Coffee is My Calling

Barrington Series #1

by Susan Mackie

Before Rose Gordon came home to Barrington in Book One - Charlie’s Will - there was Debbie Webb and Jamie Tait. Despite being High School sweethearts, Debbie left Barrington for university in Sydney, then further study and work in London. She hasn’t been home for five years. Jamie stayed to work his family property, but he still has feelings for his first love. Now Debbie is back. For a visit? Or will she stay?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Novella, Small Town Romance, Audiobook, Family, Contemporary

82 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2023

About the author

Winner of the 2025 RUBY Award for Women's Fiction with Romantic Elements (Romance Writers of Australia) for The Barrington Book Club.

"Uniquely Australian, yet told in a companionable style, reminiscent of Maeve Binchy." Julie, Goodreads & Amazon.

Romance books you'll fall in love with.

Susan Mackie writes heart-warming, character-driven romance and women's fiction. Small town stories with all the feels and a community you'll want to move to.

Every person and every place has a story to tell.
Do you drive by old homes and wonder about the lives of those that built them, lived there, loved and lost?
Writers tell such stories. Sometimes real, sometimes imagined. Often both.

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Debbie Webb arrived home to Barrington from London, for the first time in five years, she was excited. She hadn't yet told her parents - or anyone - that she was staying, but she knew it was the right thing to do. Jamie Tait, her sweetheart from high school years, was the one she wanted to be with. Hopefully he felt the same. What would Debbie do if his thoughts weren't aligned with hers?

Coffee is My Calling is the 1st in the Barrington Series - a prequel novella - by Aussie author Susan Mackie and I loved it. Light, entertaining and a great start to the series I've already read a couple of. I'm looking forward to my next to read - A Place to Start Over - which is #3. Recommended.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Barrington series and Susan Mackie has written a short story about Deb who runs the Coffee is Calling coffee shop, it starts when Deb arrives back home from England and catches up with her first love Jamie, will the sparks still fly?

Jamie has missed Deb while she was away and he is hoping that she will stay, will she be happy back in Barrington after the lights of London?

I loved this one it is short and sweet and fabulous I loved finding out how Deb and Jamie came together, and how the coffee shop got started, a must read for anyone who loves this series, and if you haven’t read you are missing out.

Thank You Susan Mackie for this feel good, beautiful story.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Coffee Is My Calling by Aussie author Susan Mackie is a beautifully written prequel that I thoroughly enjoyed. This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I can already tell I’m going to love this series. Recommended.

[Karren Sandercock · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like reading an Australian country series and Susan Mackie’s prequel Coffee is My Calling is a quick and short novella designed to get the readers interest in the fictional town of Barrington in New South Wales and the people who live there.

After five years Debbie Webb returns home from working in London, her parents think she’s here for a visit but Debbie’s decided she’s had enough of living overseas and she misses three things, her family, home and Jamie Tait her High School sweetheart.

Jamie loves Debbie and he wants her to stay and he worries being a farmer’s girlfriend/partner isn’t enough for her and Debbie will either return to London or get a job in Sydney as a physiotherapist However, Debbie has other ideas, she knows what she wants and has plans of her own.

I thoroughly enjoyed the prequel Coffee is My Calling by Susan Mackie, I want to get to know all of the characters and the ins and out of living Barrington. I can’t wait to read the next book called Charlie’s Will and I can only see my enjoyment and rating increasing as I get further into the Barrington Series and four stars from me.

[Craig and Phil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Susan for gifting us a copy to read and review.
The proverb states that all good things come in small packages and this is definitely the case in the short prequel that took me back to Barrington.
A quick but very satisfying read giving the backstory of Debbie who owns the local cafe.
Debbie has returned to Barrington after living in London for a number of years.
The experience of living abroad, the excitement of London and the gateway to Europe were not barriers for true love.
Home is where is the heart is and in this case the place where her true love still farms.
Ambitions to run her coffee shop are realised when the old Bank has an area designated for a cafe.
Love and her dreams both realised in her home town.
It was so nice to get this refreshing insight as the coffee shop features in all books of the series.
An easy light read that leaves me with a satisfaction.
The Barrington series is one I highly recommend.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coffee is my calling.
By Susan mackie.

This was a short story.
A prequel. This is the first time I've read this author's work and I have to say I loved it..
First off the name of the book called my attention. Because i'm a coffee drinker.

And the characters were absolutely wonderful.

Debbie Webb,
Coming home after being gone five long years.
A surprise for her parents she's decided home is where she wants to be. But more than that she wants to have her own coffee shop. It's a beautiful story, it's a short story. It's one worth reading and I loved every minute of it... There's more books and let me tell you i'm going to read some of them.. I love the story that this author has. I found her by accident on Facebook.. Accidents are the best way to find authors books and wonderful stories.

What's not to love in sydney australia. I've never been there, but I've seen pictures. And i've heard things it's just gorgeous.. And so debbie being back Home. There's no place like home..

[Joanne McKinnon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyable, easy to read, a wonderful storyline and characters. I was immediately drawn into the storyline.
I'm looking forward to reading Charlie’s Will next.

[Hayley (hayleys.little.library) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am going to start off by saying that Susan Mackie has quickly become one of my favourite authors, and when I saw that she was releasing this novella of 'Coffee Is My Calling' I was incredibly excited!!
This book features around Debbie Webb & Jamie Tait, who have previously been minor characters in the Barrington series. It was so nice to hear more details about characters that I have already grown to love, especially firsthand from their own perspective. I devoured this story quickly, it was easily 5/5 stars! I just wish there was more pages!!

Synopsis: Before Rose Gordon came home to Barrington in Book One - Charlie’s Will - there was Debbie Webb and Jamie Tait. Despite being High School sweethearts, Debbie left Barrington for university in Sydney, then further study and work in London. She hasn’t been home for five years. Jamie stayed to work his family property, but he still has feelings for his first love. Now Debbie is back. For a visit? Or will she stay?

[Andrea ☾ [is inconsistently consistant] · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 ⭐️ Yeah... no.

I'm sure if you love this series as is, and you just want a peak into how these two got together, then maybe - MAYBE- this could be good. Not great, but good.

As it stands, I have no idea what this series is about but based on this novella, I don't really want to know.

And I know that there are some REALLY good novellas out there. Making a story succeed in such a short amount of pages is hard. This one wasn't up to it.

[Jane Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always a hood read

Easy to read, a believable storyline and wonderful characters...ive enjoyed the series and hope youll continue to grow the storyline...thers so much more you could do with this

[Elora Canne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet second-chance romance. I couldn’t help falling in love with Debbie Webb’s life, working in London, then Barrington, Australia and opening her own coffee shop.
Of course, the shy advances of Jamie kept me hoping they’d find their romance blossoming, but I’ll leave that for the reader to find out.

[Joanne Barton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before Rose Gordon came home to Barrington in Book One (Charlie’s Will) there was Debbie Webb and Jamie Tait.

Despite being High School sweethearts, Debbie left Barrington for university in Sydney, then London. She hasn’t been home for five years.

Jamie stayed to work his family property, but he still has feelings for his first love. Now Debbie is back.

For a visit? Or will she stay?

Absolutely loved this small prequel about Debbie and Jamie. It was lovely to read how Debbie’s coffee shop originally started and of course, to be back in Barrington. The story just made me smile 😊 - I cannot wait for the next installment! Another beautiful story 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[Barbara Strickland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, simple and sweet

This was so easy to like. The author kept it simple but with hints of things to come. Easy reading.

[Beccabeccabooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a bit odd for me to read a series out of order!! Still, the prequel of the cute Barrington series by Susan Mackie somehow passed me by until now!!

Before Rose Gordon claimed her share in Charlie's Will, coffee was calling Debbie Webb back home to Barrington - straight into her teenage sweetheart Jamie Tait's arms. The physiotherapist come barista extrodiener has big plans to open a coffee shop to cater to Barrington's tourism surge. But is the small country town ready for another cafe?

It was great getting to know Debbie, Jamie, and their families. I've only known them as side characters in other books in this series. Coffee is My Calling is short and sweet, coming in at 68 pages. It's also serves as a great introduction to the wider community.

Who knew Barrington was a real place on the map because I didn't!

As always, thanks for the copy, Susan!

4.75 🌟

[Anna Marie Leffew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aussie Awesomeness!

I have to admit this is my first book by this Author, let alone a book by someone from Australia. I absolutely loved this prequel! The characters felt real. The story line was intriguing. It pulled me in from the beginning. I cannot wait to read this the rest of the series. I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to experience a real life adventure in a small town love story. Thank you Susan for a wonderful read.

[Jemmsbookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful start to a series I enjoyed I’ll continue! Debbie and Jamie are first loves who tell for what they started when she moves back to town.

[Becc McNally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this prequel! Thank you Susan!!

[Aryani Siti · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story was really fun, and I liked the characters. A perfect escape into a lovely world of imagination.

[KylieAtkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short and sweet romance that's a taster for things to come in the Barrington Series, set in a delightful Aussie country town.

This book is about Jamie and Debbie, who are each other's first loves. When Debbie comes home from London, things turn around quickly. Very quickly! I would have liked a smidge more on each character so we could get to really know them, but perhaps that will come in future books.

I've only read Charlie's Will (the next book in the series) but I have the rest of the series ready to read and I can't wait to delve into them.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Third time read through and loved it just like the first time.

Gorgeous sweet read Debbie has returned home for good and for him.

Gorgeous sweet read 📚 a defenite must read.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Start of a new romance series....nice!

[Karina Peacock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it, was an enjoyable start to the Barrington Series!
Can’t wait to meet Debbie and Jamie again some time!!

[Nicole Ortiz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Debbie and Jaime

Ok quick short story. I listen to the audio through BookFunnel. I loved the narrators accent. It was a good story but I don't think this needed to be a prequel this could of been explained in a chapter in the first book about how the couple came to be.

[Janene · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great story!

This book is a short and light introduction to the Barrington series, and it does exactly what a first book should—it leaves me excited to read the rest. Susan Mackey has a writing style that is both effortless and engaging, making it easy to get lost in the story. I found myself smiling as I read, drawn in by the warmth of the characters and the charming setting.



The author does a wonderful job of introducing the characters in a way that makes them feel real and inviting. While we’re only just meeting them, there’s a sense that they’ll play important roles as the series unfolds. There are also subtle hints at deeper, more complex situations to come, which adds intrigue and makes me eager to keep reading.



Another aspect I really loved is the setting. It feels familiar, and it happens to be in the very area I hope to move to soon, which made the story feel even more personal and immersive.



Overall, Coffee is My Calling is a delightful start to the series, and I can’t wait to see where the story goes next!

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this prequel. I received the audio for free after seeing a post on Facebook of the authors. I love the high school sweethearts trope and it's done well in this. I like how Debbie lived a good, single life in London before deciding to come home. The feminist in me wishes she came home for herself and not for Jamie, but I also understand the pull of true love.
The cafe dream of Debbie's was surprisingly informative for anyone who dreams of opening a cafe for themselves. And I love reading a book when I can learn random facts.
Debbie and Jamie are a sweet young couple. For a minute, I thought this would be Debbie and Greg with Jamie pining away for Debbie. I liked that Jamie got the girl. Maybe Greg will grow up and get his own book (I'm brand new to this author so he might already have one).
The narration was good, but there wasn't a lot of emotion in the narrator's voice.

[Ellen Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barringtong Series #0.5
Coffee is My Calling by Susan Mackie
 
Before Rose Gordon came home to Barrington in Book One - Charlie’s Will - there was Debbie Webb and Jamie Tait. Despite being High School sweethearts, Debbie left Barrington for university in Sydney, then further study and work in London. She hasn’t been home for five years. Jamie stayed to work his family property, but he still has feelings for his first love. Now Debbie is back. For a visit? Or will she stay?
... 
 My Review:
I enjoyed this prequel to the Barrington Series. Lovely to discover Debbie’s story and how and why she open her coffee shop.
 
I highly recommended reading Coffee is My Calling. A 5 Star read!

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Beautiful, Heartwarming Story

I loved this short story, and Debbie and Jamie were the perfect couple. The author hooked me in right from the start, and I can’t wait to read the other stories in this series.

[Dee Haddrill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable novella, which (I believe) was written after some of the other later books, and is a small look into some of the other characters in the town of Barrington. I look forward to reading more of the series. Very well written.

In my humble opinion, of course 💙

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short and sweet introduction to the characters in the Barrington series. I will definitely look for the next book so I can see what happens next with Jamie and Debbie.
The narrator's lovely Australian accent was a delight to listen to. I hope to encounter her again.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cute little taster for the series. Looking forward to see what happens next.