The Chocolate Promise in Aussie Readers

Mar 09, 2015 Shelleyrae at Book'd Out rated it liked it

Shelves: arc-are, aussie-author, provided-by-publisher

A sweet tale about love, friendship, family and chocolate, The Chocolate Promise is Josephine Moon's second novel.

Christmas Livingstone is doing what she loves, making and selling gourmet chocolate treats in her very own store, The Chocolate Apothecary, and spreading joy, helping those in need in her community. She has ten simple rules for happiness, all of which have helped her rebuild her life after fleeing heartbreak three years previously and she is determined to stick with them, even when L
A sweet tale about love, friendship, family and chocolate, The Chocolate Promise is Josephine Moon's second novel.

Christmas Livingstone is doing what she loves, making and selling gourmet chocolate treats in her very own store, The Chocolate Apothecary, and spreading joy, helping those in need in her community. She has ten simple rules for happiness, all of which have helped her rebuild her life after fleeing heartbreak three years previously and she is determined to stick with them, even when Lincoln van Luc, a botanist, wanders into her shop and threatens the most important rule of all... 'Absolutely no romantic relationships'.

"The rules, she reminded herself. The rules were there for her protection. The rules had served her well and kept her steady for the past three years. Now was not the time to abandon the rules."

Christmas is happy with the life she has made for herself and the plans she has for the future but the rules that have allowed her to rebuild her life begin to chafe when first wins a place on a week-long course with a world-renowned French chocolatier, and then she meets Lincoln. Christmas (a ridiculous name btw) is creative, intelligent and kind but she is also emotionally closed off due to a dysfunctional childhood and a recent trauma. Moon gently guides her character into dealing with her past and opening up her heart as the story unfolds.

The romantic relationship between Christmas and Lincoln is complicated by Christmas's 'rules' and Lincoln's wunderlust. Lincoln, a botanist, has spent most of his life traveling the world and doesn't plan to stay in Tasmania long. He has returned to help his Nan, a wonderful character, and work on his book, but falling in love with Christmas forces him to reassess his future.

I delighted in the settings, a small town in Tasmania with 'period' tourist appeal, the Chocolate Apothecary sounds like a pretty store and I could easily imagine the tempting treats gracing the shelves and the rich smell of molten chocolate. Francophiles will enjoy Christmas's sojourn in France touring the countryside exploring lavender farms in Provence, and whipping up treats like a champagne and vodka chocolate ganache to coat fresh rasberries in Aix.

This novel, with its appealing characters and feel good storyline, is a lovely way to treat yourself on a lazy afternoon, but be warned, you will be craving chocolate before you are through, so make sure you have your favourite on hand. ...more

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Apr 13, 2015 Anne Hamilton rated it liked it

Shelves: australia-nz, first-reads

Cadbury Roses chocolates.

That's what this book reminded me of. And not just because it's about chocolate. The thing about a Roses selection is that there are some flavours you like and some you don't and, if you're the last to pick from the box, the chances that your favourites are still there are next to nothing.

I'm a Caramello and Turkish Delight person myself. Most of the rest I find so-so and some I actively dislike.

And that same reaction was my experience of The Chocolate Promise. I felt th ...more

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Feb 18, 2015 Tarran rated it it was amazing

I really enjoyed reading this book. Christmas Livingstone is a quite complex character. We get to see her grow over the course of novel and I love all the chocolate facts the author includes. It was a very interesting read and I would love to see if in future books if the author might combine the characters of The Tea Chest and Chocolate Promise.

Due out April 2015 this is a great book to read!

Pre-order your copies today at Collins Booksellers Edwardstown

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Jan 04, 2015 Dzintra aka Ingrid rated it really liked it

A delightful read from Josephine Moon! Set in Evandale, Tasmania this book moves from there to PARIS and then Provence! My Son is taking me over later this year to both these places and I will definitely be on the lookout for chocolate. No matter what time I picked this book up my mind wandered to chocolate and having some. Loved the chocolate aspect of this book, but, then again I do love chocolate!

I won this book through Goodreads and Allen & Unwin after having co-incidentally ordered it! Tha ...more

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Sep 24, 2020 Janine rated it liked it

Shelves: 20backlistbooks2020

This novel was Josephine Moon's second novel and this time the theme is Chocolate! It tells the story of Christmas who runs a gourmet Chocolate shop in a small town in Tasmania. She specializes in artisan chocolate and also has other offerings such as flowers and massage at her shop. She is 40 and has had not much luck in love until Lincoln walks into her store and needs help with someone to co-author a book he is writing.

I have read several of Jo's books and this one I found a little confusing, ...more

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