The Competitor's Clause

Two rival chefs. One big lie. A recipe for disaster… or redemption? Juliette Dubois is a pastry chef of precision and perfection. A fourth-generation baker, she believes in tradition, discipline, and the flawless execution of a classic recipe. Leo Martinez is her polar opposite. A self-taught, chaotic artist, he creates bold, experimental desserts that are as messy as they are brilliant. On the set of America's Sweetheart Baker, the nation's most popular, high-stakes baking competition, they are sworn enemies. Their on-screen rivalry is electric, full of witty barbs and culinary sabotage that has the audience captivated. Juliette is the cool and controlled "Perfectionist"; Leo is the passionate and unpredictable "Rebel." They are pitted against each other for a quarter-million-dollar prize that could change both of their lives. But the animosity the cameras capture is the most elaborate bake of their careers. Their secret is far more delicious—and dangerous—than a simple rivalry. As the pressure of the competition intensifies and their carefully constructed lies begin to unravel, the line between their public performance and their private reality blurs. The tension that sizzles between them in the kitchen starts to feel less like hate and more like a passion they can no longer control. With every challenge, they risk not only elimination but exposing a truth that could destroy everything they've ever worked for. Perfect for fans of Emily Henry and Ali Hazelwood, The Competitor's Clause is a delightful and emotional romantic comedy. This slow-burn, forced-proximity romance is filled with witty banter and a twist you won't see coming. Can they keep their secret simmering on the back burner, or will their entire plan go up in flames?