Review of Baking It Merry by Samantha Chase: A Festive Treat for Romance Fans #SamanthaChase @Dreamscapeaudio

Baking It Merry is a sweet and satisfying holiday romance that blends festive fun, delicious baking, and heartfelt character growth.

Acknowledgments:

Thank you to Dreamscape Media and Libro.fm for the ALC of this audiobook. The thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

Summary:

Daphne Noelle’s festive pop-up bake shop, designed like a gingerbread house, had brought joy to her office building for three years, delighting customers with sweet treats and holiday cheer—except for Tristan, the grouchy architect on the top floor. To him, the shop was an eyesore, disrupting the upscale elegance of the building, and he was determined to have it removed. However, when a family crisis forces Tristan to seek Daphne’s help, her infectious holiday spirit and knack for saving the day begin to soften his disdain. As they navigate awkward situations together, Tristan discovers that Christmas—and Daphne—might just have more to offer than he ever imagined.

My Thoughts:

If you’re looking for a festive, feel-good enemies-to-lovers romance with a generous sprinkle of holiday baking, Baking It Merry by Samantha Chase is the perfect read to usher in the Christmas spirit.

Daphne Noelle is a joyful baker and small business owner who transforms the office building’s lobby into a magical holiday haven with her gingerbread-house-inspired pop-up shop. For two months a year, she brings smiles to her customers with her delicious baked goods and infectious Christmas cheer. The rest of the year, she runs a website design business, dreaming of one day baking full-time. Most people in the office complex love her presence—everyone, that is, except Tristan.

Tristan is an architect working in his family’s firm. Focused on earning his parents’ respect, he’s a no-nonsense man who finds Daphne’s exuberance for the holiday season more irksome than endearing. He’s also desperate, having been tasked with hosting several Christmas parties for the firm. Lacking both social finesse and a caterer, Tristan begrudgingly hires Daphne to help.

What follows is a delightful story of personal growth, softened edges, and unlikely connections. Daphne helps Tristan embrace the joys of the season, while Tristan inspires Daphne to recognise her true passion for baking as something worth pursuing year-round. Their journey is heart-warming and humorous, with plenty of sweet moments both in and out of the kitchen.

I enjoyed the small-town vibe and the gradual transformation in both main characters. Daphne’s unwavering optimism contrasts beautifully with Tristan’s initial gruffness, making it all the more satisfying to see him slowly open up to the magic of Christmas. And Tristan’s encouragement for Daphne to fully commit to her baking dreams was a touching moment that left me cheering her on.

The Narration:

I had the pleasure of listening to the audiobook, narrated by Melanie Mendez. Her performance brought Daphne’s infectious cheer and Tristan’s early scepticism to life. I appreciated her ability to differentiate the characters’ voices, perfectly capturing their personalities. Listening at 1.5x speed, I found the narration engaging and perfectly paced, adding an extra layer of enjoyment to an already charming story.

Final Thoughts:

Baking It Merry is a festive treat sure to leave readers with a smile and a craving for holiday sweets. Samantha Chase has delivered a delightful tale of love, growth, and Christmas magic that I recommend.

A Similar Book I’ve Reviewed:

We Three Kings by Kristen Bailey