Title: Battle Royal (Palace Insiders #1)
Author: Lucy Parker
Publisher: Avon Books
Publication date: August 17th, 2021
397 pages
4/5 stars
Goodreads Synopsis
Beloved author Lucy Parker pens a delicious new romantic comedy that is a battle of whisks and wits.
Ready…
Four years ago, Sylvie Fairchild charmed the world as a contestant on the hit baking show, Operation Cake. Her ingenious, colorful creations captivated viewers and intrigued all but one of the judges, Dominic De Vere, the hottest pastry chef in London. When her glittery unicorn cake went spectacularly sideways, Dominic was quick to vote her off the show. Since then, Sylvie has managed to use her fame to help fulfill her dream of opening a bakery, Sugar Fair. The toast of Instagram, Sugar Fair has captured the attention of the Operation Cake producers…and a princess.
Set…
Dominic is His Majesty the King’s favorite baker, the go-to for sweet-toothed A-List celebrities, and a veritable British institution. He’s brilliant, talented, hard-working. And an icy, starchy grouch. Learning that the irksome Sylvie will be joining him on the Operation Cake judging panel is enough to make the famously dour baker even more grim. Her fantastical baking is only slightly more troublesome than the fact that he can’t stop thinking about her pink-streaked hair and irrepressible dimple.
Match…
When Dominic and Sylvie learn they will be fighting for the once in a lifetime opportunity to bake a cake for the upcoming wedding of Princess Rose, the flour begins to fly as they’re both determined to come out on top.
The bride adores Sylvie’s quirky style. The palace wants Dominic’s classic perfection.
In this royal battle, can there be room for two?
Review
“I’m equal parts terrified and aroused.”
“What an excellent relationship motto for us. I think I’ll embroider it on a cushion.”
Lucy Parker, Battle Royal
I read this during a spree of baking/cooking romances and I swear they all made me extra hungry whenever I was reading them, and Battle Royal is no exception. Hold onto your hats for this enemies to lovers, grump/sunshine, charming romantic comedy from Lucy Parker. Dominic and Sylvie first met on the set of Operation Cake where Sylvie was competing and Dominic was a judge. They immediately clashed in style, and the enemies status was confirmed when one of Sylvie’s cakes blew up in his face… literally. Now they are competing bakery owners vying for the royal contract to design the Princess’ wedding cake.
God, I can’t even explain how much I loved this book. It was the perfect mix of sweet, steamy, snarky, and sassy with plenty of banter and opportunities for these opposites to attract. I love both of the main characters because their backgrounds were so well thought out and described and fit with their current issues/drama. But the growth over the course of the book was beautiful to see and I love watching a grump melt for a sunshine!
I’m super stoked this is going to have a companion novel because I want more from these characters (hoping they have cameos in the next one!).
Happy reading, folks!
Baltimore Bibliophile 
This is such a good book! Sylvie and Dominic are so much fun, and the switch off between serious and fun was really great. The only problem was I couldn’t stop thinking about cake the whole time!
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