Candy & Books – A Perfect Pairing for Your Sweet Tooth and Bookish Soul

The big question is: does candy = love?

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and with it comes a mix of romantic gestures, heartfelt cards, and of course, a generous amount of candy. Whether you’re celebrating with a special someone or just indulging yourself, there’s something undeniably comforting about pairing sugary treats with a good book.

My opinion: candy + a good book = love!

If you’re someone who loves a good mystery or a clean romance, you’ve come to the right place! Let’s dive into some Valentine’s Day candy and pair them with books that will satisfy your sweet tooth and keep you comfy from cover to cover.

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Chocolate Truffles & Cozy Mysteries

What’s better than sinking your teeth into a rich, velvety chocolate truffle? The answer: pairing it with a cozy mystery that’s just as indulgent. Truffles (my favorites are dark chocolate) are smooth, complex, and full of layers—much like the best cozy mysteries.

These stories often mix humor, quirky characters, and just enough suspense to keep you on the edge of your seat without the blood and gore that can sometimes accompany darker thrillers. For these delicious treats, I recommend the following books:

• Amanda Flower is one of my favorite cozy authors, and she has multiple series – my favorite being the Magical Bookshop Mysteries. The premise – Rushing home to sit by her ailing grandmother’s bedside, Violet Waverly is shocked to find Grandma Daisy the picture of perfect health. Violet doesn’t need to read between the lines: her grandma wants Violet back home and working in her magical store, Charming Books. It’s where the perfect book tends to fly off the shelf and pick you! A yummy truffle is perfect while reading this cozy!
• Another favorite cozy mystery series is The Bibliophile Mysteries by Kate Carlisle. The premise – Brooklyn Wainwright, a rare book expert and bookbinder, finds herself investigating murders involving rare books and manuscripts. This series combines fascinating insights into the world of rare books with clever mysteries and is the perfect read as you enjoy truffles!

Conversation Hearts & Romantic Mysteries

Conversation hearts are a classic candy and one of my favorites. I love to see if the message is “Be Mine” or “XOXO.” While they may be small, they pack a punch of nostalgia and fun—just like romantic mysteries! These books combine the thrill of solving a crime with the irresistible pull of love and romance. For the candy that says so much in such a small package, try these:

• Submerged by Dani Pettrey – Bailey Craig vowed never to set foot in Yancey, Alaska, again. She has a past, and a reputation–and Yancey’s a town that doesn’t forget. She’s returned only to bury a loved one killed in a plane crash, but then dark evidence emerges, and Bailey’s own expertise becomes invaluable for the case. Cole McKenna can face dangerous rescue dives. He can face the fear a murderer may be threatening his town. But facing the reality of Bailey’s reappearance is a tougher challenge. She broke his heart…but doesn’t seem to be the same girl who left Yancey ten years ago. And he’s not the same guy she left behind.
• Life Flight by Lynette Eason – EMS helicopter pilot Penny Carlton is used to high-stress situations, but being forced to land on a mountain in a raging storm with a critical patient–and a serial killer on the loose–tests her skills and her nerve to the limit. She survives with FBI Special Agent Holt Satterfield’s help. But she’s not out of the woods yet. In the ensuing days, Penny finds herself under attack. And when news reaches Holt that he may not have gotten his man after all, it will take all he and Penny have to catch a killer–before he catches one of them.
• Dangerous Past by Roxanne Rustand – Michael is searching for a quiet life in a small town. Alone. When his elderly vagabond Aunt Bertie announces her plans for yet another summer in Europe, he agrees to stay at her home on the shore of Briar Lake. It’s perfect timing while he hunts for a house to buy and a location for his law practice. Perfect—until he meets a flamboyant stranger at Bertie’s front door who refuses to let him inside. A very nervous one, at that.
  

Gummy Bear Candy & Lighthearted Romance

For those of us who prefer a candy that’s fruity, colorful, and fun, gummy bears are the treat of choice. They offer a burst of sweetness with a hint of chewy texture that never feels too overwhelming.

Gummy bears are all about lighthearted enjoyment, so for a similarly fun and breezy vibe, I say pair them with sweet, clean romance/rom-com novels. These books are full of charming characters and feel-good moments, with just enough plot twists to keep you turning the pages. Some good options are:

• Cake That by Heather Greer – Competing on the Cake That baking show is a dream come true for Livvy Miller, but debt on her cupcake truck and an expensive repair make her question if it’s one she should chase. (I loved this one!!)
• The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh – Isadora Bentley follows the rules. Isadora Bentley likes things just so. Isadora Bentley believes that happiness is something that flat-out doesn’t exist in her life—and never will. But on her thirtieth birthday, Isadora does something completely out of character. 
• The Ladies’ Room by Carolyn Brown – Secrets told in the church ladies’ room are supposed to stay in the ladies’ room. But that doesn’t mean that what Trudy overhears there during her great-aunt Gertrude’s funeral won’t change the rest of her life.
• Split Ends by Kristin Billerbeck – Sarah Claire Winowski is going to do whatever it takes to make a place for herself in the exclusive Beverly Hills salon. Even if that means sweeping hair, emptying trash and making soy lattes for the stars that come to Yoshi’s Salon.

What other favorite candy do you love?

There are so many amazing books in the world. Seriously, I think any candy would go with almost any book! Valentine’s Day is all about celebrating love, whether romantic, familial, or self-love. Pairing a delicious candy with a good book is a way to enjoy this holiday in the best way possible—sweetly and thoughtfully. So grab your favorite Valentine’s treats, settle in, and let a great story unfold before you. Happy reading—and snacking!

Read What is a Cozy Mystery, then follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram, and subscribe to my newsletter to keep up with news about my book and any special offers! Be sure you grab your FREE 10-step checklist to plan your novel when you subscribe!

Hi, I’m Jen! I’ve been married for almost 39 years, have 5 amazing kids, and have 3 adorable grandkids. I homeschooled our three youngest children and used to blog about homeschooling. I also taught Oral Communication as an adjunct instructor for over 5 years.

Jen Dodrill Writes is born of a passion of mine – to write a novel! My first cozy mystery – Birds Alive! – released Feb. 27, 2024 and the 2nd in the series, Where’s the Quetzal? releases Feb. 25, 2025!

When I’m not working, you’ll find me writing, spending time with my family, or curled up on the couch reading and drinking a mug of dark roast coffee. (Don’t forget to check out my mug shop – JDMugs!)