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Cake #3
Fiercely Emma
Emma, older sister of renowned rock star Jake McKallister, has crafted a quiet existence for herself. Fiercely independent, scorned at work, and indifferent to relationships, she’s spent the past decade trying to move on from the crime that shook her family to the core. Living by a promise she made to herself as a distraught sixteen-year-old, Emma has sworn off marriage and children… until a chance encounter with a scruffy hitchhiker throws her orderly world into chaos.
A wild child raised in mayhem by a teenage mother, fearless Finn Perry cruises through life as the perennial nice guy. Now a struggling actor, he supports himself by performing daredevil stunts. At a crossroads in his life, one thing has always remained constant in his world: Finn’s desire to start the family he never had. The mystery woman who rescues him from the side of the road sure seems like the perfect person for the job.
But unfinished business from Emma’s troubled past looms heavy, threatening to destroy the fledging love she’s found with the only man to ever jump-start her wounded heart.
A wild child raised in mayhem by a teenage mother, fearless Finn Perry cruises through life as the perennial nice guy. Now a struggling actor, he supports himself by performing daredevil stunts. At a crossroads in his life, one thing has always remained constant in his world: Finn’s desire to start the family he never had. The mystery woman who rescues him from the side of the road sure seems like the perfect person for the job.
But unfinished business from Emma’s troubled past looms heavy, threatening to destroy the fledging love she’s found with the only man to ever jump-start her wounded heart.
487 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 11, 2017
494 people are currently reading
925 people want to read
About the author
J. Bengtsson
16 books1,600 followershttps://jbengtssonbooks.com/newsletter
J. (Jill) Bengtsson is the bestselling author of the Cake Series. She writes contemporary novels focused on love, humor, passion, and family. Her heroines are strong, nurturing, and quirky while her heroes are what dreams are made of - gorgeous, committed, and in need of a little saving. A native Californian, Jill’s novels are set under the glittering lights of the West Coast entertainment industry.
They are for the dreamer in all of us.
Jill resides in Ventura County, California. She’s married to the Swedish boy she met as an exchange student her junior year in college and they have three children, a golden retriever, and two ragdoll cats.
Be sure not to miss new releases and sales by J. Bengtsson by signing up for her newsletter https://jbengtssonbooks.com/newsletter
For more Cake experiences, check out the audiobooks.
https://www.audible.com/author/J-Beng...
The audiobook series feature top narrators by Andi Arndt, Joe Arden and Zachary Webber.
*Cake A Love Story was nominated for an Audie Award for Best Romance of 2018.
jbengtssonbooks.com
jill@jbengtssonbooks.com
www.facebook.com/jbengtssonauthor
https://www.facebook.com/groups/theba...
J. (Jill) Bengtsson is the bestselling author of the Cake Series. She writes contemporary novels focused on love, humor, passion, and family. Her heroines are strong, nurturing, and quirky while her heroes are what dreams are made of - gorgeous, committed, and in need of a little saving. A native Californian, Jill’s novels are set under the glittering lights of the West Coast entertainment industry.
They are for the dreamer in all of us.
Jill resides in Ventura County, California. She’s married to the Swedish boy she met as an exchange student her junior year in college and they have three children, a golden retriever, and two ragdoll cats.
Be sure not to miss new releases and sales by J. Bengtsson by signing up for her newsletter https://jbengtssonbooks.com/newsletter
For more Cake experiences, check out the audiobooks.
https://www.audible.com/author/J-Beng...
The audiobook series feature top narrators by Andi Arndt, Joe Arden and Zachary Webber.
*Cake A Love Story was nominated for an Audie Award for Best Romance of 2018.
jbengtssonbooks.com
jill@jbengtssonbooks.com
www.facebook.com/jbengtssonauthor
https://www.facebook.com/groups/theba...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 335 reviews
October 8, 2019
J. Bengtsson keeps killing it! Her storytelling just keeps improving with each book, and she is going to be a force to be reckoned with. She has a knack for making her characters relatable - and I love her for it! The McKallister clan are just a sarcastic, loving family that have worked so hard to overcome tragedy. Bengtsson was able to flip between past and present to show the reader how beautifully this family has risen from ashes and how this affected our protagonist, Emma. The writing seemed effortless. The story flowed perfectly from beginning to end. J. Bengtsson - nice job!
This story was mostly about taking risks. That was what our fierce Emma did throughout the book; she took chances. And most of those risks involve a daring stuntman named Finn - but I'll fill you in on that later. You see, Emma had strict rules for herself after witnessing her family deteriorate after Jake's abduction. She didn't do love or kids. At all.
Yeah, I get it Keith. I'm a boring cat lady. As that hasn't been played to death in our family.
She was known as the White Witch at work - after bleaching her hair. Before that she was known as Nurse Nasty or The Rock Star's Bitch Sister. Yeah, Emma wasn't a ray of sunshine. She had a fort built around her heart surrounded by a moat filled with alligators. Nobody was breaking in.
Finn was such the opposite of Emma. He was always so positive while Emma was always mentally preparing for the worse case scenario. She was always cautious while he earned a living being reckless. However, I believe it is his positivity that makes Emma continue taking risks and breaking all her rules. I love Emma and Finn together. And the McKallister's reactions to Finn: priceless.
...your Spiderman raised the bar and did this whole climbing up the wall thing, and it was so cool, I think I might have peed myself a little bit.
He's like a goddamned monkey. Never seen anyone who can do that shit. Gotta get him in my next video, no joke.
Bengsston knocked it out of the park with this one. I hear we are going back to Casey and Jake in the next book, and I hope there is a wedding!
5 stars!
This story was mostly about taking risks. That was what our fierce Emma did throughout the book; she took chances. And most of those risks involve a daring stuntman named Finn - but I'll fill you in on that later. You see, Emma had strict rules for herself after witnessing her family deteriorate after Jake's abduction. She didn't do love or kids. At all.
Yeah, I get it Keith. I'm a boring cat lady. As that hasn't been played to death in our family.
She was known as the White Witch at work - after bleaching her hair. Before that she was known as Nurse Nasty or The Rock Star's Bitch Sister. Yeah, Emma wasn't a ray of sunshine. She had a fort built around her heart surrounded by a moat filled with alligators. Nobody was breaking in.
Finn was such the opposite of Emma. He was always so positive while Emma was always mentally preparing for the worse case scenario. She was always cautious while he earned a living being reckless. However, I believe it is his positivity that makes Emma continue taking risks and breaking all her rules. I love Emma and Finn together. And the McKallister's reactions to Finn: priceless.
...your Spiderman raised the bar and did this whole climbing up the wall thing, and it was so cool, I think I might have peed myself a little bit.
He's like a goddamned monkey. Never seen anyone who can do that shit. Gotta get him in my next video, no joke.
Bengsston knocked it out of the park with this one. I hear we are going back to Casey and Jake in the next book, and I hope there is a wedding!
5 stars!
October 27, 2017
I have never read about such supercilious family members in my life - and I hang out in HPLandia a lot, so that is saying something.
The premise of this one is that the h is older sister of several children, one of the younger boys was taken by a serial killer pedophile when she was 16 and tho he made it back, her parents checked out in the parenting dept. so she had to take over. To compound the situation, while the kidnapped son became the big focus of the family when he returned to them and now is a mega rockstar, the parents blamed his brother for a long time and abdicated their parenting of the rest of the kids.
The h understandably is wary of relationships and she comes across as pretty distant and uninvolved until she meets the H. Then she gets preggers unexpectedly and since she did not want kids, this throws her. She calls the brother who was kidnapped for some emotional support and he has a hissy that she doesn't appreciate their mother or him. WTF?!?
I get that the mother went over and above for him, but really. I have read this whole series to date and the brother that was kidnapped is a self-centered slime encrusted sewage pump. The mother may have helped him, and that is great and I get that he had a trauma, but clearly every other child in the family had an entirely different experience and they have EVERY RIGHT to be resentful and angry about that.
The mother is just a flaked out pathetic slime pustule on a nematode and there was no excuse for her prior behavior for her treatment of her other children - especially the son she blamed for the kidnapped child's predicament. Yet this h is the one who has to grovel for resenting that she had to parent four younger kids at 16 and cope with a pathetic lump for a mother.
There is no redemption for the failure to be a decent parent in my book. And a huge smack with a toilet seat for the tormented "special snowflake" who can't look past his own inner slime to see that yes, his experience was bad, but every one else's in the family wasn't much better either and he needs to get over his not-so-special self.
Also, what is with the whole tired, trite " I am afraid to love, so no kids" trope. Why can't the h just not want kids cause she spent significant time raising someone else's and she is done? This book was a standard rehash of typical emo drama NA tropyness miss for me and it really pissed me off.
The H and h were decent people and it was a nice love story, but the family this h comes from leaves a lot to be desired-- with the H's family being just as bad--and I wouldn't mind if the mother and the special snowflake brother and the entire H's family dropped into the depths of a black hole.
The premise of this one is that the h is older sister of several children, one of the younger boys was taken by a serial killer pedophile when she was 16 and tho he made it back, her parents checked out in the parenting dept. so she had to take over. To compound the situation, while the kidnapped son became the big focus of the family when he returned to them and now is a mega rockstar, the parents blamed his brother for a long time and abdicated their parenting of the rest of the kids.
The h understandably is wary of relationships and she comes across as pretty distant and uninvolved until she meets the H. Then she gets preggers unexpectedly and since she did not want kids, this throws her. She calls the brother who was kidnapped for some emotional support and he has a hissy that she doesn't appreciate their mother or him. WTF?!?
I get that the mother went over and above for him, but really. I have read this whole series to date and the brother that was kidnapped is a self-centered slime encrusted sewage pump. The mother may have helped him, and that is great and I get that he had a trauma, but clearly every other child in the family had an entirely different experience and they have EVERY RIGHT to be resentful and angry about that.
The mother is just a flaked out pathetic slime pustule on a nematode and there was no excuse for her prior behavior for her treatment of her other children - especially the son she blamed for the kidnapped child's predicament. Yet this h is the one who has to grovel for resenting that she had to parent four younger kids at 16 and cope with a pathetic lump for a mother.
There is no redemption for the failure to be a decent parent in my book. And a huge smack with a toilet seat for the tormented "special snowflake" who can't look past his own inner slime to see that yes, his experience was bad, but every one else's in the family wasn't much better either and he needs to get over his not-so-special self.
Also, what is with the whole tired, trite " I am afraid to love, so no kids" trope. Why can't the h just not want kids cause she spent significant time raising someone else's and she is done? This book was a standard rehash of typical emo drama NA tropyness miss for me and it really pissed me off.
The H and h were decent people and it was a nice love story, but the family this h comes from leaves a lot to be desired-- with the H's family being just as bad--and I wouldn't mind if the mother and the special snowflake brother and the entire H's family dropped into the depths of a black hole.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 5, 2025
I am hooked on this series and this author. I love the way she can unwind a story and keep me captivated. If you haven't started this series, and you love contemporary romances, then you need to jump on board and get started. I would recommend you start from book 1 to get the full experience of this families history.
Emma is the older sister to Jake and Kyle. Both these boys experienced something no kid should, more so Jake. And when the chips where down, the unlikely one to step up was the 16 year old Emma to try and keep the family on some sort of normality. She is close to her siblings but that year when things went wrong, she formed a deeper bond that stands steadfast to the present day. The only side effect was that Emma now feels she doesn't want a family of her own.
Finn, might just be the guy to change all that for her. He is her total divergent in his manner but something just catches her eye to trust him. He also comes from a unconventional background that makes these two connect on a deeper level. He is very witty, which appeals to Emma, and he has some brilliant lines in the book, that had me giggling along with him. He was exactly what Emma needed to bring her out of that boring comfort zone and who could fit in to her crazy loving family. As he says, No reward without risk.
This book starts with some backstory, and goes back and forth between that and the present day. This was so needed to know what went on at home during that awful time and to understand Emma's dilemma. I felt it was done very well, and was just enough history to fill you in and it will just break your heart.
I have enjoyed every couple in this series, and each book seems to be my new favourite couple. Next up to finish off the series is Jake and Casey again. I am also hoping there is more on Kyle and Kenzie as well as Emma and Finn - who are just adorable and captivating.
*I received a copy for an honest review.
Emma is the older sister to Jake and Kyle. Both these boys experienced something no kid should, more so Jake. And when the chips where down, the unlikely one to step up was the 16 year old Emma to try and keep the family on some sort of normality. She is close to her siblings but that year when things went wrong, she formed a deeper bond that stands steadfast to the present day. The only side effect was that Emma now feels she doesn't want a family of her own.
Finn, might just be the guy to change all that for her. He is her total divergent in his manner but something just catches her eye to trust him. He also comes from a unconventional background that makes these two connect on a deeper level. He is very witty, which appeals to Emma, and he has some brilliant lines in the book, that had me giggling along with him. He was exactly what Emma needed to bring her out of that boring comfort zone and who could fit in to her crazy loving family. As he says, No reward without risk.
This book starts with some backstory, and goes back and forth between that and the present day. This was so needed to know what went on at home during that awful time and to understand Emma's dilemma. I felt it was done very well, and was just enough history to fill you in and it will just break your heart.
I have enjoyed every couple in this series, and each book seems to be my new favourite couple. Next up to finish off the series is Jake and Casey again. I am also hoping there is more on Kyle and Kenzie as well as Emma and Finn - who are just adorable and captivating.
*I received a copy for an honest review.
July 4, 2017
Fiercely Emma (Cake Series Book Three) by J. Bengtsson
Hmmm where to begin with this? First of all, this is technically a standalone in the Cake series however, I would highly suggest reading books one and two in order to really appreciate Emma and her story.
What this family has gone through makes my heart ache. I can't even fathom what it must be like to grow up with the nasty shadows hanging over you. While Emma was safe at home, she still bore the brunt of her brothers kidnapping when her mother just couldn't and wouldn't cope. As a teen, Emma had to step in and be a mother to her siblings, look after the house, and try to keep the hope alive. All of these factors and so many more have made Emma the way she is when it comes to relationships. She's perfectly happy to have fun and enjoy herself, but refuses to allow herself to feel any more than the here and now. All of which is understandable. This all changes when she meets the lovely stuntman, Finn who makes her question everything she believes. Finn is pretty much like an overgrown puppy: he has endless energy, has a happy-go-lucky attitude, and despite the shitty hand he's been dealt, is full of positivity and good vibes. In other words, he's the complete opposite of Emma.
I enjoyed this book! I liked, understood, even experienced heartache for Emma. I felt so sorry for what she'd gone through and really wanted her to just loosen up and enjoy life without placing limitations. I felt that Finn was just perfect for her in that regard. He's the complete opposite of everything she finds attractive in a man and yet she can't help but be intrigued by him. He was perfect.
The book is set in the past and present so there's obviously some back and forth happening but it's written in a completely non-confusing way. We get to appreciate what happened all those years ago from another perspective and while I despised Emma's mother from 'before', I came to accept her eventually in the 'now'.
My only negative is that some of the writing felt a little disjointed - and this has nothing to do with the back and forth-ing. Nonetheless, this is absolutely an enjoyable read and the series is one I heartily recommend.
*arc received in exchange for honest review.
**Reviewed by Melinda for Joandisalovebooks Blog.
Hmmm where to begin with this? First of all, this is technically a standalone in the Cake series however, I would highly suggest reading books one and two in order to really appreciate Emma and her story.
What this family has gone through makes my heart ache. I can't even fathom what it must be like to grow up with the nasty shadows hanging over you. While Emma was safe at home, she still bore the brunt of her brothers kidnapping when her mother just couldn't and wouldn't cope. As a teen, Emma had to step in and be a mother to her siblings, look after the house, and try to keep the hope alive. All of these factors and so many more have made Emma the way she is when it comes to relationships. She's perfectly happy to have fun and enjoy herself, but refuses to allow herself to feel any more than the here and now. All of which is understandable. This all changes when she meets the lovely stuntman, Finn who makes her question everything she believes. Finn is pretty much like an overgrown puppy: he has endless energy, has a happy-go-lucky attitude, and despite the shitty hand he's been dealt, is full of positivity and good vibes. In other words, he's the complete opposite of Emma.
I enjoyed this book! I liked, understood, even experienced heartache for Emma. I felt so sorry for what she'd gone through and really wanted her to just loosen up and enjoy life without placing limitations. I felt that Finn was just perfect for her in that regard. He's the complete opposite of everything she finds attractive in a man and yet she can't help but be intrigued by him. He was perfect.
The book is set in the past and present so there's obviously some back and forth happening but it's written in a completely non-confusing way. We get to appreciate what happened all those years ago from another perspective and while I despised Emma's mother from 'before', I came to accept her eventually in the 'now'.
My only negative is that some of the writing felt a little disjointed - and this has nothing to do with the back and forth-ing. Nonetheless, this is absolutely an enjoyable read and the series is one I heartily recommend.
*arc received in exchange for honest review.
**Reviewed by Melinda for Joandisalovebooks Blog.
November 13, 2017
solid read
August 20, 2017
A good but predictable love at first sight...
Emma is a bit of a self proclaimed ice queen, because of her past. She knows what's truly important in life, and she likes to keep things non-risky. Her job, her home, her sex life. She's going to a music festival where her rockstar brother is performing with her entire family to celebrate her dad's birthday. What she doesn't expect is the dirty hobo she picks up on the side of the road.
Indy... I mean Finn is a stuntman and kind of actor. Things in his life are often unpredictable including his wild and crazy childhood that he looks at in a surprisingly optimistic light. After an especially bad week at work Finn he's more than ready to escape to the music festival in the desert his roommate scored tickets to.
I really enjoyed this story. It's a bit of a sparks at first sight into a quick love story. I usually am not a fan of instalove, but I can totally see when reading this how the setting and the circumstances could make the sparks these two fell fall quickly into love. I love that the side plot in this series is always family, and that even though it is mainly a love story the family plot plays a huge role in the love part. The only reason I took a star away is because the incident that changes this family's life is always rehashed. After reading about it twice from different perspectives I've kind of had enough by the third. I do see why the semi-rehash is necessary to Emma's story though.
All in all a really good read. There are naughty bits, but they are not super super erotic. The love story is insta, but it really works I feel. The side plot is good, just a little bit stale if you've read the other two books in this series. If you have KINDLE UNLIMITED, I'd definitely give this one a chance!
Emma is a bit of a self proclaimed ice queen, because of her past. She knows what's truly important in life, and she likes to keep things non-risky. Her job, her home, her sex life. She's going to a music festival where her rockstar brother is performing with her entire family to celebrate her dad's birthday. What she doesn't expect is the dirty hobo she picks up on the side of the road.
Indy... I mean Finn is a stuntman and kind of actor. Things in his life are often unpredictable including his wild and crazy childhood that he looks at in a surprisingly optimistic light. After an especially bad week at work Finn he's more than ready to escape to the music festival in the desert his roommate scored tickets to.
I really enjoyed this story. It's a bit of a sparks at first sight into a quick love story. I usually am not a fan of instalove, but I can totally see when reading this how the setting and the circumstances could make the sparks these two fell fall quickly into love. I love that the side plot in this series is always family, and that even though it is mainly a love story the family plot plays a huge role in the love part. The only reason I took a star away is because the incident that changes this family's life is always rehashed. After reading about it twice from different perspectives I've kind of had enough by the third. I do see why the semi-rehash is necessary to Emma's story though.
All in all a really good read. There are naughty bits, but they are not super super erotic. The love story is insta, but it really works I feel. The side plot is good, just a little bit stale if you've read the other two books in this series. If you have KINDLE UNLIMITED, I'd definitely give this one a chance!
August 8, 2017
Emma and Finn
Emma never really recovered from her brothers kidnapping, it had overshadowed her entire life.
Finn overcame all the adversities life put in his way and still kept his optimistic view of life.
These two with such opposing life views should never have worked together but they did much to Emma's surprise. (Finn was always sure they would go well together.)
This Cake Series is one of my favorite! The depth of emotions in these characters is amazing.
There are three more McKallister siblings to go, I can hardly wait.
Emma never really recovered from her brothers kidnapping, it had overshadowed her entire life.
Finn overcame all the adversities life put in his way and still kept his optimistic view of life.
These two with such opposing life views should never have worked together but they did much to Emma's surprise. (Finn was always sure they would go well together.)
This Cake Series is one of my favorite! The depth of emotions in these characters is amazing.
There are three more McKallister siblings to go, I can hardly wait.
September 14, 2017
OH MY STARS!! FIVE stars to be exact! I absolutely adore this series but was BLOWN away by Fiercely Emma! Top read of 2017, hands down.
I have no words for how amazing Emma and Finn are - just pleeeease do yourself a favor and read this series!!!!! You will NOT be disappointed! <3
I have no words for how amazing Emma and Finn are - just pleeeease do yourself a favor and read this series!!!!! You will NOT be disappointed! <3
March 21, 2019
This is the 3rd book in the Cake series and centres around Emma, the eldest daughter in the McKallister family.
Like the rest of her siblings, Emma was profoundly affected by a tragedy that occurred in her family when she was a teenager. The outfall was a lot of responsibility landed on her as she seemed to take up a parenting role for her younger siblings as they were struggling to cope with their grieving.
As a result of what she experienced in her teens she made a vow to herself, one that she is determined to see through. This means her outlook on relationships is already predetermined and nothing will sway her. Until she meets Finn.
Finn and Emma cross paths twice on their way to a music festival. Finn is completely intrigued with the beautiful Emma and sets out to make sure that their paths cross again. The result of this is a night neither of them will ever forget. However, the one night stand soon turns into a lot more. In fact, he practically becomes a part of the family.
When things get serious between them, Emma does her usual MO so she can stay true to her vow. It is a shame really because Finn is the most perfect man she has ever met, it’s like he was made for her. She would rather be heart broken and set him free than make him stay with someone who won’t give him what he wants.
So a big of an angsty read towards the end as I got frustrated with with Emma and felt so sad for Finn. I listened to the audio version where Andi Arndt and Zachary Webber did a great job with the narration. Another fab read in this series.
Like the rest of her siblings, Emma was profoundly affected by a tragedy that occurred in her family when she was a teenager. The outfall was a lot of responsibility landed on her as she seemed to take up a parenting role for her younger siblings as they were struggling to cope with their grieving.
As a result of what she experienced in her teens she made a vow to herself, one that she is determined to see through. This means her outlook on relationships is already predetermined and nothing will sway her. Until she meets Finn.
Finn and Emma cross paths twice on their way to a music festival. Finn is completely intrigued with the beautiful Emma and sets out to make sure that their paths cross again. The result of this is a night neither of them will ever forget. However, the one night stand soon turns into a lot more. In fact, he practically becomes a part of the family.
When things get serious between them, Emma does her usual MO so she can stay true to her vow. It is a shame really because Finn is the most perfect man she has ever met, it’s like he was made for her. She would rather be heart broken and set him free than make him stay with someone who won’t give him what he wants.
So a big of an angsty read towards the end as I got frustrated with with Emma and felt so sad for Finn. I listened to the audio version where Andi Arndt and Zachary Webber did a great job with the narration. Another fab read in this series.
April 2, 2019
-- AUDIO REVIEW --
I can’t stop being blown away by these books. I had no idea, when I picked up Cake, that I was in for such a wild, emotional, multi-layered ride. I had no idea that, three books in, I’d still feel so needy for more. No idea that the punches would hit so hard, or that my heart would feel so full.
I had a moment of doubt when I first started Fiercely Emma. I mean, Emma is not an easy heroine and I was worried I would have a hard time connecting with her. However I’m learning that J. Bengtsson has a gift for tapestry weaving. That is, all the threads of this book weave together to make a bigger picture that is complicated, intricate, and absolutely stunning.
I am blown away. I adored Emma and Finn’s story. I cannot get enough of this storytelling style that blends amazing light-hearted, laugh-out-loud moments with deep, hard-hitting, emotional ones with a pinch of darkness thrown in. The end result is a potent, addictive combination.
The narration, again, was perfect. I adore these narrators who allow me to slide so effortlessly into the story, becoming the voices of these characters, rather than distracting from them.
All that is to say that this was another easy, enthusiastic five star experience. I laughed, I cried, and I lost my heart to Emma and Finn. These books are everything my little romance loving heart could ever ask for, and I am absolutely going back for more!
I can’t stop being blown away by these books. I had no idea, when I picked up Cake, that I was in for such a wild, emotional, multi-layered ride. I had no idea that, three books in, I’d still feel so needy for more. No idea that the punches would hit so hard, or that my heart would feel so full.
I had a moment of doubt when I first started Fiercely Emma. I mean, Emma is not an easy heroine and I was worried I would have a hard time connecting with her. However I’m learning that J. Bengtsson has a gift for tapestry weaving. That is, all the threads of this book weave together to make a bigger picture that is complicated, intricate, and absolutely stunning.
I am blown away. I adored Emma and Finn’s story. I cannot get enough of this storytelling style that blends amazing light-hearted, laugh-out-loud moments with deep, hard-hitting, emotional ones with a pinch of darkness thrown in. The end result is a potent, addictive combination.
The narration, again, was perfect. I adore these narrators who allow me to slide so effortlessly into the story, becoming the voices of these characters, rather than distracting from them.
All that is to say that this was another easy, enthusiastic five star experience. I laughed, I cried, and I lost my heart to Emma and Finn. These books are everything my little romance loving heart could ever ask for, and I am absolutely going back for more!
August 6, 2019
Compared to the first two books of the series I just liked this one. It was sweet, funny, having me in a fit of giggles every so often, and then fiercely intense (as says the cover) when going through the traumatic experience Jack and his family had to go through. Everyone has there ways of dealing, and J. Bengtsson surely put it into perspective. 3, because I liked the story, but didnt love it.
July 25, 2023
July 2023:
This was such a successful reread! A lot of the issues I had when rereading Cake were not a problem here. Though this author’s sex scenes still leave a lot to be desired, there was only one that made me roll my eyes. My thoughts below still stand and I don’t have much to add. Emma is certainly fierce, so the title is perfect for her story. My time spent with the McKallister clan was very enjoyable!! Still a 5 star read for me. 😃
April 2019: Fiercely Emma was just as fabulous as Cake was! It was heart wrenching to see Jake’s abduction through Emma’s eyes. Truly eye opening to what goes on for the family of the victim. The blurb for Kyle’s book led us to believe we would see some of Kyle’s reactions and that was reduced to less than a chapter for him. That was extremely disappointing. Seeing what Emma experienced explained so much of her attitude and behavior, and I think it would have been helpful in Kyle’s book as well. Especially because of his position at the time of the abduction. Anyway, Emma’s book was amazing and I’m so glad I didn’t skip it like I had originally planned. Finn was so swoon worthy! This will definitely go into my pile of books that I want to reread in the future, right along with Cake.
This was such a successful reread! A lot of the issues I had when rereading Cake were not a problem here. Though this author’s sex scenes still leave a lot to be desired, there was only one that made me roll my eyes. My thoughts below still stand and I don’t have much to add. Emma is certainly fierce, so the title is perfect for her story. My time spent with the McKallister clan was very enjoyable!! Still a 5 star read for me. 😃
April 2019: Fiercely Emma was just as fabulous as Cake was! It was heart wrenching to see Jake’s abduction through Emma’s eyes. Truly eye opening to what goes on for the family of the victim. The blurb for Kyle’s book led us to believe we would see some of Kyle’s reactions and that was reduced to less than a chapter for him. That was extremely disappointing. Seeing what Emma experienced explained so much of her attitude and behavior, and I think it would have been helpful in Kyle’s book as well. Especially because of his position at the time of the abduction. Anyway, Emma’s book was amazing and I’m so glad I didn’t skip it like I had originally planned. Finn was so swoon worthy! This will definitely go into my pile of books that I want to reread in the future, right along with Cake.
June 27, 2019
I tend not to enjoy the whole "insta" trope but it worked well with Emma and Finn. He was such a sweetheart and such a good guy. It was nice to finally see the toil the kidnapping had on Emma as well. Overall, a heartwarming addition to the series.
September 22, 2018
5 Indian-Jones Stars
I have to say, this has been my favorite story in the series! I loved how the chapter flipped from past to present for Emma, to include Finn’s POV. I wouldn’t change a thing about this book—it definitely surpassed my expectations. I absolutely loved Finn and Emma individually, and together! Looking forward to the other siblings books.
I have to say, this has been my favorite story in the series! I loved how the chapter flipped from past to present for Emma, to include Finn’s POV. I wouldn’t change a thing about this book—it definitely surpassed my expectations. I absolutely loved Finn and Emma individually, and together! Looking forward to the other siblings books.
October 3, 2017
This book was awesome. Seriously, I'm impressed how much the author changed from book 1 to 3. I can't wait for more. There are so many questions left. Keep them coming.
July 4, 2022
I'm swooning over Bengtsson so hard right now. She has made several alpha heroes I wanna marry. But I really REALLY wanna be the Fiercest woman alive like Emma McKallister. Oh and totally be worshipped by persistent Indiana-Jones Finnegan "Finn" Perry.
OmyLawd he's Tight arsed, Blonde locked, sexy-swooney personality can jump start my heart anytime!!! his charm knocks Emma's cynical, bone dry heart into overdrive and moisture leaks in somewhere......In the panties ladies!!
Phew, is it hot in here or is it BLAZING HOT in here!
Finn not only charms Emma but he reins in her entire family and they just fall all over themselves seeing his daredevilry.
I can babble for pages I'm telling you, but I really need to go jump in book 4 so I'll leave you short breathed and hanging.
Read/listen your self and fall in LURVE with Emma & Finn
Bengtsson I worship your word soooooooooo much!!!!!!
5 dizzying stars cause there's always room for two more
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OmyLawd he's Tight arsed, Blonde locked, sexy-swooney personality can jump start my heart anytime!!! his charm knocks Emma's cynical, bone dry heart into overdrive and moisture leaks in somewhere......In the panties ladies!!
Phew, is it hot in here or is it BLAZING HOT in here!
Finn not only charms Emma but he reins in her entire family and they just fall all over themselves seeing his daredevilry.
I can babble for pages I'm telling you, but I really need to go jump in book 4 so I'll leave you short breathed and hanging.
Read/listen your self and fall in LURVE with Emma & Finn
Bengtsson I worship your word soooooooooo much!!!!!!
5 dizzying stars cause there's always room for two more
Follow me on:
Email🌻 Bookbub 🌻 Twitter🌻 Instagram🌻 Blog🌻 Facebook🌻 Amazon 🌻
March 6, 2021
Done with book 3....I'm about halfway through this AWESOME series!! It is such a unique collection - I can't really describe how interesting and connected this book is. Ultimately this whole series is about Jake, a young rockstar from a big family. While most of the books in the series are about his siblings, each book still bounces back and forth between real time and the past, to give you more of the insight in to what happened to Jake when he was younger and how it changed everyone's life. He was kidnapped as a child and that put him and his family in a stage of life hell you can't even fathom. Each book has revealed more and more as to how it all happened. I usually dislike most storylines of children abuse, but this author has captured me and I am so invested in this family and it is all soooooooo good, I just love the series so much!!
The next book goes back To Jake and Casey. I am definitely going to pause here and read a few other things so I can get back on the series and binge the rest as the 6th book releases, I think this summer. Hopefully the author will continue on at least another book or 2 after that!
The next book goes back To Jake and Casey. I am definitely going to pause here and read a few other things so I can get back on the series and binge the rest as the 6th book releases, I think this summer. Hopefully the author will continue on at least another book or 2 after that!
August 12, 2022
Another amazing romance by the wonderful J Bengtsson!!
It's official! After three fantastic love stories from J Bengtsson, I can officially say that she is one of my new favourite authors because she is just so awesome and talented!!!!
I am totally obsessed with the McAllister family and I've not binged a series this quick in so long! I'm getting through two books a day as I just can't put these beautiful love stories down!!!!
I was so excited to read Emma's book as she is such a fierce character and a fellow nurse!! Fiercely Emma did not disappoint!! Another original story line with one of the best meet cutes I've ever read!!
Although Casey and Jake still have my heart, Finn and Emma are a close second as they are so perfect for each other!!
I love this series and I'm so excited for the next book to see who's next and to see the previous characters again!! I have named myself a McAllister for the week!!
4* romance!!
Reverse grumpy sunshine
It's official! After three fantastic love stories from J Bengtsson, I can officially say that she is one of my new favourite authors because she is just so awesome and talented!!!!
I am totally obsessed with the McAllister family and I've not binged a series this quick in so long! I'm getting through two books a day as I just can't put these beautiful love stories down!!!!
I was so excited to read Emma's book as she is such a fierce character and a fellow nurse!! Fiercely Emma did not disappoint!! Another original story line with one of the best meet cutes I've ever read!!
Although Casey and Jake still have my heart, Finn and Emma are a close second as they are so perfect for each other!!
I love this series and I'm so excited for the next book to see who's next and to see the previous characters again!! I have named myself a McAllister for the week!!
4* romance!!
Reverse grumpy sunshine
May 16, 2019
4.5 stars rounded up. Loved the characters, the romance and the back story. Finished it with a smile on my face. This whole series has been pretty amazing actually, so if you love adult contemporary romance this is a must read series. This one just might be my favorite so far although I loved the first one a lot! Highly recommended!
March 15, 2018
Sigh. Wonderful book. Absolutely loved it. Emma was a bit annoying, and when she fell in love with him it took me by surprise because she was pretty cold for so long. Finn was scrumptious.
September 10, 2019
I love Emma and her role with her siblings. I loved that we got flashbacks of what was happening with her and her point of view with the terrible thing that happened in their family. She is scared and there is good reason, but I am glad that she finds Finn.
July 1, 2020
4 funnier than you’d think Stars
First I thought this would be my least favorite but I liked it better than the 2nd. This had me lol several times. It also had heart and depth. You got to know more of the family and their issues. And the tragedy that they all went through and how each dealt with it. But you also go to fall in love with the MCs. And the hero’s family was super dysfunctional but so funny.
This was set in the right places that made sense to the characters. And I liked how they developed. I would have liked a little more detail of going through some events with the characters versus being told how they ended. Not a fan of that style of story telling.
However this made me really look forward to the next book. Loved the narration as well!
First I thought this would be my least favorite but I liked it better than the 2nd. This had me lol several times. It also had heart and depth. You got to know more of the family and their issues. And the tragedy that they all went through and how each dealt with it. But you also go to fall in love with the MCs. And the hero’s family was super dysfunctional but so funny.
This was set in the right places that made sense to the characters. And I liked how they developed. I would have liked a little more detail of going through some events with the characters versus being told how they ended. Not a fan of that style of story telling.
However this made me really look forward to the next book. Loved the narration as well!
March 3, 2019
The third book in the series and so good! Each of the romances are hugely impacted by what happened to them in the past. They are a strong but heavily damaged family. When you read these books, read them in order. With each book more of the damage and story is revealed.
Emma is determined to never fall in love so she can avoid the pain of loss. She never wants children because she feels she can’t protect them.
Finn wants to be a husband and father. He has over come great obstacles but has kept an optimistic outlook.
Great love story!
Emma is determined to never fall in love so she can avoid the pain of loss. She never wants children because she feels she can’t protect them.
Finn wants to be a husband and father. He has over come great obstacles but has kept an optimistic outlook.
Great love story!
March 18, 2018
I was pleasantly surprised that Cake, the first book in this Cake series, did not have a ton of angst within its story, despite the fact that all of the parts and characters of the story seemed to demand that angst be present. It was nice to read a fairly sweet story without all the drama. Well, this series was holding all of that angst inside until Fiercely Emma. Man, does this story have angst! Emma is a mess in lots of ways ... prickly and standoffish with everyone around her. But she has a pretty good reason ... the same reason that every member of the McAlister family deserves to have angst ... Jake's horrible kidnapping from over a decade before. This story digs into the story of that kidnapping in a more thorough way than the previous two books in the series, surprising since Jake and Kyle, the leads in those stories, had a much more direct involvement in the horrors of that experience. But Emma showed that it wasn't just the two boys who suffered. Jake's kidnapping affected the entire family forever after. Emma's experience has led her to view the entire world with suspicion and led her to vow never to have a family in such a cruel and dangerous world. Enter Finn, a guy who deserves to have his own life of angst with the completely dysfunctional home life in which he grew up. But Finn sees the world as a bright place full of possibility, and he yearns to have a family of his own. So there's the eventual angst that will drive these two apart ... until a too-convenient-to-be-true circumstance takes the angst away magically.
I liked this story, and I was happy to see the HEA ending, but it didn't quite work for me as well as the first two books in the series. Emma was a bit grating as a lead character. She and Finn fell in love a bit too quickly, especially considering Emma's story resistance to any sort of romantic attachments in her past. The story just flowed a bit awkwardly in my opinion. I was glad to finally get a better understanding of just how horrible things were when Jake was kidnapped and then eventually returned home. It makes more of the story feel deeper and more essential to unravel. I think that this information will become important for the next book in the series which focuses on Jake again.
I am glad to see each member of the McAlister family find their Happily Ever Afters. They deserve it after the nightmare they were forced to endure. The narration, once again, was good for this audible book. Three stars. I liked it.
I liked this story, and I was happy to see the HEA ending, but it didn't quite work for me as well as the first two books in the series. Emma was a bit grating as a lead character. She and Finn fell in love a bit too quickly, especially considering Emma's story resistance to any sort of romantic attachments in her past. The story just flowed a bit awkwardly in my opinion. I was glad to finally get a better understanding of just how horrible things were when Jake was kidnapped and then eventually returned home. It makes more of the story feel deeper and more essential to unravel. I think that this information will become important for the next book in the series which focuses on Jake again.
I am glad to see each member of the McAlister family find their Happily Ever Afters. They deserve it after the nightmare they were forced to endure. The narration, once again, was good for this audible book. Three stars. I liked it.
July 29, 2017
This book is amazing. Emma, our heroine, has has a strong voice. Her determination even when paired with her fear, made her an interesting and exciting character. She was raised in the same home as her brothers (first two books in Cake Series) but she had a very different perspective and reaction to the trauma that occurred to their family.
Finn is our hero and I love him. His story is unique with a touch of sadness for me as the reader though in the telling of his story I do not think he felt the same sadness. This story portrayed the culture of poverty well. Finn is a beautiful success story in his own right. He accepts and understands where he came from, having real and often funny interactions with his eclectic family. I love his personality and his responses to his childhood and upbringing... Oh I could go on and on about him but I won't because this is a review not a book club discussion (darn it).
The underlining theme of motherhood was beautifully examined in this story. What makes a good mother? How do you protect your children? How do you care and give to ALL your children?
This story was emotional and thought provoking. It also stayed true to its genre and included a wonderful love story between Emma and Finn, yes with some nice steamy parts (wink wink). I definitely recommend this book. Hope you enjoy the read.
Finn is our hero and I love him. His story is unique with a touch of sadness for me as the reader though in the telling of his story I do not think he felt the same sadness. This story portrayed the culture of poverty well. Finn is a beautiful success story in his own right. He accepts and understands where he came from, having real and often funny interactions with his eclectic family. I love his personality and his responses to his childhood and upbringing... Oh I could go on and on about him but I won't because this is a review not a book club discussion (darn it).
The underlining theme of motherhood was beautifully examined in this story. What makes a good mother? How do you protect your children? How do you care and give to ALL your children?
This story was emotional and thought provoking. It also stayed true to its genre and included a wonderful love story between Emma and Finn, yes with some nice steamy parts (wink wink). I definitely recommend this book. Hope you enjoy the read.
April 20, 2019
Book of the year!! I didn't love the main characters like I did Jake and Casey BUT the story was so real and told the "Cake" story from another angle. I suppose this could be a standalone but the previous two books in the series we're just excellent as well. I read Book one three times and loved it better each time.
I thought I truly could identify the main characters. I've been a tall girl with prickly personality and oldest daughter....I did not have the tragedy in my life like Emma's family suffered, however. Emma gets a good guy who really shakes up her way of life.
Love the humor and the irony in the McAllister pet's naming vs. Shelby's naming of her kids. Also ironic in that Shelby's birth of her son at age 16 and how Emma was also forced into "caregiving" at age 16. Somehow when I realized this I got how complex my feelings were for both characters.
I like how the author was kind to Finn's family. Those kids were hilarious. Between the paint ball war and the slip n slide in the dumpster meant to clean their yard...just hilarious!!!!
This author is fabulous!! It's must read!!
I thought I truly could identify the main characters. I've been a tall girl with prickly personality and oldest daughter....I did not have the tragedy in my life like Emma's family suffered, however. Emma gets a good guy who really shakes up her way of life.
Love the humor and the irony in the McAllister pet's naming vs. Shelby's naming of her kids. Also ironic in that Shelby's birth of her son at age 16 and how Emma was also forced into "caregiving" at age 16. Somehow when I realized this I got how complex my feelings were for both characters.
I like how the author was kind to Finn's family. Those kids were hilarious. Between the paint ball war and the slip n slide in the dumpster meant to clean their yard...just hilarious!!!!
This author is fabulous!! It's must read!!
December 13, 2017
Audiobook - Narration Zachary Webber and Andi Arndt - kick ass!
Holy cow I loved this series from beginning to end!
The narration was stellar - they’re both great with voicing both sexes, but more importantly, they’re terrific story tellers which really brought this all to life.
Loved the fact that an event impacting an entire family was strategically doled out across the three books of the series. The entire story was told through the experiences of three different people and yet it all seamlessly unfolded through flashbacks and confessions between family, friends and lovers.
The books just got better and better!
The first two books were available in the romance bundle and the third was a well used credit.
Holy cow I loved this series from beginning to end!
The narration was stellar - they’re both great with voicing both sexes, but more importantly, they’re terrific story tellers which really brought this all to life.
Loved the fact that an event impacting an entire family was strategically doled out across the three books of the series. The entire story was told through the experiences of three different people and yet it all seamlessly unfolded through flashbacks and confessions between family, friends and lovers.
The books just got better and better!
The first two books were available in the romance bundle and the third was a well used credit.
July 22, 2017
I just love every book J Bengtsson writes, they are full of emotions, they always keep me captivated and this is just the same. Emma is the older sister to Jake and Kyle (previous books), she always tries to help the family so much that she might not want one of her own. That’s until Finn comes into the picture. The past story and present one combined gives this book a special effect, heart wrenching feelings and hope that will keep you reading. Must read all of the books they are that good.
December 11, 2017
How sweet. The poor family. And again, more layers of what Jake endured have come out from Emma's POV as well as how it affected her. Her relationship with Finn comes out of nowhere for her and bowls her over.
I can't wait for more from this author. I'm hoping it's Keith next.
I can't wait for more from this author. I'm hoping it's Keith next.
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