Matcha Made in HeavenGrace had arrived at her parent’s house in Lavender Hollow with her tail between her legs. Her flat in London, her career, her boyfriend—poof—up in smoke, down the pan, in the toilet … along with her sanity. After a month or so of sitting on the sofa crying in her cat pyjamas, her mum had gotten so worried about her she had been forced to apply for a job.
Her first port of call had been the antique bookshop, The Lavender Ledger. She adored books and wouldn’t mind burying herself in there to forget everything for a little while. However when she had enquired, the stocky little man who eyed her over his pince-nez from behind the counter had been so downright rude she didn’t think she could go in there—even as a customer—ever again.
Finally, after many ‘we’re sorry, but no’s’ she landed on the final storefront in the village that she hadn’t tried yet. The cherry blossoms were in full bloom, a peppering of pink confetti fluttering down in the breeze as she stopped before the pistachio-coloured—or she supposed matcha-coloured teashop called Matcha Made in Heaven. A tiny card in the window advertised ‘help wanted’ and Grace immediately enquired within.
The little bell above the door chimed as Grace pushed inside, and she was immediately enveloped in the warm, earthy scent of green tea and something deliciously sweet—perhaps honey cakes or lavender shortbread. The interior was even more charming than the exterior suggested, with mismatched vintage chairs clustered around small round tables, fairy lights strung along exposed wooden beams, and shelves lined with an impressive collection of teapots in every imaginable shape and size…
3.5: First of all: Matcha Made in Heaven. Are we in a Bob’s Burgers crossover episode?? Because I'm totally stealing that name if I ever open a café. It’s mine now. Intellectual property law can fight me.
This book wants you to believe it’s about healing and second chances and gentle romance. And yeah, it is. But it’s ALSO about two people making intense eye contact across a room and silently agreeing: Ah yes. You’re emotionally unavailable and I have unresolved issues. Perfect.
They’re both each other’s rebounds. Grace has just broken off her engagement while Max is still emotionally entangled in his soon-to-be ex-wife.
This relationship is doomed. Not being negative, just observing.
It's less a romance and more two sinking ships sending vaguely romantic distress signals.
This book is also CHEESY. Like if you’re lactose intolerant, I’m worried for you.
It’s aggressively predictable too, but in a super comforting way. You know that feeling of watching your favourite show and you know every line? That's this book.
You can basically hear the plot loading in the background. There are so many I know where this is going moments.
Like Grace tripping the first time she meets Max (obviously), then Max catching her in his big strong I-have-emotional-baggage-but-good-core-strength arms (obviously), followed by dramatic eye contact where the universe briefly pauses to applaud itself (obviously).
The author didn't miss a single item on the cosy romance checklist. I love her for it.
There’s another moment that absolutely SENT me. (The spoiler tags aren't working on mobile so avert your gaze)
🐛SPOILERS
🐛END OF SPOILERS
I was simultaneously rolling my eyes and kicking my feet.
I loved the little hints of fantasy throughout the story. It’s not overwhelming and it never turns into full fantasy romance territory. There's just enough to make everything feel a little magical and keep you intrigued without taking over the whole book.
Also things move FAST. And I don’t just mean the relationship.
Grace has worked at the matcha shop for approximately 45 minutes before she’s ready to defend it with her LIFE. Suddenly she’s acting like matcha is her calling and spiritual destiny. Grace. Babe. You didn't even like matcha an hour ago.
And as is tradition in cosy romance land, we get conflict-but-not-really-conflict™, including this Victorian scandal: “Suddenly, his smile dropped as his eyes darted down to her hand and back up again. He let go immediately. He’d seen the small moon and stars tattooed between her finger and thumb, and her painted black nails.”
What century are we in?? Should I cover my ankles before continuing?? Someone get the historical panic trumpet.
Grace, meanwhile, exists in a permanent state of everything is happening to me energy, which is kind of a requirement for cosy romance leads. Like she's late to her first day of work and it's everyone/everything else's fault: “My alarm didn’t go off and then my mum was asking a million questions and—”
Girl. WHO set the alarm. WHO couldn’t tell their mum to stfu. WHO is the architect of this chaos because I know it wasn’t the moon and stars tattoo.
Also I need to talk about this moment because I’m obsessed:
“Do you at least have experience with people? With listening? With making someone feel welcome when they are having a difficult day?” “I worked in HR…” she offered. His face soured. “That’s a no, then.”
Natasha Bache, who hurt you? I need the backstory immediately. I need the documentary titled That’s a No, Then: An HR Origin Story.
I also adore Sybil. Every time she appears she steals the entire scene. Everyone else is spiralling romantically while Sybil's thriving in the background like a goddess. I want to be her when I grow up.
And I LOVE when books have playlists. But also, is there a secret publishing clause that says every fictional couple must have at least one Taylor Swift song attached to them? I want one author to get really experimental with it. Replace the emotional Taylor track with that 80s/90s song that goes “day bow bow.” I would actually lose my mind.
But despite the predictability, the cheesiness, and the emotional rebound disaster zone, I devoured this book with a matcha-pistachio latte in hand. Because it’s just SO warm and cosy. You can't help but giggle and kick your feet. It bypasses logic completely and goes straight to the part of your brain that just wants everything to be okay for a few hours.
Do I believe in this couple and the power of rebound sex to produce a happily ever after? Hell no.
Would I read a sequel where they make it work despite all evidence to the contrary? 100%
This was such a cozy and heartwarming story about Grace, a girl who ran away from her upcoming wedding and got back to her hometown. Looking for a job, she runs into a matcha tea shop. While working there she is going to have to find a solution to her problems, will a cup of tea help her find it?
I expected a cozy and romantic story and I definitely got one with this book. I thought there was going to be more magical elements, but this was a romance with a dash of supernatural and that really worked for me. Grace was a very compelling MC and I really enjoyed her growth and spirits. Max was a great love interest and although I generally don’t like the rich archetype, it did work here so I didn’t mind too much, especially because he was such a sweet man. I love a small town setting and this was a great example of it. I’m definitely hyped about book two! I love interconnected series and this seems to be one.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc copy in exchange for an honest review.
Okay so going into this I thought this is going to be a cute little read which I’ll enjoy but probably won’t love. Well I was wrong! I loved it.
This is a small town cosy romance book with elements of magical realism. We’re following Grace who’s ended her engagement and her relationship and moves back in with her parents in Lavender Hollow. Searching for a fresh start, she ends up working at Matcha Made in Heaven. a quiet yet cosy little tea shop owned by Yuji. We see Grace find herself again and start to heal.
I loved the characters in this book, honestly especially Yuji🥺 that man deserves the world. I enjoyed the romance, it was a slow burn and I love me a slow burn. Max our MMC is also going through a huge life change and seeing them both come together was so sweet.
The pacing of this book was great as well, I was fully engaged the whole time and was always wanting to keep reading.
🍵 cosy fantasy 🌸 small town 🍵 slow burn 🌸 he falls first 🍵 magical tea shop
Thank you so much to One More Chapter for the arc 🩷
This was such a sweet but also heartwarming read. It starts with Grace that left London and her fiancé a few weeks before her wedding. She’s lost and also, good for her running away from that man, and she founds a job in the tea shop where she meets Yuji, the owner and from then everything starts changing.
We see Yuji’s grief of losing his wife, Grace growth and her magic, Max and his messy divorce and we have some miscommunication but it’s handled well, at least in a way that worked for me. We had a cat that randomly popped up but it was a great highlight in the story.
It’s not a heavy read and it’s light hearted too. The magical realism was pretty good too and it made me enjoy the book even more.
I expected to like this book, I did not expect to love it. As a Dream Harbor fan I can totally see the resemblance but I can also see how different (in a good way) this book is. The story is simple to read but not less valuable, the characters have good development and the bonds formed are just so precious to me. There's a good balance between drama, love, uncertainty and a little bit of anger, it's a roller coaster of emotions and all of them contribute to making this story unique. My favorite part was definitely the ending, the way the author decides to close this story and with that character it just feels right and also shows how much they have grown.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to One More Chapter and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to review The Magical Matcha Teashop
This was such a cute and cosy read. I loved everything about it.
The magical portion is subtle and interesting. Going off intuition/feeling/empathy all in the art of tea making. It’s made me want to look into the ancient art itself and tea ceremonies.
All the characters are loveable and you can’t have a teashop book without a resident cat, who is an adorable terror that us cat people all know and love.
The romance portion is cute. Max is the classic golden retriever. He and Grace complement each other perfectly.
There is some spice but it’s more moderate, so great for those that don’t enjoy the really spicy romance books.
The storyline overall was a little predictable but I liked that.
Overall a great read that I would highly recommend. Be forewarned though, you’ll be wanting to drink matcha and eat cakes a lot when reading.
The Magical Matcha Teashop is a sweet and cosy romance, with a touch of magic and the warmth of friendship. Our main characters are blessed with new beginnings in a small town setting which is perfect for lovers of Laurie Gilmore and the Gilmore Girls. The more mystical elements as well as the introduction of tea ceremonies and culture was a nice touch and didn’t detract from the essence of the contemporary setting. There was the perfect amount of spice blended into the romance portion and you were genuinely excited for the couple by the end of the story.
This was a super lovely paranormal-ish romance set is a quaint small town with the most wonderfully relatable characters. I read this in between reading a heavy series, and it was the perfect palette cleanser.
It’s not very often that I start and finish a book in the same day, but this was one of those. It was such an easy book to read and I found myself being transported into this world, as time just slipped by without my realising while I was reading.
I really liked the dynamic between Grace and Max and the slow burn was perfect to their story. They had so much of their baggage to unpack before facing their feelings for eachother, and it was written very well.
The addition of some magical realism and the matcha cafe was quirky and very nicely explained too. I liked that the cafe owner had his own story to tell, and went on a small side quest of self discovery. I also enjoyed all the quirky small town side characters that I feel are a staple when it comes to this kind of story.
If you are craving a small town romance with a side of matcha and a cosy hug, then this is just the right thing for you.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
ARC Review - The Magical Matcha Teashop by Natasha Bache
This book is centred around the main protagonist Grace Treadwell, who leaves her horrible ex-fiance and life behind in London and returns to her hometown Lavender Hollow. Seeking some sort of normality, Grace seeks out employment at Matcha Made in Heaven. Whilst she has never worked with Matcha in the past, it is quite evident that she is a natural. Grace learns to refine her skill with the guidance of Matcha Made in Heaven owner Yuji Tanaka. Grace wants to prove to Yuji that she is committed, so with the help of Max, the owner of The Lavender Ledger, Grace researches the history of matcha making.
Not wanting to impede on her parents and to feel somewhat more of a responsible adult, Grace graciously accepts Max’s offer to rent his boat. Everything seems to be going well, Grace is making friends and finally feels like things are moving forward. Unfortunately a few events make Grace question everything.
Towards the end of the book we see Grace move on from this and we get to see Max and Grace’s bond grow. They make a cute couple.
I love that this book was set in a quaint town. There are elements of the Supernatural within this text. It is very worth the read. I give The Magical Matcha Teashop 4 stars.
This ARC from One More Chapter via Net Galley came at just the right time for me to be my perfect palette cleanser. If you enjoyed the Dream Harbour Series, Lavender Hollow is right up your alley. The first thing that caught my attention was the delightfully titled chapters... I just love it when chapters are titled... giving subtle hints about what's to come. The story itself was your typical cosy romance but with a unique touch of magic, which made for an intriguing read. The teashop, from the name to the concoctions, grows on you very pleasantly... I could just taste the delectable combinations offered. The owner, Yuji, and his story was very beautifully portrayed... in fact the development of the romance as well as the subplots were all very well paced... the romance was not rushed, given the characters' history and Yuji's story and the magic reveal was also laid out very smoothly.
All in all definitely recommended! (And looking forward to more Lavender Hollow romances... I'm hoping Abigail will get her story too!)
After her life in London falls apart, Grace returns to her parents’ home in Lavender Hollow feeling completely lost. While searching for a fresh start, she stumbles upon Matcha Made in Heaven, a cozy little teashop filled with cherry blossoms, vintage charm, and the comforting scent of green tea. What begins as a simple job opportunity soon feels like the perfect place to heal and begin again. 🍵
I really love this author’s cozy style, and Matcha Made in Heaven was such a cute and comforting read overall. The atmosphere was warm and inviting from the start, with the little teashop setting, cherry blossoms, and all the cozy small-town vibes making it easy to sink into. I also liked the tension throughout the story, especially the balance between healing, romance, and starting over. However, toward the ending it started to feel like a bit too much was happening at once, which took away some of the charm and simplicity I enjoyed earlier on. Still, it’s a sweet, feel-good read that’s perfect when you want something cozy with a little emotional depth. 🍵🌸
I was a cozy nice love story about second chances, about healing and friendship. I liked it, it is a light reading specially for rainy days with a tea nearby.
When Grace’s entire world implodes, she finds herself right back home. With her mom and dad. Yikes! After leaving her big corporate job, rich boyfriend, and instagram curated-perfect life just weeks before her wedding (with a too expensive custom dress to prove it) she cleans off the Doritos dust and goes in search of a job in her little hometown, Lavender Hollow. After too many rejections, she ends at the last shop on the street, Matcha Made In Heaven. The place is quiet with few customers, but the tranquility is a balm to her aching heart. She feels a pull to stay there, but what’s pulling her, exactly? Grace meets new friends,Yuji the shop owner, the resident baker, Abigail, and her brother, the bookshop owner, Max. Max is handsome, a little nerdy, and going through big transitions of his own. Learning to embrace her own new talents and to open herself up to new people and possibilities we journey with Grace to enjoy the everyday magic.
This book was a pleasant journey from start to end. I love the small town romance, the cozy tea shop, and a town full of fun residents to get to know. The magic starts small and grows into something unique and wonderful. The stakes feel real and relevant, when a franchise coffee shop moves in across the street, how will they save their little slice of local peace?
I loved the dive into Grace’s world, how she must rebuild her life with the pressures of family expectation, financial responsibilities, and not falling for the cycles of her past. She learns to trust again, to be cautious of manipulation but also not to push people away before knowing the truth. This journey of discovery is relevant to so many people, feeling too much and not enough for the person you love. Feeling worthy or deserving to receive what you’ve been given in life. Many of us have felt imposter syndrome or like we don’t deserve our partner, or have a partner that makes us feel less than them. This book is a sweet reminder that we must find our own self-worth, we must grow beyond that and accept the life that brings joy and peace.
I found the magical elements very unique. The setting is modern day England, in the fictional town of Lavender Hollow. When little peculiar things begin happening at the tea shop whenever Grace makes matcha, we start to see the magic come alive and impact those around her- for better or worse. While there are cell phones and K-Pop Demon Hunters references, we also get the space to step away from the hustle and bustle and enjoy a moment of serenity, and find a slice of magic tucked away.
Tropes: grumpy/sunshine (my personal favorite), small town romance, found family
Number of Times I Wanted to Throw the Book Across the Room: Twice!
Did the Book Pass the “One More Chapter” Test?: Absolutely! I couldn't wait to see what would happen next, and what new secrets would come out.
Number of Emotional Roller Coasters: 2 big ones, for sure!
Perfect snack pairing: A strawberry matcha latte, and a chocolate cupcake.
Character I Would Most Like to Have a Drink With: Abigail, I want all the town tea, and who she’s scheming to matchmake next.
Quote that perfectly sums up the main characters relationship: “Anything is possible… But whatever you decide, you’re not alone in this Grace. Not anymore.”
Level of spice: 3/5 , some tension throughout and open door.
Unique bits I love: I love all of the history on Japan and matcha, the magical and whimsical elements are so fun.
Thank you NetGalley and Natasha Bache for the opportunity to review this ARC. This is not a sponsored post, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
ITA Siamo nella ridente cittadina di Lavender Hollow fuori Londra, dove troviamo: Abigail che è tornata a casa dopo aver mandato all’aria il matrimonio, senza soldi e senza lavoro; Max che è tornato in attesa di finalizzare il divorzio, la moglie lo ha tradito con il suo migliore amico/socio in affari, bello, atletico, ricco e proprietario della libreria del posto; Abigail, sorella di Max e titolare della pasticceria del posto; Yuji Tanaka, vedovo e proprietario del Matcha Made in Heaven, un matcha bar… e un po’, non troppa mi raccomando, magia. Abigail finirà a trovare un lavoro da Yuji e scoprirà di avere… dei poteri. Commedia romantica, la magia di Abigail in realtà crea delle situazioni abbastanza assurde, ma tutto sommato divertenti. Ne avrei volute di più, lei ha anche un gatto(ne), come una strega a tutto tondo. Considerazioni generali. Max e Abigail si fraintendono in continuazione, in modo (a mio avviso) stupidissimo. Le scene spicy, ce ne sono due penso, sono scritte nello stesso identico modo che ho trovato altrove, cambiano solo i nomi e l’ambientazione: impressionante; in una lui le strappa un indumento intimo, ma non se ne fa più menzione, poi e mi è rimasto il dubbio: lei poi gira senza? Poi in alcuni casi c’erano degli errori di trama, ad esempio lei ha il giorno libero, lui la aspetta al suo alloggio (che è la barca di lui) e lei torna dal lavoro. In che senso? In generale è stata una storia piacevole, i poteri di Abigail erano per me una cosa diversa magari da mettere in maggiore rilievo, avrei preferito. Ho ricevuto una copia gratuita. Questa recensione contiene la mia opinione ed è pubblicata liberamente.
ENG We’re in the charming little town of Lavender Hollow outside London, where we find: Abigail, who has returned home after calling off her wedding, penniless and unemployed; Max, who has returned while waiting to finalize his divorce, whose wife cheated on him with his best friend and business partner—a handsome, athletic, wealthy man who owns the local bookstore; Abigail, Max’s sister and owner of the local bakery; Yuji Tanaka, a widower and owner of Matcha Made in Heaven, a matcha bar… and a little—not too much, mind you—magic. Abigail ends up finding a job with Yuji and discovers she has… powers. A romantic comedy, Abigail’s magic actually creates some pretty absurd situations, but they’re entertaining overall. I would have liked more of that—she even has a cat (or cats), just like a full-fledged witch. General thoughts. Max and Abigail constantly misunderstand each other in a way that (in my opinion) is incredibly silly. The steamy scenes—there are two, I think—are written in exactly the same way I’ve seen elsewhere; only the names and setting change: impressive. In one, he rips off a piece of her underwear, but it’s never mentioned again, leaving me wondering: does she just walk around without it? Then in some cases there were plot holes; for example, she has the day off, he waits for her at his place (which is his boat), and she comes back from work. What does that even mean? Overall, it was an enjoyable story; I felt that Abigail’s powers could have been highlighted more—I would have preferred that. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
With only six weeks until Grace was supposed to get married, she found herself making rapid life changes such as breaking off the engagement to her Fiancé and leaving the job that she hated. At 31 years old with no income/ability to afford the rent for her apartment on her own, Grace finds herself back with her parents in the town she grew up in. Adding to Grace's troubles, she still owed on an outstanding bill for her wedding gown.
With a nudge from her mother, Grace pulls herself together a bit and sets off to search for new employment in her hometown of Lavender Hollow. Facing rejection after rejection, Grace finds herself down to one last store to try applying at, the local teashop named Matcha Made in Heaven; the owner Yuji Tanaka is hesitant at first but Grace convinces him to give her a chance at working there.
Through her work at the teashop, Grace begins meeting new friends such as Abigail, the resident baker and owner of Abigail's Artisan Bakery, plus her brother Max who owns the local bookshop, The Lavender Ledger. Like Grace, Max is also going through big life changes but for him, it is divorce proceedings; Max's wife had betrayed him by seeing the man who was both his best friend and business partner, behind his back..
I really liked the slow burn and build-up between Max and Grace; the pacing is perfect especially given that they are each dealing with splitting from past partners when they first meet. Max is majorly sweet and I love that he's on Grace's team, standing up for her when her ex-fiancé shows up in town, and trying to protect her new workplace from the threat of going under against a corporate coffee shop named Brewtopia.
This book has a magical/supernatural side to it that is very interesting to read! Grace learns that she is a type of alchemist with the ability to infuse intention into the tea that she prepares, to draw emotion from the people who drink it. This ability can be used to ease other's emotional burdens, to help them express suppressed emotions, etc.
"The Magical Matcha Teashop" is such a cozy and heartwarming story that is sure to capture the attention of any reader who loves a sweet small-town romance coupled with an air of fantastical magic! Each and every part of this story makes for a wonderful, attention-capturing read!
A huge thank you to Natasha Bache, NetGalley, and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
💚 Blurb- Grace had arrived at her parent’s house in Lavender Hollow with her tail between her legs. Her flat in London, her career, her boyfriend—poof—up in smoke, down the pan, in the toilet … along with her sanity. After a month or so of sitting on the sofa crying in her cat pyjamas, her mum had gotten so worried about her she had been forced to apply for a job. Her first port of call had been the antique bookshop, The Lavender Ledger. She adored books and wouldn’t mind burying herself in there to forget everything for a little while. However when she had enquired, the stocky little man who eyed her over his pince-nez from behind the counter had been so downright rude she didn’t think she could go in there—even as a customer—ever again. Finally, after many ‘we’re sorry, but no’s’ she landed on the final storefront in the village that she hadn’t tried yet. The cherry blossoms were in full bloom, a peppering of pink confetti fluttering down in the breeze as she stopped before the pistachio-coloured—or she supposed matcha-coloured teashop called Matcha Made in Heaven. A tiny card in the window advertised ‘help wanted’ and Grace immediately enquired within. The little bell above the door chimed as Grace pushed inside, and she was immediately enveloped in the warm, earthy scent of green tea and something deliciously sweet—perhaps honey cakes or lavender shortbread. The interior was even more charming than the exterior suggested, with mismatched vintage chairs clustered around small round tables, fairy lights strung along exposed wooden beams, and shelves lined with an impressive collection of teapots in every imaginable shape and size… 🩷 Review - This was such a cute and cosy read. From the very first page the author's writing had me hooked and I kept reading until the end as I wanted to know what happened. I loved the small town place setting in the story and the Matcha Made In Heaven teashop sounded cute and cosy. I loved Grace's character and I wanted her to have the happy ending that she deserved. This was the perfect spring time read. I highly recommend it and I look forward to reading more by the author. 💖 Thank you to One More Chapter, the author Natasha Bache and Netgalley for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Grace Treadwell leaves London and returns to her hometown, Lavender Hollow, feeling uncertain about the future. To find some stability, she begins working at Matcha Made in Heaven, a place that feels both unfamiliar and welcoming right away. Even though she knows nothing about matcha, she soon settles in, thanks to a kind and patient owner.
As Grace gets used to her new life, she starts making friends in the close-knit community, and maybe even finds something more. But life soon gets complicated, making her think about what she really wants and what happiness means to her.
This is such a wonderful, cozy story. A small-town romance woven with soft magic, warmth, and that familiar hum of community life filled with both gossip and genuine care. From early on, the book draws you into a world of hope and quiet transformation.
Grace and Max are both navigating their own struggles, and I loved how their journeys unfold naturally. Their relationship builds slowly through both sweet and difficult moments, making it feel real and earned. Grace’s character growth was especially lovely to read, as she evolved from someone lost and uncertain into a confident, kind, and grounded woman.
And the final chapters… let’s just say they were incredible, with just the right touch of steam. Grace and Max truly felt like a match made in heaven.
If you’re in the mood for something cozy, romantic, and a little magical, this one is definitely for you.
The Magical Matcha Teashop by Natasha Bache is a very charming contemporary tale that I read in just two sittings. The reader is delighted to step into the world of Lavender Hollow, a small village in England. With its’ independent businesses and no big chain stores, the reader experiences olde worlde charm. At the heart of the book is the matcha teashop. Owner Yulli relocated from Osaka after his wife Mei died. Yulli is running from grief, but there is no escape. Locking up his heart and keeping busy has also prevented him from accessing beautiful memories. Mei put life and love into her brews. She knew just what was needed. The teashop needs a new person to take over the reins. Grace wants a new beginning as she has escaped a soulless relationship and returned home. As the matcha teashop opens its’ doors, Grace can ‘feel’ it talking to her. Lavender Hollow welcomes those who are escaping from a pressured life. Small town life is quieter, kinder and more fulfilling. All the characters were wonderfully warm and welcoming. They were easy to picture. The Magical Matcha Teashop was most delightful. I will leave you with my favourite quote: “Maybe it’s not about what people think they want. Maybe it’s about offering them something they didn’t know they needed.” I received a free copy via Net Galley. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own. A word of caution: There were two ‘bedroom’ scenes which had too much detail for me. I skipped over them. They did not detract from my overall enjoyment of the book.
A super cozy slice-of-life full of spring feeling, with some foodie magical realism and a healthy splash of romance. It’s a simple story, Grace flees to her small hometown, Lavender Hollow, after breaking off her engagement, and while looking for a job ends up being hired at Matcha Made in Heaven, a small cafe run solely by Yuji, a senior widower struggling with his grief. From there, it’s a relaxing montage about Grace learning the ropes of running a cafe and making matcha, finding her place in the community, dealing with the aftermath of her broken engagement, falling in love with a bookstore owner (who owns almost half the town), trying to find a way to help Yuji, who becomes a mentor to her, with his grief, and dealing with a newfound supernatural ability. After a series of mysterious events one night, Grace develops the ability to influence the emotions of others through the matcha she makes. The focus is on romanticizing everyday life, finding your place, and food descriptions. Oh boy, the food descriptions, those were definitely my favourite part. Even though I did make sure I got myself a matcha while reading this, I craved to try the exact combos Grace was making like lavender honey and peach caramel. I also have a hankering for strawberry matcha macarons and lavender shortbread now. I also liked that the Japanese origins of matcha were acknowledged and respected by both the author and main character, Grace is actually depicted putting in the effort to do research. Romance-wise, Max and Grace are sweet, but I found Yuji’s relationship with his late wife Mei even more compelling, the love he had for her, and the way he missed her was both heartwarming and heartbreaking. I’d recommend this to people who enjoy slice-of-life type stories and foodie books. Two long open door scenes in the last quarter, skippable, but odd considering the rest of the book reads very ‘no-spice’ in tone. Thank you to One More Chapter for the eARC!
Grace is back in her childhood home of Lavender Hollow, having cancelled her wedding (six weeks before the date), and quit the job she hated. Her new start involves getting a new job, and she lucks out by finding a place at the local teashop, Matcha Made in Heaven. The owner Yuji, is a recent widower, and Grace finds herself not only learning the art of making matcha, but helping Yuji to heal even as she discovers a new life for herself, with new friends, and a new love interest.
This is a cosy romance, with a taste of magic, a little bit of romance, and a hint of steam (and I don’t mean from the tea!). Much like matcha itself, this tale is one that takes its time, the story itself starting out slowly before picking up speed. I was initially drawn to it because of the beautiful cover, but I thoroughly enjoyed this story of healing- and there is more than one healing story in it. I’m quite hopeful that there will be some tales featuring the other characters in the book, because I would love to hear more about them! If you choose to read this story, do yourself a favour and scope out a place that does matcha right, because you might just be craving one by the time you’re partway through it (maybe just take this book to a teashop and read it there).
Ultimately, this is a quick, light romance read, with a slight hint of magic (think practical magic), interesting characters, and a cosy feel. I highly recommend it as a coffee/teashop companion read, or for those who want something fluffy to read.
The Magical Matcha Teashop by Natash Bache 4.5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (rounded up to a 5) Spice: 2/5 Cursing: min- Format/Source: ebook from NetGalley, One More Chapter, and HarperCollins Publishing Genres/Tropes: romance, magic, small town, cozy fantasy Setting: England Audience: Adult Quotes: "Sometimes, freedom comes disguised as a setback." - Max Characters: Yugi, Grace, Max, Abigail, Christina, Alistair, Millifer, Tom, Sybil, Molly 👍 short chapters, multi POV, book loving MCs, min- cursing, adorable and cozy small town, cute storyline, well-paced 👎 misunderstandings
Description: Grace had arrived at her parent’s house in Lavender Hollow with her tail between her legs. Her flat in London, her career, her boyfriend—poof—up in smoke, down the pan, in the toilet … along with her sanity. After a month or so of sitting on the sofa crying in her cat pyjamas, her mum had gotten so worried about her she had been forced to apply for a job. Finally, after many ‘we’re sorry, but no’s’ she landed on the final storefront in the village that she hadn’t tried yet - a teashop called Matcha Made in Heaven. A tiny card in the window advertised ‘help wanted’ and Grace immediately enquired within...
I enjoyed this novel especially the charming characters, town, and storyline. I would recommend it to all who enjoy sweet romances with a little fantasy added to them. #bookstagram #booklovers #sweetbooks #romancebooks #smalltown
The writing was cosy, light, and had my attention from the beginning right through to the end. I happily sat and read it for long periods of time and looked forward to picking it back up at each reading session.
The story opened with a Prologue and ended with an Epilogue which I liked. The rest of the chapters were fairly long, meaning that you got a good chunk of the story before moving on. Each chapter had a short title, giving you an idea of what you were about to read next.
There was a good pace and flow to the story. There were a couple of fade out moments which added to the suspense and allowed the story to jump time. Overall this technique meant that we moved through the story well and kept my attention for longer.
The characters were great. I really felt for the main character and enjoyed being on her journey. I enjoyed the magical element to the story. That was a nice touch that added to the cosy. There were miscommunications between various characters and situations that arose which added suspense and tension to the story.
I liked that we got to see a couple of points of view. That made the story feel more rounded and allowed us to see what each character was thinking without them knowing. This added to the tension.
Lastly the settings. I loved the cosy Village and Teashop setting. There were some lovely details that made the story a joy to read.
Overall a wonderfully cosy read with a bit of spice. I recommend.
Grace breaks off her engagement and returns to the town where she grew up, Lavender Hollow, to live with her parents... Max is the owner of the Lavender Ledger, he and his sister Abigail are the friendly faces that helps Grace in this new chapter of her life, but Max has his own secrets too, both need to close chapters in their lives and build a new future.
This is a lovely story of new beginnings, cosy romance 🌶️, a little bit of magic through the art of making Tea, a small town with a strong community, with gossips but supporting each others.
I liked the romance, the support and validation that Max gave to Grace, the magic, trust, and honesty that Grace gave to Max.
Yuji, the owner of the teashop Matcha made in Heaven , sees in Grace the magic that reminds him of his late wife, I really liked the relationship between them as a mentor, as friends, her helping him navigate his grief and him giving her the confidence to start in the magical art of making matcha.
I love the Prologue and the Epilogue in this story perfect start and perfect end.
if you are looking for a magical cozy romance with 🌶️ ( not heavy or específic just the right touch) you will enjoy this story and the cover is gorgeous!
thanks NetGalley for the ARC and the Author Natasha Bache for the story