Book Review: Mixed Signals by B.K Borrison

Mixed Signals by B.K. Borrison is like the ultimate Hallmark movie in book form—so cheesy and sweet that you can't help but get sucked into it. I honestly couldn’t put it down.

The story follows Layla Dupree, a small-town baker who’s totally given up on love. She runs a bakery, but all the guys she meets are either ghosting her or leaving her with the check at dinner. Enter Caleb Alvarez, a charming local teacher who swoops in to save her from yet another disastrous date. His idea? A month of no-strings dating, where he helps Layla rediscover the magic of love without any of the pressure. It’s supposed to be fun, light, and drama-free. But of course, things get complicated. The chemistry between them is off the charts (hello, sizzling tension), and the more time they spend together, the harder it is to stick to their no-strings agreement. It’s like watching two people who are clearly perfect for each other try to fight it—and you know it’s only a matter of time before they give in.

The best part? Layla’s character. She’s been burned by love so many times that she’s totally over it, but she’s also hilarious and relatable. I mean, she’s running a bakery in a town known for romance, and yet she can’t seem to catch a break with her love life. Her dry humour and the way she handles all these terrible dates had me laughing out loud. You can’t help but root for her, especially when Caleb comes into the picture. His swoon-worthy charm mixed with his kind heart is exactly what Layla needs to raise her expectations for love—and honestly, mine too!

The whole premise of the "no-strings dating" thing is so fun and light-hearted, and it brings a lot of humour into the story. Caleb’s idea to show Layla that love doesn’t have to be complicated is refreshing, and their chemistry is electric. But what I really loved is how the book doesn’t rush things. It takes its time letting these two characters really get to know each other, and the slow burn between them is chef’s kiss.

But what really made this book stand out for me was how sweet it was. Like, the kind of sweetness that makes your heart melt. The way Caleb listens to Layla, the little moments they share, and the way they both open up to each other felt so genuine. There’s no unnecessary drama—just two people who are learning to trust again and figuring out what they really want in a partner. It’s just so heart-warming and made me feel all the good vibes.

I mean, the plot is so predictable, but that’s what makes it so much fun. It’s like every romantic trope you can think of wrapped up in a cute little package, and I loved every moment of it. The no-strings dating idea? Super cheesy, but totally works in this small-town, sunny setting. And don’t even get me started on the steamy moments between Layla and Caleb—they had me swooning, for sure.

What I absolutely loved about Mixed Signals is that it wasn’t about Layla falling for some stranger or a new guy coming into town. It was Caleb, someone she already knew, and there were sparks between them from the start. The chemistry was already there, and watching them slowly realize that they were more than just friends was so satisfying. There’s something so much more special about a relationship where the connection is already there, and they just need to let it unfold. I loved how it wasn’t about starting from scratch, but about two people who had this undeniable pull toward each other, just waiting for the right moment to act on it. It made their journey feel so much more intimate and real, and honestly, it was such a refreshing change from the typical "new person" trope we see in so many rom-coms.

If you're in the mood for a light, feel-good rom-com that’s just the right amount of cheesy, this is it. It’s like reading a Hallmark movie, but better because you get to dive into the characters’ heads and really feel the chemistry. Trust me, you’re going to be hooked. Let me know when you start it—I know you’ll be smiling the whole time!