What do you think?
Rate this book
Red Hot Roaster: A Small Town Romance Perfect for Lovers of Growly Guys and Smouchy Pups
What happens when an over-protective coffee roaster rubs up against an uber-independent café owner?
Watch the sparks fly in this strangers to friends to lovers romantic comedy.
Red Hot Roaster is a sweet and spicy small town romance featuring meddling fur babies and besties, a blind chocolate-truffle-tasting—clothing optional, holiday hijinks, and all the slow burn to roasting hot feels.
Rose is struggling to keep her café afloat while sad about her mom’s passing and her son leaving for college. Sure, Pirate, her lummox of a Chocolate Lab, keeps her company. Plus, she couldn’t ask for a better found family in her cozy neighborhood of Dogwood. So why is she so drawn to Rafe, her mysterious, muscly—and temporary—coffee roaster?
With her café on the line, Rose doesn’t have time for love. And she’s been burned once too often—she doesn’t trust men to stick around. Will she settle for a no-strings-attached fling or fight for forever love?
Rafe prefers his life as a roaming coffee roaster, going from gig to gig. That way, he’s only responsible for himself and for being a good girl-dad to his dainty rescue dog, Princess. So why can’t he resist trying to help Rose, his gorgeous and sad-eyed new boss, solve all her problems?
After his tough years in the army and his rough youth, Rafe fears he’s not worthy of love. Besides, he’s always been a loner with no home—and no woman—to call his own. Will he leave town with his secrets or stay to claim his true love?
Grab a table at the Chocolate Lab Café, where Dogwood denizens, canine and otherwise, help Rose and Rafe chase their happily-ever-after. And where, even later in life, love can find a way to rescue your heart.
Watch the sparks fly in this strangers to friends to lovers romantic comedy.
Red Hot Roaster is a sweet and spicy small town romance featuring meddling fur babies and besties, a blind chocolate-truffle-tasting—clothing optional, holiday hijinks, and all the slow burn to roasting hot feels.
Rose is struggling to keep her café afloat while sad about her mom’s passing and her son leaving for college. Sure, Pirate, her lummox of a Chocolate Lab, keeps her company. Plus, she couldn’t ask for a better found family in her cozy neighborhood of Dogwood. So why is she so drawn to Rafe, her mysterious, muscly—and temporary—coffee roaster?
With her café on the line, Rose doesn’t have time for love. And she’s been burned once too often—she doesn’t trust men to stick around. Will she settle for a no-strings-attached fling or fight for forever love?
Rafe prefers his life as a roaming coffee roaster, going from gig to gig. That way, he’s only responsible for himself and for being a good girl-dad to his dainty rescue dog, Princess. So why can’t he resist trying to help Rose, his gorgeous and sad-eyed new boss, solve all her problems?
After his tough years in the army and his rough youth, Rafe fears he’s not worthy of love. Besides, he’s always been a loner with no home—and no woman—to call his own. Will he leave town with his secrets or stay to claim his true love?
Grab a table at the Chocolate Lab Café, where Dogwood denizens, canine and otherwise, help Rose and Rafe chase their happily-ever-after. And where, even later in life, love can find a way to rescue your heart.
322 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 2, 2025
7 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
About the author
Kristin Jeffries
1 book4 followersHi - Kristin Jeffries here! I write about my two favorite escapes—love stories and fur babies—from my home in Portland, Oregon. I draw my inspiration from our family’s own past experience running a small town cafe. Plus, I’m married to my own red hot roaster who advises me on all things coffee and otherwise. And I inject my affection for a long line of smouchy pups into each of my stories.
Check out Red Hot Roaster Perfect for Lovers of Growly Guys & Smouchy Pups (Tales from the Chocolate Lab Cafe Book 1). And, pretty pup please, drop by my table any time to talk romance https://kristinjeffries.com
Check out Red Hot Roaster Perfect for Lovers of Growly Guys & Smouchy Pups (Tales from the Chocolate Lab Cafe Book 1). And, pretty pup please, drop by my table any time to talk romance https://kristinjeffries.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 9, 2025
Review: Red Hot Roaster by Kristin Jeffries
Book 1 in the Tales From The Chocolate Lab Cafe series
Red Hot Roaster is a charming small-town romance that introduces readers to The Chocolate Lab Cafe and its warmhearted owner, Rose Connolly. When one of her coffee roasters has a health scare, Rose needs someone to fill in. Enter Rafe Amato—a talented (and undeniably attractive) coffee roaster with a lovable dog named Princess, referred by a friend from the cozy neighborhood of Dogwood.
There’s an instant spark between Rose and Rafe, but both are hesitant. Rose has been burned by past relationships, and Rafe is used to drifting from place to place. As they work side by side, meddling friends and adorable dogs help nudge them closer together. They decide to give the romance a chance—at least while Rafe is still in town. But will that be enough? Can they overcome their emotional baggage to find something lasting?
This is a sweet, slow-burn romance with a touch of spice and many heartwarming, supportive moments. Told from a dual POV, the story is well-structured, and the characters are authentic and likable. Rose, a single mom dealing with grief, is caring and strong, with a protective streak that makes her instantly endearing. Rafe, initially a bit gruff, reveals himself to be a loyal and thoughtful protector. Their individual struggles and how they address them made their relationship feel real and compelling.
One of my favorite scenes was the party held in memory of Rose’s mother—it was both touching and joyful. And the ending tied everything together beautifully.
If you enjoy cozy small-town romances with genuine emotion and lovable characters, Red Hot Roaster is definitely worth a read.
Book 1 in the Tales From The Chocolate Lab Cafe series
Red Hot Roaster is a charming small-town romance that introduces readers to The Chocolate Lab Cafe and its warmhearted owner, Rose Connolly. When one of her coffee roasters has a health scare, Rose needs someone to fill in. Enter Rafe Amato—a talented (and undeniably attractive) coffee roaster with a lovable dog named Princess, referred by a friend from the cozy neighborhood of Dogwood.
There’s an instant spark between Rose and Rafe, but both are hesitant. Rose has been burned by past relationships, and Rafe is used to drifting from place to place. As they work side by side, meddling friends and adorable dogs help nudge them closer together. They decide to give the romance a chance—at least while Rafe is still in town. But will that be enough? Can they overcome their emotional baggage to find something lasting?
This is a sweet, slow-burn romance with a touch of spice and many heartwarming, supportive moments. Told from a dual POV, the story is well-structured, and the characters are authentic and likable. Rose, a single mom dealing with grief, is caring and strong, with a protective streak that makes her instantly endearing. Rafe, initially a bit gruff, reveals himself to be a loyal and thoughtful protector. Their individual struggles and how they address them made their relationship feel real and compelling.
One of my favorite scenes was the party held in memory of Rose’s mother—it was both touching and joyful. And the ending tied everything together beautifully.
If you enjoy cozy small-town romances with genuine emotion and lovable characters, Red Hot Roaster is definitely worth a read.
April 29, 2025
Oh boy, I have to admit I laughed a lot as I read this one. Between the crazy banter, the dogs shenanigans and lots of post-it notes, I smiled a lot too. Yet sadly everything isn’t all peaches and cream. Rose is a single mother, whose son had just left for college and her mother had recently passed. To top it off, her cafe/coffee house is struggling, a fact she has kept to herself. She is placing all her hopes on the temp coffee roaster who's coming to town to help her land a couple big coffee bean contracts. But she isn’t prepared for the sexy grumpy roaster who shows up and turns her insides to mush. Nor is he prepared for the zany woman who is his temporary boss.
Rafe and Rose both have painful pasts and trust issues. Yet their pull to one another is strong but is it enough to overcome all the obstacles in their path? But then again who knows what might happen with the help of melding friends and besotted dogs.
2 Thumbs Up and 5 Stars
Rafe and Rose both have painful pasts and trust issues. Yet their pull to one another is strong but is it enough to overcome all the obstacles in their path? But then again who knows what might happen with the help of melding friends and besotted dogs.
2 Thumbs Up and 5 Stars
May 2, 2025
4.5 Stars
This one had me at Chocolate Lab Cafe and it being a rom com. Based off the blurb I knew this is a book I needed to read and the beginning of an awesome series. Reading this book I was proved right. The sense of humor was one of my favorite parts of the book. If you are a dog lover this book will be right up your alley with all the dog references and all the great dogs. There is also plenty of heart and feels in this one too. Rose is an awesome heroine. I would so work for her and/or be her friend. I know that the Chocolate Lab Cafe would become a hangout for me. I just gobbled this book right up. To my delight part of this book happens around the holidays. For this Christmas lover that made me so happy. This is a must read. I can't wait for more from this series!
This one had me at Chocolate Lab Cafe and it being a rom com. Based off the blurb I knew this is a book I needed to read and the beginning of an awesome series. Reading this book I was proved right. The sense of humor was one of my favorite parts of the book. If you are a dog lover this book will be right up your alley with all the dog references and all the great dogs. There is also plenty of heart and feels in this one too. Rose is an awesome heroine. I would so work for her and/or be her friend. I know that the Chocolate Lab Cafe would become a hangout for me. I just gobbled this book right up. To my delight part of this book happens around the holidays. For this Christmas lover that made me so happy. This is a must read. I can't wait for more from this series!
May 3, 2025
4 star
The story has secrets, sweet love, and unexpected twists and turns.
This is Rose and Rafe’s story. Rose’s son has just left for college. She is working hard and struggling to stay about afloat. She didn’t want anyone to know so she is struggling alone. She is hoping Rafe can save her business. Rafe is in town for a very short time to help her out. He is a roamer and does not put down roots. But being close to Rose is changing all that and making him feel things he has not really looking for. Can they figure out if this is just a passing thing or a forever thing? Laugh out loud funny moments steal the show with this story.
I recommend this book.
The story has secrets, sweet love, and unexpected twists and turns.
This is Rose and Rafe’s story. Rose’s son has just left for college. She is working hard and struggling to stay about afloat. She didn’t want anyone to know so she is struggling alone. She is hoping Rafe can save her business. Rafe is in town for a very short time to help her out. He is a roamer and does not put down roots. But being close to Rose is changing all that and making him feel things he has not really looking for. Can they figure out if this is just a passing thing or a forever thing? Laugh out loud funny moments steal the show with this story.
I recommend this book.
May 21, 2025
This was so fun. The characters are very well fleshed out, a couple of them in every sense of the word! Seriously, the characters are nicely 3 dimensional. The plot is captivating. One kind of knows how it’s going to end, but it’s such a pleasant route on the way to the finish. Also, this book evokes many emotions; it brought tears to my eyes and smiles to my face. What a pleasant, fun read!
September 7, 2025
If you enjoy romance, dogs and coffee, you'll enjoy this book. Join Rose and Rafe at the Chocolate Lab Cafe and follow their sweet and spicy romance as they both discover that love doesn't take perfection to bloom, it only takes heart.
Kudos on your first novel Kristin, excited to see what you write next!
Kudos on your first novel Kristin, excited to see what you write next!
May 3, 2025
I have never laughed so much while reading a book in my life. I was getting strange looks lol, but I kept foing. I loved this book so much, these two needed the other and wanted eachother as well. Great story filled with amazing love and laughter.
May 6, 2025
Such a sweet story!
I loved getting to know Rafe and Rose…..and Pirate and Princess, of course. Please hurry up with the next installment!
I loved getting to know Rafe and Rose…..and Pirate and Princess, of course. Please hurry up with the next installment!
June 4, 2025
Kwam wat traag op gang, liefdevol verhaal.
June 20, 2025
Entretenido
July 18, 2025
From the first page on, I loved this book..love story, chocolate, dogs and full of laughs. So looking forward to the next book!
August 8, 2025
Loved it. Characters were good, including the dogs, since, well, they are characters IRL. I look forward to the next in the series.
September 4, 2025
We read this for bookclub.
All of us really enjoyed it.
I cannot wait for book 2!
Truly a goodread. And the dogs, all the wonderful puppies.
All of us really enjoyed it.
I cannot wait for book 2!
Truly a goodread. And the dogs, all the wonderful puppies.
Did Not Finish
October 27, 2025Dnf @27%
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews