Chef’s Kiss at the Chalet by Sookie Snow: Hallmark Vibes and Gingerbread Competitions.

A feel-good winter story with found family and festive cheer.

Synopsis

Torn between two worlds, can their love survive the season?

Chef’s Kiss at the Chalet is a deliciously cosy, festive, small-town romance, for fans of Chalet Girl, Laurie Gilmore and Hannah Grace.

When Eleanor Evans lands a spot at London’s most prestigious culinary school, her dreams finally feel within reach. Desperate to scrape together the cash for her tuition, she accepts a last-minute agency position as a chalet girl, which whisks her away to Maplewood Creek, a quaint, snow-kissed town nestled in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.

Hired by the affluent Hawthorne family, Elle finds herself in a world of wealth, luxury and big egos, far removed from her humdrum everyday life. As she navigates the challenges of her new job, mastering gourmet dishes and catering to the whims of her discerning employers, she realizes there’s something she hadn’t accounted Charles Hawthorne, the family’s charming and undeniably sexy eldest son.

Charles soon becomes an unexpected distraction for Elle – she can’t deny the sizzling chemistry between them. But, with Elle’s career aspirations hanging in the balance and Charles’s carefree lifestyle and family expectations putting a strain on their blossoming relationship, can this unlikely duo survive the season?

Review

A feel-good winter story with found family and festive cheer

3.75 stars

First, a big thank you to Pan Macmillan Export for sending me a finished copy of this book.

This is exactly the kind of story I reach for when I want something light, comforting, and seasonally perfect. Set in snowy Colorado, in a small village dressed up for Christmas, this book instantly put me in that cozy, pre-holiday mood. Think twinkling lights, cold air, and warm kitchens.

The small town of Maplewood Creek has full Hallmark vibes: a local farmers’ market, a cozy inn famous for its cookies, and an annual gingerbread competition where the townspeople go all in. Honestly, I loved wandering around this place.

At the center of the story is Elle, a determined young woman who worked hard to go to cooking school and now takes a job at a luxurious chalet owned by a wealthy family. Her goal? Save enough money to attend her dream culinary school in London. Enter Charles, the charming son of the family — yes, it has a definite Cinderella feel.

What truly worked for me was the food. This book is packed with cooking, recipes, and kitchen moments, and I loved every single one of them. Reading about Elle’s creations was easily my favorite part, and I didn’t mind at all being immersed in her culinary world.

Another strong point is the found family aspect. The friendships Elle forms with the women of Maplewood slowly turn into something deeper and warmer, and that sense of community really shines.

My only real gripe is the romance. Charles appears here and there, and while all the right words are said, I never fully felt the chemistry. The relationship stayed a bit surface-level for me. That said, the book has enough charm, atmosphere, and comfort to carry the story without it bothering me too much.

All in all, this was a cozy, feel-good Christmas read — perfect for a snowy day, a blanket, and a craving for something sweet. I devoured it in one sitting.

Thanks for reading.