Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Truth & Hot Chocolate
AUTHOR: C.S. Carver
PUBLISHER: Self-published
LENGTH: 243 Pages
RELEASE DATE: April 17, 2023
BLURB:
What is Hollywood’s hottest heartthrob doing sitting in his bathtub?
Actor AJ Miller has it all figured out. He has his pick of scripts and a platoon of fans who adore him. After attending a wedding that dragged up unpleasant memories, AJ decides to get away from the glam and sham of Hollywood. Where better to decompress than at a remote cabin in the woods of British Columbia?
It’s just his luck that the cabin comes with a surprise guest.
Diego Rayas loves to cook, but he loves watching people enjoy his food even more. Although his catering and meal-planning business is booming, the high-maintenance clients are killing his passion. When his most recent catering job ruins his life, Diego retreats to his family’s cabin to get away from the lies of Hollywood.
But it seems like Hollywood is dead set on following him.
AJ doesn’t need another scandal. Diego doesn’t need another spoiled celebrity to coddle. After they’re trapped together by a raging snowstorm, neither can resist the attraction blooming between them. AJ wants someone who sees beyond his fame, and he hopes like hell that someone is Diego.
If only Diego would stop running.
Truth & Hot Chocolate is a snowed-in MM romance with only one bed, a copious amount of hot chocolate, all the comfort food, and sweet and spicy moments tucked away in the privacy of a remote cabin.
REVIEW:
AJ is a well known actor. He’s just attended the wedding of his cheating abusive ex and he needs to get away. He rent an AirBnB in the wilds of Canada where he won’t have cell service, be chased by paparazzi or have to be “on” like he in LA or anywhere else people know him. But what was promised as an isolated solo vacay turns out to come with an unexpected guest.
Caterer/chef Diego goes to his families remote cabin in winter to get away from it all and figure out his next move. He’s been the subject of a tabloid story and lies from guess who? AJ’s ex. And they guy is trying to ruin his business and his life after Diego rejected him on his wedding day! Needless to say Diego is furious and he’s tried to tell his side, but Graham, the ex is also a popular actor – and apparently a good one to convince everyone.
Neither guy is thrilled that their promised alone time isn’t going to happen. They both overreact a bit and then settle on a truce. Oh yeah, and they are both crazy attracted to each other. There is only one bed and a raging snowstorm that keeps them trapped together. Of course one thing leads to another and AJ offers to share the bed 😉
As they spend more time together, Diego teaches AJ to cook a bit. The explore vegan cuisine and Diego reconnects with his love of cooking. He’s been torn about staying with the catering and has a job offer from his best friend but he’s undecided. Both men share why they are regrouping and needed a break and it’s clear that their feelings are growing for each other. Each of them seem to be a some sort of crossroad and aren’t sure about their next move. Distrust and misunderstandings and lack of communication almost do them in. Having friends in high places who have their backs helps though 😉
This is a new to me author and overall I enjoyed this book. There isn’t really any new territory covered here in the forced proximity/snowed in with one bed trope, but I liked both characters. AJ has been wounded and worked hard to get back to his life and make his own way. Diego has been blindsided by the attack from Graham, but he’s lost his joy and needs to figure out his path. It’s serendipitous that they find themselves in the same place and it allows both men to figure out what their next steps are. They are strong apart, but stronger together. The secondary characters don’t have a lot of page time but are supportive of the guys and they make their presence known. The ending was a little bit rushed and there were one or two editing issues in the ARC I received, but I assume those were caught before publishing. Recommended for fans of this trope especially.
RATING: 
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