I first read Jane Eyre when I was in college. I was taking a Victorian lit course (which I totally loved), but this wasn’t on the list of requred reading. My roommate had a copy, however, and I spent most of a weekend reading the story and falling in love with the characters.

Joan Soward’s Chocolate Roses is a fun parody of the story told in Jane Eyre. Here’s the back cover blurb:

Janie Rose Whitaker’s world revolved around her chocolate shop until Roger Wentworth and his young daughter moved into the apartment across from Janie’s. Anyone would think Roger fit the mold of the “perfect” guy, but soon Janie discovers secrets that could keep them apart forever.

Though she resists getting involved in Roger’s complicated life, they are drawn further into a bittersweet relationship.

You will laugh, cry, and crave chocolate as you read this LDS paraody of the classic novel Jane Eyre.

The cast of characters at the chocolate shop is many and varied (perhaps a bit too many, actually as I had trouble keeping them all straight) with lots of quirks and stories of their own. I love the way Janie’s relationship with Roger grew and developed, even while they managed to keep things appropriate between them (If you’re familiar with Jane Eyre, I won’t have to explain the basic reasons for this, and if you aren’t, it’s best if you read it for yourself). I love Janie’s great Dane, Flo, and her quirky personality. I thought Joan did a great job of using the structure of Jane Eyre while making Chocolate Roses still relevant and resonable in today’s world. It’s a light, fun read.