This charming rom-com novel (soon-to-be Hallmark movie) is the perfect lead up to Valentine’s Day.

Lucy Sweet is the proprietor and chocolatier of How Sweet It Is, a small candy shop that has been in her family for four generations. When her grandfather died, she assumed sole responsibility for maintaining the family legacy and bears the burden of making the business financially stable. As Valentine’s Day approaches, word gets out through social media of her “magical” Cupid chocolates, a secret recipe handed down from Lucy’s grandmother. Legend has it that eating a Cupid confection on Valentine’s Day leads to one’s true love…and there is a Wall of Love replete with photographs of couples who demonstrate the legend’s truth.

Enter Dean, the skeptical, (even cynical) investigative TV reporter who has built a reputation by debunking con artists. When he is assigned to do a “fluff” piece on the magical Cupid chocolates, he is sure he will find an unscrupulous owner taking advantage of gullible people who want love. Unsurprisingly, what begins as an antagonistic relationship between Lucy and Dean, turns into a romantic romp as each one bumps up against their respective baggage about love and commitment.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read. The author does a credible job of weaving wise, and sometimes profound, insights about love into the dialogues between the reluctant couple. Additionally, the supporting characters add interest and dimension to the storyline. My only criticism is that the story lagged at times due to the repetition of Lucy’s and Dean’s respective attitudes and backstories.

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This review is being posted immediately to my GoodReads account and will be posted on Amazon upon publication.

My first Hallmark Novel and I'm sitting here questioning how I've never picked one up before!

Sweeter Than Chocolate by Lizzie Shane is a soon to be Hallmark Channel original movie!
And I'm telling ya now, this is one Hallmark movie I'll be tuning in for.
I enjoyed her previous story Pride and Puppies.
But honestly I think STC was sooo much better. IMO.

Lucy and Dean.... Perfect! I freaking loved these two.
Chemistry off the chains, personalities were amazing and honestly I couldn't get enough of them.
The story.... WoW! Such a sweet, delicious story. I mean I adored the bakery and how it's been in her family for generations. And Dean the skeptical TV reporter. It all went so well together.
The writing was just the best! She is an incredible author who has a magical way of developing characters.
An adorable, uplifting romance.
This is one of those books that’s very hard to put down once you start.
It's a fresh, light read with attractive, very well-written strong characters.
And I can't wait to see this play out on TV.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank you to NetGalley and Hallmark Publishing for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A big thank you to Lizzie Shane, Hallmark Publishing, and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. Sweeter Than Chocolate comes out January 17, 2023.

Sweeter Than Chocolate is an extremely sweet romance starring Lucy, a generational chocolatier and Dean, a cynical tv reporter. Lucy's shop, How Sweet It Is, has a Valentines tradition of helping people find love when they eat a Cupid Chocolate. This legend has helped 12 couples find love including Lucy's best friend Lena, who in an online post shares the legend of the chocolates. The story goes viral, which leads to Dean's news channel wanting to do a puff piece on the shop and the legend, too bad Dean is a firm believer in the fact that love only leads to heart break and doesn't want anything to do with it. Over the course of several interviews and multiple conversations about the validity of magic and love, both of them will have to decide if taking a risk will lead to a delicious reward.

Sweeter Than Chocolate was honestly such a cute and romantic book, it felt like taking the first bite of a delicious chocolate. The writing was smooth, the characters were funny and relatable, the story line was interesting and fast paced. Both main characters went through personal and emotional growth and by the end you were rooting for both of them to be together. The fact that it's going to be made a movie on Hallmark very soon is fun and the whole time I was reading I kept thinking how they would film certain parts. If you are looking for a cute Valentine's Day book filled with so much heart Sweeter Than Chocolate is the book for you.

I don’t think I’ve ever read a book more suited for a Hallmark Channel movie! I was the opposite of surprised to learn that it was becoming one. Lucy and Dean and their adventures tracking down the Cupid chocolate couples (all while falling in love, of course) made for a quick and entertaining read.

Mixing Cupid Chocolates with a love cynic
Such a fun, entertaining book. Lucy is a chocolatier as were her great grandparents and grandfather. She loves all things chocolate but is struggling to keep the family chocolate shop open. She recently found her great grandmother’s recipe for Cupid Chocolates, the chocolates that helped her great grandparents fall in love or so the legend says. Since then, other people have tried the chocolates and found their true love. A few of the couples are immortalized on the shop’s wall of love. But now, even as she is struggling to keep afloat, Dean, a news reporter, shows up to learn the truth about the Cupid Chocolates announcing to her (not knowing who he was talking to) that the store and owners were scamming the customers. With that wonderful start, Lucy and Dean discover that they will need to work together if they both want to reach their dreams. But can a romance cynic and Chocolate Siren cooperate to succeed? Such a fun read. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the copy. This is my review and all thoughts are my own.

Sweeter Than Chocolate
by Lizzie Shane is an adorable and fun contemporary romance just in time for Valentine’s Day.

I have enjoyed Ms. Shane’s books in the past, I love Hallmark romances, and Valentine’s Day…so I knew I had to read this book.

I enjoyed the confectionary vibe, the Valentine’s Day theme and backdrop, and the two characters of Lucy and Dean being brought together within this book.

Both main characters bring to the table their own skepticism, troubles, and preconceived notions of life, love, and chocolate. It was enjoyable to see them move from ruffling one another’s feathers to something more.

This book was much enjoyed, perfect for Valentine’s Day, and I am excited to see how it will turn out as an upcoming Hallmark movie.

4/5 stars

Thank you NG and Hallmark Publishing for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 1/10/23.