BATTLE ROYAL

Two British bakers with an antagonistic history and vastly different aesthetics vie for the honor of creating a royal wedding cake.

Four years earlier, Sylvie Fairchild missed her chance to reach Operation Cake's semifinals when her mechanical unicorn cake exploded over curmudgeonly judge Dominic De Vere. Though she didn't go home a champion, her role on the show allowed her to open her own whimsical bakery, Sugar Fair, in Notting Hill. She had hoped not to have to deal with Dominic anymore, but with his own bakery continually beating her out on event contracts, their dislike for one another remains strong. Dominic is a baking purist, sticking to classic flavors and minimalist designs, while Sylvie's aesthetic is more of a fairy tale come to life, complete with edible glitter. While Sylvie's creations are an Instagrammer's dream, social media momentum goes only so far. When Operation Cake asks her back to serve as a judge opposite Dominic, both the paycheck and the chance to get under her rival's skin are too tempting to ignore. Not only must Sylvie and Dominic work together, but the bakers are anticipating the announcement of Princess Rose's engagement, and they're both ready to pitch their glamorous cake ideas for the royal wedding. Parker is a writer who knows her audience, and she keeps raising the bar when it comes to warm romances and charming tropes. Opposites attracting over delicious cakes and the fearsome thrill of competition are a heady combination as Sylvie and Dominic's chemistry snaps, crackles, and pops off every page. The slow burn of the romance is tantalizing and well paced, though there is plenty of setting and detail to take in while readers await the inevitable happily-ever-after.

An utterly delicious romance that's meant to be devoured.