Before I start my review, I have to emphasize that Caleb Alvarez is a real cinnamon bun, the best book boyfriend you can ever be introduced to. I also adored his loyal, entertaining, and tight-knit Alvarez clan. They made me laugh aloud several times. There are both Scientific and emotional reasons for it. The low humidity and cleaner air will give more colors to the sunset. Similarly, winter solstice causes the sun to set at an angle that causes a time to set, which means we can enjoy a more extended sunset. The fake dates were hilarious. I was getting tired of my housemates staring at me for laughing out loud, but I couldn’t help it. Who would have thought an escape room date can be so fun? I adore books that made me laugh and the characters were as charming as the rom-com scenes. Both the main characters were so cute!! This was like sunshine-sunshine trope or perky baker-bashful guy trope or something of the sort! I think you know what I mean! So. Cute.

The third-act disagreement in the book made me roll my eyes, but I loved everything about this small-town romance. Facts: Stella has had a long-time crush on Luka, but she never came clean about her feelings to not jeopardize their long-time friendship. When Luka comes up with a plan that involves fake dating, she realizes it will be more challenging to restrain her feelings for him.Layla Dupree has given up on love. Apparently, owning the bakery at Inglewild’s most romantic destination does not help one’s love life – despite her best efforts. All she wants is a partner who gives her butterflies, not someone who ghosts her at dinner and leaves her with the cheque. Layla is a great FMC and I could relate to her on some levels. She loves to bake and her bake shop is her whole passion. With Caleb on the other hand, I was a bit disappointed. Having read the previous two books in the series (which I loved) I expected a good, spicy police romance. Instead he suddenly changes his occupation from police officer to teacher in this book. At that without having any education or degree to be a teacher or anything like that, the job just changes like "that". It seemed so unrealistic. At the start of the book Layla runs into Caleb and she finally, FINALLY, notices him and is flabbergasted at how suddenly attractive he was. It wasn't sudden because Caleb was perfect, he was giving, kind, fun, funny, attractive, just the whole shebang but he wasn't always noticed or appreciated and it hurt my heart for him. Layla is also amazing with her sense of humor, caring nature, and optimism, but she has a lot of internal self-doubts. Her family doesn't support her decision to be a baker and she questions her own judgement, because look at the tools she's dated. They both wanted to find love though and that right person. Their dates are sometimes hilarious, sometimes sexual tension-filled, and overall wonderful. They had chemistry in spades. It's a slow burn but absolutely has some excellent steamy times.

I have a huge problem with him being fired. It’s over the top and so unnecessary. And since this is a POC hero, it makes me think all sorts of dark thoughts about racism when it doesn’t seem like this sort of book. Plus, the idea that he’s now acting as a substitute teacher!? Feels so wrong to make this choice. This feels like such a huge event for the male main character and to have it come out as an aside from the female main character when she’s sighing over how nice he is… ugh. I can’t. Luca and Stella have been friends for a decade. Stella is in love with Luca and doesn’t want to lose what she has with him in case he doesn't feel like she does. The loss of her mother almost destroyed her and she can't count on her father. She only sees him once a year for a Thanksgiving dinner that is done way before the date just so he doesn't have to explain a child he had outside his marriage to anyone else. There has to be something in the water in Inglewild (I've said this before). It seems to be something that brings together people who are right for each other but this something also seems to scramble and warp their communications skills. This time the silly couple is made up of Layla and Caleb.So of course they have to make things very hard. Like why don't they fake date so they can critique each other after a month to allow each of them to be better daters? Shaking my head at these two. I like how I never have to really worry, so much of the angst is self induced and there is plenty of comfort, support, good and bad advice. No one is really alone in these stories if they will just look up and realize that others are there for them.