Love Reads!

By Carole Matthews

February 2008

Thomas Dunne Books

ISBN-10: 0312376669

ISBN-13: 9780312376666

As soon as I saw the title for Carole Matthews’s new book The Chocolate Lovers Club, I started to drool because it encompassed my two favorite things; good friends and chocolate!  Following the style of what I call friends lit, the book follows four friends who become close thanks to their sugar high and the situations they are faced with. 

Lucy is a temporary employee currently working at a firm called Targa, where she is filling in for their receptionist who is on maternity leave. Recently having found her boyfriend in the arms of someone else for the umpteenth time she is in a funk taking her life day by day.

Nadia’s husband has an online gambling addiction that is putting their family deep into debt.  As many people with addictions do, he does not recognize the issue as a problem and Nadia is at a loss about how to get out of the red; let alone how to get him help.

Autumn was a child of entitlement that rather then put her money towards designer clothing she instead does all she can and is living green and helping others.  Her brother Richard has recently paid her a visit and he as usual is in trouble.  Thinking that all he needs is a place to stay she allows him to take the spare bedroom, not realizing she is biting off more then she can chew.

Chantal is in a loveless marriage, she and her husband haven’t made love in ages let alone cuddle. She still loves him and therefore does not have the option of leaving him and resorts to random encounters.  Her last one was particularly interesting, the sex was great, it’s the stealing all of her valuables before she awakes that sours all the fun.

This is a good book to read even if you don’t like chocolate (though that helps) and is especially good if you enjoy books reminiscent of titles such as The Reading Group.  I enjoyed the laughs and a couple of the surprising little twists in the story.  So, do yourself a favor and pick up this perfect rainy day read!

5 out of 5

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