There are just some things that go together perfectly: peanut butter & jelly, green eggs & ham, peas & carrots and books & chocolate. 

If I had to choose, books and chocolate would be my favorite pairing (with books and coffee a close second!), especially if it was my favorite Salty Dark Chocolate from Hu. 

So, to celebrate Valentine’s Day, I’m sharing a list of chocolate-themed books sure to delight. Some are from my own shelves, from my own TBR and from the recommendations of bookish friends online. 

As always, there’s a mixture of adult fiction, non-fiction and children’s literature to learn from. Here they are with a blend of my own reviews and the descriptions from Goodreads. Just click on the image or title to see the book on my Amazon link or browse my collection on Bookshop instead. 

Grab your favorite chocolate treat and settle in for some delightful reading:

The Loveliest Chocolate Shop in Paris by Jenny Colgan

This book was pure delight, from start to finish. When I finished the last page, I cried. I cried for Anna, for Claire, for Thierry, for Laurent, for Alice, for Richard and for myself. I cried for all the ways I saw myself in the pages of the book and for all the ways I wish I did. Because honestly, I expected a delightful little read filled with chocolate and sweetness, not a delightful little read filled with chocolate and sweetness and steep life lessons I needed to learn right now: about life and really living, about love and insecurities, about family and the bonds that tie us. My quote notebook is filled to the brim and so is my reading heart.

The Chocolate Lovers’ Club by Carole Matthews

Lucy Lombard can’t resist it – rich, creamy, sweet, delicious chocolate. For her there’s nothing it won’t cure – from heartache to a headache – and she’s not alone. Sharing her passion are three other addicts: Autumn, Nadia and Chantal. Together they form The Chocolate Lovers’ Club. They meet in their sanctuary, Chocolate Heaven, as often as they can, and with a cheating boyfriend who promises he’ll change, a flirtatious boss, a gambling husband and a loveless marriage, there’s always plenty to discuss.

Dying for Chocolate by Diana Mott Davidson

Meet Goldy Bear: a bright, opinionated, wildly inventive caterer whose personal life has become a recipe for disaster. She’s got an abusive ex-husband who’s into making tasteless threats, a rash of mounting bills that are taking a huge bite out of her budget, and two enticing men knocking on her door.

Chocolate Kisses by Tay Mo’Nae

Have you ever felt like you weren’t good enough? Have you ever felt like everything you do is wrong? When two people battling the same thing collide, they learn they might be the perfect solution for each other.After finding out her fiancé is married, Ayame needs a fresh start. When presented with the opportunity to move to Butter Ridge Falls and take over her late aunt’s chocolatier she doesn’t hesitate. The last thing Ayame was expecting to do was meet Austin. Soon she finds herself in quicksand, falling fast for the troubled soul.

Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel

A sumptuous feast of a novel, it relates the bizarre history of the all-female De La Garza family. Tita, the youngest daughter of the house, has been forbidden to marry, condemned by Mexican tradition to look after her mother until she dies. But Tita falls in love with Pedro, and he is seduced by the magical food she cooks. In desperation, Pedro marries her sister Rosaura so that he can stay close to her, so that Tita and Pedro are forced to circle each other in unconsummated passion. Only a freakish chain of tragedies, bad luck and fate finally reunite them against all the odds.

The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier

I read this book because I thought I should. It was touted as a modern class and compared to The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton. And I’d never even heard of it. Cormier introduces us to Jerry and a group of high-schoolers grappling their way through a broken school system ad a secret school gang. The book explores issues of belonging and conviction, as well as intimidation and corruption, all while focused around a seemingly innocent chocolate sale and a large looming question: Do I dare disturb the Universe? While I appreciated the storyline and the lessons learned, especially since this book was published in the 1970’s, I couldn’t help but wish for the beautiful writing I’ve come accustomed to in my reading life. So, I’d say add it to your TBR to say you’ve read a ‘classic’, but temper those expectations accordingly. 

The Chocolate Touch by John Midas

In this zany twist on the legend of King Midas and his golden touch, a boy acquires a magical gift that turns everything his lips touch into chocolate! 

The Chocolate Touch has remained a favorite for millions of kids, teachers, and parents for several generations. It’s an enjoyable story that pulls in even reluctant readers.

Chocolate Fever by Robert Kimmel Smith

Henry Green is a boy who loves chocolate. He likes it bitter, sweet, dark, light, and daily; for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks; in cakes, candy bars, milk, and every other form you can possibly imagine. Henry probably loves chocolate more than any boy in the history of the world. One day-it starts off like any other day-Henry finds that strange things are happening to him. First he makes medical history with the only case of Chocolate Fever ever. Then he finds himself caught up in a wild and hilarious chase, climaxed by a very unusual hijacking!

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

Charlie Bucket’s wonderful adventure begins when he finds one of Mr. Willy Wonka’s precious Golden Tickets and wins a whole day inside the mysterious chocolate factory. Little does he know the surprises that are in store for him!

Curious George Goes to a Chocolate Factory by Margret & H.A. Rey

When George and the man with the yellow hat go shopping at a chocolate factory store, George becomes curious about how the chocolates are made. Though he starts off following the factory tour, soon he is wanders off to investigate on his own. And when George follows his curiosity there is always fun to be had!

Love Monster and the Last Chocolate by Rachel Bright

When Love Monster finds a mystery box of chocolates at his door, he can’t believe his luck. But he’s soon thrown into a whirlwind of turmoil. Should he keep the chocolates for himself? Or risk the perils of sharing his good fortune with his friends?

This super-funny-rumbly-tummy-sherbert-explosion of a story shows that when faced with the selection box of life, following your heart will bring you the best treats of all.

There you have it! A bibliotherapy book list full of chocolate-themed titles sure to delight the senses. But…I need more. Help me build and diversify this list: What chocolate-themed titles would you add to the list? Share in the comments below!