What a dream this book was! Whitney was such a joy to follow through her semester abroad in Paris, and Thierry was the best tour guide & tutor. I was lucky enough to read this while on vacation in France (including Paris!) so not only did I love reading about all their adventures in Paris throughout the book, but to be able to experience them at the same time was so special! <3 Would definitely recommend, whether or not you can actually go to France, this book will take you there!

This was a super cute , quick, easy read! Whitney Curry has been accepted to do a semester abroad in Paris. She thought she'd come and conquer Paris with her list and deliver an epic end of semester performance however life sprinkles a little razzle dazzle when she meets her french tutor Thierry!

arc provided by netgalley

Whitney Curry lives her life by lists. She loves making them and nothing is better than checking something off. Having a chance to follow her dreams and spend a semester abroad in Paris, she makes a list and starts checking things off. Her list however, doesn’t include her grumpy, soccer star, French tutor. Just maybe Thierry can teach an over dramatic theater student there is more to Paris than lists.
Love Requires Chocolate is a story of love and self-discovery. It has the feel of a coming-of-age story while focused on the relationship between Thierry and Whitney. It is an incredibly sweet story with minimal angst. While Whitney can be a bit dramatic it really fits her over the top drama personality. All in all you can’t go wrong with this one.
I received an arc and am leaving this review of my volition.

Whitney is excited about a semester abroad in France and wants to focus on her schoolwork. When she arrived she is paired with a French tutor and her life gets more frustrating, confusing and interesting. What a great love story where love isn't expected but happens anyway. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest opinion..

This is a YA romance, but nevertheless, still perfect for any hopeless romantic! I enjoyed this book quite a bit. It was a little hard for me to get into the first couple chapters to be honest, but I’m glad I pushed through because it did end up being a cute story. I love absolutely anything that is set in Paris, and this reminded me a lot of Emily in Paris, but set in high school! Thierry and Whitney were such a cute couple. It was a little bit of a grumpy x sunshine to start, but Whitney definitely broke down some of Thierry’s walls. At the end of the book when Whitney was really struggling, I just kept thinking I couldn’t imagine how she felt being so far from home. I enjoyed the realistic aspect of the book for what it is like to be a foreign exchange student. I had some friends in high school that were foreign exchange students at my school and I know they struggled with the distance, but like Whitney loved the once in a lifetime experience. The ending also made my heart just melt! Highly recommend this read if you’re looking for a cute and easy romantic read!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

This book was a fair three stars for me. I think I was expecting it to be exactly what it was, and I often read books like these for a quick cleanser read. Love Requires Chocolate was a cookie-cutter cute romance that you don't have to really think about as you go through the book. It had all the elements that you would typically get with a book of this genre, and I think it was a fun read but nothing that particularly stood out.

Both the protagonists were likable and complemented each other well. I enjoyed the backdrop of Paris and the tourist/local trope is always a good time (cough, Love & Gelato, cough). The steady build-up of their relationship was really nicely done, in my opinion, and it was heading towards a solid four stars until the inevitable jealous ex trope was thrown in.
I am never a fan of it and it sort of came out of nowhere towards the halfway point, just to create a conflict between Thierry and Whitney. I was expecting some conversation about how she would be leaving Paris after the semester, but they never really touched upon that. They resolved the misunderstanding about Fatima and that was it. I just thought there would be more of a resolution there than I got.

But it was still a very easy read, and I can always appreciate a good romance that doesn't make me think too much. Sometimes you just need one like this in between some intense books, and I picked up Love Requires Chocolate at that exact moment for me, so I enjoyed the read!

it's giving YA Emily in Paris and I am living for it!! As somone coming back from a semester abroad in Paris, this book was so nice to read and relate to, lol. Genuinely the most real experience when it comes to studying abroad is the learning curve the culture presents and fitting in! Whitney captured my emotions and experiences perfectly. Thank you to Ravynn Stringfield, NetGalley, and Joy Revolution for a chance to read this arc!!!

I've been looking for an Emily in Paris vibe and this gave it to me. It sucked me into the world of Paris and took me on an enchanted love story.

This was a delightful YA romcom. Whitney’s enthusiasm as a character is contagious. Her character is well-developed and easy to relate to, especially for those of us who are type A. Whitney is a role-model of a character who goes after her dreams. Her personal hero, Josephine Baker, is a fascinating historical figure that others can also emulate. Thierry and Whitney’s rocky start is just the right dose of the enemy to lovers trope. It doesn’t drag out too long, which I appreciated. This was a fun story to read and a page turner.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. Stringfield is such a talented writer and made Whitney, the main character, come absolutely alive for me. I love Whitney and my heart breaks for her. Who she is comes across so clearly and I could feel that feeling of being too much for the ppl around her creeping in but her choosing to be all in anyway. I was deeply reminded of my high school experience and wish Whitney could have shown me how to be brave. As a high school teacher, Whitney's character is very age appropriate in a way that is not always well done by YA authors. I really appreciated the level to which Stringfield engages with Josephine Baker and the experience of being Black across the world.

I cannot wait to add copies of this to my class collection.

I always hate saying this about a book, but this one was a struggle to get through. From the moment Whitney and Thierry met, I didn’t feel any chemistry between them, and that lack of chemistry continued for the entire book. As bad as this sounds, I just didn’t care about any of the characters. And for someone who was studying abroad in France to research and write her one-woman play, Whitney seemed to do very little of either; the only time she even seemed to think about it was when she would tell the reader that she’s been very distracted (though of course she performs phenomenally in the end). In the same vein, for a book that was set in France, I as the reader never felt immersed in the culture or the atmosphere because any time Whitney and Thierry would go on a Parisian adventure, it was glossed over, which about sums up the pacing of this book.

I guess this just wasn’t the story for me unfortunately.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

I really liked this book. It was out of my norm in the best way with French and Paris and history and romcom vibes rolled into one fun package. I loved the French incorporated and seing the city through Whitney’s eyes!

If you are a theater kid or a kid who grew up dreaming of Paris and what it would be like to live there you will be smiling from ear to ear. It was also suitable for younger YA ages while dealing with some more serious themes in a way that they were easy to understand.

The descriptions were fabulous. I could see everything the writer described. I’m eating this a 3 star instead of a 2 star for the descriptions alone. Well done, brava!

I feel the storyline was a bit flat. A teenage girl, an actress, would have way more drama in her life. Yet Whitney just rolled along with tiny speed bumps until the big scene at Thanksgiving dinner.

I liked the ending. “You will have to show me DC the way I showed you Paris.”

This one was a simple, straightforward YA romance that was cute, uncomplicated, and quick to read. The translation worked well, but I did spend a significant amount of time highlighting on my Kindle so I could translate the French to English. (I get it, though. This was set in Paris, with Parisian characters. Obviously French NEEDED to be part of their dialogue!)

MC Whitney was not my favorite; she's so type A, over the top alienating that it's a wonder people warmed to her, even as a she did tone things done and start putting in more effort with others. It was nice to see Paris through the eyes of her as a tourist and Thierry as a native, and the work put into incorporating little facts and tidbits (especially about Josephine Baker) was also well done. For a book about studying abroad, very flew classes, classmates, projects, etc were mentioned.

This is a simple read that I think will draw in the YA crowd, and it's a nice break from anything heavy for an adult just looking for a clean, simply love story.

Overall: 3 stars (I liked it)

I'll tell my students about: parental death (past tense), language

**Thank you to NetGalley & Random House Children's | Joy Revolution for the free ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.**

Thank you for allowing me to read this advanced copy of “Love Requires Chocolate.”

Springfield has written a story that is full of love, friendships, and travel. When you think of Paris, you think of love and dreams, and this book was able to capture that dreamlike idea of what to expect could happen in Paris. Think Emily in Paris!

The author was able to immerse the reader with a love story through the eyes of an American student finding who she truly is. At first, I found Whitney a bit annoying and someone who tried too hard. But as she starts to explore Paris and spend time with Thierry, she becomes a more relatable character.

I just have to say that reading about and being introduced to the process of braiding natural hair was memorable. I can’t stop thinking about the simple, yet beautiful image of Whitney experiencing this in Paris. It was such a turning point for her idea of whether she belonged in Paris. I cannot stop thinking about the significance of adding this in the novel.

I couldn’t stop myself from thinking about future Whitney looking back at her time exploring Paris and how she fell in love with gorgeous Thierry. She would have such fond memories!

I found the plot quite entertaining and of high interest for teenagers. As a teacher, I can see myself recommending this to students that want a lighthearted, fun, cute, and romantic storyline. I wouldn’t use this for my curriculum, but I will be buying a physical copy to add to my classroom library. I know I have some girls that will, as they say, “eat this up.”

3.5 stars for this chocolate delight of a book.

Premise: Whitney heads off to Paris for a semester abroad at an art school where she is going to stay FOCUSED and develop her one-woman theater performance of the life of Josephine Baker. NO romantic distractions WHATSOEVER.

Ahem. Well Thierry, the love interest, was super adorable and I can't blame Whitney for falling for him!! Thierry and Whitney were full of personality. This book in general had great Black representation and I especially loved learning a bit more about Josephine Baker, Whitney's idol.

I gave this three stars mostly because I wanted more of things. I wanted more of Whitney's friendship with her roommates; I wanted more academics; I wanted a tiny bit more loneliness and angst from Whitney as she tries to settle into Paris. No spoilers, but I wanted the climax of the novel to be handled differently.

Despite all that, this was a cute read. And full of chocolate.

I dnfed I couldn’t go through more than 30% of the book. The MC was very annoying I couldn’t get through with her voice

I really enjoyed this romance novel, it had everything that I was hoping for and enjoyed the overall feel of the book. The characters felt like they were supposed to in this universe. Ravynn K. Stringfield has a great writing style and worked well overall in the genre. I loved the use of Paris and thought it had a great use for this story.

4/5

"Love Requires Chocolate" by Ravynn K. Stringfield invites readers on a delightful journey through the enchanting streets of Paris, blending romance, cultural exploration, and personal growth into a delectable narrative.

Whitney Curry, armed with meticulous itineraries and a penchant for the dramatic, is set for a semester abroad in Paris. However, her expectations clash with reality as she navigates the challenges of a prestigious lycée, homesickness, and the complexities of learning French. Yet, amidst the whirlwind of emotions, Whitney finds an unexpected guide in Thierry Magnon, a grumpy yet charming French tutor and soccer star.

Stringfield skillfully integrates fascinating tidbits about Josephine Baker, effortlessly intertwining historical facts with Whitney's experiences, enriching the narrative with layers of depth. Through Whitney's eyes, readers are treated to a vivid portrayal of Paris, from its vintage boutiques to iconic landmarks, evoking a sense of wanderlust and enchantment.

The dialogue crackles with energy, and descriptions vividly bring Paris to life, immersing readers in its charm and allure. The slow-burn romance between Whitney and Thierry adds a sweet and tender layer to the narrative, unfolding organically as they explore the city together.

I was initially skeptical of Whitney's character, as she embodies traits of a "pick me" or "not like other girls" persona, I soon discover her depth and complexity, endearing her as she grows throughout the story.

"Love Requires Chocolate" is a lighthearted and engaging read, perfect for those craving a dose of romance and adventure. With its blend of cultural exploration, witty dialogue, and heartwarming romance, it's sure to leave readers swooning and yearning for their own Parisian escapade.

Oh, mon cœur.

I loved this book so much! Whitney Curry is a girl after my own heart.

I appreciate that even though this is YA, Ravynn's writing isn't YA. It's beautiful and complex, and the character and relationship(s) development is *chef's kiss*.

I can't wait to see Whitney and Thierry take on my second home, D.C., together. In the meantime, I'll be brushing up my French and planning a trip to Paris... hopefully with a list that leaves spaces for adventure, chocolate, and who knows... maybe even love. 💗