5 Word Review: Friendship, betrayal, belonging, family, Christmas.


Oh no, not me Googling yet again whether Whitsborough Bay is real.

Charlee has gone through so much in her life, she's not had it easy. I found myself empathising with her with every page. She's so talented, her work with chocolate had me drooling and eyeing up the Christmas chocolates I have already bought.

Fair waring - this book will make you crave chocolate and beer. And maybe some wine. It's the type of book to properly coorie up with in the long winter evenings.

Matt is such a generous soul. He's loyal almost to a fault and it did mean that this felt very much like a slow burn. The attraction was there, but Matt's abilities to put his feelings aside really could be a touch frustrating as understandable as his actions were. He's a stark contrast to Darren

Jessica Redland has the most amazing ability to make you truly loathe characters. I absolutely hated Darren and BJ with a passion, they honestly had me seething. And if that isn't good writing, I don't know what it. And with them being so utterly terrible, it was even easier to fall in love with Charlee and Matt. And Jodie, I want her to be my BFF.

I loved the strong friendships in this book, the sense of community and the found-family themes. Somehow they made it feel all the more festive.

Whitsborough Bay is the most perfect setting. The small town really comes to life on the pages, and the Christmas lights switch on scenes were so wonderful and magical. I want to go to Whitsborough Bay, to Castle Street, and experience it myself. I wish it was real.

I thought the ending was particularly delightful, and I loved how everything wrapped up so well.

This book is so freaking uplifting. I loved it. It put a massive smile on my face and filled me to bursting with heart-warming hope. Get this on your TBR.

This is my first book from this author and I thought it was cute. A very easy read for the holiday season, so if you're looking for a quick read to get you in the holiday spirit, this could be it!

I thought the plot was sweet. Loved the idea of a woman starting her very own chocolate shop in the season leading up to Christmas. What I loved most was the setting. Give me an adorable small town any day! Especially when it was described with the close knit community, quaint buildings and the Christmas decor...love!

I will say that the reason for the three stars was mostly because of the pacing and the characters. The story was cute, but felt a bit rushed at times. I love a good romance story but the way this one came together also felt very rushed at the end. The characters were not all that likeable. Fun enough and I enjoyed bits of them but overall, I found them to be a bit annoying at times. I wanted to love main character Charlee, but found her very naive to the point that I wanted to shout at her to give her head a shake!

Overall though, this was a good little read that got me feeling festive!

Put this book on your Christmas Reading List. If you haven’t already read it, or even if you have… read it (again)! So, maybe I kinda liked Christmas Wishes at the Chocolate Shop!

Regular visitors to The Cozy Pages will already know about my cover love for this book; and I’ll share more about that later in this post. You’ll also know I pretty much adore anything Jessica writes, especially her Christmas stories!

We can call this story a tale of two Christmases as we see Charlee’s complete transformation over the course of a year from one winter to the next. Charlee changes and matures into a self-confident and open lady who bravely embraces opportunities life might bring her way. She leaves her first, sad and lonely Christmas season in Whitsborough Bay only to start the next season in a much stronger place, and completely ready to let love in.

Charlee and Matt are so delightful together. I love how their friendship is developed over the course of the story. There’s always the hint of something more to come, a taste of the romantic chemistry that is brewing between them… but they’re too thoughtful and upright to act on it until the coast is clear to do so. It’s no surprise though that all their friends and colleagues (the charming Bay Street Traders) can see what they are scared to admit!

The Bay Street Traders feature some favourite characters from Jessica’s other books. It’s so cute to catch these little peeks of them in this story, and I loved how Jessica hid key details to save the surprises for readers still to explore the joys of those books!

The Christmas factor is decked up to the highest halls in this tale. Any Christmas book set on Castle Street entails gorgeous descriptions of the storefronts, the decor and the glorious Castle Street lighting up ceremony. It’s also a challenge to get through this book without ending up with a craving for a decadent hot chocolate drink. Even more than the tangible elements, this story reminds us about the true meaning of Christmas and family (given or made). This really is a seasonal delight.

Speaking of family…I love the tweaks made to the storyline with Charlee’s family and including more of Matt’s. Readers have the opportunity to see Charlee really confront her past, as it concerns her mother, and figure out what is the best way forward for her and the new life she is trying to build. The backstory here is so wonderfully rich and moving. Scenes with Matt and his family, especially his nieces, are the smile bringers!

There’s a really sweet and wonderful twist at the end that puts a neat bow on this Christmas story. But it’s fitting and utterly understandable when more of the backstory is revealed.

I love this story so much I might just have to revisit it in December. Seriously, Christmas Wishes at the Chocolate Shop is THE perfect seasonal read.

Well, she’s done it again. An escapist, emotional and beautiful read with characters that jump off the page and quite a few that warm your heart and even one that managed to get me quite hot under the collar!

I have to admit having a bad feeling about Ricky from the beginning. He came across as selfish, rude, arrogant but even I was surprised to uncover how much of a snake he truly was…

Charlee, on the other hand, is a kind, hard-working and admirable character. I liked her from the beginning and built quite a connection with her throughout the book. Her closeness with her grandparents really struck a chord with me and made me quite emotional, and then her attitude to moving away I could really relate to. I laughed with her and cried with her and she is definitely a character that will stay with me.

Last but not least, Matt. He is dishy, practical, dependable, thoughtful and if Libby wasn’t going to appreciate him, and Charlee not going to nab him, then I want him for myself!

Whitsborough Bay is a perfect setting for this story and provides a wonderful backdrop to the surprises, twists and heartfelt moments in this book.

Once again, Jessica has created a perfectly pitched romance novel that I have got completely lost in and has got me dreaming of Christmas warmth and of course, chocolate! Another stunning read by my absolute fave.

Who doesn't love chocolate especially when you add the season of Christmas and romance? This story had it all. I loved having the opportunity to read this book by Jessica Redland. I never heard of her until I received an email asking if I would like to review this book. I am so glad I did.
It was the story of Charlee and a "Tale of Two Christmases". I can remember two Christmases I had back to back in the the early 2000s. I was in a stupid relationship that should have ended years before. Yep, I stayed with the wrong guy for 4 years. Fast forward to the next Christmas, I was in love with the love of my life soon to be engaged. You never know what is around the corner.

Charlee's story is one where the unimaginable happened. It was magical. It was unpredictable. But it happened!

I loved this story. I will certainly keep my eye out for any past and future books by Ms. Jessica Redland.



I received this from Boldwood Books to review.

My Thoughts: this gave me alll the warm and fuzzy lovey dovey feelings I was hoping for and I loved it so much!

We’re following Charlee, and the book opens with her spreading her beloved Grandmas ashes, just as she’s finishing and getting ready to come home her boyfriend Ricky appears to give her a cuddle, he hadn’t finished work in time to join but at least he’s there now to offer some much needed support, right?

Ricky tells Charlee that he’s lost his job but there is a new opportunity opening up in Whitsborough Bay that he’s going for and he’d like her to join him, it all seems perfect but right from the start I got a feeling that just didn’t sit right with me, so many red flags that Charlee just kept ignoring!

But then she moves to Whitsborough Bay, finds the perfect shop to realise her dream of owning her own chocolate shop and carry her grandads legacy!

Obviously in true romance style nothing is ever straight forward and everything just starts going wrong and in steps Matt, the local plumber.. there’s instant sparks but the only problem is Charlee has a boyfriend and Matt is engaged.. but is either of them really happy?

On one had this was your typical predictable romance that is everyone’s guilty pleasure but on the other hand it was completely different too!

After this one I will definitely be picking up more books by Jessica in the future!

I loved this book the characters were amazing full of great community sprit in this book with amazing writing style you love.
I loved Charlee character very determined person loves her job moved away from her own town to start fresh somewhere new with her boyfriend. Start a new life I loved that charlee so close with her best friend too and she had company. I loved how the people try and help her such a emotion full of humour story. Ricky I fought his character was strange sometime up with him him and charlee are great together in the beginning he know what he want. A great story you love x

Christmas Wishes at the Chocolate Shop is a holiday-themed romance about a woman opening a chocolate shop and finding love. I really enjoyed the second half of the book, the first half was a bit slow. The characters were well-written, I especially liked the store owners and the woman's father. The setting was great and the homey feel to the village was spot on. I guess this is part of a bigger group of stories all from the same town. I look forward to checking them out.

As I may have mentioned before it’s not been that long since I discovered Jessica Redland’s writing, but there is just something so special about it. Her stories are so easy to read and make you feel like you personally know everyone there and they tend to take you on an emotional ride and leave you thinking about and missing the characters long after you have finished the story. This book was no different! This may just be one of Jessica’s best books yet! I think Jessica’s personality really shines through in her writing and gets reflected in her characters and their friendships and relationships. On Social Media and in interviews Jessica is just so lovely and any interaction with her feels like a heartwarming hug. 🥰

The story is told in first person by Charlee and covers two Christmases that couldn’t be more different and basically skips everything in between. Both parts of the stories are very likely to make you get tears in your eyes, or really sob, but for different reasons. I literally cried and smiled a lot while reading this book!

What to expect:

✅ a very sweet (although sometimes too sweet) and good hearted main character Charlee

✅ the sweetest grandparents, who unfortunately pass away before the story starts, but their impact on Charlee are felt throughout the story

✅ a wonderful best friend, Jodie

✅ new friends and a heartwarming community

✅ picture perfect setting… I love Castle Street!

✅ a villain (bad boyfriend) and a prince charming… so obviously some romance

✅ family troubles and heartbreaking loneliness… you will need tissues!

✅ Chocolate and lots of it! I dare you not to read this book without wanting to eat and/or drink chocolate!

I really enjoyed this book and even if it has Christmas in the title it wasn't too much so you can get away with reading it whenever 😉

Charlee is a master chocolatier who with the encouragement of her boyfriend moves to a new area to open her own shop. Things don't quite go how she thinks at first.

I really liked that this book could be really relatable and down to earth, it wasn't over the top predictable and nothing happened that would make you be like we'll duh!

I really enjoy Jessica's writing and she's definitely one to read!

It's safe to say I absolutely loved this book. A gorgeous festive tale of family and friendship with a little romance thrown in for good measure. It gave me all the feels, like snuggling under a blanket with a hot chocolate in front of a log fire on a snowy day ❤❤❤

The characters were fabulous, the sense of community and friendship was a solid thread throughout and the description of the skills involved in being a master chocolatier were brilliant to discover. Charlees journey was one of strength and discovery and I loved every minute of it!

Thankyou to Rachel's random resources for gifting me a copy of this book in return for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Jessica Redland never fails to deliver comfort reading at its finest. For those who don’t know what my personally made up concept is, comfort reading is a bit like comfort eating; all the endorphins, but without the calories😀 It is the art of being able to pick up a new book, knowing that you are going to love it, without even reading the back cover. As you delve into the book, the anticipated endorphins are released, showering you with pleasure and a general sense of well being and feel-good. You 100% know it’s coming, but it still never fails to hit the spot. The creme de la creme of Choc-lit. My only disappointment is the lack of a new festive instalment in the ’Hedgehog Hollow’ series – but maybe next year?

I have read all of Jessica Redland’s novels and they never fail to bring me unbridled pleasure; they convey sheer joy. Jessica is a gifted author and she brings fun and romance to her books in a thoroughly uplifting way. Somehow each new book is better than the last.The incredible thing and what makes Jessica’s writing so clever, is the fact that each book is unique; individual in its own way, yet sharing that commonality of being a great read.

It is with great anticipation therefore that I am embarking on this new festive instalment, based in the ever fabulous Whitsborough Bay. I am a totally ‘Southern Softie’ myself, with scant appreciation of the UK’s geography north of Watford, so I must confess to googling Whitsborough Bay, as having read the author’s books based there, I really fancied a trip. What a blow to discover that Whitsborough Bay is an entirely fictional seaside resort, albeit an amalgamation of experiences from a collection of places.

Back to the story, I immediately empathised with Charlee on two fronts: the first, in that she clearly loved her Grandparents dearly, and the second that she loved the beach – wanting to spread her Grandmother’s ashes there. You can’t go far wrong with a character who loves both their Grandparents, and the seaside. I was devastated at the thought of Charlee’s Grandmother hanging on in there, essentially waiting until after Charlee’s 30th birthday to die. I found myself crying ugly, genuine tears at this – and I was still only on the first page off the book!

I loved the narrative throughout this book. The sights and the smells were all-pervading and the characters so realistic. Indeed, at one point, upon closing my eyes, I swear that I could smell chocolate so strongly, to the extent that I could practically taste it. As for Charlees’s Christmas chocolate window display – I could visualise it with very little effort or imagination, such were the book’s descriptions; this may as well have been a picture book! What could possibly be more uplifting than a great book, accompanied by the smell and taste of my favourite confection, together with a mind full of glorious pictures! I revelled in the sense of community among the Castle Street shopkeepers, to the extent that I genuinely felt part of it, living as part of the community, vicariously through Charlee.

I was thrilled at the thought of revisiting Whitsborough Bay and I could really see Charlee living there. I loved the joy that she got from her skill as a chocolatier and looked forward to sharing in her setting up of a new shop of her own. What I wasn’t sure about however, was her boyfriend Ricky and where his loyalties lay – I just hoped with all my might, that he wasn’t using Charlee. The more I read about Charlee, the more she endeared herself to me and I found myself completely invested in her and her having a successful future, both in a business sense and from a personal view – building for herself that sense of family that she so yearned, no doubt a throw back desire from having been abandoned by her Mother as a baby. However, I found it difficult to dispel the sneaking suspicion from the back of my mind, that Ricky was taking advantage of Charlee. I am not going to spoil the ending of this book for you though, by dwelling on this any further, apart from stating the obvious – that as far as I’m concerned, she couldn’t be rid of him soon enough!

I was concerned at Charlee’s lack of friends in her new town, but it felt to me as though this situation was changing rapidly, after meeting both Sarah from the florists and Matt the plumber. He had a certain promise on the romantic front, apart from no being single!

Will Charlee make her own happy ever after? You will have to read this great book for yourself, to find out.

I adore this author, I always know that I’m in for a treat and the book never ever disappoints.

This is a gorgeous read and filled with lovely characters. It has definitely given me Christmas feels and is perfect for lovers of chocolate.

I have adored Charlee from the very beginning, this is a character I have felt invested in and been rooting for throughout.

This is enchanting, snug and cosy. The perfect read to curl up with. This is a book that has left me smiling and I cannot wait to see what this author has in store for us next.

It's always a pleasure to pick up one of Jessica Redland's lovely, magical, full of emotion and drama stories! Especially when it is set in Whitsborough Bay, a small seaside town with a great community.
Let's just admire this gorgeous cover for a moment…It really doesn't get more festive and romantic than this!
My heart went straightaway to Charlee, a master chocolatier (what a fabulous jobit is- making people happy with your creations, a bit like writing Christmas stories ), who has just relocated to Whitsborough Bay with her boyfriend. There's a lot of pressure on her and Ricky couldn't have been more useless, even if he tried! Luckily, Charlee is about to find out what a wonderfully caring community her new town is. Sometimes you really need a bit of help and friendly support to make you see the big picture and change the way you feel about some pretty important things in life.
As usual, the characters are well-developed and have their own challenges to overcome. Charlee becomes stronger and more determined throughout the story and it's impossible not to wish her love and happiness she deserves. If you're looking for a sweet story with family secrets, friendships and festive fabulousness, Christmas Wishes at the Chocolate Shop might be exactly what you need at this time of year.

This book is a must read, it has it all a gorgeous setting, romance, friendships and community spirit.

I loved all of the characters (well apart from Ricky), there are lots of storylines which really bring the book together. I especially enjoyed the slow burning romance of Charlee and Matt

I want to open a shop in Castle Street! Or at-least be able to go and visit all the shops there.

Thank you to the publisher for the advanced readers copy via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review

After reading Christmas at Carly's Cupcake and Starry Skies Over The Chocolate Pot Cafe I couldn't wait to read Christmas Wishes at the Chocolate Shop which is a re-release under the new name and I was overjoyed to be going back to the beginning of Charlee's story as to how she came to find herself in Whitsborough Bay.

Charlee is a master chocolatier, relocates to Whistsborough Bay along with her boyfriend Ricky, after the death of her grandmother. I took to Charlee but instantly hated Ricky - you could just tell he was not the guy for her and also say money in form of Charlee's inheritance. Despite what we saw Charlee moves with him and buys and opens her shop on the beautiful Castle Street - honeslty I wish this street existed in real life (maybe there is somewhere in the world) it just sounds like a magical place especially at Christmas time! She is determined to get the shop renovated and opened in time for Christmas but Ricky is AWOL and never around to help her, and when the shop has a bit of a plumbing disaster she meets the handsome Matt - who we just know is the one for Charlee, but he has a fiancé! 

As the distance between Charlee and Ricky grows and some truths are revleared, she really has her hands full moving here! But rest assured her best friend Jodie makes the move as well and takes up residence in the flat above the shop, so when things hit the fan for Charlee she at least has Jodie around to lift her up. With Ricky out of the picture and things looking rocky for Matt and his relationship - could a happy ever after be on Charlee's cards after all? You will have to read the book to find out how things transpire.

The story is one of those feel good hallmark type, featuring characters that you will love and hate - in Ricky's case, a wonderful magical setting and just a feel good romance.

My Thoughts
Christmas Wishes at the Chocolate Shop is a cute novel about a woman who restarts her life while grieving for loss in her family. I like to call these books “start overs” or “rebuilds” because the main character attempts some sort of major change in order to pursue dreams or to heal their heart.

There is a lot of drama in this one. Ups and downs, twists and turns, it’s all there to experience. But above all of that, there is. sense of female empowerment and strong female friendships. It’s these themes that really drive Christmas Wishes at the Chocolate Shop from a run of the mill Christmas romance novel to a deeper, more meaningful story.

I loved the chocolate shop and the festive situations as a backdrop for this saga. While not integral to the story, Christmas in a small town becomes a great supporting character, setting the scene for this romance to play out.

What didn’t work for me
I try to always say why a book falls short of 5 stars. The only reason I gave Christmas Wishes at the Chocolate Shop 4 instead of 5 stars was the timing in the book. I honestly wanted more time spent in the end and less in the build up. Without revealing any spoilers, let’s just say there was a certain situation that needed to be resolved sooner and another that needed even more time to develop. Give me a little more romantic angst, please!

Conclusion
If you’re looking for a festive book to kick off your holiday season reading, then look no further than Christmas Wishes at the Chocolate Shop.

Firstly, I know what you're thinking - it's October. Christmas is so far away! Well that is simply not true, there's only just over ten weeks to go until the big man makes an appearance down our chimneys! So with that in mind, I was more than happy to read my first official Christmas novel of the year!

Charlee has lost her grandparents, so with nothing holding her back, she finds herself following her boyfriend Ricky to the beautiful Whitsborough Bay. With her inheritance providing her with the opportunity to finally open her own chocolate shop just like her grandfather did, Charlee is so excited when the opportunity arises for a shop on the picturesque Castle Street.

With Ricky being less than helpful, and Charlee faced with numerous obstacles, she begins to wonder if her dreams of opening her chocolate shop before Christmas were misplaced.

Firstly I think I should say that whilst this novel is focussed on a chocolate shop opening at Christmas, it is not entirely a Christmas novel. So there should be no guilt felt when reading this book in October! I really enjoyed Charlee's character - the way that she dealt with her relationship with Ricky was a little irritating (I think another person may have moved on a little sooner), but when you understand her position, that she has no family, you begin to understand why she is reluctant to let go of him. Her passion for her craft is lovely, and her ambition really drives her forward with the opening of her shop. Of course, Matt the plumber also adds a little something to the mix!

Whitsborough Bay sounds wonderful - it is the perfect location for Charlee's Chocolates, and the atmosphere of Castle Street really comes across through the pages. The sense of community and belonging is exactly what Charlee needs in her life! In fact, we could all do with a Castle Street in our lives!

I am more than happy to recommend this novel to you all. It's filled with chocolate, friendship, community spirit and Christmas! What more could you want as we enter Autumn and start the countdown to the Christmas festivities! Even better, Christmas Wishes at the Chocolate Shop is book one in the Christmas on Castle Street series! I look forward to revisiting Castle Street soon.

I’ve just spent a delightful few days, not just ensconced in the wonderful, and rather delicious world of chocolate making, but I’ve also got to know a delightful set of characters who call the charming Whitsborough Bay, in Yorkshire, their home.

Charlee Chambers has to make some pretty tough life choices when she leaves everything she has known to set up her chocolate shop in Whitsborough Bay. Moving in with her boyfriend soon presents it’s own set of challenges but Charlee is nothing if not resilient, and it soon becomes apparent that if she is to get anywhere in life she must do so thanks to her own steely determination and sheer strength of will.

Charlee is such a likeable heroine that I was rooting for her all the way through and wanted her to succeed despite all the setbacks which seem to come at her from all angles. However, there are lovely characters who support Charlee through all of her challenges, but it is her special relationship with a certain, charismatic plumber who comes to her rescue in more ways than just fixing her faulty plumbing, that made me smile the most.

I raced through the story, at ease with the characters, the setting, and especially during the Christmas part of the story, which is quite magical, but I think it’s the warmth of the characterisation which makes this lovely, warm-hearted story, about love, life and friendship really quite special.

Beautifully written, with a joyous set of characters, not all likeable but all very memorable, Christmas Wishes at the Chocolate Shop is every bit as scrumptious as the chocolate which Charlee moulds with such loving care at her little shop on Castle Street.

I love returning to Whitsborough Bay for Jessica's series. The Chocolate Shop has all the elements for a seasonal festive read. Charlee is a resourceful character but at first, you see how lonely she is after the death of her grandmother and her vulnerabilities leave her open to people who might take advantage of her. Nevertheless, she is a warm and kind character with her own ambitions.

If you have read other books set in Whitsborough Bay, you will recognise some of the characters who Charlee meets and befriends. The plot has a few surprises as Charlee unravels her past. You are given two Christmases for the price of one in this novel. They are such a contrast and you are left with an uplifting feeling. Friendship and family dominate and there is a lovely slow burn romance to savour.

In short: A festive selection box full of romance
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of the book
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