Mixed Signals
Ratings43
Average rating3.9
Layla Dupree has given up on love.
She’s waded through all of 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 her 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 dating 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 double fudge mocha brownies.
Will the heat between them boil over? Or will it be another case of mixed signals?
Mixed Signals is a sweet and steamy small-town romance. Our story features a bashful man who can rock a Hawaiian shirt, a hopeful and dreamy bakery owner, enough sweets to give you a cavity, and your favorite Inglewild residents. Mixed Signals is a standalone romance and the third book in the Lovelight series, a collection of interconnected novels.
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4 primary books#3 in Lovelight
Lovelight is a 4-book series with 4 released primary works first released in 2021 with contributions by B.K. Borison.
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The book's title does a better job of describing my feelings towards this book than the dynamic going on between the lead couple. These two are cute with a capital Q and TOTALLY, UNQUESTIONABLY into each other. The fact that they're even unsure makes them seem dense af because I mean these signals could not be more obvious. I cannot believe that for the WHOLE plot they weren't clear on the fact that their fake dating was just them ... actually dating. Come on, people, wise up. Overall, sweet slice of life, but I will say that sweetness doesn't mix especially well when things get spicy, if you know what I mean.
3.5 and rounding up. This is such a sweet romance, literally and metaphorically. For all you food lovers out there, get ready for lots of baked goods.
I haven't read the others in the series, but I think this works very well as a standalone.
When it comes to romances, I don't get too hung up on tropes, and this one does a very good job of making me not roll my eyes at the cliche' and predictable situations. In fact, I laughed out loud a few times, which doesn't happen very often when reading.
My one big requirement when it comes to relationships in this genre is that they aren't toxic and that the plot doesn't solely rely on miscommunication/lack of communication to be the crux of the drama.
On the contrary, MIXED SIGNALS is a great example of how communication can be super hot, and is the key to a healthy, sustainable relationship.
This surprisingly steaming, charming book was an easy read, with a dual narration. They used two narrators for the audiobook, which I always appreciate.
My biggest critique is with the Act III break up and reconciliation.
MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD:
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I feel like there was a missed opportunity to have Layla have some real character growth. Instead of focusing on her horrendous list of blind dates, we could have dove deeper on where her insecurities stem from (both romantically and professionally), mainly her family's disapproval of her life choices. It would have made her behavior more believable and sympathetic. Instead I grew increasingly frustrated with her, despite really rooting for her the whole book. The epilogue too was a missed chance to show some growth from her. Like getting into therapy, working on those feelings of needing to prove herself, ect.
***Thank you to Dreamscape Media for providing me with the audiobook for free via NetGalley for an unbiased review.
