Gingerbread

by Erin Havoc

A BBW Instalove Romance

She’s sweet, thick and spicy. And she’s going to be mine.

Amber
Being a size fourteen never mattered.
Not until I nailed my dream job and my colleagues start pestering me.
I’m so regretting going to the gym…
That is… Until I see him.

Mark
I’m her personal trainer. I should be professional.
I’m way older than her. I should keep my mind in the game.
Then why can’t I take my eyes off her?
The only thing I’m able to focus on is making her mine.


Craving Her Curves is a series of quick reads full of insta-love, over-the-top declarations and scorching hot moments. Reader's discretion advised.

Genres: Romance, Spicy, Novella

50 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 10, 2020

About the author

Erin Havoc writes short, steamy romance with no cliffhangers, no cheating and a guaranteed HEA! Her heroines are always curvy and she writes contemporary, dark, and shifter romance.

Reviews

[Jamie (TheRebelliousReader) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars. These are all the same, no matter who's writing them but dammit I can't stop reading them. They're addicting and so, so cheesy. Like a smutty Hallmark movie and I love it.

[Darlene I read WAY to many books · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story was sweet and little steam. 

Amber is a curvy gal who thought she was over the name calling and looks when she isn't,  she gives in and signs up for a gym membership to lose weight. And she meets her personal trainer Mark who already tells her shes gorgeous and doesn't need to lose weight. But he still exercises with her when she told him she was still going to do this.

Now Mark is telling her over again she's gorgeous and dont let these haters pick on you. And goes for the kill and pours that he wants her and boy it goes from 0 to 1000!!

But girls insecurities come flying in when a old client fatshames her and she leaves thinking the girl is right mark would end up dumping a curvy girl like her.


No om drama slight ow drama (a client trying to date him), no cheating, sexy times, Virgin gal no manwhore


Recommend- maybe
Cover-⭐⭐⭐

Instalove/lust
Older/younger couple
40H/20h
Safe
No condom
Hea
Epilogue

[QuinnReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unlikely IRL But Fun

Undeniably over-the-top but Mark and Amber have some serious heat going on. The bulk of this story takes place over about a 24 hour period of time. It may be unlikely but that doesn't mean it can't be fun to read. Hehehe.... I enjoyed this as part of the Craving Her Curves collection.

[Rochelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great story. Loved Mark and Amber. The chemistry and attraction between them was so good. Loved the positive body reinforcement in this story. If you are looking for a quick, hot story, then this is the one for you.

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

[LMR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gingerbread: A BBW Instalove Romance (Craving Her Curves Book 1) By: Erin Havoc
I'm Gonna Make Her My "Gingerbread" Girl... ForEVERmore!
She's a Curvy Goddess... Who's been cut DOWN about Her SIZE,
But I'm Her Personal Trainer...
Who's gonna get Up CLOSE & Personal with Her,
To Show Her just how WRONG they've ALL been,
Cuz this Sweet Gal is like a Curvy piece of "Gingerbread!"
ONE, I can't wait to Treat MySelf too... For the Rest of My LIFE!
I was granted, via B00|{$P®0UT, an ARC of Erin Havoc's "Gingerbread: A BBW Instalove Romance (Craving Her Curves Book 1)." I recommend this book to others based upon its own merits. All opinions expressed within this review are uniquely my own & freely given!
Until next time... Happy Reading!
My Rating Sytem:
4🌟: I like IT a lot. Great, Solid Story w/ few if any inconsistencies or errors. This is a HIGH Rating, & I rarely give OUT a Higher Rating.
If My Review is helpful to you, please check the box below~ Thank You.

[Rachs_Bookish_World · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok this was such a FUN read!! It’s 50 pages of cute banter, some seriously spicy time and the completely unrealistic notion of falling Inlove with someone you’ve literally just met.
Amber and Mark are honestly too cute when they meet at the gym (he’s her personal trainer) and while the actual story is completely unrelatable and highly unrealistic, it’s also super sweet and funny and just a genuine good time for such a short read.
I finished this book in just over an hour and it was thoroughly enjoyable. Fast paced. Funny. Spicy. And I do love me a good age gap. So definitely no complaints here.
It may not be everyone’s cup of tea. But books are a fun escape from reality and I definitely enjoyed this one. :)

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Curvy Amber Cline just got her dream job as a Graphic Designer, but her co-workers have been making comments that pretty much shamed her into heading for the gym to get in shape and lose some weight. As she walks through the gym toward her personal trainer’s office, everyone stares at her as if she has no business in a gym. When she meets handsome and fit Mark Evans, her personal trainer, he tries to tell her she is fantastic just the way she is. But when someone is insecure over a perceived fault, especially concerning weight that others keep pointing out, they are not likely to believe that the way they are is “fine”. So he works with her on her goals. But by the time she is nearing the end of the exercises, she wants to go home and cancel her membership. Being around Mark is just too difficult. She can’t concentrate, and she wants him! And she would swear that he seems to want her too! He knows that he needs to let her know what he feels for her. As hard as it is for her to believe, each of them has found the one they have always been looking for.

Mark and Amber agree to meet for lunch and she arrives a bit early. A woman walks in and tells the receptionist that according to Instagram, Mark is finally dating! Now she’s finally have a chance, she says! But her explanation of that comment to the receptionist rips out Amber’s heart as the woman says it won’t be long until he tosses the fat girl out and then she’ll make her move on him. All of Amber’s insecurities come back in a rush as she realizes a hot guy like he is doesn’t date someone like her. Will she give up on their relationship? Will she walk away and never look back?

Insecurities are so hard to overcome. The author does a good job of letting the reader feel the turmoil that Amber goes through from the joy of getting her dream job to the dismay at still being put down because of her weight. But without thought, she accepts the negative comments as truth and internalizes the pain. Will she do that with Mark? Will she really give him up without a fight because of a cruel comment by a stranger? Grab your copy and see how all of these emotions are dealt with, and whether the two of them can still find their HEA.

[lf]

His sweet, spicy woman.......His Gingerbread

Gingerbread is a lovely, sweet and very deliciously hot and sexy short story about Amber Cline and Mark Evans. She is twenty-two years old, a beautiful curvy red head who is a graphic designer. Mark is forty years old, a "sex-on-a-stick" and handsome personal trainer. Amber is tired of people around her giving her the side eye and making comments about her size 14 curves, which she is more than happy with. So she decides she needs to lose weight so people will leave her alone when she wants to eat a burger, drink a beer or have dessert. Her trainer turns out to be a "God", aka Mark. He takes one look at her and all he can think is "I need to make her mine and now". He admires her curves and wants to run his hands all over them, along with taste every inch of her. He is nice and supportive to Amber, even telling her to tell other people to f-off when they say anything to her. After their first training session they end up getting a bit busy in his office during their "debrief". But he wants to make sure their first time is right and takes her back to his place where he most definitely makes her his woman, multiple times over for the rest of the day and night. There is some drama the next day when Amber overhears something at the gym as she is waiting for Mark for their lunch date. But Mark tracks her down and gets everything sorted out, completely laying claim to her for all to see.

I enjoyed losing myself in this short story for a little bit. It was an easy read but had nice emotion, a bit of drama, some very hot and steamy sex scenes and a wonderful Epilogue. My only small complaint is that it could use one more round with a proofreader but there was nothing too bad, just a couple of times I was scratching my head to figure out what was meant. As this is the first book in a new series by Erin Havoc I look forward to reading the next when it is available.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fabulous insta-everything quick read by Erin Havoc that was a joy to read. The banter and interaction between the characters was realistic and honest. They were strong characters who possessed emotionality, vulnerability, confidence, and passion (to name a few traits). Havoc easily sweeps the reader into Mark & Amber's whirlwind romance, and keeps them wrapped throughout.

Mark was a personal trainer. He routinely had to reject the advances of clients, as he was quite the male specimen. He had never been the one struck with instant attraction until Amber. She was a sweet, beautiful curvy woman who came for training after people at her work bullied her about her size. She normally felt confident, but they were relentless.

Amber felt the same attraction turn to Mark as he to her. They managed to get through the session, but she was going to cancel everything else. When they got back to his office, his forthright declaration suprised her. After convincing her he was serious, they left together. They were perfect together. When she didnt meet him for lunch the next day he became worried.

Find out what happened in that 4-hour time span. Would it be the end of their happiness together? Get your copy, meet Mark & Amber, and learn the rest of the story.

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

[Raecharmed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amber joins the gym because even though she got her dream job and she thinks she is fine body wise her co-workers and clients says otherwise. However when she shows up for her first visit with her personal trainer Mark he is stunned that she is even there for weight loss. So he concentrate on helping her build muscle because he tells her there is nothing wrong with how she looks and she doesn't need to lose any weight. Sparks fly between them and working with Mark is just making thing harder for her so she is thinking of canceling her membership. Mark finally convinces Amber to have lunch with him but when she arrives early she overhears someone talking about them and all her insecurities come back. When Amber doesn't show Mark comes out and asks the girl at the front desk only to learn from another client what was being discussed. He immediately leaves to go talk to Amber. Will Amber let her insecurities cost her the best thing in her life? Can Mark show her that he is different from other guys?

This is an amazing story that will draw you in from the first chapter. The chemistry between the is scorching hot. This is a well written and very entertaining story. I would recommend this book to any book lover.

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

[Fiona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amber is tired of all the comments about her size because she isn’t skin and bones so she signs up for personal training at a gym. When she sees her personal trainer Mark, it’s love at first sight. She is impressed with his honesty and the way he doesn’t put her weight down but tells her she is the perfect size. He designs a training session to tone rather than lose weight.

Mark can’t believe that he is to train Amber who is the perfect woman and whom he is in love with. He can’t believe that at nearly forty he has found his one. He knows that after their first training session that he needs to make her his. Mark takes her to his apartment and learns that Amber has saved herself for him. She is a virgin. They spend the afternoon and all night showing each other how much they love the other person and then Amber has to go to work.

Amber is to meet Mark for lunch but overhearing the receptionist and another client talking about her and Mark and the client saying how he will go out with her rather than the fat girl he is currently seeing. Amber is hurt and leaves to go to work. She ignores his calls and then learns that he is in reception looking for her. She goes downstairs and then he hugs her and then asks her to marry him. They have their happily ever after.

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

[Beverly McCall · Rating 3 out of 5]

. Gingerbread is the first book in Erin Havoc’s Craving Her Curves series. In this short story about a whirlwind romance, we meet Amber Cline, a 22-year-old curvy graphic designer, and Mark Evans, a 40-year-old buffed professional trainer. As Amber begins a new phase in life, her new career, her old insecurities resurrect themselves. Coworkers criticize her curves and weight awakening old emotions. She decides to do something and makes an appointment at a gym. Mark is her personal trainer. At their first meeting there is an intense attraction. Will Mark and Amber get involved? Will their romantic journey be smooth or bumpy? To discover what happens, you must read this book.
I enjoyed this older man/younger woman romance story. Ms. Havoc did a great job penning this age-difference romance plot. She adds a bit of suspense when one of the gym patrons makes disparaging remarks in front of Amber to wiggle her way into a relationship with Mark. Ms. Havoc’s plot line moved smoothly because of her wordsmithing that allows readers to feel Amber’s personal turmoil when battling her insecurities. I felt that Ms. Havoc’s characters were realistic and likeable.

[poppysocks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant read

Loved this book Amber joins the gym after her work colleagues keep at her to lose weight her personal trainer turns up and wow he’s gorgeous and the way her body responds to him she’s in love with already. Mark can’t believe the beauty that’s standing by his door after going through the fitness program and keep telling her how perfect she is he needs to let her know she is his for now and forever he loves her. Mark makes a move on Amber and she is responsive they take it back to his place and Mark makes Amber his. They decide to meet up for lunch but Amber isn’t there Mark needs to find out and he isn’t happy about what he hears he needs to go find her. Amber is being a coward at work not answering Mark’s phone calls until she finds out he is down in reception looking for her it gives her the confidence to stick up for herself when her colleague is surprised it is Amber that Mark is looking for. Mark embraces Amber glad to have her back in his arms and won’t let anyone else hurt her and wants to make it official that she is with him.

[Caroline Doig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amber is a curvy woman she was proud of her curves and she was healthy but her workmates make a face when she has a cheeseburger with them they judged her appearance and it eventually got to her now that’s why she is at the gym waiting for her trainer. She hears a man saying hello to everyone so Amber looks up and he’s the most gorgeous man that she has ever seen he looks like a model and she didn’t think men like him existed and he’s walking towards her and says that he is her new instructor. When Mark meets his new student he can’t believe that this curvy goddess wants to lose weight and Mark’s heart starts pounding he wants to claim this woman make her his then he realises that he is in love with this woman something must be wrong with him because he’s never felt this way before about anyone. Fantastic short curvy story I loved it and I highly recommend this book it’s definitely well worth the read.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this story. Mark and Amber were great characters.

Amber has never had a problem with her size. She is healthy and loves her curves. Then she lands her dream job and her coworkers start picking at her about her size and what she eats. She decides to go ahead and sign up at a gym, but immediately feels like she shouldn't have gone to the gym. Then, she sees Mark and is wowed!

Mark is Amber's personal trainer. He's older than her and tries to tell himself to stay professional. But his eyes keep being drawn to Amber and all he can think about is making her his.

Loved how supportive of Amber, Mark was. He gave lots of positive reinforcement so that she knew that he felt that she was perfect the way she was. Thought it was great that with Mark doing that, Amber started to gain more confidence. Loved their happy ever after. I definitely recommend reading this book.

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

[Lena · Rating 3 out of 5]

**Littler Spoiler** Amber decides that she needs to lose wait to keep people from talking about and judging her. What she doesn't expect is for her new trainer Mark to be hot. The chemistry is instant and sparks fly instantly. As a plus sized girl myself, I can empathize with Amber, but you have to learn to love yourself and screw everyone else. I like Amber and Mark, but what I wasn't a fan of was their instant love. Exchanging I love yous hours after meeting? Proposing marriage on the next day? You haven't known each other a full 24 hours yet. That's extremely too fast for me. I would've loved to see their relationship develop over time. I'm all for instalove after maybe two weeks or more, but an hour or two is a stretch for me. But the story was written fell with few errors. Also, not sure why isn't called Gingerbread. Maybe it's a reference to her red hair.

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

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gingerbread is book one in the craving her curves series. This story is short, fast paced and an enjoyable read. I read this book in one sitting and was satisfied throughout. This story is the first of Erin Havoc’s that I have read. I found the writing style easy to follow, the characters likeable and the storyline enjoyable. Fed up of her co-workers digs, Amber decides to join the Gym. Mark wants Amber from the moment he sees her. From the moment he sees her, its love at first sight. Will Amber give love a chance?
The chemistry between Mark and Amber is clear to see and I liked them as a couple.
I loved the moment Amber stood up to her co-worker. I was cheering her on.
I really liked the ending and the epilogue for this story.
The storyline for this book is easy to follow and it is an enjoyable read. I cannot wait for more books from this series.

[JLH · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strenuous workout was what Amber was afraid of when enrolling at the gym. She knew she was healthy she’ll have any medical issues but because of the nonchalant body shaming that others have thrust upon her she thought that she should go in and maybe see a trainer to see how she can make a difference. Mark the trainer comes in and is taken to her like a moth to a flame. He’s going through the training with her the first day I can barely keep his hands off of her even though he supposed to to make sure that she is using the right posture. Declaration of love seems to be soon coming. Nice and shorts with a little bit of kissing in the story.

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

[Roxanne MacKay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the great story of Amber and Mark. Amber is caving into the pressure around her to join a gym and lose weight. She's really nervous to meet her new personal trainer and she is not expecting to have her breathtaking away before the exercises start. Her new trainer is a Greek God, how will she hide her reaction to him? Mark was starting work with a new client, he was not expecting such a beauty. He has to have her. He had to make her his. How to go about it without scaring her away? The characters are genuine, real and authentic. The storyline is sweet, passionate, and heartbreaking. Great read

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

[Charity Esparza · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had incredible promise, but not much follow through. I really wanted to like it, but just couldn't. The title makes no sense, is never given any relevance to the story. The language is very stilted,does not flow naturally. The plot is a good premise, but it's hard to connect to the characters. There is too much internal dialogue, too much recounting of conversations rather than the actual conversation. Nothing really flows, and by the end, I was happy to see the book was over. NOT a normal reaction for me.

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

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another insta love, older man younger woman story from Ms.Havoc that stresses the fact that curvy women are every bit as desirable as our thin counterparts. And the men who appreciate those curves are not deviants with some type of fetish. In this case, our young woman is Amber, a businesswoman with curves who is made to feel less than by her colleagues. She signs up for a gym membership with a personal trainer. The older, very fit and very hot personal trainer is Mark, and he is that personal trainer who cannot resist her curves. I enjoyed this book as much as the others in this series.

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

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very amateurish writing. This girl is curvy not obese and I don’t understand who lives in a world where your coworkers and random strangers tell a woman how fat and unattractive she is on a regular basis. Maybe this is happening somewhere but not in my world. I‘m bigger than this character and I’ve never once had someone tell me to put down the burger and get a salad. But the #1 negative to this book is the grammar. There’s completely wrong words, wrong tenses, just wrong. Even if you can’t punctuate, a lot of these could have been fixed just by reading it out loud and realizing it doesn’t sound right. There were so many errors it was distracting.

[Kristine L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amber has heard all her life that size matters. She's at the gym cause she's tired of what people say and imply. Mark, her personal trainer, steps in the gym and sees Amber and decides that she's is what he's been waiting for his whole life. In just one day they are both in love. (I know that instant love happens but I've never seen it.) It was fun when Amber tell Olivia off. Short story and to the point. Has some steam in it also. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Geeky Girl Review Cafe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pumping HIS Iron 😜

This was my first book by Erin, I did a double take on the cover and decided to read the blurb and I was sold.

A curvy girl romance with a hunky personal trainer and a feisty curvy redhead?! Yup that's a book for me.

This is a short read so it's very much love at first sight and insta-lust/insta-love. But it was plenty sweet and hot!

A few too many spelling/grammar issues for such a short story resulted in my lower star rating but otherwise I enjoyed the book!

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book.This is my honest and voluntary review
Amber is a plus sized girl who embraces herself as she is, but even strong girls can get insecure. After her coworkers comments finally get to her she decides to go to the gym Mark is a personal trainer who takes one look at Amber and her curves and decides she is perfect and his. Now to convince her. A quick and fun book perfect for a lunchbreak read

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

[Jill Haworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amber is a beautiful, curvy young woman that finds herself joining a gym in attempt to lose weight due to peer pressure. When Mark, her personal trainer sets eyes on the stunning young woman, it’s love at first sight....for both of them. This is an enjoyable OTT short and sweet, steamy, insta-love story that involves an older, alpha male and a younger curvaceous woman. Great characters and plot. Loved it :-)

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

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is about Amber and Mark. Amber is successful in her job; however, because she has curves that many disagree with, she decides to join a fitness club and get an instructor. Mark is a fitness instructor and enjoys what he does but knows how many skinny women go there all for the wrong reasons. Amber is in her twenty’s while Mark is forty. Nothing wrong with the age difference as the heart know what it wants. I love that the meaning of this story is that no matter your age, your size, love will always have someone for you.

[Shelby Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to start this by saying normally I would rate this lower but I’m not going to because I didn’t think when the synopsis said insta love that it was instant instant 😭 I don’t know why but I was expecting just a quick love story, not “I only know her name but she’s beautiful, I’m in love with her and we’ll be together forever” (not a direct quote)

Taking that out of consideration, this book was so cute and cheesy and a nice little palette cleanser in between heavy or long books. The entire book spans across like 2 or three days

[Jurae]

Ginger is curvy but looking to get in shape. Mark, her personal trainer, can't believe when she says she wants to lose weight. He believes she is perfect the way she is, the trick is to get her to see what he does.

I loved this book. Being a curvy girl myself I never held much stock in what others though of my size. I love my curves

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

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an awesome insta-love romance by Erin Havoc! Amber loves her job as a graphic designer but she is tired of the constant comments by her co-workers about her size. Yes she is curvy but she is proud of her body. But all the negativity has a way of getting to you so Amber decides to go the gym. Meeting Mark her personal trainer changes everything. Mark sees Amber and he is smitten. He loves her the way she is and he is determined to prove it.