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The Sweet Life Café
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Expected 17 Jan 26The BRAND NEW, deliciously romantic feel-good read from BESTSELLER Helen Rolfe 🍰 When sisters Addie and Susanna receive invitations to a memorial for their Aunt Gayle, they’re heartbroken to learn the woman who raised them has passed away. But arriving on Anchor Island, they’re met with the shock of their Gayle is alive and well, busily preparing her own 'Celebration of Life' at her beloved pudding bar, The Sweet Life Café.
Agreeing to stay for the event, the sisters begin sorting through their late father’s belongings, reopening wounds they thought long buried, and forcing them to reflect on their lives since leaving the island. Addie is struggling as a single mother, torn between love for her son and doubts about the life she can give him. Susanna’s marriage is crumbling, and being back on the island only reminds her why she couldn’t wait to escape.
But as Gayle prepares gooey brownies, steaming lattes and delicious cakes for her customers, and for her big event, she is hiding secrets of her own – including one that could change everything the sisters thought they knew about their family...
Agreeing to stay for the event, the sisters begin sorting through their late father’s belongings, reopening wounds they thought long buried, and forcing them to reflect on their lives since leaving the island. Addie is struggling as a single mother, torn between love for her son and doubts about the life she can give him. Susanna’s marriage is crumbling, and being back on the island only reminds her why she couldn’t wait to escape.
But as Gayle prepares gooey brownies, steaming lattes and delicious cakes for her customers, and for her big event, she is hiding secrets of her own – including one that could change everything the sisters thought they knew about their family...
303 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication January 17, 2026
26 people want to read
About the author
Helen Rolfe
69 books128 followersHelen Rolfe also writes as Helen J. Rolfe
Helen Rolfe writes contemporary women's fiction and enjoys weaving stories about family, friendship, secrets, and relationships. Characters often face challenges and must fight to overcome them, but above all, Helen's stories always have a happy ending.
Location is a big part of the adventure in Helen's books and she enjoys setting stories in different cities and countries around the world. So far, locations have included Melbourne, Sydney, New York, Connecticut, Bath and the Cotswolds. She also loves creating village settings or places with a small-town feel and a big sense of community.
Born and raised in the UK, Helen graduated from University with a business degree and began working in I.T. This job took her over to Australia where she eventually turned her attentions back to the career she'd dreamt of when she was fourteen. She studied writing and journalism and wrote articles for women's health and fitness magazines. Helen began writing fiction in 2011 and hasn't missed the I.T. world one little bit... in fact she may just have found her dream job!
To learn more about Helen, find her at:
www.helenjrolfe.com
https://www.facebook.com/helenjrolfew...
https://twitter.com/hjrolfe
https://www.instagram.com/helen_j_rolfe/
Helen Rolfe writes contemporary women's fiction and enjoys weaving stories about family, friendship, secrets, and relationships. Characters often face challenges and must fight to overcome them, but above all, Helen's stories always have a happy ending.
Location is a big part of the adventure in Helen's books and she enjoys setting stories in different cities and countries around the world. So far, locations have included Melbourne, Sydney, New York, Connecticut, Bath and the Cotswolds. She also loves creating village settings or places with a small-town feel and a big sense of community.
Born and raised in the UK, Helen graduated from University with a business degree and began working in I.T. This job took her over to Australia where she eventually turned her attentions back to the career she'd dreamt of when she was fourteen. She studied writing and journalism and wrote articles for women's health and fitness magazines. Helen began writing fiction in 2011 and hasn't missed the I.T. world one little bit... in fact she may just have found her dream job!
To learn more about Helen, find her at:
www.helenjrolfe.com
https://www.facebook.com/helenjrolfew...
https://twitter.com/hjrolfe
https://www.instagram.com/helen_j_rolfe/
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Originally posted on Dreaming With Open Eyes
A heartwarming return to family, forgiveness, and the sweetest of second chances.
👨👩👧👧 Family Secrets | 💞 Found Family | 👀 Third-Person Narrative | 🔄 Four POVs | 🧁 Full of Baking Delights | 🇬🇧 Cambridge & London / 🏝️ Anchor Island
When I spotted The Sweet Life Café on NetGalley, its bright yellow cover and charming design instantly caught my attention. I realized it had been far too long since I’d read a Helen Rolfe novel, so requesting it felt like the perfect choice. Thankfully, my request was approved quickly, and I wasted no time diving into the story.
This novel follows the lives of two sisters, Addie and Susanna, now in their thirties and forties. After losing their parents at a very young age, they were raised by their aunt Gayle on the idyllic Anchor Island. As life took them in different directions—university, careers, and relationships on the mainland—the sisters gradually lost touch. Decades later, they are unexpectedly reunited after receiving invitations to their aunt’s funeral.
However, upon arriving on Anchor Island, they are stunned to discover that Gayle is very much alive and busy organizing her own Celebration of Life at her beloved pudding bar, The Sweet Life Café. From this intriguing and slightly eccentric premise unfolds a story about reconnecting with family before it’s too late, long-buried secrets, forgiveness, and the gentle, healing magic of island life.
Helen Rolfe’s writing style shines here just as it does in her other novels. I was consistently compelled to keep reading, eager to see how everything would unfold. The tone is soft, comforting, and reflective, although at times the pacing felt a little slow and drawn out. That said, the multiple points of view work well, allowing readers to truly get to know the characters and understand their motivations.
Addie, a single mother, is torn between her deep love for her son and her doubts about whether she can give him the life he deserves. Susanna, on the other hand, is facing a failing marriage, and her return to Anchor Island only reinforces why she was so desperate to leave in the first place. I’ll admit I found Susanna quite hard work initially and struggled to connect with her, but she did grow on me by the end, which I appreciated.
One of my favourite aspects of the book was the setting. The descriptions of Anchor Island are so vivid and atmospheric that I could easily picture this small, peaceful, and picturesque place. It felt like somewhere I’d love to escape to myself, preferably with a piece of pudding from the café in hand.
My main criticisms are the slow pacing and the predictability of the plot. I worked out the central secret fairly early on, and as the story progressed, I felt confident that there would be few real surprises. Additionally, I found certain subplots unnecessary, particularly Susanna’s suspicion that her husband was cheating, as well as everything involving Mateo, which ultimately felt redundant given how it all resolved.
Overall, The Sweet Life Café is a cosy, emotional read filled with family drama, heartfelt moments, and mouth-watering baking scenes. While it didn’t surprise me and occasionally dragged, it still delivered a warm, comforting story about healing old wounds and finding your way back to the people—and places—that matter most. 🍰💛
I kindly received this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much Boldwood Books.
A heartwarming return to family, forgiveness, and the sweetest of second chances.
👨👩👧👧 Family Secrets | 💞 Found Family | 👀 Third-Person Narrative | 🔄 Four POVs | 🧁 Full of Baking Delights | 🇬🇧 Cambridge & London / 🏝️ Anchor Island
When I spotted The Sweet Life Café on NetGalley, its bright yellow cover and charming design instantly caught my attention. I realized it had been far too long since I’d read a Helen Rolfe novel, so requesting it felt like the perfect choice. Thankfully, my request was approved quickly, and I wasted no time diving into the story.
This novel follows the lives of two sisters, Addie and Susanna, now in their thirties and forties. After losing their parents at a very young age, they were raised by their aunt Gayle on the idyllic Anchor Island. As life took them in different directions—university, careers, and relationships on the mainland—the sisters gradually lost touch. Decades later, they are unexpectedly reunited after receiving invitations to their aunt’s funeral.
However, upon arriving on Anchor Island, they are stunned to discover that Gayle is very much alive and busy organizing her own Celebration of Life at her beloved pudding bar, The Sweet Life Café. From this intriguing and slightly eccentric premise unfolds a story about reconnecting with family before it’s too late, long-buried secrets, forgiveness, and the gentle, healing magic of island life.
Helen Rolfe’s writing style shines here just as it does in her other novels. I was consistently compelled to keep reading, eager to see how everything would unfold. The tone is soft, comforting, and reflective, although at times the pacing felt a little slow and drawn out. That said, the multiple points of view work well, allowing readers to truly get to know the characters and understand their motivations.
Addie, a single mother, is torn between her deep love for her son and her doubts about whether she can give him the life he deserves. Susanna, on the other hand, is facing a failing marriage, and her return to Anchor Island only reinforces why she was so desperate to leave in the first place. I’ll admit I found Susanna quite hard work initially and struggled to connect with her, but she did grow on me by the end, which I appreciated.
One of my favourite aspects of the book was the setting. The descriptions of Anchor Island are so vivid and atmospheric that I could easily picture this small, peaceful, and picturesque place. It felt like somewhere I’d love to escape to myself, preferably with a piece of pudding from the café in hand.
My main criticisms are the slow pacing and the predictability of the plot. I worked out the central secret fairly early on, and as the story progressed, I felt confident that there would be few real surprises. Additionally, I found certain subplots unnecessary, particularly Susanna’s suspicion that her husband was cheating, as well as everything involving Mateo, which ultimately felt redundant given how it all resolved.
Overall, The Sweet Life Café is a cosy, emotional read filled with family drama, heartfelt moments, and mouth-watering baking scenes. While it didn’t surprise me and occasionally dragged, it still delivered a warm, comforting story about healing old wounds and finding your way back to the people—and places—that matter most. 🍰💛
I kindly received this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much Boldwood Books.
Read
December 22, 2025Puddings, family, grief and secrets make an intriguing narrative in The Sweet Life Café, along with a living Funeral, which creates a long overdue meeting of Aunt and Nieces on the small but lovely Anchor Island.
Sisters Addie and Suzanna Rafferty have not returned to Anchor Island other than very briefly in the years since they left to attend University, establishing their own lives and in Addie’s case becoming a mother of seven-year-old Isaac.
When they receive an invitation to their Aunt Gayle Rafferty’s Funeral they are both devastated, each for their own reasons, both reluctantly agreeing to go back to the Island one last time. Suzanna’s marriage is at an all-time low and Addie is wondering if there is more to life than working in a job that does not fill her with happiness.
As they draw closer to the Island, they both begin to realise that there are so many ghosts that perhaps need attending too from the years they lived there with their Aunt after the death of their parents; Suzanna always pushing back determined to leave there forever once she could and Addie agreeing to a pact to do the same.
All does not go as planned and the Funeral is not exactly their Aunts funeral! Their Aunt who is very much alive, has invited them back for a very specific reason, issuing the invitation to what was meant to be a ‘living Funeral’ to ensure they both would come.
As the days pass everyone has to face up to the issues that have caused them to hold on to old secrets and deeply held hurt that must be bought into the light of day before anyone can heal from the tragedy of the past and they can begin to rebuild their lives as a family once again.
The Sweet Life Café is a gem of a story laced with generous helpings of pudding as fresh beginnings are there to be embraced, one delicious pudding at a time!!!
Sisters Addie and Suzanna Rafferty have not returned to Anchor Island other than very briefly in the years since they left to attend University, establishing their own lives and in Addie’s case becoming a mother of seven-year-old Isaac.
When they receive an invitation to their Aunt Gayle Rafferty’s Funeral they are both devastated, each for their own reasons, both reluctantly agreeing to go back to the Island one last time. Suzanna’s marriage is at an all-time low and Addie is wondering if there is more to life than working in a job that does not fill her with happiness.
As they draw closer to the Island, they both begin to realise that there are so many ghosts that perhaps need attending too from the years they lived there with their Aunt after the death of their parents; Suzanna always pushing back determined to leave there forever once she could and Addie agreeing to a pact to do the same.
All does not go as planned and the Funeral is not exactly their Aunts funeral! Their Aunt who is very much alive, has invited them back for a very specific reason, issuing the invitation to what was meant to be a ‘living Funeral’ to ensure they both would come.
As the days pass everyone has to face up to the issues that have caused them to hold on to old secrets and deeply held hurt that must be bought into the light of day before anyone can heal from the tragedy of the past and they can begin to rebuild their lives as a family once again.
The Sweet Life Café is a gem of a story laced with generous helpings of pudding as fresh beginnings are there to be embraced, one delicious pudding at a time!!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This story, kept me reading because there were so many things that they didn't know because communicating to each other was hard. When Addie and Susanna's father passed away, instead of staying with their grand[parents who they knew, their father had a will that said they would be going to their Aunt Gayle on Anchor Island. Aunt Gayle never had children so she didn't know what to do with them. When they graduated from high school, they left and hadn't come back.
Then they got an invitation to Aunt Gayle's funeral, and they decided to go back because she did give them a home. When they arrive, they were shocked to see Aunt Gayle, and she told them it was supposed to be a living funeral because she wanted to see them before she died, but she messed up and forgot the living when she had the invites printed.
It starts out rough but, it does begin to change, as Addie and Susanna start walking around the island and memories began to surface. They discover secrets going through their father's boxes, which had been there for many years. As the days go by, they each learn things about themselves, about each other, and they have to decide, are they going to work at having a relationship or walk away again. It was a book, I enjoyed because there was twist and turns, making decisions and facing the choices they had each made, and what they would decide to do and what their future would look like.
I received an ARC from Boldwood Books through NetGalley,
Then they got an invitation to Aunt Gayle's funeral, and they decided to go back because she did give them a home. When they arrive, they were shocked to see Aunt Gayle, and she told them it was supposed to be a living funeral because she wanted to see them before she died, but she messed up and forgot the living when she had the invites printed.
It starts out rough but, it does begin to change, as Addie and Susanna start walking around the island and memories began to surface. They discover secrets going through their father's boxes, which had been there for many years. As the days go by, they each learn things about themselves, about each other, and they have to decide, are they going to work at having a relationship or walk away again. It was a book, I enjoyed because there was twist and turns, making decisions and facing the choices they had each made, and what they would decide to do and what their future would look like.
I received an ARC from Boldwood Books through NetGalley,
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Helen Rolfe’s The Sweet Life Café is a deliciously heartwarming story about family, forgiveness, and the healing power of home. Set on Anchor Island, the novel blends the comfort of gooey brownies and steaming lattes with the complexities of strained relationships and long-buried secrets.
At its heart are sisters Addie and Susanna, returning to the island for what they believe is their aunt Gayle’s memorial—only to discover she is very much alive and planning her own “Celebration of Life.” This twist sets the stage for a tender exploration of grief, resilience, and rediscovery. Addie’s struggles as a single mother and Susanna’s crumbling marriage are portrayed with honesty and warmth, making their journeys deeply relatable.
Rolfe’s writing shines in the way she captures the cozy charm of The Sweet Life Café while weaving in emotional depth. Gayle herself is a delightful presence—baking cakes and brewing coffee while quietly guarding secrets that could change everything the sisters thought they knew about their family.
The Sweet Life Café is a feel-good read with heart, perfect for fans of Shari Low, Heidi Swain, and Cathy Bramley. It’s uplifting, romantic, and full of Rolfe’s trademark warmth—a story that reminds us that sometimes the sweetest things in life are found when we come home.
with thanks to Helen Rolfe, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
At its heart are sisters Addie and Susanna, returning to the island for what they believe is their aunt Gayle’s memorial—only to discover she is very much alive and planning her own “Celebration of Life.” This twist sets the stage for a tender exploration of grief, resilience, and rediscovery. Addie’s struggles as a single mother and Susanna’s crumbling marriage are portrayed with honesty and warmth, making their journeys deeply relatable.
Rolfe’s writing shines in the way she captures the cozy charm of The Sweet Life Café while weaving in emotional depth. Gayle herself is a delightful presence—baking cakes and brewing coffee while quietly guarding secrets that could change everything the sisters thought they knew about their family.
The Sweet Life Café is a feel-good read with heart, perfect for fans of Shari Low, Heidi Swain, and Cathy Bramley. It’s uplifting, romantic, and full of Rolfe’s trademark warmth—a story that reminds us that sometimes the sweetest things in life are found when we come home.
with thanks to Helen Rolfe, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Addie and Susanna lost both parents at a young age, moving to the beautiful Anchor island to be raised by their aunt Gayle. Decades later they both receive an invite to their aunts funeral, realising with great regret that things are now to late to repair they head to the island for the funeral. Upon arriving on the island and after letting themselves into their aunts cottage they are shocked to discover it was all a terrible mistake …… aunt Gayle is alive, she had missed an important word off the invite…… living… this was a living funeral. Can the 3 of them repair things from the past.
I did find this book slow in parts, but overall I enjoyed it, it was a nice easy read.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for the ARC of this book in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are my own.
I did find this book slow in parts, but overall I enjoyed it, it was a nice easy read.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for the ARC of this book in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are my own.
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December 23, 2025The Sweet Life Cafe by Helen Rolfe ⭐⭐⭐⭐
An emotional, family drama, grief and hidden secrets.
Two sisters receive an invitation to their Aunt Gayle's funeral.
Both girls decide to return to Anchor Island. Both going for different reasons. Addie a single mom, struggling with being good enough to give her son the life he deserves. Susanna getting away from a failing marriage.
Arriving to the island they discover Aunt Gayle is very much alive.
And we can't forget about the delicious puddings.
The story and location are described to the point it feels real and inviting.
Pre-order your copy today for a January 17th release date.
Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood books for the advanced copy for my honest review.
An emotional, family drama, grief and hidden secrets.
Two sisters receive an invitation to their Aunt Gayle's funeral.
Both girls decide to return to Anchor Island. Both going for different reasons. Addie a single mom, struggling with being good enough to give her son the life he deserves. Susanna getting away from a failing marriage.
Arriving to the island they discover Aunt Gayle is very much alive.
And we can't forget about the delicious puddings.
The story and location are described to the point it feels real and inviting.
Pre-order your copy today for a January 17th release date.
Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood books for the advanced copy for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Sweet Life Café has a title that made me feel it was going to be good. Any book about sisters is a must for me, and so is anything by Helen Rolfe. I was sad about their Aunt Gayle.
Them I was overjoyed to find she hadn't.
This was a great twist and the book is a real emotional rollercoaster.
The café is cosy and ampspheric and so is the island.
5 stars
Thanks to Helen Rolfe and Boldwood Books for my eARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.
Them I was overjoyed to find she hadn't.
This was a great twist and the book is a real emotional rollercoaster.
The café is cosy and ampspheric and so is the island.
5 stars
Thanks to Helen Rolfe and Boldwood Books for my eARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.
December 11, 2025
Sisters Addie and Susannah receive a notice for a funeral for their Aunt Gayle, who raised them after losing both of their parents. When they arrive, they receive a shock that she is indeed alive.
This story has:
- family secrets
- romance
- sweet kids
- a love of baking
- making up with family that you've fallen out with
- being a single mother
- love and loss
- running a cafe
- loss of parents at an early age
I enjoyed this story of family secrets and love. I'm looking forward to reading more by this author.
Thanks to @boldwoodbooks, @netgalley, and the author for this arc.
This story has:
- family secrets
- romance
- sweet kids
- a love of baking
- making up with family that you've fallen out with
- being a single mother
- love and loss
- running a cafe
- loss of parents at an early age
I enjoyed this story of family secrets and love. I'm looking forward to reading more by this author.
Thanks to @boldwoodbooks, @netgalley, and the author for this arc.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Although I was originally wanting more from this book, I found that this was just the gentle read that I needed. I loved the setting and how well it was described which enabled me to picture this small idyllic island. I usually find this type of family drama style story a bit irritating but this was done in a way that I found quite engaging.
December 19, 2025
A sweet and engaging story about family. Not necessarily the typical one, but what real life makes it to be. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the ladies in this story. Some surprises along the way. It kept me turning the pages. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A lovely story about reconnecting with family and that it is never too late to make amends. I enjoyed the lovely characters and the beautiful location a quick read, but a good one.
Full disclosure - I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Full disclosure - I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
December 14, 2025
A good story about families who lose contact and everything that’s in between. A good cast of characters with back stories.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.
December 26, 2025
I love this authors books and this one was a cosy heartwarming yet at times heartbreaking emotional read with engaging characters and a beautiful setting and a story of making decisions and second chances and rebuilding family relationships.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews