Sweet on You

De Guzman (If the Dress Fits) serves up a sugary sweet, enemies-to-lovers contemporary set in the Philippines. After Sari Tomas and her sisters inherit Tomas Coffee Co. from their grandmother, Sari realizes her dream of opening her own café in her hometown of Lipa City on Luzon island. Café Cecilia has everything she’s ever wanted for her business—except for good pastries. When Sunday Bakery opens next door, it only makes the problem worse. It doesn’t help that the baker, Gabriel Capras, recently arrived from Manila, is infuriatingly nice and his locally inspired treats vividly evoke emotional childhood memories Sari would rather ignore. Playful prankster Gabriel finds Sari’s baseless animosity hilarious and goads her into a friendly rivalry by offering free instant coffee with each pastry he sells. Their competition turns friendly, then romantic, though Gabriel struggles to balance his goal of turning the bakery into a successful chain, proving himself to his demanding father, and his newfound connection to Sari and Lipa. Sari’s abandonment issues, meanwhile, make her doubt Gabriel’s sincerity. Though their contretemps are resolved a bit too abruptly, Gabriel’s good-natured liveliness is a breath of fresh air among typically brooding heroes. Mouthwatering descriptions of Filipino baked goods and a gorgeously realized setting make this the perfect read for romantic foodies. (Oct.)