The Hope in Hot Chocolate (A Poppy Creek Novel Book 7)

When a billionaire philanthropist opens a sleek new business right next door to her struggling candy shop, Sadie Hamilton knows her little confectionery is in serious trouble — and the last thing she needs is to find the man infuriatingly charming.

In the cozy small town of Poppy Creek, Sadie has poured her heart into keeping her family's beloved confectionery alive. But with sales slipping and a polished competitor stealing foot traffic, her sweet legacy feels closer to melting away with every passing day. The fact that said competitor is tall, handsome, and relentlessly optimistic only makes things worse.

Landon Morris didn't move to Poppy Creek to make enemies. Launching a new venture while caring for his ailing mother already stretches him thin, and he certainly doesn't need the spirited candymaker next door glaring at him every time their eyes meet across the sidewalk. Yet somehow, her passion for her craft and her fierce loyalty to her community keep pulling his attention in ways he can't quite explain.

When a mysterious box of old love letters surfaces and connects their two shops in an unexpected way, Sadie and Landon begin to wonder if their rivalry might be masking something far more meaningful. As the warmth of the holiday season wraps around Poppy Creek, both of them must decide whether protecting what they've built means closing their hearts — or finally opening them.

Sometimes, hope tastes a lot like hot chocolate.