The Chocolate Maker's Wife

By: Karen Brooks

Narrated by: Willow Nash

Length: 20 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

Karen Brooks rewrites women back into history with this breathtaking, scrupulously researched tale set in 17th-century London.

Damnation has never been so sweet....

When Rosamund Tomkins enters the world with her darkling eyes and strange laughter, the midwives are afraid, believing her a changeling. But Rosamund's life is set to be anything but enchanted....

Born into poverty, brutalised and ignored by her family, it is only when she is married off to a nobleman that her life undergoes a transformation, as her husband recognises in Rosamund a magic she does not know she possesses but which affects almost all who encounter her. Presiding over a luxurious chocolate house where men go to be seen, exchange news and indulge in the sweet and heady drink to which they have become addicted, Rosamund feels blessed.

But disaster strikes, and Rosamund stands on the brink of losing all she has worked so hard to achieve. Forced to make a choice, she can either walk away from all she has grown to love with her soul intact or make a deal with the devil....

Set against the backdrop of Restoration London, the plague and the Great Fire, this is a tale of cruelty, revenge, redemption, love and hope, and the sweet, sinister temptation of chocolate.

©2019 Karen Brooks (P)2019 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Well researched and great history

The story was great, I enjoyed the indepth story ltellimg about history..but..so many clichés. The excessive cliché description slowed down an otherwise great story.

4.7 stars

Very good. Interesting subject matter. Clearly impeccably researched. The language can be very coarse at times, however, and the main character is unbelievably stubborn.

Fascinating and Enjoyable!

I think this was a well researched and written book that still managed to have a wonderful and engaging story. I had no idea that chocolate houses existed, and now I want to research more about them!

The Choc Makers Wife

Thoroughly enjoyed listening to this thought-provoking, well developed story. Spent several nights going over what was happening to my favorite characters and wondering what would happen next.

Too long

Thought the story too long and the secret plot too predictable. It seemed more like a melodrama than a historical fiction novel.

Encqptivating story filled with history

Karen Brooks has done great research and includes it in her fascinating story. I wanted to continuously listen. Through her descriptive writing I could picture the whole story and smell the spices!

Lovely Story but..

I enjoyed this book & the story line but I found that it was very long & drawn out. A lot of this book is many different story lines converging into 3 main characters & at times it was monotonous.

Pretty good

First of all, this book is looong. It's a commitment. I loved the history, and the story. I guessed the " terrible secret" pretty easily. But, I did enjoy the book.

Best of Everything

For well researched, fascinating, and entertaining historical fiction read by the one of the best narrators ever, Karen Brooks and Willow Nash are your girls. Can’t get enough of her. Gabaldon fans will adore this

The Chocolate Maker's Wife

I loved this book with all of it's twists and turns! The historical part was very interesting! Be sure to check the authors note at the end! So much information about how she decided what to write and where the information came from! Fascinating!