Layla Dupree has given up on love. She’s waded through all the fish in the sea, each one more disappointing than the last. Apparently, owning the bakery at Inglewild’s most romantic destination does not help one’s love life—despite Layla’s best efforts. All she wants is a partner who gives her butterflies, not someone who ghosts her at dinner and leaves her with the check.
Good thing Caleb Alvarez has the perfect solution. After saving Layla from another date gone bad, he has a simple proposition: one month of no-strings dating. He’ll do his best to renew her faith in men while she rates his romantic game. It’s a win-win situation. All the benefits of dating without the added pressure of feelings and unmet expectations.
But there’s one ingredient they haven’t considered. The chemistry between them is red-hot, and the urge to take things to the next level is more tempting than Layla’s mocha fudge brownies.
Release Date: Aug 1, 2023
Series: Lovelight
Book: 3
Heat Level: Heat
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Berkley
Price: $10.99
Layla owns the cute little bakery in Inglewild. It’s known for being a cozy and romantic spot, not that Layla would know. She doesn’t seem to bring such luck into her life. After a disastrous date, her friend Caleb has come to the rescue. While sulking over her lack of love life, they agree to date one another with no strings attached. Caleb would show off his skills, and Layla’s faith in love would be restored.
I love Caleb. Oh wow. He just brought out the feels. He is such a nice guy. He has been in love with Layla for a long time, and this is the perfect opportunity to show her what a good guy looks like. He just knocks it out of the park.
This probably is the best story in this series. I really don’t like overly sweet romances, or even ones with both characters are very sugary, but this fits the bill. The funny and sexy banter between the two is perfect. I love how Caleb got to demonstrate what a healthy relationship would look like. Layla got to see who Caleb really was, and there was no denying that she liked it.
Other characters from the series pop up. The small town is the perfect backdrop to the story as the characters provide the necessary nosiness. The families are involved, and there is not too much angst. The author relies on making the reader feel that the two characters deserve each other with every date and link up at the bakery.
Overall, this was the perfect sweet spot for me. I read this one afternoon on the beach during vacation and fell in love.
~ Samantha
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