The Little Book Café: Amy’s Story

The Little Book Cafe #3

by Georgia Hill

Escape to the seaside for a new three-part series for fans of The Canal Boat Cafe and Willow Cottage

Amy, the manager of The Little Book Café, is a hopeless romantic who had her heart broken, but quietly refuses to give up on love.

With her friends Tash and Emma, not to mention their shared love of books and delicious cake from the café next door, Amy might just find the courage to fall for a real life romance this time…

Amy's Story is the final instalment of The Little Book Cafe series so wrap up warm this Autumn and treasure this wonderful book.

Genres: Romance, Chick Lit, Contemporary Romance, Adult, Books About Books

135 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 19, 2018

Reviews

[Mackey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Georgia Hill is back with another installment in her series, The Little Book Café, and I couldn't be more thrilled! 

Hill features a different character in each of her books. This time it is Amy's Story. We were first introduced to Amy in book one where she was being mistreated by the book's main character, Tash. I identified at once with Amy who has an overbearing, often very cruel mother who spends her time belittling her daughter's very existence. Amy was left at the alter and her self-esteem is, quite nearly, non-existent. She runs the bookshop that is attached to the bakery in her town and has made quite a success of the shop and her small book club. When a new author comes to town to write his next book, Amy doesn't dare allow herself to have feelings for him, this charming, beautiful Irish man; but, fates just might have other ideas for Amy.

The Little Book Café is a delightful series, full of quick wit, extremely relatable characters and situations that are utterly identifiable. It is a very short book, as are each of the books in the series, and will actually leave you wanting to know more about Amy and her friends in Berecomb. This is a good sign for me - when I want to read more, know more, experience more from a book and its characters. Naturally, after reading Amy's Story, I had to go back and read the first two books in the series and they were equally fun and witty! This book is set in autumn and is a perfect read for this time of year as we are nestled between Halloween and Christmas stories. It also can be perfectly read as a stand alone - but I promise you will want to read them all! This is the perfect story when you have just a little bit of time and want something uplifting and happy to read! Go ahead, enjoy! 

Thanks so much to #Netgalley, @HarperImpulse and to Georgia Hill for my copy of #TheLittleBookCafeAmysStory!

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amy's story was highly interesting from start to finish. I loved the character of Patrick.

[Nicola Clough · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to the third part in the series and believe this is is far better it so so brilliant although the others were great to this one was full of romance and moving forward and finding yourself so you are happy. It's story plot is fantastic and so well written I really didn't want it to end.
Amy runs the book shop which is joined to the cafe and she runs a book club with her friends she's moved into the flat above the shop and her mum isn't happy and takes every opportunity to put her daughter down. She is trying to move forward after her boyfriend left her at the alter on her wedding day her confidence is low as it is and her mum continues to put her down. A writer comes to the shop and starts helping her out but her heart skips a beat everyone she sees him but she knows nothing about him and when a strange lady rings asking about the writer she's worried he's married. She decides to start running to try and loose weight and her writer friend has left but when he returns who is also there but her ex and who will she turn to in order to be happy and will the book club go well as well and how will her mum react when she tells her some home truths.
A brilliant read.

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author, Georgia Hill, has written another wonderful, sweet romance about life in Berecombe. Although I have not read the first two books in this series, I have read another of her fantastic books: ‘Millie Vanilla’s Cupcake Café’ so I was expecting great things from this one. The first book was ‘The Little Book Café: Tash’s Story’, followed by ‘The Little Book Café: Emma’s Story’.

This was an easy, light read so I did not feel disadvantaged in any way not having read books one and two first, though it would have been preferable to me if I had read them in their intended sequence.

Any book, either set in a bookshop or a café, will be of special interest to me, as was this one, with the added touch of a lovely book cover!

“The Little Book Café” is a feel-good story of romance, friendship and community spirit, but also angst and upset, set in Berecombe, a quaint seaside town in Devon, England. Most of the drama takes place in the bookshop/cafe where Amy, the protagonist, is the manager.

Georgia Hill has drawn some very likeable characters in this novella. Amy is very endearing, trustworthy and dependable, although a little lacking in self-esteem and I adored the touches of humour that added some interest to the story.

Georgia Hill’s writing style is really engaging and it was a good read particularly for the interplay of the different characters - the close friends, the bossy mother, the famous author and the stream of local townsfolk. With plenty of ups and downs along the way, I loved it!

Although the conclusion of the story was no great surprise, it was still a very fulfilling ending to a wonderful book that regularly had me laughing-out-loud and was, all-in-all, a very worthwhile and well-balanced read. This book was a perfect accompaniment to a large slice of chocolate cake and a cup of tea!

Thanks to NetGalley, HarperImpulse and the author, Georgia Hill, for my free ARC of The Little Book Café in exchange for an honest review.

#NetGalley #TheLittleBookCafe

[Deanne Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really fun book to read! Absolutely love the colorful cover on this one. Great atmosphere and setting in this one. It makes you really feel Halloweeny with the talk of carving pumpkins,decorating the bookstore and a costume party. Very festive. After being stranded at the alter the last thing Amy wants to do is think romance. She's comfortable in her own skin even though that skin maybe a bit overweight. Between her meddling Mum getting in her business about her weight and lack of a love life it's enough to make a girl grab another slice of cake with clotted cream and hide in the back working in her bookstore. Amy loves her little coastal town and realizes she may be falling for the handsome author who helps in her shop from time to time. He seems to be harboring a secret that is preventing him from opening up to her and it's causing a bit of friction between the two of them. This is the third novella length book in the Little Book Cafe series and it's lots of fun featuring three friends.
Published October 19th 2018
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harper Impulse and Killer Reads through NetGalley. Thank you. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Jammin Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book on Netgalley. This little book was charming and a nice romance novel between a bookseller and a writer. Both have shattered pasts but they are able to find their HEA.

[Stacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think it's been a couple of years now since I read the first two in this series. I finally got around to this one after discovering it on my library Borrowbox. I do remember the general premise of the first two but other details came back to me whilst reading this.

I think this is the one I was most looking forward to, being told from the pov of the character who runs the book shop!

The story picks up seamlessly (from what I can remember) and I did remember most of the characters. I had a bit of a soft spot for Amy's Irish love interest, Patrick! Not so much her mother, Katrina though. Her character has narcissistic tendencies and made me angry.

The story overall was enjoyable, and it was good to get back to the book club and its variety of members too.

Some of the grammar used did irritate me (like "to the bookshop proper" - not sure if that's local dialect though) and there were editing errors which made me twitchy.

All in all though I would recommend the series if you love a cosy village story with romantic interests, friendships, plenty of books and food!

3.5⭐️

[Lisa M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to HarperImpulse for the chance to read this advanced readers copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was the final instalment of a 3-part series and I raced through, much like with the first and second parts. Yes they're short but they are just so fast paced you cannot put them down! The wider story is about a book club that meets at a cafe/bookshop - we met Tash in Book 1, Emma in Book 2 and now we get to hear Amy's story.

Amy is in love with the delightful sounding Patrick, however this is unrequited love - or is it? There is a little to'ing and fro'ing about whether they will get together as a couple but I actually found their story so romantic, Patrick sounds like an absolute gentleman.

This was a delightful read that focused on simply daring to take a chance in life, and on love in particular. As with the other stories in the series, there is more to Patrick's character than expected which explained why he holds back a bit. This story was so engaging, I read it in one sitting with a smile on my face as it was humourous at times as well as heart-warming.

Overall the series came to a perfect conclusion, with Amy's story probably my favourite of the three. I highly recommend this series of books which were so pleasurable to read!

[Anitajt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven’t read the previous two books, but it didn’t matter, the author is brilliant at introducing all the characters so I felt I knew them already. I loved Amy and her different relationships with her mother, her friends and Patrick. This engaging book was fun, touching and it’s realistic characters ensured a great read that I couldn’t put down.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Jypsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute fast read. Loveable characters but typical. Still, enjoyable if you want to relax. I do like stories involving bookstores and coffee in any way

[Gaele · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third of the friends in this tiny seaside town has her story now, and Amy’s story is a lovely one. Running the bookshop that is an adjunct to Milly’s Café, she’s such a perfect choice for the manager: well read, innovative, always willing (and able) to draw people into the wonder that is books and reading. Unfortunately, she’s got little to no self-esteem and is incredibly shy – perhaps some of it comes from her being dumped at the altar some three years earlier, or her move to the Far East when a child, only to return with her mother when the marriage went pear shaped. But, much is to be attributed to her mother’s rather pointed (and often cruel) critiques and utter lack of awareness of how they sting. From comments to her weight, clothing and lack of a man, Amy’s got only a handful of non-self-chastising moments, usually when she’s tucked up with a book or talking with Patrick. Of course, she’s second guessing every utterance from herself and him, and is utterly in love with the Irish author – his wit, charm, accent and kindness have her (and most women he encounters) under a spell.

But, it’s Halloween approaching, and aside from wrapping up the ‘literary course’ that she planned at the behest of some book club members, she also has to ‘manage’ the various locals in the book club, decorate for the holiday, plan a launch of Patrick’s latest books and somehow deal with a rash of vandalism that has hit her shop (and others) in town. With her clear need for people to be in harmony, a bit of spine in taking on her mother and her bad behavior, and a shot in the arm of confidence from starting to do things for herself with pushes from both Tash and Emma – she’s faced her biggest embarrassment in the form of her ex-fiance, and emerged stronger. Until Patrick disappears for weeks after kissing her – and leaves her wondering just how she’d be enough.

These three books are lovely small-town stories that are full of friendship, unique characters, a touch of angst (both self-imposed and not) and lots of cake. How could you not have cake with the bakery/café to hand – and well – Cake. Hill has managed to write in a sort of ‘shorthand’ for the three women we spend time with, as they’ve all known one another for years, but allowed the influence of the outside world and some rather unique characters to influence the moments. Combine this with the lovely ebb and flow of tourists and locals, the ever-changing sea and sky, and plenty of happy moments and this is a lovely series to just while away the hours with.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at I am, Indeed

[Geet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review on my Blog

A sweet and cozy romance to read in this cozy weather

Amy lives in a small coastal town . She works in a bookstore and managed to start a book group . She has a big crush on her book group fellow , Patrick , who is also a known writer . Her relationship with her mother is shaky . Would she confess her feelings to Patrick or would she keeps living a life of a shy and reserved introvert ? read the book to know more ;)

Happy reading ☕

[Maja Brixley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was kindly send this arc though NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Think small town cozy seaside village and the main character owns a small bookstore. Doesn’t that sound great?

I really liked the premise of this book and the setting, but unfortunately I didn’t think the characters was flushed out enough. Maybe it’s because I haven’t read the other books in the series, but I was just missing something from this and I wanted more.

[BeccaJBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this.

It's innocent and fluffy and romantic, all the things I aim to avoid with books, but the closer to Christmas it gets, the softer my reading genre gets, so this was perfect!

I enjoyed reading about Amy and her story. Learning about her past and how it was affecting her present. And when a hunky author comes to town, we just know what is going to happen.... But although predictable it was still great to read it.

I've read the others in the series and they are all sweet, easy reads. I would recommend.

www.thebeautifulbookbreak.com

[Silke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Today I am sharing my thoughts on the last part of The Little Book Café series by Georgia Hill. Before I delve into the actually storyline and my feelings about it. I just have to point out how utterly gorgeous the covers of these books is.

But let’s get down to business and talk about the actually story of the book. The story of Amy, the manager of the Little Book Café. Amy is like the girl who is always there in the background, but really doesn’t play any significant part in the overall story arc. But and this is a very important but… in this series she gets her own instalment and it was so totally worth it. I just loved Amy’s story so much more than Tash’s and Emma’s.

Amy isn’t my normal go to girl. I like my female characters to be witty, strong and independent. Amy is a little insecure about almost everything in her life. Or that is how she comes across when you first meet her. When you get a closer look out of the 3 main characters Amy is the one who wants what she wants most in life. She is the one fighting for what she believes in. Never doubting the choices she made and she does it all with a huge passion. I really liked her and her story.
Of course looking through the eyes of Amy we finally spend the whole story in the Little Book Café. Better late than never, I guess. But it was really very enjoyable. Especially seeing all the events Amy organised.

The love story was from the beginning quite predictable; but sometimes it doesn’t need to be mind-blowing and new. It was just good old fashioned romance. Really enjoyable and a bit sweep me of my feet in the classical way. Perfect for a main character as Amy.

Amy’s story was for me without any doubt the strongest story in the series.

Whole review on Boek In Wonderland

[Mel Rawoteea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by Georgia Hill, but I will definitely get my hands on her others, especially the rest of this series! I thoroughly enjoyed this light hearted read. All the characters were very likeable, even Biddy Roulestone.

...or maybe it was the absence of its most troublesome member, the pensioner with a past, Biddy Roulestone.”

The book revolves around a group of characters who live in a small town called, Berecombe. They are members of a book club run by Amy, the manager of the only bookshop in town. I really enjoyed reading about her relationships with all the characters individually, especially her one sided budding romance!

“Is there anything so painful as unrequited love, she wondered, feeling the familiar longing for him shoot through her.”

The chapters were very short so it was a quick and easy read, but I still had trouble putting it down. It was a short book and I must admit I was quite disappointed when I got to the end, I wanted more!
Throughout the book, Amy, the protagonist changed and developed her relationships further especially with her Mum.

“I agree. I’m so glad you’ve come, Mum.”

As common in books about realtionships, there was a few misunderstandings, but Georgia wrapped all that up at the end and it had a very satisfying conclusion!

Overall, this was a light, easy, fun and thoroughly enjoyable read and if you like books by Monica McInerney or Marian Keyes, then this book series is for you!

[Rachel McMillan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this subgenre of romance where lovely people who love books run lovely book shops and find the balance between the fiction they escape in and the escapism of subtle changes in their lives. There is something so softly romantic about small communities bound by the pages of books and centred around the solace of a bookshop.

If you like Annie Darling and Jenny Colgan then this will be your jam. I hadn't read the other stories in the series (so far) but I really enjoyed the way I fell into the story, location and characters without any background.

This was a delicious autumnly read that made me want to steal away. I especially appreciated the vulnerability and insecurity of the heroine. Rather than overboard or overdrawn, Amy is not a pitiable character, rather a woman with a broken heart whose medicine may no longer be found between the pages but by the prospect of a real life romance. Absolutely delicious and a perfect pair for tea as you slip under a favourite quilt and turn off your mind and lose yourself in a lovely story filled with lovely people and gentle wisdom.

[Sally Coles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amy has always lacked confidence, which is not helped by the constant criticism from her domineering mother and the fiance that jilted her at the altar! She is in her element though running the little book shop which joins on to the cafe, she loves books and even starts a book club, where she gets to know the author Patrick...... but will this ever develop beyond friendship?

Great to be back in Berescombe and hear Amy's story, I have loved all of these books and although predictable they have lovely characters that you care about and good comedy scenes as well.... lovely lighthearted feelgood read.

[Kel · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a brilliant series of books, this being the latest instalment Amy's story.

This story picks up from the end of book 2 and continues as this trio's friendship continues to grow. It gives you a chance to get to know Amy and her insecurities and get a sneak peak into what's been happening in her life up until this point.

A brilliant story that I binge read and thoroughly enjoyed. I would definitely recommend this entire series of light hearted reads about friendship and relationships surrounded by a healthy dose of food and books

[MoMo Book Diary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy my visits to The Little Book Cafe.  This is the third book in The Little Book Cafe series and tells Amy's story.

Georgia Hill has written many many wonderful books.  She is able to create a world that I would happily live in. Wonderful characters, beautiful animals, fun neighbours and love around every corner.... what more could you want?  I would highly recommend this author who writes sweet reads.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Impulse and Georgia Hill for the opportunity to read and review this novel.

All reviews are available on my blog at www.momobookdiary.com

[Vinny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC from Harper Impulse and Killer Reads via Netgalley in exchange of honest review.

This is the first book that I read from the Little Book Cafe series. It was a light and fun reading. Nothing's too special about the characters, although I wouldn't say they aren't charming. I like the writing style and the pace was quite good. I found it comforting and familiar that the ambience in the book is set up to be a bookish environment.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again I have to say I wish these stories were longer. The characters are so lovely i just want to read more and more.

Really enjoyed reading Amy's story more than Emma's for sure. The Berecombe setting is cozy and charming.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This warm, sweet book is perfect for a cold gray day. I love the characters in this series and am glad that Amy's story was so perfect. I wish Georgia Hill would give Amy's mom a "happily ever after" too. I felt so sorry for her.

[Naomi]

Not feeling it at the moment, will probably give it a second chance when I'm in the mood for a romance during summer/autumn

[Ileana · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I received this book, I didn’t know it was part of a series. I immediately bought the other two and read those first. Amy’s story was a wonderful conclusion to The Little Book Cafe. Such a fun read, I cannot wait to read more from Georgia Hill.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

[Lyndsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

really enjoyed this one x

[Meg Dean · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful addition to an already wonderful series :c)

**This is a repost of this review due to the fact that the star rating was incorrect in my previously published review***

[Karschtl · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cosy read for bookaholics

3,5 stars

I was delighted with Amy and her little bookstore, seems like a wonderful place. Her mother is really obnoxious, but thank God she has some really nice friends. The quite handsome writer Patrick is also hanging around her shop all the time. Amy would be even more glad if he would be hanging around her lips sometime soon...

Amy is such an endearing character, and her struggles make her authentic. (But why is it that in books the characters always only have to go for a run or to the gym twice and already have visibly lost weight? Why does this not happen in reality?) Since this is rather short novella, the story is not very elaborate but it still touches a couple of subjects. The budding romance is only one of them.

[Frenchorchidea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amy's Story is the last book of "The little book café" series. I absolutely adored this book as much as I adored the whole series. It's rather a short book but full of events and mystery, you don't have time to get bored and I found the book and the whole series very well written. I can say easily that Georgia Hill is now one of my favorite author and will be delighted to read her next book! I WARMLY recommend The Little Book Café!!!! Absolutely fantastic!

[Stacy Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Returning to the Little Book Cafe for the third and final installment in this series felt like coming home to old friends. The gorgeous setting of Berecombe is an idyllic backdrop to this series and Amy's bookshop plays a key role. She is the sweetest character you could hope to meet and it was a joy to witness her blossom throughout the story turning into a courageous and successful woman. Her relationship with the mysterious Patrick played a key factor to the story which simmered and sizzled nicely as the book developed to ensure that my attention was piqued to see if Amy would receive the happy ever after she so desperately deserves. Patrick's story was heartbreakingly beautiful to read and it moved me greatly to hear what life had dealt him and it was a joy to finally get to know his charcter fully. As usual with these glorious books, Millie's delectable sweet treats play a huge role and this one did not disappoint. I was sure I could taste the peanut caramel cheesecake and Millie's special hot chocolate as it was being described before my eyes. My only wish was that I could have had more Biddy in the storyline as she is my absolute favourite. Please say that there is going to be more from this unforgettable character in the future because I won't settle until I know if Adventures in the Skin Game went off in style. Once again I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Berecombe and felt it came to an end all too soon. A story of love, relationships and self belief. So grab yourself a hot chocolate and a blanket and snuggle in to read Amy's story. A perfect read for this autumn season.