Chocolate Wishes

By: Trisha Ashley

Narrated by: Julia Rounthwaite

Length: 9 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's Summary

Life is sweet for chocolate maker Chloe Lyon. Business is booming at her artisan chocolate-makers, Chocolate Wishes, in the picture-perfect Lancashire village of Sticklepond - not least because all of Chloe's sweet treats contain an inspirational prediction for each customer. If only her own life was as easy to read in the cards, perhaps Chloe could have foreseen being jilted at the altar…. But Chloe has long put thoughts of love behind her - after all, life is busy enough, especially as she tries to sort out her friends' tangled love lives and the village welcomes its new vicar, Raffy Sinclair.

However, the village rumour mill goes into overdrive when it is revealed that Raffy is the distinctly unorthodox ex-front man of rock band Dark Angels - and also happens to be Chloe's first love, who left her broken-hearted. Whilst Chloe tries to ignore this blast from her past, will she discover that wishes can come true when you least expect it?

A charming novel for chocoholics everywhere and perfect for fans of Katie Fforde, Jill Mansell, and Carole Matthews.

©2010 Trisha Ashley (P)2010 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

sweet but not cloying...

I wasn't planning on reviewing this one but I read some reviews and thought I could throw something to the pile.

First of all: True, the story is not thought provoking or anything like that, it is light and probably does not stand too much scrutiny, but it is certainly sweet and fun and of course it is predictable as most of these are but in a good way! Let's face it if you are reading a chick lit you are looking for a fun happy ending even if it is escapism. As I said before the genre it's not exactly deep-moving-thought-provocking kind.

Now to the merits: the characters are quite real (except the Male Character who's a bit too good to be true). Physically they are mostly ordinary every day people, not drop dead gorgeous, not fat not stick skinny etc. They dress normally and mostly act normal and they are nice, so you can somehow relate to them. They DO NOT offend the reader trying to TEACH what to think, to believe, or how to behave !!! And also don't do acts of extreme stupidity, nothing that would make you gag ( and I've read and review some books like that.) And true the book is somehow christian but believe me in a very subtle open-minded non-judgemental way. And I am very susceptible to ANY kind of propaganda.

I also liked the setting, the little village, kind of bucolic,and it is the same place with some of the same characters of a previous book, which i accidentally happened to read some time ago.

The narrator has a lovely voice and intonation. Also it seemed to me just right for the character. I just thought her accent so cute!

All in all I found it entertaining and fun for a light listening of course.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Do you love angels?

Part one was really pretty good. During part two, the female protagonist began acting outside her established character and the author seemed to place more intention on just making the character fit the plot lines. SPOILER ALERT: within this slightly bi-polar characterization, the MC decided to forgive after receiving a very expensive gift; then after the surprise plot device, instant lust ensues. I nearly got whiplash from the character's occasional forays into her alternate 'universe'. Had I known the book was Christian in belief structure (yep, you can see the conversion coming) I wouldn't have bought it. That being said, most of the book was really well-written and well-narrated and, had some of the 'devices' been edited out, quite well done.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Disappointing....

I listen to an audiobook every week or so and love them. This is the most disappointing one I have ever listened to. If I hadn't paid for it I would not have finished it.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Engaged

A delightful story. I had no trouble distinguishing between characters. Performance was masterful. joy to listen to.

Enjoyable story

Really liked the narrator on this one. This author really appeals to me. This is the second of her books I've listened to.

My First and Not My Last Trisha Ashley

Would you listen to Chocolate Wishes again? Why?

Yes. Warm, feel good story with elements of mystery that kept me listening.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The Rock-Star turned Vicar. (my husband has followed a similar path :))

Have you listened to any of Julia Rounthwaite’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

First time listening to Julia Rounthwaite. Absolutely loved her performance. Also love her surname.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I thought the MC hung onto unforgiveness for far too long and was pleased when she finally let go, though we find out the deeper reasons why she'd found it so hard to forgive.

Any additional comments?

It was an interesting marriage of paganism and Christianity which I found interesting though some readers might have issues either with a slightly Christian perspective, or Americans completely misunderstanding the historic links with paganism. Though I doubt many Americans would find their way to this material. I really enjoyed the book and will definitely listen to more Trisha Ashley.

2 stars since i managed to finish

trisha ashley's books are for the very casual reader, preferably someone who listens to books while otherwise occupied. i read the sequel first, which wasn't bad ... your standard chick lit i would say. this one, i think, is better suited for an older teen reader. 2 stars at best (i did manage to finish the book).

A cosy Lancashire tale

Although some of the twists and turns in this book may be a little predictable, I found this a humorous and heartening Lancashire tale. It kept me engaged throughout and was well narrated. I'll look out for more from Trisha Ashley.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Trisha Ashley is a real find!

You know it's a good book when you get to the end and feel like starting over again. I have already listened to this one twice as I've had it a while. It's a perfect blend of story and character, interesting little details and a narrator that fits.

So if you like books with themes such as fortune telling, angels, witchcraft(though all perfectly harmless), you'll find this book, though it may be considered quirky by some, is for you! It's full of fun, has flowing dialogue and a seamless plot. There's also an engaging romantic plot, although this is by no means all it has to offer.

The narrator is perfectly chosen for this book as she adds a slightly spooky air, her voices are particularly good.

This was my first Trisha Ashley and is now one of my favourite books and she's also one of my favourite authors.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Sadly disappointing

I purchased this book because I am a fan of Katie Fforde - however, from the beginning I hoped it would get better, the narrator made me feel like turning off - I am near the end now, and it has not got any better - the story is ok 4/10 possibly - the narrator 1/10 - I will try and avoid a talking book with her reading it. She sounds like she is bored stiff - a bit like a parent being asked to read the same story to a child for the 10th time that night. I have enjoyed all the other books that I have purchased with audible - this one was very disappointing.

4 of 5 people found this review helpful

Sweet!

A story with lots going on. All the characters were charming except for one. With all the chocolate, spells and romance the book couldn't be anything but sweet!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Like this book

I enjoyed listening to this book, the story is on the whole predicatble but I kind of expected that before buying. Having said this I think it is very entertaining and funny, I am in the process of buying the other book by this author available from audible. As for the narrator I had no problem with her performance I thought her voice suited the book very well.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Loved it

Highly recommended. Nicely read and well written as usual. A real mood lifter thank you

romance and chocolate

Where does Chocolate Wishes rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Excellent Trisha Ashley is a favourite author

Who was your favorite character and why?

All of them are well rounded people. Chloe and the vicar are pretty special

What does Julia Rounthwaite bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

She's great she just brings the characters to life. She is particularly good at 1st person narration she is easily believable

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

loosing the baby was very sad.

Any additional comments?

I wish Trisha Ashley would write faster

Very poor read

Found this book erupt boarding, still waiting for the storyline to appear. Not worth reading. Wouldn't recommend it to anyone