This YA rom-com follows Whitney, a Black American teen on a semester abroad in Paris with a packed bucket list—and zero interest in romance. That changes when she meets Thierry, her "grumpy smart‑ass" French tutor and local soccer star. As he guides her through the real Paris, their chemistry grows naturally, capturing that classic grumpy–sunshine vibe

What Works:

Charming characters & chemistry: Whitney is endearing, ambitious, and refreshingly dramatic—the perfect counterpart to Thierry’s guarded demeanor. Their relationship progresses sweetly and realistically .
Vivid Paris setting: The descriptions of Paris – vintage boutiques, chocolatiers, street cafés – really transport you, infused with Whitney’s enthusiasm and love for Josephine Baker.
Positive representation: A diverse cast, strong Black characters, and insight into Black history in Paris add depth and authenticity.

Minor Flaws:

Pacing issues: The final act feels a bit rushed, and some story threads—like academic goals—don’t get full exploration .
Predictability: It follows familiar YA romance beats, so if you're looking for surprises, you might feel it’s a bit formulaic .



🎯 Final Verdict:
A cozy, feel-good romance that reads like a warm cup of hot chocolate on a Parisian morning. Great for teens and anyone who loves sweet, character-driven YA with cultural vibrancy—but not for those craving a twisty plot.

I've found that I really enjoy YA books about travel, so I was pretty excited to dive into Love Requires Chocolate. This delivered pretty much exactly what I thought it would. It's a cute story about a theater student traveling to Paris for a semester to work on a show about Josephine Baker. I loved this aspect, as a theatre creator, and I learned quite a bit about Josephine Baker! While in Paris, our MC falls for a cute French boy, making for a very cute time. The couple had a real grumpy/sunshine dynamic, which always works for me. There's not a ton of depth to this, and I'm not sure it brought anything new to the table, but it didn't have to be. It's important to see Black characters starring in a lighthearted rom-com. I think the couple complimented each other well, and it was fun to watch them fall for each other. Combined with the exploration of Paris, this makes for a treat for teen romance readers. It did exactly what it had to do. It's not a huge standout but it was still a little treat.

Whitney Curry spends a semester in Paris to study theater. She has the perfect itinerary. She's obsessed with Josephine Baker. Her tutor, Thierry, sparks her interest. He plays soccer and works at his step dad's chocolate shop. Thierry is determined to show Whitney the real Paris. It was cute.

This book does not get enough love. It had Emily in Paris vibes— which was perfect for me! I am such a sucker for books like these. It was one of those books I want to jump into and live within the pages.

Love Requires Chocolate by Ravynn K. Stringfield
Rating: 4.5 stars (YA scale – 42-year-old edition)
Format: Audiobook
I received an advance copy through NetGalley but ended up listening to the finished audiobook—I’ve been in my audiobook era this past year.

This was such a sweet, light, and joyful YA read—Paris, pastries, and a theater girl with a plan? Yes, please.

Whitney heads to Paris with a deep love for Josephine Baker and a carefully crafted itinerary, ready to make the most of her study abroad experience. But Paris has a way of shaking things up. While juggling school, struggling with French, and navigating homesickness, Whitney finds unexpected connection in Thierry—a grumpy, effortlessly cool soccer player who becomes her tutor. Their dynamic is playful, a little flirty, and has just the right dose of slow-burn tension.

What I loved most? Whitney’s growth, her deepening friendships, and how the book balances romance with finding your rhythm in a totally new place. The Paris backdrop adds a dreamy sparkle to everything, and Whitney’s voice is smart, funny, and full of heart.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Loves Requires Chocolate
By: Ravynn K Stringfield
Publisher: Random House Children’s
Pub Date: 8/20/24

Whitney has been obsessed with Paris since she was little and when given the opportunity to spend a semester abroad in Paris, she has to go. Coming from an acting background she’s determined that’s what she wants in life. But once there she struggles with being homesick, speaking French and keeping up with her schoolwork, but as she works with her French tutor Thierry her viewpoint starts to change.
This was a really cute YA read.

This was a sweet YA romance. I enjoyed the setting and the characters a great deal. It was nice to see the growth in the MCs and how they each appreciated and supported the other’s dreams.

Love Requires Chocolate by Ravynn K. Springfield is the perfect book for anyone who dreams of Paris, love, and a bit of self-discovery wrapped in a cozy romance. Whitney Curry, the main character, is a 17-year-old aspiring actress who goes to Paris for a semester abroad. Her goal is to focus on her studies and create a play about Josephine Baker, but when she meets Thierry Magnon, a grumpy, yet incredibly captivating French tutor, her plans take a delightful detour.

I immediately connected with Whitney’s struggle of balancing her passion for theater with the unexpected, growing relationship she forms with Thierry. Their dynamic—grumpy meets sunshine—was both funny and swoon-worthy, even though I felt their connection developed a bit too quickly by the end. It left me wanting more of the emotional buildup that felt a little rushed.

What really made me fall in love with this story, though, was Paris itself. Springfield’s descriptions of the city were so vivid that I could almost smell the croissants and feel the crisp Parisian air. Paris became a character in its own right, and I found myself transported there, walking through the streets with Whitney. It’s rare to come across a book that captures the magic of a city so beautifully, and I was absolutely immersed in it.

However, there were moments when the plot felt a little underdeveloped, particularly when it came to secondary characters and some of the deeper themes that were only touched on. Still, I found myself forgiving those small missteps because the romance and setting were enough to keep me hooked.

In the end, Love Requires Chocolate is an easy read that made me smile, and I’ll definitely be recommending it to friends who love a sweet, feel-good romance. It’s not a heavy, life-changing story, but sometimes that’s exactly what you need—a little escape to Paris with a dash of chocolate and romance.

Wow, this was my first book by this author and I would for sure read one. What a ride! I enjoy the romance and the pacing throughout.

Emily in Paris vibes with an addition of black history elements. I loved the set up of the story, and how the romance was mixed with Whitney’s desire to succeed academically and make a name for herself. It was interesting to learn more about Josephine Baker in some unique ways. I enjoyed that there were also themes of friendship, and some drama involved. The only downside is that I think the book had a few parts that weren’t fully flushed out as much as they could have been. I think there could have been even more emphasis on the history elements. However, I really enjoyed all the characters and the way the story was wrapped up.

This book did a great job of capturing the romantic of Paris. All the good parts none of the bad. I appreciate Whitney’s character growth throughout as well as her love of family and tradition. The romance is adorable and there is a lot of chemistry between the characters. My only complaint is that it didn’t tell us as much as I would like about her academic work, it talks about it but we don’t get to see it come to fruition at the level I would have liked.

Emily in Paris with a theatre twist.

I wanted more. While I liked the idea of the book, I really wanted more of the academics and her project and Josephine Baker. This was Whitney making plans and lists. And chocolate.

This book was pretty cheesy. I did enjoy it but I was expecting it to be a little more adult as it is more towards kids about to attend college.

This book was so sweet and cute and I ate it up (no pun intended). I loved the Paris setting and it was really interesting to learn more about black history in Paris! It's a bit difficult for me to connect to some YA books depending on the writing style, so that was the only area that was lacking for me. Overall I thought it was very cute and I really enjoyed it!

Cute story of finding love when you least expect it!

Thank you Netgalley for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book gave me Emily In Paris with chocolate meets Josephine Baker vibes. The setting and the attention to detail with the outfits and food immerse the reader. It felt like going back to Paris. The snippets of Josephine Baker throughout the story were a wonderful addition. This book is perfect for anyone looking for a light-hearted, sweet romantic read!

The ending feels rushed—as do some of the friendships and other aspects about studying abroad—but the central relationship between Whitney and Thierry is such a sweet (hehe) enemies-to-lovers arc. (Also, the description of Paris and its food made me want to visit, despite the French-language snobbery.)

I enjoyed this book. I liked that it was set in Paris and following a student who was studying acting and performing arts. I also enjoyed how Whitney and Thierry shared their american cultures and french culture with each other. We also get a bit of history about Jospehine Baker which I found interesting. I see she is coming out with a new book next year and its part of this romace series so I cant wait to read it!

No lie, this had to be the sweetest book I've read all year. Just had me in my feelings and I love that the lead characters were black!

Whitney Curry has meticulously planned her semester abroad in Paris, equipped with a perfect itinerary, endless to-do lists, and an excitement for all things Parisian. She’s ready to soak up the culture by visiting vintage boutiques, exploring Josephine Baker’s old haunts, and attending plays that will fuel her own theatrical dreams. But her arrival at a prestigious Parisian lycée turns out to be more challenging than expected. Between schoolwork, homesickness, and mastering French, Whitney quickly feels like a fish out of water—until she meets her French tutor, Thierry Magnon, a grumpy yet très handsome soccer star. As Whitney dives deeper into Paris and her studies, she finds that some lessons go beyond the classroom.

What I Loved:
This book has a cute, lighthearted vibe reminiscent of Emily in Paris, with fun characters and a setting that brings Paris to life. Whitney’s enthusiasm and determination make her a relatable protagonist, and her interactions with Thierry add a nice touch of romance and growth to the story. The author does a great job of painting a vibrant picture of Paris, from the landmarks to the everyday details, making the city feel like an essential part of the story.

What I Didn’t Love:
While the story is charming, it lacks a bit of depth in certain areas. The plot sometimes feels predictable, and there were moments where I wished for a stronger emotional pull or unexpected twist. However, it’s still an enjoyable read, especially for fans of lighthearted romances.

Overall: I rated this book 3/5 stars and would recommend it to anyone who enjoyed Emily in Paris or is looking for a fun, romantic escape set against the beautiful backdrop of Paris.