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Fighting for Love #2
Beef Cake
If opposites do actually attract, then Gunnar Erickson and Frankie Reeves take the cake.
Frankie Reeves is complicated, even though she won’t admit it. She fills her days working as an ER nurse, taking care of her mom, and searching for the father she never knew. Anything else has no place in her perfectly compartmentalized, purposefully simple life. Attachments? No thank you. She has no time for that.
Gunnar Erickson recently moved to Green Valley to train at Viking MMA with his brother Cage. Being the youngest of the Erickson clan, he’s always felt like he has something to prove, and now that he’s finished with college, it’s his time to shine. But before he can step into the ring, a freak accident sends him to the ER and into the care of one Frankie Reeves.
While he’s immediately smitten, she pretends to be unfazed by this six-foot-three, two hundred and thirty-pound beef cake. Gunnar sets out to prove to Frankie that, not only does she like him more than she wants to admit, but he’s not the uneducated, brute she assumes he is. To Frankie, he’s the worst kind of complication, but that doesn’t make it easy to stay away.
‘Beef Cake’ is a full-length contemporary romance, can be read as a standalone, and is book #2 in the Fighting For Love series, Green Valley World, Penny Reid Book Universe.
Frankie Reeves is complicated, even though she won’t admit it. She fills her days working as an ER nurse, taking care of her mom, and searching for the father she never knew. Anything else has no place in her perfectly compartmentalized, purposefully simple life. Attachments? No thank you. She has no time for that.
Gunnar Erickson recently moved to Green Valley to train at Viking MMA with his brother Cage. Being the youngest of the Erickson clan, he’s always felt like he has something to prove, and now that he’s finished with college, it’s his time to shine. But before he can step into the ring, a freak accident sends him to the ER and into the care of one Frankie Reeves.
While he’s immediately smitten, she pretends to be unfazed by this six-foot-three, two hundred and thirty-pound beef cake. Gunnar sets out to prove to Frankie that, not only does she like him more than she wants to admit, but he’s not the uneducated, brute she assumes he is. To Frankie, he’s the worst kind of complication, but that doesn’t make it easy to stay away.
‘Beef Cake’ is a full-length contemporary romance, can be read as a standalone, and is book #2 in the Fighting For Love series, Green Valley World, Penny Reid Book Universe.
246 pages, Paperback
First published February 18, 2020
559 people are currently reading
3682 people want to read
About the author
Jiffy Kate
40 books1,886 followersSubscribe to Jiffy Kate's Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/c_JFaX
Jiffy Kate is the joint pen name for Jiff Simpson and Jenny Kate Altman. They're co-writing besties who share a brain and a love of cute boys, good coffee, and fun times.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jiffykate
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jiffykatewr...
Jiffy Kate is the joint pen name for Jiff Simpson and Jenny Kate Altman. They're co-writing besties who share a brain and a love of cute boys, good coffee, and fun times.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jiffykate
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jiffykatewr...
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Want to read
May 6, 2020
** NOW AVAILABLE IN KINDLE UNLIMITED **
AHHH! I'm just here to let you all know that you can grab Beef Cake for FREE in Kindle Unlimited! Go forth and read <3
** LINKS **
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/38ipiAU
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/364MzVJ
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/30tZjUD
Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/2FX2D15
March 19, 2020
“What happens when people open their hearts?"
"They get better.”
― Haruki Murakami, Norwegian Wood
Frankie is a nurse with commitment issues. Although she has an amazing heart and hates to see anyone suffer, she has immense difficulty in opening up. All of this comes from childhood trauma. You see, Frankie has no idea who her father is, and her mom is as tight-lipped about it as they come. All that Frankie knows is: she has some pretty bad scars, she hates violence, and the first memory she has is of when she was seven-years-old and arrived with her mom at a women's shelter.
To cope with this she learned to compartmentalize. Putting people in neat little boxes - help patients, save lives, follow a routine, move on. She can't bear to be vulnerable and truly open up to people. That is until a six-foot-three, two hundred and thirty-pound beefcake arrives at her E.R.
Gunnar ''The Show'' Erickson is an MMA Fighter that just moved to Green Valley. If you read Stud Muffin by Jiffy Kate (and if you haven't, go read it because it's amazing) you know that Gunnar's older brother Cage just opened a new fighting studio in the small Tennessee town. After a mild accident at the gym, Gunnar meets Frankie and is immediately infatuated by her simple, yet striking beauty.
But what happens when a nurse that has a phobia against any type of violence falls for a professional fighter?
Jiffy Kate once again come together in writing a book that not only fits perfectly inside the Green Valley existing universe but manages to do an excellent job in expanding, even more, the lore, breathing new life into the town. All the while creating a beautiful story about trust and compassion. Gunnar is probably one of the most understanding and compassionate heroes I've read to date. And the level of tenderness and care he had with Frankie while she was learning to open up had me swooning at each page.
Beef Cake was just a treat of a book. While some parts were delicate and deeply emotional, they were always counterbalanced by lightness and witty humor. And if you are a fan of the first book you will grin from ear to ear getting little snippets from Tempest and Cage again. Overall, this is one of those books that just makes life a little bit better. Smartypants Romance Spring Launch started with a bang, and I can't wait to see and read what else is to come.
Thank you so much SmartyPants Romance and Jiffy Kate for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Beef Cake is LIVE!
Download your copy today: https://smartypantsromance.com/books/...
----------------------------------------------
Full review coming later today.
ARC Kindly Provided in exchange for an honest review.
I'M SO EXCITED TO DIVE IN!
April 5, 2020
Favorite Quotes:
“He was sexy as hell,” she muses, in one of those airy, breathy voices that says I’d happily sacrifice myself at his altar.
When I was a freshman in high school, we had to wrestle in PE class. One day, I had to wrestle a girl, which was fine by me, until she accidentally slipped her hand up my shorts and grabbed my balls. I guess you could call it my first hand job, only it wasn’t as enjoyable as I would’ve hoped… A couple of years later, I took that same girl to the Homecoming dance. I was very pleased to learn her technique had improved immensely.
My Review:
Cleverly written in my favorite dual POV, this maddeningly paced story swung from angst to sharp wit, to tragedy, to heart-squeezes, to potential peril, to amusing humor, and on to a sweet wooing romance and then back through all the cycles, multiple times. And I was rooting for these lovely characters throughout the entirety, although I wanted to stamp my little foot at Frankie’s mixed messages, and inconsiderate and snappish behaviors toward sweet Gunnar. She was an ER nurse with hard edges and a tough outer shell yet filled with fear and anxiety as well as confusion and nightmares about her past. In vast contrast, Gunnar was a hulking Viking cage fighter who was a rather anomalous character as he fought like a demon in the cage yet was well educated, profoundly insightful with people, and had a tender heart and the patience of a saint. Luckily, Gunnar didn’t back down from a challenge, and Frankie was certainly that, she was several in fact, and a total mess.
The engaging storylines were certainly original and oddly absorbing yet evolved slowly with an ever-annoying one step forward and two steps back dance while I grew increasingly fretful as I had an inkling as what was coming in the big reveal of Frankie’s repressed childhood, which was even worse than I had imagined yet handled in a stellar manner by these clever scribes. I adore the entire line of Smartypants Romances, which appear to be amassing an uncannily well-cultivated grouping of talented wordsmiths. I am well and truly hooked and plan to read each and every one of them.
“He was sexy as hell,” she muses, in one of those airy, breathy voices that says I’d happily sacrifice myself at his altar.
When I was a freshman in high school, we had to wrestle in PE class. One day, I had to wrestle a girl, which was fine by me, until she accidentally slipped her hand up my shorts and grabbed my balls. I guess you could call it my first hand job, only it wasn’t as enjoyable as I would’ve hoped… A couple of years later, I took that same girl to the Homecoming dance. I was very pleased to learn her technique had improved immensely.
My Review:
Cleverly written in my favorite dual POV, this maddeningly paced story swung from angst to sharp wit, to tragedy, to heart-squeezes, to potential peril, to amusing humor, and on to a sweet wooing romance and then back through all the cycles, multiple times. And I was rooting for these lovely characters throughout the entirety, although I wanted to stamp my little foot at Frankie’s mixed messages, and inconsiderate and snappish behaviors toward sweet Gunnar. She was an ER nurse with hard edges and a tough outer shell yet filled with fear and anxiety as well as confusion and nightmares about her past. In vast contrast, Gunnar was a hulking Viking cage fighter who was a rather anomalous character as he fought like a demon in the cage yet was well educated, profoundly insightful with people, and had a tender heart and the patience of a saint. Luckily, Gunnar didn’t back down from a challenge, and Frankie was certainly that, she was several in fact, and a total mess.
The engaging storylines were certainly original and oddly absorbing yet evolved slowly with an ever-annoying one step forward and two steps back dance while I grew increasingly fretful as I had an inkling as what was coming in the big reveal of Frankie’s repressed childhood, which was even worse than I had imagined yet handled in a stellar manner by these clever scribes. I adore the entire line of Smartypants Romances, which appear to be amassing an uncannily well-cultivated grouping of talented wordsmiths. I am well and truly hooked and plan to read each and every one of them.
Want to read
May 6, 2020** NOW AVAILABLE IN KINDLE UNLIMITED **
The time has come! You can grab 'Beef Cake' by dynamic duo Jiffy Kate in #KindleUnlimited. WOOT! If you missed your chance to grab your copy on the other platforms, fear not! 'Beef Cake' will be available far and wide once again in 3 months.
** LINKS **
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/38ipiAU
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/364MzVJ
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/30tZjUD
Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/2FX2D15
** BLURB **
If opposites do actually attract, then Gunnar Erickson and Frankie Reeves take the cake.
Frankie Reeves is complicated, even though she won’t admit it. She fills her days working as an ER nurse, taking care of her mom, and searching for the father she never knew. Anything else has no place in her perfectly compartmentalized, purposefully simple life. Attachments? No thank you. She has no time for that.
Gunnar Erickson recently moved to Green Valley to train at Viking MMA with his brother Cage. Being the youngest of the Erickson clan, he’s always felt like he has something to prove, and now that he’s finished with college, it’s his time to shine. But before he can step into the ring, a freak accident sends him to the ER and into the care of one Frankie Reeves.
While he’s immediately smitten, she pretends to be unfazed by this six-foot-three, two hundred and thirty-pound beef cake. Gunnar sets out to prove to Frankie that, not only does she like him more than she wants to admit, but he’s not the uneducated, brute she assumes he is. To Frankie, he’s the worst kind of complication, but that doesn’t make it easy to stay away.
‘Beef Cake’ is a full-length contemporary romance, can be read as a standalone, and is book #4 in the Donner Bakery series, Green Valley World, Penny Reid Book Universe.
March 22, 2020
“You’re a wild child, Frankie Reeves. You just need to be set free.” “I suppose you think you’re the one to help me with that?” “Damn straight.”
And boy did Gunnar Erickson have the patience of a saint. I FLOVED this book so much! Jiffy Kate does it again! What happens when a Viking, drop dead gorgeous MMA fighter with a heart of gold, falls in love with a nurse that has a fortress of walls up to protect herself from a painful, hurt filled childhood that involves violence? You get an amazing heart squeezing read that gives you full on feels!
I’m not spoiling a thing because there was a twist in here that I definitely didn’t see coming. Penny Reid fans will be floored!
“It’s hard to know how to fix something if you don’t know what’s broken, which is why, even after all these years, I still push to know the truth.”
That’s what I loved about Frankie. She didn’t give up, and kept pushing to know more about the fragmented memories/nightmares of her childhood. I loved the way Jiffy Kate wrote this story. Every part of it just kept me wanting more and more!! Bravo, ladies! You truly outdid yourself.
And boy did Gunnar Erickson have the patience of a saint. I FLOVED this book so much! Jiffy Kate does it again! What happens when a Viking, drop dead gorgeous MMA fighter with a heart of gold, falls in love with a nurse that has a fortress of walls up to protect herself from a painful, hurt filled childhood that involves violence? You get an amazing heart squeezing read that gives you full on feels!
I’m not spoiling a thing because there was a twist in here that I definitely didn’t see coming. Penny Reid fans will be floored!
“It’s hard to know how to fix something if you don’t know what’s broken, which is why, even after all these years, I still push to know the truth.”
That’s what I loved about Frankie. She didn’t give up, and kept pushing to know more about the fragmented memories/nightmares of her childhood. I loved the way Jiffy Kate wrote this story. Every part of it just kept me wanting more and more!! Bravo, ladies! You truly outdid yourself.
March 6, 2020
Beef Cake was a great way to kick off the second wave of Smartypants Romance novels. I loved Stud Muffin and was so excited to read the next installment from Jiffy Kate. Beef Cake definitely did not disappoint. I am also so impressed that two women were able to write this so seamlessly as one voice. It reminds me of Christina Lauren.
Frankie, our main protagonist, was so resilient and strong despite her difficult past. She was a real role model. Frankie was slow to trust and let her guard down but she was compassionate and yearning for someone to comfort her and be there for her. I adored Gunnar. His character was the opposite of what you would expect from a Viking MMA fighter. He was so sweet and thoughtful of Frankie’s feelings and boundaries. Gunnar was exactly what Frankie needed and it was so fun to watch the two of them mold into one and grow together overcoming personal obstacles. Overall, Beef Cake was just a really sweet romance with lovable characters.
Warning: Don’t read this on an empty stomach because I was DYING for a jelly donut throughout this book!
Frankie, our main protagonist, was so resilient and strong despite her difficult past. She was a real role model. Frankie was slow to trust and let her guard down but she was compassionate and yearning for someone to comfort her and be there for her. I adored Gunnar. His character was the opposite of what you would expect from a Viking MMA fighter. He was so sweet and thoughtful of Frankie’s feelings and boundaries. Gunnar was exactly what Frankie needed and it was so fun to watch the two of them mold into one and grow together overcoming personal obstacles. Overall, Beef Cake was just a really sweet romance with lovable characters.
Warning: Don’t read this on an empty stomach because I was DYING for a jelly donut throughout this book!
March 5, 2020
Emerald Book Reviews
Beef Cake by Jiffy Kate
‘Shaking my head, I glance down at our joined hands and marvel at the way mine feels so safe and secure in his. How does a handhold feel so...intimate? “I shouldn’t have been so…”
“Guarded?” Gunnar offers, squeezing my hand a little and drawing attention back up to him. “It’s okay. You can be guarded. That’s your right. You can be whatever you want to be and I’m here for it. For you. That’s the only thing I wanted to tell you. I’m here for you.”’
I know that I keep reiterating that the sign of a truly gifted writer, is the fact that they are able to pull forth so many emotions and reactions from the reader and I still believe that. When the writer’s words have that profound and wonderful connection to the person immersing themselves in the story, it means something for both parties. What I find particularly remarkable about Jiffy Kate, is that it is two women writing under one pen name, yet the story, the dialogue, the plot, and the array of characters all flow seamlessly, sweeping us up in a cascade of sorrow, persistence, forgiveness and love. It’s indeterminable where one writer’s sentence starts and the other ends, like they share one brain, one heart and are able to utilise that to have their readers smirking and laughing through a scene and in the next cause them to lose their breath, sob silently and feel the turmoil, devastation, confusion and uncertainty. It’s a flawless process.
I rarely cry through books. It takes an awful lot to extract that depth of feeling out of me, (Stud Muffin managed to do it though) yet Beef Cake managed to do the unthinkable and had my eyes leaking actual water. I won’t disclose why, or in what scene, but the writing was just outstanding. It was emotive, descriptive in the best way, raw and heavy, but it cemented, for me, the fact that Jiffy Kate can produce some of the most beautiful romance stories, without relying on sex scenes every other page (although those are tremendous fun) or overexaggerated plotlines.
Gunnar Erickson was the epitome of what a hero is and should be. He was determined without being aggressively pushy. He was dedicated and so very understanding. Compelling, sexy and sweet. Loyal and devoted. I could keep listing all the ways he won my heart but I think it's best that you read this story and discover it all for yourself. As an MMA fighter I kind of expected Gunnar to be a certain way. Tough, arrogant and confident. However his character was this beautiful contrast of being a little of those things, mixed in with an endearing insecurity and uncertainty that he exuded, especially when it came to our heroine, Frankie. He fought hard in the ring and harder still, when it came to earning Frankie’s trust and heart. He put in the time and the sweat and heartache and in the end what we have is this truly enchanting, seductive and sensitive work of art in the form of Gunnar and Frankie’s irresistible love story.
Frankie was a treasure. I absolutely adored her. Where Gunnar was often wide open and pretty transparent in his feelings and actions, Frankie was a riot of conflicting emotions, hidden behind a carefully constructed barricade. She was so self-contained, lonely and searching for answers to questions she didn’t even really know how to ask. Her character inspired so much sympathy and compassion, her resilience and strength a living entity within the pages at times. I loved her. I loved Gunnar. Together they formed a captivating and complex couple, that held hope, healing and love in the palm of their hands.
Beef Cake is an emotive and beautifully pieced together, slow burning love story from Jiffy Kate. The characters are wonderfully distinctive, opposites, but loving, lovable and loyal, highlighting a storyline that is both deep and powerful, yet fun and quirky. With Jiffy Kate’s established penchant for sass, romance and wit, Beef Cake is yet another spellbinding love story from the talented duo.
Beef Cake by Jiffy Kate
‘Shaking my head, I glance down at our joined hands and marvel at the way mine feels so safe and secure in his. How does a handhold feel so...intimate? “I shouldn’t have been so…”
“Guarded?” Gunnar offers, squeezing my hand a little and drawing attention back up to him. “It’s okay. You can be guarded. That’s your right. You can be whatever you want to be and I’m here for it. For you. That’s the only thing I wanted to tell you. I’m here for you.”’
I know that I keep reiterating that the sign of a truly gifted writer, is the fact that they are able to pull forth so many emotions and reactions from the reader and I still believe that. When the writer’s words have that profound and wonderful connection to the person immersing themselves in the story, it means something for both parties. What I find particularly remarkable about Jiffy Kate, is that it is two women writing under one pen name, yet the story, the dialogue, the plot, and the array of characters all flow seamlessly, sweeping us up in a cascade of sorrow, persistence, forgiveness and love. It’s indeterminable where one writer’s sentence starts and the other ends, like they share one brain, one heart and are able to utilise that to have their readers smirking and laughing through a scene and in the next cause them to lose their breath, sob silently and feel the turmoil, devastation, confusion and uncertainty. It’s a flawless process.
I rarely cry through books. It takes an awful lot to extract that depth of feeling out of me, (Stud Muffin managed to do it though) yet Beef Cake managed to do the unthinkable and had my eyes leaking actual water. I won’t disclose why, or in what scene, but the writing was just outstanding. It was emotive, descriptive in the best way, raw and heavy, but it cemented, for me, the fact that Jiffy Kate can produce some of the most beautiful romance stories, without relying on sex scenes every other page (although those are tremendous fun) or overexaggerated plotlines.
Gunnar Erickson was the epitome of what a hero is and should be. He was determined without being aggressively pushy. He was dedicated and so very understanding. Compelling, sexy and sweet. Loyal and devoted. I could keep listing all the ways he won my heart but I think it's best that you read this story and discover it all for yourself. As an MMA fighter I kind of expected Gunnar to be a certain way. Tough, arrogant and confident. However his character was this beautiful contrast of being a little of those things, mixed in with an endearing insecurity and uncertainty that he exuded, especially when it came to our heroine, Frankie. He fought hard in the ring and harder still, when it came to earning Frankie’s trust and heart. He put in the time and the sweat and heartache and in the end what we have is this truly enchanting, seductive and sensitive work of art in the form of Gunnar and Frankie’s irresistible love story.
Frankie was a treasure. I absolutely adored her. Where Gunnar was often wide open and pretty transparent in his feelings and actions, Frankie was a riot of conflicting emotions, hidden behind a carefully constructed barricade. She was so self-contained, lonely and searching for answers to questions she didn’t even really know how to ask. Her character inspired so much sympathy and compassion, her resilience and strength a living entity within the pages at times. I loved her. I loved Gunnar. Together they formed a captivating and complex couple, that held hope, healing and love in the palm of their hands.
Beef Cake is an emotive and beautifully pieced together, slow burning love story from Jiffy Kate. The characters are wonderfully distinctive, opposites, but loving, lovable and loyal, highlighting a storyline that is both deep and powerful, yet fun and quirky. With Jiffy Kate’s established penchant for sass, romance and wit, Beef Cake is yet another spellbinding love story from the talented duo.
March 3, 2020
Gunnar is just so cute, “certainly not,” I answer. “But I am hoping you’ll allow me to show you how much I enjoyed our date by letting me kiss you.” I liked this book, I really liked Gunnar.
September 3, 2022
Well I finished this at least. I don’t know why I did, I think because I just didn’t want to have to start a new one. There isn’t much to say about this book. It was thin on plot and thick on boredom, then add a heavy dose of melodrama at the end and there you have it. For a title like beefcake and a cover like this I expected this to be steamier, or at least steamy. It was lame. The smut was non-existent and I have no idea why the author made this title choice and cover choice.
This book was actually quite triggering, as wrapped up in lightness as it seems with the cover, blurb and title, it was about serious child abuse and the heroine’s attempts to recover her memories of it. She has serious intimacy issues and was continually triggered throughout the book by her work at a women’s shelter and her man’s violent job as a professional MMA fighter. Not cool, author, not cool, leading me into this dark storyline when I was looking for a light read. And the ott choices with the cutting, murder, death sentence for her birth father and the torment from the biker gang, was melodramatic and totally unnecessary. In fact the whole motorcycle club sub plot made little sense and didn’t add anything to the book. Anyway this was a fail. I am only giving it two stars because the hero was a sweetie, but he deserved a better heroine and a better story.
This book was actually quite triggering, as wrapped up in lightness as it seems with the cover, blurb and title, it was about serious child abuse and the heroine’s attempts to recover her memories of it. She has serious intimacy issues and was continually triggered throughout the book by her work at a women’s shelter and her man’s violent job as a professional MMA fighter. Not cool, author, not cool, leading me into this dark storyline when I was looking for a light read. And the ott choices with the cutting, murder, death sentence for her birth father and the torment from the biker gang, was melodramatic and totally unnecessary. In fact the whole motorcycle club sub plot made little sense and didn’t add anything to the book. Anyway this was a fail. I am only giving it two stars because the hero was a sweetie, but he deserved a better heroine and a better story.
April 4, 2020
How they do it??? That’s my biggest question for this duo!
I loved Beef Cake sooo much! Although it’s a stand-alone book you should read first Stud Muffin because you get the secondary characters story in there and trust me, you will want that story as well 😉
I love Frankie and Gunnar, two different people who try to make their way in the life of Green Valley. Their characteristics may surprise you and you’ll think this won’t ever work but, like in real life, it really does.
Love will always make its way into their souls and overcome everything in its path.
It’s such a beautiful story that made me curious, made me laugh out loud so many times and made my heart beat faster as well.
I loved Beef Cake sooo much! Although it’s a stand-alone book you should read first Stud Muffin because you get the secondary characters story in there and trust me, you will want that story as well 😉
I love Frankie and Gunnar, two different people who try to make their way in the life of Green Valley. Their characteristics may surprise you and you’ll think this won’t ever work but, like in real life, it really does.
Love will always make its way into their souls and overcome everything in its path.
It’s such a beautiful story that made me curious, made me laugh out loud so many times and made my heart beat faster as well.
March 5, 2020
**4.5 Stars**
In Beef Cake we meet Gunnar, an MMA fighter who is training hard at his brother's gym and hoping to advance and make his name known in the MMA circle, and Frankie, an ER nurse who spends her time helping others, but who also appears to have a somewhat traumatic past that is unclear. Gunnar seems smitten from the start, but it takes a lot of convincing and charm to get Frankie to give him a chance and then it takes a lot of hard work to win her over, and her past makes the road a very bumpy one for them.
I am a huge fan of Jiffy Kate. I love their writing style and the characters they create. I enjoyed the small glimpses also into Tempest and Cage's life since they were featured in Donner Bakery Book #2. I loved all the effort Gunnar put in to making Frankie feel safe and comfortable and wanted. I think they had some serious chemistry and Beef Cake was definitely another JIffy Kate book that I couldn't put down!!
In Beef Cake we meet Gunnar, an MMA fighter who is training hard at his brother's gym and hoping to advance and make his name known in the MMA circle, and Frankie, an ER nurse who spends her time helping others, but who also appears to have a somewhat traumatic past that is unclear. Gunnar seems smitten from the start, but it takes a lot of convincing and charm to get Frankie to give him a chance and then it takes a lot of hard work to win her over, and her past makes the road a very bumpy one for them.
I am a huge fan of Jiffy Kate. I love their writing style and the characters they create. I enjoyed the small glimpses also into Tempest and Cage's life since they were featured in Donner Bakery Book #2. I loved all the effort Gunnar put in to making Frankie feel safe and comfortable and wanted. I think they had some serious chemistry and Beef Cake was definitely another JIffy Kate book that I couldn't put down!!
March 17, 2020
I have a major love of MMA romances. There's just something about a very strong man who makes a living with his fists and how he can be perfectly gentle with a woman. Frankie is haunted by her past and keeping herself so busy with work that she can't remember it. Frankie volunteers at a local women's shelter and helps her mom, who's a recluse, one day a week. Frankie's main job is as a nurse. When Gunnar comes into her ER with a face injury she is quite taken with him, but hides it. Gunnar has a new mission, to make Frankie his. This story had so many twists and turns which included the Iron Wraiths MC, who are on the wrong side of the law. Will what Gunnar does for a living keep Frankie away from him? You NEED to read this book to find out!
This book was fantastic! Beef Cake is the first book I've read by Jiffy Kate and it won't be last. Loved it!! 5 stars
This book was fantastic! Beef Cake is the first book I've read by Jiffy Kate and it won't be last. Loved it!! 5 stars
March 6, 2020
Beef Cake
After reading “Stud Muffin” by Jiffy Kate, I didn’t think anyone could top Cage Erickson. And those girls said “hold my beer” and here we are. (That being said- you do not need to have read “Stud Muffin” to enjoy “Beef Cake”.)
I honestly could not settle on a quote, because a quarter of my book is highlighted. There were so many poignant thoughts and it was just a truly beautiful story of a woman finding herself and a man who supports her and is exactly what she needs. Frankie and Gunnar made each other better, and watching their relationship was altogether touching and heartbreaking yet encouraging. There were moments where the emotions overwhelmed me and I had to wipe the tears away at the bravery of our heroine. And the Hero was right there, whether she needed his presence or space. I think it’s a really special thing for an author(s) to convey emotions so significantly without resorting to to many ‘difficult to read’ details.
This review is purposefully vague, because it needs to be... just go, read this book.
After reading “Stud Muffin” by Jiffy Kate, I didn’t think anyone could top Cage Erickson. And those girls said “hold my beer” and here we are. (That being said- you do not need to have read “Stud Muffin” to enjoy “Beef Cake”.)
I honestly could not settle on a quote, because a quarter of my book is highlighted. There were so many poignant thoughts and it was just a truly beautiful story of a woman finding herself and a man who supports her and is exactly what she needs. Frankie and Gunnar made each other better, and watching their relationship was altogether touching and heartbreaking yet encouraging. There were moments where the emotions overwhelmed me and I had to wipe the tears away at the bravery of our heroine. And the Hero was right there, whether she needed his presence or space. I think it’s a really special thing for an author(s) to convey emotions so significantly without resorting to to many ‘difficult to read’ details.
This review is purposefully vague, because it needs to be... just go, read this book.
June 1, 2020
okay I guess...
April 4, 2020
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Thanks to the authors and the publisher for providing me with advance reader copy
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I really liked how this story discussed important topics such as : domestic violence , women shelters and Sports . It was informative , well- researched and amazing .
I've already read the previous books in the series but you can still read ( Beef Cake ) as a stand-alone .
Jiffy Kate have become my favourites after reading their book ( Stud Muffin ) , the writing style was as great as the previous book , but for me the characters and the plot were better in ( Stud Muffin ) .
There were many places in the book where I wished the authors would write more details about , but unfortunately they didn't .
Gunnar and Frankie story was sweet , but at the same time , I didn't connect with these characters that much .
" You take up all the space" she admits .
" You don't fit in a compartment "
If you like small town romances that discuss important topics , this one is definitely for you .
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Thanks to the authors and the publisher for providing me with advance reader copy
***********************
I really liked how this story discussed important topics such as : domestic violence , women shelters and Sports . It was informative , well- researched and amazing .
I've already read the previous books in the series but you can still read ( Beef Cake ) as a stand-alone .
Jiffy Kate have become my favourites after reading their book ( Stud Muffin ) , the writing style was as great as the previous book , but for me the characters and the plot were better in ( Stud Muffin ) .
There were many places in the book where I wished the authors would write more details about , but unfortunately they didn't .
Gunnar and Frankie story was sweet , but at the same time , I didn't connect with these characters that much .
" You take up all the space" she admits .
" You don't fit in a compartment "
If you like small town romances that discuss important topics , this one is definitely for you .
March 5, 2020
These ladies have yet to write anything that I don't just L-O-V-E!!
I wasn't sure they could top Tempest & Cage. Then along came Gunnar & Frankie. My oh my!
Lots of secrets. Lots of backstory. Lots of angst. But in true JK style it's also funny, and steamy, and there's a big family element involved.
I loved watching the big MMA fighter, Gunnar, be so tender and sweet and allow Frankie the time she needed to let him in. And watching Frankie slowly open up and allow him in just made my heart melt.
As always, excellent side characters which just add so much to the story! I love how they are able to intertwine the side characters' stories to reflect things with the main characters as well. Such amazing storytellers!
As always, Jiffy Kate had me flipping pages and finishing in a day! Another fabulous read ladies!
I wasn't sure they could top Tempest & Cage. Then along came Gunnar & Frankie. My oh my!
Lots of secrets. Lots of backstory. Lots of angst. But in true JK style it's also funny, and steamy, and there's a big family element involved.
I loved watching the big MMA fighter, Gunnar, be so tender and sweet and allow Frankie the time she needed to let him in. And watching Frankie slowly open up and allow him in just made my heart melt.
As always, excellent side characters which just add so much to the story! I love how they are able to intertwine the side characters' stories to reflect things with the main characters as well. Such amazing storytellers!
As always, Jiffy Kate had me flipping pages and finishing in a day! Another fabulous read ladies!
March 5, 2020
Beef Cake by Jiffy Kate is part of the Green Valley Chronicles Series and book four in the Donner Baker series.
Meet Frankie and Gunnar.
Frankie is a nurse, living in Green Valley and she has a big heart. At the ER she meets Gunnar.
Gunnar is one of three brothers and a up and coming mma fighter. A sport that Frankie not really understands or like.
The storyline kept me quite a long time in suspense. I didn't know where it would lead me. But then oh girl, what a beautiful story.
I liked everything and the book gave me all the feels. 4,5 beautiful stars.
Meet Frankie and Gunnar.
Frankie is a nurse, living in Green Valley and she has a big heart. At the ER she meets Gunnar.
Gunnar is one of three brothers and a up and coming mma fighter. A sport that Frankie not really understands or like.
The storyline kept me quite a long time in suspense. I didn't know where it would lead me. But then oh girl, what a beautiful story.
I liked everything and the book gave me all the feels. 4,5 beautiful stars.
March 5, 2020
I really enjoyed this read! It grabbed my attention from the very beginning. Loved the characters in the book. Frankie learns how to let down her walls and find trust within herself and Gunnar. She faces trauma and comes out a stronger person. I loved that there was no unnecessary drama.
Was given an arc for an honest opinion
Was given an arc for an honest opinion
March 7, 2020
I received an ARC for an honest opinion.
It was such a sweet and emotional story.
It was wonderful.
I have loved this series and these two authors are great. I definitely recommend this story.
It was such a sweet and emotional story.
It was wonderful.
I have loved this series and these two authors are great. I definitely recommend this story.
April 9, 2020
Five Big, Beefy Stars
My goodness this book!
Days after finishing Beef Cake, I was still feeling a hangover from it. This book had depth that surprised me. It's the story of Gunnar, an MMA fighter, and Frankie, a nurse who is so opposed to violence it makes her physically ill. The two meet when Gunnar ends up in Frankie's ER. It's something akin to love at first sight for him, but she takes quite a bit of convincing.
While Gunnar is a perfect, swoon-worthy boyfriend, Frankie is more complex. She has layers. As I read, I felt like Donkey peeling back Shrek's layers - and based on the tears in my eyes, they were layers like an onion, not a parfait.
A couple of notes to fellow readers to help manage expectations:
1. A few scenes in this book were tough to read - tougher for me than 'Beard With Me' by Penny Reid.
2. Despite being billed as 'Donner Bakery Book 4,' we do not visit the bakery in this book. While we see Tempest and Cage again, this book could easily be recoined 'A Viking MMA Novel' or something similar. However, it's an excellent story on its own.
Audio on Authors Direct: http://bit.ly/2x3fpdf
Audio on iTunes: https://apple.co/3a1u3A4
Audio on Google Play: http://bit.ly/2UeMWZJ
Audio on Kobo: http://bit.ly/2WnjXWm
Audio on Nook: http://bit.ly/2wekK1b
** OTHER LINKS **
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/38ipiAU
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/364MzVJ
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/30tZjUD
Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/2FX2D15
My goodness this book!
Days after finishing Beef Cake, I was still feeling a hangover from it. This book had depth that surprised me. It's the story of Gunnar, an MMA fighter, and Frankie, a nurse who is so opposed to violence it makes her physically ill. The two meet when Gunnar ends up in Frankie's ER. It's something akin to love at first sight for him, but she takes quite a bit of convincing.
While Gunnar is a perfect, swoon-worthy boyfriend, Frankie is more complex. She has layers. As I read, I felt like Donkey peeling back Shrek's layers - and based on the tears in my eyes, they were layers like an onion, not a parfait.
A couple of notes to fellow readers to help manage expectations:
1. A few scenes in this book were tough to read - tougher for me than 'Beard With Me' by Penny Reid.
2. Despite being billed as 'Donner Bakery Book 4,' we do not visit the bakery in this book. While we see Tempest and Cage again, this book could easily be recoined 'A Viking MMA Novel' or something similar. However, it's an excellent story on its own.
Audio on Authors Direct: http://bit.ly/2x3fpdf
Audio on iTunes: https://apple.co/3a1u3A4
Audio on Google Play: http://bit.ly/2UeMWZJ
Audio on Kobo: http://bit.ly/2WnjXWm
Audio on Nook: http://bit.ly/2wekK1b
** OTHER LINKS **
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/38ipiAU
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/364MzVJ
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/30tZjUD
Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/2FX2D15
July 21, 2020
Gunnar is perfect. Frankie is strong. They are wonderfully lovely together. Really impactful moments with the women's shelter and Frankie's past. And the viking brothers were a delight.
April 2, 2020
I did really enjoy this book as much as I did the other one in the series by Jiffy Kate, Stud Muffin. And I loved getting to know Cage’s brother, Gunnar. Of course, this book kind of had the Donner Bakery not quite as central as the other books in this series had, and I kind of think I want a branch off series for the Erickson brothers, because there are at least two more that I think we need! Maybe Vali will get the next book? Anyway, this book had some really great moments, and also some connections to the town of Green Valley that were really good and could lead to even more stories down the road. First off, Frankie doesn’t know who her father is, other than that he is one of the Iron Wraiths. And when we do find out who he is, man, that is intense, and there are other characters that I need her to connect with now!
After Frankie’s background though, and even me not having that same background, I totally agreed that having a fight as a benefit for a battered women’s shelter could definitely be a bit of a trigger issue for some people. That’s just me. I personally don’t have a problem with it, but could see why Frankie did, because it was my first thought when he came up with the idea, before she even had found out about it. There was also a mother and daughter that had checked into the women’s shelter and I kind of would like more about their story if possible. Maybe someone else is writing that in the Green Valley World?
All in all another great entry into this wonderful SmartyPants Romance world, and I look forward to more!
Review first appeared on Lisa Loves Literature.
After Frankie’s background though, and even me not having that same background, I totally agreed that having a fight as a benefit for a battered women’s shelter could definitely be a bit of a trigger issue for some people. That’s just me. I personally don’t have a problem with it, but could see why Frankie did, because it was my first thought when he came up with the idea, before she even had found out about it. There was also a mother and daughter that had checked into the women’s shelter and I kind of would like more about their story if possible. Maybe someone else is writing that in the Green Valley World?
All in all another great entry into this wonderful SmartyPants Romance world, and I look forward to more!
Review first appeared on Lisa Loves Literature.
May 3, 2020
(ARC REVIEW) Swoon.
Gunnar Erickson has moved to Green Valley to train at his older brother Cage's MMA gym. After a freak accident he finds himself at the hospital, where he meets ER nurse Frankie. Frankie hates violence and complications, and doesn't want to fall for Gunnar's charms. Can he prove to her he's not an uneducated brute, despite his violent career?
Oh man oh man Gunnar Erickson is perfection. Patient, understanding, sensitive, strong, sweet, thoughtful, I could go on and on. Maybe a little more patient and thoughtful than a 22 year old dude normally is, but hey- it's a romance novel, things can be unrealistic and still enjoyable.
There is such a good balance of really difficult topics and humor. Some heavy, emotional things happen and it's written with a delicate hand. It doesn't rely on overly kooky plot lines, its a simple story of two people falling in love while dealing with past trauma.
If you're familiar with the Green Valley universe you'll recognize some of the secondary characters and locations, but I truly don't think you would need to read the rest to understand this book (you should read them anyway though). This was such a great way to kick off the spring SmartyPants Romance launch!
Blog Tour (including excerpt!) can be found here: https://romancereviewed.com/2020/04/0...
Gunnar Erickson has moved to Green Valley to train at his older brother Cage's MMA gym. After a freak accident he finds himself at the hospital, where he meets ER nurse Frankie. Frankie hates violence and complications, and doesn't want to fall for Gunnar's charms. Can he prove to her he's not an uneducated brute, despite his violent career?
Oh man oh man Gunnar Erickson is perfection. Patient, understanding, sensitive, strong, sweet, thoughtful, I could go on and on. Maybe a little more patient and thoughtful than a 22 year old dude normally is, but hey- it's a romance novel, things can be unrealistic and still enjoyable.
There is such a good balance of really difficult topics and humor. Some heavy, emotional things happen and it's written with a delicate hand. It doesn't rely on overly kooky plot lines, its a simple story of two people falling in love while dealing with past trauma.
If you're familiar with the Green Valley universe you'll recognize some of the secondary characters and locations, but I truly don't think you would need to read the rest to understand this book (you should read them anyway though). This was such a great way to kick off the spring SmartyPants Romance launch!
Blog Tour (including excerpt!) can be found here: https://romancereviewed.com/2020/04/0...
May 17, 2020
This was on track to be a really cute small town romance but Frankie ruined that for me. I really liked Gunnar. He was such a mix of high intensity, educated reasoning, and thoughtfulness. Frankie's views on MMA and the "violence of the sport" got old quick. She was also kind of a bitch to Gunnar at times, and never really apologized. 5 stars for Gunnar and good writing, 1 star for Frankie.
April 19, 2020
Sweet story.
Patient, devoted Hero.
Heroine with issues, she has a connection to the Wraiths and has scars.
Deals with domestic violence but not very detailed.
No intimate scenes other than the Hero and heroine.
No other woman or man drama.
HEA.
Epilogue.
Patient, devoted Hero.
Heroine with issues, she has a connection to the Wraiths and has scars.
Deals with domestic violence but not very detailed.
No intimate scenes other than the Hero and heroine.
No other woman or man drama.
HEA.
Epilogue.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2020
I might upgrade it to 4 stars later.
March 18, 2020
Last year, when the Green Valley World was first introduced, I only signed up, as a blogger, to read a handful of the books because I wasn’t very familiar with most of the authors and I also hadn’t read the entire Winston Brothers series. The minute I finished the first book, I downloaded all the Winston Brothers books because I had to know this world inside out. It was a necessity! Which leads us to today (lol) I’m not totally caught up with the world just yet, but I’m close LOL
Beef Cake is my first read by this author duo and I am already in love with their style and voice! I don’t know who writes what or how they make the magic happen because I haven’t stalked them yet, but I do know they are seamless and they entertained me from page one! They managed to write a deep emotional journey with some serious plot points without drowning it in darkness. I know the title and maybe the cover would have you believe this is a light read, but I didn’t find anything light about it. It was powerful and truthful, realistic and respectful and very well written. I can’t wait to devour more words from these ladies!
Beef Cake is my first read by this author duo and I am already in love with their style and voice! I don’t know who writes what or how they make the magic happen because I haven’t stalked them yet, but I do know they are seamless and they entertained me from page one! They managed to write a deep emotional journey with some serious plot points without drowning it in darkness. I know the title and maybe the cover would have you believe this is a light read, but I didn’t find anything light about it. It was powerful and truthful, realistic and respectful and very well written. I can’t wait to devour more words from these ladies!
March 17, 2020
With Beef Cake, Jiffy Kate bring a new, beautiful and lovely couple in our Pennyverse. The two authors tackle sensitive topics, making you feel the pain of their heroine, but they succeed to keep it light with hints of sweetness and humor.
We follow Frankie on a deeply emotional journey with secrets, lies, fears and then finally difficult truths.
Gunnar is always here for her, repeating he'll be there to catch her if she falls, giving her space and time when needed, never pushing her because he respects her and he doesn't want to lose her... He's amazingly sweet, supportive, understanding, compassionate, funny and romantic. The kind of hero who makes you swoon on almost every page. He's young but very mature in his relationship with Frankie.
Frankie is the kind of heroine we admire and would like to be our friend. Her WHOLE life is dedicated for others, to help and save people. In her job that she loves (she's a nurse), with her mother and in her free time. Gunnar is the only one she let in in her life, and the only one she let taking care of her. After all she's been through she deserves the happiness and the love he brings her.
They both are mature and smart enough not to add more dramas and that was refreshing. They learn to trust and to communicate, to talk and to listen, to share and to cherish.
Plus... we have cameos from Cage and Tempest from Stud Muffin ;-)
---> 4,5*
«For a moment, i soak her in, devouring every inch of her i can see in the dim light. I want to tattoo this moment on my skin... in my heart... make it a permanent piece of me.»
I received an ARC in exchange of an honest review.
Link : https://amzn.to/2WlK2oA
We follow Frankie on a deeply emotional journey with secrets, lies, fears and then finally difficult truths.
Gunnar is always here for her, repeating he'll be there to catch her if she falls, giving her space and time when needed, never pushing her because he respects her and he doesn't want to lose her... He's amazingly sweet, supportive, understanding, compassionate, funny and romantic. The kind of hero who makes you swoon on almost every page. He's young but very mature in his relationship with Frankie.
Frankie is the kind of heroine we admire and would like to be our friend. Her WHOLE life is dedicated for others, to help and save people. In her job that she loves (she's a nurse), with her mother and in her free time. Gunnar is the only one she let in in her life, and the only one she let taking care of her. After all she's been through she deserves the happiness and the love he brings her.
They both are mature and smart enough not to add more dramas and that was refreshing. They learn to trust and to communicate, to talk and to listen, to share and to cherish.
Plus... we have cameos from Cage and Tempest from Stud Muffin ;-)
---> 4,5*
«For a moment, i soak her in, devouring every inch of her i can see in the dim light. I want to tattoo this moment on my skin... in my heart... make it a permanent piece of me.»
I received an ARC in exchange of an honest review.
Link : https://amzn.to/2WlK2oA
April 17, 2020
Gunnar was smart, adorable, determined, and had the patience of Job to tangle with Frankie! Frankie was a solid caregiver, afraid of commitment, and definitely required someone with said patience to untangle her issues and Gunnar was just the man for the job.
I loved Gunnar and his sweetness and he was pretty easy to read. Frankie was more complicated and with each thread you unraveled, there was more in the woodworks to come. After a rocky start with Frankie, I’m happy I stuck it out because this turned out to be a good read.
I loved Gunnar and his sweetness and he was pretty easy to read. Frankie was more complicated and with each thread you unraveled, there was more in the woodworks to come. After a rocky start with Frankie, I’m happy I stuck it out because this turned out to be a good read.
March 30, 2020
Thank you to smartypants romance for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Blog post
If you are looking for a light read with real and loveable characters then this one is for you. I read this on a trip and enjoyed it a lot as it was a perfect read that didn’t require much focus yet still allowed me a timely escape.
Our very beefy hero Gunnar Erickson is a MMA fighter. He has just finished getting his degree and moved to Green Valley to train with his brother Cage as his coach. When an unfortunate accident at the gym lands Gunnar in the hospital which quickly becomes very fortunate to him as that’s where he meets Frankie. It’s kind of love at first sight. As soon as Gunnar sees Frankie he wants her and does everything he can to get her.
Gunnar’s character was very likeable from the start. He was understanding and patient towards Frankie, always gave her space when she needed it, he never pushed her and accepted her just as she is. Before Gunnar knows it he is seeking Frankie out wherever he goes which is only three places since it’s Green Valley.
Our heroine Frankie Reeves is a nurse and loves to help people. She is pretty, quiet, compassionate and introverted in every way. Her introverted self made me relate to her and how she always kept to herself, how she couldn’t easily convey her feelings or open up to someone about her wants or needs. She doesn’t let anyone in, has commitment issues and raises up a wall when someone tries to. When Gunnar makes clear he wants her, her knee jerk reaction was to hide and run. But our Gunnar is stubborn and a fighter through and through. He knows how to bring those walls down.
What I loved most about her character was that she always made an effort to be there for people who need her because she herself never had that someone in her life. When Gunnar comes threatening to smash every wall she has build she can only hope he doesn’t break her heart in the process.
I also enjoyed reading about the other relationships that were highlighted in the book. The brotherly love between Cage and Gunnar, the not so typical yet still warm relationship of Frankie and her mother and the sweet friendship of Helen and Frankie.
The pace of this book was slow for my liking. I like fast paced books and enjoy ones in which a lot is happening. Those require your full attention and kind of drowns you in their world which didn’t happen for me in this book. Overall I still enjoyed it as the characters were very likeable.
Blog post
If you are looking for a light read with real and loveable characters then this one is for you. I read this on a trip and enjoyed it a lot as it was a perfect read that didn’t require much focus yet still allowed me a timely escape.
Our very beefy hero Gunnar Erickson is a MMA fighter. He has just finished getting his degree and moved to Green Valley to train with his brother Cage as his coach. When an unfortunate accident at the gym lands Gunnar in the hospital which quickly becomes very fortunate to him as that’s where he meets Frankie. It’s kind of love at first sight. As soon as Gunnar sees Frankie he wants her and does everything he can to get her.
Gunnar’s character was very likeable from the start. He was understanding and patient towards Frankie, always gave her space when she needed it, he never pushed her and accepted her just as she is. Before Gunnar knows it he is seeking Frankie out wherever he goes which is only three places since it’s Green Valley.
Our heroine Frankie Reeves is a nurse and loves to help people. She is pretty, quiet, compassionate and introverted in every way. Her introverted self made me relate to her and how she always kept to herself, how she couldn’t easily convey her feelings or open up to someone about her wants or needs. She doesn’t let anyone in, has commitment issues and raises up a wall when someone tries to. When Gunnar makes clear he wants her, her knee jerk reaction was to hide and run. But our Gunnar is stubborn and a fighter through and through. He knows how to bring those walls down.
What I loved most about her character was that she always made an effort to be there for people who need her because she herself never had that someone in her life. When Gunnar comes threatening to smash every wall she has build she can only hope he doesn’t break her heart in the process.
I also enjoyed reading about the other relationships that were highlighted in the book. The brotherly love between Cage and Gunnar, the not so typical yet still warm relationship of Frankie and her mother and the sweet friendship of Helen and Frankie.
The pace of this book was slow for my liking. I like fast paced books and enjoy ones in which a lot is happening. Those require your full attention and kind of drowns you in their world which didn’t happen for me in this book. Overall I still enjoyed it as the characters were very likeable.
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