The Hot Chocolate Hotel: Honey Haven, Book 2

Honey Haven #2

by Donna Ashcroft, Rose Riley (Narrator)

Lacey Dupont is usually out Christmas shopping in London, but this December, her heart is in shreds over her cheating ex and she's driving to the Scottish village of Honey Haven to get as far away from him as possible.

Scott McRae, owner of The Hot Chocolate Hotel, is there as she tumbles through the door when her car breaks down. Only, his gruff exterior isn't exactly welcoming. Her inability to pay for her room doesn't exactly cheer him up. But he's low on staff and high on festive chores. And she's more than willing to work for a place to stay. If they can keep it under wraps, that is.

As festive preparations bring the two closer together, their chemistry starts to heat up. But when the hotel's door swings open and Lacey sees who's burst in, she knows that life in this little village is about to come to a screeching halt.

Will Lacey end up lonely this Christmas? Or can the magic of the season melt even the hardest of hearts?

Genres: Christmas, Audiobook, Fiction, Romance

Audible Audio

Published November 10, 2026

Reviews

[Meagan (Meagansbookclub) · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

The audiobook was an absolute delight! A bit predictable (weren’t they all in this holiday genre), but I enjoyed it wholeheartedly.

[Heidi Zuva · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

Guys, I tried to like Lacey but when the wind picks up her ears whistle.🙃

Premise - Lacey is heartbroken over her cheating ex and flees to the Scottish village of Honey Haven to put as much space between them as possible.

Scott, the owner of the Hot Chocolate Hotel she lands at after a car breakdown, isn't thrilled to find a new guest who can't pay for her room. They settle on a work-for-lodging trade, as he's low on staff, and proximity softens their hearts. But then the hotel gets an unexpected guest...

Alright, so Lacey has a nice face and daddy’s money, but she needed to look for a caregiver, not a lover. How dumb? This dumb:

🤦🏽‍♀️ She drives nine hours on the motorway to escape her family and fiancée, but when she runs out of gas (she forgets to get gas even once during this journey), she leaves her prestige car UNLOCKED after putting the key IN THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT instead of her pocket??? And she just walks away??

🤦🏽‍♀️ She leaves her handbag IN THE CAR knowing full well it’s the middle of the night and she needs to find a place to stay. Hotels aren’t free!!! (This was necessary for the entire premise, but it felt more like a patched over plot hole than reasonable suspension of disbelief).

🤦🏽‍♀️ She gets out on an unlit street in the middle of the night in an unknown place WITHOUT her keys (should be clutched between her knuckles), her handbag (ready to swing), or any other weapon. She’s a conventionally attractive young woman. She… was born yesterday???

🤦🏽‍♀️ After accomplishing this list of incredible feats of stupidity, she refuses to call daddy, a friend, etc. for money (knowing full well they’re good for it) or her bank to liquidate some of those savings she knows she has, even AFTER clocking Scott seems to be in financial difficulty. No, she makes it his problem that she’s stayed in his hotel’s nicest suite and won’t (because given her safety net, it’s won’t, not can’t) pay. The entitlement! The caucasity! I canNOT.

Y’all. I understand she’s a beautiful white woman who grew up in the cradle of privilege, but she’s also an adult I’m meant to believe is mentally competent to engage in a sexual relationship.🫣 I was side eyeing Scott SO hard for falling for her, when he knew full well her porch light’s flickering.

I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Rose Riley. She was an absolute delight. This would have been a DNF if it weren’t an ARC and if Rose Riley wasn’t such an incredibly talented narrator (adored her character work and accents!). Fortunately she was and I kept reading because there is a lot to like.

✅ solid line level writing
✅ Prunella (the best character)
✅ very charming atmosphere
✅ the holiday vibes are there, which is the primary requirement for a holiday romance

Overall, I enthusiastically recommend this book, especially as an audiobook, but I am *thrilled* Lacey is fictional and will never darken my door. I have no patience for this woman (Scott can miss me, too, ugh).

Thanks, NetGalley and Bolinda Audio, for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Cindy Spear · Rating 5 out of 5]

It seems I often start a review of one of Donna Ashcroft’s novels with ‘this has got be my new favourite’ as I love her books! They always whisk me away to warm and cosy settings and introduce me to characters I care about—including the animal ones. Again, I have to say this is another that stole my heart and made me feel all kinds of emotions! The Hot Chocolate Hotel is a contemporary festive romance that conjures up warm, delicious, satisfying feelings and ideas. The cover is gorgeous, too, with its Christmas colours and garnishes. Plus there is atmosphere, snow, lights, presents and a poodle! Animals are always featured in Donna’s books and this little one is especially dear. We have a toy poodle (now 15 years and still going strong) with a gentle though vibrant personality and has posh refined tastes!

Lacey Dupont comes from a family with money but she is not a snob about it. In fact, she is quite the opposite. She is down to earth, wants to be useful (not pampered) and when she is at her engagement party to a man she does not love (picked out by her parents who remind her of what they owe this man who ‘saved’ them) she feels obligated to go along with her parents’ wishes. But standing in the middle of the event, she learns of her fiancé’s infidelity. The realisation of her life, hits her so hard she needs to get away to breathe and figure out what to do next. And to probably gather courage to stand up for herself. ‘Leaving William Booker III at their engagement party was out of character for her. But…she had to escape the runaway train that her life had become.’ And because this was the first she went against her father’s wishes, she knew there would the dire consequences. When she jumped in her car, and headed in no particular direction, she ended up in a boutique hotel in the Highlands of Scotland. She wanders in late, exhausted and emotional, the receptionist feels sorry for her and sets her up in a room. In the morning Lacey comes down to pay only to discover she does not have her wallet which she must have left in the car that ran out of petrol.

Scott McRae is the owner of the hotel and he is not happy with her situation. He is not a very pleasant man to start with. But he has his problems and we learn what they are and how it has affected him.  He offers to fetch a can of petrol and drive her back to her car, only to find it has disappeared. While it looks like a kind gesture, his real motive likely is to ensure she pays her bill. They return to the hotel and although Lacey finally gives her real last name (not the made up one she used at check in) she continues to conceal her background, revealing she needed to get away from a difficult circumstance. Scott and her come up with an arrangement of working there to pay off her debt. But while there, her whole life begins to change.

While working together, since help is needed and a bill must be paid, an attraction develops between Scott and Lacey. Things are going well until a cold blast from the past and, a current one, come into town and turn everything upside. Lacey and Scott must deal with their nemeses before either of them can go forward. Identities are revealed (and transformed!) as these collisions happen but they are necessary catalyst for change. Painful for the characters but fun for the reader as these events make for some interesting fireworks in the plot!

This second book in the Honey Haven series is spicy and special. It features the popular romance tropes of Grumpy & Sunshine, Close Proximity and Small Town setting but it is not formulaic. As in all Donna’s books, she puts her own creative spin on these tropes that are used to demonstrate some very important topics like relationship control and being yourself. The Hot Chocolate Hotel is brimming with warmth, love, sparkle and festive spirit. A romance erupts so right for these two who deserve real happiness that is not dictated by others. Loved, loved, loved this! It gave my heart a real boost of energy and feel-good emotions. An absolute romantic Christmas gem. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for the ARC.

[Corinne’s Chapter Chatter · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

This was cute! I honestly don’t have much to say about it, as it was simply a typical cozy holiday romance that was incredibly predictable. But you don’t really care when you’re just looking for some fluff!
I received a complimentary ALC from Bolinda Audio via NetGalley, and this one is sure to get you in the Christmas mood.
Rose Riley did a fine job narrating. Her cadence was a bit slower than I typically prefer, but it wasn’t unreasonable, especially with a Scottish accent. The accent work was decent and mostly consistent. She also brought the prose to life and gave it an energy that I’m not sure would have come across as easily in the written version.
Overall, if you’re looking for a quick, basic Christmas romance where you know exactly what you’re going to get and there are no surprises, this one is for you. Expect miscommunication galore and a third-act breakup, because of course there is!

[Sue Plant · Rating 5 out of 5]

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

ohhh my god i love this series and i love this book...well who wouldnt..... snow, christmas and a lovely town that makes anyone who visits want to stay...

when lacey dupont arrives in honey haven her car had run out of petrol and she arrived at the hotel in a state so much so that the receptionist just got her a room and settle in

lacey had left her engagement party in london after hearing her fiance say something that made her realise how her life was going to end up and she needed something though what she didnt know but space was what she got

the next moring at reception she then realised she couldnt pay her bill and the owner looked at her with mistrust...it also didnt help that when they went looking for her car it was no where in sight so scott really didnt want to trust her at all

so a bargain was made he needed help around the hotel for a turkey and tinsel group that was descending very soon and lacey took that job to give her space from her family

what happened next .... well you will just have to read this entertaining story to find out but its worth it and i cant wait for the next book in this series that is full of amazing things

i cant rate this book or series highly enough to the characters and the town ...i want to go and live there

[Get Your Tinsel in a Tangle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lacey runs out of her own engagement party, loses access to her wallet, gets stranded in the Scottish Highlands, and somehow ends up WORKING OFF HER HOTEL BILL for a grumpy man while hiding from the family who arranged the fiancé she didn’t even want. Christmas has apparently replaced therapy with seasonal employment.

Lacey Dupont has spent her entire life being the kind of daughter who does what she’s told, which is how she ends up engaged to William Booker III, a man her parents basically selected for her like they were comparing retirement plans. Then she discovers he’s cheating during their engagement party and finally does something wildly out of character: she LEAVES. Gets in her little red car. Drives away with no plan. Ends up in Honey Haven. Runs out of petrol. Checks into the Hot Chocolate Hotel. Wakes up and realizes her wallet is still in the car. This woman rebelled against her entire upbringing and immediately got hit with administrative consequences.

Then Scott McRae finds out she cannot pay for the room and is approximately as delighted as you would expect from a man already trying to keep a struggling hotel alive. He takes her back to find the car, except the car is GONE, which feels unnecessarily aggressive from the universe. Lacey eventually admits she gave the hotel a fake surname because she is hiding from her real life, and somehow these two arrive at the arrangement that she can work off what she owes. Scott has basically acquired a mysterious runaway heiress as temporary staff and still manages to act like SHE is the inconvenience.

Except Lacey turns out to be useful, which is deeply inconvenient for Scott because now he has to notice things about her. He needs the hotel to land this big Turkey & Tinsel holiday contract, she starts helping, the guests adore her, and suddenly the woman who showed up with no money and a fake name is becoming weirdly important to the place. Meanwhile they are hanging decorations, serving festive drinks, making meaningful eye contact in rooms full of fairy lights, and generally behaving like two people who would like everyone to believe they are focused on hospitality.

Lacey’s family, meanwhile, can go sit outside. The texts from home made me want to take her phone, put it in a decorative Christmas tin, and bury it under the hotel. These people have spent years teaching her that being a good daughter means being useful, agreeable, grateful, and extremely available for whatever life they have planned for her. She leaves ONE engagement party after discovering the groom is cheating and somehow she is still the problem. I was ready to start answering messages on her behalf, and none of my responses would have improved family relations.

And because Scott obviously does not have enough going on, his ex-fiancée Philippa turns up too. Fantastic. Now we have Lacey hiding from one engagement while Scott’s old one walks through the door, and the solution somehow becomes fake engagement nonsense because everybody in Honey Haven has decided honesty is apparently less festive. The hotel guests become completely invested, which I understood because if I paid for a Christmas break and discovered the grumpy hotel owner was fake-engaged to the charming runaway currently helping with breakfast, I would also cancel my afternoon plans.

Scott frustrated me in exactly the way emotionally bruised men in Christmas romances are contractually required to frustrate me. He likes Lacey. She likes him. Everyone with functioning eyesight can tell. But he has been burned before, she is obviously hiding something, and he keeps trying to maintain enough distance to convince himself this is temporary. Sir, you have put this woman on the hotel payroll, fake-engaged yourself to her, and watched her win over your guests. We are well beyond temporary.

Apparently this is the second Honey Haven book, which was news to me because I did not read The Candy Apple Café. Oops. Still, I never felt like I had accidentally arrived halfway through somebody else’s Christmas dinner. Honey Haven already has that mildly alarming small-town quality where everybody seems to know things before the people actually involved know them, and I was perfectly happy meeting the place through Lacey while she was also standing there going, “Who are all these people and why are they in my business?”

The part that stuck with me is that Lacey does not actually need rescuing from William. She needs to stop believing everyone else gets a vote before she does. She has spent so long trying to be useful to people who love the version of her that causes the least inconvenience that she barely knows what she wants when nobody is handing her instructions. Watching her become useful at the hotel because she CHOOSES to be there feels completely different. That matters. Moving on before Christmas feelings become a workplace hazard.

The Hot Chocolate Hotel gets 4 stars from me. Lacey brought enough family baggage into Honey Haven to fill several guest rooms, Scott tried very hard to remain grumpy while actively rearranging his life around her, Philippa arrived with exactly the timing you would expect from an ex-fiancée in December, and an entire hotel full of guests apparently decided these two were their seasonal entertainment. I had a lovely time. I would absolutely stay there. I would also ask at check-in whether romantic meddling is included in the room rate.

Merry Mayhem Prize: For Fleeing One Engagement, Accidentally Acquiring Another, and Working Off a Hotel Bill While Half of Honey Haven Watches the Situation Develop Over Breakfast

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC and for sending me to a Scottish village where your car can disappear, your fake name can become a staffing issue, your hotel debt can turn into a job, and your biggest mistake may be making eye contact with the grumpy owner near Christmas lights. Lacey went looking for somewhere to hide and somehow ended up in customer service. That woman has suffered enough.

[Beyond the Pages with Eva K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick Summary: A Scottish small-town romance

My Review: The Hot Chocolate Hotel by Donna Ashcroft is book #2 in the Honey Haven series. It is categorized as "General Fiction (Adult) | Romance." The novel is scheduled for release on 11/10/26.

About the Book: "... can the magic of the season melt even the hardest of hearts?"

In My Own Words: Two strangers, each with a broken heart and a life in transition, cross paths, only to find everything they've ever wanted.

About the Characters:

🚗 - "Lacey Dupont...her heart is in shreds over her cheating ex and she's driving to the Scottish village of Honey Haven to get as far away from him as possible."

❄️✨ - My Take: Lacey is a young woman whose life is in flux. She desires to escape from an existence where being dictated to and being controlled by those who are supposed to love her is the norm. She longs to be more than a Stepford-esque wife. She is on a journey of self-discovery. As she lands in an impromptu adventure in Honey Haven, she finds the sweetest pup, embraces the Candy Apple Lasses experience, and has a most charming fake/not fake situationship with a man who makes her heart heat up just by his looks, his kisses, and his actions.

☕ - "Scott McRae, owner of The Hot Chocolate Hotel...his gruff exterior isn't exactly welcoming."

❄️✨ - My Take: Scott is a grumpy/not grumpy man on the come up. He is rebuilding his life in more ways than one. He has suffered a betrayal of the heart. A peculiar flow of women keeps coming at him...and they strangely resemble his ex. He has trust issues. He is fed up with being taken advantage of. As he tries to chart a new course for his life post his breakup, he wakes up to a beautiful woman of mystery who makes his heart flutter and turns his temperature way up.

🏡 - A lovely community full of colorful characters round out this story in such a fun way. They rally. They gossip. They observe. They take care of their own. There are also some antagonistic figures who bring the pain. Despite that, found family and forever family rule in this delightful place called Honey Haven.

About the Conflict:

🏨 - "...she tumbles through the door when her car breaks down... inability to pay for her room..."

🎄 - "...he's low on staff and high on festive chores. And she's more than willing to work for a place to stay."

🔺 - "...when the hotel's door swings open and Lacey sees who's burst in, she knows that life in this little village is about to come to a screeching halt."

❄️✨ - My Take: Though lighthearted and cozy in nature, this story packs quite a punch where conflict is concerned. Some of the major points of tension include domestic oppression, distorted familial and social expectations, fidelity issues, romantic betrayal and abandonment, and internal/external struggles related to the personal and professional lives of the leads.

About the Audiobook: This novel was brilliantly narrated by Rose Riley. Her delivery was spot on. I loved her accent work. She made all the characters lively, feisty, entertaining, and captivating.

My Final Say: I adored this story so very much! This book alone made me want to go back and read book one, then circle back around to it again just for another taste of Hot Chocolate Hotel goodness. I am drunk on all the love. Every character played their part to perfection. And the attraction and love between Lacey and Scott...well, it was chef's kiss. I love that they found home together.

In the end, I will simply say that this one is not only a "favorites shelf " read, but it's also a golden heart read.

Honorable Mention: The names in this book are sparkly golden goodness!!! (Come on! How can you not love the joyful monikers?) I totally giggled and smiled at:

🐶 - Waffle
👩‍🦳 - Vanilla
🍎 - Candy Apple Lasses
✨ - Turkey and Tinsel
🎀 - The Hot Chocolate Hotel

Other: Readers who enjoy cute, small town antics, finding-one's-power stories, and romantic glow up love scenarios will love this novel.

*** A Special Note: This was a fast-paced read, in my opinion. The story was so good that I quickly found myself wanting to dive back in as soon as I finished it. It was a smile-happy read that I appreciated. ***

Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Re-read: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Status: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Level: ❤️‍🩹❤️💛
Format: 🎧
Narration: +
Series: Yes
Cover: +
Title: +
Hot Cocoa & Hugs Worthy: Yes!
Book Club Worthy: Yes

Most sincere appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Bolinda Audio), and to NetGalley. Thank you very much for providing access to an ALC of this work of fiction in exchange for an honest critique. I cannot say enough kind words about it or about the listening experience. I definitely look forward to following this entire series. I am grateful for the opportunity to share my thoughts and opinions about this book.

[Rachel Gilbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought so after the first book and I'm now totally convinced, I love Honey Haven and I am absolutely hooked on this series. This was a total delight to read, and I devoured it.

And it can easily be read as a standalone, as each book in the series features a new couple, while set in the same village, and there will be familiar characters from previous books about, but not as the main focus.

This time the book focuses on unsurprisingly from the title The Hot Chocolate Hotel which is such a wonderful name for a hotel, and it's Scott's story. There were a few weird happenings at the hotel carried over from the previous book, and it was good to finally find out who was behind them. Scott is just trying to make the hotel a success and hopes to be able to buy out his troublesome ex.

Whereas Lacey ends up in Honey Haven, after escaping her gilded life, leaving behind a whole bunch of furious family members. She manages to get a last min room in the hotel and the following morning not only discovers she doesn't have the money to cover it, but that her Lotus has disappeared from where she abandoned it, thus doesn't have access to the back up credit card or her clothes.

Scott isn't that happy but can sense Lacey may be in a situation, so gets her to start working off the bill in the hotel, especially as he was about to have some potentially lucrative business coming his way, and needed all hands on deck.

Well Lacey is a revelation, while personally she is a mess, as she is trying to work out what she wants from life, as a person working in a hotel, she grasps things fast, and soon proves to be an asset. Even more so when a fake dating scenario occurs.

Always love the presence of one of my favourite tropes, and really enjoyed how they went about it.

I really enjoyed seeing how Lacey and Scott interacted, and how they tried to make the Tinsels and Turkey's tour group a complete success, including thinking on their feed when the weather gets in the way.

This a really entertaining and at times rather spicy story, set to the backdrop of Christmas. I already want to move to Honey Haven and can't wait to see what future books of this series may bring.

Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

[Claire Smith-Simmons · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

The sensational seasonal sweet treat that I needed. It was cosy, spicy and sweet. This had me smiling from start to finish with its gorgeous setting, charming characters and fast moving plot.

I found Lacey and Scott to be endearing, both so lost and not ready to acknowledge it. Lacey's journey had me invested, wanting so desperately to find her own path and happiness. The texts from her family were the perfect window onto her old life. Meanwhile Scott was so fragile whilst trying to radiate strength and my heart went out to him.

The village and all the inhabitants were exactly what this book required, both welcoming and close knit at the same time. I'm sure most of us would love to feel at home in such a place.

The hotel guests added fun elements to the story and stretched both Scott and Lacey to use their ingenuity, showing each other their strengths together. I have a craving for strawberry laces after reading this!

The narrator does a fantastic job of accents from London, Yorkshire, Scotland to America and I enjoyed them all. Each character was distinct and was imbued in a way that perfectly suited their roles of either grumpy, friendly, charming or brusque.

Overall this is a delightful festive read with a spicy sizzle to warm your winter heart.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for my copy.

[Angelica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second installment in the Honey Haven Series. While I didn't read the first one, it operated well as a standalone (even though the main characters from the first one did make an appearance in the second one). This story follows Lacey and Scott.

Lacey has fled from her engagement party (hearing something her fiance says that drives her over the edge) and finds The Hot Chocolate Hotel in a charming village. She books a room without having to leave her credit card information and realizes she doesn't have her card the next day when looking to check out. Scott, the owner of the hotel, agrees to allow her to work in the hotel to assist with her debt. Lacey is from a wealthy family, but very down to earth and willing to step in and help Scott with an important contract with a touring company.

Lacey and Scott become close and realize they have feelings for each other. Unfortunately, her family finds her and this creates the expected third act breakup. Thankfully, they are able to get past their issues and lack of communication and get their HEA.

I loved the grumpy vs sunshine love story and getting to know both characters through the story - what people "seem" to be like isn't always the case, there's always more to the story. Overall, a great read!

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

[Alexa Declercq Barnard · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

There's something about a Christmas romance set in a tiny Scottish village that immediately puts me in the festive mood, and The Hot Chocolate Hotel delivered exactly the cosy escape I was hoping for. 🎄☕️

Lacey arrives in Honey Haven trying to escape a life that has become too complicated and expectations that no longer feel like her own. When her car breaks down, she finds herself at the Hot Chocolate Hotel, where she meets Scott, the hotel's grumpy owner.

Their grumpy x sunshine dynamic was probably my favourite part of the romance. Scott and Lacey have great chemistry, and I really enjoyed watching their relationship develop as they spend more and more time together. There are plenty of fun, awkward and romantic moments along the way.

I also really loved the setting. Honey Haven feels wonderfully festive, and the hotel sounds like the sort of place I'd happily spend Christmas in, preferably with an endless supply of hot chocolate! 😂🍫

What I appreciated most was that underneath all the Christmas cosiness, Lacey is also trying to work out who she is when she stops trying to please everyone around her. That gave her character journey some emotional weight and made her romance with Scott feel more meaningful.

The supporting characters and hotel guests also added some lovely humour and helped give the story that warm small-town feeling.

Overall, this was a charming, easy and festive read with romance, humour, Christmas magic and just enough spice. Perfect for anyone who loves cosy holiday romances, grumpy heroes and small-town settings.

Definitely one for the Christmas TBR. 🎄❤️ Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC

[Finger Pages · Rating 4 out of 5]

This cutesy Holiday themed RomCom will hit you in all the feels. I was first drawn in by the cover but it was a fast and sweet read. Perfect to get you in the holiday spirit.

Lacey is running from her future- a controlling family, a fiancee she doesn't love. She has spent her entire life being perfect and at her engagement party hits a breaking point. She runs away to Honey Haven, the perfect small town in the Highlands that could be a Hallmark Christmas movie come to life. She ends up staying at the The Hotel Chocolate Hotel which also has a extremely attractive owner, Scott.

Scott and Lacey have excellent chemistry and I really enjoyed the storyline. Texts at the start of some chapters between Lacy and her family show more insight into their controlling behavior with her. And while it helps understand her character it also makes me hard to like her. Her family puts her through emotional abuse and manipulation to get what they want. It's not for me and they should be cut out of her life. She is way to nice and looking for support she wont' get from them.

Regardless the story is sweet and it's a fast read as they work together to save Scott's hotel from financial issues, and from his ex-fiancée who has showed up to win him back. Of course all the hotel guests are invested in their relationship and help along the way which makes for some funny scenes and giggling.

4 Stars
2.5 Spicy (it's on page with some description but nothing dirty dirty)

Tropes:
- Grumpy x Sunshine
- Small Town
- Holiday themed
- Secrets
- Past OW drama (light)
- Controlling family

[Gemma Rogers · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

This was a cute quick read following Lacey, on the run from her engagement party where she's being forced to marry a man who has a stake in her dad's business. She's from a wealthy family where she's always done what is expected of her until now. Fleeing for nine hours in her car she runs out of petrol at Honey Haven, a beautiful Scottish village where she meets Scott, a grumpy hotel owner.

Sparks fly, Lacey has no money for her stay, her credit card is in her car but when he takes her to go back and get it, the car has disappeared. They come to an agreement, he needs help in the hotel because he's got some guests arriving that might change his future. Before you know it, circumstances lead to a fake engagement and Lacey is carried away, having fallen in love with the Hot Chocolate Hotel, Honey Haven and Scott.

A lovely Christmas read.

[Bronte · Rating 4 out of 5]

The hot chocolate hotel
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Honey Haven Book 2 by Donna Ashcroft
-Scottish small town romance
-GrumpyxSunshine
-Christmas vibes

This was a cute story that gave all the cosy vibes. Lacey DuPont is running away from her life and looking to find more for herself. Scott is the owner of a hotel who needs someone to fill a missing place. Working together a romance sparks that’s so right for these two.

*Audiobook read by Rose Riley
The narrator did a fantastic job and her voice was really easy and soothing to listen to. Absolutely perfect for this book.

Warmth, love and festive feelings.

*Special thanks to Bolinda Audio and NetGalley for a chance to read this ARC. The Hot Chocolate Hotel will be available to check out November 10th, just in time for the holiday season.

@BolindaAudio

[Maja · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

I am conflicted about this one. Like, the premise and the setting were so cute. And it was also not too long, only around 250 pages. And christmas romances are always fun in my eyes. But.... the tropes were a bit boring to be honest - like, how many third act breakups can you read about? - and the pacing was unever. It really dragged along more than once and then in other places, things just happened way too quicky. Overall, it was cute I guess. 3,5 stars.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewing an ARC received from NETGALLEY.

Typical holiday romance but was so cute and heartwarming. As predictable as these stories can be, I was invested in Lacey and Scott from the beginning and didn’t want to put it down. Absolutely a comfort cozy read for the holidays.

[Frankie_Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

ALC/ARC provided by NetGalley
3/5 ⭐️
The Hot Chocolate Hotel was a cute read! I’m not a fan of the Third Act Breakup troupe or The Miscommunication troupe, but this book pulled it off well. I truly believe Waffle was the star of the show!

[shes.novel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Bolinda Audio for this Advanced Listening Copy in exchange for an honest review.

I loved spending time is Scotland at the Hot Chocolate Hotel. I did not read book two, however , I didn’t know there was a book 1 until I finished . This book is so good . Hotel shenanigans are always a fun way to avoid the reality of real life . I really enjoyed this small town ,fake engagement ,romance . I love a book that starts with a woman leaving an engagement she never wanted in the first place and finding women who welcome her with open arms . The narrator was exceptional . I highly recommend this audio

@bolindaaudio


@shesnovel

[Donna Huber · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a cute holiday romance novel. At first, I thought it was going to be an enemies-to-lovers plotline, but Scott is too nice a guy so it quickly became a fake dating/engagement plotline. The audiobook was easy to listen to. Read my full review at Girl Who Reads.

[Nicola “Shortbookthyme” · Rating 4 out of 5]

✅My thoughts:
This was a fun read. Though slow pacing at times, I was kept engaged throughout the story. I did enjoy getting to know the main characters, Lacey and Scott…and the adorable dog, Waffle.

💜Sunshine Runaway Fiancée
🩶Grumpy/Hot Hotel Owner
💛Forced Proximity
💙Fake Dating
🤎Small Town Romance
🩷Moderately Spicy
🧡Quirky Supporting Characters

Overall this was a cozy, festive read with a bit of spice.

[Karen Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't finished at Honey Haven so I was really happy to be approved for book 2 in the series. Loved this book as much as book 1 and I'm hoping there might be a book 3.....

Loved the characters in this book well except for Philippa, and the chemistry between Lacey and Scott was 🔥.

Donna is a new to me author and is now firmly on my radar. Can't wait to read more from her.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Kirsten Clason · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

This has a cover that scream’s Christmas, so I thought I’d start the season a little early. Lacey is running away from a broken heart when her car breaks down in a Scottish village. The grumpy hotel manager discovers that she can’t pay, so he puts her to work in order to earn her keep. Think grumpy meets Sunshine, small town charm, Christmas magic, and a little romance!

[cakecoffeeandbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘I think you might be just what I need to win the Turkey & Tinsel contract.’

Firstly how gorgeous is this cover?! Super Christmassy and I really want to visit the hot chocolate hotel at Christmas time!

Scott is the manager and part owner of the hotel, and enlists guest Lacey’s help when she can’t pay for her room. He is trying to win a lucrative ‘Turkey and Tinsel’ holidays contract at short notice and soon discovers Lacey might be his secret weapon, but they then have to fake a relationship when his ex-fiancée and business partner turns up. The relationship very quickly becomes anything but fake.

This is a lovely, cute festive read and I loved being back in honey haven again. The other residents as well as the hotel guests were great side characters and I really liked Lacey. Scott frustrated me at times but I loved how Lacey saw him and supported him in the ways he needed.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.

[Blossom’s Bookshelf · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Hot Chocolate, Heart & a Fresh Start

Some books make you want to visit their setting; this one made me want to check in, order hot chocolate and befriend the dog.

⭐ 4.5/5
🌶️ 3/5

The Hot Chocolate Hotel by Donna Ashcroft gave me the snowy Scottish escape I was hoping for, with plenty of festive comfort and a heroine whose growing confidence made the story especially rewarding. Told through Lacey and Scott’s dual third-person perspectives, it’s the second Honey Haven book, but I hadn’t read the first and had no trouble settling into the village or its community.

Arriving at a boutique hotel after fleeing her engagement party, Lacey finds herself without the means to pay her bill, retrieve her missing car or make an easy exit. Working at the hotel offers a temporary solution, although its owner, Scott, isn’t initially the most reassuring person to be stranded with. Between his staffing problems, financial worries and preparations for an important Christmas tour, he already has rather a lot on his plate.

What made Lacey easy to root for was the combination of her sheltered upbringing and her genuine willingness to try. Her uncertainty about everyday tasks felt believable, and her battle with a duvet cover made me smile, but she also had abilities that became more apparent once she was given room to use them. Her kindness and knack for putting people at ease mattered just as much as learning how to clean a bedroom.

Having spent so long trying to be the perfect daughter, Lacey finds it difficult to put her own wishes first, even when the alternative is making her miserable. Her family’s messages made me angry on her behalf, and they are certainly presented unsympathetically, but her continued sense of obligation felt emotionally convincing. Watching her discover what she enjoyed, form friendships and become more willing to speak up gave her development substance beyond falling in love.

Scott struck me as more stressed than grumpy, particularly once his perspective revealed how much the hotel meant to him. I understood his frustration and guardedness, even when his assumptions about Lacey were unfair. His humour and consideration gradually won me over, as did the softer side that emerged around Waffle. His behaviour could frustrate me without making me stop caring about him.

Their attraction is immediate, but the small moments of understanding gave me reasons to believe in the relationship. Sharing work, teasing each other and gradually becoming more open created a connection that felt convincing despite the short timescale. I appreciated the attention to what each of them wanted, especially as Lacey was learning to express her own needs. Later conflict kept me emotionally involved, and the eventual resolution felt earned because both characters had something to acknowledge.

Although the intimate scenes suited their relationship and balanced desire with tenderness, I would personally have preferred more detail. My 3/5 spice rating reflects open-door scenes with comparatively light, euphemistic description; at times, they felt barely a step beyond fade to black to me. The amount and placement worked, but readers looking for sustained explicit detail should adjust their expectations.

Around the romance, Honey Haven offered exactly the warmth I wanted. The hotel’s velvet chairs, tartan blankets and little comforts made it easy to picture somewhere I’d happily spend a winter break. Christmas preparations and the Turkey & Tinsel opportunity gave everyone meaningful things to do, keeping the hotel’s future relevant alongside the developing relationship.

Fenella’s practical kindness was particularly lovely, while Erin’s matchmaking and enthusiastic promotion of her son provided plenty of entertainment. The wider cast continued to make the village feel welcoming, with Nelly quickly becoming a favourite. And I love Waffle. He absolutely counts as a supporting character, and his bond with both leads brought humour and affection to the story.

Listening alongside the ebook added to that enjoyment. Rose Riley’s warm delivery suited the festive tone immediately, and her portrayal of Lacey conveyed uncertainty without making her sound incapable. Scott’s dry humour and vulnerability came through clearly, with recognisable supporting voices that made conversations easy to follow. Her comic timing worked especially well, and the shifts into more difficult emotional scenes felt natural. At my preferred 1.75× speed, the narration remained clear and comfortable, with consistent sound throughout.

The accessible writing and gentler pace gave the characters room to settle into the hotel, while the growing complications maintained my interest. By the satisfying HEA, I felt comforted, amused and moved by Lacey finding her voice and somewhere she belonged. This is a festive read I could imagine returning to and it has left me wanting to pick up the earlier Honey Haven book.

Tropes

Grumpy × Sunshine
Instant Attraction
Forced Proximity
Workplace Romance
Small-Town Romance
Found Family
Heroine Finding Her Independence
Dual Third-Person POV

Content Warnings

Controlling Family Behaviour and Emotional Manipulation
Pressure to Marry and Threats of Family Rejection
Infidelity and References to Unfaithful Partners
Relationship Breakdown and Emotional Distress
On-Page Sexual Content with Light Detail

I’d recommend this to readers looking for a warm Christmas romance with a snowy Scottish setting, a heroine finding her confidence and a wonderfully welcoming supporting cast. Rose Riley’s character voices and comic timing make the audiobook an enjoyable option too. It worked comfortably without reading Book 1, and I’d happily return to Honey Haven. Especially for Waffle.

Thank you to Bookouture, Bolinda Audio and NetGalley for providing me with advance ebook and audiobook copies in exchange for an honest review.

[Felicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this little festive escape to Honey Haven, Scotland. Between the snowy village atmosphere, Christmas decorations, hotel guests, and all the holiday preparations, the setting was absolutely adorable. It had that warm, inviting, small-town Christmas feel that makes you want to pack a suitcase and move into the hotel yourself!

Let's talk about Lacey Dupont. I absolutely adored her! She's beautiful, sweet, intelligent, and has such a naturally likable personality. After dealing with a controlling family and running out of her engagement party and needing to get away, she unexpectedly finds herself at the Hot Chocolate Hotel, where she manages to fit right in almost immediately. I loved how easily she connected with the people around her and how she brought a little extra sunshine into the hotel. She was warm, approachable, and just one of those characters you can't help but like.

Now, let's talk about Scott McRae... our handsome hotel-owning Scotsman! 😉 I went into this expecting a delicious grumpy-to-gentleman transformation. You know the type: the gruff, slightly grouchy man who eventually melts into a big ol' softie for the woman who sneaks her way into his heart. And while Scott definitely had his grumpy moments, I think we only got to enjoy that side of him for approximately 2.5 seconds! 😂

But don't mistake that for an instant romance! Scott may have warmed up to Lacey fairly quickly, but initially it was in a much more friendly, platonic way. Underneath his reserved exterior was a man who had been hurt pretty badly by his ex and wasn't exactly eager to put his heart on the line again. Even when their fake-dating arrangement began, he was still hesitant to let things cross that line into something real. I actually appreciated that because it gave their relationship room to develop. He wasn't just falling head over heels overnight; he was slowly learning to trust someone again, and that made the eventual payoff so much sweeter. The chemistry was definitely there, and while this isn't an especially spicy romance, the build-up had its own kind of heat. Sometimes the anticipation is half the fun, and this book understood that!

BUT... I can't say I loved everything about the book. Lacey and her parents genuinely irritated me throughout the story. Lacey has such a sweet personality, but she also comes across as someone who is intelligent and can handle herself. So watching her become such a pushover when it came to her parents was frustrating! It just didn't feel consistent with the woman we saw in every other situation. I kept waiting for that moment when she would finally put her foot down, tell them exactly what she thought, and stop letting them dictate things for her. I was practically sitting there cheering her on through my earbuds!You'll have to read it yourself if you want to know if she finally stood up for herself.

I also have to give some love to the supporting characters! They added so much personality and charm to the story. The hotel itself felt like a little community, and the people surrounding Lacey and Scott helped create those funny, heartwarming, sometimes slightly chaotic moments that made the book so enjoyable. I love when side characters actually contribute to the atmosphere instead of just existing in the background. They brought humor, warmth, and a sense of togetherness that made Honey Haven feel like a place you wanted to be part of.

Overall, The Hot Chocolate Hotel was a lovely, feel-good Christmas romance. It was lighthearted, charming, sweet, and sprinkled with just enough humor and romantic tension to make it an enjoyable listen. Rose Riley played a big part in that too! She narrated the book and helped really make the book come to life.

Small town
Christmas romance
grumpy-meets-sunshine dynamic
forced proximity
fake dating

Thank you again to NetGalley and Bookouture for allowing me to listen to this advance-copy audiobook and share my honest thoughts!

[Steph Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for a cosy, low-angst festive listen to get you in the holiday spirit, The Hot Chocolate Hotel is an absolute treat.

The Story:
When Lacey finds herself taking on a festive escape, she crosses paths with Scott. From the very beginning, these two have effortless chemistry and work together like a well-oiled machine—long before the romantic spark actually takes over. While Lacey comes across as a bit entitled at the start, her fierce independence and desire to carve her own path quickly won me over. I especially loved the inclusion of family text messages throughout the story; it added genuine depth and context to her character.

As for Scott? He’s tagged as the "grumpy" one, but honestly, he wasn’t really grumpy at all! He was simply weighed down by the stress of trying to make his hotel a success. Rather than holding Lacey back, he immediately recognised her skills, trusted her, and gave her the opportunities she needed to shine. He is fiercely supportive—both as a boss and as her fake fiancé—making him a total green-flag hero.

The Narration:
Rose Riley does a phenomenal job behind the mic. You can truly tell the time and effort put into crafting distinct accents and breathing life into each character. The initial pacing was a little on the slower side, but a quick bump to 1.75x speed made it an absolute breeze and suited the cosy vibe to perfection.

The Vibe & Tropes:
One of my absolute favourite things about a great romance is when the side characters steal a piece of your heart, and Donna Ashcroft nailed this. Fenella, the eccentric 'Turkey and Tinsel' tour group, and the quirky local townsfolk added so much warmth and hilarity to the plot. The storyline is definitely on the predictable side, but honestly? Sometimes that is exactly what you want out of a Christmas read.

Charming, heart-warming, and comforting from start to finish. Pour yourself a mug of something hot and dive into this one!

✨ Tropes & Elements:
✨ Grumpy × Sunshine (with a delightfully supportive hero!)
✨ Fake Dating / Fake Fiancée
✨ Workplace Romance
✨ Forced Proximity & Small-Town Romance
✨ Found Family & Heroine Finding Her Independence
✨ Miscommunication
✨ Dual Third-Person POV
✨On page spice

[Silke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, how I loved being back in Honey Haven! There's just something about this little village that makes me want to pack my bags, move in and never leave. And this next instalment in the seasonal series was another cosy treat!

This time, we're spending time with Scott, the owner of the village hotel, and Lacey, a woman who has spent most of her life trying to please everyone but herself.

And Lacey? She's exactly the kind of female character I love. She's kind, caring, funny and has a huge heart. But she's also a people pleaser. She wants everyone to like her, and because of that, she's spent her entire life doing what her family expects of her. Even getting engaged to a man her parents have chosen for her. Until she finally decides enough is enough and runs away from her own engagement party!

With no money and nowhere to go, she ends up at Scott's hotel, where he offers her the chance to work in exchange for a place to stay. And well... I think you can imagine where things go from there. 😉

One of my favourite things about this book was actually the hotel itself. I loved getting a glimpse behind the scenes and seeing how everything worked. It wasn't just a pretty Christmas setting; the day-to-day running of the hotel really came to life. And the different guests? They added so much personality, warmth and humour to the story.

And can we please talk about Waffles? 🐶 You know I'm a sucker for a dog in my books, and Waffles was just the cutest little addition!

Of course, the Christmas atmosphere was absolutely wonderful. All the festive activities, the cosy hotel, the descriptions of the village... It made me want to wrap myself in a blanket, grab a huge mug of hot chocolate and spend Christmas in Honey Haven.

But underneath all that festive sweetness, there's also a lovely story about learning to stand up for yourself, figuring out what you actually want and realising that you don't have to make everyone else happy at the expense of your own happiness.

A heartwarming, cosy Christmas romance filled with charming characters, festive magic, a lovable dog and enough hot chocolate to make me seriously crave a cup! 🎄☕❤️

[Brittany Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Hot Chocolate Hotel by Donna Ashcroft

Story: 3.75/5 ⭐️
Narration: 4/5 ⭐️

A charming Scottish village, a grumpy hotel owner, a little holiday magic, and just enough spice to warm things up! 🎄☕️❤️

After discovering her fiancé’s infidelity, Lacey Dupont escapes to the picturesque village of Honey Haven, where a broken-down car leads her straight to Scott McRae and his struggling Hot Chocolate Hotel. What starts as an arrangement to work in exchange for a place to stay quickly becomes something much sweeter.

I genuinely enjoyed the cozy atmosphere of this story! Honey Haven is exactly the kind of charming little town you’d expect to find in a Christmas movie, complete with quirky residents, festive traditions, and a wonderful sense of community. The supporting characters added so much personality, and I loved watching Lacey find her footing while Scott gradually let down his walls.

The Grumpy x Sunshine dynamic was adorable, and the addition of fake dating made their developing romance even more entertaining. There was plenty of sweetness, some fun chemistry, and a little spice sprinkled throughout.

My biggest frustration was the miscommunication. It’s easily one of my least favorite Romance tropes, especially when so much unnecessary conflict could be avoided with one honest conversation. While it didn’t ruin my enjoyment, it did take a little away from an otherwise delightful holiday romance.

Rose Riley did a lovely job narrating! Her accents and character voices brought the Scottish setting and its residents to life. I would have loved a male narrator to give Scott his own voice and elevate the romantic interactions, but Rose handled the entire cast wonderfully on her own.

Overall, The Hot Chocolate Hotel is a sweet, cozy, and festive escape with lovable characters, small-town charm, and plenty of holiday spirit. A perfect little palate cleanser when you’re in the mood for something lighter!

Thank you to Bolinda Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this ALC!

[Laura Gonzalez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc.

The Hot Chocolate Hotel by Donna Ashcroft was exactly the kind of cozy comfort read I needed. It has everything I want in a festive romance: a charming Scottish village, a grumpy hotel owner, Christmas magic, and enough hot chocolate to make me seriously consider booking a winter getaway.
I immediately felt for Lacey. After getting her heart completely stomped on by her cheating ex, escaping to Honey Haven felt like the kind of impulsive life decision I could absolutely get behind. Watching her rebuild her confidence while trying to stay afloat in a tiny village full of holiday cheer was both heartwarming and relatable.
And then there's Scott. Gruff? Check. Stubborn? Check. Secret softie underneath all that scowling? Very much check. I'm a sucker for a grumpy-sunshine romance, and the banter between these two kept me smiling throughout the book. The fact that Lacey ends up working at the hotel to earn her keep only made their chemistry even more fun to watch.
What I loved most was the atmosphere. The snowy village, festive preparations, and cozy hotel made me want to curl up under a blanket with a giant mug of hot chocolate and ignore my responsibilities for a few hours.
My only reason for giving it four stars instead of five is that some parts felt a little predictable. But honestly, that's part of the charm of a book like this. Sometimes you want to know you're headed toward a happy ending.
Overall, The Hot Chocolate Hotel is sweet, comforting, and full of holiday spirit. If you love small-town romances, grumpy heroes, Christmas magic, and books that feel like a warm hug on a cold day, this one is definitely worth adding to your holiday reading list. Just make sure you have snacks nearby because you'll be craving hot chocolate the entire time.

[Michaella K · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book reminded me of one of my favorite Rom-Coms, “Uptown Girls”, but with the perfect Scottish Holiday twist!

The Hot Chocolate Hotel by Donna Ashcroft follows Lacey Dupont, who after realizing her fiancé cheated makes a sudden getaway to a Scottish boutique hotel called The Hot Chocolate Hotel owned by a rather grumpy Scott McRae. Lacey was in such a rush to escape and clear her mind, she forgets any form of payment. The two decide she will work for the hotel as payment. Problem is, Lacey isn’t accustomed to housework. Scott quickly realizes her forte is with people and places her in a position more adequate to her personal skill set, front desk.

This was such a sweet with a little added spicy holiday tale that absolutely put me in the holiday spirit!

I was giggling out loud as Lacey was trying to change the duvet! I consider myself good with the house, but those darn duvets, they get me every time 😂!

The fake dating was a nice touch as I was assuming the plot was moving towards an enemies-to-lovers arc. Still giving off some of those vibes, which I love, but done with a different flare, so it felt refreshing.

Like I say about all Hallmark movies/shows, where can I find a town like Honey Haven? If I have to move to Scotland to find such an endearing, welcoming, and supportive community, this lass will gladly do so!

Rose Riley’s narration was an absolute joy to listen to! I immensely enjoyed her soothing cadence and absolutely adored her Scottish accent! Makes me want to plan a trip to the UK and search the Highlands for a town like Honey Haven!

Themes/Tropes:
-Sweet & Spicy Holiday Tale
-Duty vs Following Your Heart
-Grumpy x Sunshine
-Workplace Romance
-Forced Proximity
-Found Family
-Fake Dating
-Small Town

Thank you to Donna Ashcroft, Bolinda Audio, and NetGalley for this advance listener copy!