Baking It Merry by Samantha Chase-review and tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 19, 2024

Everyone in the building loved the bake shop a lot.
Except for the guy on the top floor, who most certainly did not.
If it were up to him, there wouldn’t be a hint of Christmas in the building.

For two months out of the year, Daphne Noelle got to live her dream of owning a bakery. Her little pop-up bake shop—one that looked just like a gingerbread house—brought joy to every customer who stopped by to enjoy her sweet treats. She loved meeting people and making them smile, and being in such a festive setting every day was just the icing on the cake! For the last three years, everything had gone smoothly, but this year, there was one guy who was determined to ruin it all.

One of the things Tristan appreciated most about the office complex where his architecture firm was located is how upscale and elegant it was. Unfortunately, every year for eight long weeks, a holiday shop set up in the lobby, turning it into the equivalent of a traveling circus, and the bake shop booth was the worst offender. The giant gingerbread house was an eyesore and the woman running it was too cheery for his liking. This year, he was determined to do everything he could to have her and her booth removed.

When Tristan finds himself in the middle of a delicate family situation, only Daphne can help him. Now, he’ll have to beg and plead and promise to be on his best behavior while dealing with her exuberant holiday joy. But the more time he spends with her—and the more awkward situations she saves him from—he begins to realize there’s more to her than over-the-top holiday cheer. And maybe, when you’re with the right person, Christmas can mean a little bit more.

••••

REVIEW: BAKING IT MERRY by Samantha Chase is a contemporary adult, holiday romance focusing on architect Tristan Knight, and website designer / baker Daphne Noelle.

Told from omniscient dual third person perspectives (Tristan and Daphne) BAKING IT MERRY follows the enemies to lovers, fake relationship between architect Tristan Knight and baker Daphne Noelle. Every holiday season, Daphne Noelle and a group of artisans are contracted to set up a mini holiday market on the ground floor of a local office complex but this particular season Daphne finds herself the unwitting target of a holiday Grinch with the name of Tristan Knight. For some particular reason, Tristan aims his anger and attitude at our story line heroine until the day he discovers his mother is demanding Tristan take control of the holidays parties. With his tail between his legs, Tristan contracts Daphne to cater the family and business parties, a contract that that quickly evolves into something more but Tristan’s mom sees a happily ever after, and caught in a ‘compromising position’ Tristan offers up a fake relationship to appease everyone involved. As the holidays ensue, so does their relationship, a relationship that will implode with the appearance of manipulation and betrayal.

The world building focuses on the fake relationship that quickly grows into something more but Daphne struggles with the false narrative of their workplace affair, a narrative in which friendships and family will lose in the end.

The relationship between Tristan and Daphne is an enemies to frenemies to lovers, fake relationship. Tristan’s mother is desperate to see her son married and happy, and sees an opportunity to set a plan into motion, a plan that will see our couple, heart broken and lost. Tristan is quickly falling for the woman that calls to his heart but Tristan is a snob, and his earlier behavior will threaten any chance at a happily ever after. There are no $ex scenes-everything is implied.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and charismatic secondary and supporting characters including both Tristan and Daphne’s parents, as well as Tristan’s assistant Faye, co-workers and local artisans.

BAKING IT MERRY is a story of secrets and lies, family and friendships, forgiveness and love. The premise is enchanting and charming; the characters are sassy and determined; the romance is subtle and seductive.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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New York Times and USA Today Bestseller/contemporary romance writer Samantha Chase released her debut novel, Jordan’s Return, in November 2011. Although she waited until she was in her 40’s to publish for the first time, writing has been a lifelong passion. Her motivation to take that step was her students: teaching creative writing to elementary age students all the way up through high school and encouraging those students to follow their writing dreams gave Samantha the confidence to take that step as well.

When she’s not working on a new story, she spends her time reading contemporary romances, playing way too many games of Scrabble or Solitaire on Facebook and spending time with her husband of 25 years and their two sons in North Carolina.