A hot, funny brother’s best friend rom com . . . with sugar on top!
She’s his best friend’s little sister. He’s known her all his life. He’s practically part of the family. There is nothing either of them could do to surprise the other at this point. Then she showed up in his bedroom in lingerie and asked him to take her V-card.
Okay, that was a surprise.
Aiden is pretty sure Zoe was equally … pretty sure Zoe was equally surprised when he told her no.
To say that he didn’t handle it well would be a massive understatement. Almost as massive as the amount of work he’s going to have to do now to convince her that he wants her. Forever.
Right after he tells her that he’s bought the company that’s her bakery’s biggest competitor.
Maybe if he tells her he’s in love with her first, that will help sugarcoat the whole we’re-rivals-in-business-now thing.
So, first “I’m in love with you”, then “take off your clothes”, then “I’m now your business adversary”.
Sure. Piece of cake.
more
“Heat” that is what this book is. Aiden is the boy who lost his mom at a young age then spent a lot of time with his best friend Cam. Cam had a sister that was 4 years younger then him Zoe. They grew up together and spent a lot of time together. When Cam and Aiden left for college and then went in to business together with three other friend they had meet in college. Move on a few years and Zoe is living in the house that Aiden grew up in so when he came to town he stayed with her. At Christmas Zoe offered Aiden to be her first and to teach her about sex. He turned her down. Then he decided she was the on and went home 5 months later. Will Zoe give him the time or does she move on. All while trying to decide what to do Aiden bought the company that she has hated all of her life.
This is a must read. Erin Nicholas keeps you on your toes about what will happen all though the book. I loved every minute of this book and can not wait to get to the others in this series. Fantastic job Erin
This was definitely a sweet book. I loved Aiden’s determination. Zoe drove me crazy with her inner dialogue and how slow she was to realize her love for Aiden. I I didn’t quite understand the “feud.” Just because someone you love says that she hates someone and a business that means we should all agree? I loved how Aiden showed his vulnerability. I may have to get the next book to follow this crazy pack of friends!
I cannot sugarcoat this – Aiden Anderson really is one confident yet clueless man! After rejecting Zoe McCaffery’s teddy-clad vision in his bed on Christmas Eve, he realizes within 5 months that she is actually “the one” and decides to move back to Iowa to marry her and raise a family. Oh, and since he’s got plenty of bucks, he is going to buy the snack cake company in town to save jobs, even though Zoe and her family always viewed “Hot Cakes” as a competitor to the family’s bakery. No problem, easy-peasy, right? Yep – he’s clueless.
With her usual mix of strong, witty female characters and the strong men that prove themselves worthy, Erin Nicholas starts off her new “Hotcakes” series with plenty of witty banter, steamy romance and some delicious baked goods. I loved the characters, quirks and all. As for the storyline – was Hot Cakes really a competitor of the McCaffery bakery Buttered Up? Of course not, as a number of characters acknowledge. But that plot allowed Ms. Nicholas to touch upon some not-so-pretty realities of small towns struggling to retain industry so people have jobs and the younger generation can stay. That balancing of reality in small-town America with a fun, flirty romance makes this book one terrific read! I really enjoyed the ride this one took me on and cannot wait to see what delectable treat this author will serve up next in the Hot Cakes series!
A cute fast paced romcom with cute characters and a sweet plot.
This was the “SWEETEST” read ever. This is the first book in a new series from Erin and I DEVOURED it. See what I am doin there? I know. I’m hilarious.
Aiden and Zoe were GREAT! I LOVED diving into this story, and to boot it was a brewer’s best friend romance so it had that tidbit of forbidden to it. I loved the tight knit feel for the group of characters and I already have idea of who else I want to have a book.
This book doesn’t let down in any of the aspects. You get strong leads and women who don’t take a hit and run way. These women are IN IT for WIN IT and I am here for it. I loved that they are all strong characters and watching 8 people come together is going to be explosive. Just as this book was with these two.
I can’t wait to read more!
Sugarcoated by Erin Nicholas is the first book in a brand new series entitled Hot Cakes and is a great introduction to the small town world of Appleby, the Hot Cakes factory and the Buttered Up bakery. Told in dual POV between Aidan and Zoe, the story is filled with best friends skirting the line towards lovers, secrets, rivalry and more. There was passion, some interesting scenes with cream filling and some really sweet (pun intended) moments between Aidan and Zoe. Enjoy!
I love the worlds that this author creates, and I was so disappointed when Boys of the Bayou concluded (I’m hoping we get to visit again at some point). To my excitement, she’s just moved to Appleby, a small town in Iowa. All of the hallmarks of her series are here, and I tore through this book (honestly, I just can’t get enough). I loved that Zoe and Aiden had a personal history as well as the issue at hand with the bakery (no spoilers here). And I’m so happy that there are more of Aiden’s partners to follow now! For more details, please visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks. This review was written based on a digital ARC of the book, and all thoughts are my own.
Desserts, who knew they can bring peace and trouble. Erin Nicholas has created such a fun, sexy and oh so delicious new series called Hot Cakes starting Zoe and Aiden. Here is the catch though they have secretly loved each for years. The thing is that Zoe has never recovered from the one impulsive act she did and now Aiden is determined to not make her forget. Love has always been there for him but she is his best friend’s little sister and well temptation in every way. Knowing that he has a chance at something wonderful with her that she treasures is one step forward in making her his forever. I loved seeing these two circling around each and man the foreplay between these two is hot in every chapter. Let me warn you though breakfast never seemed so good until Erin Nicholas created Aiden. Erin Nicholas not only brings us two friends back together but we see a rivalry between two families that will make you wonder what all the fuss is all about. All in all this book is quite a treat to get right now and what a way to start this series. Trust me readers this is the first part of a trio of men that will make you go aah and ooh. Loved it.
“I received an eBook copy from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own.”
Sugarcoated is the first book I’ve read from author Erin Nicholas and it was really sweet and entertaining. A brilliant and fun romance, that left me swooning.
Zoe and Aiden have known each other since they were kids. He is her brother’s best friend but Zoe has a major crush oh him and decides she wants Aiden to be the first man in her life. What she doesn’t expect is for him to deny her request and keep his distance. But as much as Aiden would like to stay away from Zoe, the attraction between them is undeniable and he’s determined to make things right with her.
Passion, desire and some small-town drama, all are beautifully woven into this story. I enjoyed the build-up of the relationship between the protagonists, I laughed, and felt a bit hot and bothered during some scenes. Plus, the secondary characters are interesting enough I want their story.
A great and easy read that I could not put down till the last page! So if you are looking for something that will make you smile or just a feel-good story this is your book.
SUGARCOATED is the first 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 independent bakery owner Zoe McCaffery, and billionaire investor Aiden Anderson’s story line.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Aiden and Zoe) SUGARCOATED is a best friend’s little sister story line focusing on the building relationship between independent bakery owner Zoe McCaffery, and billionaire investor Aiden Anderson. Five months earlier on Christmas Eve our heroine, Zoe McCaffery, made an unsuccessful pass at her brother’s best friend and business partner Aiden Anderson, and in the ensuing months Zoe has just barely recovered from her humiliation and embarrassment. Seeing Aiden in her bakery, Buttered Up, brings back too many bad memories of what happened and why but Aiden wants a second chance to make things right including falling in love with his best friend’s little sister. What ensues is the rebuilding friendship, relationship and slow building love between Aiden and Zoe, and the potential fall-out as Aiden keeps secret a business deal that could directly affect Zoe’s bottom line.
Aiden Anderson wants to save his small town of Appleby, Iowa but saving his small town could mean alienating the woman he loves. The family owned Hot Cakes snack company is up for sale but Hot Cakes is in direct competition with Zoe McCaffery’s independently owned Buttered Up. Heading back to Appleby, Aiden knows he must make amends with his best friend’s sister, a woman who stirs something deep within our story line hero. Zoe McCaffery knows she is unable to compete with the Hot Cakes snack company but Zoe’s personal attention to detail makes Buttered Up a favorite of the local crowd. Her attraction to Aiden has never waivered but Zoe is about to make a deal with Aiden, a deal that will bring her up close and personal with the man that she loves.
The relationship between Zoe and Aiden is one of mutual attraction but when Aiden refused Zoe’s advances our heroine struggled in the aftermath of humiliation and heart break. Desperate to lose her virginity, Zoe makes Aiden an offer he cannot refuse. The $ex scenes are passionate and seductive without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
We are introduced to Aiden’s business partners: Cam McCaffery, Grant Lorre, Dax Marshall and Oliver Caprinelli; Zoe’s best friends Jocelyn and Jane, as well as her parents Maggie and Steve.
SUGARCOATED is a story of family and friendships, secrets and heart break. The premise is inviting ; the characters are flirty and colorful; the romance is spicy and sweet.
“Talk? Now you want to talk? Tell me all about Hot Cakes and everything?”
Zoe lives in a small town, runs the family’s bakery, has two wonderful friends and can’t forget the humiliation she went through last Christmas Eve. Appearing in the bedroom of her brother’s best friend, whom, by the way, she has known since she was a child, in lingerie, asking him to take her virginity and hearing a resounding no, definitely became one of the worst moments of her life. Good thing it’s been a long time since she saw him in person. Until Aiden came through the door of her bakery in a suit that made her hormones go wild.
Aiden experienced his dose of bad moments in his life. His mother’s death shook him up, but his best friend’s family welcomed him as lovingly as possible. As they left the small town they lived in, he and his friend did not imagine what they would achieve in the future. When they meet three more guys in college, that friendship will be the big boost in all of their lives. Today they are millionaires, having created one of the biggest video games on the market. But Aiden is back and is willing to stay. And making Zoe realize that one night between them would never be enough. And that marriage would be the best and only solution.
A clumsy, embarrassed, angry baker completely attracted to him. A determined, attractive businessman who wants to settle down and has found out that he loves his best friend sister. A single house and these two as roommates. A secret between them. Two rival families. Buttered Up versus Hot Cakes. The mess will be big. Even more so when Aiden and his friends buy the business rival to Zoe’s family. The small town of Appleby will never be the same.
With interesting characters, a light and funny plot, but at the same time a little tense because of the secret, an absurd chemistry between the protagonists, several double meaning phrases and a hot scene in the bakery, which will make me look at cake and icing in a very different way from now on, the book is a good choice for anyone looking for something sweet and fun.
A relaxed, interesting, passionate and sugary reading. Curious for the next books.
Best Friends Sister | Romantic Comedy
Erin Nicholas is one of my favorite authors! Lately I’ve found myself grabbing as many of her books as I can so I can read through an entire series. She writes with a fun flair that is both engaging and funny, and I am drawn to her novels because of it. Sugarcoated is the first book in a brand new romcom series and I am thrilled with how this book played out! Aiden and Zoe have an amazing chemistry and seeing them fall in love despite potential things standing in their way was breathtaking. I love when you can feel the budding of a relationship and this is exactly what happens here.
Will you swoon? Yes! Will you laugh out loud? Yes! Will you fall hopelessly in love? Absolutely! Knowing all this I hope all romance readers give this book a try! I personally recommend it!
Sugarcoated will have you craving cake pops for days! After reading Zoe and Aiden’s story I’ll never be able to look at frosting quite the same way again, in the best way possible, and I’m more than okay with that. I don’t even know where to begin with this book…I loved it SO much that I couldn’t put it down. Erin set up the characters perfectly to amp readers up for rest of the Hot Cakes series, and you’ll find yourself falling for the other characters as well. The best part is the chemistry between Zoe and Aiden that burns so hot it rivals any kitchen fire. This was a slow burn, brothers best friend romance at it’s best and one you should immediately add to your collection!
With a name like Sugarcoated you know to expect something fun and sweet. Erin Nicholas brings that and so much more. This is the first book of the Hot Cakes series and I can say, she definitely started with HOT!!
All time hero on and off the football field, Aiden has never known defeat. Growing up in small town America seems to have motivated him to grow and prosper away from home. But home is where the heart is and no matter what, time cannot keep him away for too long. Or is there something else?
Zoe has known the strength of family and togetherness all her life. Small town life never became “not enough” as her fate seemed to be written from the day she was born. Sometimes true success does not carry a large handle or title, sometimes it can be as sweet as the treats from her bakery.
What these two have known and not known for so long comes to light in ways the other never understood. I absolutely loved watching them grow with each other and learn about themselves in the process. This may be book one, but I am already chomping for book two. So very well done Erin.
Really loved this fun, sexy and heartwarming, we have known each other forever romance! This one has all the feels and so much more. Engaging and passionate charters, unforgettable witty banter, supporting charters that I can’t wait to get to know better and a thrilling emotional roller-coaster to happily ever after!
Sugarcoated by Erin Nicholas is the First book in the Hot Cakes Series. This is the story of Zoe McCaffery and Aiden Anderson. This is such a sweet and cute start to this series. Aiden is almost apart of Zoe’s family since he has been best friends with her brother Cam. Along with how close both families. But Aiden isn’t family which is why her feelings toward him are so much stronger and why she wanted him to take her innocence at Christmas….but he refused. Now in their present day we learn that Aiden has purchased a rival company of Zoe’s. Of course this wont go over well but can he claim the girl he can’t get out of his mind before everything falls apart. Loved their cute story.
This was a good read! The writing flowed well, and I thought Aiden and Zoe were good together. They had great chemistry, and I liked them together. This is a slow burn story, they really don’t get together until about 70% of the way through the book. I liked Aiden and thought he was a good match for Zoe. He made her get out of her comfort zone, and she needed that. Zoe was a good heroine, my only complaint that she was too stubborn at times. Even though the drama could have been avoided with a conversation, I was happy to see it not drug out forever. The ending was sweet, and I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book!
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book.
Sweet was never so hot!!
Pure delight!
Zoey and Aiden have known each other since they were kids. He’s her brother’s best friend. Zoey has had a crush on him since she was a teenager. She wanted him to be her first and that backfired on her. Now, he’s back in town and he wants Zoey. But she’s not going to be easy on him. The banter between these two will have you melting and you won’t look at sweets innocently ever again. Their attraction is hot, sticky and sweet. Will they have their HEA when Zoey finds out what has brought Aiden back to town?
Erin sure knows how to create characters, main and sub, and story lines that are like watching a piece of art being made before your eyes. Every time I reach for one of this author’s books, I think it can’t get better than the last one I read. Well, let me tell you, it does and I will follow this author until my last breath. I am looking forward to reading Jane and Dax’s story next.
Highly recommend checking out this series that’s just started. You won’t be disappointed, I promise!
Sugarcoated is a sweet, friends to lovers story that is full of fun, friends and hot romance. Zoe and Aiden grew up together, Aiden being Zoe’s brother’s best friend. Who would have thought that after all of these years they would develop feelings for each other. Aiden is happy to be moving home amd starting a relationship with Zoe. Too bad he with his best friend and partners have just bought out the rival to Zoe’s business. Now he needs to break the news to her and her family. Zoe amd Aiden were wonderful together. Aiden is so supportive and encouraging in Zoe’s business amd their chemistry is great. Who knew icing could be so much fun. I absolutely loved Sugarcoated storyline and all of the characters. What a great new series! I cannot wait for the next book in this series.
5++ small town shenanigans running amok and I loved it STARS!!
Everything you ever wanted to read in a small town romance is perfectly layered into this story. The families and the neighbors and the businesses and the friends and the feelings …. ALL OF IT was super glorious to escape into! The combination of humor and #realtalk within the story was also very well woven. I can’t find a single fault in this story LOL NOT ONE!
I cannot wait for more Hot Cakes shenanigans!!!!