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Uppskrift að jólum
Clara hefur alltaf þráð að eiga jól í faðmi ástvina og fjölskyldu, umvafin hlýju og gómsætum mat. Svo að þegar nýi kærastinn hennar biður hana að flytja með sér til Sviss, getur hún ekki annað en sagt já! Því að hvað gæti verið fullkomnara en jól í Ölpunum?
Clara hefur alltaf þráð að eiga jól í faðmi ástvina og fjölskyldu, umvafin hlýju og gómsætum mat. Svo að þegar nýi kærastinn hennar biður hana að flytja með sér til Sviss, getur hún ekki annað en sagt já! Því að hvað gæti verið fullkomnara en jól í Ölpunum?
Þetta er fjórða bók breska rithöfundarins Jo Thomas sem kemur út á íslensku en bækur hennar njóta mikilla vinsælda hérlendis og fá jafnan afar góða dóma. Hún skrifar rómantískar bækur um mat, ást, fjölskyldu og skemmtun. Bókum Jo Thomas hefur verið lýst sem „einu stóru faðmlagi.“ Ef þú ert að leita að einhverju „björtu og fyndnu“ er þetta bók fyrir þig.
Clara hefur alltaf þráð að eiga jól í faðmi ástvina og fjölskyldu, umvafin hlýju og gómsætum mat. Svo að þegar nýi kærastinn hennar biður hana að flytja með sér til Sviss, getur hún ekki annað en sagt já! Því að hvað gæti verið fullkomnara en jól í Ölpunum?
Þetta er fjórða bók breska rithöfundarins Jo Thomas sem kemur út á íslensku en bækur hennar njóta mikilla vinsælda hérlendis og fá jafnan afar góða dóma. Hún skrifar rómantískar bækur um mat, ást, fjölskyldu og skemmtun. Bókum Jo Thomas hefur verið lýst sem „einu stóru faðmlagi.“ Ef þú ert að leita að einhverju „björtu og fyndnu“ er þetta bók fyrir þig.
346 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2025
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941 people want to read
About the author
Jo Thomas
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Hello, I’m Jo Thomas. I write romances about food, love, family and fun and believe every story should have a happy ending. Welcome to my world.
Hello, I’m Jo Thomas. I write romances about food, love, family and fun and believe every story should have a happy ending. Welcome to my world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 201 reviews
October 20, 2024
“HOW MANY LINDOR CHOCOLATES CAN YOU FIT IN YOUR MOUTH AT THE SAME TIME?”
Clara is feeling stuck. She’s determined to not let her recent redundancy right before Christmas affect her vision for the year ahead, yet she still feels a loss of connection and appreciation after 23 years in the same job. When she examines her life she realizes that she’s just existing instead of living and she’s determined to change and do something adventurous before her 40th birthday in January. Perhaps it was fate to be let go!
Suddenly, Clara finds herself in a new country, in a new apartment and with a new partner facing a very different Christmas. For the first time in 39 years, Clara feels like she has a future.
She enrolled in Ecole Chocolate, hoping new skills would launch her into a new career, but soon discovers that “sometimes things, like chocolate, are not always what you think they’ll be.”
She’s stuck again.
In a desperate attempt to free herself from this familiar feeling, Clara presses the reset button on her new relationship and decides to take each day at a time, chocolate by chocolate. With the help of her mentor, the two realize that they are hiding from something and encourage each other to face the past so that they can move forward.
Armed with all the ingredients for a successful Christmas, can Clara move forward with this new information? Can she whisk up a sweet Christmas?
I loved this exploration about how we consciously and subconsciously hide from things we don’t want to deal with and the danger of thinking we’ve ‘swept them under the carpet’. I was inspired by Clara’s willingness to make changes, ‘pull the plug’ when she discovers that things aren’t as she imagined and forge ahead when she’s feeling sidelined and bullied. We could all learn from Clara’s determination in carving out the life we want. I also appreciated that the male main character in Switzerland was also flawed and needed Clara to hold a mirror up to his life so that he could see that he was stuck and hiding, too.
Jo Thomas knows exactly how to connect with her readers. Allow yourself to be swept up in this sweet story about taking stock of one’s life and making changes.
I was gifted this copy by Random House UK, Transworld Publishers and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Clara is feeling stuck. She’s determined to not let her recent redundancy right before Christmas affect her vision for the year ahead, yet she still feels a loss of connection and appreciation after 23 years in the same job. When she examines her life she realizes that she’s just existing instead of living and she’s determined to change and do something adventurous before her 40th birthday in January. Perhaps it was fate to be let go!
Suddenly, Clara finds herself in a new country, in a new apartment and with a new partner facing a very different Christmas. For the first time in 39 years, Clara feels like she has a future.
She enrolled in Ecole Chocolate, hoping new skills would launch her into a new career, but soon discovers that “sometimes things, like chocolate, are not always what you think they’ll be.”
She’s stuck again.
In a desperate attempt to free herself from this familiar feeling, Clara presses the reset button on her new relationship and decides to take each day at a time, chocolate by chocolate. With the help of her mentor, the two realize that they are hiding from something and encourage each other to face the past so that they can move forward.
Armed with all the ingredients for a successful Christmas, can Clara move forward with this new information? Can she whisk up a sweet Christmas?
I loved this exploration about how we consciously and subconsciously hide from things we don’t want to deal with and the danger of thinking we’ve ‘swept them under the carpet’. I was inspired by Clara’s willingness to make changes, ‘pull the plug’ when she discovers that things aren’t as she imagined and forge ahead when she’s feeling sidelined and bullied. We could all learn from Clara’s determination in carving out the life we want. I also appreciated that the male main character in Switzerland was also flawed and needed Clara to hold a mirror up to his life so that he could see that he was stuck and hiding, too.
Jo Thomas knows exactly how to connect with her readers. Allow yourself to be swept up in this sweet story about taking stock of one’s life and making changes.
I was gifted this copy by Random House UK, Transworld Publishers and was under no obligation to provide a review.
October 7, 2024
I received a free copy of, A Recipe for Christmas, by Jo Thomas, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Clara loses her job, so she decides to go to France with her new man Daniel. Clara decides to take a class in chocolate making, she meets new friends and learns about herself and Daniel. I really enjoyed this book, its a great Christmas read.
September 29, 2024
Clara decided she needed to make some changes in her life. She signs up for a class, rhst is different than what she thought. I liked this book.
November 19, 2024
This book gave me all the warm Christmas fuzzies. I could guess the overall story arc, but there were plenty of twists and turns to keep me guessing. I loved it!
December 6, 2025
Ég væri til í talningu hversu oft orðið “súkkulaði” kom fram elsku Clara, við erum búin að ná því! Nóg um það, það eru ýmsar hindranir sem persónur sögunnar þurfa að yfirstíga og gera það vel👊🏼
Clara flytur til Sviss með Daniel sem hún nota bene þekkir varla…. Þau komsr fljótt að því að þau deila ekki sömu gildum í lífinu. Hún sér strax að Gabriel, einn af súkkulaði meisturunum (lol) er yfirburða fagur. Gabriel er að fela leyndarmál sem hefur áhrif á framtíð hans sem súkkulaðimeistara, þá kemur Clara til bjargar 🍫
Clara flytur til Sviss með Daniel sem hún nota bene þekkir varla…. Þau komsr fljótt að því að þau deila ekki sömu gildum í lífinu. Hún sér strax að Gabriel, einn af súkkulaði meisturunum (lol) er yfirburða fagur. Gabriel er að fela leyndarmál sem hefur áhrif á framtíð hans sem súkkulaðimeistara, þá kemur Clara til bjargar 🍫
December 31, 2025
Sometimes the Mr Tickle mug needs to break ❤️
December 31, 2025
4.5 stars
This book was pure joy to read. The personal growth, the chocolate, the setting; it was the perfect book to end my 2025 reading year. Definitely recommend!
This book was pure joy to read. The personal growth, the chocolate, the setting; it was the perfect book to end my 2025 reading year. Definitely recommend!
November 15, 2024
Such a lovely seasonal read. Definitely one to get lost in; it’s light and happy and it warmed my soul! And as usual some great recipes at the end. Highly recommended.
November 27, 2024
I’ve not read a Jo Thomas book for a while so was really looking forward to this festive treat and it didn’t disappoint. A perfect book for any chocolate lover, set in a chocolate workshop in Switzerland with not an Oompa Loompa in sight! A great mix of characters. When I had time to read, I whizzed through the pages. A gorgeous, Christmassy read. Loved it!
January 29, 2026
Started and finished date – 01.01.26 to 05.01.26.
My rating – Three Stars.
I really had mixed feeling about this book, then parts of book at I really like but then was parts of book at didn't like. I think people who like Chef's Kiss at the Chalet by Sookie Snow or the Christmas retreat by Trisha Ashley may like is book. The cover of book was stunning, and I think the colour palette at was used on the cover of book was fine. I found the writing was to be okay but it very average and the writing was easy follow also the ending of the book was fine. I think the setting of the book was fine, but it was bit blend and it could use some flash out. I found the atmosphere in the book was okay and this book did have a cozy christmas vibe to the book, but I wise it was flash out bit more. I did really enjoyed the parts of the book at were about both chocolate making and the bootcamp. The plot of book was both predictable, and it was simple, but I still enjoyed the plot of the book.
I think the dialogue in the book was fine and it was easy to follow but dialogue was very average. I not going to lie and I like the romance in the book; I like parts of it, but I most didn't like the romance in the book. I found the chemistry between main characters to okay, but I felt at it was bit flat. I think fans of the secret ingredient directed by Tibor Takács and I think people who are foodies would like is book. I think both the friendships and relationships between most the characters was okay, but it used some tweaking. I think found the paced in the book was well structured and steady paced. I found characters to be very messy and unlikable also I had a hard connect to them.
My rating – Three Stars.
I really had mixed feeling about this book, then parts of book at I really like but then was parts of book at didn't like. I think people who like Chef's Kiss at the Chalet by Sookie Snow or the Christmas retreat by Trisha Ashley may like is book. The cover of book was stunning, and I think the colour palette at was used on the cover of book was fine. I found the writing was to be okay but it very average and the writing was easy follow also the ending of the book was fine. I think the setting of the book was fine, but it was bit blend and it could use some flash out. I found the atmosphere in the book was okay and this book did have a cozy christmas vibe to the book, but I wise it was flash out bit more. I did really enjoyed the parts of the book at were about both chocolate making and the bootcamp. The plot of book was both predictable, and it was simple, but I still enjoyed the plot of the book.
I think the dialogue in the book was fine and it was easy to follow but dialogue was very average. I not going to lie and I like the romance in the book; I like parts of it, but I most didn't like the romance in the book. I found the chemistry between main characters to okay, but I felt at it was bit flat. I think fans of the secret ingredient directed by Tibor Takács and I think people who are foodies would like is book. I think both the friendships and relationships between most the characters was okay, but it used some tweaking. I think found the paced in the book was well structured and steady paced. I found characters to be very messy and unlikable also I had a hard connect to them.
October 13, 2024
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.
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.
October 13, 2024
This book has everything. Humour, chocolate, romance, chocolate, mountains, chocolate, snow and of course chocolate. A lovely cozy festive book which I throughly enjoyed. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
January 19, 2025
Žeby som objavila novú obľúbenú autorku? Už po prečítaní anotácií som vedela, že Jo bude pre mňa ako stvorená. Milá sladká romanca odohrávajúca sa v nejakom peknom kúte sveta s fantastickým jedlom k tomu? Beriem všetkými desiatimi! No naozaj som nečakala, že ma jej knihy až takto chytia za srdce.
A rovnako tomu bolo aj v prípade tejto knihy. Vianočná romanca je pre mňa fantastický únik od všetkého a nikdy ju neberiem príliš vážne. Síce to ani klasickú romancu, no musím uznať, že pri vianočnej je tá latka naozaj nízko (až neexistujúca). Jediné, čo chcem sú svetielka, stromček, horúca čokoláda a presladená romanca, ktorá vznikne z ničoho v priebehu max. týždňa. Stačí, nie?
Zhodnotiť A Romance for Christmas však nie je najľahšie. Vniesla mi do života príjemnú vianočnú atmosféru? Vôbec! Keby tam asi trikrát nespomenú nejaké svetielka vo výklade obchodu a vianočnú party na záver, tak ani neviem, že sú tam Vianoce. No čo mi priniesla je pohoda. Kedykoľvek som zobrala knihu do rúk (a bolo jedno, či ju čítam doma na gauči alebo nalepená na dverách v MHD plnej ľudí) v sekunde ma preniesla do krásnej uzimenej a zasneženej krajiny, so šálkou horúcej čokolády v ruke, zakutraná niekde v deke pri krbe. Cheesy? Určite! A ešte aj s extra syrom navrch (a to doslova)! Okrem čokolády, ktorej tam bolo neúrekom, je Švajčiarsko aj krajinou syrov a teda hlavní hrdinovia ho tam tlačili na kilá! Rozhodne neodporúčam čítať na prázdny žalúdok. Niekoľkokrát som sa počas čítania pristihla pri tom, že som si googlila recepty, ktoré tam spomínali, čo však nebolo potrebné, keďže autorka ich zahrnula na záver knihy.
Ako všetci spisovatelia, aj Jo Thomas má svoju mustru, podľa ktorej stavia svoje príbehy. Najlepšie, ako to viem opísať je romanca 90. rokov skombinovaná s pravou mexickou telenovelou. Milý, jemný sladký príbeh bez zbytočného pretláčania sexy scénok no so zápletkou (či jej vyriešením) tak pritiahnutou za vlasy, že by sa za to nehanbili ani Juan s Palomou! A mne to na 100% sadlo!
Miestami som len pretáčala panenky nad toľkou trápnosťou, no zároveň ma tá kniha akoby objala. A úprimne, to je všetko, čo od takejto romance očakávam.
A áno, okamžite chcem ísť do Švajčiarska!
A rovnako tomu bolo aj v prípade tejto knihy. Vianočná romanca je pre mňa fantastický únik od všetkého a nikdy ju neberiem príliš vážne. Síce to ani klasickú romancu, no musím uznať, že pri vianočnej je tá latka naozaj nízko (až neexistujúca). Jediné, čo chcem sú svetielka, stromček, horúca čokoláda a presladená romanca, ktorá vznikne z ničoho v priebehu max. týždňa. Stačí, nie?
Zhodnotiť A Romance for Christmas však nie je najľahšie. Vniesla mi do života príjemnú vianočnú atmosféru? Vôbec! Keby tam asi trikrát nespomenú nejaké svetielka vo výklade obchodu a vianočnú party na záver, tak ani neviem, že sú tam Vianoce. No čo mi priniesla je pohoda. Kedykoľvek som zobrala knihu do rúk (a bolo jedno, či ju čítam doma na gauči alebo nalepená na dverách v MHD plnej ľudí) v sekunde ma preniesla do krásnej uzimenej a zasneženej krajiny, so šálkou horúcej čokolády v ruke, zakutraná niekde v deke pri krbe. Cheesy? Určite! A ešte aj s extra syrom navrch (a to doslova)! Okrem čokolády, ktorej tam bolo neúrekom, je Švajčiarsko aj krajinou syrov a teda hlavní hrdinovia ho tam tlačili na kilá! Rozhodne neodporúčam čítať na prázdny žalúdok. Niekoľkokrát som sa počas čítania pristihla pri tom, že som si googlila recepty, ktoré tam spomínali, čo však nebolo potrebné, keďže autorka ich zahrnula na záver knihy.
Ako všetci spisovatelia, aj Jo Thomas má svoju mustru, podľa ktorej stavia svoje príbehy. Najlepšie, ako to viem opísať je romanca 90. rokov skombinovaná s pravou mexickou telenovelou. Milý, jemný sladký príbeh bez zbytočného pretláčania sexy scénok no so zápletkou (či jej vyriešením) tak pritiahnutou za vlasy, že by sa za to nehanbili ani Juan s Palomou! A mne to na 100% sadlo!
Miestami som len pretáčala panenky nad toľkou trápnosťou, no zároveň ma tá kniha akoby objala. A úprimne, to je všetko, čo od takejto romance očakávam.
A áno, okamžite chcem ísť do Švajčiarska!
August 30, 2024
3 ⭐️
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.
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.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2024
This is a truly glorious book by a very talented author, which in my mind contains two of life’s greatest pleasures, reading and chocolate.
Clara is suddenly jobless and feels like a life change at 40. A recent meeting with an online love interest sparks a move to Switzerland where her new beau is relocating for his work. As a goodbye from her firm they offer to fund a course and on seeing a chocolate making one in Switzerland Clara joins up. Finding the course is designed for professionals and not amateurs does not deter her and her spirit sees her through many challenges.
A well written and heartfelt book with some absolutely amazing descriptions of the chocolates that are tried and tested which made my mouth water. The characters in the book are vividly described and I loved the pluck of Clara, who kept going and supporting others when that wasn’t always reciprocated.
Highly recommend this as a Christmas read, the place sounds amazing and I would love to visit!
Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Clara is suddenly jobless and feels like a life change at 40. A recent meeting with an online love interest sparks a move to Switzerland where her new beau is relocating for his work. As a goodbye from her firm they offer to fund a course and on seeing a chocolate making one in Switzerland Clara joins up. Finding the course is designed for professionals and not amateurs does not deter her and her spirit sees her through many challenges.
A well written and heartfelt book with some absolutely amazing descriptions of the chocolates that are tried and tested which made my mouth water. The characters in the book are vividly described and I loved the pluck of Clara, who kept going and supporting others when that wasn’t always reciprocated.
Highly recommend this as a Christmas read, the place sounds amazing and I would love to visit!
Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 25, 2025
I was expecting romance. A cosy, Christmassy winter romance where she goes abroad and meets the love of her life. (Typical romcom romance novel is what I wanted)
However, she couldn’t stop. Chocolate. Chocolate. Chocolate, just constant chocolate that I’m getting sick of chocolate now. Even hearing about it. I want NO MORE, like yes I get the book is about her going to some chocolate course but come on, every page had the word chocolate at least 2-3 times.
She went away with her “boyfriend” broke up with said boyfriend then tried to “get back” with said boyfriend. All while having a total HOTTIE as her mentor and CHOOSING the “ex” instead.
The book fell short about page 240 (65%) and it got boring. The cover is stunning and is what drew me in to begin with.
It’s unfortunate since the beginning had high hopes
However, she couldn’t stop. Chocolate. Chocolate. Chocolate, just constant chocolate that I’m getting sick of chocolate now. Even hearing about it. I want NO MORE, like yes I get the book is about her going to some chocolate course but come on, every page had the word chocolate at least 2-3 times.
She went away with her “boyfriend” broke up with said boyfriend then tried to “get back” with said boyfriend. All while having a total HOTTIE as her mentor and CHOOSING the “ex” instead.
The book fell short about page 240 (65%) and it got boring. The cover is stunning and is what drew me in to begin with.
It’s unfortunate since the beginning had high hopes
October 9, 2024
Amazing! This was such an amazing read. I couldn’t put it down and I read it so quickly and easily, the words just flowed.
I loved Clara and there were many aspects of her character I could relate to. She dug deep and found out just what she could do and it was amazing. I loved seeing Clara pulling all the other students together and helping them make friends and showing them that together they were unstoppable. Gabriel was a great character and his secret was interesting and cleverly done.
The descriptions of Switzerland were amazing and I really felt I was there and it amazed me how everyone just got on with normal life with all that snow, not like here in the UK when a few flakes fall and everything stops!
Jo always writes such great books and this was no exception, a must read for Jo Thomas fans and chocolate fans alike.
I loved Clara and there were many aspects of her character I could relate to. She dug deep and found out just what she could do and it was amazing. I loved seeing Clara pulling all the other students together and helping them make friends and showing them that together they were unstoppable. Gabriel was a great character and his secret was interesting and cleverly done.
The descriptions of Switzerland were amazing and I really felt I was there and it amazed me how everyone just got on with normal life with all that snow, not like here in the UK when a few flakes fall and everything stops!
Jo always writes such great books and this was no exception, a must read for Jo Thomas fans and chocolate fans alike.
December 12, 2024
Reading this book was like a Hallmark Christmas movie script.
Imagining picturesque chalets and farms of Switzerland being frosted with snow, fairy lights, and lots and lots of chocolate, just gave me such a warm and fuzzy feeling.
If you're not feeling too serious and wouldn't mind an easy read that feels like a Christmas hug than this is for you.
Grab a giant box of Lindt, a bottle of wine, and sit yourself near your tree to enjoy this corny and adorable Christmas tale.
Imagining picturesque chalets and farms of Switzerland being frosted with snow, fairy lights, and lots and lots of chocolate, just gave me such a warm and fuzzy feeling.
If you're not feeling too serious and wouldn't mind an easy read that feels like a Christmas hug than this is for you.
Grab a giant box of Lindt, a bottle of wine, and sit yourself near your tree to enjoy this corny and adorable Christmas tale.
October 5, 2024
A fantastic Christmas read! I loved every page of this book. Full of wonderful characters in a beautiful setting just right for Christmas. This is one huge ‘feel good hug’ of a book not to be missed.
Thank you so much to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in return for an honest review. It was an absolute delight.
Thank you so much to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in return for an honest review. It was an absolute delight.
November 26, 2024
Anyone want to come on an adventure to Switzerland to make chocolates at Christmas?! Because if you do, I am in! This book is just joyous - just the right amount of predictability, lovely setting and a protagonist I truly warmed to. All the festive feels!
December 9, 2024
All Clara has ever wanted is Christmas surrounded by loved ones, full of warmth and delicious food. So when her new boyfriend asks her to move to Switzerland, she can't help but say yes! After all, what could be more perfect than Christmas in the Alps?
December 28, 2024
I enjoyed this light hearted story about a girl who takes a leap of faith following a guy she has just met, to Switzerland and joining a chocolatier school. When things don’t go to plan she perseveres and gets her happy ending. It’s a lovely sweet read.
December 2, 2024
Amazing Christmas read!
December 12, 2024
Great cosy Christmassy read. Loved the setting, the ideas for the storyline.
December 28, 2024
Quite a good book, a bit cheesy but didn't expect anything else
December 30, 2024
Cosy Christmas read set in the backdrop of the Swiss alps and a heavy focus on chocolate - perfect!
December 14, 2025
Absolutely loved this book. So heartwarming would recommend this book
December 22, 2025
There is a LOT of chocolate
October 16, 2024
The writing was detailed and drew you in. I was immediately transported to the Swiss mountains, where I was then fully immersed in the world of chocolate. The way that Jo described the taste and smell of the food throughout really added that something extra to the story.
The chapters were fairly short which gave a good pace and meant that you moved well through the story. There was also a good flow between the chapters which meant that I could easily sit and read the book for long periods of time. I looked forward to picking it back up at each reading session and was sad when it ended.
The characters were great. I loved the main character and being on her journey of self discovery. I really felt for her at times, and loved how brave and resilient she was. She kept on going even though everything was conspiring against her. You were never quite sure what was going to happen next. Through her hard work the rest of the characters slowly came round and it was interesting to see how their relationships changed. I was routing for a happy ending for everyone.
I enjoyed reading about the love and passion that a lot of characters had for chocolate, with both the positive and negative effects that that had. There were of course some characters that didn't have the same passion and together it all created an interesting atmosphere.
Lastly the settings. I loved being taken to Switzerland. The description of the surroundings was wonderful and made me want to visit there immediately! The setting descriptions balanced well with the chocolate focused storyline and all had that cosy hint of Christmas chocolate about them.
Overall a lovely Christmas story that I highly recommend.
The chapters were fairly short which gave a good pace and meant that you moved well through the story. There was also a good flow between the chapters which meant that I could easily sit and read the book for long periods of time. I looked forward to picking it back up at each reading session and was sad when it ended.
The characters were great. I loved the main character and being on her journey of self discovery. I really felt for her at times, and loved how brave and resilient she was. She kept on going even though everything was conspiring against her. You were never quite sure what was going to happen next. Through her hard work the rest of the characters slowly came round and it was interesting to see how their relationships changed. I was routing for a happy ending for everyone.
I enjoyed reading about the love and passion that a lot of characters had for chocolate, with both the positive and negative effects that that had. There were of course some characters that didn't have the same passion and together it all created an interesting atmosphere.
Lastly the settings. I loved being taken to Switzerland. The description of the surroundings was wonderful and made me want to visit there immediately! The setting descriptions balanced well with the chocolate focused storyline and all had that cosy hint of Christmas chocolate about them.
Overall a lovely Christmas story that I highly recommend.
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