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Summer at the Cornish Garden Café
Come to Cornwall and spend some time at the charming Cornish Garden Café. Surrounded by a beautiful, peaceful garden, the café is a haven at any time of the year. Breathe in the clean sea air, listen to the waves crashing against the shore and relax while you sip a refreshing drink and enjoy a tasty bite to eat…
Freelance journalist, Lena Teller, is renting a cottage in Cornwall for the summer. After a few challenging years, she’s decided to start writing her first romance novel and feels that three months of sun, sea, and cream teas will be the perfect inspiration.
Former professional footballer, Thomas Dryden, comes to stay in Cornwall with his sister, Marnie, and her family. Following an accident that left him with both physical and mental scars, he felt he had no choice but to quit the game. Thomas isn’t sure what comes next but knows that he needs to recover and spending some time in Cornwall seems like a good first step.
When Lena and Thomas meet, there’s a spark of attraction but both are wary. Their backgrounds are very different, and they both have heavy emotional baggage. Just as it seems like romance is blossoming, a story about Thomas appears online and he withdraws while he tries to work out if Lena has betrayed him.
Will Lena and Thomas find a way to trust each other, or will their doubts mean that this was never going to be more than a summer fling?
Freelance journalist, Lena Teller, is renting a cottage in Cornwall for the summer. After a few challenging years, she’s decided to start writing her first romance novel and feels that three months of sun, sea, and cream teas will be the perfect inspiration.
Former professional footballer, Thomas Dryden, comes to stay in Cornwall with his sister, Marnie, and her family. Following an accident that left him with both physical and mental scars, he felt he had no choice but to quit the game. Thomas isn’t sure what comes next but knows that he needs to recover and spending some time in Cornwall seems like a good first step.
When Lena and Thomas meet, there’s a spark of attraction but both are wary. Their backgrounds are very different, and they both have heavy emotional baggage. Just as it seems like romance is blossoming, a story about Thomas appears online and he withdraws while he tries to work out if Lena has betrayed him.
Will Lena and Thomas find a way to trust each other, or will their doubts mean that this was never going to be more than a summer fling?
197 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 31, 2025
238 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Griffiths
49 books136 followersRachel Griffiths is an author, wife, mother, Earl Grey tea drinker, gin enthusiast, dog walker and fan of the afternoon nap. She loves to read, write and spend time with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 17, 2025
Loved this !!
This was book two in the series that centres around the garden cafe set in Cornwall village by the sea. This story is about two completely different characters, their family and their pasts. You can read this story as a standalone book, ie- you don't need to read the first one to enjoy this one, however would recommend it as it's very good and enjoyable.I
It's about two different people who come together, who both have scars mentally and physically and how they overcome their issues.
From someone who has scars myself after a couple of operations i could easily relate to their story and found it moving at times.
This is a great book and Rachel continues to write excellent stories with relatable characters.
Well done Rachel another easy to read thoroughly enjoyable book and I look forward to reading the next one (Autumn ).
This was book two in the series that centres around the garden cafe set in Cornwall village by the sea. This story is about two completely different characters, their family and their pasts. You can read this story as a standalone book, ie- you don't need to read the first one to enjoy this one, however would recommend it as it's very good and enjoyable.I
It's about two different people who come together, who both have scars mentally and physically and how they overcome their issues.
From someone who has scars myself after a couple of operations i could easily relate to their story and found it moving at times.
This is a great book and Rachel continues to write excellent stories with relatable characters.
Well done Rachel another easy to read thoroughly enjoyable book and I look forward to reading the next one (Autumn ).
April 4, 2025
Thomas has been living in Porthpenny since he was involved in an accident which finished his career and left him scarred. Lena is on an extended break from work and temporarily living in Porthpenny trying to decide what she wants to do about her job and life.
When they meet initially they don’t get on but slowly they get to know each other and bond over a love of dogs.
A slow burn romantic story proving love overcomes all obstacles.
When they meet initially they don’t get on but slowly they get to know each other and bond over a love of dogs.
A slow burn romantic story proving love overcomes all obstacles.
April 2, 2025
An absolutely lovely story
I loved reading this book, it was such a beautiful story about two people who had to get over there issues. I can't wait for the next book in this series.
I loved reading this book, it was such a beautiful story about two people who had to get over there issues. I can't wait for the next book in this series.
December 13, 2025
The Summer at Cornish Garden Café by Rachel Griffiths feels very much like a modern fairytale. It’s gentle, wholesome, and wrapped in so much sweetness that it occasionally borders on sickly. That said, I did enjoy it overall. It’s an easy, comforting read that doesn’t demand much from the reader.
The story is simple and predictable, which will suit anyone looking for something light and cosy, but the characters themselves didn’t really grab me. Most of them felt a little flat and safe. Marnie was my favourite character of all and she wasn't one of the main two.
I listened to the audiobook, and while the narrator’s voice mostly worked well with the conservative, sweet tone of the story, there was a noticeable whistle in her speech at times that irked me. Once past that her narration just added to the overall soft, fairytale-like vibe.
All in all, a pleasant and uncomplicated read that's maybe nice for a lazy afternoon, but not one that will linger long after the last page.
Thankyou to Netgalley and Bolinda Audio for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.
The story is simple and predictable, which will suit anyone looking for something light and cosy, but the characters themselves didn’t really grab me. Most of them felt a little flat and safe. Marnie was my favourite character of all and she wasn't one of the main two.
I listened to the audiobook, and while the narrator’s voice mostly worked well with the conservative, sweet tone of the story, there was a noticeable whistle in her speech at times that irked me. Once past that her narration just added to the overall soft, fairytale-like vibe.
All in all, a pleasant and uncomplicated read that's maybe nice for a lazy afternoon, but not one that will linger long after the last page.
Thankyou to Netgalley and Bolinda Audio for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.
December 16, 2025
This is my first book from Rachel Griffiths, but it won't be my last.
When Lena moves to Cornwall for the summer to try and write a novel, hating her job as a journalist in London, the last thing she is looking for is romance.
Thomas has moved to Cornwall to be near his sister and her growing family, having had to give up his career as a professional footballer following a car accident.
This is a lovely story of learning to trust, taking time out and finding new friendships. That coupled with some gorgeous dogs from the local animal sanctuary, make this a lovely read.
A heartwarming, easy read, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
When Lena moves to Cornwall for the summer to try and write a novel, hating her job as a journalist in London, the last thing she is looking for is romance.
Thomas has moved to Cornwall to be near his sister and her growing family, having had to give up his career as a professional footballer following a car accident.
This is a lovely story of learning to trust, taking time out and finding new friendships. That coupled with some gorgeous dogs from the local animal sanctuary, make this a lovely read.
A heartwarming, easy read, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
December 9, 2025
Book two in the series. Rachel has come to Cornwall leaving her job as a journalist to write her first novel. At the cafe she will meet Thomas who lost his football career after a serious accident. Will they become friends or maybe more.
Very well written and well narrated novel (I listened to the audiobook). Good characters in a well paced novel. Our main characters have difficult pasts and need to believe in themselves to move forward in their lives. A very enjoyable novel.
Very well written and well narrated novel (I listened to the audiobook). Good characters in a well paced novel. Our main characters have difficult pasts and need to believe in themselves to move forward in their lives. A very enjoyable novel.
January 9, 2026
Summer at the Cornish Garden Café by Rachel Griffiths and narrated by Emma Powell is the second book in the Cornish Garden Café series and what a lovely sweet audiobook this was, it was so heart warming and beautifully written it will make a cold miserable day outside nice and cosy inside. Now, Roll on the warm weather.
The narrator Emma Powell was perfect and I loved listening to this audiobook.
The narrator Emma Powell was perfect and I loved listening to this audiobook.
June 11, 2025
Wonderful
Loved reading this book about Lena & Thomas and their new beginnings. Such a lighthearted story, an easy read and one which I didn't want to end. Looking forward to reading the next chapter of the Cornish Garden Cafe
Loved reading this book about Lena & Thomas and their new beginnings. Such a lighthearted story, an easy read and one which I didn't want to end. Looking forward to reading the next chapter of the Cornish Garden Cafe
April 21, 2025
Enjoyable
Enjoyed this story of how the characters got together. Kept me with lovely ending.
Easy reading as usual from Rachel Griffiths.
Looking
Enjoyed this story of how the characters got together. Kept me with lovely ending.
Easy reading as usual from Rachel Griffiths.
Looking
May 22, 2025
The perfect short story!! Loved the characters and the storyline. The setting for this whole book was perfect!
July 8, 2025
I really enjoyed the second of this series, two people whoʻ both have their own baggage. Can they overcome their difficulties?
September 26, 2025
A lovely story with the trials and tribulations of modern relationships, but had a lovely feel good ending and beautifully written, I’m straight onto the next in the series😁😁
November 6, 2025
Delightful, easy read
Lovely writing.
Enjoyed the sweet story, was able to get lost in the book. Would recommend ! Looking forward to the next one
Lovely writing.
Enjoyed the sweet story, was able to get lost in the book. Would recommend ! Looking forward to the next one
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews