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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
I enjoyed this installment of found things but hate a cliff hanger! A great mix of historical fiction & fantasy. Love the time travel aspect as Xanthe learns more about her gift as a spinner & helping lost souls.
We’re back with Xanthe in another jaunt to the 17th century.
I enjoy these wholesome, time travel novels. The author has written the characters with authenticity- not just in the period piece woven throughout but as part of their personalities.
Often book two in a series tends to lack - character development runs astray and themes get jumbled. This isn’t the case here. Book two was just as enjoyable as the first and the storyline remains strong throughout.
It took longer than I expected to wrap up at the end. I was surprised to find that when the main story ended, I still had over an hour’s worth more to go.
The ends were tied up nicely and i look forward to the next installment.
The British countryside is as much a character in these stories as Xanthe herself. I love the details of a place so foreign to me. It provides a sense of comfort and simplicity that I have found I’m longing for.
The simple High Street and markets boast of a community uncomplicated by the turmoil I see in my own. Paula Brackston provides a deserving respite we’ve all more than earned.
For lovers of cozies, this will add layers to the decent and innocent genre you’ve come to enjoy. Adding in the excitement of time travel and the genuineness of historical fiction. All round great read.
I enjoy these wholesome, time travel novels. The author has written the characters with authenticity- not just in the period piece woven throughout but as part of their personalities.
Often book two in a series tends to lack - character development runs astray and themes get jumbled. This isn’t the case here. Book two was just as enjoyable as the first and the storyline remains strong throughout.
It took longer than I expected to wrap up at the end. I was surprised to find that when the main story ended, I still had over an hour’s worth more to go.
The ends were tied up nicely and i look forward to the next installment.
The British countryside is as much a character in these stories as Xanthe herself. I love the details of a place so foreign to me. It provides a sense of comfort and simplicity that I have found I’m longing for.
The simple High Street and markets boast of a community uncomplicated by the turmoil I see in my own. Paula Brackston provides a deserving respite we’ve all more than earned.
For lovers of cozies, this will add layers to the decent and innocent genre you’ve come to enjoy. Adding in the excitement of time travel and the genuineness of historical fiction. All round great read.
Despite not really liking the first book in this series, I wanted to give the second one a try because I like the base story so much. It really has a fresh feel to it and makes you want to learn more about spinners and having an antique store in a small English town. However, I cannot make any sense at all of any of Xanthe’s decisions. Why does she hide spinning from her mom? Why does she give in even a little bit to the man whose cowardice caused her to go to jail? Why does she try to please everyone? I didn’t enjoy reading this and I won’t be reading any more in this series.
Xanthe is discovering more and more about her talents as a Spinner and this installment of the series puts in in a place and time she thought she’d never again visit. But it’s still the mystery of her newfound gift, and others with this privileged knowledge, that pull her into a journey she’d rather not take.
Discovering more about the talents of Spinners and the gift she’s been given was a real treat. We also see people who have similar abilities and learn that no two are the same. As ever, it’s the objects she encounters that guide her travels, but she’s learning more about how to affect her travel and do so in a way that helps her feel more in control.
I can’t wait to see how Flora and Liam learn of her abilities, if only so she doesn’t have to keep things from them. Looking forward to book 3!
Discovering more about the talents of Spinners and the gift she’s been given was a real treat. We also see people who have similar abilities and learn that no two are the same. As ever, it’s the objects she encounters that guide her travels, but she’s learning more about how to affect her travel and do so in a way that helps her feel more in control.
I can’t wait to see how Flora and Liam learn of her abilities, if only so she doesn’t have to keep things from them. Looking forward to book 3!
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This is a very fun sequel to the The Shop of Found Things (I think that's the first book). It's also faster paced.
The English village life descriptions are truly transporting and the magical time travel is whimsical and fun to read about. This is one of the coziest series I've read and highly recommend. The characters are well fleshed out and not annoying, and the story is original.
If you need something cozy to read with your tea this is it.
The English village life descriptions are truly transporting and the magical time travel is whimsical and fun to read about. This is one of the coziest series I've read and highly recommend. The characters are well fleshed out and not annoying, and the story is original.
If you need something cozy to read with your tea this is it.
Check out my spoiler-free review here: https://reedsy.com/discovery/book/secrets-of-the-chocolate-house-paula-brackston/user-reviews/secrets-of-the-chocolate-house-samantha-murphy
Check out my blog for a more in-depth look: https://redwolfsroom.blogspot.com/2021/07/discovering-secrets-of-chocolate-house.html
Check out my blog for a more in-depth look: https://redwolfsroom.blogspot.com/2021/07/discovering-secrets-of-chocolate-house.html
I read The Little Shop of Found Things last year and enjoyed it. Afterward, I set the idea of reading Secrets of the Chocolate House aside for just the right time, and this was it. All in all, it was a lovely story with likeable characters and an interesting premise. I preferred this story to the first, if only because I wasn't a particular fan of the angry, fear-inducing ghost who motivated Xanthe's time travel in the first. This is just personal preference, of course. Both novels made for a pleasant experience, still, and the inclusion of antique chocolate pots and period chocolate houses in Secrets of the Chocolate House sweetened the experience. It really is a fun little series, and I'm sure to continue with it in due time. My only complaint would be the amount of time spent describing Xanthe's fears and concerns. I felt it was unnecessary and seemed redundant at times. (A glimpse would have been sufficient for me.) This is a minor trifle that I often contend with, so I'm sure I'm just being nitpicky. 4 stars.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced