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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Baking Me Crazy is a sweet Friends to Lovers story and one could only hope to find such an amazing best friend as Levi. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
I like it. This is a sweet romance, I’m not saying it doesn’t have some hot sexy magic in the bedroom.. or truck; believe me it does. It’s a tale of overcoming great odds, a disability and true friendship. The author did a great job letting the reader feel the emotions; taking us through the uncertainty and struggle. Friends to lovers trope is one of my favs, and this story didn’t disappoint. You’re gonna love this HEA.
I was hesitant when I found out about this new series of books penned by various authors and set within Penny Reid’s book universe—-specifically in the Green Valley town that is home to the Winston brothers. I wasn’t sure another author could do justice to the kooky but heartwarming vibe I’d grown to love. Well, butter my butt and call me a biscuit if Baking Me Crazy didn’t make me a believer.
This unrequited friends-to-lovers romantic comedy by Karla Sorensen maintains all the humor and charm I craved. Levi is simply perfection. His affection and devotion towards Joss is so evident you have to wonder how she could be so blind to not see that he’s in love with her. Every single thing he does is for the sole purpose of making her happy. I felt like Joss takes him for granted sometimes, but I liked this cheeky heroine. She’s sarcastic, stubborn, funny, and brave. I loved their easy bond.
Joss’s coworker at the bakery makes a lively addition to the small town. Joy is aptly named. She captivated me with her bubbly nature and habit of romanticizing the most mundane of gestures. I hope she gets her own love story.
Cletus and Jenn Winston make brief cameos and are snuck seamlessly into the story. It’s merely an added bonus, though, because it’s the storyline and quality of writing that won me over.
About the audiobook:
The audiobook is fantastic. Chris Brinkley and Reba Buhr do a superb job with the narration. You can hear the smile in their voices and they had me grinning from ear to ear throughout the entire book. It’s sure to lift even the grumpiest of moods.
NO SPOILERS!
Karla Sorensen is the BEST and I adore her incredibly sweet, sexy, hilarious, and swoon-worthy love stories!
Baking Me Crazy was phenomenal, and I absolutely loved Levi and Joss’ delightful friends-to-lovers story. I laughed, smiled, and swooned my heart out, and couldn’t have loved this standalone romantic comedy more. It was simply fantastic from start to finish and made me extremely happy.
I have become addicted to Karla Sorensen’s brand of romance, and can’t wait to read her next standalone in the Donner Bakery series from Smartypants Romance, Batter of Wits!
When Levi Buchanan met Jocelyn Abernathy, he knew that his family’s curse was real. You see, the Buchanan’s know when they meet “The One”. They know the moment they meet them. Only Levi’s 17 and Jocelyn is even younger.
Five years after they met, Levi and Joss are the best of friends. Not at all what Levi wants, but that’s all Joss has ever given him. He’s even gone so far as to have the garage at his parent’s house remodeled into an apartment for him so that she doesn’t have to worry about stairs since she’s in a wheelchair.
When Joss meets a someone her first day at Donner Bakery, jealousy rears its ugly head and Levi doesn’t know what to do to get Joss to see him as more than her best friend. Listening to family, he sets out to woo her, but it doesn’t quite go as planned. How is Levi supposed to pull himself out of the friend zone that he himself willingly went into in the first place?
I haven’t read a story by Karla Sorenson yet, but I am so glad I found this book! The writing is great, I loved the wit and humor that pulses on every page. I really love a snarky heroine, and Joss is that in spades. With wonderful characters, great writing, a funny yet charming story, it’s just an all around amazing book! I can’t wait to read more.
**I borrowed this book using my Kindle Unlimited subscription.
4.5 stars
The friends to lovers trope is my catnip. There’s just something so sweet and wonderful about two people who know each other so well and have been through thick and thin together falling in love. Joss and Levi’s slow burn love story gave me all the feels and I knew right after reading the prologue that I was going to love this one. Levi was amazing and I swooned so hard from the things that he did (the flours!) and said. He loved so wholeheartedly and was always so supportive of Joss. Yes, sometimes I found Joss a bit immature, but Levi was so patient and understood her so well. Joss is young and human, and I really appreciated that the author showed her mistakes and triumphs. She showed how strong Joss could be, but also how vulnerable and scared she felt redefining her relationship with Levi. The epilogue was just right for these two and left me feeling all warm and gooey inside.
The secondary characters were wonderful and I really loved Joy and Levi’s parents/family. I’m super curious about Levi’s oldest brother, Hunter, and his cousins Grace and Grady. I both listened and read this one and the audiobook was an absolute treat. Chris Brinkley and Reba Buhr are new to me narrators, but they really hit this one out of the park. I especially loved Chris Brinkley’s performance. He was the perfect southern gentleman and his comedic timing couldn’t have been better. I definitely recommend this heartwarming romance!
Audiobook Review
Overall 4.5 stars
Performance 5 stars
Story 4-4.5 stars
This was a sweet and heartwarming friends-to-lovers read. I was surprised when reading the first few pages because the blurb says nothing about the main character being wheelchair bound. It’s a huge part of the story, and I love how informative it is. I also LOVED Nero, he seemed like the best dog ever.
My only gripe is that occasionally a word here and there would be missing. It was obvious what the word was as it was usually “a” or “as” but it could’ve been prevented with another read-through.
A good read.
Levi fell in love with Joss five years ago, the Buchanan curse knocked him over. Joss tells him she just needs friends when he asks her on a date. Her life has been turned upside down by disease.
Five years on when she starts having ‘dating’ feelings for someone else, Levi realises he needs to step up his game. Enjoyable read.
This was a very lovely book. I am very curious to see what’s next in the Donner Bakery series. I loved how Joss was someone who was not your typical love interest, but she was someone very much deserving of her happily ever as anybody.
Most times people tend to think that people with disabilities are incapable of so much, but in reality, they are very hardworking and very normal once you see them and not their disability.
Really enjoyed reading this book and then continued reading the rest of the series.
Loved the brief mention of past characters- also a very refreshing heroine who is tough as nails and a REALLY understanding hero
Enjoyed it completely, very entertaining!!!
I loved Karla Sorensen’s introduction to the Donner Bakery series. It takes a lot for me to get drawn into 1st person. It has to be skillfully written, and I can’t find myself getting confused with the alternating POVs. Karla writes with flair and humor. Looking forward to checking out more of her books – and the Donner Bakery series.
I was really pumped for this book not only because I love Penny Reid but I love a good rom com. This was okay for me, I found myself getting a little bored by the whole book. Maybe it would have kept my attention if she had started dating Andy which caused a lot of tension and almost a challenge with Levi. Maybe light a fire under Levi’s ass and got him really jealous and on the move to prove himself to Joss. It bothered me that in all the 5 years he gave her NO indication that he was remotely interested in her in any capacity other than friendship. Overall, not a terrible book but it was lacking a little something something….
Loved reading about these small town besties who become lovers. Levi Buchanan is swoon worthy!
I am loving this Smartypants Romance !!! Get ready for all the feels with Joss & Levi . Friends that take that slow burn to a new level …five years Levi has waited ! What do you do when you fall in love first sight but you are politly placed in the friend zone? You become the best friend to the sweetest girl you know. Levi will do anyting for Joss and that includes keeping his true feelings to himself …until the time is right ! They were such a beautiful couple to watch grow!!!!
~~Michele McMullen ~~
This serves the classic best friends-to-lovers trope and it’s done SO WELL. There’s angst, pining, and so many cute moments. Levi is just such a sweetheart. I love how he’s always taken care of Joss and considered her ever since they became friends. Their story is sooo cute and it’s easily one of my favorite romance books!
4 STARS
I loved this audiobook and the narration was great! I’ve been wanting to read/listen to some of the Smartypants Romances since I heard the news about them. This story blends well into Penny Reid’s world. Levi and Jocelyn are such a cute pair. Levi’s love and devotion to Jocelyn is just swoon worthy!!! I loved the appearances of my favourite Winston brother, Cletus.
This audiobook is a MUST listen. Baking Me Crazy by Karla Sorensen will join the ranks of the BIBLIO-ELITE!!!
4+ Stars
Blown. Away.
That is how I felt once I finished Baking Me Crazy. Now, I’m not going to lie, when we are first introduced to Levi and Joss, her condition took me by surprise as there’s not even a hint of it on the blurb (view spoiler). It took me a little bit to adjust to this unexpected scenario but Joss is such a strong person that she had me falling in awe with her in the next minute.
Let’s start from the beginning, though. All the men in Levi’s family are cursed to recognize that one woman for them at first sight and on the spot. Of course, Levi does not believe in it, until the day he sees Joss for the very first time. Unfortunately for him, Joss is not in a place where dating is even a thing on her radar, and with no other thought than being able to stay close to her any way he could, he became the best friend she needed.
Fast forward 5 years and Levi is the bestest, hottest, most attentive friend a girl could want. Funny, charming, protective and sexy AF, he has no clue how to make Joss see him as the guy who wants to be her boyfriend and not just her best bud forever. Levi was the epitome of dreamy perfection and he made me love him in .5 seconds. He was also the most adorable lovesick fool ever. I loved him I tell you!
What Joss lacked in mobility she made up in stubbornness and sass. Dealt a really crappy hand, there was no other option than to be in awe of her determination to overcome everything that stood in the way of what she wanted. I loved that she was headstrong and had a temper but that she could also be introspective and (eventually) deal with her issues. I can’t say I didn’t find myself wanting to slap some sense into her on more than one occasion, as Levi was right there and absolutely perfect. But considering where she was coming from, the way their relationship evolves is just right.
I’m not usually a fan of friends-to-lovers romances and NA is not my favorite either, but Baking Me Crazy was totally amazing. With great chemistry, humor, fabulous characters and some very sexy shenanigans once Joss takes off her blinders, I loved everything about this romance and I’m hoping the rest of the Buchanans get their stories too!