Better Than Chocolate (Life in Icicle Falls, #2) by Sheila Roberts

Dec 07, 2012 Gigi Ann rated it 3 of 5 stars

This is a story about "Sweet Dreams Chocolate Company" which has been in the Sterling family for generations. But now it looks like the family is about to lose "Sweet Dreams" to the bank. Samantha the oldest daughter, is the new head of the company, and is trying to save it.

I enjoyed the quotes at the beginning of each chapter, they were cute and fun. But! I was a little disappointed with the story, myself. As I said it is about this company ready to eat the dust, (or should I say, the chocolate...more

2 likes · like · see review

Sep 26, 2012 The Bookwyrm's Hoard rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance, arc

Review originally published at The Bookwyrm's Hoard.

Sheila Roberts' Better Than Chocolate> is a light, amusing contemporary romance, like a cup of warm cocoa with just a hint of spice. The lavish doses of chocolate with which the book is liberally laced offer a sweet counterpoint to Samantha's fierce determination to save her family's company. That determination is Samantha's defining characteristic, along with tenacity, loyalty, and a somewhat less admirable tendency to hold a grudge.

One of...more Review originally published at The Bookwyrm's Hoard.

Sheila Roberts' Better Than Chocolate> is a light, amusing contemporary romance, like a cup of warm cocoa with just a hint of spice. The lavish doses of chocolate with which the book is liberally laced offer a sweet counterpoint to Samantha's fierce determination to save her family's company. That determination is Samantha's defining characteristic, along with tenacity, loyalty, and a somewhat less admirable tendency to hold a grudge.

One of my favorite characters in the book is Muriel, Samantha's sweet-natured but financially clueless mother. Muriel's grief after her second husband's death and the tailspin into which it sends her feel very real, and I admire the resolve with which Muriel comes to terms with her new circumstances and attempts to take charge of her finances for the first time in her life. The interplay between Samantha and her sisters, professional matchmaker Cecily and sometimes klutzy Bailey, is a lot of fun; I enjoyed seeing Samantha's relationships with her mother and siblings evolve during the course of the book. Hints of past and current attraction for each sister suggest that Cecily and Bailey may find their own romances in future books.

Blake Preston is a likable hero, a decent (and of course, hot) man caught in a difficult spot between his job and his personal wishes. Unfortunately, he takes an oddly secondary role due to Samantha's ongoing antagonism toward him... which brings me to my only real quibble with the book. Samantha is full of resentment toward her deceased stepfather for jeopardizing Sweet Dreams' financial future, and anger toward Blake for not restructuring the company's bank loan. Both feelings are completely understandable given the circumstances, but they continue through much of the book. This undercuts the development of a relationship between Samantha and Blake, leaving them with (apparently) nothing more than a physical attraction until quite late in the game. What irked me is that both of Samantha's emotional issues could easily have been cleared up if people had just talked (or listened) to each other.

Still, there was plenty to enjoy in Better Than Chocolate>. I'll be on the lookout for the next Icicle Falls book, Merry Ex-mas, due out in November. It will feature Samantha's friends and fellow business owners Cass, Charley, and Ella, as each must deal with a "ex" over the holidays.

FCC disclosure: An advance review copy was provided by the publisher.

Read more of my reviews at The Bookwyrm’s Hoard.(less)

2 likes · like · see review

Apr 29, 2013 ..Mary.. rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

In questo periodo mi sto dando al romance, sentivo il bisogno di cambiare aria dai soliti fantasy.
Devo dire che questo cambiamento mi sta facendo bene. Inutile dire che questo libro mi ha fatto ingrassare di almeno 3 kg, con tutto quel buon cioccolato.
Ero rimasta affascinata dal titolo, se sento la parola cioccolato, vado in tilt, e la trama mi ha dato il colpo di grazia. Lette 317 pagine in un solo giorno.
Siamo a Icicle Falls, in questa meravigliosa cittadina tra le montagne, è Samantha Sterli...more

like · see review

Apr 22, 2013 Book rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: kindle, tellharleqin

Disclaimer: I received this book as part of the Tell Harlequin reader panel.

Overall a cute book. Very focused on Samantha and her problems with starting a chocolate festival to save her struggling chocolate business. Almost to the exclusion of other things, including the romance in the book. Early in the book she shows dreams of Samantha and her mother. This seems just to be word filler and added nothing significant to the story. In the end the relationship of Samantha & Blake seems rushed...more

like · see review

Mar 12, 2013 Marcia Berg Haskell added it

Shelves: contemporary, family, incomplete-review, romance, small-town, woman-to-woman

"Sweet Dreams Chocolate Company has been in the Sterling family for generations, ever since Great-Grandma Rose literally dreamed up her first fabulous recipe. But now it looks as if they're about to lose Sweet Dreams to the bank—and that would be a disaster, not only for the family but for the town of Icicle Falls, Washington. Can Samantha, the oldest daughter and new head of the company, come up with a way to save it?After Samantha does some brainstorming with her mother and sisters, inspiratio...more

like · see review

Nov 06, 2012 TAMMY CUEVAS rated it 3 of 5 stars

Samantha Sterling's stepfather ran the family business into the ground before his untimely passing. Now it's up to her to save Sweet Dreams Chocolate Company from foreclosure. It doesn't help matters that the new bank manager is good -looking enough to almost make a girl forget chocolate.

Better Than Chocolate is basically your typical romance novel. What set it apart, for me anyway, were the chocolate and winter themes. The character of Samantha at times came off as a bit sulky and difficult, b...more

like · see review

Nov 01, 2012 Chelsey rated it 4 of 5 stars

Samantha Sterling immediately had my attention. She is contemplating the failing family business at the funeral of her recently deceased stepfather. I questioned what type of person I was going to be dealing with? I later learned that Samantha had been dealt a tough hand, and that all of the financial and emotional problems coming from her mother and her stepfather were going to land on her lap. Samantha was definitely a go-getter, so to speak, and I admired her character all throughout this boo...more Samantha Sterling immediately had my attention. She is contemplating the failing family business at the funeral of her recently deceased stepfather. I questioned what type of person I was going to be dealing with? I later learned that Samantha had been dealt a tough hand, and that all of the financial and emotional problems coming from her mother and her stepfather were going to land on her lap. Samantha was definitely a go-getter, so to speak, and I admired her character all throughout this book. She was the oldest sister and the most stable, I would argue. She proved to be such a dominant character with many outstanding characteristics. I don’t think the story would have been as marvelous if it were anyone else’s.

So I don’t know too many people that do not love chocolate, do you? Well I for one can say that I am quite the fan of chocolate and that made this book all the more irresistible! The Chocolate Festival that Samantha organized sounded so wonderful and her passion for the business was enjoyable as well. Things were described in exquisite detail and imagery. I would have loved to have had a job at Sweet Dreams Chocolate Company. I also like the fact that we got to see the memories from each of the sisters of the chocolate shop. Their connection to it made the story all the more real for me and for some reason it made me want a milkshake very badly!

The family dynamics that were shown in this story were funny and had a very cozy feel as they revolved around the chocolate shop and the girls newly widowed mother. I honestly felt like a part of the family and I was constantly trying to figure out which sister I was more like. I believe that creating a strong relation to family like Roberts does in this book is one of the things that makes so many authors so successful. I loved every second of my journey with Samantha and her sisters!

If you have any sweet tooth at all then please don’t hesitate to try this book!

***Hugs to the author, Shelia Roberts, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review***
(less)

like · see review

Oct 12, 2012 Bj Gaskill rated it 4 of 5 stars

Aside from this strong craving for chocolate after reading this book....

Ms. Roberts wrote a wonderful book full of characters that kinda of remind me of my trip to Washington, but the town I visited wasn't called anything as cool as Icicle Falls!!

Samantha, was in NO way going to let her family business go down without a fight and she prove that meant by all means possible.
She brought her sisters, her mom, the town, the press, TV and finally love saves it in the end...and of course a check...LOL

I...more

1 like · like · see review

Oct 10, 2012 Marlene rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: reading-romances-challenge

Originally published at Reading Reality

Let's get this one out of the way right now, there are very few things better than chocolate. But true love might be one of them. And that's the whole point behind this heart-warming story of a woman who has less than two months to rescue her family's chocolate company--and by extension, the small town that depends upon it.

The romantic love story in Better Than Chocolate takes a back seat to the family love and the small-town neighborly affection and suppor...more

like · see review

Oct 09, 2012 Melissa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: advanced-read, chick-lit

I've been trying to read more books by new authors and am glad that I decided to read "Better Than Chocolate" by Ms. Roberts. I found myself thoroughly enjoying my visit to Icicle Falls, WA and visiting all of the interesting characters who live there.

I had a good time following the trials of Samantha Sterling and her sisters as they struggle to find a way to save the family business, Sweet Dreams Chocolate Company. They have just found out that their recently deceased step-father has brought th...more

like · see review

Oct 07, 2012 Sam rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: fans of lighthearted romances

Recommended to Sam by: sent by publisher - thank you

Don’t dismiss this book by its cover (c’mon, who DOESN’T lick chocolate off the spoon?) or name. It’s not a Fifty Shades book – not at all. This is a sweet, fun book about a woman and her sisters who are trying to save a family business from ruin. Add in a Mr Dreamy competition, some good guys (and bad ones) and life lessons, and you’ve got an entertaining book on your hands.

Samantha Sterling runs Sweet Dreams Chocolate Company, which has been in the family for generations. Life was pretty sweet...more Don’t dismiss this book by its cover (c’mon, who DOESN’T lick chocolate off the spoon?) or name. It’s not a Fifty Shades book – not at all. This is a sweet, fun book about a woman and her sisters who are trying to save a family business from ruin. Add in a Mr Dreamy competition, some good guys (and bad ones) and life lessons, and you’ve got an entertaining book on your hands.

Samantha Sterling runs Sweet Dreams Chocolate Company, which has been in the family for generations. Life was pretty sweet until the untimely death of her stepfather leaves the business in managerial and financial shambles. Add in the untimely return of former football hero and man with something to prove, Blake Preston, as Samantha’s new bank manager and she’s in serious trouble – not even chocolate can fix this one! Or can it…Samantha decides to host the ailing town’s first chocolate festival in a last ditch attempt.

Filled with warm and funny characters – from Samantha’s financially inept mother (whose sideline is self-help type books) to Bill Will, cowboy who isn’t averse to stripping – in public - this book will put a smile on your face. There are plenty of gratuitous references to chocolate (particularly salted caramel and other new delights) – so much so that I’d put in an order to Sweet Dreams if I could! The luckless in love Sterling sisters – Samantha, Bailey and Cecily are like the sisters you wish you had. I would have liked to read a little more about Cecily and Bailey, but I hear that this book is the first in a series, Life in Icicle Falls, so perhaps we will later.

Samantha’s attempts to get the chocolate festival underway were both fun and frustrating. I loved reading about the Mr Dreamy (Icicle Falls’ hottest man) competition and I emphasised when her plans were thwarted by Prissy of the local council. The unresolved sexual tension between Samantha and Blake was also well played out, as it was more of an accompanying plot to trying to save Sweet Dreams rather than the main focus. However, there are plenty of potential romances blossoming around Icicle Falls if that’s what tickles your fancy!

Definitely yummy, this is a book that chocolate addicts shouldn’t miss!

http://samstillreading.wordpress.com (less)

like · see review

Sep 30, 2012 Lisa (Bookworm Lisa) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, adult, arc, received-to-review, romance

Samantha Sterling has just been given a heavy load to bear. Her newly deceased step-father has left the family business in financial ruin. Somehow she needs to save the company in a few months because the bank has called in the note on the loan.

Her small tourist town has been impacted by weather, there isn't snow. When you are a community that capitalizes on winter weather, it puts the community in a financial bind. Samantha's sisters come up with a way to help the community and their chocolate...more

1 like · like · see review

Sep 25, 2012 Rhonda rated it 4 of 5 stars

Better Than Chocolate by Sheila Roberts
4 STARS Now I want lots of chocolate! Becareful I think I gained weight just reading this yummy book. It's a book that has you hoping that Samantha can save her family's Sweet Dreams Chocolate Company. I want to come back to Icicle Falls, Washington for more stories about the town. Samantha Sterling is now head of the family business her step-father has run the company into the ground. She just found out that in less of two months she has to payback the fu...more Better Than Chocolate by Sheila Roberts
4 STARS Now I want lots of chocolate! Becareful I think I gained weight just reading this yummy book. It's a book that has you hoping that Samantha can save her family's Sweet Dreams Chocolate Company. I want to come back to Icicle Falls, Washington for more stories about the town. Samantha Sterling is now head of the family business her step-father has run the company into the ground. She just found out that in less of two months she has to payback the full bank loan. She is not sure how she can do that. She hopes the new bank manager will extend the loan for another six months. Blake Preston is back in his hometown of Icicle Falls as the new bank manager to take over and dig the bank out of the hole the last bank manager got them into. The bank has a strict policy on calling in bank loans. Blake feels like the town bad guy when he has to deny Sweet Dreams Chocolate Company. He really likes Samantha and sorry that he can't help. Samantha is the only one in the family working in the company. After her father died her mom remarried and put her step-father in charge. He made some bad choices and left bills pile up. Samantha asks her mom if he had life insurance and if she could loan the company money for a short time. Turns out that he did not pay that and her moms house is behind in payments too. Samantha,her two sisters and mom brain strom the idea of having a chocolate festavel and have it the weekend before Valentines Day. That is less than six weeks away. She gets the business chamber to agree and they try to have it small this year. Things look on track for the festavale and then more problems crop of. Blake is trying to help behind the scenes working on some of the problems. But his boss is making him look bad. He brought the competion up to look over at the chocolate factory that he plans to buy from the bank. Samantha's two sisters are coming home to help with the Valentine weekend. Her mother is in deep depression from having buried her second husband. It was not any easier the second time being a widow. I like the town, it sounds charming that I would love to visit. Thier are a lot of dreamy guys in the pagent to find Mr. Dreamy. Also lots of single women in town that need to find romance so I can see lots of books set in Icicle falls. They even have a ghost and if you see her you will get married soon. I was given this ebook to read in exchange for honest review from Netgalley. 09/25/2012 PUB Harlequin Imprint HarlequinMIRA (less)

like · see review

Sep 24, 2012 Lisa rated it 4 of 5 stars

I love chocolate! So when I came across this title I was instantly intrigued, because there is only a couple things I can think of that are better than chocolate and I wanted to know what Sheila Roberts thought was better than chocolate.

If you are looking for a light, cute read this is your book. You will instantly fall in love with Icicle Falls and all it's quirky residents. Samantha can sometimes be pushy and overbearing, but she's got a company to save. I can't imaging the pressure on Samant...more I love chocolate! So when I came across this title I was instantly intrigued, because there is only a couple things I can think of that are better than chocolate and I wanted to know what Sheila Roberts thought was better than chocolate.

If you are looking for a light, cute read this is your book. You will instantly fall in love with Icicle Falls and all it's quirky residents. Samantha can sometimes be pushy and overbearing, but she's got a company to save. I can't imaging the pressure on Samantha's shoulders and while at times she acted irrationally I think I would have too, especially towards Blake. While reader will love Blake from the instant they meet him, it is easy to see why Samantha blames him for everything. It seems like he is in the way of saving Sweet Dreams and in turn ruining her life. I loved to see Blake struggle, not only with Samantha's wild mood swings, but also how to make things right. He's genuinely a good guy and we need more of those around.

The rest of the characters are just as fun. They are unique and each bring their own spin to the story. We do get to see into Samantha's family a bit, but I'm sad to say not as much as I wanted. There are some loose ends, especially involving her sisters that I want answered. I'm not sure if there is going to be another book or not, but there should be. I want to know what happens to Cecily and Bailey's love lives. These sister need some luck in the love department..

The story itself was intriguing and hard to put down. There was so much detail about running a chocolate factory and how it was built and passed down through the family. I loved hearing about all the different candies and other creations that were made with chocolate. The chocolate festival that Samantha and the town organized sounded amazing, but I think I would need a gallon of milk and some serious exercise after a weekend there. To make sure that you didn't feel left out of the goodie fun, the book features some of the recipes of the creations talked about throughout the story. I love when authors include recipes when they talk about interesting food. I'm super excited to try the Lavender-White Chocolate Scones. Don't they sound wonderful?

Whether you're in the mood for something sweet or just a fun read, try Better Than Chocolate. Oh and if you make any of the recipes in the back make sure to send some my way!
(less)

2 likes · like · see review

Jul 20, 2012 Julie Barrett rated it 5 of 5 stars

Better Than Chocolate by Sheila Roberts
ISBN: 9780778313458
Each chapter starts out with wise words from the published relationship books of Muriel Sterling
Samantha Sterling new dead father ran the chocolate business into the ground. Now that he's gone she has to figure out a way to make it a thriving business so the family can live off of the proceeds.
Her sisters will return to their west coast matchmaking services after the funeral and she'll have to sort out what's left of the business.
Blake P...more Better Than Chocolate by Sheila Roberts
ISBN: 9780778313458
Each chapter starts out with wise words from the published relationship books of Muriel Sterling
Samantha Sterling new dead father ran the chocolate business into the ground. Now that he's gone she has to figure out a way to make it a thriving business so the family can live off of the proceeds.
Her sisters will return to their west coast matchmaking services after the funeral and she'll have to sort out what's left of the business.
Blake Preston, the former football hero of Icicle Falls High is now the new bank manager and she had to go meet him and try to get an extension on their loan.
He feels bad but the bank business can't meet its deadlines if the loans don't pay every month.
The family story goes back to the original owners and how it is what it is today through hard work.
Love how the women all use Skype to figure out how to save the company once they learn Waldo let his life insurance payments cease.
They brainstorm and think a chocolate festival with all the businesses in town on board will help their financial problems. Cecily will end her matchmaking business and come back to WA from LA.
Muriel grieves and has dreams of chocolate, I want what pills she's on, whew!
Mr. Dreamy contest would be worth the admission of the ticket. There are some problems with permits and Cecily is more interested in the hunk that runs the Man Cave hangout then the festival.
Other townsfolk join in to help as it will aid their businesses as well.
Support group for the grieving one is found to be a good idea.
Bad business goings on at the bank, behind Blake's back and he has nothing to do with it. If Samantha finds out he might as well leave town.
Anything that could go wrong is going wrong, enough to make her want to throw the towel in. She can't compete with nature disasters.
This is a town that cares about those who live in it and their festivals show the love. Even though there are only 3 sisters and their mother a lot of others came out in this book and it's easy to keep them straight, as to who is who. really enjoyed this book!
Comes with recipes and the first chapter of the next in this series, woohoo, didn't see that coming!

(less)

like · see review

Apr 18, 2013 ValeD. rated it 3 of 5 stars

Devo dire che dopo il libro precedente, avevo parecchie aspettative. Purtroppo sono rimsta un po’ delusa, non perché sia un brutto libro, ma per la mancanza di romance. La protagonista deve salvare l’impresa di famiglia dalla bancarotta, si reca in banca per chiedere una proroga e si trova il bellissimo Blake Preston di fronte. Il problema è che Blake non può aiutarla e Samantha da qui, e per tutto il libro, assume un comportamento davvero infantile, come se lui fosse il capo dei capi e non vole...more

like · see review

Oct 25, 2012 Kathleen rated it 5 of 5 stars

Icicle Falls, Washington is the home of Sweet Dreams Chocolate Company, a family owned business run by the Sterling family, that began four generations ago with the recipes that came out of Great-Grandmother Rose's kitchen. Over the years the company flourished and grew until the death of its leader, Stephen Sterling, when it came to a grounding halt and the business begun running on autopilot under the guidance of heir apparent, Samantha Sterling, the eldest daughter. Before Samantha could get...more Icicle Falls, Washington is the home of Sweet Dreams Chocolate Company, a family owned business run by the Sterling family, that began four generations ago with the recipes that came out of Great-Grandmother Rose's kitchen. Over the years the company flourished and grew until the death of its leader, Stephen Sterling, when it came to a grounding halt and the business begun running on autopilot under the guidance of heir apparent, Samantha Sterling, the eldest daughter. Before Samantha could get the business back on track, barely a year and a half after the death of her father, her mother Muriel married Waldo Wittman, and named him the new president of the company. Unfortunately, Waldo was a poor businessman, he proceeded to run the company into the ground by squandering the company's money, and his sudden death left the company deep in debt and on the verge of going under. Once again it is left to Samantha to save her family's beloved chocolate company any way that she can. But it won't be an easy feat to accomplish, the company has defaulted on it's loan installment payments to the bank, and has been extended a one month grace period to pay the loan off in full. When Samantha tries to get Cascade Mutual's new manager, Blake Preston, to give her six month extension while they restructure the company, he refuses to change bank policy for her, leaving her in a pickle! Samantha is determined to save the company from going out of business, and after brainstorming with her mother Muriel, and sisters Cecily and Bailey, they decide to host a chocolate festival that will save both their family business and the town. What could be better than chocolate when dealing with stress or when having to deal with a pesky banker who becomes smitten with Samantha? Hmmm ... maybe Blake has something sweeter to offer?

Better Than Chocolate is a lighthearted romance story that will captivate the reader's imagination. Author Sheila Roberts weaves a tantalizing tale of family, business and romance written in the third person narrative, she easily draws the reader into the lives of the Sterling family and the townsfolk of picturesque Icicle Falls, Washington. Rich in details and vivid descriptions of the scenic little mountain town in the Pacific Northwest, the reader is transported to Icicle Falls with its breathtaking mountain scenery, quaint shops, and of course the Sweet Dreams Chocolate Company ... close your eyes and imagine the scent and taste of sweet chocolate candies ... The story follows Samantha Sterling and her family as they strive to save their family owned chocolate company from going out of business, while also helping their little town's economy revive. The town has taken a hit when little snowfall and the recession keeps tourists away from the ski slopes. Samantha has one month to save her company ... with the help of her family and the support of the townspeople, they hold Icicle Falls First Annual Chocolate Festival ... only to have trial and tribulations along the way ... is it enough to save her beloved company ... or does the race against the clock push Samantha to reach out and ask for the assistance of her frenemy, Blake Preston?

While I am a sucker for romance, I rather enjoyed how this story's main plot revolved around the saving of the family company and the chocolate festival event, with the romance of Samantha and Blake as a subplot. I really enjoy the author's descriptive style of writing, she has a way of drawing the reader into the story, you feel like you have been transported into the lives of the townspeople of Icicle Falls. The story is engaging and fun, it has a lot of humorous scenes that will keep you entertained. It's a whimsical story about family and friends, of community spirit, and of course there is romance thrown into the mix. I loved how each chapter begins with a business/relationship quote from Muriel's publications, I think it was a great lead into each chapter.

The author has created a large cast of characters who are realistic and warmhearted people. I loved following the trials and tribulations of Samantha, mother Muriel, and sisters Cecily and Bailey. The family bond that they share comes shining through as they learn to deal with the changes that life has brought their way. I couldn't help but like Blake, he too has his struggles to overcome as he must decide whether to tow the company line or stand up and be his own man. I enjoyed the tension between Samantha and Blake, while their relationship was not the main focus of the story, I think it did satisfy the romance that I crave when I read romance stories. And I would be remiss if I didn't mention that the story had a quirky bunch of supporting cast of characters who added to the story's overall entertainment value with their humorous adventures.

With fun characters, humorous dialogues and interactions, rich descriptions and a storyline that will engage your senses with the addition of yummy chocolate recipes, Better Than Chocolate is a story that will tickle your fancy! Better Than Chocolate is a must read for the diehard Sheila Roberts fan, you won't be disappointed!

Better Than Chocolate is the first book in the Icicle Falls series.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Pump Up Your Book! Virtual Book Publicity Tours.

http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
(less)

like · see review

May 05, 2013 Tima rated it 3 of 5 stars

Samantha has been left with the crumbling remains of her family's chocolate company. Left in ruins by a ailing step-father, it is now on the brink of going under. Samantha must deal with her mother's grief, her anger over the ruin of her beloved company, and a very annoying bank manager who can't seem to offer any help. But her sisters are there to help her find a way out of the mess their step-father created. And maybe they can find a way to save the company.

This was a fun book to read.While i...more

like · see review

Sep 17, 2012 Crystal rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed

I know I sure wanted some chocolate while reading this book. It was a really good read. I was sure pulling for Samantha to save Sweet Dreams their family chocolate factory. Samantha discovered she had a terrible business mess on her hands when her step father passed away. They were behind on everything from suppliers to Waldo's Life insurance, and the bank is ready to call in their loan. Samantha first meeting with the bank manager Blake Preston doesn't go so well. It goes so not well that she t...more

like · see review

Jan 26, 2013 Patti Loves FAB Romance rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: for-review-2013, read-in-2013, contemporary

PJV Quickie: Better than Chocolate got off to a great start – I was interested in the characters and the cute little town. Then, it just kind of stalled… I was interested in the hero and heroine’s stories, just not necessarily together.

Review
Sweet Dreams Chocolate Company has been in Samantha Sterling’s family for four generations. She loves the company, not only is it her legacy, it’s also a local institution that employs several of the townsfolk in Icicle Falls, Washington. When her father die...more PJV Quickie: Better than Chocolate got off to a great start – I was interested in the characters and the cute little town. Then, it just kind of stalled… I was interested in the hero and heroine’s stories, just not necessarily together.

Review
Sweet Dreams Chocolate Company has been in Samantha Sterling’s family for four generations. She loves the company, not only is it her legacy, it’s also a local institution that employs several of the townsfolk in Icicle Falls, Washington. When her father died, the company was in great shape…then her mother met and married a really nice guy with no head for money, who, she is just finding out, ran the company into the ground. Now that he’s dead the company is finally Samantha’s, but she’s got less than 90 days to pay the loan or the bank will own Sweet Dreams and sell it to a sleazy competitor.

Blake Preston has come back to Icicle Falls to take a job as manager of the local bank. The previous manager had a soft spot for a sad story and now the corporate office is cracking down on loans. When Samantha comes into his office asking for an extension, Blake’s hands are tied. While he understands her situation, he’ll lose his job if he extends her loan.

When Samantha comes up with the idea of a chocolate-themed festival the weekend before Valentine’s Day, the whole town is behind her. It seems as though fate is working against her though, and what she could really use is a Valentine’s Day miracle.
_____________________

I was looking for something light and sweet, so when I saw this was a book about a chocolate festival – yes!!! I sat down to read, and the next time I looked up I’d read 100 pages!! After that though, the book kind of got stuck… between Samantha trying to raise money to pay the bank, take care of her recently widowed and very depressed mother, reassure her employees the company was sound, and throw together a winter festival, there was a lot going on!!

Samantha was really antagonistic towards Blake, but I feel like he didn’t really make an effort to explain his position to her either. Samantha spent most of the book being angry at him, so I had a hard time when she suddenly turned it around after she found out what he had done for her. Their HEA felt like it was just tacked on at the end of the book and left me feeling like I was given a big box of chocolates that someone had already gone through and taken my favorite pieces out.

I enjoyed the secondary characters, even the ones I don’t think I was supposed to like, they were a nice foil to Samantha’s problems and overall the book had a nice small-town feel…a little quirky and fun. I was interested in Samantha’s sister Cecily’s story with the local bar owner and would have liked to see something happen there, but absolutely nothing did.

Recommendations
Readers who like an enemies-to-lovers story, a self-reliant and single-mindedly determined heroine, and fans of sweet romance without any sexy bits.(less)

like · see review

Aug 29, 2012 Katrina rated it 3 of 5 stars

Better than chocolate is not a sweet romance story, more so a chic lit. So don't go delving in thinking your getting a mushy heart warming romance - with this story . The romance is Very limited.

More so the book revolves around the money side of things. I was hoping for a little more romance than what was given. (( With the storyline provided I'm sure with that added bit of oomph Sam and Brad would've had more than just chocolate. )) The ending however was light at the end of the tunnel for Sam...more

like · see review

Apr 10, 2013 Trudy Miner rated it 3 of 5 stars

With the bank calling in the note on the Sweet Dreams Chocolate Company right after her stepfather died, the company founded by Great-Grandma Rose in a dream seems destined to go under. However, Samantha isn't ready to give up so easily and brainstorms ideas with her sisters and mother. A chocolate festival in the town Icicle Falls, WA the weekend before Valentine's Day is their answer! Of course putting together a festival of this magnitude in just six weeks is enough to drive a girl crazy, esp...more

like · see review

May 03, 2013 Trish rated it 4 of 5 stars

I was pleasantly surprised! I am not a reader of contemporary romances, but I enjoyed reading Better Than Chocolate more than I expected. The heroine is realistic-she's struggling to save the family chocolate business while dealing with small town life and family issues. While she seemed well drawn, the hero never really came to life for me. He was to passive and just seemed to inhabit the pages because a hero was required. The heroine was constantly insulting him and treating him poorly, yet he...more

like · see review

Apr 28, 2013 Wendy rated it 5 of 5 stars

This was a very nice book about a cute little Bavarian village in Washington State. But this cute little village is facing some tough times with no snow this winter; in particular, Samantha Sterling's family's chocolate business. Sweet Dreams, a business that Samantha's grandmother quite literally dreamed up, is in serious danger of being taken by the bank. Worse, the bank manager who was so forgiving has been replaced by one who, though definitely more attractive, seems to have a much harder he...more This was a very nice book about a cute little Bavarian village in Washington State. But this cute little village is facing some tough times with no snow this winter; in particular, Samantha Sterling's family's chocolate business. Sweet Dreams, a business that Samantha's grandmother quite literally dreamed up, is in serious danger of being taken by the bank. Worse, the bank manager who was so forgiving has been replaced by one who, though definitely more attractive, seems to have a much harder heart - and an aversion to chocolate.

Samantha is determined to save her family's business, even though bank manager Blake Preston seems just as determined to make sure the bank gets her the company.

Samantha is not alone in her desire to save Sweet dreams, and the town of Icicle Falls. Her two sisters, her mother, and the entire town support her when she comes up with a plan: a chocolate festival! With booths, a chocolate dinner, a ball, and a Mr. Dreamy contest to crown the hottest man in town, they're sure to come up with the money they need so that she can tell Blake to kiss her chocolate...heart.

Though she's got the support of the town, there still seems to be plenty to stand in her way. She'll have to fight Blake, members of the town council, and even Mother Nature to see this festival come off. The question is: does she have what it takes to take them all on?

The book captured me almost from the very first line. A great storyline of a woman who feels responsible for protecting not just the family business, but the family itself as well as the company's employees and even the town itself, it was very well written.

There was plenty of emotion, and plenty of insight into the thinking of each character. The beginning of storylines for future books of the series were laid, with just enough intrigue to make you look forward to those books, without being so much that it was annoying or took away from this book's story.

There was just enough suspense about "will she or won't she save the company" to keep you guessing right up until the end, when you'll finally learn whether she did or didn't.

Sheila Roberts does an excellent job of weaving a great story filled with great, three dimensional characters, lots of emotion and heart, and a beautiful town that really becomes another character itself.

This is a great book and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good romance or women's fiction. (less)

like · see review

Oct 02, 2012 Becky Moe rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, netgalley

I had high hopes for Better Than Chocolate: chocolate and romance, what more could anyone ask for? In the end, though, it was just okay. Samantha's resentment of Blake, the new bank manager (and her former high school crush)who holds her chocolate company's fate--and its soon-to-be-defaulted-upon loan--in his hands, seems to be a bit over the top. The situation her business finds itself in isn't really her fault--her recently deceased stepfather nearly ran it into the ground--but it's not Blake'...more

like · see review

Jan 14, 2013 Jenn O'Brien rated it 2 of 5 stars

If you enjoy the Debbie Macomber Cedar Cove series or the Susan Wiggs Lakeshore Chronicles, then you will like this book - it follows the same vein of introducing characters in one town and how their lives intertwine. It is easy to see how this could develop into a series. There are plenty of townspeople with stories to tell. This is what I call a comfort book. No big surprises, you know how it is going end, but it is fun for a snowy afternoon in January -- especially with a cup of creamy hot ch...more

like · see review

Oct 10, 2012 Mary (BookHounds) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, arc, from-publisher-author

MY THOUGHTS
LOVED IT

Welcome to Icicle Falls, home of the Sweet Dreams Chocolate Company, a company that is now on hard times since Samantha's mother, marries a spendthirft and the finances really unravel when Waldo dies suddenly. As the oldest daughter, Samantha has been the heart and soul of the company. Her younger sisters come home for the funeral but have lives of their own and leave Samantha to fix everything. The bank manager, Blake, tells her in no uncertain terms that her time is near the...more

like · see review

Oct 04, 2012 Teena in Toronto rated it 3 of 5 stars

Chocolate ... yum!

Samantha's step-dad, Waldo, was running the family-owned business and running it badly. When the book begins, Waldo has just died. Samantha has taken over running the family business and sees just how dire things are. The bank is going to foreclose on the loan, Waldo hadn't paid his insurance premiums and Samantha's mother, Muriel, is going to lose her house. To try and save the company and bring tourists to the town, they quickly organize a chocolate festival.

I enjoyed the wri...more

like · see review

Apr 18, 2013 Kai rated it 4 of 5 stars

Better Than Chocolate starts off with Samantha Sterling attending her stepfather's funeral. During the funeral, she was trying to figure a way to save her family's business Sweet Dreams Chocolates which her grandmother has started from a dream. Her two sister Cecily and Bailey doesn't know how bad their stepfather's drove Sweet Dreams into the red and that the family will lose the company if they cannot pay back the loan.

Blake Preston came back to Icicles Fall as the bank manager. The last thing...more

like · see review

Mar 31, 2013 Suelibevg rated it 5 of 5 stars

This was a gift from Harlequin books for being a survey responder. I was pleasantly surprised, as this was a new author for me. I would definitely read more from this author. Samantha Sterling has assumed leadership of the family chocolate company after her stepfather ran it into near bankruptcy. The new bank manager, a hometown boy, elicits fury when Samantha approaches him for an extension on their past due bills and is denied. The bank has called in the loan, and there is no way she can pay i...more

like · see review

topics	posts	views	last activity
there is one part before this	4	11	04. März, 07:47 Uhr
Better Than Chocolate	2	9	29. Oktober, 06:22 Uhr

title link	preview: Better Than Chocolate
avg rating	preview: Better Than Chocolate Goodreads rating: 3.54 (408 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13548078-better-than-chocolate?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348144419l/13548078.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13548078-better-than-chocolate?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Better Than Chocolate by Sheila Roberts[/url]

Better Than Chocolate (Life in Icicle Falls #2)

Friend Reviews

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topic
Discuss This Book

combine
Other Editions (4)

Genres

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About Sheila Roberts

Books by Sheila Roberts

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website

Trivia About Better Than Choco...