Return to the Little Coffee Shop of Kabul

The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul #2

by Deborah Rodriguez

The brand new novel from the author of the Top Ten Sunday Times bestseller The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul.

The honest, entertaining and life-affirming sequel to The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul, featuring the same loveable cast of characters, from internationally bestselling author Deborah Rodriguez.

In a little coffee shop in war-torn Kabul, five very different women unite for one important cause: to protect the women in Afghanistan.

Now back home in the US, SUNNY, the founder, is finding it difficult to settle and dreams of returning to her beloved coffee shop.

SHEA is haunted by a traumatic event that makes her renounce her Afghan heritage.

YAZMINA, the coffee shop's new owner, wants to use her newfound security to help other women avoid the fate she narrowly escaped.

ZARA, promised in marriage to a violent man she's never met, arrives at the coffee shop seeking sanctuary.

And HALAJAN, the grandmother still breaking all the rules, is secretly learning to drive . . .

Together, these five women set out to change their lives, and the lives of women in Afghanistan, for ever.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Contemporary, Asia, Middle East, War, Book Club

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2016

About the author

Deborah Rodriguez is a hairdresser, a motivational speaker, and the author of the bestselling memoir Kabul Beauty School.
She spent five years teaching at and later directing the Kabul Beauty School, the first modern beauty academy and training salon in Afghanistan. Rodriguez also owned the Oasis Salon and the Cabul Coffee House.
She currently lives in Mexico.

Reviews

[Sandysbookaday (taking a step back for a while) · Rating 1 out of 5]

EXCERPT: 'Layla had never been able to shed the nightmares about the men who had taken her as revenge for her sister's escape, the memories of those days before Jack had come to rescue her. She had been only twelve years old then, but sometimes it seemed like only yesterday. Yasmina had been gone for four months when the same big black SUV that had snatched her away from their uncle's home had returned, this time for Layla. The snows had melted, the roads were clear, and the men were determined to get what they came for. But before they got far with her, long before they could reach Kabul, where she would have been sold to the highest bidder to be his third or fourth wife, or forced into a life of slavery or prostitution, this strange western man dressed in a shalwaar kameez, with eyes that sparkled like blue ice and a voice that spoke with calm authority, appeared like a hero in a Bollywood movie and whisked her away and into the arms of her beloved sister. '

THE BLURB: 'In a little coffee shop in war-torn Kabul, five very different women unite for one important cause: to protect the women in Afghanistan.

Now back home in the US, SUNNY, the founder, is finding it difficult to settle and dreams of returning to her beloved coffee shop.

SHEA is haunted by a traumatic event that makes her renounce her Afghan heritage.

YAZMINA, the coffee shop's new owner, wants to use her newfound security to help other women avoid the fate she narrowly escaped.

ZARA, promised in marriage to a violent man she's never met, arrives at the coffee shop seeking sanctuary.

And HALAJAN, the grandmother still breaking all the rules, is secretly learning to drive . . .

Together, these five women set out to change their lives, and the lives of women in Afghanistan, for ever.'

MY COMMENTS: I struggled somewhat with The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul when I read it some months ago. My review - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... but I had hoped for the answers to some of my questions in the follow up book. Sadly, it was not to be. The author tends to gloss over things, important things, like Layla's abduction.

If I found the first book lacking in depth, I found this one to be even more superficial and called it quits 1/3 of the way into it after dipping into random pages further in to see if there was anything there that would entice me to keep reading. The answer is obvious.

All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page for an explanation of my ratings. This review is also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com

If you have enjoyed the excerpt above, you may enjoy these two books, a lot of people have. I am just not one of them.

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book by this author. I enjoyed this just as much as the first.
The theme is the same as the last with a very honest account of the troubles in Afghanistan.
It also has that beautiful heartwarming element that i loved following the first book.
We have the same characters with a few more to the mix which worked wonderfully. I thought this was a great story and i didnt want to put this down.
I will definalty read more from this author

[Milana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my. I am spellbound by this book.

From the moment I picked up it up I could not stop thinking about it. And now, having finished it, all I want to do is talk about it some more.

I loved this book. I really did. I loved the characters, the storytelling, the settings, the themes the book explores, everything. I loved it all.

But first, confession time: I read this book without having read the prequel,  The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul.   Do I think this mattered? Nope, not one tiny bit. There was enough back story to acquaint me with all the characters and plot of the previous novel. I don't think I missed out on a thing, even if I would like to go back and read it sometime.

This was a book about finding a place where you belong, about clashes of culture and beliefs, and importantly, about the lives of Afghan women in contemporary Afghan society. The oppression of women in Afghanistan is a delicate theme - but what I loved is that the book explored it through the eyes of Afghan characters - Layla, Halajan, Kat, and Ahmet - and not through the eyes of 'Westerners'. While some of the details and revelations are gruelling and heartbreaking, there is an underlying feeling of hope that permeates though the pages and promises a better tomorrow. 

But it is not just in relation to the treatment of women that the reader is shocked by, we are also exposed to a whole new side of war torn Afghanistan, a side that we might not even have considered before:

The story of the hero lion was one of Najama's and Halajan's favourites. Of course, she had not shared all the details with her granddaughter. Like how, after the mujahideen had driven the country into violence and chaos, there was no one left to feed the animals in the zoo, and many of them died of hunger.

My favourite character in the book was Halajan. She's an enigmatic and unconventional woman living in a patriarchal world whose pillars are conventional, parochial and conformist. Halajan is an older woman, who remembers a time before the Taliban regime overtook Afghanistan; before women had to wear burqas, before they were not allowed to drive, or laugh, or paint their nails or leave the house unaccompanied by a male member of the family. And she longs for it. But she does not despair in her misery - Halajan is positive, and hopeful, and willing to speak her thoughts to whoever will listen - she is the epitome of a strong-willed woman in a male dominated world. 

Rodriguez displays some supreme storytelling skills, exploring thought-provoking themes while keeping the underlying "feel" of the book light. The focus of the book is not just on the life of Afghan women - we also get intertwined in Sunny's life after Jack and her longing to find a place to call home, we get an insight into a clash of cultures when Layla meets Kat, and we are invited to be in the presence of to Joe's gentle character and to learn his story, that also contains a sad revelation.

All in all, this book was superbly written, and is a must read for every woman. If for nothing else but to remind the us for how blessed we are us are to lead such privileged free lives, with the right to education, the right to dye our hair, the ability to go out for coffee on our own, to write and read, to paint our nails, to speak up and have our voices heard. To remind us to never take it for granted. 

I received this book from NetGallery in exchange for an honest review. All quotes were taken from an ARC, subject to change in the final edition. 

[Rosh ~catching up slowly~]

Book Two was a mistake that would never have been read by me were it not for the curiosity about the series. It takes the same set of characters as in the first book, but when you begin, you realise that even before the very first chapter, one of the best characters from Book One has been killed off. The story then goes downhill into melodrama. I abandoned this book after a few chapters, I just couldn't take the repetitive whining. Skip this without any regret.




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[Karen Mace · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was book #14 in my #20booksofsummer paperback challenge list!

I was utterly captivated by The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul, so was extremely delighted to find out that there was a follow up and it hasn't disappointed as I've been captivated again by the characters and storyline.

Some of the favourite characters from the first book return in this and it is fascinating to see how events have changed their attitudes and outlooks and even though a lot of the book isn't set in Kabul anymore, there is still plenty of visits there to see how life has changed, if at all, for those trying to get on with normal lives and we see different aspects of the culture explored in a striking way.

Sunny has her own challenges now trying to rebuild a vineyard that was Jacks' dream, and living in a new place has its' disadvantages for her as she struggles to get used to things despite the apparent freedom she now has.

Loved the new characters as they all brought something new to the story and added to the poignancy of how the world is changing and attitudes need changing too! Highly recommended!

[Courtney Peppernell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in a day and a half. I have never been to Afghanistan and I don't have enough personal ties to the culture to make a thorough comment but there are many reviews which sum that up. However I did love the characters in this book, especially Halajan for her strength and wit and bravery. I also loved Joe, and I found myself wanting to know just a little bit more about him. I think what really made me continue on with this story is that I found myself connecting with the characters even though we are worlds apart. Really enjoyed the book!

[Paromjit · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this the sequel to the Little Coffee Shop in Kabul, Sunny has moved on and now is in the US. She is missing Jack desperately. In this vibrantly descriptive novel, the author has recreated the Kabul world and gives historical, political and cultural information. There is large focus on women, their position and their rights. We get updated on the previous characters whilst being introduced to new ones, which is exciting. There is emotional engagement with the universal and major themes of the book - love, death and grief. These themes define the book. All in all, an entertaining and absorbing read. Many thanks to Little, Brown for an ARC via netgalley.

[Sue Gerhardt Griffiths · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ⭐️s

[Laurel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest and independent review.
Fabulous sequel to Little Coffee Shop of Kabul. So rich in narrative that I felt like I was part of the scenery. The author is so descriptive that you feel you know all the characters personally.
The insight into life in Kabul at that time, particularly for women is insightful. The snippets of historical and political facts interesting and eye opening.
An excellent emotional novel. 5*****

[Jada · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can appreciate what Deborah Rodriguez is trying to do here by exploring cultural differences, especially with how different I would imagine Afghanistan and America to be, but it just didn't fully land for me.

For one, I didn't like the use of italics when naming Afghan items. It felt like she was trying too hard to incorporate the Afghan language from the little (I get the impression) she knows. I would have also preferred if she showed us a lot more of the story rather than just telling us (for example: Sunny and Layla's conversation about her crush on Sky). But, I can say the themes of bridging cultural gaps and seeing how the characters navigate identity in different worlds was interesting, and I think, handled with care.

But overall, not a fan. Nothing really happened for most of the book and there wasn't any answers to the main plot in the previous book. I will say I did enjoy the characters which kept me invested, especially Layla and Kat. I like their fights, I felt like they're so important to get an understanding of someone so different to you.

I'd say, I can respect the heart of the story and the focus on culture and connections, but it just didn't do it for me the way I wanted it to.

[Shreya Vaid · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sequel to the Kabul Coffee Shop series, Return to the Little Coffee Shop Of Kabul by Deborah Rodriguez gives you glimpse into the life of Sunny, Halajan, and the new generation. A generation living away from Kabul, trying to adjust on the another side of the world, a world without bullets and bloodshed. And not just the young ones, the grown ups now need to find a new path towards their life as well.

The protagonist from the previous book, Sunny, is getting off a boat to reach a vineyard at a remote Island, which Jack has left to her in his will. Away from the life of Afghanistan, she now faces the challenge to either dispose of or make something of Screaming Peacock Vineyard. Yazmina, the young mother is now managing Sunny's cafe in Kabul along with her mother in law, Halajan. But a terrible attack on her family leaves her disturbed and face to face with the reality of her husband, who she thought was moving on the right path, but instead boiling like a chemical from inside. There's Layla, Yazmina's sister who was saved from drug lords by Jack, has now been placed in America to study with the help of Candace, but she along with another Afghan girl Kat are trying to make sense of their place in the world.

And then there is Zara, who is about to be forced into a marriage with devastating consequences, even for Halajan's family. In their respective lives, these women will learn a valuable lesson from Halajan;

"When the world as you know it disappears, you find a new way to live."

Initially, there were five, but now there are six women, including Layla who has their fate tied with the Little Coffee Shop of Kabul. The initial book speaks about the ups and downs the women face while trying to settle down in Afghanistan, the second book focuses on their life away from Cafe whilst fighting to understand what their heart truly desires. Sunny, who misses Afghanistan and her own little world of Cafe, now needs to make sense of her life without Jack and a vineyard left to her. Layla and Kat, former one wants to keep a piece of Kabul in heart always and the latter has memories that have torn her heart away from the city and its magical culture. Yazmina, who is trying to manage the cafe and Ahmet, who is dealing with the modernisation of women in his household. And Zara, who doesn't give up on love, even when she knows that being in love can only mean death in Kabul.

Return to the Little Coffee Shop of Kabul is a book that will keep you engaged to some extent, but then somewhere in between, you might start feeling that the book is a little slow. When I started reading Return to the Little Coffee Shop of Kabu;, I was not happy to know that Jack is not there anymore. I mean I have imagined him the way Sunny saw him and her heart leaped out, so you can understand how it feels when a character you have a fictional crush on is no more.

While you will be eager to know what will happen next, thanks to Zara who maintains this feeling throughout the book, the previous characters of Sunny and Yazmina won't appeal to you that much. Even Halajan, who was like a neighborhood badass, is a notch down in the story. Return to the Little Coffee Shop of Kabul could have definitely used some more twists and turns, but what I read was not that half bad. Also, if you think that reading the first book is important to understand the story, do not worry. Rodriguez has made sure to cover important areas and has not left the reader in the dark.

All in all, Return to The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul is something that can be definitely your next light-read.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I only picked up this book because I wanted to know what happens to Yasmina and Halajan since I loved their characters very much.
At first, I found it hard to read the book since the first few pages were boring, but then things started to get interesting.
I think I loved this book more than the prequel.
First of all, I honestly can't believe that people like Faheem exist, he has a very disgusting personality and people like him just waste oxygen.
I loved the change in Ahmet's personality and how he became somehow open minded, and that speech he said when he held his daughter was so touching:").
There wasn't much of Yasmina in this book compared to the prequel but I gues what was included was enough.
And Halajan! That strong Afghani woman, she's definitely my favorite character in both books.
Joe was a new character introduced in the book, and I loved his wisdom and kindness.
There are so many people like Kat and others like Layla, different flowers that bloomed from the same soil.
So many beautiful quotes and conversations as well.

And finally, RIP Jack.

[Yasmin]

DNF.
This sequel had none of the charm of the first. Disappointing

[Rosemary Standeven · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the ‘Little Coffee Shop of Kabul’ series, but the third that I read. It filled in all the holes that I had from reading the final book second. It explains what happened to Jack, introduced American-Afghani Kat with her back story, and why the coffee shop changed its purpose. The other main characters are all present here.
Whereas the other two books take place almost exclusively in Afghanistan, generally in Kabul, this book oscillates between USA and Afghanistan. At first, I was not too keen on the American sections, but soon came to see how important they were to the story – in particular to the way in which Sunny adapted to her new life back in USA, and how Layla learned (through Kat) from her stay in America the ideas that lead to her becoming the feminist warrior she was in book three.
In Kabul, Ahmet goes to university, enjoying the group discussions with other male students about the possible future for Afghanistan. But, he is unable to drag his mind away from the ideas of the traditional roles for women, until the tragic outcome to the love affair of two young Afghans shows him how damaging – to individuals and the state – these ideas are.
The Kabul in this book is at its most free. Women are able to go to university, work in most areas, and there is a certain freedom of speech for many. However, corruption is endemic, as is bombing and violence (especially against women). The occupying forces are drawing back, and the Taliban’s influence is increasing. So much of the country is still tied up in restrictive traditions, that deny women any existence beyond slavery. But for a brief period, there seems to be hope of a better future for all. Unfortunately, we all know how forlorn that hope turned out to be.
This whole series has been excellent – the way the two main physical settings (Kabul and Twimbly Island) are brought to life, and the incredibly rich array of characters who populate these places and drive the story. You can just read books one and three as I initially did, but reading all three IN ORDER will definitely add to the experience.
Let us just hope, that sometime – in our lifetimes – Afghanistan will find a way of combining Islam, tradition and modernity to create a country that is uniquely Afghan, not ruled or directed by foreigners.

[Vivone Os · Rating 2 out of 5]

Iako se Rodriguez i u ovom nastavku dotiče teških tema (rata i siromaštva u Afganistanu, zatiranja prava žena, prisilni brakovi, zlostavljanje od strane članova obitelji…), ovaj put se dio priče odvija i u Americi kamo se glavna junakinja vraća još na kraju prvog dijela i pokušava pronaći svoj put. Uz nju pratimo i nekoliko žena koje smo već upoznale u prvom dijelu i dvije nove djevojke.
Nekako mi se čini da je ovaj dio lošiji od prvog. Površna radnja, površni likovi i njihovi odnosi. Isforsani dijalozi. Stari Japanac/Talijan koji okolo prosipa svoje “mudrosti”. Isforsane svađe među likovima koje ostaju nedorečene i nerazriješene. Ništa me u knjizi nije dirnulo.

Orilium Spring Equinox 2025. – Elemental studies: Earth: fruits – fruit on the cover (apple)
A-Z 2025.
Globalni ciljevi: nastavak serijala

[Davy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great continuation on the first book! The plot doesn't shy away from harsh realities, and still leaves you with a hopeful outlook in how people deal with adversity. A great reading experience all round!

[Donna Chadwick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really easy to get into l was hooked on the first few pages it was really hard to put down once l started reading it. I was sad to read that jack passed away and sunny was carrying around his ashes not knowing what to do with them. I got a arc of this book that I won as part of a goodreads giveaway I want to read more from Deborah Rodrigues I highly recommend this book to anyone this book is a awesome book and a great storyline I would tell people that you should step outside your comfort zone with books because it is good to add more authors and genres to your reading portfolio even if you don't like books like this I was sad to read that the coffeehouse was attacked by a gunman who shot some people that was there and Zara was injured yazmina went to the hospital with her I hope she survives. Some of the people died at the coffeehouse and some was injured. Zara's sister's headmaster wanted to marry Zara but she loves Omar the headmaster threatened to hurt her family, friends and Omar. The headmaster took Zara's phone so he could find out who has Zara's heart because he wants to marry her because he would love a younger wife. Zara wants to carry on with school and go to university and marry Omar. I was glad to read that yazmina's husband, daughter and her mother in law was safe. I was sad to read that yazmina was nearly hit in her stomach by a bullet glad she was missed because she is pregnant with her second child I wonder if she has another daughter or her first son. This book is really good and I can not put in to words how great this book really is I would tell people to read it for themselves to know how great this book really is. I was sad to read that Zara died from her injuries even after her death the guy who threatened her family, friends and Omar was still following her he was seen at Zara's grave. She did not want to live because of him wanting to marry her. Yazmina was visiting Zara at the hospital yazmina's husband told her he did not want her visiting Zara again because she should be resting because she is heavily pregnant and he fears for her safety he said she should be staying home being a mother and wife and be helping clean up the coffeehouse after the shooting. I feel sorry for Zara's family and friends because they could be in danger still. This book has 309 pages and 39 chapters this book is full of surprises Zara was not really dead. Zara and her family had gone in to hiding to get away from faheem her sister's headmaster who wanted to marry Zara. I think this story is great I was sad to read that Omar was killed by faheem's men and poor Zara was heartbroken by Omar death but she was back with her family. I was happy to read that yazmina's and Ahmet's second daughter arrived safely but Ahmet was sad that the baby was another girl but he loved her dearly just like her sister. I liked reading that yazmina feed the baby girl chewed up dates and then the baby's hair was shaved off and the family would give the weight of the hair to the poor which l think it is nice of the family. I was sad to read that Kat's mother died at the hands of her father. It was funny what they did to Rick but he should not have tried to rip sunny off by saying he owned half of the vineyard I really love this book I can not get enough of reading it and I would read it again and again it was nice to read that Ahmet made a promise to both his daughters and he said tearfully to sunny have you seen my beautiful daughter auntie sunny and auntie Layla and Kat thought the baby girl is beautiful too. I want to read more of this story and people and l love reading about wine making and grape picking I hope Kat gets justice for her mother. This storyline has some sad bits and some happy bits. I wish the coffeehouse was still open and l hope faheem is put in jail for ordering the shootout and Omar's death. I hope Zara come to terms with Omar death and finds somebody who loves her and she gets married and has babies and she's safe from faheem. Hope her family and friends are safe too. I can not wait to see if sunny chooses to stay on the island or goes home. The vineyard is great I love that jack had a cat and dog that are now sunny's. I hope sunny picks somewhere beautiful to put jack's ashes and l hope sunny founds somebody else to be happy with now jack sadly passed away. Joe and sky sound like really nice guys I was happy to read that the coffeehouse is going to be a safehouse for girls and women like Zara. I wish l could rate this book more than five stars. It was nice to read that sunny was helping with funds for the safehouse aka the coffeehouse to help keeping the girls, women and their children safe. I was happy to read that Kat was helping with the safehouse and that sunny was staying on the island to make jack's dream come true even though he is not around to see it

[Hazel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.

Five years since the publication of her fictional debut, fans of Deoborah Rodriguez will be pleased to know they can finally get their hands on the sequel: Return to the Little Coffee Shop of Kabul. In the first book (The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul) we are introduced to Sunny, a 38-year-old American, who has set up a coffee shop in the heart of Afghanistan. Now she has returned to the US, after the unfortunate death of her boyfriend, to a house on an island she did not really want. Meanwhile, her coffee shop struggles to continue in the hands of her Afghan friends.

The narrative alternates between the USA and Afghanistan, keeping the reader informed of two completely different scenarios. Sunny is dealing with the loss of Jack and her conflicted feelings over whether she should stay and live Jack’s dream lifestyle or return to her beloved Kabul. On the other hand, Yazmina and the others reveal to the reader how difficult and dangerous life is for the Afghanistan natives, especially for the women who have very little rights.

As well as the original characters, there are a number of new names introduced to the story. In Afghanistan a young girl is trying to escape an arranged marriage to an evil, rich man – something that has disastrous consequences for herself and her newfound friends. On the other side of the world, Layla, Yazmina’s sister, is experiencing Western culture living with Sunny, and is shocked at how friendly men and women are with each other.

Another new face to add to the mix is Kat, a young woman who escaped to America as a child and has turned her back on the traditions of Islam and the Afghan culture. Despite her growing friendship with Layla, she refuses to agree with Layla’s beliefs, particularly in regards to the hijab. Neither girl’s opinion is more valid than the other however, as they have both had completely different upbringings. Kat has spent the better part of her life relishing in the freedom of Western culture, whereas Layla finds comfort in her traditions.

Return to the Little Coffee Shop of Kabul contains a couple of powerful messages. Firstly, as Sunny realizes, you need to be thankful for what you have got and not assume that going back to a lifestyle you used to follow would be the same as it once was. On the flip side, the Muslim family in Kabul begins to learn that they do not have to put up with the strict, unfairness in the treatment of women, and can strive to do something about it.

It is not necessary to have read the previous book, as there is enough character description and history mentioned within the narrative for new readers to be able to follow along. It is also suitable for book groups as it contains a series of reading group questions at the end of the novel.

Despite its upsetting scenes, Return to the Little Coffee Shop of Kabul is essentially a happy book. The character Sunny, definitely lives up to her name; there is no over emphasis on any of the negative situations she or her friends find themselves in. In a world where it would be easy to fall into despair, Rodriguez has written a story with a positive outlook on life and hope for the future.

[Rambling Reviews · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sunny: Frustratingly horrible, selfish, self-centered, stupid character. You ungrateful brat. Do you know how blessed you are? Her attitude and lack of self-awareness combined with the navel-gazing made her a truly unpleasant read.

Ahmet: Didn't believe his sudden transformation. Came out of nowhere and didn't ring true. Played to the reader, not to the character.

The book does demonstrate the danger inherent in shame/honour-based cultures, groups or ideals.

I don't care how insensitive it makes me, I find the way women are treated in many countries outside of the oblivious western bubble absolutely and utterly disgusting, and I actively support and invest in organisations that are working to bring an end to this. There's a point in the book where Layla says something to the effect of 'It's not true that men are abusive. They only get mean like that when women do something shameful to make them act that way.'

The correct response to this (which was noticeably absent in the novel) is THERE IS NEVER A REASON TO TREAT A WOMAN LIKE THAT. There is NEVER a time to treat women as lesser, as something that needs to be kept in line, diminished, abused or hidden away.

I got great pleasure out of Yazmina standing up to Ahmet, and I largely enjoyed Halajan's answers to a lot of the questions raised, but overall I found that the novel tried to open some big questions but then was too afraid or unable to look at them more deeply, and settled for a cliched ending instead.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of characters and different stories to remember and understand; which was hard as I have not read the first book I just picked this one up randomly at the library (they didn't have the first one).

All in all I began this book confused of all the different characters and backgrounds and the relationships to each other but as I carried on the book, I started to connect the dots and understood who was who and from where etc.
I really enjoyed it. I have never read a book about Kabul and having so many different types of people all in one book was very universal, inclusive and felt real to today.

Some parts of the book where very gritty and hard to read as it detailed the real life of Afghan women and what they have to deal with, just to be women. I think I have learnt a thing or two about Afghanistan and it's people.

I am going to buy the first book and continue with these novels.
I really liked the writing it reminded me of Jenny Colgan 'Cupcake cafe' series.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you were left wondering what happened next, after reading Rodriguez' first novel, then wonder no more! Here we are, a couple of years later, with Sunny, Yaz and Halajan again, and even a few quick visits from Candace.

Sunny is back in the US, bereaved, and yearning for Kabul. But she has a few things she needs to take care of first. Yaz is running the coffeeshop in Kabul, surrounded by her family, until a shocking event makes the future look uncertain. A few new characters in both locations provide impetus for the plot.

It had been a few years since I read book #1, and I have to admit I'd forgotten a lot of detail, but it didn't matter. This sequel could even be read as a standalone. Providing no real challenge to the reader, this was a good, comfortable read that ties up any loose plot ends.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and wanted to know what happened to the characters - as a continuation of the original story unfolded . A perfect follow up to Little Coffee Shop of Kabul, with the additional characters fitting well with existing characters and the new story-line.

[sams_littlebooknook · Rating 4 out of 5]

" It us the power of a girl with a book that is the best weapon for progress. "

Book #2 in this series. We follow the same woman with a couple of new characters to add to the mix. We watch how they all go through different stages of their life, where they work through cultural differences, friendships, and the highs and lows.

It's such great book, I enjoyed how you carried on from where you left off and you can't help but get involved with the charaters and definitely throws you into the modern day problems for all women.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hm, where do I begin? Having read the first book whilst in secondary school I was so excited to find this in WHSMITH in Birmingham International on my way back to home to Ireland. I was surprised that I still remembered much of the first book considering I’m heading into my 4th year of university.

I enjoyed this book for the most part but I do wish we could’ve had more of an insight into Kat’s life before her trauma and her life in general.

[Kat Pattinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved both books, but I think I liked the books even more once reading the second one. It's one of those exemptions where the second book really complements the first one and makes it even more special. It was so interesting to get to know the characters and their lives - the author really takes you to their world and it gives you a great insight of the lives in the different cultures...or it feels like it as I've not been to Kabul, but it feels real.

[Michaela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Took me a lot longer than normal to read this one.

I felt like I needed more after the first book but this was entirely different.

Following the lives of people within America adjusting to not being in Kabul anymore was not as interesting as I thought it would be.

I did enjoy it but not as much as the first one.

[Jay · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really keen to read this book having read the prequel "The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul" twice and having loved it both times.
Unfortunately though, this book did not capture me like the first and I found it really difficult to get through. I liked the concept of the dual stories but found that it was very slow moving and too much print was given to recapping what had happened in the earlier book (great if you haven't read the first book!). Whilst I felt the plot picked up pace two-thirds of the way through, the ending was a bit rushed and weak.
Disappointed!!

[Alice Bentley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely story continuing on from The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul. A mixture of loveable characters with heartwarming tales to tell. Unputdownable.

[Michelle Hutchins · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was a nice sequel- though alot shorter.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

a great sequel bringing Kabul to life