A pinch of hope, a dash of romance, and a whole lot of chocolate.
When chocolatier Emma Harris teams up with charming tour guide Drew McDonald to save her struggling shop, sparks fly as they whip up a Valentine’s event that could change both their lives.
But with business challenges and personal doubts lingering, will this partnership be just business—or the start of something far sweeter?
Dreams and Dark Chocolate is a novella in the series Sunshine Bay Shops. Those titles include: Making Sweet Music ~ Christmas Trees and Mistletoe ~ The Bookworm and the Cat’s Meow ~ Whisking Love and Building Dreams ~
This is a clean, sweet romance with either closed doors or only kissing.
Title: Dreams and Dark Chocolate
Series: Sunshine Bay Shops novella
Author: Jeanine Lauren
Published: July 28, 2025
My Rating: 4 stars
Dreams and Dark Chocolate is connected to The Sunshine Bay Shops world, and is a novella that brings us Emma and Drew’s story. An unexpected business arrangement that might lead to so much more.
Emma is a chocolatier with a promising chocolate shop, who is struggling at the moment to make her dreams come true. Unfortunately, the one person who should have been cheering her on has, in fact, become the biggest gloom and doomer in her life. When she’s approached by Drew, an enterprising businessman who runs Tasty Tours, with a business proposition, she’s intrigued. What started as a mutually beneficial business partnership will soon bloom into something neither expected… with more than a few dreams becoming reality.
I had fun with Dreams and Dark Chocolate by Jeanine Lauren. It’s a well-written, engaging, fun romance that will quickly capture your heart. And, for me, it was a great introduction to a series that I want to learn more about. If you love chocolate and sweet romance, then check this one out.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the author or the author’s team via Booksprout, and I sincerely thank them for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
Thank you so much for taking the time to read the story and leave a review. So glad you liked it.
You’re very welcome. I enjoyed my time in your world, and look forward to discovering more romantic adventures there. 🙂