Review: The Chocolate Kiss

by Laura Florand
Rating: 4/5

The Heart of Paris Welcome to La Maison des Sorcières. Where the window display is an enchanted forest of sweets, a collection of conical hats delights the eye and the habitués nibble chocolate witches from fanciful mismatched china. While in their tiny blue kitchen, Magalie Chaudron and her two aunts stir wishes into bubbling pots of heavenly chocolat chau. But no amount of wishing will rid them of interloper Philippe Lyonnais, who has the gall to open one of his world famous pastry shops right down the street. Philippe's creations seem to hold a magic of their own, drawing crowds of beautiful women to their little isle amidst the Seine, and tempting even Magalie to venture out of her ivory tower and take a chance, a taste. . .a kiss. Parisian princesses, chocolate witches, pâtissier princes and sweet wishes--an enchanting tale of amour et chocolat.

This is the second in the chocolate series. Unlike the novella and the first book, this features two french protagonists, not and American and a French chocolatier. Also a change of pace is that Phillipe Lyonnais is just a pâtissier (pastry chef) and not a chocolatier. In this book Magalie Chaudron is the "chocolatier".

Magalie helps her aunts run La Maison de Sorcières, a chocolate store on Île Saint-Louis, a wealthy island in the middle of Paris, near the Notre Dame. Phillipe has decided to open up a new store on the same street as La Maison de Sorcières.

The real sparks fly when Maggie marches into Phillipe's kitchen and threatens the new store. Phillipe offers her a macaron, for which he is known, and she refuses. In turn, when Maggie offers some of their famous chocolat chaud (hot chocolate, but the french sounds more delicious) he refuses. This results in an epic and sexy battle of wills where neither side will give in over the tasting of the other's specialty.

I really loved that Phillipe knew what he wanted (a permanent relationship) and went after Maggie with everything he had. It was a nice change that not only did Maggie have the commitment issues, something rarely done in romances, but it was well written. You saw the reasons for the issues she had before they were in a relationship. Phillipe is a sexy sexy beast. The relationship and food is all so well written you'll be craving a hot chocolate, and a Phillipe of your own.
Another aspect that is really lovely and subtle is the magic of La Maison de Sorcières, not just the magic of their beautiful window decorations (although yum) but the real magic of the way Geneviève, Aja and Magalie run the teashop. The way they take the "princesses" looking for a little magic and wish them to get backbones.

I really liked that we saw Slyvain and Cade (of The Chocolate Thief fame) again, Phillipe bakes for their wedding. Also Elle's blog (All's Fair In Love And Chocolate from the Kiss the Bride anthology) is briefly mentioned if not Simon or Elle.

I could spend forever just thinking of new things that I liked about this book, but the bottom line is it is a lovely well-written romance set in France. If that isn't enough for you, then you are heartless. Definite recommendations on this book and the previous in the series. And wait with me until June, for the next book, The Chocolate Touch.

**I received this book as an ARC from Kensington via NetGalley**

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