If you think you are going to be able to read this book without a bar of chocolate on hand, you are living dangerously close to the edge. You just wait until the protagonist enters a boutique chocolate shop and the author seduces your salivary glands with her prose. Trust me, you’ll be reaching for the chocolate. Julie Caplin’s ‘The Little Swiss Chalet’ to be published January 30, 2012, is the seventh book in the Romantic Escapes series. Perfectly enjoyed as a stand-alone, this is exactly what the world needs right now – escape from our lockdown and an opportunity to travel again!

Mina from Manchester thought she had it all: the perfect job as a food technician, supportive family, and a dreamy boyfriend who not only lasted longer than the other men in her life but was open to discussing marriage and moving in together. In true Mina style, she planned a Mexican themed party complete with a pinata and was brazen enough to propose to Simon in front of all their friends. Unfortunately, getting married to Mina wasn’t Simon’s long-range plan and suddenly the fiesta wasn’t the only thing wrecked in Mina’s life. Escaping from ‘Smurfgate,’ Mia hotfoots off to her aunt’s ski chalet in Reckington, a small alpine village in the foothills of the Swiss Alps. Will two weeks help her refocus and clear her mind of Simon? Does she discover that chocolate really does solve everything?

I don’t often reach for a romance novel because I find them too sickly sweet and oftentimes too raunchy for my liking. However, I took a gamble on this one because I love travelling and trying different foods. This read surpassed my expectations. Not only was my inner foodie satisfied, but also my wanderlust at a time when travel is restricted. Caplin’s easy reading story, filled with a cast of interesting and relatable chalet guests, and the perfect mix of romance will tug at your heartstrings. You’ll be rooting for this strong-willed and clever protagonist as she struggles with who she is and what she’s looking for in a romance. You’ll love it when Mina finds a connection and obvious chemistry with one of the guests; finally, a couple who are worthy of each other. Perhaps you’ll even giggle to yourself as I did and think that she can throw away the bottle of hair dye as she won’t be needing it this time around! As is true of this genre, there’s conflict challenging Mina’s relationships that needs to be overcome and in doing so she experiences unconditional love leaving the ending on a high note. Willy Wonka, eat your heart out! I will be reading the previous 6 books in this series and anxiously awaiting the next heartwarming instalment, book 8, where readers will be travelling to Ireland with Mina’s sister, Hannah.

Thank you to Julie Caplin, Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter, and NetGalley for this 5-star advance copy in exchange for an honest review.