The Sugar and Spice Kitchen: A totally addictive, cozy and spicy holiday romance

by Harper Graham

The snow is falling. So are they…

She works in Maple Falls’ cosiest kitchen. He’s the brooding firefighter from the family that’s feuded with hers for decades. They drive each other crazy, and now a snowstorm has thrown them together… Gilmore Girls + spice + Christmas chaos = 🔥

Emily whips up Christmas magic like a festive cinnamon rolls, gingerbread cookies, peppermint mochas with Mariah Carey on full blast. When a blizzard hits, her bakery’s kitchen is headquarters for holiday deliveries to save the town. The only problem? Cole, the hot, infuriating firefighter she loves to hate. Can she survive them working side by side?

Emily’s the hot-tempered blonde who pushes every one of Cole’s buttons. But with Maple Falls snowed in, he needs her help… and her orange-and-cinnamon scented kitchen. Soon it’s command central for Operation Sugar and Spice, with simmering pots, stacked pies, and elf-hatted volunteers loading snowmobiles. Emily’s attitude won’t let up… can they last until Christmas without strangling each other—or worse, falling for each other?

As sparks fly hotter than the kitchen’s wood-fired stove and the truth behind their family feud surfaces, will Emily and Cole give in to what’s always been burning between them… or stay on each other’s naughty list forever?

Grab a blanket, a hot chocolate, and settle in for a deliciously cosy and spicy holiday romance packed with quirky small-town charm, laugh-out-loud banter, sizzling chemistry and enough Christmas magic to melt the coldest heart.


Enemies to lovers
Workplace romance
Firefighter romance
Holiday romance
Small-town vs. city life
Cozy and steamy

Readers are loving Harper

“Chemistry? Off the charts 📈. The sexual tension sizzles 🔥—hotter than the hot cocoa ☕… Had me grinning the whole time 😏. I loved watching these two fantasize about each other and struggle to stay away 🫣💫… A heart-warming small-town holiday romance 💕” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“Definitely a 5-star read ⭐️… My favorite Christmas cozy, small-town romance — enemies to lovers, slow burn, full of spice… I’m in love!... Even better than a Hallmark movie 🫣 … Incredible. 🤭… Perfect.” midnightblue.reads, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“I loved this so much… their chemistry was everything… Perfection… Adorable… impossible to stop reading. And that ending? Warm, heartfelt, and a little teary… breaks my heart in the best way.” knjiska, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“Pure Christmas magic from start to

Genres: Christmas, Romance

Kindle Edition

Expected publication October 22, 2026

Reviews

[Simone | simonesbookshelf]

⭐ Rating: 3.75 Stars.

✨ The Vibe
A cozy, festive small-town holiday romance with Christmas baking, forced proximity, a hot firefighter, family feuds, banter, and spice. Think snowy small-town chaos due to a blizzard, cinnamon rolls, gingerbread cookies, holiday deliveries, and plenty of Christmas magic. 🎄

🫶 Who Will Love This?
If you love cozy Christmas romances set in a small town with a tight-knit community that helps each other out when in need, plus lots of baking, forced proximity, a 17-year-old family feud, and a hot firefighter with a cute dog driven insane by a hot-headed but kind bakeress, this one might be right up your alley.

🔥 Tropes & Elements
- Holiday romance
- Firefighter romance
- Small-town romance
- Baking & Christmas chaos
- Enemies to lovers
- Forced proximity
- Cozy + steamy

💭 My Thoughts
I really enjoy Harper Graham's writing style. Her books are so easy-going and funny, and they always pull me in quickly while giving me ALL the atmosphere. This one especially delivered on the Christmas vibes.

I loved Maple Falls going into full rescue mode when the blizzard hit. Everyone immediately started helping, delivering food and supplies, and making sure people were okay. It was SO cute and cozy.

And Cole?! THIS MAN. 😭 He is genuinely such a good person. He helps everyone, all the time, and it just comes naturally to him. Kind, sweet, handsome, firefighter, muscles, abs… excuse me while I fan myself. And then there's Captain, his dog. Obviously I loved him too.

Emily, however... girl. I understood that she had her own trauma, and I can see how her father's abandonment could have affected her, but I just could not get behind the way she treated Cole. Holding a grudge for 17 YEARS over some stolen cookies when the people actually involved had already made up weeks after it happened?! I was struggling. 😂

She repeatedly threw accusations at Cole and his family and made some genuinely mean remarks, and I just kept thinking: Cole deserves better. I did really like the eventual resolution of the family feud, though. I won't say too much because of spoilers, but I thought the truth about the cookies was handled really well.

This wasn't my favorite Maple Falls book, but I still enjoyed it. The writing, pacing, Christmas atmosphere, cozy small-town setting, baking, spice, Cole, and Captain all worked for me. Basically: give me Christmas + a cozy town + baking + forced proximity + a hot firefighter, and I'm probably going to have a good time. 😂🎄

📢 Disclosure: Thank you to Bookouture, NetGalley, and Harper Graham for providing me with an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are always my own.

[ritα (ig: thrillswithritα)]

simply adorable!
grandparents are so special 🫶🏼

I totally understand the need to keep their traditions and their recipes. in a way we are keeping them alive.
this one was special to me!

I also loved how Emily and Cole came together in the end, put their rivalry aside so they could help each other out. + with a great happy ending for them hehe.

thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

[Tamera Plaster-Eckl]

Thank you netgalley for the Arc!

I’ve waited for what felt like forever to see Emily and Cole and what was the argument between them I didn’t expect stolen cookies that’s for sure! However the sweetness that grandparents hold in this story is one close to my heart because why are they so cute? I’m glad they could finally put their differences to aside and learn what was best for them.. my heart really does lie with this little village for sure!🥹🖤

[Nanasbookreviews]

ARC Review

The Sugar and Spice Kitchen by Harper Graham is the sixth book in the Maple Falls series.

Emily Whitaker, owner of the Pumpkin Pie Bakery, and Cole Alders, the local fire chief, used to be best friends when they were kids. Then a falling out happened when someone stole her grandma’s cookies that were meant for a competition, and Emily’s family accused Cole’s grandfather of the theft.

Seventeen years later, Emily is still the only one holding a grudge over what happened back then. The best friends have turned into enemies, but then a blizzard hits and leaves them snowed in at her bakery.

Then comes the Sugar and Spice Kitchen, which ends up feeding everyone after the blizzard, and a new bake-off that both Emily and Cole take part in. Every situation brings them together little by little. But Emily still has some unresolved trauma from the past that might make her lose the one person who understands her better than anyone.

This was a cozy and steamy small-town holiday romance with enemies to lovers, close proximity, firefighter, and opposites attract tropes.

A holiday romance with just the right amount of sugar and spice. 🎄🍪 I really enjoyed the storyline. It was entertaining, had all the Christmas feelings, and the little bit of a whodunit mystery made it even more interesting. The revelation towards the end actually made me tear up.

Emily and Cole were an interesting couple. Emily was a hothead who spoke first and thought later, while Cole was the complete opposite. He was calculated, calm, and kind. Their banter was fun, and I loved watching them slowly find their way back to each other.

My favorite part was definitely the snowball fight. ☃️😂

If you like cozy, spicy holiday romances with a small-town setting, Christmas vibes, a little mystery, and a second-chance-at-love feel, this one is for you!

[cakecoffeeandbooks]

Firstly, how gorgeous is this cover?!
I’ve been looking forward to this festive read and the Christmas vibes were strong! Set between 12th- 24th December, the story takes us back to Maple Falls and this time Emily’s bakery. Her childhood best friend is Cole, the new fire chief who left town almost 17 years ago after they fell out as children. They’re still enemies and barely tolerate each other, but there’s an undeniable edge underneath the surface between them that neither can ignore.
Cole comes to Emily’s rescue during a blizzard where they end up snowed in together at the bakery overnight. They then coordinate getting food and care packages out to those who need them in town, and open up the bakery for food and drink for the locals too.
The reason they fell out years ago was over stolen cookies and whilst this does fit in well with the town and storyline, I’d have liked it to be a little stronger as it seemed like a slightly odd thing to have such a long running feud about! They set to discovering the truth together to finally put what happened to bed. But Emily can’t quite let those old accusations go, which I must admit did get frustrating.
Cole- along with his dog Captain- is a great addition to Maple Falls and I really liked his character a lot.
There were a couple of hints towards the end of who might get the next book in this series. Whilst this one technically could be read as a stand alone, I think it’s probably best read after the previous books as those characters are a big part of the story and it may be a little confusing if you weren’t sure who they all were.

Thank you very much to the publisher and NetGalley for this lovely festive ARC!

[Rups]

Thank you Publishers and the Author, Harper Graham for this ARC.

The Sugar and Spice Kitchen — ⭐⭐⭐⭐

If there’s one thing Harper Graham knows how to do, it’s create a cosy little world that makes you want to curl up with a warm drink and stay there for a while. 🎄☕️

I enjoyed The Sugar and Spice Kitchen, though I have to admit, I didn't love it quite as much as The Pumpkin Pie Book Nook. But oh, the bakery food and drinks! Cinnamon rolls, gingerbread cookies, peppermint mochas and all those delicious Christmas treats had me salivating through half the book. I could practically smell the sugar and spice coming off the pages! 🍪☕️

I also loved the small-town Christmas atmosphere—the snow, the cosy kitchen, the festive chaos and the way the whole community comes together when a blizzard hits. There’s something incredibly comforting about stories where people show up for one another.

What particularly stood out to me was the theme of family grudges and inherited feuds. Emily and Cole aren't just dealing with their own differences; they're carrying years of resentment passed down through their families. Watching them question those old assumptions and slowly see each other differently added a little more depth to what could otherwise have been a straightforward enemies-to-lovers romance.

For me, though, something was missing that made The Pumpkin Pie Book Nook feel extra special. I still enjoyed my time in Maple Falls, but this one didn't quite give me the same warm, fuzzy feeling.

Still, it was a sweet, festive and deliciously cosy read—the kind of book that makes you crave Christmas, a little snow, a cosy bakery and probably a cinnamon roll or two. 🎄🍪❤️

[Jen Lindsey]

I absolutely loved the premise of this book where the town comes together during a blizzard to feed and care for everyone who is stuck in their homes. Traveling by snowmobile to each location throughout the community with soup and fresh bread from the bakery in town where the community can come to get out of the snow and get a warm bite. Once the snow dwindles, the holiday festivities begin and the lost tradition of a bake-off is brought back as one of the community gatherings. The tradition is the root to Emily and Cole's ruined friendship from seventeen years ago where a plate of Emily's grandmother's cookies is stolen and Cole's grandfather is blamed.

I have loved this series and the wonderful small town and getting cameos from all of our favorite couples. Emily and Cole were once best friends but you wouldn't know that now. They keep being thrown together into situations, but Emily is quick to throw out accusations and harboring years of hurt feelings. Cole is optimistic and kind, and wants the truth to finally put their long-term feud to rest.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an arc of The Sugar and Spice Kitchen in exchange for an honest review. Unfortunately, this was my least favorite of the series. There was lots of holiday magic, banter, and chemistry for our main characters. Still the wonderful small town vibes, but Emily jumping to conclusions and hurting Cole every time something went wrong was frustrating. I wanted to see more character growth for her, and she did have revelations, but it was very understated.

[Elia Winters]

I really enjoy the Maple Falls series and after the last book, I was so curious to see the history and relationship between Emily and Cole. I have to say, I was not expecting stolen cookies over a decade ago to be why their friendship ended and they now despise each other. For Emily, the way she held a grudge bugged me, but once we learn more about how her dad left and her childhood, I could see how trust was hard for her and she did learn and grow so much throughout the book to realize she put up walls and pushed people away. I also loved her mom's conversation with her making sure she saw how great Cole was for her.

Cole, I get why he didn't like the town if they treated his family as thieves, I would want to leave too. One thing I don't understand is why his grandpa and Emily's grandma who made up, did not tell the town to get over it. I was glad the grandparents had made amends but they should have made sure everyone else stopped their talking/rivalries. But alas, I was happy to see Cole find his place in Maple Falls and see him and Emily put their differences aside.

I love how they got snowed in together, it was pretty hilarious but I also loved seeing how the whole town got together to help each other through the storm. I enjoyed the banter between Cole and Emily and how they worked together to find out who stole the cookies, but really it was fun to see their journey back to each other!

[Chaotic Wildflower]

Bookouture ARC via NetGalley
The Sugar and Spice Kitchen
Harper Graham
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I have always loved Gilmore Girls - that show will forever stay near my heart, and reading the Maple Falls series whisks me away to a place my heart yearns for!

The Sugar and Spice Kitchen was so cozy and heartwarming, but also felt "messy" enough to be more than just a dream-like romance, it felt real and I think that's what really does it for me with this series.

Emily is our FMC, and always has to have an answer; and if she doesn't have an answer, she's going to find it because nothing can ever be left alone. And Cole? Well...I always tell my friends to steer clear of firemen for partners but maaaaybe Cole is an exception. Don't tell my friends I said that!He's caring, and gentle, and forgiving. And Cole and Emily have not only history from childhood, but romantic tension that everyone in the room can feel.

I am not one to read cozy romances as my staple gemre, but I do save my "craving" for when Harper Graham comes out with a new book for the season and she always delivers, and what better of a way to finish this than on the first day of Fall, nestled under my bookish blanket, while I have cookies baking in my oven!?

✨TROPES✨
Childhood Friends to Haters to Lovers
Workplace Romance
Firefighter x Baker
Holiday Romance
Small-Town vs City Life
Cozy

[Aga]

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for this ARC.
Book six in the Maple Falls series, and definitely one of my favourite instalments so far.
Childhood friends turned enemies, forced proximity and Christmas vibes — what’s not to like?
Emily is continuing her family tradition of baking, while Cole has returned to town as a firefighter. They might have been childhood friends once, but years of family drama and secrets have firmly put them in enemy territory.
She is warm and a little chaotic, while Cole is quiet and organised, and that opposites dynamic worked perfectly for me.
There are sparks between these two — spicy ones and definitely not everything nice. Their relationship was fun to follow, but I also really enjoyed everything happening around the romance. We get mystery, family drama and two young people caught right in the middle of it all.
I especially loved the festive atmosphere. Give me Christmas, a cosy small-town setting, baking and forced proximity and I am very easily convinced. 😂
One of my favourite books in the series and such a fun Christmas read. Definitely worth the rewind. 🎄

[Roxanne Miles]

Thank you to Bookcouture and #NetGalley for this ARC Widget of this great story. This is the sixth book in the Maple Falls series and Emily and Cole's story quickly became my favorite.

The story of what went wrong with these two when they were ten is both heartbreaking and funny and as they try to navigate being in the same town, we fin out the war was over some cookies.

The best part of the story happens when three foot of snow is dumped on their town and the town rally's around to help those in need. The story of snowmobiles and trucks taking food and supplies to those who cannot get to town is heartwarming and beautiful. And of course a scene involving the cutting of firewood gets really steamy.

Definitely told with some spice, the story of Emily and Cole is on fire. Set during Christmas time gives the whole story a little bit more charm.

A baker and a firefighter getting to know each other again with some opposites attract vibes made it a quick read for me.

[Tessa K]

A cute small-town friends-to-enemies-to-lovers romance! I was instantly invested in Emily and Cole, especially after their first night together and the mystery that followed.

Cole is the perfect man sexy firefighter + golden retriever energy. Emily is sweet, with a good heart but a bit of a hot head. I was actually happily surprised that the FMC was the cause of the third-act breakup. I really thought there wouldn’t be one, but honestly, I get it

The details were chef’s kiss. The author really nailed the winter/Christmas atmosphere, and it made me feel like I was right there in this cozy little small town.

I was highly entertained by the mystery, the spice, and all the small-town winter vibes. If you’re looking for a cute, cozy romance with a little mystery and spice, you should definitely read this! ❄️🎄❤️

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Val]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

★★★☆☆

I really enjoy this series, and at this point Maple Falls has become one of those fictional towns I love coming back to whenever I want cozy fall or holiday vibes.

The Sugar and Spice Kitchen gave me exactly that. I loved the snowy small-town setting, the bakery at the center of everything, and watching the community come together. The romance added some fun tension to the story, but honestly, my favorite part continues to be Maple Falls itself and all of the characters who make this series feel so cozy and familiar.

This was a fun, easy holiday read with likable characters, romance, Christmas treats, and all the small-town coziness I've come to expect from this series. Three stars for this one, but I'll absolutely keep coming back to Maple Falls.

[Kim]

Thank you Bookouture publishing for sending me a copy of this book 🥰.

5 out of 5 stars. This book is my new favourite Christmas book.

I had such a good time reading this book. I mean enemies to lovers, to tension snapping and going back to enemies??? SIGN. ME. UP. The bickering, the background story, the tension, the yearning and the chemistry. YES YES AND AGAIN YES. I felt it all.
Emily and Cole absolutely deserved their happy ending, it was rough but they made it and they are perfect together.
And as usual, the small town, found family vibe is so nice to read. Especially in this one, where anyone who can, helps to work together during a blizzard to make sure everyone is taken care of.
Now if you'll excuse me.. I want to make those cookies 🤭

I am also recommending this book to others already because I truly enjoyed myself with this one 🥰

[Britney Ireland]

Thank you #bookouture and #NetGalley for the early access to the ARC of Harper Grahams new book to read and review!

🌶️ I enjoyed this spicy, cozy romance mystery! I am giving it 4 stars!

Cole and Emily used to be the best of friends until a family feud tore them apart. Now Cole’s back! Things start to really heat up when the town is hit with a blizzard and Cole and Emily team up to help the town. They also team up to figure out the mystery of the missing sugar and spice cookie recipe. What happened all those years ago before the town bake off and who is behind it?

I highly recommend this read! Grab a blanket and some hot cocoa and dive into this book that you won’t want to put down. Enjoy.

[Nana]

I loved being back in Maple Falls, arriving in a huge storm, I questioned, but the community, they are prepared, and I realize that you can only see some things in certain conditions. I did enjoy my time here, once again, because they are prepared, organized, and no matter the situation, they keep on moving forward. Mistakes are sometimes made but they find a work around and don't give up. While reading the story, I kept thinking, I am so glad I landed here with all that is happening, because, I would not have seen a different side of a huge storm. I loved being back, I learned many things, and so enjoyed the journey.
I received an ARC from Bookouture through NetGalley.

[Pamela Viti]

The Sugar and Spice Kitchen
By Harper Graham

Thank you NetGalley and Bookature for the arc

Back to Mable Falls for book 6, this time featuring Emily from The Pumpkin Pie bakery and childhood friend fire fighter Cole.

Set in the week leading up to Christmas Day, we have snowdrifts, baking competitions, snowball fights and the lovely sense of community spirit that Harper does so well.

Did I mention Cole is a fire fighter

I’ve read all six books in this series, they are fun, easy reads with very likeable characters and I think Emily and Coles story is my favourite

This is out the end of October and definitely one to be added to the festive reads pile, it’s lovely

[Rebecca Goss]

I love this series and thoroughly enjoyed this book! Who doesn’t love a Christmas romance? But this one is complicated by a feud between families. Cole is welcomed back into the town after her moved away. He gives to the community and protects residents as fire chief and as a teddy bear of a man. Emily runs a bakery and despite her attraction to Cole, she can’t let old history go. Actually, Emily, while also being kind and generous, could really use some therapy. She is cruel and vicious to Cole at times. He is forgiving and loyal which makes it more difficult. I loved spending time with all the characters in Maple Falls and look forward to my next visit.

[Lacey]

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC of Harper Graham’s new book. I was so excited to get to read it early because she has become an auto buy author for me. Her writing is constantly entertaining and fun with lots of spice and banter. This is the latest book in the Maple Falls Series and it features Emily, the town baker, and Cole, a New York firefighter who has come back to the town he lived in as a child.

What made this read even better was the backdrop of a small town, cosy Christmas! I would highly recommended to anyone looking for a Christmas read to get into the holiday spirit and definitely if you are a Harper Graham fan! I can’t wait for her next book!

[Mumntwins]

I just enjoy the series so much. Harper has wrote another full on smut book with an intimacy that is not cringe worthy detail while writing a sex scene. It isn’t all spice my friends. We have Emily and Cole who were best friends as children that have held a 17 year family feud over stolen cookies. When I say feud I think I really mean holding a hate grudge and judging one another wrongly. It has mystery, love and innocents in this one. As usual I’m left wanting more! Thanks NetGalley and Bookouture for allowing me to read this one.

[Morticia_is_Reading]

Christmas has come early!

This is the book to preorder to get you into the mood for Christmas. Emily is running what was her Nan's bakery and Cole is the new fire chief. They were best friends until they were 10 years old and then a baking competition started a 17 year feud.

After the baking incident, Cole's family moved away, meaning Emily didn't have to deal with the betrayal but now he's back and rescuing her from the blizzard.

Will she keep up the animosity or can the hotty thaw her out?

With regular pop-ins from the locals we've met before, it's good to be back in Maple Falls.

[Sarah Higginbottom]

Such a cosy, festive and addictive read! 🎄❤️ I loved the enemies-to-lovers chemistry, the banter, the small-town Christmas vibes and, of course, the spice! 🔥

Emily and Cole were brilliant together, and Maple Falls felt like the perfect place to escape to over the holidays. A fun, heartwarming Christmas romance that gave me all the cosy feels! 🎄✨


📚I was able to read an advanced copy of title thanks to NetGalley, Harper Graham and Bookouture📚
📚All reviews and opinions are entirely my own📚

[Clairelettersandmore]

I absolutely love Harper Graham, and this cosy little village setting is one of the reasons why! The Sugar and Spice Kitchen was exactly the kind of holiday romance I wanted. Cosy, festive, a little spicy and full of that lovely small-town feeling I always enjoy.
I loved being back in this world and getting to spend time with these characters. Harper Graham just knows how to make a village feel like somewhere I want to move to immediately. Give me Christmas, romance, good food and a cosy village and I'm happy!

[inkinquill]

A hot firefighter?? A girl with a past? YES sign me up! There were times when I felt like Emily was ripping into Cole a little too much sometimes, but I'm glad that we have so many personalities in Maple Falls. I love Harper's fun and easy writing that lets me turn off my brain sometimes and just go with the flow.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Graham for this ARC.

[Kimmie]

I am SOOOOOOOOOOO excited for this one!!