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The Beach Café #3
Christmas Gifts at the Beach Café
With her Cornish Beach Café closed for the winter, Evie Flynn should be looking forward to lazy days and a happy Christmas, with nothing more pressing to think about than when to have her next mince pie.
But her sister Ruth is coming to stay, in a cloud of heartbreak and bitterness following her marriage breakdown, along with her three unhappy children, and Evie knows she'll have her work cut out, trying to spread some festive cheer. Then her boyfriend Ed breaks the news that he's going to spend Christmas in London, for family reasons, and her heart sinks even further.
Add in to the mix a lost dog plus the hotly contested village Christmas bake-off and before long, Evie is feeling the strain. But there are still a few surprises in store for her, that look set to make this Beach Café Christmas the most memorable one yet...
But her sister Ruth is coming to stay, in a cloud of heartbreak and bitterness following her marriage breakdown, along with her three unhappy children, and Evie knows she'll have her work cut out, trying to spread some festive cheer. Then her boyfriend Ed breaks the news that he's going to spend Christmas in London, for family reasons, and her heart sinks even further.
Add in to the mix a lost dog plus the hotly contested village Christmas bake-off and before long, Evie is feeling the strain. But there are still a few surprises in store for her, that look set to make this Beach Café Christmas the most memorable one yet...
90 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 6, 2014
77 people are currently reading
1394 people want to read
About the author
Lucy Diamond
82 books1,426 followersLibrarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
First of all, a confession. My name isn’t really Lucy Diamond at all, it’s Sue Mongredien. I’ve used a pen name because ‘Diamond’ is a lot easier to spell and pronounce than ‘Mongredien’ and also because I’ve written lots of children’s books too and wanted to keep the genres separate. (There is actually another Lucy Diamond on Amazon who writes religious children’s books. That isn’t me, though.)
I was born in 1970 and grew up in Nottingham. I read English at Leeds University then moved to London and worked for various publishers before I packed it all in to go travelling around the world for a year and a half. When I came back to the UK, I worked in publishing again, then moved to the BBC. I now live in Bath with my husband and three young children and divide my time between writing and looking after them. You can have a look at my children’s books here.
Favourite things: beaches, holidays, chocolate, wine, reading, Green Wing, bubble baths, sunshine, hearing my children laugh, babysitters
Favourite books: The Magus (John Fowles), The Edible Woman (Margaret Atwood), The Secret History (Donna Tartt), The Colour of Memory (Geoff Dyer)
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
First of all, a confession. My name isn’t really Lucy Diamond at all, it’s Sue Mongredien. I’ve used a pen name because ‘Diamond’ is a lot easier to spell and pronounce than ‘Mongredien’ and also because I’ve written lots of children’s books too and wanted to keep the genres separate. (There is actually another Lucy Diamond on Amazon who writes religious children’s books. That isn’t me, though.)
I was born in 1970 and grew up in Nottingham. I read English at Leeds University then moved to London and worked for various publishers before I packed it all in to go travelling around the world for a year and a half. When I came back to the UK, I worked in publishing again, then moved to the BBC. I now live in Bath with my husband and three young children and divide my time between writing and looking after them. You can have a look at my children’s books here.
Favourite things: beaches, holidays, chocolate, wine, reading, Green Wing, bubble baths, sunshine, hearing my children laugh, babysitters
Favourite books: The Magus (John Fowles), The Edible Woman (Margaret Atwood), The Secret History (Donna Tartt), The Colour of Memory (Geoff Dyer)
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
June 26, 2015
Everyone who's read and enjoyed Lucy Diamonds previous Beach Cafe books will love this book.
We revisit Evie and Ed back in their Cornish village just before Christmas. This year they've invited along one of Evie's sisters who's having her own crisis, and her kids for Christmas; so again Evie is wondering if she'll ever get a "perfect" romantic Christmas with just her and Ed.
However after something happens, which I'm sure anyone who reads this book will guess, maybe Evie will still have the best Christmas ever?
This book is a little different to the previous beach cafe books, as it's told from two different perspectives-Evie's and her sisters. I personally quite enjoyed seeing things through another persons eyes as it made me warm further towards Ruth and understand her more.
My only issue is the book was just too short - hahahaha. I know it's a novella, but it just left me wanting more. I'm really hoping that Lucy Diamond may decide to write another full length Beach Cafe Book. Although I can't complain too much as if she writes a book each Christmas so we can see how Evie and co are doing, then that will satisfy some cravings!
We revisit Evie and Ed back in their Cornish village just before Christmas. This year they've invited along one of Evie's sisters who's having her own crisis, and her kids for Christmas; so again Evie is wondering if she'll ever get a "perfect" romantic Christmas with just her and Ed.
However after something happens, which I'm sure anyone who reads this book will guess, maybe Evie will still have the best Christmas ever?
This book is a little different to the previous beach cafe books, as it's told from two different perspectives-Evie's and her sisters. I personally quite enjoyed seeing things through another persons eyes as it made me warm further towards Ruth and understand her more.
My only issue is the book was just too short - hahahaha. I know it's a novella, but it just left me wanting more. I'm really hoping that Lucy Diamond may decide to write another full length Beach Cafe Book. Although I can't complain too much as if she writes a book each Christmas so we can see how Evie and co are doing, then that will satisfy some cravings!
December 28, 2017
Wederom een super cute en fluffy boek. Hier mogen er wel meer van komen. Gelukkig staat er nog een novella op de lijst om te lezen!
November 29, 2014
A real treasure of a Christmas read back at the beloved Beach Cafe. It was lovely to catch up with Evie and Ed.
They are looking forward to a wonderful Christmas by the sea, full of magical moments. But Evie extended an invitation to her newly seperated sister and her children and she's not so sure that they will add to the festive atmosphere. Then Ed drops a bombshell- he cant' leave his mum on her own over Christmas. It's their first one without his dad and they will both be very upset and looking to comfort each other.
Evie has to swallow her true feelings about the loss of her perfect Christmas vision- and send him off to see his mum with her blessings and lots of christmas parcels for the big day.
She is so tired- Ed leaving must have really affected her and she's not convinced she'll be able to deal with her sister. But the Beach cafe spreads it's blissful feel over everyone and lost dogs and bake offs add to the atmosphere and provide some smiles.
There are some wonderful surprises in store which wrap this book into the most wonderful Christmas experience. I really can't wait to catch up with them again.
They are looking forward to a wonderful Christmas by the sea, full of magical moments. But Evie extended an invitation to her newly seperated sister and her children and she's not so sure that they will add to the festive atmosphere. Then Ed drops a bombshell- he cant' leave his mum on her own over Christmas. It's their first one without his dad and they will both be very upset and looking to comfort each other.
Evie has to swallow her true feelings about the loss of her perfect Christmas vision- and send him off to see his mum with her blessings and lots of christmas parcels for the big day.
She is so tired- Ed leaving must have really affected her and she's not convinced she'll be able to deal with her sister. But the Beach cafe spreads it's blissful feel over everyone and lost dogs and bake offs add to the atmosphere and provide some smiles.
There are some wonderful surprises in store which wrap this book into the most wonderful Christmas experience. I really can't wait to catch up with them again.
Read
November 25, 2021OMG this one was so fun! I loved it!
This story had alot more substance than the first Beach Cafe novella, Christmas at the Beach Cafe. There was more adventure, more characters came back into this story so it truly felt like I was reading more context regarding the original book!
This story had alot more substance than the first Beach Cafe novella, Christmas at the Beach Cafe. There was more adventure, more characters came back into this story so it truly felt like I was reading more context regarding the original book!
November 28, 2017
Evie was looking forward to lazy days and a happy christmas with her boyfriend Ed, but things takes a turn when her days are filled with tearful phone calls from her heartbroken sister Ruth and black funeral clothes. And not to mention Ruth and her three children coming to stay with them for a whole week this christmas. It seemed like a good idea inviting them back in July, but agreeing to take care of all the cooking and relieving her from stress, Evie is feeling the strain.
It was a short and sweet book, only 90 pages or so, not really that much time to connect to the characters. I thought it was nice, definitely gave me some of that christmas feeling.
It was a short and sweet book, only 90 pages or so, not really that much time to connect to the characters. I thought it was nice, definitely gave me some of that christmas feeling.
December 8, 2020
I listened to this on audiobook.
I'm not usually one for short stories as they tend to leave me feeling incomplete as the story wasn't long enough or felt like so much was missing and wishing it was a full length story.
However thankfully I didn't feel like that with this little story, and the reason why is because this was a little follow on from book one which is a full length story.
I loved being reaquainted with the characters and seeing how they all were, it bought back fond memories of book one as it was a few years ago that I'd read it.
One thing i will say for other readers put there, if you're going to read this, make sure you've read the main book (book one) and another short story (book two) before then reading this short story which is book three, it'll make for a much more enjoyable escapism.
I'm not usually one for short stories as they tend to leave me feeling incomplete as the story wasn't long enough or felt like so much was missing and wishing it was a full length story.
However thankfully I didn't feel like that with this little story, and the reason why is because this was a little follow on from book one which is a full length story.
I loved being reaquainted with the characters and seeing how they all were, it bought back fond memories of book one as it was a few years ago that I'd read it.
One thing i will say for other readers put there, if you're going to read this, make sure you've read the main book (book one) and another short story (book two) before then reading this short story which is book three, it'll make for a much more enjoyable escapism.
September 19, 2020
Another delightful instalment of the beach cafe series
This series is a lovely warm feeling type of read.
Perfect
This series is a lovely warm feeling type of read.
Perfect
May 25, 2016
Really good to hear more from everyone down in Cornwall and the beach cafe. Evie is getting ready for another Christmas and things haven't been easy as Ed lost his dad and he feels he should be with his mum at Christmas but Evie has invited her sister Ruth as she's divorced from her husband so Ed goes on his own but Evie misses him so much. Ruth arrives with all the children and she puts Evie on edge but can they work through issues and will Ruth come to terms with her divorce. Evie faints when at the pub and then has some excellent news for Ed but will he be happy a really good short story and lovely to hear how they all are getting on.
November 18, 2014
WoW.
Really loved this.
Fell even more in love with Evie and Ed.
Makes you want to go to Cornwall, go to their Beach Cafe, experience the Cornwall magic.
Totally hooked on everything from Lucy Diamond.
Can't wait for more ❤️
Really loved this.
Fell even more in love with Evie and Ed.
Makes you want to go to Cornwall, go to their Beach Cafe, experience the Cornwall magic.
Totally hooked on everything from Lucy Diamond.
Can't wait for more ❤️
January 18, 2015
Loved this novella from the beach cafe - it made me cry at the end. Cannot wait for the next installment.
December 30, 2015
Short story
Great short story read ... typical happy ending but non the less a feel good heartwarming read . Is there a part 2?
Great short story read ... typical happy ending but non the less a feel good heartwarming read . Is there a part 2?
March 28, 2016
Just finished the second short story about Evie's second Christmas at the Beach Cafe, I think I enjoyed this one more than the first. Rounds off the story of Evie and Ed lovely. Enjoy
November 23, 2016
Enjoyed this short Christmas read, would have been 3 stars, but it was a little too predictable.
December 2, 2018
I loved reading the first book which introduced Evie and Ed, and how they both came to own (and work) at the Beach Café that was left by Evie's aunt after her sudden passing. This book continued on from that point, in which Evie decides to host Christmas at her home, inviting her recently-divorced sister Ruth, and her three children (Isabel, Hugo, and Thea). At the beginning of the book, Ed and his mother, Victoria, are dealing with the death of their beloved father and husband, Michael. Ed then decides to spend Christmas in London with Victoria, while Evie is left to host her sister's family. With a variety of sub-plots taking place in the book, such as finding a dog named Bella, and Ruth's change-of-heart towards her ex-husband Tim, this book kept me intrigued from the beginning until the end. I loved reading about the relationship between Evie and Ed, which gave me hope for a bright future between the two of them, despite them not being able to spend some of the Christmas season together. There were some surprises which I was happy to read about, and would love to read more about in a sequel or two in the near future!
November 14, 2020
𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘢𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘮𝘺 𝘧𝘢𝘷𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘦 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳; 𝘐’𝘥 𝘢𝘳𝘨𝘶𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘶𝘥𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘦𝘭𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘵 “𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘱𝘪𝘥 𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘢𝘴”. 𝘌𝘹𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘮𝘺 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘌𝘥, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘮𝘺 𝘣𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳, 𝘣𝘢𝘯𝘥-𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘥. 𝘉𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘬𝘴.
Rating: 2.5/5
And a new short (really short) story begins again with our heroine Evie, set around 1 year after the last book, at Christmas time.
I’ve enjoyed this book considerably more than the last. The story and characters’ choices were much more believable, despite the lack of depth most of the emotions reached. Of course that being only 90 pages, it increases the difficulty for any character to aim at being multidimensional or to deepen any feelings. Despite not adding much to Evie’s character, this third installment did add something to Ruth’s though, which came up as a relatable and interesting character.
Overall, I liked the pacing of the book, as it didn’t try to fit all these events on such a short story, but I still found the writing lacking in energy and grip, and the story was quite predictable and cheesy. It’s still a cute easy-read, but it’s not likelyI’ll read it again.
Rating: 2.5/5
And a new short (really short) story begins again with our heroine Evie, set around 1 year after the last book, at Christmas time.
I’ve enjoyed this book considerably more than the last. The story and characters’ choices were much more believable, despite the lack of depth most of the emotions reached. Of course that being only 90 pages, it increases the difficulty for any character to aim at being multidimensional or to deepen any feelings. Despite not adding much to Evie’s character, this third installment did add something to Ruth’s though, which came up as a relatable and interesting character.
Overall, I liked the pacing of the book, as it didn’t try to fit all these events on such a short story, but I still found the writing lacking in energy and grip, and the story was quite predictable and cheesy. It’s still a cute easy-read, but it’s not likelyI’ll read it again.
December 14, 2025
Christmas Gifts at the Beach Café by Lucy Diamond
Blurb
With her Cornish Beach Café closed for the winter, Evie Flynn should be looking forward to lazy days and a happy Christmas, with nothing more pressing to think about than when to have her next mince pie.
But her sister Ruth is coming to stay, in a cloud of heartbreak and bitterness following her marriage breakdown, along with her three unhappy children, and Evie knows she'll have her work cut out, trying to spread some festive cheer. Then her boyfriend Ed breaks the news that he's going to spend Christmas in London, for family reasons, and her heart sinks even further.
Add in to the mix a lost dog plus the hotly contested village Christmas bake-off and before long, Evie is feeling the strain. But there are still a few surprises in store for her, that look set to make this Beach Café Christmas the most memorable one yet...
My Opinion
I have read Christmas Gifts at the Beach Café as a standalone, but it was still an enjoyable novella. With less than 100 pages, this was a quick read. Another delightful book by Lucy Diamond.
Rating 4/5
Blurb
With her Cornish Beach Café closed for the winter, Evie Flynn should be looking forward to lazy days and a happy Christmas, with nothing more pressing to think about than when to have her next mince pie.
But her sister Ruth is coming to stay, in a cloud of heartbreak and bitterness following her marriage breakdown, along with her three unhappy children, and Evie knows she'll have her work cut out, trying to spread some festive cheer. Then her boyfriend Ed breaks the news that he's going to spend Christmas in London, for family reasons, and her heart sinks even further.
Add in to the mix a lost dog plus the hotly contested village Christmas bake-off and before long, Evie is feeling the strain. But there are still a few surprises in store for her, that look set to make this Beach Café Christmas the most memorable one yet...
My Opinion
I have read Christmas Gifts at the Beach Café as a standalone, but it was still an enjoyable novella. With less than 100 pages, this was a quick read. Another delightful book by Lucy Diamond.
Rating 4/5
September 27, 2017
A really pleasant seasonal read to get anyone in the mood for the Christmas era.
We're in Cornwall again like all books and it's a cafe that Evie owns and runs with her boyfriend ED. Evie sister is divorcing love rat husband and trying to cope with life without him in Oxford with 3 kids. the whole family decide to visit Evie and Ed to feel better...
Ed has to leave Cornwall to look after his mum whose recently widowed and Evie is rushed off her feet with christmas preparations and having to care and lose a dog within days. Ed and his mother turn up unexpected, Evie finds out why she's so exhausted... but is it for the best??? it's such a sweet read.
If you need some Christmas spirit love and Cornish occurrences to make you smile, look no further. Lucy diamond is a brilliant writer with such a sense of happiness especially around Christmas time.
We're in Cornwall again like all books and it's a cafe that Evie owns and runs with her boyfriend ED. Evie sister is divorcing love rat husband and trying to cope with life without him in Oxford with 3 kids. the whole family decide to visit Evie and Ed to feel better...
Ed has to leave Cornwall to look after his mum whose recently widowed and Evie is rushed off her feet with christmas preparations and having to care and lose a dog within days. Ed and his mother turn up unexpected, Evie finds out why she's so exhausted... but is it for the best??? it's such a sweet read.
If you need some Christmas spirit love and Cornish occurrences to make you smile, look no further. Lucy diamond is a brilliant writer with such a sense of happiness especially around Christmas time.
December 21, 2021
I’ve never read any of the other beach cafe series so this one was my first dip into these books. I didn’t feel at a disadvantage for not having met the characters before and I loved this book! A perfect little festive read, so heartwarming and lovely, following Evie and Ruth as they all navigate their less than normal Christmas. Definitely going to have to carry on with this series and read the others!
November 3, 2024
É uma alegria enorme, enfim, poder dar cinco estrelas para esses personagens tão queridos. A evolução na escrita da autora é perceptível neste conto, e, sinceramente, não tenho nenhuma ressalva. Acompanhar o desenrolar da história foi maravilhoso, e o crescimento dos relacionamentos, tanto familiares quanto românticos, foi muito bem trabalhado. Um conto de Natal perfeito para aquecer o coração!
July 8, 2017
I found Lucy Diamond by accident, and have so enjoyed all of her books (except Summer with my Sister) and this one, continuing the stories of the Beach Cafe was great fun. Excellent holiday reading.
December 23, 2021
It went way over the cheeseometer scale at the end but I loved this one. The characters were interesting enough to get invested. Nice family Christmassy read. I now have to read the first one in the series having read stories 2 and 3 first! Recommended for a quick festive read.
June 13, 2023
Wonderful!
And life at the Beach Cafe just keeps on getting better and better... eagerly anticipating the next chapter 😁 Gorgeous story.. I'm in tears here...for good reason...thanks again Ms Diamond 5*
And life at the Beach Cafe just keeps on getting better and better... eagerly anticipating the next chapter 😁 Gorgeous story.. I'm in tears here...for good reason...thanks again Ms Diamond 5*
February 15, 2025
So, were back for another Christmas at the beach café with Evie and Ed. After the last instalment, I was really looking forward to this and I wasn’t disappointed.
This year’s visitors are Evie’s sister Ruth and her two children and Ed’s recently bereaved mother.
This year’s visitors are Evie’s sister Ruth and her two children and Ed’s recently bereaved mother.
August 12, 2017
A great read, as always, from Lucy Diamond.
December 26, 2017
Another sweet Christmas novella from Lucy Diamond.
December 19, 2017
Perfect short story
I Read this in one sitting! Lovely short story following the character of Evie set at the Beach Cafe at Christmas.
I Read this in one sitting! Lovely short story following the character of Evie set at the Beach Cafe at Christmas.
February 20, 2018
I guessed what the "health problem" was immediately, but it didn't detract from the story at all.
Lovely novella set in the beach cafe, and I really like Lucy Diamond's writing.
Lovely novella set in the beach cafe, and I really like Lucy Diamond's writing.
December 6, 2018
I kind of enjoyed this short Christmas read. There were a few laugh out loud moments, but it was slightly cheesy and very predictable.
December 2, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. It was mostly full of unexpected twists and festive turns.
December 19, 2019
So the second part I found was a little better, I loved reading about the kids and how good Evie is with them. I also loved how it all came together, I'm actually not sure if i liked
Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews