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readingwithhippos's review against another edition
4.0
A romance in which one of the heroes works in a Swedish chocolate shop! Can you even?! I had a smile on my face from the first page to the last. Michal doesn’t have much going on in the romance department, but he does have an online friend named Magnus who lives in Germany. Magnus wants to meet, but Michal puts him off--what if their online chemistry doesn’t hold up in real life? When a handsome stranger comes into the shop and asks him out, Michal decides to take a chance--but even as he’s falling for someone new, he can’t stop thinking about Magnus.
roryta86reads's review against another edition
3.0
This was sweet. I enjoyed it, but I did find myself skimming through a bit. I really liked Magnus. I love a big teddy bear. I just didn't FEEL this one. The writing was okay. It felt kind of off? I can't put my finger on it. This is my first book by this author, and the Swedish setting threw me off a bit. I didn't hate it. I've been to beautiful Sweden and I eventually connected to the setting. I don't think this was more than an okay read!
And I was REALLY put off by the Bernard/Magnus thing. I don't like this trope and it made me uncomfortable. How easily Michal accepted it. I don't know. Not the best review or explanation.
And I was REALLY put off by the Bernard/Magnus thing. I don't like this trope and it made me uncomfortable. How easily Michal accepted it. I don't know. Not the best review or explanation.
brittaniethekid's review
4.0
Michal (written with the accent Michał [Mee-Kal]) is a Polish man that grew up and still lives in Sweden. He works in a local chocolaterie that specializes in free trade Belgian-style candies and food and has a passion for it.
Michael and Magnus were initially supposed to meet via Grindr for a date but Michal came down with some kind of regionally-famous 24 hour sickness and had to cancel (a lot of time is spent on describing this which seemed weird). However, because he was still so interested, the two kept in contact ever since, though Magnus ended up moving to Germany for work. They never made it more than an online friendship, per ground rules laid out by Michal, but chat online every day and consider themselves close.
Later, Michal experiences some physical trauma from a random hookup that lands him a week in the hospital and a lasting mental scar. His mother also just went through full-on breast cancer treatment. Magnus has been there for him via chat throughout and Michal treasures the friendship. However, Magnus has started to ask to meet again and Michal refuses for no real reason other than he doesn't want their current state of friendship to get destroyed. The more Michal refuses, the more Magnus seems to pull back, even going weeks without real contact between them. Then a handsome customer comes into Michal's work and they are both very flirtatious and hit it off pretty instantly...
This wasn't my favourite couple from Horvat. I think Michal has some issues he really needs to work on before he can commit himself to a full-on relationship and his actions and thoughts contradicted each other a lot. And Magnus lying about his identity, despite being utterly charming, is Not Okay. Michal forgave him entirely too easy just because he was horny. They're both too old for this kind of thing.
You also have to kind of suspend some disbelief that the two grew this close online - enough to feel real love for each other - but never saw photos of each other and/or never used any other kind of social media besides a chat app and LinkedIn (mentioned by name). No mentions of video chat, phone calls, Facebook, Instagram, even Livejournal or any other apps popular in northern Europe in the last 10 years. I know there are younger people out there that don't do much social media but as someone who has gained and cultivated many friendships through online-only means, this complete lack of anything other than a no-name chat app after YEARS of friendship is outlandish.
I still gave it 4 stars because Horvat's writing is great and, if you can get past the issues mentioned above, it could be considered a cute romance. I didn't want to put it down despite my eye rolls.
Michael and Magnus were initially supposed to meet via Grindr for a date but Michal came down with some kind of regionally-famous 24 hour sickness and had to cancel (a lot of time is spent on describing this which seemed weird). However, because he was still so interested, the two kept in contact ever since, though Magnus ended up moving to Germany for work. They never made it more than an online friendship, per ground rules laid out by Michal, but chat online every day and consider themselves close.
Later, Michal experiences some physical trauma from a random hookup that lands him a week in the hospital and a lasting mental scar. His mother also just went through full-on breast cancer treatment. Magnus has been there for him via chat throughout and Michal treasures the friendship. However, Magnus has started to ask to meet again and Michal refuses for no real reason other than he doesn't want their current state of friendship to get destroyed. The more Michal refuses, the more Magnus seems to pull back, even going weeks without real contact between them. Then a handsome customer comes into Michal's work and they are both very flirtatious and hit it off pretty instantly...
This wasn't my favourite couple from Horvat. I think Michal has some issues he really needs to work on before he can commit himself to a full-on relationship and his actions and thoughts contradicted each other a lot. And Magnus lying about his identity, despite being utterly charming, is Not Okay. Michal forgave him entirely too easy just because he was horny. They're both too old for this kind of thing.
You also have to kind of suspend some disbelief that the two grew this close online - enough to feel real love for each other - but never saw photos of each other and/or never used any other kind of social media besides a chat app and LinkedIn (mentioned by name). No mentions of video chat, phone calls, Facebook, Instagram, even Livejournal or any other apps popular in northern Europe in the last 10 years. I know there are younger people out there that don't do much social media but as someone who has gained and cultivated many friendships through online-only means, this complete lack of anything other than a no-name chat app after YEARS of friendship is outlandish.
I still gave it 4 stars because Horvat's writing is great and, if you can get past the issues mentioned above, it could be considered a cute romance. I didn't want to put it down despite my eye rolls.
babytloves2read's review against another edition
5.0
So. Fucking. Cute.
This was a super fast read; it’s only 150ish pages with an expected read time of an hour and a half. Regardless, this was everything I needed in a book at the moment! With Covid-19 prancing its dumb ass around, I needed some sweet, met-on-the-internet, chocolate-obsessed romance with a dash of probably the purest and most well-intentioned form of deception ever.
Put this on my ~steamy romance~ shelf, but there was really only like 1 or 2 sex scenes? But they were explicit and ~steamy~ so do with that what you will. Definitely not erotica, just some good ole fashioned sexy romance.
This was a super fast read; it’s only 150ish pages with an expected read time of an hour and a half. Regardless, this was everything I needed in a book at the moment! With Covid-19 prancing its dumb ass around, I needed some sweet, met-on-the-internet, chocolate-obsessed romance with a dash of probably the purest and most well-intentioned form of deception ever.
Put this on my ~steamy romance~ shelf, but there was really only like 1 or 2 sex scenes? But they were explicit and ~steamy~ so do with that what you will. Definitely not erotica, just some good ole fashioned sexy romance.
intheblackout's review
5.0
so so so so good!
Michał and Magnus are very good friends. However, they have never met in real life. Magnus wants to meet as he's certain they have something special, but Michał fear the loss of their friendship if their connection doesn't hold true face-to-face.
Working at the chocolaterie, Michał meets a customer and the two have a sweet meet-cute. The author somehow manages to make their insta-connection feel so real. Their awkward flirtyness together had me grinning.
This is such a short novella, but it's just perfect. It's not rushed and the shortness doesn't feel like something is missing.
Michał and Magnus are very good friends. However, they have never met in real life. Magnus wants to meet as he's certain they have something special, but Michał fear the loss of their friendship if their connection doesn't hold true face-to-face.
Working at the chocolaterie, Michał meets a customer and the two have a sweet meet-cute. The author somehow manages to make their insta-connection feel so real. Their awkward flirtyness together had me grinning.
Spoiler
Vanilla Clouds has one of my favourite tropes. When the characters chat online but also meet in real life without realising it's the same person (in this case one of the characters knows)This is such a short novella, but it's just perfect. It's not rushed and the shortness doesn't feel like something is missing.
loishojmark's review against another edition
5.0
Another wonderful story from The Horvat. It was lovely.
thebookishren's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
So this was a relatively quick, sweet romance about two men who meet online, become friends, and then one of them wants to meet but the other is hesitant because he doesn’t want to ruin anything. Michał had a horrible experience and is now terrified of being vulnerable. Magnus is crazy about him but has been online friend-zoned.
I thought the details about chocolate was well thought out and interesting. It was a huge part of the story. Almost too huge a part, if I’m honest. The descriptions took up a ton of page space in a novella.
The romance was kind of off page and rushed considering what happens. It’s a bit of mis-identity throughout most of the story and the. We get a couple of sexy scenes.
Not my favorite from Roe but it’s older and the author has clearly found a niche now that I adore.
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
ANGST:💧💧💧
POV: 1st, Michał
elliebelle_'s review
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
3.5 stars
A lovely, fluffy novella about taking a chance, and learning to trust again.
Michał and Magnus have been online friends for 2 years after matching on Grindr but not being able to go out. Magnus has been trying to convince Michał to meet, but Michał has been worried it will ruin their friendship and is reluctant to start a long distance relationship.
Magnus decides to take things into his own hands and come see Michał in person... In a moment of panic, Magnus pretends to be Bernard instead. Michał was assaulted by a previous partner and is (understandably) wary of new people, but feels immediately at ease with Bernard.
I don't usually enjoy hidden identities but this wasn't drawn out, and the vibes between these two men were just so sweet.
A lovely, fluffy novella about taking a chance, and learning to trust again.
Michał and Magnus have been online friends for 2 years after matching on Grindr but not being able to go out. Magnus has been trying to convince Michał to meet, but Michał has been worried it will ruin their friendship and is reluctant to start a long distance relationship.
Magnus decides to take things into his own hands and come see Michał in person... In a moment of panic, Magnus pretends to be Bernard instead. Michał was assaulted by a previous partner and is (understandably) wary of new people, but feels immediately at ease with Bernard.
I don't usually enjoy hidden identities but this wasn't drawn out, and the vibes between these two men were just so sweet.
"I was deceived by the nicest man who ever deceived anyone in the history of deception."
It's a short story so there's not a lot of character development here, but since it's clear they have history it doesn't feel shallow. There is indeed chocolate-flavored sex - cute. Chocolate is delicious.
I thought the epilogue was hilarious. SpoilerI'm with Michał, I'm not a fan of public marriage proposals, they always seem so performative.
I felt that the writing was a bit stilted in parts but it didn't bother me, just gave me the impression I was in Scandinavia. The narration is first-person, from Michał's POV - not my favourite narrative style but it did give me a good impression of what was going on in his mind.
bfdbookblog's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 Stars so rounding up
**Audiobook Review**
This is my first book by this author and WOW what a surprise for me…I rarely love novellas, but this is just damn awesome (so I may be a bit gushy). There is so much emotion packed in this book. The writing is SO good. The pacing is perfect and because the MC’s have a history that is well explained though not fully witnessed by the reader, their love is grown organically and not rushed. The story is completely unique and new to me…the location, how the MC’s met – first virtually then in person, and the overall premise of the story. This book has the perfect balance of sweet romance and melt the pages, super-hot, sexual chemistry between Michal and Magnus.
While Michal is a good solid character, Magnus made me an absolute puddle of goo. I could tell, almost from the beginning, how much he FELT for Michal. I can honestly say it seems as if he lives for Michal…
I don’t want to give too much away as it’s short and this is definitely a story that should be experienced without any spoilers or additional information, so I’ll stop here.
Do yourself a favor and listen to the book even if you’ve already read it or want to read it. The vocal performance was amazing. His pronunciation of the foreign (to me) locations and the names was superb (and very appealing 😊). His voices for both Michal and Magnus were spot on for their personalities. He brought the emotions of the story to life!
**Audiobook Review**
This is my first book by this author and WOW what a surprise for me…I rarely love novellas, but this is just damn awesome (so I may be a bit gushy). There is so much emotion packed in this book. The writing is SO good. The pacing is perfect and because the MC’s have a history that is well explained though not fully witnessed by the reader, their love is grown organically and not rushed. The story is completely unique and new to me…the location, how the MC’s met – first virtually then in person, and the overall premise of the story. This book has the perfect balance of sweet romance and melt the pages, super-hot, sexual chemistry between Michal and Magnus.
While Michal is a good solid character, Magnus made me an absolute puddle of goo. I could tell, almost from the beginning, how much he FELT for Michal. I can honestly say it seems as if he lives for Michal…
I don’t want to give too much away as it’s short and this is definitely a story that should be experienced without any spoilers or additional information, so I’ll stop here.
Do yourself a favor and listen to the book even if you’ve already read it or want to read it. The vocal performance was amazing. His pronunciation of the foreign (to me) locations and the names was superb (and very appealing 😊). His voices for both Michal and Magnus were spot on for their personalities. He brought the emotions of the story to life!
mello_cra02's review against another edition
5.0
It was sweet, funny and sexy. What else do you need? Oh right, let's not forget about all the chocolate