The Coffee Shop Book Club

by Breast Cancer Care

Irresistible stories of love and fidelity, mystery and unexpected lives from some of the bestselling authors writing today, including Kate Mosse, Cathy Kelly and Ian Rankin.

Published in conjunction with Woman & Home and Breast Cancer Care, this collection of terrific short stories includes many of the top names in fiction writing today: Fanny Blake, Fern Britton, Elizabeth Buchan, Tracy Chevalier, Jenny Colgan, R J Ellory, Julia Gregson, Tessa Hadley, Maeve Haran, Veronica Henry, Victoria Hislop, Eowyn Ivey, Cathy Kelly, Erin Kelly, Deborah Lawrenson, Kathy Lette, Lesley Lokko, Jill Mansell, Val McDermid, Kate Mosse, Jojo Moyes, Adele Parks, Nicky Pellegrino, Ian Rankin, newcomer Cara Ross, Penny Vincenzi and Katherine Webb.

Genres: Fiction

273 pages, Paperback

First published September 12, 2013

Reviews

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this anthology after seeing a few comments about it on social media sites, and because it raises money for breast cancer care.
I read a huge amount of books but was pleasantly surprised to be introduced to a range of authors that I had heard of, but never read any of their books. This will be remedied in the near future.
A great little purchase for a great cause.

[Neha Gupta · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful books from Copenhagen library, honestly only the best find themselves on the shelves of this amazing library. This book is even more special with some of the best short stories collected from best selling authors for the cause of Breast cancer. Some stories stayed with me more than the others. Read more at -

https://storywala.blogspot.com/2020/0...

[Deanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of short stories, the usual mixed bag not just in how good the stories are but also in style and genre. All short enough to read while having a cup of my favourite brew.

[Puty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light yet entertaining reading material.

[Moon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of these are quite charming, but the fact I can't remember precisely which ones tells you all you need to know.

[Yazlina Saduri · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one anthology right? In simpler term, a book of short stories contributed by various writers. Real short the stories, great as a traveling partner I suppose. If you see this red cover on the book shelf, dont't feel guilty to grab this book at the airport prior to your checking in. I bet you, the book will be read, hmmmm at least one story from the book will be read during your travel. Surely you'll be tempted to read the short stories from names such as Jojo Moyes and Jill Mansell.

Right, my review below. Well not a real review though, more like a very brief thoughts sharing after most of the stories. I mafe a point to write on my note pad after completing eavh story. If I don't do that, this makcik will forget huhu

●●●●●●●●●

- From Christmas Getaway: snow, blankness, all flights cancelled & back to love in earnest.

- As the time draws near: snow, air planes stalled in take-off, death too soon. Piper's dad knows he's gonna die one day, he doesn't want to die meekly. The way Piper imagin his dad's dark determination not to steer away from the black bear is dead spot on. I think this is the story I truly can appreciate, reminding me of my own dad who also left us too soon.

- Internet dating: I like this story too, it's fun sort. Ned the bald monkey with expiring time share apartment in Portugal, gosh there must be plenty of Neds out there. Kerry & Sam sound so much like a match made in heaven, and they didn't even work on it.

- The scrapbook: online dating profile, two long lost ex-couple reminiscing the last two decades they missed dearlly and the scrapbook... but OMG, what the heck Amanda???

- The scent of night: was it the ghost of Marthe Lincel who whooshed Sassy out from Penny's little haven with her lavender laced strong perfume?

- Let's be honest: quite a suspense being built up around James, especially the few minutes prior to Mel's big time confession.

- The spirit of summer: Marie Fournes, one of the 20 poor souls murdered along the Canal du Misi, beneath the bridge on the Quai Riquet.... brought smiles back to soothe Naomi's Mom.

- Last year's coat: gosh I dont get it. Did Evie get the coat she's been wanting in the end or not?

- The invitation: Not sure if Helen is attractive but I like Ben already.

- Fruitbat: I don't understand how this one could be the winner of Woman & Home Short Story Competition. It's a story about someone's wife playing hookie with someone's husband.

I have actually not written anything on the first 2 or 3 and the last 2 stories. Read them but I thought nothing much to write.

[LinaVer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started posting my little silly reviews for every single one of these short stories but somewhere along July life got the best of me and I forgot to do that for the second part of the bunch. Anyway, some were better than the other and I think my average score for this book would be 3/5 stars.

It still amazes me though how anyone can fit a well rounded story into just a few pages!

Oh, and yeah, I really enjoy reading books written by authors from the United Kingdom.

[Jules · Rating 2 out of 5]

For the most part, a collection of hackneyed stories. Presumably, the theory is that since it's all for charity, quality doesn't matter. The few half-decent ones have been hidden away towards the end of the book.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This compilation of twenty-eight short stories was just great. It is a perfect way to have a taste of an authors work - most of the writers I had heard of, some I had already read and some were completely new to me. All of the stories held interest - some romance, some mystery but all a delight.

[Stina · Rating 3 out of 5]

short stories. pretty typical chick lit.

[Marc · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fairly easy to read anthology of short stories that you can get through in no time.

Some of the stories are great, some not so.

[Vivien Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely collection of stories. All so different. Hard to choose a favourite. Rattled through them quickly, and enjoyed them all.

[Christina Wedgwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book of short stories, this wasn't overall such a compelling read to get lost in, but a nice option to be able to dip in and out of - and there were some little gems.

[Alison.A.Bellbtinternet.Com · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was for charity so I will say no more.

[Nat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short stories about womans (age 50)lives🥺.Suchh comfy and wholesome story

[Kay Hardy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very disappointing …

[W Saad · Rating 2 out of 5]

Stopped after 100 pages.. stories vary from ok to boring , the pointless. Just not my type at all & some are badly written .

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars - just a bit too much cheating in these stories and a bit boring unfortunately.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fabulous collection of short stories by well-known writers. A wonderfully engaging, accessible compilation - funny, thought-provoking and quirky.

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a tricky one to rate as it was a bit of a mixed bag. There were some real gems in here; I particularly enjoyed The Ministry of Whisky by Val McDermid and Fruitbat by Cara Moss. There were some stories with quite predictable twists, but I enjoyed this on the whole.

[Alka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Collection of stories from well known authors. Love, loss, betrayal, revenge, murder; nano packs of varied emotions. Loved the concept and execution. Stories are just picked at random and strung together.

[Regina Foo · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Coffee Shop Book Club is a collection of short stories written by 27 bestselling authors. Most of the stories are about women's relationship with their partner, children and about meeting someone after a divorce or breakup.

Rating a short stories collection could be unfair as some of the stories I enjoyed reading a lot that I want to rate it a 5 stars but some I can't even finish reading it. But in overall, this book makes a great leisure reading choice if you're in a vacation or you just need something to read in a short burst of time.

Among the 28 stories, I particularly love a few of them:

Letting Go by Fanny Blake - A story about a widow who learns how to let go of her husband who died 8 years ago. The thing that warmed me most is the love of mother and daughter, which I think keeps Clare going through all these years.

The Surprise Gift by Fern Britton - I admit that sometimes I'm a bit judgmental on people but this one teaches me to look deeper into a person's heart.

Last Year's Coat by Jojo Moyes - I read this story slower than other because she's one of the most famous authors now (thanks to Me Before You) and I love this story! It's about a family that struggles with financial spending with a reduced income. Believe me, I found Evie's situation very relatable.

Someone Got to Eddie by Ian Rankin - Ian is not the only male author contributing for this book but his story stands out from the rest. Why? It's because it is a thriller/mystery story instead of romance/contemporary like the rest. Anyway, I love this surprise.

Recommended to readers of contemporary/romance fiction especially those who claimed to have no time to read. Sure you can find 10 minutes in a day to read one story?

This review is originally posted on: http://wp.me/p6Uw1h-k7

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very lucky to have been sent this wonderful book in exchange for an honest review.

I love reading short stories, I feel it allows you to get to experience authors perhaps you would have never of thought about reading. This book allows you to do just that.

This is an excellent collection of short stories by many well - known authors, which have not stuck to one genre. There is something to suit everyone!

I am not going to talk about individual stories, they are short and I don't want to give them all away, plus there are 28 of them in total!!

All of the stories are well written and perfect for the busy lady who can only capture time to read in her lunch hour/while the child is asleep etc. It allows you to feel you have accomplished reading a whole story and you have been able to enjoy every moment of it.

I would recommend this short story collection to everyone, you will be surprised with the content and maybe even discover an author you never knew. The best bit? £1 for the sale goes to Breast Cancer.

Go out and grab your copy today!!!

[Edel Waugh Salisbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Coffee Shop Book Club is a collection of short stories by well known writers such as Cathy Kelly, JoJo Moyes , Ian Rankin , to name but a few who have got together to raise money for Breast Cancer Care in Association with Woman and Home magazine.

This short story collection really does have something to suit ever readers taste. There is mystery, heart warmers, humorous , thought provoking, slightly sinister, surprising and romantic tales all written extremely well and they make great reads for when you are short on time, so great to dip into when you don't have the time for a big book. I don't read that many short stories but this book was really fun and it has made me want to look into finding more books like it. It would be great to see more books like this in the future that combine great story telling with helping a great cause.

I received this book for review from the kind folks over at Lovereading.co.uk for review.

[Damaskcat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent collection of nearly thirty stories by well-known authors with something which will appeal to many readers. There are ordinary everyday stories, stories with a touch of the supernatural, mysteries, crime and chick lit. I really enjoyed reading all these stories and in the process have compiled a list of authors whose novels I will be trying.

I particularly enjoyed ‘Last Year’s Coat’ by Jo Jo Moyes about a family struggling to make ends meet on a reduced income; ‘Wabi-sabi’ by Nicky Pellegrino about acceptance of things as they are; ’Lady Isabella Morpeth’s Receipt Book’ by Maeve Haran about a journalist and a surprising discovery.

All these stories are well written and each will make an ideal accompaniment to a cup of coffee as they each take about the same amount of time to read as a coffee takes to drink.

[Carol Peace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to get a copy of this book from http://www.lovereading.co.uk/ to review and thoroughly enjoyed it.
It was a great read and supporting the Breast cancer care as well. It is made up of 28 short stories by varied authours and in every genre you can think of , something for everyone in my opinion.
there is mystery, romance crime, and many more I enjoyrd the short burst stories and it is easy to pick up and read one or two stories with a cup of tea and then coming backat your next break. Worth every bit of your time and a thoroughly good read.

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book of short stories! Several were from authors I've read in the past, but I was also introduced to a few authors new to me and whose novels I'd now like to read. This collection was perfect for this hectic holiday time when I find it hard sometimes to concentrate on a novel but crave a little escapism.

[marlin1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not a great fan of short stories but I had seen a good review of this book and with a lot of familiar authors I couldn't resist.
I wasn't disappointed, this book was the perfect time filler. A short story or two while having a coffee, a quick story before I rush out, before I do the dishes etc. Each one just a few pages long and left me feeling uplifted

[Alison Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nifty little collection of short stories by some notable authors e.g. Ian Rankin, Jojo Moyes, Kate Mosse, all contributing towards the good cause of Breast Cancer Care. For me the outstanding story was by Eowyn Ivey, set in Alaska. The collection is in a neat, handbag sized format - good for train journeys, bus stops, doctors' waiting rooms, bedside tables.

[Debs · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from a goodreads giveaway.

I enjoyed this book of short stories. It has stories from a number of well known authors, and really has something that will appeal to everyone.