My thanks to Orion Books for an eARC via NetGalley of Joanne Harris’ ‘The Strawberry Thief’ in exchange for an honest review.

This is the fourth in her Chocolat series and I have read and loved all of them. Harris provides enough background for new readers though the series is such a delight that I would recommend all of them to anyone wishing to enter this rich world of magic and chocolate.

Following on a few years from the events in ‘Peaches for Monsieur le Curé, Vianne Rocher and her daughter, Rosette, have settled down in Lansquenet-sous-Tannes. Vianne has reopened the chocolaterie and become part of the community that had once rejected her.

The death of Narcisse, the florist, triggers change when he leaves a small woodland to Rosette and a confession addressed to Father Reynaud. His daughter and family are very upset with these bequests and seek to overturn them. In addition, a new mysterious shop opens in place of the florist’s and challenges Vianne’s sense of self and place in the village.

I could go on and on but feel it best to not say too much so as not to spoil the experience for other readers.

Harris is an accomplished storyteller and weaves together a number of storylines into the narrative. Themes such as guilt, relationships between parents and children, and manipulation are confidently explored. The symbolism is as always very rich. I fell in love with the little oak wood, which felt like a place outside time and the perfect setting for a dark faerie tale.

I was surprised to find that I was feeling less empathy with Vianne given some quite subtle changes in her use of magic. This is also Rosette’s tale, who at fifteen is coming into her own magic. A number of chapters are hers and others are Reynaud’s as he reads Narcisse’s confession.

I felt a little sad to reach the final pages though these characters and Lansquenet-sous-Tannes have a lasting place in my heart. It is a novel that I would happily reread.

The cover art is subtle and exquisite and I have preordered the hardback to join my existing collection of the series.

Highly recommended.

This was an excellent follow up to the Chocolat series. I adored every page. Harris' writing at her best!
I just loved going back into this village, I love the characters, the writing is so charming.
It's really good.
If you read Chocolat and liked it, you won't be disappointed.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

The Strawberry Thief is the highly anticipated sequel to Chocolat which doesn’t disappoint. The cover for this book is absolutely beautiful and the picture above doesn’t do it justice. It’s got some lovely gold detail on the cover and the effect is stunning!

It was great to revisit the village of Lansquenet-sous-Tannes to see what had changed over the years. The reader is also introduced to Rosette a special little girl who doesn’t talk and has an imaginary monkey, called bam as her best friend. She was instantly my favourite character in the book and I so enjoyed learning more about her as she never failed to make me smile! The wonderful relationship she developed with Narcisse was beautiful and it brought tears to my eyes reading about it.

The story of the villagers is intertwined by dark local folk or fairy stories which were fantastic to read more about. I felt they added a slightly mystical element to the story which made the story more intriguing to read about and I felt added something to Rosette who especially seemed to believe them.

This is a very absorbing story that is very easy to lose yourself in. The descriptions of the village are very vivid and I felt that I could picture it perfectly in my mind almost like I was there myself. I really enjoyed going on a journey with the characters and learning more of their secrets. The new shop adds an interesting slant to the story which I felt particularly fascinating though sad to see the village hadn’t learnt their lesson!

Huge thanks to Tracy Fenton for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Orion for my copy of this book. If you like absorbing, magical reads then you’ll love this book!

I gave this a 4/5 stars or 8/10.

In this story we once again return to Lansquenet-sous-Tannes and meet some familiar characters, that we originally met in Chocolat and also some new characters. Vianne Rocher is well settled in the community and along with her daughter Rosette, she still runs the chocolate shop which is at the heart of the community. Vianne enjoys being an integral part of the community, friend and confidant to many. Her youngest daughter Rosette, has a few problems and appears to be rather immature for her age, but she understands far more than people think she does.

The story is riddled with secrets, that are slowly revealed to the reader that keep you engaged as the story progresses. Why has Narcisse left a parcel of land to Rosette in his will? This is only one of many questions that need to be answered and all will be revealed in due course. At times this is a slightly gothic read with dark undertones and at other it's a touch magical.

Well written this story will engage the reader and transport you into the lives of the characters and the community that they live in.

It's 20 years ago since Joanne Harris wrote Chocolat and whilst there have been two other books in the series, this one seems to bring to a close the series unless Joanne Harris has other ideas and decides to write a #5 in the future.

I’m afraid this wasn’t for me. I recognise that it’s a matter of taste and not that it’s a bad book, but I really couldn’t get on with The Strawberry Thief.

Part of the problem may be that I haven’t read any of its predecessors, so picking the story up when it is so far advanced is likely to be difficult, but I also found the style twee and rather cloying. I read as much as I could take, but I gave up as I wasn’t enjoying it at all.

I have given this three stars even though I didn’t like it because I recognise that it is well written in its way, so less would be rather unfair but personally I can’t recommend it.

https://lynns-books.com/2019/03/18/the-strawberry-thief-chocolat-4-by-joanne-harris/#comments
Once upon a time there was a book that thought it was a regular story, it wrapped itself up in strangeness and fantasy and grew into a remarkable tale, a fairytale to enchant readers.

The Strawberry Thief was a fantastic read. I absolutely loved it in fact I didn’t want it to finish and I can say, that to those of you looking at this as No.4 in a series and thinking there’s a lot of catching up, well, I can tell you that you don’t have to have read the previous three books – although of course I would recommend them. I think there would be no problem at all in reading this as a standalone and I heartily recommend this book. It’s just beautiful. Do yourself a favour and read it.

What can I say. Picking this book up just felt right. Comfortable and comforting. Gorgeous writing, evocative and mysterious. In fact a story with a mystery at its core surrounded by a heady mix of magic and motherhood – and chocolate. Don’t forget the chocolate.

As I write this I can genuinely say that I am full of emotion. The writing in this book was just intoxicating and I could frankly read this again, right now.

Vianne Rocher is a mother with two daughters. One has flown the nest finding love and is living in Paris. The other, Rosette, is still to find her voice.

Vianne now seems to have an almost comfortable life in Lansquenet-sous-Tannes. She has finally found acceptance and her chocolaterie is popular with the locals. But things are afoot. Her ‘special’ daughter, Rosette, has been left a piece of land, following the death of the local florist Narcisse. Narcisse had developed a soft spot for Rosette and left her is little forest, where the wild strawberries grow. Of course, as you may imagine this causes uproar. Narcisse’s daughter is outraged, naturally expecting to be bequeathed the full estate she is convinced that something is hidden in the forest and determined to get her hands on the piece of land come what may. On top of this, it seems that Narcisse has left a confession, a compelling story that that has been left in the care of Reynaud, the village priest. And then, to top it all, the old florist shop has a new tenant – and it seems that this new tenant is going to cause as big a stir as Vianne herself did when she opened a chocolate shop on Lent.

I won’t talk further about the plot. It manages to twist and turn in the most delicious fashion. On the face of it this appears to be a mystery. Was Narcisse hiding something in his strawberry forest, why did he leave the land to Rosette and what is contained in that tantalising confession. Two stories running parallel and both rife with the tension lent to them by the way in which the confession keeps switching hands in the most unexpected fashion. Then we have the mystery of Rosette and her missing voice, her invisible friend and her ‘shadow’ voice. Then, the newcomer. The people of the village are simply bewitched by her. Vianne needs to fight magic with magic – both of them have a way of knowing what a person needs but maybe this village is too small for two such larger than life personalities.

The other thing, there is an absolutely beautiful poignancy here. Underlying the magic and mystery is a tantalising story of letting go, of having difficult choices, of being a mother, raising a child with love and care but then acknowledging that your child is now an adult and must be allowed to fly the nest and choose a path.

To be honest, I’m going to keep this review fairly short – which is absolutely not a reflection on the novel in any way – I adored this book. I loved it in fact – and it’s turned me into a big ball of emotion and greed. I can’t in fact say it any clearer than this. Buy this book, read it and then come and tell me what you think. I finished this story with tears in my eyes. I was happy-sad. Happy to read such a good book that just overwhelmed me and sad because it was all over and I wanted more. Ooh, the book hangover! Would I recommend this book – oh yes, without a doubt.

I received a copy, through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. I have not read anything from this author for a while and after reading this don't understand why not. A great read.

What an amazing follow up to The Lollipop Shoes and Chocolat. It was wonderful to catch up with Vianne and her daughters, several years on from the last instalment. It's a story of secrets, friendships, misunderstandings and changes, one which Joanne Harris tells so beautifully you can't help but be drawn into the story. Loved it!

I had completely given up on there ever being another book in the wonderful Chocolat series so to say I was thrilled when I came across The Strawberry Thief is an understatement. Although it has been some years since I read the earlier books I had no difficulty remembering the village and characters once I began this latest book. The writing is just as wonderful and the story is just as magical and captivating as Chocolat and its other follow ups. I won't spoil any of the story here and I would recommended that readers new to this series start at the beginning of the series with Chocolat to allow them to get the most out of the story. I envy new readers who have never experienced the story before. What a wonderful treat lies in store for you. I will now be re-reading the series from the beginning for myself.

If you enjoy a wonderful story written beautifully read on...Rosette is 15 and does not attend school. She rarely speaks but does communicate through sign language to whom she chooses. Her and her mother have lived in the village for around five years and Rosette has befriended an old man , Narcisse through going into his wood. Vianne runs the village chocolaterie and hence sees many of the villagers day to day as they pop in for a hot chocolate and sweets. When Narcisse dies Vianne is the executor of his will- much to her surprise, and he has left Rosette the woodland. His daughter who has only recently appeared is horrified and wants to contest his decision. Part of her reason is to look after her son. a child no one has heard of before now. Narcisse has also left a document to be read by Reynaud the village priest and no -one else. Reynaud soon discovers that Narcisse held a secret for most of his life. His old floristry shop has been re-let by his daughter and the new occupant is rather a mystery to the villages. Art of a type they would rather not have around. Joanne is a wordsmith. Her descriptions are beautiful and this is one of those where you can immerse yourself in a another world and think of woodland, strawberries and chocolate- what’s not to like? Rosette is a likeable character and much smarter than many make her out to be. Her champion is her mother who would never underestimate her. This is one beautiful and emotive read. I smiled, I shed a tear. One to remember.
For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/
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Joanne Harris takes the reader back to Lansquenet-sous-Tannes, and the now accepted chocolatier, Vianne Rocher, continuing to practice her own brand of chocolate magic. How things have changed, even Francis Reynaud, the priest, once her fiercest critic is now a friend. Vianne has lost her summer child, Anouk, to Paris and the man she has fallen in love with. She finds some comfort that her winter child, the special Rosette will never leave her. Rosette doesn't attend school, does not speak, has a companion that only few can see, Bam, the monkey, and has a special gift for art and drawing. Snow makes an unexpected appearance, and the winds of change are blowing, heralding death, unstoppable chaos and a confrontation between different forms of powerful magic, that of chocolate and ink. Vianne has a desperate sense of foreboding, the tarot cards, Death, The Fool and The Tower, promise a future that is to test and challenge her.

The death of Narcisse, the florist, triggers conflict and the entry of a newcomer with no feet taking over his shop premises. The mysterious Morgane and her reception by the village carries uncanny echoes of Vianne's experiences on first settling in the village. Whilst many do not get Rosette and belittle her, Narcisse becomes close to the child after catching her stealing strawberries. He bequeaths his wood to Rosette, the strawberry thief, to be held in trust for her until she is of age. Whilst Rosette is overjoyed, Narcisse's daughter is less than happy, looking for ways to challenge the bequest. Narcisse had rejected the church and was not fond of Reynaud, but he leaves behind a confession for Reynaud that tells of his heartbreaking background and history, particularly his close relationship with his beloved sister, Mimi, afflicted with seizures. Reynaud carries a heavy burden of guilt from his actions as a child that had such tragic outcomes, events he has never dared to speak of, which he is certain will see him roundly condemned by all. He is afraid that Narcisse knew of his secret. Morgane appears to wield a power over the community and Rosette that makes Vianne so afraid that she will do anything to make her leave.

Joanne Harris is a remarkably beguiling storyteller, infusing dark fairytales in the narrative, of Rosette, the snow child, with her own magic, her 'accidents', and her ability to influence the winds. She focuses on human insecurities, frailties and fears, of a casting of magic that disturbs the natural order of things and how natural forces will inexorably topple such unnaturalness. The magic of ink takes hold of a village and community, giving them what they need rather than what they want, including the mark of Cain, and with it comes the inevitable changes that life brings. This is a beautifully written and immersive read, and it is such a pleasure to return to this village and all its diverse characters, even the unlikeable ones! If you are drawn to the whimsical, the bewitching, and glorious storytelling, then this is a novel for you. Highly recommended! Many thanks to Orion for an ARC.

I devoured this in one go, so excited to get this arc and return to a world I loved. I wasn’t disappointed at all. The writing was as good as ever, hard to put the book down. You just fell back into the village and our favourite characters lives again. No spoilers here, but if you loved chocolat and Joanne Harris then pick this up you won’t be disappointed, I wasn’t

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

I've read the three previous books,but I have to admit,I struggle to remember who zosie Is,or the story behind Anouks boyfriend.
However,as you can tell by the four stars,it didn't dampen my enthusiasm for the continuation of the story.
They're charming,and magical,and sometimes just a bit dark,that reminds you it's not all chocolate and whimsical stories.
The story within the story was my only frustration... why wouldn't you read the whole thing in one go??
Happy to have caught up with the inhabitants of the village again.....
I'm hoping we will be back again.