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Christmas in Connecticut #2
Jack & Frost Bake-Off
What if you had to choose between love and money?
Jack
I’m living my worst nightmare. Competing on a baking show surrounded by loud people all day. But it’s fine. I’m fine. Our family bakery is in trouble and I’d do anything to keep the memory of Mom alive since Love Bakes is the only place where I still feel her presence. Which is why I’m so determined to win the prize money. No distractions, no friendships, no having fun. It’s all about business. Until I meet bubbly Meg—someone whom I’d normally be annoyed by. Maybe life is about more than work? Meg certainly has me thinking that way. But what about Mom's bakery?
Megan
Paying Mom back to avoid law school is the main reason I signed up for Baking Spirits Bright. I also want to expand my bakery. But when all I can think about is my number one competitor, the gorgeously grumpy people-hater, Jack, my chances of winning diminish like cake crumbs. He’s aloof and ridiculously handsome and pretends not to know who I am. The longer we compete, the more distracted I am by him. How can I win if I’m staring at him the entire time? Although, I’m not even sure I want the money anymore. I just want Jack.
Jack & Frost Bake-Off is a sweet with a sprinkling of heat, closed-door romantic comedy.
Jack
I’m living my worst nightmare. Competing on a baking show surrounded by loud people all day. But it’s fine. I’m fine. Our family bakery is in trouble and I’d do anything to keep the memory of Mom alive since Love Bakes is the only place where I still feel her presence. Which is why I’m so determined to win the prize money. No distractions, no friendships, no having fun. It’s all about business. Until I meet bubbly Meg—someone whom I’d normally be annoyed by. Maybe life is about more than work? Meg certainly has me thinking that way. But what about Mom's bakery?
Megan
Paying Mom back to avoid law school is the main reason I signed up for Baking Spirits Bright. I also want to expand my bakery. But when all I can think about is my number one competitor, the gorgeously grumpy people-hater, Jack, my chances of winning diminish like cake crumbs. He’s aloof and ridiculously handsome and pretends not to know who I am. The longer we compete, the more distracted I am by him. How can I win if I’m staring at him the entire time? Although, I’m not even sure I want the money anymore. I just want Jack.
Jack & Frost Bake-Off is a sweet with a sprinkling of heat, closed-door romantic comedy.
297 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 15, 2022
26 people are currently reading
776 people want to read
About the author
Amanda P. Jones
11 books317 followersWhen not reading or writing (which is rare), Amanda loves to travel, camp, spend time with family and friends, and eat chocolate chip cookies—or any other excuse she can come up with to avoid doing housework. She lives in the Rocky Mountains with her husband and three children.
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December 13, 2023
Jack & Frost Bake-Off (Christmas in Connecticut, #2) by Amanda P. Jones
Synopsis /
What if you had to choose between love and money?
Jack
I’m living my worst nightmare. Competing on a baking show surrounded by loud people all day. But it’s fine. I’m fine. Our family bakery is in trouble and I’d do anything to keep the memory of Mom alive since Love Bakes is the only place where I still feel her presence. Which is why I’m so determined to win the prize money. No distractions, no friendships, no having fun. It’s all about business. Until I meet bubbly Meg—someone whom I’d normally be annoyed by. Maybe life is about more than work? Meg certainly has me thinking that way. But what about Mom's bakery?
Megan
Paying Mom back to avoid law school is the main reason I signed up for Baking Spirits Bright. I also want to expand my bakery. But when all I can think about is my number one competitor, the gorgeously grumpy people-hater, Jack, my chances of winning diminish like cake crumbs. He’s aloof and ridiculously handsome and pretends not to know who I am. The longer we compete, the more distracted I am by him. How can I win if I’m staring at him the entire time? Although, I’m not even sure I want the money anymore. I just want Jack.
My Thoughts /
Book #2 in the Christmas in Connecticut series written by Amanda P. Jones, Jack & Frost Bake-Off will satisfy all your sweet tooth cravings. As the title suggests, yes, there is a 'bake-off', and in this story it's the long running television cooking show series called 'Baking Spirits Bright'. It's a sweet opposites-attract dual POV romance, with a Christmas theme thrown in for good measure.
Megan Frost is the owner of 'Frostings'. Ever since she was old enough to hold a spatula, Megan has wanted to bake, and becoming the owner of her very own bakery has been a lifelong dream. A dream which came to fruition when her mother loaned her the money to buy 'Frostings'. Unfortunately, this dream came with strings attached. Megan had to repay all the money she had loaned from her mother by a stipulated date, and if she wasn't able to repay the loan, she had to sell the bakery and go to law school. That time is nearly up, and while Megan has been able to repay some of the money borrowed from her mother, there is still a considerable amount outstanding. Knowing she won't be able to come up with the money (in short time left) to repay her mother, Megan signs herself up to become a contestant on the cooking show called 'Baking Spirits Bright', where the winner of the show receives a huge cash prize.
Running his mother's bakery, 'Love Bakes', means that Jack keeps the connection to his mother alive and close to his heart. The bakery is doing well, or so he thought. Finding out that he might lose the bakery his mother started and the place where he spent so much of his childhood, comes as a shocking blow. In a last-ditch effort to save the family bakery from closure, Jack decides to enter the cooking show called 'Baking Spirits Bright'. He intends to win that competition and use the prize money to keep the bakery afloat.
You will enjoy following along with the bake-off, its contestants, the baking challenges, and all the craziness that you can imagine with something being showed on television for the reality viewing public would have. This was an easy read, with likeable characters and an easy-going banter between Meg and Jack.
You will have to read this one yourself to find out who wins!
Minor bookish-gripes:
🌟 I found expressions like 'Oh my fruitcake!' were overused and a little twee - they grated on my nerves.
🌟 I would have loved to have seen a couple of recipes included at the back of the book.
Synopsis /
What if you had to choose between love and money?
Jack
I’m living my worst nightmare. Competing on a baking show surrounded by loud people all day. But it’s fine. I’m fine. Our family bakery is in trouble and I’d do anything to keep the memory of Mom alive since Love Bakes is the only place where I still feel her presence. Which is why I’m so determined to win the prize money. No distractions, no friendships, no having fun. It’s all about business. Until I meet bubbly Meg—someone whom I’d normally be annoyed by. Maybe life is about more than work? Meg certainly has me thinking that way. But what about Mom's bakery?
Megan
Paying Mom back to avoid law school is the main reason I signed up for Baking Spirits Bright. I also want to expand my bakery. But when all I can think about is my number one competitor, the gorgeously grumpy people-hater, Jack, my chances of winning diminish like cake crumbs. He’s aloof and ridiculously handsome and pretends not to know who I am. The longer we compete, the more distracted I am by him. How can I win if I’m staring at him the entire time? Although, I’m not even sure I want the money anymore. I just want Jack.
My Thoughts /
Book #2 in the Christmas in Connecticut series written by Amanda P. Jones, Jack & Frost Bake-Off will satisfy all your sweet tooth cravings. As the title suggests, yes, there is a 'bake-off', and in this story it's the long running television cooking show series called 'Baking Spirits Bright'. It's a sweet opposites-attract dual POV romance, with a Christmas theme thrown in for good measure.
Megan Frost is the owner of 'Frostings'. Ever since she was old enough to hold a spatula, Megan has wanted to bake, and becoming the owner of her very own bakery has been a lifelong dream. A dream which came to fruition when her mother loaned her the money to buy 'Frostings'. Unfortunately, this dream came with strings attached. Megan had to repay all the money she had loaned from her mother by a stipulated date, and if she wasn't able to repay the loan, she had to sell the bakery and go to law school. That time is nearly up, and while Megan has been able to repay some of the money borrowed from her mother, there is still a considerable amount outstanding. Knowing she won't be able to come up with the money (in short time left) to repay her mother, Megan signs herself up to become a contestant on the cooking show called 'Baking Spirits Bright', where the winner of the show receives a huge cash prize.
Running his mother's bakery, 'Love Bakes', means that Jack keeps the connection to his mother alive and close to his heart. The bakery is doing well, or so he thought. Finding out that he might lose the bakery his mother started and the place where he spent so much of his childhood, comes as a shocking blow. In a last-ditch effort to save the family bakery from closure, Jack decides to enter the cooking show called 'Baking Spirits Bright'. He intends to win that competition and use the prize money to keep the bakery afloat.
You will enjoy following along with the bake-off, its contestants, the baking challenges, and all the craziness that you can imagine with something being showed on television for the reality viewing public would have. This was an easy read, with likeable characters and an easy-going banter between Meg and Jack.
You will have to read this one yourself to find out who wins!
Minor bookish-gripes:
🌟 I found expressions like 'Oh my fruitcake!' were overused and a little twee - they grated on my nerves.
🌟 I would have loved to have seen a couple of recipes included at the back of the book.
July 19, 2023
A sweet clean romance full of wonderful baked goods? YES PLEASE!
Jack and Meg, bakery owners and adversaries in their hometown fly across the country to LA to compete on a reality baking show. They both need to win the grand prize as they have so much riding on that outcome.
It's a bit enemies to lovers and friends to lovers. I absolutely loved the talk of all of the baked goods YUM.
I am a huge fan of the grand gesture (or surprise gesture), it gets me every time. This one actually had a couple of them. SWOON
My only complaint was the use of "cheesy" explitives like "what the cupcake?" They just weren't for me, but I loved it regardless.
Jack and Meg, bakery owners and adversaries in their hometown fly across the country to LA to compete on a reality baking show. They both need to win the grand prize as they have so much riding on that outcome.
It's a bit enemies to lovers and friends to lovers. I absolutely loved the talk of all of the baked goods YUM.
I am a huge fan of the grand gesture (or surprise gesture), it gets me every time. This one actually had a couple of them. SWOON
My only complaint was the use of "cheesy" explitives like "what the cupcake?" They just weren't for me, but I loved it regardless.
June 20, 2023
3.5⭐Delightfully sweet. The author has the right amount of romance and a touch of humor a reminder that appearances aren’t always what they seem and everyone needs a second chance. The conversations between the characters were inspiring and also fun. The baking challenges were so fun to read. The romance is sweet and heart happy, but I would prefer to see more angst.
I received an eARC to review. This is my honest opinion.
I received an eARC to review. This is my honest opinion.
November 9, 2022
“Meg’s hand slid around my waist, roaming a little too far south. I sucked in a breath as her fingers slid into the back pocket of my jeans. My eyes widened, and heat blazed my face. “Did you forget where my waist is?” My voice came out an octave higher than normal. Meg looked up at me and blinked. “I don’t think so.” Bold move, Nut-Meg. Bold move.”
Okay, this book is SO cute! The story starts off a little slow but it didn’t take long for me to suck me in. Amanda did an awesome job giving us sassy banter and romance. (And can we talk about the kissing scenes?? 👀🫶🏼) This book makes me want to go snuggle up and watch baking romcoms all day.
Okay, this book is SO cute! The story starts off a little slow but it didn’t take long for me to suck me in. Amanda did an awesome job giving us sassy banter and romance. (And can we talk about the kissing scenes?? 👀🫶🏼) This book makes me want to go snuggle up and watch baking romcoms all day.
January 4, 2023
What a cute book! Introvert Jack and extrovert Megan are on a baking show competition. Ironically enough, they also live in the same area and are business competitors in their real life as well. You can imagine just how well their initial meetings go. It's a bumpy ride at first but they settle into a tentative truce, which leads to a kind of friendship (where they are both keeping an eye on each other) and eventually they end up kissing in the kitchen. So appropriate given who they are, right?
I really had a lot of fun reading this book. It was easy to settle in with and the characters were easy to like. The desserts Jack and Meg made sounded amazing and I'm glad they weren't sitting in front of me or I would have eaten them all. Yum! Who wins this baking competition? You have to read it to find out! My lips are sealed.
This book is on KU if you have that! It's the second book of the series but can easily stand alone. The first book is a novella. Happy reading!
Content: kissing
- I picked this book up on KU.
I really had a lot of fun reading this book. It was easy to settle in with and the characters were easy to like. The desserts Jack and Meg made sounded amazing and I'm glad they weren't sitting in front of me or I would have eaten them all. Yum! Who wins this baking competition? You have to read it to find out! My lips are sealed.
This book is on KU if you have that! It's the second book of the series but can easily stand alone. The first book is a novella. Happy reading!
Content: kissing
- I picked this book up on KU.
December 21, 2023
As a huge fan of Great British Bake-Off and all things baking shows, this book was made. for. me. I didn't realize how much of the show we were actually going to get, and it was absolutely amazing! I liked Jack a lot as far as MMCs go, especially in this genre. He wasn't too teasy or bossy which was a relief. And as a fellow introvert... I related. Megan was super cute and fierce, and I also related to her hopes and fears.
The worst thing about this book? All the food was described so well it was constantly making me want to taste it. 😍😍😍
I'm not a huge fan of the enemies and miscommunication tropes, but this book was just so sweet and bake-ish, it made up for that.
CW: lots of physical tension, described, swoony kisses.
The worst thing about this book? All the food was described so well it was constantly making me want to taste it. 😍😍😍
I'm not a huge fan of the enemies and miscommunication tropes, but this book was just so sweet and bake-ish, it made up for that.
CW: lots of physical tension, described, swoony kisses.
November 2, 2022
First off, thank you SO much to the author for sending me an ARC!
This book was so super cute and almost reminded me of a Hallmark movie in book form, which is ALWAYS a good thing! Meg was an awesome, funny, spunky heroine and it was interesting to see a love interest portrayed as Jack was for a change, which made this even more fun. The baking challenges were creative and fully on brand work they Christmas theme, and I loved each and every one. The one thing that dropped this from 5 stars to 4 for me was that the “in love” part happened a little quick for my liking, and I would’ve liked more behind the scenes details, like hiding the treats, and maybe a little more interference from our neighborhood produce Helen, just to make things a little more dramatic and silly. All in all, this book was amazing and I highly recommend for a sweet holiday read!
This book was so super cute and almost reminded me of a Hallmark movie in book form, which is ALWAYS a good thing! Meg was an awesome, funny, spunky heroine and it was interesting to see a love interest portrayed as Jack was for a change, which made this even more fun. The baking challenges were creative and fully on brand work they Christmas theme, and I loved each and every one. The one thing that dropped this from 5 stars to 4 for me was that the “in love” part happened a little quick for my liking, and I would’ve liked more behind the scenes details, like hiding the treats, and maybe a little more interference from our neighborhood produce Helen, just to make things a little more dramatic and silly. All in all, this book was amazing and I highly recommend for a sweet holiday read!
December 8, 2022
3.5-4⭐
I LOATHED the way Jack acted in the end. LOATHED. I also hate insta love romances. That's why this got 3.5-4 stars instead of 5.
Other than that, I actually really loved the premise of this book. The whole baking contest was actually really fun to read about. I love cooking/baking competition shows and I wasn't sure how this would work in book form but it actually worked great!
There were definitely cute moments, nothing SUPER Christmas-y except for the things they had to make for the show, and I actually really liked the FMC. How I feel about the MMC is definitely questionable though especially in the end.
Still would absolutely recommend romance lovers to read. It's completely clean for those that don't like spice. :)
I LOATHED the way Jack acted in the end. LOATHED. I also hate insta love romances. That's why this got 3.5-4 stars instead of 5.
Other than that, I actually really loved the premise of this book. The whole baking contest was actually really fun to read about. I love cooking/baking competition shows and I wasn't sure how this would work in book form but it actually worked great!
There were definitely cute moments, nothing SUPER Christmas-y except for the things they had to make for the show, and I actually really liked the FMC. How I feel about the MMC is definitely questionable though especially in the end.
Still would absolutely recommend romance lovers to read. It's completely clean for those that don't like spice. :)
January 1, 2023
Last book of 2022 and I smiled a lot. Things I love—baking competition, fun romantic comedies and a little angst. All were present. A quick easy read!!
January 18, 2023
This is was AMAZING!!!!
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this from the author, but life has really gotten in the way & I got way behind.
This book made me laugh out loud at work... YEAH I was in a kindergarten classroom trying to hold my giggling in...
It broke my heart in my room at night (Specifically the end)
It was so cute at some parts, I couldn't help but smile!
Even though Christmas just passed, I highly recommend this book to read at anytime during the year!
AND OH MY GOSH WHEN I DISCOVER IT WAS AVERY & LIAM FROM THE FIRST BOOK!!!!!!!
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this from the author, but life has really gotten in the way & I got way behind.
This book made me laugh out loud at work... YEAH I was in a kindergarten classroom trying to hold my giggling in...
It broke my heart in my room at night (Specifically the end)
It was so cute at some parts, I couldn't help but smile!
Even though Christmas just passed, I highly recommend this book to read at anytime during the year!
AND OH MY GOSH WHEN I DISCOVER IT WAS AVERY & LIAM FROM THE FIRST BOOK!!!!!!!
December 11, 2023
This is a super fluffy and cute romance. If you love baking or even eating sweet treats this book is for you. Also if you love watching the British baking show then you will love this book. It is a duel POV so it follows a very grumpy jack who is trying to save his mother's bakery by winning the cash prize, he hates most people and is a big introvert. Meg is the total opposite she is a people person and very sunshiny she is trying to pay her mom back from the loan she took to open a bakery.
Overall such a good christmas book.
Overall such a good christmas book.
December 26, 2023
A cozy rivals to lovers romance featuring an introverted Grinch and an eccentric gal who both happen to need a bit of cash to save their bakeries.
"Jack & Frost Bake-Off" is technically the second book in the series, but I was only sent books two and three from the author's Christmas giveaway, so I started with this one.
Megan is confident in her baking abilities. . . most of the time. Her mom loaned her the money to open up her bakery, and her five year time limit is close to expiring. That's why she's auditioned for Baking Spirits Bright, a reality cooking show with a grand prize of 100,000 dollars. This could change everything. . .
But then Jack arrives, a grumpy yet gorgeously handsome baker who also needs money for his bakery. And fast. Megan has known him for years as her competitor, one that seems to be more than adequate at his job. When he also enters the competition, Megan's hopes are dashed. He seems that he has the best chance of winning. Despite this, Megan can't help but fall for Jack as the competition heats up.
At the beginning, I really despised Megan. The rivalry was completely one sided and it drove me a bit crazy how Megan treated Jack despite the fact that he doesn't know who she is. Luckily, she quickly gets over her anger, but it almost immediately turns to attraction, which was a bit of a one eighty turn around. I also didn't love Jack's attitude when it came to his "I'm an introvert, so I hate people" act. I understand the sentiment as an introvert myself, but it bothered me how often it was brought up in the first couple of chapters. Thankfully, both of these issues were resolved rather swiftly, which made me groove with the story a bit more.
I found the middle to be so fun. Getting a behind the scenes look was at a baking competition was such a fun time and all of the desserts that they made sounded so good. Much of the early rounds were fast-forwarded which was good; otherwise the book would have gotten repetitive real quick. I really dug the romance throughout the mid-rounds of the competition. It was genuinely sweet, they talked through their problems like real humans, and they are opposites that mesh nicely together.
Unfortunately, the end portion was a major letdown for me. I hated how Jack reacted towards the end; he should feel lucky that Megan gave him that much grace. Despite the poor decision making at the end, I think that the very end was super sweet, especially when Megan's entire family got together to watch the show's finale.
My favorite thing about this romance as a whole, is how real the issues were. Megan struggles with self-confidence and is working her tail off to try to repay her mother back. The relationship she has with her sister is so wholesome, and I appreciated every time her character appeared. Jack has a whole different slew of family issues, mainly with his estranged father and his missing in action brother. He goes through much stress throughout the book, but I still don't think that this excuses his actions.
Overall, this is a sweet holiday romance that isn't oversaturated with the Christmas vibes. I think that the concept is well developed and the story line comes full circle, which made turning the pages a breeze rather than a chore. On the other hand, I didn't love Megan or Jack, so I wasn't fully sold on this book either. I think that this book falls into a certain reader niche and those that love sweet, semi-cheesy holiday romances would eat this one up.
"Jack & Frost Bake-Off" is technically the second book in the series, but I was only sent books two and three from the author's Christmas giveaway, so I started with this one.
Megan is confident in her baking abilities. . . most of the time. Her mom loaned her the money to open up her bakery, and her five year time limit is close to expiring. That's why she's auditioned for Baking Spirits Bright, a reality cooking show with a grand prize of 100,000 dollars. This could change everything. . .
But then Jack arrives, a grumpy yet gorgeously handsome baker who also needs money for his bakery. And fast. Megan has known him for years as her competitor, one that seems to be more than adequate at his job. When he also enters the competition, Megan's hopes are dashed. He seems that he has the best chance of winning. Despite this, Megan can't help but fall for Jack as the competition heats up.
At the beginning, I really despised Megan. The rivalry was completely one sided and it drove me a bit crazy how Megan treated Jack despite the fact that he doesn't know who she is. Luckily, she quickly gets over her anger, but it almost immediately turns to attraction, which was a bit of a one eighty turn around. I also didn't love Jack's attitude when it came to his "I'm an introvert, so I hate people" act. I understand the sentiment as an introvert myself, but it bothered me how often it was brought up in the first couple of chapters. Thankfully, both of these issues were resolved rather swiftly, which made me groove with the story a bit more.
I found the middle to be so fun. Getting a behind the scenes look was at a baking competition was such a fun time and all of the desserts that they made sounded so good. Much of the early rounds were fast-forwarded which was good; otherwise the book would have gotten repetitive real quick. I really dug the romance throughout the mid-rounds of the competition. It was genuinely sweet, they talked through their problems like real humans, and they are opposites that mesh nicely together.
Unfortunately, the end portion was a major letdown for me. I hated how Jack reacted towards the end; he should feel lucky that Megan gave him that much grace. Despite the poor decision making at the end, I think that the very end was super sweet, especially when Megan's entire family got together to watch the show's finale.
My favorite thing about this romance as a whole, is how real the issues were. Megan struggles with self-confidence and is working her tail off to try to repay her mother back. The relationship she has with her sister is so wholesome, and I appreciated every time her character appeared. Jack has a whole different slew of family issues, mainly with his estranged father and his missing in action brother. He goes through much stress throughout the book, but I still don't think that this excuses his actions.
Overall, this is a sweet holiday romance that isn't oversaturated with the Christmas vibes. I think that the concept is well developed and the story line comes full circle, which made turning the pages a breeze rather than a chore. On the other hand, I didn't love Megan or Jack, so I wasn't fully sold on this book either. I think that this book falls into a certain reader niche and those that love sweet, semi-cheesy holiday romances would eat this one up.
December 12, 2023
Jack & Frost Bake Off is the second book in the Christmas In Connecticut series written by Amanda P. Jones. If you saw before this review, I read the first book in this series and hated it, well let me just say this book was a hundred times better. There was actually Christmas involved in this book, and as many of you should know by now, I LOVE CHRISTMAS BOOKS!!!!!! The banter between the characters was top tier, it had me giggling nonstop throughout the entire book. The characters actually acted their ages this time, which I really enjoyed. I didn't know how I was going to feel reading this book after hating the first one, but I truly loved Jack & Frost Bake Off. DO NOT read this book on an empty stomach as it has to do with a holiday cooking competition and so manyyyyy delicious treats were mentioned. As someone who loves to do Christmas baking, this book opened my eyes to so many new treats to bake. Don't even get me started on that adorable cover, it's just so freaking cute. Don't let the first novella throw you off, because Jack & Frost Bake Off was so much better. I was kicking my feet up in the air and giggling so much, although I will say it definitely made me super emotional at times.
Jack is living his worst ever nightmare, competing on a holiday baking show surrounded by loud people all day, if you can guess from this first sentence, Jack is an introvert an doesn't like talking to people. He's extremely shy and doesn't go out of his way to talk to people unless he has a reason to. Jack's mom and grandma owned their family bakery, Love Bakes, but they have both passed away and now Jack is in charge. Love Bakes is failing, they are losing sales tremendously, but Jack feels his mom and grandma's presence when he's at the bakery. With the family bakery in trouble, Jack decides to compete on the cooking show Baking Spirits Bright to try and win the big prize so he can save the bakery. With Jack so determined to win the prize money, there's no distractions at all, no friendships allowed, no having fun at all, it's all about business and being professional. Jack's whole demeanor changes when he meets bubbly Meg. The interactions between Meg and Jack were so cute, their banter was absolutely hilarious. The pranks they pulled on each other just had me cracking up. The first time Meg and Jack met, Meg was trying to open a lotion bottle, but Jack was standing right there and the lotion just came flying out of the bottle all over him.
Megan is an extrovert who will literally talk to everyone she meets, she's quite the complete opposite of Jack. Megan is bubbly and sweet, whereas Jack is grumpy, but a complete sweetheart on the inside. Megan signed up for Baking Spirits Bright in order to pay her mom back for the loan she took out for Megan's bakery. Megan has always wanted to be a baker, but her parents wanted her to become a lawyer. Megan's main reason for signing up for Baking Spirits Bright was to avoid law school. Megan also wants to expand her bakery, but it's kind of hard when her mother is breathing down her back asking about law school. All Megan can think about is her number one competitor, Jack, So for that reason alone, Megan's chances of winning diminish like cake crumbs. Jack is handsome but pretends he doesn't who Megan is. Megan and Jack met at a summer festival in Connecticut where they both had tents set up selling goods from their own bakery, when Jack decided to steal all of Megan's customers. Megan still has never forgiven Jack for that. Megan and Jack develop a friendship while they are on the baking show together, but they are trying to beat one another. How is that possible when they keep staring at each other constantly?
Jack is living his worst ever nightmare, competing on a holiday baking show surrounded by loud people all day, if you can guess from this first sentence, Jack is an introvert an doesn't like talking to people. He's extremely shy and doesn't go out of his way to talk to people unless he has a reason to. Jack's mom and grandma owned their family bakery, Love Bakes, but they have both passed away and now Jack is in charge. Love Bakes is failing, they are losing sales tremendously, but Jack feels his mom and grandma's presence when he's at the bakery. With the family bakery in trouble, Jack decides to compete on the cooking show Baking Spirits Bright to try and win the big prize so he can save the bakery. With Jack so determined to win the prize money, there's no distractions at all, no friendships allowed, no having fun at all, it's all about business and being professional. Jack's whole demeanor changes when he meets bubbly Meg. The interactions between Meg and Jack were so cute, their banter was absolutely hilarious. The pranks they pulled on each other just had me cracking up. The first time Meg and Jack met, Meg was trying to open a lotion bottle, but Jack was standing right there and the lotion just came flying out of the bottle all over him.
Megan is an extrovert who will literally talk to everyone she meets, she's quite the complete opposite of Jack. Megan is bubbly and sweet, whereas Jack is grumpy, but a complete sweetheart on the inside. Megan signed up for Baking Spirits Bright in order to pay her mom back for the loan she took out for Megan's bakery. Megan has always wanted to be a baker, but her parents wanted her to become a lawyer. Megan's main reason for signing up for Baking Spirits Bright was to avoid law school. Megan also wants to expand her bakery, but it's kind of hard when her mother is breathing down her back asking about law school. All Megan can think about is her number one competitor, Jack, So for that reason alone, Megan's chances of winning diminish like cake crumbs. Jack is handsome but pretends he doesn't who Megan is. Megan and Jack met at a summer festival in Connecticut where they both had tents set up selling goods from their own bakery, when Jack decided to steal all of Megan's customers. Megan still has never forgiven Jack for that. Megan and Jack develop a friendship while they are on the baking show together, but they are trying to beat one another. How is that possible when they keep staring at each other constantly?
July 4, 2023
This book 2 in the Christmas in Connecticut Series but can be read as a standalone. The book's blurb is straightforward. It's a good opposites attract first person dual pov romance.
Unlike the rest of her family, Megan has no interest in law. Baking is the thing she loves to do & she is determined to win the Baking Spirits Bright competition show to pay back her mother & expand her business. When she realizes that Jack is also competing, she treats him like her rival. But, as she gets to know him, she realizes that he isn't who she initially thought he was & she enjoys spending time with him more than she should. Megan did come on a bit too strong with her assumptions & initial dislike towards Jack but she didn't know Jack's thoughts like readers did so I could understand why she viewed him the way that she did. Also, once she actually got to know him, she was thoughtful & caring towards him.
Not only does running his mom's bakery help Jack to feel a connection to her, but it's the only thing that he really has in his life. Aside from his best friend & those that he works with, he doesn't allow others into his life. Participating in the Baking Spirits Bright competition show is the last thing that he wants to do but he will do whatever it takes to save his mom's bakery. When he meets Megan & she's less than friendly to him, he is confused but still okay with not making friends. However, as the competition goes on, he finds himself starting a friendship with her & actually opening up to her. Because Jack is used to being guarded against others, it takes him a while to put his walls down but, once he does, it's a nice thing to read.
Because they each have their own misgivings & they are competitors on the baking show, their romance is a slight enemies to lovers situation. It's kind of one sided because Megan is the one with negative feelings towards Jack while he's a bit annoyed not knowing why she treats him the way that she does. &, though they both find the other attractive, their romance is a slow burn. After they call a truce, they become friends & their feelings develop from there. Though the description says this is a closed door romance, they stick to steamy kisses so I would say it's more on the clean side. I may not have liked all the actions taken by the characters but I thought that the conflict was a good one that will keep readers interested. Aside from the romance, the baking competition aspect of it was fun to read. Overall, readers will enjoy this holiday themed story.
Unlike the rest of her family, Megan has no interest in law. Baking is the thing she loves to do & she is determined to win the Baking Spirits Bright competition show to pay back her mother & expand her business. When she realizes that Jack is also competing, she treats him like her rival. But, as she gets to know him, she realizes that he isn't who she initially thought he was & she enjoys spending time with him more than she should. Megan did come on a bit too strong with her assumptions & initial dislike towards Jack but she didn't know Jack's thoughts like readers did so I could understand why she viewed him the way that she did. Also, once she actually got to know him, she was thoughtful & caring towards him.
Not only does running his mom's bakery help Jack to feel a connection to her, but it's the only thing that he really has in his life. Aside from his best friend & those that he works with, he doesn't allow others into his life. Participating in the Baking Spirits Bright competition show is the last thing that he wants to do but he will do whatever it takes to save his mom's bakery. When he meets Megan & she's less than friendly to him, he is confused but still okay with not making friends. However, as the competition goes on, he finds himself starting a friendship with her & actually opening up to her. Because Jack is used to being guarded against others, it takes him a while to put his walls down but, once he does, it's a nice thing to read.
Because they each have their own misgivings & they are competitors on the baking show, their romance is a slight enemies to lovers situation. It's kind of one sided because Megan is the one with negative feelings towards Jack while he's a bit annoyed not knowing why she treats him the way that she does. &, though they both find the other attractive, their romance is a slow burn. After they call a truce, they become friends & their feelings develop from there. Though the description says this is a closed door romance, they stick to steamy kisses so I would say it's more on the clean side. I may not have liked all the actions taken by the characters but I thought that the conflict was a good one that will keep readers interested. Aside from the romance, the baking competition aspect of it was fun to read. Overall, readers will enjoy this holiday themed story.
November 20, 2022
Baker Megan Frost is thrilled to be chosen as a contestant for the latest season of holiday baking competition show Baking Spirits Bright. She hopes to use the $100,000 grand prize to repay the loan her parents gave her when she opened her bakery, Frostings, as well as expand into a second location. If she can't repay the loan by June, she'll be forced to close her beloved bakery and give into her mother's demands to find a job in the legal field. When Meg arrives in Los Angeles for filming, she's surprised and angry to learn that one of her fellow contestants is Jack Ackleman, who runs a competing bakery back in Connecticut and has stolen catering jobs from her in the past. What's even worse is that he doesn't seem to recognize her. For introvert Jack, being on TV is basically his worst nightmare, but the bakery he and his brother Mark inherited from their late mother is in financial trouble, and winning the competition is his last chance to save it. He'll do whatever he has to do to hang onto his last remaining connection to his mother, even if the thought of having to defeat Meg becomes more difficult as they get to know - and unwillingly like - each other over the course of the competition.
There were sparks between Meg and Jack from the moment they met. I loved their banter as well as the adorably awkward things they did and said around each other early in their relationship. It was also cute how they sort of accidentally became friends; when they first started spending time together, it was mostly an effort for each of them to keep an "enemy" close. They gradually started to see the good in each other and their romantic feelings grew from there. The competition aspect of the story was handled very well and added just the right amount of tension while also keeping things fun. Finally, I empathized with the family baggage Jack and Meg each had to overcome.
I very much enjoyed "Jack and Frost Bake-Off" and highly recommend it for all sweet contemporary romance and romantic comedy fans. It was the first book I've read by this author, but it won't be the last.
*Review copy provided by the author. All opinions expressed are my own.
There were sparks between Meg and Jack from the moment they met. I loved their banter as well as the adorably awkward things they did and said around each other early in their relationship. It was also cute how they sort of accidentally became friends; when they first started spending time together, it was mostly an effort for each of them to keep an "enemy" close. They gradually started to see the good in each other and their romantic feelings grew from there. The competition aspect of the story was handled very well and added just the right amount of tension while also keeping things fun. Finally, I empathized with the family baggage Jack and Meg each had to overcome.
I very much enjoyed "Jack and Frost Bake-Off" and highly recommend it for all sweet contemporary romance and romantic comedy fans. It was the first book I've read by this author, but it won't be the last.
*Review copy provided by the author. All opinions expressed are my own.
November 4, 2022
Jack & Frost Bake Off
Amanda P Jones
Favorite quote
“Hmm. So if you are like the Grinch, we need to find a way to grow your heart and bubble. Maybe letting more people in would be good for you.” And we could turn that “like as a friend” for me into “like like,” because no matter what my head said about how we were competitors, my heart had allowed Jack in. I wanted more than friendship.
Rating 🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪/5 (yep 6/5 because it's such a delicious book!)
Review
This book was the perfect start to the Winter season, I absolutely ADORE Christmas and I read Christmas romances all year round!
Our MCs are Jack and Megan Frost, they both are competitors at Baking Spirits Bright and they both are in dire need of money, but only one person wins! Megan is annoyed that Jack doesn't even remember being in the festival every year, they were only three stores apart! Meg is decided that he's a arrogant jerk-face and to avoid him like the plague.
Jack has a bakery to save not just because he loves baking but because it's a part of his mom and her dream! He's not a people person, in fact he puts his foot in his mouth one too many times but Meg is a charmer and who can resist her... unless they're Jack then it's another thing entirely.
Meg has a terror of a mother who expects her to fail and then become a lawyer like herself, but Meg is determined to win! But so is Jack!
The book is perfection personified, I loved it so drooling much because it's full of baking words and all about that ooey gooey salted caramel brownieeeeeeee! I was salivating at every single chapter after the bake offs and even chocolate couldn't stop me from craving those yummie-in-my-tummie brownies! That said this book was crafted to perfection, the characters are wonderful, the grump-sunshine worked out great for the duo, the dual POV was CHEF'S KISS💋, the plot was kneaded to perfection and it was all wrapped up and tied with a bow with the chemistry between the MCs! Overall a book I would definitely find myself rereading again and again!
Amanda P Jones
Favorite quote
“Hmm. So if you are like the Grinch, we need to find a way to grow your heart and bubble. Maybe letting more people in would be good for you.” And we could turn that “like as a friend” for me into “like like,” because no matter what my head said about how we were competitors, my heart had allowed Jack in. I wanted more than friendship.
Rating 🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪/5 (yep 6/5 because it's such a delicious book!)
Review
This book was the perfect start to the Winter season, I absolutely ADORE Christmas and I read Christmas romances all year round!
Our MCs are Jack and Megan Frost, they both are competitors at Baking Spirits Bright and they both are in dire need of money, but only one person wins! Megan is annoyed that Jack doesn't even remember being in the festival every year, they were only three stores apart! Meg is decided that he's a arrogant jerk-face and to avoid him like the plague.
Jack has a bakery to save not just because he loves baking but because it's a part of his mom and her dream! He's not a people person, in fact he puts his foot in his mouth one too many times but Meg is a charmer and who can resist her... unless they're Jack then it's another thing entirely.
Meg has a terror of a mother who expects her to fail and then become a lawyer like herself, but Meg is determined to win! But so is Jack!
The book is perfection personified, I loved it so drooling much because it's full of baking words and all about that ooey gooey salted caramel brownieeeeeeee! I was salivating at every single chapter after the bake offs and even chocolate couldn't stop me from craving those yummie-in-my-tummie brownies! That said this book was crafted to perfection, the characters are wonderful, the grump-sunshine worked out great for the duo, the dual POV was CHEF'S KISS💋, the plot was kneaded to perfection and it was all wrapped up and tied with a bow with the chemistry between the MCs! Overall a book I would definitely find myself rereading again and again!
November 17, 2022
Reader’s Notes:
– this is part of a series, but can be read as a stand-alone
– this is told from Jack and Megan’s points of view
– majority of the book takes place in October on a Christmas themed TV show set
Review:
I ended up staying up way later than I should have reading this story! It was so entertaining and enjoyable! I loved Jack and Megan together and how their relationship progressed. I liked that it wasn’t the usual they both liked/disliked each other or even one felt one way and the other felt the opposite. Instead Meg liked Jack and Jack had no clue who she was, which led to some entertaining moments of miscommunication. I liked their ‘temporary’ truce and how it got them to know each other better when they otherwise wouldn’t have. Some of my favorite scenes/moments included: hiding things in each other’s stations to be found later, the interviews, time on the rooftop, teasing, watching a movie together, the butter, and Rhett talking things out with Jack.
Summary:
Megan wants to live the baking life, not the law life. But with time running out on the agreement with her mother, Meg worries that she’ll be stuck as a lawyer. As a last resort, Meg applies for the show Baking Spirits Bright in hopes that she can win the reward money, pay her mother back, and expand her bakery. She’s not going there to make friends, just to prove to herself and her parents that she is where she belongs. But when the subject of her summer affections also gets on the show, Meg wonders if this is the when she can get to finally notice her.
Jack doesn’t want to be on Baking Spirits Bright, he has to be. If everything was great in his world, Jack would still be in the back avoiding people while baking delicious treats. But everything is not great. His family’s business, Love Bakes, is in trouble and doesn’t seem to be getting better anytime soon. However, if Jack could win the prize money at the end of the competition, then maybe Love Bakes can regain it’s footing once more. What Jack didn’t count on was Meg and the feelings she would invoke in him. Could she mean more to him than the business he’s trying to save?
– this is part of a series, but can be read as a stand-alone
– this is told from Jack and Megan’s points of view
– majority of the book takes place in October on a Christmas themed TV show set
Review:
I ended up staying up way later than I should have reading this story! It was so entertaining and enjoyable! I loved Jack and Megan together and how their relationship progressed. I liked that it wasn’t the usual they both liked/disliked each other or even one felt one way and the other felt the opposite. Instead Meg liked Jack and Jack had no clue who she was, which led to some entertaining moments of miscommunication. I liked their ‘temporary’ truce and how it got them to know each other better when they otherwise wouldn’t have. Some of my favorite scenes/moments included: hiding things in each other’s stations to be found later, the interviews, time on the rooftop, teasing, watching a movie together, the butter, and Rhett talking things out with Jack.
Summary:
Megan wants to live the baking life, not the law life. But with time running out on the agreement with her mother, Meg worries that she’ll be stuck as a lawyer. As a last resort, Meg applies for the show Baking Spirits Bright in hopes that she can win the reward money, pay her mother back, and expand her bakery. She’s not going there to make friends, just to prove to herself and her parents that she is where she belongs. But when the subject of her summer affections also gets on the show, Meg wonders if this is the when she can get to finally notice her.
Jack doesn’t want to be on Baking Spirits Bright, he has to be. If everything was great in his world, Jack would still be in the back avoiding people while baking delicious treats. But everything is not great. His family’s business, Love Bakes, is in trouble and doesn’t seem to be getting better anytime soon. However, if Jack could win the prize money at the end of the competition, then maybe Love Bakes can regain it’s footing once more. What Jack didn’t count on was Meg and the feelings she would invoke in him. Could she mean more to him than the business he’s trying to save?
November 27, 2022
Hallmark Movie Meets Christmas Baking Show!
Meg and Jack both audition for Baking Spirits Bright (a holiday themed TV baking competition) in order to save their respective bakeries. As they get to know one another better will winning still be the most important thing?
* Part of a series, but can be read as a stand alone
* Dual POV
* Sweet/Clean closed door romance
Meg is such a fun character. She loves baking and needs to make a success of her bakery in order to keep living her dream. She made a deal with her mom that she would go to law school instead of baking if she couldn't turn enough of a profit to pay back her mom's investment in the bakery within a set timeframe (which is almost up)! Meg decides to give it one last go by auditioning for Baking Spirits Bright. The prize money would be enough to pay back her mom and give her a chance to open a second location.
Jack is a total introvert who would love nothing more than to be left alone to bake in the back of the bakery he inherited from his mom. However, his brother, who runs the financial side of the bakery, keeps insisting they need to do more to increase revenue or the bakery will be lost. Jack finally agrees to audition for Baking Spirits Bright as a last resort to save the bakery that is his last connection to his mom.
Favorites:
* Witty Banter/ Teasing
* The Temporary Truce
* Fun/Creative Baking Challenges
* Jack and Meg hiding gifts for each other in the drawers of their baking stations
* Meg's use of baking terms as swear words
* The Rooftop
* Watching the movie together
* The Brownie Traitor
This was a really fun Christmas read. It made me want a recipe book of all the challenge recipes.
*I was given an ARC of this book, however, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Meg and Jack both audition for Baking Spirits Bright (a holiday themed TV baking competition) in order to save their respective bakeries. As they get to know one another better will winning still be the most important thing?
* Part of a series, but can be read as a stand alone
* Dual POV
* Sweet/Clean closed door romance
Meg is such a fun character. She loves baking and needs to make a success of her bakery in order to keep living her dream. She made a deal with her mom that she would go to law school instead of baking if she couldn't turn enough of a profit to pay back her mom's investment in the bakery within a set timeframe (which is almost up)! Meg decides to give it one last go by auditioning for Baking Spirits Bright. The prize money would be enough to pay back her mom and give her a chance to open a second location.
Jack is a total introvert who would love nothing more than to be left alone to bake in the back of the bakery he inherited from his mom. However, his brother, who runs the financial side of the bakery, keeps insisting they need to do more to increase revenue or the bakery will be lost. Jack finally agrees to audition for Baking Spirits Bright as a last resort to save the bakery that is his last connection to his mom.
Favorites:
* Witty Banter/ Teasing
* The Temporary Truce
* Fun/Creative Baking Challenges
* Jack and Meg hiding gifts for each other in the drawers of their baking stations
* Meg's use of baking terms as swear words
* The Rooftop
* Watching the movie together
* The Brownie Traitor
This was a really fun Christmas read. It made me want a recipe book of all the challenge recipes.
*I was given an ARC of this book, however, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 26, 2023
I know it is super late to be posting Christmas recs., but I just had to get the perfect photo for such an amazing book. The book has a mix of the following tropes: she loves first, but he love harder, enemies to lovers, and Christmas romance. The book starts off with Meg and Jack explaining why they’re applying to Baking Spirits Bright, the baking show that could make or break their businesses. Both are worried that their businesses are going to collapse while participating on the show, but know that the prize money in the end will be worth all the stress. What they didn’t expect, was to fall in love with each other, their competitor, their enemy. They ironically live near each other so, when Meg sees Jack in the beginning she is absolutely furious that her rival at home is now also her opponent here. Jack, unknowingly, does not remember her, but decides that making a truce with her would be beneficial to trying to make it to the end of the competition. Eventually, while working together to beat the competition, they get to know each other a little better. As both of their feelings towards each other rise, they both remind themselves what the initial goal of participating in Baking Spirits Bright was, to win not to fall in love. However, one fun night of opening up to each other and breaking down barriers, led to them completely doing the opposite of what was originally planned, but it does not end here. As both of them make it to the finale, both don’t know what to do if the other wins and what makes it worse is that Jack found out some bad news that would change his life forever! All of this leads to heartbreak, betrayal, and learning to open up on Jacks part. Will they make it through at the end? What will happen to Jack? Will both of their businesses be saved or will one of them lose sight of what they worked hard towards?
4.5/5
4.5/5
October 23, 2024
This was going in the 5 star direction and then.....Jack messes it ALL up! I honestly want to give it 2 stars for how bad the last few chapters were but that wouldn't be fair since the rest of the story had been going SO well! 😫
I mean, a baking competition? Fun times if my obsession with baking shows have anything to say about it 🤭
Enemies to lovers vibes with Megan and Jack. They actually don't get along and it shows at first. Then Jack decided to "keep his enemies close" and tries to befriend Megan to keep an eye on her.
All the more reason I ended up hating him towards the end. HE was the one with ill intentions and he has the nerve to claim Megan is a back stabber!
He claimed she was his "everything" and that they be okay no matter what happened in the competition, then proceeds to blow her off and ghost her and is cold to her. He ignores her when all she tries to do is help. And even AFTER he's an ass to her she STILL begs and pleads and does everything she can to help his dreams.
Not ONCE does he concern himself with HER dreams. HE had no intention of helping HER with the winnings if he won. I honestly couldn't stand his attitude and think Megan gave in WAY to easily.
Such a shame because I had high hopes for how their relationship was developing and much like Megan, I felt Jack just made me plummet smh
I mean, a baking competition? Fun times if my obsession with baking shows have anything to say about it 🤭
Enemies to lovers vibes with Megan and Jack. They actually don't get along and it shows at first. Then Jack decided to "keep his enemies close" and tries to befriend Megan to keep an eye on her.
All the more reason I ended up hating him towards the end. HE was the one with ill intentions and he has the nerve to claim Megan is a back stabber!
He claimed she was his "everything" and that they be okay no matter what happened in the competition, then proceeds to blow her off and ghost her and is cold to her. He ignores her when all she tries to do is help. And even AFTER he's an ass to her she STILL begs and pleads and does everything she can to help his dreams.
Not ONCE does he concern himself with HER dreams. HE had no intention of helping HER with the winnings if he won. I honestly couldn't stand his attitude and think Megan gave in WAY to easily.
Such a shame because I had high hopes for how their relationship was developing and much like Megan, I felt Jack just made me plummet smh
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 16, 2022
Jack and Frost Bake Off
By Amanda P Jones
Thank you again Amanda for gifting me an ARC ebook copy! ❤️
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
Jack is on the verge of losing his late mothers bakery. Megan is indebted to her mother and desperately does not want to give up her dream to go be a paralegal. They both enter into the holiday baking competition “Baking Spirits Bright” to win the prize money to change their lives forever. Both from Connecticut, and Jack having stolen orders from Megan’s bakery in the past, she is on a mission to win. Jack’s bakery is on the verge of closing, he needs the money 💰to keep his mothers dream alive. When it comes to the finale of the show, who made it, who is distracted and who will win?
My thoughts: I loved this adorable book. The only reason for a not 5/5 was a description in the beginning of the book that I just couldn’t shake off, it was a description that no one woman would ever apologize for and it could’ve been done without. But past that I loved the spark between Megan and Jack, the mystery of what happened to Mark, Jack’s brother, and what happened to all the money. This book will absolutely get you in the holiday spirit, and bonus points if you love tv baking competitions.
By Amanda P Jones
Thank you again Amanda for gifting me an ARC ebook copy! ❤️
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
Jack is on the verge of losing his late mothers bakery. Megan is indebted to her mother and desperately does not want to give up her dream to go be a paralegal. They both enter into the holiday baking competition “Baking Spirits Bright” to win the prize money to change their lives forever. Both from Connecticut, and Jack having stolen orders from Megan’s bakery in the past, she is on a mission to win. Jack’s bakery is on the verge of closing, he needs the money 💰to keep his mothers dream alive. When it comes to the finale of the show, who made it, who is distracted and who will win?
My thoughts: I loved this adorable book. The only reason for a not 5/5 was a description in the beginning of the book that I just couldn’t shake off, it was a description that no one woman would ever apologize for and it could’ve been done without. But past that I loved the spark between Megan and Jack, the mystery of what happened to Mark, Jack’s brother, and what happened to all the money. This book will absolutely get you in the holiday spirit, and bonus points if you love tv baking competitions.
November 29, 2022
4.5 rounded up!
✨𝖡𝗈𝗈𝗄 𝖱𝖾𝗏𝗂𝖾𝗐✨
🍪𝖶𝗁𝖺𝗍 𝖸𝗈𝗎 𝖭𝖾𝖾𝖽 𝖳𝗈 𝖪𝗇𝗈𝗐:
- Meg needs money to support her bakery. Jack needs money to support his. These rivals enter a televised baking competition called “Baking Spirits Bright” to win a hefty amount of money. Who will win and how much is at stake?
🖋𝖰𝗎𝗈𝗍𝖾𝗌:
- “Chocolate chip cookies were good on any day, at any time.”
- “When I’m in the kitchen, I’m thinking about you.”
- “He reminded me of baklava with all the layers to navigate through.”
💫𝖳𝗁𝗂𝗇𝗀𝗌 𝖨 𝖫𝗂𝗄𝖾𝖽:
- Truly the sweetest (pun intended) rom-com!
- Food references- Seriously, make sure you have snacks and sweets on hand because your mouth WILL water reading about all of these delicious desserts.
- Elaine Benes (Seinfeld) reference. That spoke to my 90s heart lol
- Way more sweet than spicy- which I LOVE! So many romances make it all about the steam and while there is plenty of anticipation, I liked not feeling cringey over spicy scenes!
💫𝖳𝗁𝗂𝗇𝗀𝗌 𝖨 𝖣𝗂𝖽𝗇'𝗍:
- “Oh, fruitcake”- fake, but fun curse words reminded me a bit of YA, but it wasn’t distracting from the overall concept.
💫𝖱𝖾𝖺𝖽 𝖳𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖨𝖿 𝖸𝗈𝗎'𝗋𝖾 𝖨𝗇𝗍𝗈:
- The Great British Bake Off
- Forced proximity
- Food Competition
- Rivals to lovers
- Dual POVs
- Sweet > spicy
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/(5)
✨𝖡𝗈𝗈𝗄 𝖱𝖾𝗏𝗂𝖾𝗐✨
🍪𝖶𝗁𝖺𝗍 𝖸𝗈𝗎 𝖭𝖾𝖾𝖽 𝖳𝗈 𝖪𝗇𝗈𝗐:
- Meg needs money to support her bakery. Jack needs money to support his. These rivals enter a televised baking competition called “Baking Spirits Bright” to win a hefty amount of money. Who will win and how much is at stake?
🖋𝖰𝗎𝗈𝗍𝖾𝗌:
- “Chocolate chip cookies were good on any day, at any time.”
- “When I’m in the kitchen, I’m thinking about you.”
- “He reminded me of baklava with all the layers to navigate through.”
💫𝖳𝗁𝗂𝗇𝗀𝗌 𝖨 𝖫𝗂𝗄𝖾𝖽:
- Truly the sweetest (pun intended) rom-com!
- Food references- Seriously, make sure you have snacks and sweets on hand because your mouth WILL water reading about all of these delicious desserts.
- Elaine Benes (Seinfeld) reference. That spoke to my 90s heart lol
- Way more sweet than spicy- which I LOVE! So many romances make it all about the steam and while there is plenty of anticipation, I liked not feeling cringey over spicy scenes!
💫𝖳𝗁𝗂𝗇𝗀𝗌 𝖨 𝖣𝗂𝖽𝗇'𝗍:
- “Oh, fruitcake”- fake, but fun curse words reminded me a bit of YA, but it wasn’t distracting from the overall concept.
💫𝖱𝖾𝖺𝖽 𝖳𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖨𝖿 𝖸𝗈𝗎'𝗋𝖾 𝖨𝗇𝗍𝗈:
- The Great British Bake Off
- Forced proximity
- Food Competition
- Rivals to lovers
- Dual POVs
- Sweet > spicy
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/(5)
November 25, 2022
Romance level: kissing 🔥.
Their first meeting 😂. Meg was such a whirlwind! Jack didn't see her coming.
The first bits of their relationship were true but rough. I loved them warming up to each other, their jokes, the banter.
Okay this was a slow burn🔥I love the almost kisses! & The actual kiss! 😍.
The fact that they couldn't resist each other was sweet. I loved their communication at the beginning. It didn't matter how awkward the moment was.
It was nice to see these two patch up. Not every miscommunication could be avoided. I wished they spoke more about what was going on. However, I could understand Jack's fear & hurt. It didn't excuse what he did, but he was in panic.
I loved that Rhett was there to smack him back to reality. The epilogue was sweet🧁. I'm excited to see if we get Rhett's story
Scenes I loved:
🧁 Competition
🏋️♂️ Gym time
📱their texts
🎤 Singing
☘️ Mistletoe
🫲THE HAND TOUCH
🍁
* I was kindly gifted an ARC from the author. This doesn't influence in any form my review/opinion of the book*.
Their first meeting 😂. Meg was such a whirlwind! Jack didn't see her coming.
The first bits of their relationship were true but rough. I loved them warming up to each other, their jokes, the banter.
Okay this was a slow burn🔥I love the almost kisses! & The actual kiss! 😍.
The fact that they couldn't resist each other was sweet. I loved their communication at the beginning. It didn't matter how awkward the moment was.
It was nice to see these two patch up. Not every miscommunication could be avoided. I wished they spoke more about what was going on. However, I could understand Jack's fear & hurt. It didn't excuse what he did, but he was in panic.
I loved that Rhett was there to smack him back to reality. The epilogue was sweet🧁. I'm excited to see if we get Rhett's story
Scenes I loved:
🧁 Competition
🏋️♂️ Gym time
📱their texts
🎤 Singing
☘️ Mistletoe
🫲THE HAND TOUCH
🍁
* I was kindly gifted an ARC from the author. This doesn't influence in any form my review/opinion of the book*.
December 3, 2022
Holiday baking show and your competitor is your nemesis? Yes. Please.
And what’s even better? Your nemesis doesn’t even know who you are.
This book was so much fun. I loved the banter and friendship that evolved between Jack and Meg – and I loved the unspoken desire that coursed through both of them once the got to know each other.
While there were definitely moments of miscommunication in this one, it was done on purpose as a way to protect one another (i.e. Jack says something he don’t mean to protect Meg’s personal life and she overhears it and assumes the worst).
A definite slow-burn romcom, with enemies to friends to lovers, and a fun workplace romance, this book had a lot of family drama, emotional baggage, and striving to achieve one’s dreams. I was here for it and never wanted to put it down.
Despite being the second in the series, it can definitely be read as a standalone – granted, I plan to go back and read book one soon!
Thank you to the author herself for an early copy!
And what’s even better? Your nemesis doesn’t even know who you are.
This book was so much fun. I loved the banter and friendship that evolved between Jack and Meg – and I loved the unspoken desire that coursed through both of them once the got to know each other.
While there were definitely moments of miscommunication in this one, it was done on purpose as a way to protect one another (i.e. Jack says something he don’t mean to protect Meg’s personal life and she overhears it and assumes the worst).
A definite slow-burn romcom, with enemies to friends to lovers, and a fun workplace romance, this book had a lot of family drama, emotional baggage, and striving to achieve one’s dreams. I was here for it and never wanted to put it down.
Despite being the second in the series, it can definitely be read as a standalone – granted, I plan to go back and read book one soon!
Thank you to the author herself for an early copy!
November 20, 2022
Jack & Frost Bake Off review: “I’d pretend I loved people as much as the most extroverted extrovert that ever extroverted” this quote had me at the beginning of the book! How I feel every time I “get to” attend a social event 😝
The Baking Spirits Bright TV competition brings Jack and Megan, two bakery owners together, entering for their own financially motivated reasons! This is the perfect book to get you in the Holiday Spirit! Jack and Megan were the perfect amount of witty banter and flirting! Jack is a handsome, quiet Grinch that finds his way into your heart. Megan is upbeat and friendly with everyone! And of course the perfect side kicks come into play; Sarah is the sister you want and Rhett is the friend you need! (Seriously… so excited for a spin off about Rhett!?!)
Jack & Frost Bake off kept me reading way too late at night! Grab your blanket, salted brownie, hot chocolate and settle in by the fire for a quick page turner!
The Baking Spirits Bright TV competition brings Jack and Megan, two bakery owners together, entering for their own financially motivated reasons! This is the perfect book to get you in the Holiday Spirit! Jack and Megan were the perfect amount of witty banter and flirting! Jack is a handsome, quiet Grinch that finds his way into your heart. Megan is upbeat and friendly with everyone! And of course the perfect side kicks come into play; Sarah is the sister you want and Rhett is the friend you need! (Seriously… so excited for a spin off about Rhett!?!)
Jack & Frost Bake off kept me reading way too late at night! Grab your blanket, salted brownie, hot chocolate and settle in by the fire for a quick page turner!
November 21, 2022
I love a good Christmas romance. This was a very sweet book and felt very Hallmark movie while reading. Meg was a sweet character, very funny, and awkward! I loved the spilled lotion scene! Introverted Jack has to survive being in front of a camera to save his mother’s bakery. The dynamic between the two characters is very funny. Meg doesn’t like Jack from the beginning and we get to find out along with Jack why she doesn’t like him that much. As a reader, I found that part very fun, in a way interacting with the characters’ life. As an avid Great British Baking Show watcher, I loved the baking competition setting and how it set everything up for their romance.
The one thing that dropped this from 5 stars to 4, is the “falling in love” so quickly. For me, it felt like it happened super fast! Overall, this is a fun book to read to get in the spirit of Christmas and it’s a lovely holiday romance.
I received an ARC in exchange for my opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.
The one thing that dropped this from 5 stars to 4, is the “falling in love” so quickly. For me, it felt like it happened super fast! Overall, this is a fun book to read to get in the spirit of Christmas and it’s a lovely holiday romance.
I received an ARC in exchange for my opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.
November 19, 2022
4.5/5 Ugh this book was so cute and swoony, I loved it 😭 I had a great time READING the book, because it flows so well, and the the relationship development is done really thoroughly despite the romance being a relatively fast-burn. And the dessert descriptions were so drool-worthy, I feel like eating them all 🥲 I really loved every scene between Meg and Jack, they had amazing chemistry and banter!
I did dock half a star because the third act breakup made me really sad/angry, and I would have liked more grovelling before it was resolved coz I'm still hurt on behalf of the FMC 💔 but well, I know I'm super sensitive to third act breakups, so chances are, you'll find this totally understandable..
If you're looking for a cheery Christmas romance/romcom, I'd recommend you try this one! It's very swoony and has amazing descriptions of food ☕
I did dock half a star because the third act breakup made me really sad/angry, and I would have liked more grovelling before it was resolved coz I'm still hurt on behalf of the FMC 💔 but well, I know I'm super sensitive to third act breakups, so chances are, you'll find this totally understandable..
If you're looking for a cheery Christmas romance/romcom, I'd recommend you try this one! It's very swoony and has amazing descriptions of food ☕
November 10, 2022
Contestants, get ready… for a Holiday showdown!!!!
Megan is ready to defy all odds. She could have pleased her family and followed their legacy to law school, but what’s the fun in that? She can prove to her disapproving mother that her bakery is worth the loan, she is determined to pay her back and do what she loves. The issue is, money is a little tight; so Megan decides to sign up for a Baking Spirits Bright. The worst thing possible is she loses but gains publicity, it’s really a win-win situation. What will happen when the owner of her town's rival bakeshop is also a contestant?
Jack is in a sticky situation. He can’t lose moms bakery, it’s the only piece of her he has left. With an estranged father, a shifty brother, a perpetually busy best friend, and a business about to go under; Jack needs to make some big choices. When he hears news of Baking Spirits Bright, it seems like a sign, he can finally save the bakery. Losing is not an option, Jack is in it to win. Problem is, Jack is a bit of a grumpy introvert that doesn’t love cameras in his face and being peppered with constant questions. Will he make it to the end or will he crumble like a cookie?
I need to admit that I have an unhealthy love for baking competitions and shows so this book felt too good to be true. Author Amanda Jones exceeded my expectations and had me in a trance. Both characters have their own hardships that grab your heartstrings and yank on them over and over again. The surprises each round had you on the edge of your seat and wondering how in the world contestants would pull it off. Some rounds were cute, but some were cutthroat with extra twists sprinkled in. We got to read about the behind-the-scenes bits of being on a reality show, how long the days really are, and how the television industry fools viewers at times. There are emotional character backgrounds, properly built character development, sizzling tension, bits of humor thrown in, and a shocking surprise at the end. Amanda Jones, you really gave us that sugar, spice, and everything nice. Thank you.
Megan is ready to defy all odds. She could have pleased her family and followed their legacy to law school, but what’s the fun in that? She can prove to her disapproving mother that her bakery is worth the loan, she is determined to pay her back and do what she loves. The issue is, money is a little tight; so Megan decides to sign up for a Baking Spirits Bright. The worst thing possible is she loses but gains publicity, it’s really a win-win situation. What will happen when the owner of her town's rival bakeshop is also a contestant?
Jack is in a sticky situation. He can’t lose moms bakery, it’s the only piece of her he has left. With an estranged father, a shifty brother, a perpetually busy best friend, and a business about to go under; Jack needs to make some big choices. When he hears news of Baking Spirits Bright, it seems like a sign, he can finally save the bakery. Losing is not an option, Jack is in it to win. Problem is, Jack is a bit of a grumpy introvert that doesn’t love cameras in his face and being peppered with constant questions. Will he make it to the end or will he crumble like a cookie?
I need to admit that I have an unhealthy love for baking competitions and shows so this book felt too good to be true. Author Amanda Jones exceeded my expectations and had me in a trance. Both characters have their own hardships that grab your heartstrings and yank on them over and over again. The surprises each round had you on the edge of your seat and wondering how in the world contestants would pull it off. Some rounds were cute, but some were cutthroat with extra twists sprinkled in. We got to read about the behind-the-scenes bits of being on a reality show, how long the days really are, and how the television industry fools viewers at times. There are emotional character backgrounds, properly built character development, sizzling tension, bits of humor thrown in, and a shocking surprise at the end. Amanda Jones, you really gave us that sugar, spice, and everything nice. Thank you.
November 5, 2022
Ahh. This was the definition of a light and fluffy Christmas romcom. It was super sweet and was a quick read! I loved the character development throughout the book, both Meg and Jack went onto the show for themselves and themselves only and by the end they both wanted to be the hero in each other’s story and I loved that. I felt that i could have used more angst and smaller details.
It felt like cupcake wars meets hallmark christmas movie and it was fun!
I adored that Jack called Meg nutmeg. like COME ON. the sweetest nickname for a baking romance.
It’s giving: Enemies to Lovers, Found Family, Cooking Bake Show, Forced Proximity and Small Town Romance vibes.
Thank you so much to the author for providing an ARC in return for an honest review!
It felt like cupcake wars meets hallmark christmas movie and it was fun!
I adored that Jack called Meg nutmeg. like COME ON. the sweetest nickname for a baking romance.
It’s giving: Enemies to Lovers, Found Family, Cooking Bake Show, Forced Proximity and Small Town Romance vibes.
Thank you so much to the author for providing an ARC in return for an honest review!
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