Unfortunately, The Wartime Chocolate Maker fell short of my expectations. I tried my best to get into the story, but after trudging through 30 pages, I just couldn't bring myself to continue. The pacing felt sluggish, and the characters lacked depth, leaving me feeling disconnected from the plot. The writing style was also underwhelming, failing to captivate me or hold my interest. Overall, I found it difficult to muster any enthusiasm for this book and ultimately decided to give up on it. Maybe it gets better further along, but I wasn't willing to invest any more time in finding out.

This was such a lovely book. Both heart-breaking and heart-warming. Taking place in Poland during WWII, it follows multiple characters who are trying to survive during the German occupation of Gdansk, Poland. People had to do things to survive during the war and keep their families safe. This was a journey through difficult decisions, deceit, and ultimately love.
A worthwhile read. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC.

Kasia didn't expect to be back at her father's chocolate factory, that Sebastian would be running it, or, worst of all that Sebastian would be a Nazi. Kasia is a brave young woman who has worked and continues to work with the resistance. She's drawn to Felak, one of the resistance fighters. but what about Sebastian? Is he secretly also working with the resistance? No spoilers from me. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. This is a fairly light (in the scheme of things) WWII novel that will hit a sweet spot for fans of the genre.

I have read every book by Gosia Nealon and The Wartime Chocolate Maker is by far my favorite! Gosia brings the true heart of Poland and the Polish resistance alive in this novel that is packed full of bravery, love, resistance, courage, and determination. Gosia takes us back in time to World War II as Poland suffers under the Nazi regime.

Gosia tells the story of Kasia, as she returns to her hometown of Gdansk after living in Warsaw after the death of her father. As she returns, she’s faced with a town plagued with Nazi’s, her fellow countrymen barely getting by, and her fathers factory being ran by Sebastian - the man she was supposed to have married but she ran away from many years ago. As Sebastian spouts Nazi rhetoric and tries to manipulate Kasia into being with him again, Kasia uses her position as working alongside Sebastian in the chocolate factory to work for the resistance and smuggle information. Sebastian tries to sweep Kasia off her feet, but her heart belongs to her fellow resistance member Felek.

Gosia paints a clear and vivid picture of what life was truly like for Polish people during this time. She also showcases their resilience, love of country, fearlessness, and grit by the strong and admirable characteristics she’s created in Kasia’s character.

For WWII historical fiction lovers, this is a must read!

Very well written book. Kept me engaged. I enjoyed going through the characters lives and their experiences.!

As always, Nealon takes us into a breathing world with her latest World War II novel. She has a way of making this dark time in history come alive with the spark of humanity and resilience. At times her words are almost poetic, just as they are sure to summon emotion.

In THE WARTIME CHOCOLATE MAKER, she draws us into the world of Kasia in Poland. We get to experience the war through her eyes in a journey that sees a young woman stand with the Resistance while determining which man she can trust and give her heart to. Will she choose the right one and what will her decision cost her?

Nealon takes us even deeper in this novel as she gets the reader to consider what they believe comes after death. Is it possible there is more to this life?

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for an advanced reading copy.

#TheWartimeChocolateMaker #NetGalley
Thank you to Net Galley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I picked this book as I was intrigued by the title alone. I expected a rich, immersive story centered around chocolate—how it was made, how it was instrumental for the resistance movement, and how it was used as a powerful tool to uncover confidential matters and secrets and pass them along from one point to another. Unfortunately, the book did not deliver on these expectations. While the premise was interesting and some characters were well-developed, inconsistencies in historical accuracy, and missed opportunities made this an average to below-average read for me. The novel did not immerse me in the world of wartime chocolate-making, and the plot felt disconnected from the realities of the time.

- One of the first things that stood out was the inconsistent approach to translating phrases. The book provides both Polish and English translations for the four ideologies and some other common words, yet the Latin phrase on the Long Market arch is only given in English.
- The phrase "fold my lips" was used too many times and is a phrase that I had never heard before reading this book. Examples:
- I fold my lips
- mouth folds into self-amusement
- allowing her mouth to fold into a warm smile
- Every time I read that phrase, I could imagine someone physically folding a pair of lips like one folds an item of clothing
- So many ways to effectively describe someone’s lips curling into a smile or someone going silent.
- There are some inconsistencies in the plot that I could not get over:
- For instance, Kasia goes to Neugarten because they called in with an order, but once there, she goes from door to door offering chocolate for sale. That feels contradictory.
- Sara’s story about her family perishing at Treblinka raises questions about historical accuracy. From everything else I’ve read in the past, the term "extermination camp" might not have been widely used at the time, and many people—including those in Nazi-controlled areas—were unaware of the full extent of the Holocaust. In <i>I Escaped from Auschwitz</i>, Rudolf Vrba details how outsiders had limited knowledge of what was happening inside the camps. Similarly, when discussing Stutthof, Kasia mentions the number system and how it wasn’t tattooed like in Auschwitz—how would she have known that? This suggests an awareness that doesn’t align with historical reality.
- Another historical inconsistency is the reference to "Keep Calm" posters, which were a British wartime propaganda campaign. Their presence in this context feels misplaced.
- The use of the word "karma" also stood out. While it is a familiar term today, it’s worth questioning whether it was commonly known in wartime Poland or Germany. The phrase "karma will get him on its own" seems more modern than appropriate for the time.
- The delivery of chocolate to the SS office by three girls on a weekly basis was another odd element. Why was so much chocolate being consumed there, and why was an outsider allowed into their building so frequently? Given the paranoia of the time, this open-door policy for a chocolate vendor felt unrealistic.
- <b>In my opinion the major missed opportunity in this story was the Chocolate itself.</b>
- For a book titled The Wartime Chocolate Maker, chocolate was disappointingly underdeveloped as a central element. The author could have made it a character in itself—describing the silkiness, the richness, the combinations that brought out new flavors. There was a great opportunity to explore how chocolate-making had to adapt due to ingredient shortages and how creative solutions led to unexpected yet delightful results. Instead, all I recall from the book, 15 days after finishing it, is a few lines about blending beans and certain varieties pairing well with vanilla or caramel. A stronger focus on the craft of chocolate-making would have added a rich and sensory depth to the novel.
- Kasia's interactions with Abt also raise questions. At one point, she considers asking Abt about Felek. Was she so comfortable with him that she thought she could just casually ask about a resistance fighter without raising suspicion? Her confidence in Abt’s willingness to overlook resistance activity—just for chocolates—feels unrealistic. In a time of intense scrutiny and fear, it seems improbable that such a request would go unnoticed or unpunished.
- The fight with death chapter lacked originality, and the subsequent conversation with the doctor felt unnecessary. When she asked, "Can I ask you something?" I assumed she was going to inquire about her father. Instead, the conversation took an odd, unconvincing turn that added little to the plot.
- A recurring issue is the way the book presents wartime Poland. The story often feels as though it was written with the benefit of hindsight rather than an authentic representation of that time period. There’s an overall sense that the characters know too much about the war’s outcome and what was happening in other locations, rather than reacting with the uncertainty and limited knowledge that would have been prevalent at the time.
- Furthermore, the lack of urgency and suspicion surrounding Kasia’s suspected resistance involvement is baffling. It’s hard to believe that Sebastian or Nazi officers like Bruno would be so willing to ignore their knowledge of her activities in Warsaw (even if unconfirmed) just because she made chocolates.
- #TheWartimeChocolateMaker #NetGalley
Thank you to Net Galley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I picked this book as I was intrigued by the title alone. I expected a rich, immersive story centered around chocolate—how it was made, how it was instrumental for the resistance movement, and how it was used as a powerful tool to uncover confidential matters and secrets and pass them along from one point to another. Unfortunately, the book did not deliver on these expectations. While the premise was interesting and some characters were well-developed, inconsistencies in historical accuracy, and missed opportunities made this an average to below-average read for me. The novel did not immerse me in the world of wartime chocolate-making, and the plot felt disconnected from the realities of the time.

- One of the first things that stood out was the inconsistent approach to translating phrases. The book provides both Polish and English translations for the four ideologies and some other common words, yet the Latin phrase on the Long Market arch is only given in English.
- The phrase "fold my lips" was used too many times and is a phrase that I had never heard before reading this book. Examples:
- I fold my lips
- mouth folds into self-amusement
- allowing her mouth to fold into a warm smile
- Every time I read that phrase, I could imagine someone physically folding a pair of lips like one folds an item of clothing
- So many ways to effectively describe someone’s lips curling into a smile or someone going silent.
- There are some inconsistencies in the plot that I could not get over:
- For instance, Kasia goes to Neugarten because they called in with an order, but once there, she goes from door to door offering chocolate for sale. That feels contradictory.
- Sara’s story about her family perishing at Treblinka raises questions about historical accuracy. From everything else I’ve read in the past, the term "extermination camp" might not have been widely used at the time, and many people—including those in Nazi-controlled areas—were unaware of the full extent of the Holocaust. In <i>I Escaped from Auschwitz</i>, Rudolf Vrba details how outsiders had limited knowledge of what was happening inside the camps. Similarly, when discussing Stutthof, Kasia mentions the number system and how it wasn’t tattooed like in Auschwitz—how would she have known that? This suggests an awareness that doesn’t align with historical reality.
- Another historical inconsistency is the reference to "Keep Calm" posters, which were a British wartime propaganda campaign. Their presence in this context feels misplaced.
- The use of the word "karma" also stood out. While it is a familiar term today, it’s worth questioning whether it was commonly known in wartime Poland or Germany. The phrase "karma will get him on its own" seems more modern than appropriate for the time.
- The delivery of chocolate to the SS office by three girls on a weekly basis was another odd element. Why was so much chocolate being consumed there, and why was an outsider allowed into their building so frequently? Given the paranoia of the time, this open-door policy for a chocolate vendor felt unrealistic.
- <b>In my opinion the major missed opportunity in this story was the Chocolate itself.</b>
- For a book titled The Wartime Chocolate Maker, chocolate was disappointingly underdeveloped as a central element. The author could have made it a character in itself—describing the silkiness, the richness, the combinations that brought out new flavors. There was a great opportunity to explore how chocolate-making had to adapt due to ingredient shortages and how creative solutions led to unexpected yet delightful results. Instead, all I recall from the book, 15 days after finishing it, is a few lines about blending beans and certain varieties pairing well with vanilla or caramel. A stronger focus on the craft of chocolate-making would have added a rich and sensory depth to the novel.
- Kasia's interactions with Abt also raise questions. At one point, she considers asking Abt about Felek. Was she so comfortable with him that she thought she could just casually ask about a resistance fighter without raising suspicion? Her confidence in Abt’s willingness to overlook resistance activity—just for chocolates—feels unrealistic. In a time of intense scrutiny and fear, it seems improbable that such a request would go unnoticed or unpunished.
- The fight with death chapter lacked originality, and the subsequent conversation with the doctor felt unnecessary. When she asked, "Can I ask you something?" I assumed she was going to inquire about her father. Instead, the conversation took an odd, unconvincing turn that added little to the plot.
- A recurring issue is the way the book presents wartime Poland. The story often feels as though it was written with the benefit of hindsight rather than an authentic representation of that time period. There’s an overall sense that the characters know too much about the war’s outcome and what was happening in other locations, rather than reacting with the uncertainty and limited knowledge that would have been prevalent at the time.
- Furthermore, the lack of urgency and suspicion surrounding Kasia’s suspected resistance involvement is baffling. It’s hard to believe that Sebastian or Nazi officers like Bruno would be so willing to ignore their knowledge of her activities in Warsaw (even if unconfirmed) just because she made chocolates.

- The word "the" was omitted in many sentences and I'm hoping that was just because it was an ARC and that these will be cleaned-up before final publication. Not posting examples here for this reason.

<b>Final Thoughts:</b> Overall, The Wartime Chocolate Maker struggles with historical authenticity, logical consistency, and writing clarity. While some characters are well-developed, they could have used more depth. The book feels like a modern interpretation of wartime events rather than a story genuinely set in that era. Additionally, the book missed a great opportunity to make chocolate a more integral element. While the premise had potential, the execution left much to be desired.

I've read some truly amazing World War II books, and when I picked this one up, I was sure it would be part of that list. Unfortunately, I was left disappointed, and it actually pains me to give this a low rating.

<b>Final Thoughts:</b> Overall, The Wartime Chocolate Maker struggles with historical authenticity, logical consistency, and writing clarity. While some characters are well-developed, they could have used more depth. The book feels like a modern interpretation of wartime events rather than a story genuinely set in that era. Additionally, the book missed a great opportunity to make chocolate a more integral element. While the premise had potential, the execution left much to be desired.

I've read some truly amazing World War II books, and when I picked this one up, I was sure it would be part of that list. Unfortunately, I was left disappointed, and it actually pains me to give this a low rating.

The main characters of this book were strong, however, many times in the book I feel like it lacked necessary development and depth. Bits of the story seemed to be rushed. However, despite this, I enjoyed the book.

I am in awe of the Gosia Nealon and her story telling. Reading the title, you would think it was a simple story. That is so far from the truth. Katharina, had fled to Warsaw after her father was working on an arranged marriage for her. Upon his death she returns to help her mother and brother.

Things are different now. Sebastian, the man she was supposed to marry, is now incharge of the chocolate factory her father owned. Making it worse, he now lives next door to her mom. Sebastian is a member of the Nazi party. Katharina was in the resistance in warsaw. She will continue her work in Gdańsk.

The author has the reader follow along as Katharina works for the resistance gathering information from the Germans she delivers chocolates. We watch as she dances around Sebastian's advances and the extremes he will go to in order to make her his. She will risk his ire to spend time with Felek, a man from her past.

Experience the occupation. Struggle to live in the time of war. Witness the destruction. See how the war creates strange friendships and the obliteration of social classes. Question if the saviors are really saviors or just as bad. Sympathize with Felek when the worst happens. Celebrate when the Nazis are defeated.

The twists left me speechless. Revelations had me fuming. Loss and cruelty had me in tears. The defeat of the Nazi regime had me screaming with joy. The story reminding me of the devastation left me crying long after I closed the book.

"The Wartime Chocolate Maker" is a powerful and gripping historical novel that captivated me from the very first page. Kasia’s story is filled with bravery, the tension of working under enemy scrutiny, and a heartbreaking love story, making it an emotional read. With lives at stake and raw emotions intertwined with suspense, I found myself turning pages late into the night. If you love historical fiction, this book is a must-read!

It wasn’t a bad but I didn’t love this book like I had hoped to.

It got off to a very slow start and I struggled convincing myself to push through it. It did pick up and I found myself more intrigued with the characters and story as it went on. But at the same time, I wanted more. It’s odd because the book dragged at times and then felt rushed at others, never really going deep into characters or the storyline.

Again, not a bad book but not one I’d read again.

Nealon is one of my favorite historical fiction authors and I look forward to each release.
Poland, 1943
Secret messages hidden in chocolates. Kasia works in her father’s chocolate factory. She is working with the resistance. The truffles are not only delicious but in the wrong hands can provide deadly consequences. Her boss, Sebastian and her share a history. They once adored each other but he knows aligns himself with the Germans. She is very careful and she thinks he might be sympathetic to the resistance but she must be careful.
A rich novel and unique plot. I have read a lot of books about the resistance and ways to help, but the idea of hiding notes in chocolate was delicious in more ways than one, UNTIL her network is SHAKEN with BETRAYAL.

This book had me craving chocolate on multiple occasions. Kasia's father owns a chocolate factory in Poland. After her father passes away, she moves back to help her mother and brother along with the factory. While she was away, she worked for the Polish Resistance. When she returned to her hometown, she was able to help with the Resistance by passing messages along in chocolate wrappers and simply keeping her ears open while making chocolate deliveries to German officials. Sebastian is the technical owner of the chocolate factory after Kasia's father dies. To keep her family in good graces, Kasia has been pretending to be in love with Sebastian for over a year.

Felek is also working for the Polish Resistance. Felek and Kasia have seen each other in passing over the last couple of years, but one night they kiss. They then realize they love each other. This part felt very sudden. The ending in general also felt very rushed. I almost think things were tied up in too pretty of a bow at the end.

SPOILER BELOW...
I almost wish Felek died at the camp. It just would have been more realistic. I think I would have liked the book more if he had died. For Kasia to have been shot by Sebastian for not loving her at the end, and to survive it. Then for Felek to be sent on a death march and not die even though the Germans were trying to cover up their sins by killing them all off. It just felt too unrealistic for me. I also was hoping at the end of the book, the author was going to have an Author's Note explaining how this book was based off a chocolate factory in Poland during that time. I thought it would have been very clever for the Resistance to smuggle messages in candy wrappers and have spies with their deliveries, but nothing was said about it being based on a true story. I LOVE it when these type of stories are based on someone's life.

A wonderful WWII story of the resistance. Hidden notes in boxes of chocolates. Will one get into the wrong hands? Loved this story!

Thank you so much to @bookoutoure and @netgalley for the gifted arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I was drawn in by the premise of this book, Kasia working with the resistance in her father’s chocolate factory during WW2. I felt like there was a lot of potential to this book. I liked the chocolate factory aspect and Kasia’s relationship with her family. I also enjoyed the romance aspect but I wanted more of his personality and character. Kasia has some great qualities-she is strong and determined and tried to help as many people as she could. It felt like things happened quickly throughout the book and I wanted more details and buildup for some of these events. There were good elements and ideas but I felt like it was just a bit under developed. The pace was slow at the beginning but it did pick up in the second half. I did enjoy reading this and it grabbed me more in the second half. I have heard great things about this author so will definitely check out her others.

You know you’ve just finished a really special book when it comes to a close and you miss the main character already. I came to this thinking it was going to be a quirky little story about a quirky little character and I was looking forward to it, I’ve never been so glad to be wrong, it’s so very much not, yet so very much more than that.

Polish Kasia finds herself working in her late father's chocolate factory during WWII. She is risking the safety of herself and her mother and younger brother by hiding notes for the Resistance in the chocolate boxes. Can she continue to help the Resistance, and trust her father's business partner Sebastian?

I loved the descriptions of the chocolates, and Kasia's ability to control flavours with the limited ingredients she had access to. I unfortunately couldn't warm to Felek, and the book on the whole felt a bit disjointed to me - it needed more detail in some places, and less in others. I also felt is ended too abruptly. An interesting read, but not my favourite by this author.

When Kasia Hartmann returns home after the death of her father it is decided that she will work at his chocolate factory. The downside being that he had business partner who is not all he seems. While Kasia uses the factory as cover to undertake her work for the polish resistance it’s a very dangerous path she is treading. As is usually the case, sympathisers turn up at the strangest times & places! The safety of her young brother Kornel is uppermost in her mind when she is pursued by an old neighbour who tells her he is trying to get in touch with the resistance, should she trust him? it’s like choosing between the devil and the deep blue sea.

I kept reading to find out what happened. I couldn’t relate to Felek.
Sebastian was a bit of a snake.

I wanted to love this book. Having recently returned from a trip to Poland, I thought that I would be able to better understand much of what I learned on my trip. For me, the book started out a bit slow and hard to follow. Eventually I caught on to the switches between Katharina and Kasia, and I grew to love them. I struggled to understand the relationships she developed with Sebastian and Felek. The relationships between all the characters felt a bit superficial. I failed to connect to the stories about chocolate bombs and the use of Pertitin because the storyline never felt fully developed.

I loved the small bits we got about Kasia's ability to taste chocolate and imagine what flavors. I'm not sure what secrets were being passed back and forth or what the significance of the chocolate factory was. I appreciated the honesty of what it was like to juggle German and Polish identities during a time when one was revered and one could be a death sentence. That allowed me to better connect with the conflicts faced by the characters. There was a great deal of human emotion to contend with when considering what the right choice for Zofia was, whether anyone else felt or realized it - but I wish there had been more development of her story, her arc, her actions that lead to her final moments. Kornel perhaps showed the greatest complexity - struggling with the feelings of a child, recognizing the severity of the situations that those around him were facing, and eventually finding his place as a place of solace for Sara and her daughter.

Do I think this is a necessary read? Yes. Poland and the challenges faced by the Polish people are largely discounted and minimized in WW2 historical fiction (and history collectively). Was it my favorite read? No. I was hoping for so much more from the character development to the storyline. Would I read it again after doing more research into the experiences of the people in Gdansk? Maybe.

Good storyline. Wording not as easy to read as many other books. Did hold my interest and I looked forward to reading it each evening. Seemed to drag a bit toward the end and then ended a bit abruptly. Overall enjoyed the story.