The Chocolate shop

by J.J. Spring

Laura Beckman's comfortable suburban life would be perfect but for her daughter. Four years earlier, Brooke abandoned her husband and her own young daughter to run off with a musician. Now back home with her tail between her legs, Brooke's self-loathing boils over in the face of her mother's unrelenting condemnation. Laura's world is turned upside down after witnessing the long, painful death of her husband. In the search for a better version of herself, she creates the Chocolate Shop which grants terminally ill patients one last wish (e.g returning to the Rockette stage, having sex one last time, even skydiving). Laura then lovingly helps her clients slip away to a peaceful death. Laura must dodge the police who suspect she's committing second-degree murder, and an ex-wife of a client consumed with collecting on an insurance policy. Her relationship with her daughter flips as Brooke becomes the one doing the "I may have made many mistakes in my life but there's one thing I can say. I never murdered anybody." As Laura comes to grips with the ethical, moral, and legal dimensions of what she's doing, she worries that her strained relationship with her daughter will never be repaired and wonders whether she can ever find love again. She meets Arlo Massey--brash, flmboyant, someone who couldn't care less about what other people think--the complete opposite of the always appropriate Laura Beckman. Arlo disrupts Laura's already tumultuous life. She finds him despicable. And yet . . .

350 pages, Hardcover

Published June 17, 2019

Reviews

[Michael Sahd · Rating 5 out of 5]

The rocky relationship between an overbearing mother and her prodigal daughter becomes even more tumultuous when the mother, distraught over witnessing her husband's long, painful death, decides to satisfy her terminally ill aunt's last wish.

I really misjudged this novel when I started reading it. "This sounds rather bland," I thought. Well, I started getting into it pretty quickly, despite the slow start. Not that I thought the start was bad; it just didn't seem congruent with the genre I like to read.

By the time I got halfway through the book, I told myself, "This is actually pretty good, I'm going to give it a 4 star." As I neared the end, I figured the book could end in one of two different ways. One way, I decided that I would give Spring a 3.5 star. The other way I would go 5 stars all the way.

Looking at my rating, you can plainly see that J. J. Spring did not disappoint me. A perfect ending for a beautiful story wrought with difficult decisions. The challenges Laura Beckman faces are ones I hope I never have to face with my own children.

The story starts with Laura Beckman agonizing over the suffering of her dying husband in a hospital room. He lies there, unable to speak, and when he does communicate with her, it's to beg her to allow him to die, to stop the suffering. Needless to say, she stays with him as he slowly declines, kept alive by the doctors as long as possible.

Shortly after his death, her aunt Nora makes them promise to not let her suffer like that. So between herself and her aunt Gracie, they come up with a method for humanely allowing her aunt to commit suicide, but not before granting her one last adventure.

Laura and Gracie soon become the saviors to several terminally ill patients, starting a group they coin the chocolate shop.

I won a signed copy of this book, and I would recommend it to anyone really. Unless you're an ostrich. Don't read this book if you're an ostrich.

[Seraphia Bunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Chocolate Shop is a poignant story of a mother-daughter relationship that took an ugly turn years ago. Laura struggles with how her daughter abandoned her marriage and family for another man and the promise of a budding career as a singer. Their relationship only sours further when the daughter returns home with nothing to show for her running around and learns a dark "secret" that her mother has been harboring. This truth could drive a wedge deeper between them due to the fact that what Laura is doing is technically illegal. But the question is begged...can they move past this and become close once again? This multi-faceted story brings much to the table and promises to be an engaging story.
Chocolate Shop by J.J. Spring is the first book that I have read by this author and I have to say that I truly enjoyed it. Laura is an older woman and my heart absolutely breaks for her as she watches her husband slip away minute by minute, hour by hour ravaged by cancer. There is nothing that she can do for him. The law dictates what she can and can't do and no amount of begging on his part ends his suffering any faster. The author gave me such memorable final moments that I was on the brink of tears. I must applaud the author for how true to life the characters are in this book. In the midst of Laura's grieving women, she's worked with show up to "ice" her from a position in a group that she has held. I was appalled at the gal of these women.
I honestly can understand her to stand on her daughter Brooke's behavior, but I never did fully understand Brooke's attitude toward her mother. Did she feel that her mother was judging her for what she did? I never got that from Laura, but for me, Brooke too often acted like a spoiled teenager. I wanted her to be there more for her mother instead of being so judgmental all the time. Now, when she learns what Laura is doing I can understand to an extent, but she still came off as petulant.
I love how the author wrote this story. You get the beginning before her husband's death and the gradual build-up to where she is assisting those who wish to end their life on their own terms when they are told they only have so much time to live. For me the story falls into place effortlessly piece by piece. My only major complaint about the beginning is the number of characters that the author gives me. I get Laura, her husband, her friends, the two ladies from the group, her daughter and another daughter's name. For me, it was like handing me a tangled ball of yarn and wanting me to untangle it. I eventually figured out who was whom but it took me a minute.
I am rating this book 4.5 out of 5 stars. It's a beautiful story with unexpected moments and great characters that really pull this story together. Nothing is overdone and this is absolutely a book that I would recommend.

[E · Rating 5 out of 5]

When readers first meet Laura Beckman, the protagonist in The Chocolate Shop, her husband Mickey is dying. He has been in pain and has pleaded with her to put an end to his suffering. She simply can't do it. After her husband's funeral she and three others make a "pact" that if she decides she doesn't want to live anymore the others will help her end her life. Unexpectedly, one of her group finds out cancer has returned. She wants to die on her terms and enlists the group for help. From this point on, life changes drastically for Laura.

There is so much about this book that makes it relevant and worth reading. Laura is a fascinating character in that one episode in her past basically shaped the person she is now. So much so that it created a tense and troubled relationship with her eldest daughter. The well developed supporting cast of characters are unique, interesting and endearing. There are no stereotypes here. The dialogue is both witty and moving. Well crafted, the novel is multilayered, powerful and worthy of attention. The story deals with assisted suicide, end of life choices and the power of relationships whether they are existing or unexpected.

The author is a gifted writer. There were times I laughed out loud and times I teared up. I will be thinking about The Chocolate Shop for a long time. Highly recommended.

[Susanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Riverpoint Press and NetGalley for a free reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was an interesting and heartfelt read about a difficult topic. Death is still a big taboo for most people, as is the whole issue of assisted death/suicide. And yet most, if asked, would like to avoid a long, drawn-out and painful death - but who makes the decision on how this plays out in your life? Who should be making the decision?

The storyline follows Laura, whose husband dies at the beginning of the book - while begging her to please end his suffering. Going through this makes her question her beliefs and start living differently. She goes on to help terminally ill people experience their one last wish, and then helps them procure the medication they need to commit suicide. At the same time, we see how Laura and her estranged daughter slowly mend their fences - and we also see how the authorities start to question the spate of deaths where Laura has been present.

Overall, the story held my attention and I feel it's a topic that should definitely get more exposure, but the editing needed some work - quite a few "continuity" mistakes, dropped plot lines and all too neatly tied-with-a-bow resolutions, accompanied with some really clichéd writing in parts.

[KL Cassanello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laura has a great life, except for her older daughter Brooke. Brooke has always been a rule-breaker, and left her husband and daughter to seek fame and fortune as a singer. Laura watches her husband waste away before finally dying, ignoring his pleas for her to end his life. She's always followed the rules, and begins to break them. She and her friends help two other friends fulfill a last wish, and then die a peaceful death. Amid dodging the police who think she's involved, she forms The Chocolate Shop to help others who are terminal. When Brooke faces her own health scare, she begins to reconcile relationships with her mother, husband, daughter. This was a terrific book, dealing with the issue of assisted suicide of terminal patients. Laura and her friends were a hoot at times, especially when they were trying to grant a last wish. Laura and Brooke grew so much when they finally decided to give each other a fair chance. No spoilers here, but make sure you have plenty of tissues.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sandra Lopez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Laura “wondered why God would spare the evil people of the world—serial killers and terrorists and child molesters—while the good man lying next to her faced certain death.” (10) The “Big C” had claimed the man she loved. It hurt to see him wither away as time dragged on, but what hurt even more was him begging her to end his life.

One flick of that “magic switch” and it would be all over.

From that moment on, Laura swore that she would go on her own terms.

The writing was thought-provoking, lovely, and lyrical. Story kept a steady lag, but it stayed enriched with wholesome words of wisdom. There may have been a few too many characters coming in and out of the story. I was intrigued by the story, but I wasn’t overly compelled.

Overall, this was a well-rounded tale of life and death that would make readers think.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me first say that as a nurse, and advocate for "The right to choose", I totally enjoyed this book and love the "Chocolate Shop".
I am quite sure there are many who, due to the topic, did not. Read it with an open mind and heart.
This novel is about family, love, choice, life, death and dignity.
The alternatives that people decide to take when the dying process becomes insufferable are not easy.
It is not a decision that comes lightly, and for the people of "The Chocolate Shop" the decision to help these folks was also done with thought, love and hope that "wishes" come true".
The characters are enjoyable and easy to care for. The descriptions in this book made me believe I was present for each trip and dream that came true.

[Helen Manoli · Rating 4 out of 5]

A storyline with a difference,Laura battles her choices that she had made when her husband dies,will she get a second chance now by helping people die.
This book will raise a lot of issues such as, assisted dying when is it ever correct,issues with her first born,choices she made by putting herself first all these years,so that she can surround herself with trophies and achievement awards,but at what cost to her family.
I found the book a bit hard going due to the fact of the assisted death,when is it correct to do it,or is it still murder in the eyes of church,politics and community,a lot of questions posed but very few answers.

[Trick Wiley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is different Laura feels like she wants a second chance to make up for the hurt she has cause her family by leaving them It's one thing when a man leaves his family but not a woman,especially a mother! Helping people who are sick she finds herself in trouble for doing this in her Chocolate Shop! Finding love a second time to a man she can't stand,will she find it? Characters are jumping at you! Good read but I finished just had a hard time doing it but hey that's just me!

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Chocolate Shop is a story that is written with the utmost care, concern, compassion and understanding for those who are watching or have watched a loved one die in torturous pain from cancer or other terminal disease. It's also about providing those terminal patients with a last wish, similar to Make a Wish. It is a very relevant and worthy read about assisted suicide that examines many sides of the issues.

[Bev · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to touch on the reality that many people face on a daily basis, assisted suicide, mercy killing, whatever you want to call it. We do this for our loving fur babies, but for our human relatives, it is a big no-no in some states. This is a very good thought-provoking story. I would like to thank Net Galley and Booksprout for a free copy of this book. I voluntarily reviewed it.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read. Interesting and complex characters and situations. Entertaining read as each character goes through their own individual struggle. Hard to put down. Liked the characters and story flow. Recommend this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Laura is burdened with the slow agonizing death of her husband from cancer has to deal with her daughter terminal illness. Authorities are investigating what could be Laura's role in assisted suicides. It is a slow race between police finding facts and her daughter's sidestepping cancer's victory.

[Alycia Canfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What would you do if your husband or wife asked you to help them die because they were suffering?! What would you want if you were the one suffering? This book is heart felt. You become one of them in the mix. Who's choice is it when you die?? I believe it's God's.

[Truly Trendy PR]

The Chocolate shop by J.J. Spring is an inspiring story of family and relationships. A story that is sure to tug at your heartstrings and leave you wanting more. *I received a complimentary copy from RABT Book Tours and the author in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.*

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and provocative dive into the sensitive topic of assisted suicide. The author handles it deftly and balances all sides of the question with well developed characters and an entertaining storyline that leads to a satisfying ending. Recommended.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely a “sweet” book. The story is timeless and flowing. It’s easy to read and enjoy. Definitely one to read on the weekend.

[Grant Leishman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

When a typical, suburban socialite, Laura Beckman’s life is turned upside down by the premature death of her beloved husband she has to face some searching questions of herself and how she has conducted her life, especially with respect to her estranged, eldest daughter, Brooke. Laura’s husband died in hospital after months of pain amid his constant pleading to Laura to just let him go and help him to die. She was not able to accede to his wishes and she was forced to watch his slowly slip away, suffering the whole time. In the Chocolate Shop, author J.J. Spring shows us how Laura’s husband’s death galvanized her thought processes and forced her to consider what she had achieved in her “country-club” life. When the previously austere and conservative Laura commits a rebellious act, so out of character for her, in order to fulfill what she believes would have been her late husband’s final wish, her thought processes about her future direction change forever. Laura, along with her Aunt Gracie, decide to form the code phrase – “The Chocolate Shop” to assist other terminally ill adults to end their lives when they choose, with dignity and peace. They also seek to grant the patient’s last wish, for excitement, before their passing. Although wracked by both the legal and moral implications of what she is doing, the condemnation of her estranged daughter, Grace, and with the police potentially closing in on them, Laura decides what they are doing is ultimately for the greater good and their belief in the concept of the “right to choose when to die,” grows within them with each assisted suicide.

The Chocolate Shop was one of those books that crept up on me. Initially I wondered where Laura’s pain and angst would lead her but once I became aware of the direction the story was headed, I was hooked and as I’m sure was the author J. J. Spring’s intention, began to seriously think about the legal, moral and spiritual connotations of assisted suicide. I could not put this book down as we were led down the path of pain, suffering and angst, beautifully leavened by the sheer joy and thrill of these terminally-ill patients, as they were given the opportunity to fulfill their dying wishes. I won’t spoil the story by telling you the many and varied “last wishes” but they absolutely added the lightening that a story on such a serious topic desperately needed. The author’s greatest success, in my opinion was the ability to make such a controversial and sad topic so enjoyable to read. The little twists and turns the author threw into the story, along with the incredible emotions that was beautifully weaved through it, definitely made this one of the stand-out reads for me, this year. You always know when you are reading a book that grabs your heart and your emotions but also your intellect, because you simply don’t want it to end and The Chocolate Shop was one of those books, for me. I judge a good book in two ways – 1/ Did it move me and 2/ Will I still be thinking about the themes and the character days from now. The answer, in this case, to both questions, is a resounding, yes! One of the best books of the year, for me and although it is targeted mainly as “women’s fiction,” I would say poppycock to that – everyone should read The Chocolate Shop.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very poignant story of a recently widowed woman, who, in addition to her grief, is coping with several other issues. One of them involves her grown daughter who, after running off abandoning her husband and young child, has returned home with nothing to show for her actions and lots of unanswered, outstanding questions. Laura Beckman watched her husband Mickey die a slow death for months, regularly begging Laura to help him end things. However, Laura resisted. Now, as she grieves for Mickey and tries to figure out her relationship with her grown daughter, Laura also settles into widowhood. Laura and some friends have vowed to help one another if and when any one of them faces death. Now, one does, and the rest of the group is trying to figure things out. In the middle of this, Laura begins a new business, to help the dying get one last wish, whether it be to travel somewhere, do something insane or whatever. In addition to trying to right her relationship with her daughter, Laura is also dodging the authorities, who suspect she is committing second degree murder. The story follows Laura and her friends as they try to grant the last wish for the dying and as Laura tries to figure out her relationship with her daughter. Into the mix comes brash, flamboyant Arlo Massey, who is everything Laura disdains in a person, who will throw Laura’s life into a further tizzy.

This is a fascinating book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Laura’s move through grief, as she and her friends try to make things just a little bit better for the dying they encounter. I actually like the idea of having one last wish that might just make one leave the earth with a half-smile on his/her face. The mother-daughter dynamic added to the angst and plot. We all have families that may or may not make us happy, and this one brought that right home. It was interesting to watch Laura’s grown daughter, no innocent herself, react to her mother’s new business. This is a book that will probably stay on with me long after finishing it. I am getting older and naturally the end fascinates me—as it grows closer. I liked the idea of having one last wish, and wish thing could only be that way. Perhaps one day they will. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a thought-provoking story of last wishes. Laura is a new widow, whose husband passed away after a long, painful illness, begging her to help him end his life. She refused, and now she's rethinking how she lived her life. When a close friend who is dying asks for a last wish, Laura changes her mind about helping the dying end their lives, while granting a final wish of happiness. It's a sobering, moral question that the book is centered around, as family and friends either join her task to help or condemn her choices because they believe assisted suicide is wrong. I personally feel the time to die is up to God, and it's wrong to take your own life. A person who is dying may be in pain, but there is value to every life, and a person who gives up will probably die sooner anyway. It's a good story and I recommend it, because there are so many variables in these choices. The book addresses a lot.