Be Mine in Valentine: A Sweet Valentine's Day Romance

by Angie Ellington

Can a free spirited barista and a critic of all things sweet discover what they’ve both been missing?

Charley Rhodes works at Bold Brew Coffeehouse and has a penchant for matchmaking. Some even say she’s an actual love match charmer, but Charley simply maintains it’s the magic of living in Valentine, Vermont, and the maple cinnamon lattes that inspire her gift of helping others find love. The problem is she’s just as bad at finding love for herself as she is good at finding it for others. With an angelic voice that could melt the coldest of hearts, her single status is even more difficult to grasp. Too bad making whipped cream and chocolate drizzled beverages are the only plans she's had for Valentine's Day since having her heart tossed out like a box of outdated candy hearts three years ago.
Dean Corbett is a travel reviewer. It’s a job he takes seriously, although his friends and family think he just gets paid to eat, sleep, drink, and soak up all the activities to be found wherever he goes. He doesn’t stay anywhere long enough to think about a relationship and purposely avoids scheduling stays in any romantic venue on the day romance is on overkill. Spending a weekend in a town named Valentine wouldn't be so bad, but not on Valentine's Day during a snowy weekend surrounded by visitors for a matchmaking event. Losing that Super Bowl bet to a colleague landed him trading reviews, so while his buddy reviews a ski lodge in Aspen, Dean's stuck in "Nowhere-ville". On top of that, the owner insists he attend their Valentine Mix and Mingle. Wary of being fixed up, Dean blurts out that he has someone already in mind after a chance encounter at the coffee shop next door to the Willow Lake Inn.
Will two lonely hearts discover that Valentine's Day isn't the worst holiday of all and finally find a Valentine of their own?
*This is a novella of approximately 100 pgs.

Genres: Romance, Audiobook, Contemporary, Chick Lit

117 pages, Paperback

Published December 27, 2022

About the author

Hi there! I'm Angie Ellington & I write contemporary women's fiction...a mashup of sweet romance with humor, heart, family, friendship, and love...it's all in the mixed recipe of my characters & their stories. One of my first books, Autumn at Apple Hill, was adapted into a Hallmark Channel movie in 2024 under the same name starring Erin Cahill & Wes Brown. :)

*Christmas in Fair Bend (2017) (Repubbed in 2022 as Christmas in Frost Bend)
*Autumn at Apple Hill (2017)
*Spring in Lilac Glen(2018)
*Love at the Salted Caramel Cafe' (2018)

Carlisle Bay Series
*Dancing by the Moonlight (2018)
*Dancing by the Christmas Lights (2019)


*Christmas at Mistletoe Ridge (2020)

Sweethearts of Valentine Series
*Be Mine in Valentine (2022)

Reviews

[Malia Saldaña · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a sweet Valentine’s Day read. It was only about 100 pages. So it’s a perfect short read. It was definitely insta love between Charley and Dean, but I understood because of how short the book was. I thought it was neat that Dean was an Army brat because I am too, and you don’t read that often in books. So I could definitely relate to Dean on not having a “home” in one place for long. Overall, I would recommend for any romance reading lover. It was also clean. So I appreciated that.

[Paula Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Angie Ellington did it again with another gem! Finish out your 2022 with a quick read! This novella packs a punch in the sweet town of Valentine where love has to blossom, right? You’re guaranteed to love this sweet romance that makes you smile and root for Charley & Dean!

Thank you to my sweet friend, Angie, for the advance copy to read and give my honest review. All opinions are my own!

[Krystle Krystlesbookclub · Rating 2 out of 5]

It not the worst but it's not good.

[Katharine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and sweet! A fun, quick read for Valentine’s Day that gave Hallmark movie vibes. As a born and raised Vermonter, it was nice to read a book set there! Loved the nod to maple with the cinnamon maple latte…sounds delicious!

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be Mine in Valentine
By: Angie Ellington
Narrated by: Rachael Franco

This is the perfect listen as I was in the mood for a short sweet story! Angie Ellington writes a fun and quirky love story around Valentine Vermont! Yes, it's not only for Valentine's Day, but the town of Valentine is going to celebrate! Dean is a travel reviewer who is stuck in this small town. Not looking for a relationship because of his traveling, he is stuck there with all the small town fun, including that of matchmaking. Charlie is a barista, looking to buy the coffee shop she works in. Great at matching up her friends, she has had little luck with her own love life. Meeting Dean, the two decide to fake a relationship for the weekend to keep the meddlers out of their business. But this will never work, right? Feelings, misunderstandings, expectations, all the things that mess up a budding love happen. Will these two find out they are meant to be? Love Charlie. She is ambitious, sings beautifully and knows what she wants. More skeptical of Dean, I found he is a wonderful guy, just need to get to know him better! It's a wonderful small town, love story.

Rachel Franco gives a good performance, giving the town of Valentine all it's quirky neighbors! She has a different voice for everyone and makes the listen fly by. I enjoyed this novella!

[Diana in SC · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like a warm hug on a cold winter’s night
Audiobook version: 5 stars overall, 5 stars story, 4 stars narration

This is the best Valentine’s Day romance short story that I have ever read. I adore the cute couple, Charlie (a lady) and Dean. They are good people who weren’t expecting or looking for love on Valentine’s Day, but they found each other in the coffee shop in Valentine, Vermont. The couple tentatively falling in love in the cute, snowy, small-town setting made me feel happy and cozy. The amusing supporting characters and the flirty dialogue put the finishing up touches on this wonderful sweet romance short story. I plan to re-listen to this one many times, and I heartily recommend it to all romance fans.

The narrator Rachael Franco did a very good job. She made the character voices distinctive enough to tell apart. She enhanced the story by adding the right amount of charm and coziness. I love how she made the characters come alive with her talented performance of the dialogue.

I requested and received a free audiocode, and I voluntarily wrote this honest review.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be Mine In Valentine is own of the sweetest short romances I have read! This was super cute and just the perfect amount of attraction, romance, and kisses.

One has sworn off love because they had their heartbroken, the other gives their heart to anyone willing. The conundrum of having a best friend who is the ever romantic can sometimes get in the way of what you want for yourself. But when the perfect man walks into your life, literally, you can't not pay attention.

I absolutely loved this story and I am so excited to be able to continue this storyline in Valentine for the newest release!

[Samantha Ball · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet holiday romance

I thoroughly enjoyed this relatively short story - I finished it in a couple of hours - and found myself immersed in it straight away. The characters had distinct voices, which were wonderful. I liked that it was a dual POV romance too.

I also loved the faster pace of the dialogue with longer speeches in between. There wasn't too much description, just enough to picture the scene perfectly.

Will happily read more from this author.

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

super cute

What a cute valentines story. Charley didn’t think she would be one for live after heartbreak…. Will dean be the one for her? This is a lovely short story about life and love.

[Siobhan D · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the narration of Rachael Franco. She made the characters distinctive and come alive. Bring out the warmth and humour of this short listen. I will look out for her.

This is a fun and quirky love story around Valentine in a town called Valentine. The town of Valentine is celebrating the day. Dean is a travel reviewer who is stuck in the small town. Not looking for a relationship because of his traveling. Charlie is a barista, looking to buy the coffee shop she works in. She loves matching up her friends, But no luck with her own love life. When Charlie and Dean, they decided to fake a relationship for the weekend to keep people out of their business. What starts out as some fun, true feelings start to appear. It's a wonderful small town, love story.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute light hearted book for a crisp cold Valentines Day!!

[Sassy Mystic Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very sweet romance 💘

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

small town HEA

With Christmas over, it’s the perfect time to gear up with a valentine reads. Short and sweet with a HEA. I love Angie Ellington’s small town setting book especially with small businesses.

A barista manager and a travel reviewer hit it off in small town Valentine on the weekend of love. She is always match making everyone but herself. She agrees to be a fake date for the town’s activities he gets coaxed into. There fake date turns into much more!

[Kelly Guess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another sweet hallmark romance by Angie Ellington.
Insta-love and match making, a coffee shop and a small town! The perfect short read to get in your Valentine’s feels! ❤️💕

[Katelyn Orr]

I had to DNF. I just could not connect with the characters and found the writing was hard to follow.

[One Sentence Audio Critic · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfectly sweet treat for Valentine's day, as fun characters intertwine in a loving community.

[Kate Rock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this cute, VALENTINE Novella, set in the town of VALENTINE. A beautiful barista, a handsome travel reviewer and 24 hours of fun and love. Perfect for thos that love small town, Southern vibe, coffee house cuteness and HEA! I hope there will be more!

[Tracey Rommel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Angie Ellington wrote a sweet Valentine’s Day story. Short book with 100 pages. Want a feel good book this is the one for you.

[Wren Woodland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charley and Dean

She had been burned by love on Valentine’s and he purposely never stayed in one place to even try for a relationship. This is a short sweet fake date, Valentine’s Day giant meet and mingle. She kept sabotaging her dates and he tried to stay away from having a date but she totally took him by surprise and his interest was immediate. Clean.

[Evita Paizanou · Rating 2 out of 5]

🌟🌟

2/5 stars — sweet in concept, but lacking the depth to make it memorable.

⚠️ Spoilers ahead — trope execution, romantic development, and plot structure discussed! ⚠️

Be Mine in Valentine promises a festive, small-town Valentine’s romance — and while the aesthetic is undeniably cute, the execution doesn’t quite deliver the emotional payoff.

The setup has all the right ingredients: holiday charm, forced proximity, and a hint of opposites-attract tension. There’s potential for cozy vibes and swoony moments, especially with the Valentine’s Day backdrop adding built-in romantic stakes.

Unfortunately, the relationship development feels rushed. The chemistry is stated more than it’s shown, and the emotional progression moves so quickly that it’s hard to fully invest. Big feelings appear before the groundwork is laid, which makes some of the pivotal moments feel unearned.

The characters themselves aren’t unlikeable — they just don’t feel fully fleshed out. Conflict tends to resolve too easily, and misunderstandings lack the weight to create meaningful tension. Instead of simmering romantic buildup, the story jumps from cute interaction to declaration without enough depth in between.

Where the book does succeed is in atmosphere. The Valentine’s theme is strong, the setting feels warm and festive, and it’s clearly meant to be a light, quick seasonal read. If you’re looking for something short and sugary, it can scratch that itch.

🔥 Spice Rating: 1.5/5
Very light and mostly closed-door. The focus is more on sweetness than steam.

📌 Content Warnings: mild miscommunication, light emotional conflict

Final Thoughts:
Be Mine in Valentine isn’t bad — it’s just thin. It reads more like a holiday novella than a fully developed romance, and it never quite builds the emotional stakes needed to make it stick.

A cute idea with underdeveloped execution. 2/5 — sweet, but forgettable. 💘🌹🍫

[Simone Millis · Rating 2 out of 5]

If hallmark had a series of episodes this would be one of them. It was short and cute and was part of this month’s book club. Would I read it again? No but I’m not mad at it. Story takes place in a small town called “Valentine” where everyone knows everyone. Charlie our FMC is the manager at a coffee shop n meets a guy. He’s a travel reviewer? and gets an unlucky hand with his
friend/co-worker and is stuck in her small town rather than skiing in a much better place but his trip turns out not so bad after all. They both struggle from relationship failures so decide to fake date to avoid everyone trying to constantly pry into their love life since the town take “Valentine’s Day” very seriously lol and you guessed it they fall for each other…….Like I said hallmark.

[Jasmine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Be Mine In Valentine is my first romance of the year. It a sweet #smalltown Valentines romance that is set in a snowstorm so though it’s not yet the “day of love” it still felt relevant due to the copious amount of snow outside my door😅. We meet Charley who is the manager at the coffee shop and also know as the town match maker. Yet she seems to have a bit of a problem with her own love story until Dean the hotel critic comes from out of town. I did enjoy the small town aspect and all the secondary characters but I did find the storyline a bit cheesy and personally I’m not a fan of the #instalove trope.

[Nivsreview · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well as much I like to read about a new plot story with a barrista and a reviewer un it, in the same way I disliked the fast paced of the story..

I mean obviously the first interaction between two characters was completely not understandable to me, I mean c'mon who shared this much of information in first meet especially first talk.

Although I find the friend named of MMC more interesting than him.

I can't give it more then 2 ⭐.
Cuz it was sooo fast paced with lots of information in one go.

[Linda Elliott · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was cute but not for me


Good characters Well described. The story was love at 1st sight, just didn't seem real. Seem like the author made it effort to write this story and it wasn't feeling it. I don't mean to judge the author I know it takes a lot of time and ever to write a story. I had to put the book down and come back later.

[Kimberly #Audiofile · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened via audio
3 star listen
Finished within 40 minutes at 2.7 speed so really really short.
I would call this ya romance
No real time for world building, but it was a cute novella.
Gifted audio, narrator does well and fits the storyline.

[the.bookish.teach]

Cute!

I've said it before and I'll say it again Angie Ellington is my spirit animal with her easy going, fairytale romances! Everyone deserves a Dean! This should've a Hallmark movie!

[Brianna Rodriguez · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my cup of tea

Cute, short and sweet romance but I wasn’t a fan of the writing. The plot was lacking something as well, a little too sappy and predictable. Just not my cup of tea.

[Brandon Gilbert · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t realize this was a novella until I started listening to the audiobook. Then I saw it was very short. It could have been pretty good if it was expanded and not crammed into two days. A two day fake boyfriend romance doesn’t deserve HEA themes, though.

[Natalie · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[Alexis. 🍂☕️🤎 · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars.
It was short, sweet and to the point. Very much love at first sight. It was an okay quick read.