Chocolate Beach (Paperback)

by Julie Carobini (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Brianna Stone has an idyllic life. She lives in a comfortable beach home in Ventura, Calif., with her handsome, loving husband, Douglas, and improbably mature 13-year-old son, Nathan. She loves her part-time job leading coastal bus tours and has a lifelong best friend with whom she can talk about everything while eating brownies on the beach. Unfortunately, first-time author Carobini never quite manages to give Brianna any real problems, and, as such, this novel's plot is wispy. Perplexingly, despite her happiness and groundedness, Brianna decides one day, based purely on the comments of an unpleasant acquaintance, that her life might need a makeover. She fears, for reasons that never actually compel the reader, that her husband is bored and wants a more stylish home and wife. While Carobini's descriptions of events and characters are often witty and engaging, the series of misunderstandings that she substitutes for actual problems give the novel a contrived feel. Interestingly, Brianna does have some underlying issues, including a difficult childhood and infertility, but these go largely unexplored. Brianna and most of the people in her life are Christians, and at the end, Brianna realizes many of her problems stem from having neglected God. While this superficiality may disappoint some readers, those looking for a light, occasionally witty beach read may find that it hits the spot. (Feb.)
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Review
"...the plot is engaging and readers will be able to relate to Bri's desire to improve her marriage..." -- Melissa Parcel, bookloons.com

"...the well-paced plot balances humor, lessons in faith, and some gently explored sorrows, making Chocolate Beach a delightful read." -- Kacy Barnett-Gramckow, illuminatingthewordthroughfiction.blogspot.com

"A fun read from beginning to end, the cast of characters felt remarkably like lifelong friends. Never a dull moment..." -- RomanceDesigns.com

"Bri's journey is humorous, challenging and endearing--one I would highly recommend!" -- Narelle Mollet, titletrakk.com

"Chocolate Beach is an absolutely delightful read...." -- Amy Loos, armchairinterviews.com

"Chocolate Beach is an excellent book that I highly recommend." -- W. Terry Whalin, faithfulreader.com

"Chocolate Beach is the kind of poignant story that worms its way into your heart." -- Cindy Mealer, ck2skwipsandkritiques.com

"Chocolate Beach is the perfect poolside novel; actually it is the perfect anywhere novel." -- Brandi Webster, Christian Book Previews.com

"Julie Carobini's debut novel will warm you to your toes with quirky dialogue and characters..." -- Heather Ivester, christianwomenonline.net

"Strong writing and character depth keeps the reader interested." -- Jill Hart, CWAHM.com

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House (February 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764202618
• ISBN-13: 978-0764202612
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #746,185 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EXTREME MAKEOVER DRAMA AND FUN, March 6, 2007

By	Heather Ivester (Georgia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As soon as I picked up this book, I felt whisked away to the sunny coast of California. Julie Carobini's debut novel will warm you to your toes with quirky dialogue and characters you want for your new best friends.

Married for 14 years to a handsome, rising-star attorney, Brianna begins to suspect that her flip-flops and microwaved cuisine are no longer capturing the heart of her husband. He's starting to work longer hours and travel extensively, leaving Bri alone to raise their surfer-dude teenage son. Still deeply in love, Brianna sets out to reinvent herself.

Readers who love extreme makeover TV will get a kick out of the interior design drama and Bri's new wardrobe and glamorous hairstyle. But will it work?

Encouraged by her longtime friend, Gaby, Bri learns to trust God with the details. The rich enjoyment of chocolate bonds their friendship throughout, making Carobini's first book pure delight to read.


--Christian Women Online Book Buzz

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Chocolate Lit, February 10, 2007

By	Cara Putman (Lafayette, IN) - See all my reviews

This book is a fresh breath of air in the mom-lit genre. It starts with a classic chick-lit scene. Guy meets girl, who is a crazy barista. They fall in love even though they are extreme opposites. Fast forward about fifteen years to the first chapter.

That young man is now an attorney who rarely makes it home, and Bri wonders if it's her. Have their differences finally reached the point where they've driven them apart? Maybe the pressures of being the parents of a teenager are too much for them? Could there be someone else coming between them? The rest of the book frolics through her attempts to change and recapture her husband's attention. Some of her attempts are more successful than others, which left me groaning even as I knew I'd try the same things. Throughout it's a fun read.

This is the author's first book, and it has a light, fun voice. I don't read a lot of mom-lit, I guess I'd call it, but I loved the voice! Bri is a fun character and someone that I imagine I'd love as a best friend. The whackiness in her life is fairly true to life but just enough away from mine to make it fun to read.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Witty Read, February 6, 2007

By	J. Dearyan - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I really did enjoy Chocolate Beach and loved Brianna's character. This book made me laugh out loud several times and Bri's character hasn't left my consciousness in the sense that several days after I read the book I was still thinking about what Bri would think and do in certain situations. The plot isn't huge by any means but this is a perfect, beach (or when you wish you were at the beach which for me is all the time!) read.