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Sommer på den franske bogcafé
Glitrende sol, gåture i det smukke franske landskab, den første tår kølig vin – sommeren er Kats yndlingsårstid. Og i år burde ikke være nogen undtagelse ...
Så snart Kat Jenson satte sine ben i den idylliske franske landsby Kirchhoffen, vidste hun, at hun havde fundet sit hjem. Nu har hun en dejlig kæreste, en trofast hund og det perfekte job med at lede en travl bogcafé i den pulserende Parc Lemmel.
Men da hun finder ud af, at hendes kæreste ikke er, hvad han ser ud til at være, er det starten på en svær sommer for Kat. En hævngerrig hustru, problemer med chefen og udfordringer i familien er blot nogle af de skyer, der pludselig trækker sammen på Kats ellers så klare blå himmel.
Så snart Kat Jenson satte sine ben i den idylliske franske landsby Kirchhoffen, vidste hun, at hun havde fundet sit hjem. Nu har hun en dejlig kæreste, en trofast hund og det perfekte job med at lede en travl bogcafé i den pulserende Parc Lemmel.
Men da hun finder ud af, at hendes kæreste ikke er, hvad han ser ud til at være, er det starten på en svær sommer for Kat. En hævngerrig hustru, problemer med chefen og udfordringer i familien er blot nogle af de skyer, der pludselig trækker sammen på Kats ellers så klare blå himmel.
410 pages, Paperback
First published May 12, 2022
131 people are currently reading
936 people want to read
About the author
Sue Moorcroft
65 books1,008 followersSue Moorcroft is a Sunday Times bestselling author and has held the coveted #1 spot in the Amazon Kindle chart. She's won the Goldsboro Books Contemporary Romantic Novel Award, the Readers Best Romantic Read Award, two HOLT medallions and the Katie Fforde Bursary. She writes contemporary fiction of life and love.
She also writes short stories, serials, articles, columns, courses and writing 'how to'.
An army child, Sue was born in Germany then lived in Cyprus, Malta and the UK. She's worked in a bank, as a bookkeeper (probably a mistake), as a copytaker for Motor Cycle News and for a typesetter, but is pleased to have wriggled out of all 'proper jobs'.
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Website: www.suemoorcroft.com
Twitter: @suemoorcroft
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 210 reviews
May 4, 2022
I grabbed this book because of the beautiful cover and because a French cafe sounded like and interesting setting for a story. I enjoyed the author's writing and the descriptions of the beautiful area in France. I thought this would be a light read, but it surprised me.
This story follows Kat Jenson who is managing a book cafe in Park Lemmel in France. The book contains elements of romance, bleneded families, domestic violence, illness, grief, and several other topics. I really enjoyed the writing. The characters are believable and I liked several of them and disliked a few as well. There were some difficult situations in the book that had to be overcome and the book had me captivated.
Thanks to Avon Books UK through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on May 12, 2022.
This story follows Kat Jenson who is managing a book cafe in Park Lemmel in France. The book contains elements of romance, bleneded families, domestic violence, illness, grief, and several other topics. I really enjoyed the writing. The characters are believable and I liked several of them and disliked a few as well. There were some difficult situations in the book that had to be overcome and the book had me captivated.
Thanks to Avon Books UK through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on May 12, 2022.
April 24, 2022
Once again Sue Moorcroft has written another delightful novel, that I thoroughly enjoyed and couldn't get enough of.
I mean we are talking about a bookshop with cafe, in the middle of a gorgeous sounding park (by park I mean the sort that has a kayaking lake, many rides including rollercoasters, expanse of greenery, shops and more) and not the your down the bottom of your road small park, a gorgeous little dog, summer in France, and a story that looks at family relationships.
Especially looking at how children and step parents exist, and how that can shape who you are as an adult.
I loved the friendship that was developing between Kat and Noah, and seeing Noah really come alive as the story progressed from his initial rather quite, withdrawn self, to at a certain point someone truly special.
There is certainly drama involved which leads to sabotage, and then a bit of detective work. And I do love a confrontation or two to heighten the excitement of the story!
So many good storylines, everything moves along at a decent pace and this is just wonderful writing, a great story and Sue Moorcroft at her best. An all around thoroughly enjoyable book.
Thank you to Avon and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
I mean we are talking about a bookshop with cafe, in the middle of a gorgeous sounding park (by park I mean the sort that has a kayaking lake, many rides including rollercoasters, expanse of greenery, shops and more) and not the your down the bottom of your road small park, a gorgeous little dog, summer in France, and a story that looks at family relationships.
Especially looking at how children and step parents exist, and how that can shape who you are as an adult.
I loved the friendship that was developing between Kat and Noah, and seeing Noah really come alive as the story progressed from his initial rather quite, withdrawn self, to at a certain point someone truly special.
There is certainly drama involved which leads to sabotage, and then a bit of detective work. And I do love a confrontation or two to heighten the excitement of the story!
So many good storylines, everything moves along at a decent pace and this is just wonderful writing, a great story and Sue Moorcroft at her best. An all around thoroughly enjoyable book.
Thank you to Avon and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
May 12, 2022
Set in the French region of Alsace, the centrepiece of the story features a delightful sounding bookstore cafe, Livres et Café located in Parc Lemmel – a large leisure and waterpark area which sounds wonderful.
There are quite a few characters to get to know, the main ones being Kat (along with her gorgeous dog, Angelique – I love that name), who is the manager of Livres et Café, her half brother Solly, his fellow Parc Lemmel workmate/stablemate Noah and a supporting cast including family and friends. Kat hasn’t had the best experience in love and also has a troubled family background as we find out.
With themes which include betrayal, illness, and revenge, not to mention complex blended family relationships, the pretty yellow summery cover belies the sometimes darker storyline contained within. Of course primarily this is meant to be a romance and that element is well in evidence as the author is exceptional at creating chemistry between her leading characters and the spark between Kat and Noah was 🔥.
The book just fills you with that summer feeling and I envied those tourists and locals being able to sit outside the Café with a pastry and coffee and enjoy the sun. The location and its surrounding area are vividly described and populated with characters that felt real – some were easy to like – especially Kat, Solly, Noah and young Clémence, whilst there were others who were the cause of much angst and unhappiness. The more serious part of the story features controlling behaviour within relationships, I felt this was sensitively handled within the confines of the story and enabled the characters involved to show the different facets of their personalties.
Kat was such a capable and engaging character but she was unable to shake off the shadows from her past and her vulnerability came through clearly. It made me mad on her behalf when others betrayed her and took advantage. All I can say is she was more forgiving than me.
Summer at the French Café is a fantastic engaging and entertaining summer read; it had enough drama to keep me invested, character development along the way, and of course romance. I loved it.
There are quite a few characters to get to know, the main ones being Kat (along with her gorgeous dog, Angelique – I love that name), who is the manager of Livres et Café, her half brother Solly, his fellow Parc Lemmel workmate/stablemate Noah and a supporting cast including family and friends. Kat hasn’t had the best experience in love and also has a troubled family background as we find out.
With themes which include betrayal, illness, and revenge, not to mention complex blended family relationships, the pretty yellow summery cover belies the sometimes darker storyline contained within. Of course primarily this is meant to be a romance and that element is well in evidence as the author is exceptional at creating chemistry between her leading characters and the spark between Kat and Noah was 🔥.
The book just fills you with that summer feeling and I envied those tourists and locals being able to sit outside the Café with a pastry and coffee and enjoy the sun. The location and its surrounding area are vividly described and populated with characters that felt real – some were easy to like – especially Kat, Solly, Noah and young Clémence, whilst there were others who were the cause of much angst and unhappiness. The more serious part of the story features controlling behaviour within relationships, I felt this was sensitively handled within the confines of the story and enabled the characters involved to show the different facets of their personalties.
Kat was such a capable and engaging character but she was unable to shake off the shadows from her past and her vulnerability came through clearly. It made me mad on her behalf when others betrayed her and took advantage. All I can say is she was more forgiving than me.
Summer at the French Café is a fantastic engaging and entertaining summer read; it had enough drama to keep me invested, character development along the way, and of course romance. I loved it.
May 11, 2022
A beautiful cover for a beautiful book!
I've read a few books by Sue Moorcroft, and I've enormously enjoyed them all. They all have the particularity of covering very serious and difficult themes which are treated by the author with extreme sensitivity. Her writing style is gorgeous, and every book is a real treat. Can't wait for the next one!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I've read a few books by Sue Moorcroft, and I've enormously enjoyed them all. They all have the particularity of covering very serious and difficult themes which are treated by the author with extreme sensitivity. Her writing style is gorgeous, and every book is a real treat. Can't wait for the next one!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 16, 2024
Despite the sunny cover, this book has more to get your teeth into than you would expect from a summer read. However, I really enjoyed Moorcroft’s tale with a lovely combination of books, coffee and pastries!
Set in a bookshop that is located in a French activity park, this really piqued my interest. Not only loving stories that are set in bookshops, I warmed to Moorcroft’s protagonist and her enthusiasm for her job. Managing this café-come-bookshop sees tourists and locals alike means she has a roaring trade – helped by the sunny weather and visiting tourists to the park. However, a shady boyfriend sees the start of an anonymous hacker trying to ruin the business – the last thing Kat needs when trying to support her boss and his ill wife.
This book is not just a summer romance because Moorcroft explores broken families and the impact it has on both children and the parents. I found it interesting comparing Kat’s experience to Clemence’s – one has scars from a separated family; the other is experiencing it in real-time. As the story develops, I sometimes felt frustrated by Kat’s actions because of her self-preservation and fear of being abandoned. However, this feeds into her childhood and you can see it emerging with Clemence as Noah tries his hardest to protect his daughter from a broken marriage.
Angelique and Clemence were definitely my favourite characters because of how they brightened the mood of the story. Angelique comes to personify freedom and escapism that the characters need – regardless of age – and I thought this helped them “reset” when troubled. Indeed, when Angelique comes to Kat’s defence towards the ending of the book, I think it was a sweet display of her loyalty – particularly when Kat’s boss does not seem to care very much.
Although the chapters are rather lengthy, I was soon immersed in the lives of Kat and Noah. The bookshop plays a central part of the story but I loved how it was the relationships and connections that pushed the story forwards. Kat is an admirable character, despite her flaws, and I liked seeing how she managed when so much was going wrong with the business. She keeps her head and still thinks of others. Similarly, Noah is so protective of his daughter that you couldn’t help but warm to his dedication as a parent.
I would describe this book as a ‘summery read with a bit of bite’ because of the relationships aspect to the story. With plenty of French pastries being consumed in the book, I’m glad the calories didn’t transfer across the pages! Somehow my appetite was satisfied with reading about the café setting, rather than trying to emulate it in real life!
With thanks to Avon books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Set in a bookshop that is located in a French activity park, this really piqued my interest. Not only loving stories that are set in bookshops, I warmed to Moorcroft’s protagonist and her enthusiasm for her job. Managing this café-come-bookshop sees tourists and locals alike means she has a roaring trade – helped by the sunny weather and visiting tourists to the park. However, a shady boyfriend sees the start of an anonymous hacker trying to ruin the business – the last thing Kat needs when trying to support her boss and his ill wife.
This book is not just a summer romance because Moorcroft explores broken families and the impact it has on both children and the parents. I found it interesting comparing Kat’s experience to Clemence’s – one has scars from a separated family; the other is experiencing it in real-time. As the story develops, I sometimes felt frustrated by Kat’s actions because of her self-preservation and fear of being abandoned. However, this feeds into her childhood and you can see it emerging with Clemence as Noah tries his hardest to protect his daughter from a broken marriage.
Angelique and Clemence were definitely my favourite characters because of how they brightened the mood of the story. Angelique comes to personify freedom and escapism that the characters need – regardless of age – and I thought this helped them “reset” when troubled. Indeed, when Angelique comes to Kat’s defence towards the ending of the book, I think it was a sweet display of her loyalty – particularly when Kat’s boss does not seem to care very much.
Although the chapters are rather lengthy, I was soon immersed in the lives of Kat and Noah. The bookshop plays a central part of the story but I loved how it was the relationships and connections that pushed the story forwards. Kat is an admirable character, despite her flaws, and I liked seeing how she managed when so much was going wrong with the business. She keeps her head and still thinks of others. Similarly, Noah is so protective of his daughter that you couldn’t help but warm to his dedication as a parent.
I would describe this book as a ‘summery read with a bit of bite’ because of the relationships aspect to the story. With plenty of French pastries being consumed in the book, I’m glad the calories didn’t transfer across the pages! Somehow my appetite was satisfied with reading about the café setting, rather than trying to emulate it in real life!
With thanks to Avon books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 18, 2022
I would firstly like to say a big thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources who very kindly forwarded me an arc copy of this book, for my Kindle, in return for my honest review.
In the first instance the title of this book drew me in, I love books set in France!! And then the cover caught my eye too, I loved it, it was so inviting and made me want to read it!
Summer At The French Cafe features a wonderful book cafe and is situated in Parc Lemmel, France and the beautiful descriptions really made me feel as though I was there.
This was a lovely, Summer read and definitely gave off lovely warm and sunny vibes.
The cast of characters were wonderful, some who I loved and some not so much!
The story moved along at a great pace and kept me reading right up until the very last page…
In the first instance the title of this book drew me in, I love books set in France!! And then the cover caught my eye too, I loved it, it was so inviting and made me want to read it!
Summer At The French Cafe features a wonderful book cafe and is situated in Parc Lemmel, France and the beautiful descriptions really made me feel as though I was there.
This was a lovely, Summer read and definitely gave off lovely warm and sunny vibes.
The cast of characters were wonderful, some who I loved and some not so much!
The story moved along at a great pace and kept me reading right up until the very last page…
May 11, 2022
A beautiful cover for a beautiful book!
I've read a few books by Sue Moorcroft, and I've enormously enjoyed them all. They all have the particularity of covering very serious and difficult themes which are treated by the author with extreme sensitivity. Her writing style is gorgeous, and every book is a real treat. Can't wait for the next one!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I've read a few books by Sue Moorcroft, and I've enormously enjoyed them all. They all have the particularity of covering very serious and difficult themes which are treated by the author with extreme sensitivity. Her writing style is gorgeous, and every book is a real treat. Can't wait for the next one!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 9, 2022
I love Sue Moorcroft’s books and this one proved to be as wonderful as the rest of her stories. I enjoyed the armchair travel, the main characters’ processing of emotions, and of course, the subtle message that imperfection is normal.
May 12, 2022
This book really is set in the most enticing of locations, quite perfectly described and brought to life. I think I’d rather like to settle down for an afternoon – after browsing the bookshelves of course – at an outside table at Livres et Café, order a peach tea and perhaps a tarte au framboises (as a special treat), and soak up the unique atmosphere of Parc Lemmel in the warm sunshine.
And at the start, it’s a happy place for Kat too. She’s taken over the café’s management while its English owners are handling a few problems of their own (it’s challenging, but she’s taking it in her stride) – and her home life’s also pretty good, with a lovely garden flat in Kirchhoffen, her blossoming relationship with Jakey, and her much-loved dog Angelique always at her side. Her family background might be particularly difficult and complicated, but she’s rather looking forward to having her younger brother Solly around for the summer, and to have the opportunity to get to know him a little better.
But then life turns rather more difficult – Jakey proves to be something of a disappointment (and that’s putting it mildly…), someone’s out to sabotage all her hard work at the cafe, and on top of that there are all the many complications family can bring. Thank goodness for Noah – he’s working with her brother at the park, and they soon become good friends and more – and I really enjoyed both his personal journey and their very authentic-feeling developing relationship. But his own family life isn’t without its complications – he’s in the area in search of his ex-wife, who disappeared with his young daughter and a new husband determined to keep the family apart – and the way that unfolds might just jeopardise any possibility of a shared happy ending.
And I have to say that’s a very simplified telling of a story that has many more layers – and I really enjoyed the way they were all explored and handled. I particularly liked the family-related content (ah, the difficulties of blended families…) – Noah’s determination to be a father to young Clémence and part of her life, and its sharp contrast with Kat’s difficult experience with her own family. Both sets of relationships and their psychological consequences are dealt with particularly realistically – nothing too heavy, but these are very real people, and rarely behave in the ways you’d rather like them to. And there are actually quite a few people in this book who behave particularly badly – I’d grown to really like Kat, always so sunny and warm, and one development later in the book made me particularly angry on her behalf.
This book’s rather lovely cover might lead you to expect a light read – but that’s never quite what you get with a book from Sue Moorcroft, and it’s one of the reasons why I enjoy her books so much. The story is strong and well-told, the characters well-drawn and convincing (and, in the most part, eminently likeable and sympathetic), the setting far more than a mere backdrop, the issues she addresses very real and well-researched (cyber security, anyone – I certainly learned a lot!), and I particularly enjoy her sureness of touch with the emotional content. But it’s also tremendous fun, feel-good fiction at its best – I loved the convincing romance, the relationships between the characters, Angelique’s swishy-tailed interventions, the excitement of a small child, the whole atmosphere of the park.
I just love the way she writes – and I think this book is one of her strongest yet. Highly recommended.
And at the start, it’s a happy place for Kat too. She’s taken over the café’s management while its English owners are handling a few problems of their own (it’s challenging, but she’s taking it in her stride) – and her home life’s also pretty good, with a lovely garden flat in Kirchhoffen, her blossoming relationship with Jakey, and her much-loved dog Angelique always at her side. Her family background might be particularly difficult and complicated, but she’s rather looking forward to having her younger brother Solly around for the summer, and to have the opportunity to get to know him a little better.
But then life turns rather more difficult – Jakey proves to be something of a disappointment (and that’s putting it mildly…), someone’s out to sabotage all her hard work at the cafe, and on top of that there are all the many complications family can bring. Thank goodness for Noah – he’s working with her brother at the park, and they soon become good friends and more – and I really enjoyed both his personal journey and their very authentic-feeling developing relationship. But his own family life isn’t without its complications – he’s in the area in search of his ex-wife, who disappeared with his young daughter and a new husband determined to keep the family apart – and the way that unfolds might just jeopardise any possibility of a shared happy ending.
And I have to say that’s a very simplified telling of a story that has many more layers – and I really enjoyed the way they were all explored and handled. I particularly liked the family-related content (ah, the difficulties of blended families…) – Noah’s determination to be a father to young Clémence and part of her life, and its sharp contrast with Kat’s difficult experience with her own family. Both sets of relationships and their psychological consequences are dealt with particularly realistically – nothing too heavy, but these are very real people, and rarely behave in the ways you’d rather like them to. And there are actually quite a few people in this book who behave particularly badly – I’d grown to really like Kat, always so sunny and warm, and one development later in the book made me particularly angry on her behalf.
This book’s rather lovely cover might lead you to expect a light read – but that’s never quite what you get with a book from Sue Moorcroft, and it’s one of the reasons why I enjoy her books so much. The story is strong and well-told, the characters well-drawn and convincing (and, in the most part, eminently likeable and sympathetic), the setting far more than a mere backdrop, the issues she addresses very real and well-researched (cyber security, anyone – I certainly learned a lot!), and I particularly enjoy her sureness of touch with the emotional content. But it’s also tremendous fun, feel-good fiction at its best – I loved the convincing romance, the relationships between the characters, Angelique’s swishy-tailed interventions, the excitement of a small child, the whole atmosphere of the park.
I just love the way she writes – and I think this book is one of her strongest yet. Highly recommended.
May 12, 2022
Cover: Sunny and smile-inducing.
I’ve been having an incredible string of bad luck, technology-wise, so my reviews are going to be on the concise side. Force majeure, as screen-freezes are more common than fleas on a dog here.
So, without further ado, I’ve got to say that Summer at the French Café is a peculiar one. It’s well-written, even if a bit slow here and there, and with an interesting pair of MCs. Kat and Noah have good inner voices, and they’re quite fun to follow along; maybe they should be a little more proactive though, less–less ‘life is steamrolling all over me’, but that’s a matter of personal tastes.
The third POV works fine here–great choice! The most compelling trait of Summer at the French Café though is its atmosphere: Moorcroft does a fabulous job with the setting.
My issue with it, if it could be called an issue, is that it has too much going on. Subplots are the mitochondria of a story, no questions asked, but if we have too many of them, it becomes hard to keep track of everything without getting overwhelmed. Picking a couple of themes and sticking with them would have helped the plot along, I think.
3.5 stars on GR.
I’ve been having an incredible string of bad luck, technology-wise, so my reviews are going to be on the concise side. Force majeure, as screen-freezes are more common than fleas on a dog here.
So, without further ado, I’ve got to say that Summer at the French Café is a peculiar one. It’s well-written, even if a bit slow here and there, and with an interesting pair of MCs. Kat and Noah have good inner voices, and they’re quite fun to follow along; maybe they should be a little more proactive though, less–less ‘life is steamrolling all over me’, but that’s a matter of personal tastes.
The third POV works fine here–great choice! The most compelling trait of Summer at the French Café though is its atmosphere: Moorcroft does a fabulous job with the setting.
My issue with it, if it could be called an issue, is that it has too much going on. Subplots are the mitochondria of a story, no questions asked, but if we have too many of them, it becomes hard to keep track of everything without getting overwhelmed. Picking a couple of themes and sticking with them would have helped the plot along, I think.
3.5 stars on GR.
May 7, 2022
Starting a new book by Sue Moorcroft is like immersing yourself in a warm bath - comforting, relaxing and you know that you will love it.
Kat has a job she loves managing a cafe and bookshop in France. With her little dog, and her boyfriend, life seems ideal. When her half brother comes to work nearby life just gets better, giving Kat the opportunity to get to know the half brother she wasn't allowed to be with in her youth, and who was the apple of her father and stepmother's eye.
When her boyfriend turns out not to be the person she thought he was, and life starts getting a whole lot more complicated in various aspects of her life, can Kat bring her life back on track and find happiness again?
I loved this book, as I have all the Sue Moorcroft books I have read. It is well written with believable characters, and some interesting situations it is well thought out, and shows how difficult relationships in one generation, can cause issues down the generations. Definitely worth reading, and high on the feel- good factor.
Kat has a job she loves managing a cafe and bookshop in France. With her little dog, and her boyfriend, life seems ideal. When her half brother comes to work nearby life just gets better, giving Kat the opportunity to get to know the half brother she wasn't allowed to be with in her youth, and who was the apple of her father and stepmother's eye.
When her boyfriend turns out not to be the person she thought he was, and life starts getting a whole lot more complicated in various aspects of her life, can Kat bring her life back on track and find happiness again?
I loved this book, as I have all the Sue Moorcroft books I have read. It is well written with believable characters, and some interesting situations it is well thought out, and shows how difficult relationships in one generation, can cause issues down the generations. Definitely worth reading, and high on the feel- good factor.
May 13, 2022
Do not be fooled by the beautiful watercolor book cover. This is not a light-hearted romance story. While the story does have a romance, so much more is held withheld within the pages of this book.
The story deals with blended families at it's core and how even as adults, the situations of childhood are not usually forgotten or their harm healed. Sometimes healing comes much later then it should.
As I do in every book by Sue Moorcroft, I travel, this time to France, and it was a wonderful journey. I enjoyed so much the visits to Parc Lemmel and the many dog walks around village of Kirchhoffen.
It amazes me with all the books that Ms. Moorcroft has written, that she continues to create unique characters and very different plots. I have become a big fan of her writing and hope to have more of her books to read in the future.
I want to thank Avon Books UK and NetGalley for giving me the pleasure of reading the advance reader copy, with no obligation to write a review. My review is written freely as a hobby, and is totally my own opinion, not influenced by receiving the ARC.
The story deals with blended families at it's core and how even as adults, the situations of childhood are not usually forgotten or their harm healed. Sometimes healing comes much later then it should.
As I do in every book by Sue Moorcroft, I travel, this time to France, and it was a wonderful journey. I enjoyed so much the visits to Parc Lemmel and the many dog walks around village of Kirchhoffen.
It amazes me with all the books that Ms. Moorcroft has written, that she continues to create unique characters and very different plots. I have become a big fan of her writing and hope to have more of her books to read in the future.
I want to thank Avon Books UK and NetGalley for giving me the pleasure of reading the advance reader copy, with no obligation to write a review. My review is written freely as a hobby, and is totally my own opinion, not influenced by receiving the ARC.
March 15, 2022
A full extra star for the gorgeous book cover and sublime writing.
I enjoyed reading about the French countryside and the summery feel that the prose exuded. However, the story in essence wasn't all that and there were too many characters to keep track of. All that said, I will keep an eye out for this acclaimed author.
Thank you Avon Books and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed reading about the French countryside and the summery feel that the prose exuded. However, the story in essence wasn't all that and there were too many characters to keep track of. All that said, I will keep an eye out for this acclaimed author.
Thank you Avon Books and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 12, 2022
Summer at the French Café is a feel-good charming romance that will have you wishing you could pack your bags and head off to France.
I stumbled upon this book on NetGalley and instantly knew I needed to get my hands on it. It has everything that I love in a romance book, a gorgeous setting, an adorable dog, and a wonderful bookstore. Sue did not disappoint me with this book. It’s just so darn delightful and such a fun escape read. The story has plenty of twists and turns to keep readers entertained and very engaged.
One of the things that I love about Sue’s books is that they often have so much substance and depth. She offers her readers the charming romance they desire while at the same time tackling some pretty tough issues. In this book, Sue spends a lot of time focusing on family and how families can often be complicated, messy, and sometimes there are no easy solutions to family problems. I loved how Sue addressed the topic of blended families and included the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to family relationships.
I need to talk about the setting in this book, the little French Village that Kat lives in just sounds so utterly charming and perfect. Sue masterfully brought the setting to life in this book with her lush and vivid descriptions of the park, Kat’s house, and the little village she lives in. All I wanted to do was go there and spend my day exploring all this little village has to offer.
The romance in this book is so oh la la fantastique! The relationship between Kat and Noah is this perfect blend of sweet and spicy. I really enjoyed these two as a couple and absolutely adored all those “zingy” romantic sparks that went off whenever they were together. I also really liked that their relationship had a lot of substance and depth to it. These two listened and talked about their lives and supported each other through the tough times they were going through.
Overall, Summer at the French Café is c’est magnifique and a book I would highly recommend.
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I stumbled upon this book on NetGalley and instantly knew I needed to get my hands on it. It has everything that I love in a romance book, a gorgeous setting, an adorable dog, and a wonderful bookstore. Sue did not disappoint me with this book. It’s just so darn delightful and such a fun escape read. The story has plenty of twists and turns to keep readers entertained and very engaged.
One of the things that I love about Sue’s books is that they often have so much substance and depth. She offers her readers the charming romance they desire while at the same time tackling some pretty tough issues. In this book, Sue spends a lot of time focusing on family and how families can often be complicated, messy, and sometimes there are no easy solutions to family problems. I loved how Sue addressed the topic of blended families and included the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to family relationships.
I need to talk about the setting in this book, the little French Village that Kat lives in just sounds so utterly charming and perfect. Sue masterfully brought the setting to life in this book with her lush and vivid descriptions of the park, Kat’s house, and the little village she lives in. All I wanted to do was go there and spend my day exploring all this little village has to offer.
The romance in this book is so oh la la fantastique! The relationship between Kat and Noah is this perfect blend of sweet and spicy. I really enjoyed these two as a couple and absolutely adored all those “zingy” romantic sparks that went off whenever they were together. I also really liked that their relationship had a lot of substance and depth to it. These two listened and talked about their lives and supported each other through the tough times they were going through.
Overall, Summer at the French Café is c’est magnifique and a book I would highly recommend.
To read more reviews, check out our blog: https://romancebythebook.com/book-rev...
May 29, 2022
I won this book in a facebook competition along with some chocolates. I absolutely adored every page. It’s one of those books that transports you to a new situation that you can really imagine yourself there. I’d love to work in the Livres et Café which is situated in a wonderful sounding park . At the café you can choose the ideal book alongside sitting down with a wonderful pastry and hot chocolate. It also runs some wonderful clubs. The perfect café.
The book explores many themes- blended families, troubles with step parents, relationship issues causing nightmare situations, ill health, romance and friendship. We see how a troubled childhood shapes Kat’s life in various ways.
The romance is lovely. Noah is so sweet! Angelique, Kat’s dog manages to enable their relationship to flourish and create situations for them to meet. Angelique is very attuned to Kat’s feeling and goes everywhere with her.
I was so sad to come to the end of the book and could quite happily been pulled along into a follow up book!
The book explores many themes- blended families, troubles with step parents, relationship issues causing nightmare situations, ill health, romance and friendship. We see how a troubled childhood shapes Kat’s life in various ways.
The romance is lovely. Noah is so sweet! Angelique, Kat’s dog manages to enable their relationship to flourish and create situations for them to meet. Angelique is very attuned to Kat’s feeling and goes everywhere with her.
I was so sad to come to the end of the book and could quite happily been pulled along into a follow up book!
September 12, 2022
Bit of a slow start but then I was completely enthralled! Are you your best self today?
March 22, 2022
Goodness there is a lot to unpack here with this book, the cover makes it look like a light-hearted summer, beach read but don’t let the cover fool you – this novel takes on a lot of heavy themes. I always include a trigger/content warning when a novel tackles difficult themes and this novel broaches: child abduction, domestic violence, childhood trauma, cancer, stalking & harassment.
We follow Kat Jenson managing a beautiful France at a bookshop café but its far from idyllic, she must face cheating boyfriends, difficult new relationships and strained working situations. Honestly its a miracle the woman even made it out of bed each day.
The book is very well written and the characters are well rounded but I did feel Kat Jenson didn’t get the resolution I wanted for her. I was hoping she would firstly involve the police for the disturbing abuse she kept receiving at work from the so-called “hacker”, secondly I wish she had told her abusive, neglectful parents to stick it and I was hopeful that Florine would also divorce her husband and stand on her own two and seek therapy for the domestic abuse. I feel a bit cheated from successful outcomes, ones that would have resulted in the characters being far happier but continued to be doormats. I also think when topics like childhood trauma are covered, a therapist should be consulted in the writing stages.
There are also some errors on the kindle version – Loc 3008 “Francine looked wistful” and Loc 3011 “Francine dropped her gaze.” Both of these should read Florine. Hopefully the publishers can amend these.
Sue Moorcroft is a great writer and its a lovely read.
We follow Kat Jenson managing a beautiful France at a bookshop café but its far from idyllic, she must face cheating boyfriends, difficult new relationships and strained working situations. Honestly its a miracle the woman even made it out of bed each day.
The book is very well written and the characters are well rounded but I did feel Kat Jenson didn’t get the resolution I wanted for her. I was hoping she would firstly involve the police for the disturbing abuse she kept receiving at work from the so-called “hacker”, secondly I wish she had told her abusive, neglectful parents to stick it and I was hopeful that Florine would also divorce her husband and stand on her own two and seek therapy for the domestic abuse. I feel a bit cheated from successful outcomes, ones that would have resulted in the characters being far happier but continued to be doormats. I also think when topics like childhood trauma are covered, a therapist should be consulted in the writing stages.
There are also some errors on the kindle version – Loc 3008 “Francine looked wistful” and Loc 3011 “Francine dropped her gaze.” Both of these should read Florine. Hopefully the publishers can amend these.
Sue Moorcroft is a great writer and its a lovely read.
April 13, 2022
While reading this book I felt that I had been transported to France for little holiday. I could imagine myself sitting in Livres et Café with some pain au chocolat, some coffee and a book of course. One of the restaurants that Kat and Noah go to sounded amazing with a river literally under it and visible through a glass floor. If it really does exist, I would so love to visit. I’ve never spent much time in the Alsace region of France and Sue Moorcroft made it sound such a pretty place to see.
I enjoyed the slowly developing relationship between Kat and Noah which Sue Moorcroft wrote in a way that made it seem very natural. It was lovely to see the depth of attraction they had for each other both emotionally and physically, although they certainly had some challenges to test their commitment.
There were some tricky family situations for both Kat and Noah and there was a strong focus on family throughout the book. Both had experiences of broken relationships and could see the challenges presented by the resulting blended families and the compromises that sometimes had to be made.
You might think from that lovely bright and airy front cover that you are going to be reading a sweet romance and of course, there is a love story at the heart of the book. However, the author incorporates some darker issues within the story. There is a slimy cheat of a boyfriend which leads to some rather vindictive revenge and causes Kat a lot of worry regarding the cyber security of the shop. A good friend has a serious illness and this is not glossed over with Kat showing love and concern for her friend. A controlling relationships also features and all these issues add depth to the story.
Summer at The French Cafe has all the elements of a well-told story which I have come to expect from Sue Moorcroft. There’s a strong focus on family and friendship, a great sense of place and a nicely done romance where the hoped for happy ending is far from certain. It’s an engaging and entertaining read which the author skilfully brings to an uplifting and satisfying conclusion.
I enjoyed the slowly developing relationship between Kat and Noah which Sue Moorcroft wrote in a way that made it seem very natural. It was lovely to see the depth of attraction they had for each other both emotionally and physically, although they certainly had some challenges to test their commitment.
There were some tricky family situations for both Kat and Noah and there was a strong focus on family throughout the book. Both had experiences of broken relationships and could see the challenges presented by the resulting blended families and the compromises that sometimes had to be made.
You might think from that lovely bright and airy front cover that you are going to be reading a sweet romance and of course, there is a love story at the heart of the book. However, the author incorporates some darker issues within the story. There is a slimy cheat of a boyfriend which leads to some rather vindictive revenge and causes Kat a lot of worry regarding the cyber security of the shop. A good friend has a serious illness and this is not glossed over with Kat showing love and concern for her friend. A controlling relationships also features and all these issues add depth to the story.
Summer at The French Cafe has all the elements of a well-told story which I have come to expect from Sue Moorcroft. There’s a strong focus on family and friendship, a great sense of place and a nicely done romance where the hoped for happy ending is far from certain. It’s an engaging and entertaining read which the author skilfully brings to an uplifting and satisfying conclusion.
March 13, 2022
With the vibrant yellow cover, Summer at the French Café was always going to create the warmth of a summer’s day as Kat and Noah’s story unfolded. I was immediately drawn to Kat, her job at the book café in Park Lemmel sounded idyllic, as did the village of Kirchhoffen. The opening pages set the scene as Kat’s romantic future implodes with the revelation that her boyfriend isn’t as available as he had seemed. The fallout of this revelation will resonate throughout a huge part of the story, but it is certainly not the main theme.
Kat is a capable, independent woman whose childhood was affected by divorce, leading her to feelings of both abandonment and displacement. Despite that, she has developed a better relationship with her stepbrother, Solly, since he arrived to spend the summer working at the Parc. It’s Solly’s roommate, Noah that helps Kat to move on from her heartache and push forward with the book café.
Noah has his own issues as he is dealing with his own familial heartache having arrived at the Parc, hot on the heels of his ex-wife and his daughter Clemence.
I just love romantic fiction, I doubt anyone who follows my reviews will be surprised by that statement, but I love it when a story brings a couple together and unites them early on. Seeing them work together and battle through their challenges as a couple is somehow more romantic than some other tropes.
There is a strong supporting cast in this story, and I just loved the way they all fell into place. Kat’s relationship with her father was the perfect motivation for Noah’s determination to remain part of Cle’s life. Sadly, it’s this determination that Kat is sorely missing from her life; nobody has ever seemed to put her first, a fact that she finds hard to reconcile.
Part of the joy of Sue Moorcroft’s writing is her ability to create fabulous, well-developed characters who are instantly believable. Her stories are often complex and deal with some serious aspects of life. She doesn’t pull her punches as difficult topics are explored, but it never feels like heavy going as she steers the story to its perfect conclusion.
I enjoyed my escape to France and am already excited about the next book from this wonderful author.
Kat is a capable, independent woman whose childhood was affected by divorce, leading her to feelings of both abandonment and displacement. Despite that, she has developed a better relationship with her stepbrother, Solly, since he arrived to spend the summer working at the Parc. It’s Solly’s roommate, Noah that helps Kat to move on from her heartache and push forward with the book café.
Noah has his own issues as he is dealing with his own familial heartache having arrived at the Parc, hot on the heels of his ex-wife and his daughter Clemence.
I just love romantic fiction, I doubt anyone who follows my reviews will be surprised by that statement, but I love it when a story brings a couple together and unites them early on. Seeing them work together and battle through their challenges as a couple is somehow more romantic than some other tropes.
There is a strong supporting cast in this story, and I just loved the way they all fell into place. Kat’s relationship with her father was the perfect motivation for Noah’s determination to remain part of Cle’s life. Sadly, it’s this determination that Kat is sorely missing from her life; nobody has ever seemed to put her first, a fact that she finds hard to reconcile.
Part of the joy of Sue Moorcroft’s writing is her ability to create fabulous, well-developed characters who are instantly believable. Her stories are often complex and deal with some serious aspects of life. She doesn’t pull her punches as difficult topics are explored, but it never feels like heavy going as she steers the story to its perfect conclusion.
I enjoyed my escape to France and am already excited about the next book from this wonderful author.
March 14, 2022
I received an ARC from NetGalley in return for an honest review.
An entertaining and enjoyable story set in a part of France I've never visited. There was a lot going on in this book, with lots of characters and lots of plotlines. I would have liked more time for the main romantic relationship and perhaps less time on the rather one dimensional 'villains' of the piece.
But an entertaining read with a real escapist element.
An entertaining and enjoyable story set in a part of France I've never visited. There was a lot going on in this book, with lots of characters and lots of plotlines. I would have liked more time for the main romantic relationship and perhaps less time on the rather one dimensional 'villains' of the piece.
But an entertaining read with a real escapist element.
March 28, 2022
Summer at the Fench Cafe is a really lovely, well-written romance, with relatable characters and beautiful descriptives. If you're looking for an escapist read to leave you feeling happy and uplifted, this one is for you.
August 8, 2023
Easy read. Not something I would usually read but my book club were reading it. Didn’t particularly enjoy it it could have explored so many of the issues that were touched on
March 31, 2022
Full Review:
https://clife.blog/2022/03/31/book-re...
———
Perfect summer read! I really enjoyed this novel. I found it warm and cosy to read out on a sunny day even though we have just entered spring.
As you start off the novel we are in a French town called Kirchhoffen. The main character Kat is basically running the book cafe. Books and snacks, what a great combination for a cute store set up. It doesn’t take long before you are welcomed with all the characters getting yourself familiar with them. A main character would you believe is a dog.
Kat and Angelique definitely encounter their fair share of drama. I really did not like some of the male characters in this novel straight away you could tell they were not good people and for some, were hiding something.
Some twists and turns throughout this novel in some aspects that you would not believe would happen to Kat. I enjoy how her relationship with her family including her brother Solly does improve. I loved how karma finally won with people getting what they truly deserved especially those that are controlling that shouldn’t expect to control others.
Overall, this summer romance is easy to get into, you begin to know the characters without it being complicated making it the perfect summer read as there is enough drama in a light way to make it a read that you must finish whilst being a warm read for the summer!
Thank you to the publishers for sending me this in exchange for an honest review.
https://clife.blog/2022/03/31/book-re...
———
Perfect summer read! I really enjoyed this novel. I found it warm and cosy to read out on a sunny day even though we have just entered spring.
As you start off the novel we are in a French town called Kirchhoffen. The main character Kat is basically running the book cafe. Books and snacks, what a great combination for a cute store set up. It doesn’t take long before you are welcomed with all the characters getting yourself familiar with them. A main character would you believe is a dog.
Kat and Angelique definitely encounter their fair share of drama. I really did not like some of the male characters in this novel straight away you could tell they were not good people and for some, were hiding something.
Some twists and turns throughout this novel in some aspects that you would not believe would happen to Kat. I enjoy how her relationship with her family including her brother Solly does improve. I loved how karma finally won with people getting what they truly deserved especially those that are controlling that shouldn’t expect to control others.
Overall, this summer romance is easy to get into, you begin to know the characters without it being complicated making it the perfect summer read as there is enough drama in a light way to make it a read that you must finish whilst being a warm read for the summer!
Thank you to the publishers for sending me this in exchange for an honest review.
May 15, 2022
The details and the location are picturesque, and as the name suggests, it’s a great summer read. Featuring a cutesy cafe in the Kirchoffen village of France, the book is a heartwarming read.
Kat’s stance and circumstance are really relatable, especially for me, against my better judgment that they shouldn’t be. But I like it anyway. She’s an independent woman, and not just because she had to be or so the people around her think, but because she’s fierce and loyal, and despite the abandonment issues, she’s capable of surviving in the worst of circumstances. Her relationship with Solly makes my heart clench, and I feel desolate for the twelve-year-old who was isolated and separated from her own brother (albeit half) by their mother. The feeling of belonging she lacks is something I deeply feel and makes me feel all the more shattered.
I feel dejected for Noah, who was separated from his own daughter, just because her mother decided it’s totally normal to travel across the country without informing her little baby’s father because her husband wants to. I’m happy that he gets to see her eventually, and their love still stands as strong.
Most of all, I feel for Clemence. She isn’t Kat, and she doesn’t have to be, but for such a sensitive soul to have to go through so much drama, I feel sick.
My favorite characters are, of course, little Clemence and Angelique. But I feel the book was too slow and a little redundant for me. If Yohan is, in fact, as controlling as they come, he would have done something that could’ve been a plot twist. Though surprisingly, he never realizes it. And if Florine did want to run away from him, she’s foolish to think he’ll change. There are a lot of points in the story that contradict themselves, but it’s a fair read.
Of course, it’s for the fans of Carole Matthews and Katie Fforde, which I have decided to never read from again, they’re too slow for me, but I’m pretty sure a lot of people will enjoy the book.
Kat’s stance and circumstance are really relatable, especially for me, against my better judgment that they shouldn’t be. But I like it anyway. She’s an independent woman, and not just because she had to be or so the people around her think, but because she’s fierce and loyal, and despite the abandonment issues, she’s capable of surviving in the worst of circumstances. Her relationship with Solly makes my heart clench, and I feel desolate for the twelve-year-old who was isolated and separated from her own brother (albeit half) by their mother. The feeling of belonging she lacks is something I deeply feel and makes me feel all the more shattered.
I feel dejected for Noah, who was separated from his own daughter, just because her mother decided it’s totally normal to travel across the country without informing her little baby’s father because her husband wants to. I’m happy that he gets to see her eventually, and their love still stands as strong.
Most of all, I feel for Clemence. She isn’t Kat, and she doesn’t have to be, but for such a sensitive soul to have to go through so much drama, I feel sick.
My favorite characters are, of course, little Clemence and Angelique. But I feel the book was too slow and a little redundant for me. If Yohan is, in fact, as controlling as they come, he would have done something that could’ve been a plot twist. Though surprisingly, he never realizes it. And if Florine did want to run away from him, she’s foolish to think he’ll change. There are a lot of points in the story that contradict themselves, but it’s a fair read.
Of course, it’s for the fans of Carole Matthews and Katie Fforde, which I have decided to never read from again, they’re too slow for me, but I’m pretty sure a lot of people will enjoy the book.
May 15, 2022
In the Alsace region of France, summer is not without its emotional complications for Kat, the manager of a bustling book café. Looking forward to a lovely summer in a job she loves, her relationship implodes with subsequent difficulties at work that threaten her career. Having her brother Solly and meeting the enigmatic Noah are the positive influences in her life, but they are not without problems, and Kat is reluctant to risk taking a chance on love again.
Romance is a theme of this story, but it's conflicted with Kat and Noah's emotional past and his current family drama. Blended families are another predominant theme explored through Kat and Noah's experiences. Lies and secrets complicate their lives, and they have to work hard to be together.
Despite the angst and the drama, there are many lighthearted moments in this realistically plotted story, and I particularly enjoyed those with Kat's cute dog Angelique. I also enjoyed the believably flawed characters, the storytelling, and the vibrant setting.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
Romance is a theme of this story, but it's conflicted with Kat and Noah's emotional past and his current family drama. Blended families are another predominant theme explored through Kat and Noah's experiences. Lies and secrets complicate their lives, and they have to work hard to be together.
Despite the angst and the drama, there are many lighthearted moments in this realistically plotted story, and I particularly enjoyed those with Kat's cute dog Angelique. I also enjoyed the believably flawed characters, the storytelling, and the vibrant setting.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
May 31, 2022
I have been a fan of Sue’s work for quite a while now. I haven’t quite caught up with everything that she has written but that is something that I hope to rectify in the not too distant future. I read the synopsis for ‘Summer At The French Café’ and it certainly sounded like the sort of fun, feel good and ultimately uplifting story that I have come to associate with Sue. I absolutely adored reading ‘Summer At The French Café’ but more about that in a bit.
I loved the main character of Kat Jenson and I warmed to her from the very start. In fact I ended up feeling as though she had become a friend of mine and I felt all protective of her. If anybody upset her then they upset me and I wanted to jump inside the pages of the book to sort out whoever had upset Kat. Kat is a lovely young lass, who works in a shop that is part café and part bookshop, which sounds ideal to me. She is in a relationship with somebody, who quite frankly needs a certain part of his anatomy chopping off. I won’t go too far into what happens but needless to say it’s bad. Kat is kind, generous and sensitive and she is there for anybody, who may find themselves in a bit of a pickle. Kat is a genuine lady who truly deserves a ‘happy ever after’ ending. What happens? Well for the answers to that question and so much more you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves to find out as I am not going to tell you.
It took no time at all for me to get into ‘Summer At The French Café’. In fact seeing Sue’s name on a book that I hadn’t read was enough to grab my attention. The synopsis drew me in and the story within the book’s covers sealed the deal as it were. To say that reading ‘Summer At The French Café’ became addictive is a massive understatement. I first picked the book up only intending to read a couple of chapters but I became so wrapped up in the story and in the lives of the different characters that I lost all track of time and just how quickly I was getting through the story. I couldn’t bear to miss a single second of the story and as a result my book travelled everywhere with me. The more of the book I read, the more I wanted to read and the quicker the pages seemed to turn. All too quickly I reached the end of ‘Summer At The French Café’ and I had to say goodbye to Kat and the rest of the characters. I found ‘Summer At The French Café’ to be a joy to read.
‘Summer At The French Café’ is superbly written but then I have come to expect nothing less from Sue Moorcroft. Reading one of Sue’s books feels more like a chat between friends rather than reading a book. I hope that makes sense. Sue certainly knows how to grab the reader’s attention and then draw them into what proves to be one hell of a story. Sue clearly cares about her characters and this shines through in the very vivid and realistic way in which she describes them. She makes the characters feel just as real as you and I. I love the way in which Sue makes the reader feel as though they part of the story and at the heart of the action. This book made me laugh, made me smile and on occasion made me rather emotional.
In short, I adored reading ‘Summer At The French Café’ and I wholeheartedly recommend this book to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Sue’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
I loved the main character of Kat Jenson and I warmed to her from the very start. In fact I ended up feeling as though she had become a friend of mine and I felt all protective of her. If anybody upset her then they upset me and I wanted to jump inside the pages of the book to sort out whoever had upset Kat. Kat is a lovely young lass, who works in a shop that is part café and part bookshop, which sounds ideal to me. She is in a relationship with somebody, who quite frankly needs a certain part of his anatomy chopping off. I won’t go too far into what happens but needless to say it’s bad. Kat is kind, generous and sensitive and she is there for anybody, who may find themselves in a bit of a pickle. Kat is a genuine lady who truly deserves a ‘happy ever after’ ending. What happens? Well for the answers to that question and so much more you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves to find out as I am not going to tell you.
It took no time at all for me to get into ‘Summer At The French Café’. In fact seeing Sue’s name on a book that I hadn’t read was enough to grab my attention. The synopsis drew me in and the story within the book’s covers sealed the deal as it were. To say that reading ‘Summer At The French Café’ became addictive is a massive understatement. I first picked the book up only intending to read a couple of chapters but I became so wrapped up in the story and in the lives of the different characters that I lost all track of time and just how quickly I was getting through the story. I couldn’t bear to miss a single second of the story and as a result my book travelled everywhere with me. The more of the book I read, the more I wanted to read and the quicker the pages seemed to turn. All too quickly I reached the end of ‘Summer At The French Café’ and I had to say goodbye to Kat and the rest of the characters. I found ‘Summer At The French Café’ to be a joy to read.
‘Summer At The French Café’ is superbly written but then I have come to expect nothing less from Sue Moorcroft. Reading one of Sue’s books feels more like a chat between friends rather than reading a book. I hope that makes sense. Sue certainly knows how to grab the reader’s attention and then draw them into what proves to be one hell of a story. Sue clearly cares about her characters and this shines through in the very vivid and realistic way in which she describes them. She makes the characters feel just as real as you and I. I love the way in which Sue makes the reader feel as though they part of the story and at the heart of the action. This book made me laugh, made me smile and on occasion made me rather emotional.
In short, I adored reading ‘Summer At The French Café’ and I wholeheartedly recommend this book to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Sue’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
June 2, 2022
This is tagged as "the perfect summer read"
And I have to say that is something with which I agreed!
It has all the essentials for a delightful escape
Including great characters with whom it is easy to relate.
After difficult teen years following her parents' divorce
Kat Jenson learnt to be independent of course.
Now living in a French village she's found her home
And no longer is she wishing to travel far and roam.
The story involves relationships that are fraught,
A lover who lies and an enemy needing to be caught
Broken families, drama, friendships and romance
All adding to the mix as they give love a chance!
The setting and plot are great, the characters, too,
So I have no hesitation highly recommending this to you!
For my complementary copy, I say thank you,
An enchanting read and this is my honest review
And I have to say that is something with which I agreed!
It has all the essentials for a delightful escape
Including great characters with whom it is easy to relate.
After difficult teen years following her parents' divorce
Kat Jenson learnt to be independent of course.
Now living in a French village she's found her home
And no longer is she wishing to travel far and roam.
The story involves relationships that are fraught,
A lover who lies and an enemy needing to be caught
Broken families, drama, friendships and romance
All adding to the mix as they give love a chance!
The setting and plot are great, the characters, too,
So I have no hesitation highly recommending this to you!
For my complementary copy, I say thank you,
An enchanting read and this is my honest review
October 4, 2023
This was really pleasantly surprising. I totally picked a book by its cover due to this recent hot streak in October, and didn’t know anything about the author, or her previous books. I also sometimes have trouble reading books written by writers from the UK, even though it’s in the English, due to some some language dialects and usage, and settings, and just cultural unfamiliarity. But this was not at all the case here. I really liked the French setting the descriptions of the places the main characters went to, it had such a nice flow of a small touristy living, the characters were interesting and relatable, no agenda was pushed. Nice emotional impact not just a fluff piece. Good talk about blended families and how it works together. Loved the dog! Overall a cute summer romance with substance.
May 17, 2022
When Sue Moorcroft releases a new book you know you're in for a treat.
Beautifully written, with the descriptions of both Parc Lemmel and Kurchhoffen making me want to pack my suitcase and book a flight, who doesn't love the idea of a bookshop, in France?
Kat and Noah were both such lovely characters, both having been hurt in the past. And I loved seeing their friendship blossom throughout the pages.
Heartwarming and as always an absolute delight to read.
Sue comes up trumps again with a gorgeous read full of relationships, family and drama.
Many thanks to Rachel's Random Resources for my tour spot.
Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Beautifully written, with the descriptions of both Parc Lemmel and Kurchhoffen making me want to pack my suitcase and book a flight, who doesn't love the idea of a bookshop, in France?
Kat and Noah were both such lovely characters, both having been hurt in the past. And I loved seeing their friendship blossom throughout the pages.
Heartwarming and as always an absolute delight to read.
Sue comes up trumps again with a gorgeous read full of relationships, family and drama.
Many thanks to Rachel's Random Resources for my tour spot.
Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐
June 19, 2022
Kat has a job managing a book café in a beautiful park setting which features lakes, rides and gardens in Alsace. She has just come out of a relationship with Jakey who was a cheat and a liar so is not looking for a new relationship.
Noah is working at the park but there is something of a mystery about him, he is looking for his ex-wife and daughter Clemence. Solly who is Kat’s stepbrother has just started working in the park and is sharing a living space with Noah.
Problems with the book café and her personal life make Kat think hard about what she really wants. Beautiful location featuring two of my favourite things books and cafés and a storyline featuring family dilemmas with a twist and a beautiful love story.
Noah is working at the park but there is something of a mystery about him, he is looking for his ex-wife and daughter Clemence. Solly who is Kat’s stepbrother has just started working in the park and is sharing a living space with Noah.
Problems with the book café and her personal life make Kat think hard about what she really wants. Beautiful location featuring two of my favourite things books and cafés and a storyline featuring family dilemmas with a twist and a beautiful love story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 210 reviews