Better Than Chocolate
Brieanna Robertson
Forbidden Publications
Reviewed By Serena Baker
Official Apex Reviews Rating:Â 
"Romeo & Juliet" for the post–modern crowd...
Tales
of star-crossed lovers are nothing new; many different incarnations of
mutual attraction from opposite sides of the tracks have been told and
retold over the years. What hasn't been fully explained, though, is
just how/why such an attraction exists.
Such is the case with
Kat and Jake. She's the most popular girl in school, and for good
reason: she's smart, gorgeous, and has the world at her fingertips.
Naturally, she's also the kind of girl a kid like Jake can only dream
of being with. With his awkward social graces and the blanket rejection
of his classmates, Jake is forced to make his own way through high
school, devoid of any real support from either friends or
family...strangely enough, though, Kat can't help admitting to herself
that she's - at the very least - curious about him, especially given
his pure musical genius, and the more she gets to know him, the more
her curiosity is piqued.
After a brief romantic episode, the
two part ways - seemingly for good: having graduated from high school,
Jake disappears without a trace, and Kat soon experiences one of the
most traumatic encounters anyone could ever endure. Convinced that
she'll never open her heart to the prospect of love again, imagine her
surprise when one day, years later, someone special suddenly pops back
into her life...
What follows in Better Than Chocolate
is a moving account of the ups and downs of young love. Despite the
fact that time and distance have separated them for years, Jake and Kat
still manage to spark the old flames of passion and desire previously
left smoldering, and, in so doing, learn more about one another in the
process. Along the way, each awakens long-hidden secrets within
themselves that have seemingly lied in wait for just the right time to
be exposed - and just the right person to be exposed to.
Better Than Chocolate
is sure to remind you of that one person in your life that, for
whatever reason, you just can't figure out what you see in them - but
you also know that you can't turn away, no matter how hard you try...
Official Apex Reviews Interview: Brieanna Robertson (Better Than Chocolate)
Apex Reviews: Brieanna, thanks for joining us for this interview. We appreciate having this opportunity to learn more about your book.
Our reviewer mentioned that your tale is a "Romeo & Juliet" for the post-modern crowd. What's your take on love-across-the-tracks stories? Why do you think they maintain their appeal?
Brieanna Robertson: I think that all people have general insecurities about themselves and we all want to be accepted and loved for who we are. Sometimes, in the world we live in, that is not possible because of class distinction, or race, or whatever. Stories where the hero and heroine overcome those obstacles are appealing to us because it makes it seem like true love really can conquer all.
AR: If Kat had never heard Jake play his guitar, she may never have fell for him. Do you believe the power of music/art is really that strong?
BR: I believe wholeheartedly in the power of music and art. It was the power of music that inspired me to even write this story. Music is constantly inspiring me. I believe art in all its forms is one of the most powerful tools because it touches people. It has a way of breaking barriers and defying stereotype. It is a universal language that can bond people together.
AR: For such an unassuming character, where does Jake get his incredible talent from?
BR: Where do all creative geniuses get their talent from? Have you ever stopped to think about how some of the greatest musicians or poets of our time were just a little out there? Eccentric, quirky, "freaks"? It has been my experience that intensely creative people tend to be a little on the eccentric side. Their minds are constantly somewhere else, on that next song, that next painting, or next poem. It has also been my experience that intensely creative people are, more often than not, the ones with social phobia, panic disorder, depression and other social disorders. It's almost like the creativity and talent comes with a price. I wanted to put that characteristic in Jake to make his character as realistic as possible.
AR: Why does Kat keep her devastating secret hidden for so long?
BR: It's not so much that she's trying to keep it a secret, but she is embarrassed by it. It makes her feel tarnished and jaded and she prides herself on being calm and in control. Allowing her mind to travel back to a time when she feels she was "weak" is not something she is ready and willing to do. Admitting it to Jake/Van is even harder because she is afraid it will ruin his image of her.
AR: Likewise, when they meet again years later, why doesn't Jake reveal the truth about his identity right away?
BR: He wants to see how long it will take her to recognize him since he recognized her right away. He is unaware of the reasons she thinks he is gone forever so he is playfully trying to see if he made as much of an impression on her as she obviously made on him. It was more out of teasing curiosity on his part than trying to be secretive.
AR: Why do you think it's so hard for people to simply be honest about themselves and their pasts in relationships?
BR: It goes back to what I said before. People want to be loved for who they are, but that is something that's difficult to find in the world we live in. So people put on fronts, masks, walls, and hide things about themselves that they are afraid will make them seem "less acceptable."
AR: Have you personally had much difficulty with that practice in your own relationships?
BR: No, not at all. I am the type of person that what you see is what you get. I am open about the mistakes I've made in my life. While I may be ashamed of certain things, I don't hide from them. I believe everyone should take the time to truly get to know who they are deep down inside, and they should embrace that person. I believe that, in order to have any successful, honest relationship, you have to be honest with yourself. You need to know who you are and accept you before you can expect someone else to know and accept you. I strive to make that message a running theme in most of my books. I believe that being honest and true to yourself is very important to healhty relationships.
AR: What kinds of responses have you gotten to the book?
BR: I have had very good things said about this book. Reader response has been awesome and I have gotten some great reviews. People tend to like that the characters are three-dimensional with real world flaws.
AR: What's next for you?
BR: I have four more books due out from Forbidden Publications. One is a volume of poetry, two are the next in my Serendipity series and one is a fantasy/contemporary. As always, I am working on a billion other works in progress. You can check my upcoming releases on my website: www.freewebs.com/brieannarobertson
AR: Any final thoughts you'd like to share with our readers?
BR: In keeping with the theme of my book and the message it gives, be true to yourself. Be true to your art. Don't pay attention to the ones who mock you. Let their laughter give you the strength to push yourself that much harder. Dreams do come true if you want them bad enough and, one day, those people who laughed and/or pulled off your guitar strings, won't be laughing anymore.
AR: Thanks again, Brieanna, and best of continued success to you in all your endeavors!