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Return to Willoughby Close #1
Cupcakes for Christmas: Return to Willoughby Close, Book 1
Welcome back to Willoughby Close, with four new residents and happy endings to deliver…
Olivia James has always been happy running a tea shop and bakery in the Cotswold village of Wychwood-on-Lea, and helping her friends find their happily-ever-afters, topped by the perfect wedding cake. But as Christmas approaches, Olivia is home alone and questioning her choices while eating too many of her own specialty confections.
When Simon Blacklock, a handsome, whimsical stranger, breezes into her shop and buys a cupcake and then returns the next day and the day after, Olivia begins to dream. Can romance blossom amidst the sugar and flour? And after a lifetime of living on the side lines, is she brave enough to star in her own story?
Simon may be hiding a painful secret, but Olivia harbors secrets of her own. If they can dare to risk their hearts, this Christmas might be the most magical yet!
Olivia James has always been happy running a tea shop and bakery in the Cotswold village of Wychwood-on-Lea, and helping her friends find their happily-ever-afters, topped by the perfect wedding cake. But as Christmas approaches, Olivia is home alone and questioning her choices while eating too many of her own specialty confections.
When Simon Blacklock, a handsome, whimsical stranger, breezes into her shop and buys a cupcake and then returns the next day and the day after, Olivia begins to dream. Can romance blossom amidst the sugar and flour? And after a lifetime of living on the side lines, is she brave enough to star in her own story?
Simon may be hiding a painful secret, but Olivia harbors secrets of her own. If they can dare to risk their hearts, this Christmas might be the most magical yet!
Audible Audio
First published October 25, 2018
880 people are currently reading
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About the author
Kate Hewitt
875 books1,688 followersKate is the USA Today-bsetselling author of many books of both historical and contemporary fiction. Under the name Katharine Swartz, she is the author of the Tales from Goswell books, a series of time-slip novels set in the village of Goswell.
She likes to read women's fiction, mystery and thrillers, as well as historical novels. She particularly enjoys reading about well-drawn characters and avoids high-concept plots.
Having lived in both New York City and a tiny village on the windswept northwest coast of England, she now resides in a market town in Wales with her husband, five children, and two Golden Retrievers.
She likes to read women's fiction, mystery and thrillers, as well as historical novels. She particularly enjoys reading about well-drawn characters and avoids high-concept plots.
Having lived in both New York City and a tiny village on the windswept northwest coast of England, she now resides in a market town in Wales with her husband, five children, and two Golden Retrievers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 398 reviews
November 29, 2024
This is not a cosy Christmas read. It’s very sad
Do not be fooled by the cover and the cupcake shop setting. This is a very sad, hurt/comfort story with potentially triggering elements. It deals with the decline of a parent, loneliness, depression, grief and traumatic loss, and childhood trauma and only wraps up with a HFN that’s not precisely hopeful.
It’s a very well written and emotional story, but I feel a bit duped by the blurb and cover, because I was looking for something light and cosy. This is not that.
Had I known what it was going in, I might have rated it higher but it’s quite a downer for a romance, so be warned.
Do not be fooled by the cover and the cupcake shop setting. This is a very sad, hurt/comfort story with potentially triggering elements. It deals with the decline of a parent, loneliness, depression, grief and traumatic loss, and childhood trauma and only wraps up with a HFN that’s not precisely hopeful.
It’s a very well written and emotional story, but I feel a bit duped by the blurb and cover, because I was looking for something light and cosy. This is not that.
Had I known what it was going in, I might have rated it higher but it’s quite a downer for a romance, so be warned.
December 25, 2018
My Rating:
3.5
Favorite Quotes:
It had been a lovely surprise to find unexpected friends in a village where a single woman pushing forty was considered a bona fide spinster, someone who should invest in a plaid wheelie bag and a tabby cat.
“You are grossly undercharging, then. Cupcakes the size of a small rodent go for nearly five pounds in London.” “What an unappealing comparison,” Olivia returned with another laugh. “And this isn’t London, it’s the Cotswolds.”
“He’s a bit of a crazy cat.” Which was an understatement. “He’s called Dr Jekyll.” “Ah. The name says it all, really.”
She smiled, or tried to, but she felt strange inside, like part of her had just developed a hairline crack that was surely getting wider and wider.
My Review:
I'm decidedly irresolute and uncertain in how to rate this one; I kept waiting for the story to arc and climax and was still waiting upon completion of the tale. The writing and premise were thoughtfully executed and somewhat pensive, although not at all unpleasant. Serious topics and pertinent real-life issues were presented and handled in an informative and insightful manner. The storyline was relevant and realistic, although slowly paced, and featured a gentle and sweet soul named Olivia, who was a cubby bakery owner nearing forty with the dawning awareness of being left behind as her friends were moving on and progressing in their lives, while she wasn’t. Which, naturally, was disconcerting and causing her some restlessness and introspection. In addition to the hideously fatal blow to her ego of realizing she was nearing forty alone, her elderly mother began displaying alarming symptoms. A bright spot on her landscape was a somewhat disheveled yet personable man she dubbed “the cupcake man,” who periodically appeared in her bakery near closing. Although his light was not always bright, he quickly became important and worth the extra care and concern. I greatly appreciated the occasional hits of levity and wit, such as Olivia’s capricious cat who was aptly named Dr. Jekyll.
I did score a new addition to my Brit Word list with bolshie, which Mr. Google informed me was British informal and meant deliberately uncooperative. But one thing I still just cannot seem to wrap my tiny pea brain around was their Christmas tradition of fish pie. I fear I may have scorched the little green legume while allowing that to rattle around my cranium.
3.5
Favorite Quotes:
It had been a lovely surprise to find unexpected friends in a village where a single woman pushing forty was considered a bona fide spinster, someone who should invest in a plaid wheelie bag and a tabby cat.
“You are grossly undercharging, then. Cupcakes the size of a small rodent go for nearly five pounds in London.” “What an unappealing comparison,” Olivia returned with another laugh. “And this isn’t London, it’s the Cotswolds.”
“He’s a bit of a crazy cat.” Which was an understatement. “He’s called Dr Jekyll.” “Ah. The name says it all, really.”
She smiled, or tried to, but she felt strange inside, like part of her had just developed a hairline crack that was surely getting wider and wider.
My Review:
I'm decidedly irresolute and uncertain in how to rate this one; I kept waiting for the story to arc and climax and was still waiting upon completion of the tale. The writing and premise were thoughtfully executed and somewhat pensive, although not at all unpleasant. Serious topics and pertinent real-life issues were presented and handled in an informative and insightful manner. The storyline was relevant and realistic, although slowly paced, and featured a gentle and sweet soul named Olivia, who was a cubby bakery owner nearing forty with the dawning awareness of being left behind as her friends were moving on and progressing in their lives, while she wasn’t. Which, naturally, was disconcerting and causing her some restlessness and introspection. In addition to the hideously fatal blow to her ego of realizing she was nearing forty alone, her elderly mother began displaying alarming symptoms. A bright spot on her landscape was a somewhat disheveled yet personable man she dubbed “the cupcake man,” who periodically appeared in her bakery near closing. Although his light was not always bright, he quickly became important and worth the extra care and concern. I greatly appreciated the occasional hits of levity and wit, such as Olivia’s capricious cat who was aptly named Dr. Jekyll.
I did score a new addition to my Brit Word list with bolshie, which Mr. Google informed me was British informal and meant deliberately uncooperative. But one thing I still just cannot seem to wrap my tiny pea brain around was their Christmas tradition of fish pie. I fear I may have scorched the little green legume while allowing that to rattle around my cranium.
December 29, 2024
A small town cupcake shop, brings in a cutie! 🥰
October 25, 2018
Kate Hewitt is an author that I’ve lost count of how many books that I’ve managed to read at this point but seeing I’m reviewing yet another you can probably guess that I do enjoy her writing. The last book I had read was more of a domestic drama but Cupcakes for Christmas returns to what I’m most familiar with of her work, a contemporary romance with this one being set during the holiday season.
Olivia James is the owner of her own little tea and sweet shop that had once belonged to her mother. Olivia and her mother had always been close living about the shop together until recently when she turned the business over to Olivia and retired and moved into her own place.
Olivia had been experimenting with new ideas for the shop when she decides on trying out different cupcakes to hopefully expand her business. One day Simon Blacklock stumbles into the shop and his quirky nature wins Olivia over so when he promises to keep visiting for more cupcakes Olivia finds herself looking forward to his visits.
Cupcakes for Christmas is the type of book that is just as much heartbreaking as it is heartwarming. The couple within this story were both immediately likable and their meeting and getting to know one another quite sweet. Both however have issues in their lives that are quite heartbreaking and bringing that into each other’s lives only made them seem stronger so overall I found this quite the touching read with a bit heavier subject matter.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Olivia James is the owner of her own little tea and sweet shop that had once belonged to her mother. Olivia and her mother had always been close living about the shop together until recently when she turned the business over to Olivia and retired and moved into her own place.
Olivia had been experimenting with new ideas for the shop when she decides on trying out different cupcakes to hopefully expand her business. One day Simon Blacklock stumbles into the shop and his quirky nature wins Olivia over so when he promises to keep visiting for more cupcakes Olivia finds herself looking forward to his visits.
Cupcakes for Christmas is the type of book that is just as much heartbreaking as it is heartwarming. The couple within this story were both immediately likable and their meeting and getting to know one another quite sweet. Both however have issues in their lives that are quite heartbreaking and bringing that into each other’s lives only made them seem stronger so overall I found this quite the touching read with a bit heavier subject matter.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
November 19, 2022
Christmas 2021 - Nice
Bittersweet story about a woman in her 40's dealing with a struggling tea shop, her mother's health issues, and finding true love for the first time. Like many of these stories it was more set at Christmas than ABOUT Christmas, but it had a bit more depth to it.
Bittersweet story about a woman in her 40's dealing with a struggling tea shop, her mother's health issues, and finding true love for the first time. Like many of these stories it was more set at Christmas than ABOUT Christmas, but it had a bit more depth to it.
December 30, 2020
Pleasant contemporary romance set around the holidays. A little thin on plot, with not very well developed characters.
November 25, 2018
What is more fun than reading about Christmas and baking, baking cupcakes at that. Olivia James runs a tea and bakeshop on Cotswold village of Wychwood-on-Lea. Olivia is always the bridesmaid but never the bride, she bakes the most delectable cakes but will she ever get to make a cake for herself? As she works she meets new to town, Simon who returns each day to buy a cupcake from her. Simon and Olivia each have some things going on in their life that they are dealing with but it doesn't affect their relationship and they are understanding of each other's faults and weaknesses. A fun romantic holiday read that just feels good reading!
Pub Date 25 Oct 2018
I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Tule Publishing through NetGalley. Thank you. All opinions expressed are my own.
Pub Date 25 Oct 2018
I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Tule Publishing through NetGalley. Thank you. All opinions expressed are my own.
December 10, 2024
Cupcakes for Christmas by Kate Hewitt is a holiday romance that makes the reader smile. Olivia, a bakery owner, bakes festive cupcakes while celebrating the holidays with her friends. She meets Simon. The bakery is charming and a perfect place to meet a holiday beau, Simon.
The romance slow but sweet leading to a journey of love and discovery of new insecurities and fighting old ones. A simple slow, holiday romance.
The romance slow but sweet leading to a journey of love and discovery of new insecurities and fighting old ones. A simple slow, holiday romance.
December 5, 2018
An absolutely blissful setting - a teashop in the Cotswolds and delicious cakes! It really sets the scene for a wonderfully cosy read. Romance is in the air but will the secrets in the past be overccome to provide a happy ever after.
There are some very touching moments and some more serious issues are also explored. I love Christmas books and I'm really glad that this one joined my festive reading list. I always enjoy Kate Hewitt's books and this one was a real winner
There are some very touching moments and some more serious issues are also explored. I love Christmas books and I'm really glad that this one joined my festive reading list. I always enjoy Kate Hewitt's books and this one was a real winner
December 19, 2020
This was kind of a melancholy Christmas story. I didn’t really care too much for the characters but I also didn’t hate them or the book. It was just ok
November 24, 2020
I have read a couple of books in the previous Willoughby Close series so was great to be back in the lovely cosy setting of the small village. This series focuses on a different set of characters though so you don’t need to worry about not having read the previous series, although I guarantee you will no doubt want to when you have devoured this book.
Be warned, if you have a sweet tooth, reading parts to do with the different flavoured cupcakes was torture. I’m partial to a cupcake or two and these sounded sublime. Especially the Nutella and salted caramel! If I could bake I would have been straight into the kitchen baking up a storm. Sadly I’m not so I settled down and got comfy with my Kindle and immersed myself into Olivia’s story.
There are some quite tender and emotional parts within this story to do with Tina, Olivia’s mum and Simon, the love interest. I did have to wipe a tear or two away but overall it is an uplifting read of new relationships, family and coming together and facing things head on. You can’t help but kept swept up in this new romance.
Cupcakes for Christmas is a wonderfully festive story that brings true meaning to what life is all about. Its a delightful and cosy read that leaves you feeling all warm and content. Another heartfelt and lovely story and can’t wait to read more in the series.
Be warned, if you have a sweet tooth, reading parts to do with the different flavoured cupcakes was torture. I’m partial to a cupcake or two and these sounded sublime. Especially the Nutella and salted caramel! If I could bake I would have been straight into the kitchen baking up a storm. Sadly I’m not so I settled down and got comfy with my Kindle and immersed myself into Olivia’s story.
There are some quite tender and emotional parts within this story to do with Tina, Olivia’s mum and Simon, the love interest. I did have to wipe a tear or two away but overall it is an uplifting read of new relationships, family and coming together and facing things head on. You can’t help but kept swept up in this new romance.
Cupcakes for Christmas is a wonderfully festive story that brings true meaning to what life is all about. Its a delightful and cosy read that leaves you feeling all warm and content. Another heartfelt and lovely story and can’t wait to read more in the series.
December 14, 2023
Sweat and touching.
December 11, 2022
Cupcakes at Christmas!?!
'The Twelve Days of cupcakes' promo at a Cotswold tea shop?!
🙋♀️ Yes, please!
This was a perfect palate cleanser between psychological suspense books! Hewitt is an auto-read author for me and I was wanting to jump start my festive spirit...which had been sputtering and threatening to stall this week. 😁
Hewitt finds a way to delicately broach depression and Alzheimers while highlighting fresh starts and taking risks in a sweet romance.
I loved that this had authentic characters facing real life challenges and I appreciated the reminder that loving and supporting someone sometimes means getting caught up in their grief.
If you are looking for a quick read, a clean romance and a not-so-in-your-face Christmas read, this is for you!
'The Twelve Days of cupcakes' promo at a Cotswold tea shop?!
🙋♀️ Yes, please!
This was a perfect palate cleanser between psychological suspense books! Hewitt is an auto-read author for me and I was wanting to jump start my festive spirit...which had been sputtering and threatening to stall this week. 😁
Hewitt finds a way to delicately broach depression and Alzheimers while highlighting fresh starts and taking risks in a sweet romance.
I loved that this had authentic characters facing real life challenges and I appreciated the reminder that loving and supporting someone sometimes means getting caught up in their grief.
If you are looking for a quick read, a clean romance and a not-so-in-your-face Christmas read, this is for you!
December 14, 2018
https://celebrityreaders.com/2018/12/...
I received a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review/opinion.
3 stars — Well, I ended up disappointed. This one just didn’t follow any formula I know, and I ended up feeling like I was slogging through the reading. Part of that is that the writing style isn’t a good match for me…it felt a bit verbose, and that’s not to my personal taste. Which is not to say it was badly written, I just have a low tolerance for that. It was also a very slow romance, and since we only had Olivia’s POV, it was very confusing and frustrating as well. Honestly, at times it felt more like women’s fiction than romance.
This book tackled some interesting topics, but they left me feeling kind of down at the end of it. It tackles a few mental health issues, including Olivia’s mother getting older, and it did so in a very realistic way. Which isn’t a bad thing, but sometimes I want my fiction to have a bigger, clearer reward, and that was missing for me. The same for the other mental health topic tackled, which I can’t go into without spoilers.
Olivia was a character I liked, but never really connected with. I’m not entirely sure I can pinpoint why, but I just never really empathized with her the way I should have. Which is not to say I didn’t feel for her struggles with loneliness and the changes in her life, but only to a degree I guess.
As for Simon…well, I wanted to love him, but I just didn’t know a lot about him since we never got his POV, and he really wasn’t in the story enough. He was adorably awkward and dorky, and I was drawn to that. But he was also cryptic and unreliable, and so it made it hard to connect.
And as such it made it hard to invest in their romance as well. I wanted to, but I just didn’t. There were some great sweet moments, but it just wasn’t enough. Perhaps if we’d gotten some answers earlier on and saw Olivia and Simon working through that, it would have worked for me more.
So yeah. A lot to say that it was okay, but only okay.
I received a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review/opinion.
3 stars — Well, I ended up disappointed. This one just didn’t follow any formula I know, and I ended up feeling like I was slogging through the reading. Part of that is that the writing style isn’t a good match for me…it felt a bit verbose, and that’s not to my personal taste. Which is not to say it was badly written, I just have a low tolerance for that. It was also a very slow romance, and since we only had Olivia’s POV, it was very confusing and frustrating as well. Honestly, at times it felt more like women’s fiction than romance.
This book tackled some interesting topics, but they left me feeling kind of down at the end of it. It tackles a few mental health issues, including Olivia’s mother getting older, and it did so in a very realistic way. Which isn’t a bad thing, but sometimes I want my fiction to have a bigger, clearer reward, and that was missing for me. The same for the other mental health topic tackled, which I can’t go into without spoilers.
Olivia was a character I liked, but never really connected with. I’m not entirely sure I can pinpoint why, but I just never really empathized with her the way I should have. Which is not to say I didn’t feel for her struggles with loneliness and the changes in her life, but only to a degree I guess.
As for Simon…well, I wanted to love him, but I just didn’t know a lot about him since we never got his POV, and he really wasn’t in the story enough. He was adorably awkward and dorky, and I was drawn to that. But he was also cryptic and unreliable, and so it made it hard to connect.
And as such it made it hard to invest in their romance as well. I wanted to, but I just didn’t. There were some great sweet moments, but it just wasn’t enough. Perhaps if we’d gotten some answers earlier on and saw Olivia and Simon working through that, it would have worked for me more.
So yeah. A lot to say that it was okay, but only okay.
September 10, 2018
I really enjoyed this book it's quite a quick read and throughly excellent from the first page. Has you in tears at times and laughing at others it's so well written. The characters are brilliant and the story is so true to life and shoes how we have many challenges to face but with friendship we can do. It's heartbreaking, heartwarming and romantic and about family and friends. Of course full of lovely cupcakes as well you just want one to eat.
Olivia has been living about her cafe in a small town and her mum use to run the shop but she's moved to a retirement home. She has many struggles trying to keep the shop going and friends give her ideas to help and they suggest a different cupcake for each day leading up to Christmas and if at the end you have had one every day you get a free cupcake. She makes some wonderful cupcakes and one day a handsome man walks in and wants to buy one Olivia really starts to look forward to his visit each day to buy one her stomach turns is she falling in love. Her mother Tina comes in and she's burnt her arm so Simon offers to take them to the hospital and the hospital want her mum to have further tests on her memory. Simon and Olivia really start to enjoy being with each other but her friend starts to tell her he has a past but she wants Simon to tell her not friends. She learns he's lost a brother and struggled with it and lived with his sister but is now moving into willoughby close and as it gets closer to Christmas she's really falling for him but can sense he's not telling her something but will he tell her or will she learn through someone else. Her mother does have the start of dementia and she has to learn to cope with it but she can't get hold of Simon for support and how will she cope when she's given some news will she run or is she to much in love to walk away.
A brilliant read and can't wait for more to come. Worth more than five stars.
Olivia has been living about her cafe in a small town and her mum use to run the shop but she's moved to a retirement home. She has many struggles trying to keep the shop going and friends give her ideas to help and they suggest a different cupcake for each day leading up to Christmas and if at the end you have had one every day you get a free cupcake. She makes some wonderful cupcakes and one day a handsome man walks in and wants to buy one Olivia really starts to look forward to his visit each day to buy one her stomach turns is she falling in love. Her mother Tina comes in and she's burnt her arm so Simon offers to take them to the hospital and the hospital want her mum to have further tests on her memory. Simon and Olivia really start to enjoy being with each other but her friend starts to tell her he has a past but she wants Simon to tell her not friends. She learns he's lost a brother and struggled with it and lived with his sister but is now moving into willoughby close and as it gets closer to Christmas she's really falling for him but can sense he's not telling her something but will he tell her or will she learn through someone else. Her mother does have the start of dementia and she has to learn to cope with it but she can't get hold of Simon for support and how will she cope when she's given some news will she run or is she to much in love to walk away.
A brilliant read and can't wait for more to come. Worth more than five stars.
December 20, 2024
Story 3.75 stars. Narration 4.5 stars
This started out rather charming with an almost 40 year old woman who runs a tea shop in an English village. She meets a new man in town and they slowly get to know each other. Simon has more than one secret though and although Olivia knows one of them, she doesn’t know all of them. This causes a major problem. On top of that, Olivia’s mother is in the process of being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. And, it’s almost Christmas and cupcakes are on special-hence the name.
I wasn’t expecting the turn this story took. No spoilers but I will say that I think the story could have been helped by adding more to this part of the book. I was left feeling the book was a bit unfinished even with the epilogue. That’s why I didn’t give it the full 4 stars although I did round up.
This started out rather charming with an almost 40 year old woman who runs a tea shop in an English village. She meets a new man in town and they slowly get to know each other. Simon has more than one secret though and although Olivia knows one of them, she doesn’t know all of them. This causes a major problem. On top of that, Olivia’s mother is in the process of being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. And, it’s almost Christmas and cupcakes are on special-hence the name.
I wasn’t expecting the turn this story took. No spoilers but I will say that I think the story could have been helped by adding more to this part of the book. I was left feeling the book was a bit unfinished even with the epilogue. That’s why I didn’t give it the full 4 stars although I did round up.
December 5, 2023
3 Stars
I've only read this for a Readathon as I needed a "Holiday Read", it was okay, not my favourite and knowing there was a focus on dementia I probably would have read something more uplifting. It's just a personal preference!
The ending was a bit meh because it was all very sudden and yes we may have seen hints of Mental Health it just, I don't know. As someone who has my own Mental Health issues I wish there would of been more.
Parts of this were cute and I liked the relationship but I just wanted something a bit more.
I've only read this for a Readathon as I needed a "Holiday Read", it was okay, not my favourite and knowing there was a focus on dementia I probably would have read something more uplifting. It's just a personal preference!
The ending was a bit meh because it was all very sudden and yes we may have seen hints of Mental Health it just, I don't know. As someone who has my own Mental Health issues I wish there would of been more.
Parts of this were cute and I liked the relationship but I just wanted something a bit more.
December 1, 2023
I’m so glad I chose this book for my first day of 24 Christmas books. It was an emotional, sweet, wonderful story. If you want a sweet short ‘slow burn’ romance, this is the book for you. And bonus it’s a series, so if you love it, the story can continue.
December 2, 2024
This was a really cute quick read. It deals with a few serious issues but overall it’s cute.
November 22, 2022
I downloaded this book on sale from Chirp because it looked like a really cute and fluffy holiday book.
I enjoyed this book so much but for different reasons than I initially thought.
***Mild Spoiler Alert/Trigger Warning***
This story does discuss Alzheimer’s and Depression.
Having lost my mom recently and she was also in the early stages of dementia, I almost stopped reading this book. I started to watch a Hallmark movie recently and had to do the same.
However, I did finish this story and found it to be a bit therapeutic for me. The author did a great and respectful job with this.
So this book wasn’t the light fluff that I thought I wanted but was a little more emotional therapy that I actually needed.
I’m looking forward to reading more.
I enjoyed this book so much but for different reasons than I initially thought.
***Mild Spoiler Alert/Trigger Warning***
This story does discuss Alzheimer’s and Depression.
Having lost my mom recently and she was also in the early stages of dementia, I almost stopped reading this book. I started to watch a Hallmark movie recently and had to do the same.
However, I did finish this story and found it to be a bit therapeutic for me. The author did a great and respectful job with this.
So this book wasn’t the light fluff that I thought I wanted but was a little more emotional therapy that I actually needed.
I’m looking forward to reading more.
October 14, 2018
A lovely festive book that touched on sad topics that are not always the norm for seasonal reads.
We meet Olivia and Simon in this delightful read. Olivia has taken over her mum's cafe, with a little help from a schoolgirl friend (who is an aspiring entrepreneur!) who advises Olivia to run a '12 days of Christmas' cupcake competition. Simon buys a cupcake one day but there is an instant spark between them which leads to him returning for more cupcakes and maybe a few dates! You will need to read it yourself to find out if the course of cupcake love runs smoothly...
The book more than touched on topics of dementia and mental health which brought something extra, it was quite short but I would have raced through regardless.
Needless to say I really enjoyed this despite it resonating deeply with the subject of Alzheimer's which was sensitively written and exactly how I'd expect a loved one to react, it is so difficult to deal with in reality and this was indeed how the book portrayed it.
After the ending there was a note about previous and future books from the same setting and I will be looking them up!
My thanks to Tule Publishing via NetGalley for providing me with this advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.
We meet Olivia and Simon in this delightful read. Olivia has taken over her mum's cafe, with a little help from a schoolgirl friend (who is an aspiring entrepreneur!) who advises Olivia to run a '12 days of Christmas' cupcake competition. Simon buys a cupcake one day but there is an instant spark between them which leads to him returning for more cupcakes and maybe a few dates! You will need to read it yourself to find out if the course of cupcake love runs smoothly...
The book more than touched on topics of dementia and mental health which brought something extra, it was quite short but I would have raced through regardless.
Needless to say I really enjoyed this despite it resonating deeply with the subject of Alzheimer's which was sensitively written and exactly how I'd expect a loved one to react, it is so difficult to deal with in reality and this was indeed how the book portrayed it.
After the ending there was a note about previous and future books from the same setting and I will be looking them up!
My thanks to Tule Publishing via NetGalley for providing me with this advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 19, 2018
First time I was reading a book from Kate Hewitt. I really enjoyed her writing and really enjoyed the story. This is a feel-good book that takes place around Christmas time and that is full of yummy cupcakes made by the lovely Olivia who up until now has a cozy life. She is single and has many good friends. One days comes in her little shop an interesting and charming man who will start to buy a cupcake from her everyday. This is a book full of cupcakes, romance but it also talks about a serious issue that is dementia, Alzheimer. I found this book very cozy but also very profound. It's quite a quick read and is part one of a series called "Return to Willoughby Close". I can't wait to read the second part and read more about Olivia and her friends! I can only warmly recommend this Christmassy book.
December 28, 2020
This is a light sweet romance and that's all I expected from it, but it has an unusual heroine (slightly older, slightly rounder, and generally more mature than average -- meaning mature in terms of her temperament, not that she's a senior). It also makes some nice, compassionate use of real life problems (Alzheimer's and depression, though that second one is resolved a bit fast). Very good first person voice. I had read another, earlier Willoughby Close book years ago and forgotten almost everything about it, so I can guarantee you don't need to have read them beforehand to enjoy this one. However, if you want to avoid spoilers (and never figure out ahead of time how a romance is going to end, which is hard to believe), you might want to read them in order.
December 8, 2021
A Christmas story involving cupcakes of many kinds. When Olivia meets Simon, there's something about him that draws her in, except that she's sure he's hiding something. What is it and why doesn't he tell her?
I loved the very British voice of this story, with place names like Wychwood-on-Lea and Willoughby Close, and unmistakable phrases such as, "that's a cracking idea," and "I'm on my way to the child-minders," "...a mom bought four [cupcakes] for her family's pudding that night..."
The cat, named Dr. Jekyll—for good reason—lightens the mood of the story, which deals with some serious themes, all woven into the comfortable fabric of the tiny Cotswald community.
I loved the very British voice of this story, with place names like Wychwood-on-Lea and Willoughby Close, and unmistakable phrases such as, "that's a cracking idea," and "I'm on my way to the child-minders," "...a mom bought four [cupcakes] for her family's pudding that night..."
The cat, named Dr. Jekyll—for good reason—lightens the mood of the story, which deals with some serious themes, all woven into the comfortable fabric of the tiny Cotswald community.
January 31, 2024
First Ive listened to from this author, a nice book just lighthearted reading after some heavy listening ones.
November 13, 2019
Three and a half stars.
It's nearly Christmas and Olivia James is feeling a little melancholy. All her friends are happily married and planning new futures, her mother has moved into assisted living accommodation in Witney and her cake shop/cafe is struggling to stay in the black. Then a chance encounter with a stranger brings some Christmas hope and magic into her heart. But in the real world things aren't always fairy lights and tinsel, there are problems and family and other issues.
This was a super sweet fun read where Olivia finds her own Christmas joy, despite a somewhat rocky road. Warning, the descriptions of the cupcakes Olivia makes as part of her Twelve Days of Christmas Cupcakes campaign will make dieting hard and could lead to tooth decay just reading them!
I read someone else's comment on another Kate Hewitt book about Americanisms creeping into her books and I have to say there were a couple here too. First, I don't know what Angel Hair pasta is, having googled it is Capellini, not something that I would ordinarily buy from Waitrose, secondly in the UK cider is alcoholic and so unsuitable for children or people who want a non-alcoholic beverage. But these are more gripes for the publisher than real issues with the novel.
So, does the fact that the cottages in Willoughby Close are soon to be empty signal a new set of tenants?
It's nearly Christmas and Olivia James is feeling a little melancholy. All her friends are happily married and planning new futures, her mother has moved into assisted living accommodation in Witney and her cake shop/cafe is struggling to stay in the black. Then a chance encounter with a stranger brings some Christmas hope and magic into her heart. But in the real world things aren't always fairy lights and tinsel, there are problems and family and other issues.
This was a super sweet fun read where Olivia finds her own Christmas joy, despite a somewhat rocky road. Warning, the descriptions of the cupcakes Olivia makes as part of her Twelve Days of Christmas Cupcakes campaign will make dieting hard and could lead to tooth decay just reading them!
I read someone else's comment on another Kate Hewitt book about Americanisms creeping into her books and I have to say there were a couple here too. First, I don't know what Angel Hair pasta is, having googled it is Capellini, not something that I would ordinarily buy from Waitrose, secondly in the UK cider is alcoholic and so unsuitable for children or people who want a non-alcoholic beverage. But these are more gripes for the publisher than real issues with the novel.
So, does the fact that the cottages in Willoughby Close are soon to be empty signal a new set of tenants?
October 30, 2018
Cupcakes for Christmas, written by author Kate Hewitt, is the perfect feel-good holiday romance. I am a fan of Kate Hewitt's books, and especially loved her Willoughby Close series. Cupcakes for Christmas is the first book in a new series, Return to Willoughby Close. Although reading the previous series is not required, I strongly recommend it. Kate Hewitt writes characters that we can all relate to...ones that live ordinary lives with everyday struggles.
Olivia James is almost forty-years-old, and she is still trying to adjust to the recent changes in her life. Her mother (Tina) decided to retire and move out of the apartment they shared above her mother's tea and bakery shop, Tea on the Lea. Now in charge of running the bakery, Olivia has accepted the fact that although she will continue to make wedding cakes for customers, she will never have one of her own. She would love to be in a relationship, but realizes that the clock is running out...the only one sharing her bed at night will be her mother's finicky cat, Dr. Jekyll. Her nights might be lonely, but her days are kept busy running the bakery and trying to find new ways to attract business. After receiving some suggestions, Olivia decides to go with a "Twelve Days of Cupcakes" promotion...featuring a different cupcake on each of the twelve days leading up to Christmas. On the first day of the new promotion, she meets a handsome stranger...a man that has given Olivia a renewed sense of hope.
Simon Blacklock is the new music teacher in the town of Wychwood. Late one afternoon, he decides to stop in Tea on the Lea. He has a hard time deciding what to buy, and that is when Olivia explains that it is the first day of the "Twelve Days of Cupcakes" promotion. If he comes in every day for twelve days and buys the featured cupcake, he will receive a free cupcake after the promotion. Intrigued, Simon agrees to come back....especially since it will give him the opportunity to get to know Olivia better.
The story that unfolds is a roller-coaster of emotions. Olivia and Simon seem to be the perfect match...close to the same age, both lonely, and both attracted to one another. Olivia learns early on the Simon is hiding something, and Harriet's gossip confirms her suspicions. However, Olivia has a few secrets of her own, and she is determined to get to know Simon herself and ignore the gossip. Tina, Olivia's mother, is a character that most will be able to relate to, and at the same time, she is going through something we all hope never happens to our own loved ones. The characters are all extremely well-written, and the supporting cast of characters add the perfect balance to the story...including the moody Dr. Jekyll. Without revealing the details, the author handles some difficult topics, and she handles these topics with a caring and thoughtful approach.
Overall, this is a beautifully written story that focuses on love and romance, friendship and family, and the struggles we all face in our daily lives. The setting is one fans of Kate Hewitt will be familiar with, and one that feels like going home. If you are new to this author, you will fall in love with the residents of this small, close-knit community. Of course, it takes place over the holiday season...and the spirit of the holiday season is the perfect backdrop to this uplifting story. I absolutely fell in love with the characters, and I am looking forward to the next book in the Return to Willoughby Close series.
I would like to thank Tule Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review Cupcakes for Christmas. My views are my own, and are in no way influenced by anyone else.
Olivia James is almost forty-years-old, and she is still trying to adjust to the recent changes in her life. Her mother (Tina) decided to retire and move out of the apartment they shared above her mother's tea and bakery shop, Tea on the Lea. Now in charge of running the bakery, Olivia has accepted the fact that although she will continue to make wedding cakes for customers, she will never have one of her own. She would love to be in a relationship, but realizes that the clock is running out...the only one sharing her bed at night will be her mother's finicky cat, Dr. Jekyll. Her nights might be lonely, but her days are kept busy running the bakery and trying to find new ways to attract business. After receiving some suggestions, Olivia decides to go with a "Twelve Days of Cupcakes" promotion...featuring a different cupcake on each of the twelve days leading up to Christmas. On the first day of the new promotion, she meets a handsome stranger...a man that has given Olivia a renewed sense of hope.
Simon Blacklock is the new music teacher in the town of Wychwood. Late one afternoon, he decides to stop in Tea on the Lea. He has a hard time deciding what to buy, and that is when Olivia explains that it is the first day of the "Twelve Days of Cupcakes" promotion. If he comes in every day for twelve days and buys the featured cupcake, he will receive a free cupcake after the promotion. Intrigued, Simon agrees to come back....especially since it will give him the opportunity to get to know Olivia better.
The story that unfolds is a roller-coaster of emotions. Olivia and Simon seem to be the perfect match...close to the same age, both lonely, and both attracted to one another. Olivia learns early on the Simon is hiding something, and Harriet's gossip confirms her suspicions. However, Olivia has a few secrets of her own, and she is determined to get to know Simon herself and ignore the gossip. Tina, Olivia's mother, is a character that most will be able to relate to, and at the same time, she is going through something we all hope never happens to our own loved ones. The characters are all extremely well-written, and the supporting cast of characters add the perfect balance to the story...including the moody Dr. Jekyll. Without revealing the details, the author handles some difficult topics, and she handles these topics with a caring and thoughtful approach.
Overall, this is a beautifully written story that focuses on love and romance, friendship and family, and the struggles we all face in our daily lives. The setting is one fans of Kate Hewitt will be familiar with, and one that feels like going home. If you are new to this author, you will fall in love with the residents of this small, close-knit community. Of course, it takes place over the holiday season...and the spirit of the holiday season is the perfect backdrop to this uplifting story. I absolutely fell in love with the characters, and I am looking forward to the next book in the Return to Willoughby Close series.
I would like to thank Tule Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review Cupcakes for Christmas. My views are my own, and are in no way influenced by anyone else.
January 5, 2024
Tea shop/bakery owner Olivia has accepted being single until meeting Simon. Will he become more than just a customer?
I enjoyed the writing style, the characters, and the bakery setting, but overall, it was just ok.
Location: Wychwood, England
I enjoyed the writing style, the characters, and the bakery setting, but overall, it was just ok.
Location: Wychwood, England
December 21, 2024
Oddly more profound than one would expect from a book titled “Cupcakes for Christmas.”
December 24, 2020
Good women's fiction
My Rating System
5 stars--WOW
4 stars--would read again
3 stars--was good, won't read again
2 stars--read it, but didn't enjoy it
1 star--didn't finish, it was so awful
Do I need to read books before this one: no, but I get the impression her friends each have a book, but I can't find them
Cliffhanger: no
Summary
39yo Olivia has taken over her mom's tea shop, and Tina (mom) has moved to a retirement community nearby. Olivia's friend's teenager suggests she run a Twelve Days of Christmas Cupcakes deal, a different flavor every day, only a dozen made each day, and loyal customers get a free cupcake at the end. A man about her age comes in, they talk a bit, he buys a cupcake. He thinks the Twelve Days is a fun idea, and he'll be back. Olivia is tired of being a support character in everyone else's life, and is ready to star in hers. Over the course of the book, Tina exhibits some memory problems and Simon is sometimes guarded.
Evaluation
This author writes real characters with real problems. She addresses mental health issues with dignity, kindness, and hope. While the romance is sweet, and Christmas is a nice setting, this story is more women's fiction, telling us how Olivia's life changes in relation to her mom's dementia and how she learns to risk trusting a man. I enjoyed this story; I enjoyed Hewitt's A Vicarage Christmas more.
Recommendation
It's a good story. It'll ring truer to those who have experience with dementia and severe depression. My family has depression, but not as severe as what's addressed herein.
Favorite Quotes
Baking was love.
The cello, the instrument closest to the human voice, the sound beautiful, emotional, a little melancholy.
“Memory loss or confusion is not actually a normal part of ageing,” the doctor said kindly. “So if you are experiencing those symptoms, it is important to get tested.”
“I’d rather be gauche than jaded. Naïve rather than cynical.”
Take each moment and hold it in her hand. Savour what—and when—she could.
Dr Jekyll was in Mr Hyde mode.
“Diagnoses are good things,” Simon said seriously. “Knowing what’s wrong with you, being able to get the proper help and medication...” He hesitated. “That’s really valuable.”
“Mum, I love you so much, you know. I don’t tell you often enough...” “Yes, you do, darling. But you can always tell me again, just as I’ll tell you. I love you. That will never change. No matter how much I forget.” Tina’s lips trembled. “Even if I forget who I am, or who you are. Please know that, darling. Know I’ll always, always love you. I’ll always be proud of who you are, all the things you’ve done. You’re my brightest star, Olivia. Never forget that, even if I do.”
Knowing was always better than not knowing...and fearing what you didn’t know.
“You don’t even know what you’re agreeing to, Olivia. What you’re letting yourself in for.” “No, but then neither do you. No one does. This isn’t some social contract, Simon, weighing the pros and the cons. This is me, all in for you, and you all in for me. That’s the kind of relationship I want, not some balancing of the scales.”
Possible Triggers (spoilers)
Sex: kisses
Language: 0 F words, 0 Lord's name in vain, 0 S words
Violence: none
Critique (spoilers)
Who was eating Simon's cupcakes? Why doesn't he eat them himself? He doesn't need to watch his weight….
My Rating System
5 stars--WOW
4 stars--would read again
3 stars--was good, won't read again
2 stars--read it, but didn't enjoy it
1 star--didn't finish, it was so awful
Do I need to read books before this one: no, but I get the impression her friends each have a book, but I can't find them
Cliffhanger: no
Summary
39yo Olivia has taken over her mom's tea shop, and Tina (mom) has moved to a retirement community nearby. Olivia's friend's teenager suggests she run a Twelve Days of Christmas Cupcakes deal, a different flavor every day, only a dozen made each day, and loyal customers get a free cupcake at the end. A man about her age comes in, they talk a bit, he buys a cupcake. He thinks the Twelve Days is a fun idea, and he'll be back. Olivia is tired of being a support character in everyone else's life, and is ready to star in hers. Over the course of the book, Tina exhibits some memory problems and Simon is sometimes guarded.
Evaluation
This author writes real characters with real problems. She addresses mental health issues with dignity, kindness, and hope. While the romance is sweet, and Christmas is a nice setting, this story is more women's fiction, telling us how Olivia's life changes in relation to her mom's dementia and how she learns to risk trusting a man. I enjoyed this story; I enjoyed Hewitt's A Vicarage Christmas more.
Recommendation
It's a good story. It'll ring truer to those who have experience with dementia and severe depression. My family has depression, but not as severe as what's addressed herein.
Favorite Quotes
Baking was love.
The cello, the instrument closest to the human voice, the sound beautiful, emotional, a little melancholy.
“Memory loss or confusion is not actually a normal part of ageing,” the doctor said kindly. “So if you are experiencing those symptoms, it is important to get tested.”
“I’d rather be gauche than jaded. Naïve rather than cynical.”
Take each moment and hold it in her hand. Savour what—and when—she could.
Dr Jekyll was in Mr Hyde mode.
“Diagnoses are good things,” Simon said seriously. “Knowing what’s wrong with you, being able to get the proper help and medication...” He hesitated. “That’s really valuable.”
“Mum, I love you so much, you know. I don’t tell you often enough...” “Yes, you do, darling. But you can always tell me again, just as I’ll tell you. I love you. That will never change. No matter how much I forget.” Tina’s lips trembled. “Even if I forget who I am, or who you are. Please know that, darling. Know I’ll always, always love you. I’ll always be proud of who you are, all the things you’ve done. You’re my brightest star, Olivia. Never forget that, even if I do.”
Knowing was always better than not knowing...and fearing what you didn’t know.
“You don’t even know what you’re agreeing to, Olivia. What you’re letting yourself in for.” “No, but then neither do you. No one does. This isn’t some social contract, Simon, weighing the pros and the cons. This is me, all in for you, and you all in for me. That’s the kind of relationship I want, not some balancing of the scales.”
Possible Triggers (spoilers)
Sex: kisses
Language: 0 F words, 0 Lord's name in vain, 0 S words
Violence: none
Critique (spoilers)
Who was eating Simon's cupcakes? Why doesn't he eat them himself? He doesn't need to watch his weight….
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