It was very interesting book, not at all what i expected.
A little wierd and awkward, but also very heartbreaking and sweet.

Definitely a “sweet” book. The story is timeless and flowing. It’s easy to read and enjoy. Definitely one to read on the weekend.

The author does a great job of writing a book with a new spin on dying with a disease. It made me cry, had some romance and tied in family turmoil. I would recommend this book to everyone.

This is a very poignant story of a recently widowed woman, who, in addition to her grief, is coping with several other issues. One of them involves her grown daughter who, after running off abandoning her husband and young child, has returned home with nothing to show for her actions and lots of unanswered, outstanding questions. Laura Beckman watched her husband Mickey die a slow death for months, regularly begging Laura to help him end things. However, Laura resisted. Now, as she grieves for Mickey and tries to figure out her relationship with her grown daughter, Laura also settles into widowhood. Laura and some friends have vowed to help one another if and when any one of them faces death. Now, one does, and the rest of the group is trying to figure things out. In the middle of this, Laura begins a new business, to help the dying get one last wish, whether it be to travel somewhere, do something insane or whatever. In addition to trying to right her relationship with her daughter, Laura is also dodging the authorities, who suspect she is committing second degree murder. The story follows Laura and her friends as they try to grant the last wish for the dying and as Laura tries to figure out her relationship with her daughter. Into the mix comes brash, flamboyant Arlo Massey, who is everything Laura disdains in a person, who will throw Laura’s life into a further tizzy.

This is a fascinating book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Laura’s move through grief, as she and her friends try to make things just a little bit better for the dying they encounter. I actually like the idea of having one last wish that might just make one leave the earth with a half-smile on his/her face. The mother-daughter dynamic added to the angst and plot. We all have families that may or may not make us happy, and this one brought that right home. It was interesting to watch Laura’s grown daughter, no innocent herself, react to her mother’s new business. This is a book that will probably stay on with me long after finishing it. I am getting older and naturally the end fascinates me—as it grows closer. I liked the idea of having one last wish, and wish thing could only be that way. Perhaps one day they will. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.

Wow! What would you do if your husband or wife asked you to help them die because they were suffering?! What would you want if you were the one suffering? This book is heart felt. You become one of them in the mix. Who's choice is it when you die?? I believe it's God's.

Great read. The author wrote a story that was interesting and moved at a pace that kept me engaged. The characters were easy to invest in.

The Chocolate Shop is a story that is written with the utmost care, concern, compassion and understanding for those who are watching or have watched a loved one die in torturous pain from cancer or other terminal disease. It's also about providing those terminal patients with a last wish, similar to Make a Wish. It is a very relevant and worthy read about assisted suicide that examines many sides of the issues.

I found this book to touch on the reality that many people face on a daily basis, assisted suicide, mercy killing, whatever you want to call it. We do this for our loving fur babies, but for our human relatives, it is a big no-no in some states. This is a very good thought-provoking story. I would like to thank Net Galley and Booksprout for a free copy of this book. I voluntarily reviewed it.

When readers first meet Laura Beckman, the protagonist in The Chocolate Shop, her husband Mickey is dying. He has been in pain and has pleaded with her to put an end to his suffering. She simply can't do it. After her husband's funeral she and three others make a "pact" that if she decides she doesn't want to live anymore the others will help her end her life. Unexpectedly, one of her group finds out cancer has returned. She wants to die on her terms and enlists the group for help. From this point on, life changes drastically for Laura.

There is so much about this book that makes it relevant and worth reading. Laura is a fascinating character in that one episode in her past basically shaped the person she is now. So much so that it created a tense and troubled relationship with her eldest daughter. The well developed supporting cast of characters are unique, interesting and endearing. There are no stereotypes here. The dialogue is both witty and moving. Well crafted, the novel is multilayered, powerful and worthy of attention. The story deals with assisted suicide, end of life choices and the power of relationships whether they are existing or unexpected.

The author is a gifted writer. There were times I laughed out loud and times I teared up. I will be thinking about The Chocolate Shop for a long time. Highly recommended

A very touching moving book on death and assisted suicide. I could relate and so invested I wept.. The book seems to have a middle ground and makes one wonder and perhaps change in the way you might handle this situation.
Thank you, NetGalley for the advance copy for my review.

I was so moved by this beautiful book. For those of us who have watched our loved ones suffer before dying, this story makes so much sense. J. J. Spring has given us a lot to think about in The Chocolate Shop.

Let me first say that as a nurse, and advocate for "The right to choose", I totally enjoyed this book and love the "Chocolate Shop".
I am quite sure there are many who, due to the topic, did not. Read it with an open mind and heart.
This novel is about family, love, choice, life, death and dignity.
The alternatives that people decide to take when the dying process becomes insufferable are not easy.
It is not a decision that comes lightly, and for the people of "The Chocolate Shop" the decision to help these folks was also done with thought, love and hope that "wishes" come true".
The characters are enjoyable and easy to care for. The descriptions in this book made me believe I was present for each trip and dream that came true.

Thank you to Riverpoint Press and NetGalley for a free reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was an interesting and heartfelt read about a difficult topic. Death is still a big taboo for most people, as is the whole issue of assisted death/suicide. And yet most, if asked, would like to avoid a long, drawn-out and painful death - but who makes the decision on how this plays out in your life? Who should be making the decision?

The storyline follows Laura, whose husband dies at the beginning of the book - while begging her to please end his suffering. Going through this makes her question her beliefs and start living differently. She goes on to help terminally ill people experience their one last wish, and then helps them procure the medication they need to commit suicide. At the same time, we see how Laura and her estranged daughter slowly mend their fences - and we also see how the authorities start to question the spate of deaths where Laura has been present.

Overall, the story held my attention and I feel it's a topic that should definitely get more exposure, but the editing needed some work - quite a few "continuity" mistakes, dropped plot lines and all too neatly tied-with-a-bow resolutions, accompanied with some really clichéd writing in parts.

A storyline with a difference,Laura battles her choices that she had made when her husband dies,will she get a second chance now by helping people die.
This book will raise a lot of issues such as, assisted dying when is it ever correct,issues with her first born,choices she made by putting herself first all these years,so that she can surround herself with trophies and achievement awards,but at what cost to her family.
I found the book a bit hard going due to the fact of the assisted death,when is it correct to do it,or is it still murder in the eyes of church,politics and community,a lot of questions posed but very few answers.

This is different Laura feels like she wants a second chance to make up for the hurt she has cause her family by leaving them It's one thing when a man leaves his family but not a woman,especially a mother! Helping people who are sick she finds herself in trouble for doing this in her Chocolate Shop! Finding love a second time to a man she can't stand,will she find it? Characters are jumping at you! Good read but I finished just had a hard time doing it but hey that's just me!