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lainibop's review
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
beckymmoe's review
3.0
I had high hopes for Better Than Chocolate: chocolate and romance, what more could anyone ask for? In the end, though, it was just okay. Samantha's resentment of Blake, the new bank manager (and her former high school crush)who holds her chocolate company's fate--and its soon-to-be-defaulted-upon loan--in his hands, seems to be a bit over the top. The situation her business finds itself in isn't really her fault--her recently deceased stepfather nearly ran it into the ground--but it's not Blake's fault either. He is unfailingly nice to her, and she definitely doesn't return the favor. As a result, their conflict has a forced feel to it, which kept me from enjoying the story as much as I would have liked to. After all her antagonism, their conflict (like a few others in the book) was resolved rather quickly, which again, detracted from my ability to lose myself in the story.
There were plenty of things I liked about the book, though. Samantha and her sisters' plan for saving the company--and helping out Icicle Falls' economy at the same time--was a good one. They all worked together and pulled it off quickly, and it was fun to read about. The secondary characters, too, were enjoyable, especially sisters Cecily and Bailey and their mom Muriel. I enjoyed the town of Icicle Falls, and am planning to visit again in Roberts' next book, Merry Ex-Mas. Though this story just wasn't quite "it" for me, I did find many things to enjoy in her writing.
There were plenty of things I liked about the book, though. Samantha and her sisters' plan for saving the company--and helping out Icicle Falls' economy at the same time--was a good one. They all worked together and pulled it off quickly, and it was fun to read about. The secondary characters, too, were enjoyable, especially sisters Cecily and Bailey and their mom Muriel. I enjoyed the town of Icicle Falls, and am planning to visit again in Roberts' next book, Merry Ex-Mas. Though this story just wasn't quite "it" for me, I did find many things to enjoy in her writing.
readtolive's review
1.0
I received this book as a part of the Tell Harlequin panel. I have received other books as a part of that program that I have absolutely adored, so I was incredibly hopeful for this one. Couple that with the fact that I had other friends with similar book tastes to me tell me they had heard amazing things about this author, and I thought for sure this was going to be another hit that would melt my cynical heart. Unfortunately, I just don't feel that it lived up to the hype.
I have sat here reading other reviews and wondering if I was reading the same book, because there were a lot of people according to Amazon and Goodreads that really enjoyed this one. I just was not one of them.
Firstly, there was a lot of filler in the story - bits and pieces that had no bearing on the outcome and were just there to fill up space. I really dislike filler. A good author can paint a picture without so much extra detail that is unrelated to the main plot. I get sub plots and all, but this was not even subplot, it was just, extra.
There were some editing errors that should have been obvious and corrected before this went to print, and yet they weren't and that is always a big sticking point for me.
And then, this was a romance, right? Because the romantic relationship coming to be happened in the last 15 pages or so and felt rushed and like it was there just because people would expect it to be. I mean, seriously, a check, a kiss, a hike, an engagement? Where are the details about the relationship developing and building. I felt like a couple chapters were missing from my book, but the page numbers matched up so I know that was not the case.
I am sure Ms. Roberts is a gifted writer, at least in the minds of some readers, but after reading this one, I don't think that I will be able to read another book by this author. It took me more than a month to finish this one, and I read books of this length usually in a much shorter period of time. I felt I had to make myself keep reading. The premise was great, and this could have been an awesome book. I just felt like there was too much gritty detail, and not enough meat.
I have sat here reading other reviews and wondering if I was reading the same book, because there were a lot of people according to Amazon and Goodreads that really enjoyed this one. I just was not one of them.
Firstly, there was a lot of filler in the story - bits and pieces that had no bearing on the outcome and were just there to fill up space. I really dislike filler. A good author can paint a picture without so much extra detail that is unrelated to the main plot. I get sub plots and all, but this was not even subplot, it was just, extra.
There were some editing errors that should have been obvious and corrected before this went to print, and yet they weren't and that is always a big sticking point for me.
And then, this was a romance, right? Because the romantic relationship coming to be happened in the last 15 pages or so and felt rushed and like it was there just because people would expect it to be. I mean, seriously, a check, a kiss, a hike, an engagement? Where are the details about the relationship developing and building. I felt like a couple chapters were missing from my book, but the page numbers matched up so I know that was not the case.
I am sure Ms. Roberts is a gifted writer, at least in the minds of some readers, but after reading this one, I don't think that I will be able to read another book by this author. It took me more than a month to finish this one, and I read books of this length usually in a much shorter period of time. I felt I had to make myself keep reading. The premise was great, and this could have been an awesome book. I just felt like there was too much gritty detail, and not enough meat.
samstillreading's review
5.0
Don’t dismiss this book by its cover (c’mon, who DOESN’T lick chocolate off the spoon?) or name. It’s not a Fifty Shades book – not at all. This is a sweet, fun book about a woman and her sisters who are trying to save a family business from ruin. Add in a Mr Dreamy competition, some good guys (and bad ones) and life lessons, and you’ve got an entertaining book on your hands.
Samantha Sterling runs Sweet Dreams Chocolate Company, which has been in the family for generations. Life was pretty sweet until the untimely death of her stepfather leaves the business in managerial and financial shambles. Add in the untimely return of former football hero and man with something to prove, Blake Preston, as Samantha’s new bank manager and she’s in serious trouble – not even chocolate can fix this one! Or can it…Samantha decides to host the ailing town’s first chocolate festival in a last ditch attempt.
Filled with warm and funny characters – from Samantha’s financially inept mother (whose sideline is self-help type books) to Bill Will, cowboy who isn’t averse to stripping – in public - this book will put a smile on your face. There are plenty of gratuitous references to chocolate (particularly salted caramel and other new delights) – so much so that I’d put in an order to Sweet Dreams if I could! The luckless in love Sterling sisters – Samantha, Bailey and Cecily are like the sisters you wish you had. I would have liked to read a little more about Cecily and Bailey, but I hear that this book is the first in a series, Life in Icicle Falls, so perhaps we will later.
Samantha’s attempts to get the chocolate festival underway were both fun and frustrating. I loved reading about the Mr Dreamy (Icicle Falls’ hottest man) competition and I emphasised when her plans were thwarted by Prissy of the local council. The unresolved sexual tension between Samantha and Blake was also well played out, as it was more of an accompanying plot to trying to save Sweet Dreams rather than the main focus. However, there are plenty of potential romances blossoming around Icicle Falls if that’s what tickles your fancy!
Definitely yummy, this is a book that chocolate addicts shouldn’t miss!
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
Samantha Sterling runs Sweet Dreams Chocolate Company, which has been in the family for generations. Life was pretty sweet until the untimely death of her stepfather leaves the business in managerial and financial shambles. Add in the untimely return of former football hero and man with something to prove, Blake Preston, as Samantha’s new bank manager and she’s in serious trouble – not even chocolate can fix this one! Or can it…Samantha decides to host the ailing town’s first chocolate festival in a last ditch attempt.
Filled with warm and funny characters – from Samantha’s financially inept mother (whose sideline is self-help type books) to Bill Will, cowboy who isn’t averse to stripping – in public - this book will put a smile on your face. There are plenty of gratuitous references to chocolate (particularly salted caramel and other new delights) – so much so that I’d put in an order to Sweet Dreams if I could! The luckless in love Sterling sisters – Samantha, Bailey and Cecily are like the sisters you wish you had. I would have liked to read a little more about Cecily and Bailey, but I hear that this book is the first in a series, Life in Icicle Falls, so perhaps we will later.
Samantha’s attempts to get the chocolate festival underway were both fun and frustrating. I loved reading about the Mr Dreamy (Icicle Falls’ hottest man) competition and I emphasised when her plans were thwarted by Prissy of the local council. The unresolved sexual tension between Samantha and Blake was also well played out, as it was more of an accompanying plot to trying to save Sweet Dreams rather than the main focus. However, there are plenty of potential romances blossoming around Icicle Falls if that’s what tickles your fancy!
Definitely yummy, this is a book that chocolate addicts shouldn’t miss!
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
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