Review & Giveaway - - The Chocolate Shop on Amelia Island

The Chocolate Shop on Amelia Island

by Hope Holloway

Seven Sisters - Book 5

Publisher: Hope Holloway

Release Date: March 1, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

The saga continues with secrets, surprises, and sweet temptations…

Sadie Wingate has been keeping secrets...from her family and from her brand new husband. But once the truth is revealed, her whole world melts like a truffle in the sunshine. Can Sadie finally settle for a sweet life on Amelia Island…or will stability send her searching for the next adventure?

Raina nears her delivery date and signs the papers ending her marriage, but there’s one thing missing in her life. Despite being the fixer in her family, the only solution to heart’s dilemma seems all wrong for this newly-divorced mother of infant twins. But how can she say no?

Madeline's one and only love reappears, and this enigmatic man turns her well-ordered life upside down, while Susannah orchestrates major changes on Wingate Way.

When the winds of change blow over the candy store on Amelia Island, the Wingate women learn over and over again that the bond between the seven sisters is as strong as steel, as soothing as a seaside breeze, and as lasting as their family legacy.

PJ's Thoughts:

This is my favorite book of the series so far. I know. I know. I say that with each new Seven Sisters book that's published. Is it my fault that the author keeps one upping herself? 

As with the first four books, the primary focus of this one is on three of the sisters though all of them, and the rest of the family, are present with storyline threads that weave in and out as the book progresses. It's enjoyable to see the characters - and their relationships, both familiar and romantic - continue to evolve even in the books where their role is a secondary one. Truthfully, with this family, there's no such thing as secondary. There may only be three in the primary focus but all of them have important roles to fulfill, as is true in many real life families. 

Holloway brings the emotion once again in this book along with a few surprises. After meeting Sadie in book four and the twist at the end of that book, I felt sure I knew how her story would continue. Wow, was I wrong! I really like the direction she seems to be heading and applaud the author for taking an endearing, unexpected route. 

I'm also enjoying the fleshing out of Madeline's character. I love a second-chance romance, especially between more seasoned characters (late 40's/early 50's). I'm eager to discover what happens with this pair in book six. 

Raina's journey also continues with the legal dissolution of her marriage, birth of her twins, and the possibility of a new relationship on the horizon. I don't think she's reached smooth sailing yet but I like the direction she's heading.

Holloway keeps me entertained with these stories and more in this fifth book. There's possible ghosts, an engagement, a contest, a new project for the sisters' mom and good health news for their dad. There's humor, poignant moments, betrayals, new beginnings, and the strength, love, and unflagging spirit that bonds this special family together. There are only two more books in the series and I am nowhere ready to say goodbye. 

This is a series that I strongly encourage readers to read in order. 

Have you read Hope Holloway yet?

Do you enjoy closed-door books that are limited to kissing but rich in emotion?

There's some drool-worthy chocolates and cookies in this book. What's your go-to decadent treat?

One person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, March 3 will receive a print copy of The Bookstore on Amelia Island (book 3).

*U.S. only

*Must be 18