Need a book like Chocolat

[JustAnotherYellowBelly]

I'm looking for a book like Chocolat. Needs to be easy reading, strong female character, maybe a hint of the mysterious?

I know hardly anyone likes Chocolat but it's just such easy reading, not too complex and great for my foggy brain.

Would also like a bit of snow in there somewhere maybe.

Anyone got any recommendations pretty please?

[IvyWall]

Have you read any of Joanne Harris's other books?

[Quogwinkle]

I loved Chocolat, and loved the film too :)

No snow, but try novels by Sarah Addison Allen. I think they might appeal to you.

[tripfiction]

I have really loved Tita by Marie Houzelle, an incredibly charming novel set in France of the 1950s. And loved The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George, again charming and about the healing nature of books (but a male protagonist). I also like Joanne Harris The Lollipop Shoes.

I just read Proposal at the Winter Ball by Jessica Gilmore, which brings to life a very snowy, pre-Christmas Austria

Hope those fit the bill! And happy reading 2016!

[Terramirabilis]

Pomegranate Soup by Marsha Mehran has a very similar feel to Chocolat. In fact it's basically an Iranian themed version of Chocolat.

[Hero1callylost]

The Lollipop Shoes is a lose sequel/prequel to Chocolat isn't it?

I loved Chocolat but couldn't get into Joanne Harris' other books.

Other not too heavy reads with female leads...
The Year of Pleasures by Elizabeth Berg
The Senator's Wife by Sue Miller
A Diary of an Ordinary Woman by Margaret Forster
The Hours by Michael Cunningham
Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier
Howards End by EM Forster
The Painted Veil by W Somerset Maugham

[Hero1callylost]

Btw struggling with the snow! The Snow Child us supposed to be good?!

[happystory]

I read The Snow Child after a recommendation on mn. Very good.

[JustAnotherYellowBelly]

Thank you all so much for the recommendations!
I've heard that her other books aren't as good so I didn't want to spoil my love for Chocolat just in case...
I will look them all up

[stillnotjustamummy]

Try this one- very much in the Chocolat vein and a sequel is coming in the next year I think...The Language of Flowers https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0330532014/ref=cmswwrcppawd_eNFJwbPP6VX9V

[Room101isWhereIUsedToLive]

If you haven't read Blackberry Wine by Joanne Harris, then you should probably give it a go. The protagonist isn't female but still a very sympathetic character. And it's a great book.

[Room101isWhereIUsedToLive]

Another book that you would probably really enjoy is Garden Spells: www.goodreads.com/book/show/1158967.Garden_Spells

[FishWithABicycle]

You would probably like Helen Dunmore - my personal favourite is The Seige but that's less "like Chocolat" than some of the other books.

[icklekid]

I got this book - a snow garden for Christmas. Is a series of linked short stories but very easy to read and enjoyable with bonus of snow! www.amazon.co.uk/A-Snow-Garden-Other-Stories/dp/0857523538?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[cressetmama]

The Cleaner of Chartres would probably be to your taste if you want something a little reminiscent of Chocolat. Sorry can't remember the author, my mum lent it to me.