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The Pretty Delicious Café
One flaky family. One ex-boyfriend who won't go away. And one handsome stranger who probably will ... For fans of Doc Martin and and Monica McInerney, a warm, witty novel, brimming with the trademark romance, friendship and eccentricity that Danielle Hawkins's readers love.
On the outskirts of a small seaside town, Lia and her friend Anna work serious hours running their restored cafe. The summer season is upon them, they have Anna's wedding to plan and Lia's ex-boyfriend seems not to understand it's over.
When a gorgeous stranger taps on Lia's window near midnight and turns out not to be a serial killer, she feels it's a promising sign. But no one comes without a past, and his arrives in the form of a four-year-old son. Just as Lia decides to give things a try, problems from her own past rear up.
The Pretty Delicious Cafe reminds us of the joy -- and hazards -- to be found in family, friends and good food -- and that being a little bit weird isn't necessarily a bad thing.
On the outskirts of a small seaside town, Lia and her friend Anna work serious hours running their restored cafe. The summer season is upon them, they have Anna's wedding to plan and Lia's ex-boyfriend seems not to understand it's over.
When a gorgeous stranger taps on Lia's window near midnight and turns out not to be a serial killer, she feels it's a promising sign. But no one comes without a past, and his arrives in the form of a four-year-old son. Just as Lia decides to give things a try, problems from her own past rear up.
The Pretty Delicious Cafe reminds us of the joy -- and hazards -- to be found in family, friends and good food -- and that being a little bit weird isn't necessarily a bad thing.
345 pages, Paperback
First published November 21, 2016
233 people are currently reading
704 people want to read
About the author
Danielle Hawkins
6 books197 followersBestselling New Zealand author Danielle Hawkins lives on a sheep and beef farm near Otorohanga with her husband and two children. She works part-time as a large animal vet, and writes when the kids are at school and she's not required for farming purposes. She is a keen gardener, an intermittently keen cook and an avid reader. Her other talents include memorising poetry, making bread and zapping flies with an electric fly swat. She tends to exaggerate to improve a story, with the result that her husband believes almost nothing she says.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 153 reviews
October 10, 2020
4.5★
My favourite Hawkins title so far.
While this book in many ways is a classic beach read, (and I loved the cover) it also doesn't shy away from covering more serious issues.
Lia and Anna are two friends running a seaside town cafe. This is shown to be hard work. It is ironic that often when you are living in a truly beautiful spot, you are working long hours, seven days a week, so have very little time to enjoy your surroundings!
Lia has a (very original) meeting with the handsome Jed - who has his own demands on his time. The book does take a more serious and genuinely frightening turn for the worse. This is not easy to handle in a novel but Hawkins does it well, and I was just about on the edge of my seat. One theme was a bit controversial for me,
I've also knocked half a star off as I can't be as optimistic as Lia and her family are about Anna's recovery from
I also liked showing that not all family relationships are loving ones and some times what you need from family is some distance!
My favourite Hawkins title so far.
While this book in many ways is a classic beach read, (and I loved the cover) it also doesn't shy away from covering more serious issues.
Lia and Anna are two friends running a seaside town cafe. This is shown to be hard work. It is ironic that often when you are living in a truly beautiful spot, you are working long hours, seven days a week, so have very little time to enjoy your surroundings!
Lia has a (very original) meeting with the handsome Jed - who has his own demands on his time. The book does take a more serious and genuinely frightening turn for the worse. This is not easy to handle in a novel but Hawkins does it well, and I was just about on the edge of my seat. One theme was a bit controversial for me,
I've also knocked half a star off as I can't be as optimistic as Lia and her family are about Anna's recovery from
I also liked showing that not all family relationships are loving ones and some times what you need from family is some distance!
September 6, 2021
I chose this as an audio break from the Jack Reacher series. I had to (shock horror) wait for a week or so for the next instalment, and I had been tending to choose thrillers/psychological types of themes, and I knew I needed something light. And this was that - light and fluffy, like the desserts and food constantly talked about in the lovely cafe that is run by two girlfriends. The food component was amazing!
This is the first New Zealand read where I recall the cities and landscapes being discussed, and it was nice. Also a good twist was the New Zealand accent with the narrator. But I was left a bit flat, just like a cake that doesn't rise properly; maybe like someone had chosen plain flour instead of the self raising variety.
There were important themes discussed such as mental health and eating disorders (in a very gentle way), but this read was a tad too fluffy for me. Lia and Anna are childhood friends and they run a cute cafe, a wedding is on the menu for Anna and Lia is battling with the attention from an annoying ex. This was a little predictable, and the different bits and pieces were a little mis-matched. Just not a stellar read for me.
This is the first New Zealand read where I recall the cities and landscapes being discussed, and it was nice. Also a good twist was the New Zealand accent with the narrator. But I was left a bit flat, just like a cake that doesn't rise properly; maybe like someone had chosen plain flour instead of the self raising variety.
There were important themes discussed such as mental health and eating disorders (in a very gentle way), but this read was a tad too fluffy for me. Lia and Anna are childhood friends and they run a cute cafe, a wedding is on the menu for Anna and Lia is battling with the attention from an annoying ex. This was a little predictable, and the different bits and pieces were a little mis-matched. Just not a stellar read for me.
February 29, 2020
I loved this, even more than I expected to. Set in a fictional beachside town on the North Island of NZ, this book delivers humour, warmth, a little tension, a side of romance and so much food it had me salivating.
Lia and her best friend Anna have been running their cafe for a couple of years. The summers are hectic, but the hard work is paying off and bringing great success. This summer has been a particularly busy one as they prepare for Anna's wedding to Lia's twin, Rob, in March. The arrival in town of a handsome stranger takes Lia's mind off her annoying ex, Isaac, who can't seem to accept that their short relationship is over. Throw in a hippy mum, a taciturn dad and various nosy and/or eccentric townsfolk, and Lia's life is full, but not without occasional complications.
In what I thought was a break with tradition, the story got a bit darker than I expected towards the end, but then finished with a satisfying, upbeat conclusion.
There were 3 main things I liked about this book. Firstly, Danielle Hawkins does characters/relationships very well. These characters were very real to me - I know people just like them! Lia's dad, for example (significantly older than her mum, and divorced since the twins were little) - Talking to my father on the phone is a bit like playing tennis with someone who catches the ball and stuffs it into his pocket rather than hitting it back to your end of the court. This made me laugh, as my own dad can be just like that at times!
Secondly, the sense of place. I read this while on a mini-break in NZ, and although the town of Ratai is fictional, it enjoys a real location that I could totally recognise in my imagination. The language was authentic, and the cafe scene was spot-on.
Finally, I have to mention the food! If I lived near Ratai I would spend my days hanging around Lia's cafe... They excel in their homemade baked goods, but there's more than that. Even the coffee read enticing. Here's an excerpt from one of Lia's busy mornings:
‘Okay!’ I spread my slices of bread with garlic butter, put them on a tray and slung them under the grill. Took the ice-cream cake out of the freezer, cut two slices and topped each one with a handful of raspberries and a chocolate curl. Carried them to the counter, smiled at a waiting customer, returned to take another pizza out of the oven. Turned the garlic bread, burning my knuckle on an oven rack, and dressed a green salad to go with the pizza. Dusted a plum tart with icing sugar, sliced it and put it in the display cabinet to fill a gap where the last piece of ginger crunch had just been taken. Refilled the coffee beans, fetched another bottle of trim milk, rescued the garlic bread from under the grill before it burst into flame, made a chocolate milkshake, plated up another wedge of ice-cream cake, arranged the garlic bread in a basket – ‘That’s for Chelsea Stewart,’ I told Mum, shoving it towards her as she reappeared around the end of the counter.
And then, at the end, Hawkins gifts us a few select recipes so we can recreate the Pretty Delicious Cafe at home. Choice.
Lia and her best friend Anna have been running their cafe for a couple of years. The summers are hectic, but the hard work is paying off and bringing great success. This summer has been a particularly busy one as they prepare for Anna's wedding to Lia's twin, Rob, in March. The arrival in town of a handsome stranger takes Lia's mind off her annoying ex, Isaac, who can't seem to accept that their short relationship is over. Throw in a hippy mum, a taciturn dad and various nosy and/or eccentric townsfolk, and Lia's life is full, but not without occasional complications.
In what I thought was a break with tradition, the story got a bit darker than I expected towards the end, but then finished with a satisfying, upbeat conclusion.
There were 3 main things I liked about this book. Firstly, Danielle Hawkins does characters/relationships very well. These characters were very real to me - I know people just like them! Lia's dad, for example (significantly older than her mum, and divorced since the twins were little) - Talking to my father on the phone is a bit like playing tennis with someone who catches the ball and stuffs it into his pocket rather than hitting it back to your end of the court. This made me laugh, as my own dad can be just like that at times!
Secondly, the sense of place. I read this while on a mini-break in NZ, and although the town of Ratai is fictional, it enjoys a real location that I could totally recognise in my imagination. The language was authentic, and the cafe scene was spot-on.
Finally, I have to mention the food! If I lived near Ratai I would spend my days hanging around Lia's cafe... They excel in their homemade baked goods, but there's more than that. Even the coffee read enticing. Here's an excerpt from one of Lia's busy mornings:
‘Okay!’ I spread my slices of bread with garlic butter, put them on a tray and slung them under the grill. Took the ice-cream cake out of the freezer, cut two slices and topped each one with a handful of raspberries and a chocolate curl. Carried them to the counter, smiled at a waiting customer, returned to take another pizza out of the oven. Turned the garlic bread, burning my knuckle on an oven rack, and dressed a green salad to go with the pizza. Dusted a plum tart with icing sugar, sliced it and put it in the display cabinet to fill a gap where the last piece of ginger crunch had just been taken. Refilled the coffee beans, fetched another bottle of trim milk, rescued the garlic bread from under the grill before it burst into flame, made a chocolate milkshake, plated up another wedge of ice-cream cake, arranged the garlic bread in a basket – ‘That’s for Chelsea Stewart,’ I told Mum, shoving it towards her as she reappeared around the end of the counter.
And then, at the end, Hawkins gifts us a few select recipes so we can recreate the Pretty Delicious Cafe at home. Choice.
September 22, 2017
three and a half stars
This is a delightful romp with a few serious overtones. In a small New Zealand seaside town Lia and her best friend and soon to be sister in law run their café. They work long hours, as many people who own their own business do. Plus there is Anna’s wedding to Lia’s twin brother coming up. Add to that Lia’s ex-boyfriend that can’t seem to accept that the relationship is over and it makes for some interesting situations. Into this mix comes a mysterious stranger who meets Lia under most unusual and not so flattering circumstances one evening late, and you get a picture that more complications will develop. The connection between twins who always seem to be able to sense when the other is on trouble or needs help adds an interesting twist.
This was largely a fun read with likeable characters except for those you are not supposed to like. It gives a humorous and hectic picture of running a café during the busy season in a touristy area. As one who lives in such an area and sees the difference it makes to our favourite coffee shop when tourist descend, it all rang so true. I liked the New Zealand setting and the humorous tone. I did think sometimes Lia acted more like a teenager than a woman of twenty eight, but that seems to be a bit of a trend in films, books and TV shows today. That and a bit of language wasn’t enough to stop me enjoying this novel. And for those so inclined there are a few recipes at the end to try. If you are looking for something light, you could do worse than give this a try.
This is a delightful romp with a few serious overtones. In a small New Zealand seaside town Lia and her best friend and soon to be sister in law run their café. They work long hours, as many people who own their own business do. Plus there is Anna’s wedding to Lia’s twin brother coming up. Add to that Lia’s ex-boyfriend that can’t seem to accept that the relationship is over and it makes for some interesting situations. Into this mix comes a mysterious stranger who meets Lia under most unusual and not so flattering circumstances one evening late, and you get a picture that more complications will develop. The connection between twins who always seem to be able to sense when the other is on trouble or needs help adds an interesting twist.
This was largely a fun read with likeable characters except for those you are not supposed to like. It gives a humorous and hectic picture of running a café during the busy season in a touristy area. As one who lives in such an area and sees the difference it makes to our favourite coffee shop when tourist descend, it all rang so true. I liked the New Zealand setting and the humorous tone. I did think sometimes Lia acted more like a teenager than a woman of twenty eight, but that seems to be a bit of a trend in films, books and TV shows today. That and a bit of language wasn’t enough to stop me enjoying this novel. And for those so inclined there are a few recipes at the end to try. If you are looking for something light, you could do worse than give this a try.
March 11, 2017
I really, really enjoyed this charming New Zealand read! Refreshing and very smiley. Gorgeous setting with characters who feel like family. I loved it from the first chapter (with an awesomely awkward and smiley meet cute!). This book has swoon, humour, fantastically fun dialogue, and genuine family and friend messy relationships that never derives into melodrama. Definitely on the look out for more work from Danielle Hawkins and now I have her backlist titles to catch up on!
November 24, 2019
A pretty delicious read!
I have only just discovered New Zealand author Daniele Hawkins but I’ll be reading more of her novels after this enjoyable read.
The characters are likeable, the small town seaside setting sounded serene and the writing was quirky and witty. There was enough complexity to the basic rom-com storyline to give it merit with a few serious issues such as mental health and family relationships.
A fast, funny, food-filled read which would make a great holiday read.
I have only just discovered New Zealand author Daniele Hawkins but I’ll be reading more of her novels after this enjoyable read.
The characters are likeable, the small town seaside setting sounded serene and the writing was quirky and witty. There was enough complexity to the basic rom-com storyline to give it merit with a few serious issues such as mental health and family relationships.
A fast, funny, food-filled read which would make a great holiday read.
February 9, 2017
Utterly delectable with a twist of spice and a touch of zest!
February 10, 2017
Oh my gosh, I love Danielle Hawkins. I really do. When I opened up a hefty parcel from the lovely people at Harper Collins Australia and this tumbled out, I might’ve squealed. Firstly, because I adore her two other books. Her previous novel, Chocolate Cake For Breakfast is one of my favourites. And secondly because I didn’t know that she had a new book coming out and it was such an awesome, fun surprise! Of course I pretty much had to read it straight away.
I’ve never been to New Zealand but this book has made me even more keen to visit. The setting is truly beautiful and described as such a natural part of the story. Lia and her friend Anna run a cafe which is still in the ‘taking off’ stage but the busy season is just around the corner and they have high hopes that it will be successful. I feel as though I must warn potential readers – don’t read this book when you’re hungry! It will have you craving the amazing delicious treats Lia describes as she makes them but helpfully the book does come with a half dozen or so recipes in the back, things that Lia makes to sell at Pretty Delicious Cafe.
Lia is single, having recently broken up with someone who seems to be having trouble accepting that what’s done is done. When new-to-the-area Jed knocks on her door at midnight and turns out not to be a crazy serial killer, Lia sees the potential for something with him. Jed has his baggage though and although there’s a strong attraction between the two of them, the way things in his life are means that his stay isn’t going to be permanent. Danielle Hawkins writes cute but realistic romance so well and I loved the blossoming friendship plus a bit more that Lia and Jed are experiencing. Jed has some quite serious commitments and I appreciated that his situation was not something I read about too often in fiction, but in this time is increasingly more common.
Anna is engaged to Lia’s twin brother Rob and the three of them have a somewhat complex dynamic due to the deep connection that Lia and Rob share. I’ve always found twins really interesting, I’ve known several pairs of twins both identical and not and it does seem as though they do often have special connections. As Rob’s partner, I think Anna is somewhat wary of this connection, it’s something that she can’t be a part of, either with her partner or her best friend. And I think it’s something that she perhaps finds a bit difficult to accept because of the nature of it. I didn’t particularly blame her about that, I think it’d be something that would be quite difficult to be comfortable with.
Although this book is super funny with plenty of quirky characters, amusing moments and that lazy, laid back feel of rural coastal life, it also has a very serious side, tackling an issue that is very prevalent in society today. The novel did end up taking a darker swerve than I anticipated towards the end but I think that Hawkins did a great job balancing out the lighter side of the book with the darker and nothing felt out of place or jarring. Lia’s situation slowly escalates but in a way that still makes you surprised at the act towards the end.
Like her other books, this one was a winner for me. I loved every turn of the page and it lives up to the expectations I had of a good read when it arrived. I would be super happy if every book I read left me at satisfied as Danielle Hawkins’ books do.
I’ve never been to New Zealand but this book has made me even more keen to visit. The setting is truly beautiful and described as such a natural part of the story. Lia and her friend Anna run a cafe which is still in the ‘taking off’ stage but the busy season is just around the corner and they have high hopes that it will be successful. I feel as though I must warn potential readers – don’t read this book when you’re hungry! It will have you craving the amazing delicious treats Lia describes as she makes them but helpfully the book does come with a half dozen or so recipes in the back, things that Lia makes to sell at Pretty Delicious Cafe.
Lia is single, having recently broken up with someone who seems to be having trouble accepting that what’s done is done. When new-to-the-area Jed knocks on her door at midnight and turns out not to be a crazy serial killer, Lia sees the potential for something with him. Jed has his baggage though and although there’s a strong attraction between the two of them, the way things in his life are means that his stay isn’t going to be permanent. Danielle Hawkins writes cute but realistic romance so well and I loved the blossoming friendship plus a bit more that Lia and Jed are experiencing. Jed has some quite serious commitments and I appreciated that his situation was not something I read about too often in fiction, but in this time is increasingly more common.
Anna is engaged to Lia’s twin brother Rob and the three of them have a somewhat complex dynamic due to the deep connection that Lia and Rob share. I’ve always found twins really interesting, I’ve known several pairs of twins both identical and not and it does seem as though they do often have special connections. As Rob’s partner, I think Anna is somewhat wary of this connection, it’s something that she can’t be a part of, either with her partner or her best friend. And I think it’s something that she perhaps finds a bit difficult to accept because of the nature of it. I didn’t particularly blame her about that, I think it’d be something that would be quite difficult to be comfortable with.
Although this book is super funny with plenty of quirky characters, amusing moments and that lazy, laid back feel of rural coastal life, it also has a very serious side, tackling an issue that is very prevalent in society today. The novel did end up taking a darker swerve than I anticipated towards the end but I think that Hawkins did a great job balancing out the lighter side of the book with the darker and nothing felt out of place or jarring. Lia’s situation slowly escalates but in a way that still makes you surprised at the act towards the end.
Like her other books, this one was a winner for me. I loved every turn of the page and it lives up to the expectations I had of a good read when it arrived. I would be super happy if every book I read left me at satisfied as Danielle Hawkins’ books do.
February 6, 2017
A great holiday read.
February 9, 2017
W36.
4.5 stars. I really liked this.
4.5 stars. I really liked this.
Read
June 29, 2018– Moreish and sweet - some Pretty Delicious Café reading –
Reading The Pretty Delicious Café is like watching a rom-com with a cup of chamomile tea. So wonderfully digestible, light-hearted and genuinely witty, it didn’t take me long to feel invested in the characters and their stories, and start yearning for the (although foreseeable), gloriously satisfying happy ending.
It is Danielle Hawkins’ (Chocolate for Breakfast, Dinner at Rose’s) third book, with which the Otorohanga writer has re-inspired me to read for the sheer joy of it. My book choices in the last year have been largely to do with learning and challenging myself. Mostly, this has lead me to heady non-fiction and twisty-turny plots that are hard to keep track of. While I still enjoy these, reading The Pretty Delicious Café was just so easy, and like dark chocolate cookies, I just couldn’t get enough!
Lia, the protagonist, and her best friend, Anna run a café in a small New Zealand town. Coming to the end of their first year, the girls and their efforts begin to tire - just in time for Anna’s wedding to Lia’s twin brother Rob, and the somewhat complicated arrival of a handsome mechanic. Throw in a slightly mad ex-boyfriend, an earthy mom and a hint of telepathy and you have our story.
I love that Pretty Delicious is set in New Zealand, with down-to-earth kiwi characters who talk about farming, swimming at the beach in your undies and how everyone seems to know each other - an echo of my real life surroundings. I too live in a small town near the beach, and know how quickly everyone can know your business, but also how supportive a community can be. You learn to appreciate the variety of characters you have in one small place - each one a valuable part of what makes it special.
I think the success of Pretty Delicious comes from strong writing. Danielle Hawkins writes the characters so believably and with such flawless consistency, that you kind of think they must exist somewhere in real life. Yes, the story has a lot of sweet, maybe even a little sickly moments when the characters awkwardly bumble in their relationships, but I have to admit, there’s a part of me that loves it! Hawkins balances this though, with enough humor, action and interesting description to stop things becoming too predictable or boring. Plus of course, the novel is dotted with a hundred absolutely delicious sounding treats and recipes!
A perfect holiday read, for those who want a light, warming story, set in a delightfully familiar place.
----------
This review was first published on Narrative Muse, http://narrativemuse.co/books/the-pre..., and was written by Amy Lewis. Narrative Muse curates the best books and movies by and about women and non-binary folk on our website http://narrativemuse.co and our social media channels.
Reading The Pretty Delicious Café is like watching a rom-com with a cup of chamomile tea. So wonderfully digestible, light-hearted and genuinely witty, it didn’t take me long to feel invested in the characters and their stories, and start yearning for the (although foreseeable), gloriously satisfying happy ending.
It is Danielle Hawkins’ (Chocolate for Breakfast, Dinner at Rose’s) third book, with which the Otorohanga writer has re-inspired me to read for the sheer joy of it. My book choices in the last year have been largely to do with learning and challenging myself. Mostly, this has lead me to heady non-fiction and twisty-turny plots that are hard to keep track of. While I still enjoy these, reading The Pretty Delicious Café was just so easy, and like dark chocolate cookies, I just couldn’t get enough!
Lia, the protagonist, and her best friend, Anna run a café in a small New Zealand town. Coming to the end of their first year, the girls and their efforts begin to tire - just in time for Anna’s wedding to Lia’s twin brother Rob, and the somewhat complicated arrival of a handsome mechanic. Throw in a slightly mad ex-boyfriend, an earthy mom and a hint of telepathy and you have our story.
I love that Pretty Delicious is set in New Zealand, with down-to-earth kiwi characters who talk about farming, swimming at the beach in your undies and how everyone seems to know each other - an echo of my real life surroundings. I too live in a small town near the beach, and know how quickly everyone can know your business, but also how supportive a community can be. You learn to appreciate the variety of characters you have in one small place - each one a valuable part of what makes it special.
I think the success of Pretty Delicious comes from strong writing. Danielle Hawkins writes the characters so believably and with such flawless consistency, that you kind of think they must exist somewhere in real life. Yes, the story has a lot of sweet, maybe even a little sickly moments when the characters awkwardly bumble in their relationships, but I have to admit, there’s a part of me that loves it! Hawkins balances this though, with enough humor, action and interesting description to stop things becoming too predictable or boring. Plus of course, the novel is dotted with a hundred absolutely delicious sounding treats and recipes!
A perfect holiday read, for those who want a light, warming story, set in a delightfully familiar place.
----------
This review was first published on Narrative Muse, http://narrativemuse.co/books/the-pre..., and was written by Amy Lewis. Narrative Muse curates the best books and movies by and about women and non-binary folk on our website http://narrativemuse.co and our social media channels.
December 1, 2016
I've read all of Danielle Hawkins previous novels with enjoyment and I'm happy to say this one didn't let me down. She has a quirkiness to her stories and characters that come through.
Set in the small seaside town of Ratai in New Zealand, Lia and her best friend Anna are trying hard to make their local cafe a success but it's hard work and long hours. Anna is engaged to Lia's twin brother Robin and the demands of the wedding and family expectations are making Anna a bit neurotic. Meanwhile a new mechanic called Jed Dixon has come into town and after an unorthodox first meeting between Lia, Jed and Robin which had me smiling, Lia and Jed's attraction to each other grows but he has some serious responsibilities in his life that he has to deal with and Lia has an ex boyfriend that is not taking their break up well.
I really enjoyed all of these characters and especially Jed's maturity to his life and situation. I also loved reading about Lia's little psychic 'feelings' and twin telepathy. Even though I would call this a light read, there was a darkness underlining mental health issues in various forms and fractured families.
A very enjoyable story and at the end of the book we get to savour some recipes from the Pretty Delicious Cafe, they certainly sound delicious.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for a copy to read and review. I might just have to try the Chocolate Brownie.....
Set in the small seaside town of Ratai in New Zealand, Lia and her best friend Anna are trying hard to make their local cafe a success but it's hard work and long hours. Anna is engaged to Lia's twin brother Robin and the demands of the wedding and family expectations are making Anna a bit neurotic. Meanwhile a new mechanic called Jed Dixon has come into town and after an unorthodox first meeting between Lia, Jed and Robin which had me smiling, Lia and Jed's attraction to each other grows but he has some serious responsibilities in his life that he has to deal with and Lia has an ex boyfriend that is not taking their break up well.
I really enjoyed all of these characters and especially Jed's maturity to his life and situation. I also loved reading about Lia's little psychic 'feelings' and twin telepathy. Even though I would call this a light read, there was a darkness underlining mental health issues in various forms and fractured families.
A very enjoyable story and at the end of the book we get to savour some recipes from the Pretty Delicious Cafe, they certainly sound delicious.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for a copy to read and review. I might just have to try the Chocolate Brownie.....
February 8, 2017
A fun and quirky read with a distinctive New Zealand humour and authenticity that makes it incredibly enjoyable to read. The Pretty Delicious Cafe is predominantly about family, love, friendship, and just enough drama to keep the story moving at an easy pace. Danielle Hawkins presents quintessential New Zealand in a story that will delight romance readers worldwide.
November 19, 2019
I think this is my favourite Danielle Hawkin's novel yet (although it is soo hard to choose!).
My mouth was watering at the descriptions of the baking and meals. The addition of the recipes at the end was wonderful. I can't wait to try them.
Reading this book made me wish that the cafe was real and I could visit to meet Lia and Rob in person. Once again the characters are relatable and real. They feel like your friends and I was compelled to keep reading to see what happened. I couldn't put it down, especially during the action packed scenes later in the book.
Brilliant!!
My mouth was watering at the descriptions of the baking and meals. The addition of the recipes at the end was wonderful. I can't wait to try them.
Reading this book made me wish that the cafe was real and I could visit to meet Lia and Rob in person. Once again the characters are relatable and real. They feel like your friends and I was compelled to keep reading to see what happened. I couldn't put it down, especially during the action packed scenes later in the book.
Brilliant!!
January 1, 2021
Don’t read The Pretty Delicious Cafe without treats nearby! Food plays an integral role in this novel as the main character, Lia owns a cafe with her best friend and soon to be sister-in-law, Anna. The story is full of delicious food descriptions and there is even some Pretty Delicious Cafe recipes included at the end of the book.
While the love story was central to the story there was a lot more to this book than just romance. Lia’s zany family and relationship dynamics were fantastically written and characterised. I was pleasantly surprised when a series of dramatic events turned so dark. It almost seems like there was too much going on in this book, but it felt like just the right amount of drama while I was reading it.
The Pretty Delicious Cafe is full of surprises and great food! I loved the New Zealand setting and common sayings. The language rang true to me and the setting descriptions reminded me that I really do need to visit myself
While the love story was central to the story there was a lot more to this book than just romance. Lia’s zany family and relationship dynamics were fantastically written and characterised. I was pleasantly surprised when a series of dramatic events turned so dark. It almost seems like there was too much going on in this book, but it felt like just the right amount of drama while I was reading it.
The Pretty Delicious Cafe is full of surprises and great food! I loved the New Zealand setting and common sayings. The language rang true to me and the setting descriptions reminded me that I really do need to visit myself
April 29, 2018
I enjoyed this but had two issues -
1. Lia casually gives Craig beer, you shouldn't be giving a three year old a taste for alcohol, especially a child who isn't your own.
2. Isaac kidnaps and attempts to murder Lia. He's then immediately released on bail followed by serving a really short sentence, maybe a year? I don't think NZ's laws are that lax and it pulled me out of the story.
1. Lia casually gives Craig beer, you shouldn't be giving a three year old a taste for alcohol, especially a child who isn't your own.
2. Isaac kidnaps and attempts to murder Lia. He's then immediately released on bail followed by serving a really short sentence, maybe a year? I don't think NZ's laws are that lax and it pulled me out of the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 24, 2018
Cute read. Just what I was after. Love the recipes in the back too and how homesick it made me feel. Good thing my flights are booked.
June 8, 2017
I had a hard time getting into this because the paragraphs were too long, and that there were so many things happening all at once. But once I got past all the confusion, I became more invested in the three major issues: . Characters were also very well-fleshed out and I liked that this was a story set in New Zealand (a place I rarely read about), although . I would read another book by this author.
Here are some fun parts, courtesy of the main character:
Here are some fun parts, courtesy of the main character:
May 20, 2024
This book is upsetting, triggering, and a disgrace to mental health awareness.
I was enjoying the book so much. I loved the New Zealand humor and the use of food to comfort the reader. The relationships between mother and daughter and siblings were lovely. I even enjoyed the drama between Lia and Anna. But in the middle of the book, the tables turned and the book slowly destroyed itself. I can't think about this book without anger and disgust from the author's reckless irresponsibility, of mishandling serious topics of mental illness.
1. Tracey's accident
Tracey is Jed's ex-wife. She is bipolar and is described as being awful.
When Jed gets a call, the reader thinks Tracey's killed herself but we find out later that she had taken drugs and jumped off a bridge.
When Lia and Monty are discussing the topic that Tracey has survived and had woken up from an induced coma,
Mondy says:
'Although you can't help thinking it would have solved a lot of problems if she'd picked something higher to jump off.'
And instead of being shocked or disgusted, Lia was relieved that someone else had thought the same thing.
Monty and Lia are awful in this scene, which makes me dislike them as characters. They both thought life would be better for Jed if Tracey killed herself.
What was the purpose of this scene? What is the author telling us? Is she suggesting that it would be better for loved ones if those with mental illness died? Killed themselves?
That was the impression I got. A part of me hoped that this was intentional. That the author was attempting to show how terrible mental health awareness in New Zealand is that Monty and Lia would talk and think like this with no understanding or kindness.
But no, this isn't brought up again.
And we are supposed to forget this discussion happened and root for Lia and Jed after this. Yikes. Hell No.
2. Lia How does this book not end with Lia getting THERAPY? She was stalked, verbally and physically abused, attacked at her house, beaten bloody by her ex-boyfriend, kidnapped, and strangled. She knew she was going to die.
Her bruises heal but she's confused why she hasn't gotten over the trauma yet. Lia and her whole family just show a clear lack of understanding of trauma and mental health.
Lia is now mentally ill, she has PTSD from a horrific trauma she experienced and she and her Mum just expect her to get over it in time.
I'm like girl! You need help. You feel guilty and keep blaming yourself for him attacking you. She later even feels bad for Issac, that he only tried to murder her because he's mentally ill.
I'm like dude! All abusers and murderers are mentally ill, it doesn't give them a pass. Lia, it's okay to blame and hate the person who tried to murder you.
Lia deserves to get proper help.
I mean the mental health awareness and system in New Zealand is trash. It makes sense that Lia doesn't seek treatment because of a lack of awareness and proper help. I mean the conversation between Monty and Lia says a lot about the stigma of mental illness.
Ironically the author does mention the Mental Health Services in New Zealand, at least twice in the book and it's described by Jed as being great and helpful. I immediately called bullshit. The author knows nothing about the topic to suggest that the Mental Health Services is good. It's a nightmare for people trying to get help. Me, myself, everyone I know who's experienced them, my therapist(who is incredible), and even the rating on Google will tell you, it's a nightmare. They don't know what you are doing, they blame the people with illnesses for having illnesses and drug them up to shut them up.
So Lia's reaction to immediately reject therapy/counseling after the near-death experience is the norm for New Zealanders which needs to change. NZ needs so much work to improve treatments and awareness of mental health. This book is just another example of how terrible it is in NZ.
3. Anna never eats. It's concerning to all her loved ones, as they all notice how skinny she is. It causes a lot of conflict as she starts fights out of hunger. Lia and Rob ignore it and then yell at her to eat. Anna eats cheese to prevent her lashing out at her best friend and fiance. It just ends with Anna looking beautiful and silm at the wedding and the reader hoping that she will start eating.
Again, I wish that even if Lia and Rob didn't know about eating disorders, they would do research on the subject. Or a least try and talk to Anne about it in a safe place. You know... ask questions... has she always done this? Is it just he wedding? Why isn't she eating?
Just do something to try and help her and try to understand her actions. I don't know much about eating disorders but it's a very serious topic that should be appropriately addressed and handled. That can be very confronting and triggering for survivors.
4. No. The Ending You can't show me a loving relationship between a Motherand her stepson to just introduce them as a possible romantic couple. No.
I don't care if Mike went away to uni or whatever when his step Mum married his father, or if the Mum didn't really 'mother' him... the book already showed me their relationship as a mother and son. I thought how wonderful she treated and loved him as much as her other children. You can't turn the tables on me like that no.
I mean the Mum has always had this power dynamic as his mother. I feel sick again.
And Lia and Rob are immediately okay with it. No. They just found out their mother is in love with their brother. Yuck. No. That's not a realistic reaction.
Conclusion:
It upsets me so much because the first half of this book was amazing. It was full of comfort and relatable New Zealand humor. I'm not questioning the author's writing skill. She's an amazing writer, but the content she chose to put into this book and not properly handle or address is egregious.
I still have it in my head, the comment that Monty said, about how it would have been better off if Tracey died. Like wow. That's so triggering for those suffering from their mental health. Shovking and in the middle of such a comforting book.
This book is just a reflection of New Zealand society and how prevalent intolerance is when it comes to mental illness. There is such a lack of understanding and support for those in pain and stuck in their trauma.
I was enjoying the book so much. I loved the New Zealand humor and the use of food to comfort the reader. The relationships between mother and daughter and siblings were lovely. I even enjoyed the drama between Lia and Anna. But in the middle of the book, the tables turned and the book slowly destroyed itself. I can't think about this book without anger and disgust from the author's reckless irresponsibility, of mishandling serious topics of mental illness.
1. Tracey's accident
Tracey is Jed's ex-wife. She is bipolar and is described as being awful.
When Jed gets a call, the reader thinks Tracey's killed herself but we find out later that she had taken drugs and jumped off a bridge.
When Lia and Monty are discussing the topic that Tracey has survived and had woken up from an induced coma,
Mondy says:
'Although you can't help thinking it would have solved a lot of problems if she'd picked something higher to jump off.'
And instead of being shocked or disgusted, Lia was relieved that someone else had thought the same thing.
Monty and Lia are awful in this scene, which makes me dislike them as characters. They both thought life would be better for Jed if Tracey killed herself.
What was the purpose of this scene? What is the author telling us? Is she suggesting that it would be better for loved ones if those with mental illness died? Killed themselves?
That was the impression I got. A part of me hoped that this was intentional. That the author was attempting to show how terrible mental health awareness in New Zealand is that Monty and Lia would talk and think like this with no understanding or kindness.
But no, this isn't brought up again.
And we are supposed to forget this discussion happened and root for Lia and Jed after this. Yikes. Hell No.
2. Lia How does this book not end with Lia getting THERAPY? She was stalked, verbally and physically abused, attacked at her house, beaten bloody by her ex-boyfriend, kidnapped, and strangled. She knew she was going to die.
Her bruises heal but she's confused why she hasn't gotten over the trauma yet. Lia and her whole family just show a clear lack of understanding of trauma and mental health.
Lia is now mentally ill, she has PTSD from a horrific trauma she experienced and she and her Mum just expect her to get over it in time.
I'm like girl! You need help. You feel guilty and keep blaming yourself for him attacking you. She later even feels bad for Issac, that he only tried to murder her because he's mentally ill.
I'm like dude! All abusers and murderers are mentally ill, it doesn't give them a pass. Lia, it's okay to blame and hate the person who tried to murder you.
Lia deserves to get proper help.
I mean the mental health awareness and system in New Zealand is trash. It makes sense that Lia doesn't seek treatment because of a lack of awareness and proper help. I mean the conversation between Monty and Lia says a lot about the stigma of mental illness.
Ironically the author does mention the Mental Health Services in New Zealand, at least twice in the book and it's described by Jed as being great and helpful. I immediately called bullshit. The author knows nothing about the topic to suggest that the Mental Health Services is good. It's a nightmare for people trying to get help. Me, myself, everyone I know who's experienced them, my therapist(who is incredible), and even the rating on Google will tell you, it's a nightmare. They don't know what you are doing, they blame the people with illnesses for having illnesses and drug them up to shut them up.
So Lia's reaction to immediately reject therapy/counseling after the near-death experience is the norm for New Zealanders which needs to change. NZ needs so much work to improve treatments and awareness of mental health. This book is just another example of how terrible it is in NZ.
3. Anna never eats. It's concerning to all her loved ones, as they all notice how skinny she is. It causes a lot of conflict as she starts fights out of hunger. Lia and Rob ignore it and then yell at her to eat. Anna eats cheese to prevent her lashing out at her best friend and fiance. It just ends with Anna looking beautiful and silm at the wedding and the reader hoping that she will start eating.
Again, I wish that even if Lia and Rob didn't know about eating disorders, they would do research on the subject. Or a least try and talk to Anne about it in a safe place. You know... ask questions... has she always done this? Is it just he wedding? Why isn't she eating?
Just do something to try and help her and try to understand her actions. I don't know much about eating disorders but it's a very serious topic that should be appropriately addressed and handled. That can be very confronting and triggering for survivors.
4. No. The Ending You can't show me a loving relationship between a Motherand her stepson to just introduce them as a possible romantic couple. No.
I don't care if Mike went away to uni or whatever when his step Mum married his father, or if the Mum didn't really 'mother' him... the book already showed me their relationship as a mother and son. I thought how wonderful she treated and loved him as much as her other children. You can't turn the tables on me like that no.
I mean the Mum has always had this power dynamic as his mother. I feel sick again.
And Lia and Rob are immediately okay with it. No. They just found out their mother is in love with their brother. Yuck. No. That's not a realistic reaction.
Conclusion:
It upsets me so much because the first half of this book was amazing. It was full of comfort and relatable New Zealand humor. I'm not questioning the author's writing skill. She's an amazing writer, but the content she chose to put into this book and not properly handle or address is egregious.
I still have it in my head, the comment that Monty said, about how it would have been better off if Tracey died. Like wow. That's so triggering for those suffering from their mental health. Shovking and in the middle of such a comforting book.
This book is just a reflection of New Zealand society and how prevalent intolerance is when it comes to mental illness. There is such a lack of understanding and support for those in pain and stuck in their trauma.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 17, 2017
I really liked this book. I've been trying to up my reading game this year and it was nice to read something light and warm while still well written with a bit of drama thrown in. I was annoyedby the ending but only because the epilogue was too brief anf I wasn't ready to lose the characters. I want to be friends with them 😂 A great Kiwi book.
January 5, 2020
A light read that took an unexpected twist. Just what I needed!
March 12, 2024
This would make a great holiday read
September 4, 2020
Another funny read from Danielle ! I really enjoyed this one
September 26, 2020
An enjoyable read. It was light-hearted and that was exactly what I was looking for. Hawkins did a great job of creating interesting characters who were likeable, and created a loving family who were a joy to read about. She also described the NZ setting well so it was easy to picture her setting, as well as the life of working in a café, and the descriptions of food they created was fabulous - I may even try some of the recipes provided at the end of the book! The storyline got a little dark towards the end, and the "dramatic" moment felt a little unreal, but it finished back on it's family orientated course. Whilst everything had closure, it wasn't necessarily all tied up neatly, which I liked, as it was always a relatively real life story and life doesn't always tie up neatly.
December 7, 2016
***I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book for my honest review & I thank the publishers Harper Collins NZ***
I always enjoy reading books about places I have been to or want to go, they are like mini-holidays.
This book is a based in a quintessential rural New Zealand seaside township,
Our main character is Lia and her sidekick/best friend Anna run their cafe in a quaint old house surrounded by beautiful scenery that NZ is famous for.
With the Summer season ramping up, their hours get longer and with Anna about to marry Lia's twin brother, there is plenty to get stressed about.
Plus Lia has the issue of her ex not understanding that she is not interested in getting back together. But there could be a new romance in the horizon for Lia...
I had a laugh out loud moment when the scene that introduces Lia to the new mechanic in town, and after the shock, she likes what she sees standing there in the dark.
Lia and her twin have always had their "Twin Thing" but Lia has always had an odd sixth sense and it seems to be on overdrive after the handsome fella arrives in town. But he brings his own past with him, and it may be too much for him to risk starting something new with Lia.
Will Lia's intuition help or hinder her, when it comes to her love life, and does she have time for a relationship anyway? What with the shop and of course, the hilarious wedding issues that come up to stress the girls even more. You will be glued to the pages to see what will happen next in this sleepy town. Will there be another wedding in the distant future, or will their pasts get in the way?
The book is an easy read, a fabulous choice for a relaxing weekend or holiday read, it has it all, suspense, humour, Love, Jealousy and it also covers subjects such as depression, which I felt was well written and very believable within the storyline.
There is a bonus for those Bakers out there, with a few recipes that are mentioned in the book. I think I may have a go at them some weekend (IF I can put my latest book down for long enough).
I always enjoy reading books about places I have been to or want to go, they are like mini-holidays.
This book is a based in a quintessential rural New Zealand seaside township,
Our main character is Lia and her sidekick/best friend Anna run their cafe in a quaint old house surrounded by beautiful scenery that NZ is famous for.
With the Summer season ramping up, their hours get longer and with Anna about to marry Lia's twin brother, there is plenty to get stressed about.
Plus Lia has the issue of her ex not understanding that she is not interested in getting back together. But there could be a new romance in the horizon for Lia...
I had a laugh out loud moment when the scene that introduces Lia to the new mechanic in town, and after the shock, she likes what she sees standing there in the dark.
Lia and her twin have always had their "Twin Thing" but Lia has always had an odd sixth sense and it seems to be on overdrive after the handsome fella arrives in town. But he brings his own past with him, and it may be too much for him to risk starting something new with Lia.
Will Lia's intuition help or hinder her, when it comes to her love life, and does she have time for a relationship anyway? What with the shop and of course, the hilarious wedding issues that come up to stress the girls even more. You will be glued to the pages to see what will happen next in this sleepy town. Will there be another wedding in the distant future, or will their pasts get in the way?
The book is an easy read, a fabulous choice for a relaxing weekend or holiday read, it has it all, suspense, humour, Love, Jealousy and it also covers subjects such as depression, which I felt was well written and very believable within the storyline.
There is a bonus for those Bakers out there, with a few recipes that are mentioned in the book. I think I may have a go at them some weekend (IF I can put my latest book down for long enough).
February 7, 2017
Another fabulous work of fiction from New Zealand author, Danielle Hawkins! Written with lashings of humour, heart and some quirky plot twists, The Pretty Delicious Cafe is a thoroughly enjoyable read. Danielle writes with a wonderful sense of humour, and a down to earth manner with her characters. This book had me cackling away to myself numerous times!
Five stars :)
Five stars :)
April 17, 2017
My love for Danielle Hawkins is unfailing. . . no one seems to effectively capture the everyday Kiwi voice as well as she does.
Edit: 7 hours later I am failing to pick out a new book because I just want to read another one of Danielle's. Surefire winner.
Edit: 7 hours later I am failing to pick out a new book because I just want to read another one of Danielle's. Surefire winner.
October 6, 2017
Read in a night. As you do. Thoroughly enjoy Danielle's style. Bring on the next one please!
December 12, 2016
The Pretty Delicious Cafè is a pretty good read. It has a quirky humorous slant to it which makes it interesting and funny but it also deals with some sensitive and at times difficult family issues .
The story is set in a little country town in New Zealand called Ratai and tells the story of Lia (real name Aurelia) and her friend, business partner and soon to be sister in law Anna who is marrying Lia's twin brother Rob ( real name Robin). Lisa and Anna have restored an old cafè and are working 7 days a week cooking , cleaning, serving and trying to make a go of the business.
Everyone knows each other in Ratai so it is hard to have a personal life without everyone knowing about it.
Lia meets a new man in town; the mechanic Jed, after a very funny run in which you will have to read in the book. The connection between them grows despite the troubles that Jed has back in his home town of Thames.
Lia also has own her troubles in an ex boyfriend that keeps coming back to annoy her.
There is drama, there is humour, there is a telepathic connection between Lia and her twin brother Rob and there are love interests throughout the book.
I really warmed to the characters and felt for their issues and troubles. Besides Lia, Anna, Rob and Jed there is Lia's new age mum and her yoga and onion juice; Monty who owns the garage but is more often fishing than running the garage; Mike, Lia and Rob's much older step brother who is always the voice of reason; Isaac, the controlling ex boyfriend and Tracey, Jed's ex wife who suffers with a mental illness. There is a lot to take in but the story flows and it doesn't take long to work out who is who and their connections.
I really enjoyed the book and look forward to reading more of Danielle Hawkins, another author to add to my list to watch out for.
Thanks Beauty and Lace and Harper Collins for the opportunity to read and review another great book.
Note : there are some great recipes at the end of the book that feature in the Cafè - have already baked the chocolate brownies, yummy !!!
The story is set in a little country town in New Zealand called Ratai and tells the story of Lia (real name Aurelia) and her friend, business partner and soon to be sister in law Anna who is marrying Lia's twin brother Rob ( real name Robin). Lisa and Anna have restored an old cafè and are working 7 days a week cooking , cleaning, serving and trying to make a go of the business.
Everyone knows each other in Ratai so it is hard to have a personal life without everyone knowing about it.
Lia meets a new man in town; the mechanic Jed, after a very funny run in which you will have to read in the book. The connection between them grows despite the troubles that Jed has back in his home town of Thames.
Lia also has own her troubles in an ex boyfriend that keeps coming back to annoy her.
There is drama, there is humour, there is a telepathic connection between Lia and her twin brother Rob and there are love interests throughout the book.
I really warmed to the characters and felt for their issues and troubles. Besides Lia, Anna, Rob and Jed there is Lia's new age mum and her yoga and onion juice; Monty who owns the garage but is more often fishing than running the garage; Mike, Lia and Rob's much older step brother who is always the voice of reason; Isaac, the controlling ex boyfriend and Tracey, Jed's ex wife who suffers with a mental illness. There is a lot to take in but the story flows and it doesn't take long to work out who is who and their connections.
I really enjoyed the book and look forward to reading more of Danielle Hawkins, another author to add to my list to watch out for.
Thanks Beauty and Lace and Harper Collins for the opportunity to read and review another great book.
Note : there are some great recipes at the end of the book that feature in the Cafè - have already baked the chocolate brownies, yummy !!!
December 30, 2016
What is about: Lia. This is about Lia’s life running the café with her BFF Anna, and her relationships with her family and eventually love interest.
Stars: 3.5/5
What else is this about?: This is just uncomplicated goodness with rich, vibrant characters.
Let me confess this right up front – 800 Words and Offspring are pretty much solidly boring writing to me. They’re part and parcel of this thinking on Australian TV that female viewers are only interested in love triangles, ditzy and/ or snarky blondes in perpetual search for their love of their lives OR wanting the good guy who can be a solid Dad. Give me strength, Australian TV has never been more boring for a woman with these two shows and their clones.
To like this book, you most certainly don’t need to be fan of boring writing like on those two shows. The Pretty Delicious Café has so much more going for it.
First up, this is Lia’s story, and it’s told from her point of view. She runs the café with her best friend, Anna, and the book opens at a pretty stressful time for them all – running a café is stressful just on its own, but Anna and Rob, Lia’s twin, are getting married and the family is tied up in wedding arrangements. So if you imagine wedding stress, imagine it compounded by running a new business stress. And into all this comes Jed, a young man and father, in Ratai to give his soon-to-be ex some space. This is where they meet.
For a romance, their relationship doesn’t take up as much of the book as I thought it would – and I enjoyed that. Her family play an important part of the story, with her Mum, Rob and Mike, their ex-step-brother playing important roles. I get the impression they’re characters primed for their own novels set in and around Ratai.
Most of all though, I think that about Anna, Lia’s best friend. For one, they barely seem like they tolerate each other in this, but there’s so much unsaid between them, that I can’t help but think there’s a longer story to tell there. They’re complicated, determined women in the middle of pretty much the most stressful part of their lives – they’re not going to sit and have a girlie talk about things, but they will yell at each other, pout and come back together to apologise. That’s the kind of relationship I can get behind. And interestingly, for a woman working in a café, Anna has an issue with food I want to know more about. There are hints like this through the book, for each character that really do make me wonder about their stories. They don’t detract from Lia’s story, but they do hint at things that will mold your perception of the characters.
Rob and Lia and their “twin mojo” (aka sensing when the other is in trouble) are a big part of this book, even if Rob is the strong, silent type. Anna resents their relationship, bringing up some of her deep-seated insecurities and Lia’s own insecurities about Anna. No friendship is perfect but any means, but there were times in this book that Anna and Lia were hard to understand as friends. The three of them make for interesting potential.
I liked Rob and Lia’s relationship – it was warm, and affectionate. And it’s hard to explain, but it’s kind of putting on the warmest knit you can find and it’s a perfect fit. Then their Mum is a delight, sparking some humour in the novel like only a determined mother can. But they do love her, that is clear, as is their desire to see her happy no matter what.
Jed, the love interest, doesn’t over take this story for which I am grateful. They meet, fall in like and then in love, but along the way Lia learns of the baggage he comes with – a son and a bi-polar wife, who he will always have to be there for. Jed is young in the story, but there’s a world-weariness about him that makes him seem so much older. Lia is much like that herself, given the responsibility of the business she shares with Anna. He will always put his son first, and Lia respects that. But together, there’s a lightness about them, that I enjoyed.
Just as they’re learning about each other, an ex comes back into the picture in a violent way, which I am not sure the book needed. What I didn’t expect though is that this was about Rob accepting his “twin mojo”, rather than about Jed doing the rescuing.
Pardon the imagery, but sitting down with The Pretty Delicious Café, is like having a cup of coffee and your favourite pastry. You may know what you’re getting, but that doesn’t mean it’s not going to be delicious, and satisfy those cravings you’ve been wanting for something rich and satisfying.
Stars: 3.5/5
What else is this about?: This is just uncomplicated goodness with rich, vibrant characters.
Let me confess this right up front – 800 Words and Offspring are pretty much solidly boring writing to me. They’re part and parcel of this thinking on Australian TV that female viewers are only interested in love triangles, ditzy and/ or snarky blondes in perpetual search for their love of their lives OR wanting the good guy who can be a solid Dad. Give me strength, Australian TV has never been more boring for a woman with these two shows and their clones.
To like this book, you most certainly don’t need to be fan of boring writing like on those two shows. The Pretty Delicious Café has so much more going for it.
First up, this is Lia’s story, and it’s told from her point of view. She runs the café with her best friend, Anna, and the book opens at a pretty stressful time for them all – running a café is stressful just on its own, but Anna and Rob, Lia’s twin, are getting married and the family is tied up in wedding arrangements. So if you imagine wedding stress, imagine it compounded by running a new business stress. And into all this comes Jed, a young man and father, in Ratai to give his soon-to-be ex some space. This is where they meet.
For a romance, their relationship doesn’t take up as much of the book as I thought it would – and I enjoyed that. Her family play an important part of the story, with her Mum, Rob and Mike, their ex-step-brother playing important roles. I get the impression they’re characters primed for their own novels set in and around Ratai.
Most of all though, I think that about Anna, Lia’s best friend. For one, they barely seem like they tolerate each other in this, but there’s so much unsaid between them, that I can’t help but think there’s a longer story to tell there. They’re complicated, determined women in the middle of pretty much the most stressful part of their lives – they’re not going to sit and have a girlie talk about things, but they will yell at each other, pout and come back together to apologise. That’s the kind of relationship I can get behind. And interestingly, for a woman working in a café, Anna has an issue with food I want to know more about. There are hints like this through the book, for each character that really do make me wonder about their stories. They don’t detract from Lia’s story, but they do hint at things that will mold your perception of the characters.
Rob and Lia and their “twin mojo” (aka sensing when the other is in trouble) are a big part of this book, even if Rob is the strong, silent type. Anna resents their relationship, bringing up some of her deep-seated insecurities and Lia’s own insecurities about Anna. No friendship is perfect but any means, but there were times in this book that Anna and Lia were hard to understand as friends. The three of them make for interesting potential.
I liked Rob and Lia’s relationship – it was warm, and affectionate. And it’s hard to explain, but it’s kind of putting on the warmest knit you can find and it’s a perfect fit. Then their Mum is a delight, sparking some humour in the novel like only a determined mother can. But they do love her, that is clear, as is their desire to see her happy no matter what.
Jed, the love interest, doesn’t over take this story for which I am grateful. They meet, fall in like and then in love, but along the way Lia learns of the baggage he comes with – a son and a bi-polar wife, who he will always have to be there for. Jed is young in the story, but there’s a world-weariness about him that makes him seem so much older. Lia is much like that herself, given the responsibility of the business she shares with Anna. He will always put his son first, and Lia respects that. But together, there’s a lightness about them, that I enjoyed.
Just as they’re learning about each other, an ex comes back into the picture in a violent way, which I am not sure the book needed. What I didn’t expect though is that this was about Rob accepting his “twin mojo”, rather than about Jed doing the rescuing.
Pardon the imagery, but sitting down with The Pretty Delicious Café, is like having a cup of coffee and your favourite pastry. You may know what you’re getting, but that doesn’t mean it’s not going to be delicious, and satisfy those cravings you’ve been wanting for something rich and satisfying.
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