰 : We’re talking Wolf Shifter, Fated Mates, and Fake Dating. It’s a Golden Retriever (him) x Black Cat dynamic where he falls first (and hard). And a chemistry you can’t get away from 🥵
💖 Declan; absolute top-tier MMC. He is so sweet, supportive and has this unique strength that you just don't expect from him.
💖 Fallon: I’ll be real honest, she frustrated me beyond belief at times! 😂 But watching her navigate and overcome her chronic illness and insecurities was actually so inspiring.
💖 The Vibes: It’s that rare mix of cozy romcom energy with the perfect amount of fantasy and spice (🌶️🌶️🌶️).
Declan and Fallons story has been my favorite.
I thought this series couldn't get any better with each book, but I was soooo wrong. I fell even more in love with these characters. With each book. 5 Stars!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Huge thank you to Emma Eden for letting me be an ARC reader! 🫶🔥 thank you for letting me go on this journey to the Harrowlands with you 🤭🫶🏻
“You know us girls can’t resist a light kidnapping.”
“That’s my girl.” “Good boy.”
“You don’t have to be strong right now. You’re strong a lot of other times.” 😭
“I’ve got you, beautiful girl.”
“I don’t love you on accident, Honey,” 💖💖💖🥲
💖 The layered Trope 🍰 : We’re talking Wolf Shifter, Fated Mates, and Fake Dating. It’s a Golden Retriever (him) x Black Cat dynamic where he falls first (and hard). And a chemistry you can’t get away from 🥵
💖 Declan; absolute top-tier MMC. He is so sweet, supportive and has this unique strength that you just don't expect from him.
💖 Fallon: I’ll be real honest, she frustrated me beyond belief at times! 😂 But watching her navigate and overcome her chronic illness and insecurities was actually so inspiring.
💖 The Vibes: It’s that rare mix of cozy romcom energy with the perfect amount of fantasy and spice (🌶️🌶️🌶️).
Declan and Fallons story has been my favorite.
I thought this series couldn't get any better with each book, but I was soooo wrong. I fell even more in love with these characters. With each book. 5 Stars!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Huge thank you to Emma Eden for letting me be an ARC reader! 🫶🔥 thank you for letting me go on this journey to the Harrowlands with you 🤭🫶🏻
“You know us girls can’t resist a light kidnapping.”
“That’s my girl.” “Good boy.”
“You don’t have to be strong right now. You’re strong a lot of other times.” 😭
“I’ve got you, beautiful girl.”
“I don’t love you on accident, Honey,” 💖💖💖🥲
Review of advance copy received from Author
A fantasy rom-com was just what my heart needed right now. One spiced with accidentally turning people into soup, petting your shifter best friend/fake mate/(?), and dressing him up in frilly nightgowns, topped with a pack of annoying yet sweet siblings who just want to help, and sprinkled with bookmarked spicy scenes from an array of romance novels. One that brings smiles and happy tears, and one that pulls you in relentlessly. It was everything I needed and more.
Fallon and Declan are a perfect match for one another. Fallon may see herself as darkness to Dec's sunshine, but she is anything but. Her darkness just needed a bit of coaxing and taming, and her soul needed Dec's sunshine to heal and accept herself with everything that makes her who she is. The lists, the cooking, the illness—nothing takes away from who she is and who she might be. She took her time being wooed and convinced, but I enjoyed every second of this "fake mates" situation.
If there is one thing I will take from this reading experience, it is my imminent need to dive into other books in the Cake Chaos Chronicles and, honestly, devour them all. Faking Your Mate and Other Recipes for Disaster is an interconnected standalone, and while I didn't feel like I was thrown headfirst into this world, I still want to get to know all the other characters better and learn how we all ended up where we are now.
Thank you, Emma, for having me as your ARC reader. I had a blast, and I can't wait to do it all over again.
Fallon and Declan are a perfect match for one another. Fallon may see herself as darkness to Dec's sunshine, but she is anything but. Her darkness just needed a bit of coaxing and taming, and her soul needed Dec's sunshine to heal and accept herself with everything that makes her who she is. The lists, the cooking, the illness—nothing takes away from who she is and who she might be. She took her time being wooed and convinced, but I enjoyed every second of this "fake mates" situation.
If there is one thing I will take from this reading experience, it is my imminent need to dive into other books in the Cake Chaos Chronicles and, honestly, devour them all. Faking Your Mate and Other Recipes for Disaster is an interconnected standalone, and while I didn't feel like I was thrown headfirst into this world, I still want to get to know all the other characters better and learn how we all ended up where we are now.
Thank you, Emma, for having me as your ARC reader. I had a blast, and I can't wait to do it all over again.
April 6, 2026
Faking Mates and Other Recipes for Disaster is the third book in The Cake Chaos Chronicles, but works perfectly well as a standalone - this was my first by Emma Eden and I slipped into the world with ease.
This cosy, slightly chaotic romantasy delivers exactly what you’d hope from the premise. Fallon, a stubborn kitchen witch, and Declan, a sunshine wolf shifter (with peak golden retriever energy), bring the grumpy x sunshine dynamic to life - add in fake mating, forced proximity, and a few “this definitely isn’t real” kisses, and you’ve got a delicious slow-burn.
What really stood out to me was the chronic illness representation. It felt thoughtful, honest, and woven naturally into Fallon’s journey, adding an emotional depth that made her incredibly easy to root for.
Declan’s quieter vulnerability (and the virgin MMC rep 👀) adds a softness to their relationship that makes the romance feel tender and earned, even as the story leans into its spicier moments.
It does lean on some familiar tropes - miscommunication and safeguarding included- but if cosy, trope-forward romantasy is your usual go-to, you’ll likely love this. For me, it sits just slightly outside my typical favourites, but I still really enjoyed my time with it - it delivers exactly what it promises, and I can see it being a firm favourite for the right reader.
I came for the chronic illness rep… and stayed for Ned 🥹
Thank you to the author and Book Funnel for the gifted eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This cosy, slightly chaotic romantasy delivers exactly what you’d hope from the premise. Fallon, a stubborn kitchen witch, and Declan, a sunshine wolf shifter (with peak golden retriever energy), bring the grumpy x sunshine dynamic to life - add in fake mating, forced proximity, and a few “this definitely isn’t real” kisses, and you’ve got a delicious slow-burn.
What really stood out to me was the chronic illness representation. It felt thoughtful, honest, and woven naturally into Fallon’s journey, adding an emotional depth that made her incredibly easy to root for.
Declan’s quieter vulnerability (and the virgin MMC rep 👀) adds a softness to their relationship that makes the romance feel tender and earned, even as the story leans into its spicier moments.
It does lean on some familiar tropes - miscommunication and safeguarding included- but if cosy, trope-forward romantasy is your usual go-to, you’ll likely love this. For me, it sits just slightly outside my typical favourites, but I still really enjoyed my time with it - it delivers exactly what it promises, and I can see it being a firm favourite for the right reader.
I came for the chronic illness rep… and stayed for Ned 🥹
Thank you to the author and Book Funnel for the gifted eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I had the chance to read this as an ARC, and this one really stayed with me.
This story blends banishment, fake mating, and a touch of chaos into something surprisingly heartfelt. Fallon, a work-obsessed human with unpredictable food magic, ends up exiled after a magical mishap and agrees to a wild plan to get her life back on track. Enter Declan, a sunshine wolf shifter, a fake mate arrangement, and a close-knit pack that quickly becomes more than she expected.
Fallon completely stole my heart. I don’t think I’ve ever related so deeply to a character with chronic illness. The representation felt raw, honest, and incredibly validating in a way that’s rare to find.
There’s so much to love here beyond the romance. Ned, the goofy and lovable dog, added so much warmth and humor. Declan’s family and their open, welcoming dynamic made such an impact, especially in the way they embraced Fallon when she needed it most.
What stood out to me most was how the story handled care and understanding. Some people don’t get it, some try to fix you, but the ones who simply show up and support you are everything. The quiet moments of comfort, like being cared for when you’re overwhelmed, felt just as powerful as the bigger romantic ones.
With a mix of tension, humor, mystery, and emotional depth, this book delivers more than just a fun fantasy romance. It’s about trust, vulnerability, and finding people who truly see you.
Definitely worth picking up if you love fake dating, found family, and meaningful chronic illness representation.
This story blends banishment, fake mating, and a touch of chaos into something surprisingly heartfelt. Fallon, a work-obsessed human with unpredictable food magic, ends up exiled after a magical mishap and agrees to a wild plan to get her life back on track. Enter Declan, a sunshine wolf shifter, a fake mate arrangement, and a close-knit pack that quickly becomes more than she expected.
Fallon completely stole my heart. I don’t think I’ve ever related so deeply to a character with chronic illness. The representation felt raw, honest, and incredibly validating in a way that’s rare to find.
There’s so much to love here beyond the romance. Ned, the goofy and lovable dog, added so much warmth and humor. Declan’s family and their open, welcoming dynamic made such an impact, especially in the way they embraced Fallon when she needed it most.
What stood out to me most was how the story handled care and understanding. Some people don’t get it, some try to fix you, but the ones who simply show up and support you are everything. The quiet moments of comfort, like being cared for when you’re overwhelmed, felt just as powerful as the bigger romantic ones.
With a mix of tension, humor, mystery, and emotional depth, this book delivers more than just a fun fantasy romance. It’s about trust, vulnerability, and finding people who truly see you.
Definitely worth picking up if you love fake dating, found family, and meaningful chronic illness representation.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book, like the ones before it in the series, was incredibly thought out and executed. They each tell the love story of one of "human" girls who wind up in the Harrowlands, a magical realm full of shifters and mythical beings. And although this one can't measure up to Attempted Murder and Other Ways to Seduce Your Mate, I really enjoyed it nonetheless.
One of the strongest sides of this series is the characters. Each of the POV characters have a strong voice, and somehow the characters I loved in the previous books, I now saw through a different lens. I actually grew to dislike Evie—the FMC from the first book in this series—as I found some of her actions to not be thought out very well. I mean, sure, you could blame it on the pregnancy, but there are lines that shouldn't be crossed, especially among best friends.
Fallon, our FMC, is stubborn to a fault, and has issues accepting help from anyone. She feels unlovable due to things she cannot control, which I can relate to. Honestly, I kind of saw myself in her. I really liked Declan, too, he was such a cinnamon roll of a boyfriend. His overall golder retriever energy is how he wormed his way into my heart and made me fall in love with him.
Plot-wise, it was pretty fast paced, and although there were a couple filler scenes, it was pretty engaging nonetheless. Fallon's struggles with chronic pain was a large part of the book, but the entire plot didn't center around it.
Overall, miss Emma Eden delivered all that was promised once again, and I couldn't be any more proud and grateful to be a part of her ARC team!
One of the strongest sides of this series is the characters. Each of the POV characters have a strong voice, and somehow the characters I loved in the previous books, I now saw through a different lens. I actually grew to dislike Evie—the FMC from the first book in this series—as I found some of her actions to not be thought out very well. I mean, sure, you could blame it on the pregnancy, but there are lines that shouldn't be crossed, especially among best friends.
Fallon, our FMC, is stubborn to a fault, and has issues accepting help from anyone. She feels unlovable due to things she cannot control, which I can relate to. Honestly, I kind of saw myself in her. I really liked Declan, too, he was such a cinnamon roll of a boyfriend. His overall golder retriever energy is how he wormed his way into my heart and made me fall in love with him.
Plot-wise, it was pretty fast paced, and although there were a couple filler scenes, it was pretty engaging nonetheless. Fallon's struggles with chronic pain was a large part of the book, but the entire plot didn't center around it.
Overall, miss Emma Eden delivered all that was promised once again, and I couldn't be any more proud and grateful to be a part of her ARC team!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to Emma Eden for this ARC opportunity—this was actually my first ARC read, and now I get the hype.
Jumping into this series at book three honestly made me wish I’d been here from the start. Emma Eden builds emotional bonds in a way that sticks—you don’t just read about the connection, you feel it. The world is vivid, the magic is unique, and the relationships carry real weight.
Fallon and Declan? Yeah… this is friends-to-lovers done right. The slow burn, the tension, the everyone-knows-but-them energy—it was all there. Declan’s patience and quiet devotion made him impossible not to love, and Fallon’s stubbornness, while frustrating at times, felt real and grounded—especially with how her chronic illness was written. That part hit deeper than I expected and added a layer that made her character feel even more human.
And let’s talk about the vibes for a second—cozy fantasy with spice, found family, magic, and FOOD that will absolutely make you hungry. I swear I could smell half the scenes.
Even though this is the third book, it still reads well as a standalone. I had no trouble following along, but now I definitely want to go back and read the first two.
I’d give this a solid 4.5⭐️. The only thing holding me back from a full 5 is that Fallon’s “I’ll handle it alone” mindset dragged on a little longer than I wanted—but honestly? It made the payoff even better.
Overall, this was such a fun, emotional, slightly chaotic ride, and I’m really excited to see what Emma Eden writes next.
Jumping into this series at book three honestly made me wish I’d been here from the start. Emma Eden builds emotional bonds in a way that sticks—you don’t just read about the connection, you feel it. The world is vivid, the magic is unique, and the relationships carry real weight.
Fallon and Declan? Yeah… this is friends-to-lovers done right. The slow burn, the tension, the everyone-knows-but-them energy—it was all there. Declan’s patience and quiet devotion made him impossible not to love, and Fallon’s stubbornness, while frustrating at times, felt real and grounded—especially with how her chronic illness was written. That part hit deeper than I expected and added a layer that made her character feel even more human.
And let’s talk about the vibes for a second—cozy fantasy with spice, found family, magic, and FOOD that will absolutely make you hungry. I swear I could smell half the scenes.
Even though this is the third book, it still reads well as a standalone. I had no trouble following along, but now I definitely want to go back and read the first two.
I’d give this a solid 4.5⭐️. The only thing holding me back from a full 5 is that Fallon’s “I’ll handle it alone” mindset dragged on a little longer than I wanted—but honestly? It made the payoff even better.
Overall, this was such a fun, emotional, slightly chaotic ride, and I’m really excited to see what Emma Eden writes next.
April 18, 2026
This follows Fallon who wants love but believes she’s too much and thus puts all of herself into her cooking.
When a dinner turns into a catastrophe, Evie banishes Fallon, forcing her to leave with her best friend Declan who takes her to his home where his family lives where Fallon may be able to learn how to control her magic.
In the meantime, Declan is doing everything he can to convince and show Fallon they are mates and are meant to be.
I love Emma’s books! The world is so magical, the characters are always so fun and relatable. The romances are always sweet, hot and the relationships grow in a way that makes them real and believable.
Fallon is one I may relate to the most with her lists, her overthinking and wondering whether she’s worthy, and pushing Declan away thinking she’s not worthy of him. Ugh it was so frustrating and just made the relationship so real and build up in the best way.
I enjoyed the romance mixed with the mystery of the missing wolves. It added more to the plot and allowed Declan to shine.
Declan has always been my favorite. Such golden retriever energy and he owns one too! I loved when his darker alpha side would come out. So unexpected and yet no less delectable. Him and Fallon were adorable together with their banter, her grumpiness to his sunshine, and how they knew each other so well even despite the secrets.
This frustrated me in the best way, and once again, loved this story! I’m looking forward to more by Emma!
Thank you to the author for the e-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
When a dinner turns into a catastrophe, Evie banishes Fallon, forcing her to leave with her best friend Declan who takes her to his home where his family lives where Fallon may be able to learn how to control her magic.
In the meantime, Declan is doing everything he can to convince and show Fallon they are mates and are meant to be.
I love Emma’s books! The world is so magical, the characters are always so fun and relatable. The romances are always sweet, hot and the relationships grow in a way that makes them real and believable.
Fallon is one I may relate to the most with her lists, her overthinking and wondering whether she’s worthy, and pushing Declan away thinking she’s not worthy of him. Ugh it was so frustrating and just made the relationship so real and build up in the best way.
I enjoyed the romance mixed with the mystery of the missing wolves. It added more to the plot and allowed Declan to shine.
Declan has always been my favorite. Such golden retriever energy and he owns one too! I loved when his darker alpha side would come out. So unexpected and yet no less delectable. Him and Fallon were adorable together with their banter, her grumpiness to his sunshine, and how they knew each other so well even despite the secrets.
This frustrated me in the best way, and once again, loved this story! I’m looking forward to more by Emma!
Thank you to the author for the e-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is a cute, cozy romance with found family, fake mate dating and secrets. This is a standalone in an interconnected series with grumpy sunshine vibes, spice, and friends to lovers.
When Fallon is banished for accidently turning someone into a bowl of soup with her cooking magic, her best friend Declan has a plan to help her get back on track. Go back with him to his pack, so his mother can teach her control. The only problem they have to pretend to be mates, while Fallon also hides her illness as she learns. But it seems that Fallon isn't the only one with a secret, and Declan isn't ready to share.
Have to say I did like Fallon though at times I wanted to shake her, from keeping her illness a secret, especially from those she cares about, although I do understand why. She's independent and in the past has been made to feel like a burden. Her prickly grumpy nature is a great balance to Declan's sunshine personality.
Declan is literally the sunshine to Fallon's storm cloud nature. He's kind, considerate and the sweetest wolf shifter I've read. His own secret which he's not ready to share with Fallon even though he's in love with her could push her away. He's also determined to show her that the bond they share is more than friendship, and he'll pull out all the stops to make her stay.
Overall I loved the story, the characters made me smile, along with the romance and cozy vibes. 😁
When Fallon is banished for accidently turning someone into a bowl of soup with her cooking magic, her best friend Declan has a plan to help her get back on track. Go back with him to his pack, so his mother can teach her control. The only problem they have to pretend to be mates, while Fallon also hides her illness as she learns. But it seems that Fallon isn't the only one with a secret, and Declan isn't ready to share.
Have to say I did like Fallon though at times I wanted to shake her, from keeping her illness a secret, especially from those she cares about, although I do understand why. She's independent and in the past has been made to feel like a burden. Her prickly grumpy nature is a great balance to Declan's sunshine personality.
Declan is literally the sunshine to Fallon's storm cloud nature. He's kind, considerate and the sweetest wolf shifter I've read. His own secret which he's not ready to share with Fallon even though he's in love with her could push her away. He's also determined to show her that the bond they share is more than friendship, and he'll pull out all the stops to make her stay.
Overall I loved the story, the characters made me smile, along with the romance and cozy vibes. 😁
April 19, 2026
“Without the old magic, we can turn strange”
This is a paranormal shifter romance with the most Cinnamon roll male lead ever. Declan is Fallon’s “friend”. He’s sunny and cheerful and always around to help her. Of course he’s a shifter who knows she’s his fated mate, but he doesn’t know how to tell her.
Fallon is a FeastWeaver who can control food, ingredients and even celebrations in some ways. The story opens when she’s in charge of preparing a feast for her friend Evie. Unfortunately things don’t go completely as planned and Fallon turns a guest into a bowl of soup. Evie banishes her, and Declan offers to take her to his home where his mother can help her control her magic. But – his mother Anise will only help a family member, so Declan tells Fallon they have to “pretend” to be mates. And he’s hoping he can help Fallon to see the light.
Declan has shelves full of romance novels and has memorized certain pages and passages, and those help inspire some eventual spicy scenes.
Declan’s hiding a secret or 2 of his own, all while Fallon is hiding that she’s sick with Hollow Fever All the secrets lead to more than a few misunderstandings. But Declan truly is the cinnamon roll man we all want (even though he smells apples and cinnamon on Fallon).
His family and the rest of the pack are so much fun and you get to know them throughout the book.
This book made me laugh and cry at times, but I was always rooting for Declan to have his mate come around.
This is a paranormal shifter romance with the most Cinnamon roll male lead ever. Declan is Fallon’s “friend”. He’s sunny and cheerful and always around to help her. Of course he’s a shifter who knows she’s his fated mate, but he doesn’t know how to tell her.
Fallon is a FeastWeaver who can control food, ingredients and even celebrations in some ways. The story opens when she’s in charge of preparing a feast for her friend Evie. Unfortunately things don’t go completely as planned and Fallon turns a guest into a bowl of soup. Evie banishes her, and Declan offers to take her to his home where his mother can help her control her magic. But – his mother Anise will only help a family member, so Declan tells Fallon they have to “pretend” to be mates. And he’s hoping he can help Fallon to see the light.
Declan has shelves full of romance novels and has memorized certain pages and passages, and those help inspire some eventual spicy scenes.
Declan’s hiding a secret or 2 of his own, all while Fallon is hiding that she’s sick with Hollow Fever All the secrets lead to more than a few misunderstandings. But Declan truly is the cinnamon roll man we all want (even though he smells apples and cinnamon on Fallon).
His family and the rest of the pack are so much fun and you get to know them throughout the book.
This book made me laugh and cry at times, but I was always rooting for Declan to have his mate come around.
May 22, 2026
This book has one of my favorite tropes: idiots to lovers. Not to mention the mutal pining that happens between Fallon and Declan. This whole series is so incredibly cozy and I absolutely am here for it. There were definitely some spots that I teared up and felt so seen with Fallon and the struggles she goes through with her chronic illness. I don't know if Emma also has a chronic illness or maybe a loved one with a chronic illness, but the thoughts and feelings that Fallon has in regards to her illness hit me right in the gut with how real living with something like that is. I don't want to give too much away, but the struggles she goes through are so incredibly real. And Declan is nothing but supportive, even when he doesn't know what's going on.
Now, being a cozy read doesn't mean it's not a book with drama. There's an overarching story that's being told across the series. However, even if you haven't read any of the other books, and at this point I've only read the prequel novel, you don't feel totally lost on what's happened previously.
I honestly cannot express how much this book means to me. Because of my own chronic illness, seeing it portrayed in such a real manner is everything. I will be recommending this book to everyone, especially my chronic illness baddies. Thank you Emma, for putting to page the very real things that we deal with, and how it feels to live this way.
I received a complementary copy of this book. All opinions are completely my own.
Now, being a cozy read doesn't mean it's not a book with drama. There's an overarching story that's being told across the series. However, even if you haven't read any of the other books, and at this point I've only read the prequel novel, you don't feel totally lost on what's happened previously.
I honestly cannot express how much this book means to me. Because of my own chronic illness, seeing it portrayed in such a real manner is everything. I will be recommending this book to everyone, especially my chronic illness baddies. Thank you Emma, for putting to page the very real things that we deal with, and how it feels to live this way.
I received a complementary copy of this book. All opinions are completely my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
What happens when you apply the comedy adventure levels of “Pirates of the Caribbean” with the Romantasy genre we’ve all come to know and love?
You get “Faking Your Mate and Other Recipes for Disaster” by Emma Eden.
Book 3 of an interconnected standalone series, this book offers comedic banter, a sage Mama Wolf, a golden retriever MMC in a wolf shifter’s body, and a strong-willed FMC who learns that sometimes independence comes more freely in a loving community… erm… pack. Eden has done a fantastic job giving us characters that we can relate to while using their internal struggles and interpersonal relationships to weave a plot that serves to remind us that we are better together - baggage and all. With the right balance of whimsy and action, this is a book that will be the reason you relate to the memes about staying up until 3AM for “one more chapter”.
There are spicy scenes, and Eden crafts them in such a way that they are truly beautiful and feel more like character reveals and depth of relationship building than anything else. You can almost tangibly feel the emotions that the main characters are feeling as you read and work through the story.
If you love Romantasy and are looking for something that brings a bit of snark and banter to the adventure, then definitely check out “Faking Your Mate and Other Recipes for Disaster”.
You get “Faking Your Mate and Other Recipes for Disaster” by Emma Eden.
Book 3 of an interconnected standalone series, this book offers comedic banter, a sage Mama Wolf, a golden retriever MMC in a wolf shifter’s body, and a strong-willed FMC who learns that sometimes independence comes more freely in a loving community… erm… pack. Eden has done a fantastic job giving us characters that we can relate to while using their internal struggles and interpersonal relationships to weave a plot that serves to remind us that we are better together - baggage and all. With the right balance of whimsy and action, this is a book that will be the reason you relate to the memes about staying up until 3AM for “one more chapter”.
There are spicy scenes, and Eden crafts them in such a way that they are truly beautiful and feel more like character reveals and depth of relationship building than anything else. You can almost tangibly feel the emotions that the main characters are feeling as you read and work through the story.
If you love Romantasy and are looking for something that brings a bit of snark and banter to the adventure, then definitely check out “Faking Your Mate and Other Recipes for Disaster”.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is chaotic fun. It is silly in the best way. It is a fun break from some heavier reads I've had on my plate recently--a delightful palate cleanser, if you will. Overall, it was very lighthearted and cozy.
Now, underneath all the fun, there was still a plot with tension to follow, but more importantly, I thought the FMC's chronic illness rep was very well done. This was the most serious part of the novel, in my opinion, and I felt it was treated with good care.
While I don't always read friends to lovers, this was a really pleasant one. The MMC is a true Golden Retriever. The book has a lot of fun little details in it, and one I love about the MMC is that he collected romance novels to prepare for his fated mate--so cute! (There is also a hilarious pickle scene!)
Lastly, this book is part of a series of interconnected standalones. While I haven't read the other books in the series yet, I was still able to enjoy this one. I do believe reading the others would have enhanced my enjoyment as characters from those books show up in this one, but I don't think it makes a big difference overall.
Things you can expect to see in this book:
Grumpy/Sunshine
Golden Retriever MMC
One Bed/One Sled
He Falls First
Fake Dating/Mates
Chronic Illness Rep
Fated Mate
Hurt/comfort
Care Taking
Virgin MMC
Now, underneath all the fun, there was still a plot with tension to follow, but more importantly, I thought the FMC's chronic illness rep was very well done. This was the most serious part of the novel, in my opinion, and I felt it was treated with good care.
While I don't always read friends to lovers, this was a really pleasant one. The MMC is a true Golden Retriever. The book has a lot of fun little details in it, and one I love about the MMC is that he collected romance novels to prepare for his fated mate--so cute! (There is also a hilarious pickle scene!)
Lastly, this book is part of a series of interconnected standalones. While I haven't read the other books in the series yet, I was still able to enjoy this one. I do believe reading the others would have enhanced my enjoyment as characters from those books show up in this one, but I don't think it makes a big difference overall.
Things you can expect to see in this book:
Grumpy/Sunshine
Golden Retriever MMC
One Bed/One Sled
He Falls First
Fake Dating/Mates
Chronic Illness Rep
Fated Mate
Hurt/comfort
Care Taking
Virgin MMC
Review of advance copy received from Author
I thought this book was genuinely so cute, and I absolutely loved watching Declan and Fallon find their happy ending. Their relationship felt really heartfelt, and Declan’s patience and care toward Fallon made him such an easy character to root for (not that i didn't already adore him). I also loved Fallon’s growth—seeing her learn that her worth isn’t tied to what she can do for others was especially meaningful.
One thing I really appreciated was the representation of illness in a fantasy setting. I don’t mind when magic heals everything—it’s fantasy, after all—but there’s something that hits so much harder when it doesn’t. Watching a character live with an illness that isn’t magically fixed made the story feel more grounded and real in a way I don’t often see in this genre.
And honestly… FINALLY when it comes to that one character. If you know, you know.
The premise itself is so fun—fake mating, forced proximity, magical mishaps—and it delivers on all of it. The mix of humor, romance, and a bit of mystery kept things engaging, while the magical cooking element added a unique charm to the story. I would love a chance to eat a meal Fallon or Anise prepared.
I really loved stepping into this world, and I’m hopeful we get to return to it in future books.
Thank you, Emma Eden and Bookfunnel, for an eARC of this wonderful book.
One thing I really appreciated was the representation of illness in a fantasy setting. I don’t mind when magic heals everything—it’s fantasy, after all—but there’s something that hits so much harder when it doesn’t. Watching a character live with an illness that isn’t magically fixed made the story feel more grounded and real in a way I don’t often see in this genre.
And honestly… FINALLY when it comes to that one character. If you know, you know.
The premise itself is so fun—fake mating, forced proximity, magical mishaps—and it delivers on all of it. The mix of humor, romance, and a bit of mystery kept things engaging, while the magical cooking element added a unique charm to the story. I would love a chance to eat a meal Fallon or Anise prepared.
I really loved stepping into this world, and I’m hopeful we get to return to it in future books.
Thank you, Emma Eden and Bookfunnel, for an eARC of this wonderful book.
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