She's everything he wanted in a woman…except for one thing.
Plus-sized bakery owner Jacqui Jacobson's confidence is at an all-time low after her public divorce and her ex-husband's despicable accusations. So the last person she expects to show interest in her is racing hot-shot Nick Barrister. But when the two click over her risqué cake designs, it seems like icing on the cake.
However, Jacqui hasn't told him that not being able to have children was the main cause for her marriage ending. As her relationship with Nick turns from casual to serious he expresses his desire for children, and now time is running out. Can she tell him first before her ex-husband, who has reared his ugly head and is determined to destroy her new-found happiness, beats her to it? And will Nick still want her once he finds out?
Content Warning: contains lots of steamy sexual content and exciting racing action
On Track with Icing by C.J. Bower is a fun entertaining sports themed book.
Jacqui loves her bakery. She loves creating things. She never would have guessed Nick Barrister, famous NASCAR driver would come in requesting a cake for a friends Bachelor party, but he did. Jacqui was burned by her ex-husband. Actually, burned doesn't sound like quite the right word. He really screwed her over. He humiliated her in so many ways she never dreamed a man like Nick would ever be interested in her. Boy was she wrong. Nick is infatuated with Jacqui the minute he sees her. Over the course for the next few weeks, Nick realizes Jacqui could be the person to heal his heart and make him believe in true love. There's only one problem. Jacqui has a secret that could wreck all of Nick's future plans.
So I have to be honest. I'm a NASCAR freak. Growing up in Indianapolis and having a father who thrust racing on me at a very early age, this book was like coming home for me. You would think I'd be more into Indy Car, but honestly my dad loved NASCAR, therefore I loved NASCAR. Anyway, this book was more than just a racing romance. It was funny and entertaining as hell. But it also hits home in other ways. I don't have a shitty ex-husband but I am unable to have children. So the fears both characters exhibit, well, I've been there and done that. Sometimes you open a book and just know it's going to be exactly what you need right when you need it and this book was that for me. It's beautifully written. C.J. Bower does an amazing job of getting the feels and emotions to come through. I'm so happy that I had a chance to read this book. I can't wait for more amazing stories from Ms. Bower.
A sweet and emotional story, the author created a very realistic storyline and characters. Nick's boring task turned to be if i can say the best day of his life because there will meet the sweet owner and cake designer Jacqui.
Jacqui after a painful marriage and a poor excuse of an ex-husband, suffers from low self-esteem and luck of confidence because of her weight (her ex created all this) and also her inability to have children for that reason she resists a lot to Nick's flirting but with his persistence and gentle ways she will start to see the world from a different angle (but not completely) she will in her feelings but her secret will burden her all the way.
Nick the race driver will do anything in his power to prove her that his feelings are real and oh boy he will fight for her and for that reason i was a little bit angry with Jacqui because it took her really long to reveal her secret and that's the only that bothered me a lot, what they had from the beginning was pure she should be honest with from day one but that is totally my personal opinion it doesn't that everyone should have an issue with that.
Overall the story was great from the plot 'till the characters and their enjoyable dialogues, i definitely recommend it and hope to like it as much as i did!!
Jacqui was too hot and cold in the beginning. She just kept putting off telling Nick everything when obviously the secret was going to come out anyway. The ending was unnecessary. Why do authors love making one of the main characters break things off because they try to do something that they feel is better for the other person. Like they can't make up their own minds. It's so frustrating.
What the hell was the point of Elena? What was the point of Tyler being a dick? I could have done without them. After Tyler and Jacquis relationship was explained he wasn't needed anymore.
Usually I'm a 'love has no time scale' kind of person, if it hits you it hits you no shame in that. But this book moved WAY too fast. It seemed extremely rushed. So that kind of didn't work for me either.
No epilogue. Don't know if it would have mattered to me really anyway.
This book was a quick easy read. Great story and a few surprises along the way. I gave 4 stars instead of 5 due to the beginning of the book and all the different characters are brought into the picture but not a lot of character depth.
With all this said, this is a nicely written story – and even though the plot is a bit predictable with the bad-guy-ex, it’s a sexy, easy read that jumps away from the norm and well worth a look. Reviewed by Cyrene
I can't believe this book came from a debut author. All I can say is WOW. It was very well put-together, from start to finish. I started it last night, and I finished it at 3:30 AM because I couldn't put it down! Her heroine, Jacqui, is a strong, amazing woman who has certainly triumphed over her ex-husband and the abuse he'd heaped onto her.
At first glance Nick appeared to be the typical athlete. Cocky, arrogant and so caught up in the fame and stardom that came with racing in NASCAR's top level. But then he shows a soft, playful, and ... dare I say ... vulnerable side. He shows he's human with human flaws.
He was a little bold with Jacqui after such short acquaintance, which shows that he's very much a confident man who knows how to go after what he wants. Jacqui is a bit shy with him because of her past experiences, as well as her size. She's a plus-size gal, and I thought it was awesome of Nick to see her personality and the heart of gold behind the dress size. It shows that he's not a shallow, arrogant bastard who believes his own press.
I loved how Nick handled the news of Jacqui's past. Yeah, he was shocked at first, but it didn't take him long to realize that it didn't matter, and that he'd do anything to prove it to her.
This book delves into the thoughts and actions of both characters, and their emotional roller coaster journey. It's not the angsty teenage drivel that seems to have flooded today's market. Jacqui and Nick are both well-rounded characters, and the racing action is awesome. Very realistic, like you're sitting in the stands watching the events unfold on the track!
Her best friends, Camille and Persephone, are amazing best friends. I absolutely LOVED Camille. Every woman needs that smart-mouthed friend with no filter helping her through life's bumpy road. Persephone is the quiet, steady friend who always says and does the right things to soothe frayed nerves and calm ruffled feathers.
Since this is book one, I wonder how many are in the series, and I hope Camille gets her own story. I can't wait to see this headstrong woman meet her match!
Nick Barrister is on a mission he's not necessarily one that he wants to be on, but this bakery he's just walked in isn't just an ordinary bakery. And the moment he lays eyes on the owner, he's stunned by her beauty, witty, and charm. She's everything the girls he's used to are not; which is what makes her so special.
Jacqui Jacobson has turned her bakery into something quite special. She puts her heart and soul into each and every creation she makes. She's curvy girl with a big heart, but broken after a disastrous marriage. Her whole life is her job, her family, and her friends. She works hard each and every day, but doesn't know how to have a little fun.
So when Nick asks Jacqui out, she's taken aback but there is something about him that she can't stay away from. And the more time she spends with him, the more she falls for him and him for her.
But there's a secret that Jacqui hasn't revealed and when it comes to light, how will Nick react? Can they work through this or has the damage done unrecoverable from?
This is CJ's debut and it's an exhilarating ride. It's got fast cars, sizzling race car drivers, sumptuous confectionary treats, and a captivating storyline. Jacqui is someone you feel drawn to and can relate to her problems. She's the type of person you want as a friend not just for cooking, but also for loyalty and big heart. At first glance, you would expect Nick to be an arrogant due to his celebrity status, but there is more to him than that. He's the guy that can look past the superficial and see the person's true character. He's a walking wet dream and he isn't afraid to fight for what he wants. He's a man that will follow his heart at all costs. Nick and Jacqui are very special individuals and together they can conquer anything.
This book will have you laughing, crying, and fall in love. I would recommend this enchanting book form this debut author and look forward to what CJ will brings us in the future.
3- fight hard for your love stars When NASCAR superstar, Nick, is tasked with a cake for his best friend's bachelor party, he's not thrilled, but as soon as he lays eye on the bakery owner, Jacqui, he is beyond happy to be cake shopping. Jacqui is still broken and reeling from a devastating divorce four years prior, but is making the best of her situation by focusing on on her thriving bakery and wonderful friends. Things heat up quickly between the pair, but a secret and her painful past keeps Jacqui fighting against the inevitable. Nick is persistent, flirty and charming. He slowly melts her icy exterior and the couple moves into a passionate few weeks. When secrets come back to haunt her and her ex is determined to destroy her, Jacqui is convinced that she is not worthy of Nick. I think my my favorite part of this couple was the height difference (sounds weird but hear me out) Jacqui is a curvy and formidable 5'11" and has an advantage over her man in the height department. This was a breath of fresh air for me (I'm not near 5'11" but I'm a tall girl) While i love a good tall alpha male protecting his smaller woman, i loved this twist even more. Some of the dialogue seemed a little off the mark, but the banter was PERFECT. I loved how determined Nick was to fix all of Jacqui's heartache, no matter what the cost. The supporting cast, especially Camille, was hilarious. Maybe we get to read her story with Zack next???
CJ Bower first book. The characters were well developed and the story kept me captivated. The book is full of emotions, revenge, and determination
Race Car Driver Nick Barrister is captivated by Bakery owner Jacqui Jacobson and her risqué cake designs. She is not his usual type of woman but he doesn't care he wants her. Nick will do everything to get her and keep her.
Jacqui is a plus size bakery owner that has been devastated by her divorce. Can she put her past aside to give her heart to Nick?
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I really enjoyed this story and I am looking for more from this debut author. Nick thinks he is just running into a bakery to order a cake for a bachelor party, but when he meets the owner he has more on his mind than ordering a risque cake. Jacqui has taken her bakery to another level and having orders from high profile clients will only help. She is attracted to Nick and when he asks her out, she finds that there is a lot more to him than just a race car driver. There are terrific characters, strong stories, and lots of hot romance. Well put together and a great start!
What happens when you put a baker and a race car driver in the same room? You get an amazing book. Jacqui was hurt bad by her ex and didn't think she could love again. Nick was wanting to settle down. This book has a lot going on right from the beginning and will have you laughing and crying along with the characters. A must read book.
This is the first BBW book I have read, it will not be my last the characters are very believable. I definitely will be reading more by this author. I was gifted this book for a fair and honest review
I enjoyed this book very much. Definitely full of emotions and all other sorts of things. Had some humor and loved the romance. Definitely recommend this great debut by this author.