Score: 4.25/5 Bookmarks

Steam Level: 🍆🍆/5

A huge thank you to Berkley for gifting me a review copy of Donut Fall in Love by Jackie Lau. What is it about baking shows and cooking classes that is so incredibly soothing?

I was 100% here for these two, Ryan Kwok, famous-ish actor and Lindsay McLeod, baker extraordinaire. Set in Toronto Ryan is back in town having just wrapped up some promotion for his latest movie. He’s taking some time off and trying to decide what to do next. He’s asked to be on a celebrity edition of a baking show, and not wanting to make a fool of himself he asks a local baker for lessons.

Lindsay McLeod helps run her family’s bakery, where they specialize in donuts and she’s trying to convince her family that they need to modernize and raise their prices if they’re going to stay in business. When Ryan quite literally bumps into Lindsay in her store, spilling her painstakingly decorated creations all over the floor she isn’t exactly thrilled to be meeting him. She accepts his proposal for lessons though, and the two become close as they spend more time together.

I loved watching them both open up to each other, and learn more about themselves along the way. Plus, everything they were baking sounded so yummy. This was a really sweet (no pun intended, I swear) story and one you should add to your TBR if you haven’t already.

Synopsis:

A baker provides the sweetest escape for an actor in this charming romantic comedy.

Actor Ryan Kwok is back in Toronto after the promotional tour for his latest film, a rom-com that is getting less-than-stellar reviews. After the sudden death of his mother and years of constant work, Ryan is taking some much-needed time off. But as he tries to be supportive to his family, he struggles with his loss and doesn't know how to talk to his dad—who now trolls him on Twitter instead of meeting him for dim sum.

Innovative baker Lindsay McLeod meets Ryan when he knocks over two dozen specialty donuts at her bakery. Their relationship is off to a messy start, but there’s no denying their immediate attraction. When Ryan signs up for a celebrity episode of Baking Fail, he asks Lindsay to teach him how to bake and she agrees.

As Lindsay and Ryan spend time together, bonding over grief and bubble tea, it starts to feel like they’re cooking up something sweeter than cupcakes in the kitchen.