Chocolates for Each Romance Trope

The next installment of chocolate + book pairings is: romance tropes! Specific chocolate & book recommendations are linked below!

Just like enemies spark with fiery tension until they melt together (with plenty of spice), try a spicy chocolate to get your tastebuds in on the action!

Enemies-to-lovers is my favorite romance trope, and my current favorite is Love Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood. I love when characters spar with each other intellectually and emotionally, only to realize they’re perfect for each other. Witty banter is the best!

For some spicy chocolate, try: Belvie Chili Pepper Dark Chocolate, Ritual Vegan White Chili, Moka Mexican Spice Milk Chocolate, Theo & Philo Dark Chocolate with Labuyo Chili, Mission Chocolate Ginger Cinnamon, Soma Dark Fire, and Chocolarder Cinnamon Toasted Cacao Nibs.

Friends start out as a sweet, compatible duo that morphs into something steady and long-term. Chocolate and hazelnut represent that dynamic perfectly: well-matched at the start, forming an inseparable combo once blended.

In my book The Guardian, Iliya and Reth start out on the same team in their quest against corporate power. But Iliya isn’t ready for romance at the start, and their relationship doesn’t heat up until years later. Watch out though, because once it does…fireworks!

For a great chocolate hazelnut spread, check out Xocolatl.

A single-origin chocolate best represents love at first sight: that moment when you know there’s only one person (or cacao origin) for you.

My current favorite love at first sight books include: Love & Other Alien Concepts by Catie O’Neill and Dwindle by K. A. Gandy. For me, the love at first sight trope works best when it’s complicated by dystopian or science fiction challenges. Otherwise, it can feel too rosy. These books do a great job creating drama and intrigue even if the love between the 2 MCs is instantaneous and strong.

For fabulous single-origin chocolates, check out: Firetree Vanuatu Malekula Island, Marou Wallpaper Tien Giang, Belvie Ben Tre, Domori Chuao Criollo, Marana Cusco Dark, Crow & Moss Honduras Wampusirpi, Cacaosuyo Piura Select, and A. Morin Equateur Esmeralda.

You know that moment in any fake relationship romance: they get too close, and you smell their signature *scent*. Well…now your chocolate can be fragrant too!

I haven’t yet read Funny Story by Emily Henry, but it’s on my TBR!

For some fun fragrant chocolates, try: Ritual Gin Juniper Lavender Chocolate, Mirzam Falooda White Chocolate with Rose & Pistachio, Raaka Rose Cardamom, Pure Chocolate with Lemongrass, Raaka Green Tea Crunch, and Crow & Moss Earl Grey Tea.

Chocolate and banana are like lovers in a forced proximity tale: seemingly different at first but compatible once combined. Plus, there’s the added bonus of the shapely double entendre of a banana — and in forced proximity romance books, the characters often see more than they mean to! 🫣

My current favorite forced proximity book is Keep Close by Kristen Wade. It’s not a romance book, and the forced proximity is tinged with terror, but that only makes the romance feel more realistic and hard-earned.

For great chocolate banana treats, try: Crow & Moss Banana & Cardamom Brulee, Raaka Bananas Foster, Theo & Philo Dark Chocolate with Green Banana Chips and Pink Salt, The Organic House Dark Banana Foster, and Mayana Chocolate Monkey Bar.

Chocolate and orange are the perfect grumpy-sunshine treat: bitter dark chocolate mixed with sunny citrus orange. Yum!

My favorite grumpy-sunshine story is Pride & Prejudice (also a great enemies-to-lovers tale).

For chocolate orange treats, try: Mission Chocolate Dark with Candied Orange Peel, Baiani Dark Chocolate with Orange Zest, The Organic House Chocolate Dipped Maple Candied Orange Slices, Fjåk Drinking Chocolate Dark Orange, Michel Cluizel Chocolate Covered Candied Orange Strips, Amano Citrus Melange à Trois, Palato Dark Chocolate with Orange and Almonds, and Recchiuti Candied Orange Peel.

Forbidden love is laced with bittersweet tenderness. Sea salt dark chocolate best represents the salty tears cried by forbidden lovers everywhere.

Some great forbidden love reads include: Red, White, & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston and Mr. Perfect on Paper by Jean Meltzer.

For tasty sea salt chocolate, try: Xocolatl Kissed Mermaids, Recchiuti Fleur De Sel Caramels, Dick Taylor Brown Butter w/ Nibs & Sea Salt, Soma Twinkle Bar, and Raaka Pink Sea Salt.

Chocolate and peanut butter are like a marriage of convenience: stable, practical, good on paper—and unexpectedly bringing out the best in each other.

For a great marriage of convenience book, check out: The Bride Test by Helen Hoang. Technically it’s more of an “engagement of convenience” book, but I love how Hoang really delves into the emotional core of each character.

For great peanut butter chocolate, try: Dick Taylor Chocolate Peanut Butter, Mayana Pride Bar, and Recchiuti Peanut Butter Pucks.

What chocolate would pair best with your favorite romance trope? Let me know on my socials!