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Cat Café Romance #4
Book club au Cat Café
Le Chatpuccino rouvre ses portes pour un troisième roman !
Au sortir d’une relation éprouvante, la roue tourne enfin pour Brenna lorsqu’elle gagne le jackpot à la loterie. Elle exauce alors son souhait le plus cher : acheter un vieux manoir à la campagne et le peupler de chats noirs ! Elle entend y mener un quotidien paisible et discret, bercé par les ronronnements de ses adorables compagnons.
Et quand Matt, le charmant serveur du Chatpuccino, l’invite à se joindre au bookclub du café-chat, Brenna a l’impression de faire un rêve éveillé : discuter littérature en câlinant des boules de poils, c’est le paradis !
Mais c’était sans compter l’arrivée en ville d’une multinationale, qui menace d’installer un gigantesque entrepôt à la place du café-chat. Pour sauver le Chatpuccino, Brenna devra sortir les griffes, quitte à y laisser quelques poils !
Au sortir d’une relation éprouvante, la roue tourne enfin pour Brenna lorsqu’elle gagne le jackpot à la loterie. Elle exauce alors son souhait le plus cher : acheter un vieux manoir à la campagne et le peupler de chats noirs ! Elle entend y mener un quotidien paisible et discret, bercé par les ronronnements de ses adorables compagnons.
Et quand Matt, le charmant serveur du Chatpuccino, l’invite à se joindre au bookclub du café-chat, Brenna a l’impression de faire un rêve éveillé : discuter littérature en câlinant des boules de poils, c’est le paradis !
Mais c’était sans compter l’arrivée en ville d’une multinationale, qui menace d’installer un gigantesque entrepôt à la place du café-chat. Pour sauver le Chatpuccino, Brenna devra sortir les griffes, quitte à y laisser quelques poils !
- GenresRomanceContemporary
464 pages, Paperback
First published August 20, 2026
About the author
Rachel Rowlands
16 books75 followersRachel 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!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
October 12, 2026
Sorry, that was not a book for me. First and foremost, I found Brenna and Matt, but mostly Matt, to be insufferable. And there was absolutely no chemistry between these two. I liked the Cat Café idea and setting though, but the cozy atmosphere never really came fully across.
September 3, 2026
While I enjoyed the previous books in this series, The Cat Cafe Book Club by Rachel Rowlands sadly turned out to be a DNF for me at 50%.
I struggled to connect with both main characters. Brenna’s wariness, stemming from her previous relationship and the secret she is trying to keep, failed to resonate with me. Maybe that's because her past relationship isn't explored deeply enough. I couldn't truly feel her fear for her ex and it unfortunately came across as an irrational anxiety rather than realistic. This, combined with her secret, created a miscommunication trope, which is one of my least favorite elements in romance. On top of that, Matt and Brenna have such wildly opposite approaches to money that I simply couldn't look past it or find myself rooting for them as a couple.
For me, this book also lacked the cozy cat cafe details, which used to be my favorite part of the series. I really missed the presence of the cats, both Brenna's own cat and the cafe cats, with their own personalities. Instead, the quirky elements in this book unfortunately made me cringe a little, with things like Sherlock hats, characters impersonating cats during interviews, and full cat costumes, which started to feel a bit too unbelievable and made me put this book down.
Though this one didn't work for me, I still adore Catpurrcino and the warmth of the earlier books.
I struggled to connect with both main characters. Brenna’s wariness, stemming from her previous relationship and the secret she is trying to keep, failed to resonate with me. Maybe that's because her past relationship isn't explored deeply enough. I couldn't truly feel her fear for her ex and it unfortunately came across as an irrational anxiety rather than realistic. This, combined with her secret, created a miscommunication trope, which is one of my least favorite elements in romance. On top of that, Matt and Brenna have such wildly opposite approaches to money that I simply couldn't look past it or find myself rooting for them as a couple.
For me, this book also lacked the cozy cat cafe details, which used to be my favorite part of the series. I really missed the presence of the cats, both Brenna's own cat and the cafe cats, with their own personalities. Instead, the quirky elements in this book unfortunately made me cringe a little, with things like Sherlock hats, characters impersonating cats during interviews, and full cat costumes, which started to feel a bit too unbelievable and made me put this book down.
Though this one didn't work for me, I still adore Catpurrcino and the warmth of the earlier books.
November 4, 2026
Honestly, I wasn't too crazy about this book. I went in assuming it was a cozy little romance with this cat cafe at the center. This book was cute but it was a little all over the place for my taste. I felt like it jumped from one thing to another and there were too many moving pieces. First, we had Brenna winning the lottery, moving to a new town to start over and get away from her ex. Then, we have Matt who doesn't really have any issues except that he grew up not having any money and he wants to become a writer. Next, we move to the "mystery" of who is posting on these negative things about the cat cafe online and it kind of spirals pretty quickly with VERY quick resolutions in my opinion. I felt like in the "issues" outside big company wanting to buy and develop the land were a little meaningless and again, quickly resolved.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you @NetGalley for the arc of The Cat Café Book Club by Rachel Rowlands.🐈⬛️☕️ This was a cute cozy read. Perfect for Autmnn. It comes out 8/20 just at the end of Summer in time for a cozy romantic mystery to begin the fall season. The fmc Brenna won the lottery and purchased a house and lands in the quiet town of Oakside. She goes to The Cat Cafe and is invited by the mmc Matt to join their local book club which she does. At the same time she is scared of her horrible ex finding her. New land owners from a large corporate are trying to buy the land of the Café and someone begins harassing the cafe online and in person. The book club members try to figure out how to save the cafe. So grab a cup of coffee and a cozy chair and a cute cat and read this one to find out if they do!!
October 18, 2026
2 stars
This is a cozy fiction story with a hint of romance (sort of). There are a lot of cat and cat themed businesses, baked goods, books and more, so if that interests you this book is for you. The romance was not for me in this book, lots of miscommunication and assumptions. There was no chemistry or even fond feelings, just mutual love of cats. The cafe and book club was fun and I liked the atmosphere, making friends and learning to trust again. Overall, this book was not for me because some things were just too over the top, the quick judgment and the instalove that really developed in the last couple chapters, with no real development or growth.
I received an advanced ebook,via Netgalley. This review is my own honest opinion.
This is a cozy fiction story with a hint of romance (sort of). There are a lot of cat and cat themed businesses, baked goods, books and more, so if that interests you this book is for you. The romance was not for me in this book, lots of miscommunication and assumptions. There was no chemistry or even fond feelings, just mutual love of cats. The cafe and book club was fun and I liked the atmosphere, making friends and learning to trust again. Overall, this book was not for me because some things were just too over the top, the quick judgment and the instalove that really developed in the last couple chapters, with no real development or growth.
I received an advanced ebook,via Netgalley. This review is my own honest opinion.
October 9, 2026
il mérite une aussi « bonne note » grâce au fait que je l’ai lu en lc avec le bookclub mais sinon je l’aurais certainement dnf.
le bookclub, les chats, la grand mère et Brenna sont les seuls points positifs de cette histoire.
sinon c’était toxique, parfois cringe…
mention spéciale pour les tee-shirts montage lou garou sous pleine lune 🧌
le bookclub, les chats, la grand mère et Brenna sont les seuls points positifs de cette histoire.
sinon c’était toxique, parfois cringe…
mention spéciale pour les tee-shirts montage lou garou sous pleine lune 🧌
October 26, 2026
So much more then a cat cafe bookclub. Real community and love
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
2.5 ⭐
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the eARC of The Cat Cafe Book Club.
I really loved the premise of this book, anything books and cat related and I'm sold. Unfortunately, I don't think this was the book for me. It did have the cosy elements I was looking for and the cat cafe truly sounded like a wonderful place to be, I would love one where I live! I just didn't connect with our MCs, Brenna and Matt, as much as I would have liked and there was a lot of telling and not showing in this book which I am not really a fan of.
I also had issues around Brenna's 'secret'. Without going into spoilers, I felt there were a lot of discrepancies around how she handled it and her attitude toward it. It felt disjointed at times and I found myself getting frustrated with her because of it. There's also a fair amount of miscommunication/assumption making in this, which is a trope I really am not a fan of so this also took me out of the story at times but I recognise that this is purely personal preference.
I was a big fan of the cats though and it is clear the author is a cat owner, she nailed their personalities and nuances! Overall, I think this has good potential but just was not the story for me. I may give the other books in the series a try to see if that works out for me!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the eARC of The Cat Cafe Book Club.
I really loved the premise of this book, anything books and cat related and I'm sold. Unfortunately, I don't think this was the book for me. It did have the cosy elements I was looking for and the cat cafe truly sounded like a wonderful place to be, I would love one where I live! I just didn't connect with our MCs, Brenna and Matt, as much as I would have liked and there was a lot of telling and not showing in this book which I am not really a fan of.
I also had issues around Brenna's 'secret'. Without going into spoilers, I felt there were a lot of discrepancies around how she handled it and her attitude toward it. It felt disjointed at times and I found myself getting frustrated with her because of it. There's also a fair amount of miscommunication/assumption making in this, which is a trope I really am not a fan of so this also took me out of the story at times but I recognise that this is purely personal preference.
I was a big fan of the cats though and it is clear the author is a cat owner, she nailed their personalities and nuances! Overall, I think this has good potential but just was not the story for me. I may give the other books in the series a try to see if that works out for me!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A cozy contemporary romance with found-family themes, set in a charming cat café and centered around healing, friendship, and second chances.
A huge thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review the ARC of The Cat Café Book Club by Rachel Rowlands.
Sometimes, the most comforting stories aren't about grand adventures; they're about finding people who help you heal. The Cat Café Book Club is exactly that kind of novel: a warm, heartfelt, and uplifting romance wrapped in cozy cafés, lovable cats, books, and a close-knit community that feels like home. Rachel Rowlands delivers a charming story that reminds us that new beginnings often arrive when we least expect them.
From the very first chapter, I wanted to step inside Catpurrcino, order a hot latte, curl up with a good book, and spend the afternoon surrounded by cats. The setting alone is enough to capture your heart, but it's the characters and emotional journey that make this novel truly memorable.
The Story
The novel follows Brenna, a woman who leaves her old life behind and moves to the countryside hoping to find peace and a fresh start with her beloved black cats. Although she dreams of a quiet life, Brenna is carrying emotional baggage and a secret from her past that prevents her from fully trusting those around her.
Her path crosses with Matt, the cheerful and kind-hearted barista at Catpurrcino, who runs a monthly book club that brings together local residents, cat lovers, and passionate readers. Their first meeting is wonderfully simple; they both reach for the same book in the library, and from that moment, an authentic connection begins to grow. As Brenna slowly becomes part of the book club, she discovers more than just a welcoming community. She finds friendship, acceptance, and perhaps even the possibility of love.
But happiness never comes easily.
When a major property developer threatens not only the future of the cat café but also the character of the entire town, Brenna and Matt join forces with the local community to save the place that has brought so many people together. At the same time, Brenna must confront the secrets she's been running from before she can truly embrace the future waiting for her.
Characters
Brenna is an easy character to root for. She's quiet, guarded, and emotionally complex without ever becoming frustrating. Her journey isn't simply about finding romance; it's about learning to trust again, letting people into her life, and discovering that home isn't just a place; it's the people who accept you exactly as you are.
Matt is the kind of romantic lead that's impossible not to like. Warm, patient, thoughtful, and genuinely kind, he never tries to "fix" Brenna. Instead, he gives her the space and encouragement she needs to heal at her own pace. His love for books, his dedication to the café, and his commitment to the community make him an incredibly endearing character.
The Book Club & Community
One of the strongest parts of the novel is the supporting cast. The members of the book club bring humor, wisdom, and heart to every gathering. Rather than existing simply as background characters, they create the sense of a real community where everyone belongs. Combined with the adorable resident cats of Catpurrcino, they give the novel an irresistible cozy atmosphere.
Rachel Rowlands writes with warmth and sincerity. The pacing is gentle yet engaging, allowing readers to settle into the story while gradually becoming emotionally invested in the characters. The romance develops naturally instead of feeling rushed, making every interaction between Brenna and Matt believable and rewarding. There are emotional moments, lighthearted scenes, and plenty of cozy conversations that make this the perfect comfort read.
What I particularly loved was how seamlessly the novel combines several beloved themes:
Books and reading
Cats and animal companionship
Small-town charm
Found family
Healing after emotional pain
Slow-burn romance
These elements come together beautifully to create a story that feels comforting without becoming predictable.
Atmosphere
The atmosphere is undoubtedly the novel's greatest strength.
Whether it's autumn leaves outside the café windows, the smell of fresh coffee, shelves filled with books, or sleepy cats curled up beside readers, every scene feels inviting. It captures that magical feeling of wanting to spend hours inside a cozy independent café while the world slows down around you.
Readers who enjoy wholesome, low-stress romances will feel completely at home here.
My Final Thoughts
The Cat Café Book Club isn't filled with shocking twists or high-stakes drama, and it doesn't need to be. Instead, it succeeds by offering something equally valuable: comfort. It's a story about second chances, finding your people, embracing vulnerability, and discovering that sometimes the smallest communities leave the biggest impact on our lives.
If you're looking for a novel that feels like a warm blanket on a rainy afternoon, this one is well worth picking up. By the final chapter, I didn't just want to visit Catpurrcino; I wanted to become a member of its book club.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5/5)
A huge thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review the ARC of The Cat Café Book Club by Rachel Rowlands.
Sometimes, the most comforting stories aren't about grand adventures; they're about finding people who help you heal. The Cat Café Book Club is exactly that kind of novel: a warm, heartfelt, and uplifting romance wrapped in cozy cafés, lovable cats, books, and a close-knit community that feels like home. Rachel Rowlands delivers a charming story that reminds us that new beginnings often arrive when we least expect them.
From the very first chapter, I wanted to step inside Catpurrcino, order a hot latte, curl up with a good book, and spend the afternoon surrounded by cats. The setting alone is enough to capture your heart, but it's the characters and emotional journey that make this novel truly memorable.
The Story
The novel follows Brenna, a woman who leaves her old life behind and moves to the countryside hoping to find peace and a fresh start with her beloved black cats. Although she dreams of a quiet life, Brenna is carrying emotional baggage and a secret from her past that prevents her from fully trusting those around her.
Her path crosses with Matt, the cheerful and kind-hearted barista at Catpurrcino, who runs a monthly book club that brings together local residents, cat lovers, and passionate readers. Their first meeting is wonderfully simple; they both reach for the same book in the library, and from that moment, an authentic connection begins to grow. As Brenna slowly becomes part of the book club, she discovers more than just a welcoming community. She finds friendship, acceptance, and perhaps even the possibility of love.
But happiness never comes easily.
When a major property developer threatens not only the future of the cat café but also the character of the entire town, Brenna and Matt join forces with the local community to save the place that has brought so many people together. At the same time, Brenna must confront the secrets she's been running from before she can truly embrace the future waiting for her.
Characters
Brenna is an easy character to root for. She's quiet, guarded, and emotionally complex without ever becoming frustrating. Her journey isn't simply about finding romance; it's about learning to trust again, letting people into her life, and discovering that home isn't just a place; it's the people who accept you exactly as you are.
Matt is the kind of romantic lead that's impossible not to like. Warm, patient, thoughtful, and genuinely kind, he never tries to "fix" Brenna. Instead, he gives her the space and encouragement she needs to heal at her own pace. His love for books, his dedication to the café, and his commitment to the community make him an incredibly endearing character.
The Book Club & Community
One of the strongest parts of the novel is the supporting cast. The members of the book club bring humor, wisdom, and heart to every gathering. Rather than existing simply as background characters, they create the sense of a real community where everyone belongs. Combined with the adorable resident cats of Catpurrcino, they give the novel an irresistible cozy atmosphere.
Rachel Rowlands writes with warmth and sincerity. The pacing is gentle yet engaging, allowing readers to settle into the story while gradually becoming emotionally invested in the characters. The romance develops naturally instead of feeling rushed, making every interaction between Brenna and Matt believable and rewarding. There are emotional moments, lighthearted scenes, and plenty of cozy conversations that make this the perfect comfort read.
What I particularly loved was how seamlessly the novel combines several beloved themes:
Books and reading
Cats and animal companionship
Small-town charm
Found family
Healing after emotional pain
Slow-burn romance
These elements come together beautifully to create a story that feels comforting without becoming predictable.
Atmosphere
The atmosphere is undoubtedly the novel's greatest strength.
Whether it's autumn leaves outside the café windows, the smell of fresh coffee, shelves filled with books, or sleepy cats curled up beside readers, every scene feels inviting. It captures that magical feeling of wanting to spend hours inside a cozy independent café while the world slows down around you.
Readers who enjoy wholesome, low-stress romances will feel completely at home here.
My Final Thoughts
The Cat Café Book Club isn't filled with shocking twists or high-stakes drama, and it doesn't need to be. Instead, it succeeds by offering something equally valuable: comfort. It's a story about second chances, finding your people, embracing vulnerability, and discovering that sometimes the smallest communities leave the biggest impact on our lives.
If you're looking for a novel that feels like a warm blanket on a rainy afternoon, this one is well worth picking up. By the final chapter, I didn't just want to visit Catpurrcino; I wanted to become a member of its book club.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5/5)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Cat Café Book Club
by Rachel Rowlands
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pub Date: August 20, 2026
First of all, thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton | Hodder Paperbacks for the opportunity to read an advance copy of The Cat Café Book Club. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
This book was basically a warm cup of tea, a cozy blanket, and a cat curled up beside you in book form. 🐈⬛☕️
Perfectly timed for the start of autumn, The Cat Café Book Club is a sweet, comforting read filled with books, cats, small-town charm, romance, and the kind of community that makes you want to move somewhere quiet and start over.
After winning the lottery, Brenna buys a house in the little town of Oakside, hoping to escape her past and build a new life with her cats. What she doesn’t expect is to find herself becoming part of the local cat café and book club, where she slowly begins to discover friendship, belonging, and maybe even something more.
I really loved Brenna’s journey throughout this story. She starts off understandably guarded and hesitant to let people in, but watching her learn to trust again and find happiness was such a lovely part of the book. Her love for the cats was one of my favourite things, and her connection with them added so much warmth to the story.
Matt was exactly the kind of gentle, supportive love interest this story needed. His kindness and enthusiasm for the café and book club made him such an easy character to root for, and I loved the slow, natural development between him and Brenna.
The café and book club were definitely the stars of the show for me. The friendships, the community spirit, and the adorable feline companions created such a comforting atmosphere. The added mystery surrounding the café being threatened gave the story a little extra momentum without taking away from the cozy feel.
Was everything completely realistic? Not always—but honestly, that is part of the charm. Sometimes you just need a little escapism, and this delivered exactly that.
A sweet, heartwarming read for anyone who loves cats, books, small towns, and stories about second chances.
Now excuse me while I go find a cozy chair and wish I lived near a cat café. 🐾
by Rachel Rowlands
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pub Date: August 20, 2026
First of all, thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton | Hodder Paperbacks for the opportunity to read an advance copy of The Cat Café Book Club. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
This book was basically a warm cup of tea, a cozy blanket, and a cat curled up beside you in book form. 🐈⬛☕️
Perfectly timed for the start of autumn, The Cat Café Book Club is a sweet, comforting read filled with books, cats, small-town charm, romance, and the kind of community that makes you want to move somewhere quiet and start over.
After winning the lottery, Brenna buys a house in the little town of Oakside, hoping to escape her past and build a new life with her cats. What she doesn’t expect is to find herself becoming part of the local cat café and book club, where she slowly begins to discover friendship, belonging, and maybe even something more.
I really loved Brenna’s journey throughout this story. She starts off understandably guarded and hesitant to let people in, but watching her learn to trust again and find happiness was such a lovely part of the book. Her love for the cats was one of my favourite things, and her connection with them added so much warmth to the story.
Matt was exactly the kind of gentle, supportive love interest this story needed. His kindness and enthusiasm for the café and book club made him such an easy character to root for, and I loved the slow, natural development between him and Brenna.
The café and book club were definitely the stars of the show for me. The friendships, the community spirit, and the adorable feline companions created such a comforting atmosphere. The added mystery surrounding the café being threatened gave the story a little extra momentum without taking away from the cozy feel.
Was everything completely realistic? Not always—but honestly, that is part of the charm. Sometimes you just need a little escapism, and this delivered exactly that.
A sweet, heartwarming read for anyone who loves cats, books, small towns, and stories about second chances.
Now excuse me while I go find a cozy chair and wish I lived near a cat café. 🐾
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Rachel Rowlands and Hodder & Stoughton for an eARC of this book on NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Favourite tropes:
- Secret millionaire - and one who donates money to cat shelters!
- Small town - a community coming together to save the local cafe!
- So many cats!
This was a fun, cosy book. My favourite part of it was the abundance of cats - from Brenna’s horde of black cats, Matt’s ginger cat and of course, all the cat cafe cats, this book was packed with charming descriptions of felines.
I’ve not read the previous books in this series but it was accessible as a standalone, especially as we get Brenna’s perspective, someone new to the area. Brenna is a secret millionaire who is running from her past life, holed up in a vast mansion with her small army of black cats. She’s intensely private and struggles to let anyone in but has a close relationship with her nan, which was lovely, but I wanted more. Her nan was barely mentioned in the second half so the time spent building up their relationship felt a little wasted.
We also get Matt’s POV. He is (mostly) emotionally intelligent and generally very considerate of Brenna’s feelings. However, he clearly has a chip on his shoulder about money and becomes judgy about Brenna’s casual spending, which made for some uncomfortable scenes. While this was eventually resolved, I did find myself getting a little tired of his constant negative comments. However, for the most part he was very perceptive and considerate so I will forgive him!
This book largely focuses on the cafe’s book club and them fighting to save the cafe after it’s threatened by the development of a warehouse nearby. This meant there was much less focus on the romantic relationship and while I wouldn’t have minded that, I felt like Brenna and Matt got so little time to talk that the ending was unrealistic.
Despite the above, it was a very fun read and I adored reading about all the cats! If you love cats and small town vibes, with a hint of romance (no spice), this is the book for you!
Favourite tropes:
- Secret millionaire - and one who donates money to cat shelters!
- Small town - a community coming together to save the local cafe!
- So many cats!
This was a fun, cosy book. My favourite part of it was the abundance of cats - from Brenna’s horde of black cats, Matt’s ginger cat and of course, all the cat cafe cats, this book was packed with charming descriptions of felines.
I’ve not read the previous books in this series but it was accessible as a standalone, especially as we get Brenna’s perspective, someone new to the area. Brenna is a secret millionaire who is running from her past life, holed up in a vast mansion with her small army of black cats. She’s intensely private and struggles to let anyone in but has a close relationship with her nan, which was lovely, but I wanted more. Her nan was barely mentioned in the second half so the time spent building up their relationship felt a little wasted.
We also get Matt’s POV. He is (mostly) emotionally intelligent and generally very considerate of Brenna’s feelings. However, he clearly has a chip on his shoulder about money and becomes judgy about Brenna’s casual spending, which made for some uncomfortable scenes. While this was eventually resolved, I did find myself getting a little tired of his constant negative comments. However, for the most part he was very perceptive and considerate so I will forgive him!
This book largely focuses on the cafe’s book club and them fighting to save the cafe after it’s threatened by the development of a warehouse nearby. This meant there was much less focus on the romantic relationship and while I wouldn’t have minded that, I felt like Brenna and Matt got so little time to talk that the ending was unrealistic.
Despite the above, it was a very fun read and I adored reading about all the cats! If you love cats and small town vibes, with a hint of romance (no spice), this is the book for you!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I'll admit I was drawn right in by the adorable cover. I love reading romance and a cover such as this decked out in Fall was just too much to pass up.
If you love cats, cafes, books and coffee you'll want to snuggle up with your favorite cat(s), and a pumpkin spice iced coffee and spend the afternoon reading away.
When our main female character wins the lottery, she knows it's time to get out of a bad situation (her boyfriend) and make it out on her own. With a new mansion house far away from him and multiple black cats she's adopted she's in a new town, but no one can know who she is, so her boyfriend doesn't find out she's here.
Befriending the friendly barista, Matt at Catpurrcino she discovers he also runs the monthly book club.
They are both hiding secrets, and he feels he could never measure up to her standards if only he knew she understands him all too well.
Working together towards the betterment of the cat cafe and saving the animals seems to be a losing task especially after the get rocked with some shocking news.
Can they put their heads together and figure out who is trying to sabotage their well thought out plans?
The book had me holding my breath a few times, not only is it a sweet and lovely romance but a bit of intrigue mystery.
Really sweet, charming and I was thrilled to see how so many not only came together for the cat cafe but also the betterment of the cats.
Recommended!
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
If you love cats, cafes, books and coffee you'll want to snuggle up with your favorite cat(s), and a pumpkin spice iced coffee and spend the afternoon reading away.
When our main female character wins the lottery, she knows it's time to get out of a bad situation (her boyfriend) and make it out on her own. With a new mansion house far away from him and multiple black cats she's adopted she's in a new town, but no one can know who she is, so her boyfriend doesn't find out she's here.
Befriending the friendly barista, Matt at Catpurrcino she discovers he also runs the monthly book club.
They are both hiding secrets, and he feels he could never measure up to her standards if only he knew she understands him all too well.
Working together towards the betterment of the cat cafe and saving the animals seems to be a losing task especially after the get rocked with some shocking news.
Can they put their heads together and figure out who is trying to sabotage their well thought out plans?
The book had me holding my breath a few times, not only is it a sweet and lovely romance but a bit of intrigue mystery.
Really sweet, charming and I was thrilled to see how so many not only came together for the cat cafe but also the betterment of the cats.
Recommended!
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
September 2, 2026
3.5 stars
This book felt part Hallmark, part Lifetime movie. It has cozy small town found family vibes (Hallmark) but with a looming threat (Lifetime). Our FMC, Brenna, wins the lottery and escapes her controlling ex to a new life in small town Oakside where she meets the MMC Matt who works a cat cafe. The cat cafe is under threat as a big bad company Goliath is trying to buy it out to put in a warehouse.
The romance was a little lacking for me as I didn’t feel Brenna and Matt really spent enough time together. I love to see a couple really bond, spend time together, and grow together and I didn’t feel it like it had quite enough of that, especially given the trauma Brenna went through and the hangups Matt has. I would also say in true Hallmark / Liftetime fashion, the plot wrapped up a little easily and unrealistically in my opinion. Lastly, I didn’t realize this was the fourth book in an interconnected standalone and while it didn’t negatively affect my reading, I did feel like I was missing some context that I’m sure would have been more obvious if I had read the previous books.
I did enjoy the fast paced, easy read, and the cozy, feel good vibes of cat cafe, the many cats, and the bookclub characters. I also liked how for once the FMC was the secret rich millionaire instead of the MMC. I’m always a fan of subverted / reverse tropes.
Thank you to Rachel Rowlands and Hodder & Stoughton | Hodder Paperbacks for providing a copy. I am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
This book felt part Hallmark, part Lifetime movie. It has cozy small town found family vibes (Hallmark) but with a looming threat (Lifetime). Our FMC, Brenna, wins the lottery and escapes her controlling ex to a new life in small town Oakside where she meets the MMC Matt who works a cat cafe. The cat cafe is under threat as a big bad company Goliath is trying to buy it out to put in a warehouse.
The romance was a little lacking for me as I didn’t feel Brenna and Matt really spent enough time together. I love to see a couple really bond, spend time together, and grow together and I didn’t feel it like it had quite enough of that, especially given the trauma Brenna went through and the hangups Matt has. I would also say in true Hallmark / Liftetime fashion, the plot wrapped up a little easily and unrealistically in my opinion. Lastly, I didn’t realize this was the fourth book in an interconnected standalone and while it didn’t negatively affect my reading, I did feel like I was missing some context that I’m sure would have been more obvious if I had read the previous books.
I did enjoy the fast paced, easy read, and the cozy, feel good vibes of cat cafe, the many cats, and the bookclub characters. I also liked how for once the FMC was the secret rich millionaire instead of the MMC. I’m always a fan of subverted / reverse tropes.
Thank you to Rachel Rowlands and Hodder & Stoughton | Hodder Paperbacks for providing a copy. I am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
September 26, 2026
Princess Fuzzypants here: Brenna has just moved to town and when she meets Matt, he tells her about the book club at the cat cafe. Brenna has a big secret but when a developer threatens the town and the cat cafe, she finds herself drawn more and more into its survival. She thought by coming to a new place, she could run from her fears but in order to help the community she has grown to love, she must reveal herself if she is going to save the day.
In doing so, a couple of things happen. She finds a new “family” in the people around her. She confronts her biggest fear and discovers her own strength. And she finds Matt. The two of them have the usual slow burn of many romances. I keep saying I am not a big romance reader but these books are starting to change that. I enjoy the feel good nature of the little guys taking on the forces of evil and together defeating it. By the end of the book, the bad guys have been put back in their boxes and discarded. It is just such a satisfying read in a troubled time. And I have not yet mentioned the kitties both in the cafe and in Brenna’s home. Lots and lots of kitties.
My only real beef is the constant usage of the word “smirk” in its various forms. It was a bit redundant but did not spoil the story.
I also enjoy that the characters in these books have more weight than in some. They seem better drawn and very realistic. It is both a light read and one with substance. That is a tough balancing act. Five purrs and two paws up.
In doing so, a couple of things happen. She finds a new “family” in the people around her. She confronts her biggest fear and discovers her own strength. And she finds Matt. The two of them have the usual slow burn of many romances. I keep saying I am not a big romance reader but these books are starting to change that. I enjoy the feel good nature of the little guys taking on the forces of evil and together defeating it. By the end of the book, the bad guys have been put back in their boxes and discarded. It is just such a satisfying read in a troubled time. And I have not yet mentioned the kitties both in the cafe and in Brenna’s home. Lots and lots of kitties.
My only real beef is the constant usage of the word “smirk” in its various forms. It was a bit redundant but did not spoil the story.
I also enjoy that the characters in these books have more weight than in some. They seem better drawn and very realistic. It is both a light read and one with substance. That is a tough balancing act. Five purrs and two paws up.
July 6, 2026
The Cat Café Book Club is an irresistibly cosy autumn romance, full of gentle humour, small‑town charm, and of course, plenty of cats. Brenna’s retreat to the countryside, hoping for quiet with her beloved black cats, sets the perfect tone for a story about healing, community, and second chances. Her guardedness makes her instantly relatable, and watching her slowly open up is one of the book’s sweetest pleasures.
Matt, the ever‑cheerful barista behind Catpurrcino, brings a lovely warmth to the story. His book club—where locals and their feline companions gather—creates a delightful backdrop for Brenna’s tentative steps toward connection. Their meet‑cute at the library is simple but sparkling, and their growing friendship feels natural, tender, and quietly romantic.
The threat of a big developer swooping in adds just enough tension to keep the pages turning, giving Brenna and Matt a shared purpose that deepens their bond. The community spirit, the found‑family vibes, and the gentle unfolding of Brenna’s past all blend beautifully.
This is a feel‑good read through and through—perfect for anyone who loves cats, books, small towns, and stories that leave you warm from the inside out. A sweet, heart‑soothing delight.
With thanks to Rachel Rowlands, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Matt, the ever‑cheerful barista behind Catpurrcino, brings a lovely warmth to the story. His book club—where locals and their feline companions gather—creates a delightful backdrop for Brenna’s tentative steps toward connection. Their meet‑cute at the library is simple but sparkling, and their growing friendship feels natural, tender, and quietly romantic.
The threat of a big developer swooping in adds just enough tension to keep the pages turning, giving Brenna and Matt a shared purpose that deepens their bond. The community spirit, the found‑family vibes, and the gentle unfolding of Brenna’s past all blend beautifully.
This is a feel‑good read through and through—perfect for anyone who loves cats, books, small towns, and stories that leave you warm from the inside out. A sweet, heart‑soothing delight.
With thanks to Rachel Rowlands, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Brenna has just come out of an abusive relationship, and her suddenly having the financial means to start over has her moving to a small city. Initially, she keeps her distance from everyone, mainly staying home and giving her cats a loving home. As she slowly comes out of her shell, she meets some lovable characters, and one of them is a handsome man.
What I enjoyed was the evolution of Brenna. It comes across very well that the last few years haven't been easy, and her finally having some peace and quiet to focus on herself is the perfect way to start over. Her being financially stable never comes across as selfish. Instead, she wants to use it to help others, though not everyone sees it that way and some interpret it as a selfish gesture on her part.
Trust doesn't come easily, and I completely understood why she reacted the way she did in certain situations when her wishes were ignored or not respected. In the end, she came out stronger for it, and I loved that for her character.
Overall, it was a cute and interesting story that didn't offer anything particularly new. The number of cats, though, I absolutely adored, and the cover is absolutely stunning. That alone might be enough reason for you to pick it up yourself. :)
I received a free copy and am voluntarily leaving a review.
What I enjoyed was the evolution of Brenna. It comes across very well that the last few years haven't been easy, and her finally having some peace and quiet to focus on herself is the perfect way to start over. Her being financially stable never comes across as selfish. Instead, she wants to use it to help others, though not everyone sees it that way and some interpret it as a selfish gesture on her part.
Trust doesn't come easily, and I completely understood why she reacted the way she did in certain situations when her wishes were ignored or not respected. In the end, she came out stronger for it, and I loved that for her character.
Overall, it was a cute and interesting story that didn't offer anything particularly new. The number of cats, though, I absolutely adored, and the cover is absolutely stunning. That alone might be enough reason for you to pick it up yourself. :)
I received a free copy and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 28, 2026
Such a wonderful, cosy, cat-filled book! I really loved this.
Brenna moves into a large Manor to get away from her past, she’s cautious to make friends— her only ones being her many adopted black cats. When she hears about Catpurrcino, she ends up joining their book club and meeting Matt. With huge company Goliath wanting to demolish the café, she must put aside her own worries of the past and not only help the café, but find herself.
I LOVE Catpurrcino. It’s just the best. I love how every time Rachel writes a new book, it’s like coming back to somewhere you love, with the characters old and new; not forgetting the cats themselves. I feel like whenever I read it, I can almost imagine myself sitting inside the café with the story going on around me.
The romance is so cute, I think it’s a perfect representation of how scary it can be when you’ve had something happen in the past that makes you apprehensive to connect with people again. Brenna and Matt are perfect for each other and I loved both characters individually also. The ending is great.
The drama! Wow. I couldn’t put the book down. It’s the perfect blend of relaxing and warm, as well as a bit of tension and mystery.
I’m going to need Rachel to write a fifth book! This series is such a comfort and I truly love it.
Rating ⭐️: 5/5.
Brenna moves into a large Manor to get away from her past, she’s cautious to make friends— her only ones being her many adopted black cats. When she hears about Catpurrcino, she ends up joining their book club and meeting Matt. With huge company Goliath wanting to demolish the café, she must put aside her own worries of the past and not only help the café, but find herself.
I LOVE Catpurrcino. It’s just the best. I love how every time Rachel writes a new book, it’s like coming back to somewhere you love, with the characters old and new; not forgetting the cats themselves. I feel like whenever I read it, I can almost imagine myself sitting inside the café with the story going on around me.
The romance is so cute, I think it’s a perfect representation of how scary it can be when you’ve had something happen in the past that makes you apprehensive to connect with people again. Brenna and Matt are perfect for each other and I loved both characters individually also. The ending is great.
The drama! Wow. I couldn’t put the book down. It’s the perfect blend of relaxing and warm, as well as a bit of tension and mystery.
I’m going to need Rachel to write a fifth book! This series is such a comfort and I truly love it.
Rating ⭐️: 5/5.
November 4, 2026
This was a light, enjoyable read and a pleasant change from the more serious novels I’ve been reading lately.
What I particularly appreciated was the setting — the cats, the café, the charm of the English countryside and the characters’ enjoyment of life’s simple pleasures. I loved the sense of community and the appreciation of ordinary things: a good book, a cosy café, friendship and, of course, cats!
I was drawn to Matt and appreciated the main character’s generous heart. Beyond its simple storyline, the book offers some interesting reflections on people’s attitudes towards money and how both the lack and abundance of it can affect their choices, relationships and priorities. I particularly appreciated its emphasis on kindness and generosity. It reminded me that what matters is not simply how much we have, but our attitude towards what we possess and how we use it.
However, I felt that the book was unnecessarily long for what was essentially a straightforward storyline. The narrative became repetitive at times, and I thought the author stretched the story beyond what was necessary. It could have been shorter without losing any of its charm.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed it. A pleasant, comforting read that celebrates community, generosity and the simple pleasures of everyday life.
What I particularly appreciated was the setting — the cats, the café, the charm of the English countryside and the characters’ enjoyment of life’s simple pleasures. I loved the sense of community and the appreciation of ordinary things: a good book, a cosy café, friendship and, of course, cats!
I was drawn to Matt and appreciated the main character’s generous heart. Beyond its simple storyline, the book offers some interesting reflections on people’s attitudes towards money and how both the lack and abundance of it can affect their choices, relationships and priorities. I particularly appreciated its emphasis on kindness and generosity. It reminded me that what matters is not simply how much we have, but our attitude towards what we possess and how we use it.
However, I felt that the book was unnecessarily long for what was essentially a straightforward storyline. The narrative became repetitive at times, and I thought the author stretched the story beyond what was necessary. It could have been shorter without losing any of its charm.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed it. A pleasant, comforting read that celebrates community, generosity and the simple pleasures of everyday life.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4/5 ⭐️ for The Cat Cafe Book Club 😺
ARC copy provided by Net Galley 🫶
I think this was so cute! I didn't know what to expect going into it, but I'm so glad to have requested an ARC from Net Galley.
Brenna has recently come into a large sum of money and escaped life from her ex, moving into a manor house in a small town. She's nervous, hesitant to give too much of herself to people she doesn't know. She meets Matt and, though she seems to like him, keeps parts of herself hidden away. Matt doesn't have money and starts off hesitant about Brenna's true motives.
When Goliath companies start trying to build on the land around a place they both love, the cat cafe, Brenna decides she has no choice but to join in and open up about who she is and why she's there. Goliath plays dirty and she can't sit idly by and let it happen.
I really enjoyed how this book wasn't just a romance. The romance between Matt and Brenna was cute, but the book was more than that. It was a group of people working together to reach a common goal. It was about community, finding your place, and learning that one bad person doesn't mean everyone's like that. Brenna owns up when she makes a mistake and apologizes.
This is definitely a good read and gets a huge bonus from me and a fellow cat lover 🫶
ARC copy provided by Net Galley 🫶
I think this was so cute! I didn't know what to expect going into it, but I'm so glad to have requested an ARC from Net Galley.
Brenna has recently come into a large sum of money and escaped life from her ex, moving into a manor house in a small town. She's nervous, hesitant to give too much of herself to people she doesn't know. She meets Matt and, though she seems to like him, keeps parts of herself hidden away. Matt doesn't have money and starts off hesitant about Brenna's true motives.
When Goliath companies start trying to build on the land around a place they both love, the cat cafe, Brenna decides she has no choice but to join in and open up about who she is and why she's there. Goliath plays dirty and she can't sit idly by and let it happen.
I really enjoyed how this book wasn't just a romance. The romance between Matt and Brenna was cute, but the book was more than that. It was a group of people working together to reach a common goal. It was about community, finding your place, and learning that one bad person doesn't mean everyone's like that. Brenna owns up when she makes a mistake and apologizes.
This is definitely a good read and gets a huge bonus from me and a fellow cat lover 🫶
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Hodder & Staughton and NetGalley for the chance to review The Cat Cafe Book Club. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I think this is a book that needs expectations tempered. There was a lot less cat and a lot less book and a lot more standing up to corporate greed than I expected. Which, of course, is fine! Down with corporate greed! But, I would have liked a lot more inclusion of the cat aspect of the book. Perhaps they feature more prominently in the other standalones.
The romance in this is sweet but I swear I yelled "go to therapy, girl" so often my partner started laughing. As a survivor of DV myself, I can relate to many of Brenna's insecurities, however, the woman won the lottery? Why isn't she in therapy? Her insecurities and Matt's insecurities were pointed out so often in the book that I felt it was overdone. I had a hard time rooting for them because of how insecure they both were about the other one's circumstances. Honestly, this may be personal preference because I'm sure others find this sort of story heartwarming! It's just not for me.
The ending is a satisfying conclusion, and I am open to checking out the author's other works.
I think this is a book that needs expectations tempered. There was a lot less cat and a lot less book and a lot more standing up to corporate greed than I expected. Which, of course, is fine! Down with corporate greed! But, I would have liked a lot more inclusion of the cat aspect of the book. Perhaps they feature more prominently in the other standalones.
The romance in this is sweet but I swear I yelled "go to therapy, girl" so often my partner started laughing. As a survivor of DV myself, I can relate to many of Brenna's insecurities, however, the woman won the lottery? Why isn't she in therapy? Her insecurities and Matt's insecurities were pointed out so often in the book that I felt it was overdone. I had a hard time rooting for them because of how insecure they both were about the other one's circumstances. Honestly, this may be personal preference because I'm sure others find this sort of story heartwarming! It's just not for me.
The ending is a satisfying conclusion, and I am open to checking out the author's other works.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
*Thank you so much to the author and publisher for letting me ARC read. This is an honest review and contains all my own thoughts*
4.5 ⭐
I really love the world of Rachel Rowland's Cat Café series and this one is no different. These books always have such a great balance of emotional depth and healing with plenty of light-hearted fun and small-town sweetness.
I adored our main character of Brenna, her difficult past mixed with her big secret leads to her being so awkward and uncomfortable with getting to know people in this town she's just moved to, but she is trying her best and slowly learns how to open up to her new friends, and I just found her so lovely and endearing.
I really enjoyed the storyline of small-town community vs a big giant company and the ending was very satisfying.
The romance between our couple was definitely a tumultuous one at times and I really enjoyed seeing their relationship grow and develop. It was so lovely to see them learn to trust each other and heal from their issues together.
I really enjoy Rachel Rowland's writing and I'd definitely recommend this series to all the small-town romance lovers out there, especially those who are also cat people
4.5 ⭐
I really love the world of Rachel Rowland's Cat Café series and this one is no different. These books always have such a great balance of emotional depth and healing with plenty of light-hearted fun and small-town sweetness.
I adored our main character of Brenna, her difficult past mixed with her big secret leads to her being so awkward and uncomfortable with getting to know people in this town she's just moved to, but she is trying her best and slowly learns how to open up to her new friends, and I just found her so lovely and endearing.
I really enjoyed the storyline of small-town community vs a big giant company and the ending was very satisfying.
The romance between our couple was definitely a tumultuous one at times and I really enjoyed seeing their relationship grow and develop. It was so lovely to see them learn to trust each other and heal from their issues together.
I really enjoy Rachel Rowland's writing and I'd definitely recommend this series to all the small-town romance lovers out there, especially those who are also cat people
September 1, 2026
I only found this series last year while browsing Audible however I have enjoyed every single book so far. This one was no exception. I especially liked this one because of the differences between Brenna and Matt him not having money and her coming from poor to rich by a lotary win.
I loved the fact that having money did not change Brenna and she still cared about others and did not try and flaunt it. It's how I hope I would be if I ever came into a lot of money.
I loved the way Matt, Brenna and the book club worked together and how the friendships were gradually formed. The romance between Brenna and Matt was gentle which is what I like in a romance. I don't like romance where the two characters start kissing etc straight away, I like it when the characters take the time to get to know each other through a project or similar.
While this book was predictable given the jonra it did not take away my enjoyment of the story. I would highly recommend this series if you love easy reads, romance and of course we can't forget the animals in this case cats. I hope there will be more by this author weather more in this series or something different.
I loved the fact that having money did not change Brenna and she still cared about others and did not try and flaunt it. It's how I hope I would be if I ever came into a lot of money.
I loved the way Matt, Brenna and the book club worked together and how the friendships were gradually formed. The romance between Brenna and Matt was gentle which is what I like in a romance. I don't like romance where the two characters start kissing etc straight away, I like it when the characters take the time to get to know each other through a project or similar.
While this book was predictable given the jonra it did not take away my enjoyment of the story. I would highly recommend this series if you love easy reads, romance and of course we can't forget the animals in this case cats. I hope there will be more by this author weather more in this series or something different.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I would totally recommend what I thought was a lovely, cosy, Autumn, small town romance with a hint of mystery.
It was lovely to see the difference in characters involved in the book and the dual povs, which definitely added to the depth of the book. It was interesting to how the plot involved topics of escaping abusive relationship, finding yourself again in new circumstances, and how having larger sums of money can change people’s perception of situations.
I did feel that at times some topics or phrases were repeated over and over, but I understand that it could have been for the added effect of the plot. Overall, I think the suspense and slight mystery side to the plot really elevated it.
I wasn’t aware that the book is part of a larger series, so I think if anything, it shows how well the book was written in the sense of reintroducing the characters and giving the sense of community involved in the plot.
Thank you NetGalley for an eARC of the book for honest review.
It was lovely to see the difference in characters involved in the book and the dual povs, which definitely added to the depth of the book. It was interesting to how the plot involved topics of escaping abusive relationship, finding yourself again in new circumstances, and how having larger sums of money can change people’s perception of situations.
I did feel that at times some topics or phrases were repeated over and over, but I understand that it could have been for the added effect of the plot. Overall, I think the suspense and slight mystery side to the plot really elevated it.
I wasn’t aware that the book is part of a larger series, so I think if anything, it shows how well the book was written in the sense of reintroducing the characters and giving the sense of community involved in the plot.
Thank you NetGalley for an eARC of the book for honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Check out this review of The Cat Cafe Book Club on Fable. https://fable.co/review/59058da1-45c3...
3.75✨
🐈⬛🐈⬛🐈⬛🐈⬛🐈⬛🐈🐱😺😼😻😽😸
Brenna Belrose. Matt Callaghan. Nan. Cameron Lee. Irvine Hackett.
Soot. Cheshire. Niya. Jekyll. Hyde. Toulouse.
Thanks Netgalley for this ARC.
Took my time in finishing this as it's a bed weather for almost how many weeks now.
This got me from it's title.. and got me even more when I found out MC owned black cats too.. not just one but.. more than one 😸
Cute chic flick. Predictable in some ways. Good thing it didn't delve much into the ex issue as it will lean more into drama. Okay forna little bit of romance as it didn't overshadow the main issue.
I just feel like Brenna is a strong name and i love how she developed and became stronger in dealing with the past.
_______
It’s all about loneliness, finding belonging.
‘I want to make something of my life here, be useful, help people. I want to move forwards, not backwards.
The storm last night had cleared the skies– the dark grey and the clouds had been washed away to reveal a bright sky.
3.75✨
🐈⬛🐈⬛🐈⬛🐈⬛🐈⬛🐈🐱😺😼😻😽😸
Brenna Belrose. Matt Callaghan. Nan. Cameron Lee. Irvine Hackett.
Soot. Cheshire. Niya. Jekyll. Hyde. Toulouse.
Thanks Netgalley for this ARC.
Took my time in finishing this as it's a bed weather for almost how many weeks now.
This got me from it's title.. and got me even more when I found out MC owned black cats too.. not just one but.. more than one 😸
Cute chic flick. Predictable in some ways. Good thing it didn't delve much into the ex issue as it will lean more into drama. Okay forna little bit of romance as it didn't overshadow the main issue.
I just feel like Brenna is a strong name and i love how she developed and became stronger in dealing with the past.
_______
It’s all about loneliness, finding belonging.
‘I want to make something of my life here, be useful, help people. I want to move forwards, not backwards.
The storm last night had cleared the skies– the dark grey and the clouds had been washed away to reveal a bright sky.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2026
I think this book was basically made for people who love cats, books and cozy little places. 😭🐈📚 I really enjoyed the whole cat café and book club setup, and honestly the cats were one of my favourite parts. Brenna was easy to connect with because she is carrying a lot from her past and doesn't immediately feel comfortable letting people in. I liked seeing her slowly find her place in the café and with the people around her. Matt was sweet too, and I liked their relationship because it had a nice slow and gentle feel to it.
The whole book gave me that warm, comforting feeling I was hoping for. I especially liked the friendships and the sense of community around the café, and the part about trying to save it gave the story a little more than just romance. I did feel like some parts were a bit slow and I wanted a little more from the romance, but it didn't really take away from my enjoyment. This was just a really cute, easy read for me, and I can definitely see myself picking up a book like this when I want something cozy, light and full of cats. 🐱☕📖
The whole book gave me that warm, comforting feeling I was hoping for. I especially liked the friendships and the sense of community around the café, and the part about trying to save it gave the story a little more than just romance. I did feel like some parts were a bit slow and I wanted a little more from the romance, but it didn't really take away from my enjoyment. This was just a really cute, easy read for me, and I can definitely see myself picking up a book like this when I want something cozy, light and full of cats. 🐱☕📖
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5, rounded up to 4 for this review.
This was a typical feel good book, with a nice autumn feel to it. Nice little romance, woman and man meet and fall in love, with a few obstacles along the way. I liked the predictably of it, exactly what you want when reading this type of book.
What I wasn't keen on was the character Matt. Although his heart was in the right place a lot of the time, I felt he was judgemental a lot. Especially towards Brenna. He was poor, she wasn't, and he hated that. It was clear he disliked people with money as he was jealous, and I felt he was very clear with this. He liked Brenna, but I personally wasn't sure she should be with him when he had been so rude on so many occasions.
And the part about her ex was a bit confusing. He was so bad, yet when he found her he didn't really take much convincing to just walk away. I felt like it would have been much worse.
Overall, a nice easy read and the stories about the cats was nice. But not one I'd rush to recommend.
This was a typical feel good book, with a nice autumn feel to it. Nice little romance, woman and man meet and fall in love, with a few obstacles along the way. I liked the predictably of it, exactly what you want when reading this type of book.
What I wasn't keen on was the character Matt. Although his heart was in the right place a lot of the time, I felt he was judgemental a lot. Especially towards Brenna. He was poor, she wasn't, and he hated that. It was clear he disliked people with money as he was jealous, and I felt he was very clear with this. He liked Brenna, but I personally wasn't sure she should be with him when he had been so rude on so many occasions.
And the part about her ex was a bit confusing. He was so bad, yet when he found her he didn't really take much convincing to just walk away. I felt like it would have been much worse.
Overall, a nice easy read and the stories about the cats was nice. But not one I'd rush to recommend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3/5)
The Cat Café Book Club is the literary equivalent of a warm mug of chai on a drizzly afternoon that is not just comforting, but also familiar, and pleasantly unhurried.
If you're expecting a sweeping romance, temper your expectations. The novel is far more invested in preserving the café and the community it shelters than in the love story itself. While the plot unfolds with predictable beats, its earnestness is difficult to resist.
The true protagonists, however, are the cats, the books, and the quiet solace they offer. The book club scenes brim with charm, and Brenna's quiet fascination with the stars lends the narrative a gentle, introspective touch. That said, I found myself craving a richer autumnal ambience and a more immersive small-town presence, elements that could have elevated the coziness even further.
A tender, comforting read that doesn't reinvent the genre but knows exactly what it wants to be: soft, wholesome, and quietly heartwarming.
The Cat Café Book Club is the literary equivalent of a warm mug of chai on a drizzly afternoon that is not just comforting, but also familiar, and pleasantly unhurried.
If you're expecting a sweeping romance, temper your expectations. The novel is far more invested in preserving the café and the community it shelters than in the love story itself. While the plot unfolds with predictable beats, its earnestness is difficult to resist.
The true protagonists, however, are the cats, the books, and the quiet solace they offer. The book club scenes brim with charm, and Brenna's quiet fascination with the stars lends the narrative a gentle, introspective touch. That said, I found myself craving a richer autumnal ambience and a more immersive small-town presence, elements that could have elevated the coziness even further.
A tender, comforting read that doesn't reinvent the genre but knows exactly what it wants to be: soft, wholesome, and quietly heartwarming.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
thank you to Hodder & Stoughton for access to this ARC through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
The Cat Cafe Book Club follows Brenna and Matt as they navigate some delicate phases in their lives.
the writing is very straightforward, but it’s too much telling as opposed to showing for my taste. there’s so many little details and events we are told about and it makes the story feel somewhat contrived.
this also makes it difficult to really connect with any of the characters, or root for their relationship. we get told a lot of things about them, and we do see some of the issues they struggle with, but because we don’t get to see much else, they feel one dimensional and flat. almost like a wooden actor.
for these reasons i chose to DNF at 50%. this may be more appealing to someone who enjoys hallmark movies.
The Cat Cafe Book Club follows Brenna and Matt as they navigate some delicate phases in their lives.
the writing is very straightforward, but it’s too much telling as opposed to showing for my taste. there’s so many little details and events we are told about and it makes the story feel somewhat contrived.
this also makes it difficult to really connect with any of the characters, or root for their relationship. we get told a lot of things about them, and we do see some of the issues they struggle with, but because we don’t get to see much else, they feel one dimensional and flat. almost like a wooden actor.
for these reasons i chose to DNF at 50%. this may be more appealing to someone who enjoys hallmark movies.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I read Snowed In At The Cat Cafe previously and loved the cozy feel, the presence of cats and clean love story.
So when I saw this book coming out, I jumped at the chance to read it.
However, it falls a bit flat for me.
Pros: The love story is another clean, slow burn, I love their relationship and respect for each other as human beings. Lots of cozy mentions of cats, warm drinks, autumnal sights and inviting decor.
Deals with themes of domestic abuse and coercive control.
Cons: the action moves at a snail's pace in the first half of the book and would have DNF'd if not for this ARC read. The characters' motivations are reiterated in almost every chapter. It's too repetitive for me.
The story picks up after the 50% mark and almost feels like a different writing style.
Ended up enjoyable though.
So when I saw this book coming out, I jumped at the chance to read it.
However, it falls a bit flat for me.
Pros: The love story is another clean, slow burn, I love their relationship and respect for each other as human beings. Lots of cozy mentions of cats, warm drinks, autumnal sights and inviting decor.
Deals with themes of domestic abuse and coercive control.
Cons: the action moves at a snail's pace in the first half of the book and would have DNF'd if not for this ARC read. The characters' motivations are reiterated in almost every chapter. It's too repetitive for me.
The story picks up after the 50% mark and almost feels like a different writing style.
Ended up enjoyable though.
October 8, 2026
Si vous cherchez une lecture cosy et mignonne et que vous n’êtes pas particulièrement fan de romance c’est probablement le livre PARFAIT pour vous ! ☕️🐈🍂🧡
.
Que j’ai aimé :
🐈 Les chaaaaats, vraiment j’ai adoré le refuge, le bookclub sain avec les chats bref trop de mignonitude
👵🏻 La relation de Brenna et de sa grand-mère, trop adorable et touchante
🍂 Le mood cosy et automnale qui va parfaitement avec la période
✍️ La plume très descriptive et immersive de l’auteure
Ce que j’ai moins aimé :
🚶♂️Le personnage de Matt… Brenna sort d’une relation toxique et elle rencontre un mec qui la rembarre dès que ses insécurités sont trop présentes + qui la fait pleurer : c’est un non. Les égos fragiles ça va 2sec
🧡 Et donc par association leur relation .. je n’ai pas trouvé d’alchimie et Brenna aurait été mieux toute seule pour moi 🤓
.
Que j’ai aimé :
🐈 Les chaaaaats, vraiment j’ai adoré le refuge, le bookclub sain avec les chats bref trop de mignonitude
👵🏻 La relation de Brenna et de sa grand-mère, trop adorable et touchante
🍂 Le mood cosy et automnale qui va parfaitement avec la période
✍️ La plume très descriptive et immersive de l’auteure
Ce que j’ai moins aimé :
🚶♂️Le personnage de Matt… Brenna sort d’une relation toxique et elle rencontre un mec qui la rembarre dès que ses insécurités sont trop présentes + qui la fait pleurer : c’est un non. Les égos fragiles ça va 2sec
🧡 Et donc par association leur relation .. je n’ai pas trouvé d’alchimie et Brenna aurait été mieux toute seule pour moi 🤓
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