The Chocolate Cake Bookstore

by Celia Anderson

Curl up with this deliciously heart-warming and romantic story from the BESTSELLING author of A New Lease of Life 🍫📚☕ Aspiring writer Mab has hit rock bottom. She’s stuck in a dead-end job, her landlord’s on the warpath and her love life is in tatters. But just as she makes a life-changing decision, fate chooses to deliver the man she’s been waiting for.

Leo has inherited a crumbling old shop in the heart of their sleepy market town and plans to turn it into a cosy haven of books and chocolate – and he wants Mab’s help.

Soon, Mab finds herself swept up by gorgeous Leo’s enthusiasm for the renovation, despite his disapproving, glamorous fiancée. But as the fizzing attraction between Mab and Leo deepens, how can she confess to the choice she made, and the secret she’s keeping?

With a future she never imagined taking shape around her, is Mab brave enough to rewrite her own story?

Readers of Milly Johnson, Katie Fforde and Beth Moran - and every chocoholic - will love this sweet and cosy romance.

Praise for Celia

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Warm, romantic and different, in the very best way' Katie Fforde

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Celia's stories are always a delightful read.' Bella Osborne

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I absolutely adored it!' Ruth Hogan

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Celia Anderson's characters leap from the page in her beautifully observed stories.' Sue Moorcroft

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'A gorgeous, uplifting, poignant tale of love, friendship and second chances... A treat of a novel' Annie Lyons

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Wonderful characters make this a great read' Good Housekeeping

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Unforgettable' Woman’s Weekly

336 pages, Paperback

Published April 8, 2026

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads data base.

Reviews

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant, feel-good book. Really enjoyed it!

[Wendy Ann Neels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

If I could I'd give this book 10 stars ********** . I didn't want to put it down the whole time I was reading it. I'm really going to miss this gang of lovely people

[Roxane E. Powers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read in one sitting

I enjoyed this book so much! I loved the ensemble feel to it. The story encompassed the relationships of more than just the primary characters, and that is atypical for this genre, in my experience. The secondary storyline, that of the child with autism and the way he related to the world, had just the right touch of realism, and I say that as someone that has had some experience with family members on the spectrum. The story twists were unexpected to say the least. I couldn't stop reading and was really dragging at work the next day, but it was totally worth it!

[Mrs Joanne Gould · Rating 1 out of 5]

Awful

After reading another book by the same author and loving it, I was excited to read this book, since the reviews were so good. I think, perhaps, I was reading a different book. The story felt contrived and, in my opinion, was poorly written. In fact, in order to finish it quicker, I began skim reading to get to the end.
I feel somewhat reluctant leaving a review like this, but I have to speak as I find. One man's meat and all that. I truly hope others see what other reviewers did and enjoy the book, sadly, I did not.

[Samantha Tonge · Rating 5 out of 5]

This uplifting read was as light as the best made sponge, with hidden surprises as dark as the tastiest chocolate. Yes, I loved it! Just what I needed to escape the stresses of life, with an eclectic cast of entertaining characters that kept me turning the pages quickly to the end. Anderson is a brilliant writer, and if you like romantic reads with twists along the way, this is the one for you!

[Wendi Nichols · Rating 4 out of 5]

HotTubs and chocolate what more do you need

Nice setting, great characters all wrapped up in books and
chocolate. Secrets, babies, handsome brothers and best friends all coming together to make a go of a fledgling business idea in a small town !!!

[Connie Wadle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet, fun read

A perfect summer beach read. This is a delightful book with lots of ups and downs. A fun cast of characters.

[Helen Felton-Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romantic fiction at its best!

I loved the very "real" people poulating this book! Twists & surprises at every corner...how could there be a happy ending...but there was!

[Julie Cunningham · Rating 3 out of 5]

The storyline was almost too simple. The bad girlfriend was so bad, the misunderstandings were so unnecessary with normal communication skills, but the characters were good.

[Ruth Cochran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely Fantastic Book

I literally read it in two days. I couldn't put it down. So well written and covering so many modern issues. Loved it.