Sweet and Spiteful Rivalries: A Short Romance

by C.K. Darling

When love is on the menu, revenge never tasted so sweet.

Romance author Brittany Quinn is juggling her writing and her business—no time for snooty critics. Yet when striking chef Holt Hawthorne delivers a biting critique of her beloved bakery-bookstore, Brittany's ready to serve up a piece of her mind.

There’s just one problem the infuriating critic isn't just attractive—he's disarmingly charming. As Brittany and Holt's paths intertwine, their spirited debates ignite even fiercer kisses, blurring the lines between frustration and attraction.

Their budding romance is seasoned with late-night escapades and friendly clashes at the town's fall festival. Brittany and Holt soon discover that the best love stories might just start with rivalry and a whole lot of passion.

Get swept away in a sweet and steamy journey through small-town Georgia, where the thrill of competition spices up every romance. Sweet and Spiteful Rivalries is a captivating, fiery tale and the perfect treat for busy readers craving a satisfying story that packs both heat and heart in under 2 hours.

This book is perfect for readers who

Fiery enemies-to-lovers dynamics,A tattooed chef with a heart of gold,Cozy small-town intrigue,Deliciously competitive foodie romance.

Sweet and Spiteful Rivalries is the second book in the interconnect Sweetheart Scones & Stories series. Each book follows a different friend finding their happily ever after in their small town of Peachwood Grove. While part of a series, each book can be read as a standalone.

Spice Level 2-3 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Genres: Romance, Audiobook

140 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 11, 2025

About the author

C.K. Darling writes bite-sized romances with big heart, plenty of heat, and a whole lotta Southern sass. Her spicy short stories—each clocking in around two hours—are perfect for readers and audiobook lovers who want all the swoon without the slog. Set in the small (but never dull) town of Peachwood Grove, Georgia, C.K.’s romances can be enjoyed as standalones or gobbled up in a bingeable series—like your favorite potato chips… you can’t read just one.

Whether you're craving a second-chance love, enemies turned sweethearts, or a grumpy hero who melts like buttercream, she’s got just the treat. These stories are also the perfect palate cleanser between heavier reads—quick, satisfying, and sure to leave you smiling (and maybe a little flushed).

Up next? The Holiday Matchmaker Series—three festive love stories guaranteed to jingle your bells—launching November 7, 2025. So go ahead, get cozy, grab a snack (or a whole charcuterie board), and fall in love one short story at a time. When she’s not spinning steamy small-town tales, C.K. is sipping sweet tea, crafting up a glitter tornado, or wrangling pets and plot twists in equal measure.

Reviews

[Cristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet and Spiteful Rivalries is the second instalment in the Sweetheart Scones and Stories series and this time, it revolves around Brittany Quinn -our romance writer and one of the pastry/bookstore owners - and the most charsimatic and hottest Chef, Holt Hawthorne.

The book starts in full force, and that is how it also goes on. You could actually feel and cut the tension between Holt and Brittany since their first encounter.

Their banter is sweet just like the pastries baked at Sweetheart Scones and Stories, and the way the relationship between these two evolves, is.. just like opening a Champagne bottle ( sizzling and hot).

I loved this book as much as the first one. The author makes you feel like you are there with the characters.

[Books.Abound.With.A.Hound · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute contemporary romance short story!

It is perfect if you enjoy enemies to lovers and he falls first tropes. I enjoyed the banter and tension and loved getting both of their POVs.

I feel like sometimes with short stories you don’t get enough character development and depth, but that is not the case with this one- it still delivered all the emotion in the short span.

It is the second short story in a series of interconnected stories, but can definitely be read as a stand-alone. Looking forward to the next story in this series - a brother’s best friend trope, which is one of my favorite tropes!

Thank you @penpalpr and @ckdarlingauthor for this #gifted e-ARC!🫶🏼

[Mari Ana Montalban · Rating 4 out of 5]

*** ARC Review***

Release Date: 02/11/2025
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️
Available at Kindle Unlimited

This book was an absolute delight! The characters are so well-developed, and the storyline kept me hooked from beginning to end. This was a short and sweet story, the pacing was perfect, and you will fall in love with Holt …OMG! He is a chef with tattoos, with beautiful feelings, he cooks for her what more could you ask for??…..and he also is a romance book lover.

Highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a short romantic story this is perfect.

Tropes:
* Small Town Gossip
* Romance Writer
* Tattooed Chef
* Food competition
* Rivals to Lovers

Thanks to PenPal PR for selecting me for this ARC and to C.K Darling for this beautiful and sweet short story. 💕

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, so I have the AL. C. Lesson for this book, fantastic The narrators did an absolutely wonderful job and I love it. This is a perfect short sweet to the point, wonderful book an HEA if I ever did hear one absolutely wonderful, I loved this book, perfect palette cleanser. If you need one.

[Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Audiobook Review
Series: Sweetheart Scones & Stories

Firstly thank you for allowing me to listen to Sweet & Spiteful Rivalries ☺️

I listened to this book, it’s a super quick one (just over 2 hours or 105 pages) and it’s a pretty quick story. A short, sweet, second chance romance following a rivalry between Author/Business owner Brittany & Chef Holt.

If you love your second chance romances, novella sized reads, this is one for you.

Tropes:
Small Town Romance
Tatted Chef
Romance Writer
Rivals
Banter
Food Comp

[Hallie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and Spiteful Rivalries: A Short Romance by C.K. Darling was such a fun, quick read! From the very first meeting, I knew Holt was going to be the one to fall first, and I loved every second of watching it play out. Brittany tried to fight it, and I appreciated her effort, but let’s be real—there was no stopping that man.

One of my favorite touches was Holt being an ARC reader for Brittany and absolutely loving her books. It was the perfect little detail that made their dynamic even better. A man who supports his rival and secretly devours her work? Yes, please!

Overall, this was a sweet and spicy read that I flew through. If you love a little rivalry, a lot of tension, and a romance that keeps you grinning, this one’s worth picking up!

[Angelica Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 2 in this series was just as cute as the first! This author is really good at writing the perfect length novellas. I will definitely be continuing this series. Thanks to the author for adding me to the ALC list and for gifting me the audiobook.

[Ashley Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and Spiteful Rivalries was such a delightful read! I loved how it jumped right into the story, and even though it was a short novella, it packed a punch. I finished it in just about two hours!

The banter between the two main characters was absolutely perfect. Holt and Brittany were so fun to read about and I knew after meeting Brittany in book 1 I’d just absolutely love this one!

If you’re looking for a quick, sweet romance, this book is definitely for you!

Sweet and Spiteful Rivals is book 2 in the Peachwood Grove Series.

Thank you so much @ckdarlingauthor and @penpalpr for the ARC!

[Candie Kirby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished listening to Sweet and Spiteful Rivalries and what a fast fun ride it was. This was such a cute book. The chemistry between Brittany and Holt was palpable, and the small town setting added a cozy charm to their rivalry.

It’s a short listen, but sometimes I wished it could have been a bit longer to delve deeper into their dynamic.

If you’re into enemies to lovers romances with a dash of small town intrigue, this one’s worth a listen.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review: Sweet and Spiteful Rivalries by C.K. Darling
4/5 ⭐️
2/5🌶
RELEASE DATE: 02/11/2025
Available on Kindle Unlimited

Thank you, C.K. Darling and Pen pal PR for this ARC of "Sweet and d Spiteful Rivalries" in exchange for an honest review.

This book was absolutely DARLING! OH MY GOODNESS. I am absolutely obsessed with the idea that Fmc is a romance author who owns her own romance bookstore and pastry cafe! The concept of a food critic/restaurant owner MMC is a recipe for success in a small town, rivals to lovers romance!!

HE COOKS FOR HER!! SAY LESS!! He also loves romance books, and he has read all of her work!! This was truly a wonderful, short, sweet story of small town romance where all the rubber necking townsfolk meddle and try to get them together.

The spice comes pretty quick in this story, but it's to be expected. He falls first and makes the move pretty early on. He fumbles a bit in the beginning by insulting her business, but it turns out he is her biggest fan!

[psych0_4books · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75 stars

Another sweet treat of a story from C.K Darling! After seeing a second-chance story for Callie and Macon in the first book, we get an enemies (rivals really) to Lovers in book 2.

Brittany and Holt's rivalry is a funny one; he leaves a review about the business she runs with her besties and she vows revenge. They eventually learn to work together and embrace what the other person brings to the table.

A lighthearted and fun read ❤️

Thank you to C.K. Darling and PenPal Authors!

[Cams Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good palate cleanser. It’s short, a little over 100 pages so things move pretty quickly. I never felt like the romance itself was rushed though. Both Holt and Brit took their time and got to know each other before diving into bed. So not instalust, but I would say instalove. I presume this was to fit the length of the book though.
It was short, sweet and made me hungry for dessert with all its talk of food. A choccy lava cake would taste so good right now.

Thanks to Penpal PR and the author for the arc.

[Briana Jacobus · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cute, feel good romance novella! The writing pulls you in from the first page. Small town, enemies to lovers, fast paced feel was just perfect. Add in both main characters had some divorce trauma, it makes you fall in love with them even more.
Do not read this book hungry though! The foodie details had my mouth watering and wanting to visit this little town right this second for their food.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

I received an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Brittany is a small-town romance author and the owner of a bookstore and bake shop. Holt, a big-city chef, moves to town and writes a critical review of her store—something Brittany doesn’t take lightly. Determined to prove him wrong, she sets out to challenge his opinions. But the more time she spends trying to change his mind, the more she finds herself drawn to him, despite how infuriating he can be. Can these two overcome their differences and find love?

Tropes: Small-town romance, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, he falls first

Positives: This novella is a quick, easy read that can be finished in about two hours. It’s also part of a series but can be read as a standalone.

Negatives: There’s little real conflict, which makes the story feel somewhat low-stakes. The cover looks like a stock photo (though that’s a personal preference), and the characters aren’t particularly relatable.

Would recommend for readers looking for a light, fast-paced romance!

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sweetheart Scones and Stories series is back with it’s charming and entertaining second chapter. When a feisty author and business owner meets a sexy chef with a culinary spark, the result is a recipe for romance and excitement!

Chapter one and Brittany's already got a score to settle with Holt. But when she finally meets the man behind the biting business review, sparks fly... and not just the angry kind! One look at Brittany and Holt is hooked, despite sensing he's in over his head. Her fearless attitude and unshakeable loyalty to her friends and business only fuel his desire for her. If a Michelin star chef can take the heat in the kitchen, then winning Brittany over should be a piece of cake, right?

This story may be brief, but it's packed with clever dialogue, sizzling chemistry, and genuine emotional connection. I'm swooning over the tiny details, like Holt being an ARC reader for Brittany's romance novels before they became a couple! SWOON!!

A huge thank you to PenPal PR and CK Darling for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review and opinion.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an absolute delight reading. This novella is like its title says, sweet and swoony. It’s a great example of found family and small town romance. So cute. Brittany is a romance writer and co-owner of a cozy small town bakery/romance bookshop (what a dream). Holt is a Michellin star chef from NYC that arrives at town and starts as a columnist in the town Gazette as a gastronomic critique.
This novella is full of love, good feelings, friends that are family and recovery.
Tropes you can find in this book:
- Small town
- Enemies to rivals to lovers
- Found family
- Tattooed chef
- Believe in love again
This is the first book I’ve read written by C. K. Darling and I’m sure this won’t be the last one.
This book is an open-door book, with steamy scenes 🥵😋 that are chef’s kiss 🙌🏻🙌🏻
My ratings:
4/5⭐️1,5/5🌶️

I’ve received this book as an ARC and I’d like to thank C. K Darling and her team at Pen Pal PR for letting me read this book in advance and allow me to give my honest opinion.

[Nicole Wills · Rating 4 out of 5]

I said this earlier this month, but it's worth repeating. C. K. Darling has a specialty - romance novellas that can be fully enjoyed in under two hours. This is absolutely perfect for the busy reader who just wants a full story but doesn't have a lot of time.
Holt and Brittany has such an adorable meet cute! He's her biggest fan and she's angry about his review of Sweethearts. Once she cools off, things heat up! I love the competitive attitude they have and how much fun they have. I love the friend group as well! They are so close and I love their meetings. The small town aspect is done so well! I would love to stay at the Azalea Inn!
Main points:
❤️ Short Novella
📖 Meet Cute
❤️ Rivals to Lovers
📖 Romance Author X Chef
❤️ Competition
📖 To new beginnings
❤️ Tattooed chef
📖 Small town
❤️ Forced proximity
📖 Found family

[Kelly (VanIslandCircus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️

This was my first book by C.K. Darling. It was sweet, short, and with just the right dash of spice.

The tension between the MMC and MFC has been palpable since their first meeting, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching them develop a relationship. While this was a short romance, each character had a nice depth.

It couldn’t be a more perfect small-town romance, with Brittany being a romance author who co-owns a cafe bookstore - oh my! Holt, a tattooed Chef, be still my heart.

My only complaint, and utterly contradictory to loving how fast I could read this novel, was how fast I could read it, and their story was over, lol.

This was book two in the series, and I plan on reading book one and following through with the rest of the stories and the characters that call Peachwood Grove home.

Thanks to Pen Pal PR and C.K. Darling for this adorable little eARC.

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute novella! I really enjoyed seeing the dynamic between Brittany and Holt transition from enemies to friends(ish) to lovers.

Brittany is a romance author who owns the bookstore in town with her bestie. Unbeknownst to her, someone writes a scathing review in the local paper about the desserts served at the cafe attached to her bookstore.

Holt is a Michelin star chef who is a guest columnist for the local newspaper! He also owns the best restaurant in town 😉

I enjoyed how Holt approached getting to know Brittany after writing his review about her cafe/bookstore. I understand where he was coming from but the harsh criticism was a bit too harsh. I did enjoy seeing him right his “wrongs” by helping Brittany out with some research and tips for new treats.

Overall it is a super sweet novella that packs a big punch. Thank you PenPal PR and Miss CK for allowing me to read this book in advanced!

[Jessica Heath · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Pen Pal PR and CK Darling for the eARC for this book!

First, this book is obviously a novella so I understand certain things about it have to be that way for the size. It’s a sweet, insta-love story between Holt and Brittany. Holt moves to the small town due to wanting a change from his NY chef life and opens a new restaurant and also does a few articles for the local newspaper like food critics.

Cue him reviewing Brittany’s bakery and bookstore saying not the most positive things. Brittany is not only one of the owners of the store but also an author and she definitely feels a type of way about the article. They have a very small “rivalry” as Brittany calls it but it’s more of a disagreement about the opinion. Honestly I love enemy to lover and this gave a very minuscule look at that but more of a small dislike that changed very quickly. (Again, I understand cause it’s a novella and very short!)

They work together on some collaborations to bring the restaurant and bakery/bookstore together and more customers. Through this, they learn more about each other and fall in love.

The relationship is very fast and sickly sweet but in a good way! It’s a really good pallet cleanser for some of the heavier books or even if you just need a very feel good cutesy book!

I would read more in the series!

[Katelyn Silveira · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first time reading C.K. Darling and let me tell you it definitely won't be my last! I really loved this novella and was hooked from start to finish. I'm so thankful to have received an ARC of this novella thank you so much C.K. Darling and Pen Pal PR. It's such a fun short read. Brittany and Holts banter is everything. This is the perfect short romance that has a romance writer FMC and a chef MMC, that is enemies to lovers and it's also dual POV I mean what's not to love! This is the second novella of the Sweethearts scones and stories series, and I can't wait to see what's next for C.K. Darling!

[BSB by Juliana Lago · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review

Fast and sweet story where a romance author and co owner of a bookstore/bakery fall in love with the chef who published a critiques to her pastries in the local newspaper and, plus, was a reader of all of her books!

I recommend for who loves short story with enemies to lovers, small town romance, some spice, strong and successful FMC, chef with tattoos MMC, all of this gonna hit you until you see the end!

[Jennifer Garrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a super cute story to read. The book is shorter than most, being around 106 pages. Perfect for easy reading or something to occupy time in waiting rooms/ flights or anything else of the sort. The writing was well done and the story was articulated well. I enjoyed that there was no break up to get back together story line. I believe the story could have been expounded on just a little more if the author had chosen to do that, but overall it’s not rushed or anything like that. 4.5/5

[Ameerah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3.75
Tropes:
Chef x writer
Small town cafe/ restaurant
Spicy
Short read

Review:
It was a light-hearted and fast-paced read. The characters were so fun to read about and Holt was so adorable and fluffy and so cute. He fell first and he fell hard.

As a fellow foodie, I loved reading about all their dishes and the ideas they invoked and inspires in one another. It was quirky and cute, and just a great time. If you want a short, incredibly quick to read novel, with no unnecessary drama, this may be the one for you.

Thank you penpal PR and C. K. Darling for the ARC.

[Kriti (fictitious.nonfictitous) · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC Review✨

Rating - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Book - Sweet & Spiteful Rivalries by @ckdarlingauthor

Thank you for the opportunity @penpalpr and @ckdarlingauthor

A very short yet sweet book like it’s name. Brittany is owner of a cafe and bookstore who faces a food critic, Holt which kinda starts their rivalry.
But soon rivalry turns into something beautiful and heartwarming.
I genuinely love to read short books with happy endings. With a very less drama and lots of love.
Also Brittany is a romance author and Holt lovesss her writing, quiet inspirational i must say❤️

If you guys love such short, love and a lil banter, this one is a must read.

[Jocelyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

✩°｡⋆⸜ ♥️🎧✮ ALC - Review! ✩°｡⋆⸜ ♥️🎧✮
This is the second standalone novella in the interconnected Sweetheart Scones & Stories series — a charming small-town romance. It’s another great addition to the series. Brittany and Holt’s enemies-to-lovers romance is beautifully written: sweet, fun, and heartwarming, with just the right mix of banter, humor, and romance. Brittany, a romance author, is smart, strong, and determined, while Holt, a talented chef, is handsome, kind, and supportive. The characters are well-developed and engaging, and I really enjoyed the close-knit friendships and cozy small-town vibes. The supporting characters also adds a lot of charm to the story. Andi Eloise and Ryan Lee Dunlap did a wonderful job bringing this story to life. I truly enjoyed it. Looking forward to listening to Forbidden Love and Lattes, the next in the series! #HighGravityProductions

[Luna ꪆৎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ⭐

Before I begin I want to thank the author C. K. Darling, for giving me this ARC.

This is a cute contemporary romance short story. It is perfect if you enjoy slightly rivals-to-lovers stories. I really enjoyed reading it from both POVs. I thought it was okay; it felt like a pick-me-up, you know? When you just read something really heavy and need something cute to feel better, this had the perfect fall setting and an overall good vibe going on.

[Chelsie (Epic Reads & Everyday Mom Chaos) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun short romance novella! This book started with a bang and kept it up throughout! I have a hard time with short stories and the lack of character development or jumping around a lot but this book had none of that. It was well written and wasn’t missing any pieces, you definitley don’t want it to end! It was sweet, spicy and a lot of tension! I loved it!

[Brittany selken · Rating 5 out of 5]

This this second book in this series and I found it to be funny and cute at the same time. The main character name is Brittany which I love because that is my name also. I love that she owned a book story and she write books. I like how they both had a pass with being hurt in a relationship and didn’t want to get into a relationship that would end badly for them. I like how they kind of started out enemies but then found a friendship with each other also and got to know each other before anything happened. I glad they got a happy ending at the end of the boy.

[Chasity Trimble · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second novella of the Sweetheart Scones & Stories series. This story follows Brittany, of the friend group, who is a romance writer and owns the adjoining bookstore of the bakery. Things heat up fast between Brittany and Holt, a chef, who moves to town and who writes a critical review of her store.

There was tension from the start between the two and their chemistry was undeniable. Although quick, I loved the sweetness of the instant-love between the two and banter between the two had me giggling throughout.

Such a fun read for anyone who enjoys a sweet meet cute love story.