Book ReviewSecrets of the Chocolate House (Found Things #2)
By Paula Brackston
Published: October 22, 2019
Why I chose this book:
I absolutely adored The Little Shop of Found Things, which is the first book in this series. A review copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.
Book Review
Paula Brackston: world builder?...wordsmith?...enchantress? Enchantress. Yes. You need a bit of background to understand why. On May 10, my brother died. On May 11, I flew across the country. I read Secrets of the Chocolate House the whole way. I was completely enveloped in Brackston's world and enchanted by the story. Brackston's superb creation is what got me through the airports, long flights, and endless waiting in one piece and in what felt like the blink of an eye. I credit Secrets of the Chocolate House with helping me hold it together that day.
On a less personal note:
Secrets of the Chocolate House continues the story of Xanthe, who was transported through time by touching an antique in The Little Shop of Found Things. This time, she is transported to a chocolate house by a chocolate pot. Xanthe quickly discovers that there is more to her time travel than she understands, and that the proprietor of the chocolate house is someone who can help her navigate the 1600's again. She also discovers that Samuel, the man whom she loves in that century, is in danger; only she can help him, as the man with power over Samuel's future wants to travel through time with Xanthe.
Xanthe is an intelligent, independent, strong heroine who embodies compassion and resourcefulness. Although she makes some stupid choices, she learns from her mistakes. Xanthe is just plain likable. In fact, everything about Secrets of the Chocolate House is likable, though not painless to read. The storyline of this second book in the series ties nicely in with the events of the previous book. I must admit, I wasn't sure how Brackston could pull off a continuation of book one, but she did it seamlessly. Heart-rending, suspenseful, and fascinating all describe the plot without spoiling it for you. I can tell you that the best parts of Brackston's story are the way in which Xanthe's time travel knowledge expands and the ways that Xanthe uses her new knowledge. Readers' understanding expands alongside and concurrently with Xanthe's in a natural way; everything about Secrets of the Chocolate House feels organic and authentic. So perfectly crafted are the characters, plot, and world that disbelief is harder than the suspension thereof.
I hesitate to get too specific and spoil Secrets of the Chocolate House for you. I strongly recommend reading it if you like historical fiction, fantasy, time travel, or love stories. If I hadn't had an advance reader copy, I would have been at the bookstore this morning, and I would not have regretted that decision by the time I closed the book tonight. (Though I do suggest reading the series in order.)
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