Ingesneeuwd in het kattencafé

Cat Café Romance #1

by Rachel Rowlands, Nathaly Schrijnder (Translator)

Wanneer Emmies tante haar een baan aanbiedt bij Catpurrcino, is dat precies de frisse start die ze nodig heeft na een moeilijk jaar. In de aanloop naar Kerstmis kan Emmie zich niets purr-fecter voorstellen dan warme chocolademelk inschenken voor klanten en zorgen voor alle katten in het café.


Omdat er een extra paar handen nodig is tijdens de feestdagen, huurt Emmies tante Jared in als chauffeur. Emmie is meteen onder de indruk van hoe lang en knap hij is, maar Jared heeft iets geslotens. En dan is er nog zijn kattenallergie. Emmie zou nooit kunnen vallen voor iemand die niet in de buurt van haar katten kan zijn... Bovendien heeft ze het veel te druk.


Tot er op kerstavond onverwacht een sneeuwstorm losbarst. Ingesneeuwd in het café met Jared en de katten, ontdekt Emmie dat Jared meer dan één geheim met zich meedraagt, en dat hij wanhopig iemand nodig heeft die hem helpt zijn verleden een plek te geven. Zal deze avond Jared eindelijk doen openbloeien, en Emmie toelaten tot zijn hart?

Genres: Romance, Christmas, Fiction, Cozy, Cats, Contemporary, Adult

291 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 12, 2024

About the author

Rachel Rowlands lives in Manchester, England, with her husband and two cats. She grew up devouring any book she could get her hands on, and after earning her degree in English and Creative Writing, she built a career as a freelance editor while working on her own stories in her spare time. When she’s not writing or editing, she enjoys playing video games and crying over romance Kdramas. Follow Rachel on Instagram or join her newsletter for for book news, reading recommendations, and plenty of cat pictures!

Reviews

[Kelly (Little.shropshire.reader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cats and Christmas, what more could I possibly want?!

If I read this in December, I would have been sat all cosy by my Christmas tree, drinking hot chocolate and eating festive snacks. This is such a feel-good romance. Is it slightly clichéd, predictable and cheesey in places? Yes, but that is what I expect and want out of this type of story. It's that magical time of the year where I want a real heartwarming story where everything turns out OK. Full of likeable wholesome characters and cats, too. A sense of family and community support. I loved Emmie's character she is full of life and positivity.

It's a cute and enjoyable festive story!

Set in Catpurrcino cafe, Emmie finds herself snowed in with the new delivery driver, Jared, and all the cats, after a terrible blizzard hits. Will some light come out of the storm for the both of them?

Thank you, Netgalley and Hodder and Stoughton, for my ARC.
My opinions are my own

[✦denisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

snowed in at the cat café is exactly what it promises to be, and i mean that as the highest compliment. snowy weather, cats everywhere, gentle romance, low stakes. no plot twists lurking in the corners. no existential dread. just vibes.

before i overthink this (which i’m fully capable of doing), let me say this: i enjoyed myself. this is the kind of book you read when your brain needs a nap but your heart wants something warm. is it deep? no. is it subtle? not really. did i care? absolutely not.

the charm is doing all the heavy lifting here, and i was happy to let it. it felt like sitting by a window while it’s snowing, holding a warm drink, and pretending life is simple for a few hours. sometimes that’s all i want from a book🐾

[Libby Chapman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet, frosty little treat of a book.

And cats. ❤️

[Sabina_bere · Rating 3 out of 5]

Luštno branje, ki se prilega podobno kot skodelica kakava ali vroče čokolade na zimski večer.

[Romie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A super cute and cosy story taking place at a snowed-in Cat Café during Christmas? Yes, please! (3.79)

[Matteja LV · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Vsi imamo težave, s katerimi se spopadamo."

📖 Beli božič v mačji kavarni, Rachel Rowlands

Pozor, robčke ob branju! Še posebej, če ste tudi sami izgubili mačjo prijateljico... Sama eno leto nazaj verjetno knjige ne bi bila sposobna prebrati, zaradi vseh čustev ob izgubi... Danes že malce lažje, čeprav me je kar stiskalo, solze so tekle...
Glavni junak Jared nujno potrebuje službo, ki jo nepričakovano dobi kot dostavljavec v mačji kavarni. Zlaže se, da ima alergijo na mačke, saj se noče približati mačkam zaradi nedavne izgube svoje muce. Mu bo laž škodila? Zgodi se namreč tudi snežna nevihta, v kateri ostane ujet v kavarni s prijetno sodelavko, a tudi gostjo, s katero ima skupno preteklost... Bo nastala zmeda? Ali je vse za nekaj dobro?

-----
Vsekakor je sama ne bi dala za romanco, saj ni v ospredje. Spopadanje z izgubo mačke, preživetje v družbi, iskanje svoje poti, zaupanje v svoje sposobnosti. Zapakirano skupaj s kopico mačk. Nisem pričakovala tako čustvenega branja.

[Solly_Livrons_nous_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un café avec des chats, des personnages touchants en reconstruction, une relation saine, et aussi une relation sans rivalité entre deux femmes (c’est franchement assez rare et appréciable pour que je le note !)
Le tout saupoudré de la douceur de noël, entre tempête de neige et chocolat chaud près du feu, un chaton sur les genoux.

Franchement, j’ai passé un super moment ! Je ne suis pas forcément fan des romances de noël, mais le cadre de celle ci et les thématiques assez fortes (il y a quelques TW) m’ont vraiment émue. ❤️‍🩹

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I totally read this book for the adorable cover! But the story was cute and charming too. I loved getting to read about all the cats. The actual story was quite slow though and talk about SLOW burn. Probably would have made a really good novella around 150 pages. Did find it dragged on and Iost some interest near the end.

All in all a cute cosy read for any cat lover if you're just looking for something easy.

[Ladysa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,25⭐️

C’était vraiment mignon tout plein 🫶🏻 parfait pour la saison. J’ai adoré l’ambiance du roman, on avait l’impression d’être dans une bulle douillette, toute cozy et réconfortante. Le rythme était lent mais hyper agréable comme une pause dans le temps 💫 j’ai adoré suivre nos personnages pendant cette petite coupure dans leur vie, on a une romance assez légère, toute douce et pas mal d’introspection, ils se tirent mutuellement vers le haut et j’ai adoré ça ❤️‍🩹 ils m’ont chacun touché par leur passé et leurs problèmes du présent, ils se complètent merveilleusement bien et toutes ces petites boules de poils qui les entourent m’ont juste fait fondre, le cadre était beaucoup trop mignon 🥹✨🫶🏻
Vraiment une très bonne lecture, parfaite pour la saison au coin du feu, sous un plaid avec une tasse de chocolat, si vous avez besoin de souffler un peu et de vous mettre dans une petite bulle parfois un peu douce amère mais vraiment réconfortante ❤️‍🩹

[Juliette Maréchal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super mignon
Une vraie romance de Noël

[Vicky Sp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un fiocco di serenità è una storia dolce e deliziosa che parla di gatti e del Natale, quindi perfetta per il periodo che sta arrivando e per chi ama i felini.

Un libro che parla d’amore, due protagonisti che scoprono di amarsi in una maniera singolare e quasi tragica.

Interessanti le regole la caffetteria, belli il Cat Lounge e il Gattile, insomma ho adorato tutto ciò che circonda il mondo dei mici ben rappresentato e descritto dall’autrice.

Dolce e romantica la storia tra Emmie e Jared, due cuori e una caffetteria, si percepisce il loro animo sensibile e generoso.

E che dire dei gatti presenti nel romanzo? Tutti adorabili ma mi sono affezionata in particolar modo a Nova.

 

[Laura Jan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Trop triste pour mon mood actuel...

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh I loved this so much.

What a heartwarming and cosy read. The characters were loveable and the scene setting was perfect. I am obsessed with cats and this just hit the spot.

And there’s a little bit of conflict which I wasn’t expecting but added nicely to the story.

I just wish this was released nearer to Christmas so I could have read it all cosy with Christmas decs up.

Thank you to Netgalley for the copy.

[Mojca Rudolf · Rating 3 out of 5]

Od psiholoških trilerjev k nadvse romantični zgodbi. Nekako sem vedno mislila, da je Bel božič, tule pa je Beli božič, a le na naslovnici, v notranjosti zgodbe je bel božič, hm. A k sami zgodbi, ki se simpatično začne, ko Jared dobi službo dostavljalca v mačji kavarni. Zaplete pa se, ko se zlaže, da je alergičen na mačke. V mačji kavarni pa dela tudi Emmie. In tako je koncept zelo romantične zgodbice narejen, saj imata seveda vsak svojo preteklost, med njima pa že brbota prihodnost, ki jo slutimo in ki se seveda zgodi. Še prej je nekaj zapletov, celo snežni metež, ki Jareda, Emmie in Megan prisili, da skupaj preživijo nekaj dni. Luštno zapakirano v drugačno okolje. Ljubko, v mačji kavarni, z mnogimi mucki, ki so za ljubitelje seveda dodaten bonus. A nekje do polovice je kar simpatično branje, nato pa klasična pravljica.

[Emma Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute and cosy festive read. I loved that the story was set in a cat cafe, which sounded adorable. The story was cute and easy to follow and had a great cast of characters. I highly recommend it and I look forward to reading more by the author.

[Chloé Couture · Rating 3 out of 5]

L’ambiance est douce et réconfortante, surtout avec le décor hivernal et le café, mais j’ai trouvé qu’il ne se passait pas grand-chose. L’histoire tourne beaucoup en rond et ne m'a pas particulièrement tenu en haleine.Ça manquait de moments marquants à mon goût

[Silke · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was, okay.. it reads easy but god, didn’t like the characters at all, they were so dramatic
And how much can go wrong in a cozy romance read?? Apparently a lot according to this book.
Only giving it 3 stars for the cats!!!!!

[Noémie Horth · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ une belle petite romance du temps des fêtes ❄️

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

*2,5

[Tilly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute and cozy

[Datha Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm 100% a cat person. This book really hit home for me on the aspect of losing a cat. I enjoyed the way it was written and can't wait for the next book to come out next year.

[Cassandra Veber · Rating 2 out of 5]

(2.5 ⭐️) Bon c’était une petite déception. J’avais adoré le tome 2 que j’avais lu cet été et je m’étais dit qu’il était temps de lire le 1 vu que Noël approche.

Bah c’était pas fameux du tout… j’ai trouvé que c’était plat puis bon faire un drame pour une fausse allergie aux poils de chats… (donnez moi vos pb en fait).

🐈🐈🐈

[Gawelleb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ce fut une lecture sympathique vraiment mais pas aussi cosy que je l’imaginais. Bien sûr, nous avons un happy end mais certains sujet étaient peu plombants

[Elisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un libro speciale per questo periodo delle feste.
Atmosfera natalizia, gatti e ex. What’s else?
Lettura veloce e ricca di colpi di scena, personaggi non banali ma che hanno una crescita.
Finale un pochino banale, ma ci sta il lieto fine.

[loulou · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5⭐️

[Ad3le · Rating 5 out of 5]

Définitivement ma romance favorite de 2025 en fin d’année, je meurs pour cette histoire si mignonne et si douce

[KaylaMae Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is not a cozy romance by any means. The second it gets cozy, something happens, an injury, an ex, etc. This book also deals with grief, abusive relationships, alcoholism, estrangement, hospitalization. Such a cute premise, but totally not cozy.

[Andrea Maino · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jared, dopo molte difficoltà, incomincia a lavorare come corriere per un Cat-cafe’. Lì conosce Emmie, nipote della proprietaria, con la quale stringe un forte legame di amicizia. Quando l’isolamento a causa di una tempesta di neve li costringerà a conoscersi meglio, il loro rapporto subita un drastico cambiamento.
Jared è un ragazzo fragile e sensibile, deluso e amareggiato, mentre Emmie sta ancora cercando il suo posto nel mondo, ma è solare e gentile.
La trama di questo romanzo l’ho trovata piuttosto scontata, lo stile lineare e elementare, il bar è stato creato giusto come ambientazione di sfondo ma non vi sono particolari caratterizzazioni dei gatti, che invece avrei voluto. Una storia dolce con la classica storia d’amore e il lieto fine, senza particolari colpi di scena, trattata un po’ con superficialità.
Un romanzo natalizio da cui mi aspettavo qualcosa di più, c’è decisamente di meglio da leggere.

[Frenchorchidea · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's the first time for me to read a book by Rachel Rowlands and I am so happy to have given this author a try! I absolutely adored this book! If you like cozy and snowy atmosphere this book is for you, if you like cats, this book is for you, if you enjoy a good latte or a yummy hot chocolate, this book is for you. If you like a good romance that is building up slowly, this book is for you! Super lovely book, a real page turner!!!! 4 starts out of 5 for this book!!!

[Gem ~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Visiting the cat café in this wintery romance was the perfect escapism this week. Packed with feline cuteness, loveable characters, tense drama and more than a sprinkling of chemistry, this is a great read.