Dirty Talking Rival

In the begining, Grady's character wasn't very likeable. It seemed like he was going to be stuck in the pubescent boy mindset of "i pined for you for years, you owe me" nonsense. BUT, i believe that was the point of having his character seem un-Grady like in the beginning, to show not only growth but how ridiculous that mindset and trope is.I'm glad I held out for when he finally ditches the 'tude and becomes the Grady that we enjoyed in the previous books. Only he's better. Still pining, but he puts on his big-boy pants and learns to try and accept the heroine at her pace, especially since she has sooo much on her plate.I loved how strong Annika was, and how she was constantly struggling with feeling lost and vulnerable because of her family issues, but is also incredibly resolved to do what she can for everyone. She just felt so real. And the sister dynamics were hilarious, like can I trade my little sister for her? Such a smart and driven 13-yr-old, but wasn't overdone. She's a teen, she had her issues and dealing with her mom stuff the best she could.And the whole my-mom-is-suddenly-blind plot was done soo well. Not only is it written with pure respect for people with disabilities, but it honors the struggles and the vulnerabilties from having such a drastic change occur in one's life, especially at a young age. How these characters cope with it, and learn a new normal was incredibly written, and I'm so glad the trope of a "a miracle has occured and now they're better" was avoided completely.Overall, top-notch romance, masterful storytelling, evocative family ties, and strong female characters plus all the typical comedic hijinks of this world. This definitely pulled me out of my book slump!

A best friends turned enemies to become lovers, small town rivalry, contemporary rom com.Annika and Grady were best friends in high school, became enemies after graduation when they chose different futures. Annika joined the military and Grady went to culinary college. Annika is from Sarcasm and Grady is from Shipwreck. The rancor between the two towns goes so far back in time the residents aren't really sure what caused the animosity. Ten years after graduation, Grady is struggling to keep his bakery open in Shipwreck and Annika is on emergency leave from the army to help her mom who recently lost her vision and her younger sister. Just before her mom lost her vision, she was in the process of realizing her dream of opening a bakery in Sarcasm. Needless to say bakery wars ensue. Why did the best friends become enemies? When did Grady realize that Annika was the only one for him? Who will win the bakery war? What does Grady do to help Annika? Is their secret relationship really a secret to the others? Will they get their HEA? A fun story full of hijinx, a crass parrot, matchmaking goat and grandpa, and a love finally realized.

In this much-anticipated return to the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia and the quirky small town of Shipwreck and their rival town Sarcasm, the Food Network's food wars have nothing on the war between Shipwreck and Sarcasm's rival bakeries. With business establishment names that would keep the Zon bots very busy, and clever, ironic street names, Grant sets the stage for a mayhem-filled, memorable read. You'll meet a foul-mouthed fowl and a billy goat named Sue who thinks he’s a dog, in addition to the zany, lively human characters.Grady Rock does one thing better than anyone else. He bakes the most perfect confections that Shipwreck has ever seen. People come from neighboring cities to try the pastries that he's sweet talked into existence. That is, until the girl who USED to be his best friend opens a bakery in neighboring Sarcasm and has the audacity to advertise all over Shipwreck!Annika has her reasons for separating from the Army and returning home to help her mother realize her dream of owning a bakery. As much as the handsome master baker in Shipwreck might think, it really has nothing to do with him. But you can’t have bakery wars without rivalry, and you can’t have decent rivalry without contact between the rivals. And that’s were things really get interesting, in ways I couldn’t even begin to imagine.This author has a rare gift, infusing the narrative with the perfect touch of hilarity so the story sparkles and shines with life and plays out in living color. She then gives us larger-than-life, unique secondary characters who are unforgettable in their outrageousness, and a flawed but loveable hero and heroine who effortlessly make a place for themselves in our hearts.Reading a Pippa Grant book isn’t simply reading a book. It’s living a lifetime of zany laughter, unparalleled adventure and swoony, forever love in an alternate reality for the few hours we spend with these characters. They say laughter is like medicine, and every heart needs a good dose of Pippa, so grab this hilarious, heartfelt, phenomenal read today!*I reviewed an early copy of this book freely and voluntarily, having made no commitment to provide feedback and receiving no compensation of any kind from any source.

Dirty Talking Rival was a truly funny rom com that had a lot of heart and spice. The setting and most of the characters in this book are just ludicrous but it was such a good time. Grant did a wonderful job balancing the zaniness of the story with a heartwarming and fun romance.Grady was a sweet cinnamon roll of MMC (male main character) underneath a layer of toughness. I loved seeing the layers of him unfold as he has to confront his actions and his unresolved feelings for Annika. And the romance between Grady and Annika was a touching, sweet, spicy and realistic romance. I appreciated so much that there were many opportunities for Grant to lean into the miscommunication trope and she never took that route. There is some misunderstanding but following that there are honest conversations that are had that had me melting. Annika is also a main character that is easy to root for since she is in an impossible situation but she is trying her best.

She writes like a hyper teenager just coming down from a candy and Monster binge.Her characters in this book are so amazing that one day I really want to meet them - impossible maybe, but still going on my wish list!

Everyone needs someone who talks to them like Grady Rock talks to his pastries!If you loved Flirting with the Frenemy because of Shipwreck and its colourful cast of characters, you're going to LOVE Master Baker! Getting the chance to spend some time with Grady Rock and his amazing banana pudding donuts as well as seeing him fall deeper in love with his former best friend? His frenemy? Annika - he falls in love with Annika and it's just freaking beautiful!There were family moments that brought tears - Annika's mom's suddenly going blind and turning the family's world upside down - and there were animal moments that caused riotous laughter (think Long Beak Silver - because who doesn't love a cussing pirate parrot!!! - as well a newcomer Sue the goat). Sue the goat who was determined to love Grady even if Grady didn't totally appreciate it at first. Sue is THE BEST!! I don't think he's replaced George Cooney for me, but he's certainly up there in my list of favourite Pippa animals!The relationship between Grady and Annika is genuine. They really have their wires crossed at first and they have their respective hometowns propagating a town feud that's lasted for years egging them on. These two, even when they were teenagers, just got each other and then it all went wrong. Seeing them find each other again, find what they hadn't had before which was a resolution to some serious unresolved feelings, gave me some serious "Awwwwwww!!!!" moments and some serious "OMG GRADY WHAT ARE YOU DOING YOU IDIOT!?!?!!!" moments. But there was lots of laughter in there too.AND CAMEOS!!!!! It wouldn't be right without a cameo from the fabulous Berger twins (they even bring Chase along on the ride!) and they make one of the best scenes in the whole book even better just for being there - the baking competition! IF you think you can handle reading a glimpse at Zeus and Ares one more time *before* they found their lady loves, cause come on you know you want to, you need to grab this book!!!If you want a story with heart and to laugh until you cry (or spit your coffee out on your laptop while you're reading like me, I won't judge) then you need to one click this now! Don't walk, RUN and grab it because you won't be sorry in the least!

The book tells the story of Grady and Annika.They're from two neighboring rival cities, and became best friends when they went to high school together.Annika is the daughter of a single mother and has always feared relationships since her mother was abandoned pregnant twice. She went to the army after high school to be able to pay for college, since she is from a simple family.On the other hand, Grady comes from a large family with money and is passionate about cooking because of Annika's mother, Maria.Before going to college, Grady asks Annika not to go to the army, stay in the city and wait for him to graduate because he is in love with her. But she goes anyway and he, resentful, cuts off the friendship with her and doesn't send the letters he promised.Ten years later, Annika returns to the city to help her mother, who was finally opening a bakery, but who had just gone blind and could no longer cook.Grady hears that his former best friend returned and opened a rival bakery and gets furious. Instead of asking why someone who hated cooking decided to do it and give up her military career, or just say hello, he goes after her to fight.With his brother being famous, news of the rivalry between the confectionery reaches the media and a competition is proposed who is the best baker.Annika, meanwhile, has to take care of her sick mother, her teenage sister, who cooks while the school has not started, and tries to hire a cook, since she doesn't know how to boil the water. Besides the fact that her old crush and former best friend is a complete idiot, but who she misses.Grady realizes that he's a spoiled brat and his friend, as usual, is taking care of everyone, but herself and is exhausted. So he decides to grow up and regain her friendship and try to make her fall in love with him while he, secretly, helps her in the bakery and with everything else. Of course, no one can know since they're in a competition accompanied by the press, which makes everything more difficult.A fun and easy-to-read romantic comedy with a pet goat and crazy and nosy family. I loved it, as always

Loved this story because of the baking. How the baking became so passionate and fun. I enjoyed reading this book very much.

Pippa Grant always has more humour, heart, and sexiness than I'm used to expecting in a romance. and all without an overdose of drama and disappointment that is far too often prevalent in romances. Love the banter.