emmalux1991's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
shadymist's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
spiritedreviewexc's review against another edition
4.0
I'm very much in love, it only gets better, and I will find the last one. It has everything u want good friends, good plot tears Christmas and lots of chocolate it's also "real" if u didn't like the second one give this a chance, I didn't like the second one much either, but it grew on me half way through. I still am kinda meh about the main character, but everyone is so fun! No death in this book but it's very real. Just a heads up if ur not into slice of life
sarahrara's review against another edition
3.0
Also published on my blog.
Audible version, narrated by Lucy Price-Lewis
I jumped into book 3 of this series without reading any of the previous books, frankly because it was Christmas themed and I thought it would be nice to read (listen to) something seasonal and festive. And it was, to a certain extent. You do get allusions to things that happened in the past, but it’s no trouble to follow the story even if you don’t read the first two books.
So the Chocolate Lovers’ Club consists of 4 ladies: Lucy, Chantal, Nadia and Autumn. They share a common love of (or rather obsession with) chocolate and come together regularly at Lucy’s workplace – a chocolate café called Chocolate Heaven. The women all have things they’re struggling with: Chantal is trying to make her marriage work after infidelity on both sides and coping with being a new mother, Nadia was left in massive debt by her deceased husband and has trouble finding work, Autumn is mourning the death of her brother and is met with little understanding by her fiancé, and Lucy is unsure of the future of her job – having finally found her calling, and trying to make her relationship work while her ex-fiancé keeps trying to throw a spanner in the works.
I would say the story has some major Bridget Jones vibes, with Lucy being Bridget (down to the ditzy/clumsy/making bad decisions level), Aidan being Darcy and Marcus is obviously Daniel Cleaver. Though in this scenario Bridget’s friends have equally important storylines of their own. And this story is a little tamer (more chocolate, less booze and shagging).
What I liked about the book was the friendship between the women and how they were always there for each other. I think that was well described and I could feel the love and warmth. I also liked the descriptions of all the various chocolate treats and creations, as well as the Christmas theme. We didn’t get a white Christmas where I live – yet again, but at least I could immerse myself in a story where the snow was falling in a seasonally appropriate way. And it is chick-lit, so I don’t have super high standards for the story/writing, I was just expecting a bit of fun fluff.
It was that, but some of the decisions made were just infuriatingly stupid and sometimes downright weird, which got in the way of properly enjoying the story. And the texting the wrong number thing… Who does that anymore? I can understand it happening once if you’re really not paying attention, but to the extent it does with Lucy? No, that’s just incredible. Apart from Lucy’s texting mishaps and how she handles the Marcus situation, my biggest peeve was definitely how Nadia’s creepy brother-in-law, Tarak was handled. I won’t go into too much detail, but this guy was crossing the line (or in the words of Joey Tribbiani: “you’re so far past the line, you can’t even see the line, the line is a dot to you!”) and giving off some seriously rapey vibes and I just felt like it was handled lightly and like they kind of ended up brushing it off.
Though despite the flaws, it was fun, and I am considering picking up book number 4, mostly because I want to know what happens with Autumn. But I’ll probably wait a while. I wouldn’t say it ends on a cliffhanger, but Matthews is definitely setting up parts of the storyline for book number 4 at the end, and she does do it well enough that even though I wasn’t super into this book I am still curious.
Audible version, narrated by Lucy Price-Lewis
I jumped into book 3 of this series without reading any of the previous books, frankly because it was Christmas themed and I thought it would be nice to read (listen to) something seasonal and festive. And it was, to a certain extent. You do get allusions to things that happened in the past, but it’s no trouble to follow the story even if you don’t read the first two books.
So the Chocolate Lovers’ Club consists of 4 ladies: Lucy, Chantal, Nadia and Autumn. They share a common love of (or rather obsession with) chocolate and come together regularly at Lucy’s workplace – a chocolate café called Chocolate Heaven. The women all have things they’re struggling with: Chantal is trying to make her marriage work after infidelity on both sides and coping with being a new mother, Nadia was left in massive debt by her deceased husband and has trouble finding work, Autumn is mourning the death of her brother and is met with little understanding by her fiancé, and Lucy is unsure of the future of her job – having finally found her calling, and trying to make her relationship work while her ex-fiancé keeps trying to throw a spanner in the works.
I would say the story has some major Bridget Jones vibes, with Lucy being Bridget (down to the ditzy/clumsy/making bad decisions level), Aidan being Darcy and Marcus is obviously Daniel Cleaver. Though in this scenario Bridget’s friends have equally important storylines of their own. And this story is a little tamer (more chocolate, less booze and shagging).
What I liked about the book was the friendship between the women and how they were always there for each other. I think that was well described and I could feel the love and warmth. I also liked the descriptions of all the various chocolate treats and creations, as well as the Christmas theme. We didn’t get a white Christmas where I live – yet again, but at least I could immerse myself in a story where the snow was falling in a seasonally appropriate way. And it is chick-lit, so I don’t have super high standards for the story/writing, I was just expecting a bit of fun fluff.
It was that, but some of the decisions made were just infuriatingly stupid and sometimes downright weird, which got in the way of properly enjoying the story. And the texting the wrong number thing… Who does that anymore? I can understand it happening once if you’re really not paying attention, but to the extent it does with Lucy? No, that’s just incredible. Apart from Lucy’s texting mishaps and how she handles the Marcus situation, my biggest peeve was definitely how Nadia’s creepy brother-in-law, Tarak was handled. I won’t go into too much detail, but this guy was crossing the line (or in the words of Joey Tribbiani: “you’re so far past the line, you can’t even see the line, the line is a dot to you!”) and giving off some seriously rapey vibes and I just felt like it was handled lightly and like they kind of ended up brushing it off.
Though despite the flaws, it was fun, and I am considering picking up book number 4, mostly because I want to know what happens with Autumn. But I’ll probably wait a while. I wouldn’t say it ends on a cliffhanger, but Matthews is definitely setting up parts of the storyline for book number 4 at the end, and she does do it well enough that even though I wasn’t super into this book I am still curious.
emziexjayne's review against another edition
4.0
This book was such a surprise read and I’d find myself counting down the minutes till I could read it again. It was a little cheesy and predictable at times but the small chapters and the loveable characters made it a book I would definitely read again.
sandysmith's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I read this without realising its the 3rd book of the series, but I enjoyed it never the less and whilst prior adventures were mentioned it could, and was, read as a stand alone feel good Christmas read. The story is about female friendships, Lucy, Nadia, Chantel and Autumn, their children and love interests. A cosy blinder of a fluffy Christmas read.
mels_bookreads's review against another edition
Loving this series of books, can't wait to read the chocolate lovers wedding next. I'm not giving away any spoilers on this, if you're a Carole Matthews fan then read them!
lauralovesowls's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
grabowsk_'s review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75