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The Chocolate Works
Henry Dawson lives a quiet life of perfect order and routine. His job as a cross-checker at a Chicago-based risk assessment firm means there’s no detail unmissed, no error unfixed and no room in his world for curve balls. That is until the day he loses his job, finds out his apartment building has been condemned, and receives an inheritance from an uncle he never even knew he had.
Now with no job, no home and no hope for the future, Henry suddenly finds himself in the tiny dead-end town of Los Encantado in the middle of the New Mexico desert, ready to sell the small roadside diner bequeathed to him by the uncle he never met. Given the circumstances, what choice does he have but to offload the diner—operated by waffle-loving Doris Day fan, Gracie Garcia—in an effort to try and fund his way back to his old life in Chicago?
But Henry was never planning on the arrival of wild, passionate and incredibly sexy Levi Jones. Nor was he ready for Levi’s crazy plan to turn Gracie’s Diner into the greatest Chocolate Works the world has ever known. For Levi claims to be the country’s finest chocolatier… or is he?
Before he knows it, Henry is pulled into Levi’s plan to create the most delicious, irresistible, mouth-watering, knee-buckling chocolates the world has ever imagined. At the same time Henry finds himself falling head over heels for the reckless, romantic allure of a man who is the complete opposite of everything Henry holds sacred.
Will Henry succumb to the charms of a handsome stranger despite every instinct warning him that Levi is nothing but a snake oil salesman? Will the secrets of Levi’s past destroy Henry’s hopes of ever finding true romance?
Or is Levi destined to melt Henry’s heart as he discovers that chocolate truly is the food of love?
***The Chocolate Works is a mouth-watering standalone gay romantic comedy. Warning: Reading this book WILL make you crave your absolute favorite chocolates and demand you indulge in them while you read… one delicious, delectable, discipline-crushing mouthful at a time.***
Now with no job, no home and no hope for the future, Henry suddenly finds himself in the tiny dead-end town of Los Encantado in the middle of the New Mexico desert, ready to sell the small roadside diner bequeathed to him by the uncle he never met. Given the circumstances, what choice does he have but to offload the diner—operated by waffle-loving Doris Day fan, Gracie Garcia—in an effort to try and fund his way back to his old life in Chicago?
But Henry was never planning on the arrival of wild, passionate and incredibly sexy Levi Jones. Nor was he ready for Levi’s crazy plan to turn Gracie’s Diner into the greatest Chocolate Works the world has ever known. For Levi claims to be the country’s finest chocolatier… or is he?
Before he knows it, Henry is pulled into Levi’s plan to create the most delicious, irresistible, mouth-watering, knee-buckling chocolates the world has ever imagined. At the same time Henry finds himself falling head over heels for the reckless, romantic allure of a man who is the complete opposite of everything Henry holds sacred.
Will Henry succumb to the charms of a handsome stranger despite every instinct warning him that Levi is nothing but a snake oil salesman? Will the secrets of Levi’s past destroy Henry’s hopes of ever finding true romance?
Or is Levi destined to melt Henry’s heart as he discovers that chocolate truly is the food of love?
***The Chocolate Works is a mouth-watering standalone gay romantic comedy. Warning: Reading this book WILL make you crave your absolute favorite chocolates and demand you indulge in them while you read… one delicious, delectable, discipline-crushing mouthful at a time.***
371 pages, ebook
First published July 10, 2020
77 people are currently reading
157 people want to read
About the author
Geoffrey Knight
75 books350 followersGeoffrey Knight is the author of more than 30 gay fiction novels, novellas and short stories, ranging in genre from gay adventure, gay romance, gay suspense and gay comedies.
The heroes of Geoffrey's books love to spend their time jumping off the page, seeking lost treasures, unraveling mysteries or falling in love.
Geoffrey is the recipient of two Rainbow Awards including Best Mystery Winner and Best Overall Gay Fiction Runner-up. His work has been featured in several anthologies including Best Gay Erotica 2013, and he appeared as Guest of Honor at the inaugural Rainbow Con in Florida, 2014.
Geoffrey has worked in advertising, politics, journalism and event management, but nothing is as fun as telling stories. He lives with his partner, their young daughter and their small furry family in a rambling old house in North Queensland, Australia, where the paint is fraying and life is good.
You can find everything you need to know about Geoffrey and his books at— https://linktr.ee/authorgeoffreyknight
The heroes of Geoffrey's books love to spend their time jumping off the page, seeking lost treasures, unraveling mysteries or falling in love.
Geoffrey is the recipient of two Rainbow Awards including Best Mystery Winner and Best Overall Gay Fiction Runner-up. His work has been featured in several anthologies including Best Gay Erotica 2013, and he appeared as Guest of Honor at the inaugural Rainbow Con in Florida, 2014.
Geoffrey has worked in advertising, politics, journalism and event management, but nothing is as fun as telling stories. He lives with his partner, their young daughter and their small furry family in a rambling old house in North Queensland, Australia, where the paint is fraying and life is good.
You can find everything you need to know about Geoffrey and his books at— https://linktr.ee/authorgeoffreyknight
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
July 23, 2020
This is a nice book.
The characters are nice.
The plot is fine.
The secondary characters are fine.
The writing is fine.
Unfortunately, it simply didn’t grab me. I felt the blurb promised more than I got.
Mainly, I think the story of the village and its inhabitants gets more attention than the MCs’s relationship development.
And, for me, Levi behaves more like a seasoned con man charming everyone’s socks off (rather than a likeable rogue) for quite a bit of the book, and although Henry’s characterization is pretty neat and enjoyable, he somehow didn’t draw me in enough.
The dramatic events towards the end seem a bit over the top, as is Henry’s reaction to certain revelations.
I’m sure in this case, it’s me, not the book.
The characters are nice.
The plot is fine.
The secondary characters are fine.
The writing is fine.
Unfortunately, it simply didn’t grab me. I felt the blurb promised more than I got.
Mainly, I think the story of the village and its inhabitants gets more attention than the MCs’s relationship development.
And, for me, Levi behaves more like a seasoned con man charming everyone’s socks off (rather than a likeable rogue) for quite a bit of the book, and although Henry’s characterization is pretty neat and enjoyable, he somehow didn’t draw me in enough.
The dramatic events towards the end seem a bit over the top, as is Henry’s reaction to certain revelations.
I’m sure in this case, it’s me, not the book.
July 12, 2020
That was nothing like I was expecting and I really liked it.
Quirky, it felt as if it was pushing the whole 'family helps with everything' plotline a bit too far as some points, but I also didn't actually care.
The characters and the setting were so compelling that I wasn't in the slightest bit bothered that Ricky's extended family had someone who could do everything that was needed.
That you could build a Chocolatier works in the middle of a tiny New Mexico town that was on its last legs was a stretch on its own.
Throw in a couple of the other plots and you're asking a lot but the author pulls it off because I wanted to see Levi and Henry make it through.
I loved both of them, same with all the secondary characters, the town, the chocolates Levi creates, they were all so very vividly drawn.
Just a thoroughly enjoyable read.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
Quirky, it felt as if it was pushing the whole 'family helps with everything' plotline a bit too far as some points, but I also didn't actually care.
The characters and the setting were so compelling that I wasn't in the slightest bit bothered that Ricky's extended family had someone who could do everything that was needed.
That you could build a Chocolatier works in the middle of a tiny New Mexico town that was on its last legs was a stretch on its own.
Throw in a couple of the other plots and you're asking a lot but the author pulls it off because I wanted to see Levi and Henry make it through.
I loved both of them, same with all the secondary characters, the town, the chocolates Levi creates, they were all so very vividly drawn.
Just a thoroughly enjoyable read.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
July 9, 2020
What an utterly delightful and beautiful story!!
Henry loves his perfectly ordered life, structured, symmetrical. He has all kinds of habits and routines. It works for him.
Until one Monday morning, there was chaos.
Chaos in the perfectly structured world of Henry Dawson!
He ends up in a bus, sitting across the handsome Levi Jones, heading to a small town Los Encantado, New Mexico. He inherited a business from an unknown uncle.
He will sell the dang thing and return to his grumpy old life.
-“Where exactly are you going?” “I’ll know when I get there,” was his simple reply.-
Henry is suspicious about any kindness and Levi is kind. He talks and laughs Henry’s grumpiness away. The most friendly and endearing people live in Los Encantado. With their compassionate small-town behavior and awesome witty dry answers. The humor they produce is just delightful.
When Levi shows himself as the grand chocolatier he is, with his magical way of naming all the glorious ingredients, I got goosebumps. That was amazingly put together, awesomeness!
They all will start Chocolate Works.
The way Henry melted as the chocolate did was everything.
Henry and Levi are opposites and maybe thereby compatible! Levi was a teacher of life and pleasure, Henry couldn’t get enough of him.
“It was glorious.
It was dazzling.
It was… messy.”
A story about people with gratitude to what earth gives them, with great appreciation for people around them. People full of love, no angry hair on their heads. It was magical just pure magic. It made me quite emotional.
People need to be named, Gracie whose enthusiasm warms every heart and Ricky who dared to go back to his roots, Pancho dear brave Pancho, and his grandmother. Those personal stories and all the traditions lifted this narrative to a certain extent.
Be aware, there is so much more behind all we see at first sight. My eyes blurred and continued to drip.
The story kept me in its spell from first to the last page. It was uplifting and created with an amazing writing style. Every detail painted out largely so nothing would be missed. It was mesmerizing, captivating, and entertaining, the people are all grandiose with extremely lovable characteristics.
Henry loves his perfectly ordered life, structured, symmetrical. He has all kinds of habits and routines. It works for him.
Until one Monday morning, there was chaos.
Chaos in the perfectly structured world of Henry Dawson!
He ends up in a bus, sitting across the handsome Levi Jones, heading to a small town Los Encantado, New Mexico. He inherited a business from an unknown uncle.
He will sell the dang thing and return to his grumpy old life.
-“Where exactly are you going?” “I’ll know when I get there,” was his simple reply.-
Henry is suspicious about any kindness and Levi is kind. He talks and laughs Henry’s grumpiness away. The most friendly and endearing people live in Los Encantado. With their compassionate small-town behavior and awesome witty dry answers. The humor they produce is just delightful.
When Levi shows himself as the grand chocolatier he is, with his magical way of naming all the glorious ingredients, I got goosebumps. That was amazingly put together, awesomeness!
They all will start Chocolate Works.
The way Henry melted as the chocolate did was everything.
Henry and Levi are opposites and maybe thereby compatible! Levi was a teacher of life and pleasure, Henry couldn’t get enough of him.
“It was glorious.
It was dazzling.
It was… messy.”
A story about people with gratitude to what earth gives them, with great appreciation for people around them. People full of love, no angry hair on their heads. It was magical just pure magic. It made me quite emotional.
People need to be named, Gracie whose enthusiasm warms every heart and Ricky who dared to go back to his roots, Pancho dear brave Pancho, and his grandmother. Those personal stories and all the traditions lifted this narrative to a certain extent.
Be aware, there is so much more behind all we see at first sight. My eyes blurred and continued to drip.
The story kept me in its spell from first to the last page. It was uplifting and created with an amazing writing style. Every detail painted out largely so nothing would be missed. It was mesmerizing, captivating, and entertaining, the people are all grandiose with extremely lovable characteristics.
July 15, 2020
I'm fairly certain that this is the first book I've read where the sex made me gag. Like actually gag while reading a sex scene that was supposed to be sexy and, for me, was absolutely not. Nothing that happens in this story is in any way believable. None of the characters are either.
In short, I hated this book and only a terrible night of insomnia allowed me to finish it.
It looks like everyone else really liked this so it's probably just me but I found it boring, racist (someone suggests calling a Native American character Sitting Bull to protect his identity, a white guy creates a chocolate shop that is filled with Indigenous and Latin America decor, the people of colour in this book are all faintly ridiculous but our white heroes swoop in to save the town), disgusting (see above and also while this isn't the scene that made me gag, there is a sex scene involving food in which Henry kisses and licks a strawberry and just, ugh).
In short, I hated this book and only a terrible night of insomnia allowed me to finish it.
It looks like everyone else really liked this so it's probably just me but I found it boring, racist (someone suggests calling a Native American character Sitting Bull to protect his identity, a white guy creates a chocolate shop that is filled with Indigenous and Latin America decor, the people of colour in this book are all faintly ridiculous but our white heroes swoop in to save the town), disgusting (see above and also while this isn't the scene that made me gag, there is a sex scene involving food in which Henry kisses and licks a strawberry and just, ugh).
July 29, 2022
I don't want this to come off as virtue signaling. But. I really don't like the idea of a dying small town in the desert of New Mexico with Latin and Native American residents being saved by two random white dudes. It's 2022 (book published in 2020), do better.
July 11, 2020
4.5 Stars
The Chocolate Works is a powerful book by Geoffrey Knight. It's slow going but it's meaningful and packs a punch in the end.
The New Mexico setting is extremely well written. One can feel the town, with it's good and bad, as if they are there. The natives, traditions, beliefs, and culture are all well illustrated as well.
Henry's a man who's driven to NM out of desperation. Instead of finding the land he inherited and selling it, he finds the meaning to life, great friends, and love.
Levi's a drifter. At first, he comes off as just strange, with a simplistic speech pattern and a unique way of looking at life. In the end, he's a fascinating character who fully comes to life.
This is a tale full of surprises and a rare gift of making amazing chocolate. There are some serious twists and turns that I never saw coming.
The beginning of this story took me while to get through. The pace, the oddness of Levi, and the way Levi spoke all turned me off a bit. But then, wow, the story starts to set in and the things we discover made me more intrigued. I knew this book would remind me of the author's profound The Pearl.
The life lessons that are told in this story are extraordinary, and the story is beautiful in the way it unfolds.
In other words, The Chocolate Works is another magnificent book by Geoffrey Knight. He once again impresses me with the depth of the life lessons in this tale.
The Chocolate Works is a powerful book by Geoffrey Knight. It's slow going but it's meaningful and packs a punch in the end.
The New Mexico setting is extremely well written. One can feel the town, with it's good and bad, as if they are there. The natives, traditions, beliefs, and culture are all well illustrated as well.
Henry's a man who's driven to NM out of desperation. Instead of finding the land he inherited and selling it, he finds the meaning to life, great friends, and love.
Levi's a drifter. At first, he comes off as just strange, with a simplistic speech pattern and a unique way of looking at life. In the end, he's a fascinating character who fully comes to life.
This is a tale full of surprises and a rare gift of making amazing chocolate. There are some serious twists and turns that I never saw coming.
The beginning of this story took me while to get through. The pace, the oddness of Levi, and the way Levi spoke all turned me off a bit. But then, wow, the story starts to set in and the things we discover made me more intrigued. I knew this book would remind me of the author's profound The Pearl.
The life lessons that are told in this story are extraordinary, and the story is beautiful in the way it unfolds.
In other words, The Chocolate Works is another magnificent book by Geoffrey Knight. He once again impresses me with the depth of the life lessons in this tale.
August 6, 2020
I loved this book. I'd go so far as to say it's one of my favorites from this year.
The book starts off with Henry, our overly compartmentalized character being his overly compartmentalized self. And on his best day, I'm sure he was a very nice man. However, we do not meet him on his best day. We meet him on what is arguably one of the worst days of his life. To be fair, the day's events would be a trial for anyone, but for someone with Henry's personality ... let's just say that he doesn't come off well in the beginning. I didn't really like him for a good part of the first half of the book. However, I am quite familiar with this author's writing and I knew there would be more to Henry if I just let the story be told.
And, of course, there was. It was magic. There was magic in Henry's journey from Chicago to a little town in New Mexico. There was magic in how the central group of characters came together over the course of a few hours, then a few days, and then a couple weeks. There was magic in a business plan that should not have worked. There was magic in an 8 year old entrepreneur/general contractor/artist/you-name-it-he-can-do-it kid. There was magic in a crush that just needed a little encouragement to blossom. There was magic in chocolate, in the recipes, and how the chocolate was infused with the souls of the characters. There was magic in coincidence and hope and dreams. There was magic in our main couple Henry and Levi.
Levi's outlook on life, his his instincts, and ability to really see a person are key to making everything work. He's such a driving force in the story. He believes, so we believe. Or at least we hope. Broken down into it's individual parts, much of this book shouldn't work. But it does. Because of how the author wove everything together, in his own magical, romantic way.
I loved it enough that I didn't race through it. I drew it out over several says cause I didn't want it to end.
The book starts off with Henry, our overly compartmentalized character being his overly compartmentalized self. And on his best day, I'm sure he was a very nice man. However, we do not meet him on his best day. We meet him on what is arguably one of the worst days of his life. To be fair, the day's events would be a trial for anyone, but for someone with Henry's personality ... let's just say that he doesn't come off well in the beginning. I didn't really like him for a good part of the first half of the book. However, I am quite familiar with this author's writing and I knew there would be more to Henry if I just let the story be told.
And, of course, there was. It was magic. There was magic in Henry's journey from Chicago to a little town in New Mexico. There was magic in how the central group of characters came together over the course of a few hours, then a few days, and then a couple weeks. There was magic in a business plan that should not have worked. There was magic in an 8 year old entrepreneur/general contractor/artist/you-name-it-he-can-do-it kid. There was magic in a crush that just needed a little encouragement to blossom. There was magic in chocolate, in the recipes, and how the chocolate was infused with the souls of the characters. There was magic in coincidence and hope and dreams. There was magic in our main couple Henry and Levi.
Levi's outlook on life, his his instincts, and ability to really see a person are key to making everything work. He's such a driving force in the story. He believes, so we believe. Or at least we hope. Broken down into it's individual parts, much of this book shouldn't work. But it does. Because of how the author wove everything together, in his own magical, romantic way.
I loved it enough that I didn't race through it. I drew it out over several says cause I didn't want it to end.
July 22, 2020
A Joyfully Jay review.
4 stars
The blurb for this book grabbed me and drew me in, and it had been a while since I read this author, so I was quick to give The Chocolate Works a chance. There’s a lot here I enjoyed, especially Henry. This is his story, his journey, and I loved watching him grow, step outside of his ordered life, and take a chance at changing his future. This book has a unique style of storytelling, occasionally breaking the fourth wall in that there are some passages that are clearly Henry telling the reader the story, giving us bits of information not within the story itself. But for the most part, it’s about Henry taking a chance, on his life and on love.
I enjoyed Henry’s voice and it carried the story along. He is very clear about how much he likes order and organization. And it would take something as big as finding out about his inheritance, as well as losing his job and his home, all on the same day to make him take a chance on anything outside of that life. He holds onto his structure as much as he can, and I really liked that while he eventually opened up and took a chance, he was still, at his core, himself.
Read Kris’ review in its entirety here.
4 stars
The blurb for this book grabbed me and drew me in, and it had been a while since I read this author, so I was quick to give The Chocolate Works a chance. There’s a lot here I enjoyed, especially Henry. This is his story, his journey, and I loved watching him grow, step outside of his ordered life, and take a chance at changing his future. This book has a unique style of storytelling, occasionally breaking the fourth wall in that there are some passages that are clearly Henry telling the reader the story, giving us bits of information not within the story itself. But for the most part, it’s about Henry taking a chance, on his life and on love.
I enjoyed Henry’s voice and it carried the story along. He is very clear about how much he likes order and organization. And it would take something as big as finding out about his inheritance, as well as losing his job and his home, all on the same day to make him take a chance on anything outside of that life. He holds onto his structure as much as he can, and I really liked that while he eventually opened up and took a chance, he was still, at his core, himself.
Read Kris’ review in its entirety here.
January 6, 2025
Coincidences.
Maple syrup but no lube.
“Chocolate is LOVE.”
Maple syrup but no lube.
“Chocolate is LOVE.”
July 10, 2020
The Chocolate Works by Geoffrey Knight is the pairing of two completely opposite men with their run of bad luck, yet is full of heart, and of course, decadent chocolate creations. In Los Encantado a series of misfortunes and disaster bring an unlikely group of strangers together and, as they accept the challenges presented to them, they find themselves working for a brighter future.
In a single day, the regimentation of Henry Dawson’s life goes kerflooey. He loses his job and his apartment is condemned, but he gets an inheritance from an uncle who he has never heard of. To Henry, losing control over his life is unacceptable and he agonizes over restoring it. And, his inheritance waiting for him in Los Encantado may just be his ticket back. Could it be that the universe has other plans for him, breaking him out of his meager existence?
During Henry’s travels to Los Encantado he meets the “go with the flow” Levi Jones. He just can’t comprehend, and is just a bit jealous of, Levi’s attitude on life. No matter, Henry has one mission, get to Los Encantado to sell his inheritance then get back to Chicago and rebuild his perfectly structured life.
‘The Chocolate Works’ is an endearing well-paced life adventure set on giving not only Henry and Levi a new outlook on life but, a host of other individuals as well… an uplifting story showing that with the right attitude, and friends, anything is possible.
What Henry finds in Los Encantado challenges him, making him reevaluate his philosophy on life. Levi isn’t the only one who makes Henry question what he truly wants, so do his new band of misfit friends. Gracie Garcia, who used to be the restaurant owner that now is Henry’s, Ricky Ortiz the General Store owner, Pancho Delgado an eight-year-old young entrepreneur, Mrs. Delgado, Pancho’s grandmother, and even a donkey named Hector.
Together this newfound group of friends, with familial help, band together to make a dream their reality. Supporting each other through their individual life challenges, current and past, creates a bond similar to family that Henry realizes has been missing from his life. While they encounter setbacks almost every step of the way to building their dream, their determination, snark, and drive focus them on the end goal.
The Chocolate Works is an endearing well-paced life adventure set on giving not only Henry and Levi a new outlook on life but, a host of other individuals as well who were facing a bleak outlook. Even given the setbacks it is an uplifting story showing that with the right attitude, and friends, anything is possible.
In a single day, the regimentation of Henry Dawson’s life goes kerflooey. He loses his job and his apartment is condemned, but he gets an inheritance from an uncle who he has never heard of. To Henry, losing control over his life is unacceptable and he agonizes over restoring it. And, his inheritance waiting for him in Los Encantado may just be his ticket back. Could it be that the universe has other plans for him, breaking him out of his meager existence?
During Henry’s travels to Los Encantado he meets the “go with the flow” Levi Jones. He just can’t comprehend, and is just a bit jealous of, Levi’s attitude on life. No matter, Henry has one mission, get to Los Encantado to sell his inheritance then get back to Chicago and rebuild his perfectly structured life.
‘The Chocolate Works’ is an endearing well-paced life adventure set on giving not only Henry and Levi a new outlook on life but, a host of other individuals as well… an uplifting story showing that with the right attitude, and friends, anything is possible.
What Henry finds in Los Encantado challenges him, making him reevaluate his philosophy on life. Levi isn’t the only one who makes Henry question what he truly wants, so do his new band of misfit friends. Gracie Garcia, who used to be the restaurant owner that now is Henry’s, Ricky Ortiz the General Store owner, Pancho Delgado an eight-year-old young entrepreneur, Mrs. Delgado, Pancho’s grandmother, and even a donkey named Hector.
Together this newfound group of friends, with familial help, band together to make a dream their reality. Supporting each other through their individual life challenges, current and past, creates a bond similar to family that Henry realizes has been missing from his life. While they encounter setbacks almost every step of the way to building their dream, their determination, snark, and drive focus them on the end goal.
The Chocolate Works is an endearing well-paced life adventure set on giving not only Henry and Levi a new outlook on life but, a host of other individuals as well who were facing a bleak outlook. Even given the setbacks it is an uplifting story showing that with the right attitude, and friends, anything is possible.
July 21, 2020
I’ve read this author before. This is a mm contemporary story set in the USA. Main characters are Henry a perfectionist with OCD and Levi a free spirit. Opposite attract in this story. There is also lots o chocolate, my favourite food. I’ll read more from this author.
August 12, 2021
4.25
Geoffrey Knight’s The Chocolate Works is in many ways a modern day Aesop’s Fable for adults. It’s charming, funny, tear inducing, completely improbable and yet, simply wonderful.
The Chocolate Works is a story of how opposites - in this case, Henry Dawson and Levi Jones who couldn’t be any more extreme opposites - do attract.
If you happen to lead a fairly structured life yourself, you’ll find yourself winching more than once at Henry’s almost pathologic OCD choices. On the other hand, Levi appears as a free spirit, at times seeming to be a mystic, a romantic, a psychologist, and the self-proclaimed world’s greatest chocolatier - all while hiding a terrible secret from his past.
How Henry and Levi end up together on the once weekly bus into the fictional town of Los Encantados, NM is a story unto itself. But once there, and surrounded by the stellar cast of supporting characters Knight has created, every emotion the reader possesses will be touched.
The true grit and simple honesty of the Native American residents Knight has created for a trip to the very real Acoma Pueblo help Henry and Levi crystalize everything that’s important in life.
And, like any good Aesop Fable there are morals to be found - trust your friends; there is strength in unity; and ultimately, love conquers all.
Geoffrey Knight’s The Chocolate Works is in many ways a modern day Aesop’s Fable for adults. It’s charming, funny, tear inducing, completely improbable and yet, simply wonderful.
The Chocolate Works is a story of how opposites - in this case, Henry Dawson and Levi Jones who couldn’t be any more extreme opposites - do attract.
If you happen to lead a fairly structured life yourself, you’ll find yourself winching more than once at Henry’s almost pathologic OCD choices. On the other hand, Levi appears as a free spirit, at times seeming to be a mystic, a romantic, a psychologist, and the self-proclaimed world’s greatest chocolatier - all while hiding a terrible secret from his past.
How Henry and Levi end up together on the once weekly bus into the fictional town of Los Encantados, NM is a story unto itself. But once there, and surrounded by the stellar cast of supporting characters Knight has created, every emotion the reader possesses will be touched.
The true grit and simple honesty of the Native American residents Knight has created for a trip to the very real Acoma Pueblo help Henry and Levi crystalize everything that’s important in life.
And, like any good Aesop Fable there are morals to be found - trust your friends; there is strength in unity; and ultimately, love conquers all.
July 20, 2020
I loved The Chocolate Works by Geoffrey Knight.
Henry Dawson is an uptight risk analyst, Levi Jones is a free-spirited wanderer. Both are searching for a home. And they find it in the dying New Mexico town of Los Encantados. Together with a motley collection of supporting characters, Doris Day enthusiast Gracie, General Store owner Ricky, 10-year-old Pancho and his Grandmother Mrs Delgado, Henry and Levi find a what they've spent their lives searching for; a place to call home and a family.
The Chocolate Works is a thoroughly enjoyable MM Romance. Usually, these stories seem to be a barely adequate excuse for some raunchy sex scenes, but this story is more focused on character and story. While there is sex in the story, it doesn't come across as the only focus of the characters.
I'd highly recommend this story to anyone who likes a good old fashioned MM romance.
Henry Dawson is an uptight risk analyst, Levi Jones is a free-spirited wanderer. Both are searching for a home. And they find it in the dying New Mexico town of Los Encantados. Together with a motley collection of supporting characters, Doris Day enthusiast Gracie, General Store owner Ricky, 10-year-old Pancho and his Grandmother Mrs Delgado, Henry and Levi find a what they've spent their lives searching for; a place to call home and a family.
The Chocolate Works is a thoroughly enjoyable MM Romance. Usually, these stories seem to be a barely adequate excuse for some raunchy sex scenes, but this story is more focused on character and story. While there is sex in the story, it doesn't come across as the only focus of the characters.
I'd highly recommend this story to anyone who likes a good old fashioned MM romance.
July 10, 2020
In a way Geoffrey Knight’s sweet title, The Chocolate Works reads like a memory and at the same time feels like a beautiful love letter. As Henry Dawson tells readers how he fell in love he conveys, “These are the things I learned from Levi Jones… a man who added the dash of hope, the dollop of love and the sprinkling of surprise that would change my life forever.”
Henry Dawson couldn’t be more OCD if he tried, and Geoffrey Knight portrays his character vividly. Down to the cataloging of his compact disks, to the organization of his desk and his daily routine. All of which are ruined in one epically bad day. Left with no job, no home and nowhere to go, he turns to the only option he has left and sets out to view, and dispose of, a newly inherited property in New Mexico.
Levi Jones is the complete opposite of Henry. As carefree as they come, with a laissez-faire attitude and a passion for living in the moment. When he and Henry meet it’s a battle of snark and wit. Add to that one small-town waitress stuck in the 1950s, a Native American with a heart of gold, plus an eight-year-old entrepreneur, and Henry is about to discover the light the drag queen from his building spoke of when she said, “’Sometimes cracks are good. They break down walls. They make you see things in an entirely new way. Hell, if it weren’t for the cracks, how else is the light gonna get in?’”
In Levi’s own words, “’There’s always stuff to figure out. That’s what makes us all so interesting.’” While the charm he possesses, and his ability to “figure out” others, bedazzles Henry and the only remaining residents in this small town into helping him create his chocolate works, we are left to ponder if the secret he possesses might melt everyone’s dreams?
This morsel of a story will fill your very soul while leaving you salivating for just a taste of the chocolate “experience” Levi serves up.
With a cast of characters who possess suspicion and confidence, pessimism and optimism, conformity and curiosity, despair and hope, this morsel of a story will fill your very soul while leaving you salivating for just a taste of the chocolate “experience” Levi serves up.
From the beautiful descriptions of the Mexican landscape, to the elegant detail in the building of the store and the delightful ingredients in the chocolates, I believed I could feel the warmth of the sunsets and step foot in the storefront to taste the delicacies. While at the same time I wanted to morph through the pages and immerse myself in the friendships developing in the quaint town of Los Encantados and delight in the seeds of possibility Henry was beginning to see importance in.
Geoffrey Knight’s The Chocolate Works is like stepping into a bygone era where people care for and do for strangers. Moreover, it is a reminder that our actions impact all those around us, even those we don’t know. Instead of Henry making a choice that would upend someone’s life, a compassionate drifter shows him what it is to have dreams, goals and aspirations… and to be brave. The result? When we open our heart and give of ourselves it has the power to change our world.
Henry Dawson couldn’t be more OCD if he tried, and Geoffrey Knight portrays his character vividly. Down to the cataloging of his compact disks, to the organization of his desk and his daily routine. All of which are ruined in one epically bad day. Left with no job, no home and nowhere to go, he turns to the only option he has left and sets out to view, and dispose of, a newly inherited property in New Mexico.
Levi Jones is the complete opposite of Henry. As carefree as they come, with a laissez-faire attitude and a passion for living in the moment. When he and Henry meet it’s a battle of snark and wit. Add to that one small-town waitress stuck in the 1950s, a Native American with a heart of gold, plus an eight-year-old entrepreneur, and Henry is about to discover the light the drag queen from his building spoke of when she said, “’Sometimes cracks are good. They break down walls. They make you see things in an entirely new way. Hell, if it weren’t for the cracks, how else is the light gonna get in?’”
In Levi’s own words, “’There’s always stuff to figure out. That’s what makes us all so interesting.’” While the charm he possesses, and his ability to “figure out” others, bedazzles Henry and the only remaining residents in this small town into helping him create his chocolate works, we are left to ponder if the secret he possesses might melt everyone’s dreams?
This morsel of a story will fill your very soul while leaving you salivating for just a taste of the chocolate “experience” Levi serves up.
With a cast of characters who possess suspicion and confidence, pessimism and optimism, conformity and curiosity, despair and hope, this morsel of a story will fill your very soul while leaving you salivating for just a taste of the chocolate “experience” Levi serves up.
From the beautiful descriptions of the Mexican landscape, to the elegant detail in the building of the store and the delightful ingredients in the chocolates, I believed I could feel the warmth of the sunsets and step foot in the storefront to taste the delicacies. While at the same time I wanted to morph through the pages and immerse myself in the friendships developing in the quaint town of Los Encantados and delight in the seeds of possibility Henry was beginning to see importance in.
Geoffrey Knight’s The Chocolate Works is like stepping into a bygone era where people care for and do for strangers. Moreover, it is a reminder that our actions impact all those around us, even those we don’t know. Instead of Henry making a choice that would upend someone’s life, a compassionate drifter shows him what it is to have dreams, goals and aspirations… and to be brave. The result? When we open our heart and give of ourselves it has the power to change our world.
July 4, 2020
The story begins in Chicago, with Henry Dawson leaving for work in the morning; on his way out he sees all kinds of construction equipment outside his building, but he pays it no mind. At his office, he's a diligent worker, but unappreciated--after ten years working without making a single error; he is called into the president's office on that day and is fired for one simple spelling mistake. So, he is now unemployed. He takes his personal items and returns home, only to find that his building has been condemned and will be demolished, and he can't get back in. He is now homeless too. This scene reminds me of a music video from the late 90's called "Thank You" sung by English singer-songwriter Dido. in which she's just going on with her regular routine, completely nonchalant, while her home is being demolished by a wrecking crew. But Henry doesn't have Dido's devil-may-care reaction; he is faced with the fact that in the course of a single morning he loses his job and his home. He is devastated at the sudden changes in his life. But something else also happened that very morning: Henry received a call from a lawyer telling him that a very distant uncle had died and had left him ownership of a little piece of property in a tiny town in New Mexico, called Los Encantados. Having no place else to go, he decides he'll go there, sell the property, and with the money from the sale, he'll start anew someplace else.
On the bus to Los Encantados, he meets Levi Jones, a drifter who is simply going where the wind takes him. When the bus finally reaches the end of its route at the little town of Los Encantados, it turns out to be a tiny town in the middle of nowhere, with about five or six buildings in total, about half of which are empty, and a handful of residents (4 or 5 people plus a donkey). It's a completely dead town and the property he inherited is barely saleable. This was not what he expected. He intends to leave immediately, but the bus only comes by twice a week, and and he has no choice but to stay a few days in a run-down hotel that is not even liveable. But, thankfully, he'll only have to be there a few days, and then he'll be able to leave (Ha! that's what he thinks). Needless to say, things turn out very differently for Henry than he expected. None of his plans pan out, but at least Levi is there too, keeping him company. Actually, Levi suffocates him and drives him crazy, but little by little they begin to feel very attracted to each other, even though the two of them are as different as night and day.
The banter between Henry and Levi is amusing. Levi has excellent persuasive skills, and he always gets Henry to agree to whatever plan he thinks up. It turns out that Levi is a chocolatier, and he wants to stay and and turn the little diner which is located on the property into an out-of-this world chocolate shop, which would bring in people from all over. But where will Levi get the money to finance such a project? Henry also has to make a decision. Will he stay in Los Encantados with Levi, or will he go back to his old life in Chicago?
On the bus to Los Encantados, he meets Levi Jones, a drifter who is simply going where the wind takes him. When the bus finally reaches the end of its route at the little town of Los Encantados, it turns out to be a tiny town in the middle of nowhere, with about five or six buildings in total, about half of which are empty, and a handful of residents (4 or 5 people plus a donkey). It's a completely dead town and the property he inherited is barely saleable. This was not what he expected. He intends to leave immediately, but the bus only comes by twice a week, and and he has no choice but to stay a few days in a run-down hotel that is not even liveable. But, thankfully, he'll only have to be there a few days, and then he'll be able to leave (Ha! that's what he thinks). Needless to say, things turn out very differently for Henry than he expected. None of his plans pan out, but at least Levi is there too, keeping him company. Actually, Levi suffocates him and drives him crazy, but little by little they begin to feel very attracted to each other, even though the two of them are as different as night and day.
The banter between Henry and Levi is amusing. Levi has excellent persuasive skills, and he always gets Henry to agree to whatever plan he thinks up. It turns out that Levi is a chocolatier, and he wants to stay and and turn the little diner which is located on the property into an out-of-this world chocolate shop, which would bring in people from all over. But where will Levi get the money to finance such a project? Henry also has to make a decision. Will he stay in Los Encantados with Levi, or will he go back to his old life in Chicago?
July 17, 2020
Love in your heart flows into cooked food. Makes me want to jump up and bake some brownies! Chocolate is NOT just a sweet confection! Never, ever leave out the o from the word count! Henry, risk assessment analyst, lives a life of detailed, organized disciplined life in Chicago. Henry makes one little mistake and his comfortable life as he knows it is compromised. Then he returns home to find his home is condemned. On the bright side, he has an inheritance from a relative he never knew. His journey starts and all his triggers and buttons are pushed. Then he meets Levi, who pushes prods and pulls the rest of his triggers and buttons. He is in shock overload, then he gets to Los Encantado which is basically a ghost town with residents tripping over each other to exit. Sounds like a disaster, but Levi, Gracie and the remaining residents make the story! Life's challenges, assumptions, faith, hope, determination, hard work and vision have a place. Can Henry relax and smell the roses without falling down? Can Levi pour the essence of his nature into his food? Very nice story. All the characters in and out of Los Encantado almost make you want to move there. Well done! I received an ARC from Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Nice cover art!
October 28, 2020
‘The Chocolate Works’ is everything the warning at the end of the blurb promises: mouthwatering, full of chocolaty goodness, and it will make your normal chocolate cravings (if there is such a thing) go through the roof. But what is even better is that the characters who live on the pages of this book are a great combination of interesting, sweet, aggravating, mysterious, and much in need of personal growth. The story is funny, takes a few unexpected turns, and usually had me wondering what surprise I would find when I turned a page. Nothing goes as expected for Henry, a routine-loving risk assessor kicked out of his comfortable existence into utter mayhem (what the rest of us call normal life). Then there is Levi, his pretty much exact opposite, for whom everything seems to be easy – until you get to know his story. The two of them are wrangling with their feelings for each other, while they and the rest of the cast attempt to survive in Los Encantado, New Mexico, a dying small town that refuses to go the way of the Dodo.
Please find my full review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Please find my full review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
August 15, 2020
MC's=M/M. Such a sweet story...
...that is obviously a labor of love in more ways than one. In the end, I really felt I got to know many of the characters. One MC had a life of control & order which totally gets blown away. He has a trip & eventually an adventure of a lifetime. The author portrays OCD in an accurate, sometimes painful sometimes funny way. Love the authors way with words/turn of phrases. It's very hard when life is out of our control (how relatable during this 2020 pandemic). This story gives us a way out of being controlled & a new way of life, of taking control. Never giving up. Friendship. Respect. Love. All are found in this charming book. Least I forget, all the Chocolate metaphors 😋😋😋😋😋
...that is obviously a labor of love in more ways than one. In the end, I really felt I got to know many of the characters. One MC had a life of control & order which totally gets blown away. He has a trip & eventually an adventure of a lifetime. The author portrays OCD in an accurate, sometimes painful sometimes funny way. Love the authors way with words/turn of phrases. It's very hard when life is out of our control (how relatable during this 2020 pandemic). This story gives us a way out of being controlled & a new way of life, of taking control. Never giving up. Friendship. Respect. Love. All are found in this charming book. Least I forget, all the Chocolate metaphors 😋😋😋😋😋
July 10, 2020
For a man like Henry Dawson, who has spent his life as a nerdy, risk assessment analyst, craving routine, noting every detail and organizing it into exactly where it belongs, he is completely thrown off his game when his life suddenly changes overnight! Suddenly he loses his job, finds out his apartment building has been condemned, and receives an inheritance from an uncle he never knew he had. With no other immediate prospects, he heads to the tiny town of Los Encantados in the middle of the New Mexico desert. He has no need for the diner he inherited, so he intends to sell it and go back to Chicago to see if he can start over there where things are familiar and comforting.
The arrival of Levi Jones and his crazy wish to turn the diner into the greatest Chocolate Works the world has ever known gives Henry another option if he wants to take it. Before he can think about it, Levi has dragged him into his plan to make delicious, irresistible, mouth-watering, chocolates. In awe of the passionate Levi, Henry finds himself falling in love with this dynamic man who is the total opposite of everything Henry holds dear! Will he and Levi, so very different from each other, find a future together? Or will the secrets Levi is keeping about his past tear them apart?
This was such a good book. Seeing Henry come out of his self-imposed shell was amazing. Levi’s frenetic personality leaps out of the pages and revs up even the reader! This is a fun book with great characters and lots of hope. Grab your copy and see if dreams really do come true!
The arrival of Levi Jones and his crazy wish to turn the diner into the greatest Chocolate Works the world has ever known gives Henry another option if he wants to take it. Before he can think about it, Levi has dragged him into his plan to make delicious, irresistible, mouth-watering, chocolates. In awe of the passionate Levi, Henry finds himself falling in love with this dynamic man who is the total opposite of everything Henry holds dear! Will he and Levi, so very different from each other, find a future together? Or will the secrets Levi is keeping about his past tear them apart?
This was such a good book. Seeing Henry come out of his self-imposed shell was amazing. Levi’s frenetic personality leaps out of the pages and revs up even the reader! This is a fun book with great characters and lots of hope. Grab your copy and see if dreams really do come true!
July 22, 2020
Opposites do Attract!
This story started off kind of slow for me but once Henry left Chicago to see about his inheritance, it started to pick up...especially once he met the whirlwind called Levi. You would never think the uptight, OCD like nerdy dude Henry would ever fall for someone like the hipster, happy go lucky handsome man Levi. Levi wore Henry down though...got him to question why he was the way he was back in Chicago. He was able to relax and feel...go with the flow. Levi's love for chocolate was so addicting you couldn't help but feel what he was feeling. He got Henry caught up in the dream (opening a place for people who love chocolate) along with the wonderful characters that were in the book (I loved that kid Pancho!) Even though the story was the slow burn of Levi and Henry's romance, I believe it's mainly the back story. The real story is it's people being there for each other...making long time friends...being family. This really was a sweet story with a mild twist at the end that really tied everything up nicely.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This story started off kind of slow for me but once Henry left Chicago to see about his inheritance, it started to pick up...especially once he met the whirlwind called Levi. You would never think the uptight, OCD like nerdy dude Henry would ever fall for someone like the hipster, happy go lucky handsome man Levi. Levi wore Henry down though...got him to question why he was the way he was back in Chicago. He was able to relax and feel...go with the flow. Levi's love for chocolate was so addicting you couldn't help but feel what he was feeling. He got Henry caught up in the dream (opening a place for people who love chocolate) along with the wonderful characters that were in the book (I loved that kid Pancho!) Even though the story was the slow burn of Levi and Henry's romance, I believe it's mainly the back story. The real story is it's people being there for each other...making long time friends...being family. This really was a sweet story with a mild twist at the end that really tied everything up nicely.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 2, 2020
I'm normally a fast reader but I found myself taking my time and savoring this story. I had so many feels and I might have laughed and smiled, and got a bit misty. I am Henry Dawson in a few ways that made me a bit uncomfortable. Always a little hesitant to move forward. Always so glad I took a chance. I love how Levi always saw the best in people, saw their hopes and dreams. I loved how he knew Henry was the one for him. And seriously, how do you not love Doris Day! An absolutely delightful read.
August 20, 2020
Finding Yourself!
When I started this book, I had no idea what story I was about to find between these pages. I saw reviews and postings saying this is a must read. I devoured this book. Henry, who has OCD, is left devasted. Levi, has a story that will eventually come out but he has a dream and his little group will come to make that dream theirs also. The Chocolate Works is definitely a must read.
When I started this book, I had no idea what story I was about to find between these pages. I saw reviews and postings saying this is a must read. I devoured this book. Henry, who has OCD, is left devasted. Levi, has a story that will eventually come out but he has a dream and his little group will come to make that dream theirs also. The Chocolate Works is definitely a must read.
May 25, 2023
Robin/Geoffrey Knight is already one of my favorite authors, but I especially enjoyed this story. The part where they released the uncle's ashes into the wind, atop a holy Mesa where, "the Eagles can help him fly," choked me up.
Loved it and highly recommend it!
Loved it and highly recommend it!
July 14, 2020
The story starts with a young man having a really bad day: He is fired over a spelling mistake and returning to his apartment he finds out that the building is condemned to be demolished. And he gets a phone call telling him that a far away relative left him a small property in New Mexico. Henry, an orderly man, bordering to OCD, is devastated and decides to be adventurous and go to New Mexico and sell the property. It sets him on a journey to self-discovery, but also to meet friends, discover love and so much more.
The people he meets are unique in their characters, all wonderfully and lovingly described.
The story starts slow and seems a little tedious, but after a while the reader is drawn in - it seems like we follow the dreary boredom of Henry's life out of Chicago, and then with him we discover the life and colour / taste of life..
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The people he meets are unique in their characters, all wonderfully and lovingly described.
The story starts slow and seems a little tedious, but after a while the reader is drawn in - it seems like we follow the dreary boredom of Henry's life out of Chicago, and then with him we discover the life and colour / taste of life..
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 21, 2020
A wonderful story
Enjoyable vacation read. Sweet, funny, quirky characters with lots of history and hearts of gold (or should I say chocolate). A twisty plot that leaves you feeling buoyant.
Enjoyable vacation read. Sweet, funny, quirky characters with lots of history and hearts of gold (or should I say chocolate). A twisty plot that leaves you feeling buoyant.
July 10, 2020
4.5 Stars
I've spent a good chunk of this book torn between being sad and laughing. Sad because I felt sorry for Henry and how hard he took the new bend in his life. For a man in absolute need of order and precision, when pushed out of his comfort zone,the poor guy didn't have the mental and emotional tools to deal with what he percieved as chaos. But he described his feelings in such a funny way that I couldn't stop laughing every step of his adjustment to living in Los Encantado.
All of sudden, Henry found himself surrounded by people that made choices spontaneously, that adapted to change easily, trying to see the good in life and make the best of their situation. Levi, Gracie, Ricky and all the others were something close to aliens to Henry and in a way everything he's always wanted to be himself: brave and optimistic. It's been so much fun to watch Henry trying to resist being charmed by them. Especially by Levi.
Levi offered romance, and together with the others, a home. Also, there was chocolate. Lots and lots of it, and who can resist the magic of chocolate?
Delightful, sweet read. Recommended.
I've spent a good chunk of this book torn between being sad and laughing. Sad because I felt sorry for Henry and how hard he took the new bend in his life. For a man in absolute need of order and precision, when pushed out of his comfort zone,the poor guy didn't have the mental and emotional tools to deal with what he percieved as chaos. But he described his feelings in such a funny way that I couldn't stop laughing every step of his adjustment to living in Los Encantado.
All of sudden, Henry found himself surrounded by people that made choices spontaneously, that adapted to change easily, trying to see the good in life and make the best of their situation. Levi, Gracie, Ricky and all the others were something close to aliens to Henry and in a way everything he's always wanted to be himself: brave and optimistic. It's been so much fun to watch Henry trying to resist being charmed by them. Especially by Levi.
Levi offered romance, and together with the others, a home. Also, there was chocolate. Lots and lots of it, and who can resist the magic of chocolate?
Delightful, sweet read. Recommended.
July 11, 2020
Henry Dawson is the kind of guy who craves, needs structure. An all around nerd, his job as a risk assessment specialist does not really leave room for falling off the cliff of shake-ups. Too bad shake-ups are on the way and fast.
Levi Jones- wild spirit, fun and fancy free, chocolatier, and not at all what Henry was expecting. This can't be happening. Levi is sexy and too snarky. Butting heads Henry was not part of his plan as he had a debt to repay and not a lot time to do it.
Henry ends up in Mexico to manage a diner left to him an uncle he never had the chance to meet. Desiring to get back to Chicago, he tries to self fund by selling the diner as a first choice. If successful, Gracie's Diner will be in the rear-view. Too bad Levi has other plans to make the diner into the Chocolate Works.
Managing a blast from the past with a man who may be your future. Can Henry live in the now and enjoy his life? Will Levi be better grounded with Henry? Polar opposites to meet in the middle and bring fabulous characters with him.
**I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.**
Levi Jones- wild spirit, fun and fancy free, chocolatier, and not at all what Henry was expecting. This can't be happening. Levi is sexy and too snarky. Butting heads Henry was not part of his plan as he had a debt to repay and not a lot time to do it.
Henry ends up in Mexico to manage a diner left to him an uncle he never had the chance to meet. Desiring to get back to Chicago, he tries to self fund by selling the diner as a first choice. If successful, Gracie's Diner will be in the rear-view. Too bad Levi has other plans to make the diner into the Chocolate Works.
Managing a blast from the past with a man who may be your future. Can Henry live in the now and enjoy his life? Will Levi be better grounded with Henry? Polar opposites to meet in the middle and bring fabulous characters with him.
**I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.**
July 10, 2020
•*´¨)✯ ¸.•*¨)
✮ (¸.•´Chocolate and Love
"Never in a million years did I dream that one day all that would change."
Told completely through Henry's point of view, the author brought a very anal OCD and the man of his dreams and dropped them into an unusual position.
How were two men so opposite in everything fall in love? Henry was everything I used to be. Orderly, precise and exhaustive with perfection. And it used to kick my anxiety up twelve hundred percent. Levi was the exact opposite and I cringed during their breakfast scene because, oh man, I could see Henry wanted to scream. When Henry stated: "Levi has anyone ever told you your personality is rather… exhausting?" I concurred. I wanted to run away too, LOL
This book built on rebuilding lives, finding friends and making a family. Who would have thought by the words "the end", that Henry would find what he never knew he wanted.
I voluntarily and honestly reviewed this book without bias or persuasion from the author through Booksprout.
✮ (¸.•´Chocolate and Love
"Never in a million years did I dream that one day all that would change."
Told completely through Henry's point of view, the author brought a very anal OCD and the man of his dreams and dropped them into an unusual position.
How were two men so opposite in everything fall in love? Henry was everything I used to be. Orderly, precise and exhaustive with perfection. And it used to kick my anxiety up twelve hundred percent. Levi was the exact opposite and I cringed during their breakfast scene because, oh man, I could see Henry wanted to scream. When Henry stated: "Levi has anyone ever told you your personality is rather… exhausting?" I concurred. I wanted to run away too, LOL
This book built on rebuilding lives, finding friends and making a family. Who would have thought by the words "the end", that Henry would find what he never knew he wanted.
I voluntarily and honestly reviewed this book without bias or persuasion from the author through Booksprout.
July 11, 2020
Bad luck is something that can lead one to believe that good times are no where to be found. When we meet Henry he is on a run of really bad luck. He loses his job and his place to live in one day. He also finds he has an inheritance which takes him to Los Encantados. It is on that journey to what he hopes will be better days that he meets Levi. They are very different men. Levi takes life as it comes and Henry is so not that way. In Los Encantados they in addition to a quirky cast of characters find themselves forming a caring determined group bond that helps them work together for a better future. This is an uplifting encouraging story that where the love is bigger than the love story within it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 12, 2020
This book is a fun romp all around. Not a bad way to spend an afternoon at all!
I've only ever read Geoffrey Knight's other romantic comedies, and this sticks to exactly what I'd expect based on those. Likeable protagonists, a whole cast of colorful side characters, and a zany story that oftentimes is vivid enough to imagine things unfolding in a movie scene. It's short, taking only a couple of hours to read, but sometimes that's what you want from a book.
Plus there's chocolate. Mmm chocolate. You might want to have some on hand when you read this, because you'll be left craving.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I've only ever read Geoffrey Knight's other romantic comedies, and this sticks to exactly what I'd expect based on those. Likeable protagonists, a whole cast of colorful side characters, and a zany story that oftentimes is vivid enough to imagine things unfolding in a movie scene. It's short, taking only a couple of hours to read, but sometimes that's what you want from a book.
Plus there's chocolate. Mmm chocolate. You might want to have some on hand when you read this, because you'll be left craving.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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