Reading debut novels, you always wonder if an author has truly found their voice or if it will evolve with their next book. For Cynthia, she nailed it – don’t change a thing! The push and pull of her protagonist, coupled with the supportive, endearing, and comical personalities of her secondary characters – every part of this novel held my attention right to the very end!

Having Type I diabetes should not define you! Easy to say – but try telling that to Ellie Pang’s parents. From the moment she was diagnosed, she’s been treated like a frail piece of glass, and she’s had enough. While Ellie has endured plenty from her family, the humiliation of a failed proposal that’s gone viral, paired with losing her job – both thanks to her mother (who refuses to forgive her for saying no to the country’s most eligible and desired bachelor) – has pushed her to her breaking point.

Swearing her brother to secrecy, Ellie decides to move clear across the country to start fresh and finally make her dream come true: opening a bakery featuring low-carb, sugar-free desserts. Everything seems to be on track – until she opens the door to her dream location and finds herself staring at a tree!

As if that isn’t bad enough, her call for help to her brother somehow brings her face-to-face with her worst enemy – the man who tried to kill her ten years ago. Alec is the last person she wants to see, but, unfortunately, he seems to be the only person who can help with her disastrous store situation and her newly revealed homelessness. The catch? She has to pretend to be his girlfriend to help him close a business deal.

Almost certain she won’t last a day, let alone a few weeks, Ellie reluctantly agrees to the charade for the sake of her dream. What she doesn’t expect is to rekindle a long-buried fantasy that could change everything.

Ellie’s sarcasm was, without question, the highlight of this book. It didn’t matter if she was dealing with Alec, the store, or her friends – her quick, sharp quips kept a smile on my face from start to finish. Next on my list of favorites were the pros and cons lists. Cynthia handled these perfectly, introducing the concept early on but using them sparingly enough that they never became tiresome or overdone.

Beyond the humor, the overall structure of the story felt so natural. I honestly wasn’t sure how things were going to unfold. While parts of the plot had the slow-burn feel, it was Alec’s hot-and-cold behavior that kept things unpredictable and, at times, outright frustrating. Each time you thought their relationship was moving forward, Alec would take an enormous step back, leaving both Ellie and the reader exasperated. When she finally gave him that well-earned tongue-lashing, I was cheering for her. Every single word she said was spot on.

To her point, she wasn’t some fragile invalid who needed constant care. Diabetes didn’t define her – it wasn’t her weakness. Ellie didn’t need to be babysat or treated like a burden who should feel grateful that anyone was willing to put up with her. And yet, Alec, who called her strong and brave one minute, then turned around and sold her out to her family after one hypo episode, proved he didn’t truly believe what he was saying. The moment he was faced with a challenge, he was ready to cut and run.

Honestly, by the end, I wasn’t sure Alec even deserved her. But, of course, he had to go and be all noble and self-sacrificing, making you fall for him all over again. I get it – he carried so much weight from the guilt, secrets, and burdens left behind by his horrible father, forcing him into a role where he felt obliged to protect his family at all costs.

Now one I couldn’t forgive – Ellie’s mom. That woman was a piece of work! If this story was in any way art imitating life, my heart truly goes out to Cynthia. I can understand being a ruthless businesswoman to survive, but treating your own children as if they’re nothing more than clients, transactions, or deals? That’s just cold. Every time Ellie wanted to take a step toward living her own life, she was hit with threats of being cut out of the will or disowned by the family. It was a constant cycle, and her mom didn’t listen – she just kept the martyr act locked and loaded.

She was a master manipulator, a gaslighting expert, and, frankly, completely toxic. Even though she made some attempt to redeem herself by the end, it was painfully clear that certain things would never change – like her inability to truly accept Alec because of his social status.

As much as Ellie needed and wanted her family to be part of her life, I couldn’t help but feel proud when she chose herself over them. It was a bold, empowering moment, and one she absolutely deserved.

Cynthia kept the book tastefully steamy, striking just the right balance. While there were definite hot and heavy moments, she kept the descriptive language restrained, making the intimate scenes short, sweet, and more figuratively vibrant than overtly graphic.

While the book delved into the theme of being defined by your limitations, its deeper focus was on the lasting impact of parental control and the weight of their choices. Alec bore the brunt of his father’s indiscretions. The reckless decisions his father made not only jeopardized the livelihood of Alec’s sisters and mother but also gave the Pang family the perfect leverage to dictate Alec’s life. He sacrificed everything – his home, his dreams, and even the person he had been crazy about since he was twelve – all to protect his family.

Ellie, on the other hand, lived perpetually under her mother’s thumb. Nothing Ellie wanted for herself mattered because her mother dismissed her desires as irrelevant. Veronica Pang controlled every aspect of Ellie’s life – from her career (insisting she work as the CFO at her brother’s brewery) to who she would marry (pushing her toward George Fitzgerald, the “right” choice). Anything else Ellie wanted or envisioned for herself was deemed unacceptable.

The fact that Alec and Ellie were remotely functioning human beings was a miracle in itself. But the true victory of the story lies in both of them finally breaking free from Veronica’s suffocating grip and reclaiming their lives. It was an awe-inspiring, hard-earned win that made their journeys all the more satisfying.

Salty, Spiced, and a Little Bit Nice took readers on such an incredible journey! Watching Ellie’s transformation was nothing short of inspiring. She started as a caterpillar, completely under her mother’s control, and blossomed into a stunning butterfly, vibrant and free. Her journey of self-discovery – finding her self-worth, cultivating genuine friendships, and finally stepping into the fierce, unapologetic Ellie 2.0 – was a triumph to behold.

This new version of Ellie, whose inner voice finally aligned with her outer confidence, became her own fiercest advocate. She spoke her truth, took control, and reminded us all just how empowering it is to reclaim your life. Her story is a powerful encouragement to any reader who needs that final push to take back the reins, silence the critics, and live life to its fullest.