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The Milkyway Hotel
The day she loses her job and her apartment, a third surprise awaits Celeste her great-aunt left her a hotel in a tiny town in the mountains. Is the universe nudging her—not very subtly—in a new direction? For the first time in years, Celeste ignores her anxiety and rushes to the French Alps. To Montlouis, where she has refused to go back since she was a child.
Rose Beauvoir has two chocolate and the stars. Or three, if you count Montlouis. The arrival of the clumsy Parisian disrupts her well-oiled routines, and she’d lie if she said she doesn’t enjoy the blast of fresh air.
As Celeste learns about life at high altitude and Rose shares her love for her hometown and its surroundings, the two women can’t deny the attraction blooming between them. The shift from Celeste’s boring yet comfortable life as a paralegal in the city to that of a hotelier in the mountains isn’t for the faint of heart, however. Will the beautiful scenery, the welcoming townies, and the deceptively reserved chocolatier convince her to stay?
A sapphic tale of Christmas, swoon-worthy chocolate, and blessings in disguise.
This book was written in English and in French at the same time, by Jude Silberfeld-Grimaud and their wife Marguerite Grimaud. L'Hôtel de la Voie lactée, the French edition, can be found on the publisher's website (Reines de Cœur) and here on Amazon.
Rose Beauvoir has two chocolate and the stars. Or three, if you count Montlouis. The arrival of the clumsy Parisian disrupts her well-oiled routines, and she’d lie if she said she doesn’t enjoy the blast of fresh air.
As Celeste learns about life at high altitude and Rose shares her love for her hometown and its surroundings, the two women can’t deny the attraction blooming between them. The shift from Celeste’s boring yet comfortable life as a paralegal in the city to that of a hotelier in the mountains isn’t for the faint of heart, however. Will the beautiful scenery, the welcoming townies, and the deceptively reserved chocolatier convince her to stay?
A sapphic tale of Christmas, swoon-worthy chocolate, and blessings in disguise.
This book was written in English and in French at the same time, by Jude Silberfeld-Grimaud and their wife Marguerite Grimaud. L'Hôtel de la Voie lactée, the French edition, can be found on the publisher's website (Reines de Cœur) and here on Amazon.
290 pages, Paperback
Published November 14, 2025
70 people are currently reading
522 people want to read
About the author
Jude Silberfeld-Grimaud
2 books765 followersYou may know Jude Silberfeld-Grimaud from their daily pebbles or the videos they film with their cats. They’re also a huge Star Wars fan, the kind that only remembers the most basic quotes but sports a Millenium Falcon tattoo. Another passion of theirs is cheese and if you don’t know by now that France has over a thousand different cheeses, well … now you do.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
January 1, 2026
Okay read!
Chemistry, not sure...
Chemistry, not sure...
November 5, 2025
I absolutely loved The MilkyWay Hotel! It’s such a cozy, feel good story that had me smiling the whole way through. Celeste’s move from Paris to the little mountain town felt so real and uplifting, ( I was quite envious actually and it got me wanting to do the same thing) and her chemistry with Rose was just perfect; sweet, natural, and full of love.
The setting, the chocolates, the holiday vibes and the community… everything was spot on. A perfect read to kick off the festive season. I really hope we get more stories from this charming place!
The setting, the chocolates, the holiday vibes and the community… everything was spot on. A perfect read to kick off the festive season. I really hope we get more stories from this charming place!
November 6, 2025
5⭐️
The Milkyway Hotel is the perfect story to kick off the Christmas season and will get you in the right mood with lots of stars and chocolate.
When the universe gives you a hint that you should change your life, I guess you should think about it. When it doesn't just nudge you, but literally pushes you, then you probably should really do it.
Celeste's journey from her comfortable life as a paralegal in Paris to a successful hotelier in Montlouis in the French Alps is refreshing and heartwarming (imagine cold temps, snow, and delicious hot chocolate) and takes a lot of courage. But once she has made her decision, she does not let her insecurities deter her from her path. However, the attractive chocolatier and her sweet treats might have helped her along the way.
Rose, the chocolatier, and her family are still mourning the loss of their friend Augustine, who ran the Milkyway Hotel for many years. Will the heiress Celeste now turn everything upside down, continue to run the hotel similarly, or even sell it?
When Rose and Celeste met for the first time, not only were the stars twinkling, but also two pairs of eyes. Their love story is told with sensitivity and humor – two women who are made for each other, if they ever realize it.
I fell in love with both characters. They are kind-hearted people with a sense of humor who can laugh at themselves and don't always take themselves too seriously, which I think is an excellent character trait. I could empathize with Celeste and her uncertainty about what to do. Should she really leave her comfortable life behind and venture into uncertainty, but also the possibility of a more fulfilling life? Not an easy decision to make. I loved her outgoing nature and enthusiasm.
Rose, with her love of the stars and the universe, and above all, her dedication to creating chocolate, inspired me from the very beginning. However, I was also drawn to her sometimes shy nature. And we even learn a little about how Rose's marvels are made. I could almost taste the chocolate on my tongue.
Congratulations to the authors; their story goes straight to the heart. Set in the beautiful and vividly described mountain region and the small town of Montlouis, it is a sweet and leisurely love story. They have included a bunch of diverse and lovely people, and I loved their hints at stories from other author friends.
It's best enjoyed with a cheese platter, a glass of wine, and, of course, chocolate. And as a Swiss, I know what I'm talking about—we are a cheese and chocolate nation too. Some even say we have the best chocolate in the world 😉
I'm already looking forward to reading the next story from you, Jude and Marguerite.
ARC was provided by the authors in exchange for an honest review.
The Milkyway Hotel is the perfect story to kick off the Christmas season and will get you in the right mood with lots of stars and chocolate.
When the universe gives you a hint that you should change your life, I guess you should think about it. When it doesn't just nudge you, but literally pushes you, then you probably should really do it.
Celeste's journey from her comfortable life as a paralegal in Paris to a successful hotelier in Montlouis in the French Alps is refreshing and heartwarming (imagine cold temps, snow, and delicious hot chocolate) and takes a lot of courage. But once she has made her decision, she does not let her insecurities deter her from her path. However, the attractive chocolatier and her sweet treats might have helped her along the way.
Rose, the chocolatier, and her family are still mourning the loss of their friend Augustine, who ran the Milkyway Hotel for many years. Will the heiress Celeste now turn everything upside down, continue to run the hotel similarly, or even sell it?
When Rose and Celeste met for the first time, not only were the stars twinkling, but also two pairs of eyes. Their love story is told with sensitivity and humor – two women who are made for each other, if they ever realize it.
I fell in love with both characters. They are kind-hearted people with a sense of humor who can laugh at themselves and don't always take themselves too seriously, which I think is an excellent character trait. I could empathize with Celeste and her uncertainty about what to do. Should she really leave her comfortable life behind and venture into uncertainty, but also the possibility of a more fulfilling life? Not an easy decision to make. I loved her outgoing nature and enthusiasm.
Rose, with her love of the stars and the universe, and above all, her dedication to creating chocolate, inspired me from the very beginning. However, I was also drawn to her sometimes shy nature. And we even learn a little about how Rose's marvels are made. I could almost taste the chocolate on my tongue.
Congratulations to the authors; their story goes straight to the heart. Set in the beautiful and vividly described mountain region and the small town of Montlouis, it is a sweet and leisurely love story. They have included a bunch of diverse and lovely people, and I loved their hints at stories from other author friends.
It's best enjoyed with a cheese platter, a glass of wine, and, of course, chocolate. And as a Swiss, I know what I'm talking about—we are a cheese and chocolate nation too. Some even say we have the best chocolate in the world 😉
I'm already looking forward to reading the next story from you, Jude and Marguerite.
ARC was provided by the authors in exchange for an honest review.
January 3, 2026
It was such a lovely, cozy read. Some might say that it got a little cheesy towards the end, but I prefer to see it as romantic. And wow! The setting alone was brimming with romance. A small French village in the middle of the Alps. A community that is there for each other and helps each other. I must admit that the book had me hooked as soon as I realized that Rose was a chocolatier and that there was also a cheese shop in the village, which was very French. Rose was simply a sweetheart. Warm and open to love. Celeste, the new hotel owner, who, incidentally, had no experience in this field, was also totally likeable. I immediately took both of them into my heart. The whole village community just had such a positive vibe.
The writing was a little different from what I'm used to in English books. I guess it's because it was written simultaneously in French. It was flowery and very visual. I liked the explanations of astronomy and especially chocolate.
I enjoyed the very slow burn, and the low-angst character is exactly what I needed. And I was very grateful that there was no 3-act breakup.
An entertaining and, above all, delicious winter romance that is not only perfect for the Christmas season.
The writing was a little different from what I'm used to in English books. I guess it's because it was written simultaneously in French. It was flowery and very visual. I liked the explanations of astronomy and especially chocolate.
I enjoyed the very slow burn, and the low-angst character is exactly what I needed. And I was very grateful that there was no 3-act breakup.
An entertaining and, above all, delicious winter romance that is not only perfect for the Christmas season.
November 15, 2025
4.5 stars
What a lovely holiday romance! Initially I thought it was going to be little more than a Hallmark-type of story where everything that happens is pure fantasy - but it’s entertaining so you just go with it. But as the story progressed and the story deepened, my investment grew.
Don’t get me wrong - there’s a reason Hallmark holiday movies are so popular. They make you feel good and take you away to idyllic places and put characters in situations you can only dream about. And while this has story has plenty of that, the chemistry of the meant-to-be lovers is so beautifully written that their story sweeps you away.
What a great way to kick off the holiday book reading season! It also looks like we may get to revisit this amazing place again down the road and I for one am IN. I’d certainly be down for an audiobook as well!
What a lovely holiday romance! Initially I thought it was going to be little more than a Hallmark-type of story where everything that happens is pure fantasy - but it’s entertaining so you just go with it. But as the story progressed and the story deepened, my investment grew.
Don’t get me wrong - there’s a reason Hallmark holiday movies are so popular. They make you feel good and take you away to idyllic places and put characters in situations you can only dream about. And while this has story has plenty of that, the chemistry of the meant-to-be lovers is so beautifully written that their story sweeps you away.
What a great way to kick off the holiday book reading season! It also looks like we may get to revisit this amazing place again down the road and I for one am IN. I’d certainly be down for an audiobook as well!
November 22, 2025
I thought I wouldn't see the day when Jude Silberfeld wrote a book, but here we are. Years and years ago, a different lifetime, I already knew they had it in them to write stories. I mean, their reviews are stories within the stories, to be honest.
I kind of cheated reading this, because I bought both French and English version? And I kept switching from one to the other. As a translator, it made me too curious to know how one version got transposed into the other, not only for the chosen words, but even the layout.
Obviously, reading about cheese, chocolate and Alpine landscapes has a charm and elegance, when written in French, that the English can only try to imitate. I mean, it's French... come on.
Said that, the story is very sweet and "cheesy" (don't kill me) in the literal sense of the word.
It's funny to see how the two co-authors managed to make Celeste and Rose so real that you might think... "Hey, I actually met some people like that once". It made me smile.
The Milkyway Hotel is one of those stories you want to read while sitting on your favorite armchair, with a blanket up to your elbows, and a mug of hot chocolate inebriating the room with its strong and inviting fragrance.
I know my cat Simba enjoyed so much me telling him about Macchiato and Licorice... (ps. I went omg, nooooo, awwwww at one scene... that was "You didn't just write that, did you?!!!).
The little town of Montlouis and its inhabitants seem such lovely people, I bet many readers would love to leave there.
ps. I had to smile about Livia... mortadella... parmigiana... gorgonzola... lol. I can imagine that character trying to feed the whole village... "Mangia!".
Cute story, very Christmassy... but with a touch of reality about past trauma and anxiety...
And the part about the stars was the cherry on top of the cake.
Kudoz to Celeste in learning how to change her life and try to conquer fear day by day. We all but get one life to live.
If you are looking for a cosy read with low angst, this one is for you.
I kind of cheated reading this, because I bought both French and English version? And I kept switching from one to the other. As a translator, it made me too curious to know how one version got transposed into the other, not only for the chosen words, but even the layout.
Obviously, reading about cheese, chocolate and Alpine landscapes has a charm and elegance, when written in French, that the English can only try to imitate. I mean, it's French... come on.
Said that, the story is very sweet and "cheesy" (don't kill me) in the literal sense of the word.
It's funny to see how the two co-authors managed to make Celeste and Rose so real that you might think... "Hey, I actually met some people like that once". It made me smile.
The Milkyway Hotel is one of those stories you want to read while sitting on your favorite armchair, with a blanket up to your elbows, and a mug of hot chocolate inebriating the room with its strong and inviting fragrance.
I know my cat Simba enjoyed so much me telling him about Macchiato and Licorice... (ps. I went omg, nooooo, awwwww at one scene... that was "You didn't just write that, did you?!!!).
The little town of Montlouis and its inhabitants seem such lovely people, I bet many readers would love to leave there.
ps. I had to smile about Livia... mortadella... parmigiana... gorgonzola... lol. I can imagine that character trying to feed the whole village... "Mangia!".
Cute story, very Christmassy... but with a touch of reality about past trauma and anxiety...
And the part about the stars was the cherry on top of the cake.
Kudoz to Celeste in learning how to change her life and try to conquer fear day by day. We all but get one life to live.
If you are looking for a cosy read with low angst, this one is for you.
December 1, 2025
Celeste gets hit with multiple bits of bad news, the loss of her job and apartment. Then even more tragically, she finds out her great aunt Augustine has died. Although they were not close, Augustine chose to leave her hotel in the French Alps to Celeste. Although Celeste is anxious about the decision, It’s a chance to reset her life, to find out what happiness might look like instead of just existing in a rut. Meanwhile back in the picturesque town of Montlouis, Rose has a mostly perfect life surrounded by family and working on her craft as a chocolatier. But the loss of Augustine has hit her hard and as she grieves, now more than ever, she wishes she had someone special in her life.
I love both main characters. Rose is a gentle soul who everyone roots for to be happy because of her giving nature. Celeste is a go getter and hilarious. Their romance is the perfect mix of tenderness, heat, and playfulness. The connection is strong and seems to pay homage to Augustine’s own lifelong love affair with her best friend, Palmyre.
What I also enjoyed is the strong sense of place, memories of Paris at Christmastime, mountain views in autumn and winter, an observatory chock full of colorful townspeople searching night skies, quaint shops of cheeses or chocolate, just to name a few. The countdown is on towards Christmas as the whole town prepares for the annual deluge of holiday tourists. Warm, cozy Christmas tale with depth and plenty of spice. I recommend this one.
I love both main characters. Rose is a gentle soul who everyone roots for to be happy because of her giving nature. Celeste is a go getter and hilarious. Their romance is the perfect mix of tenderness, heat, and playfulness. The connection is strong and seems to pay homage to Augustine’s own lifelong love affair with her best friend, Palmyre.
What I also enjoyed is the strong sense of place, memories of Paris at Christmastime, mountain views in autumn and winter, an observatory chock full of colorful townspeople searching night skies, quaint shops of cheeses or chocolate, just to name a few. The countdown is on towards Christmas as the whole town prepares for the annual deluge of holiday tourists. Warm, cozy Christmas tale with depth and plenty of spice. I recommend this one.
November 26, 2025
Celeste’s life turns upside down when she learns her great Aunt has bequeathed her the Milkyway Hotel on the same day she is made redundant at work and given notice that her apartment lease is soon to expire. Can she leave her life in Paris behind to become a hotelier in the town she has not visited since her childhood?
Rose Beauvoir has grown up gazing at the stars in the small French Alps town of Montlouis. Her love for astronomy is only surpassed by her skills as a chocolatier. Was it written in the stars that Celeste and Rose would meet in this tiny village? Of course it was.
A sky full of stars for this lovely holiday romance. As someone reluctant to change I could totally relate to Celeste and her ambivalence toward jumping into a new life so remote and removed from her career in the city. I loved learning about the art and skills required to make chocolates and wished I could attend one of Rose's seminars on the constellations. I enjoyed watching the community come together to support Celeste in her efforts to reopen her great Aunt’s hotel in time for the busy holiday tourist season. The trepidation and small misunderstandings are there as well but the good food and good friends kept me turning pages with a smile on my face.
Rose Beauvoir has grown up gazing at the stars in the small French Alps town of Montlouis. Her love for astronomy is only surpassed by her skills as a chocolatier. Was it written in the stars that Celeste and Rose would meet in this tiny village? Of course it was.
A sky full of stars for this lovely holiday romance. As someone reluctant to change I could totally relate to Celeste and her ambivalence toward jumping into a new life so remote and removed from her career in the city. I loved learning about the art and skills required to make chocolates and wished I could attend one of Rose's seminars on the constellations. I enjoyed watching the community come together to support Celeste in her efforts to reopen her great Aunt’s hotel in time for the busy holiday tourist season. The trepidation and small misunderstandings are there as well but the good food and good friends kept me turning pages with a smile on my face.
December 15, 2025
I am French and have never read sapphic French romance. So, a romance written by French writers in English is a good compromise. The settings and small town felt really immersive and like a cocoon, thanks to the rich descriptions, and I felt like I was eating and watching things with the characters. The small town was really welcoming to Celeste and the reader. The pace was just a bit uneven, the first part a bit slow, where the two main characters had too few scenes together for my taste and too many descriptive details, even if they helped build the characters. The second part held my attention a lot more, even if I had the feeling they went from attraction to love a bit too quickly. Overall, this book is sweet and cozy, and I dare you not to eat chocolate while or after reading it. Solid 3.75 ⭐️. I look forward to reading Alex's story.
November 18, 2025
What a treat! The Milkyway Hotel by Marguerite Grumaud & Jude Silberfeld-Grumaud transported me away to a quaint alpine village.
Celeste, in her 30s, has been made redundant from her job in Paris. As if this is not enough, her landlord has given her notice. As Celeste is getting her head around her predicament, fate intervenes in the form of an inheritance from a relative not seen since early childhood.
The village setting is perfect, with thick pine-scented air, warm pastries, lots of chocolate and big open skies with myriad stars, nestled amongst the French Alps. However, what stayed with me, was the theme of chosen family, community, and the power of nature’s wonders. If you are looking for a heart-warming read to kick off the festive season, this one is a little gem. It gave me all the cosy, fuzzy feelings for this time of year.
Celeste, in her 30s, has been made redundant from her job in Paris. As if this is not enough, her landlord has given her notice. As Celeste is getting her head around her predicament, fate intervenes in the form of an inheritance from a relative not seen since early childhood.
The village setting is perfect, with thick pine-scented air, warm pastries, lots of chocolate and big open skies with myriad stars, nestled amongst the French Alps. However, what stayed with me, was the theme of chosen family, community, and the power of nature’s wonders. If you are looking for a heart-warming read to kick off the festive season, this one is a little gem. It gave me all the cosy, fuzzy feelings for this time of year.
December 4, 2025
Celeste returns to a childhood Hotel that holds memories and promises. There she meets Rose the local chocolatier and astral enthusiast.
Loved the descriptive narrative of this French Alpine setting, with observatory, Hotel and choco shop as backdrops. The cats were also cute.
The subject of Celeste's panic attacks was handled with care and thought. The details of chocolate making were fascinating. Nice ref to Ruby Landers' character Savannah Grace for music.
Overall this was a really dreamy, sweet festive romance and I enjoyed it.
Loved the descriptive narrative of this French Alpine setting, with observatory, Hotel and choco shop as backdrops. The cats were also cute.
The subject of Celeste's panic attacks was handled with care and thought. The details of chocolate making were fascinating. Nice ref to Ruby Landers' character Savannah Grace for music.
Overall this was a really dreamy, sweet festive romance and I enjoyed it.
November 6, 2025
If you are looking for a beautiful and gentle romance, this is it.
Written by married duo Jude and Marguerite Silberfeld-Grimaud in both French and English (monumentally impressive) it starts with Celeste having really bad day. She has just been told that she is being made redundant, gets a letter from her landlord giving her notice on her apartment and a letter from a lawyer letting her know her aunt has died.
She hasn't seen her aunt since she was 8 but for some reason she's left her hotel in a village in the mountains to Celeste. With nothing to lose, she makes her way to Montlouis in the French Alps.
In Montlouis, Rose is a phenomenal chocolate urn and also the resident astronomer. And also a good friend of Celeste's late aunt Augustine. The arrival of city-slicker Celeste has Rose, and most of Montlouis, apprehensive about what Celeste will be like and what she will do with Augustine's hotel, an integral part of the tourism in Montlouis.
This is a lovely, sexy (and it is hot) Christmas story and I'm hoping there will be many more from this awesome duo.
I received an ARC from the authors but my review is my honest opinion.
Written by married duo Jude and Marguerite Silberfeld-Grimaud in both French and English (monumentally impressive) it starts with Celeste having really bad day. She has just been told that she is being made redundant, gets a letter from her landlord giving her notice on her apartment and a letter from a lawyer letting her know her aunt has died.
She hasn't seen her aunt since she was 8 but for some reason she's left her hotel in a village in the mountains to Celeste. With nothing to lose, she makes her way to Montlouis in the French Alps.
In Montlouis, Rose is a phenomenal chocolate urn and also the resident astronomer. And also a good friend of Celeste's late aunt Augustine. The arrival of city-slicker Celeste has Rose, and most of Montlouis, apprehensive about what Celeste will be like and what she will do with Augustine's hotel, an integral part of the tourism in Montlouis.
This is a lovely, sexy (and it is hot) Christmas story and I'm hoping there will be many more from this awesome duo.
I received an ARC from the authors but my review is my honest opinion.
December 16, 2025
Do not read while hungry 😂
December 16, 2025
Just an OK read for me
December 9, 2025
A cosy, sapphic holiday romance set in a small town in the French Alps? Gorgeous!
The story follows the dual perspectives of Celeste and Rose - and the narrative opens with Celeste, who has just inherited a mountain hotel from her great-aunt 💫🛎 After losing her job and apartment, it’s the perfect fresh start - and Celeste herself is a resilient ray of sunshine!
There’s some delightful foreshadowing early on in chapter one - Celeste craves chocolate… and she certainly gets it...
Rose is a local resident, chocolatier, and astronomer, who’s every bit as sweet and lovely as she sounds, with a charming habit of talking to herself.
Imagine two characters orbiting one another in a Stars Hollow–style town in the French mountains, their chemistry slowly building. They’re perfect for each other: two starry-eyed romantics down to their bones 💝
The world-building and a misunderstanding create a gentle slow burn. The romance really sparks halfway through, and I loved watching the attraction, flickers of jealousy, and quiet hope bloom between them, all leading to heated kisses and 🔥🌶!
Overall, it’s a lovely holiday read in which characters find love, face the past (ref to a near-drowning), gain a found family in the small town of Montlouis, and begin an entirely new chapter of life ❤️
The story follows the dual perspectives of Celeste and Rose - and the narrative opens with Celeste, who has just inherited a mountain hotel from her great-aunt 💫🛎 After losing her job and apartment, it’s the perfect fresh start - and Celeste herself is a resilient ray of sunshine!
There’s some delightful foreshadowing early on in chapter one - Celeste craves chocolate… and she certainly gets it...
Rose is a local resident, chocolatier, and astronomer, who’s every bit as sweet and lovely as she sounds, with a charming habit of talking to herself.
Imagine two characters orbiting one another in a Stars Hollow–style town in the French mountains, their chemistry slowly building. They’re perfect for each other: two starry-eyed romantics down to their bones 💝
The world-building and a misunderstanding create a gentle slow burn. The romance really sparks halfway through, and I loved watching the attraction, flickers of jealousy, and quiet hope bloom between them, all leading to heated kisses and 🔥🌶!
Overall, it’s a lovely holiday read in which characters find love, face the past (ref to a near-drowning), gain a found family in the small town of Montlouis, and begin an entirely new chapter of life ❤️
January 26, 2026
“What I am, however, is falling hopelessly in love with you, and I know our timing feels like it’s on steroïds, but it is what it is.”
The Milkyway Hotel was the perfect cozy read for this season. You just want to take your book, a hot cocoa —and maybe a box of special chocolates— and a plaid, and to read in front of the fireplace. Just what you need to get in the Holidays’ feeling and/or to vibe with Winter and cold temperatures. I loved to see older characters than what we can usually read, and their evolution, especially Celeste’s, while she take her chance for a new life. I got carried away by her challenges, but loved that the book remained pretty low stakes, even when mental health/challenges were discussed. I need cozy and feel good books these days, and this one delivered perfectly.
If you want a cute and comforting story, that will make you want to get swaddled before looking up at the starry night, with a lovely sapphic romance and a lot of sweet chocolates, then The Milkyway Hotel might be just the one.
Thank you to the authors for the eARC. My opinions are my own.
4.5/5
The Milkyway Hotel was the perfect cozy read for this season. You just want to take your book, a hot cocoa —and maybe a box of special chocolates— and a plaid, and to read in front of the fireplace. Just what you need to get in the Holidays’ feeling and/or to vibe with Winter and cold temperatures. I loved to see older characters than what we can usually read, and their evolution, especially Celeste’s, while she take her chance for a new life. I got carried away by her challenges, but loved that the book remained pretty low stakes, even when mental health/challenges were discussed. I need cozy and feel good books these days, and this one delivered perfectly.
If you want a cute and comforting story, that will make you want to get swaddled before looking up at the starry night, with a lovely sapphic romance and a lot of sweet chocolates, then The Milkyway Hotel might be just the one.
Thank you to the authors for the eARC. My opinions are my own.
4.5/5
December 6, 2025
A super sweet, small town romance set in a small town in the mountain, what more could I have wanted? I absolutely loved the setting within the mountains, as I love mountains myself, the chocolate theme had my mouth watering. I enjoyed Celeste’s journey to finding herself alongside the romance too.
December 7, 2025
A very cute holiday read! I really loved the storyline and both main characters’ personalities equally, but at times I struggled with the pacing and keeping the POVs differentiated!
December 31, 2025
3.5⭐️
A cosy read but found the story wasn’t connected throughout between the heavy focus on the hotel and minimal focus on Rose and Celeste
A cosy read but found the story wasn’t connected throughout between the heavy focus on the hotel and minimal focus on Rose and Celeste
January 24, 2026
I really wanted to like this but it was kinda boring for me
November 6, 2025
What an absolutely delightful holiday read! Christmas, a small town setting, a fresh start wrapped in returning to something precious, and, best of all, so much chocolate. Montlouis and all its residents are so charming, and the spirits of Augustine and Palmyre are present throughout. Both Celeste and Rose are lovely, and their chemistry is palpable from their first meeting.
If you’re looking for a book while you’re cozied up with a blanket and hot chocolate, this is the one!
If you’re looking for a book while you’re cozied up with a blanket and hot chocolate, this is the one!
December 13, 2025
2.5 stars. the name is so accurate because first 70% of this book was all about the hotel and nothing else. and then the writer suddenly remembered she was writing a romance novel i guess.
December 13, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
Let’s start this review by quoting my first reaction to this book along the way:
“Not gonna lie, reading The Milkyway Hotel by @judeinthestars and @margrimaud is slowly killing me. Don’t get me wrong, I love all about this book but I’ve been graving things like chocolate and cheese for over two years now and this book is making my mouth water 🤤🙈”
If this hasn’t convinced you yet, here are a few more words for you.
The three main reasons why I picked up this book in the first place:
1. I have this thing where I fall in love with a book cover and the book is literally sold to me. This is what happened here. (Shout out the illustrator Cath Grace.)
2. If you ever came across a review by Jude, you know their writing is one of a kind
3. I am a sucker for holiday romances and especially sapphic ones.
The Milky Way Hotel has all the little things you are looking for in a cozy holiday romance. The small-town vibes, the sloooow burn and the sweet treats ( Lot’s of them).
And when I said that reading this story made my mouth water, I meant it. There were moments where I could literally smell the hot chocolate and taste the cheese on my tongue through the book.
But I didn’t just fall in love with the food, I fell in love with a cozy little french town that includes a supportive community and a romance story between two wonderful written MCs.
And for someone who rarely reads Epilogues, I am glad I did this time.
Even though the last pages made me tear up a bit because it was such a beautiful way to wrap up this story.
Let’s start this review by quoting my first reaction to this book along the way:
“Not gonna lie, reading The Milkyway Hotel by @judeinthestars and @margrimaud is slowly killing me. Don’t get me wrong, I love all about this book but I’ve been graving things like chocolate and cheese for over two years now and this book is making my mouth water 🤤🙈”
If this hasn’t convinced you yet, here are a few more words for you.
The three main reasons why I picked up this book in the first place:
1. I have this thing where I fall in love with a book cover and the book is literally sold to me. This is what happened here. (Shout out the illustrator Cath Grace.)
2. If you ever came across a review by Jude, you know their writing is one of a kind
3. I am a sucker for holiday romances and especially sapphic ones.
The Milky Way Hotel has all the little things you are looking for in a cozy holiday romance. The small-town vibes, the sloooow burn and the sweet treats ( Lot’s of them).
And when I said that reading this story made my mouth water, I meant it. There were moments where I could literally smell the hot chocolate and taste the cheese on my tongue through the book.
But I didn’t just fall in love with the food, I fell in love with a cozy little french town that includes a supportive community and a romance story between two wonderful written MCs.
And for someone who rarely reads Epilogues, I am glad I did this time.
Even though the last pages made me tear up a bit because it was such a beautiful way to wrap up this story.
November 10, 2025
And here I keep thinking to myself that the small town trope isn't my cup of tea, and yet I keep generally loving books that feature that trope. Heavily, in this case, seeing as how the actual town isn't really a town, but a village of 200 dwellers. From Paris to Montlouis, what a concept, right? Well, it works, and it works particularly well with the main whose anxiety seems to reset in the new atmosphere, and whose lack of direction comes to an abrupt halt with all the new opportunity and sense of purpose that is found in the little village.
If you're a chocolate lover, which I'm really not, LOL, you'll feel a craving like you've never felt before while you read. Alas, I don't like chocolate all that much, but I found the research into chocolate and chocolate making incredible.
If you're a cheese lover, which I MOST certainly am, ditto. OMG I couldn't stop thinking about eating cheese all through the book.
If you're an astronomy lover, which I am, you'll be totally charmed. I don't know, but it looks like some serious research went into this.
The lead-up to Christmas and the reopening of the hotel is well built, and engaging. I was invested in the progress! It's a very warm, feel-good story.
I received an ACR in exchange for an honest review.
If you're a chocolate lover, which I'm really not, LOL, you'll feel a craving like you've never felt before while you read. Alas, I don't like chocolate all that much, but I found the research into chocolate and chocolate making incredible.
If you're a cheese lover, which I MOST certainly am, ditto. OMG I couldn't stop thinking about eating cheese all through the book.
If you're an astronomy lover, which I am, you'll be totally charmed. I don't know, but it looks like some serious research went into this.
The lead-up to Christmas and the reopening of the hotel is well built, and engaging. I was invested in the progress! It's a very warm, feel-good story.
I received an ACR in exchange for an honest review.
November 5, 2025
Overall haiku review:
A chance to start fresh
Stars, cocoa, cats, and yearning
An old ladies wish
Celeste character haiku:
Broken by corporate
The mountains call, desire flares
Snow boots are tricky
Rose character haiku:
Humble chocolatier
Bedazzled by more than stars
A cosmic event
When a book picks you up, places you on the slopes of the snow covered French mountains and wraps you up in hot chocolate, warm blankets and steamy love, you know you’re in for a (chocolate) treat.
Let go from her soulless job, Celeste finds herself thrown into the moguls when her great aunt leaves her the deeds to The Milky Way Hotel, in the picturesque village of Montlouis. Anxious to return to the village she ran away from as a child, Celeste soon finds herself falling in love with the mountain life, bedazzled skies and local chocolatier.
This is the perfect holiday romance. A tale of community, friendship and the blossoms of love peaking out from a fresh blanket of snow.
Don’t forget to keep your eyes pealed for some nods to our other favourite authors. I’ll take blackberry jam with my scone please 😜
A chance to start fresh
Stars, cocoa, cats, and yearning
An old ladies wish
Celeste character haiku:
Broken by corporate
The mountains call, desire flares
Snow boots are tricky
Rose character haiku:
Humble chocolatier
Bedazzled by more than stars
A cosmic event
When a book picks you up, places you on the slopes of the snow covered French mountains and wraps you up in hot chocolate, warm blankets and steamy love, you know you’re in for a (chocolate) treat.
Let go from her soulless job, Celeste finds herself thrown into the moguls when her great aunt leaves her the deeds to The Milky Way Hotel, in the picturesque village of Montlouis. Anxious to return to the village she ran away from as a child, Celeste soon finds herself falling in love with the mountain life, bedazzled skies and local chocolatier.
This is the perfect holiday romance. A tale of community, friendship and the blossoms of love peaking out from a fresh blanket of snow.
Don’t forget to keep your eyes pealed for some nods to our other favourite authors. I’ll take blackberry jam with my scone please 😜
November 19, 2025
After ten years as a paralegal, Celeste has been made redundant. Then she finds out her lease is ending in six months... but she receives a letter revealing she and her father have inherited her Aunt's hotel.
Rose, a local, makes chocolate for a living and volunteers at the observatory. She runs a LGBTQIA friendly shop too, that Celeste passes as she enters town. Also, Rose's mom is the mayor and is plotting hooking her and Celeste up.
Celeste is impressed with the Milky way Hotel and the town, and hoes up to the observatory to see Rose speak. However she also runs into Jessica and is reminded of the near death experience that led her to not return until now.
The accident bit feels awkward, even tho it's well telegraphed. Odd
Celeste's bestie Alex helps with the final move, but then Rose mistakenly thinks Alex is her girlfriend. And doesn't, you know, ask either of them
And now most of the town is shipping them.
They finally talk and realize they're both single and into each other.
Hotel reopens, wrap up.
Good first book. There's some awkward first novel moments, or possibly cowriter issues, but it hangs together pretty well.
3.5 stars out of 5.
Rose, a local, makes chocolate for a living and volunteers at the observatory. She runs a LGBTQIA friendly shop too, that Celeste passes as she enters town. Also, Rose's mom is the mayor and is plotting hooking her and Celeste up.
Celeste is impressed with the Milky way Hotel and the town, and hoes up to the observatory to see Rose speak. However she also runs into Jessica and is reminded of the near death experience that led her to not return until now.
The accident bit feels awkward, even tho it's well telegraphed. Odd
Celeste's bestie Alex helps with the final move, but then Rose mistakenly thinks Alex is her girlfriend. And doesn't, you know, ask either of them
And now most of the town is shipping them.
They finally talk and realize they're both single and into each other.
Hotel reopens, wrap up.
Good first book. There's some awkward first novel moments, or possibly cowriter issues, but it hangs together pretty well.
3.5 stars out of 5.
December 5, 2025
The Milkway Hotel. A sweet and cozy Christmas romance that’ll leave you wanting hot chocolate and a trip to a remote French hotel. 😍
Celeste Dorin inherits a little mountain hotel right when her life falls apart and decides to start over in the quiet, snow-tucked town that comes with it. As she settles in, the place slowly pulls her into its secrets, its people, and the chance to rebuild herself in ways she never expected.
The town is really the star of the show in this book! All of the characters are so lovely and kind. This is such a low stakes, cozy read. Nothing too stressful and makes you feel so inspired to take on your own life challenges.
The romance was a little cheesy but I really expected that with a Christmas romance like this. It felt like a hallmark movie in the best way. I really enjoyed watching them fall in love. Rose was adorable with her immediate infatuation, I always love seeing someone be speechless at the sight of their new romance.
Overall, 3.5 ⭐️ very sweet, very Christmasy! Perfect to add to your list this season!
Celeste Dorin inherits a little mountain hotel right when her life falls apart and decides to start over in the quiet, snow-tucked town that comes with it. As she settles in, the place slowly pulls her into its secrets, its people, and the chance to rebuild herself in ways she never expected.
The town is really the star of the show in this book! All of the characters are so lovely and kind. This is such a low stakes, cozy read. Nothing too stressful and makes you feel so inspired to take on your own life challenges.
The romance was a little cheesy but I really expected that with a Christmas romance like this. It felt like a hallmark movie in the best way. I really enjoyed watching them fall in love. Rose was adorable with her immediate infatuation, I always love seeing someone be speechless at the sight of their new romance.
Overall, 3.5 ⭐️ very sweet, very Christmasy! Perfect to add to your list this season!
December 26, 2025
I almost put this one down. The first third rambled and was verbose - like the author knew where she wanted the story to go, but couldn't figure out how to get there. (I'll confess to skipping and skimming through that first third.) However, once the two main characters started to move toward each other, the writing improved and the relationship held my interest enough to keep me reading. This story, although it would have benifited from tighter editing, in the end, left me feeling pretty good about the characters and the story.
December 17, 2025
Unfortunately a pretty average Christmas romance novel. The story was very slow to start and didn’t really give me all the warm and fuzzies I was after!
This took slow burn to a whole new level it kinda felt like they forgot they were writing a romance novel until a good portion of the way through.
This took slow burn to a whole new level it kinda felt like they forgot they were writing a romance novel until a good portion of the way through.
December 18, 2025
This is such a lovely Christmas filled story, an inherited hotel in the French Alps leads to a slow burn but very passionate love for a chocolatier owner. I loved the longing, this was beautifully written and I feel we maybe going back here for a book two. Wonderful book - read for the romance and Christmas feels!
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