Publisher: 30th January 2021 by HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter
Pages: 368 pages
How I Read It: ARC book
Genre: romance, contemporary
My Rating: 3.5 cups
Synopsis:
It’s time to pack your bags and head to the breathtaking, snow-covered peaks of the Swiss Alps for velvety hot chocolates, delicious cheeses and a gorgeous love story…
Food technician Mina has always believed that chocolate will solve everything – and it’s just what she needs when her latest relationship mishap goes viral!
So with her bags packed and a new determination to sort her life out, Minna decides to drown her sorrows with the best hot chocolate in the world at her godmother’s cosy Swiss chalet. Chocolate: yes. Romance: no. Until she has a run in on an Alpine train with a mysterious but oh-so-gorgeous stranger…
My Thoughts
I read and enjoyed Julie’s ‘The Little Teashop in Tokyo’ (HERE), great escapism in this time of armchair travel. So I was quick to partake in an adventure to the Swiss Alps with her latest offering. Although this is part of a series called ‘Romantic Escapes’, each of these novels are stand-alones. This is a story about Mina and her chance for a fresh start in an idyllic location with the added bonus of loads of culinary delights.
‘She would never tire of this view. It still held the same magic for her, the mighty guardianship of the mountains, the clear, brilliant sky, and the pretty village with its sturdy buildings, nestling in the valley. It spoke of longevity, tradition, and steadiness, which she found reassuring. All this would be here long after she was gone.’
If skiing in the Alps and coming back to the chalet for warm drinks with lots of chocolate involved takes your fancy, then you are sure to appreciate this escapist read. I truly admire Julie’s skill (and remotely done so during these pandemic days) to capture and transport her readers to wonderful locations one might literally never traverse. It was wonderful to adventure throughout the serenity of Switzerland ... the home to chocolate! For me, the most enjoyable aspect of this book (as with The Little Teashop in Tokyo) is the window into different cultures, traditions and cuisine it provides. Julie always includes loads of information.
‘For the first time, it occurred to her that she’d been settling for a long time, just existing without really giving things much thought. What had happened to the high hopes and aspirations she’d had?’
Of course this book is also about finding yourself, what is important in life and trying to remain true to that. Sprinkle in some fun romance and it is the perfect recipe for light escapism. I like how Julie’s heroines tend to be at the crossroads of both career and love life (giving that added dimension), attempting to be bold enough to take strong steps to live their best. Personally, on this occasion, I found the ‘serendipitous’ connection too easy and the ending ... hmmm .... sweet but sensible? I’m not sure.
So, wait no more ... grab a hot drink and snuggle up in your favourite reading spot to spend a few hours up in the Swiss Alps with this comfort read. If you are pining to escape to somewhere ... anywhere ... be sure to grab one of Julie’s romantic escape books.
‘Isn’t it simple? You do the things that make you happy. That make you feel glad to be alive. And avoid the things that don’t. If you’re not happy, you change things. Only you can do that.’
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.
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