Hot Dish

Mount Hope

by Annabeth Albert

An unforgettable thank you…

The hottest silver fox paramedic happens to live on my street. When he rescues me, I bring him a casserole as a thank you. Seems like the neighborly thing to do.

However, I don’t anticipate my thank you turning into a steamy afternoon delight. Now Percy and I are heating up the sheets and finding more in common than I ever could have expected.

Both Percy and I have been burned by love before. Are we ready to take a chance on love or is this fling just a flash in the pan?

Hot Dish is a steamy treat of a novella with a side of sweet feels set in the Mount Hope universe, but also stands alone well. It features two mature heroes over forty, a wary silver fox paramedic, a sunny high school art teacher single dad, insta-lust, wooing via food, and a heaping helping of a fluffy happily ever after. Originally featured in the Delicious charity anthology, the story has a new cover and a preview of Up All Night, Mount Hope Book 1.

Genres: Romance, M M Romance, Novella, Contemporary, LGBT, Friends To Lovers, Adult

61 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 15, 2026

About the author

Frequent tweeter, professional grammar nerd, and obsessive reader, Annabeth Albert is also a Pacific Northwest romance writer in a variety of subgenres.

Emotionally complex, sexy, and funny stories are her favorites both to read and to write. In between searching out dark heroes to redeem, she works a rewarding day job and wrangles two toddlers.

Reviews

[Meags · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Easily my favourite of the three Mount Hope short stories, Hot Dish provides small-town goodness, with opposites-attracting MCs (an art teacher and a paramedic), featuring some steaming hot action as these neighbours-with-benefits unwittingly become boyfriends. And, as an added bonus, both MCs are over 40! Yep, I really enjoyed this shortie.

[Grace · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.75 rounded up

Meh. Felt super rushed, and I just didn't really care about the characters or buy their connection. Felt like it needed to be a full novel, but also not sure if there was enough meat to make that work.

[Kristel (hungryandhappy) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would've loved a couple chapters more after they actually started dating plus maybe also some of the time they weren't dating even if they were dating. I just loved them and wanted more, greedy, I know!!

[Tj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute short story!!!

[Jess M. Samuels · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always happy to get another Mount Hope story, and “Hot Dish” delivered exactly what I wanted, familiar faces, small-town warmth, and a romance that feels grounded even in novella form.

I especially loved the more mature setup here. Two heroes over forty, one a sunny single dad high school art teacher, the other a wary silver fox EMT, was such a refreshing pairing, and their chemistry pops from the start. The “thank you casserole” premise is fun, but what really worked for me was how the story gives them enough time. Even at 61 pages, the relationship builds over weeks and multiple encounters, so it didn’t feel rushed or like everything happened in a single whirlwind day.

There’s plenty of heat, but it’s balanced with sweet, earned emotional connection, the kind that makes the happily ever after feel believable. My only complaint is that I would have happily read a full-length novel about Percy and his neighbor, because I didn’t want to leave them when it ended.

[ButtonsMom2003 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hot Dish is short but sexy. It features a single dad artist/teacher and his hot EMT neighbor. Both have been burned by love in the past but Stu is still open to new relationships while Percy isn’t (but he is into hot sexy times with no commitment). Like another recent novella released by Annabeth Albert, there isn’t much else to say that isn’t in the blurb other than I really enjoyed reading Hot Dish. I will say that I don’t rate short stories/novellas poorly just because they are short.

One more thing, a quick note of appreciation to Annabeth Albert for disclosing that this novella was previously available in an anthology. I wish all authors would do this. I love supporting my favorite authors but I do get a little frustrated when I realize that I’ve purchased a story that I’ve already owned in an anthology that I also purchased. And I’m not talking about stories that authors have later expanded into much longer ones; those are great.

An advanced copy of this book was provided to me at my request; my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author.

[Marion · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a quick read novella within the Mount Hope series. A small town romance that is both short and sexy. This is the story of Stu and Percy. Stu is a sunny high school art teacher and single dad. Percy is an EMT who helped Stu and his daughter during a neighbor's house fire. As a thank you to him and his crew, Stu bring Percy a casserole or hot Dish. That turns into a "friends with benefits" situation. This is their story. I received a complimentary advanced review copy of this book from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review. The novella is well written and easy to read. I really appreciated that both main characters were older. Both plus 40 years old. They already knew themselves well enough to respect themselves and each other.They were easily able to set boundaries xadhere to them. This is a cozy, slow burn, small town romance and I really enjoyed it!

[SNik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short standalone (Mount Hope). Neighbors. Single dad. Mature characters. Dual POV.

Art teacher Stu takes a casserole over to his neighbor paramedic Percy as a thanks and things get heated fast. Given that this is a short we get a quick ramp up to casual hookup to friends with benefits but Percy is adamant that he doesn’t want to date and soon Stu has to decide if it’s worth it to continue. I really appreciated that Stu had a boundary and stuck by it once he communicated to Percy that he wanted more. There was plenty of spice, and all kinds of possibilities hinted at that made this a fun short. I absolutely could have read more about Percy and Stu which always feels like a win when reading a short story, and the epilogue was chef’s kiss for these two’s HEA.

[S.M. Harshell · Rating 4 out of 5]

HOT DISH is a quick read novella within the Mount Hope series.

What to expect
🔥Two mature heroes over forty
🔥Wary silver fox EMT
🔥Sunny high school art teacher single dad
🔥Insta-lust
🔥Neighbors
🔥Wooing via food

Stu and Percy are neighbors. Percy is an EMT that helped Stu and his family when the neighbors house caught fire. Stu wants to do something nice for Percy and see him again so he decided to make a casserole and take it over to Percy's house. When Stu stops over Percy makes and offer Stu can't refuse. Insta-lust and quick feelings but it's so good. This is such a sexy little read I didn't know I needed.

I was given a free copy of this book to read and review by the author.

[Raven and Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this when it was part of the Delicious anthology so I thought I would share a quick review. This is a quick read set in Mt Hope. I noticed the Easter Eggs I there but you can enjoy this story even if you haven’t read any of that series before. This story features Stu and Percy; the single dad art teacher and the paramedic. I like how both guys are older. Stu isn’t afraid to stand up for himself and make Percy evaluate what he really wants out of life. They have been dating whether Percy realizes it or not!

[Belinda Zamora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great addition to the Mount Hope series

Stu, a single dad art teacher, thanks Percy the E.M.T.
This leads to an explosive encounter that becomes a friends with benefits liaison.
Percy is very clear he doesn't want to date but they've slowly been doing just that.
Stu makes it clear he wants a complete relationship and Percy has to reevaluate just what it is he wants.
These two were absolutely perfect together and the small town aspect was wonderful as well.

[Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, hot and sweet

This was a really fun short story to read - low stakes, mix of hit and sweet, and overall satisfying. Just a nice little romance that will put a smile on your face. I could have read a whole book with these guys but Annabeth also did a great job getting me invested in them in such a short story, so no complaints! I loved being back in this universe even if for just a little while.

[Heather Duff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this first when it was in the Delicious Anthology. I loved it then and I love it now. It’s a quick read and quick-moving, but it’s yummy.

Brought together by a casserole, these two silver foxes find an even better way to be neighbourly! But at some point you have to decide if not dating, but actually kind of dating is enough.

Grown men are adorable when they fall in love.

[Sarah Mae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hot dish by Annabelle, Albert a short story. This is so cute. I love the dating by accident or didn't realize. We were dating trope and this one's good because rather than pretend they're not the one main character knows he's worth more and stands up for himself kind of a you don't know what you got till it's gone
This was a sweet story that made me smile

[Chloe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hot Dish by Annabeth Albert

🤎 EMT x Art Teacher
🤎 Single Dad
🤎 Both MCs over 40
🤎 Small Town
🤎 Short Story
🔥 Dom/Sub vibes, Dirty Talk, Mild Praise Kink

Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Humour: 🤭.5
Intimacy: 🫂🫂
Angst: 🥺.5

First person dual pov 👀

Content Warnings
On page: injury
Mentioned: parent death, illness, fire, cheating (by an ex)

[Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hot Dish is a steamy and sweet novella set in Albert's Mount Hope universe. I love how Stu and Percy try to figure out what they need and have fun doing it. Highly recommend if you're invested in all stories Mount Hope or as an introduction to it (it's not a prequel, but is a stand-alone.) So glad it's been published on its own.

[Nicki - The Overflowing Bookcase · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stu and Percy might not think their attraction is more than just a way to pass time, but with time and self reflection they both find out that it is so much more. So great to see what can happen when you deliver a meal as a thank you!!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hot Dish by Annabeth Albert is a steamy short story between older MCs given a second chance at falling in love . A single dad , an EMT , hook up to friends with benefits to more , steam and a happy ending . 😊

[Edga · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute romance 💘

Sunny Stu and Grumpy Percy are neighbours. A gift of food as a thanks turns, into a spicy afternoon delight. The two become friends with benefits, and accidentally fall in love. Neither wanted this, Stu accepts the situation, however, Percy doesn't want a relationship. The story is both spicy and cute, with Percy deciding he can't live without Stu. Another well written short story from Annabeth which successfully fills a short story, with a lot of detail, and two well padded characters. A fun read.

[Kathy Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short story set in the Mount Hope universe. This was a quick sexy read featuring neighbors, single dad and mature characters. I loved the characters in this book and the small-town vibe. The characters were spot on; the pace was fantastic. Overall, a great addition to the Mount Hope town.

[Amanda Reeves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hot Dish is part of the Mount Hope series, it is not necessary to read the series to read this. This is a small town, single dad read about Stu and Percy. I really enjoyed coming back to this town and seeing all the familiar faces, my only complaint is I wish it was longer.

[Jennifer ➰ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hot Dish, 4 stars
I liked this novella more than the other. I liked their maturity, connection, the family aspect. Their relationship felt more developed and earned. Quick read, I really enjoyed it.

Thank you to Abbie and Annabeth for the eARC

[Irishlass99 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A spicy dish that was originally in the Delicious anthology. I love that there were mature characters that were pretty honest and forthright in regard to what they wanted. Definitely brought the heat and the spice. Fun Easter Eggs if you have read the previous books. Quick fun read!

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to follow

[tysephine · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's something that keeps the dialogue from feeling quite natural, but I can't put my finger on it.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short story previously published in anthology. Hot Dish moves fast, but it works and has the heat

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was great to be back in Mount Hope. This was a super quick and enjoyable read.

[Samantha Ortega · Rating 5 out of 5]

Si la première nouvelle dans l'univers de Mount Hope était toute mignonne, celle ci est super hot! J'ai beaucoup aima la différence entre les deux.
Une fois de plus j'aurai aimé en avoir plus et j'ai passé un excellent moment avec cette nouvelle super torride. La relation entre les personnages ne se limite pas au sexe cependant et j'ai beaucoup aimé ce que l'auteure nous propose ici.

[Zoë Miranda · Rating 4 out of 5]

1st person, past tense, dual PoV
Stu (40), high school art teacher
Percy (late 40's-ish), EMT

This was a super quick read that didn't feel rushed at all. I loved the meet-cute and little excuses they used to keep seeing each other when they realized their attraction and chemistry. I'm a sucker for accidently dating and loved the way that real feelings evolved from a FWB situation. There are a couple cameos from the other Mount Hope crew and some timeline overlap but it reads well as a standalone.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mount Hope! Smexy Older MC's, one kind of clueless, hot dish or casserole?, excellent comma placment!