This summer, escape the dreamy canals of Copenhagen! ☀️Can summer love last forever?
Milly is reeling from a recent heartbreak when she’s offered the chance to go to Copenhagen for a gorgeous summer and help revive an idyllic, but struggling, cafe on the canal. She jumps at the chance for fun drama-free, solo summer floating along the Danish canals.
The only problem with her plan? Theo: the café's beautiful but brooding chef who challenges her at every turn.
As they work together and their fiery connection grows, Milly wonders if she might have finally found everything she’s been looking for. Their sizzling attraction is undeniable, but Milly and Theo have both been hurt before, and Milly worries that their carefully guarded hearts might be closed to love forever.
As summer draws to a close, Milly must decide, will she fight for their relationship or retreat to her carefully curated life in England?
I've enjoyed this series! Each book can stand alone.
This was a beautiful read about an unfulfilled and stuck young woman who leaves Milton Keynes, England, to help a friend run her cafe in Copenhagen, Denmark.
I loved how she embraced the Hygge lifestyle and chose to prioritize a happy life over a comfortable one. I appreciated her advice to slow down, savour moments, enjoy the simple things, and focus more on living every moment rather than rushing and working too much. I also liked the advice when travelling to think like a local and not a tourist.
I was a little concerned when her old life ‘found’ her in Copenhagen, but was thankful she had enough 'living properly' under her belt that she could verbalize what she wanted with conviction.
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Thank you, Avon Books UK, for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Milly schedules a sabbatical from work (that was just being offered to her anyway!) after finding her boyfriend making out with someone else in a storage closet at work, and decides to visit her friend, Ada in Copenhagen. Ada lives in a canal house with Theo, who owns a cafe in a canal boat. Ada's now a wildlife photographer, so she's off to the Arctic to photograph foxes, and Milly can have her room with Theo. Oh, and Milly's also an financial tips content creator as well as a financial consultant on hiatus, so she can totally help Theo stop the cafe from failing, not that he asked for her help. Summer fun!
Milly annoyed me almost from the start, posting crying videos on her financial tips Instagram about her break up with Tom and continuously talking about her online community of Instagram followers (though she never calls them followers - but they are - she doesn't know them!). Then as she and Theo are starting to get to know one another, he mentions that he likes K-pop music, which she finds "surprising" and "hilarious" and later "weird," none of which is explained - why is someone liking one of the most popular music genres in world so funny?
She also won't stop mentioning "the accident" without telling the reader what happened, so I figure that it's going to lead up to a big emotional moment with Theo, but no. By the time she finally lets on what happened (it's traumatic sure, but fairly mundane all things considered, though her mom seems to have the most residual trauma from it) at 70%, I no longer care. In fact, she never actually tells him during our time together in the book. Seems odd that a foundational experience like that wouldn't come up (even though it almost does a few times) before we're saying "I love you," you know? But then again, she has to hear about what happened with his ex-girlfriend to make him so skittish about relationships from Ada, so they are just miscommunication central.
There's also lots of talk about community and hygge and how she's not getting it, but then maybe she's getting it, and then she can only seem to do it if she's in Copenhagen. I'm all for someone figuring what makes them happy, but we never actually see her make any friends that aren't Theo or really do anything that's not about the cafe or social media. People miss her when she doesn't post, but the few short examples of content she's making feel like the most banal financial tips I've ever heard, so it's hard to understand how she has 500k followers (but also no one recognizes her, she has no sponsorships, and she never collabs with anyone? Okay.).
The romance seems to happen because they are the only two people in the book, not because anything exceptional happens between them. He's hot, she's on holiday in a foreign country, let's go. He's more hesitant to get together, but only because she's leaving after her sabbatical is over. I'd love for one of them to mention that they could just see how it goes, but I guess it's relationship or bust. Ada actually does most of the hard work of getting them together and then leaving every time they need a push, so I'd probably rather read about her next time.
🩷 Blurb- This summer, escape the dreamy canals of Copenhagen! ☀️Can summer love last forever? Milly is reeling from a recent heartbreak when she’s offered the chance to go to Copenhagen for a gorgeous summer and help revive an idyllic, but struggling, cafe on the canal. She jumps at the chance for fun drama-free, solo summer floating along the Danish canals. The only problem with her plan? Theo: the café's beautiful but brooding chef who challenges her at every turn. As they work together and their fiery connection grows, Milly wonders if she might have finally found everything she’s been looking for. Their sizzling attraction is undeniable, but Milly and Theo have both been hurt before, and Milly worries that their carefully guarded hearts might be closed to love forever. As summer draws to a close, Milly must decide, will she fight for their relationship or retreat to her carefully curated life in England? 🩵 Review - I have enjoyed other books by the author and The Floating Copenhagen Café certainly didn't disappoint. I really enjoyed this book, the author's writing was so good that sometimes I forgot that I was reading and was swept away with the characters in Copenhagen. This was the perfect summer read. The story was cute and easy to follow and I loved Milly and Theo's characters and I wanted them to have their happy ending. Plus it was brilliantly paced, had beautiful place settings and a great cast of background characters. Overall a brilliant novel that I can't recommend enough. I'm already eager to see what the author writes next. 💝 Thank you to Avon books, the author Annabelle French and Netgalley for my e arc copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
this one is pure cozy escape and honestly... that's exactly what it's trying to be.
You’ve got Milly starting over (we love a fresh start moment), a floating café in Copenhagen and a grumpy but soft chef, like the setup is already doing the most in the best way. From the first few chapters, it just feels warm and easy, like you can kind of sink into it without thinking too hard.
The vibes though? Immaculate. Canals, little tables by the water, coffee, pastries... it's giving "romanticize your life immediately.' I swear the setting carried half the book for me and i wasn't even mad about it.
The romance is very much: ☕️ slow burn ☕️ a little tension, a little softness ☕️ he's closed off but actually cares energy
and yes, it's predictable, like you know where it's going pretty early on, but it's that comforting kind of predictable where you don't read it for twists, you read it for the feeling.
If had to be picky: •i wanted to be more depth with Theo •some emotional moments feel rushed •low stakes overall
but also... sometimes you just want low stakes. not every book needs to emotionally destroy you.
overall: •dreamy setting (main character energy) •cozy café + found family vibes •easy, fast read •soft, satisfying romance
this is 100% a "read on a slow morning with coffee" kind of book. not groundbreaking, but super comforting.
Escape to the dreamy canals of Copenhagen this summer! ☀️
Can summer love last forever?
Milly is reeling from a recent heartbreak when she’s offered the chance to go to Copenhagen for a gorgeous summer and help revive an idyllic, but struggling, cafe in the canal. She jumps at the chance for fun drama-free, solo summer floating along the Danish canals.
The only problem with her plan? Theo: the cafe’s beautiful but brooding chef who challenges her at every turn.
As they work together and their fiery connection grows, Milly wonders if she might have finally found everything she’s been looking for. Their sizzling attraction is undeniable, but Milly and Theo have both been hurt before, and Milly worries that their carefully guarded hearts might be closed to love forever.
As summer draws to a close, Milly must decide, will she fight for their relationship or retreat to her carefully curated life in England?
Review- The Floating Copenhagen Cafe is the perfect cozy destination romance when you need to escape. From the cobblestone streets, canals, and delicious food the author sweeps you away to Copenhagen. I am obsessed with the Danish culture of hygge and loved how Milly embraced this way of living. I adored Milly and Theo and can’t recommend this atmospheric destination romance enough! This is Book 3 in The Floating Shop Series and each book can be read as a standalone. Can’t wait to see what’s next. A gorgeous summer read!
Thank you Avon Books, the author Annabel French and Netgalley for my eARC copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
If you know me, you know I am absolutely obsessed with Scandinavian life and culture. Add in a floating café, and I am instantly sold! I don’t often pick up ARCs from authors I’m unfamiliar with, especially in the romance genre, but this premise and setting were too much to resist. I was not disappointed - this story absolutely delighted me! It perfectly captures the hygge aspects I love about Danish culture, leaning into how the protagonist tackles applying that mindful, cozy concept to her own life. Just like every time I immerse myself in a Scandinavian setting, I found myself contemplating how I could bring some of that intentional, slow way of life into my own day-to-day. It’s a charming story that left me dreaming of a trip of my own and rethinking how I spend my own time. If you love stories that feel like a warm hug, featuring deep cultural immersion and a bit of romance, this is for you. I will definitely be continuing with the rest of the Floating Shop series!
Thanks to Annabel French, Avon Books, and NetGalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for a review.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC!
So, I pondered for a while on what rating to give this book before eventually settling on the 3 star mark. The setting and the vibes are immaculate but I really struggled to like either of the main characters and the amount of miscommunication between them.
Milly I found to be kind of annoying. She was always talking about her social media, and whilst I understand that she was trying to make her financial consulting service into a proper job, it felt like her entire personality was just “I make content on social media” It got tiring really quickly.
Theo I felt just needed more depth. Even after finishing the story I feel like I barely know anything about him.
I think the story was decent but I definitely thought the repeated mentions of “the accident” would’ve came to a bigger heart to heart moment with Theo but it’s never actually discussed with him even after he notices the scars on her skin.
Adored this! I’ve loved every one in this series (I don’t want them to end!) but they can all be read as stand alone too.
This is a perfect read to get swept away in. The characters were written so vividly and the scenery it was a perfect mix. I enjoy Milly and Theo as characters and the undeniable chemistry. The background characters were also written fantastically and they were all stars of the show.
Overall another wonderful, captivating read from Annabel. Pick this up if you want to be transported to another country but can’t afford the flights! Any 3 of the books in this series are incredibly well written so go and treat yourself!
This book was so cute! I am loving this series! Previously I had read the Floating Amsterdam Bookshop. Having traveled to both Copenhagen AND Amsterdam, it was such a nostalgic, sweet return to those places! I loved the descriptions of the city and food, etc., Milly would have been bananas not to jump at the chance to go to Denmark for a summer. I loved Milly and Theo's chemistry, and felt like it was such a fun read overall!
Firstly thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.
Milly goes to Copenhagen for a break from her life in England, having just broken up with her boyfriend of 4 years. She goes to stay at her friend Ava's apartment, which she shares with Theo. Theo is the co-owner of a cafe with Ava, which needs some help getting customers in. This is a cosy story of how making small changes can lead to big ones. Loved this story and have enjoyed other books by the same author.
Milly is suffering from a recent heartbreak when her friend Ada invites her to stay in her room in a flat she shares with Theo and help him get more business for the cafe that is at the end of the canal. Milly goes to Copenhagen and though Theo doesn't want her help he ends up taking it. Does she get the cafe more business and how about things with Theo. Does she move to Copenhagen? A VERY GOOD READ>
The Floating Copenhagen Café by Annabel French is a comfort read. The direction of the story is easy to spot early on but that’s part of its charm. After a run of fast paced thrillers this was exactly the kind of gentle, feel good escape I needed. Having loved The Floating Venice Bookshop, I went in with high hopes and they were completely met. Warm, uplifting and full of heart. One of my favourite quotes from the book ‘It’s knowing what’s good for your soul and prioritising it
The Floating Copenhagen Cafe by Annabel French ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Book 3 in the Floating Shop series, each book is a complete standalone with no crossovers so they can be read in any order, and I recommend reading them all.
Another 5 star read, it's such a cute cosy romance 😍 it did make me want to read more about hygge.
I received a gifted Advanced Reader Copy of this book. Thank you Harper Collins and NetGalley. This is my honest review.
A sweet romance about finding happiness and second chances. I enjoyed the romance as well as the foodie themes. The descriptions of Copenhagen make me feel like I was there and make we want to visit!
Full disclosure - I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Review of ARC received from publisher and NetGalley.
I really enjoyed this one. Great premise and really well executed. I felt as if I was in Copenhagen myself, exploring and enjoying everything that there was on offer.. I thought the characters were very real with human flaws and weaknesses as well as excellent qualities. A lovely, emotionally satisfying read.
I received a free copy of, The Floating Copenhagen Cafe, by Annabel French, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is book three in The Floating Shop series. Milly is going to Copenhagen to help out at a cafe. The setting seems perfect, this is an enjoyable read.
Having discovered that her relationship is not wat she thought, Milly takes a sabbatical and goes to visit her friend in Copenhagen, to help her out with a failing floating cafe business but whilst she's there, she discovered hygge and why the danish way of life has worked wonders for her friend...combined with her friend's very attractive business partner, will Milly want to go back to her life as she knew it?!
I've read a few of French's 'floating' series and this is by far my fave, it really has a bit of a message as well as largely just being quite a big hug in a book. The setting is fun and well explored, the description of the pastries will have your mouth watering and the evolution of the characters and relationships are quite compulsive to read!
Characters are likeable, the story flows well.... It's a good escapist read!
Milly heads to Copenhagen to stay at her best friend's place after she catches her boyfriend cheating on her. Ava asks her to help out with marketing her roommate, Theo's, restaurant, which she's invested in. She can stay at her place while she's traveling for her work.
I enjoyed this story and loved her experience in embracing the hygge lifestyle in Denmark. I loved all the characters, Ava, Theo, and Milly
This story had:
- using social media to market a restaurant in Copenhagen - found family - second chance romance - embracing the hygge lifestyle - reinventing herself
This is the 3rd in a series, but they all serve as stand-alone. I really want to go to Denmark now and embrace the hygge lifestyle.
Thanks@avonbooksuk, @netgalley, and the author for this arc.