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How Sweet It Is
Embrasser means to kiss in French. Delphine D'Arleux, traveling in Belgium for a candy-making class, doesn't expect to have the word demonstrated to her, especially by a stranger. Brad Larsen, an avowed chocoholic, knows he behaved badly by kissing the pretty French girl, but he can't quite regret his actions. Can he show Delphine that a longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul? (Christian romance)
190 pages, Paperback
First published August 18, 2008
54 people are currently reading
539 people want to read
About the author
Bonnie Blythe
26 books292 followersEver since I tucked paperback romance novels in my school textbooks, I've
been a fan of Christian romance. Getting to write them is even more fun.
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Bonnie-Blythe/...
been a fan of Christian romance. Getting to write them is even more fun.
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Bonnie-Blythe/...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
January 8, 2017
Entirely too simple, predictable and boring for my taste.
I found myself rolling my eyes through out the book because it was so predictable (Talk about the stars constantly lining up to the point of drab). I would have liked a little more detail in the characters (I may have missed the one line that describes the color of Delphines hair, so I imagined it blonde until I changed my mind half way through the book) and I never got a clear delicious vision of Brad Larsen. I think it's probably a cute story for a 9th grader. Very rated G. Not enough heat and flame for the type of books I like to read.
By time I got to the very last words of the book, the story turned into a Disney animated film with a "and they lived Happily Ever After... The End", Music an all.
I found myself rolling my eyes through out the book because it was so predictable (Talk about the stars constantly lining up to the point of drab). I would have liked a little more detail in the characters (I may have missed the one line that describes the color of Delphines hair, so I imagined it blonde until I changed my mind half way through the book) and I never got a clear delicious vision of Brad Larsen. I think it's probably a cute story for a 9th grader. Very rated G. Not enough heat and flame for the type of books I like to read.
By time I got to the very last words of the book, the story turned into a Disney animated film with a "and they lived Happily Ever After... The End", Music an all.
July 1, 2014
This was a cute book, however, I should warn the readers not to read it while on a diet. It will make you want to cheat and go for the chocolate
October 6, 2011
How can a lighthearted romance and chocolate get any better. From Paris to the US Brad pursues Delphine. This could be a wonderful movie.
November 27, 2016
3 1/2 stars.
June 6, 2024
How Sweet It Is by Bonnie Blythe is a sweet Christian Romance that starts with a chance meeting, a stolen kiss, and a slap.
This a simple story with predictable outcomes but it is still entertaining. Brad and Delphine have a lot of learning to do and you are rooting for them to get it right. Brad seems to have it all while Delphine struggles through each day. They have issues to overcome before they can commit to each other. This is a clean romance with a fairytale ending.
3.5 stars
This a simple story with predictable outcomes but it is still entertaining. Brad and Delphine have a lot of learning to do and you are rooting for them to get it right. Brad seems to have it all while Delphine struggles through each day. They have issues to overcome before they can commit to each other. This is a clean romance with a fairytale ending.
3.5 stars
March 5, 2020
A Sweet Romance
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was such a sweet story! Brad and Delphine are so cute trying to work through their problems and find their way together. If you want a clean romance with a fairytale ending, you will love this book!
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was such a sweet story! Brad and Delphine are so cute trying to work through their problems and find their way together. If you want a clean romance with a fairytale ending, you will love this book!
July 7, 2020
At first, I was skeptical of Delphine and Brad's characters. I was so disappointed of the tone of the book. As it went along, I began to enjoy the realistic nature of the book.
I definitely would love to read more of her work.
I definitely would love to read more of her work.
May 31, 2017
A really sweet love story
How could a story that combines love, chocolate, and Faith to wrong? It can't! This is simply a wonderfully spun story.
How could a story that combines love, chocolate, and Faith to wrong? It can't! This is simply a wonderfully spun story.
February 26, 2018
If you like romance, you’ll like this
Great romance like the Harlequins, but faith based. Very much enjoyed it. Would recommend it and would like to read more by this author.
Great romance like the Harlequins, but faith based. Very much enjoyed it. Would recommend it and would like to read more by this author.
September 22, 2024
Cute story but really slow in parts and too much tension at times. Like get together already. Lol. But overall sweet book.
June 15, 2014
First off, forgive me for my lengthy “table setting” of this review but there is no other way to explain what’s going on and still attract the reader to this book. (It’s complicated but that’s a good thing)
Delphine D’Arneux, in Belgium to learn the fine art of chocolate candy from the best, encounters young, carefree Brad Larson, on vacation with his parents. A ‘chocoholic’ in the worst sense, Brad is also attracted to the lovely but serious Delphine and attempts to snatch a kiss but gets soundly slapped for his brazen effort. Smitten, Brad longs to see her again to apologize for his indiscretion.
He gets his chance at the Paris airport where they meet again. On her way back to California, an airline computer glitch forces her to buy a one way ticket. When she attempts to use her credit card, she learns her account has been drained, but by whom? It happens to be her lovable but totally irresponsible French parents who have squandered the money at a local casino. Enter Brad’s parents who are affluent and influential. Against her protests, they buy her a return ticket.
Delphine’s dream is to open a candy shop featuring the finest gourmet chocolates but her small business loan is turned down. Brad’s parents come to the rescue once again by offering her a personal loan to get her shop off the ground. Wary, suspicious, and intensely private, Delphine initially distrusts Brad’s family and their offer of friendship and financial assistance. At opposite ends of the lifestyle spectrum, Delphine has struggled with her parent’s child-like irresponsibility with money since she was a child and shuttled with them from one temporary home to another, one step ahead of being evicted for non-payment of rents and escaping their creditors. Brad, on the other hand, has lived a life of privilege and has never known the suffering that Delphine has.
Delphine is drawn to handsome Brad’s sunny disposition, positive outlook, and his strength. Brad is drawn to Delphine’s beauty, her iron will to be financially independent, and her skill with chocolate!
How are these two polar opposites going to grow their relationship in the face of constant obstacles, both financial and personal? Delphine wavers between affection and distrust of Brad, thinking his love must come with financial strings attached.
As in most romances, the outcome is seldom in doubt but the author’s convoluted journey to get there is wrought with suspense, ardor, humor and God’s over-arching plan to get Delphine to give up her world-weariness and trust Him for the outcome.
The book is not a lengthy read but went even faster than usual for this reader because it was such a suspenseful page-turner. I also enjoyed the author’s use of italics which served to highlight the principal’s private thoughts, provided insight, and enhanced the comical misunderstandings between hero and heroine. I cannot remember rooting harder for a young heroine than I did Delphine!
This was my first read by author Bonnie Blythe and I look forward to more of her sweet faith-based stories.
Delphine D’Arneux, in Belgium to learn the fine art of chocolate candy from the best, encounters young, carefree Brad Larson, on vacation with his parents. A ‘chocoholic’ in the worst sense, Brad is also attracted to the lovely but serious Delphine and attempts to snatch a kiss but gets soundly slapped for his brazen effort. Smitten, Brad longs to see her again to apologize for his indiscretion.
He gets his chance at the Paris airport where they meet again. On her way back to California, an airline computer glitch forces her to buy a one way ticket. When she attempts to use her credit card, she learns her account has been drained, but by whom? It happens to be her lovable but totally irresponsible French parents who have squandered the money at a local casino. Enter Brad’s parents who are affluent and influential. Against her protests, they buy her a return ticket.
Delphine’s dream is to open a candy shop featuring the finest gourmet chocolates but her small business loan is turned down. Brad’s parents come to the rescue once again by offering her a personal loan to get her shop off the ground. Wary, suspicious, and intensely private, Delphine initially distrusts Brad’s family and their offer of friendship and financial assistance. At opposite ends of the lifestyle spectrum, Delphine has struggled with her parent’s child-like irresponsibility with money since she was a child and shuttled with them from one temporary home to another, one step ahead of being evicted for non-payment of rents and escaping their creditors. Brad, on the other hand, has lived a life of privilege and has never known the suffering that Delphine has.
Delphine is drawn to handsome Brad’s sunny disposition, positive outlook, and his strength. Brad is drawn to Delphine’s beauty, her iron will to be financially independent, and her skill with chocolate!
How are these two polar opposites going to grow their relationship in the face of constant obstacles, both financial and personal? Delphine wavers between affection and distrust of Brad, thinking his love must come with financial strings attached.
As in most romances, the outcome is seldom in doubt but the author’s convoluted journey to get there is wrought with suspense, ardor, humor and God’s over-arching plan to get Delphine to give up her world-weariness and trust Him for the outcome.
The book is not a lengthy read but went even faster than usual for this reader because it was such a suspenseful page-turner. I also enjoyed the author’s use of italics which served to highlight the principal’s private thoughts, provided insight, and enhanced the comical misunderstandings between hero and heroine. I cannot remember rooting harder for a young heroine than I did Delphine!
This was my first read by author Bonnie Blythe and I look forward to more of her sweet faith-based stories.
September 21, 2014
1/4 - I haven't actually started this yet, but I just wanted to note that it's my first 'christian' romance and I'm not sure how I'm going to like it (first sign of preaching and the first star is going).
5/4 - The guy, Brad, is a naive idiot and I hate lines like "What could be negative on so beautiful a day-in Europe no less?" Ugh, what did the much more sympathetic female character call his words? That's right, "Trite". I would add sickly sweet and it's lines like these that give romance books a bad name. What's up with the front cover? That little brown spot on the corner of the guy's mouth doesn't look like a chocolate flake/crumb/piece/whatever, especially when you see the enlarged version of it. It looks more like a sultana or bread crumb got squashed into the cover of the physical book and then they scanned the cover as is - not alluring at all. It makes me think of a boy with a grubby face who needs his mother to spit onto a hanky and clean his face for him.
P.S. Does "much needed cachet" from page 14 actually translate to "much needed cash"? If so I have serious doubts about Blythe's writing skills. To be continued...
25/07 - Yes, I'm still struggling through this. This was supposed to be my book dessert and so, I was expecting a sweet romance with a chocolate creme centre, instead I got a doughy, under-cooked doughnut that's missing the sprinkles. I'm at that point where you're still trying to chew the dough, not sure if you can stomach finishing the mouthful, but not disgusted enough to spit it out; you're stuck between a squishy rock and a spongey hard place not sure what to do. To be continued...(if I can keep chewing)
5/09 - I've given up on this one. I've found I'm not in the least bit interested in the fate of either character and find Brad too sickly sweet and Delphine is snarky with a side of irritating - neither my cup of hot chocolate. After my last post I was going to attempt to make it to 50%, alas my jaw is tired from attempting to chew through this one so I'm onto something a bit more digestible.
5/4 - The guy, Brad, is a naive idiot and I hate lines like "What could be negative on so beautiful a day-in Europe no less?" Ugh, what did the much more sympathetic female character call his words? That's right, "Trite". I would add sickly sweet and it's lines like these that give romance books a bad name. What's up with the front cover? That little brown spot on the corner of the guy's mouth doesn't look like a chocolate flake/crumb/piece/whatever, especially when you see the enlarged version of it. It looks more like a sultana or bread crumb got squashed into the cover of the physical book and then they scanned the cover as is - not alluring at all. It makes me think of a boy with a grubby face who needs his mother to spit onto a hanky and clean his face for him.
P.S. Does "much needed cachet" from page 14 actually translate to "much needed cash"? If so I have serious doubts about Blythe's writing skills. To be continued...
25/07 - Yes, I'm still struggling through this. This was supposed to be my book dessert and so, I was expecting a sweet romance with a chocolate creme centre, instead I got a doughy, under-cooked doughnut that's missing the sprinkles. I'm at that point where you're still trying to chew the dough, not sure if you can stomach finishing the mouthful, but not disgusted enough to spit it out; you're stuck between a squishy rock and a spongey hard place not sure what to do. To be continued...(if I can keep chewing)
5/09 - I've given up on this one. I've found I'm not in the least bit interested in the fate of either character and find Brad too sickly sweet and Delphine is snarky with a side of irritating - neither my cup of hot chocolate. After my last post I was going to attempt to make it to 50%, alas my jaw is tired from attempting to chew through this one so I'm onto something a bit more digestible.
September 3, 2013
Stories about chocolate are usually just too sweet for me to pass up, and initially this one started out fairly fun. Though a bit unrealistic in spots, I still found it amusing to watch as Delphine tried to dodge and hide from Brad--a basic stranger who had kissed her on the street--and then ultimately ended up on a plane with a ticket purchased for her by Brad's parents!
I do have to admit that it seemed slightly odd for Brad--a guy--to be such a hopeless chocolate-lover...but this probably stems from the guys in my life being just "so-so" about sweets. Regardless of that, I found it quite interesting when Delphine tried to teach Brad about higher grades of chocolate and the fine quality differences. However, much to my chagrin, every time chocolate came into the scene Brad managed to end up with some on his face. I'm sure this is meant to be endearing, but I just wanted to give him a stack of napkins and tell him to clean up.
Despite a few nitpicks, I honestly enjoyed the first half of the story, but at roughly the half-way point things started to changed. Suddenly the plot's main focus seemed to be about Delphine and Brad both doubting and fearing their affection wasn't mutual. Even after they'd said "I love you" multiple times, they both still continued to wonder if the other was truly earnest in their feelings. This got rather old, and ultimately after so many repetitions of doubts and confirmed feelings, more doubts and more confirmed feelings, I was just ready for the story to be done so I could move on to something else.
Overall, I feel the story would be much stronger if it was shortened up and condensed, mainly in the latter half when the redundancy of doubts begins. If you're looking to try a book by Bonnie Blythe, instead of "How Sweet It Is" I would recommend checking out Claire's Not-So-Gothic Romance, which I found to be very entertaining from beginning to end.
I do have to admit that it seemed slightly odd for Brad--a guy--to be such a hopeless chocolate-lover...but this probably stems from the guys in my life being just "so-so" about sweets. Regardless of that, I found it quite interesting when Delphine tried to teach Brad about higher grades of chocolate and the fine quality differences. However, much to my chagrin, every time chocolate came into the scene Brad managed to end up with some on his face. I'm sure this is meant to be endearing, but I just wanted to give him a stack of napkins and tell him to clean up.
Despite a few nitpicks, I honestly enjoyed the first half of the story, but at roughly the half-way point things started to changed. Suddenly the plot's main focus seemed to be about Delphine and Brad both doubting and fearing their affection wasn't mutual. Even after they'd said "I love you" multiple times, they both still continued to wonder if the other was truly earnest in their feelings. This got rather old, and ultimately after so many repetitions of doubts and confirmed feelings, more doubts and more confirmed feelings, I was just ready for the story to be done so I could move on to something else.
Overall, I feel the story would be much stronger if it was shortened up and condensed, mainly in the latter half when the redundancy of doubts begins. If you're looking to try a book by Bonnie Blythe, instead of "How Sweet It Is" I would recommend checking out Claire's Not-So-Gothic Romance, which I found to be very entertaining from beginning to end.
September 22, 2013
This one began with a few too many coincidences. They met in a foreign country, but happen to be practically neighbors back home in the states. Plus the whole he kissed a near stranger to get chocolate off her face thing was not realistic. I kept reading despite the early eye rolls because I’ve read a few other Bonnie Blythe books that I enjoyed (Claire’s Not So Gothic Romance is still my favorite.). And I thought the story picked up considerably as soon as they got back home. The writing kept me interested and the subplot of opening the chocolate shop flowed well. I believe the best part of the book was an actually believable misunderstanding between the main couple. I’ve read many books where the major source of conflict between the hero and heroine could (and should) have been cleared up by a simple conversation and this one made me believe the reasons these two didn’t have that conversation. It went on for a while, but alternated between the man and woman’s perspective to keep my interest. Biggest gripe was way that both characters had food on their faces more than once. Get some napkins people.
January 6, 2013
This is a cute inspirational romance about a young woman in her mid-20's who wants to open a chocolate shop. She meets a 20-something retired surfer in Paris who lives with his parents. When surfer dude meets the heroine, sparks fly on his end and he's smitten. Heroine isn't as enthralled with the surfer dude although he helps her get out of a major scrape and is very supportive of her business venture.
The H/H act more like teenagers and this has a very YAish tone to it. The heroine comes across to prim and proper and even calls the heroine by mister so and so, which seems strange. Also the way faith and religion is handled is well balanced. There are many cute and awww that's so sweet moments.
I would recommend this for anyone looking for a "sweet" read. I craved chocolate the entire time I read.
The H/H act more like teenagers and this has a very YAish tone to it. The heroine comes across to prim and proper and even calls the heroine by mister so and so, which seems strange. Also the way faith and religion is handled is well balanced. There are many cute and awww that's so sweet moments.
I would recommend this for anyone looking for a "sweet" read. I craved chocolate the entire time I read.
August 6, 2019
Really sweet story of guy meets girl and falls in love with her and wants to help her in any way possible but girl has to much on her plate with her taking care of her ailing parents and trying to open a business of her own and doesn't want to be bothered with romance right now. Fate intervenes and "bot a bing" a whirlwind of a tale begins!
Loved that it was not insta love..well not on the girls part anyhow. I enjoyed that they were given time to get to know each other although there were very few romance/love scenes anyhow. Delphine really tried my patience a time or two. I understood her need to do things on her own and to stand on her own feet and not wanting to owe anybody but there comes a time when you have to hang up the pride and let other folks in to help. It doesn't make you a bad person to need a little help sometimes.
Loved that it was not insta love..well not on the girls part anyhow. I enjoyed that they were given time to get to know each other although there were very few romance/love scenes anyhow. Delphine really tried my patience a time or two. I understood her need to do things on her own and to stand on her own feet and not wanting to owe anybody but there comes a time when you have to hang up the pride and let other folks in to help. It doesn't make you a bad person to need a little help sometimes.
November 3, 2016
Delphine meets brad in belgium after studying how to make chocolates. He kisses her and she slaps him and they part ways. They later encounter each other at the airport when she is unable to get a ticket to america after a mix up. His parents pay for a ticket and they chat on the flight. Brad likes Delphine but she is very wary of him. They begin seeing more of each other after brads dad gives Delphine a business loan. They fall in love with each but expect the worse of the others intentions so hold back. Delphine opens a chocolate shop and her father dies. Brad and his family support her as her mum leaves and brad tells her he loves her. Delphine struggles with accepting brads love and they often argue and fall out. In the end brad proposes to her as she opens the chocolate shop.
Nice cheesy romance with reminders of gods love and grace in our lives.
Nice cheesy romance with reminders of gods love and grace in our lives.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 2, 2013
I liked this book. It was engaging. A sweet Christian romance story that I did so enjoy. The description of the book is here on Good Reads: Baiser means kiss in French. Delphine D'Arleux, traveling in Belgium for a candy-making class, doesn't expect to have the word demonstrated to her, especially by a stranger. Brad Larsen, an avowed chocoholic, knows he behaved badly by kissing the pretty French girl, but he can't quite regret his actions. Can he show Delphine that a longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul? A contemporary Christian romance
January 7, 2013
I really enjoyed this book! Different from others I've read. Both main characters were likable & real & the story sucked me in right away & never got boring. Loved how author wove the problem of accepting GOD's gift & trying to work to keep that gift into her story. & then to add chocolate into that mix!! Genius!!
January 11, 2013
This book was an enlightening read. I could relate with the character Delphine, with her business aspirations and hope to make a better life for herself. She is a courageous character who was living her dream and following her heart. The sweet and challenging romance made it difficult to put the book down. I loved it!
August 10, 2013
A cozy sweet book that was in need of some spice. Delphine seemed like she had tons of piss and vinegar when she first met Brad and I couldn't wait to read more about them. However, she never really stayed out of her shell long enough. Brad's parents were so nice and wonderful beyond words, not hard to see where Brad got it from.
October 29, 2013
"How Sweet It Is", by Bonnie Blythe is a sweet Christian romance. It isn't preachy and the love story is tender and fun. You can't go wrong with chocolate and love. The theme is a damsel in distress and a hunky ex-surfer who have a chance meeting while in Europe. I give it 4 stars. A great weekend book. This book is suitable for teens and up due to it's clean content.
May 3, 2014
A cute but unrealistic romance between a former surfer and a girl of French heritage. A sweet story but if you were the beneficiary of a life insurance policy, wouldn't you pay back the person who paid the funeral expenses for you rather than prepaying a loan? I enjoyed the book but it's not one of my favorite reads!
May 16, 2014
Bonnie Blythe scores another grand slam!
Bonnie Blythe scores another grand slam!
I loved this book!! Lots of ups and downs, just when you think you figured it out BAM another curveball!
Whenever I see a book by this author I always pick it up,I have not been disappointed yet! A great summer read with good Christian
values and messages!
Bonnie Blythe scores another grand slam!
I loved this book!! Lots of ups and downs, just when you think you figured it out BAM another curveball!
Whenever I see a book by this author I always pick it up,I have not been disappointed yet! A great summer read with good Christian
values and messages!
December 9, 2014
How Sweet It Is by Bonnie Blythe was short and clean but highly unlikely to happy. That being said it was still a nice read. Brad and Delphine meet in Belgium and after an initial hiccup they begin to fall in love. It was refreshing to read a romance novel where the protagonists do not jump into bed as soon as they meet! The messages on faith were very uplifting. All in all a nice, sweet novel.
January 28, 2012
If any book ever made me wish for some chocolate... :) Loved the story, loved the characters, they were easy to relate to. I especially loved the doubts they had in their relationship, so true to real life, and it was nice to see them overcome. :)
August 21, 2013
Another great Christian romance. Love at first sight isn't always as sweet as it sounds. The couple in this book had to face some pretty huge obstacles to find faith in their happily ever after. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a good clean romance.
June 21, 2014
Enjoyed this book
This Christian romance book was an excellent read. I enjoyed reading about this couple as they met, fell in love, had problems, learned to lean on and trust God and to love each other even more. I look forward to more books from this author.
This Christian romance book was an excellent read. I enjoyed reading about this couple as they met, fell in love, had problems, learned to lean on and trust God and to love each other even more. I look forward to more books from this author.
June 16, 2016
Very enjoyable christian romance. I really liked every one of the characters. This would be a recommended read for any age.
December 28, 2012
Christian contemporary romance story...(free on amazon, currently. but read back 2008 in paperback format)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews