The Duchess of Chocolate (Rare Confectionery, #1) by Sydney Jane Baily

The Duchess of Chocolate (Rare Confectionery, #1) Reviews

• 
  Elodie’s Reading Corner

  The Duchess of Chocolate
  Rare Confectionery Series #1
  Sydney Jane Baily
  
  https://www.facebook.com/sydney.jane....
  Release date 02/14/2020
  Publisher Cat Whisker Press
  
  Blurb :
  
  Step into Rare Confectionery on New Bond Street, where three talented sisters create treats as appealing to the eye as they are delectable to the tongue. One taste is all it takes to be captivated…
  The Duke of Pelham desires a brand-new confection to win the Season’s loveliest lady. Naturally, he turns to London’s premiere chocolatier for assistance.
  Amity has never had a customer quite like the duke. In status, he’s far above ordinary men, yet he is one of the friendliest, funniest, and most engaging males she has ever met.
  As the duke enters the scrumptious world of confectionery, he discovers the chocolatier is as delightful—and tempting—as her creations. While Amity designs the perfect proposal chocolate, her heart begins to wish the duke could be her very own mouthwatering reward.
  Join Amity and her duke on a chocolate-filled romance in the heart of Mayfair, where nobility often acts in a less-than noble fashion. Will the upper-echelon of society sour their happiness and keep them from the sweetest of endings?
  
  My review :
  
  When a master at creating chocolate confections meets the man who enhances her muse but so far out of her reach ...
  
  This is my first read by Mrs Sydney Jane Baily, and what a better choice than the first in a series.
  I loved this foray in this yummy sweet business, the insights about how it was made during this Victorian period had me drooling for most of the story.
  Plus the light humor, fast quips and funny banters between the siblings, but also between Amity and the duke had me smiling often.
  Their first encounter was quite hilarious, Amity at first interpreting Pelham’s request wrongly until she understands her mistake.
  From there, their shared moments partaking about chocolate and other things give them awareness of each other.
  Amity is a devoted daughter to her parents business, but not solely, she finds completion in creating chocolate delicacies, it is what fulfills her dreams and brings her pleasure. In some way, she is a caretaker, she loves offering these tiny bits of delight to her customers.
  With Pelham she has found a soul sister, they have so much in common, if only he was not a duke and ready to be engaged to the diamond of the first water of the season.
  The more they work together for his special treat, the more she sees despite his lofty rank, he is a kind and caring man but what can a woman in trade expect.
  Henry, the Duke of Pelham is very certain he will easily win his intended betrothed with his surprise, what he never expected was to be attracted to the woman commissioned for said surprise.
  He is not a haughty full of himself peer, in spite of being just bellow a Prince, he is kind and caring. A bit on the stubborn side, so set on his ladybird while he really does not know her, but it was the way of things at this time. But as a duke he could only wed the most beautiful and well bred woman but will it be enough for his lifetime. Well, it is what he says to himself until Amity détails everything he makes him realize he knows near to nothing about the woman he has set his sight on. Worse, he feels more connected to Amity than to Lady Madeleine. But who can compete against an Earl’s daughter, not a simple commoner whatever is her talent at creating tasty sweets.
  I loved the plot was divided between prior their epiphany and after, but I was very upset when Amity took what I think is the coward way.
  Luckily for her and them, they have very meddling families.
  
  5 stars for this rare treat.
  
  Can’t wait to read the epilogue which will be offered on release day as a link.
  
  I was granted an advance copy by the author and I preordered my own prior to it.
  Here is my true and unbiased opinion.
  
  
  
  https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...
• 
  Cecelia

  Loved this book! It's a delicious historical novel that you don't want to miss! I loved the descriptions of chocolate and reading about the heroine's (Amity's) profession. Amity works as a chocolatier in her family's confection shop. When a duke (Henry) approaches her about making a special, one-of-a-kind treat for this future bride, Amity agrees to do the task!
  Such a project will prove beneficial for her family's business.
  But, while Henry tastes Amity's creations, he finds he likes Amity - even more than he likes her irresistible chocolate creations.
  But a duke cannot have a suitable relationship with a common chocolatier, can he?
• 
  Wendy Darling

  I like the set-up a lot and I like her (he hires her to create a one-of-a-kind chocolate to woo a potential bride), but a few chapters in, he’s a bit too persnickety and borderline dull for my taste.
  
  My bigger issue, however, is that the dialogue tries so very hard to be refined, but it is inelegant, very American-putting-on-a-British-accent, and just plain anachronistic almost in its entirety. I definitely let this kind of thing slide in most historical romances or soapy shows like Bridgerton, but it bothers me in this book because it’s too awkward and mannered here, with not enough in the early stages to keep pushing through.
  
  I do agree Cadbury makes excellent cocoa, though. And what I saw of the chocolate-making was fairly pleasurable.
• 
  Vania Nunes

  For chocolate fans, this series is a huge temptation, making you want to eat chocolate all the time.
  
  Armand Foure made a fortune with sugar and now, his three daughters - Amity, Beatrice and Charlotte - were responsible for a chocolate shop in the best street of London.
  And it was there that Henry Westbrook, duke of Pelham, went to look for Amity, Armand's eldest daughter, to ask her to create an exclusive chocolate to be introduced at the party where he would propose Lady Madeleine Brayson.
  
  During the time of creating this wonderful chocolate - which was decided to have the taste of lavender and vanilla - Henry visited Amity several times and, in fact, this made the two feel the attraction grow.
  But besides Henry being courting Madeleine, Amity had Jeremy in her life, a cold solicitor who had already made it clear to Amity that if she married him, she would no longer work as a chocolatier (which deeply upset Amity's mother, Felicity Rare).
  
  On the day of the big party, a misunderstanding makes Henry's propose a disaster, and shows him who he really was in love with. However, the bad publicity caused the Rare-Foure to close the store for three weeks and travel to Essex.
  Henry would then have little time - before Amity accepted Jeremy's marriage proposal - to convince her that she would be much happier being The Chocolate Duchess.
  
  The book is filled with historical references and information on the manufacture of chocolate. Everything is very interesting... and it looks delicious.
  5 stars
• 
  HR-ML

  England 1877. The first half was better than the 2nd.
  
  Henry, a duke, wanted to impress beautiful yet vacuous
  Lady Madeline, an earl's daughter. He asked chocolatier
  Amity to make a special chocolate for Mad as he planned
  to propose to Mad. Hen and Mad barely knew each other.
  
  Henry seemed too casual + accommodating to be a duke.
  Madeline disliked: dogs (fine, he'd have one in his country
  home only) & the smell of coffee brewing (he'd have this
  beverage at his club or when visiting friends). Waverly,
  his friend, seemed more mature and mysterious. Mad came
  across as lacking in intellectual curiosity & witchy: (like a
  beautiful china doll which looked best in its box) would her
  peers and family tolerate this? Amity was too stubborn
  about her chocolate-making. Didn't she 'get it' that she +
  her sisters would eventually all have their own adult lives?
• 
  GG

  Perhaps 3.5. The first portion of this book read like an advertisement for chocolate which isn't necessarily a bad thing. However I didn't care for it pulling me out of the story. The rest of the book was more interesting and romantic. I liked Amity, but the Duke would think 'i am a duke after all' and then not act like one. Not a lot of historical detail except about chocolate. There was a modern-day feel to the story.
• 
  Brandy

  This was a nice enough story, although a bit boring. Every time I expected Amity to show spirit and fire, she turned tail and ran, both figuratively and literally. I liked the premise of the story, and I liked the Rare-Foure family.
• 
  Lesr Kew

  This kept me reading because I loved all the chocolate! Ha ha.
  The story also teeter tottered between overly cheesy and overly steamy in moments. That’s why I give it a 3.5
• 
  Petula

  Henry, Duke of Pelham is intending to to ask the most beautiful woman to be his duchess and wants something special to help his cause.  There is a shop in New Bond Street that make special confectionery. He will have an original sweet made for his proposal.  
  
  Amity makes the most divine chocolates, and along with the other confections that her sisters make have made their shop very successful. So when the Duke asks for a chocolate to be created just for his ladylove she knows she's capable if she can find out what they lady likes.  
  
  This is a fascinating story that is very different to most historical romance.  The characters are lots of fun.  I really enjoyed every page and can't wait to read the next book in the series.  
• 
  Lori

  I had good fun reading this novel because it encompassed two of my favourite things: chocolate and British period romance. It definitely had a touch of Jane Austen to this story - witty with strong female characters. It's not great literature but it is a good escapist novel. I look forward to reading more of this author's works.
• 
  Nola Arganbright

  Delicious
  
  A deliciously decadent book of love and chocolate. Set in Victorian England with a sweet plot and strong willed characters.
• 
  Nessa

  A SOLID 3.5 STARS!
  
  ORIGINAL AND REFRESHING! WHO WOULD EVER THOUGHT TO WRITE A STORY ABOUT A CHOCOLATE CONFECTIONER FALLING IN LOVE WITH A DUKE? I'm a sucker for chocolate, and this was just the cherry on top since I love reading too.
  
  HENRY is looking for a special something that will help him win the love or rather engagement from the belle of the season he's been courting. This leads him to Rare Confectionery and meeting the artist himself - a beautiful, brown eyed young woman who makes him feel everything his future wife didn't. I rather enjoyed Henry's Down-To-Earth attitude despite being a Duke, he's not lofty or pompous but will even laugh at his own jokes. He's like the Golden Boy on the pedestal whom everyone likes in high school. Commissioning a new batch of chocolate for his future fiancee, Henry never expected to enjoy a blooming friendship with Amity, not to mention why does she plague his thoughts and not the woman he's supposed to propose to?
  
  AMITY is a delightful heroine who is absolutely passionate about her work - as a chocolatier. When the Duke of Pelham approached her for a special batch of chocolate creation, she's delighted to have such a powerful patron who could help the business. Also, her heart's a-fluttering with his presence and the easy camaraderie they shared only elevated their attraction. But, they were from different worlds and she will never be able to fit in, or to be compared with the blonde beauty he would call wife? It was too much.
  
  OVERALL this was a classic spin of Duke meets commoner and I loved it, mainly because it involves chocolate and two characters who weren't fake in the least and truly enjoyed each other's company. My only lament was that it is a CLEAN ROMANCE.
• 
  Lana Birky

  If you love chocolate in every shape & flavor to share with a handsome, easy going duke & made by a strong, family oriented female chocolatier; then this is the book for you! I not only found this story entertaining with a lovable couple but I also learned some very interesting facts about chocolate.
  
  Henry Cavendish, Duke of Pelham has begun courting Lady Madeleine Brayson, the Season's most stunning lady to come out & she has taken the bon ton by storm & is planning on proposing to her at a party he is planning. He wants to have special chocolates made especially for Lady Madeleine & present one to her on a tray prior to him proposing. Henry sets off for Rare Confectionery to find the Michelangelo of chocolate making who has gained the reputation of a magical way in making her chocolate creations so enchanting.
  
  Miss Amity Rare-Foure is the Chocolatier at her parents shop, Rare Confectionery, & her sisters, Beatrice, the Treacle-Toffee expert & the youngest, Charlotte, the sculpted Marzipan expert. Amity loves experimenting with different flavors, centers, types & designs of chocolates & has many regular customers of the beau monde, including the Queen.
  
  When the Duke & Amity have their first meeting; they discuss the reason for the chocolates & his proposal to Lady Madeleine, what flavors, shapes, filled or not. He admits he doesn't really know what she like or dislikes but agrees to find out some of the information. Amity ascertain that the duke really doesn't care one way or another for chocolate but he has never tasted any of hers. She spends the afternoon with him in her back room of the confectionery giving him samples & he now knows how wonderful her chocolates are.
  
  The daily visits to Amity in her chocolate room are spent getting to know one another, his likes, Lady Madeleine's likes & dislikes. She teaches Henry facts about chocolate & even puts him to work helping make different samples for his party. Slowly, her outspoken ways toward a duke (which he enjoys), the ease that they can converse, work & laugh together finds them both attracted to the other. This will never work - he is expected to propose to Lady Madeleine as he is courting a respected earl's daughter & Amity knows the difference in classes would never be accepted in society, let alone the fact that she will not give up making chocolates. What shall they do?
  
  I highly recommend this excellent story with main characters you really love & secondary characters that bring loyalty, family, love & humor to round out a perfect book. Sydney Jane Baily has written another one of her wonderful creations for us, the readers, to enjoy!
  
  I was gifted the Advanced Reader Copy of this book & all opinions are my own & have been voluntarily given.
• 
  Lori D

  What could be better? Chocolate and a delectable historical romance!! My two favorite things in the world! Combine it with the wonderful writing of Sydney Jane Baily and it is perfection!
  "Miss Rare-Foure? He waited for her to respond. Henry, the Duke of Pelham had a request of her and had her enter his carriage. "I have heard what you are doing in your little shop. I've been told you have a magical way of making chocolate confectionery so delicious, one cannot help consume it, eyes closed, raving over the quality, under an enchantment of ecstasy. Very Impressive." Her high cheekbones blushed."Thank you, my lord. Have you tasted my confectionery?"
  "Sadly, no, not yet. But I hope to remedy that soon. It is the reason I wish to speak with you. For you see, Miss Rare=Foure, I am in need of a wife."
  Sound promising? An eligible, handsome, good natured Duke wants wife. Amity could barely breath, but of course he wanted a special chocolate for the lady he hoped to wed. He was having A party in two weeks when he would ask her (her being the perfect toast of the ton for the season. You will get to know her a little too..grr) to marry him.
  Thus the journey began as Henry called on Amity at her chocolate shop to discuss how "they" would create the perfect, special chocolate that would be unique for his lady Madeleine.
  But sometimes the least expected meetings could bring about an awareness and not just of chocolate!
  I want to just tell you the whole story, but of course you will need to read to find out. I adored these two! Henry was lighthearted but he seemed to be floating at times, thinking everything would be perfect when he wed the delectable Madeleine. Amity, was a delight, working with her sisters and Mother at their shop and truly a master at making the chocolates!
  I could not wait to find out what would happen and once I started, I could not stop until the last page! A wonderful start to this new series and anxious for the next book to arrive. Trust me, you do not want to miss this scrumptious "sweet" story!
• 
  C Phillip

  Cinderella meets the Duke... Except Miss Amity Rare-Foure is not Cinderella because 1)she's an independent businesswoman & artist running her own confectionary shop in one of the most famous shopping streets in London; 2)she has 2 wonderful younger sisters who help her in the shop & loving parents who believe in her completely; 3)she has already found a beau who has been accepted by her family. No Stepmother! No Stepsisters! & No ball to go to! & then comes the Duke of Pelham - most handsome, eligible & wealthy bachelor of the season! The Duke has found the perfect woman to be his future duchess & wants to propose to her using Amity's chocolates as a surprise gift. Very soon he falls for the charming chocolatier herself & the original plan is a mess. Frankly, considering the time period, the first major flaw in this book is that a Duke would never visit any shop by himself. He would either send his steward, or his valet, or his butler to Amity's shop with clear instructions on what he wants. A person working for a Duke is also a part of the nobility - like a viscount or a baron or son of an Earl. So, it would have made more sense if the steward/valet/butler would have been the main character instead. What really kept me hooked to this book from start to finish was Amity's superior knowledge of her craft, the undeniably hilarious undertone of the book, the quick & witty dialogues and the fast-moving plot. The Duke is also a wonderful character to read about, trying his best to get rid of Amity's beau. The ending really put me off. It was abrupt & completely out of character for Amity. It reinforced the major erroneous notion of the time period that a woman's true happiness is with her husband. Putting aside feminist sentiments, I give it 3 stars for being an enjoyable read.
• 
  Nanna

  This is my first book by Sydney Jane Baily and I was asked to read an ARC of this story.
  As I love chocolate and Recency Romance how could I say no... am very glad I didn't.
  This was a fun, charming , informative story.
  The Duke of Pelham, is one of the wealthiest man in England, and is doing what is expected of him,
  going after the lovely most wanted woman of the season, one Lady Madeleine Brayson. He has asked Amity Rare-Foure the Chocolatier of the famous Chocolate shop, The Rare confectionery to make a special chocolate for him. The chocolate is to help him win Lady Brayson for his wife. As with most in the ton, he doesn't know a lot about Madeleine, but she is the woman of the season and he is the most sought after also, a young Duke. It should be a perfect match or is it. As he works with Amity to make something special, he finds her open, straight forward way of thinking and speaking refreshing.
  The longer they work together the more they are attracted to each other.
  Humm how will it all work out, the Wealthy Duke, the Chocolatier who is neither poor or part of the ton. Will he marry the top Lady of the Ton, His Chocolate lady, or lose them both.
  Can Amity be a Duchess and give up making her chocolate ? Even for her Duke, what of her finance
  There is so much going on in this story, how some of the ton act, the making of chocolate and being true to your heart.
  I was disappointed in the ending, as there a link for an Epilogue that did not work.
  I would like to thank the author for sending me and ARC, and can't wait for second book.
  I hope you will give it a try.
• 
  Cait M

  A beautiful, perfectly written romance set in Victorian England.
  
  The story starts with the Duke of Pelham wanting to commission Miss Amity Rare-Foure to create a chocolate masterpiece to impress the beauty of the current London Season Lady Madeleine. He plans to propose to the lady and wants Amity's famous chocolate custom-flavoured in Madeleine's honour as a grand gesture to use during his proposal.
  
  Chocolate is Amity's passion and she adores creating wonderful confections in her parent's shop. The family is firmly upper middle class, however her father is the second son of a French baron. Despite the wide gap in their social standing Amity and the Duke become good friends. He finds her joy, friendliness and enthusiasm relating to her work refreshing and she enjoys his kindness and has fun spending time with him. At some point the Duke begins to wonder what he saw in Lady Madeleine after all. Amity also realises that she has feelings for the Duke, but realises she is far ouside his social circle and could not continue to create her confections if they were together.
  
  Written with dual POV's, this story describes the character's growing and changing emotions so wonderfully.
  
  This book is a clean romance without descriptive love scenes.
• 
  AmazingJ

  Was ok until I started chapter 23
  
  The Story was okay, the plot was predictable. The Story hit a huge bump in chapter 23 when it started being cheesy.
  Here is a couple of paragraphs from the chapter;
  
  “We have made coffee,” Henry told them all. “Good coffee. I invite you to add milk and sugar, as you like.” Having worked up an appetite, he filled a plate for himself, piled high with the good country breakfast, and took the seat next to Amity’s chair, which Charlotte had been sitting in before she stood up to get her own plate. When the sisters returned, they both paused. Charlotte took another seat, saying nothing, while Amity shot him a sidelong glance, pursing her lips.
  
  The game was on!
  
  Really a Duke saying the last sentence just turned me off & I couldn't read any more. When he arrived & heard Amity was engaged it just fell from there.
  I do not recommend this Book. Sorry
• 
  Lesley

  ‪Beware Chocolate Cravings.‬
  This is the first book I have read by this author. I don’t usually like stories set in this era with a huge class divide but the chocolate element tempted me. I loved finding out tidbits about chocolate making and the descriptions of the chocolates made my mouth water. Whilst the author shows the Duke, Henry Cavendish having decidedly arrogant thoughts on occasion, in manner and speech he is very amiable and unpretentious. If he hadn’t been then the story would not have worked as well as it did because the class divide between them was wide (even for Victorian times) and you have to suspend disbelief on a number of occasions. Having said that I enjoyed the book and would like to read more of this series.
  I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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  Peggy

  From the moment Amity and Henry met I was hooked. Henry came to the shop looking for a special chocolate, and found a special lady. Their story is fun. The easy-going (slightly arrogant), friendly duke and the sweet, smart, caring chocolatier spend time together, laugh, learn from each other, and enjoy each other’s company. Will a match between them work? Not everyone thinks it should.
  
  The characters in this lovely story are awesome. Henry and Amity are perfect together; meant for each other. Both come from close-knit, supportive families. The sisters, hers and his, are delightful. Their mothers are each and together a force to be reckoned with. Chocolate and romance, delicious! The Duchess of Chocolate is, quite simply put, a valentine. Beatrice is up next, and I can’t wait.
  
  I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
• 
  Bron

  A good historical romance set between a working girl (and creator of fine chocolate) and a Duke. What more could a girl want? Perhaps besting a classic upper-class mean girl - because it has that too. It's an enjoyable story with fun plot points and a few detours to get the finale.
  
  I'm choosing not to do a line by line fact check, but the author appears enthusiastic about the history of confectionery including references to some of the oldest brands and their earliest products which would have been around in the era. I quite enjoyed hearing those historical tidbits - though sometimes it manages to feel like product placement for Cadbury's.
  
  It was an enjoyable book with a few stolen kisses and a lot of poignant glances. Not for you if you are looking for more steam, but its a well rounded love story just the same.
• 
  Bridget Love to read Lewis

  Chocolate or love
  
  Chocolate or love is a choice Amity never ever thought about as Chocolate was bread and butter and her love! Henry had picked out a lady to marry based solely on looks! The personality of this great beauty was right next to a wet snotty rag! Henry met Amity and began to rethink his life and his choice for a life partner! Amity was overly cautious to me on choosing! Only one man asked her to choose and it was not her love! Henry has a beautiful but wise mother thank goodness! Henry wasn't even thinking with the lower half of his anatomy because he never even got a kiss from this beautiful ice cube! Thank goodness for parents because these two took way too long to get to HEA!
• 
  Gina

  An absolutely charming story about Amity, a chocolatier who makes mouthwatering confections that everyone from the aristocracy to everyday people rave about. A duke named Harry comes to the shop to ask Amity to make a special candy for a party he is having so he can propose to what he thinks is the perfect duchess material. As he stops by daily to taste her creations they enjoy friendly talks. Henry comes to realize he doesn't know much about the woman he wants to propose to. At the party he finds out what an awful person she is when she insults Amity and tries to ruin her family's business. Henry realizes he made a terrible mistake and he will need to make things right with Amity.
• 
  Rose English

  A tantalizingly delicious treat
  
  What a delightful treat for a lover of romance and chocolates.This book was most enjoyable with descriptions of chocolate creations making my mouth water. The characters were wonderful especially the handsome duke. At times I often found myself smiling. Now I'm off to grab a bar of chocolate, sadly nothing as exciting as Amity's creations but still delicious. Then settle to reading book 2.