A high-strung pastry chef’s professional goals are interrupted by an unexpected career transition and the introduction of her wildly attractive nonbinary kitchen manager in this deliciously fresh and witty queer rom-com.

Simone Larkspur is a perfectionist pastry expert with a dream job at The Discerning Chef, a venerable cookbook publisher in New York City. All she wants to do is create the perfect loaf of sourdough and develop recipes, but when The Discerning Chef decides to bring their brand into the 21st century by pivoting to video, Simone is thrust into the spotlight and finds herself failing at something for the first time in her life.

To make matters worse, Simone has to deal with Ray Lyton, the new test kitchen manager, whose obnoxious cheer and outgoing personality are like oil to Simone’s water. When Ray accidentally becomes a viral YouTube sensation with a series of homebrewing videos, their eccentric editor in chief forces Simone to work alongside the chipper upstart or else risk her beloved job. But the more they work together, the more Simone realizes her heart may be softening like butter for Ray.

Things get even more complicated when Ray comes out at work as nonbinary to mixed reactions—and Simone must choose between the career she fought so hard for and the person who just might take the cake (and her heart).

"One of the most intricate and satisfying queer romances in years. Fans of Casey McQuiston will be wowed." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"It’s hard to say what’s sweeter: the slow-burn romance or the drool-worthy descriptions of decadent desserts." - Time.com

"“Swoon-worthy… Readers who enjoyed the adventures in romances like Alexis Hall’s ROSALINE PALMER TAKES THE CAKE and Adriana Herrera’s MANGOES AND MISTLETOE will likely eat this one up too.” " - Library Journal

"“Delicious… Alexander whips up a delectable couple with Ray and Simone; they are each on their own journeys for self-awareness and self-confidence, which they gratifyingly achieve on an individual level. Alexander’s romance confronts workplace discrimination, internal biases, and issues like transphobia and misgendering with ease. Baked to perfection.”" - Kirkus Reviews

"*May's Top Rom-Com Reads*" - USA Today

"Tender, sweet, and hot." - Amanda Elliot, author of SADIE ON A PLATE, for The Nerd Daily

"*Highly Anticipated LGBTQ+ Romance Novels Releasing in 2022*" - Buzzfeed

"2022 might be the year of queer foodie romances." - Autostraddle, "Queer and Feminist Books Coming Out Spring 2022"

"A cute, romantic tale . . . For fans of The Charm Offensive and Red, White, and Royal Blue." - LibraryReads, May 2022 Top Ten Picks

"This sweet contemporary Own-Voices romance by a nonbinary author is recommended." - Booklist

"If you followed the rise and fall of Bon Appetit video, this should be on your TBR." - BookRiot, "19 Must-Read Queer Books Out in May"