Ballet instructor Mila is overworked, underpaid, and hasn't had a day off in months—or a date for that matter. Her condoms? Almost expired. Her favorite toy? Fully charged. With the Christmas recital and bake sale looming, Mila’s drowning in responsibilities.
Tech expert Levi's home in Edenville to take care of his niece while his sister is having her new baby. He runs into his old flame, Mila, and is happy to be her distraction—relieving her burdens at work and between the sheets.
When his life in the city calls, he must return home without the woman he’s always loved, unless he can find a way to stay on her cast list when the curtain falls.
Erin Rose is the pen name of co-authors/best friends Katie Erin and Katie Rose. Lovers of all things Romance and advocates for mental health, you can expect to find hard-won happily ever afters in their stories. They currently live in Shepherdstown, WV, with their respective husbands, children, and dogs.
It's that time of year to start reading holiday romances! CHRISTMAS PASSION AND HOT COCOA COOKIES was a really fun novella about two friends reconnecting years after high school and falling in love. I adored Levi, uncle extraordinaire, and the way he took care of Mila, who was so busy helping everyone else that she was running herself ragged.
Mila and Levi had a really sweet relationship that also brought plenty of spice once they moved things to the bedroom. I mean who doesn't love a man who can distract you from your troubles, talk dirty, and bake some delicious cookies? If you're looking for a quick and sexy Christmas novella with really likable characters then definitely check out this book.
**ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review**
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Favorite Quotes:
Levi had always been cute, a little nerdy, but classically handsome. But this? He was one rainstorm away from winning a wet T-shirt contest. Talk about a glow-up.
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"I still don't understand. How are you Mr. Gentleman, and, well." Her face turned scarlet. "Who you were earlier ... I don't get it."
He squeezed her hands in his. "A gentleman takes care of his partner's needs. All her needs."
When I sat down to read this, I did not expect to fly through it in one sitting.
This book was such a sweet and spicy hometown little holiday treat. I love Mila and I love Levi. I loved watching them rekindle their friendship and have it blossom into something more.
It was all just so cute and I loved it! Everything hit so right for me. Even just down to the little details. It was like a little tiny Hallmark movie but with way more spice so it was so much better.
I also did feel a bit seen with all the talk of rehearsals and tech week in preparation for The Nutcracker. It is such a stressful time and having that little part well represented really connected me with Mila, as a kindred spirit. What I would give to have a Levi taking care of me during stressful show prep and crazy show weeks.
I wish I could have so much more of Mila and Levi's story. It ended too fast! I want to know what happens with them. I could definitely see myself reading this again, maybe after a day of cookie baking.
The only thing this book was missing was a recipe for Hot Cocoa Cookies! They sounded so good and I want to eat them.
I want to thank Erin Rose for providing me an ARC for this super cute holiday novella.
First of all these how dare you give me two cinnamon rolls in this wonderful winter romance?? How am I to cope???
Levi with his adorkable uncle himbo vibes and Mila this precious dove of charity helping everyone when she should be bundled in the softest of fuzzy blankets!
This story has all the things we want in a Christmas romance. There’s the competency porn, the snowed in for the night, a guy who knows how to tuck a lady in for a nap.
That vase throwing moment will live in my heart for Christmases to come 🥹
This was super cute and quick, two high school classmates running into each other after many years and he used to have a crush on her while she was dating his best friend. It was sweet and sexy.
This story is passionate, heartfelt, and gives us beautiful, romantic prose like this: “She fit into the curve of his body like they’d been carved from the same stone.”
Christmas Passion and Hot Cocoa Cookies is a small town romance that’s got plenty of sugar but doesn’t shy away from spice. It’s as warm and comforting as a hot cup of cocoa or a fresh batch of cookies.
I loved all the little gentle ways Levi and Mila touch each other and show their budding love—hands clasped between their chests as they dance, a cold nose pressed to the other’s neck for warmth, a little kiss to the fingertips.
They went to school together so there’s lots of little snippets of HS memories sprinkled in and of the budding friendship and yearning between them that’s evolving into something more now that they’re adults.
Levi is perfect. He steps in when Mila is overwhelmed and overworked and takes care of everything, allowing her to get ALL the rest and self care she desperately needs. He just might d*ck her to sleep real good - toys and DP included - then completely takes care of her to-do list. An evergreen favorite. We love a partner who tends to their partner mind, body, and soul.
Btw, can I ask Santa for a Levi for Christmas?
Not only is Levi adorable as a partner, he’s extra cute when on uncle duty—this man is not afraid to wear tutus and sparkly purple nail polish with his niece or make beaded friendship bracelets.
Oh, and the Christmas vibe of the story is totally vibing—in more ways than one—see toy comment above ;)
The ending *gasp* - I won’t spoil it, but it’s perfectly adorable.
Thank you Erin Rose and Wild Rose Press for the ARC.
Hello friends! Lord, when was the last time I read and reviewed an ARC? Literal months it feels like. I’m happy to be here today sharing my early review for Erin Rose’s Christmas novella called Christmas Passion and Hot Cocoa Cookies.
Huge thank you to the author duo for providing me an eARC. Thoughts below are my own, enjoy!
This was a cute, light quick novella that hit on a truck-load of my fave large and micro romance tropes. First we have hard working (but very tired) Mila, who when we meet her is trying her hardest to have her dance studio classes, bake sale, and holiday recital all go off without a hitch. But lady is running on fumes.
And our MMC, Levi (what a great name am I right?!) shows up like an absolute VISION in his extremely cool chucks, jeans and crisp white shirt. Oh and he's a DOTING and EMOTIONALLY SENSITIVE UNCLE. SAY NO MORE.
It’s pretty clear that these two (being friends in high school) are headed toward a delightful holiday HEA, and you know what it was just enough sweet, spicy, 3rd act tension that made this romance really work for me.
The connection, while sweet and immediate may feel weird, I think Erin Rose does a good job of layering in enough back story to convince us that Levi has been in love with Mila since high-school and how he’s gonna try to take his chance.
There are some super soft and romantic moments (hello, the dance with me scene), and the acts of service (both in and OUT of the bedroom) definitely elevated Levi to #1 best boy status.
Oh and we LOVE when both love interests have a soft spot for their pets.
I would encourage everyone to go out and grab yourself a copy when this one hits shelves November 30th, but have some cookies and hot chocolate ready!
This will very much get you in the mood for the holiday season, and maybe some other things too 😈!
Coming in strong with their debut novella, Erin Rose sweeps you off your feet with a quick dip into the world of second chances, do-overs, and dreams come true. Christmas Passion and Hot Cocoa Cookies is a drive-by feel good romantic comedy were the past and present collide, giving one reformed quiet and shy guy another chance to do what he couldn’t before, get the girl of his dreams.
Two out of the three musketeers in high school, Levi and Mila were inseparable. Too shy to tell her how he felt, he always regretted becoming the third wheel when she began dating his best friend. Years later, Levi can't believe his luck when he runs into Mila while picking up his niece. Refusing to allow history to repeat itself, Levi finds himself in the middle of a holiday “fling” that he never wants to end as he volunteers to be Mila’s much needed “distraction”.
Swamped with bake sales, fundraising, and performances, Mila can’t make heads or tails of her life, let along get romantically involved with someone. Just wanting to scratch an itch, she didn’t anticipate Levi and how much he would turn her world upside down. Only home briefly to help his sister, she knows this is temporary but what do you do when the holidays gifts you the one thing you never knew you always wanted.
For a quick tub read, waiting room distraction, or something to listen to while you drive to work (well maybe home from work - I don’t see how someone could concentrate at work after listening to this!), Christmas Passion and Hot Cocoa Cookies is the perfect way to satisfy that sweet tooth in need of a quintessential holiday romance.
“Oh the weather outside is frightful”… But pour a glass of mulled wine and cosy up next to a roaring fire along with Erin Rose’s gorgeously sexy and wonderfully seasonal Novella, and you’re set for a perfect Christmassy night in.
This faced-paced story follows a dance teacher reconnecting with a blast from her past with the backdrop of the town’s Christmas ballet performance, and all the chaos and fun that goes with that time of year.
Sexy, sweet and scaldingly hot in the bedroom, this novella has everything you could need to get in the mood for the holiday season.
Highly recommend.
I received an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Full disclosure: This novella was given to me by the author for the purpose of an honest review. The veracity of my review should not be discounted on this basis as the following review accurately reflects my honest opinion of this book.
Sometimes I like to just read a quick romance--something to lift my spirits and give me those warm fuzzies of a happy ending to a story well told. This one fits the bill all the way around. In fact, it was so good I almost wished it was longer. The characters were well written and surprisingly fully rounded for a short story; and the niece in the story was just enough of a character to give the reader a smile but not for them with the antics of a child in an adult novel.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.
I had to force myself to go to bed last night even though I didn't want to. Just devoured the book in one sitting and it's EVERYTHING. Good vibes and good times (and SPICE 🌶 🌶 🌶 🌶 🌶) PLUS CHRISTMAS! It's like this book was made for me 😭
Levi is both handsome, hot AND cute? I just... I need one. I desire one. Also how cute is he with his niece? It's too much for my heart.
Mila, my kinda girl. Taking on too much, and crumbling a little under the pressure. But the world would just be 10000 times better if we all had a Levi in it
The flow was easy and I loved the way you just pick up where they left off, getting to know each other as they are now.
This story was such a pleasurable read! It has such a fun blend of character relatability, festive jolliness, and VERY sugary spice that it might become an annual holiday read for me. :) It gave me Gilmore Girl, Love Actually, and Holidate, vibes with a rating that likely would not fly in a public movie theater. ;) If you are looking for a strong and lovable cast of characters, some Christmas cheer, and a few VERY steamy scenes, I'd highly recommend this book. Trust me, you won't get more BANG for a $3 download anywhere else!
Omg. That was SO MUCH FUN. Levi and Mila were so much fun to read.... the way that they circled back into each other's lives was delightful. The setting and the plot were the sweetest little Christmas romance... and Levi and Mila were the spiciest. Will definitely be rereading this every Christmas season!
I started this first thing in the morning with the intention of reading a couple chapters and then getting on with my day, well, I ended up finishing it and starting my day at noon. It's an easy, fun read and with it being around 100 pages, it's the perfect romance novel to get me out of a slump or as a palate cleanser between the darker fantasies I find myself in.
Levi is walking green flag and I am here for more unproblematic heroes who give off bad boy energy without being bad. AND THE SMUT? WHEW. I'm going to need to open a burner account to fully explore the smut, but for now, I'll say it was glorious. Go and read it!
I'm looking forward to more of Erin Rose's work.
I was lucky enough to receive an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The title makes a lot more sense once you read the story! I’d never heard of Hot Cocoa cookies before this so I was confused by the wordy title at first but now it makes sense.
This is a sweet story about an overworked dance teacher and an old friend who comes back to town for Christmas. They didn’t know they were both interested in each other in high school and now…now they can have very hot sex *phew* it was very steamy. Also he takes care of her (and not just sexually) and I love that.
The perfect book to put you in the Christmas mood...among other things. Whew! This novella has definitely got ALL the spice! But it also has the right amount of sweetness with the most adorable characters and storyline. A great holiday read!