A charming story which was exactly the right kind of book to be reading as the cold weather sets in. I thoroughly enjoyed it and managed to finish it over the course of two cosy afternoons, accompanied by a cup of hot cocoa! (Eileen Tilley Book Tour Reviewer)
This is a charming and sweet wintry Cinderella retelling. The characters are simple, with lots of wintry themed names: Holly Green, Douglas Fir, etc. I enjoyed the addition of unicorn heritage and a baby dragon, though. There’s a low stakes situation as Icelyn’s step-siblings want her new chocolate shop to fail, as they’re her rivals (but they can’t bake for toffee). So she has to shine, and get enough customers, at the Solstice fair. The real draw of the book is the themes of friendship, even more than the romantic undertones. I really liked seeing how the town rallied around Icelynn and her stall, to bring about the Solstice Festival. It’s light, frothy and rather funny. I recommend it. (Eryn McConnell Book Tour Reviewer)
A very sweet story, appropriately, given the title of the book. I breezed through it, finding it charming and very easy to read. It’s a perfect book to read curled up in front of the fire on a cold and cosy afternoon, preferably with hot cocoa in hand! Stephanie has created a heartwarming and uplifting novel, which I’d recommend reading in the approach to the holiday season. (Michelle Marshall Book Tour Reviewer)
Stephanie Clement’s ‘For the Love of Hot Cocoa’ is a Cinderella story with a difference. Instead of a glass slipper to fit the maiden, the Prince must find the woman who makes the most magical hot cocoa he has ever tasted. However, he meets and develops feelings for the lovely Icelyn, who has just opened a bakery in town. As the story unfolds, we see how Prince Colten tries to live up to his father’s expectations and find himself a princess before the end of the Snow Solstice Festival, and how Icelyn thwarts the evil intent of her stepmother and siblings. This is a delightful, lighthearted twist on a classic. The story is well-written and engaging from the outset, drawing you into the plights of the two main characters as they try to make the Snow Solstice Festival the best yet, despite the setbacks. Dialogue is witty and relevant, moving the story along at a lively pace. The two main supporting characters are well-rounded as well, without stealing the limelight from our hero and heroine. There may have been a few grammatical errors because there usually are, but none stood out enough to draw the reader away from the story. Overall, I enjoyed the story – after all, who doesn’t like a good happily ever after story! (Phoebe Wilby Book Tour Reviewer)
All Icelyn wants is to have her café be successful. But opening near Mother Maude’s could be her first mistake. She and her pet dragon have escaped the clutches of her cruel family just in time for the Snow Solstice Festival. Her best friend convinces her to supply baked goods and hot cocoa for the festival. But when Icelyn agrees to be a part of Prince Colden’s fake relationship, her world is turned upside down as her life and café are sabotaged at every turn. Will she save herself and her café? Prince Colden wants more responsibility, so his father puts him in charge of this year’s Snow Solstice Festival – and gives him an unexpected ultimatum. When his Captain of the Guard and best friend handed him a mug of hot cocoa, one magical sip was all it took. It was the perfect solution to the ultimatum, if he could find who made the hot cocoa. That is until he meets beautiful, intelligent, very stubborn Icelyn. She is the person capable of showing him the festival’s importance to the townsfolk, his people. He could easily fall in love with her, but he was already in love with someone he has yet to meet – the maker of the hot cocoa. Will he make the right choice? A fantastical tale which has the reader rooting for Icelyn, wanting retribution for her horrid life with her cruel family. As a twist on an old fairytale, it was cleverly thought out – I’m not sure what target audience this would be for, as it can be appreciated by kids and adults alike. The author can easily alter the phrasing and scenes that are more awkward than the rest of the book to perfect it. Overall, readers will identify with Icelyn and her best friend, and the challenges they face throughout the book. I have no issues with recommending the book. (Yvonne Marrs Book Tour Reviewer)
The book begins with Icelyn, a talented, kind café owner trying to make a name for herself in Wynterfell. She has some magic and great baking chops to stand out; yet she is sabotaged at every turn by her step-siblings Dru and Stacey. When the Snow Solstice Festival arrives, her chance to shine comes thanks to a fortuitous encounter with Prince Colden’s bodyguard, Douglas. We have a strong cast of characters with Holly– Icelyn’s best friend, Ember, her cute dragon pet, and the prince and his bodyguard. Everyone felt fleshed out and real; the dialogues as a result flowed and it was easy to see who’s who. Sometimes the twins felt a little too dastardly but otherwise the characters were authentic. The pacing was good; it was a short, exciting read. There is lots of tension and conflicts throughout. Sometimes Prince Colden’s level of naiveté was almost over the top, but he does come into his own eventually. For the most part the story felt balanced and satisfying. This book gives cozy, sweet, holiday vibes. (Sophie Jupillat Posey Book Tour Reviewer)
A perfect story for those dark winter nights, to cozy up on the couch with a mug of hot chocolate or your favourite festive tipple and slowly drift away into a cinderella like fairy tale. The characters are endearing and extremely credible, the relationships are heartwarming, not only between Icelyn and Prince Colden but their friendships with Holly and Douglas. And of course who can forget the adorable Ember the Dragon and the incredible bond shared with Icelyn. I thoroughly enjoyed the drama and conflicts introduced, the gentle teasing and tenderness between the couples, all of their quirks, foibles and imperfections which were not too over the top or eye rolling cringe worthy, as can happen with some fairy tale stories. The dialogue felt authentic and the plot moved along at a good pace, sweeping the reader through the pages and keeping them engaged. Suitable for all adults who are young at heart and enjoy a feel good read with love and laughter. (Kirsty McKay Book Tour Reviewer)
We award 4.5 stars.
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