Spiked Hot Chocolate

by Rilzy Adams

Do you believe in kismet?

Cosima Stratton is spending Christmas alone. A surprise breakup hands her the perfect opportunity to spend Christmas on her own terms and she is excited to pass the day reading, watching Christmas movies and eating good food.
Everything changes when she and a stranger agree to share a table at a restaurant two days before Christmas.

Tristan Jackson’s Christmas plans went up in smoke with a request he couldn’t find it in his heart to deny. He intends to spend his Christmas sulking over all the things that could have been but becomes intrigued with the woman he inadvertently shares dinner with.

Tristan asks Cosima to spend Christmas with him over glasses of spiked hot chocolate. He doesn’t expect her to agree but she does. They soon learn that while it’s good to make plans, sometimes the Universe’s plan is much better!

Genres: Romance, Christmas, Novella, Holiday, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Holiday Romance

86 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 19, 2022

About the author

Rilzy Adams needs only five things to survive: sushi, coffee, Prosecco, cuddles and words (though not in that order).

She's a lawyer by day - writer by 'whenever she can get the free time' and believes that love makes the world go 'round. It is no small wonder, then, that she can't help but pen tales of people falling in love.

Reviews

[Warda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rilzy Adams continues to write the ultimate fantasy. The dream!

The characters sorta became lost in each other and their own world and I became lost in them. It was so damn good! 🥹

[mina reads™️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this if you’re looking for a quick, holiday read with a dash of spice!

Full thoughts here: https://t.co/Q46o2Pol6p

[Annette Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, this was a nice and naughty good time. Just know, you're getting more than spiked hot chocolate in Spiked Hot Chocolate. 😉😉😉

[Rashawnda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well wasn’t this the cutest read! Cosima thought she would be spending Christmas alone after a recent breakup between her and boyfriend of 7 years. They agreed to split amicably and despite her family wanting to assume she was in utter shambles, she was surprisingly at peace. On the other side of town Tristian was disappointed after a last minute change in plans meant he wouldn’t be spending Christmas with his 4 year old daughter. The stars aligned to bring these two to the same restaurant where a shared meal and cup of spiked hot chocolate led them to the love their souls craved! This was a perfect TVone-ish holiday read! I definitely felt the warmth of the holiday’s!

[Bookishrealm · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute and spicy holiday novella that follows Cosima and Tristan. Cosima has recently experienced a break up during Thanksgiving and decides to spend the holidays alone while Tristan is a divorced dad who is forced to spend the holidays alone after he agrees to allow his daughter to stay with her mother for a celebration of a big event. The two are forced to share a table at a restaurant and end up agreeing to spend the holidays together.

I really enjoyed the cute elements of this story like the ice skating, Christmas movies, Christmas tree decorating, and more. There was somewhat of an instant chemistry between Tristan and Cosima; however, by the end of the book I was left wanting just a little bit more. It feels like we get this buildup to a potential relationship and then it kind of fizzles out within the last couple of pages. I wanted them to explore their dynamic just a little more before reaching that conclusion. The spice was great and I loved the inclusion of toys and public play. This definitely isn’t my favorite from Rilzy but it is a fun book that will get anyone into the holiday spirit.

[Wobilba · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
I came for the spiked hot chocolate and stayed for the sweet and sexy times

[Ness (Vynexa) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rilzy did it again!

Came through just in time for the holidays, and I’m so happy about it.

Will says that I wanted one more chapter, cause I wanted more sex. But I enjoyed it nonetheless!

♥️💚

⭐️ 3.5 STAR ⭐️

[WellReadRuby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet, Short, and Spicy!

Tristan and Cosima both were planning to spend Christmas alone due unfortunate circumstances. But the power of Kismet and Christmas cheer brought these two together for a sweet and sexy Christmas they both wouldn’t forget! Rilzy knows she can put the steam in a book! Enjoyed this holiday short!

[Kameel · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

This is a cute short about strangers finding each other during the holiday season….Cosima & Tristan….helped each other during the holiday season, so they wouldn’t have to spend it alone.

[Bella Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this quick Christmassy read. It had the perfect amount of sweetness and spice. I loved how the characters were brought together and hope they will be having a lot more spiked hot chocolates in their future!

[The Love Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella was so sweet and SEXY! Tristan and Cosima both find themselves alone during the Christmas holiday. Tristan's ex-wife has taken their daughter for a vacation, and Cosima is newly single after a long-term relationship that finally fizzled out. Through serendipitous circumstances, they end up seated together at a restaurant, and this is where the fun begins! These two had great chemistry from the first time they laid eyes on each other, and it helped that they were able to have good conversation on top of that.

I enjoyed seeing them spend the holidays together doing different activities....including some FUN times with a remote controlled vibrator. This novella did NOT hold back on the spice! This was so fun to read, and perfect for the holidays!

TROPES: novella; black MCs; holiday romance; single dad

[Dahyana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cosima x Tristan

Ok, cute af. Not as dirty as I thought. It was just the right amount of naughty. The shopping scene with the phone and the app 🔥.
Meet cute with hella chemistry between them. It was strong. Both physically and emotionally. This was an enjoyable read.

[Whit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sexy! Spicy! Sizzling!

It's Christmas time and both Cosima and Tristan are spending it alone. Cosima because of a broken relationship and Tristan because his ex-wife, moved up her wedding and took their daughter with her.

I loved how they met in a restaurant and ended up sharing the holidays together. The sex is super spicy. But I wished their story had continued a little longer!

[Christi (christireadsalot) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun holiday novella! Cosima recently got out of a 7 year relationship around Thanksgiving where they both just realized it wasn’t working any more and Tristan is a tattoo shop owner, single dad who co-parents with his ex. He was supposed to have his 4-year old daughter over the holidays but when something comes up worth his ex, he ends up with some days alone for Christmas. Cosima and Tristan end up at the same restaurant eating solo when they’re asked to share a table to accommodate a family who needs a table. They start chatting about how they both ended up being alone for Christmas this year and the story goes from there with them spending time getting to know one another and making plans to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas together!

This was short and sweet, delivers on some steamy times including a remote-controlled vibrating toy that her friend gifts her. I wanted a bit more in terms of the chemistry/connection between the couple, not my favorite from this author that I’ve read but still solid. It delivers on the holiday feels: lots of chatting about holiday movies, decorating a Christmas tree, ice skating, exchanging gifts, and of course the spiked hot chocolate!

[Lisette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this!!!

This was a super quick but oh so sweet and spicy read.
Let me just say, I'd had quite a few solo lunches/dinners but NEVER with such a decadent outcome!
This was a really great Christmas read and I would actually enjoy reading more about this couple!

[Toya Davis-Stokley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kismet indeed! This read was just the bit of sweetness needed on this Christmas! Cosima and Tristan were in the right place, at the right time to meet; and the rest is history! Their connection was adorable, chemistry was hot, and I will never think of hot chocolate the same again! 😂 Good read! 👍👍👍

[Emaleigh Nichelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hot chocolate and whiskey, definitely going to try it.
The perfect Christmas meet cute. It’s kismet.
Oh, and that damn remote control vibrator is back. IYKYK

[Alex (HEABookNerd) · Rating 4 out of 5]

SPIKED HOT CHOCOLATE was cozy and sexy with a perfect holiday HFN ending. Cosima and Tristan are both alone for Christmas when they find themselves sharing a table at a restaurant. After immediately clicking, they decide to spend Christmas together and things go from fun to spicy. I really enjoyed the soft vibes this novella gave off; both Cosima and Tristan were really likable and genuine characters who just worked well together. Their impromptu restaurant date leads to ice skating, shopping, some sexy toy usage, and a Christmas movie roast.

This novella only covers three days so it's fitting that things end with more hope than any actual declarations of feelings. But there were plenty of moments to indicate this pair will be seeing each other well after the holidays end.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Favorite Quotes:

“It’s going to be so hard waiting until after dinner.”

“You're the only one trying to wait,” she said with a sly smile. “I've been trying to get in your pants since yesterday.”

[LaTosha Webber · Rating 4 out of 5]

the only way to drink it, is spiked

Rilzy delivered another panty ruiner. Short, cute, and a smutty ending. I enjoyed this as much as I knew I would

[Crystal (Melanatedreader) Forte' · Rating 4 out of 5]

what a spicy little holiday read!

Baby I need a spiked hot chocolate in my life. I loved the happenstance unconventional link up. These two gave you some heat that was evident upon their first link up and once again Rilzy does it again.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite holiday novellas ever 👌❤️

[Stacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 1/2 "Kismet" Stars!

Sweet and spicy. Practically perfect Christmaa shortie. Happy reading!

[Jaleesa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rilzy never misses….

I have to start by saying I’ve missed Rilzy’s pen so much. I loved this story because it gave me all the Christmas feels. Cosima and Tristan, two strangers planning to spend Christmas solo until a waitress and maybe fate intervene. This was a sweet and spicy story that has instant attraction, cute moments and a special device controlled by an app. I love these two together and even though this was a shorter story I was still completely invested in them. Also, whiskey and hot chocolate is the only way I’ll drink it from now on!!!

[Nikita · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Spiked Hot Chocolate You Need

This was Christmas in a book laced throughout with that feeling of excitement, uncontrollable giddiness, warmth, lust and the beginning of love. This was so sweet and enthralling. My favourite word is no kismet. Cosima and Tristan increased my belief 😄😊

[Priscilla (Bookie Charm) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars*

[hea booktubes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was smiling at my kindle.

[aarya · Rating 3 out of 5]

2022 Winter Bingo (#SnowInLoveBingo❄️): Divorced MC

3.5 stars. The vibrator scene was excellent.

[N.G. Peltier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rilzy alwaaays comes with the unique set up and just makes it work! Loved these two and even though their meeting was so short and quick, the way it all unfolded was perfection. Rilzy really does a good novella with just the right amount of steamy goodness.

[Jenn [everythingshereads] · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not me cheesing and grinning and kicking my legs like an absolute fool while reading this.

*sighs dramatically* men written by women will always be my favourite thing.

[Carla Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Cosima’s boyfriend ended their relationship after 7 years, all she wanted to do was spend her Christmas alone with a book and her favorite movies. When Tristan couldn’t spend Christmas with his daughter Nia, he too wanted to spend his Christmas alone. Solo dinner at a crowded restaurant led them to be seated at the same table. Cosima and Tristan soon discover they share much more in common with each other than solo Christmas plans.

Cosima and Tristan meeting was the cutest thing ever! I thought Tristan using his mom as his “wingman” was so cute and funny. The first “date” gave all the holiday feels and you could feel their chemistry bubbling off the pages. It definitely came with the spice! 🌶️ I wanted a little more at the end but I guess that’s to be expected with a novella! Overall a warm, holiday romance that will have you wanting to try your luck at a crowded restaurant. 🤗☕️📖🎄⛸️♥️