Chocolate Chocolate: The True Story of Two Sisters, Tons of Treats, and the Little Shop That Could [Hardcover]

Frances Park (Author), Ginger Park (Author)

Book Description

Release date: May 10, 2011

When their beloved father died suddenly, authors Frances and Ginger Park (To Swim Across the World) comforted themselves with chocolates and mused on opening a confectionery shop with their small inheritance. The idea felt right to them--"a shop our late father would've loved just by virtue of its contents: chocolates and daughters"--and despite their inexperience, they decide to go for it, with their mother as silent partner. In 1984, on the day f their Washington, D.C., store, named Chocolate Chocolate, opened, they already were beset with difficulties, from crumbling walls and cracking floors installed by a shoddy, shady contractor to trying to conjure strategies to gain attention and sales. Bit by bit, their clientele grows; the sisters write fondly and often humorously of the recurring characters in their new, chocolate-centric lives, from favorite customers to the kooky sales rep who becomes an employee and dear friend. They easily move between musings on friendship and family, all the while offering inspiration and valuable lessons for budding entrepreneurs. The recipe for their house truffle rounds out this appealing, engaging memoir that's sure to appeal to a range of readers, chocoholics or not. --Publishers Weekly

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

When their beloved father died suddenly, authors Frances and Ginger Park (To Swim Across the World) comforted themselves with chocolates and mused on opening a confectionery shop with their small inheritance. The idea felt right to them—"a shop our late father would've loved just by virtue of its contents: chocolates and daughters"—and despite their inexperience, they decide to go for it, with their mother as silent partner. In 1984, on the day f their Washington, D.C., store, named Chocolate Chocolate, opened, they already were beset with difficulties, from crumbling walls and cracking floors installed by a shoddy, shady contractor to trying to conjure strategies to gain attention and sales. Bit by bit, their clientele grows; the sisters write fondly and often humorously of the recurring characters in their new, chocolate-centric lives, from favorite customers to the kooky sales rep who becomes an employee and dear friend. They easily move between musings on friendship and family, all the while offering inspiration and valuable lessons for budding entrepreneurs. The recipe for their house truffle rounds out this appealing, engaging memoir that's sure to appeal to a range of readers, chocoholics or not. (May)

Review

"Forget the economy, the disaster in Japan, the Middle East revolutions, even the oil crisis. Read this story of the American dream coming true." --Booklist

"Could there possibly be a sweeter book written by two adorably joyful sisters? Their struggle to keep their now-successful store alive since its opening in 1984 is detailed in lively prose. Best of all, the fragrance of chocolate and sugar seems to waft from the pages of this heartfelt memoir." --Carol Memmott, USA Today

"Forget the economy, the disaster in Japan, the Middle East revolutions, even the oil crisis. Read this story of the American dream coming true." --Booklist

"Smooth, soft-centered confection that goes down with a smile." --Kirkus

“Heartwarming and fun, this inspirational story of how two young women created a fabulous chocolate boutique s will have desperate chocoholics mainlining chocolate syrup and snorting cocoa until they can get hold of the real thing.” --JoAnna Carl, author of The Chocoholic Mystery Series

“A charming tale of two sisters who turn their passion for chocolate into an entrepreneur’s dream by opening a luxurious chocolate boutique in Washington D.C. With a fiercely loyal stream of quirky customers, a strong commitment to family and an unflappable sisterly bond to inspire them, the Park sisters confront life’s ups, downs and in-betweens with all the grace and elegance of a perfectly formed chocolate truffle.” --Tish Boyle, author of The Cake Book 

“The ultimate cautionary confectionary tale, replete with all the romance, ups and downs of any great food drama. This is a book to curl up with, along with the delicious, toothsome comfort of all the Godiva, Lindt, Baci and Bouchons, and (mood-altering) Half-Moon Buttercream Dreams you could wish for.”  -- Marcy Goldman, Author, Master Baker, A Passion for Baking, The Baker's Four Seasons, founder of www.BetterBaking.com

“Chocolate Chocolate is a tale of sheer determination, overcoming evil villians, and ultimately, hard-won success. The divine descriptions of mouth-watering chocolates, the bursts of wisdom, lush detail and sisterly bond make this a very sweet read.”--Helen Tse, author of Sweet Mandarin

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books (May 10, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312652933
• ISBN-13: 978-0312652937
• Product Dimensions: 1 x 6.3 x 8.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,054,042 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Delicious & Delightful May 18, 2011

By Trish M

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

It might sound odd to call a book Delicious and Delightful but for this book it is the perfect description. This book tells a great story about perserverance, a loving family and following your dream. The characters are so vivid and entertaining I found myself wanting to head over to their shop just hoping to meet them. Be forewarned though -- have some good chocolate on hand while reading this book or you will wish that you had!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Laugh, cry and crave chocolate..... May 17, 2011

By Karen S

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I picked up CHOCOLATE CHOCOLATE, because I loved the cover. The colors, the French flair. Sounds superficial, but let me tell you, there's nothing superficial about this memoir that opens up with a heartfelt prologue detailing Frances and Ginger Park's last day in their beloved chocolate shop in the heart of Washington, DC. After twenty-five years, the Parks have lost their lease and are faced with the burning question - could they start over in a new location? Their loss and questionable future will pull you into this deliciously spun memoir. It's only fitting that Chapter One opens `on a bitterly cold day' in 1984 on their first day of business. The book comes full circle with a story for the ages, one that boasts a host of hilarious customer characters, a little romance, business blunders and victories, and chocolate descriptions so sinfully rich they'll leave you salivating. But above all, this book (as the subtitle indicates) is the story of two sisters who would do anything - open a chocolate shop! - to stay together after the sudden death of their father. CHOCOLATE CHOCOLATE will make you laugh, cry, and crave chocolate all in one bite.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Heart-warming, engaging, funny... May 10, 2011

By Jessica White

Format:Hardcover

I was lucky to get my hands on an advance copy of this book and I loved it! It's a delightful, engaging story. The Park sister's obvious affection for each other and their customers comes through loud and clear, and I found myself unwilling to put the book down. They do a beautiful job of weaving together their shared experience of family, opening a business and worshipping chocolate into a readable and meaningful tome.

The descriptions of chocolate that run throughout the book will have your mouth watering, and you'll be rewarded at the end with their recipe for their famous house truffle, which is worth the purchase price of the book by itself. I highly recommend that you NOT read the book unless you have a box of chocolates sitting next to you--you will feel bereft if you can't indulge after reading the descriptions of the chocolate aromas that fill their store. Make sure it's good chocolate! Your average candy bar that you pick up at the convenience store is not worthy of this book.

If I were describing this book to a friend, I would say that it's definitely worth reading. It's meaningful and written with a light, deft hand, and you'll be happier for having read it. And if parts of it don't make you laugh out loud, then you have no heart. I'd recommend it for a beach read, a lighthearted book club, and anyone who loves chocolate!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely delightful!!! May 10, 2011

By Rossana O

Format:Hardcover

What a completely delectable read! I devoured every page and craved chocolate the whole time. My only regret was that I didn't have any Neuhaus chocolates in the house to nibble on while I turned the pages. In a crazy, fast paced world, it's nice to be reminded of the magical, calming powers that one scrumptious morsel can provide.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Better Than A MBA June 8, 2011

By Kenneth Kolstad

Format:Hardcover

Why toil at night school when you can learn everything about business, and have a whopping good time reading this book? Seriously, "Chocolate Chocolate: The True Story of Two Sisters, Tons of Treats, and the Little Shop That Could" should be required reading at every business school in the country. The Park sisters opened an independent chocolate shop in 1984 when they were young, naďve twenty-somethings. With no business experience to speak of, they learned on the job, losing money, but never their spirit or love for chocolate along the way. Compacted into this engaging memoir is twenty-five years of business foibles and triumphs. A perfect guide for any entrepreneur. This book will have you laughing out loud and cheering the sisters on as they ultimately find success.

And here's a guarantee: If you weren't a chocoholic before reading this book, you will be.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A great story about life (and with a happy ending) May 21, 2011

By Benjamin Yee

Format:Hardcover

First off, full disclosure - I have met the authors and been to the store. I think for the average person off the street, the reason to buy the book is to read a great story about family and the shared dream of two sisters. The book is a wonderful story about the bonds of family and the many interesting friends and people that come into and out of your life over the years. Sprinkle in a little bit of romance and dab of business experience and you get a an interesting view of 20+ years in Washington DC through the window of a Chocolate shop. Nothing makes a book more interesting than truly knowing the characters you are reading about. So next time you are in Washington DC, make a trip to their store and meet them. Get an autograph for your book. They still work there most days. Oh, and buy a box of Lake Champlain truffles and some turtles. You won't be sorry. (Also, I paid full freight. Amazon's price is a steal ...)

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Beautiful Five Star Tribute to Chocolate, Family and Beloved Customers May 13, 2011

By Sun Lover

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

My Amazon copy arrived in the mail two days ago and the book was so entrancing I couldn't put it down. WOW! Not only could I smell the chocolate coming off the pages, I was immediately drawn into the lives of these two sisters whose sensitivities to the world around them drive this story. In 1984, their hearts still hollow from the shocking early death of their father, the two decide to carve a life for themselves out of chocolate. The work is beautiful, funny and "bittersweet". I can't wait to reread the whole book, but slowly this time, with a BIG box of chocolates right next to me!