An enduring friends to lovers story.

Leah Morgan embarrassed herself while filming a reality television show when she blurted out that she was in love with Wade Burns from her home in Marietta Montana. Now, Leah is back home and hiding out from everyone trying to get a handle on her life and figure out what step to take next.

Wade didn’t realize he loved Leah until she decided to leave town. Now that she is back, he will do anything to win her over. But Leah is afraid to say those three little words to Wade, so he holds back. How long will it take for Leah and Wade to open up and tell each other how they really feel about each other?

This sweet story will melt your heart. Leah and Wade are perfect for each other, but they are both afraid to say how they really feel. It takes a little bit of scheming from a family and friends to get them to realize what has been there all along.

Rated 3.5/5

This is a best friends - through a series of misunderstandings - to lovers story and most of the story concerns those horrendous misunderstandings! Most of the action is centred around Sage’s Chocolate shop in Marietta Montana and concerns “Lonely Leah” and Wade Burns. Leah gained the nickname after being tricked to drink alcohol whilst participating in a reality show and saying much more than she’d have ever thought of doing whilst sober. Now she’s being hounded by the press so has run from her Californian home back to stay with her brother in Marietta, Montana. The only problem with that is it means she has to face up to Wade Burns who didn’t respond after she’d confessed that she loved him. Heartbroken, she’s not sure what to do but does know the whole community will be upset when the show is broadcast and they learn what she was tricked into saying . . .

Wade is still head over heels in love with Leah but doesn’t understand why she’s avoiding him now she’s returned to Marietta. There are so many misunderstandings mainly because the two won’t talk properly and honestly to each other. Everyone else who knows them also know they were meant to be together, soul mates, but will they ever be open with each other to give themselves the chance to achieve their HEA together - especially as so many in the community just can’t help interfering!

This is the sixth book in this series, each written by a different author and featuring a different couple on their journey to romance. It is packed with angst, misgivings and, of course, misunderstandings. It involves many characters who are very familiar from reading other stories in this and related series but, whilst it is great to catch up with them again, I don’t think it matters if you haven’t read any of the others, you can still enjoy this one. If you're looking for a light-hearted yet angst filled, sweet romance, you'll probably love this!

Many thanks to the publishers for gifting me a copy of this novel, via NetGalley, with no obligation. This is my honest review.

Of all the books in this series, I found this one a little disappointing. I just cannot believe that 2 people who have grown up together and been best friends all their lives would have such a hard time communicating their true feelings. And why would there be such hesitation is they were truly best friends. I just had a bit of trouble digesting this situation. For me, it was an okay read though the ending is nice.

Charmed Br Chocolate is a good story, that’s why the 3.5 rating – it’s a good story, one that many people will enjoy.

I’ll be frank and short. I could not connect with Leah at all, and Wade was a close second to the non-connecting for me. Loved being back in Marietta, enjoyed seeing Sage again, chuckled at Dylan’s continuous weather predicting difficulties and adored Gram. But Leah frustrated me to the point of being ready to toss my Kindle at a wall (and I cherish my Kindle). Her inability to speak her mind, her constant assuming everything, and the giving in to the BFF who is a major cause of a lot of Leah’s current problems – combine with the situation going on for far too long. And no, I couldn’t care about them and if I don’t care I don’t enjoy a story.

This will be one of a handful of times when a story is getting a rounded up 4 star rating because of the “universe” it’s taking place in and my love of those people who make up that world… not because of the main couple. I’m certain there is an audience who will love this one, and that’s great – not every reader feels the same and every review is merely one person’s opinion. I wanted to love this story, I simply couldn’t, and that actually saddens me more than you might think.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

Charmed by Chocolate: A Love t the Chocolate Shop Romance
Romance
Steena Holmes

Leah has come home to Marietta, Montana to lick her wounds after suffering heartbreak and humiliation. Running from problems is a way of life for her, but this time she ran to the last place she should have. Escaping straight into the arms of her loving family, friends, and Wade, the man that broke her heart and was at the center of the disaster her life has become.

Being a contestant on the reality show, Charmed was the biggest mistake Leah ever made. Not only does she reveal her lifelong love of childhood BFF. Wade on national television, she belittled the town that helped her and her brother, Dylan when their parents were tragically killed. The town of Marietta takes care of its own

Sneaking back into town to hide from her humiliation and broken heart just makes things worse when she realizes that everyone knows she is there and what she has done. To make matters worse, she comes face-to-face with Wade. Opening her heart to tell him that she loved him was a hard and exciting decision, not being able to wait to do it in person she had grabbed the phone and called him. Pouring her heart out confessing her love she was not expecting his reply. Wade didn’t say anything for a few seconds, then abruptly said he had to go and get ready for a trip, then hung up. Leah couldn’t believe it, she had missed her chance and lost the only man she had ever loved.

Between her Grams, her brother, the townspeople pushing her towards a relationship with Wade that is over and being back to Marietta, Leah feels as if no one understands how hurt she is. She finds solace in a warm bed with plenty of chocolate to keep her company determined to move on with her life in California.

__

The characters are interesting, “Grams” is the kind of grandmother we all wish we had and wished we could run away from at the same time. Wade is kind and pleasant; the other supporting characters are entertaining especially Grams and Sage.

Wade not knowing why all of a sudden why Leah isn’t talking to him, or why things have changed between them is complex. The reality show debacle is unusual and original. It would have been interesting to include it in more detail with perhaps some scenes interjected.

The story is entertaining but a bit slow to grab the readers full attention. As the pace picks up and we learn more about why Leah is running from her job, friends and California the entertainment and intrigue goes up. When Leah finally tells Wade that everything is her fault, that she took him for granted and now it’s too late is the most memorable scene in the book. With one word she begs him not to say anything else. All of the pain and grief for what she has lost in contained in that one word, it can be felt by the reader and even brings a tear to the eye.

This book is a sweet romance. The problems associated with the relationship between Leah and Wade are believable. This is not an intense love story but is a fun read. The book would appeal to almost any reader of romance novels as well as tweens. There is no foul language, no drugs or illegal activities, and no sexual content.

What happens when you make a fool of yourself on national tv & totally "diss" your hometown? What does your friend think when you just told a nationwide audience that you are in love with him? You run home to your brother & hide out in his house, not daring to show your face in town.

I really loved this story. Leah has totally humiliated herself & can't face the town. She admitted she'd been in love with Wade for some time. She thinks Wade has fallen out of love with her. Wade has always been in love with Leah but doesn't believe she'll ever love him. Thanks to a confession that was missed by the other party, they both have a lot of misconceptions to get over. Leah's grandmother is a hoot! She is extremely loving but snarky at times & thinks she's the town matchmaker. She's a big part of the story. I fell in love with these characters & the town & am going to go read some of the other stories in the series!

[actual rating 2.75]

If you want a fluffy romance, this may be right up your alley. It just wasn't exactly what I was looking for.

We follow Leah, a tv figure on "Charmed" (similar to Bachelor), who is just getting over an overblown scandal. She returns back to Marietta for a break, and there gets reunited with her childhood best friend and her fierce grandmother. Obviously from the cover you can see that this book does have to do with baking and chocolates, which play a big role in the setting.

Personally though, I found a lot of things in this story extremely frustrating and annoying. For example, the MC best friend literally have ruined her life several times over; and I just wanted to shake the whole group and be like, stop treating Leah like sh*t and expecting something in return. Listen, I truly appreciate all type of female friendships, but not only was this one unhealthy, emotional manipulate/abusive, but Leah never addressed this issue. At some points it just seemed like she was a puppy to her friend, escalating between guilt and favors and I just couldn't deal with it. My favorite character was defectively Leah's Gram, who was fierce and stood up to Leah trying to show her reason and truth in the midst of a foggy to her situation.

Also a key thing in these types of romances that often gets played the wrong way, and in an endless cycle that I'm not always willing to get through is lack of communication. I swear this whole book could have been resolved in one chapter if the characters simply had a face-to-face conversation where they explained what had happened and what they were feeling. But that would be pointless, wouldn't it have been? Because that means that the author wouldn't have the chance to drag out the whole plot and tangle it with the trope of miscommunication.

One trope that I absolutely adored and will always love was childhood best friends turned to lovers. One trope that I absolutely hate is the concept of "soul mates" and everybody in the community loves it. A mix of salt and sugar was interspersed within this text, which made me want to continue. Also the fact that this is a fairly short read also made the book bearable enough to finish.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing with an e-arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.

3 Back to Real Love Stars
* * *
Another book which is central to Marietta, Montana and the wonderful Chocolate store. Our gal went to Los Angeles to be SomeOne... and ended up being on a reality show like the The Bachelor...Unfortunately, she got caught up in the moment and drank too much, loosening her lips and heart to say out loud what she felt for a very long time....

She loves her very best friend Wade...On National Television....

UH–OH...
From that outburst..."Lonely Leah" was born...

Needless to say... she was not "The Chosen One"...and had to slink back home to Marietta...
At least she had her family to shelter her....
Well, may be not...

Because Grandma and Leah's brash, bestie have decided she should just get over it and approach Wade to see what is what... Grandma is amazingly fun and is the matchmaker of the town...

Wade has decided he is all in... so it is only a matter of time for these two to have their own HEA.
This is the sixth entry to this series and more are on the way.

This is a continuing series and each entry has been fun.

This is truly a "sweet" love story. You will definitely want a pound of chocolate to munch on while reading this book.
How can you right a wrong and move forward in your life, when you have a made a public announcement that gave the exact opposite statement? Do you run and risk happiness or confront the world "head-on?"
The description of each and every scene in the story, from the snowfall on the streets of Marietta, to the delicious aroma of cinnamon muffins that were always baked by Leah (the main character) were just wonderful. I felt as though I was walking beside Leah and Wade (her love) as well as having hot chocolate in the delicious, chocolate store of Charmed.
Well done Steena Holmes!
I must include Leah's Gram, who was my favorite character. She only wants happiness for her beloved Granddaughter and will do everything in her power to make sure this happens with all the spunk and grace of a Grandmother who has suffered her own heartaches..

You will enjoy some time away in this wonderful book.

Leah is talked into going on a reality dating show called Charmed. There she accidentally gets drunk and lets out her most private secret, she is in love with her very best friend Wade. She is dubbed "Lonely Leah" by the press and goes home to Marietta, Montana to lick her wounds. In Marietta Leah has her brother and her grandmother. They both try to get Leah to talk about what happened. Her grandmother is quite the matchmaker and she insists Wade loves her. Can Leah trust her heart and go after what she wants or is she meant to be "Lonely Leah"? This is a wonderful story of love, family, and being true to yourself. I love Steena Holmes's books and this is one that shouldn't be missed! Thank you to NetGalley and and Tule Publishing for ARC of this book for an honest review.

Book received from NetGalley.

I had to think about this review a bit, due to this book making me a bit mad. I have been looking forward to reading this series since the first book came out, and it sucks that I wasn't a fan of this one. The main character comes home to lick her wounds after an embarrassing situation due to a misunderstanding. The worse part was the embarrassment was out there for the world to see. While I agree that the protagonist shouldn't wallow forever due to the issue, the pushy nature of everyone in her life just irked me. Let the girl get her mind around what happened before you start making demands. The only reason I didn't consider she and her love interest a part of the whole instalove trope was because they were friends first. I usually love that scenario but I was so annoyed by the pushy people in her life I just could not enjoy it. BTW, the main characters best friend needed a smackdown for all the crap she caused in her life. The embarrassing situation was partially caused by said best friend. I still want to read the rest of the stories in this series. I just wasn't a huge fan of this one.

The sixth book in the Love at the Chocolate Shop, set in Marietta, Montana, is rife with misunderstandings between Wade and Leah, spanning years. The author has created the perfect scenario for these two, who have been the best of friends most of their lives, to move in different directions with their all because of misunderstandings that neither can admit to. The story is sweet, with a certain fire to it, and has the cast of characters that I've come to accept in this wonderfully entertaining series. There have been several different series based in this fictional town, but this one I think is my favorite. I'm already looking forward to the next book in the series.

This book was provided by the Publisher and Netgalley, I am voluntarily providing my honest review.