Book Review: The Chocolate Maker’s Wife by Karen Brooks

Looking for your next read? Check out The Chocolate Maker’s Wife by Karen Brooks, reviewed by Fulco Library staff, Anne A.

In seventeenth century London chocolate and coffee houses are just beginning to emerge as places where ideas and news can be discussed and exchanged. Beautiful Rosamund lives with her mother and abusive stepfather in a small provincial inn. One day she is almost run over by a wealthy businessman, Sir Everard Blithman and his carriage. Captivated by her beauty, Sir Everard offers to marry her, so she can run his new chocolate house. Eager to get away from her mother and evil stepfather, Rosamund readily agrees. She quickly adapts to her new life, learning the chocolate making business and charming customers with her cheerful nature. However, she soon learns Sir Everard is using her and the chocolate house to get revenge on his son-in-law Mathew Lovelace for the death of his daughter. It will take all of her charisma and wits to survive the web of deceit and lies that the Blithman family has spun. Unfortunately the Blithmans aren’t the only danger Rosamund faces; she also must survive the plague and the Great Fire of London.

Rosamund is an incredibly strong and determined character who triumphs in spite of the odds set against her. I’m relieved that she succeeded and found happiness at the end of this story. If you like historical novels with strong female characters, then this book is for you. The author makes Restoration England come alive and makes me grateful I didn’t live during that period. Nevertheless some of the issues in the novel are prevalent today. We are grappling with preventing the spread of a deadly virus as well as the spread of misinformation.

The Chocolate Maker’s Wife is available to be placed on hold and check out at any branch. Borrow it today and learn about an interesting period in history.

Check out The Chocolate Maker’s Wife on Hoopla, or from your branch's shelves with your library card today!

Hoopla Digital: The Chocolate Maker’s Wife eBook (Always available)

The Chocolate Maker's Wife

This post is for educational purposes and the contents are not endorsed by the Fulton County Library System or Fulton County Government.