The Chocolate Lovers’ Christmas by Carole Matthews
A book about the joy and comfort of chocolate – and some women who eat it! This book is centred around a group of women who share a friendship which means a lot to each one of them, especially when expressed through chocolate treats. This is a funny book which deals with the lead up to Christmas on one level, but is really about the complicated relationships the women find themselves in. Although each character has appeared in previous books by Carole Matthews, this book stands up very well as a book on its own. Partly narrated by Lucy, who has a very funny tendency to get herself into all sorts of trouble and her relationship with “Crush” or Aiden, this book also looks at more serious issues of complex family arrangements. Nadia has faced a terrible situation in the past, but now needs to cope with a changed life with a small son, Lewis, and so needs help from the other members of the group. Autumn helps with Lewis, but her fiance is perhaps less than supportive. Chantal has the confidence of a super model, but is finding looking after her daughter more than exhausting. While chocolate is the answer for most situations in the short term, it may well take more to deal with them long term. Fortunately Lucy is bound to come up with a scheme – that involves roping in other members of The Chocolate Lovers’ Club in this enjoyable and endearing read.
The book opens with Lucy expounding a few of her theories about chocolate, a subject she loves – “I, Lucy Lombard, manager of Chocolate Heaven and self – confessed chocolate addict”. It is her ideal job, running a small chocolate shop and cafe in London. Her friends gather there to recover from their challenges, and she loves selling chocolate products to locals drawn in by her displays. She has many ideas for increasing trade, but her long hours in the shop is affecting her relationship with Crush, despite their love for each other. Various incidents, including a very funny encounter with chocolate body paint, lighten the mood of this book on a regular basis. Indeed, despite the real challenges faced by the women, Lucy’s talent for disaster always makes this contemporary read a well balanced and often funny book. Autumn’s family situation is difficult, despite money not being a problem, and Matthews’ ability to sensitively deal with the pressure of distant parents is well illustrated. Chantel’s situation of exhaustion is a common problem, but her relationship with her partner is made more complex by an unusual link to another woman. Nadia has employment problems which put more pressure on a single mother, but her friends are there to help.
This is an enjoyable book which does not need to be kept for Christmas time, though it may influence the reader to look for chocolate while reading. Despite some of the themes explored, this is generally an uplifting book, if only because of Lucy’s antics. It is a sensitively written, with vivid and lively dialogue which suggests the characters immediately. The setting, in a small shop cafe, is well drawn, which is also the case when the focus is further afield. The ongoing issue of Lucy’s ex – boyfriend is well handled, as are some issues which the book tackles. This is an enjoyable read not limited to Christmas, celebrating people, friendship and of course, chocolate.
Northern Reader 
It’s good to know that this one stands alone OK, as I just read (and reviewed!) one in a series that really needed the first book to be read first. Carole Matthews is really good though, so has the technical skills to manage this. One to look out for for next Christmas.