The Sweet Life Café

by Helen Rolfe

The 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...

303 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 17, 2026

About the author

Helen 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/

Reviews

[katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely, heartwarming story of complicated families and second chances! I devoured this in one sitting and really enjoyed it - the characters and setting of Anchor Island and the Sweet Life Cafe itself felt so real and full of life (no pun intended), and there were several moments throughout that really moved me. Would definitely recommend to anyone wanting to brighten up their winter with a feelgood read! Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Anne Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sisters Susanna and Addie Rafferty haven’t been back to Anchor Island in many years – they were brought up there by their Aunt Gayle after the loss of their parents, but both left the Channel Islands in turn for the mainland and have never returned. Susanna’s now a successful lawyer, worried about the state of her marriage to dentist husband Alex who seems to be keeping some secrets: Addie lives with her young son Isaac, his father no longer on the scene but with plenty of support from his parents, in a job that pays for their small flat but doesn’t bring much joy to her life.

An invitation to Aunt Gayle’s funeral sees them travelling together to Anchor Island, both feeling bad that they’ve left it too late. But on arrival, there’s a big surprise – a misprint on the invitation, and Aunt Gayle (although not entirely well) is still very much alive, running her wonderful Sweet Life Café, and planning only a celebration of her life. But that misprint might not have been entirely unintentional – at least it brought her nieces back to the island.

Together again, they face up to misunderstandings of the past, gradually making them all more able to take on the challenges of the future. The story’s gently told, with a few emerging secrets that change things they’d always believed. And the story unfolds against the backdrop of Aunt Gayle’s beloved café, accompanied by the ever present aroma of her baked puddings, and the preparations for her celebration of life. It dips back into Gayle’s fractured relationship with her brother (Susanna and Addie’s father), Susanna revisits an early relationship that her aunt broke up, and Addie begins to remember how much she loved spending time with her Aunt and baking together. And then there are more surprises…

This was such an enjoyable read – the warmth (and complications) of the family relationships, the recollections of happier times, the bonds that so badly needed to be re-established. The community on Anchor Island adds texture to it all – well drawn characters who all love Gayle and spending time in her café, which is so wonderfully described. And the island setting is so beautifully captured too – sadly it seems to be the author’s own invention or I would most definitely be planning a visit.

It’s an emotional read at times, but with plenty of humour and lightness – and a particular warmth that stays with you long after turning the final page. A really engaging story, beautifully told – and one I’d very much recommend to others.

[Mariana · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sweet Life Café is the second book I read by Helen Rolfe, and reading it was such a treat. We have a powerful story about family, choices, and forgiveness. With profound characters and written in such a heartwarming way, it’s hard not to feel captivated by the story.
I must admit, I did not like Susanna at first. I thought she was being so unfair. However, I liked to read about her growth. I liked Addie instantly and loved to see her grow, too.
I loved that the café is a really big part of the story, as well as all the food and what it represents. I truly hope that one day my niece and nephew remember all those times we baked cookies together, just like Addie and Susanna do.
Overall, it was a very nice read, lighthearted but profound enough with characters that feel real. Nonetheless, I had very high expectations after reading the author’s previous book, so that might have kept me from enjoying it as much; I felt something was missing to adore it. But I do recommend it, and I will definitely continue reading more books by Helen Rolfe.

Digital copy provided by Netgalley in exchange of an honest review

[VickydpBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put this book down it’s fantastic

Perfect for fans of Shari Low, Heidi Swain and Cathy Bramley 🍰
Only a taste of home can heal old wounds ❤️‍🩹🧁☕️ it’s a romance genre

[Isabell · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Jan Mawdesley]

Puddings, 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!!!

[Tamara Lezcano · Rating 4 out of 5]

"“‘I usually do, but the café is only a short walk from the main drag. Isaac even has a favourite order there – lemon and blueberry muffin with a glass of milk.’‘I didn’t want to talk about the café because that would lead to talking about Dad, and we know what happens between us when we do.’"

The premise hooked me straight away. Two sisters, Addie and Susanna, travel to Anchor Island for their aunt’s memorial, only to discover she’s very much alive and hosting her own Celebration of Life at The Sweet Life Café. That opening twist instantly pulled me in, and from there the story just kept unfolding in the loveliest, most heartfelt way.

I really connected with both sisters. Addie’s worries as a single mum felt honest and relatable, and Susanna’s crumbling marriage added another layer of quiet heartbreak. Their relationship felt real too, messy, loving, complicated, and familiar in the best way. I loved watching them slowly confront their pasts and figure out what they actually want for their futures.

The café itself is everything you want from a cosy read. Puddings, coffee, island charm, familiar faces, and that feeling of community that makes you want to pull up a chair and stay awhile. But what I appreciated most was that beneath all the warmth, there’s real emotional depth. Family secrets, second chances, and the idea that it’s never too late to change direction are woven through the story beautifully.

This is one of those books that feels like a hug without being overly sweet. Thoughtful, comforting, and quietly uplifting. Perfect if you love women’s fiction with strong family bonds, a cosy setting, and just enough romance and mystery to keep you turning pages.

Many thanks to Netgalley, Boldwood Books and Helen Rolfe for the E-ARC and for trusting me to write an honest review.

[Nana · Rating 5 out of 5]

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,

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Colin Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sisters Addie and Susanna receive an invite to a memorial service for their Aunt Gayle, who had raised them on a small Channel Island following the death of their parents. They didn't have the best relationship with her, leaving the island as soon as they could, but now feel bad that they hadn't kept in contact after they'd left. Dropping everything they immediately travel to the island, however when they arrive they find that Aunt Gayle wasn't dead and was actually preparing for a celebration of her life at The Sweet Life Café which she owns.
I've always enjoyed books by this author and their settings in small communities, and this one follows the same recipe - speaking of which the food definitely sounds delicious, I love my puddings. The girls start re-evaluating their relationship with their Aunt, but also take the opportunity to start working through their late father's belongings which their Aunt had been storing for them. Whilst rediscovering the joys of living on the island long kept secrets gradually come to light as the memorial service draws closer.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

[Maddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had never heard of Helen Rolfe before picking up this book, but I read it on the recommendation of another author — and I’m so glad I did. The story was every bit as good as the blurb promised, full of charm and heart, and I’ll definitely be looking out for more of Helen’s books in the future.

Addie and Susannah were brought up by their aunt on the beautiful Anchor Island off the south coast of England. Susannah couldn’t wait to leave, and Addie felt she had to follow her sister after a promise they made as children. Both sisters have avoided going back — until they receive an invitation to Aunt Gayle’s funeral. They arrive feeling sad and more than a little guilty, but nothing prepares them for the shock of discovering Aunt Gayle is very much alive, the funeral the result of a printing error. Agreeing to stay for her “living funeral” sets in motion a series of events that changes all their lives.

This was such a heartfelt and uplifting read. Helen Rolfe brings Anchor Island to life with warmth, charm, and a wonderful sense of community, and I found myself completely invested in Addie and Susannah’s journey. It’s a story about family, forgiveness, and finding your way home — and it left me eager to explore more of Helen Rolfe’s books in the future.

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

When sisters Addie and Susanna receive invitations to a memorial for their Aunt Gayle, they are heartbroken the woman who raised them has passed away. But arriving on Anchor Island, they are met with the shock of their lives, Gayle is alive and well, busily preparing her own "Celebration of Life" at her beloved pudding bar, The Sweet Life Cafe. Agreeing to stay for the event, the sistere begin sorting through their late father's belongings, opening up wounds they thought they'd long buried, and forcing them to reflect on their lives since leaving the island.

We follow the lives of Addie and Susanna who were raised on Anchor Island by their Aunt Gayle after their parents had passed away. They receive invitations to their Aunt Gayle's funeral. But when they arrive on the Island, they find Gayle alive and well and arranging her own "Celebration of Life."

I was pulled into this story after reading the premise. I liked all the characters and understood the sisters sorrow and heartbreak. I also enjoyed the cafe and the emotional depth to this story.

Published 15th January 2026

I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the authtor #HelenRolfe for my ARC of #The/sweetLifeCafe in exchange for an honest review.

[Bianca Duthie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful story about life and family, secrets and following ones heart. With lots of misunderstandings, lots of laughs and lots of love, the Rafferty girls find their way back together, but be warned - this book will make you want all the puddings!!
Set on a delightful island near Guernsey (a place I've always wanted to visit), this has perfect small town vibes that will make you want to visit.
The tale flicks through viewpoints from chapter to chapter, so we get to see a lot of different views on things that have happened which really helps understand why they have all found themselves at the points they currently are at in life.
I loved that it didn’t shy away from tough discussions between the characters. There was so much having happened to all these characters over the years and I thought it was great that each Rafferty girl got their moment in the spotlight to explore their feelings and history.
I thought that the characters and relationships were absolutely what made this so special. I would love to revisit the island and these women in some way in the future.
I would definitely read more by this author.

[Sarah Truckell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book. 4 stars. I love Helen’s books and I’m currently working my way through her Heritage Cover series so I was really looking forward to reading another book by her. Sisters Susanna and Addie receive a invitation to the funeral of their Aunt Gayle, the woman who raised them after their parents died. They have drifted away from Gayle, Suanna always resenting her for breaking up her first romance as a 17 year old. They both return to Anchor Island to pay their respects and sort through their late Father’s belongings but find Gayle is alive and preparing for her living funeral at her Sweet Life Café. The sisters agree to stay for the event. Addie, a single mother, is struggling being apart from 7 year old son Isaac, but is struggling with life and wanting to buy a property. Susanna’s marriage appears to be shaky. The nearer to the funeral they get there is a big secret to be revealed – will it heal past wounds or will it create a bigger wedge between the girls and Gayle?
This book gave me such a warm cosy feeling and made me want to be part of the community on Anchor Island.

[Patty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Family drama

No family is perfect, and some have more issues and secrets than others. When Addie and Susanna’s Dad died, they had already lost their Mom suddenly and tragically. Harry wanted his estranged sister Gayle to raise the girls on Anchor Island, off Guernsey in the UK.

Addie was younger, so she was more adaptable. Susanna fought against Gayle as much as possible, but when Gayle broke up her first love, that was the last straw. Now many years later, after receiving a letter about a funeral for Gayle, both girls arrive back on Anchor Island to some complex surprises.

This book was a bit of a slow read for me. I felt like Susanna was a spoiled brat, even at current day, but later on some of the attitude gets explained. I felt Gayle did the best she could under all the circumstances and meant no harm to anyone. It all comes together eventually. A solid read.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

[Ann-Maree · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Sweet Life Café
by Helen Rolfe

When sisters Addie and Susanna receive invitations to a memorial for their Aunt Gayle, they are shocked to learn that the woman who raised them has passed away. Hesitant about returning to Anchor Island, they regret not visiting their aunt more often. However, upon their arrival on Anchor Island, they are astounded to discover that Gayle is actually alive and busy preparing for her own "Living Funeral" at her beloved pudding bar, The Sweet Life Café.

Addie and Susanna have already faced the sudden and tragic loss of their mother. When their father, Harry, fell ill and passed away, they learned that he had chosen Aunt Gayle to raise the girls on Anchor Island, located off the coast of Guernsey in the UK.

This story revolves around themes of family, forgiveness, and finding one's way home. Although I found some parts of the book to be slow-paced, I overall enjoyed it, particularly for the vivid descriptions of life on the island. It was a nice, easy read, and I figured out the central secret fairly early on.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the death of their father Addie and Susanna’s father had put it in his will that the sister’s would be going to live with their Aunt Gayle. She did the best she could, but the sisters never really got along that well with her. They both left when they were grown and had not had much contact with their aunt. They received an invitation to a memorial service for her, and they knew they had to attend.
Upon their arrival they were both shocked when they found her alive! Little did they know there had been a misprint in the invitation and their aunt never corrected it to them because she wanted them to come back. The sisters agreed to stay, and this gives us the story of how all their lives changed and they became family through forgiveness and importance of having family. This was a story that touched me in ways that will be with me for a long time.
Thank you #NetGalley, Helen Rolfe and #Boldwood Books for the copy of #TheSweetLifeCafe. This is my personal review.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet story about family and forgiveness. By the time they were 8 and 14, sisters Addie and Susanna had tragically lost both of their parents a few years apart and they went to live with their father’s sister, who they barely knew, on a small island off the south of England near Jersey. They made a pact to leave as soon as they could. Susanna was an angsty teenager keeping secrets about her parents to herself since Addie is so much younger and never really settled in on the island. Addie settled in better and after Susanna left, loved to bake with her aunt at the cafe until her aunt start discouraging her to make sure she went through with the pact so that she stayed close to Susanna. Now years later they are headed back to the island for their aunt’s funeral and to go through the boxes of their father’s stuff that having been sitting in her attic all these years. I really enjoyed this book and also learned that the Channel Islands are closer to France than England.

[Ann-Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sisters Susanna and Addie are saddened to receive an invitation to the funeral of their Aunt Gayle, who lived on Anchor Island in the English Channel. Their aunt had looked after them following the sudden death of their father when they were young, but both girls had left the island as soon as they could. Susanna is now a successful lawyer, whilst Addie is a single mother working as a web designer but with a passion for baking, following in the footsteps of her aunt.

Promises and secrets abound in the family. Gayle made promises to her brother Harry, the girl’s father, concerning the girls. Susanna is hiding secrets about her marriage and their family from Addie. Imagine their shock when Susanna and Addie arrive on the island to find that a crucial word was missing from the funeral invitation and that actually Gayle is alive!

Is this their opportunity to reconcile as a family?

Thanks to Net Galley and Boldwood Books for an ARC for my honest review.

[Kindle Book Worm By The Sea · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enjoyable novel. Two sisters were orphaned young and went to live with their Aunt Gayle on an island near Guernsey Island (Between United Kingdom and France). They haven't been in touch with Aunt Gayle in decades (and have been procrastinating going through their fathers things) and then they get an invitation to her funeral.

This really is a wonderful and enjoyable read. Definitely between 4 & 5 stars.

I read the advance read copy, hoping that the release copy has the bread & butter pudding recipe ... because that sounds amazing!

I really liked Aunt Gayle and Addie and her young son.

Many thanks to NetGalley, author Helen Rolfe and publisher Boldwood Books for approving my request to read the advance read copy of The Sweet Life Cafe in exchange for an honest review. Approx 312 pages. Release Jan 2026.

[Marte Haga · Rating 3 out of 5]

2,5 stars for a book with feel good vibes, that unfortunately didn't manage to engage me in any way, because
... 1) it is unnecessary repetitive and also overly explains everything all the time, leaving no room for the reader to think at all because there's no need. Every character's thought, emotion and action is directly explained. this also means that:
2) there is a lot of telling and no showing here, it is directly stated what everyone thinks and feels, all the time
3) it feels identical to several other similar books of sisters returning to a childhood home and facing the past and family secrets being revealed and people making up and becoming better people and finding them selves .. which can be a totally fine story, but this one brings nothing new or fresh to the table (or pages, of you will)

[Diane Jewell]

The 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.

[Francis M. Prensa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my goodness, this book made me want to pack up and move to a cozy little small town right away. Sisters Addie and Susanna haven’t seen their Aunt Gayle since they left home, and they only return after hearing the shocking news of her passing. Both are dealing with their own life drama and aren’t exactly thrilled to go back.

I was just as stunned as they were when Gayle turned out to be alive and well! But of course, something deeper is going on, and the story unfolds with beautiful moments of reconciliation, forgiveness, and family secrets that bring everyone closer together. This book was exactly the feel-good story I needed—a reminder that everyone deserves a second chance at family, at love, and at life.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This women's fiction book deals with family. What can go wrong in a family normally does go wrong, and in this family of two sisters and their aunt, there has been plenty that caused problems. There is a big secret that one sister kept from the other that affected them both into adulthood. Now as they return to visit their "dead" aunt who took them after their father died, they must all face the mistakes they made and try to become a family once more.

This really was a touching read that makes you sit back and take stock of the misunderstandings in your own family and the bridges that need to be mended.

Thanks to Boldwood Books for the digital copy via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.

[Susanne Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good read, full of love and family. Addie and Susanna have a lot of baggage and secrets and Aunt Gayle gets pushed aside because of it, that is until she invites them to her living funeral, only misses the ‘living, part off the invite!

The descriptions of Anchor Island were wonderful and I really felt like I was there, the flash backs to when they were young girls helps to remind them just how much they had and how Aunt Gayle gave them both so much.

It was nice to see them work through everything and be honest with themselves and each other. A lovely read, that made me want to take a holiday, not just for the sights, but for some delicious sounding pudding too.

[Hannah Symonds · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aunt Gayle has a big secret and her nieces are invited to her memorial but one of the secrets is she is not dead. But the girls don’t know this and get a huge shock, but there is a reason Aunt Gayle wants them to all be together and it is a secret Aunt Gayle has kept. The sisters both have their own issues in their own lives and Aunt Gayle knows it’s best to share and share alike, but how will the sisters react when she tells them the truth. I found the story a long one and quite slow, I predicted what the secret was fairly early on and felt as though I was plodding through the book. The characters were ok but there was nothing special about this read especially set around a café.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

When sisters Addie and Susanna receive invitations to what they believe is their Aunt Gayle’s memorial they have absolutely no idea that they’re going to get a very big shock. It turns out that she is actually still very much alive and kicking! It turns out that she is having a ‘Celebration of Life’ party which the sisters agree to stay on for. During their time together they start to look at themselves, their relationships and most importantly learn to start healing from a past that none of them have fully acknowledged and accepted. This has so many different threads running throughout but the story flows so well. I really liked how the emotions of each character are reflected in their own personal stories. There were a couple of characters that I initially didn’t warm too but when I discovered more about them my opinions changed. There is a real sense of family and the different dynamics that run through which is not only down to personalities but also experiences. An absolutely delightful read.

[Roo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a beautiful read, filled with family, secrets and puddings. Addie and Susanna are sisters, when their father died, they were out in Anchor Island to stay with their Aunt. After many years not talking to her they received an invite to her funeral. When they go back to the island, secrets are unfolding. It’s a lovely read, I liked the family drama, but the uncovering of secrets make this story. Heartwarming and lots of desserts to savior over. 5 stars. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

[Dawn Probert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful friendships, love, family and a cacophony of puddings all made with love. Susanna and Allie had made the journey back to the Channel Islands because Gayle their aunt and parent carer had died. 20 years of estrangement and intentions of making up had been lost. On their return they find their old live there was very different to their memories and they work to making peace with it. Gorgeous book and I really recommend it. Thank you NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.