The Spiced Cocoa Cafe- Review

 

Author: Harper Graham 

Publisher: Booktoure

Publishing Date: 15th October 2025 

Many thanks to Tandem Book Publishers for my physical copy of the book for an honest review

Blurb 

A new girl in town who lives for Christmas and has everything to prove. A local rival with tousled dark hair and a smirk that spells trouble. Who will win the holiday showdown of the year? Find out in this totally addictive small-town romance! Gilmore Girls + spice = 🔥

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?

My Thoughts 

This book is part of the Maple Falls series and is the second book in the four-book collection. 

This was such a fun and festive read. We meet Cassidy, who has finally opened her dream shop and is completely obsessed with Christmas. Her love for the holiday is infectious, and she brings so much warmth and energy to the story. Everything changes when she bumps into Liam—the town’s very own Christmas Grinch—which sets off a chain of unexpected and entertaining events.

I really liked Cassidy as a main character. She’s determined, hardworking, and incredibly talented. Having gone through a traumatic experience in her previous relationship, it’s easy to root for her and want to see her succeed both personally and professionally. Liam, on the other hand, starts off as the typical frustrating and slightly annoying love interest. At first, it’s hard not to be irritated by him, but as the story progresses and his actions begin to change, he slowly grows on you. As he softens and opens up, his character becomes much more likeable.

Cassidy and Liam start off as complete opposites, with plenty of miscommunication between them, but the chemistry is there from the beginning. Watching their relationship develop is enjoyable, especially as they begin to understand each other more. The slow-burn romance works really well here and feels natural rather than rushed.

There’s also a good range of supporting characters, which adds to the charm of the story. I liked how many of them were clearly rooting for Cassidy and Liam, making the whole experience even more fun and heartwarming. With its snowy Christmas setting, festive atmosphere, and gentle romance, this book feels cosy and comforting from start to finish.

Overall, this was a heartwarming, festive romance that was easy to enjoy and perfect for the holiday season. I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a cosy Christmas read with likeable characters and a slow-burn love story. 🎄📚✨