Book Review: The Chocolate Touch

Author: Laura Florand
Title: The Chocolate Touch
Publisher: Kensington Books
Publish Date: July 30, 2013
Buy: Amazon

Review Copy Provided By: Net Galley
Book Blurb: 

Dominique Richard's reputation says it all--wild past, wilder flavors, black leather and smoldering heat. Jaime Corey is hardly the first woman to be drawn to all that dark, delicious danger. Sitting in Dom's opulent chocolaterie in Paris day after day, she lets his decadent creations restore her weary body and spirit, understanding that the man himself is entirely beyond her grasp.

Until he touches her. . .

Chocolate, Dominique understands--from the biting tang of lime-caramel to the most complex infusions of jasmine, lemon-thyme, and cayenne. But this shy, freckled American who sits alone in his salon, quietly sampling his exquisite confections as if she can't get enough of them--enough of him--is something else. She has secrets too, he can tell. Of course if she really knew him, she would run.

Yet once you have spotted your heart's true craving, simply looking is no longer enough. . .

Review: I was drawn to this book by its cover, however, once I started to read the book, I realized that this cover in no way depicts Jaime and Dominique. It is still a beautiful cover but I feel badly for the author, because I really think the cover should represent the story and the only thing in that shot that makes sense is the Eiffel Tower.

But back to the book.

This is one of the best contemporary romances that I've read this year. It is part of the series Amour et Chocolat, but it isn't one of those series that you have to read in order to appreciate and love. I love that so much of the focus is on our hero, Dominique. He is such a bad boy, turned pussy cat. That's what I love to see in romances.

Everyone is trying to push her away from him, because of who he is and where he comes from, and yet with Jaime and with his staff, he is sweet and he feels undeserving of her love.

AWWWW!

How can you not love a hero like that?

And Jaime is just as flawed. Where Dominique came from a horrid background, Jaime's family is a wealthy one, owning Corey Chocolate (think Hershey or Nestle's) and she is more of a human right's advocate. She's recovering from terrible injuries while working in Africa and now she's questioning her courage to get back into the game.

So you have two characters that are emotionally broken and yet chocolate brings them together.

What I loved about Laura's writing was how she made eating chocolate so sensual and sexy, especially through Dom's eyes. When Jaime was in his salon eating, it was almost like a love scene.

Brilliant!

Then there are Jaime's other family members. Oh how I love her grandfather James, who is trying to check out Dom to see if he's good enough for his granddaughter. I love their interactions and the fact that Dom can't be bought.

There's so much tension between Jaime's family and Dom. However what makes that really amusing rather than cliche is that Jaime manages to keep her last name from him for most of the book.

If you have a love for contemporary romance, Paris, or chocolate, this book and series are a must read!

Rating: 5 flowers