What do you think?
Rate this book
Creekville Kisses #5
Cocoa Kisses
Two old friends, a snowed in cabin, and a mission to save Creekville’s Christmas…Taylor Bixby is content running her café and watching her customers fall in love, even though she’s dodged Cupid and mistletoe for years. It helps that the love of her life—her best friend—has no idea how she feels. he’s been gone for four years reporting from war zones, so she’s never had to risk him finding out.Until he walks into her café without warning.Levi Barrett is back in Creekville to fix what he broke four years ago. Even though Taylor doesn’t share the feelings he’s fought since college, he misses his best friend too much to let their friendship fade. Small she's going to sitcom level lengths to avoid him. But he sees his chance to make things right when catastrophe threatens the town’s most beloved holiday tradition.It’s simple. They just need to outrun the blizzard of the decade to wrangle eight grumpy rental reindeer…and escape a snowbound cabin in a forest riddled with absurd amounts of mistletoe. Oh, and restore a little boy’s faith in Santa.Christmas needs saving, but is Taylor willing to try when it means risking her secrets for the only man to ever break her heart?Revisit charming Creekville in this standalone Christmas novella full of the angst and hilarity that only happens when two best friends fall in love...
178 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 16, 2023
391 people are currently reading
1617 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 324 reviews
June 11, 2025
Pre read
Ahh I’m so excited for this one!!! Another BR with the beautiful @darbydoo
REVIEW
I literally only have two good things to say about this book.
1- the sister was amazing
2- in most cases I loved Levi.
I can’t think of anything else. It was wayyy too short. It felt rushed. I know they knew each other for their entire lives, but we haven’t. We need backstory or tension. Anything to add to the story.
I guess time to talk about the characters
The parents- are we all gonna ignore how disrespectful their parents were? Taylor and Levi could’ve been hurt in a cabin with no power. While being snowed in. Both of those things were because of the parents. Maybe I’m being dramatic but imo you shouldn’t turn off the power so two adults will sleep together. Maybe as the parents of these friends that shouldn’t be the goal. I can’t think of one time when I liked the parents.
Sara- ah yes her lovely sister. It may sound like I’m being sarcastic but I truly loved Sara as a side character. This girl was a mother to two small children and she was an amazing one. She did everything in her power to help her sister, children, and husband. Well done. She’s one of two characters I really loved.
Taylor- why? Why would this girl be so rude to Levi. Literally if she had opened her mouth and talked maybe those two wouldn’t have been through so much pain. She was also very annoying. She said she loved doing Christmas Town for all the kids but she only complained about it. She also lacked any emotion. I don’t know how she felt other than her stress. I know nothing about her at all. She wasn’t even happy when her nephews got to see their dad on Christmas even though he’s in the military and they almost couldn’t. Of course she was more worried about not seeing Levi. Keep in mind they’d been together for less than a week.
Levi- okay. A decent character for once. I for sure won’t obsess over him. While reading it I loved him but he is so meh. I loved hearing about his passion for words and traveling. He actually tried to communicate with Taylor. However, the reason he can’t save my rating of this book is the flirting. When Taylor did set boundaries he crossed them. heck no. He was disrespectful with his jokes, but he did save Sara’s kids from having a bad Christmas so there’s that. In my opinion Taylor does not deserve a guy like him even though he has his flaws.
All in all I hated this book. It’s the worst one I’ve ever read. It’s a book lacking in emotion and character depth. I want to feel something not dnf a book. I couldn’t even get through ten pages it was so boring. I wasn’t even happy when they got engaged because it happened so fast. There was also the fact that they were happy when Sarah’s husband came home even though he was injured. Everyone save yourself and don’t read this book. It’s not worth it. I was let down but thank you to @darbydoo for the buddy read
Update: unfortunately after reading this many months ago, I still remember most of the details of this book. Someone erase it from my memory. Please.
Ahh I’m so excited for this one!!! Another BR with the beautiful @darbydoo
REVIEW
I literally only have two good things to say about this book.
1- the sister was amazing
2- in most cases I loved Levi.
I can’t think of anything else. It was wayyy too short. It felt rushed. I know they knew each other for their entire lives, but we haven’t. We need backstory or tension. Anything to add to the story.
I guess time to talk about the characters
The parents- are we all gonna ignore how disrespectful their parents were? Taylor and Levi could’ve been hurt in a cabin with no power. While being snowed in. Both of those things were because of the parents. Maybe I’m being dramatic but imo you shouldn’t turn off the power so two adults will sleep together. Maybe as the parents of these friends that shouldn’t be the goal. I can’t think of one time when I liked the parents.
Sara- ah yes her lovely sister. It may sound like I’m being sarcastic but I truly loved Sara as a side character. This girl was a mother to two small children and she was an amazing one. She did everything in her power to help her sister, children, and husband. Well done. She’s one of two characters I really loved.
Taylor- why? Why would this girl be so rude to Levi. Literally if she had opened her mouth and talked maybe those two wouldn’t have been through so much pain. She was also very annoying. She said she loved doing Christmas Town for all the kids but she only complained about it. She also lacked any emotion. I don’t know how she felt other than her stress. I know nothing about her at all. She wasn’t even happy when her nephews got to see their dad on Christmas even though he’s in the military and they almost couldn’t. Of course she was more worried about not seeing Levi. Keep in mind they’d been together for less than a week.
Levi- okay. A decent character for once. I for sure won’t obsess over him. While reading it I loved him but he is so meh. I loved hearing about his passion for words and traveling. He actually tried to communicate with Taylor. However, the reason he can’t save my rating of this book is the flirting. When Taylor did set boundaries he crossed them. heck no. He was disrespectful with his jokes, but he did save Sara’s kids from having a bad Christmas so there’s that. In my opinion Taylor does not deserve a guy like him even though he has his flaws.
All in all I hated this book. It’s the worst one I’ve ever read. It’s a book lacking in emotion and character depth. I want to feel something not dnf a book. I couldn’t even get through ten pages it was so boring. I wasn’t even happy when they got engaged because it happened so fast. There was also the fact that they were happy when Sarah’s husband came home even though he was injured. Everyone save yourself and don’t read this book. It’s not worth it. I was let down but thank you to @darbydoo for the buddy read
Update: unfortunately after reading this many months ago, I still remember most of the details of this book. Someone erase it from my memory. Please.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 20, 2024
3 stars
Age rating: 13+
Spice: none
Swearing: none
𐙚⋆⁺₊❅⋆ ⁺₊❆⋆⁺₊❅⋆ ⁺₊❆⋆𐙚
This was so cute!!
It’s a best friends to lovers romance, I loved the Christmas vibes🎄.
It did feel a bit rushed, I feel like I didn’t get to know the characters very well. It was lowkey find insta love but they’ve known each-other their whole lives, so it was more rushed love ig??
Tropes: best friends to lovers, snowed in at a cabin.
𐙚⋆⁺₊❅⋆ ⁺₊❆⋆⁺₊❅⋆ ⁺₊❆⋆𐙚
Buddy read with the one and only gorgeous McKenzie 🫶🫶
‼️sorry for the amounts of times I’ve changed my rating 3.5-3.25-3-2.5‼️
Age rating: 13+
Spice: none
Swearing: none
𐙚⋆⁺₊❅⋆ ⁺₊❆⋆⁺₊❅⋆ ⁺₊❆⋆𐙚
This was so cute!!
It’s a best friends to lovers romance, I loved the Christmas vibes🎄.
It did feel a bit rushed, I feel like I didn’t get to know the characters very well. It was lowkey find insta love but they’ve known each-other their whole lives, so it was more rushed love ig??
Tropes: best friends to lovers, snowed in at a cabin.
𐙚⋆⁺₊❅⋆ ⁺₊❆⋆⁺₊❅⋆ ⁺₊❆⋆𐙚
Buddy read with the one and only gorgeous McKenzie 🫶🫶
‼️sorry for the amounts of times I’ve changed my rating 3.5-3.25-3-2.5‼️
February 21, 2024
I know they are kids, and this probably makes me sound like a terrible person, but the twins were soo anoying; Levi bringing up the kiss over and over just to create tension is unnecessary and makes the story repetitive; and the moms fussing over their almost 30 y/o kids to the point where they give them blankets and pillows for a four hour drive is just dreadful.
Maybe, if it hadn't been surrounded by a stupid story that's only backed up by even stupider reasons, I would have liked the protagoninsts getting stranded in the cabin. But it was, so I didn't.
Honestly (sorry I can't shut up about it), but the fact that they have to get the reindeer to make Rome happy instead of, I don't know, because everyone in town would appreciate it just makes the child sound more like a brat. Also, it was obvious what he was going to ask Santa.
Maybe I'm being such a Grinch because the fact that I just read a Christmas story in the middle of February isn't good for my sanity.
Maybe, if it hadn't been surrounded by a stupid story that's only backed up by even stupider reasons, I would have liked the protagoninsts getting stranded in the cabin. But it was, so I didn't.
Honestly (sorry I can't shut up about it), but the fact that they have to get the reindeer to make Rome happy instead of, I don't know, because everyone in town would appreciate it just makes the child sound more like a brat. Also, it was obvious what he was going to ask Santa.
Maybe I'm being such a Grinch because the fact that I just read a Christmas story in the middle of February isn't good for my sanity.
November 19, 2023
2.5 ⭐️
Let me start with saying the cover is adorable & the writing is very engaging!
A globe trotting reporter returns home for the holidays and to his café owning best friend. They’ve got a history. Childhood best friends to lovers is always pretty cute!
Personally, the characters & their motivations felt pretty shallow to me. Beyond a cute romance, I never felt like I really got to know Taylor & Levi. Plus, a good portion of the story revolves around saving a little boy’s belief in Santa & his “power”, which wasn’t quite my cup of tea.
What you will find is… forced proximity, only one bed, well-intentioned meddling mums, 8 reindeer, intense family game nights, and a valiant attempt to save Christmas for a little boy. It’s cute & Christmassy with that heartwarming reunion ending being my favourite part!
Content: innuendo, mild language, alcohol consumption, belief in Santa Claus
Let me start with saying the cover is adorable & the writing is very engaging!
A globe trotting reporter returns home for the holidays and to his café owning best friend. They’ve got a history. Childhood best friends to lovers is always pretty cute!
Personally, the characters & their motivations felt pretty shallow to me. Beyond a cute romance, I never felt like I really got to know Taylor & Levi. Plus, a good portion of the story revolves around saving a little boy’s belief in Santa & his “power”, which wasn’t quite my cup of tea.
What you will find is… forced proximity, only one bed, well-intentioned meddling mums, 8 reindeer, intense family game nights, and a valiant attempt to save Christmas for a little boy. It’s cute & Christmassy with that heartwarming reunion ending being my favourite part!
Content: innuendo, mild language, alcohol consumption, belief in Santa Claus
November 29, 2023
This was an adorable Christmas story!
It’s a childhood friend's to lovers, snowed in, mistletoe kisses, meddling moms, save Christmas for a military family, sweet and cozy romcom.
I loved every second of it. Fun characters, swoony kisses, witty banter, hilarious one-liners, and all the feels of an enjoyable Hallmark Christmas movie, made this a fabulous read for me!
If you’re looking for a quick feel-good read, with wonderful Christmas magic, and a sweet romance, I think you will love this book.
It’s a childhood friend's to lovers, snowed in, mistletoe kisses, meddling moms, save Christmas for a military family, sweet and cozy romcom.
I loved every second of it. Fun characters, swoony kisses, witty banter, hilarious one-liners, and all the feels of an enjoyable Hallmark Christmas movie, made this a fabulous read for me!
If you’re looking for a quick feel-good read, with wonderful Christmas magic, and a sweet romance, I think you will love this book.
November 17, 2023
I'm a HUGE fan of Melanie Jacobson's small town Creekville romances and this latest holiday novella did not disappoint!
A sweet friends to lovers story that sees bakery owner Taylor finally taking a chance on her deep-seated love for the boy next door, Levi who hasn't been home in four years since they shared a drunken holiday kiss.
Featuring more Christmas town magic, reindeers, meddling mothers, a snowed in, only one bed situation, mistletoe, family game nights and so much more. I couldn't put this one down and the final HEA was completely swoony. Perfect for all the Hallmark Holiday movie lovers out there!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an early copy of this book and all opinions are my own.
Steam level: kissing only
A sweet friends to lovers story that sees bakery owner Taylor finally taking a chance on her deep-seated love for the boy next door, Levi who hasn't been home in four years since they shared a drunken holiday kiss.
Featuring more Christmas town magic, reindeers, meddling mothers, a snowed in, only one bed situation, mistletoe, family game nights and so much more. I couldn't put this one down and the final HEA was completely swoony. Perfect for all the Hallmark Holiday movie lovers out there!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an early copy of this book and all opinions are my own.
Steam level: kissing only
December 11, 2023
If you're looking for a quick, holiday read with minimal angst but all the sweet romance, kisses and Christmas vibes then this book is for you!
Coming in at under 200 pages, Cocoa kisses is about small town community, long term friends to more, meddling family members and realizing the love of your life has been right in front of you all along.
There was an easy, comfortable chemistry and friendship between Taylor and Levi. With it being almost novella size in length I did feel like the pacing was great and kept me entertained throughout. I enjoyed the race to save Christmas and the heartwarming themes that came with it.
A fun, sweet, romantic read that will quickly get you into the holiday spirit! Read if you like snowy cabins, hot chocolate, reindeer, and of course...kissing.
Coming in at under 200 pages, Cocoa kisses is about small town community, long term friends to more, meddling family members and realizing the love of your life has been right in front of you all along.
There was an easy, comfortable chemistry and friendship between Taylor and Levi. With it being almost novella size in length I did feel like the pacing was great and kept me entertained throughout. I enjoyed the race to save Christmas and the heartwarming themes that came with it.
A fun, sweet, romantic read that will quickly get you into the holiday spirit! Read if you like snowy cabins, hot chocolate, reindeer, and of course...kissing.
February 8, 2024
I have grown to love the fictional town of Creekville as I've read the books in this series! I appreciate that they can be read in any order, and I can revisit when the next book comes out without needing an info dump or rehashing the other plots. It's fun to see the previous characters pop up in cameos as friends or community members. Friends-to-more is one of my favorite tropes, but Taylor and Levi drove me a little crazy! I was glad when Taylor got out of her own head and gave in to the magic ;) The plot is charming and fun- rescuing the Christmas parade by procuring some last-minute reindeer, meddling moms, and unexpected time alone in a cozy cabin- this story has all the makings of a sweet Hallmark movie with the bonus of snappy banter.
Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.
Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.
December 14, 2023
It's Christmas time in Creekville and Taylor Bixby gets the surprise of her life when her best friend, Levi Taft, comes waltzing into her café four years after that mistletoe and eggnog induced kiss! What a great best friends to more romance!! Throw in the small town of Creekville, an unexpected snowstorm, and some meddling mothers and you're going to fall in love with Taylor and Levi!
What I loved:
❄ Dual POV
❄ Christmas Town
❄ The Bixby and Taft families
❄ Family game night!
❄ Snowed in the cabin
❄ Taylor & Levi's chemistry
❄ Cranberry blondies
Seriously, there's so much to love about this book. I liked how much Taylor loved Creekville and her family. Speaking of family, the Bixby and Taft families sound like so much fun, especially on game night. The whole race against the storm to get reindeer for Christmas Town, being snowed in the cabin and having no electricity was one of my favorite parts. I loved seeing Miss Lily Green again and that Christmas surprise will make you tear up. Oh, there's also an epilogue and who doesn't love a good epilogue?
If you're a fan of friends to more or small-town romances this is the book for you. This is a clean romance with just swoony kisses. There are a couple of mild Bible swears but nothing more.
I received a complimentary copy, all thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.
What I loved:
❄ Dual POV
❄ Christmas Town
❄ The Bixby and Taft families
❄ Family game night!
❄ Snowed in the cabin
❄ Taylor & Levi's chemistry
❄ Cranberry blondies
Seriously, there's so much to love about this book. I liked how much Taylor loved Creekville and her family. Speaking of family, the Bixby and Taft families sound like so much fun, especially on game night. The whole race against the storm to get reindeer for Christmas Town, being snowed in the cabin and having no electricity was one of my favorite parts. I loved seeing Miss Lily Green again and that Christmas surprise will make you tear up. Oh, there's also an epilogue and who doesn't love a good epilogue?
If you're a fan of friends to more or small-town romances this is the book for you. This is a clean romance with just swoony kisses. There are a couple of mild Bible swears but nothing more.
I received a complimentary copy, all thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.
December 2, 2024
Cute Christmas romcom!
I love a lifelong best friends to more story! With the two families as best friends and neighbors - with moms scheming for a match makes it even more fun. Add in being snowed in in a cabin, a small town Christmas celebration, a military connection and cute little twin boys with a big Christmas wish - and this story has so many wonderful elements of a feel good Christmas book. Plus the romance is sweet. Taylor and Levi have both had some issues to work through and not the best communication, but their story is one I can buy into and really enjoyed. Really cute epilogue. Loved so much about it!
This one has been on my TBR for a while, but was just recently released in audio which helped me get through it while traveling. (Not the best audio version ever, but pretty good when sped up. Great for listening while doing holiday driving or tasks.)
I love a lifelong best friends to more story! With the two families as best friends and neighbors - with moms scheming for a match makes it even more fun. Add in being snowed in in a cabin, a small town Christmas celebration, a military connection and cute little twin boys with a big Christmas wish - and this story has so many wonderful elements of a feel good Christmas book. Plus the romance is sweet. Taylor and Levi have both had some issues to work through and not the best communication, but their story is one I can buy into and really enjoyed. Really cute epilogue. Loved so much about it!
This one has been on my TBR for a while, but was just recently released in audio which helped me get through it while traveling. (Not the best audio version ever, but pretty good when sped up. Great for listening while doing holiday driving or tasks.)
December 14, 2025
3.5 stars
A quick read, with Hallmark type vibes.
A quick read, with Hallmark type vibes.
November 20, 2023
sweet Christmas romance
Cocoa Christmas is a sweet Christmas romance, featuring a very charming couple, Levi and Taylor. I loved the small town setting in this best friends to lovers story, and I was delighted by all the characters!
Cocoa Christmas is a sweet Christmas romance, featuring a very charming couple, Levi and Taylor. I loved the small town setting in this best friends to lovers story, and I was delighted by all the characters!
December 28, 2024
Best Christmas romcom I’ve read this year.
November 20, 2023
Kisses only. I usually really like Jacobson’s books but this one wasn’t my favorite. Here’s my main complaints:
1. The twins rule the roost and perpetuating the lie of Santa was more important to the adults than actually teaching.
2. The first mistletoe scene. It would have been a great opportunity to teach the boy about consent but instead they go along with his misguided “rules” about mistletoe kisses. What happens when he’s a teenager and insists on hard-core kissing a girl under the mistletoe and then slapping her rear end? It seems like something that’s gonna get him in trouble in the future.
3. I hate manipulation. The parents have a whole set up to get our MCs stranded together not considering the horrible stress they’re putting their daughter under.
4. Taylor keeps saying no. Levi’s like “your mouth says no but your eyes say yes so I’ll just ignore everything you’re saying”
1. The twins rule the roost and perpetuating the lie of Santa was more important to the adults than actually teaching.
2. The first mistletoe scene. It would have been a great opportunity to teach the boy about consent but instead they go along with his misguided “rules” about mistletoe kisses. What happens when he’s a teenager and insists on hard-core kissing a girl under the mistletoe and then slapping her rear end? It seems like something that’s gonna get him in trouble in the future.
3. I hate manipulation. The parents have a whole set up to get our MCs stranded together not considering the horrible stress they’re putting their daughter under.
4. Taylor keeps saying no. Levi’s like “your mouth says no but your eyes say yes so I’ll just ignore everything you’re saying”
December 15, 2023
This was such a cute rom-com from Melanie Jacobson with all the Christmas magic I love in a holiday book. I didn’t want to put it down!
Taylor Bixby is running her cafe when a huge surprise walks through her door, her childhood friend Levi Taft. He left four years ago after a mishap with a mistletoe kiss and some eggnog. Now that he is back in town he is realizing how much he has missed his best friend.
After a catastrophe threatens their towns favorite holiday tradition and Christmas magic for a little boy they find themselves working together, but they end up getting snowed in in the process.
I love best friends to lovers stories and I was instantly pulled into this one. In fact I don’t think I stopped smiling the entire time, it was so cute! It brings on all the magic and feel of a Hallmark movie. I loved the early first kiss and then all the tension and chemistry that builds up after that as Levi and Taylor start to realize their feelings for one another. The family traditions and family game nights plus banter made this one so much fun to read! I loved how close and fun their families were. The meddling mothers made me laugh countless times. Getting snowed in at the cabin with no electricity on their race to the reindeer was one of my favorite parts and the surprise at the end was so heartwarming. This is one you will want to grab a cup of hot cocoa and sit by your tree with. Trust me you don’t want to skip the hot cocoa because this book will make you crave a cup.
Favorite moments:
“I'll be back when my mom lets me out of the house again. But she might not let me out at all. You know that right?”
•Hot cocoa and cranberry blondies
•Levi the reindeer wrangler
“I’m just going to do what any grown man would do in this situation and call my dad.”
•Family game nights
•Snowed In together
•The epilogue
•The bonus epilogue
Content awareness: makeouts
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Taylor Bixby is running her cafe when a huge surprise walks through her door, her childhood friend Levi Taft. He left four years ago after a mishap with a mistletoe kiss and some eggnog. Now that he is back in town he is realizing how much he has missed his best friend.
After a catastrophe threatens their towns favorite holiday tradition and Christmas magic for a little boy they find themselves working together, but they end up getting snowed in in the process.
I love best friends to lovers stories and I was instantly pulled into this one. In fact I don’t think I stopped smiling the entire time, it was so cute! It brings on all the magic and feel of a Hallmark movie. I loved the early first kiss and then all the tension and chemistry that builds up after that as Levi and Taylor start to realize their feelings for one another. The family traditions and family game nights plus banter made this one so much fun to read! I loved how close and fun their families were. The meddling mothers made me laugh countless times. Getting snowed in at the cabin with no electricity on their race to the reindeer was one of my favorite parts and the surprise at the end was so heartwarming. This is one you will want to grab a cup of hot cocoa and sit by your tree with. Trust me you don’t want to skip the hot cocoa because this book will make you crave a cup.
Favorite moments:
“I'll be back when my mom lets me out of the house again. But she might not let me out at all. You know that right?”
•Hot cocoa and cranberry blondies
•Levi the reindeer wrangler
“I’m just going to do what any grown man would do in this situation and call my dad.”
•Family game nights
•Snowed In together
•The epilogue
•The bonus epilogue
Content awareness: makeouts
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 6, 2023
This was such a cute small town holiday romance filled with childhood friends turned lovers, lots of family and town traditions, a cute cafe with the most decadent sounding blondies, a town Christmas event that needs saving via one roadtrip to wrangle some reindeer, and lots of Christmas spirit for one little boy seeking his ultimate wish from Santa! Throw in the one bed trope in a cozy cabin in the middle of a snowstorm and you’re in for a treat. I really enjoyed the cast of characters in this small town of Creekville! This is just the ultimate feel good novella sure to bring you some holiday cheer.
Thank you so much to the author for gifting me this beautiful copy!
Thank you so much to the author for gifting me this beautiful copy!
December 19, 2024
3.75!! This was such a cute Holiday fluffy romance with no spice!
November 18, 2023
Traditions and Small Town Magic
The town of Creekville feels like something right out of a Hallmark Christmas movie. I love the tree lighting, the town events, Santa Claus, and reindeer.
My favorite thing was Levi and Taylor. They grew up as neighbors, best friends, and family friends. The family game night was the best! I love the pull towards one another and the desire to not ruin years of family friendship, but scheming moms will always prevail!
This story was a warm cup of cocoa by a toasty fire!
The town of Creekville feels like something right out of a Hallmark Christmas movie. I love the tree lighting, the town events, Santa Claus, and reindeer.
My favorite thing was Levi and Taylor. They grew up as neighbors, best friends, and family friends. The family game night was the best! I love the pull towards one another and the desire to not ruin years of family friendship, but scheming moms will always prevail!
This story was a warm cup of cocoa by a toasty fire!
July 3, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
Short and sweet!
Short and sweet!
November 24, 2023
I love people in the town of Creekville, and I’m so happy there is another story set there! This book has so many things I love about Christmas stories: friends to lovers romance, a happy ending, (of course!) snowed in, forced proximity, small town, scheming parents, little kids only telling Santa their wish, a Christmas market, and others. I loved reading Taylor and Levi’s story! And I loved that we get a little bit of Miss Lily in this book also. This is part of the Creekville Kisses series, but you could definitely read this without having read the others. But all the books in this series and in the Creekville Kisses Too are really good, so you should probably just read them all anyway!
December 31, 2023
This. This is what a friends-to-more looks like in my mind. This is what Christmas and matchmaking mamas and reindeer and mistletoe looks like in my mind. This is all the small town Hallmarky magic rolled up into one delightfully charming, swoony sweet and deliciously romantic story.
Levi and Taylor were married and divorced for the third time when they were only ten years old and after that, a truly extraordinary best friend relationship developed…until the attraction came creeping in. I adored every interaction and flirtation, even the mystifying and vague ones. Jacobson really knows how to write a story that will stick in your heart like Santa’s beard does to his face, and in the midst of all the fun and snowed in shenanigans was a story of family, seemingly unattainable wishes and hope.
I LOVE hot cocoa and I LOVE this amazing story just as much. Both give me that warm, cozy, melty, satisfied feeling and I can’t get enough of the Creekville Kisses series.
Content: mild romance (kissing, some light innuendo)
Levi and Taylor were married and divorced for the third time when they were only ten years old and after that, a truly extraordinary best friend relationship developed…until the attraction came creeping in. I adored every interaction and flirtation, even the mystifying and vague ones. Jacobson really knows how to write a story that will stick in your heart like Santa’s beard does to his face, and in the midst of all the fun and snowed in shenanigans was a story of family, seemingly unattainable wishes and hope.
I LOVE hot cocoa and I LOVE this amazing story just as much. Both give me that warm, cozy, melty, satisfied feeling and I can’t get enough of the Creekville Kisses series.
Content: mild romance (kissing, some light innuendo)
December 18, 2025
2023- This book was like drinking Swiss Miss. Not the highest quality you’ve ever had (plot wise), BUT warms the soul just the same. A good balance of complete unbelievability and swoon and the writing/banter is SO GOOD.. The whole book felt like a totally unrealistic hug for the heart.☕️
February 5, 2024
Cocoa Kisses
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Melanie Jacobson
I requested a digital advanced readers copy from Melanie Jacobson and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.
Synopsis: Two old friends, a snowed in cabin, and a mission to save Creekville’s Christmas…Taylor Bixby is content running her café and watching her customers fall in love, even though she’s dodged Cupid and mistletoe for years. It helps that the love of her life—her best friend—has no idea how she feels. He’s been gone for four years reporting from war zones, so she’s never had to risk him finding out. Until he walks into her café without warning. Levi Barrett is back in Creekville to fix what he broke four years ago. Even though Taylor doesn’t share the feelings he’s fought since college, he misses his best friend too much to let their friendship fade. She's going to sitcom level lengths to avoid him. But he sees his chance to make things right when catastrophe threatens the town’s most beloved holiday tradition. It’s simple. They just need to outrun the blizzard of the decade to wrangle eight grumpy rental reindeer… and escape a snowbound cabin in a forest riddled with absurd amounts of mistletoe. Oh, and restore a little boy’s faith in Santa. Christmas needs saving, but is Taylor willing to try when it means risking her secrets for the only man to ever break her heart? Revisit charming Creekville in this standalone Christmas novella full of the angst and hilarity that only happens when two best friends fall in love...
My Thoughts: This was a novella re-published late last year and I am little behind on my end of year reviews. I am a huge Jacobson fan and love being on her ARC team and reading any book she releases. This is the fifth book in the Creekville Kisses series and the PERFECT holiday romance. I have read most of the series and have loved everyone that I have read. The cover is adorable! We met Taylor and Levi. They were thick as thieves growing up but have grown apart since Levi travels the world as a reporter and Taylor owns the local cafe. Running a Christmas errand, they get snowed in overnight in a cabin, the story focuses on this overnight encounter mainly. Then will they be able to restore the faith of Christmas to a little boy? This follows the tropes of friends to lovers, childhood best friends, forced proximity, snowed in, one bed, holiday, and small town.
This story is a dual narration by Taylor and Levi. They each secretly pined for the other when they were high school best friends. Levi left four years ago and is just returning. It has taken all of that time for Taylor to get “over him,” so she thought. One sight of him and the feelings come rushing back in. Taylor has her life together, loves running the local cafe, and loves her nephews dearly. Levi ran away four years ago and has returned to spend Christmas with his family. The angst, tension, and chemistry is off the charts! The characters were developed well with depth, witty banter, chemistry, and were intriguing. The author’s writing style was complex, closed door, heartwarming, clean, swoony, funny, and brilliant. I was rooting the entire story for Taylor and Levi’s HEA.
I loved this charming and sweet romcom. Even though this only kissing scenes, they were developed so well with emotion and compassion that no spice was even missed. I love the message, meddling families, and a high sense of community with the mentality it takes a village to raise a child. I highly recommend picking up this story, it is a very quick read. If you love Christmas Hallmark movies, you will LOVE this.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Melanie Jacobson
I requested a digital advanced readers copy from Melanie Jacobson and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.
Synopsis: Two old friends, a snowed in cabin, and a mission to save Creekville’s Christmas…Taylor Bixby is content running her café and watching her customers fall in love, even though she’s dodged Cupid and mistletoe for years. It helps that the love of her life—her best friend—has no idea how she feels. He’s been gone for four years reporting from war zones, so she’s never had to risk him finding out. Until he walks into her café without warning. Levi Barrett is back in Creekville to fix what he broke four years ago. Even though Taylor doesn’t share the feelings he’s fought since college, he misses his best friend too much to let their friendship fade. She's going to sitcom level lengths to avoid him. But he sees his chance to make things right when catastrophe threatens the town’s most beloved holiday tradition. It’s simple. They just need to outrun the blizzard of the decade to wrangle eight grumpy rental reindeer… and escape a snowbound cabin in a forest riddled with absurd amounts of mistletoe. Oh, and restore a little boy’s faith in Santa. Christmas needs saving, but is Taylor willing to try when it means risking her secrets for the only man to ever break her heart? Revisit charming Creekville in this standalone Christmas novella full of the angst and hilarity that only happens when two best friends fall in love...
My Thoughts: This was a novella re-published late last year and I am little behind on my end of year reviews. I am a huge Jacobson fan and love being on her ARC team and reading any book she releases. This is the fifth book in the Creekville Kisses series and the PERFECT holiday romance. I have read most of the series and have loved everyone that I have read. The cover is adorable! We met Taylor and Levi. They were thick as thieves growing up but have grown apart since Levi travels the world as a reporter and Taylor owns the local cafe. Running a Christmas errand, they get snowed in overnight in a cabin, the story focuses on this overnight encounter mainly. Then will they be able to restore the faith of Christmas to a little boy? This follows the tropes of friends to lovers, childhood best friends, forced proximity, snowed in, one bed, holiday, and small town.
This story is a dual narration by Taylor and Levi. They each secretly pined for the other when they were high school best friends. Levi left four years ago and is just returning. It has taken all of that time for Taylor to get “over him,” so she thought. One sight of him and the feelings come rushing back in. Taylor has her life together, loves running the local cafe, and loves her nephews dearly. Levi ran away four years ago and has returned to spend Christmas with his family. The angst, tension, and chemistry is off the charts! The characters were developed well with depth, witty banter, chemistry, and were intriguing. The author’s writing style was complex, closed door, heartwarming, clean, swoony, funny, and brilliant. I was rooting the entire story for Taylor and Levi’s HEA.
I loved this charming and sweet romcom. Even though this only kissing scenes, they were developed so well with emotion and compassion that no spice was even missed. I love the message, meddling families, and a high sense of community with the mentality it takes a village to raise a child. I highly recommend picking up this story, it is a very quick read. If you love Christmas Hallmark movies, you will LOVE this.
November 19, 2023
A fun, hilarious holiday read!
I absolutely devoured this book in under 24 hours. Couldn’t put it down! I love a romcom that can make me actually laugh out loud and this one did just that (many times!). With everything from a sweet friends to lovers trope, meddling families and lots of mistletoe, Cocoa Kisses is the perfect, lighthearted holiday romance. I loved both Taylor and Levi’s characters, the thoughts they had and the chemistry between them. This story has all the heartwarming feels so if you’re looking a Christmas read that will delight, look no further!
Content: Mostly clean. PG, mild/light swearing and innuendo, kissing only, no adult content and nothing explicit.
I absolutely devoured this book in under 24 hours. Couldn’t put it down! I love a romcom that can make me actually laugh out loud and this one did just that (many times!). With everything from a sweet friends to lovers trope, meddling families and lots of mistletoe, Cocoa Kisses is the perfect, lighthearted holiday romance. I loved both Taylor and Levi’s characters, the thoughts they had and the chemistry between them. This story has all the heartwarming feels so if you’re looking a Christmas read that will delight, look no further!
Content: Mostly clean. PG, mild/light swearing and innuendo, kissing only, no adult content and nothing explicit.
November 13, 2023
The cutest Christmas romance in all the land!!
I couldn’t put this book down!! I was absolutely obsessed with Taylor and Levi and their friends to more romance—especially in Creekville at Christmas time!
Taylor is sweet, kind, driven, the best “Tata,” an amazing baker, and absolutely NOT in love with her best friend!
Levi is handsome, kind, smart. a word traveling journalist, and has just realized he is absolutely in love with his best friend!
This book is full of shameless flirting (from Levi), intense denial of feelings (from Taylor), perfect kisses, and witty banter they had me grinning from ear to ear as these two tried to work out their feelings for each other!
A holiday MUST read!!
I couldn’t put this book down!! I was absolutely obsessed with Taylor and Levi and their friends to more romance—especially in Creekville at Christmas time!
Taylor is sweet, kind, driven, the best “Tata,” an amazing baker, and absolutely NOT in love with her best friend!
Levi is handsome, kind, smart. a word traveling journalist, and has just realized he is absolutely in love with his best friend!
This book is full of shameless flirting (from Levi), intense denial of feelings (from Taylor), perfect kisses, and witty banter they had me grinning from ear to ear as these two tried to work out their feelings for each other!
A holiday MUST read!!
November 19, 2023
Melanie Jacobson asked her readers what tropes they wanted to see in a holiday novella. She gathered that information and gave us this charming book full of Hallmark holiday vibes.
In this standalone story, we return to the quaint town of Creekville and are rewarded with a sweet romance of childhood friends.
My recommendation is to snuggle in to your favorite reading spot with a cup of cocoa and enjoy a couple of hours of romance.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
In this standalone story, we return to the quaint town of Creekville and are rewarded with a sweet romance of childhood friends.
My recommendation is to snuggle in to your favorite reading spot with a cup of cocoa and enjoy a couple of hours of romance.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
November 29, 2023
Jacobson brings us the perfect homemade holiday gem to put a smile on your face and make your insides squealy with happiness. It’s a bit of magic. Like a Hallmark movie your husband won’t roll his eyes at because there’s no cheese. Just romance, snarkiness, and reindeer. But also plenty of heart.
Levi is traipsing all over the world as a journalist, but finally goes home for Christmas. He goes straight to see his best friend Taylor and is unprepared for feelings. Hellooooo Levi.
Taylor loves living in Creekville (I love visiting it) and hasn’t seen Levi in four years. When she needs his help to pull off Christmas Town the cocoa starts to get hot. Here’s the yummy ingredients:
-all the banter
-getting stuck in a storm
-twins needing Santa’s help
-kisses to melt the snow
-family togetherness (their parents )
All around Christmasy fun that you do not want to miss. Grab some cocoa and wait for your marshmallows to melt with their kiss!
Levi is traipsing all over the world as a journalist, but finally goes home for Christmas. He goes straight to see his best friend Taylor and is unprepared for feelings. Hellooooo Levi.
Taylor loves living in Creekville (I love visiting it) and hasn’t seen Levi in four years. When she needs his help to pull off Christmas Town the cocoa starts to get hot. Here’s the yummy ingredients:
-all the banter
-getting stuck in a storm
-twins needing Santa’s help
-kisses to melt the snow
-family togetherness (their parents )
All around Christmasy fun that you do not want to miss. Grab some cocoa and wait for your marshmallows to melt with their kiss!
November 23, 2023
such a cute and sweet book. If you love the hallmark movies you're in for a treat, all the characters, the town and the romance is all on point.
You need to read this book in this holiday season with a hot beverage and with a warm blanket near the christmas tree.
You need to read this book in this holiday season with a hot beverage and with a warm blanket near the christmas tree.
December 17, 2024
I’m quickly becoming a Melanie Jacobson fan she writes such fun rom comes with meaning and deep characters and the swoon! I loved this story the BFFS to lovers, the snowed in and meddling parents it’s was so fun!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 324 reviews