The Cafe at the End of the World

by Helen Comerford

THE END IS BREWING ...

'Comfortingly cosy, apocalyptically dangerous and spellbindingly romantic' – Tia Fisher, author of Not Going To Plan

Love, lattes, and world-ending drama – life just got a lot less cosy for Lydie, teenage daughter of Death. The cosy romcom/fantasy obsession you didn't know you needed.

Come for the cinnamon rolls, stay for the apocalypse.

Lydie, the daughter of Death, a retired Rider of the Apocalypse, is obsessed with 'cosy'; cosy books, cosy job in the family café, cosy low-drama life.

But then secretive, attractive, and above all annoying, Kai, bursts into the café in a flurry of autumn leaves, with secrets that threaten to change everything.

Big, un-cosy things are coming for Lydie whether she likes it or not, and working with Kai might be the only way to protect her town. Provided she doesn't fall for him first ...

TROPES FOR THE CAFÉ AT THE END OF THE WORLD
¤ Grumpy/sunshine
¤ Forced Proximity
¤ Enemies to ... well, that would be telling
¤ Brooding ML who just needs a hug
¤ 'I totally have to kiss you right now or else we'll blow our cover'

PRAISE FOR THE CAFÉ AT THE END OF THE WORLD

'With timeless yearning, apocalyptic stakes and a cosy setting, this is a delicious treat of a book' - Niyla Farook, award-winning author of Murder for Two

'A comforting, cozy hug set against world-ending stakes and heart-pounding adventure. After reading, you'll never want to leave the Snug' - Ann Sei Lin, author of Rebel Skies

'The perfect balance of cosy, coffee-shop vibes with thrilling, world-saving stakes' - Zeena Gosrani, author of This Dark Heart

'Helen Comerford has a magical touch for romance - her love stories are joyful, dreamy and real' - Kai Spellmeier, author of Boy Friends

5* reader

'Cozy, reflective YA that stands for what is right.'

'A beautifully paced YA fantasy, with cozy vibes, lovable characters and an intriguing plot!'

'The Cafe at the End of the World feels like a warm hug and an exciting adventure all rolled into one.'

'Very cleverly done in a very readable way. I couldn't put it down.'

'I was absolutely hooked from the first chapter.'

'My favourite book of the year vibes are really tingling - honestly put on your TBR now.'

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy

324 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 2, 2026

Reviews

[Frankie Spiller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this arc.

I was a bit hesitant about this when I first started reading as I hadn’t realised that it was YA. However, the storyline had me gripped right from the start and I loved every second of it! I will say I found some parts of it quite predictable, but I think that actually because part of the charm. I loved Lydie’s character development and the relationships she had with the other characters made me care about them so much! I loved the ending and the epilogue set up so well for book two! I already need answers! I highly recommend such a quick read that I couldn’t put down.

[Josie Jaffrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unputdownable YA fantasy. Who knew that a story about the four horsemen of the apocalypse and their offspring could be so cosy and warm? Masterfully plotted, swooningly romantic and wonderfully imaginative. I read it in a single sitting and I can’t wait for the next book!

[Sarah Visscher · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5⭐️

[Mela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a cute, cozy and fun read!
In this story we follow Lydie, the daughter of death as she dreams of being in charge of her family’s coffee shop. However one day a mysterious boy comes to town and will Lydie’s life turn upside down? Will Lydie be able to find herself and keep the coffee shop?

I really loved this story so much, it was comforting and I felt like it was the Snug in book form. Lydie was such a good MC and I loved both Kai and Jane. The plot was also quite fun and it definitely picked up the pace at the end. I did not expect this to be the first book in a duology, but I’m genuinely so happy to get more time with these characters. I’d definitely recommend this if you are looking for a YA cozy fantasy!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Bloomsbury Publishing for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.

Come for the cinnamon rolls, stay for the apocalypse. Lydie, the daughter of Death, a retired Rider of the Apocalypse, is obsessed with ‘cosy’; cosy books, cosy job in the family café, cosy low-drama life. But then secretive, attractive, and above all annoying, Kai, bursts into the café in a flurry of autumn leaves, with secrets that threaten to change everything. Big, un-cosy things are coming for Lydie whether she likes it or not, and working with Kai might be the only way to protect her town. Provided she doesn't fall for him first ...

Lydie is incredibly reluctant to accept a massive part of herself - yet, seems to enjoy the benefits that part can offer her. Kai appears to be mysterious and almost cold, which felt a little off for how cozy and warm the setting is otherwise. I didn’t feel much of a connection with either character unfortunately. I really wanted to enjoy them but could not find that engagement. Perhaps it’s because of their age, or even just their lackadaisical approach to things, but they felt incredibly YA - and as a YA lover, I usually find characters feel more mature!

The blurb for this story definitely attracted me - a story offering cozy vibes with a fantasy twist. It is well written and mostly engaging, but I just didn’t feel a spark with it. I was happy reading the book and seeing where we ended up with the characters, but there wasn’t an eagerness to finish quickly, nor much emotion tied to it. It may very well be I was not in the best mindset for reading this - that perhaps I could have enjoyed it more. But it is a very sweet book and worked perfectly as a little palate cleanser. Character wise, we’re relatively restricted to a few specific people, only the occasional glimpse of others coming through. Some did feel a little more filler than others but it did work for the small town, cozy vibe the author has curated. Being a YA friends to lovers, we’re not heavy on the romance here. Seeing the interactions and the little bit of tension that grew because of them was nice. It did feel a bit more one note instead of fluctuating but perhaps the author’s intention was to not deviate too far from the calm, coziness of it all. The ending brings things to a nice conclusion and the epilogue setting up the sequel. I, unfortunately, don’t see myself continuing with this series but wish the author well!

Overall, The Café at the End of the World is a sweet read that worked perfectly as a palate cleanser for me.

⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Thank you again to Bloomsbury Publishing for an advanced copy of this book.

[VickydpBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Café at the End of the World is a delightful blend of romance, humour, fantasy, and end-of-the-world stakes. Lydie is a wonderfully relatable heroine: the daughter of Death, yet someone who wants nothing more than a quiet, cosy life filled with comforting books, a familiar café, and as little drama as possible. Of course, fate has other plans.

Enter Kai: mysterious, frustrating, and undeniably intriguing. His arrival disrupts Lydie’s carefully controlled world, bringing secrets, danger, and the kind of adventure she has been desperately trying to avoid. Their dynamic is one of the highlights of the story, with plenty of tension, witty moments, and the irresistible push-and-pull of a grumpy/sunshine pairing.

The book perfectly balances cosy café vibes with the looming threat of apocalypse. It has the warmth of a comfort read while still delivering excitement, mystery, and high stakes. The forced proximity and enemies-to-lovers energy create a fun romantic journey, especially as Lydie and Kai slowly learn to see beyond each other’s first impressions.

Kai’s brooding exterior and hidden vulnerabilities make him a character you can’t help but root for, while Lydie’s determination to protect the life she loves gives the story its emotional heart. Their chemistry builds naturally, making every stolen glance and reluctant moment together even more satisfying.

If you enjoy cosy fantasy, slow-burn romance, charming cafés, found family, and a little bit of apocalypse mixed with your cinnamon rolls, this book is a perfect escape. It’s warm, funny, magical, and a reminder that even when the world is ending, there’s always time for love—and maybe a good pastry.

[Laura Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE CAFE AT THR END OF THE WORLD BY HELEN COMERFORD.
5 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s.
Loved it loved it loved it.
I love going into a new book blind and it blowing me away.
My first book by this author and I can't wait to read more

[Jess H · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay! It’s YA. I didn’t know this when I started lol I like to go into my books blind. It was a cute easy read but I didn’t love it.

[Laura Parissi · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know what?! For a cafe themed cozy YA this had a lot of story and I did not expect the turns and twists. I had a great time ! ☕

[Cori Samuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lydie is a teenager obsessed with the cosy life in her parents' cosy cafe, and avoiding the complications that are inevitable when you're the daughter of one of the Riders of the Apocalypse. (Retired.)

I did enjoy this, despite the initial eye-rolling when the love interest, Kai, was introduced -- yes, we get it, he's hot and brooding ... he's also a bit of a jerk. It's a clean romance, staying true to the cosy vibe.

Lydie's desire to be herself and not just "the daughter of..." is entirely understandable, and a significant theme in the story. I would have liked a little more about Lydie's mixed heritage and in particular about her mother, who is rather overshadowed by her husband, Death. However, this is the first in a series, so hopefully that's to come!


Rating: 15/20
This review is based upon a complimentary advance review copy provided by the publisher.

[Rebecca R · Rating 4 out of 5]

'The Cafe at the End of the World' is a YA 'cosy-cafe romance' (a whole genre in itself these days) with a supernatural twist.

Lydie loves her family cafe, The Snug, and all she wants from life is cosiness and contentment. She definitely doesn't want to think about the portal to the afterlife in the basement or the fact that she's the daughter of Death - one of the four riders of the apocalypse. When a new boy arrives in town Lydie is immediate suspicious...who is Kai really, and does he want to disrupt her perfect cosy life? (Spoiler alert...yes, he does.)

Lydie's extreme avoidance is quite frustrating at first, but understandable considering her sinister parent. But as the apocalypse looms, Lydie becomes inexorably involved and begins to understand who she really is and how she fits into the world.

This an adorably sweet and funny, fast-paced, high-stakes coming-of-age story plus cosy-cafe romance - if you can imagine such a thing - with strong 'Good Omens' vibes. I loved it.

Thanks to Bloomsbury and NetGalley for the digital ARC.

[Amy Capewell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lydie Mortimer is 17, splitting her time between studying and working in her family’s cosy cafe, The Snug, which is nestled in the warm and welcoming little village of Pont-on-Wye.

But there’s more to The Snug than initially meets the eye. There’s a glowing door in the basement that leads to the Afterlife for a start, which might seem a little bit…odd. But there’s also more to Lydie than you might guess as well, because although she fully embraces her human side, Lydie is, in fact, the daughter of Death - yes, that Death, the chap usually depicted wearing a lot of black and carrying a big old scythe.

Around 18 years ago, following a disaster in the Caribbean, Death found a moment of true balance in the world. And so, melting War’s sword, balancing Famine’s scales and scattering the ashes of Pandemic’s bow he forced the most powerful beings in the universe into retirement.
But now there are whisperings of a return of the Riders. Lydie has, unnervingly, started to see people’s memories and a stranger has turned up at the cafe asking about Death’s horse. Whatever happens, Lydie’s life won’t be the same again.

The Cafe at the End of the World is a coming of age story of sorts. With growing powers and a world to save, Lydie can no longer deny who she is. She needs to face up to being the daughter of Death and all that entails even if that means sacrificing the cozy little cinnamon-dusted life she has so determinedly protected all these years.
But she can’t save the world alone, she’s going to need to open up to found-family and start to trust them if they are to have any chance of success.

This book is sweet, funny and fast-paced. I loved the cute, cosy cafe vibes and the host of supporting characters, who are introduced to support the storyline but at no point detract from the action. The main cast are introduced, explored and developed well and leap off the page and into your heart.

The Cafe at the End of the World would make a great introduction to the cosy fantasy genre for YA readers with just the right amounts of suspense, drama and jeopardy to keep it fresh throughout.

[Siobhan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lydie is a teenager working in her family's cafe, dreaming of the day she gets to open a cafe of her own. The only problem is, her father is Death, he made the other Horsemen retire, and now another Horseman Offspring is on her doorstep, asking for help.

I really liked the characters in this book. Lydie is relatable as a character who likes her existence and enjoys the small wonders within it, but has to push herself out of her comfort zone in order to save that world that she loves. Jane is a wonderful best friend character, supportive but not pushy, and complete in her own right. Kai is wrapped in mystery at first, but it's fairly obvious who he might be too. Despite that, he shows that nurture does not always determine nature. Lydie's parents show that first impressions might not always match the nuance when you know someone better. And name a better character than Pal! I also love the Toothers, they steal the scenes they're in.

I also really liked that the Horsemen all have offspring, and as we get to know the offspring, we can see how their attitudes are the antithesis of their parents. Jane's father is Pestilence (or Pandemic in this book) and yet she's an avid runner, she eats well and has a health blog. Lydie's father is Death, but Lydie is fighting for everyone's life. Kai searches for peace after so many years of being trained by War, and Famine (or as this book has chosen it, Greed) has a seemingly generous child.

The only thing stopping me from giving this book at 5 star is the climax. The fight in the afterlife, because of the limits of time for Kai and Jane to start becoming wraiths, feels abrupt and unsatisfying. I can see Comerford's aim to have the bigger battle scenes in the second book of this duology, but I never felt the fear Lydie did, we spent too much time in the safe cosiness to achieve that. I do appreciate the ramifications of what did happen in the Afterlife Fight, and how things are shaping up, but I just wish I felt the intensity that Comerford was aiming for. It won't stop me reading the second book though, I want to see how it all turns out!

[Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lydie Mortimer is the daughter of Death, one of the four Riders of the Apocalypse who ‘retired’ to live a soft countryside life with his family. Lydie wants a quiet life where she makes people feel safe in her family cafe, affectionately called The Snug - she specifically does NOT want to be associated with Death and fears the afterlife door that is hiding in the basement of the cafe. But one day, mysterious and broody Kai blows in with the autumn leaves and life starts to change for Lydie. She soon finds herself on a mission to prevent the return of the Riders which brings her out of her cosy, little shell and takes her on an exhilarating adventure.

I really loved this YA story. It had all of my favourite tropes; grumpy x sunshine, forced proximity, yearning, friends to lovers.

I was hooked by the concept of the four Riders of the Apocalypse having lives and families and following their children throughout this story was so fun! The found family that these kids created by working together and supporting one another was sweet. It highlighted the importance of allowing others to help you overcome your fears and putting your true self out there despite the possible judgement that may come with it.

The story also put a bittersweet spin on Death - that he exists purely because of the destruction and pain caused by the other Riders. The fact that Rider Death sought to make people’s journeys to the afterlife easier and softer was very touching and brought a tear to my eye.
Lydie massively misunderstood this aspect of her dad’s existence, choosing to reject and ignore his explanations and teachings. The story proves that listening to and trying to understand your parents is deeply important. Once Lydie did this, she was able to grow so much and her character arc was fantastic.

I really enjoyed this YA story and am very grateful to receive this ARC from Bloomsbury and Helen through NetGalley.

[Tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 5/5
I received an eARC for my honest opinion.

There are some books that come into your life at just the right time, and The Café at the End of the World felt like one of those stories for me. From the very first chapter, I felt welcomed into this little café and the lives of the people who found themselves there. By the end, I wasn't ready to leave.

What I loved most about this book was how beautifully it explored healing and second chances. Every character carried something different with them, heartache, regret, uncertainty, or hope and watching their stories slowly unfold made me feel connected to each of them. Their journeys weren't rushed or perfect, which made every small step forward feel meaningful and rewarding. Lydie was a great MFC, she was upbeat but understood the role she might have to play but didn’t really know the whole story of it. I loved that she was there for everyone and when she needed them, they all showed up. Kai was so sweet, I won’t lie I thought he was going to end up being a villain, but I am so happy he wasn’t. I really enjoyed getting to see their characters. The other person I thought was a villain ended up being

The café itself became one of my favorite parts of the story. It wasn't just a setting; it felt like a place where people could finally breathe, reflect, and find the courage to move forward. I found myself wishing I could pull up a chair, order a warm drink, and spend an afternoon getting to know everyone who walked through its doors.

Helen Comerford has a wonderful way of balancing emotional moments with warmth and quiet humor. There were scenes that made me smile, others that tugged at my heart, and more than once I caught myself pausing to really think about the message behind what I had just read. The friendships, kindness, and sense of community woven throughout the story reminded me that even the smallest acts of compassion can change someone's life. I can’t wait to read the next book.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Bloomsbury for the opportunity to review this book.

[lucy, she-her · Rating 3 out of 5]

i don’t know why this only shows up as an audiobook. i read the paper copy.

this one had potential, and i did enjoy the characters and the setting a lot. i could’ve done with it being a bit darker and grittier, considering the characters’ ages, and also leaning further into the settings of the town and the cafe, because more description could’ve made it really beautiful. i also didn’t realise it was a duology and i don’t think i’d have picked it up if i did. i don’t think i liked it quite enough to bother with a whole second book. but it’s frustrating because obviously i didn’t realise it would end on a cliff-hanger (and the plot twist in the epilogue was gorgeous).

as always, i loved the idea that two girls who are platonic friends can be each other’s people and the absolute fierce love there. i loved the café, i loved the feeling that everything could be okay in there, i loved the autumnal thing we had going on, i loved it being set in a town where everyone knows everyone else but isn’t, like, horribly racist, as is the norm in these places. i love a magical small town! i love english forests/coastlines. kai was cool. lydie was fine, and i liked jane enough. i love reading about people with parents too perfect to ever be real, much like the town and the café - it’s sheer escapism. i love books with animals where the animals don’t get hurt.

i just thought this was really juvenile. and there was ONE part in particular that drove this home: what is “feck”?? i assume the author doesn’t want to say “fuck” - but then don’t say anything at all?? lydia is 17. a substitute for “fuck” is something you would really only say in the lower half of primary school. if there’s a serious scene and her response is “feck”, it completely takes you out of the moment and wrecks whatever emotion or depth was being attempted. it genuinely had such a detrimental effect on the book as a whole.

[Sifa Poulton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an eARC from the publisher preparation for a UKYASpotlight interview. It has not affected my opinions.

THE CAFÉ AT THE END OF THE WORLD is a cosy romantasy set in a café - with the Four Horsemen of the apocalypse. It doesn't sound like a combo that should work, but it does. I think it's because the cosy creates very high implicit stakes - you want this idyll to survive so they have to deal with the possibility that the Four Horsemen will return and wreak havoc in order to protect it.

This is a contemporary fantasy with a community of magical creatures masquerading as normal humans. It's a set up that's been done many times before but the focus on the Four Horsemen helps it feels different as they're not an aspect I've seen used many times. Likewise, the underworld that we see has traces of well known mythologies but doesn't strictly adhere to any. I really enjoyed how it was brought together, juxtaposing the supernatural with the mundanity of a local business. I also loved how the Horsemen fit into this world - for example, Pestilence is into computer viruses now. It was such a fun reworking of the mythos.

The love interest, Kai, is hot and very thoughtful, reflecting the ideation of a perfect boyfriend as cosy romantasies do. He didn't really have any flaws, which does make him a bit too perfect, but that's the escapism that romantasy can offer. He is sweet and kind, though I do wish he'd had a few flaws so that there was real tension between them when Lydie withholding her identity came to light as they just sort of whizzed through that.

This is the start of a new duology and I'm excited for the next book!

[Nostradamus_in_pyjamas · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 ⭐️ The café at the End of the World is a beautifully paced YA fantasy, with cozy vibes, lovable characters and an intriguing plot!

Lydie our FMC is the daughter of retired rider of the apocalypse Death. She just wants an easy, quiet, drama free 'human' life. All is going according to plan until a grumpy and secretive boy named Kai storms into her life turning everything upside down. Together with the help of Lydie's best friend they must (reluctantly) work together to uncover a secret that threatens the world as they know it, whilst trying desperately not to fall for each other.

This was such an adorable and fun read! I was hooked from the first chapter. The main and supporting characters were so well written, it was impossible not to root for them all.
The world building was perfect and easy to follow, the town was vividly described and I wish The Snug was real as it would be my go to café!

Lydie's character growth was perfectly done. I loved watching her step out of her comfort zone, take the time to understand her heritage and find the courage to do what needed to be done.

A few other things I loved:
♡ Pal. He is amazing! ❤️
♡ The plot twist betrayal! Very well done!
♡ The Toothers. I love them so much 🤣 They had me chuckling quite a few times!🦷

I will definitely be continuing this story and I am excited to see what happens in the next installment!

Thank you NetGalley, Bloomsbury Publishing Plc and Helen for providing me early access to this book. All opinions are my own.

[Summaiya Ansari · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best YA dark fantasy books I've read this half-year.

At first, the few pages were so slow and boring that I didn't like them much and was rooting for something to happen or take place. That's when Kai's character entered the story. Even his entry didn't stir things until his reveal. That is when the plot absorbed me in no time. I would do house chores and come back to continue reading.

I loved this epic dark fantasy, yet it's set in a cozy, snug cafe where Lydie enjoys being a regular person doing a mundane job and thinking one day of running this cafe.

But Fate had something else decided for her, which she kept avoiding, not wanting to be like her father. I completely understand why she wanted a regular life over dark power.

But it is what it is. A legacy is to be followed, which she understood in time when tragedy occurred.

The daughter and father duo were shown beautifully, which I loved so much, including her relationship with her mother as well.

This story will take you from the current land to the afterlife where Lydie and her friends try to stop what is being planned to emerge by her known people.

Readers will enjoy the drama, romance, choices of power, parents' relationships with their offspring, the setting, the atmosphere of the place, and the vibrant descriptions of places, people, the cafe, character traits, and many more.

Had it not been for a few slow, confusing initial pages, I would have given it 5 stars.

Thank you, @netgalley and @bloomsburyplc, for the e-ARC. I had a great time reading this book.

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Bloomsbury publishing for the arc!

♾️/5⭐️ I loved this book so much, it’s instantly become one my favourite reads and I’m already looking forward to reading it again and other books by this author! The characters are so likeable and have so much personality to them. Lydie is such a strong character and I absolutely love how much she cares for everyone around her and just wants to help them. Her character growth is amazing and it was so nice to see her step outside of what she’s used to and open herself up to other possibilities. Kai is hilarious and easily one of my favourite mmc’s! He’s adorable and I absolutely loved his sense of humour and his puns! The other characters are amazing too and so well written, my other favourites were definitely Jane and Pal! The setting itself is perfect and makes the book feel so cozy, I definitely want to visit The Snug! I loved the comforting feel the cafe gave and seeing the regulars there made it feel so homely. The plot itself is so unusual and I absolutely love the concept of a book about the riders of the apocalypse’s offspring. There were a lot of twists I didn’t see coming and I’m so excited for the next book (I was SO excited when I found out this wasn’t a standalone!) The romance built at the perfect pace and I loved every interaction the two of them had. The book is so engaging and had me hooked from the first page and I’m so excited to see where this story will go. I highly recommend this book to anyone!!

[Booksandpurrs · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
3.9/5

The Café at the End of the World is the first book in a duology, a YA cosy fantasy centred around the Four Horsemen.
This was a fun read that gave off cosy vibes and had a charming atmosphere, even with the Four Horsemen at the heart of the story. It’s a great YA fantasy for a younger audience, although I enjoyed it too.
At times I found it a little predictable, and I would have liked more depth to the plot because the central mystery and twist were interesting.
Lydie, Jane and Kai were all very likeable characters. Pont-on-Wye had such a charming feel, helped by The Snug Cafe.
The romance was fine, with a nice slow burn build up, but I felt the chemistry between the characters was a little lacking despite them both being likeable.
There is some action, but the story focuses more on the core characters, their relationships and their emotions. Loved Annabelle the cat, I’m sure there’s more to her than we know.
The first half is slower paced, but it picks up in the second half.
The world building was easy to follow. It isn’t especially deep, but there’s enough detail to support this cosy YA fantasy without becoming overwhelming.
If you’re looking for a light hearted, cosy fantasy that’s quick and easy to read, this is worth picking up.

Thank you to Bloomsbury Publishing, NetGalley and Helen Comerford for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Helena · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘The Cafe at the End of the World’ was a read that has cosy vibes mixed with adventure and tension! This storyline was so unique, I was fully invested, I fell in love with Pont on Wye and the shops and the cafe called ‘The Snug’ and I really enjoyed the characters!

Lydie our FMC was a treasure, she really grew into herself more and embraced who she was as a person. Throughout a lot of the book she was apprehensive on who she was and didn’t want people close to her to know she was the daughter of death, and without spoiling the story, we did see her start to embrace who she was. Jane was a really quirky character, she made me laugh a lot and everybody needs a friend like Jane, she was there for Lydie through and through. Kai our MMC, he and Lydie have 'grumpy x sunshine' vibes and that’s one of my favourite tropes. I liked the mysterious vibes Kai had, we didn’t learn about him straight away but this made for an interesting read. The friendships were really strong in this read which I found admirable, I enjoyed the slow blossoming romance too.

As a whole, ‘The Cafe at the End of the World’ was a cross between really cute and lighthearted, and eerie and spooky and those are the kind of vibes I’m obsessed with. I loved the passion each character had about wanting to save the world.
If you are a fan of cosy vibes with a lot of action and world saving then add this to your TBR!

[Pee’s Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Bloomsbury Publishing Plc (UK & Anz) for gifting me this digital arc in exchange for my honest review.

Our girl Lydie is the daughter of Death, who is one of the retired riders of the Apocalypse. Lydie is excited for a summer of working and taking on more responsibility in her family’s cafe, The Snug, until our boy Kai stumbles into the cafe and her life. Things get a lot less cosy with World ending drama coming their way.

I went into this thinking, oh yeah… YA romance, snuggly cosy fantasy about a supernatural cafe, that will be lovely and relaxing, and oh my goodness yes but also oh my goodness no….. this book is so much more than that, it’s drama, depth, emotion, found family and friends, comedy, and evil villains that you will love to hate. I kicked my feet, screamed, yelled, cried, scream again and read so many quotes and paragraphs out to my husband.

A sweet grumpy/sunshine romance, supernatural cafe regulars and lattes, a door to the afterlife in the basement next to the milk fridge, and menacing tooth fairy’s with a love of toffee apples.

My favourite book of the year vibes are really tingling - Honestly put on your TBR now. This is the first book in a series, and I’m so happy for book 2.

[Megan.Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a charming read! The pacing was a little slow for me, but I still found myself wanting to pick up the book.

One of my favourite aspects was watching Lydie grow into her own throughout the story. She spends a lot of time battling her instinct to run away from her problems, while also trying to understand and accept who she really is, and I really enjoyed seeing that development unfold. Shout out to Pal the horse and the fun cast of characters living in Pont-on-Wye and passing through the Snug café, they gave the story a lovely cosy, ordinary community feel.

I also liked how death was explored in quite a gentle and comforting way. The little moments with Lydie, her Dad and Amber Evans added a sweet and hopeful perspective to something that could otherwise have felt quite sad and dark.

I did find the main twist a little predictable, but that didn’t take away too much from my enjoyment of the story and I'm intrigued enough to want to pick up book two and see where Lydie’s story goes next.

This is a nice YA story for those who enjoy cosy, funny fantasies and found-family tropes. Thanks to NetGalley and the author and publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Charlotte Pearce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Bloomsbury and NetGalley for the arc!

This was actually more enjoyable than I thought it was going be. We follow Lydie, who is the daughter of Death, a retired horseman (or rider in this book) of the apocalypse. Lydie just wants a normal, quiet, cosy life working in the family cafe. That all changes though when Kai bursts into the cafe and she must face what she’s been trying to ignore in order to protect her dream and her town.

This was such an easy and fun read. It was more on the YA side than I would usually enjoy so I think that took away from my overall enjoyment. Lydie could also be incredibly frustrating at times, but when you remember you are in the mind of a 17 year old girl, her decisions and hesitations and insecurities make a lot more sense! The romance subplot was also very sweet, although did feel a little rushed. The side characters were great (I especially loved Pal, more Pal next book!) and there was a fun twist at the end which has set up nicely for book 2!

If you’re looking for something easy, cosy, not too high stakes and will leave you feeling satisfied then definitely pick this up when it’s out in July

[Kasha · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

THE CAFE AT THE END OF THE WORLD - HELEN COMERFORD

A vaguely apocalyptic cosy fantasy set at a cafe (THE SNUG!!!) I would love to visit - this book was delightful and I was completely charmed by the storyline and, especially, the characters.

This is not the only book about Death's daughter I've read this year, but it is my favourite, especially due to the addition of the entire set of offspring of the Four Horsemen. They have to reluctantly join forces to stop a growing danger that will affect the entire world, and this whole setup gave me a strong sense of nostalgia for the books I read growing up where a group of teens have to save the world (again and again).

But it's not all about this growing danger; there's the very heartwarming setting of The Snug, a sweet romance or two, themes of acceptance and recognising one's strengths, and some entertaining Underworld exploration too. I genuinely cannot wait to see what happens next, because that ending definitely implies that there's more to come!

Personal rating: 4.24/5
TWs: d*ath, v*olence, t*xic p*renting, t*xic relationships, ch*ld ab*ndonment

[Aishah · Rating 3 out of 5]

The synopsis attracted me to The Cafe at the End of the World. Set around a seemingly cosy café, the story follows Lydie, daughter of Death, whose quiet life is turned upside down when a mysterious newcomer (Kai) arrives and the cosy cafe is upended. Themes of identity, self-acceptance, and nature versus nurture were what kept me reading, and I also appreciated the Caribbean influences, the mixed heritage representation, and the diversity throughout the story.

I don't think I'm quite the right reader/audience for this book anymore, but I know my younger self would have loved it. I would have really valued seeing this kind of representation and these themes in a story at that age, and I can see this resonating with a lot of younger readers.

It didn't completely work for me, but I still appreciate what the author set out to do. Not every book is for every reader, and while this one wasn't quite for me, I think it'll mean a lot to the readers it's written for.

Thanks to Bloomsbury Publishing for the copy of this book.

[Julia Reitzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book completely surprised me in the best way. I went into it a little unsure after realizing it was YA, but the story immediately pulled me in with its fast pacing, engaging mystery, and emotionally grounded characters. The story had that addictive quality where every chapter ended with just enough tension to make it impossible not to keep reading.

What really made this stand out for me was the emotional depth behind the adventure. Lydie’s character growth felt authentic, and the relationships she built throughout the story gave the book so much heart. The author did a wonderful job balancing lighter moments with genuine emotional stakes, making it easy to become invested in both the characters and their journeys. If you enjoy YA fantasy that blends mystery, strong character development, emotional connections, and a story that leaves you desperate for the next book, this is absolutely worth picking up. That ending and epilogue left me needing answers immediately.

[Elena Zinonos · Rating 5 out of 5]

The setting feels like a warm and comforting hug with a beautiful quirky, charming local coffee shop called The Snug. I did love the Snug and I wanted to visit it. I enjoyed the narrative and the vibrant community. The highly unique premise where the children of the retired Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse are just trying to live a normal teenage life.

Our main FMC Lydie, is the teenage daughter of Death, who wants nothing more than a quiet, low-drama life serving hot chocolate with lots of marshmallows. Her peaceful routine is completely shattered by her co-worker Kai who bursts into her life. Our main MMC Kai, is the son of War, is the perfect brooding-yet-charming who matches Lydie’s comfort-obsessed energy. Slow-burn tension for our teenagers.

The world building and the hilarious inter-generational family dynamics makes this book enjoyable. The finale leaves the door wide open for the next instalment.

[Marlies Rasinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I chose this book because of the title and the cover( yes? I do that- don‘t sue me) and I must say that this was probably my read of the month.
I was expecting to read about Lydie and how she runs the cafe and all and then it turned into such an amazing and supernatural story.
I find the idea of the apocalyptic riders being retired so so good. Life must be so dull to them living as „regular“ humans.

Lydie is a great and strong FMC although she is only a young adult of 17/18. I really like her character development and how she falls for Kai. Kai is an amazing MMC and he deserved better from his mom. He is an absolute green flag and him trying to stop his bad to the bone mom is perfect.

The side characters are also really lovable. I like Mr. Henson the most. I can see him sitting at the cafe with his cat.

It is YA so no so spice but this book does not need it. Highly recommend!