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Café at the End of the Pier #1-5
A Year at the Café at the End of the Pier
Librarian's Note: This is an alternate cover edition for ASIN B07D6M3964
Searching for love? You'll find it at The Café at the End of the Pier... A Year at the Café at the End of the Pier is the Café at the End of the Pier novellas collected together for the first time.
When Jo's beloved grandparents ask for her help in running their little café at the end of the pier in Salthaven-on-Sea she jumps at the chance.
The café is a hub for many people: the single dad who brings his little boy in on a Saturday morning; the lady who sits alone and stares out to sea; the woman who pops in after her morning run.
Jo soon realises that each of her customers is looking for love - and she knows just the way to find it for them. She goes about setting each of them up on blind dates - each date is held in the café, with a special menu she has designed for the occasion.
But Jo has never found love herself. She always held her grandparents' marriage up as her ideal and she hasn't found anything close to that. But could it be that love is right under her nose...?
**A Year at the Café at the End of the Pier is the collected Café at the End of the Pier novellas. If you have already read and enjoyed the novellas then you have already read A Year at the Café at the End of the Pier. **
Kindle Edition
First published January 24, 2019
56 people are currently reading
369 people want to read
About the author
Helen Rolfe
64 books126 followersHelen Rolfe also writes as Helen J. Rolfe
Helen Rolfe writes contemporary women's fiction and enjoys weaving stories about family, friendship, secrets, and relationships. Characters often face challenges and must fight to overcome them, but above all, Helen's stories always have a happy ending.
Location is a big part of the adventure in Helen's books and she enjoys setting stories in different cities and countries around the world. So far, locations have included Melbourne, Sydney, New York, Connecticut, Bath and the Cotswolds. She also loves creating village settings or places with a small-town feel and a big sense of community.
Born and raised in the UK, Helen graduated from University with a business degree and began working in I.T. This job took her over to Australia where she eventually turned her attentions back to the career she'd dreamt of when she was fourteen. She studied writing and journalism and wrote articles for women's health and fitness magazines. Helen began writing fiction in 2011 and hasn't missed the I.T. world one little bit... in fact she may just have found her dream job!
To learn more about Helen, find her at:
www.helenjrolfe.com
https://www.facebook.com/helenjrolfew...
https://twitter.com/hjrolfe
https://www.instagram.com/helen_j_rolfe/
Helen Rolfe writes contemporary women's fiction and enjoys weaving stories about family, friendship, secrets, and relationships. Characters often face challenges and must fight to overcome them, but above all, Helen's stories always have a happy ending.
Location is a big part of the adventure in Helen's books and she enjoys setting stories in different cities and countries around the world. So far, locations have included Melbourne, Sydney, New York, Connecticut, Bath and the Cotswolds. She also loves creating village settings or places with a small-town feel and a big sense of community.
Born and raised in the UK, Helen graduated from University with a business degree and began working in I.T. This job took her over to Australia where she eventually turned her attentions back to the career she'd dreamt of when she was fourteen. She studied writing and journalism and wrote articles for women's health and fitness magazines. Helen began writing fiction in 2011 and hasn't missed the I.T. world one little bit... in fact she may just have found her dream job!
To learn more about Helen, find her at:
www.helenjrolfe.com
https://www.facebook.com/helenjrolfew...
https://twitter.com/hjrolfe
https://www.instagram.com/helen_j_rolfe/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
January 3, 2019
As a long term fan of Helen Rolfe, I was excited to see what her first book for Orion would bring. I waited patiently for each of the 5 novellas to be released, while crossing my fingers that there would be a combined book. Well finally my waiting paid off and I was able to read the charming The Little Cafe at the End of the Pier.
I can't recall the last time that I read a book and honestly had no idea until right to the end who the main character may end up with romantically. In fact Jo's romantic situation isn't really the main theme of the book, but given there were three men I could potentially see her with, and it was clear she had a secret admirer I was finding myself guessing the whole time.
If there were hints there I didn't really pick up on them, and its rare to have that level of surprise in a book of this genre.
However before all that we have Jo returning to Salthaven, to help out their cafe that is at the end of Salthaven pier. Besides the fabulous location for a cafe, its also rather special as the menu changes each day depending on what fresh produce Matt from the local farm is able to supply.
All of the food sounded delicious, and that is from a non fruit and veg lover, but it was clear that Jo and her grand parents are great cooks and have good imaginations when it comes to menu items that will do well.
Jo does though make her own mark on the Cafe, with her nights of love, where she sets up unsuspecting people on a blind date in the cafe. She has a great eye for who may get on well with who, and I loved those elements of the book.
I also really enjoyed discovering the reason that Jo's mum was estranged from her grandparents, and even seeing a mention of where Sasha lived brought a smile to my face. I used to work in Mallorca, so know where Puerto Pollensa is, and spent a couple of months there, but apart from that I've never really seen any mention of the town, anywhere in fiction or real life since!
This was just a lovely book, full of wonderful characters (the regulars at the cafe), great food, a lovely location, some cool ideas and a secret admirer that I had no clue about. Absolutely loved how the book ended, and each of the the sections could as originally published be able to be read as standalones should you prefer to read a book in smaller parts.
Thank you to Netgalley and Orion for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
I can't recall the last time that I read a book and honestly had no idea until right to the end who the main character may end up with romantically. In fact Jo's romantic situation isn't really the main theme of the book, but given there were three men I could potentially see her with, and it was clear she had a secret admirer I was finding myself guessing the whole time.
If there were hints there I didn't really pick up on them, and its rare to have that level of surprise in a book of this genre.
However before all that we have Jo returning to Salthaven, to help out their cafe that is at the end of Salthaven pier. Besides the fabulous location for a cafe, its also rather special as the menu changes each day depending on what fresh produce Matt from the local farm is able to supply.
All of the food sounded delicious, and that is from a non fruit and veg lover, but it was clear that Jo and her grand parents are great cooks and have good imaginations when it comes to menu items that will do well.
Jo does though make her own mark on the Cafe, with her nights of love, where she sets up unsuspecting people on a blind date in the cafe. She has a great eye for who may get on well with who, and I loved those elements of the book.
I also really enjoyed discovering the reason that Jo's mum was estranged from her grandparents, and even seeing a mention of where Sasha lived brought a smile to my face. I used to work in Mallorca, so know where Puerto Pollensa is, and spent a couple of months there, but apart from that I've never really seen any mention of the town, anywhere in fiction or real life since!
This was just a lovely book, full of wonderful characters (the regulars at the cafe), great food, a lovely location, some cool ideas and a secret admirer that I had no clue about. Absolutely loved how the book ended, and each of the the sections could as originally published be able to be read as standalones should you prefer to read a book in smaller parts.
Thank you to Netgalley and Orion for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
June 26, 2020
Jo ist Lehrerin in Edinburgh. Als ihre Großeltern sie um Unterstützung in ihrem Café bitten, kündigt sie ihre Stelle und macht sich auf den Weg an die Küste Englands. Froh nicht mehr unterrichten zu müssen und endlich wieder in ihrer Heimatstadt zu sein, beginnt sie sich im Café einzuarbeiten, damit ihre Großeltern sich zur Ruhe setzen können.
Ich habe mich von Anfang an in dem Buch wohlgefühlt. Ich mochte die Atmosphäre und das Setting und auch die Protagonisten waren mir sehr sympathisch. Es ist kein aufregendes Buch, aber das hatte ich auch nicht erwartet. Ich habe mich daran erfreut, mit ihr zusammen morgens das frische Gemüse anzunehmen, Lebkuchenmänner zu backen, Capuccino zuzubereiten, oder Amor bei den von ihr veranstalteten Blind-Dates zu spielen. Es ist ein rundum harmonisches und gemütliches Buch und auch die Liebe kommt nicht zu kurz. Wer wohl das Herz von Jo erobern wird?
Es gibt natürlich auch mal das eine oder andere Problem und Ärger in der Familie, aber nie so, dass es die Harmonie wirklich stört. Ein richtig schönes Buch, um die Seele baumeln zu lassen und auszuspannen.
Humor: 5 / 10 Punkten
Wohlfühl-Feeling: 8 / 10 Punkten
Liebe & Romantik: 6 / 10 Punkten
Action & Spannung: 4 / 10 Punkten
Drama: 2 / 10 Punkten
Dieses Buch wurde mir als Leseexemplar zur Verfügung gestellt.
Ich habe mich von Anfang an in dem Buch wohlgefühlt. Ich mochte die Atmosphäre und das Setting und auch die Protagonisten waren mir sehr sympathisch. Es ist kein aufregendes Buch, aber das hatte ich auch nicht erwartet. Ich habe mich daran erfreut, mit ihr zusammen morgens das frische Gemüse anzunehmen, Lebkuchenmänner zu backen, Capuccino zuzubereiten, oder Amor bei den von ihr veranstalteten Blind-Dates zu spielen. Es ist ein rundum harmonisches und gemütliches Buch und auch die Liebe kommt nicht zu kurz. Wer wohl das Herz von Jo erobern wird?
Es gibt natürlich auch mal das eine oder andere Problem und Ärger in der Familie, aber nie so, dass es die Harmonie wirklich stört. Ein richtig schönes Buch, um die Seele baumeln zu lassen und auszuspannen.
Humor: 5 / 10 Punkten
Wohlfühl-Feeling: 8 / 10 Punkten
Liebe & Romantik: 6 / 10 Punkten
Action & Spannung: 4 / 10 Punkten
Drama: 2 / 10 Punkten
Dieses Buch wurde mir als Leseexemplar zur Verfügung gestellt.
January 31, 2019
This was a cute read about Jo who takes over The Little Cafe from her grandparents who wanted to retire. I loved the entire setting of this story where small things really mattered like the daily change of menu, the food that was placed on the plate, and the actual detailing of the characters.
Helen Rolfe's writing brought a smile on my face. Jo was everything I like in a main character. It was nice to see her building long lasting relationships over the seasons, she genuinely cared about everything and everybody. Her match-making skills had me wishing that she would do her magic in my life too. The entire world of Salthaven had me longing to shift out there to experience the warmth of all the characters.
Helen Rolfe's book was a cute gentle read, just the right touch I needed between my twisted thrillers.
Helen Rolfe's writing brought a smile on my face. Jo was everything I like in a main character. It was nice to see her building long lasting relationships over the seasons, she genuinely cared about everything and everybody. Her match-making skills had me wishing that she would do her magic in my life too. The entire world of Salthaven had me longing to shift out there to experience the warmth of all the characters.
Helen Rolfe's book was a cute gentle read, just the right touch I needed between my twisted thrillers.
May 18, 2020
„Das kleine Café am Pier“ ist der erste Roman, den ich von der Autorin Helen Rolfe gelesen habe. Sie entführt uns in den kleine malerischen Ort Salthaven-on-Sea.
Hierher kehrt unsere Protagonistin Jo zurück. Sie fühlt sich nämlich in Edinburgh und in ihrem Job als Lehrerin nicht mehr wohl. Aber in Salhaven-on-Sea betreiben ihre Großeltern ein Café und hier hat Jo schon in ihrer Kindheit zwischen Küche und Tresen glückliche Zeiten verbracht. Und jetzt ist sie endlich wieder zuhause. Sie soll das Café von ihren Großeltern, die sich endlich zur Ruhe setzen wollen, übernehmen. Das Café ist Treffpunkt für die unterschiedlichsten Menschen, die alle auf der Suche nach Liebe sind – und da hat Jo eine geniale Idee. Sie organisiert Blind Dates, die von einem tollen Menü begleitet werden. Doch bei Jo selbst sieht es in Liebesdingen nicht so rosig aus….
Wunderschön! Ein absoluter Wohlfühlroman. Auch der Schreibstil der Autorin ist einfach klasse. Ich habe das Gefühl, selbst in dem kleinen Café zu sitzen und die leckeren Zimtschnecken und andere Köstlichkeiten zu probieren. Von dieser bezaubernden Ortschaft habe ich ein genaues Bild vor meinem inneren Auge, ich fühle mich hier einfach wohl. Hier herrscht ein ganz besonderes Flair. Außerdem lerne ich hier lauter liebenswerte Menschen kennen. Mir gefallen Jos Idee, ich hätte sie gerne getröstet, wenn sie eine Niederlage einstecken musste. Aber Jo ist eine starke Persönlichkeit und das Café wird immer mehr zu einem ganz besonderen Treffpunkt. Doch natürlich macht die Liebe auch vor Jo nicht halt, doch wer ist wohl der unbekannte Verehrer? Und da gibt es ja eine Überraschung.
Ein absoluter Gute-Laune-Wohlfühlroman, der mir unterhaltsame und vergnügliche Lesestunden beschert hat. Ein Lesevergnügen der Extraklasse, für das ich gerne 5 Sterne vergebe. In das zauberhafte Cover habe ich mich sofort verliebt. Man kann sich sofort auf die wunderschöne Geschichte einstimmen.
Hierher kehrt unsere Protagonistin Jo zurück. Sie fühlt sich nämlich in Edinburgh und in ihrem Job als Lehrerin nicht mehr wohl. Aber in Salhaven-on-Sea betreiben ihre Großeltern ein Café und hier hat Jo schon in ihrer Kindheit zwischen Küche und Tresen glückliche Zeiten verbracht. Und jetzt ist sie endlich wieder zuhause. Sie soll das Café von ihren Großeltern, die sich endlich zur Ruhe setzen wollen, übernehmen. Das Café ist Treffpunkt für die unterschiedlichsten Menschen, die alle auf der Suche nach Liebe sind – und da hat Jo eine geniale Idee. Sie organisiert Blind Dates, die von einem tollen Menü begleitet werden. Doch bei Jo selbst sieht es in Liebesdingen nicht so rosig aus….
Wunderschön! Ein absoluter Wohlfühlroman. Auch der Schreibstil der Autorin ist einfach klasse. Ich habe das Gefühl, selbst in dem kleinen Café zu sitzen und die leckeren Zimtschnecken und andere Köstlichkeiten zu probieren. Von dieser bezaubernden Ortschaft habe ich ein genaues Bild vor meinem inneren Auge, ich fühle mich hier einfach wohl. Hier herrscht ein ganz besonderes Flair. Außerdem lerne ich hier lauter liebenswerte Menschen kennen. Mir gefallen Jos Idee, ich hätte sie gerne getröstet, wenn sie eine Niederlage einstecken musste. Aber Jo ist eine starke Persönlichkeit und das Café wird immer mehr zu einem ganz besonderen Treffpunkt. Doch natürlich macht die Liebe auch vor Jo nicht halt, doch wer ist wohl der unbekannte Verehrer? Und da gibt es ja eine Überraschung.
Ein absoluter Gute-Laune-Wohlfühlroman, der mir unterhaltsame und vergnügliche Lesestunden beschert hat. Ein Lesevergnügen der Extraklasse, für das ich gerne 5 Sterne vergebe. In das zauberhafte Cover habe ich mich sofort verliebt. Man kann sich sofort auf die wunderschöne Geschichte einstimmen.
May 14, 2019
The little cafe at the end of the pier, is set in the fictional town of Salthaven, which is on the south coast of England. The book centres around Jo, she's a Salthaven native, but has been living up in Scotland. She decides to return to her hometown when her grandparents invite get to help them in their cafe. Which is where our story begins.
The book is written in third person and is easy to read. It's a has a very gentle pace and can be slow in places. The book was originally published as 4 short novellas, that have been meshed together to create this book and you can tell in places as we get a few summaries that happened in previous parts.
I enjoyed this book. It was a nice, gentle read and isn't at all taxing. I really like the community feel of the book, the cafe was the centre of the town and everyone went there. It was lovely getting to know all the different characters that went there and more about Jo's family too. This book isn't your usual chick lit kind of book, Jo is so much more than just her love life, we see her reconnect with friends and family as she settles back into her hometown. She also makes new friends too, finds her vocation in life, which makes the book such a good read. I'd definitely read another book written by this author, it was a lovely and well written story.
The book is written in third person and is easy to read. It's a has a very gentle pace and can be slow in places. The book was originally published as 4 short novellas, that have been meshed together to create this book and you can tell in places as we get a few summaries that happened in previous parts.
I enjoyed this book. It was a nice, gentle read and isn't at all taxing. I really like the community feel of the book, the cafe was the centre of the town and everyone went there. It was lovely getting to know all the different characters that went there and more about Jo's family too. This book isn't your usual chick lit kind of book, Jo is so much more than just her love life, we see her reconnect with friends and family as she settles back into her hometown. She also makes new friends too, finds her vocation in life, which makes the book such a good read. I'd definitely read another book written by this author, it was a lovely and well written story.
August 30, 2019
An easy read with a lovely ending, but it was a bit repetitive and too long for what it was.. I don’t usually read this kind of book, and I think the length of time it took me to read it shows!
June 9, 2023
boring
May 24, 2024
Such a sweet story, fun to read, made me dream myself away to the idyllic village of Salthaven - come rain, come shine, I wanted to be there! And in Spain too! And everywhere else that Helen Rolfe described. Great characters, I really felt like a part of their lives, and I was left guessing till the very end who the secret admirer would turn out to be. Thanks to my daughter for buying me the book!
May 4, 2019
A thoroughly entertaining story, set in a little seaside village on the South Coast of England. Romance, family dynamics with delicious food and drinks in a delightful cafe are the basis for a wonderful and absorbing novel.
April 12, 2020
Eine schöne Geschichte in einer idyllischen Kleinstadt für alle Fans von Glimore Girls zu empfehlen
June 22, 2020
A lovely, lighthearted read during Covid 19 lockdown.
May 30, 2022
У книги было бы 3 звезды, если бы она не была такая длинная (13 часов для романтики - это перебор!). In the book’s defense это собрание из 5 отдельных историй, но они все связаны так что не прощаю. Слишком слащаво даже для меня, слишком каждой твари по паре.
January 7, 2019
I was absolutely thrilled to see ‘The Little Cafe at the end of the Pier’ on Netgalley so of course I just had to request a copy. This is the collection of novellas in one book. I have to honestly admit that this is the first book I have read by Helen, but it certainly won’t be the last. The cover of the book is also beautiful. The narrative is effortless and I especially like how Helen has explained Jo’s backstory through the prologue.
When Jo gets to Salthaven on Sea it is very clear why she is giving up her life in Edinburgh to go help her grandparents, this shows a huge part of her personality early on in the story. She genuinely wants to help them.
I appreciate how much detail Helen goes into about every aspect of the story - the place, each character and even the food! I actually want to go visit the cafe at the end of the pier and to sit and have food and drink with Jo and her friends.
Molly and Arthur are just the most adorable couple. You can tell that by how long they have been together and how much trust they put in Jo to run the cafe. It is great to see more of Jo’s personality come to light the longer she is in Salthaven and her confidence in running the cafe. She wants to help people in any way she can which means always putting herself last.
As I read on I was hooked with suspense. I love how I just had no clue how this story was going to end and as I came to the end of the story I had a smile on my face. ‘The Cafe at the end of the Pier’ certainly gave you all the emotions - suspense, happiness and excitement.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed ‘The Cafe at the end of the Pier’ and I highly recommend you to read this beautifully written story. I will definitely be reading more of Helen’s novels as this had me engrossed from beginning to end. I give ‘The Little Cafe at the end of the Pier’ 5*/5* 😊
Thank you to Orion Publishing Group and Helen Rolfe for the advanced copy via Netgalley.
When Jo gets to Salthaven on Sea it is very clear why she is giving up her life in Edinburgh to go help her grandparents, this shows a huge part of her personality early on in the story. She genuinely wants to help them.
I appreciate how much detail Helen goes into about every aspect of the story - the place, each character and even the food! I actually want to go visit the cafe at the end of the pier and to sit and have food and drink with Jo and her friends.
Molly and Arthur are just the most adorable couple. You can tell that by how long they have been together and how much trust they put in Jo to run the cafe. It is great to see more of Jo’s personality come to light the longer she is in Salthaven and her confidence in running the cafe. She wants to help people in any way she can which means always putting herself last.
As I read on I was hooked with suspense. I love how I just had no clue how this story was going to end and as I came to the end of the story I had a smile on my face. ‘The Cafe at the end of the Pier’ certainly gave you all the emotions - suspense, happiness and excitement.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed ‘The Cafe at the end of the Pier’ and I highly recommend you to read this beautifully written story. I will definitely be reading more of Helen’s novels as this had me engrossed from beginning to end. I give ‘The Little Cafe at the end of the Pier’ 5*/5* 😊
Thank you to Orion Publishing Group and Helen Rolfe for the advanced copy via Netgalley.
April 12, 2023
Audiobook version. Narration 3/5, story 1/5 stars.
My least favourite of Helen Rolfe’s so far. For fellow romance readers: this is not a romance book, it’s kind of just a book about baked goods and coffees. The lack of any connection, spark or even friendly conversation between the two who end up together at the very (very) end of the book is ridiculous, especially when you get glimpses of an attraction and at least mild conversation between the female lead and some other guy who ends up being ‘just a friend’. I can see that the author was trying to steer the readers off the scent with this ‘friend’ guy, but she took us so far off the scent that the actual love interest was nowhere to be seen, he may as well not have been in the book. In addition to this, the narrator of the audiobook makes the ‘love interest’ guy sound highly irritating, a bit daft and almost squeaking when he talks… completely undesirable and unsuited to the main character. Another odd and just completely bizarre addition is that for about five minutes of the whole book the author randomly changes the story from the point of view of the main character Jo, to some completely random single dad Ben who thinks he might want to date Jo. These thoughts of Ben go on for a few page, then we never hear from him again, he doesn’t really have much of a part in the rest of the story, nor does the book change to anyone else’s point of view aside from his that one time…. it just changes back to Jo and that’s it?!?!? Occasionally you read or listen to a book that leaves you wondering if anyone is editing these things?!
Sadly, it’s just a very slow and boring story and I kind of wish I gave up at the beginning!
My least favourite of Helen Rolfe’s so far. For fellow romance readers: this is not a romance book, it’s kind of just a book about baked goods and coffees. The lack of any connection, spark or even friendly conversation between the two who end up together at the very (very) end of the book is ridiculous, especially when you get glimpses of an attraction and at least mild conversation between the female lead and some other guy who ends up being ‘just a friend’. I can see that the author was trying to steer the readers off the scent with this ‘friend’ guy, but she took us so far off the scent that the actual love interest was nowhere to be seen, he may as well not have been in the book. In addition to this, the narrator of the audiobook makes the ‘love interest’ guy sound highly irritating, a bit daft and almost squeaking when he talks… completely undesirable and unsuited to the main character. Another odd and just completely bizarre addition is that for about five minutes of the whole book the author randomly changes the story from the point of view of the main character Jo, to some completely random single dad Ben who thinks he might want to date Jo. These thoughts of Ben go on for a few page, then we never hear from him again, he doesn’t really have much of a part in the rest of the story, nor does the book change to anyone else’s point of view aside from his that one time…. it just changes back to Jo and that’s it?!?!? Occasionally you read or listen to a book that leaves you wondering if anyone is editing these things?!
Sadly, it’s just a very slow and boring story and I kind of wish I gave up at the beginning!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 11, 2019
This was quite a gentle story set around a cafe at the end of a pier in an English seaside town, where Jo takes over the day to day running from her elderly grandparents who want to step back and leave the cafe to her.
As it was a series of five novellas before it has different sections for seasons of the year which I found really nice to read.
Jo takes charge and revamps the cafe, getting it painted and generally redecorating, along with starting a love theme night where she sets up a couple of people she thinks will match one another but might otherwise not meet on blind dates. It's all secret, with little letters left to the two people she's chosen, asking them to come to a meal at the cafe after hours, where they meet one another and have a romantic meal in a part of the cafe that has been set up especially. Some worked, some didn't, but they all joined in with the fun and the love angle worked in other ways with different couples actually getting together.
There were some really lovely characters in the book, along with a few possible love interests for Jo, but you were never quite sure who she would end up with, if anyone!
I really loved how Jo's estranged mother was mentioned as living in Puerto Pollensa too, a beautiful place in Majorca, as my partner and I have holidayed here on multiple occasions and it's one of my very favourite places.
Salthaven sounds like a lovely place to live with a great community spirit. Enjoyable, light-hearted story with a really lovely ending.
As it was a series of five novellas before it has different sections for seasons of the year which I found really nice to read.
Jo takes charge and revamps the cafe, getting it painted and generally redecorating, along with starting a love theme night where she sets up a couple of people she thinks will match one another but might otherwise not meet on blind dates. It's all secret, with little letters left to the two people she's chosen, asking them to come to a meal at the cafe after hours, where they meet one another and have a romantic meal in a part of the cafe that has been set up especially. Some worked, some didn't, but they all joined in with the fun and the love angle worked in other ways with different couples actually getting together.
There were some really lovely characters in the book, along with a few possible love interests for Jo, but you were never quite sure who she would end up with, if anyone!
I really loved how Jo's estranged mother was mentioned as living in Puerto Pollensa too, a beautiful place in Majorca, as my partner and I have holidayed here on multiple occasions and it's one of my very favourite places.
Salthaven sounds like a lovely place to live with a great community spirit. Enjoyable, light-hearted story with a really lovely ending.
March 9, 2019
Reviewed at https://comfychairbooks.blogspot.com/
Rather ashamedly I admit this was my first book from the always lovely Helen but it definitely will not be my last.
When Molly and Arthur realise they need a change of pace, they ask granddaughter Jo to come back to Salthaven-on-Sea and help run the cafe. The book takes us through her first year of running the much loved, community focal point and chronicles the ups and downs of not only Jo's life but also of the friends and regulars at the café.
We see Jo struggle initially - a complete change of pace to her former life of being a teacher, it seems that she may have bitten off more than she can chew. Her fears and doubts are increased by the less than enthusiastic insistence from her Mother that she is wasting her life back in Salthaven. This is all Jo needs to fuel her determination and she sets out to prove her wrong.
As we go through the seasons and special occasions of this first year, we see Jo's character bloom and grow in confidence, this in turn is reflected in the success of the café. I loved Jo's attempts at playing Cupid - she seriously seems to have a knack for match-making. Jo soon realises that she herself has a secret admirer and I for one was as stumped as Jo at who it could be.
I loved the mystery of who had fallen for Jo- as I thought all of the characters set up as potential love interests could have been great matches for her. I couldn't figure out which man it would be - even right to the last few pages and I love that I was kept guessing. I was definitely happy with the end result though (for Jo and for other characters involved).
A great cast of characters with their own little stories created a real sense of community, I loved their individual personalities and what they all added to the book. Written with wonderful detail, including some absolutely mouth watering food descriptions, this book was a real pleasure to read, fun and full of emotion and suspense.
I would highly recommend The Little Café at the End of the Pier for a cosy, snuggle up and binge read book. I look forward to catching up on more by Helen J Rolfe too.
Rather ashamedly I admit this was my first book from the always lovely Helen but it definitely will not be my last.
When Molly and Arthur realise they need a change of pace, they ask granddaughter Jo to come back to Salthaven-on-Sea and help run the cafe. The book takes us through her first year of running the much loved, community focal point and chronicles the ups and downs of not only Jo's life but also of the friends and regulars at the café.
We see Jo struggle initially - a complete change of pace to her former life of being a teacher, it seems that she may have bitten off more than she can chew. Her fears and doubts are increased by the less than enthusiastic insistence from her Mother that she is wasting her life back in Salthaven. This is all Jo needs to fuel her determination and she sets out to prove her wrong.
As we go through the seasons and special occasions of this first year, we see Jo's character bloom and grow in confidence, this in turn is reflected in the success of the café. I loved Jo's attempts at playing Cupid - she seriously seems to have a knack for match-making. Jo soon realises that she herself has a secret admirer and I for one was as stumped as Jo at who it could be.
I loved the mystery of who had fallen for Jo- as I thought all of the characters set up as potential love interests could have been great matches for her. I couldn't figure out which man it would be - even right to the last few pages and I love that I was kept guessing. I was definitely happy with the end result though (for Jo and for other characters involved).
A great cast of characters with their own little stories created a real sense of community, I loved their individual personalities and what they all added to the book. Written with wonderful detail, including some absolutely mouth watering food descriptions, this book was a real pleasure to read, fun and full of emotion and suspense.
I would highly recommend The Little Café at the End of the Pier for a cosy, snuggle up and binge read book. I look forward to catching up on more by Helen J Rolfe too.
March 6, 2019
This was my first book by this author and will not be the last for sure this book was simply brilliant and I couldn't put it down. Such a wonderful warm read and I felt I was there at the cafe as the setting was so beautiful. Full of friendship, families, romance and of course plenty about food as well. The characters are great and shows how love can be found right under your nose.
Jo lives in Scotland working as a teacher but isn't happy so when her grandparents ring her up and ask her to move back and help run the cafe on the pier at Salthaven on sea she jumps at the chance. Once she gets home and starts working at the cafe her grandparents slowly start pulling away from the cafe and she wants to serve up some romance to people. She also wants to build the relationship up with her mum and her parents as well and can she do it. Also when she's trying to build up romance with people who come to her cafe is the real romance for her right under her nose and can she learn to be happy and love working at the cafe.
Worth far more than five stars and now want to read more books by this author.
Jo lives in Scotland working as a teacher but isn't happy so when her grandparents ring her up and ask her to move back and help run the cafe on the pier at Salthaven on sea she jumps at the chance. Once she gets home and starts working at the cafe her grandparents slowly start pulling away from the cafe and she wants to serve up some romance to people. She also wants to build the relationship up with her mum and her parents as well and can she do it. Also when she's trying to build up romance with people who come to her cafe is the real romance for her right under her nose and can she learn to be happy and love working at the cafe.
Worth far more than five stars and now want to read more books by this author.
March 31, 2019
This was such a lovely story and I loved how it was drawn out over the four seasons.
The story begins with Jo coming down to her hometown by the sea to help her grandparents run their cafe on the pier. She soon settles in and makes lots of friends with the locals. She spots that some of her friends are as lonely as she is and embarks on ideas to bring people together. What about her own love life though or lack of?
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Books about cafes are my guilty pleasure and I love reading (and envisaging) about all the gorgeous food. The cinnamon rolls in particular sounded delicious.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced read copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
The story begins with Jo coming down to her hometown by the sea to help her grandparents run their cafe on the pier. She soon settles in and makes lots of friends with the locals. She spots that some of her friends are as lonely as she is and embarks on ideas to bring people together. What about her own love life though or lack of?
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Books about cafes are my guilty pleasure and I love reading (and envisaging) about all the gorgeous food. The cinnamon rolls in particular sounded delicious.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced read copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
April 12, 2020
If I could give this book 10 stars, I would.
I actually read the first 47 pages whilst travelling last year, but it wasn't the right time. I picked it back up two days ago and I'm so glad I did! In these uncertain times, I needed to escape to Salthaven and experience the charm of the town. It doesn't have loads of action if compared to a similar style book, but I was still eagerly turning the pages. I felt like I knew the characters and wanted to jump right in and join them by the end ❤️ (I have even googled to see if it's a place, that's how much I loved it!)
I know for a fact that this book will join my collection of treasured books and will be re-read many times in the future. A little gem of a book, that's for certain ❤️📚
I actually read the first 47 pages whilst travelling last year, but it wasn't the right time. I picked it back up two days ago and I'm so glad I did! In these uncertain times, I needed to escape to Salthaven and experience the charm of the town. It doesn't have loads of action if compared to a similar style book, but I was still eagerly turning the pages. I felt like I knew the characters and wanted to jump right in and join them by the end ❤️ (I have even googled to see if it's a place, that's how much I loved it!)
I know for a fact that this book will join my collection of treasured books and will be re-read many times in the future. A little gem of a book, that's for certain ❤️📚
April 19, 2019
I have been a huge fan of Helen’s Christmas books set in New York, so I was intrigued to read this one based in the UK. I was not disappointed at all, I loved watching Jo take on the challenge of running her grandparents cafe and seeing her fit back into the town one more.
It was a very relaxing book, the food mentioned as part of the story worked really well, and I loved how Jo helped her customers to find love and friendship.
Such a lovely book that made me long to go to the cafe at the end of the pier!
I hope there will be further books about this place as I really felt at home there!
It was a very relaxing book, the food mentioned as part of the story worked really well, and I loved how Jo helped her customers to find love and friendship.
Such a lovely book that made me long to go to the cafe at the end of the pier!
I hope there will be further books about this place as I really felt at home there!
August 12, 2021
True chic lit... a pleasant setting and loveable characters but really a very contrived storyline and very happily ever after. It’s nice for a quick uplifting read but I wasn’t enamoured. The repeated sentences describing the daily comings and going’s in the cafe were a bit irritating and much of the descriptions lacked pizazz. The love matching part of the story made me feel uncomfortable and the ending was nothing if not predictable. There are better chic lit authors out there but then again there are worse ones too 😂
May 20, 2019
Fabulous book
Living in a seaside town with a pier I can really relate to this book. I loved the story and the characters, you can really visualise the town and the characters always a sign of a good book if you feel part of it! Can honestly say I would definitely read more of Helens books!
Living in a seaside town with a pier I can really relate to this book. I loved the story and the characters, you can really visualise the town and the characters always a sign of a good book if you feel part of it! Can honestly say I would definitely read more of Helens books!
June 27, 2019
This was a nice cute read. I really liked the characters and the setting and the set-up. But the writing, sadly, was a bit cardboard. (And btw I picked this up thinking it would be a nice summer read but was dismayed then to find the story spans all of the seasons and the grand finale is set at Christmas. Christmas! Pah!)
March 21, 2020
Endlich ein Buch mit toller, selbstbewusster Frau als Hauptfigur, keinem blöden Kerl der sie niedermacht & keiner unsympathischen Figur, die das ganze Buch durch nervt. Und man wusste bis zum Schluss nicht, wer dahinter steckt - aber da alle Figuren toll waren konnte es nur gut ausgehen!
Das perfekte Buch 💕
Das perfekte Buch 💕
May 1, 2020
I was really looking forward to this booked and initially it was very inviting, setting the scene for a great story. However I ended wading through chapter after chapter with nothing happening. I got half way though and skipped to the last chapter just to see what happened in the end. As sweet and cosy as this is it’s just a bit too monotonous for me.
July 2, 2022
easy heart warming book. Early thirty grand daughter takes over the cafe at the end of the pier so her grandparents can start retiring. Beautiful story about a strong community, possibilities you can do as a cafe owner (set up blind dates (nights of love as she calls it), halloween pumpkin carving competition and the list goes on), strong character development, happy unexpected ending.
April 3, 2019
A pleasant read but I did feel that it was a bit repetitive at times and nothing much happened. Maybe because it was originally published in 4 parts, it didn’t seem to have a beginning, middle and ending. Having said that it was a nice easy read.
April 8, 2020
A nice story which was an easy read had no real down in it and a guessing game on who was sending postcards. It was bound to be one of the two guys who had most to do with Jo and I liked how you were wondering right to the end. A fitting end to the story as well with the postcards.
September 23, 2022
I read it as an audio book and that was a really sweet read.
I’m in love with the food description and that small town atmosphere.
I didn’t really liked repetitions of information.
The end of the book a little disappointed me, that’s why I read books with only one potential love interest.
I’m in love with the food description and that small town atmosphere.
I didn’t really liked repetitions of information.
The end of the book a little disappointed me, that’s why I read books with only one potential love interest.
April 9, 2024
Really enjoyed this book! Nice mix of romance and the main character finding herself and figuring out where she wants to be and rebuilding family relationships. Didn't want to put it down and looking forward to reading more if Helen Rolfes books.
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