Read time: 3 minutes
📱📖 Read on Kindle
📃 288 pages | Around 3 hours
⏱️ Publishing date: January 27, 2026
🏷️ Publisher: Afterglow Books by Harlequin
📅 ARC provided by NetGalley
Genre: LGBTQ+ Romance
Book Blurb
Dario Cotogna is facing a deadline he never wanted. According to his late grandfather’s will, if he is not married by his thirty second birthday, the family chocolate empire will pass to his reckless younger brother. Unfortunately, Dario’s agoraphobia makes dating nearly impossible. His solution is bold and a little ridiculous. He hosts a global competition where five contestants are invited to his Italian villa for a chance at becoming his spouse.
Charlie Moore enters the competition for practical reasons, not romance. As the sole caregiver for his grandparents, he needs money to save their home from foreclosure. What he does not expect is the instant and very real chemistry with the reclusive chocolate heir. Over one indulgent week filled with temptation and emotional risks, both men must decide if love is worth stepping outside their comfort zones.
Let’s talk about the book
I picked this up after attending Ever After, the romance festival at TIFA, curious to dip into something outside my usual wheelhouse. Romance novels rarely grab me without a mystery or a body count to spice things up, but this one worked perfectly as a quick palate cleanser. Timothy Janovsky takes the whimsical world of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and transforms it into a sizzling LGBTQ+ romance with Dario and Charlie at the center. The premise alone hooked me: a reclusive chocolate heir hosting a marriage competition in his lavish villa. Add agoraphobia, family pressure, and real financial desperation, and you get layers beyond the typical sweet setup.
What surprised me most was how deeply Dario and Charlie won me over. Their chemistry flows rich and smooth, like premium melted dark chocolate with just the right heat. The Italian setting drips with indulgence: wine tastings, decadent treats, and stolen moments that build tension beautifully. Even without my preferred plot twists or suspense, the emotional pull kept me turning pages. Charlie’s caregiving struggles and Dario’s vulnerability hit hard, making their growing bond feel genuine and rewarding. A few tropes pop up predictably, but the heartfelt execution and steamy payoff make it all worthwhile. This MM romance proves you don’t need murder for a story to satisfy.
Would I recommend it?
For a genre skeptic like me, this book delivered an unexpected delight.It’s playful, heartfelt, and beautifully inclusive. Add this to your TBR if you enjoy queer romance with a golden ticket twist.
Chocolate, Competition, and Chemistry
What is your favorite fairytale retelling done differently? Do you like your romance sweet, spicy, or chaos flavored? Let’s talk in the comments.
book links:
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