Oh I loved thisblittle read by jo Thomas
Was the perfect book to make you excited for the months ahead.

100% a book you need to read this year

A charming holiday romance about Clara's dream of a cosy Christmas. Excited for a new adventure, she moves to Switzerland with her boyfriend, thinking it will be the perfect holiday in the beautiful Alps. But things don’t go as planned. As Clara faces surprises, she starts to make new friends, including the intriguing Gabriel. With everything changing around her, will Clara finally get the Christmas she has always wanted? This sweet story is full of holiday spirit and surprises.

This was such a lovely read would definitely recommend for anyone that likes a good Christmas romance book

I really enjoyed this book - I mean, who doesn't like the idea of chocolate, snow and Switzerland at Christmas?

Clara was made redundant from her long-term HR job in England. This gave her the cash and time to break free and go to a course, back to where her love lies, in food, and Lindor chocolate truffles. This is also an opportunity for love, to move in with her new squeeze, met online, as he moves overseas for a new position.

On arrival at her course, Clara realises that she is way out of her depth, or is she? Her new squeeze ridicules her about being part of Wonka, and that making chocolate is something for kids.

During the course of this book, the whole dynamics change. She becomes closer to her classmates, and falls in love with her craft, as she tries to complete the apprenticeship.

There is also a side story as she falls in love with Switzerland, as ever with Jo Thomas, the food of the area, and her new relationship with Daniel. Let alone the relationship with the chocolate school itself, with the lecturers and the people who work there... and Gabriel which is an intriguing twist.

This is a fun read - to be read with homemade hot chocolate and a few Lindors.., see how many you can fit in your mouth like Clara!

Clara decides to take a leap of faith, fulfil a dream and start a new life in Switzerland the home of chocolate but can life really be that simple. What will she learn by Christmas day?

Oh I do love a Jo Thomas novel and this is possibly my favourite. It was so good and oh all the talk of chocolate, my mouth was watering throughout this. The plot is simple but fun and captures a whole range of emotions. I loved Clara so much and the way she found her way through to the truth of what she really wanted. Though she had me on the edge of my seat a few times. The ending was everything I wanted for this book. Its such a perfect christmas read especially for any chocolate lover.

We have quite a few birthdays towards the end of September and beginning of October, and it is only after we get past those that I start to think about Christmas. I have a feeling that Lauren, the main character from this book would be horrified that I leave it that late. After all, she has lists for her lists and she needs them as she is very actively involved in her local community.

Every year Lauren is one of the hosts for a Christmas party at the local hall. Anyone who would otherwise be at home by themselves is invited for a lovely Christmas roast with all the trimmings and some good company.

Everything is going to plan for this year, until she finds out that there is an issue with the booking, and now the hall is booked for a seven year olds birthday party. Kian, the dad, is insistent that the birthday party must go ahead in the hall, and Lauren is equally adamant that she has the right to use the hall. It soon becomes clear that the only option is to share so there is a hall full of pensioners and 7 year olds. What could go wrong? And can Lauren resist the handsome Kian?

We like a good list but we don't let them rule our lives like Lauren does at the beginning of the book, and she seems to be finding it exhausting as well. Little by little Lauren is becoming a little less rigid, a little more spontaneous.

While I like the story, it was a little simpler than some of the other books I have read recently. There's a couple of subplots that help but mostly I was left looking for more from the writing. Things picked up in the second half of the book.

When I was offered this book I jumped at the opportunity because I thought I had read Sue Thomas before and the cover is super cute. When I was reading the book, I found myself wondering if I had actually done so. It turns out I own at least 5 books by Sue Roberts, so there is no doubt that I have thought she sounds like my kind of author. At least I know now what to expect when I do get to read one of those books.

I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted by The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews. Be sure to check out other stops on the tour shown below. Thanks to the publisher, Netgalley and Books on Tour for the review copy.

Rating 3.5/5

Another fab story from Jo Thomas. This book tells of Clara’s move to Switzerland and a chocolate making course in an effort to reinvent her boring life. Her adventures take us through the well researched process of chocolate making which she puts a huge amount of effort into learning and the people she meets on her journey. Lots of interesting character as Clara makes friends and moves from one relationship to true love. A heartwarming story for Christmas.

What an absolute treat this book is!
Like Clara’s friends, I was nervous about her decision to up sticks and move to Switzerland with a man she didn’t know very well. Although this book is a recipe for Christmas, those decisions felt like a recipe for disaster, and they proved to be a self-fulfilling prophesy as his true character soon came to the fore.
As part of her redundancy package, Clara received funding for a training course of her choice, provided she completed it. A chocolate-making workshop seemed a simple choice, given that she was going to be living in Switzerland, perhaps the chocolate capital of the world. However, even that isn’t straightforward, and she finds herself in the midst of some highly skilled students all vying for a grand prize.
As I have come to expect with Jo’s books, the attention to detail with the food is exceptional, and I was genuinely craving sweet treats within the first few classes at the school. I could almost smell the melting cocoa and visualise the glossy finish on the tempered offerings.
However, this was also a tribute to Switzerland. I could tell that it had captured Jo’s imagination as she provided descriptions that almost had me shivering in the cold of the newly fallen snow. The local area and the dairy farm are now imprinted on my mind.
However, the gorgeous characters captured my imagination as they were so perfectly developed. In particular, I was totally entranced by Gabriel and eager to learn his story. Their connection was almost instant, and the grumpy/sunshine theme has never been better told. Of course, life never runs smoothly, and it’s not long before Clara has to choose between her new life and returning to her remorse-filled ex-boyfriend. No spoilers from me.
If this book doesn’t leave you ready for Christmas and craving chocolate in all forms, then you are part of a tough crowd. I loved escaping to Switzerland and hope that you will too.

A lovely festive read set in Switzerland with lots of chocolate, snow , romance and mountains. I enjoyed this sweet book as lots of chocolate was involved and the descriptions of the area brought it to life. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

I particularly enjoyed this book. Maybe because I also like chocolate. I particularly enjoyed all the detail about chocolate making. It is a gentle enjoyable read.

This was a beautiful book filled with chocolate, friendship and love. I loved it, but you will eat a lot of chocolate while reading it. Clara is off on an adventure to Switzerland with her boyfriend, while he works in finance, she enrolls in a chocolate cookery school. She finds new friends and a passion for chocolate along the way.

A sweet Christmas read filled with happiness.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

Thanks to @Netgalley and @RandomHouseUK for my ARC copy of A Recipe for Christmas. I have found this a quick and fun read and a book that is there when you need cheering up. I am thrilled to follow Clara on her journey to Switzerland with Daniel! The opportunity to take a chocolate course sounds incredibly challenging and exciting. As a fellow chocolate lover, I can't help but feel a twinge of jealousy at Clara's fantastic experience. Moreover, Clara decides to sign up for a chocolate-making course to help her settle into her new life and find a new direction in her career. The chocolate-making course is much more intense and professional than she thought, and she finds it very hard to start with, especially as she's the oldest there and not all the other people on the course are amiable. After time passed, she moved into shared automation with their other chocolatiers, and we started to learn about them and what makes them tick. I love learning abouf their passions and how they all seem to be backing Clara in their own way and boosting her experience and ways to become an excellent chocolate make. I have to say Clara took a bold risk moving to Switzerland like this, but it also made me think of what an opportunity this would be, and I smiled throughout all the antics. I absolutely devoured this book in 2 days and would highly recommend it.

#BookReview #HolidayReads #ChocolateLover #SwitzerlandAdventure #InspiringJourney

This was a real feel good Christmas story, with snow and chocolate set in Switzerland.

Clara feels a bit stuck in a rut so decides to take a chance on moving to Switzerland with her new boyfriend, who has just got a job there. Clara decides to sign up for a chocolate making course too to help her settle into her new life and try and find a new direction in her career. The chocolate making course is a lot more intense and professional than she thought it would be, and she's finds it very hard to start with, especially as she's the oldest there and not all the other people on the course are very friendly.

But as time goes on, and Clara moves into the shared accommodation with the other budding chocolatiers, things slowly change and we learn more about each of the other people on the course, and the professional tutor.

There's lots going on behind the scenes but Clara always seems to be there helping everyone, whilst trying her very best to excel in her chocolate making, which she slowly masters.

I really enjoyed the setting of this story, but did think Clara was slightly ridiculous moving to Switzerland with her boyfriend when she'd only known him a few weeks. But once I got past that the rest of the story was very enjoyable.

Clara feels her life is passing her by. Her best friends have partners, great careers, and children on the way, but she is working the same job. When Clara gets the opportunity to move to another country with a very new partner, Clara takes it. Whilst her new life is predictably not straightforward, she is learning new skills, meeting new people and learning that new relationships are full of surprises, not necessarily nice ones. I like the wintry descriptions, the delicious chocolate recipes and the intriguing history of chocolate making. Add in the character development, the friendships, humour and unexpected romance, and this is a lovely festive read.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

This feel-good Christmas romance is a delightful blend of love, travel, Christmas, and—best of all—chocolate! The vivid descriptions of the chocolate-making process at the chocolate school are so rich and detailed, you can almost taste them. The unique idea of having a fondue for Christmas dinner adds a fun and memorable twist to the festive setting. It's a sweet, heartwarming read that will leave you craving both romance and chocolate!

Great read, exceedingly well written, good characters , not all loveable but very real. Loved the settings and so well described I could have been there. Thoroughly enjoyed & highly recommended.

What is not to like about a wonderful winter wonderland with snow, chocolate and romance of course.

Clara leaves her home to go and live with her boyfriend Daniel on a whim to Switzerland where she goes on a chocolate course to become a chocolatier where she will discover her true self. She meets the others on the course who seem to be well prepared for it and they are half her age. She also meets the tutors who don’t think she will last.

I liked the description of all the area and the wonderful scenes making you want to go there. All the talk of the chocolate wanting to taste the delights of it.

It was a nice feel good book.

Another banger from Jo Thomas!
I always look forward to reading a Jo Thomas book, they inspire such wanderlust in me and this cosy Wintery Christmas novel was no different. I just wanted to be reading it while snowed in and curled up with a hot chocolate in a chalet halfway up a mountain.
The characters in this were great, everyone had their own defined goals at the chocolate school and their own personalities within that. The romance as always was perfect, not overly cheesy and enough to keep your heart a little on edge at the same time!
I'd really recommend this to anyone who likes a good cosy read over Winter and especially anyone who loves chocolate, I ate a whole bar of Dairy Milk while reading this!

Thank you netgalley and publishers for an advanced copy of this book for my honest opinion. Yet again Jo Thomas takes us on a journey to a fabulous location with delicious food, on this occasion chocolate, all without you having to leave your own home. A wonderfully descriptive heartwarming story. A must read.

Clara moves to Switzerland with her boyfriend, early on in their relationship . Her love of chocolate leads her to take a course aimed at experienced chocolatiers. Jo Thomas at her best, the reader learns so much about the making of chocolates, as well as the romantic undertones. Wonderful reading for a cold Autumn day .