If you’re looking for a simple and quick YA grumpy x sunshine romance then this one might be for you!

I really like the easy to read writing style, I love the way the author can describes some of the places mentioned vividly which makes me feel like I’m in Paris.

I adore the grumpy x sunshine trope from this story.
I love seeing Whitney and Thierry relationship slowly changes to something more as they spend more time together. Whitney definitely has her own unique way to melt Thierry’s cold heart! Absolutely adore them both!

I also like getting to know more about Black history in Paris especially about Whitney’s idol – Josephine Baker which I’m not familiar with before reading this book.

Overall, this is such a cute and entertaining read. I devoured this sweet romance in just one day!
I’m looking forward to read more books by this author in the future!

This had a fun premise, marketed as part sisterhood of the traveling pants and that was what hooked me in. The reality of spending a semester in paris with the FMC whitney actually turned into all of the over the top and cringe worthy stereo types from Emily in Paris and did not make for a memorable read.

I grew up on the traveling pants, and was so excited to find some similarties in this novel but, there were no found family/strong gal pals vibes. There was just....Whitney's paris list. Which don't get me wrong, was SO relatable, but at the same time....the writing didn't make the reader feel immersed in any of the paris adventures, which having studied abroad in France myself, I would have loved to dive back in. YA reads can absolutely have butterflies, but there wasn't palpable chemistry from the two MCs and the conflict/resolution felt forced and rushed and didn't really resolve the story at the end.

While this may not have been the read for me, no doubt there's so many people that have or will enjoy this. So if you need a quick light hearted escape to paris, give it a try!


Thank you Netgalley and Random House Children's | Joy Revolution for the ARC in exchange for my review!

Love Requires Chocolate- Lost in Translation, Book #1

By Ravynn K. Stringfield-debut author

E-book: 275 pgs.

Genre: YA, Romance, Multicultural Interests

Tropes: semester abroad/fish out of water, grumpy/sunshine, coming of age

⚠️TW: racism

Setting: from D.C. to Paris, France

🙏🏽Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children's | Joy Revolution for this ARC 🩷! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

Summary: Whitney Curry 17 travels abroad for school and to research her senior project. She has an awkward first meeting with her roommates and reluctant French tutor Thierry Magnon. He agrees to help her with research and the French language, and she will give him a great review as a tutor. He is a soccer star recently suspended and punished by his stepfather for fighting at a game.


🤔My Thoughts: I liked all the cultural appreciation Whitney had, and Thierry was the best person to help her navigate Paris. There was an underlying racial aspect because Thierry was black and had to deal with racism, but Whitney's knowledge of African American art and music makes up for it. While both characters were black, their experiences were vastly different.

Rating: 3.5/5⭐⭐⭐⭐

Yes, yes it does!! 🍫

Happy Pub Day to this debut author of Love Requires Chocolate!

Whitney lives her life strictly by lists. She’s about to embark on a semester abroad in Paris, and her expectations are quite high! Whitney has every day planned out on what she will see and do.
Except when she finally gets there, Paris is not going how she imagined.
Starting with her roommates alienating her, being late on her first day, and having an embarrassing first encounter with her assigned French tutor, Thierry Magnon. Treś handsome tutor, mind you! And when he is not tutoring, he spends his days playing football and working in his stepfathers chocolate shop.

This is a cute, closed door, coming of age YA novel! Perfect for anyone who has traveled and fell in love with Paris or are fans of the show Emily in Paris! Just like in the show, Whitney struggles to adapt to her new environment at first, but soon sees the magic her Nana has always talked about. “Magic is made, Whitney, not discovered.”

There is discussion of racism and what it’s like to be Black in France. The reason Whitney wanted to travel to Paris was to write her senior thesis on Josephine Baker, a Black artist who fled to Paris and felt free there. Whitney wanted to know why.

Trope: grumpy x sunshine

I enjoyed reading Love Requires Chocolate by Ravynn K. Stringfield. You will fall in love with all the characters. I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely. Happy Reading!

Huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an E-ARC of this book! All thoughts and opinions are my own!

This book was truly such a sweet book (no pun intended!). The setting and the atmosphere of visiting and living in Paris for the first time was so engaging and just made me wanna hop on a plane to France.

Whitney’s journey of self discovery and self growth was so heart warming to see. I loved seeing her really take life by the reins and learn that not every step in life goes according to plan and that’s okay! I also really loved how passionate she was about her work and her show. As a fellow theater lover it was so heartwarming reading about someone who was so passionate about theater and performing!

The romance between Thierry and Whitney was done so well. It was slow burny, sweet, and filled with moments of tension. So many times did I feel my self relating to Whitney’s monologues and inner thoughts about how her relationship was developing. I loved how relatable her inner thoughts were. Thierry is also just the sweetest with her and had me swooning so much😍

If you’re a fan of YA romances, Emily in Paris, and self discovering FMCs I would definitely recommend checking out this story!

I will admit, the first 35% or so of the book was a struggle to get through. The writing style was very reminiscent of fanfiction with way too much "she said" and "he grumbled." All of the dialogue was clunky as a result. I also really didn't like Whitney at first. She was giving uptight manic pixie dream girl a bit too much to be tolerable. A lot of what she said was incredibly cringy including calling the girls in her dorm "cohortmates."

After the 35% mark, everything took a complete 180. Whitney mellowed out, the writing improved, and it felt much more relatable and grounded. I'm not sure what happened or what author took over but I wish that vibe carried itself to the beginning.

I love that her icon is a bisexual woman and there are a few LGBTQ+ background characters. They are all a good balance of being there but not shoehorned in unnecessarily.

I'd like to take a moment to proclaim my obsession with Nana. She was funny, witty, and a breath of realness the book desperately needed. I would love to read a book about her jaunt through Europe. This story would've highly benefitted from more lively characters like her.

In sum, this was a sweet (chocolate included) romance with a quirky FMC and a slow-to-warm-up MMC. It takes some time to hit its stride but once it does, it flies by. It would be a great palette cleanser between heavier reads.

If you want a look into what living in Paris would be if you were a young adult this book will make you want to book a flight. My rating is actually 3.5 stars. The book follows Whitney who is a senior in high school studying abroad for a semester in Paris. She is working on her senior thesis about the life and work of Josephine Baker. As someone who enjoys the history of Josephine Baker, I loved the history that was added to the story about her. We follow Whitney as she navigates Paris for the first time in not great French. Threw events she met a very grumpy Thierry who is assigned as her tutor. You are able to follow Whittney through the semester of trying to make friends and have her end of year project preformed. The story of Whitney and Thierry is so adorable, and I really enjoyed getting the know the characters. The details that were adding in the book about the city and the descriptions of food especially the chocolate was absolutely amazing. Very much enjoyed this debut book by the author.

I also want to thank Netgalley and Random House Children's for the ARC.

Note: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is a super sweet contemporary YA romance that features a lot of my favorite things: France, sugar, falling in love, and theater. Was it a perfect combination? Not necessarily, but it was still pretty enjoyable.

Whitney is your stereotypical theater kid—confident, loud, and painfully unaware despite supposedly being self aware. She irritated me a bit in the beginning b/c she was so stereotypical, but that also probably means I would have really identified with her as a teenager, so I guess I have to give it a pass... And Thierry was just the right amount of grumpy for me, and such a romantic at heart!! That scene in Chocolat Doré was SO. CUTE. omg. Their chemistry felt very natural and warm to me. But that third act conflict?? Sorry, Whitney, but it was so. dramatic. for. no. reason.

And on a pedantic note, I really did not understand the author's baseline for Whitney's French. She uses some nearly intermediate phrases in the beginning, but then Thierry has to teach her the passé composé for avoir and être?? And while I loved the sense of improvement regarding her French, there is no way a high schooler with those basics would feel comfortable at a market alone, as she put it.... Admittedly, my French degree was out in full force and feeling VERY judgy during this read; she simply can't be tamed!!!

I think this is book is a lot of very light, easy fun, perfect for actual tweens and teenagers who may not have been to France and are itching to go; for everyone else (i.e., everyone older than 18), I'd probably recommend skipping.

3 out of 5 stars, ⭐️⭐️⭐️

3.5 🌟
First, the Olympics, and now this story—Paris has truly been the star of summer, and I'm grateful that with the help of this book, I got to extend my imaginative stay a little longer. Because just like the main character of this story, Whitney, I didn’t want the magic to end.

This was such a charming, fun story. It was super quick and easy to read. I loved Whitney’s passion for all things Paris and Josephine Baker. It was fun to traverse the city with her and our favorite Parisian boy Thierry and watch their relationship evolve as the months went on.

Overall, this book was nice. I know that "nice" isn't the most glamorous assessment in the world (don't hurt me Whitney), but for me, it truly fits this story. It was nice, not too complicated, and it made me smile. I’m happy to have read it.

Thank you, Random House Children’s, NetGalley, and Ravynn K. Stringfield for allowing me the opportunity to review this book!

3.5 stars.

This was a cute, coming of age story about a girl who moves to Paris for a few months to study and who then ends up falling in love.

This book felt like it had good bones but at times like it didn’t have enough meat on them.

Some things rubbed me the wrong way in this book. I did not like the roommates one bit. They got of on the wrong foot instantly and with the way that the book was written I never really felt that I could trust them or that the friendship that later came was real.

The romance that came felt a little bit off and sudden. I’m having a hard time understanding Thierry’s change of heart towards Whitney when he showed so much annoyance and apprehension in the beginning. His switch in emotion felt very sudden and not very realistic.

And the way that Whitney handled the ex girlfriend kills me. I can’t understand how she from out of nowhere decided that she was going home just because the ex showed up. She just gave up everything and booked a flight home in a day. Everything that she fought for just got tossed out the window because she felt that her relationship was over. It didn’t feel like something that she would do when she worked so hard to get there in the first year place.

All in all a cute story, I liked the premise of the story but it just fell flat at some parts. But I did enjoy the story and ended up giving it 3.5 stars.

Ravynn K. Stringfield's Love Requires Chocolate is a charming novel that whisks readers away to the enchanting city of Paris as it follows Whitney Curry, a spirited theater enthusiast, on her semester abroad.

Stringfield's vivid descriptions of Paris transport readers to the city's iconic landmarks and hidden gems, creating a truly immersive experience. Whitney's journey of self-discovery is both relatable and inspiring as she navigates the challenges of a new environment while pursuing her passions. The chemistry between Whitney and her grumpy yet undeniably charming tutor, Thierry, is undeniable. Their banter is witty and keeps the pages turning. The author deftly balances the romantic tension with Whitney's personal growth and exploration of French culture.

Love Requires Chocolate is more than just a romance; it's a celebration of friendship, diversity, and the power of pursuing one's dreams. With its heartwarming story and delectable Parisian setting, this book is the perfect escape for fans of romantic comedies.

🍫 Love Requires Chocolate ARC Review 🍫

Thank you so much to Ravynn K Stringfield and Joy Revolution Romance for the opportunity to read and review this book!

Love Requires Chocolate is a standalone YA contemporary romance novel. Seventeen year old Whitney is so excited for her semester abroad in Paris during her senior year. Even though being in a foreign country is overwhelming, she’s determined to make the most of it! But what happens when her grumpy French tutor turns into one of her closest friends in France?

This was a cute read. I liked Whitney and her confidence throughout the book. I feel like she was a well rounded character and I enjoyed her growth in this story. I enjoyed Thierry as well, but I personally would have liked to have seen some chapters from his PoV and more of his date days with Whitney

Overall this was a solid three star read. I enjoyed the characters but would have liked a little more from there interactions. This book did have a romantic subplot but YA levels of spice so one flame for spice

If you’re a fan of overseas adventures, friends to lovers and French culture, then absolutely pick this one up!

Ravynn K. Stringfield's Love Requires Chocolate is a charming tale of self-discovery, culture clash, and unexpected romance set against the vibrant backdrop of Paris. Whitney Curry, a driven and meticulous theater student, arrives in the City of Lights with a meticulously planned itinerary and dreams of a perfect semester abroad. However, reality quickly diverges from her expectations as she grapples with the challenges of a prestigious Parisian lycée, homesickness, and the daunting task of mastering French. Stringfield beautifully captures Whitney’s initial struggle and her eventual growth as she learns to embrace the unpredictability of her new life.

The heart of the story lies in Whitney’s relationship with her French tutor, Thierry Magnon, a brooding yet irresistible soccer star who introduces her to the real Paris—far beyond the tourist sites she had meticulously researched. Their dynamic is electric, filled with witty banter and undeniable chemistry, making for a delightful romantic arc. Love Requires Chocolate is more than just a love story; it’s a celebration of cultural immersion, personal growth, and the beauty of stepping out of one’s comfort zone. Stringfield’s vivid descriptions of Paris and her nuanced portrayal of Whitney’s journey make this novel a sweet and satisfying read for fans of contemporary romance.

‘Love Requires Chocolate’ is a story about Whitney Curry and her adventures in Paris while she is studying abroad. This was such a cute and lighthearted book!! Perfect for someone who needs a refreshing and easy read. The story was difficult at times because of all the French that was in it, but still a good book nonetheless! I loved seeing how the romance developed throughout the story and where it took the two of them.
Such a sweet story with so much to learn from.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book! All opinions here are my own.

Love Requires Chocolate is set in Paris where Black American drama student Whitney Curry is attending an international arts high school, where she hopes to complete her one-woman show about Josephine Baker. She has a "Parisian Bucket List" for research she hopes will help her finish her play. Her French tutor, is a caustic black athlete, Thierry Magnon, who is doing community service for a racially charged fight during his team's soccer match. When she gets lost in Montmartre and calls him to rescue her, she offers him a good review as a tutor, which will end his team suspension, in exchange for his being her Paris tour guide. The first-person narration chronicles her introduction to the city of love, including making chocolate at Thierry's family chocolate shop, as well as insight into the global Black culture.

Love Requires Chocolate by Ravynn Stringfield was a slow burn for me however; there was never a moment when I thought about not finishing the book.

Love requires chocolate definitely required me to use my kindle translation a lot. I took 3 years of French in high school but that’s beeeeen a looooooong time.
The idea is cute. And though it’s a nice little read it was not something I would choose for myself.
If you know French more than I do or you don’t mind just not knowing what someone is saying go for it.

Get ready for a chance of a lifetime to study abroad in Paris! Whitney Curry is my kind of girl: big dreams of seeing the world with a checklist in her hand. Whitney is a FMC with epic goals and admirable qualities. During her semester in the City of Lights she hopes to take in all of the sights, make new friends, produce and direct her own show, and learn all she can about Josephine Baker and other notable blacks and the history of France ..whew! And don’t forget the chocolate, of course! Ravynn K. Stringfield absolutely captures the magic of Paris ❤️🇫🇷💙. Whitney is a truly delightful lead character with an equally strong supporting cast, whose traits and emotions of emerging adulthood will captivate readers of all ages. Love Requires Chocolate is a delightful cherry on the top of the sundae end of summer read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

I wanted to like this book more. I really did.

We have a young black girl in Paris fulfilling her dreams of studying abroad, and putting on a one woman show in honor of her inspiration Josephine Baker.

That premise alone got me into the book. As someone who did a few papers about Josephine Baker in high school, I couldn’t wait to read this book!

But one I started to read into it things, and I’m about 60% into the book, this book feels like an amalgamation of different ideas for the same story, but they were stitch together very loosely.

The romance between Whitney and Thierry started off abruptly and very rocky, and it felt unnecessary for it to start off that way? And then the distain her roommates had towards her after she introduced herself and then they just stopped talking to her felt too obvious to a plot point being made.

We don’t get too much of Whitney actually working on her show or her research project, but we also don’t get too much of the romance aspect between her and Thierry until the last 70 pages??? mind you this books is very short. And the romance between them was very very cute. Yes it was a rough start but you can see the crush starting to form between them, and it was very sweet and sincere. I was hoping to get more of that!

I can say my favorite part was reading Whitney getting her braids done. I’ve never in my years of reading (which I’m absolutely surprised) came across a book that just had a little part of the black girl experience of getting braids done… it was kind of therapeutic to read.