I’m Levi Buchanan, and until five years ago, I thought the legend of my family’s curse was a load of crazy, Southern nonsense.No curse can make you fall in love at first sight. No curse can force a true, deep, passionate, all-consuming love that will haunt you all the days of your life.Then I met Jocelyn Abernathy and I realized how completely wrong I was.The problem is, Jocelyn guards her … is, Jocelyn guards her feelings like well-armed soldier. She’s the most beautiful, stubborn, infuriating woman I’ve ever met. Every time she talks, I want to kiss the living daylights out of her. But I can’t.
Because when we met, she didn’t need true love. She needed a best friend. And that’s what I’ve been to her… for five years.
But when Jocelyn meets a handsome stranger her first day working at Donner Bakery and she lets him buy her a dill pickle cupcake, I realize with ominous regret that I may have missed my window with my best friend.
If I can’t get her to see past our friendship, my new curse may be to watch the love of my life move on with someone else.
‘Baking Me Crazy’ is a full-length contemporary romantic comedy, can be read as a standalone, and is book #1 in the Donner Bakery series, Green Valley World, Penny Reid Book Universe.
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I really, really, REALLY liked Joss. You know…. Joss! She’s the heroine in “Baking Me Crazy.” She’s a kick-ass, take no prisoners, type of gal, rolls around on wheels, and is wringing every single bit of “life” that she’s afforded. Her best friend, Levi, has her back. Always. No questions asked. As he should, because he’s been in love with her since the day they met.
This friends-to-lovers story is funny, sad, quirky, perfectly paced, and sexy as all get out. Levi’s devotion to Joss, Joss’ independence and simultaneous love and care of Levi – I felt them, man. It’s crazy how much I imagined this story unfolding whenever I read a piece of it. Sorensen’s words painted a beautiful picture. She made true love exist, even if it was just within the span of a few hours for me. I can’t wait to see what happens next in the Donner Bakery.
P.S. I’m now checking whether or not Levi’s brothers’ love stories have been written and published before.
P.P.S. I can’t seem to find any back stories on Levi’s brothers. Karla Sorensen, if you ever read this, maybe you can help a girl out and point me towards the right direction?
This was one of the most loving books I’ve read in a while. And I also think it’s a very important book that needs to be read. I love when authors have illnesses in their books because some of us people out here have some very bad luck and draw the short straw and it needs to be shown that we are still human and have feelings and don’t want pity just understanding. And Kayla showed that so perfectly in this book and I can’t wait to read more from her!!! Levi and Joss where absolutely perfect and I didn’t want this book to end!!! I highly recommend it!!!! By Tina
Sweet, touching and funny; a lovely introduction to the pennyverse
Book 1 in the Donner Bakery series, this is one of a number of different series with stories from a variety of different authors, all using Penny Reid’s Knitting in the City/Winston Brothers universe, with this one set in the Winston Brothers’ Green Valley. Note that while Jennifer and Cletus have very brief appearances here, you don’t need to have read their book (or any of the KitC/WB books) to enjoy this.
Jocelyn is a great character and while she has her share of insecurities, I loved her strength and determination (the workout/seduction scene was hilarious ). I also loved getting a glimpse of the world from Joss’s perspective; it was beautifully written without being preachy, and made me re-examine my own attitudes, something I always welcome. I loved Levi, too; steady and supportive, and so determined to be what Joss needs even at his own expense. A friends to lovers, slow burn story, there was plenty of heat sparking between them once Levi decided the time was right to let Joss know how he felt.
Joy from the bakery and Levi’s family were among the great supporting characters adding to the background. There’s a lot of story potential there, and Levi’s older brother, Hunter, especially has me intrigued.
A new to me author, I wasn’t sure quite what to expect going in, but the writing here meshes wonderfully with the pennyverse style, with the same kind of mix of intriguing characters in a story that’s sweet, touching and funny. A lovely introduction to the author, and to the Penny Reid Book Universe. 5+ stars
B2B Kelly
I simply adored this delicious slow burn love story!! I was hooked from the beginning, I couldn’t put it down and never wanted it to end! My heart was all fluttery and feeling every emotion along with Joss. Levi was so sweet and attentive in the best possible way. Very beautifully written! This is the first book I have read of Karla’s and it won’t be my last!! I absolutely loved it. Thanks Karla!
This was an incredibly heartfelt and emotional book that follows a young woman who lost the use of her legs as a teenager and the young man that befriends her and becomes the most important person in her life. Her journey is hard. It takes strength and determination and her focus is everything. She does not see that her bestfriend sees her as so much more. His family curse struck him at 19 and it has had him in its clutches ever since. But how can he convince her that they can be so much more than they are? That a relationship between them will not change who they are to each other, it will strengthen them and make them so much more. Is he too late though? You will just have to read it to find out! This one had me shedding a few tears, and I loved seeing some old friends make appearances. It had some baking deliciousness, it was funny and it was my first read by this author. I loved every minute of it. Well done to the author!
**Please note, I was given an ARC for each of these books for an honest review of them. These reviews are my own thoughts and feelings and I have had no financial compensation to provide these reviews to you**
If you are a fan of Penny Reid, you will love that this book is based in the Penny-Verse of Green Valley, TN. So although not written by Penny, you do see cameos of Penny’s characters in the Smarty Pants books. This is the first book in the Donner Bakery Series and it’s hilarious!
So we have Jocelyn. What isn’t mentioned in the blurb is that due to an illness/infection, Jocelyn is confined to a wheelchair, but is working through physical therapy to get SOME mobility. But she is a headstrong woman who hates to fail. As such, she doesn’t work as hard as she could. Then there is Levi. Wonderful, good guy Levi. What a cutie! As mentioned in the blurb, there’s a “curse” on the men in his family where when you find your one true love, no one else will ever be good enough. And he’s tried to date others after meeting Jocelyn, but it’s no use. Levi is a recent graduate with a degree in physio therapy looking to find a job, but not wanting to move away from Jocelyn. Watching these two figure out their HEA is a wonderful and moving story. However, be prepared to laugh. A lot. There’s a scene involving Cletus with a discussion of a BOB that had me waking my guy up at 2 am laughing my hind end off.
As a side note, I want to add that the Smarty Pants crew is purposely looking/publishing stories about those with differences from your normal romance novel. You will read main characters with different ethnicities, a range of disabilities, different sexual orientations, and others that I’m sure I haven’t even thought to mention. I LOVE that they are purposely doing this. And I hope you will too!
This was a sweet friends-to-lovers story with heart and acceptance.
One of my favorite aspects of this book is the fact we have a not-so-typical heroine in Joss!!
Levi is such a sweet, caring and giving friend to Joss and their friendship is effortless.
Once things progress in their relationship, it seems to move fast. The one thing that did bother me is the fact that I never felt we got to see Joss’ affection blossom for Levi. We obviously know Levi has feelings for Joss because he’s told us from the get go but I never felt like Joss’ feelings were really delved into. It seemed as though Levi told her he liked her, she needed a few days to process it, and then she decided she liked him…and that was that. Easy enough but nothing developed over time, which I would have enjoyed.
This is very low angst but a sweet story about friendship and love.
*arc provided for honest review*
Baking Me Crazy (Donner Bakery #1) by Karla Sorensen is a slow burn, friends to lovers, contemporary romantic comedy told in first person, dual POV.
Levi Buchanan doesn’t believe in his family’s love curse until he meets Jocelyn Abernathy. He knows instantly that she’s “the one” and that nobody else will ever capture his heart. So naturally, he asks her out on a date. Unfortunately, Joss isn’t ready to date anybody. After being diagnosed with transverse myelitis two years ago, she’s still getting used to living in a wheelchair. What Joss really needs is a friend, and Levi is more than willing to put his feelings aside and step up to the plate.
Five years pass. Joss and Levi have become best friends and are virtually inseparable. He’s still in love with her but has never made another move. Then Joss starts to have feelings she’s never experienced before, “date feelings.” Problem is, these feelings aren’t directed toward Levi.
Will Levi ever get out of the friend zone? Is he too late to win Joss’s heart? Will he be cursed with perpetual loneliness as she moves forward with someone new?
I enjoyed Joss and Levi’s story. They were both well-developed, likeable characters. There’s not much drama or angst in this book. It’s simply a sweet, humorous, endearing romance.
*** I voluntarily read an reviewed an ARC. ***
This is my first read by Karla and I really enjoyed it! This one is especially unique in regards to the h Jocelyn, and you’ll see why when you read. It was just a nice change and unexpected. I loved this friends to lovers and to see how Levi and Jocelyn come to grow in their relationship was cute. It was nice to see some pop ups from Jennifer and Cletus and a few others in the Winston gang.
I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
This book has the feels and made me so happy. I very much enjoyed this trip into Green Valley and I fell in love with Levi and Joss and Nero.
Joss is so strong and you see her grow even stronger in this book. Levi is just amazing and I felt for him during this story.
Another book added to my “Will Read Again and Again” shelf.
Levi Buchanan does not believe in the family curse until he sets eyes on Jocelyn Abernathy. One look and that was it – Love! Unfortunately Joss was not ready for Levi. Now 5 years later it’s time for him to make his move. Is it too late to convince his best friend that they should be more . What a great story! I couldn’t put this down. Can’t wait for the next book!
Oh what a beautiful book. It is the perfect slow burn, friends to lovers story. Levi has fallen to the Buchanan curse and it puts him in a pretty hard position because he does not know what to do. When Levi initially asked Jocelyn on a date she was not ready to date so she suggested they pursue friendship. Fast forward five years Levi and Jocelyn are best friends but Levi’s feeling have not changed. Levi is determined to get himself out of the friend zone and become someone Jocelyn can love as a romantic interest. I loved how the book had so many layers. Jocelyn was navigating through life and trying to find her way. Levi is done with school and looking for what his next chapter in life is. All while trying to navigate what a love life looks like. This book takes you on a journey, you laugh, breaks your heart but warms it all the same. Beautiful story, I am excited to see what the rest of the series brings!
I loved this story and definitely recommend it. It was sweet and so very inspiring. I look forward to the next book in this series.
Honest ARC review.
OMG, Karla has baked up the best story of best friends to lovers.
Joss is so snarky, sarcastic, down to earth woman. She can wield her sarcasm as not only a weapon, but as a shield to protect herself. She is an inspiration in not letting a “role” define you.
Then there is her best friend Levi. Holy smokes! He is all man, but actually truly listens to Joss. His love for her has never wavered while he was waiting for her. His patiences is truly a virtue. He waits until the time is right to let her know the magnitude of his love for her.
This book is the pot of gold at the end off the rainbow
YOU GUYS!!! Holy ish did I just read the sweetest, cutest, smartest best friends-to-lovers book! Baking Me Crazy has me smiling and feeling so warm and gooey just thinking about the excellent writing and Joss and Levi’s story. Both of these characters hold my heart. Joss is such a tough fighter and she shows everyone around her that she won’t let her circumstances bring her down. Sure she’s young and still figuring out where her life will take her, but her humor, intelligence, and drive will get her there 100%!
And let me just say LEVI!!! Oh boy is he just an incredible man so desperately in love with his best friend. I love that their friendship means so much more to him, hence his hesitation to take things further. He doesn’t pity Joss one bit and he expects her to do amazing things because she is amazing. My heart did hurt for his yearning though…in the best loveable way.
Once they figure out that maybe they can have more, the vigor at which they crash together (especially from Joss’s side, lol) is funny and touching with the perfect amount of heat. There is no over-the-top angst or drama in this story and it’s a breath of fresh air. I can’t say enough good things about this well researched feel good—no, feel fantastic—book! Karla has truly kicked this new series and new Smartypants Romance venture off with a bang and I am itching for more! 5 plus stars for Baking Me Crazy!
Baking Me Crazy is the debut novel from the new phenomenon that is Smartypants Romance. As such we return to Green Valley, the home of Penny Reid’s Winston family, to catch up with AND meet residents and their soon to be significant others.
Levi and Jocelyn have been friends pretty much since she moved to Green Valley with her mother five years ago.
They’ve finished school and in Levi’s case college, and are ready to take on the world. Jocelyn has taught herself to bake after being inspired by a BBC ‘reality’ baking show and has become the newest member of the Donner Bakery family.
However, Levi has been in love with Joss for all of those years but she is completely clueless!! When Levi’s hand is forced, he eventually makes his move resulting in both hilarious and almost disastrous consequences.
Be rest assured though their dreams do come true and the road we travel with them en route to their HEA is inspiring and uplifting.
This is a must for both Karla Sorensen and Green Valley fans as this ‘blended’ debut novel opens up a whole new world for readers to read, enjoy and obsess over!