My Five Word TL:DR Review: Just the Most Delicious Book

I don’t think I can do this book justice in a review but I’ll give it a try.  In a nutshell, I loved this book.  Think of all the most lovely words you can imagine, delicious, scrumptious, whimsical, beautiful, delightful, a joy to read, and then times them by ten and that’s my experience reading this book.

This book actually brings to us Vianne’s story, long anticipated and now arrived to tantalise us with decadent chocolate, breathtaking recipes and a story of found family all embellished with a little magical realism.  We learn about Vianne and her past and the time she spends in Marseille before finally opening her chocolaterie in Lansquenet.

Firstly, I would say that if you haven’t read any of the books from this series this book is the perfect start of the journey.  You can certainly read this as a standalone and maybe if you pick this one up you’ll know whether or not you want to continue the rest of the journey.

Secondly Vianne is a wonderful character.  She isn’t perfect, she makes mistakes but her heart is in the right place.  She’s torn between following the path set by her mama and wanting to forge her own course.  And, in this addition she is in the very early stages of pregnancy.  Vianne has a way of bringing light into other’s lives – usually she doesn’t stay around long enough to affect such changes, usually eager to make an exit before she’s caught by darkness.

Thirdly, the writing is exquisite.  It’s so evocative.  You can smell the aromas, the descriptions of the places, the scents.  But, I warn you, you may need cake, warm chocolate and other little delights because this book will surely test you and make you want to delve into hand made treats.  I mean, quite literally, I’ve spent the last three days with a loudly grumbling stomach.

I loved the story.  Vianne finds shelter at a jaded bistrot under the care of its owner Louis.  Louis has been in mourning for many years since his pregnant wife passed away.  His little kitchen and the book of recipes his wife annotated have remained the same since but he reluctantly allows Vianne into this little shrine to begin to learn how to cook.  Vianne spends her first month in Marseille between the little bistrot that is slowly coming back to life with the delicious aromas on the wind tempting customers through the doors and with a couple of friends she has made who are endeavouring to open a chocolaterie, where Vianne discovers her love for chocolate and the magic it helps to achieve.

This is not an action packed read with adventure and disasters around every corner.  It’s an exploration into, not only Vianne’s but, the lives of the people she encounters and the little changes that gradually come about to help them come alive again.  There is sadness here.  Both for Vianne and Louis.  Vianne wants to stay true to her mother, to run before attachments are formed and roots pull her down but she wants to make a difference too.  You can really see elements of the woman she is about to become and I really enjoyed reading her story.

In conclusion, if you haven’t read any of the Chocolat series this is a perfect place to start.  If you’re already a fan then prepare to be happy because Vianne is an absolute delight.

I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks.  The above is my own opinion.

My rating 5 out of 5 deliciously sweet stars