Jayci Lee delivers “a perfect balance of impeccable wit, laugh out loud hilarity, and off the charts chemistry. A Sweet Mess is a sinfully decadent romantic comedy.”–New York Times bestselling author Helena Hunting Aubrey Choi has been content running her highly successful bakery Comfort Zone and with its first expansion taking up all of her time, dating has been the least of her priorities. … the least of her priorities. Then a one-night-stand with gorgeous Korean hunk Landon Kim makes her want things she didn’t think she had time for. Too bad it turns out he’s a celebrity food critic whose scathing review of Comfort Zone goes viral and nearly destroys Aubrey’s business–and her fond memory of their night together.
Landon tries to clean up the mess he made by offering Aubrey a spot on the new celebrity cooking show he’s producing. She agrees to use this as a way to save her bakery and her reputation–no thanks to him–but vows to guard her heart. Now Aubrey and Landon find themselves sharing a villa in California wine country, which is a guaranteed recipe for disaster. For the next three weeks, baker and critic will tempt each other as they struggle to resist admitting that they have all the necessary ingredients for love.
“A rich, vibrant romance that’s a feast for all the senses.”–#1 New York Times bestselling author Lauren Blakely
Includes Delicious Dessert Recipes!
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A Sweet Mess by Jayci Lee was such a good book, it was able to rip out my heart and then mend it back all in the same storyline. I loved the chemistry between Audrey and Landon, they were amazing together. I most definitely would recommend this book to all my friends.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher and this is my fair and honest review of the book.
Aubrey impressed me with her passion and determination to live her dream. She loves to make people happy with the food she creates. This was a bold move for her to leave her family and venture out on her own. Just as she is expanding her business, she becomes the ire to a food critic after he is served a special-order cake that didn’t impress him. What makes this even crazier, the food critic in question is the same man she had the most amazing one-night stand with, Landon. Landon is surprised to learn that Aubrey, the woman that won’t leave his thoughts, is the same baker of that crazy Bundt cake he had. He has a problem, he never reviews a restaurant twice and now, he’s had a personal relationship with her. He isn’t a complete ogre, which made me happy, he wants to help save her business so he gets her a spot on cooking show where she gets to showcase two new recipes. The fun really begins when they end up sharing a villa in preparation of filming. To protect both of their careers, they need to keep their relationship strictly professional. But Landon hasn’t tasted Aubrey’s sweet buns yet. Will they be able to resist their magnetic chemistry? Landon surprised me, he is so successful as a food critic but as he opens up to Aubrey, we learn that this isn’t his true dream or passion. She is a bright light in his world, but will he be willing to embrace what Aubrey is offering? Or will he be afraid to change? This story surprised me so many times. So glad I took a chance on a new author to me. I voluntarily read an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.
Will definitely satisfy your craving for a rom-com with an added dash of emotion and drama!
After Aubrey and Landon have a one night stand he writes a scathing review of her bakery based on an innocent mistake. Upon learning of her error he sees an opportunity to fix his mistake, without actually apologizing for it, and spend more time with the woman he can’t get out of his head. Aubrey knows spring more time with him could help her business but will break her heart?
Jayci Lee did a really good job of building the sexual tension and giving us just enough but not too much. The “will they or won’t they” kept me turning the pages until the twist/surprise – which was something I totally saw coming and absolutely loved, but then I have a weakness for any element of that particular trope!
I also really loved the exploration of food as a language of love and representation of the characters’ Korean and Korean-American heritage, but beware some of these descriptions will have you craving a taste of the real thing! Tara, Aria, Lucien, and Linda were an excellent supporting cast that helped flesh out the world as well as Landon and Aubrey.
This was my first Jayci Lee book but it won’t be my last!
I received a complimentary review copy of this book but all opinions are my own.
A laugh out loud story. Who knew gummy worms could bring two people together to find love? Landon has strict plans for his life and it does not call for settling down. Aubrey is having a crazy day and just wants to wind down with a drink. A disastrous mistake sees these two spending time together to make things right. Trying to stay out of each other’s beds become a challenge in hilarity. The characters are fun and will keep you delighted as you turn the pages.
Interesting characters, a difficult situation, an intense attraction and descriptions of mouthwatering desserts ensures an enjoyable read. Due to a young employee giving Landon the wrong cake, he nearly destroys the Aubrey’s bakery’s business with a scathing review. When Landon realizes that Aubrey is a very talented pastry chef and the woman that he spent an unforgettable night with, he wants to fix it without ruining both of their reputations. I received a free copy of this ebook from the publisher through Netgallery. Both Audrey and Landon are both strong likable characters. I really liked that Audrey knew what she wanted in life and was willing to fight for it. I liked how the author showed both of their vulnerabilities and their emotions. Beware there are some steamy scenes and descriptions of heavenly desserts. I enjoyed reading this book.
A Sweet Mess by Jayci Lee a sweet four-star read. This was sweet and cute and had all of the makings of a great read, but it took me awhile to connect with the characters, they didn’t feel real to me for a little while. This has the sweet mix-ups and the drama that I usually enjoy in a story, and this did well but it didn’t excite me and make me want to keep going like I hoped it would. I will try another read from this author to see if it was just this story, but if I found the same, I wouldn’t try again.
4 Star review A Sweet Mess by Jayci Lee
Jayci Lee is a new author to me and I am surprised I have not come across her before. This was an entertaining read that I enjoyed. I love books set in a small town which is where Aubrey Choi runs her bakery. When her recent one night stand, Landon Kim, turns out to be a food critic whose review has virtually destroyed her business she is furious.
When Landon realizes his mistake, he sets out to help Aubrey save her business. This was a fun story, I loved the banter that flowed between Aubrey and Landon. There were times that I wasn’t sure if I wanted to hug him or smack him but he turned out to be awesome in the end.
The writing was descriptive and I could almost feel myself tasting and drinking the food and wine. There was humour, a little angst, miss communication and some great secondary characters.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
This was a enjoyable story to read. All the food made me hungry. I liked the humor in the story. Both Aubrey and Landon are very likable characters. Things started out a mess but I was happy to se them get their Happily Ever After.
I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
A Sweet Mess is an emotional, sweet, steamy, and obviously funny romantic comedy. The main characters Aubrey and Landon have serious chemistry and the author, Jayci Lee, does a great job translating that chemistry on page. The steam level in this one is high, but it also more of a fade out read when it comes to the more detailed intimate aspects. This story is written in third person point of view, and that is honestly my only complaint. I personally can not connect as well with the characters when that is the perspective it’s written in, BUT I will say that it was slightly easier with A Sweet Mess. The story just has a good flow, and I think that’s why I was able to connect as well as I did. I will say, without giving things away, that there are a few trope-y plots going on in this one that I personally enjoyed, but I think may bother some people.
All in all though, this was a good romcom read. Would I purchase it for myself? Probably not. It’s an enjoyable read, and an easy one at that though, and I would for sure recommend it to anyone who loves a well written, trope-y romcom.
Confession time first; a couple months ago I discovered K-dramas and now I am addicted to them and if you haven’t started watching them, please go, go and start watching them so I’m it’s not only me spending countless hours of my day on them. And if you have been watching them, aren’t they amazing?
Now back to this book, when I saw that this story was about Koren-American characters, I mean I had to read about it; first because of my obsession with kdramas and because the story line just sounded just too cute to pass up; and it mention food and who doesn’t like to read about FOOD?
Aubrey Choi has small but successful bakery in California and she is saving up to expand and open a bigger location and everything is going well until she gets a bad review and everything goes down the drain. What’s worse is that the review came from the man she had a one-night stand, a perfect one-night stand. He is one of the most popular food critics in California, Landon Kim.
When Landon shows up at her bakery with a plan to save her business, Aubrey knows that she shouldn’t accept it but saving her business is what her life is all about so she goes along with it and along with Landon she goes.
Spending three weeks with Landon didn’t seem that bad of a deal with Aubrey said yes, but the more time they spend together the more they realize their feelings are more than they realized. But will they act on it or deny how they feel.
Let’s talk about much I loved the food mention in this book, loved it. The love story was just a sweet too, even though it was a little too quick at times but it was still cute, I loved Aubrey, she was funny and wasn’t afraid to just go out of her way and say what she wanted. Landon was hottie, and loved to get his POV so we could understand him a little better.
Overall, such a cute love story and I totally recommend it.
Got an early eARC from Netgalley.
4 out 5 stars!
A Sweet Mess was a delicious contemporary rom-com. Jayci Lee does a great job of making her characters seem real and likeable. I also like that the characters were Asian-American. The plot was pretty predictable except for a few twists. However, this “feel good” story was a real treat that I would recommend.
This is the cutest book ever! There are a ton of twists and turns. It is a definite must read!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
“A Sweet Mess” by Jayci Lee takes us into the foodie world with bakery owner, Aubrey Choi, and food critic, Landon Kim.
I really wanted to like this book since this is Ms. Lee’s debut rom-com. Unfortunately, when I started reading, I felt like I was in the middle of the story instead of the beginning. I felt like I was missing something between Aubrey and her friendship with Tara, and even between Landon and his boss, Craig. There was so much familiarity between each of them, I felt like I stepped into the middle of their conversations.
Then, having the hero and heroine have a sexual encounter before chapter two? Definitely not my favorite way for an author to start a book. I prefer there to be more sexual tension between the characters that will make me wonder when they will give in to their attraction.
I’ve heard that not every book an author writes will resonate favorably with every reader and “A Sweet Mess” is one of those books for me.
A Sweet Mess by Jayci Lee is a confectionery dream of a modern romance that was quick, breezy, romantic, and engaging.
I enjoyed the premise of the traditional misunderstanding and resulting complications to create tension and interest in opposing parties that results in eventual mutual attraction. However, despite the obvious romantic formula, Ms Lee creates a fun and interesting spin that engages the reader from beginning to end. I loved the way the author described all of the culinary delights. One can tell she has an interest and passion with baking. My mouth watered numerous times.
I also like the two main characters: Aubrey and Landon. Yes, they both have their faults and flaws, however that makes them real and complex and I was drawn to the story even more so because of this. I felt they had chemistry and worked well together.
I enjoyed the pace of the book and I also was surprised by the plot twist around the last third of the novel. I felt that definitely added an extra unique aspect to the book that sets it apart from others in its genre.
Overall, I enjoyed the modern-day romance story and was interested from beginning to end. I look forward to additional books by Ms Lee in the future as a feel she has real talent.
4/5 stars