This is the first book I have read by this author, but I loved this book. It is a charming story about chocolate, magic & love. This is the perfect book to read during the holidays. It will make you want to have a cup of hot cocoa & curl up in front of the fire while you read it too! Not to mention, how can you resist the title of this book?!?

This was my first time reading work by Susan Bishop Crispell, but it definitely won't be the last. What a talented and descriptive writer. "Dreaming in Chocolate" is a story that will touch the heartstrings of any parent, as it is heartbreaking when children suffer illnesses that can be life threatening. In "Dreaming in Chocolate", readers are introduced to Penelope, a single mother raising precocious 8 year old Ella, who is living on borrowed time due to an inoperable brain tumor; Penelope runs a special, magical, hot chocolate boutique with her mother- the townspeople believe their different varieties of hot chocolate can work miracles. Especially as Penelope and her mother have some extremely secret, unique recipes. Penelope juggles this with helping Ella check off items on Ella's "bucket list", while hiding the fact from everyone in town that Ella does not have very much time left- Penelope wants Ella treated the same as other children her age. Ella has one huge wish- to have her father in her life. Will Penelope be able to have this take place? I highly recommend fellow readers pick up "Dreaming in Chocolate" to find out!

In the small town of Malarkey, NC there is a magical chocolate shop called The Chocolate Cottage. The shop is owned by Sabine and her daughter Penelope. Penelope's daughter, Ella, is very sick and the entire town thinks the magical hot chocolate has cured her. Only Penelope knows the truth and while she is trying to keep that secret, someone from her past re-enters her life and turns it upside down.
I enjoyed this sweet, cozy story with a touch of magic. I wanted to step right into the small town and try one of The Chocolate Cottage's dark chocolate truffles or a Kismet hot chocolate. I would recommend reading this book by a roaring fire with a cup of steaming hot chocolate.

The table was weird, Ella seemed too well for a sick child and I guess the name of the town summed up how I felt about the whole story

Penelope and her mom have a chocolate shop where they sell magic desserts and hot chocolates.
As amazing as that is, what good is it having magic if you can't stop the worst possible thing from happening?
Penelope's young daughter Ella has been given only 6 months to live. They are trying to make her last days special but it's hard for Penelope not to be cynical about the family magic when it hasn't given her what she most wants.

Penelope is also dealing with the return of her high school sweetheart and the town festival.

Ella is the sweetest little girl and she wants her mom to be happy no matter what happens.

A sweet story of magic, love, chocolates and second chances to make things right.

I got to read an early copy on NetGalley. I'm so glad I got picked. This is my favorite genre and I'm a big fan of the author.