The Loveliest Chocolate Shop in Paris by Jenny Colgan was a great read for me. I read another of Jenny’s books just last year and I really enjoyed it as I did this one. I love Jenny’s humorous and heartfelt stories and I especially love the time I spend in Paris when I read one.
Anna is living an okay life. She works as a supervisor in a chocolate factory until an unexpected accident lands her in a hospital bed instead. While she’s recuperating she finds that her bedmate is none other than her French teacher from her school days. Claire and Anna develop a close relationship over the weeks as Claire sets about teaching Anna to speak better French while telling her of her past.
When both Anna and Claire return home Claire notices how down in the dumps Anna is. She thinks Anna has so much more to offer the world than Anna does so she contacts a dear old friend she knows in Paris to see if Anna could go out there for a while to work in his chocolate shop. She feels that Paris life is just what Anna needs. However it takes Anna a while to see things the same way but soon enough she agrees to go.
Anna learns that Claire’s old sweetheart Thierry is actually a well known chocolatier in Paris and still does things the old way by making the chocolate by hand. Upon arriving she meets him along with the others working in the shop as well as Thierry’s son who is quite handsome. Her roommate Sami is the best character she meets though. He is as outlandish as they come and at first Anna wonders how in the world she will live with him and in the very tiny bedroom she has. That is until she sees the view of Paris she has right off her bedroom balcony. Will Paris be the place to pull Anna out of her doldrums? Will she find love? More importantly will this journey lead Anna to finding out who she is and what she really wants from her life?
The story goes back and forth from the present day with Anna to the past and Claire’s story. At first I had a bit of a time with it going back and forth but soon enough I was fully invested in these two ladies lives. While the novel is funny at times there are also some sad moments that had me reaching for the kleenex.
The Loveliest Chocolate Shop in Paris is for those who enjoy women’s fiction as well as a trip to Paris while curled up in your chair relaxing with a cup of coffee and some chocolate of course! Oh, and let’s not forget all the fantastic recipes included in the book for all us foodie fanatics!
Buy at: Sourcebooks, Amazon, Amazon Canada, and B&N
Source: Review copy provided by the publisher. No compensation was received for this review and all opinions are my own.
You had me at chocolate and Paris. This sounds yummy!
I love the recipes that are always included in her books Kathy. I need to try some of them soon!
I have been waiting to read this until I’m off my diet because I know I will be craving all the yumminess that is bound to be described.
Rhiannon, I know what you mean. I read about all these yummy things and then I start craving them. Not always a good thing. LOL.
This book is already on my wish list, but I’m bumping it closer to the top. Sounds like a fun read… and recipes are a plus!
JoAnn, I love books with recipes too. Even better for you since you love to experiment in the kitchen so much.
Oh my gosh! This looks so cute! And I love the cover. I have not read any by this author. I will have to add it to my wish list.
Wendy, I love the covers on her books. They are all great.
I like Jenny Colgan too and since I enjoyed some delicious chocolate while living in Paris, I believe this is a must-read for me! Thanks for sharing your great review, Amy.
Connie, you are so lucky to have lived in Paris. It’s on my wishlist of places I’d love to visit.
Oh, I could use a book like this right now! This sounds wonderful. Chocolate and Paris? What’s not to like?
Laura, I have to agree that chocolate and Paris are a wonderful combination.
I liked the one I read by her so I am sure I would like this one too 🙂
Linda, yes the other one was Meet Me at the Cupcake Cafe and it was great. I really like her sense of humor in her writing.