The Sugar And Spice Kitchen by Harper Graham (Audiobook)

 

Emily and Cole are sworn enemies, a result of a bitter family feud that has lasted for years. When an unexpected snowstorm brings the town of Maple Falls to a grinding halt, the pair are forced to work together, and when they do, sparks fly.

The Sugar And Spice Kitchen, book 6 in the Maple Falls series by Harper Graham is a spicy romance featuring forced proximity and a friends-to-enemies-to-lovers storyline. Emily and Cole were best friends as children, until accusations of cheating in a baking competition saw the families fall out. Luckily, the hostility didn't last long as Cole and his family moved away from the town. 

Seventeen years later, Cole is back as the temporary fire chief and an unexpected snowstorm sees him having to rescue Emily from her snowed in bakery. The attraction between the pair is immediate, but both are determined to fight their feelings. Underneath everything, resentment over the baking competition still lurks.

Maple Falls is one of those picture perfect small towns, filled with community spirit. With many residents struggling to get out of their homes, the rest of the town rallies around to help. As a result, Cole and Emily are regularly forced to work together, with all the expected consequences in a romance. When the pair aren't together, Emily seems to lurch from one disaster to another, and the only person available to rescue her is Cole.

The storyline doesn't offer anything new, you get exactly what you expect in terms of romance. The mystery element involving the baking competition that caused the feud adds a little bit of variety, but the revelation of what happened was telegraphed well in advance. 

I don't really read/listen for the romance. I just love visiting this gorgeous little town (I'd happily pack by bags immediately if I was given the chance to visit). Happily, I won't have to wait long to return as we are given an introduction to a new character, a local vet, whole will feature in The Caramel Kiss Diner which is due out in March 2027.

The Sugar And Spice Kitchen by Harper Graham is available in paperback, ebook, and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for a review copy.

Author Details

Harper Graham lives with her mischievous spaniel in a cozy small town in Connecticut. Her quirky neighbours may or may not have inspired the residents of her Maple Falls series. When she’s not hiking with her daughter, baking her grandmother’s recipes or reading in her favourite coffee shop, Harper can be found writing the sweet and spicy romance stories of her own dreams.