Review – Secrets of the Chocolate House by Paula Brackston

Posted January 6, 2020 by Carole in 2019 Audiobook Challenge, Audiobook, Book Reviews / 16 Comments

Secrets of the Chocolate House by Paula Brackston
Narrated by Marisa Calin
Series: Found Things #2
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press / Macmillan Audio
Publication Date: October 22, 2019
Date Read: December 29, 2019
Length: 320 pages / 12 hours 17 minutes
Source: NetGalley/ Library
★★★★☆

The second novel in a bewitching series “brimming with charm and charisma” that will make “fans of Outlander rejoice!” (Woman’s World Magazine)

New York Times bestselling author Paula Brackston’s The Little Shop of Found Things was called “a page-turner that will no doubt leave readers eager for future series installments” (Publishers Weekly). Now, Brackston returns to the Found Things series with its sequel, Secrets of the Chocolate House.

After her adventures in the seventeenth century, Xanthe does her best to settle back into the rhythm of life in Marlborough. She tells herself she must forget about Samuel and leave him in the past where he belongs. With the help of her new friends, she does her best to move on, focusing instead on the success of her and Flora’s antique shop.

But there are still things waiting to be found, still injustices needing to be put right, still voices whispering to Xanthe from long ago about secrets wanting to be shared.

While looking for new stock for the shop, Xanthe hears the song of a copper chocolate pot. Soon after, she has an upsetting vision of Samuel in great danger, compelling her to make another journey to the past.

This time she’ll meet her most dangerous adversary. This time her ability to travel to the past will be tested. This time she will discover her true destiny. Will that destiny allow her to return home? And will she be able to save Samuel when his own fate seems to be sealed?

My Review

I had a great time with this book!  After enjoying the first book in this series, The Little Shop of Found Things, I was really excited to see what would happen next in Xanthe’s life.  I went into the book hoping that I would like it as much as I did the first book and I did.  This was a story that was able to grab me from the very beginning and was enjoyable until the end.  I am so glad that I made the choice to give this series a try.

Xanthe is able to move through time.  She runs an antique shop with her mother in the present time and when she finds certain items, they call to her.  Sometimes these items are connected with an event and Xanthe has the ability to go to that time to make things right.  When she finds a chocolate pot, she has a vision of Samuel and he is in trouble.  She goes back to Samuel’s time, the 17th century, to try to help him and find things have become very complicated.

I loved the fact that in this book we learn more about the act of time traveling, or spinning.  I have a feeling that we are only at the beginning of learning all about what Xanthe can really do.  There were some great characters introduced in this installment and I enjoyed seeing Xanthe interact with the mistress of the chocolate house.  I also really liked the fact that Xanthe bounces around in time a bit during the story so we get a pretty clear picture of what is going on in both time periods.  She has quite a few challenges to overcome in both time periods. 

I thought that Marisa Calin did a fabulous job with the narration.  I loved how consistent the voices that she uses have been throughout the series.  Each character has a very distinct sound and I thought that she added a lot of life to the characters.  The way she reads the story adds a lot of emotion and excitement to it.  I think that I might have enjoyed this book just a bit more because of her narration.

I would recommend this book to others.  I do recommend reading this series in order if at all possible since the relationships between the characters do change over time.  I had a great time journey through time with Xanthe and look forward to her future adventures.

I received a digital review copy of this book from St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley and borrowed a copy of the audiobook from my local library via Overdrive.

The Series – Found Things
Book #1 – The Little Shop of Found ThingsMy Review
Book #2 – Secrets of the Chocolate House – Now Available!
About the Author

PAULA BRACKSTON is the New York Times bestselling author of The Witch’s Daughter, The Winter Witch, The Midnight Witch, The Silver Witch, and The Return of the Witch. She has a master’s degree in creative writing from Lancaster University in the UK. She lives in Wales with her family.


Author Links: Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter

16 responses to “Review – Secrets of the Chocolate House by Paula Brackston

  1. This sounds like a series I would like. I have several books by the author but haven't read any. Great review and I LOVE that cover.

  2. This is a totally new one to me – and I don’t think I remember the first book, either (where have I been?) – but I really like the sound of it! I typically enjoy books with a time travel aspect and it’s been a long time since I’ve read one. Thanks for sharing this one, Carole! I’m off to check it out even further.

  3. I have this book and the previous one on my TBR with some reservations. I'm not a big time travel fan so I've been hesitating but with how much fun you've had with it I think I'm going to take the leap. It sounds like the audio is the way to go!

  4. This does sound like a really good, interesting series. I have to check, but I think I have the first book. I can't wait to get to it.

    Great review.

  5. I haven't read a time-travel book in SO long but I have to admit the "chocolate house" caught my attention, lol. I'm glad you're continuing to enjoy this series.