Shortlisted for the RNA Romantic Comedy Award in 2025

'Cosy, fun and delicious – a book to devour in one sitting' Emily Stone, author of Always, In December

'A base of rivals to lovers, gooey baking-related centre, topped off with a cinnamon roll hero and a sprinkle of grumpy x sunshine! Gorgeous' Zoe Allison, author of The Ex-Mas Holidays

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It's love at first fight

Elodie has big dreams for her little cake shop, so when a perfect bigger unit becomes vacant, she’s excited to finally expand. Except it turns out the space has already been snatched up – and by a fitness-obsessed gym bro who hates carbs and sugar!

But when a local influencer offers her the opportunity to bake for a big celebrity wedding, Elodie can’t believe her luck. Until she finds out that her new carb-hating nemesis, Mal, has been hired to cater the same event.

The two rivals have to put their personal feelings aside to work together to pull off the wedding of the year – and they only have two months to do it! But will they be able to resist trying to kill each other, or will sparks – and cupcakes – fly in the heat of the moment?

Tropes:

Baking!

?? Grumpy x sunshine

Cinnamon roll love interest

Small town

?? Enemies to lovers

Forced proximity

Black cat x golden retriever

Readers love The Winner Bakes It All:

'SO good! Cute, funny, romantic… and full of drool-worthy cakes! I absolutely loved Mal, he was a total sweetheart!' Reader review ?????

'Another wonderful romance by Jeevani Charika, which has a dash of culture, a sprinkle of health knowledge and a pinch of hate-to-love!' Reader review ?????

'Two very loveable leads get off on the wrong foot… There's a great cast of supporting characters… Charika is a really skillful writer, who always makes me laugh and cry and pray its all going to turn out all right.' Reader review ?????