A Thankful Heart is a charming addition to the Love at the Chocolate Shop series, set in the picturesque town of Marietta, Montana. The story revolves around Dakota, a quirky and unconventional heroine who stands out for all the wrong reasons—or perhaps, the right ones, depending on your perspective. Dakota has a reading and spelling disability, a full-figured body, and a rather practical fashion sense that is constantly overshadowed by the animal hair she collects from her numerous animal friends. She's also the proud owner of a rat who enjoys perching on her shoulder.

Though she doesn’t need to work due to an inheritance, Dakota spends her time helping at the local chocolate shop part-time and volunteering at the animal shelter, where she tends to rescue countless animals. She’s also a proud member of the “chocolate-is-better-than-men-club,” which sums up her skepticism toward romance—until Bryce, a handsome stranger from Seattle, enters the picture.

While Dakota is undeniably unique, I found her a bit frustrating as a protagonist. She’s often stubborn, expecting everyone around her to change or compromise, while she remains set in her own ways. Her character is more of an "anti-heroine" than a traditional leading lady, which might make her harder to connect with for some readers. Additionally, while the title suggests that the romance will center around the chocolate shop, it’s actually more of a "love-at-the-shelter" story, with the focus largely on Dakota’s passion for animals rather than her relationship with Bryce.

Despite my reservations about Dakota’s character, I still enjoyed the book. It's a delightful read for animal lovers, as the pages are filled with stories of dogs, cats, and other adorable creatures. If you enjoy heartwarming tales of rescue, second chances, and quirky characters, A Thankful Heart is certainly worth picking up. While not the perfect match for every reader, it will resonate with those who love a bit of offbeat charm and a story that celebrates both love and animals.

A lovely heat warming tale featuring a wonderful cast of characters and some incredibly cute furry friends

Thank you Netgalley for a copy for an honest review

I really enjoyed the book, it has everything I love in a novel from start to finish. I can’t wait to read what the author has planned next!

A Thankful Heart is the second book in the Love at the Chocolate Shop series. It is a serious step up from the first book which I struggled with. Dakota and Bryce are characters I could mostly get into and the strong relationships really made this book.

Dakota is mostly happy with her job at the chocolate shop and with her volunteering. Sure, she's been hurt before but it's not front and center for her. She's doing what she loves and that's what really matters.

Enter Bryce. He's got more emotional baggage than Dakota but not in a romantic sense. His baggage comes in the form of family. He's a city boy, just trying to get his Dad to move to Seattle. He doesn't have time for romance or dogs.

But in the end, the magic of Marietta (and love) win the day. This is not an angsty book, nor is it fraught with struggles. It's a book about everyday love - the kind with ups and downs and making things work. It doesn't have or need a lot of emotional drama as Dakota and Bryce slip into each others' lives and hearts with a simple grace.