The Chocolate Touch

This sweet small town romance book is set in Marietta, Montana and centered around the towns Chocolate Shop. This is the 8th book and features two non-residents who are temporary staying in Marietta. The male lead is York Parker who is visiting with his two sisters Dakota and Nevada (who have had their own stories in the series – A Thankful Heart and The Valentine Quest) while he transitions from the Air Force into his new job as a traveling consultant. He is finally free to do whatever he wants, is looking forward to traveling, and not being tied down. Chantelle Cummings is the lead female. She is a chocolate expert and is in town for a book signing and to research the local chocolate shop. Her goal is to move to France, work for the family chocolate business, and find her happily ever after. A shortage of employees at the chocolate shop results in York and Chantelle both working there and getting to know each other. The timing of their romance is unfortunate as they both have completely different goals. That does not stop the strong and immediate connection they both feel. This is a very sweet romance and paced perfectly. A bonus in this story is that many previous characters from the Love at the Chocolate Shop series appear, and the anonymous donor from previous books is revealed. I have read many books by this author and am never disappointed. A perfect addition to the series.

A nice romance to read on a beach during hot summer days.

The Love at the Chocolate Shop series continues in Marietta, Montana with York and Chantelle's story...with heartwarming characters who demonstrate genuine emotions about family and making the most of the time you have together. Even though I felt I knew where the couple were headed towards their HEA, I enjoyed their journey in getting there. The author created realistic characters and a story that pulled at the heartstrings as York and Chantelle worked their way towards a love that defined geographic location. I was thrilled with their outcome.

As this series has unfolded, I've always looked forward to the next story and more of the HEA's the Copper Mountain Chocolate Shop generated.

This ARC book was provided by the Publisher and Netgally, I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

When Chantelle and York meet in Marietta it is just a stopover for both of them. Chantelle will be going to Paris to work with her family of famous chocolatiers and York will begin his after military life as a computer consultant. When they both end up working at the Copper Mountain Chocolate Shoppe they get to know each other and find themselves wondering if the future they planned is what they really want.
The latest addition to a cute series, the Chocolate Touch is a nice story about two people looking for their place in life and trying to work through all of the issues they bring to a relationship. There are no big highs or lows but a nice story about falling in love in a small town.

This is a sweet and light read with likable characters and the expected delicious atmosphere of the chocolate universe. I liked how both main characters are honest with each other about their feelings, even if they’re not always able to address them. I also enjoyed meeting characters that I’d known from previous stories.
But I’ve requested this title mainly because of its military hero, York Parker, a former Air Force captain. He’s not the standard alpha military man and that’s fine, he’s much more interesting this way: charming, genuine, sweet, considerate and so smitten with the heroine (besides being a wonderful big brother). What’s more to ask for?

After leaving the Air Force York Parker wants nothing more than to spend the free time he has before starting his new job with his two sisters in Marietta, MT. Since the chocolate shop is a bit overwhelmed at the moment York has agreed to help out and work there with his sister until starting his new job but York never expected to meet chocolate expert Chantelle Cummings at his new job.

Chantelle is in Marietta to research the quaint local chocolate shop for her family who runs a billion dollar chocolate company in France. Chantelle never expected to find herself working behind the counter along side York when one of the store employees went into labor or finding herself falling for the handsome York Parker.

The Chocolate Touch is the eighth book in the Love at the Chocolate Shop series but as each of the books feature a different couple they all can be read as standalone novels. However, as usual with the stories in these books you do get glimpses of the Marietta residents from previous books all throughout the stories for those fans that have read all of the series. I particularly enjoyed this installment featuring the chocolate shop owner and employees a bit more than others had in the past.

It’s really become tough for me to dislike any of the chocolate shop stories since each brings back the small town charm of Marietta along with some very likable characters. York and Chantelle were a great couple together and it certainly kept my interest to see how they would work out a relationship with both of their backgrounds in the story. If any complaint could be had with the story is it seemed to feature way more delicious chocolate and may make a reader gain a few pounds just from reading about the deliciousness.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

While this was another sweet and enjoyable trip to Marietta’s chocolate shop, I found it okay rather than amazing. The characters are nice, it’s always great to be back in Marietta, but the plot itself never quite took off like I’d hoped.

We’ve already met York’s sisters – Dakota and Nevada – in earlier books from this series, so it was nice to catch up with big brother and see his caring role in action. He’s protective without being suffocating and genuinely cares for the people in his life. He’s nice.

Chantelle is also nice, building a reputation for herself and gaining experience in the chocolate industry with the hopes of working for her family one day soon. Her need for family and to belong made her sympathetic, but at the same time her complete failure to see that hiding her name was a bad thing didn’t make me like her much. I also expected something more to come from her family. It seemed like such an important part of everything all the way through that by the end I felt a bit disappointed.

So overall I found this okay. It’s a light, easy read that’s enjoyable enough, but didn’t leave much of an impression on me. If you like Marietta and this series in particular, then you’ll probably enjoy this. It’s undemanding if a little underwhelming, but sometimes that’s all a good read needs.

The Chocolate Touch by Melissa McClone is another exciting journey that involves chocolates, romances, and hearts on the line. I love chocolate and this book like the others in it's series have been heart melting. Sweet, decadent, and intriguing. The suspense of what will come between an Air Force captain and a book writer is one that stole my heart. The characters were believable. The scenes made me feel like I was watching them unfold. The writer has a way of engaging her readers like me into her plot. Two alphas working together, fall in love...but can they keep what they have or will their differences set them apart. Truth can set them free or break them into a million pieces. Chantelle and York will both be tested and tempted. I liked the duo combination as it sparked chemistry, heat, and an HEA possibility. Overall, The Chocolate Touch was entertaining to follow. I recommend it to others.

Even if you haven’t heard about big brother from Nevada (The Valentine Quest) and Dakota (A Thankful Heart), you couldn’t help but fall for York Parker. He’s a big ole Former Air Force Captain who will do anything his sister needs including selling in a chocolate shop. So this is how this delightful short novel, The Chocolate Touch by Melissa McClone, starts.

The story centers around York who is visiting his sisters for the month and Chantelle Cummings, who is also visiting but for very different reasons. Because of the chocolate shop, York and Chantelle are thrown together. Without that shop they would never have met each other, making this story still an actual Love at the Chocolate Shop story.

I enjoyed how the series has branched out to include others then long-time or permanent residents. Still Ms. McClone maintains the heartwarming small town atmosphere by the supporting characters. I also loved the epilogue making it the perfect conclusion for these two characters.

4.5 Stars
An ARC of the book was given to me by the publisher through Net Galley.

4 In Chocolate We Trust Stars
* * * *
This is a tale of two people who think their lives are about to become everything they want....They are in a holding pattern in Marietta Montana...enjoying their surroundings but also dreaming of the lives they are going to start when they leave.

Former Air Force Captain York Parker is the brother of Dakota and Nevada. Dakota and Dustin gave him the winning trip from The Chocolate Quest; now he is back for a month before he starts his new career as a Tech Consultant. York was grateful for the tropical vacation and it gave him time to unwind from the service. Here at home he will enjoy the love and care of his family, help out when needed and look to the future of traveling on the road.

He is helping Dakota with a "Chocolate Event" at the book store when he literally runs into Chocolate Expert Chantelle Cummings. She is at the Marietta bookstore to promote her recently published book, The Chocolate Touch. She comes from a long line of artisans who make chocolate. Her mother was from a family who still hold the high esteem of making the finest chocolate in France. She learned everything she knows from her mom and only has fond memories. With her mother passing and then her father recently gone, too...Chantelle was alone for the first time.

She decided to reach out the French side of her family and surprisingly they have given her a warm welcome. She so wants to become part of their immediate family... and she is on her way to proving herself to them.

When York and Chantelle bump into each other...more than interest sparks. He is helping his sister pass out the Copper Mountain CHocolates Sage has made. Sage is who Chantelle is interested in reviewing for her blog. A positive review would be huge for Sage and her shop.

With the shop minus the usual employees due to vacations and surprise hospital stays, York and Chantelle find themselves working behind the counter together....and there is more sweets then chocolate happening and melting...

But they are torn as both plan on leaving Marietta and neither are the hit and run type.

This entry to Love at the Chocolate Shop Series has brought us a very strong story and chemistry between the two main characters. It also has given us more back story of the other players...sisters, Sage, and the town.

I thoroughly enjoyed all of this as it presented the question of when should you just go for it...to give your heart and let the chips fall where they may...Because if you let the opportunity to love slip away... you may let something unexpected and wonderful go...

We have two more entries left... and I have put my order in to satisfy my chocolate needs.

Melt My Heart, Cowboy (Love at the Chocolate Shop, #1) by C. J. Carmichael Melt My Heart, Cowboy (Love at the Chocolate Shop, #1)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
A Thankful Heart (Love at the Chocolate Shop #2) by Melissa McClone A Thankful Heart (Love at the Chocolate Shop, #2)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Montana Secret Santa (Love at the Chocolate Shop, #3) by Debra Salonen Montana Secret Santa (Love at the Chocolate Shop, #3)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Chocolate Cure (Love at the Chocolate Shop, #4) by Roxanne Snopek The Chocolate Cure (Love at the Chocolate Shop, #4)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Valentine Quest (Love at the Chocolate Shop #5) by Melissa McClone The Valentine Quest (Love at the Chocolate Shop, #5)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Charmed by Chocolate (Love at the Chocolate Shop, #6) by Steena Holmes Charmed by Chocolate (Love at the Chocolate Shop #6)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Chocolate Comeback (Love at the Chocolate Shop #7) by Roxanne SnopekThe Chocolate Comeback (Love at the Chocolate Shop #7) https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

A gifted copy was provided by Tule Publishing via NetGalley for an honest review.

This is such a fun series. I have loved the chocolate shop from the minute Sage opened it so a series centered around it is perfect! I loved York pitching in to help out - a far cry from his Air Force life! Chantelle is a strong and goal oriented woman which is so nice to see and I loved how in the end both needed to be flexible and understanding to make things work. Too bad it looks like they won't be staying in Marietta!

liked this story but not all the secrets which got in the way of it.

When York Parker comes home to be with his sisters Dakota and Nevada, he never saw the way he would feel about Chantelle coming3
Author Chantelle Cummings came to do a book signing, with a side of research, only yo fall hard for York.
Can they overcome their doubts for a happy ever after? Without a doubt!
Sweet romance written with a touch of humor.

Loved this book! The chocolate aspect is awesome as is the romance part of the story. Being friends first is always best for a romantic relationship to succeed. I wish the shop actually existed as I would love to go there.

This is a great book with a wonderful story and well developed characters. This book will keep you reading long into the night and you will not want to put this book down until you finish. This was such a great read and full of surprises. I am looking forward to reading the next book by this great author. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader’s copy of this book. The free book held no determination on my personal review.

I love this series and I really loved this book! York Parker and Chantelle Cummings don't bring a lot of past baggage into their story; instead they both see their time in Marietta, Montana as a short term stopover on the way to their long term plan. This story doesn't spend a lot of time on angst, but instead delivers exactly what I love about small town romance: interactions between a couple and a community that leads to unanticipated connection. Five golden bonbons to this terrific book!
I voluntarily read an advanced review copy of this book, provided by the publisher via Netgalley, and offer my honest opinion in response.

A sweet, heartfelt romance.

Chantelle Cummings is in Marietta, Montana promoting her new book, The Chocolate Touch, but she also has a hidden agenda. She is looking for new recipes for her family's chain of chocolate shops in France. Once she gets what she wants, she will be moving on.

Former Air Force captain York Parker, is in Marietta for a month before he starts his new career. Until then, he will be helping out at the Copper Mountain Chocolates with his sister. York and Chantelle meet at the book store where Chantelle is singing her new book. There was something about Chantelle that York couldn’t seem to forget.

York had no idea Chantelle would end up temporarily working at the shop too when Portia, a pregnant worker, ends up in the hospital. They soon find themselves sharing more than just a passion for chocolate.

I wasn't ready for this book to come to an end. I would have loved a longer story with these two characters. They had great chemistry together and the story kept me interested the entire time. Hopefully they will be revisited in a future book.

Another delicious read form Love at the Chocolate Shop series. Chantelle has arrived in Marietta for signing of her book and get the inside scoop of the Chocolate Shop, not expecting to fall in love with York. York is home for one month before starting his job, and helping out at the Chocolate Shop during this time. Their is a mutual attraction between the two, but the one secret that Chantelle is keeping from everyone might destroy everything.

I loved how their relationship built but both afraid to move forward with their relationship, neither one here permanently. Great to catch up with the other Chocolateers!! Loved the gratitude quest! My favorite line, "She did have the chocolate touch. Chocolate had brought her everything she dreamed about and a little extra too".

I, like many readers, have been waiting for York’s story after the glimpses we had of this loving older brother in both Nevada and Dakota’s stories. I was totally smitten by York and he turned out to be everything I’d imagined about him and a bit more. I have to be frank and say that it took a bit longer for me to get onto Chantelle’s side. There was just enough information about Chantelle’s famous chocolate family and their business practices to have me hesitating over her involvement with York. Sure, each had other life plans, neither had planned on settling down let alone together in Marietta – yet I spent the majority of this story thinking ‘please, please don’t be doing what I don’t want to think you’re doing’. So that when the reveal came I completely understood York’s, Dakota’s and especially Sage’s reaction. (Oh, I so want to discuss this part and give my reasoning but I can’t as it would give away major spoilers) So I have to give major kudos to Melissa McClone for writing this story from a perspective that left motivation open to the reader’s interpretation of events. I frankly think that took courage and talent to allow us to like Chantelle in general but still wonder what she’s doing.

You could easily call York and Chantelle’s romance a slow burn. They each had plans that they felt were etched in stone, and at best a light momentary fling might be all that they could have. Yet love has other intentions and they slowly, but certainly built into a romantic situation where life changes had to be considered. In many ways they both were placed between a rock and a hard place – and had to come up with their own unique solution to loving someone so much but with such different life plans. There is one concept that isn’t used a lot in romance and that’s simply when two people are willing to find a compromise to their situation the barriers can fall away to allow that happy ending to come true.

I enjoyed The Chocolate Touch very much, although not for perhaps the usual reasons. York and Chantelle have to overcome so much to be together But they find the way to get past things that would break many couples apart. Yes, this is a fun romance but it also held some deeper emotions for me, I happen to enjoy the complex… and this couple certainly had that happening around them.

I would highly recommend The Chocolate Touch and all the stories in the Love At The Chocolate Shop series for any Romance reader. You’ll find a solid story, believable characters, issues to be dealt with and secondary characters who have their own stories that add so much to the current one. This one might make you think how you’d react in a similar situation.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*