A Wedding at The Cornish Garden Café

by Rachel Griffiths

The Cornish Garden Café is the heart of the cosy village of Porthpenny, where friendships blossom, secrets linger and love sometimes finds its way home.
For Edith Whitlock, Porthpenny is her safe place, a quiet life surrounded by friends who have become family. But when Wyatt Simmons unexpectedly returns to the UK, his reappearance shatters the calm she’s worked so hard to build. Once, they shared dreams, laughter, and a love that ended without explanation when he went back to New York.
Now, thrown together by circumstance, Edith can’t ignore the spark that still lingers between them or the unanswered questions that stand in their way. As she begins to see the man behind the silence, old wounds and new hopes intertwine, and Edith must decide if she’s ready to open her heart again.
A moving story of second chances, small-town romance, forced proximity, found family, and the quiet courage it takes to heal from the past, set in the cosy world of The Cornish Garden Café.

256 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 3, 2025

About the author

Rachel 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.

Reviews

[Nic · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had looked forward to this so much because it sounded wonderfully cozy and charming, but unfortunately, it fell completely flat. In an effort to catch up readers like me, who haven’t read the previous installments in the series, the book begins with a clunky barrage of names I couldn’t keep up with. The info dumps were annoying and disorienting rather than grounding. The writing style as a whole left much to be desired, which good narrators often manage to smooth out a little, but in this instance, made it so much worse. It’s as though she sucked any charm out of the story, her delivery was so dry and staccato. There was no flow at all. Bummer!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bolinda Audio for the chance to review this audiobook for free!

[Amanda Hamilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the sweetest story. Although it is #5 on the series, I didn’t feel like I missed anything by starting here. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy!!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is my first read from this author, but it won't be my last.
A delightful story of Wyatt and Edith, meeting for the first time since their heartbreaking split years before.
When Wyatt appears during the planning of Finn and Titus's wedding, he is the last person Edith expects to see, having left for his home in America years before, breaking her heart in the process. When she discovers he is going to be best man, she is shocked and upset, but determined to be professional and make her friends' wedding perfect. When the wedding venue is ruined, Wyatt steps in to help her organise a new venue, and their relationship deepens once more, before Wyatt once again breaks things off.
When the wedding day arrives, Wyatt decides it is time to tell Edith his dark secret, hoping that it doesn't make her hate him all the more. He knows it's make or break, but can she ever forgive him for his past?.....
A truly lovely story of friendship, romance and community, I will be looking out for more books from this author.

[Morticia_is_Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really nice cosy romance. As with all cosy romances, you know how it's going to end, but does that spoil the journey? No, not at all. The story that unfolds along the way is delightful. I listened to this in 2 sittings.

Edith is a wedding planner and it's almost time for her friends' wedding to take place. A couple of weeks before the wedding, the best man flies in from the USA and it's none other than Edith's ex. The guy she never got over. It throws her into a complete spin.

Slowly Edith and Wyatt work through their differences and begin to bond once again. That is, until Wyatt takes a call from him mum and repeats his earlier mistake of pushing Edith away.

Will the two end up together or is being dumped twice just too much for Edith?

Narration is clear but awfully slow, I needed it on 1.75x

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Edith and Wyatt were college sweethearts, talking and dreaming of a life together. But when Wyatt went home before graduation, he came back different and eventually ghosted Edith.

Jump forward however many years and Edith (a wedding planner) is planning the wedding of her dear friends… who have invited Wyatt to be the best man. After a few super awkward reunions, it finally comes out they have a past. But can they find a future for themselves?

I think I’m tired of the “I’ve done something awful and don’t deserve love, so I’m only trying to protect you by leaving you” trope. It’s never really their fault. So, this is mostly a case of “it’s not you, it’s me.” The audiobook narrator was awesome. Real feeling in her narration.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bolinda Audio for early access to the audiobook. These opinions are my own.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot believe this is the last book in this series, well so far it is. I've loved every book and have binge reading all 5 books in a week.

Set in Porthpenny, a small village in Cornwall, around a Garden Cafe run by Pearl and ger Granddaughter Ellie. This book is about the wedding of Finn and Titus (we met them in the last book( and their wedding planner Edith.

Unbeknowns to Edith, Titus's best man is someone she knows very well. Will she be able to remain professional and do her job while remembering the man who broke her heart?

Every book in this series is a standalone story, but the books are best read in order of publication to preserve continuity of the characters and wider storyline.

If you like romance and feel good books, then this is the book and series for you. I will definitely be reading more books by this author.

[Jen Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a dreamy, small town read with surprising depth and emotion. Edith is planning the wedding of her two friends and this community is written perfectly. Her first and only love, Wyatt, is the best man. Seeing each other for the first time in 10 years is shocking and overwhelming. However, as they spend more time together, old feelings resurface, but uncertainty lingers as to what happened all those years ago and where to go now?

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. Going through this story wanting Wyatt to open up, and when he finally does, oh does it hurt! But the healing journey is so beautiful! Edith has such a positive outlook and her journey felt so real and heartfelt. Highly recommend!

[Herbibliomaniac · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5🌟 for the story, 4🌟 for the audio.

Cute cozy second chance romance. Wedding planner and the best man have a history that was left unfinished.

Narrated by Emma Powell. She brought life to these characters. It was easy to keep up with. Voice changes for characters was well done.

The story itself was good, not my favorite tropes, but I still very much enjoyed the listen.
The audio was really good though. I got all my yard work done listening at 3x.

I did not read the other books in the series and was just fine. I could tell there were areas where the story was expanded in another book but did not feel like I was missing anything.

Thanks to Bolinda Audio and Rachel Griffiths for sending for me an Alc to review.

[Dave Stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and heartwarming story

What a great story and Emotional ending. Plenty of dust in my eyes on this one.
Rachel delivers again on this well written book and her description of the places and village have you transported to them. The character's are great and whilst this is a book in the series, you can read it standalone.
It follows Edith and her relationship with Wyatt,who she knew when she was younger as a lover and then split up. Many years later and a chance meeting brought them back together along with their issues of why they broke up in the first place.
Great story, emotional and heartwarming. Fully recommend hence 5/5 stars.

[Lyzie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I jumped into this series in book 5, and even without the context from previous books, this was enjoyable enough as a quick, easy read with a warm small-town setting and a cosy community feel.

The second-chance romance between Edith and Wyatt had plenty of potential, but for me, it relied a little too much on withheld backstory rather than showing the relationship rebuilding on the page. I wanted more chemistry, communication, and emotional development between the main characters. Still a pleasant read overall, just not one that fully clicked for me.

[Maddison Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was just perfect for me. Lighthearted, warm and funny in parts but also emotional and covered some harder topics. Wyatt’s personal journey was done beautifully and Edith was just a loveable character. I’ll definitely be going back and reading the rest of the series. I did this as an audiobook and really loved the narrator, he voice was so soothing and easy to understand.

Thank you Belinda Audio and NetGalley for my ALC in return for my honest review

[Grace Power · Rating 5 out of 5]

How lovely to have The Cornish Garden Cafe used for a wedding venue. I love weddings and this gorgeous setting was described so beautifully that I actually felt quite emotional.
As with all weddings there are problems but nothing that couldn’t be overcome to give the happy couple their perfect day.
A dreamy, romantic read.

[Randa Burky · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC from NetGalley


Rachel Griffiths presents a book with deep scars and yet has a lighthearted feel from celebrating the wedding of friends at the same time. I am sad I didn’t notice this was a series prior to reading, but this was a great stand alone as well. I always want to give props to a writer than can cover men’s emotional health respectfully and shed any light on it.

[Tan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book cosy and hopeful! I’m always so happy to see gay marriages supported so positively! I love a good second-chance romance when the characters have such amazing development! Such success was achieved in their time apart and them coming together to celebrate their mutual friends relationship only complimented their talents! Love! Love! Love!

[christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wedding at The Cornish Garden Cafe

A delightful and enjoyable read. Kind, carrying, supportive characters. The charming community, and amazing views are breathtaking as they are described in this story. So if your looking for a book that's got all your looking for, well this series is it. So get your copy and get cozy. Enjoy

[penny robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Cornish Delight

A lovely set of books which can be read stand alone or the series. Rachel evokes perfectly the ambience of a Cornish Harbour town .
The characters as diverse as they are charming and the storylines main underlying theme that love conquers all.

[Kristyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wedding at The Cornish garden Cafe by Rachel Griffiths

This is a cozy heartwarming second chance romance .It is charming with small town vibes strong friendships and sense of community. I'm excited to go back and read the other stories in this series ! Thanks to NetGalley for the audiobook!

[Debbieafranklin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The wedding

I have really enjoyed this book it was like 2 stories in 1 I can't wait to read the next instalment of the cornish garden cafe I just can't wait.

[Bhavini Ranson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Another amazing book by Rachel Griffiths. Lovely story about love and also second chances. Follow the whole series. You won't diappointed

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful twist

The reason for them not being together wasn't what I was expecting. A mix of different peoples stories and how they were feeling.

[Julie Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely return

I loved being part of this wedding of Finn and Titus, with their family and friends. Such a lovely story

[Kacey/Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable cozy read. Perfect for a day on the beach this coming summer. Romance and betrayal what could be better.

[Trish Hills · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started this series ar book 5, but that didn't affect my enjoyment of this book!

The story is exactly what you'd hope for from Rachel. It's heartwarming, emotional, sweet, funny, and joyous! I loved the characters and especially the non-binary representation with the wedding celebrant.

Then idyllic location of Cornwall instantly had me hooked too.

I listened to the audiobook from Netgalley