Member Reviews

Loved this book, If you read just one Christmas book this year make it this one. The story is so heartwarming the characters are the sort of people you wished were your neighbours. It is one of those books you just don’t want to put down! I was sad to finish it. Chloe is a single mum trying to do right by her son but when he goes to New York for Xmas with his father her whole life changes. Theo the love interest is just the sort of man any woman would be glad to have in her life. An absolutely lovely story can’t praise it enough.

Was this review helpful?

A very slow beginning to this story with lots of negativity which was rather off putting. Things began to improve once Clara began to establish herself on the chocolate course. She certainly found her feet there and helped her fellow course mates and their mentor sort out their lives in a pleasing ending.

Was this review helpful?

A chocoholic’s dream! Clara decides to take a chance by moving to Switzerland with new boyfriend Daniel. She loves chocolate, so she’s gone to the right place for Lindt! She joins a residential chocolate-making course, hoping to become a chocolatier. But will she finish this professional course and is Daniel really the man for her? A book to make your mouth water, especially at Christmas!

Was this review helpful?

Another fabulous Jo Thomas book. It should probably come with a box of Lindt truffles . A story of it never too late to follow your dreams. Set in a quaint Swiss village and chocolate school. Lots of nice twists, shows the value of friendship and carrying on when the odds are against you. Lots of yummy chocolate moments. I would happily gone on the research trip Jo Thomas mentions at the back of the book . Read it

Was this review helpful?

This book is like a chocolate from a chocolatier, it's sweet, spicy and still has some snap to it, and will slowly melt your heart. I highly recommend to buy yourself a box of Lindt's chocolates before reading this book as the craving will be real. If you've ever watched the movie Chocolate with Johnny Depp you'll know why I'm saying this. Jo Thomas has written this book beautifully and I could almost smell and taste the aromas. I was gladly surprised when I realized that even though this is a Christmas romance it wasn't too cheesy (pun intended, you'll understand when you've read to book). Clara really grows in this book as does Gabriel and her colleges from the chocolate making class. This book was a chef's kiss a perfect Christmas read

Was this review helpful?

This book was utterly wonderful from start to finish. It’s not often enough a plot is based around a woman of this age looking to finally begin the lift she’s been waiting for. It gives you hope and inspiration. The setting, the supporting characters, the plot were all absolutely perfect. I haven’t enjoyed a book this much in a long time. Thank you Netgalley

Was this review helpful?

Wow Jo Thomas books have always been one of my all time favourites and A Recipe for Christmas certainly didn’t disappoint!
Reading and chocolate are two of my favourite things so I was in literary bliss reading this! The tantalising descriptions of the hot chocolate, the hand made chocolates and raclette and fondue made my mouth water and certainly added a festive feel!
Clara has moved to Switzerland with her very new boyfriend and enrolled in a chocolatiers course, totally out of her depth both in her relationship and chocolate making abilities we follow her on a voyage of self discovery and intense learning!
Along the way we meet some very diverse characters as they all compete against each other, favouritism, sabotage and subterfuge are rife.A fantastically festive read full of delectable Swiss chocolate, self growth, realisation and a spattering of romance!A great read to get you into the festive spirit would highly recommend
Thank you NetGalley for this early read

Was this review helpful?

Following Clara’s journey to “find herself” and reading her opinions on life was enlightening. Having such a positive attitude, she just had to succeed! I loved the interaction between the students. A good read and good attention to the details of chocolate making. Only downside, I wanted chocolate and didn’t have any!!

Was this review helpful?

Absolutely amazing. Had everything a festive read needs. Christmas, love, friendship and best of all chocolate. The way Jo has written this it's like you can picture everything. Definitely loved this.

Thank you Jo Thomas, Penguin Random House and NetGalley for the ARC.

Was this review helpful?

Oh my goodness, what a beautiful story! Chocolate, love, friendships and Christmas what's not to love? Clara and Gabriel trying to work out their lives and loves amongst the crisp air of Switzerland, it also made me very hungry especially when cheese was added! A wonderful, heartwarming read

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Random House for my ARC copy.

As soon as I saw Jo Thomas had a new christmas book coming out I knew I had to request a copy, And it really did not disappoint. I really enjoyed every last part of this book (Minus Daniel). It was such a sweet story and I love the friendships that built throughout. I will 100% be buying a physical copy to add to my collection.

Was this review helpful?

This book was excellent and I could not put it down. The setting was beautiful and so Christmasy and Jo’s descriptive writing made me feel like I was sitting there having a hot Chocolate, trying a Tartiflette (which sounded amazing )or raclette in the snowy alps.
The characters were brilliant and I loved Clara and the journey she goes through. The friendships she makes are so heartwarming and the ending was just perfect and had me in tears.
My only complaint was that I kept wanting to eat chocolate and cheese as all the dishes sounded amazing.
Another fantastic 5 star Christmas story from
Jo Thomas which I would recommend to everyone.
Thanks to NetGalley, Jo Thomas and Random House UK Transworld Publishers for an advance copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review

Was this review helpful?

Is there anything more Christmassy than chocolates in a snowy Switzerland. The setting was beautiful and I could picture myself there breathing in the fresh air. It’s a classic Jo Thomas book with a slightly predictable romance story but it definitely doesn’t take away from the enjoyment of the book. A perfect book for a cosy Christmas read.

Was this review helpful?

I absolutely love Jo Thomas so anytime she has a book available I’m so ready! I loved this beautiful and heartfelt Christmas themed story. I loved watching Clara and her journey and all the delicious food/pastries talk made my mouth water. I also loved Gabriel’s character as well and how beautifully the story was laid out. I’ll be anxiously awaiting her next book!

Was this review helpful?

this is my first time getting to read an arc, and i was really excited. unfortunately, the book wasn't as good as i'd hoped it would be. i generally love christmas romances, but the book didn't have much of a christmas vibe. it’s more so surrounding chocolate and switzerland, but that wasn’t why i didn’t love the book. honestly, the idea for the plot was amazing. but the execution could have been done better. (there are spoilers down below, so if u plan to read the book, don’t continue)

there were too many exclamation marks in the book to my liking. (even more than the first book of tog) i don’t think anyone speaks or thinks with that much enthusiasm, 24/7. that made it hard for me to sympathise with the fmc :( i thought it was really clever how the mmc lost his sense of taste, and how the fmc found out about it. but how she confronted him about it, how they got into an argument, and how he apologised - i found those parts quite dull. and i don’t really understand the fmc. it was obvious she felt nothing for daniel after breaking up with him for the first time. but then, she went back to him and had twelve dates with him? okay, i know it was for the chocolates that she had to create, but couldn’t she have gone on dates with gabriel instead? if she wants to feel inspired by the dates, it wouldn’t be with her ex that belittles her and dated other ppl while being broken up with her (he was also begging her to get back with him)

i think the best parts of the book was the friendship that grew between the other students in the class. how they went from hating clara, to making the last piece of chocolate for her, so that she would be able to get her certificate. if the book focused more on this area and the dynamics between them, i would probably have enjoyed it a lot more.

3 ⭐️

Was this review helpful?

This was a really warm-hearted read set in a wonderful location and better still contains much chocolate. After taking voluntary redundancy Clara takes a leap of faith by joining her fairly new boyfriend Daniel in Geneva where he has been offered a new job. Whilst Clara finds her feet she embarks on a 6 week chocolate making course where she find herself totally out of her depth and with nothing in common with the other students who are half her age. There’s some brilliant characters and each has their own story to tell, there’s some fantastic history in the location and some (mostly) delicious sounding chocolates. Clara herself was a far stronger person than she gave herself credit for and I loved the impact she had on others, there’s some challenges in this for her but overall it’s a deliciously enjoyable and uplifting read, best enjoyed with a good portion of chocolate.

Was this review helpful?