Wake Me Up Before You Cocoa

The Coffee Loft

by Kimberley Montpetit

Wade Kennedy is a Billionaire Real Estate Developer about to marry a wealthy model despite still dreaming about his lost college sweetheart.

Quirky Marina Cormier inherits her grandmother's New Orleans antique store, positive that love has passed her by.

When the biggest New Orleans real estate developer strolls into Marina Cormier’s newly inherited antique shop with a lost phone looking for its owner, Marina's heart is knocked clear into a past she’d been trying to forget.

She should have locked the front door, flipped the sign to CLOSED, and turned out the lights when she spotted him on the sidewalk! Instead, Marina scrambles for cover behind one of her massive grandfather clocks.

Sure enough, the man is Wade Kennedy, now Billionaire Kennedy with a capital “B” and capital Broad shoulders a mile wide from his days as star quarterback on the football team at the University of Alabama.

There’s chemistry off the charts between them all over again—even after a decade has gone by. Only this time, there’s an even bigger problem. . . Another woman has dug her claws into Wade’s life, his Day-Planner, those magnificent shoulders of his—and his heart.

When Wade and Marina are thrown together on a big project to renovate and sell a famous New Orleans historic mansion, can they keep things professional, or will their old love come roaring back? And what will they do about catty Lydia with a 3-carat diamond on her finger?

This sweet and sassy Rom-Com is sure to keep you swooning all night long - while you enjoy a cup of hot cocoa and your favorite donut!


Welcome to The Coffee Loft , a place where romance is always brewing!

Grab your favorite table over in the corner and be prepared to be swept off your feet. This multi-author collection features some of your favorite sweet romance authors that you already know and love as well as a few new names you'll be rushing to check out.

From cold brews to cappuccinos and frothy frappes, there's something on the menu for every romantic comedy reader. Fake dates, meddling matchmakers, friends-to-lovers and so much more, each stand-alone story is the right blend of sweetness, guaranteed to warm your heart. Happily-ever-after's coming right up!

Genres: Romance, Clean Romance, Second Chance, Fiction

212 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 24, 2024

About the author

Kimberley Montpetit once spent all her souvenir money at the La Patisserie shops when she was in Paris—on the arm of her adorable husband. The author grew up in San Francisco, another swoon-worthy city, loves all things Parisian and chocolate and lives in a small town along the Rio Grande with her family.

Kimberley has won many awards for her work, including the Southwest Book Award, the Whitney Award, the Arizona/New Mexico Book Award, is a Crystal Kite Finalist (SCBWI) and included in the Bank Street College Best Books of the Year.

She once stayed in a haunted castle tower room at Borthwick Castle in Scotland, sailed on the Seine in Paris, walked the beaches of Normandy, eaten in numerous French cafes, ridden a camel in Petra, Jordan, sunbathed on Waikiki, shopped the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, and spent the night in an old Communist hotel in Bulgaria.

She adores all baked goodies; brownies, éclairs, donuts, tarts, and pie, and makes a lot of chocolate chip cookies while revising.

Kimberley is, of course, hard at work on her next novel(s).

Reviews

[Katie (hiding in the pages) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m quickly falling in love with this Coffee Loft series. And how cute is this title pun?

Wade and Marina had a college romance that ended abruptly and years later, a series of chance meetings in New Orleans gifts them a rekindle of their friendship…and maybe more.

Served with loads of pastries and mugs full of hot chocolate topped with mountains of marshmallows, this sweet romance is as sweet as the sweets devoured within.

If you enjoy:
☕ a second chance slow burn
🍩 a messy love triangle
☕ antiques and connecting coffee shops
🍩 quirky heroine and successful hero
☕ working together on a project
🍩 a lost phone and lots of fate-inspired connections
Then this is the story for you!

Montpetit delivers a romance that will leave you with a smile on your face.

Content: mild romance

*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*

[Maven_Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wake Me Up Before You Cocoa by Kimberley Montpetit Review

Wake Me Up Before You Cocoa by Kimberley Montpetit is an utterly charming, clean contemporary romance set in vibrant New Orleans. The story centers on Marina Cormier, a quirky and warm-hearted woman who has just inherited her grandmother’s antique shop, and Wade Kennedy, her college sweetheart who has since become a billionaire real estate developer. When Wade strolls into Marina’s life again while returning her lost phone, their chemistry is instantaneous, pulling both of them into a curious dance of nostalgia, laughter, and unresolved feelings. What makes things even more complicated is that Wade is engaged to a wealthy model, creating a tender, slow burn tug-of-war between past affection and present obligations, all while the two find themselves working together on a grand historic mansion project in the heart of the city’s spirited landscape.

What struck me most as I read was how effortlessly Montpetit painted New Orleans as a character of its own: the cobblestone charm, the lingering scent of beignets in the air, and the cozy bustle of The Coffee Loft made me feel like I was right there savoring each moment alongside Marina and Wade. Unlike many second-chance romances, this story balances sweetness with a believable emotional current, especially in the way Marina’s genuine hopefulness contrasts with Wade’s internal tug between past and future.

The side characters, from eccentric antiques aficionados to Wade’s less-than-endearing fiance and her family, added wit and tension without overshadowing the central romance. The pacing felt just right for this snug read, offering laughter, gentle swoons, and heartfelt introspection without overwhelming the core of the story. In the end, this book made me smile, relaxed my pace, and reminded me why I adore romance that feels like a warm cup of cocoa on a cool evening.

Rating: 4 out of 5
Because of its engaging characters, delightful setting, and heartfelt second chance romance that wraps you in cozy emotions.

[Julie Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know about you but ever since I first saw the title of this adorable book, I've been singing the song! Haha! "Yeah, yeah, yeah!" Ok, that's only a little part of it, but seriously, it has been on repeat in my head and then my kids have been singing it and other friends have brought up the song (not in relation to the book). I love it!

And I also might be craving hot cocoa a lot lately as well. Good thing I'm stocked up on plenty at my house since there are no Coffee Loft stores to go get my hot cocoa from. ;-) But at least Wade and Marina are in luck and can get their hot cocoa and donuts! Yum!!!

This second-chance romance had me smiling, laughing, swooning and sighing throughout the book! And possibly wanting to tell a certain character off! Haha! You won't blame me once you read it and see for yourself. Good thing Wade has a good head on his shoulders. And thank heavens Marina lost her phone and he was there to find it. <3 All the hearts for that coincidence!

Mrs. Sutton is definitely a favorite character for me as well. She's a hoot! I loved her spunk and her seeing beyond the situation. You'll know what I mean when you read it. (Can you tell I'm trying to convince you to enjoy this one? Leaving little teaser nuggets for you!)

The antiques were a fun addition to this story. It had me wanting to be right there with Marina and Wade in Mrs. Sutton's house exploring and seeing the history come alive. Now I need to travel to NOLA and immerse myself in all the goodness from this book!

Grab your cup of hot cocoa, a comfy blanket and snuggle up for a deliciously charming read! And if you happen to doze off, maybe you'll be woken up with a cup of cocoa from somebody! *happy sigh*

Content: Clean. Sweet romance with nothing more than kisses.

I received a copy from the author. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

[MacKenzie Emery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hallmark vibes set in New Orleans! Absolutely loved this book and couldn’t put it down. It is a super cute, dual pov, clean romance. Marina is a quirky, cute antique dealer who gets a second chance with her college boyfriend, Wade. You get to see these two get pushed together many times by fate and you will be rooting for them from the very start.

[Lissa Ruck · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved Wade & Marina's sweet, caring, loving,swoony story!!!

[Mindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wake Me Up Before You Cocoa is a fun story with a cute and quirky FMC and dreamy MMC. There are lots of moments I enjoyed!
Here are some:
POV changes
Their (re)meet cute
The blackmarket
Marina’s reaction to seeing Wade
The past memories of each other
Coincidences
Mrs. Sutton
The house
Brunch
The antique store
Wade’s decisions
Marina’s decisions
Hot cocoa kisses
This is a great romcom with great characters and a sweet story of college sweethearts finding love.
I received an eARC from author. All views and opinions expressed are my own.

[Randi Sampson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wake Me Up Before You Cocoa is part of the Coffee Loft series. This is a multi-author series centered around Coffee Loft coffee shops, but all can be read as standalones.

I love a good punny title, so it was definitely this cute title that initially caught my eye. Thankfully, the story inside was just as cute as the title! Second chance romances are some of my favorites and I thought this one was done very well. Wade and Marina dated in college and eventually parted ways, not to see each other again until several years later when a series of random events seems to be throwing them together. Seems like fate, right? The only problem? He's engaged to someone else. Now, I don't always like books in which one of the main characters spends a good portion of the book with someone else... but I have to say that the way this one was written, that really didn't bother me at all. I think if you read it, you'll understand completely! I really enjoyed these two together and loved getting to see them get their second chance. This was a super quick read--- easily read in a just a sitting or two. If you're looking for a sweet and cozy romance, this is certainly one worth checking out.

Wake Me Up Before You Cocoa is a closed-door romance with kisses only and no language.

**I received an ARC for consideration. All opinions are my own.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been one of the easiest books I've read in a while. From the first page I couldn't put it down, the story is so compelling that I had to keep reading. Marina has never gotten over her first love Wade. After visiting her granny's grave to talk over the refurb and reopening of the Antique shop she realises she's lost her phone. Wade visits his brothers grave missing him not only as a brother but his best friend, when he hears a phone ringing finally finding and answering he feels a memory or something about the voice. Agreeing to drop the phone back to the owner starts a series of encounter that changes both of their lives. The two main characters are both scared by their feelings and how easy being together is so natural. Mrs. Sutton sounds like a force of nature and so easy and likable. I was lucky enough to receive this as an ARC copy and this is my own personal and honest opinion and review of the book I'm sure you'll love and enjoy it as much as I have

[Kimberly Prytherch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Y’all. I started reading this book on my last night in New Orleans, while watching the playoff game. I laughed so loud when I realized this took place in NOLA, and our hero was a football player! These character are so well done, the quirky heroine, the handsome hero, and the evil… ok, maybe she isn’t evil, woman in their way. You will love these characters, although you will definitely love to hate some of them as well. Second chance love is such a great trope and this was done so well! A really fun sweet romance, I read it all in one sitting. Clear some time on your calendar, you won’t want to put this one down!

[Patricia Hampton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The wade and marina story was a nice touch of rom com, sweet second chance at love story. Had coffee, antiques, love, and drama so something for everyone. Great character building and story line. Won’t want to put it down. Highly recommend

[Lisa Mandina · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s been a while since I’ve read this author, as for the longest time I didn’t read a lot of the more sweet/clean romance. But this whole series sounds good, I was excited to jump in and especially with one by an author I knew I’d enjoyed in the past. This was a sweet and easy romantic read.

The first bit with Marina in the cemetery was an interesting to start to the story, but it gave me a good view of what type of person she was, and made her very likable. Then we had Wade’s chapter and I knew right away I did NOT like his fiance. And the way their relationship was described as well as how she behaved around him made me okay that he might still have some feelings when he ran into his ex.

Marina and Wade’s first re-meet-cute was really sweet. I loved how silly he was with her, and how easily they were able to kind of pick up their friendship or the way they knew each other pretty quickly with the reunion. Meeting Wade’s fiance’s family made for me disliking her even more and I was glad how he dealt with what happened that night. It was easy to tell he was a good guy. I wondered if there was more to the story with his fiance’s family, that maybe they were actually having money troubles and wanted something from him? But this was a short and sweet story as I mentioned, so we didn’t get a ton of that kind of back story.

It was set in New Orleans, which I love that city, so it was fun reading that! I’m now wishing I could go back for some yummy Cafe du Monde powdery sugar goodness beignets. Then the description both of the house Wade and Marina ended up meeting in again to do their respective jobs made me want to go back down and do some tours of the beautiful houses in the area. And of course we got a perfect HEA.

My only issues are that I find it somewhat hard to believe a pro-football player would be quite that serious in abstaining from physical relationships. However I know of a few players that I’m guessing were that way, although still, at his age it seems a little far-fetched for me.

Review first posted on Lisa Loves Literature.

[Jane litherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome second chance romance Marina has never forgotten her first real love Wade. They dated in college but eventually went their separate paths. Fate lends a hand though years later and a set of circumstances sees the two bump into each other but Wade Kennedy is now a billionaire who is proposed to wealthy model…. Marina Cormier has just inherited her Grandmother’s New Orleans antique store , the same store the Real Estate Developer Wade stepped in to return a lost mobile to its owner…..Marina . I know right? Swoon! Well the author hasn’t quite done here, she’s cleverly crafted a series of events that see this couple spending close proximity time together, the attraction is off the charts and before you know it Wham! ( couldn’t resist) A quick read , jam packed full of romance if they take their chance . I loved the easy flow of the story and immersed myself with my cup of cocoa ( well Mocha with whipped cream to be precise) and was lost til the end . Brilliant! A new author for me , I wasn’t disappointed
I read an advance copy of the book and my review is given voluntarily in my own words

[Tammy Lunsford - Escape to Books By Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one made me swoon and laugh like a hyena. Marina Cormier misses her grandmother. They worked together in her antique store. She visits her grandmother's grave on a regular basis. On this particular day, she gets back to the antique store and realizes her phone is missing.

Wade Kennedy is visiting his brother's grave when he hears a phone ringing. Marina is calling her cell phone trying to locate it. Wade answers the phone and offers to bring the phone to her. She does not want to give this strange man her true location, so she asks him to bring it to The Coffee Loft where she will reward him with a coffee and a doughnut. She shares an inner door between the antique store and The Coffee Loft so customers from both businesses can go back and forth. When Wade arrives, she is shocked to see that it is her college boyfriend. A boyfriend that she never truly got over. Both are shocked to see one another. I mean what are the odds that her ex-boyfriend would find her phone in the cemetery? It is immediately apparent that sparks are flying and hearts are on fire. There is only one problem. He is engaged to a spoiled rich heiress who would drown if it rained with her snooty nose in the air.

Let's just suffice it to say that they get thrown together more than once. This was such a delightful book. There was one particularly hilarious scene involving a doughnut on a lady's head that had me almost rolling in the floor to the point my husband thought I had lost my mind. The chemistry between these two was burning a hole in my Kindle.

The descriptions of the home of Ms. Sutton sounded like something out of a dream. Ms. Sutton is quite the character. She is an 87 year old fireball with stories to tell. You will have to read the book to find out more about Ms. Sutton. With a little romance in the air, The Coffee Loft is the perfect place to be for romance lovers. This was a clean, funny romance that was a quick read for me.

Thank you to the author for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Alicia (aliciasbooksanctuary) · Rating 5 out of 5]

OVERALL STAR RATING: 5/5
CLEAN RATING: 5/5

I can’t get enough of these sweet Coffee Loft books! As a lover of antique stores, this one was a huge win for me. 😊

Marina Cormier recently lost her grandmother and inherits her little store in New Orleans…Miss Ruby Rose’s Antique Shop. The shop is connected to the Coffee Loft, which is owned by her best friend, Jenna.

Marina’s cell phone winds up lost at the cemetery one day while visiting her grandmother’s grave site. In an unexpected turn of events, the person who finds her phone is Wade Kennedy...an old college boyfriend she hasn’t seen in a decade. Wade meets up with Marina to return her phone and they immediately sense the sparks return. Truth be told, neither one of them was ever really prepared to part ways years prior, but Wade had felt pressure from his family to end their relationship. The problem now is that Wade is currently engaged to Lydia.

Oh Lydia! Sometimes in a story there are characters that you just LOVE to hate. She is absolutely one of them. You’ll be screaming at the pages over this gold digger and her parents, but it’s a whole lot of fun to read! Haha Wade realizes he’s rushed into this engagement. He’s always wanted to settle down and have a family and time is ticking.

As if Wade finding Marina’s phone wasn’t crazy enough, they both unknowingly get hired on by the wealthy Mrs. Sutton who is looking to clear out her historic mansion full of antiques. Marina is hired to appraise and move the antiques and Wade is hired as the realtor. I love a good second chance romance and you’ll be rooting for this couple the entire way through. Did I mention Wade is now a billionaire!? Oh yes…wealthy, good looking and completely grounded in his faith.

Grab a cup of cocoa and this sweet book that’s just over 200 pages. You’re going to love it!

For more reviews and bookish content, follow me on Instagram at: aliciasbooksanctuary

[Hilma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wake Me Up Before you Cocoa by Kimberley Montpetit is again a wonderful addition to the cozy Coffee Loft series and I must say, the title is once again humorous and when you’ve read the book, it and the cover all makes sense. Marina is the owner of an antique shop, when someone finds her lost phone. But when he comes to her shop to hand her the phone, he is someone from her past and has never been out of her thoughts when some years ago they broke up.

Marina is a really nice person, sher loves her life, and she is somewhat weird in a cute way and she is proud of her shop. Wade, the guy from the past and former quarterback, now has a successfull business and is planning to get married. They both are suprised to find the other again and their first meeting is very humorous as Marina doesnot want to meet him. The fiance is something else. I can never understand how those guys finds these women, only out for status and money. I loved the building relationship between Wade and Marina, they both get a second chance and that was really nice to read about. They have a wonderful chemistry and both are great characters you come to love.

New Orleans is just a wonderful setting for this second chance love story. I loved how Kimberley Montpetit put to words the grandeur of the New Orleans mansions You could see it before your eyes while reading the book.

The writing style is what I have come to expect in these series. It is flowing, relaxing and so easy to read. It is a cute and sweet love story, with some drama and with an adorable female main character.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my I LOVED everything about this story!! The perfect second chance romance! The title is so fun - makes you start singing the song but adding in the title of this book in it instead!

Loved the main characters — Wade, millionaire real estate investor/developer, and Marina, art degree major and antique store owner, are just absolutely perfect for each other. Great chemistry, sweet history, well upstanding character and personalities. By fate they are reunited, and you are rooting for them to find their way back to one another! The author does a great job incorporating their past memories to the present to allow you to see how perfect they were then to now. You will not be disappointed in this book!! I actually wish Ruby Rose Antique store was a real place as I’d love to visit it and see all the beauty in the antique furniture, home goods and pieces of decor - even Mrs. Sutton’s historical Victorian home!!! The side characters that pop in throughout the book are fun and add some flair to the storyline.

I couldn’t put the book down it was sooo good!! I was blessed to receive an advanced copy of this book. A huge thank you to the author and publishing company!! This is my own personal and honest opinion and review of the book.

[Darla · Rating 4 out of 5]

☕️Release Day Review☕️

Wake Me Up Before You Cocoa
Kimberley Montpetit

Coffee Location: New Orleans, LA
#5 in the stand alone series The Coffee Loft
__________________________________________________
When Wade Kennedy, billionaire real estate developer, finds a lost cell phone he decides to deliver it to its owner.
Marina realizing it’s Wade on the sidewalk coming into her store crawls and hides because who would want to reconnect with the man who broke up with her eight years ago, and who she still secretly has feelings for?
__________________________________________________
I mean how cute are the names to this series. This might have been my favorite title so far. 😍

The meet cute in this book was perfection. I loved every bit of it. I read this book in a day that’s how much it had me hooked. I loved the second chance romance. These two people were made for each other. I only wish this book was a tad longer so we could see more of the actual relationship.

I went to New Orleans once and the way she explains it just made me want to go back! Especially when the author mentions Cafe Du Monde. 🤤

Read if you like:
☕️Adorable Meet Cutes
💕Second Chance Romance
☕️Dual POV
💕New Orlean Vibes

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read and review this book!

[Michele Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

There aren’t many tropes better than a second chance. Wade and Marina were a college couple and decided to part ways to see where life took them. Well, fate and life brought them back together. I’m not going to lie, when I first started reading this, there is some of what I thought was going to be weird things going on, paranormalish weird, but it really wasn’t that and it worked! Marina had recently lost her grandma and was at the cemetery visiting her. To not give much away, I now think it was their bond that made the things happen the way they did, besides she’s in New Orleans, and there is definitely a different vibe there.

Wade and Marina are brought back together by something so much bigger than them and it was a very sweet coming back together with some tough decisions for Wade. The two of them were so cute together and you could tell they genuinely liked each other, that is a plus to me!

It was a very fun, shorter read that I recommend to anyone who likes a sweet romance.

[Mara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did the title make me get the Wham! song stuck in my head? Maybe. Did I want to drink lots of hot chocolate while reading it? Yes, but to be honest that was going to happen anyway because it was winter and I love hot chocolate. I was excited when I found out this book, which is part of the Coffee Loft series, was set in New Orleans. It made me want to go to Café du Monde for beignets (with hot chocolate of course) and drive around the Garden District while gazing longingly at the gorgeous homes with columns and porches. I'm a southern girl through and through and I love two-story homes with columns and a porch, especially a wraparound porch.

I love second chance romances but hate love triangles. Thankfully the love triangle in this doesn't last long (the woman and her family are truly awful) and we get to see Wade and Marina get to know each other again. I loved their meet cute or should I say meet again cute. It was one for the books and I had secondhand embarrassment for Marina. I loved all of Marina and Wade's interactions and thought they had great chemistry.

I loved all the descriptions of Mrs. Sutton's house and the furniture in it, as I'm a sucker for old, southern things. I thought the connection between Marina's grandmother and Mrs. Sutton was an unexpected treat; Mrs. Sutton is a sweetheart. Of course, being a lover of hot chocolate, I loved how it figured into Marina and Wade's story. If you like sweet romances, especially second-chance romance ones, I definitely recommend this one along with some beignets and hot chocolate.

I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Penny Leidecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t believe this is the first book I’ve read from this author, but I can definitely say it won’t be my last. I absolutely adored this book centered around Wade and Marina. Second chance romance is one of my favorite kind to read and this is a winner. While visiting her grandmother’s grave, Marina unknowingly loses her cellphone. Luckily, Wade finds it and agrees to return it. When she sees him out the window, she can’t believe who it is. Wade was her college sweetheart and she’s never forgotten him. What does she do? She hides behind a grandfather click, lol. Wade never forgot about Marina either but now he’s engaged to another woman. I wont leave any spoilers, but I will say, you’re going to love this story and most of the characters. I bet the one character you don’t like is the same one as me.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book and this is my voluntary and honest review.

[Kristina Holmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a cute story! I quite literally had a smile on my face from the moment I started reading it, and I could not put it down! I could completely see this storyline being made into a rom-com movie! The story itself is a quick read, so it moves fast, but it is so much fun! I love second chance stories, and I really enjoyed how they reconnected again! Wade and Marina were “too young” they were told and “not ready for the real world”…and they believed it. What happens when they cross paths again? I love how quirky Marina is…and proud of it, and I really enjoy how Wade is not afraid to stay true to his values…once he realizes the truth. Add a granny in there, and I’m so in love! There were tons of sweet and funny moments as well as moments full of great tension. This was a great introduction to a new to me author, and I can’t wait for more!

[Andrea Payne · Rating 5 out of 5]

So funny!

I truly enjoyed my first experience with Kimberley Montpetit. I love the humorous and whimsical tone as well as the intricate details of the settings and history of the antiques. While I'm not sure how I feel about the plot, I am absolute certain I loved the characters and the book overall. This second chance romance features Marina and Wade who have a connection that you can see and feel! And it is just so funny!

Wake Me Up Before You Cocoa is the fifth book in The Coffee Loft multi-author series. While all feature a Coffee Loft franchise, they are standalones and can be read in any order.

I would absolutely recommend this clean book which is a perfect blend of serious and sweet topped off with a pile of funny that had be snorting!

[Leann Arave · Rating 4 out of 5]

How can you pass up a book with such a cute name! This is another installment of the coffee loft series. They are collection of sweet romcoms that bring a smile to your face. Marina and Wade were seriously dating through college, but had decided to go their separate ways eight years ago. Now under the strangest circumstances, they meet again. This is a super cute meet or re-meet, as it is. Has fate brought them together or will Wade marry Lydia? A sweet and clean story with great characters. It is an easy afternoon read, Warning, don’t read it while hungry or you will want to binge on hot chocolate and beignets! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Amanda Benkendorf · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Coffee Loft series has not disappointed; I have enjoyed the 1st 5 books in this series.

I loved the second chance love story of Wade & Marina - I was skeptical as I read the opening chapter of Wake Me Up Before You Cocoa....as it began in a cemetery. The manner in which these two reconnect is adorable! Marina is a fun character who stole my heart immediately. The story development of Wade & Marina's relationship was fun as they reconnected by chance & their relationship developed professionally then personally. I was happy that they worked through their history & got a happily ever after.

The second chance love story of Wade & Marina is so swoon worthy!

This was the first book of Kimberly's that I read & it will not be my last - her storytelling made my heart happy.

[Elise Ballard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This started out so cute and then I couldn't quit laughing and giggling. The interaction between Wade and Marina was the best. We all have been in a position where we tried to avoid our ex and something embarrassing happening. I didn't like Lydia from the start, but as the book continues my liking for her didn't change. I was so hoping for the book to go in the direction it did. I was bouncing up and down by 75 percent. I just loved the ending. I loved that the book included and talked about antiques and the love of historical items. It is nice to see a change in the environment even in books.

[Kath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun and great read in The Coffee Loft series. Each book stands on it's own. This heartwarming story was about Wade and Marina. They were dating during college years and had grown quite close, but when graduating Wade's parents talked them into separating and going their own ways. However, neither forgot about the other and how much they cared and enjoyed each other's company.

This was a nice, easy read, but had enough intrigue with watching where Wade's and Marina's reconnection will take them. There was ample light moments, chuckles throughout as well; another plus in my thoughts

I received an ARC copy and am giving my free and voluntary review,

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found this series on KU and decided to start it and Loved it! Now I’m going to back and check out the other books. Marina and Wade broke up in college and haven’t seen each other in years. He is a real estate agent in NOLA specializing in old homes. Marina owns an antique store. The two meet when she lost her phone and Wade found it. They keep running g into each other and end up working on a huge project. The two realize that they still have feelings for each other. One hitch he’s engaged or is he!!

[Alisha Grant · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lydia comes across as a flighty, self focused, selfish person, ill-suited as Wade's fiance. Wade starts having regrets after being reunited with his college girlfriend after returning her phone. Marina is reopening her grandmother's antique store and has her best friend Jenna's Coffee Loft next door. Reuniting unexpectedly with Wade throws Marina for a loop and buried memories and feelings refuse to stay buried. I enjoyed reading this story about second chances, good friends, coffee loft moments and fighting for the right things like a second chance at love.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is part of the Coffee Loft series. This is a multi-author collection that features romance and coffee. Each stand-alone story is the right blend of sweet, guaranteed to warm your heart. This is story is a sweet second chance small-town romance. Great realistic characters that you fall in love with. I really liked how the author built up the relationship between the two main characters. I was rooting for their happy ending through the whole book. Detail well plotted storyline that keeps your attention throughout the book. Witty and humorous dialogue that keeps you smiling.

[Stevie Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love second chance romances and this one fit the bill. It’s a short sweet story of an antique shop owner accidentally meeting up with her ex from college rekindling with him. Add in the fact that he just got engaged and it’s a race to see if they can get back together. The main character was so sweet and the use of having a fiancée for him added just a hint of some drama that I loved. A very cute and relaxing read during the cold months!