Clara has established a fine career for herself in HR having worked her way up through the business. But now, nearing the age of 40, she feels stuck. When her very new love interest, Daniel, takes up a new job in Switzerland and a redundancy package comes up in her workplace, Clara decides to take a leap of faith. But is it a leap of faith to find love? Or something more than that.

This is such a lovely Christmas read! I absolutely loved the setting in the Swiss Alps which the author describes so well. And the chocolate-making school topped it all off for me. It is so clear from the writing what an avid foodie the author is and this book made me salivate on numerous occasions! If you're familiar with Amaury Guichon (TikTok chocolate sculpture), he was who I imagined as Gabriel for the entire book.

Clara is a fantastic main character. I really enjoyed her growth and how she found herself as the story progressed. It was really nice to have a main character that was a little bit older than the usual "hallmark" christmas books/movies (when I say older I just mean not mid 20's).

There were some quite unlikeable characters in this story but they were written really well and made the story less "sickly sweet".

There were times when I felt the story could have been a little shorter. For instance, the 12 dates/12 chocolates seemed like a lot, and perhaps six would have been sufficient, but overall it was a cosy, festive read that would be perfect for any foodie or chocolate lover!

I also really appreciated the addition of some recipes at the end of the book for dishes that featured in the story. A lovely touch!

Cute and cosy read perfect for this time of year. Love that chocolate was a big part, I am chocolate obbessed 🎅🎁✨

This is a delightful christmas read, set in stunning Switzerland, to a backdrop of chocolate. What is more perfect! Oh, someone loves cheese, that's what!
I absolutely adored learning about the chocolate making process and the intricacies of creating flavoured chocolates.
The relationships between the class were lovely to see blossoming, as was Clara's realisation of what makes her happy.
The story talks often of taking a leap of faith. You don't need one of those to read this. Just look at that cute cover! The author always writes stunning christmas tales, and this is no exception.
A perfect read for you to curl up with a hot chocolate and maybe see how many chocolates you can fit in your mouth at one go!

Classic Jo.
Slightly predictable, but written in a way that you just have to keep reading.
Well-rounded characters that you fall in love with.

This was another great cosy Christmas read by Jo Thomas. And with lots of chocolate - what's not to love!

Clara was such a lovely character who seems to naturally help everyone she meets and brings people together. Gabrielle was the perfect, brooding leading man.

I loved the Swiss location with all the vivid descriptions of the snowy conditions, and especially the chocolate school and Gabrielle's farm.

It was a stay up all night kind of read and I just didn't want it to end.

Gorgeous! Christmas, chocolate, a wonderful alpine location in the snow and a simmering romance - what more could you want.

I LOVED this book and was so sad when it ended. I think this may be my most favourite of her novels so far (I’ve probably said that before!) but her stories just keep getting better and better.

Set in the beautiful Switzerland, it’ll make you want to visit and also make you crave chocolate!

It sometimes takes a leap of faith to change your life – but when your friends clearly feel you’ve taken leave of your senses, maybe you need to think about it a little. Clara has made a big decision – leaving her job security in the local store’s HR department (where she’s worked since leaving school), finding someone to take her place in the flat share, and moving to Switzerland with Daniel, who might or might not be the man she’s been looking for (it’s difficult to tell after just one weekend together, most of it spent in bed).

Her redundancy package included some paid-for training, so she’s signed up for a beginners’ chocolate making course – only to find that she’s the only one without any previous experience, and she gets the strong feeling that no-one wants her there. And there’s little comfort at home either – she really didn’t know Daniel well enough before they moved away together.

But her situation only makes her more determined to succeed, her initially stand-offish fellow students accepting her and acknowledging her efforts (long nights perfecting tempering and playing with flavours), finding an unexpected friend and ally in master chocolatier Gabriel (who has some secrets and hidden depths of his own). Clara herself is totally adorable, as she slowly works out what will really make her happy, bravely overcoming every possible challenge, both personal and chocolate related – and, I have to say, Gabriel is rather delicious too.

The snow-covered setting is beautifully recreated, with added warmth from the relationships and the mugs of hot chocolate – and yes, I learned so much about the chocolatier’s art. I was also perpetually hungry – raclette, fondue, tartiflette (recipe provided!), and the sweetness of all those wonderful chocolates – and I blame the author entirely for the calorie-filled on-line order I placed when I finished reading (well, it is Christmas…!).

This whole book was an absolute delight – Clara’s (often emotional) journey, the warmth of the friendships, the perfect and really moving romance, the wonderfully drawn setting, the many festive touches, and all that chocolate. Just gorgeous – I really loved it.

I love this author so much, and this book is definitely up there with one of her best! Festive, heartwarming and set in the beautiful Swiss mountains, there is so much to love about this book.

Jo always enjoys a foodie theme, and to be honest I think chocolate might be my favourite choice yet. There's something so luxurious, special, silky and a little bit naughty about chocolate, and its creation is not only important to the book's plot but plays a huge part in delivering the book's message too.

Just like there are many different varieties of chocolate, people are all unique and should be valued for their originality. This is something Clara learns during her time in the Swiss mountains, but will she choose the man who truly values her, or will she conform and choose the safe option like she is so used to doing?

This was such a feel good book which contained beautifully interwoven storylines about romance, friendship, risks, food and secrets. I adored it!

Recipe for a tempting festive novel

Take one beautiful snowy setting – my goodness I wanted to visit Switzerland or any snowy location while I was reading this book!

Add plenty of chocolate – you will be craving it while you read this book, learning about chocolate making and your mouth will be watering at the sound of some of the delicious chocolate creations.

Introduce a little heat between some of the characters and gently warm – first we have the passionate relationship between Clara and her boyfriend Daniel, then some growing attraction between Clara and chocolatier Gabriel. Which would prove to be the perfect combination?

Fold in a smattering of secrets and stir well – there are a few characters who have something to hide and it was intriguing wondering what would happen when everything came to light.

Mix in a healthy dollop of Jo Thomas’s wonderful style of writing – I do love this author’s books and this one did not disappoint!

Finally, settle down somewhere cosy and enjoy this delectable festive treat!

Christmas and Chocolate go hand in hand. Clara thinks a chocolate making workshop in Switzerland is the perfect place.

What Clara doesn’t realise is she has signed herself up to a course, for advanced chocolatiers. She is out of her depth and knee deep in techniques and skills far beyond her reach. Of course the people on the course are all there for different reasons and the resident chocolate master is finding Clara’s lack of skill annoying rather than endearing.

However, Clara is determined to win all these people round and prove by stepping outside of your comfort zone you can achieve greatness. If it comes with the added bonus of chocolate then perfect.

A great mouth-watering Christmas read without all the calories! And a fascinating insight into what goes into Chocolate. I hope the author did the appropriate amount of research!

This was a nice cosy festive read, beware, you may feel like eating lots of chocolates while reading this! A good story overall and Clara was an interesting character. ⭐⭐⭐

The perfect festive read with a side order of wanderlust. Clara chooses voluntary redundancy and takes a bold leap of faith, travelling with Daniel, who she has shared a few dates with, to Geneva. Whilst in Geneva she signs up to a choclatier course. This book had me hankering for lindt, cheese and a trip to Switzerland.

When Clara follows her boyfriend to Switzerland, she enrolls in a chocolate making course. U known to her it is not the beginners class she expected but a chocolatier course for experienced chocolate makers.
As things deteriorate with her boyfriend Daniel, and her talents in the kitchen prove limited she meets some new friends who allow her to open her heart to new possibilities.
Great Christmas read

Very enjoyable book by Jo Thomas - she never fails to captivate with her stories and characters.

I particularly love the ones set in other countries so I really enjoyed that this was set in Switzerland, set at a Chocolate School - not just any but one of the best in the world and not entirely what Clara is expecting when she signs up as part of her redundancy terms. Having followed her new boyfriend for his job, she is just wanting to keep herself occupied but finds that she is in her class with serious chocolatiers who take it very seriously....!

Clara is a lovely character, somewhat lacking in confidence and is determined to leave after her first day but luckily something in the back of her head, makes her turn up day after day.

A very enjoyable book which I flew through - learning about chocolate making was a great addition to the story!

As someone who loves both Christmas and chocolate this was the book for me. I loved following her journey of breaking with what was expected and taking a chance - something we all need to do once in a while. Sticking at something when it is hard takes courage which she had in spades and then a lovely story unfolds of friendship and love from the most inauspicious starts.

A lovely tale to read on a cold winter day.

Jo Thomas is one of my go-to authors; I know when she releases a new book I am assured of a story that will have me transported to an interesting location while enjoying lots of lovely local dishes. For this year’s Christmas book, Jo is taking readers off to Switzerland. What could be more perfect than a festive trip to the snowy alps combined with lots of chocolate?

The story centres on chocolate-loving Clara, who has shocked her two best friends by announcing that she has left her position as HR manager and, what’s more, is moving to Switzerland with her very new boyfriend as he begins a new job there. Her plan is to enrol on a chocolate-making course that runs for six weeks up to Christmas. Clara has spent years celebrating Christmas on her own and is dreaming of a different experience this year with her boyfriend in their Swiss home surrounded by all the trappings of the season. The reality is somewhat different as neither the course nor the boyfriend is what she expected. However, Clara does her best to make the most of the situation. She finds friends amongst the others on the course and surprisingly becomes close to gruff tutor Gabriel. It looks as though that perfect family-style could be in her future after all.

I absolutely loved this book. It has so much going for it, with marvellous mountain scenery, a host of interesting characters, romance and a mouthwatering selection of food, with chocolate front and centre. Definitely a story for foodies and chocolate addicts, with a lovely Christmassy feel throughout. I feel as though I learnt a lot about the chocolate making processes. Even hot chocolate was very different from what we are used to drinking from our usual coffee shops. I loved the main characters in the story. Clara was somebody with great determination to turn her life around and I admired the way in which she fought to achieve her goals. She was slightly misguided in putting her faith in someone she had just met, but fortunately that worked out in the end. I was attracted to Gabriel right away, although he was a little moody at times. Thanks to the author for including a selection of recipes, sweet and savoury, at the end of the book; I might just give some a try.

Really enjoyed this book. My mouth was watering thinking of all the Swiss chocolate. Fun story and would recommend as a good easy read.

Another fantastic 5 star read from Jo Thomas!!

A light, easy to follow festive read. But please don't read this when you're hungry or have a weakness for chocolate 😂

A lovely story that gives you a warm festive glow inside.
All things Chocolatey, snow, friendships and love.
Clara was so brave to give up everything she knew and took a leap of faith that really paid off in a different way to what she imagined. Daniel is the type of guy we all want to avoid and want our daughters to avoid 😂
Just a gorgeous read!