One Week to Win the Chocolate Maker by Timothy Janovsky
The spiciest risks lead to the sweetest rewards in this delicious, MM retelling of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
Dario Cotogna has a problem. Per his late grandfatherās wishes, if Darioās not married by his thirty-second birthday, his familyās chocolate empire will go to his philandering little brother. To make matters worse, Darioās agoraphobia keeps him locked away from the rest of the world. How can he put himself out there and meet āthe oneā if he literally canāt put himself out there?
The solution? A global competition. Five lucky contestants get an all-expenses-paid trip to Darioās luxury Italian villa for a chance at becoming his lawfully wedded spouse.
But aspiring tattoo artist Charlie Moore isnāt looking for loveāheās looking for a miracle. As his grandparentsā sole caregiver, heās desperate to keep their bill collectors at bay. Marrying into the Amorina Chocolate fortune could save his family home from foreclosure. But when Charlie meets the brilliant heir, their attraction is instantāand very, very real.
After a whirlwind week of wine, indulgence and temptation as spicy as it is sweet, will Dario and Charlie melt under the pressureā¦or find a love thatās truly worth savoring?
I've read several Timothy Janovsky's books now, and one thing I've learned is that I often like his romances with absurd concepts best. Last year'sĀ A Mannequin for ChristmasĀ has a plot that sounds wacky but is actually a heartfelt, tender romance with some great mental health representation. Similarly,Ā One Week to Win the Chocolate MakerĀ has a premise that seems like it shouldn't work:Ā Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, but make it a gay dating competition. Yet this is a charming romance between two very different men, each with their own goals and issues.Ā
The story starts with Dario Cotogna learning that he can inherit his family's chocolate business only if he marries before his 32nd birthday, which is fast approaching. Dario is agoraphobic and rarely leaves his home, but he agrees to the terms because he loves his family's business so much. Five people are chosen, through a contest, to join Dario at his family home, each with a chance to win over the very wealthy heir to a chocolate dynasty. Charlie Moore, one of the few selected, joined the competition in hopes of getting the money to save his family's home from foreclosure. Covered in tattoos and from a working-class background, he's not exactly who you'd expect to join the internationally famous Cotogna family, but he and Dario are drawn together.Ā
My favorite part of the book is the exploration of mental health issues and the stress of being low-income. Charlie's home and family situation felt realistic and is an issue I haven't seen explored a lot in romances. Dario's agoraphobia is also a unique complication, and it leads to some great character moments, including my favorite scene in the book. These are both serious topics, and the book treats them with respect, while still managing to feel like a mostly lighthearted read.Ā
There are a lot of characters in this: Charlie, Dario, several members of both of their families, and all the other contestants. Perhaps because of this, some characters feel a little underdeveloped. Charlie, Dario, and Charlie's family were the highlights for me, but a few others had some good moments, too!Ā
Overall, this is a fast-paced read (less than 300 pages) with a cute and spicy romance. There's some added depth from the mental health and class discussions, and the competition and references to its inspiration are fun.Ā
My Rating:Ā ššššš (3.75/5 stars)
Pages:Ā 288 (Kindle Edition)
Tropes/Tags:Ā Queer, Romance, Achillean, Class Differences, Pansexual Main Character
Contains Depictions Of:Ā Mental health struggles (anxiety, panic attacks, and agoraphobia), Housing insecurity, Food insecurity
Links:Ā StorygraphĀ |Ā GoodReadsĀ |Ā PageboundĀ |Ā TimothyJanovsky.com
One Week to Win the Chocolate MakerĀ will be releasedĀ onĀ January 27, 2026, and is available forĀ purchase!
I received an advanced copy of this book for free, thanks toĀ Netgalley,Ā Afterglow Books, andĀ Harlequin. The above are my honest feelings about the provided book.
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