Love & Chocolate

Holidays in Hallbrook #4

by Elsie Davis

Some say Valentine’s Day is for lovers, while others prefer to think of it as February Fool’s Day. The question is, which one do you believe, and which one rules your heart?

The Sweeter Side of Life bakery in Hallbrook is in financial trouble and Amanda is determined to save the business her mother started twenty years ago. While honoring February Fool’s Day, Amanda’s name for the lovey-dovey holiday, she learns about the Anything Chocolate contest and is determined to win the cash prize. There’s only two drawbacks, one, it’s a statewide contest and the competition will be fierce, and two, she’s not a big fan of chocolate.

Kevin is trying to adjust to his new job as the Turlington High School chemistry teacher and to small-town living, a task made more difficult by his twin ten-year-old daughters who aren’t happy with the move or the divorce. When the twins demand they go to the Heart-to-Heart festival for a chance to hang with their new friends, he relents knowing it was important. But a fellow teacher turns the night into a matchmaking attempt and Kevin finds himself signing up for the Secret Chef fundraiser dinner to avoid Amanda, the attractive, but off-limits woman his new friend deems perfect for him.

Which worked wonders, at least until his winning dessert bid revealed Amanda as the secret chef and the woman who would come to his home and cook the six-course meal he’d won. So much for avoiding her. When the twins take objection, their shenanigans cause nothing but trouble at home and school. What they didn’t count on though, was their actions forcing him to spend more time with Amanda, putting his custody of the twins in jeopardy.

Twin trouble turns into twin blessings as the girls get to know Amanda and her chocolate lab, Cupcake. Kevin’s in trouble with this much female persuasion working against him, but is he willing to risk custody of the girls over love?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary

411 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 29, 2020

About the author

Elsie Davis is a USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR of over 25 novels. She writes sweet, clean & wholesome contemporary romance and is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writer's association. At the age of twelve, Elsie discovered the world of Happily-Ever-After romance when she began avidly reading Barbara Cartland, the Queen of Romance, and has been hooked ever since. After building her dream log home on top of a small mountain, she turned her attention to do what she loves most...writing.
Three daughters, five grandchildren, and her own hero husband, keep her extremely busy. When Elsie's not glued to the keyboard, she loves boating, birding, camping, fishing, wildlife, disc golf and nature walks. Basically, all things outdoors, EXCEPT cold weather. Her and her husband love Caribbean cruises, but Elsie’s favorite vacation was their cruise to Alaska. (In spite of the cold!)
Indoors, she enjoys a toasty fire, a glass of red wine, and of course, a great romance (Hallmark-Style) with a guaranteed Happily-Ever-After.

Reviews

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love and Chocolate by Elsie Davis is the fourth delightful tale in Holidays in Hallbrook series. I just love this entertaining series of books and look forward to returning to Hallbrook in each one. Each book in the series can be read on its own. This story contained great characters who live in a charming town. Amanda owns The Sweeter Side of Life Bakery and she is having financial troubles. Kevin is the new chemistry teacher at Turlington High School, and he has custody of his twin girls who take an instant dislike to Amanda. Kevin’s twin daughters and their pranks will have you giggling. There were also some amusing scenes that will have you chuckling out loud (I love a book that makes me laugh). I thought the characters and the situations were realistic. We see the ups and downs of a modern relationship. Love & Chocolate is a clean, wholesome book which I like (no foul language or intimate situations). I loved how the townspeople come together to help when someone is in need. Love & Chocolate is an engaging story with a broke baker, twin terrors, dinner drama, a playful puppy, a close-knit community, and a divorce document dilemma.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love & Chocolate
Holidays in Hallbrook, Book 4
By: Elsie Davis
Narrated by: Rachel Butler, Lydia Butler

I am loving this series! And how can you not? This one is all about Valentine's and chocolate! Well, not completely, but I do love both. Amanda finds herself in a bind. Her bakery is about to go under, and the only way to get back on track is to win a contest featuring something that includes chocolate! Not a chocolate lover makes this a bit harder, but she is willing to give it a try. Kevin is the new chemistry high school teacher, just moved in with his twin girls. The two are being pushed together, and when he wins a meal at a fundraiser, who else would be cooking but Amanda? But the twins are not too keen on it! Not only do they mess with her, but they mess with her recipes, leading to a better tasting chocolate cake! But what is that secret ingredient? And will Kevin and Amanda ever give into their growing feelings? Good food, crazy antics, a jealous ex and all around fun, this book is a joy to listen to. It's sweet and easy on the ears, a truly feel good romance.

Rachel Butler continues her wonderful narration of the townsfolk of Hallbrook and she gives it her all. Each voice easily distinguishable and just the right amounts of emotion splattered through. Add in Lydia Butler as the twins and we have a listen that is complete entertainment!

[Lori R · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was so full of wonderful moments and characters that I could not put the book down. Amanda owns a family bakery that she inherited and Kevin is the new chemistry teacher in the small town of Hallbrook. He does not date because he signed an agreement with his ex-wife that if he did not date he could have full custody of the twins while his ex-wife lives and models in Paris. She even has a boyfriend.

I liked the on again, off again romance between Amanda and Kevin and I especially liked the scene at the restaurant when Amanda's ex showed up with his wife. Add to that Kevin's twin daughters, Macy and Lacy and their dislike of Amanda and their twin pranks and the story had some funny incidents that made the book even more interesting.

The icing on the cake is how the whole town comes together to help Amanda when her grandfather is in the hospital because she would never ask for their help. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.

[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has all the reasons I love a small town setting: a quirky bunch of residents who are all up in each other’s business, a sense of tradition fostered by families that have been there for generations, and a community that pulls together for each other. I loved these characters. Amanda is so fiercely independent. Kevin’s got the loving father role down pat. And Lacy and Macy may be twins, but they’re each very much their own people. I was left scratching my head a couple of times at how easily Amanda and Kevin could back away from something that seemed so powerful. I also thought the reason Kevin was trying to stay single was awfully silly, if for no other reason than it doesn’t have a single legal leg to stand on and is completely unenforceable. On the other side of that coin, I adore the line: February Fool’s Day. And for me, this was just like reading a Hallmark movie, especially the absolutely adorable proposal scene.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.

[Evelyn Dotson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amanda inherited her mom’s bakery and the debt. The business is good but she needs thousands to pay off the bank. Kevin moved to town with his twin daughters and he is a teacher. His girls are ten and quite the characters. They want their parents back together. Amanda and Kevin meet at a local event where he secretly bids on her treats that wins him a chef baked meal cooked by her. She cooks for the twins and him only to have the girls ruin the main course, but really made the dessert stand out in some way. After repeatedly making the same recipe with different results, Amanda figures out the girls did something to the cake. She needs the secret ingredient to win a recipe contest to save the bakery. The girls are making things very difficult for Kevin and her. Through a series of events, the two adults go on a date, Kevin has to deal with his ex and her demands, and Amanda is trying to help care for her grandpa. Will she be able to save the bakery? Will her and Kevin have a relationship? This book has a HEA~ I received this as an ARC and am leaving a voluntary review.

[Faith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amanda's bakery is in trouble financially. She wants to create some way to save the bakery that would honor her mother's memory, the one who started the bakery and created so many memories for her in the kitchen. Kevin is divorced and has custody of his twins. There is definitely a spark between Amanda and Kevin, but both of them are not planning to date anyone. The twins make things very difficult for Amanda, executing some clever and humorous plans of their own. However, God had a plan for them all and for Amanda's bakery. I enjoyed this book but it was a little slow moving for me. Still I would recommend it for someone who wants an easy, clean read.

The narration was okay. The narrator's voice just was not as smooth as I like. The performance of children's was very good.

I requested this audiobook from the author and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.

The narration was okay. The narrator's voice just was not as smooth as I like. The performance of children's was very good.

I requested this audiobook from the author and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.

[Robbi Bourne]

This book is the fourth story in the collection of Holidays in Hallbrook. All of the stories center around the town of Hallbrook so all the characters appear throughout the collection.

This story centers around Valentine's Day which is called "February's Fool's Day" by the main character, Amanda. She has a past of unhappy Valentine's Day experiences, plus this particular year she finds that her bakery is in financial trouble. That has been her world and her livelihood.
She hears of a chocolate baking contest with a large monetary award, so she enters in hopes that will save her bakery.

Kevin, recently divorced, and his twin daughters are new in town. He is focused on his girls as the agreement with his ex-wife. However, an attraction between Kevin and Amanda begins and they both fight against it. The twins add to the friction as they try to sabotage everything Amanda sets about to do.

This is an easy read - a fun story!

[Lcr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love and Chocolate is a good stand-alone book as well as being part of the Holidays in Hallbrook series. This book embodies the very best of small town communities and the way they pull together when someone needs help. It also has all the usual characters and meddling that come along with everyone knowing your business.
Kevin has a ridiculous agreement with his ex and the twins behaviour leaves a lot to be desired but Amanda is a great character and her grandpa is a sweetie. It took me a while to get into this book and whilst it definitely improved there was just something about it that I just could not engage with. This is however a good series and I definitely recommend that you try this book for yourselves.

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This clean wholesome romance with heart exceeds 5 stars. The characters are great and easy to connect with. It's also very realistically insightful about relationships, the doubt and benefits. Such a great outpouring of love even from the community at large. Very well written, tears of joy with a few speed bumps with rambunctious kids which I think only help the adults deal with their dilemmas. Love this, very enticing story, it clearly depicts building a relationship without needing or having to add the physical to the romance of getting to know someone. I was provided a free advance copy and am voluntarily reviewing.

[Sharon Tipton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful story. I enjoyed the story very much. Amanda Tillman owned a bakery and was on the verge of loosing it. The Sweeter Side of Life has delious sweets. It was coming upon Valentine's Day and Amanda had given up on men. Her ex boyfriend, Greg Miller, broke up with her on Valentine's Day. She went to help at a Valentine party. At the party she met up with Jennifer,her best friend. There she met Kevin Thompson, a chemistry teacher at the high school. He didn't want to get involved with anyone either. He has twin ten years daughter's. This book has fun, clean and excitement. I received a ARC copy of this book and I highly recommend it.

[Margie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elsie Davis understands small towns. They can be wonderfully supportive and the while they are being intrusively in your business. Love And Chocolate is a good example of that. Amanda and Kevin are the focus of well-intentioned matchmakers. I love the characters and the story line, and not just because I agree with Amanda and chocolate. I fell in love with the twins even when they are being less that well-behaved. This story also shows some of the best part of a small town, how they will band together when someone needs help. This story will leave you smiling.

[Nancy Garbe · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Love & Chocolate, Elsie Davis combines one struggling baker, a geeky single dad, twin ten year old girls and a lovable chocolate lab, mixes well with a good helping of small town folks, their gossip and a dash of grandfatherly advice for an absolutely delicious love story.

I received a free advanced copy of this book and am happy to voluntarily provide my honest review. This is a delightful addition to the Hallbrook series.

[Nati · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amanda doesn’t believe in love. Her father left them when she was a kid, and her fiancé cheated on her in Valentine’s Day. Kevin is focused in raising his twin daughter and can’t have a relationship if he wants to keep them. When Amanda and Kevin meet in Valentine’s ball in Hallbrock, they are sure they are going to be friends, because they can’t have anything else. But can they fight love? A sweet love story.

[Tracey Tranter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this entertaining read.

The fun storyline and the likeable characters create a great read that will leave you with a smile and a lighter heart.

Bella, the adorable fur-baby added cuteness and charm to the story.

Emotional turmoil, suspense, drama, humour and sweetness are woven throughout to help deliver a real winner of a romance.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jan Tomalis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a delightful story by Elsie Davis. She has such fun and well developed characters in Amanda and Kevin. Add in his 10 year old twin daughters and you are in for an adventure! Amanda has sworn off relationships and Kevin has a clause in his custody agreement that prohibits dating. The twins get into all kinds of trouble as they adjust to their new lives. Pick up this book to see how it all works out!
I received an advance copy of this book and I voluntarily wrote an honest review.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

The narrators were the best. I could so easily visualize each character. Amanda doesn't care for chocolate and I can't even imagine because I love chocolate!!! She and Kevin have both sworn off dating and love but their attraction is unstoppable. Or is it? His twins are a handful but I came to really like them as the story went on. Loved how the town came together to help her with Kevin in the lead. I highly recommend listening to this book but definitely read if you can't.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute, small-town type of story with an interesting variety of characters. It's the 4th book in the series and the first one that I've read but I had no problem figuring out the background stories of the characters. I thought the writer did a good job of presenting the old and new characters yet keeping the story moving.

I received a free copy of this story in exchange for my honest review. I enjoyed the book enough to be interested in reading other stories in the series.

[Stephanie Herron · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet read that is well written with some adorable characters. Twin girls Macy and Lacy who don't want their dad Kevin to date, until kindness and cupcakes change their minds. Amanda is trying to keep her bakery afloat and has not time for dating until Kevin and his twins become too irresistible to stay away from.

[Coffee Chat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really sweet small town romance. It had me from the very start. It has funny moments, sweet swoony moments, adorable 10 year old twin girls that have you laughing with the pranks they pull. A group of character in a small town community, written in a way that makes you want to become a part. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet Contemporary Romance

Ha ha! This was a fun story! I loved all the contests throughout the story, and having twin daughters was especially cool!
The arrangement with his ex wife was bizarre, but I loved everything else about this story!
The narration was even better than previous books, and I can't get enough of the child voice actor!

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

A story of 2 people with hurting, closed-off hearts who learned that acknowledging love opened up a lot of possibilities.
The twin girls added so much humor and another opportunity to be open to love. She determined to be their friend, to be on their side even if she wasn't sure about the dad.

[Bianka Brankovic · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this nice and sweet romance. I especially liked the twins. Towards the end, it all was a bit too perfect for my taste but still a nice and sweet read, just right for this time of year :).

[Nadine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet and cute story.

I enjoyed it, and I loved Amanda. I also loved Kevin’s twin daughters. But one thing: how can you NOT love chocolate??? Lol! She does love her chocolate lab ;) Great characters, great storyline. I really liked it!

[Carol Gil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good one

Love how sweet and kind Amanda is. She was so patient and nice to Kevin's twins even in the beginning when they were so awful. I am glad that everything worked out for both of them.

[Anne Blyth · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful story of unexpected love, double trouble and cupcakes. I was into the story from the beginning and thoroughly enjoyed the antics and pranks. Again the small town support was evident in spades, making for a fun and loving read. Elsie Davis has delivered again.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a clean sweet book that grabs you on the first page. You will fall in love with the twin girls and the pranks they pull will keep you laughing. If you are looking for a fun heartwarming story grab this book.

[Ellen White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amanda wants to win a chocolate contest to pay off the bank loan. The bid was from a father with twin girls. Thanks to them there was madcap, and maybe they have the secret ingredient she needs. Cute story and good narration. Given audio for my voluntary review

[MaryEllen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The characters were really well done and the story was a fun read

I love that this story talks about the good parts of small towns––like the townspeople coming together to offer help––along with showing a bit of the not-so-good part in the speed and breadth in which gossip travels.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

The forth book in the series. Amanda has been hurt and doesn't believe in celebrating valentines day, but she is struggling to hold on to her bakery. Kevin is a single dad to twin girls. This is a sweet small town romance where the gossip is hot and help is given even without being asked.

[Tamra Delasalle Padgett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A chef trying to save her bakery with the help of her pet lab and a new high school teacher who is a single dad with daughters, both just trying to better their life. Neither is looking for love and has no control of who is thrown into their lives. I really enjoyed the story along with characters and this small town would be a great place to live. Grab your copy today and be ready to enjoy this story.