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Bittersweet Chocolate
In the third and final installment of Martha Reynolds's award-winning Chocolate series, Bernadette Maguire's story is about to come full-circle...
But is she ready for what her future holds? It's been five years since Bernie married Gary, a dear friend from the past and the true man of her dreams. Bernie now practices law in New York City, while Gary enjoys tenure as a German professor at the university, and they have a beautiful life together. But when Gary learns his job will be eliminated, then Swiss banker Karl Berset reaches out to Bernie with devastating news that could have far-reaching effects, it seems it may be time to return to Switzerland--at least for a while. Several years earlier, Bernie reconnected with Jean-Michel, the son she conceived nearly thirty years ago during her Fribourg dalliance with Karl, and he now has a family of his own. But a gene he may carry for a deadly genetic disease from a father he never knew could very well ruin his life and the lives of his children. Though he's not the only one about to face a huge and terrifying change in the bittersweet conclusion of the beloved Chocolate saga...
But is she ready for what her future holds? It's been five years since Bernie married Gary, a dear friend from the past and the true man of her dreams. Bernie now practices law in New York City, while Gary enjoys tenure as a German professor at the university, and they have a beautiful life together. But when Gary learns his job will be eliminated, then Swiss banker Karl Berset reaches out to Bernie with devastating news that could have far-reaching effects, it seems it may be time to return to Switzerland--at least for a while. Several years earlier, Bernie reconnected with Jean-Michel, the son she conceived nearly thirty years ago during her Fribourg dalliance with Karl, and he now has a family of his own. But a gene he may carry for a deadly genetic disease from a father he never knew could very well ruin his life and the lives of his children. Though he's not the only one about to face a huge and terrifying change in the bittersweet conclusion of the beloved Chocolate saga...
276 pages, Paperback
First published November 24, 2013
5 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
About the author
Martha Reynolds
12 books219 followersI am the author of eleven novels, including the Amazon bestsellers CHOCOLATE FOR BREAKFAST and BITS OF BROKEN GLASS.
My writing has appeared in Magnificat magazine and my very short poem was read by journalist Connie Schultz during National Public Radio's "Tell Me More" poetry challenge.
I live in Rhode Island, never far from the ocean.
My novel VILLA DEL SOL won the 2018 Book Prize in Literary Fiction from the Independent Publishers of New England.
Check out my newest novel - I WISH I HAD A RIVER, available now!
My writing has appeared in Magnificat magazine and my very short poem was read by journalist Connie Schultz during National Public Radio's "Tell Me More" poetry challenge.
I live in Rhode Island, never far from the ocean.
My novel VILLA DEL SOL won the 2018 Book Prize in Literary Fiction from the Independent Publishers of New England.
Check out my newest novel - I WISH I HAD A RIVER, available now!
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 7, 2022
Martha Reynold's chocolate trilogy concludes with Bittersweet Chocolate, and as usual when one becomes familiar with characters in a series, it is bittersweet, indeed, to close the chapter. With her characteristic empathy and attention to details, Martha Reynolds envelopes the reader in the warmth of a gesture or word of affection. There is sadness here, but also a generous portion of love.
Once again we find Bernadette (Bernie) Maguire in her beloved Switzerland, this time initially under happy circumstances. In mid-life, Bernie has found true love and joy after a series of mistakes and devastating wrong turns. (No details here to spoil the unveiling plot). But Bernie is grounded now, mature and solid, able to adjust to the joys, sorrows, and complications that she and her extended family face.
A fitting conclusion to a lovely series.
Once again we find Bernadette (Bernie) Maguire in her beloved Switzerland, this time initially under happy circumstances. In mid-life, Bernie has found true love and joy after a series of mistakes and devastating wrong turns. (No details here to spoil the unveiling plot). But Bernie is grounded now, mature and solid, able to adjust to the joys, sorrows, and complications that she and her extended family face.
A fitting conclusion to a lovely series.
December 28, 2013
LOVED!
Bernie Maguire is happily married, her career is humming along, and she's enjoying a nice relationship with the son she gave up many years ago. But then she gets a call from her son's birth father that changes everything, news that could devastate her son and his growing family.
More changes are afoot when her husband loses his job and they end up back in Switzerland. Everything is teetering on a precipice. Just as Bernie is settling in, and her son is navigating his own traumas, there is another devastating blow. Can Bernie face a suddenly different future?
Let me start by saying that I've loved this series, and I'm sad to see it end. But Martha Reynolds outdid herself with the final installment. At no point during the series did she take the fluffy, easy way out--instead, she gave us life with all of its ups and downs. Moments of pure happiness as well as heartbreaking sadness were weaved together through the lives of beloved characters.
In this story, Bernie's son, Jean-Michel, faces genetic testing to find out if he has a disease his birth father has recently developed--a man he didn't want to know. Now his life involves his birth mother, a wife, two sons and a baby on the way, his adoptive parents, and the family of his birth father. And it's all tied together so seamlessly even with all the complexities of such a blended family. Bernie was my favorite character throughout--she never stopped growing and discovering things about herself--but Jean-Michel, and his strong and supportive wife, stole a place in my heart. I'm so attached to these characters (guess I'll have to re-read the series at some point to spend time with them again).
I highly recommend this series to readers who appreciate how much the heart can handle, both in love and sadness. In addition, if you are a reader who wants characters who feel like extended family, look no further. Love, love, love this series.
Note: I received a complimentary copy for review purposes. A positive review was not guaranteed or requested; the opinions expressed are my own.
Bernie Maguire is happily married, her career is humming along, and she's enjoying a nice relationship with the son she gave up many years ago. But then she gets a call from her son's birth father that changes everything, news that could devastate her son and his growing family.
More changes are afoot when her husband loses his job and they end up back in Switzerland. Everything is teetering on a precipice. Just as Bernie is settling in, and her son is navigating his own traumas, there is another devastating blow. Can Bernie face a suddenly different future?
Let me start by saying that I've loved this series, and I'm sad to see it end. But Martha Reynolds outdid herself with the final installment. At no point during the series did she take the fluffy, easy way out--instead, she gave us life with all of its ups and downs. Moments of pure happiness as well as heartbreaking sadness were weaved together through the lives of beloved characters.
In this story, Bernie's son, Jean-Michel, faces genetic testing to find out if he has a disease his birth father has recently developed--a man he didn't want to know. Now his life involves his birth mother, a wife, two sons and a baby on the way, his adoptive parents, and the family of his birth father. And it's all tied together so seamlessly even with all the complexities of such a blended family. Bernie was my favorite character throughout--she never stopped growing and discovering things about herself--but Jean-Michel, and his strong and supportive wife, stole a place in my heart. I'm so attached to these characters (guess I'll have to re-read the series at some point to spend time with them again).
I highly recommend this series to readers who appreciate how much the heart can handle, both in love and sadness. In addition, if you are a reader who wants characters who feel like extended family, look no further. Love, love, love this series.
Note: I received a complimentary copy for review purposes. A positive review was not guaranteed or requested; the opinions expressed are my own.
January 25, 2014
A winner. A gem. A rare book that keeps you guessing, but also makes you say, yes, that is how the story should have gone, like a puzzle that makes total sense once every piece is in its right place.
These are my initial thoughts on Martha Reynolds’ book, Bittersweet Chocolate. I previously wrote a review on the first two books in this series, so I won’t devote too much time to the plot to avoid giving anything away. But what I will say is that this series is a must-read. For someone in their twenties to someone in their fifties, it is a captivating story that follows a young girl from her college days of partying abroad in Fribourg, Switzerland to her return to the same city and many surrounding ones over the next thirty years of her life. It tells the story of her journey and the people who influence her and affect her life during that time. From clear, colorful descriptions of people, situations, and European vistas to Reynolds’ obvious knack for spitting out spot-on dialogue, I had to consciously slow myself down, especially as the story progressed, as I was eagerly gobbling it all up, insatiable for more.
One of the things I appreciate most about this series is the realness of it – both in terms of the characters’ personalities and the events as they unfolded. Hard issues were not skirted. Joyous moments were given their due appreciation. Life consists of ups and downs and those books which delve deep into both are poised to be winners for me.
Even more rare than finding an entire series that infuses a tingly warm aura into my heart is finding an author whose spirit matches her books. Martha has a way about her that not only makes you fall in love with her enthralling stories, but also with her kind, thoughtful, and hard-working personality. So in the New Year, if you resolve to read more, resolve to read everything that Martha churns out, starting with this series. You won’t be disappointed, especially if you enjoy them along with a piece of the Swiss chocolate that main character Bernadette Maguire loves so much.
These are my initial thoughts on Martha Reynolds’ book, Bittersweet Chocolate. I previously wrote a review on the first two books in this series, so I won’t devote too much time to the plot to avoid giving anything away. But what I will say is that this series is a must-read. For someone in their twenties to someone in their fifties, it is a captivating story that follows a young girl from her college days of partying abroad in Fribourg, Switzerland to her return to the same city and many surrounding ones over the next thirty years of her life. It tells the story of her journey and the people who influence her and affect her life during that time. From clear, colorful descriptions of people, situations, and European vistas to Reynolds’ obvious knack for spitting out spot-on dialogue, I had to consciously slow myself down, especially as the story progressed, as I was eagerly gobbling it all up, insatiable for more.
One of the things I appreciate most about this series is the realness of it – both in terms of the characters’ personalities and the events as they unfolded. Hard issues were not skirted. Joyous moments were given their due appreciation. Life consists of ups and downs and those books which delve deep into both are poised to be winners for me.
Even more rare than finding an entire series that infuses a tingly warm aura into my heart is finding an author whose spirit matches her books. Martha has a way about her that not only makes you fall in love with her enthralling stories, but also with her kind, thoughtful, and hard-working personality. So in the New Year, if you resolve to read more, resolve to read everything that Martha churns out, starting with this series. You won’t be disappointed, especially if you enjoy them along with a piece of the Swiss chocolate that main character Bernadette Maguire loves so much.
December 1, 2013
Over thirty years ago Bernadette had a very brief affair with Karl, had a baby, Jean-Michel, and left him to be adopted in his native Switzerland. This book begins as Bernie’s husband, Gary, finds out he’s about to lose his job as a German professor in New York City. At the same time, she hears from Karl that he is unwell and may have passed on a deadly genetic disease to Jean-Michel. It’s time to return to Switzerland for some bittersweet reunions and the conclusion of a trilogy of stories.
This time we learn more about Karl and his complex relationships with his beautiful, long-suffering wife, their wayward son and their gorgeous daughter. They are a family who are skilled at keeping secrets from each other. We also revisit Jean-Michel and his loving, close family, who pull together as they face troubles and joy. The contrast between the two families works really well, and although Karl’s family are less sympathetic than Jean-Michel’s, their dysfunctional dynamics really grab the reader’s interest.
I like the way the story smoothly moves between Jean-Michel, Karl and Bernie’s lives, and how these strands intertwine. The author handles the plot with confidence and accomplishment, although I do have a little quibble with the ways in which she describes Karl’s decision to write about his past and Bernie’s decision to start a blog.
The characters’ differing attitudes to the option of genetic testing feels authentic, as does Karl’s response to his illness and Bernie’s reaction to life-changing events. I applaud the fact that the author makes their thoughts and feelings believable and doesn’t allow her characters to indulge in any over-the-top hysterics, despite the dramatic turns their lives take.
I enjoyed this novel as much as my favourite bar of chocolate – savouring some sections, gobbling up others, and when it was over I wanted more of that chocolatey goodness.
I’d like to thank the author for sending me a review copy of this book.
This time we learn more about Karl and his complex relationships with his beautiful, long-suffering wife, their wayward son and their gorgeous daughter. They are a family who are skilled at keeping secrets from each other. We also revisit Jean-Michel and his loving, close family, who pull together as they face troubles and joy. The contrast between the two families works really well, and although Karl’s family are less sympathetic than Jean-Michel’s, their dysfunctional dynamics really grab the reader’s interest.
I like the way the story smoothly moves between Jean-Michel, Karl and Bernie’s lives, and how these strands intertwine. The author handles the plot with confidence and accomplishment, although I do have a little quibble with the ways in which she describes Karl’s decision to write about his past and Bernie’s decision to start a blog.
The characters’ differing attitudes to the option of genetic testing feels authentic, as does Karl’s response to his illness and Bernie’s reaction to life-changing events. I applaud the fact that the author makes their thoughts and feelings believable and doesn’t allow her characters to indulge in any over-the-top hysterics, despite the dramatic turns their lives take.
I enjoyed this novel as much as my favourite bar of chocolate – savouring some sections, gobbling up others, and when it was over I wanted more of that chocolatey goodness.
I’d like to thank the author for sending me a review copy of this book.
January 7, 2014
Kudos to Martha Reynolds for rounding out her lovely 'Chocolate' series with this fitting conclusion. As a writer myself - and as a reader who has grown to love these characters - there were some things I found myself wanting to change. In the end, though, there was a symmetry to the story told by the three books that felt satisfying. Additionally, I was impressed by the depth developed in certain characters who could just as easily remained two-dimensional. I won't say more because I don't like spoilers. Overall, this was one of the finest series I've read in recent years, and I especially appreciated the themes of acceptance, forgiveness and growth through change. Don't let the sweet titles fool you; Martha Reynolds' 'Chocolate' novels are mature tales, satisfying and full.
April 30, 2023
Family comes from many places. This book was a reminder to keep your heart open to family.
June 30, 2014
Enjoyable read!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews