avocadoeverything 's review for:

Secrets of the Chocolate House by Paula Brackston
5.0

As I'd mentioned in my review of The Little Shop of Found Things, Paula Brackston is one of my favorite authors. I absolutely loved Little Shop, so it will not be surprising that I adored Secrets of the Chocolate House.
Firstly, why are chocolate houses no longer a thing? Pshaw on coffee houses--bring on the chocolate!

Secondly, as much as I adored book one, this one was even better. 

We got to know more about Xanthe as she grew as a spinner, and her motivations were clearer in this story. I felt like the story itself was deeper and richer. 

Xanthe faced not one, but two, villains--Marcus, her annoying mildly menacing ex, and a mysterious, sinister fellow spinner who posed a real danger to both her and Samuel. It was an interesting contrast to see how she chose to deal with each.

Harley also stepped into his own as a main character and I really enjoyed his larger role. 

Secrets doesn't come out until October 22, but it will make a great cozy autumn read. I recommend it highly to all my witchy, time travely readers.

I received an ARC via NetGalley from St. Martin's Press in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.