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The Official Blurb
“A small-town baker learns to raise her expectations for love with some help from a handsome local teacher in this sunny romantic comedy.
Layla Dupree has given up on love. She’s waded through all the fish in the sea, each one more disappointing than the last. Apparently, owning the bakery at Inglewild’s most romantic destination does not help one’s love life—despite Layla’s best efforts. All she wants is a partner who gives her butterflies, not someone who ghosts her at dinner and leaves her with the check.
Good thing Caleb Alvarez has the perfect solution. After saving Layla from another date gone bad, he has a simple proposition: one month of no-strings dating. He’ll do his best to renew her faith in men while she rates his romantic game. It’s a win-win situation. All the benefits of dating without the added pressure of feelings and unmet expectations.
But there’s one ingredient they haven’t considered. The chemistry between them is red-hot, and the urge to take things to the next level is more tempting than Layla’s mocha fudge brownies.”
Spoiler Alerts: Yes
Trigger Warnings: N/A
Book Review: Mixed Signals by B.K. Borison
Genre: Contemporary Rom Com
Published: 2022
Spice Level: 🌶 Jalapeño (super slow burn, but it gets there)
If you’re looking for a slow burn romance with equal parts humor, heart, and heat; Mixed Signals by B.K. Borison might just be your next favorite read. Set in a cozy small town during the tail end of summer, this book is brimming with fresh-baked pastries, flirty banter, and one seriously swoon-worthy ex-firefighter.
It’s my book choice for Season 2 Episode 16: Romance at the Roller Rink and it has been my favorite romance novel this summer — maybe even this year.
Meet the Couple:
- Layla Dupree – the queen of cupcakes and owner of a bakery nestled on her best friends’ farm. She’s sweet, determined and completely over the disaster that is modern dating.
- Caleb Alvarez – an ex-firefighter turned high school Spanish teacher, who’s been quietly nursing a crush on Layla for years. (And yes, he’s as dreamy as that sentence sounds. Maybe more.)
The Setup:
Caleb is the kind of guy who religiously stops by the bakery three times a week for a croissant, a coffee with cream, and a smile from Layla. Meanwhile, Layla’s navigating the nightmare that is online dating. When one particularly awful date bails and leaves her stuck paying the bill, fate intervenes. Caleb’s at the same restaurant and he offers her a ride home.
Sparks fly … kind of.
The two strike up a deal: they’ll “date” each other for a month. Layla will help Caleb figure out why he can’t seem to get past a third or fourth date with a lady, and Caleb will remind Layla that not all men are trash. What starts as a sweet (and slightly awkward) experiment soon turns into something much deeper.
Why I Loved It:
Let me just say — this book had me laughing out loud. Yes, literally. Even my husband Bob noticed and kept asking, “Okay, what’s going on now?” There’s a Nickelback joke in here that lives rent-free in my brain.
The dialogue is natural and hilarious, and the romantic tension is chef’s kiss. Caleb is the ultimate hero. He’s kind, thoughtful, good with old ladies and animals, supports local businesses, adores his abuela, and genuinely listens to Layla. He puts actual thought into everything he does for her. And did I mention the man is hot? Like, sizzling off the page hot. (As I told my co-host, Meghan, on the podcast: if I was a single lady I would 100% being throwing myself at Caleb.)
Also, can we take a moment to appreciate this line:
“I wonder if the skin there tastes as sweet as the sticky honey glaze she uses… I wonder if I’d taste her on my tongue for hours. If I’d crave her the same way.”
Excuse me while I fan myself with a cookie sheet.
And yes, the book takes its sweet time with the romance. This is definitely a slow burn. I’m not gonna lie. As someone who prefers a spicier read, I was starting to get seriously worried. But, when this book finally gets there, you’ll be having a Meg Ryan moment at the deli a la When Harry Met Sally.
Real Talk:
If you’re more of a “get to the spice already!” kind of reader, be warned: this one simmers. It really simmers. But for me, the payoff was delicious.
Final Sip:
Mixed Signals is a feel-good, laugh-out-loud, summer-perfect read with characters who feel like real people you’d want to be friends with — or date. (Did I mention I’d date Caleb if I was single?) If you’re into small-town vibes, sexy sweethearts, and a little sugar with your steam, grab this book ASAP.
And if you’re still not convinced … there’s baked goods. So many baked goods. (Bear claws, croissants, tarts, coconut rum cake, mocha fudge brownies …)
🎧 Like this review? Tune into the full discussion on this week’s episode of Romance on the Rocks! Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
