The Spiced Cocoa Café by Harper Graham
AD | book tour – The Spiced Cocoa Café is a cutesy seasonal read that blends small-town charm, holiday rivalry, and a slow-burn romance into one cozy package. As a fan of holiday-themed books, I couldn’t resist joining the blog tour for this one, and I’m so glad I did. If you love your holiday reads with a dash of sweetness, a sprinkle of spice, and a whole lot of cocoa, this one could be for you. Here’s what I thought about The Spiced Cocoa Café.
THE BLURB
Cassidy is finally opening her dream chocolate shop, inspired by her dear Grandma who made the best cocoa. Now all she wants for Christmas is to win best decorated store and show she belongs in the small town of Maple Falls. But she’ll have to pull out all the stops to beat the handsome, loveable grinch across the street…
Liam hates the holidays—they remind him of past heartbreak. But to support his family’s llama sanctuary, he’s determined to deck out his farm shop in holiday cheer and win that prize. Then he sees her—chocolate-smeared cheeks, wide blue eyes and the warmest smile. He’s up against the cutest, most Christmas-obsessed person ever…
Their rivalry heats up as the town divides between Team Cassidy and Team Liam. But with the snowflakes falling and their stores looking all merry and bright, will the magic of the season bring them together?
WHAT I THOUGHT ABOUT THE SPICED COCOA CAFE
Cassidy arrives in Maple Falls ready to launch her new chocolate shop, and she’s especially excited to share her beloved spiced cocoa with the town. Her enthusiasm for Christmas and all the season brings is unrivaled and then she meets Liam who is not a fan of Christmas……AT ALL.
The story covers a period from November 30th through to Christmas Day, with each day told over a couple of chapters that alternate between Cassidy and Liam’s perspectives which was really nice as you got to hear both sides of the story. It’s a classic small-town holiday romance with a touch of spice, very much in the Hallmark vein. The Spiced Cocoa Cafe is filled with cozy moments, sweet interactions, and an abundance of festive vibes, not to mention cocoa. Cassidy’s cocoa obsession is strong, she seems to be pouring a cup or is armed with a thermos in hand!
Cassidy and Liam’s relationship is a slow burn that begins with playful teasing and gradually deepens. Liam isn’t overly grumpy, but he does enjoy challenging Cassidy’s holiday spirit, which makes for some fun and heartwarming exchanges.
There were a few elements that didn’t quite land for me. For a while, it felt like Cassidy and Liam’s entire personalities revolved around their opposing views on Christmas, which became a bit repetitive. I also really wanted Liam’s twin brother, Jackson, to have a more prominent role, he’s clearly important to Liam, and his absence felt like a missed opportunity. In fact, most of the secondary characters could have used a bit more development to add depth to the story. There were also a few moments that felt either slightly out of the blue or leaned into the cringe territory, but I won’t spoil anything by going into detail!
That said, this story leans into the sweet and sentimental, and while it might be a bit too cutesy for some, it would be a lovely festive treat for readers who love small-town holiday romances. And there is no doubt that I would love to visit Maple Falls and see those window displays, they sound amazing!!
The Spiced Cocoa Café is available to buy on Amazon NOW and is available for immediate download on Kindle Unlimited.
DISCLOSURE: I was provided with a digital copy of The Spiced Cocoa Cafe for the purposes of this book tour. As usual though, all opinions are my own.
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