Can an icicle-themed festival thaw the most unlikely hearts? California lawyer Mina Richards spent her childhood helping her mom bake at their winter-themed café in the snowy village of Gosberg, Germany. When her retired parents want to sell The Icicle Café, Mina returns to facilitate the sale. She needs this to go right—she’ll fly in, finalize the deal and fly out to rescue her once high-powered … once high-powered career. But faced with Scott, her childhood friend and crush who doesn’t want to sell, Mina’s plan quickly falls apart.
Rising chef Scott Dawson has turned The Icicle Café into a destination restaurant. His parents and their partners want to sell the café to a hotel chain, and Scott can’t meet their price. When Mina arrives—more beautiful and determined than ever—he sees the possibility of a new future for the business and the town he loves. He just needs to change her mind…about more than selling the café.
When Scott asks Mina to help with the café’s annual Icicle Fest, their icy relationship warms. Can these former friends find a future together in the snowy village of their past?
more
The very likely sale of a two family owned café brings a couple together as they try to save the café. The play between Scott and Mina is sweet.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
You know the trope where the really successful and so incredibly busy business man is forced to take a break and learns who he is and what he wants in life? This book does all that….but with a fabulous woman instead!! Who, also, bakes like no other. I loved it! All the warm Christmas fuzzies!!
Mina Richards enjoyed her time growing up in Gosberg, Germany. Her family and the Dawson family went into business together and started the Icicle cafe. Now that the families are getting older they want to retire and that means going back to Germany for Mina to represent her family for the Icicle Festival. I absolutely loved the characters Scott and Mina and the whole small town coming together for a festival just makes you feel at home.
Like a cup of hot chocolate, this book is sweet, warm, and a joy to read on a cold winter’s night.
Mina is up for a promotion but finds herself in Germany in the town where she grew up, helping at the Icicle Cafe`, and readying for the festival. Seeing her old friend Scott brings up feelings, but she’s trying to stay focused on her career back home.
Scott is trying to save the cafe` from an impending sale, thinking of a future expansion restaurant, and finding ways to keep Mina involved. He needs an investor and for Mina to believe in his plan.
As they work together, romance starts to bloom, but Mina still has one foot out the door, despite continual sabotage by a coworker up for the same promotion. As she bakes and creates desserts for the cafe`, Mina wonders just what she wants in life. Could she see a future at the Icicle Cafe` with Scott? The clock is ticking…
Long ago two families were assigned to a unit in Germany while serving in the US Military and the wives decided to open a café there and it soon took off, lasting decades. Now the question is will it stand the test of time and be passed down to the next generation or will the family business come to an end with a new developer just eyeing the property.
Mina is working as a patent lawyer in California and set to make partner in the very near future. In fact if the cases she is working on continue down the road they are going, she should outdo the rival at her firm and it should happen before the holidays. But those plans are soon put on hold when her dad hurts his back and her mom tells her they are about to sell the bakery they own in Gosberg, Germany. Agreeing to go in their stead for just a few days to handle everything, Mina is met with a few more surprises, including a major change or two to her plans. Like the rival at the firm rushing some things and taking over her cases. So while going back to California and staying in law is what she wants, maybe it be admitting that love is in the air with a long time family friend, the one she had a crush on and taking over the family business is what needs to be?
Scott has run the cafe for awhile and in fact even expanded it by offering a gift shop and a coffee shop in it as well. When his parents tell him that the Icicle Café is about to be sold, he is heartbroken because it means his dream could be coming to an end. He doesn’t even have the heart to tell the staff about the plans. So when Mina shows up for the sale, he is firm in his ways, hoping that by being a little cold maybe she won’t realize that all along he had feelings for her too, plus maybe it will buy him a little more time to find a partner to buy the business. It all depends on how well things go at the Icicle Festival, that isn’t in 2 days like Mina thinks, but in 2 weeks. If he can do some convincing like getting her help baking some things that she is incredible at, it might bring some new light on both of their plans.
This book was one I ordered long ago when it was first mentioned and I am so glad I did. It did not disappoint me at all. In some parts I felt like I was in Germany in this place that I have heard about before. With her words you could just close your eyes and find yourself there. It was a great read and I definitely recommend you add it to your list no matter what time of year it is! I can’t wait to read some of her upcoming books!
I received this arc from Tule Publishing in exchange for an honest review. This is my first book by Denise and I loved it. I chatted with Denise on the Tule Facebook page during the 24 Days of Cookies event and was excited to read this book when she talked about it. This was a friends to lovers type sweet romance set during the holidays. It takes place in Germany and the pictures of the cafe and the town Denise describes for the reader make you feel you are there.
This is the story of Scott and Mina who are reunited after many years in the town they grew up in. Their dads had been in the military there and their mothers opened a cafe, The Icicle Cafe in Gosberg, Germany. Mina’s parents continued to co-own it but returned to the states to live. Scott’s parents remained there and he took an active lead in running the cafe. He has a gift shop, a coffee bar, restaurant and the annual icicle fest. The parents have announced their desire to retire and sell it to a company that plans to tear it down.
Mina has been working as a patent attorney in California and is on the verge of making partner. Her dad injures his back and asks her to represent their family at the icicle fest since it will be the last fest before the sale. As she is competing against her rival for the promotion she doesn’t want to go, but eventually agrees to go for the few days of the fest.
Mina arrives and Scott is initially cold to her as he is worried about the cafe’s future. After awhile, they rediscover their old friendship. She also learns that the Fest isn’t in 2 days but 2 weeks and she has to decide what to do. She is concerned about her job but decides to wait and see. Her assistant keeps her apprised of what’s happening with her cases. The one partner seems to favor her rival and she ends up losing first one case then a second to him as she’s not there to handle them personally. She spoke to the other partner who reassured her she still had a chance.
Mina is an amazing baker and she makes her special items for sale at the cafe. She is enjoying being there, meeting the staff, spending time with Scott, trying out the food and joining in activities. Scott has a plan to buy the cafe with a partner who owns a chain of family restaurants in Germany. The potential investor will come to the fest to see it. If things don’t work out he will have to announce that the cafe will be closing and disappoint the whole town.
The story pulls you in immediately as the characters are so likable and the story captures your attention. There is some suspense as we don’t know what will happen with the sale of the cafe, Mina’s partnership and the relationship between Scott and Mina. I highly recommend this book. I look forward to Denise’s next book.
Loved this winter romance!! California lawyer, Mina has returned to Gosberg, Germany where her parents want to sell their small cafe, The Icicle Cafe. Mina has arrived to help with the process but soon she rekindles her friendship with the chef, Scott. Scott was her high school crush and does not want to sell the cafe. Soon Mina is no longer sure where her heart belongs, can the locals and Scott change her mind to stay.
Loved this sweet romance, with all of the wonderful winter activities including the Icicle Festival. If you weren’t hungry before reading this story, you will be craving sweets and savory meals. This is a new to me author and thoroughly enjoyed. I highly recommend.
Wintery Christmas read that had me from hello. This is one of those books that grabbed me because it was just so full of amazing details, from the food to the holiday displays and then the storyline. This book has friendship and more.
This is a gorgeous sweet romance that I thoroughly enjoyed
Mina is a attorney in California and she is working hard to become a partner and gain more control over the cases she takes She needs to take some time off to head to Gosberg, Germany on behalf of her parents to handle the sale of their café to a local hotel chain The only thing is this puts her back in contact with her childhood friend Scott Dawson his parents are part owners of the Icicle Café and he has been running it for a while. He convinces her to help with the Icicle Fest, and he hopes to convince her not to sell as he can’t match the hotels offer. Soon he is hoping for more as he falls for his old friend Will she rethink her plans and can they have a future together You will have to read to see
Love at the Icicle Café by Denise N. Wheatley
Can an icicle-themed festival thaw the most unlikely hearts?
California lawyer Mina Richards spent her childhood helping her mom bake at their winter-themed café in the snowy village of Gosberg, Germany. When her retired parents want to sell The Icicle Café, Mina returns to facilitate the sale. She needs this to go right—she’ll fly in, finalize the deal and fly out to rescue her once high-powered career. But faced with Scott, her childhood friend and crush who doesn’t want to sell, Mina’s plan quickly falls apart.
Rising chef Scott Dawson has turned The Icicle Café into a destination restaurant. His parents and their partners want to sell the café to a hotel chain, and Scott can’t meet their price. When Mina arrives—more beautiful and determined than ever—he sees the possibility of a new future for the business and the town he loves. He just needs to change her mind…about more than selling the café.
When Scott asks Mina to help with the café’s annual Icicle Fest, their icy relationship warms. Can these former friends find a future together in the snowy village of their past?
This is Mina Richards and Scott Dawson’s story.
“I’m so glad I was able to help you win your case,” patent attorney Mina Richards said.
“We wouldn’t have been able to do it without you,” Jim Stern, owner of Colorblind Solution Lenses, replied. “Trust me, the next time we need to hit someone with an infringement claim, I’ll be giving you a call.”
Mina led Jim through the lobby of Anderson & Moore LLP. “Thank you. It would be my pleasure to represent you again,” she said, shaking his hand before he exited the law firm.
“Betty was telling me about all the wonderful upgrades Scott has made since we were there last year. He’s expanded the menu, begun selling winter-themed décor and books, and hosts cooking and crafting workshops on weekends.” “Oh wow. That sounds fantastic. I’m sure the townspeople and tourists are loving it.”
Along with all the upgrades he’s made to the café, he is also planning to ramp up this year’s Icicle Fest. He’s going to throw an even bigger parade, host a ton of new vendors, run several winter-themed contests, and
offer up even more good food and music.” “Really?” Mina asked. “That is going to be amazing. I love that Scott has worked so hard to expand the Icicle brand.”
I recommend reading.
Love at the Icicle Café by Denise N. Wheatley is a 4 star book.
I am looking forward to reading more books by Denise N. Wheatley
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
Love at the Icicle Café is written by a new to me author, Denise N. Wheatley. “Friends to lovers” is one of my favorite tropes. Scott and Mina were childhood friends but have since gone separate ways. Mina is now a California lawyer and Scott stayed to become a chef. Loved the idea of The Icicle Café being a destination restaurant. How uniquely fun would that be. It’s very different from the many sun and surf ones that abound. So from the first I was rooting for the restaurant not to change to a big corporate ownership. Then Scott and Mina fit so well together I was rooting for their future too.
A sweet story will a believable plot and authentic characters makes Love at the Icicle Café an incredible read. The descriptions of the German town, the café and the food seemed so real that I felt that I had been on a minivacation. Perfect story for this time of limited travel. This is an author I will be watching to read more of her books.
4.5 Stars
An ARC of the book was given to me by Tule Publishing which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
A sweet second chance romance
Two old friends, Mina and Scott, are brought together again to finalize the sale of their beloved family restaurant, The Icicle Cafe, in Gosberg, Germany. But first, there is one event that the entire town looks forward to each year, the Icicle Fest. Mina and Scott work together to make it the best one yet. As they spend time together, they discover the chemistry they once had is still there. But is it strong enough for Mina to stay in Germany, or will she go back to her life in California? And, will they be able to save the cafe from being sold and turned into a hotel?
This is the first book I have read by this author and it definitely won’t be the last. She has a way of telling a story that drew me in from the very beginning. The characters felt real along with the descriptions of the cafe and town of Gosberg in the winter, really came to life through her words. I could easily see this book as a movie.
This was a very enjoyable read that somehow reminded me of learning to drive a stick shift, I could feel Mina’s feelings shifting gears.
Oh and somehow all the foods and pastry kept me wanting to try new foods and sweets.
Yes I would recommend this one.
I was given an advance reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my review.
How lovely is the cover for this wintry romance set in the snowy village of Gosberg, Germany? Love at the Icicle Café by Denise N. Wheatley has a fairy tale European setting, an Icicle Fest, a cozy café with a dreamy chef, and a whip smart attorney heroine who bakes the best red velvet cupcakes this side of the North Pole. A wonderful, festive winter romance.