The Wartime Chocolate Maker, by Gosia Nealon,
is a WW2 based historical novel. The story was very much centered around a Polish family and their involvement in the Polish resistance army. Oh the lies and secrets. Does one trust in family, is it assumed in love? Could it make one question their own beliefs and sanity? I would think these people begin to question all contacts, familiar or not, that they come in contact with. In this war torn era,. lying and good internal instinct become a very dangerous, but necessary, method of survival,

The chocolate portion of the story was lacking and was a small part of the story. It could be easily replaced with anything. The storyline failed to lend much in terms of actual process chocolate making. I was disappointed with this omission.

The over the top portion was also short and fleeting. No spoilers here, but bring your Kleenex.

In all, this novel was enjoyable. Not an enjoyable topic, but enjoyable read. If looking for a quick WW2 Historical Fiction read, I'd recommend giving this one a look.

Thank you to Netgalley, and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review this newly released novel..

#netgalley
#thewartimechocolatemaker
#historicalfiction
#gosianealon

The wartime chocolate maker, great historical story, full of great characters, intrigue and a love story thrown in. A wonderful book.

This was such a good WWII era novel. I’ve read countless historical fiction novels about this era but the setting in Poland was a new one for me. It was also really interesting perspective to see how the nazis might have used a chocolate factory to their end. I liked the main characters a lot and of course was rooting for them and their romance through the end of the book. The bravery of resistance fighters and those who fought for what was right really shone through the various characters. I’d love to read more from this author.

I feel like this had a bit of a slow start, and also was written as though it was the second in a series - it felt like a lot of stuff wasn’t explained very well, or was alluded to in ways that felt like there had been more story told beforehand! I was ready to give it three stars by a third of the way through as it was feeling more like a romance novel than any other genre, which is not my favourite. But then it definitely picked up and changed its tune and while there was still the romance aspect that at last took a back seat to all else that was going on. The epilogue also felt mildly unnecessary to me, especially as this was a work of fiction. However overall I really enjoyed it and didn’t want to put it down once it got going, and I would be keen to read more from this author!

3.5 stars rounded up

This is the first book I've read by this author and I hope to read more in the future. I enjoyed the story and was happy to read about a topic I haven't read about before - using chocolate bars to conceal explosives! I wasn't engaged with some characters - I really wanted more depth. I also felt that some parts were rushed. I didn't race through this book like I usually would, but I did look forward to picking it up each day to read another chapter. This might have been simply because I'd just finished a very intense novel, so maybe I had a bit of a book hangover. Well worth a read so you can make up your own mind!

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture, and the author for a complimentary arc for review. All opinions are my own, and my review is voluntary.

I enjoyed this story about Kasia and her family. The story takes place in Poland and I always love WWII novels that take place outside of the Germany/France area. Poland seems to be less of a focus in historical fiction. I did find myself rooting for Sebastian and hoped at the end of the day he was the good guy. I enjoyed the multiple POVs too. Overall this was a good read. It was a little slow, but I enjoyed it and would recommend it.

This book is set in Gdansk in WWII. It follows a female chocolate maker read how battles were done in the most surprising of ways . And how love and hope can still rise above all the sadness
It was an enjoyable read.

This gripping tale of Kasia and her love for fighting for what is right. Being torn between true love and keeping family safe.
Finding out who you can truly trust and what evils lurk close to home.

Such an enjoyable read! It was also the first I've read from Nealon, so was a great introduction to her writing style too.

The story of Kasia and her father's chocolate factory had me captivated, it's such a powerful and intriguing read.

Nealon's imagery brings the story alive from between the pages and the scenes of Poland at war alive.

This was a very emotional book to read . It was set in the second world war and tells us about a Polish girl who tried to continue to run her father's chocolate factory. She works with a German and tries to help the Polish people whilst being friends with the Germans. The characters are well described and interesting. There are lots of sad parts but at least before the end there is happiness and joy. I do recommend this book be read if you want to hear about the horrors of the Gestapo and their followers.

I was looking forward to reading this! Being Polish, I gravitate to historical fiction novels set in Poland (usually during WWII). I was excited to read this because it was set in a city (Gdańsk) that isn't the normal setting for these books (Warsaw or sometimes Kraków). I was so excited to read about chocolate and how that was used to help the Polish Resistance.

Anyways, I think that the blurb is a bit misleading. I found the dual POV to be distracting. I wish chocolate was the main focal point of this book. The storytelling itself was great- beautifully written- but some parts were historically inaccurate. Overall, I was invested and couldn't put the book down.

This being said, would I read another one of Gosia's books? Yes, because I liked her writing style. I just wish there was more editing and maybe expanding on some of the major points as some parts seemed rushed (even though this book is 312 pages long).

Thank you to Net Galley for the eARC.

The Wartime Chocolate Maker is the new book from Gosia Nealon which follows Kasia and her family during the German occupation of Poland specifically her home town Gdansk. It’s June 1943 and Kasia has returned from Warsaw where she has spent several years living with her Aunt following a disagreement with her father. Her father has recently passed away and she purposefully missed the funeral but she knows her mother and younger brother need her now. The opportunity for reconciliation with her father will now never present itself and overtime this eats away at Kasia. She still can’t believe that her father turned despite being German (her mother is Polish) against what the family stood for and started supporting the German movement which has overtaken their beautiful city and in many ways the running of the family chocolate factory. Throughout the book she tries to decipher whether it was all a front or was his head really turned? It’s a conundrum amidst many that she must face.

Times are tough for the people of Poland. Their lives have been irrevocably changed but throughout it all Kasia grows as a person. She is compassionate towards other and uses her intelligence carefully. She takes a wise approach to situations but I felt she threaded a fine line. I was always fearful that the work she continued for the Resistance movement when she returned to the city would be discovered and the worst fate would befall her. Her hardworking nature saw her start work at the factory but her father’s business partner Sebastian Richter was in my mind someone not to be trusted.It was like he always had ulterior motives.

Kasia was wary of him given he was the root cause of her having to leave her family. The issues from that time still have their roots firmly set in 1943. Sebastian really tried to worm his way into her life. I found him to be sneaky and underhand but Kasia’s mother could only see good in him. Kasia had to pretend to be someone she was not when she was around him and as she began to see a bigger game developing she showed cunning and had her wits about to start playing it well but again I was anxious that she would be discovered. She works in the factory as a way of proving her loyalty to the Reich even though she detests everything that it stands for but at the same time she can gleam bits of information that might help her fellow members in the Resistance with their big plans.

I found I needed a bit more tension, unease and suspense throughout the book. Yes, there were moments when dangerous events occurred but they were too brief. I wanted things to escalate and reach a dramatic climax but this didn’t occur. What I did enjoy was reading chapters from Felek’s point of view. He had been arrested, terrorised and interrogated by the Gestapo in Warsaw but freed by the Resistance. Making his way to the Resistance group in Gdansk he was determined to continue to do his bit. I would have loved to have discovered a bit about his background and family as there wasn’t anything mentioned about that at all. He disappears for periods of the book and again it would have been brilliant to read about what his missions entailed. Yes, there were a few very brief pages detailing a significant event that occurred for him towards the last quarter of the book but again not enough detail was given. The same could be said for the epilogue. The story ended then we had the epilogue and I felt it didn’t feel in the blanks enough.

Overall, throughout I just had the feeling of needing more regarding several aspects. I did enjoy the mentions of characters from previous books and I found myself seeking them out.The feelings that develop between Kasia and Felek although they need to be kept hidden for fear of what Sebastian would do if he found out did feel real. They trusted one another and as they were part of a bigger group working towards one common goal they shared common goals and viewpoints. In a way they were kindred spirits whom I wished the war had not affected their lives so that they could be together always. Instead, daily Kasia and Felek navigate a world where danger lurks around every corner and there are hard times for all the characters involved.

The Wartime Chocolate Maker was a slow burner of a book that takes some time to get going and when it does it is only for a short time. This one was a bit of a mixed bag for me as I felt it was more of an observation of the period rather than a real, solid specific plot that the reader could get their teeth into. Yes, for the most part the details of the time and what the people were going through was present but I felt it needed more. There was a lot covered but I felt it flitted between characters too much and that events were mentioned and swiftly dealt with but they needed more exploration and development. This is not a bad book by any means but it just wouldn’t be my favourite from this author and the chocolate aspect in my mind was under utilised as there was so much potential there. Overall, an interesting and somewhat enjoyable read but not the best in the historical fiction genre that I have read so far this year.

This is my favourite genre of book, and I knew from reading some of Gosia's previous work that I would be in for a treat. It felt like a refreshing change to read a book set in Gdansk, rather than the more written about Warsaw or Krakow. The Wartime Chocolate Maker is a dual POV story, and I liked reading both Kasia and Feleks stories.

I also enjoyed the descriptions of chocolate, which I could almost taste as I was reading.

Whilst this was a enjoyable story overall, I did find there was a little something missing for me personally. I didn't get that sense of danger that I've become accustomed to within this genre. However, I think it was an engaging storyline which showed some of the dangers of living under Nazi occupation.

World War II rages on across Europe, and so many people live in harms way. Kasia works in her father’s chocolate factory. She risks her life every time she hides notes in the boxes filled with the amazing chocolates. The notes help the Polish resistance. Kasia knows the risk she is taking with every box of chocolates that is delivered.

When her network is compromised, she hides in plain sight, working on the chocolate factory’s floor. She continues her mission for the resistance, and she worries for the safety of not just herself but also her mother and brother.

The Wartime Chocolate Maker, written by author Gosia Nealon, is a wonderful story of hope and heartbreak. I was completely heartbroken, and as the tears ran down my face, I was speechless. This story really came to life, and not only had me reaching for the Kleenex, but I had to have some chocolate. Nealon is a masterful storyteller.

This book is a definite must-read for all historical fiction fans. This author reels you in from the very first page and doesn’t let you go until the last page is read. I highly recommend this fantastic book.

June 1943, Gdansk. Katharina Hartmann returns home after her father's death to take her place in the chocolate factory he owned. Now, under the Nazis, ownership is shared with her father's German business partner, Sebastian Richter who leaves her alternately cold and fearful of him and strongly attracted to and fascinated by him.

Kasia, as she's known, has hidden her involvement with the Polish Resistance both in Gdansk and in Warsaw; using the chocolate factory's chocolate deliveries to the Germans as a cover. Now, with Sebastian at the helm, dare she continue?

What is she to make of Felek, of the Polish Resistance who seems to fancy her? Why does she feel safe and secure with him while it's Sebastian she loves? Or fears?

How is she to reconcile herself with further evidence of her father's pro- Nazi involvement, while her Polish mother continues to idolize her husband? Gosia Nealon weaves all these disparate threads into a cohesive whole in this not so clean fictional tale.

I was given an ARC, but my opinions are my own. I'd actually rate it 3.5, but that's not possible..

Oh my goodness what a wonderful book it had everything romance, intrigue and tension.

Kasia has returned to work in her Father’s chocolate factory with his business partner. Her Father has recently died and she came back to support her Mother and brother. Sebastian who owns the factory jointly with Kasia family supports is hiding something he is in love with Kasia. Kasia helped Felek a Polish resistance in escaping and she keeps meeting him.

I found it very interesting to read about how the Polish people were with the Germans and the intrigue that went on you wondered how they coped with the Germans. The characters were very strong and worked well together. It was sad in places and had enjoyable in other bits of the book.

Certainly would recommend this book.

THE WARTIME CHOCOLATE MAKER, by Gosia Nealon, is a captivating historical novel that unfolds in German-occupied Poland during WWII. It immerses us in Kasia's world, a part of the underground resistance movement, as she navigates life at her family's chocolate factory in Gdańsk.

This is a compelling narrative that unfolds like an unpredictable thriller. It skillfully blends historical accuracy with vivid character dynamics. The plot is a rollercoaster of unforeseen turns, keeping the reader on the edge, wondering about the fate of Kasia, Felek, and the other characters. While the ending may feel rushed, it does not detract from the overall experience. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to all historical fiction enthusiasts!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC. This book is my Gosia Nealon's first, but not my last!

I couldn't put it down!

The Wartime Chocolate Maker captivated me from the very first words. The pain and suffering that was endured and survived are heart-wrenching. This is a story of family, faith, and friends who, with one another, can overcome the hardest of times. The author makes you feel so many emotions and paints vivid pictures in your mind's eye that you can't contain the tears of heartache and of joy. This is an absolute must read!

☕Review: The Wartime Chocolate Maker

🧁Rating: 5 Stars!!⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

💗Praise: Bravo! The story brought to life actually events that did happen during World War II! The bravery and strength it took for these men and women to get through each day and each moment during a horrible time took a lot of heart and strength! Kasia the main character truly embodies strength and heart!

🍵Helping the resistance through her father's chocolate factory is a riveting and heart pounding story! She is truly a messenger dove in a time of woes and uncertainty.

💌 There was a touch of a love story! Something that made me see more beats in the heart of this book! Hope is the veins of this book and perseverance is the essence of the heartbeat!

🌹Characters: All the main characters and the side characters intrigued me and made me think once or twice about what would happen next! They all truly embodied what it meant to survive World War 2! Coming together or working alone at times was required. But in the end no one was ever really alone. Uniting during a takeover was the ultimate strength! The characters truly, definitely, and irrevocably embodied these qualities in moments in the story.

🍰Extra/Tropes: The author has a true gift weaving together a tale based on a horrible time in life but that created strong and hopeful people! The author is magic! I definitely want more books in the future from her!


🍪Historical
🍪Touch of Romance
🍪Heart pounding
🍪World War 2
🍪Emotional

How can something so delectable posses something so deadly.
I love the creativity of hiding Polish resistance messages in chocolatier boxes,
The fake relationship was hard to read about but what sweetened the pot was knowing someone else loved Kasia.
It’s an interesting read that deals with intrigue, history, and danger rolled up in chocolate.