A Cinderella story with a hot boss so charming even a fairy godmother couldn’t do better.Everyone thinks Dax Marshall is a prince of a guy. And he’s definitely charming.But Jane has enough going on without adding a torrid fling with the boss to her life. Between her father’s illness, her wicked-ish stepmother, her little sister’s teenage drama, and the co-workers who depend on her—she can’t … on her—she can’t handle another mess.
No matter how tempting and gorgeous the mess may be. Or how messy he wants to get with her.
Dax has spent his life being very serious about only one thing: proving you can be successful while still having a helluva good time. But he’s just met the one woman who might break his I-can-charm-anyone streak. She’s actually taking him seriously…and she seriously thinks they have nothing in common and can’t be together.
Maybe he’s the one who needs a new view of happily ever after. It’s time to stop forking around.
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This was a gun sequel. Can’t wait for the next one
I loved Jane and Dax.
Great characters and really awesome fun between the two as well as the interaction with everyone in the book! Loved this book and series!!!
Contemporary Small Town Cinderella Story – 5 Stars!
Forking Around is the second book in the Hot Cakes series by Erin Nicholas, and let me say…this is a WINNER. If you haven’t read Erin Nicholas before, you’re missing out on SO many levels! The residents of the rural town of Appleby, Iowa have stolen my heart with their hilarious, stubborn, laugh-out-loud personalities. I love romance and comedy – together and separately – but when they come together just right…well, then it’s just the BEST. Along with that balance, I really, really need my characters to be believable so I can love them and relate to them and keep them in my mind forever!
So yes…I love LOVED this book, and devoured (see what I did there?) it in one sitting because I wasn’t able to find a point that I felt I could stop and survive waiting to see what happens next! Jane is an Appleby native, and far more invested in the lives of her friends and coworkers than she’d ever like to admit. She wants to keep her life compartmentalized and her job mindless and easy; there’s not a lot of time for fun among her many responsibilities. Dax is a brilliant entrepreneur and one of the new owners of the town’s main employer, the Hot Cakes factory (and thus, one of Jane’s new bosses). Their meet-cute over cake pops is as adorable as it is hilarious: that first scene had me absolutely hooked (or maybe forked?)! Dax’s usual party tricks don’t work on Jane – not that she’s not tempted! – although she slowly begins to see that making time for fun in her life may not be such a bad thing.
I’m a big fan of Jane’s independence and drive to make her way through life despite the curve balls that continue to come her way. Dax is truly her ideal match, and the slow burn as she learned to accept and ultimately fall in love with his generous and chivalrous nature was exceptionally well planned. I enjoyed gleaning those story tidbits as we went along, really getting to know Dax beyond that “fun guy” first impression. He’s a larger than life personality – both impulsive and genius, but with a true heart of gold and desire to make things better for the people around him. It’s just that sometimes the execution needs a little more finesse…
Those moments when Jane realizes that with the right partner, independence doesn’t mean holding yourself apart; that she can let her guard down enough to rely on someone without the fear that she’ll be left hanging…those are everything! You won’t e disappointed with all the feels – from lust to friendship to a HEA, you get them ALL. Lastly – if you’ve read book 1 (Sugarcoated), you’ll be thrilled to see details of the continuation of those friendships and relationships seamlessly woven into Forking Around.
I voluntarily received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review, but I would have happily bought this outstanding book. I’m thrilled beyond words that we have more sticky sweet Hot Cakes goodness coming our way, and I can’t wait to see the remaining bachelors meet their matches!
My general rating rationale:
3 – Perfectly fine story, perhaps some minor editorial errors. Entertaining. Typically with this rating I feel like there could have been MORE – be it believably/relatability, character development, internal dialogue, explanations or depth, richness to the overall storyline, etc. May lose a bit of engagement here and there but always finish reading.
4 – A very good book. Engaging, with well-developed characters, a great plot, relatable scenarios; keeps you invested to the last page. Would recommend to reader friends.
5 – Can’t say enough amazing things, loved the characters, fabulously detailed plot, a quick hook, intense investment in both story and characters (including supporting characters) throughout the book. Will tell anyone who will listen that they should read it (if they won’t listen, I’ll be louder).
Forking Around, book two in the Hot Cakes series from Erin Nicholas, was a really fun read.
On the surface Dax Marshall is the complete opposite of Jane Kemper.. she’s got so many responsibilities between work and family while Dax seems to just coast through life with little worry or concern.. but once Jane catches his eye and his interest and lets him know how she feels about getting involved with someone who’s her boss and all of the reasons that she thinks them getting together wouldn’t work Dax sets out to prove her wrong.
Where can I find me a Dax??? This guy was such a sweetie – yeah he was portrayed as the player/prankster/laid back one of the group of friends who have taken over Hot Cakes but when someone takes the time to dig a little deeper and have more than just a laugh with him – namely Jane – she finds out that there’s a lot more to the guy than she (or lets face it, most people) thought.
Jane was a really good person. Regardless of the impact to her life she was there for her sister and dad, her friends and coworkers and nothing was ever done with complaint. She didn’t believe she had time for a life of her own or why someone like Dax would be interested in her… so glad he set out to show her.
I love the dynamic of the friends in this series. Be it the Fluke guys or the girls in these books they all understand each other, they get what they are going through without much discussion and they are there with their support and backup, no matter how crazy their actions may appear.
Dax and Jane’s first ‘date’ was fun reading and his easy read on people and ability to know just what to do really helped calm the chaos going on around Jane. I understood Jane’s fear and Dax’s concerns when things turned serious, but man, was I rooting for them to get to their HEA.
I’m really enjoying this series and cannot wait to see how Josie’s story plays out!!!!
Forking Around gets 5 Hot Cakes (or is it that Buttered Up?!?) stars!!!!
5 Stars
Dax and Jane are perfect for each other, but tell Jane that, it takes a bit for her to get there! She is confident, independent and used to taking care of herself, as well as those around her. Dax is known as the happy, fun guy out of the new owners of Hot Cakes. Well, when he sees the way Jane LOVES cake pops, he is fascinated and determined to get to know this special woman. What follows is a book that will make you laugh, keep you reading, cause you to increase your A/C and in the end feel this satisfying HEA deeply!
Cara – Alphas Do It Better Book Blog
When I picked up Sugarcoated (first book in this series) to read just a few months ago, it had been a long hot minute (because even a few years is long for me because that’s like 800ish books lol) since I’d read anything by Erin so I honestly had zero idea what I was getting into. That story made me so damn happy that I moved all the books I had on my kindle by her to the front of the line. It is super easy to get lost in one of her stories because, FUN! And let me tell you, I only thought I was having fun because Forking Around taught be the real meaning of reading euphoria LOL
This story brought a lot of joy to my reading experience, but not the superficial kind of joy, the deep-rooted joy you feel when you witness an amazing thing. When I was reading, I felt this connection to the story that allowed me to see myself in the story, not because the story mirrors my life in any way, but because it had so much depth that it was easy to relate to. It was real. The circumstances around Jane were very relatable to every day real life. And there was always hope lingering in the plot points. I felt it when I read it. It was real and tangible for me. It allowed me to connect to the struggle in the story and the triumph.
In the last couple of months I have come to realize what a spectacular writer Erin Nicholas is and I won’t make the mistake again of letting any kind of minutes go by between reading her words and you shouldn’t either. #TRUST
I knew when I started this Hot Cakes Series that I was going to be starving. See, authors can only put out one story at a time, and I knew I would be chomping-at-the-bit for more with each story’s ending. Oh was I right. With Forking Around Erin Nicholas has elevated the heat level in this oven of romance.
Jane is not only that strong independent female we look for in stories but she is also a tender soul looking for peace and balance in her life. And her life has not been made easy by any form. We discovered Jane in SugarCoated and I knew she was going to be a balancing but challenging factor no matter where her story took her. Erin gives us so much more than a person on a page with Jane. She gives heart, soul and even fear to this woman. But she gives light, fire and passion in the next clip of her. Diverse to say the least, and Jane is working to resolve so many issues.
Dax was probably elected most likely to…(as in anything he wanted to be). All around good looking with the skills to make the girls swoon, he has lived his life fully and been rather lucky to be in the right place at the right time. But as we discover more about Dax, we find he has an under-shell that is bubbling to get out and really let the world know what he is capable of doing. His ability to read situations and resolve them with ease went mostly under estimated, but little do people know what is about to come next.
I cannot begin to tell you how much fun it was to watch these two push and pull, to and from, time and again while still carrying a flirtatious banter about them. Two wonderful people that discovered that while they might be strong alone, they can be powerful together. Erin Nicholas has done an outstanding job with this story and it is worth far more than 5-stars of approval.
This was super fun.
This time we have Jane and Dax. She has a lot on her plate in her life and thinks crushing on her boss is just one mess she doesn’t want (or does she? lol); and he’s living life to the fullest, so his view o life is do it all (pleasure and business)! Lol.
These two couldn’t have more different approaches to life, so how would they work together? Well, they do. 😉
I loved Jane and her loyalty to those around her and always caring and working for others. Pretty selfless, but I kinda wanted her to be a little selfish at times, lol. She truly deserved to fun times and love. <3
As for Dax, he was much like I expected: fun, funny, charming and just a joy to be around. However, there was more to him than that, which was fun to discover and I LOVED the joy he brought to Jane’s life. I just loved how happy he made her.
In the end, I loved these two together. They were such a fun complement to each other. I was constantly rooting for them!
A great addition to this lovely and delicious series.
*Thank you to the author for providing a copy for which I’m giving my honest opinion*
4.5 Stars
This fun and sexy book is the second in the Hot Cakes series and it features Dax and Jane. From the very moment he saw her, he wanted her. Dax is all fun, all the time. He lives to make others happy and Jane is number one on his list. His grand gesture freaked her out a little…no, A LOT! Is he the type to stick around or is he just a millionaire who’s throwing his money around looking for the next fun adventure?
This book was so much fun to read. Dax is such a fun guy. I adore how he basically lives to make Jane‘s life better. Her character growth is awesome! The story line is amazing and all the characters are fantastic. I am definitely looking forward to reading Josie‘s story next.
I compare my addiction to Erin Nicholas’s books to Janes addiction to strawberry pie. Pretty dang close. Haha.
Her books NEVER fail to put a smile on my face and leave me craving sweets and a move to a small town. Dax and Jane were the perfectly imperfect match for so many reasons.
Jane has so much on her plate already, she doesn’t need another thing to deal with, let alone an attraction to her new BOSS. But Dax plows into Hot Cakes and starts mixing things up and changing the status quo for the better.
I won’t spoil too much, but I love how Jane has such a positive affect on him, and she instantly brings happiness to Dax that he tries to always bring to others.
Love love loved this book and cannot wait for book #3!
Forking Around is a sweet treat! This is the second book in the Hot Cakes series, and I’ve fallen hard for Dax Marshall. The perfect mix of office romance and enemies to lovers, this story will have you laughing and swooning around every corner. Dax is my new favorite book boyfriend, with his unwavering faith and determination to fix things for everyone he cares about, he’ll steal your heart and have you believing in romance again. This can be read as a stand alone, but it would be enjoyed more in series order. I highly recommend having a cake pop or two on hand while reading as well!
4.5 Stars
This is the second book in the series. It just gets better. I mean you can’t go wrong with baked goods, feisty heroine, and a yummy hero I love the humor in this one is one of my favorite parts of the book. I loved Dax’s playful side it’s perfect for Jane in my opinion. She needs a way to release the responsibility that rests on her shoulders. Dax is top book boyfriend material. This is the perfect book to get lost in to only see the time has flown by. This is a book that will get you out of a book funk quite easily. This book has the perfect combination of heart, heat, and humor.
Another great story. Dax and Jane are great characters. They are from different worlds but this shows how opposites attract. This is a fun sexy story with a lot of strawberry desserts. A great second book in the Hot Cakes series.
Awesome!
Absolutely loved Dax and Jane’s book. And I’ll never look at cake pops the same! Definitely recommend this book. Can’t wait for more in the series!!
What a fun, original feel good story! I loved Jane and Dax and thought that their chemistry together was off the charts. This book had me laughing out loud multiple times and dying to know what Dax was going to do next.
Jane is such a strong character and used to being the one to take care of everyone else around her. When Dax sets his eyes on her, he is instantly captivated and knows that he will do anything in order to get her to give him a chance.
The two have their ups and downs, and there were a few times I was yelling at both of them to open their eyes and just say how they are feeling. Of course there is some drama and suspense thrown in so that you are on edge wondering how things are going to work out.
This is a must read book for sure!
By Alisa
I loved Dax he is a all around great guy who treats everyday like a fun day. He goes out of his way to make everyone around him happy and make sure that they’re having fun. Jane takes life and everything she does very serious and she is so funny with her remarks. So when Dax tries to make things better for her father she’s a little Leary of his motive behind his help. He isn’t willing to give up and the chemistry is off the charts.
This is another one of Erin’s fantastic story’s that keeps you spellbound all the way thru, she has an amazing way of bringing her characters to life in her story’s. It’s funny, emotional and witty, It’s a must read for anyone looking for great story.
FORKING AROUND is the second instalment in Erin Nicholas contemporary, adult HOT CAKES erotic, romance series focusing on the new owners and investors in the Hot Cakes snack company in Appleby, Iowa (Aiden, Dax, Cam, Ollie and Grant). This is co-owner Dax Marshall, and company employee Jane Kempers story line. FORKING AROUND can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.
SOME BACKGROUND: Several months earlier, business partners Aiden, Dax, Cam, Ollie and Grant bought the faltering Hot Cakes snack company in Appleby, Iowa saving the town in the process. These are their stories.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Dax and Jane) FORKING AROUND follows the forbidden relationship between Hot Cakes co-owner Dax Marshall, and company employee Jane Kemper. Jane Kemper is best friends with the owner of the small bakery Buttered Up, and the owner Zoe is in love with Dax’s business partner Aiden Anderson, allowing for Dax some one on one time with the woman that stirs something deep within our story line hero but Jane Kemper struggles with the boss/employee relationship and the potential for severe repercussions of any fall-out of a work place romance. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Dax and Jane, as Dax sets into motion a plan to ensure his relationship with Jane is no longer threatened by work place rumours.
Jane Kemper worries about family and friends, and is always first in line to help and assist but Janes father is battling a neurological disorder, and Jane is often worrying about her father’s health. With her sister constantly battling her step mother and step sister, Jane must run interference for the sake of her father. Dax Marshall is an impulsive businessman but a businessman whose investments are successful and strong. Meeting Jane, Dax has plans for the future, plans that involve Janes family, as well.
The relationship between Dax and Jane is a forbidden romance. Dax owns the company for which Jane is currently working, and Jane struggles with the potential for work place rumours. Not wanting to place Jane in a compromising position, Dax has plans for another investment, allowing his relationship with Jane to take the next step forward. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
There is a large ensemble cast of colorful secondary and supporting characters including Aiden and Zoe, Ollie and Grant, and Buttered Up employee Josie. We are introduced to Janes father Jack; her sister Kelsey, and their step-sister Aspen. Josie and Grant’s story is next in Making Whoopie.
FORKING AROUND is a story of family and friendships; sacrifices and love. The premise is heart warming and captivating; the romance is seductive and hot; the characters are energetic and fun-the back and forth banter is witty and humorous. FORKING AROUND is a wonderful addition to the Hot Cakes series.
Reading Forking Around was just what I needed right now! My face is actually hurting from smiling so much from page 1 until the very last word. Dax is such a loveable goofball and just what stressed out Jane needed in her life. I could not get enough of the banter and heat between Dax and Jane and I will never think of strawberry pie again without fanning myself. Erin Nicholas has definitely outdone herself with this book and this series. I cannot wait for more from these hot millionaire’s and quirky small town girls!
Talk about a swoon-worthy workplace romance! These two characters are certainly the opposites-attract type and are absolutely marvelous. Dax is the fun guy, the charmer, the one who always gets his way. Until he meets Jane who has far too much riding on her shoulders to ever be the fun one. And apparently too much going on to even be charmed by him! Dax has to pull out all the stops to get this responsible redhead to pay any attention to him. This is another great story from Erin Nicholas. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!