Great chocolate recipes. But the story was just fluff and no substance. Could have been a short story. By the end I was tired of Candy whining about long-term commitment. ( )

Title: The Bride Wore Chocolate
Author: Shirley Jump
Publisher: Zebra
Series: Recipes With Romance #1
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 5
Review:

"The Bride Wore Chocolate" by Shirley Jump was a delightful fun contemporary romance. This author really made the read very interesting with after each chapter we were given delectable recipes that were served up with a lots of chocolate.

We find that the heroine had vowed to live life by the book, never to throw caution to the wind as she had once. Now Candace (Candy) was living life where it was safe, therefore picking out a very boring fiancee by the name of Barry Borkenstein. However, a Michael Vogler (hero) comes into the picture showing Candy that she should trust her heart and take that leap of faith with him. Will Candace be willing to take the plunge after her wacky grandmother, mother, and her girl friends (Rebecca & Maria) know that she was unhappy with her present decision? This is where I say you must pick up "The Bride Wore Chocolate" to see what and how of it all will turn out for Candace.

Be ready to laugh out loud because the author will definitely have you doing just that, along with the wonderful recipes that used lots of chocolate, a funny grandmother, marrying mom, good friends, and some hot sex along the way in this good novel.

The characters were off the chart good being well developed, portrayed, colorful, and most were even
likable all making this a good romantic read. This was definitely one of those read that once you
started reading it was hard to stop until it was finished and I would recommend "The Bride Wore Chocolate" as a good read ( )

The Bride Wore Chocolate by Shirley Jump
ISBN: 9781937776268
Love that this book comes with recipes, chocolate ones. A recipe at the start of each chapter and there are 26 of them! That is what first attracted me to wanting to read this book. weddings and chocolate.
Love that 3 women in business is doing so well, what an idea!
All kinds of things are going wrong with the wedding preparations: the wedding cake, the DJ and Candace Woodrow is getting spooked about it all.is to marry Barry but her dress at the shop burnt down. One night she and her 2 girlfriends search all over Boston for the new wedding dress, stop for dinner and a drink and she wakes up in a man's apartment that she doesn't even know.
With her hangover her mother drops by and will stay till the wedding to help her as her latest marriage of 7 days has gone sour.
Her grandmother acts like she's in her 20's and shocks Candace at times.
Her other friends Rebecca and Maria share what's going on in their lives as well.
Michael Volger is the client that is interested in their gift baskets from somebody at work having received one. He also happens to be the man Candance had the one night stand with.
With his plan of a business deal along with their business it's sure to be a win for all.
Love hearing about all the rewarding charity work, priceless!
The sexual innuendo's are so funny, especially coming from the older female adults.
Everything, and then some has gone wrong with the wedding preparations and now the huge order for mothers of newborns was a total disaster as the wrong order was sent.
I can't even see this is going to end on a good note. no way!
Candy and Michael do spend more charity time together and she really gets to know him better. Barry is off with his mother but Candance is still getting married to Barry. Hot steamy sex is always a teaser.
All the decisions are hers now to make after seeing things from Michaels's side... ( )

This was a cute story, but to be honest my favorite part of it was definitely the chocolate recipes. I wanted to drop everything at the beginning of each chapter and run into the kitchen and try them (or, to be honest, have a scantily clad but well-built man do it for me. He'd need to do it shirtless, because it's been so hot out lately. I'm just thinking of him, honest). This says good things about the recipes, but the fact that I was so willing to put the book down...not so much. Of course, I didn't put the book down, so read into that what you will....

This book is written in a light, breezy style that is fun to read, though at times the metaphors, which are cute, do get to be a bit much. They're creative, but perhaps used a bit too frequently. I did enjoy the characters, though, and will definitely sign on to read Maria's story, when it's released as an ebook. In all, this was a perfect don't-have-to-think-too-much-it's-summer book. With a HEA. And chocolate. ( )

At first glance, THE BRIDE WORE CHOCOLATE is another "bride-to-be falls for her one true love-and it's not the groom" story. If you come to that conclusion from reading the back blurb of the book, you'd be correct. But-and it's a huge but-this story is that and so much more. And it's the so much more that makes this book well worth reading.

Candace Woodrow is a lot of things. Restless, a little nervous about getting married to the man who is definitely Mr. Right, surrounded by in-laws that make the Osbourne's look like a tame addition to the local petting zoo. Most of all, she's living her dream by owning and running her own business, Gift Baskets to Die For.

"Candy" Woodrow, however, is having one heck of a time resisting Michael Vogler-and the sinfully delicious creations that she makes for her business. Her chocolate cravings are out of control, and it's enough to drive a girl to distraction. Not to mention that Michael looks better than a Godiva-dipped strawberry, and Candy is definitely in over her head.

What makes this book so great is a mixture of wonderful writing, witty dialogue, family members that will leave you exasperated and laughing out loud-and the best chocolate recipes that I've ever had the fortune to stumble across. Yes, recipes. Each chapter is prefaced by a chocolate confection with oh-so-punny names such as "Rebecca's Chuck-the-Guilt Chocolate Chip Cookies" and "Maria's Something's-Up Frozen Chocolate-Covered Bananas."

The recipes alone are enough to make this book a keeper. The story of a bride who is engaged to be married for all the wrong reasons is an added benefit. The arrival of the man who throws Candy's life into a tailspin is a definite plus. And when it all comes together-to bring to life the story of love, passion, and chocolate-what you end up with is a humorous story of the heart.

All in all, for those readers with a gigantic sweet tooth, THE BRIDE WORE CHOCOLATE is a sweet, indulgent love story to cure your cravings. ( )