Christmas Wishes at the Chocolate Shop – Jessica Redland

Published By: Boldwood Books
Date Published: 03/08/2021

When master chocolatier, Charlee, takes the leap to move to the picturesque seaside town of Whitsborough Bay, she is determined to follow in her grandfather’s footsteps and set up a chocolate shop. Luckily, she finds the perfect location for Charlee’s Chocolates on beautiful Castle Street…Now she just has to refurbish it in time for Christmas!

With a useless boyfriend and countless DIY disasters, Charlee doesn’t know if she’ll make it in time. With no ‘traditional’ family to support her, she feels lost in her new surroundings and the secrets of the past are weighing her down.

But the warmth and festive spirit of the Whitsborough Bay community will surprise her, and when plumber Matt comes to the rescue, it might be that all of Charlee’s dreams could come true this Christmas, and she could learn what family really means.

*****

I have a bookshelf dedicated solely to festive Christmas books so there’s a lot of competition on my part. I am 100% a Christmas, winter, snow, cold weather kind of girl and when you add a chocolate shop to it, what’s more to love?

I always start planning my Christmas in the summer so I can expand the festivities for longer, and there’s something very comforting about reading a Christmas book in the middle of June, it almost feels naughty.

Jessica’s writing is so smart and witty and insightful and warming. She had created such a picture postcard image of what a traditional village Christmas should be, and I need it in my life. It’s such a warming, curl up by the fire kind of book, especially if you’ve got a box of chocolates next to you.

I was really sad when I finished it (in a matter of hours) because it meant I had to say goodbye to this world, but the good – and dangerous – thing is I have found Jessica’s entire back catalogue which I’m overjoyed about.