Review: An unexpected treat
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 07 15, 2013
This book was an unexpected treat!  I went into it feeling ambivalent, based on the summary and cover, and ended up really enjoying the book.  I liked Rachel from the first line of the book, and liked her even more the more I read.  I read this book in two sittings because I just couldn't wait to find out how Rachel's story would end.I have to admit that I fell for Daniel right away, right along with Rachel.  I really thought they were meant for each other.  I loved the development of their relationship---it was love at first sight, which is something I don't usually like, but I liked it here.  Rachel was always so excited to see him, which was so sweet.I also enjoyed reading about the day-to-day running of a chocolate shop.  I have always been a chocolate lover, from my very first taste of chocolate, so I really identified with Rachel there.  She was an artist of sorts, and I thought that part of the book was very well done.But my favorite part about this book was Rachel's devotion to Jonathan.  She honors his memory daily---but it's to the point that she can't move on to her life.  I loved that she loved him so completely.  It made me like her as a character.  I also liked how she overcame her struggle with honoring Jonathan's memory while allowing herself to fall in love and be happy again.I liked the ending of the book and found it believable.  I was rooting for Rachel all along and delighted in her happiness.  Overall, I really enjoyed Life, Love and the Pursuit of Chocolate and would definitely read more from Caedem Marquez in the future.