Really enjoyed this book it was a nice light hearted easy read which I do tend to enjoy the most. I’m looking forward to reading more books from Melissa McClone in the future.

Nevada travels to Marietta, Montana to stay with her sister and write the PhD dissertation. Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and the town is covered in all sorts of decorations for the day. Nevada doesn’t like Valentine’s Day because of the events that happened in the past. Her sister works at the chocolate shop and that’s where she finds out about the multi-day competition called Valentine Quest. Nevada decides to participate, because the grand prize is luxury tropical vacation to Fiji and she would like to give the prize to her brother, who is leaving military very soon. While visiting her sister at work she meets Dustin, who is also interested in the competition and as other people compete in couples, they decide to unite their forces to win the whole thing.

It was a sweet small town story that takes place around Valentine’s Day. I adored the setting and found the competition part really interesting. It was a heart warming story and the whole series seems to have the same nice tone to them. It’s more fun to read the series in order, but each story stands on its own very well.

The Valentine Quest is the fifth book in the "Love At The Chocolate Shop" series, but it is only the second one I have read. I didn't have a problem following the story, but will go back and read the first three so I know the whole story about all the characters.

In this story Nevada Parker has been staying with her sister Dakota who works at the chocolate shop. She is visiting and teaching at the local college while working on her dissertation. When she falls on her butt outside the Chocolate Shop, Dustin Decker helps her up. When she realized that the sexy cowboy who had come into the store was the man who helped her up, her hormones start working overtime. Dustin had decided to enter the Valentine Quest (a several day event) where the grand prize is a trip to Fiji. After some convincing by her sister, Nevada enters as well. Dustin and Nevada both have situations in their backgrounds that caused them to not want to settle down. They are happy just the way they are. When the competition begins, it becomes obvious to them that unless they team up they will be at a disadvantage with all the other teams in pairs.

The Valentine Quest is a very funny journey for these two and you will find yourself giggling out loud at some of the situations Nevada and Dustin get themselves into. Watching their relationship blossom as they share secrets and help each other deal with situations along the way was enjoyable. They went from both wanting to win the Quest to caring more about each other as the story goes on. I can't wait to read the next book in this series. The interesting thing about this series is that each book is written by a different author, yet the characters are the same and the books fit together nicely.

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!

The Valentine Quest

Melissa McClone


THE VALENTINE QUEST is the fifth book in the Love At The Chocolate Shop series, but it can easily be read as a standalone. Do yourself a favor and read these books in order though. You miss out on too much of the characters backgrounds if you don't. Nevada Parker has been staying with her sister Dakota who works at the chocolate shop. One day while on her way to see her sister, she slips and falls right on her butt. Right in front of Dustin Decker, a hot and sexy cowboy who catches Nevada's eye right away. Anyway, once inside the chocolate shop they both learn that they are running a holiday contest called THE VALENTINE QUEST. After some debating, Nevada and Dustin decided they both want to be in this contest.


Both Dustin and Nevada swear they aren't looking to settle down and like their lives just they way they are now. Right!! We all know how this is going to go right? Dustin and Nevada decide to team up together to help each other out with the contest. Oh boy, this is going to be fun right? One night during the competition, they share a kiss and Nevada can't stop thinking about it. THE VALENTINE QUEST is a very funny journey for these two and you will find yourself giggling out loud at some of the situations Nevada and Dustin get themselves into.


THE VALENTINE QUEST will leave you guessing about the rest of the characters you will meet along the way, but not with a huge cliffhanger or anything like that. I truly enjoyed watching Nevada and Dustin grow and learn how to rely on each other during the contest. At first, it was a disaster and I thought they would kill each other! But as the story goes on, each of them really balance the other out. I finished this heart warming story with a huge smile on my face and can't wait to continue with this series. This is an awesome series, by various authors and to me, the series just keeps getting better and better. Melissa McClone hooked me from the very first page and never let me or my heart go! Don't you love when an author can do that to you?

Incomplete review. (Not about the actual book yet, but on technicality)

It's probably too late now, but the ARC I got definitely has a typo: In Chapter 5, after Nevada and Dustin completed their first task, there was this sentence "Everything that had gone wrong at Kindred Place swirled in Dakota's mind like a whirlpool." Judging by the content, it should be "Nevada" rather than "Dakota" in the sentence. Hopefully it got fixed in the actual release.

When Nevada and Dustin team up to win the Valentine Quest, neither realizes their platonic relationship could lead to love. Cooperating and working together to overcome obstacles teaches each to open their hearts to trust and love.

Super Cute! Nevada Parker (yep, her real name) is a Valentine's Day hum bug. To say she hates it is an understatement. She's writing her PhD dissertation and needs to buckle down. Until she's lured into a race of sorts.
Dustin Decker (good alliteration) is an ex-bull riding star. Now he works on a dude ranch. I'm not sure how fulfilling that is.
These two characters are fun together. They are basically not anything the other is looking for. "Keep you eye on the prize, Violet" They need each other to win a town scavenger huntish thing. (yes, those are real words)
You know how this goes. They fall for each other - are actually good for each other - except for the hang-ups.
Cute story. Fun ending.

Rating: 4 Stars
Content: kissing
Source: Netgalley
I received an ARC. My opinion is my own.

Nevada Parker has been staying with her sister, Dakota, in the small town of Marietta, Montana while she works on finishing up her PhD dissertation. Every time Nevada visits her sister at work at the local chocolate shop she cringes with the overdone Valentine’s decorations since Nevada has given up on finding her own love and focuses only on her studies.

Nevada however learns of a local event called the Valentine Quest in which the grand prize is a luxury vacation that Nevada thinks would be the perfect gift for her brother who will be leaving the military soon. Leaving her comfort zone Nevada signs up for the multi day event but finds herself having to make an alliance with local cowboy, Dustin Decker, when the pair find themselves the only singles and well outnumbered by all of the couples that have entered.

The Valentine’s Quest is the fifth book in the Love at the Chocolate Shop series. Each book in the series features a new and different couple that have some tie to the small town chocolate shop in Marietta, Montana. It’s not necessary to have read the other books in the series to enjoy each individual read but as usual with any book set in this lovely little small town this book is filled with all the same charm and has glimpses of some of the previous characters from this town.

My favorite part of this story was simply the creativity behind the Valentine Quest competition that Nevada and Dustin have entered. Such a fun setting for a couple to come together as they balance each other’s strengths and weaknesses while completing holiday themed tasks together. Both characters were extremely likable in this setting and the small town charm of the competition just completely won me over. Definitely would recommend this one to the romance fans out there.

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

The Valentine Quest was a truly lovely addition to this series. I'd even have to go so far as to say it is my new favorite.

Nevada hits very close to home: book smart as all get out but socially awkward and struggling to deal with emotional entanglements. I liked how she started to trust a bit when Dustin trusted her first. I liked how her sister (Dakota from A Thankful Heart) and brother York both show they care for her. I liked her in all her Valentine-hating, love is myth glory. And I loved why she was that way.

Dustin is a character we have seen before as he is part of the Bar V5 family. I liked and appreciated that he starts out exactly the way we have seen him before. I like that he gets a nice character arc and I enjoyed seeing him with Brooklyn especially, but also with other characters. I had more trouble with why he was also a love hater, but it worked.

I loved the ending and I loved how both Nevada and Dustin changed through the course of the book. This was a very strong book because of that. On the flip side, I struggled a great deal with how the "big issue" was handled. As for Dustin's reaction to the issue, it sucked big time. But, it also helped him see himself a bit better and made him a better person.

As a result, the ending was all the better. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Now I am hopeful for a book for York.

The Valentine Quest by Melissa McClone is book number five in the Chocolate Shop series. This is Nevada Parker and Dustin Decker's story.

Nevada and Dustin have things in their life that effects the person they are now. Their first meeting was like mixing oil and water. Nevada and Dustin decided put their differences aside and work as a couple in Valentine Quest. There is just something about Dustin that I liked. They are not looking for a relationship but will they discover love during the Valentine Quest?

This is a sweet romance with lots of chocolate!   I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

Nevada Parker comes to Marietta to stay with her older sister, Dakota, while working to finish her PhD dissertation. She has always felt she doesn't fit in, and a bad experience with Valentine's Day has turned it into her least favorite holiday. When she runs across a flyer for Marietta's first Valentine Quest. Despite her feelings for the holiday, and how outside her comfort zone it will put her, she decides winning the Grand Prize as a thank you for her brother is worth the discomfort.
Dustin Decker is out to prove that despite the injuries that ended his rodeo career, he's still a winner. The Valentine Quest seems to be the perfect opportunity, and the Grand Prize trip is added incentive.
When these two people who have sworn of love and relationships realize they need a partner for the Quest, they join forces figuring that at the end they will finish separately.
The more tasks they complete, the more they learn about each other, finding that their strengths compliment each other.
This was such a sweet story. The characters were well-written, and it was so much fun watching them grow closer and watch their perceptions about love and relationships change. I love revisiting Marietta and characters from past stories, both in this series and others by both Melissa McClone and others based in Marietta.
This is part of a series but can easily be read as a stand alone...but they are so much fun, why would you miss the rest?

Aww shucks this had to be one of the sweetest books in this series. I mean Dustin does come off a little bit arrogant but you understand why he is that way as the story progresses. And Nevada's insecurity too is understandable considering what happened to her in the past. But they complement each other so well that even though they are so different, they are the definition of "opposites attract".

ARC provided by NetGalley for voluntary review consideration.

Thank you Netgalley and Tule Publishing for the opportunity to read this book. This was a great read and I really liked the characters of Nevada and Dustin. I would recommend this book to other readers

Loved this heartwarming romance where two opposites find attraction with the race of the Valentine Quest. Nevada, Miss Brain, working on her Phd, wants to win the, the Quest for her brother and Dustin, ex cowboy rodeo, who works at the Bar V ranch wants to win the trip for himself. This unlikely pair team up to win this competition. Loved the different challenges they had to do, and how they each helped each other to overcome obstacles. I really enjoyed their growing relationship.

This is a book that I kept turning the pages with plenty of smiles. I am loving the Love at the Chocolate Shop, two things in common is romance and chocolate, they go hand in hand.

Perfect easy girlie read! Opened one night and had finished by the next day! Yet another author to add to my list of books to read!

This is a great book; this is the fifth book in the Love at the Chocolate Shop series written by Melissa McClone. This is a great book with a wonderful story and well developed characters. This book will keep you reading long into the night. If you are looking for a great book, then you need to read this book. 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.

This is such a sweet romance in every sense of the word sweet - I loved it!

Nevada Parker has always struggled to fit in. Academically able, she was fast tracked, missing out years at school so was always with older children or students. After a debacle at her first Valentine’s Ball where she was publicly humiliated, she’s never liked the celebration. Now, however, she’s staying with her older sister in Marietta, Montana and reads about the competition being run there over several days, The Valentine Quest. The grand prize is a luxury holiday which would be a great way to welcome her brother back after years in the military. When local cowboy, Dustin Decker, suggests they team up for the competition she reluctantly agrees. Get ready for sweet treats, community service, cuddly cats and much more in this story where their original plans may well have to revised as fate steps in . . . .

I thoroughly enjoyed visiting Marietta again through this story and catching up on the continuing sagas of other couples met in earlier novels as well as the delectable pair who are the focus for this one. It has great characters, is well written and a delight to get lost in. I have no hesitation in highly recommending it (and the other books in the series) to anyone who enjoys scrumptious romance with the added treat of a side serving of chocolate treats!

Many thanks to the publishers who gifted me a copy of this book through NetGalley without any obligations. This is my honest review after choosing to read it!

The Valentine Quest by Melissa McClone is different from the other books in the series but still an enjoyable read. I like the changed up with the competition that brings Nevada and Dustin together. I also like how the two different personalities worked to bring out the best in each other. Like many confirmed bachelors, Decker ran hot and cold in his dealings with Nevada. This endeared the nerdy (which I think is a good trait) Nevada to me in the way that she handled Decker’s mood changes. On the other hand, not so much for Decker. However, he is not the first Marietta cowboy to behave so. Denial and then resistant seem to be a common problem of men in many romance stories so it didn’t come as a complete surprise. It also provided the needed tension and emotional drama to keep the story interesting.

The beginning of the book with Nevada’s perception of February in Marietta was hilarious, hooking me into the story right from the start. Then the competition and Decker’s need to prove himself, Nevada’s unselfish reason for want to enter the competition kept me reading. The understated development of the romance was right on target for these wary individuals. It all adds up to another sweet, wonderful tale of the people in Marietta, Montana.

Marietta celebrates with a romantic competition called The Valentine Quest. The grand prize is a tropical vacation. Nevada Parker wants to give her brother a surprise when he leaves the military. Dustin Decker, a former rodeo champ, wants to win to enjoy the sun and sand. When these two decide to work together things get interesting. I loved seeing their attraction grow as the work together. I wanted them to get a HEA. Nevada is very intelligent, but insecure socially. She hasn't recovered from a painful college experience. I was happy that she took a chance on the contest. Dustin is a hard worker and a flirt. His parents rocky marriage makes him leary of commitment. Neither are looking for a relationship but fate has other plans. I loved this tender and flirty romance. The characters are compelling and drew me into the story. I enjoyed their snappy dialogue. I always love visiting Marietta as well as Sage's Chocolate Shop. I can't get enough of this town. Melissa McClone has the perfect writing style. She made fall in love with The Valentine Quest and her contestants.
A copy of this book was provided to me. I voluntarily read this book and these comments are my honest opinions.