“Andrew Bennett has an idyllic life in Magnolia Creek, Australia. He runs a chocolate business he adores, is married to Gemma, the love of his life, and has a close relationship with his father, Louis. But when Andrew receives a message from his high school sweetheart, it sends his world into a spiral, and the relationships he holds dear will never be the same again.
Molly Ramsey is looking for answers. After her last attempt, she believes the only way to get them this time is to face her past head-on. But to do this, she has to fly to the other side of the world – and she’s afraid of flying. Her search for answers lands her in an emotional tangle, not only with her past but also with a man very much in her present.
Family is everything to Gemma Bennett and she longs to have a house full of kids, but it just isn’t happening. And when Andrew’s past makes an explosive impact on the family, Gemma must decide whether she can accept the truth and open her heart in a way she never thought possible.
In this story of love, family ties and forgiveness, will past mistakes be the obstacle to a Happy Ever After?”
It’s sometimes difficult to review books without resorting to cliches. It’s a bit like a TV talent show. You know, “You made that song your own” – *rolls eyes*. How many times can you hear the same thing coming from the judges’ mouths without getting bored? Similarly, how many times can you write, “I absolutely loved this book” without feeling that you really need to say something different? Something exciting. Something that can convey the joy you’ve felt, immersing yourself in someone else’s writing, getting lost in their fabulous fictional world. Something that would entice other people to pick up the book or open their Kindle, and discover for themselves exactly what you’re trying to express.
In The Chocolatier’s Secret, Helen J Rolfe has written a novel that had me completely hooked from the start. Her characters are so richly drawn, her settings so beautifully described, and her story so appealing that I have to admit it. I absolutely loved this book. Sorry!
The storyline very much evolves from the characters themselves. Helen excels in this. Each of the main characters is fully-rounded, with flaws and failings as well as admirable qualities, so you feel you can really relate to them. She’s also exceptionally talented at description. She paints a vivid picture of a small Australian town, making it so easy to see it in your imagination. Sadly for me, she also brought the world of the chocolatier to life – a little too vividly. I was craving chocolate by the end of the book. Bang goes the diet. Again.
Seriously, this is such a beautiful story that engages all the emotions. It’s one of those books that just leaves you feeling completely happy and fully satisfied. A bit like chocolate. There are surprises, tears and laughter within its pages, and it all unfolds at just the right pace, never sagging, holding your interest right up to the heartwarming end.
I’ve loved all of Helen’s books, but this is my favourite so far. A new Helen J Rolfe novel is a must-have as far as I’m concerned. She’s just getting better and better! Definitely 5/5 from me.
You can buy The Chocolatier’s Secret here.