Today, it’s all about chocolate: a sweet treat for any occasion! If you’re a bookworm and looking for your next read, what about using your favorite chocolate to make the decision? Yes, we are pairing the top three standard chocolates with two books. Hopefully, these book recommendations will sweeten the deal!
Milk Chocolate
The most common, everyday chocolate is milk chocolate. Its flavor is smooth and has just the right amount of sweetness— a perfect staple for any dessert. It’s a chocolate that is there to make the day go better, it adds possibilities of adventure and reflection when having the first bite, reliable chocolate for any situation. With that, here’s two books I believe will pair well with milk chocolate.
The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels is the first book in India Holton’s historical romance trilogy filled with adventure.
Prim, proper (and a thief)— Cecilia Bassingwaite is the ideal lady. Cecilia is a member of the Wisteria Society crime sorority. She does blackmail, treasure hunting, and still has time for tea at the nearest bistro. With an overbearing aunt and a haunted past, her life is content.
That is until Ned Lightbourne arrives. Lightbourne is immediately taken by Cecilia. However, he has direct orders from his employer, Captain Morvath, to kill her. Morvath has a ruthless hatred of the world and presumptuous women. With his gothic abbey and cannons, he wants to be rid of all women starting with the Wisteria Society. But, Ned has his own plans.
Reluctantly, Cecilia must work together with Ned in order to save the women of Wisteria and the world. Can their chemistry help or go against their initial plans?
The Selfless Act of Breathing is a heartwarming novel by JJ Bola that’s about navigating one’s heart and life’s purpose through a long journey. Michael Kabongo is a teacher in London. He’s charismatic and determined to correct the injustices he sees.
To honor the memory of his father’s tragic death, for the students, and to end violence for marginalized Black men, he has a goal. However, when a tragedy occurs he goes on a long trip to the United States. He partakes in many experiences, going to different places, meeting new people, new romances, and thrills— all until his money runs out.
As he makes new connections and faces old prejudices, he must decide if life is worth living.
Dark Chocolate
This chocolate is best described as bitter and less sweet. Not as smooth as milk chocolate, dark chocolate’s flavor is much more pronounced. These next two books showcase different types of horrors and thrills that are bitter and dark.
Manhunt by Gretchen Felker-Martin is responding to every gender-based apocalyptic horror story. Felker-Martin has a new voice for the horror that includes transgender and non-binary characters.
Beth and Fran hunt for wild men while traveling on the New England coast. They harvest their organs to make sure they’ll never face the same fate.
Robbie goes by one motto: “other people aren’t safe” with a gun as his protection
These three entwine when an accident occurs. These survivors must navigate murderous TERFs, a sociopath billionaire in a bunker, and their awkward relationship dynamics, all while outrunning packs of feral men and facing their internal conflicts.
I’m Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid is a psychological thriller that is intense and leaves you confused and shivering. With a dark twist, this novel is smart and literary with enough suspense to have you gasping. It explores the human psyche, questioning consciousness, free will, and relationships. It’s a perfect haunt that pairs well with dark chocolate.
White Chocolate
White chocolate is best known for its rich, buttery flavor. It’s known for a luxurious and velvety feel that’s creamy. Not many people like white chocolate— it seems almost expensive, a rarity. These two books have a similar feel to them, with themes of luxury and rich, dramatic romance.
Her Royal Highness by Rachel Hawkins is the second book in the Royals series.
It focuses on Millie Quint, who’s in a sort-of relationship with her friend. When she finds out her friend kissed someone else, Millie begins to apply for scholarships to boarding schools. When she gets accepted to an exclusive school in Scotland, she doesn’t expect to become roommates with a princess. Flora is an actual princess, and she and Millie do not get along.
But, with time, they become friends. Maybe even girlfriends. Millie doesn’t want a repeat of Houston. But will their relationship even work?
Meet Me Under the Mistletoe really focuses on the class system and the enemy-to-lovers trope.
Elinor Noel, or Nory, runs a secondhand bookshop in London. She keeps her working-class upbringing and high-class lifestyle separate. She has a scholarship to a private school and wants to make sure both don’t clash.
When two old friends invite their whole group to hang out until the day of their wedding at a castle, Nory needs to mentally prepare. There are fond memories and then there is an ill-advised former fling. She literally falls into Isaac’s arms, the castle’s head gardener. His contempt for the snobby prep school kids is obvious.
Yet the attraction becomes undeniable as they spend time together during the wedding festivities. As they find common ground with each other, there are outside pressures and class issues that force Nory to make a decision on what lifestyle she wants.
For more books with chocolate, themes go to Bookstr.