Zomer in het kunstcafé

Art Café #1

by Sue McDonagh, Femke de Moor (Translator)

Van keurige waterverfschilderijtjes en cupcakes naar een leren jack en een gevoel van vrijheid...
Als je een prachtige, paarse motor zou winnen en je man zou zeggen dat je hem beter kon verkopen omdat je te dik was om in een motorpak te passen, wat zou jij dan doen? Zijn raad opvolgen of stiekem motorrijles nemen?
Kunstenares en café-eigenaar Lucy Daumier kiest voor het laatste, maar de lessen zijn verre van eenvoudig. En onder de kritische blik van rijinstructeur Ash Connor gaat het al helemaal niet van een leien dakje. Maar gaandeweg krijgt ze het motorrijden onder de knie en wordt ze weer de uitbundige jonge vrouw die ze ooit was. Een spannende zomer met nieuwe vriendschappen volgt. Ook beseft Lucy dat Ash niet de man is die hij op het eerste gezicht lijkt. Ze ontmoet zijn zevenjarige dochter Daisy en moet haar mening over Ash bijstellen.
Maar kan Lucy echt nieuw geluk vinden als een wraakzuchtig familielid haar het liefste zou zien falen?

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Summer Reads, Chick Lit, Contemporary

300 pages, Paperback

First published May 15, 2018

Reviews

[Dash fan · Rating 5 out of 5]

5☆ A Scrumptious Feel Good Read

Summer at the Art Cafe is a Scrumptious Feel Good Read, it's a story about taking risks, gaining confidence, finding happiness and a sparkle of romance.

Lucy is part owner of the Art Cafe.
Where she combines her passion for art and scrumptious cakes.

Lucy is married to Gerry.
Wow Gerry is a piece of work!! He puts Lucy down, makes her feel worthless and knocks all her self confidence. I really didn't like him, he made my blood boil!

So when Lucy wins a gorgeous New motorbike... you can imagine how Gerry reacts!!
So Lucy is about to give up on her dream motorbike, when she meets Ash who helps restore her confidence and helps to prove Gerry wrong.

I loved Lucy, it was so heart warming to watch her grow in confidence as she's determined to prove to Gerry she's not 'too fat ' to ride a motorbike. One of his many insults!
It was so lovely to see her friendship develop with Ash.
He is a great father, he is kind, patient, with a big heart. What's not to love... oh and did I mention he was a policeman!!

Summer at the Art Cafe is a deliciously heart-warming and uplifting story.
Its a sweet romance, perfect for lifting your spirits.
Sue has created the perfect quick and pleasant read, the writing style is wonderful, full of warmth, and charm.
I can't recommend this book enough.
I'm hoping there will be more to come from the Art Cafe!

Thank you to Choc Lit for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

My Review is also on my Blog Website:

https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2018/0...

[Karen Mace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagine winning your dream motorbike - despite never having learnt to ride one!! That is exactly what happens to Lucy, who is the owner of the Art Cafe. She has always loved motorbikes but never managed to achieve her dream to own and ride one, until now! As soon as she wins the bike she books lessons and is determined to grab this opportunity before it passes by. Some of the people in her life though aren't best pleased with her choice, especially Gerry her other half, who is a repulsive and nasty piece of work!! Forever putting her down, belittling her hopes and dreams all under the guise of claiming to love her and is sure this ambition to ride is just a mid life crisis.

But under the careful watch and support of Ash, her bike tutor, she finds a strength inside of her to go for it and blossoms as a person as she does! And this doesn't go unnoticed - both by Gerry and by Ash! He's a single dad to the charmingly delightful Daisy, and they all soon find themselves becoming more involved with each other on a day to day basis.

I loved the transformation Lucy goes through in this book! The confidence that doing something that she's always dreamt of doing does for her is amazing! I found it to be such an enjoyable and inspiring book full of fabulous characters and I just hope we get to visit them all again in the future!!

[Els · Rating 5 out of 5]

Motorbikes and cakes, two things I like very much as well. So when they were combined in a story, it had to be a good one.
I loved the way Lucy, bit by bit, changed her life and put herself first for a change. She showed, that if you are determined enough, you can reach your goal.
Love seems to be in the picture again as well, but the road is bumpy and it looks like it is taking a wrong turn. Can everything be turned around or ...?
A lovely summerread with ups and downs, funny bits and sad ones, love and bitchyness. These are all ingredients that will keep to glued to your seat.
Thank you, Choc Lit.

[Cassandra Grafton · Rating 5 out of 5]

As heart-warming as the summer sun and as fulfilling as the delicious cup cakes from the Art Cafe!

What a wonderful, uplifting tale! The author’s love (and knowledge) of both being a biker and an artist shine through this debut novel from Sue McDonagh, set in and around the delightful Art Cafe on the stunning Welsh coast. It’s a delight from start to finish, as Lucy wins a bike, starts to take lessons and begins to discover that love is complex but none the less satisfying as she takes steps to turn her life around, emerging stronger, happier and complete!

The perfect beach read. You’ll smile, you’ll feel sad, but you’ll laugh too, and by the end you’ll feel you’ve just spent valuable time, well invested, in the company of some wonderful people. Hope there's going to be more stories coming from the Art Cafe!

[Elsa Bakker · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Zomer in het kunstcafé’ heeft zo’n cover waar je gelijk vrolijk van wordt, je laat verlangen naar heerlijk zonnig zomerweer en fijne vakantieplekken. Vanwege dat en de paarse motor die betrokken is bij het verhaal, deed ik graag mee aan de blogtour voor dit boek, georganiseerd door Dutch Venture Publishing. Ik was namelijk wel toe aan het lezen van een wat luchtiger, feelgood verhaal.

“Ze wilde dat ze dit moment hier kon inlijsten in zo’n sneeuwbol.”

Het verhaal is geschreven in een stijl die gemakkelijk en zonder al te veel inspanning te lezen is. Geen moeilijke bewoording maar gewoon zoals jij en ik samen een gesprek zouden voeren. Ook ervaarde ik regelmatig vertedering voor de beschreven gebeurtenissen en kon ik lachen om de humoristische stuntelingen waar ik zelf ook nog weleens een handje van heb.

“Je kunt je echt niet verstoppen, hoor. Ik zie je nog steeds.’ De stem, die diep klonk, was er zo een waar je wel naar moest luisteren.”

Lucy is het hoofdpersonage in dit boek en zij zou ook zomaar een vriendin van je kunnen zijn die voor wat ingewikkelde levens veranderende keuzes komt te staan. Je voelt met haar mee en als lezer kon ik niet anders dan van haar gekozen weg genieten, een soort van trotsheid voelen voor haar doorzettingsvermogen. Soms verlangde ik niet ietsje meer diepgang in het verhaal en wat meer personage achtergrond van de bij karakters.

“Hij stak zijn hand naar haar uit en had een luie glimlach op zijn gezicht. ‘Kom hier, knappe vrouw.”

Uiteindelijk heb ik het boek absoluut met plezier gelezen en stiekem is Ash mijn nieuwe, favoriete, fictieve mannelijke karakter uit een verhaal.

Lieve leesgroet, Elsa.

[Jeanine · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5 ***

[Rennekesblog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Samenvatting
Lucy Daumier heeft samen met Richard een kunstcafé, waarin Lucy het artistieke gedeelte en Richard het culinaire gedeelte doen. Beide zijn getrouwd met respectievelijk Gerry en Nicola.
Wanneer Lucy een motor wint, gaat ze rijlessen nemen, ook al gaat ze dan tegen de wens van haar echtgenoot in, waar ze een steeds slechtere relatie mee krijgt. De eerste les heeft ze samen met andere mannen en wordt gegeven door Ash Connor, helaas heeft ze vanaf diezelfde ochtend pech met van alles, waardoor ze niet stevig in haar schoenen staat. Gaandeweg gaat ze steeds meer plezier in het lessen krijgen, mede dankzij Ash, die toch niet zo’n bullebak blijkt als tijdens de eerst lesdag. Met het lessen krijgt ze ook steeds meer zelfvertrouwen.

Quote: ‘Ze dacht aan haar eerdere mislukkingen en hoe ze daar overheen was gekomen. Volhouden was alles.’

Net na haar eerste rijexamen lijkt het wel of de wereld om Lucy heen ineenstort, kan ze dit te boven komen?

Mijn mening
Het is erg leuk om over de rijlessen te lezen en doet me denken aan de tijd dat ik ze had. Hoewel het in dit boek er toch anders gaat dan dat ik het zelf heb gedaan. Lucy komt me over ondanks haar onaardige echtgenoot als een sterke vrouw en een doorzetter, zo lees ik het graag.

Conclusie
Dit is een verhaal over zelfvertrouwen terugkrijgen, na een bazige en dominante man die er genoegen aan ontleende om haar naar beneden te halen en haar figuur te bekritiseren. Een erg fijn geschreven boek met personages die tot leven komen, met een lach en een traan. Een romantische feelgood om op vakantie, tuin, balkon of gewoon in je woonkamer te lezen.

[Nicola Clough · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a new author to me and my word want to read more as it was such a brilliant read so heartwarming full of romance and heartbreak and dealing with families and learning new skills as well and being happy again. You will laugh at times as well such a great read.
Lucy who owns a cafe and is an artist wins a purple motorbike but only problem is she can’t ride it she has a husband who is domineering and wants her to sell it but she decides to ride it in secret. She goes to a place to learn to ride it but it doesn’t come easy and her instructor ash is very critical. Her husband finds out but she learns more about him and decides to stand up to him and leave him and she slowly gets the hang of riding the bike and gets closer to ash as well. Problem is he has a sister in law who has different ideas he has a daughter as well and they all start spending time together but the sister in law makes it difficult will she finally find happiness with the perfect bloke or will it all go wrong.

[thewoollygeek (tea, cake, crochet & books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful romance by Sue, I loved Lucy and Ash so much. This is a wonderful story full of humour and heart. I loved The angst, nothing like a good villainous ex, you can’t help but love to hate. A wonderful story and who can’t love adorable Daisy, I actually read the second in this series first, but it ruined nothing. Sue writes such lovely stories and characters. A great summer read.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

[Carol Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this happy, uplifting read filled with likeable characters. Ash, the policeman-come-motorbike-instructor, was gorgeous; his love for his daughter and a rescue project shone through. I enjoyed Lucy’s journey from being a downtrodden wife to enjoying life as she set out to find what made her happy. Following the ups and downs of Lucy’s motorbike training was interesting and added to the story. The ending left me with a big smile. Summer at the Art Café is a lovely feel-good read to enjoy in the sunshine; I look forward to reading the next.

[Joany Vries · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wat een geweldige feelgood. Ik heb met volle teugen genoten van dit verhaal. 💖

[Sandra Seys · Rating 3 out of 5]

Leest vlot weg, voorspelbaar en niet echt spannend maar een leuk verhaal. Aangename zomerlectuur.

[Danielle Waanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ik heb de boeken in de verkeerde volgorde gelezen, maar gelukkig maakt dat, net als met de boeken van Sarah
Morgan, helemaal niet uit. Een leuk verhaal, zelfs als je niet van motoren houdt zou je op rijles willen na het lezen van dit boek.

[Patricia Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story, a book you couldn’t put down . With a very happy ending .

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely, uplifting read!

A wonderful, heart-warming story that whisks the reader away to the glorious Welsh coast and the warmth of the charming Art Cafe.

[Amanda Gooden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must admit, I’m not particularly a fan of romantic fiction, I’d much rather get my teeth into a murder mystery or a bit of sci-fi, but I thoroughly enjoyed this debut novel. When I’m standing at the stove reading, whilst stirring a saucepan, I know I’ve got myself a good book!
Sue has clearly done what the experts say and written about what she knows. The characters are very real and I’m beginning to wonder if Sue has her very own ‘Ash’ hidden in the wardrobe! It would be lovely to read a sequel, with maybe some of the other characters taking centre stage so we can hear their stories. This could run and run...

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful read! Definitely would recommend this one. Lisa is an artist and the owner of the Art Cafe and new owner of a motorbike she won in a raffle. Her husband Gerry, the #@*hole, does nothing but belittle her and makes it clear he wants her to get rid of the bike. Lisa decides to take riding lessons from Ash, a policeman and single father.
This story is about taking risks, finding independence and confidence, happiness, friendship and romance. Need to know more? You'll have to pick up a copy!

[Aly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a good romance novel. And this is exactly that. Good story, believable characters and well written. When I finished the book, I sighed with happiness - then promptly burst into tears!!! I think most ladies have had a 'Gerry' in their life in one shape or another but not everyone finds their 'Ash' I had no idea how much I was rooting for Lucy until the end.

[Misfits farm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucy is an artist and runs the Art Cafe with a friend. She entered a raffle and was more than a little surprised when she won a motorbike- never even having been on one before. She is determined that she will give it a go despite getting in rather a tangle with it. When the instructor, Ash, is as kind as she is determined it makes her see life in a different way to what she has before. This is one of those wonderful reads that you need now and again to restore your faith in human nature. We have all been on the wrong end of someone’s criticisms and it’s nice when there is someone to stick up for you or just to show you how you could and should be treated. A treasure of a read to enjoy perhaps in the sun, or even by a cozy fire. One to relax with and soak up that feel-good warmth. A read to think about life and to enjoy.
For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/
or follow me on Twitter @nickijmurphy1

[Isabelle D · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a good story that having no interest in motorbikes didn't stop me from enjoying it. I mean, even if I definitely don't understand the appeal of riding anything faster than a bicycle, it's easy to empathise with Lucy when she decides to go against her awful husband's wishes and learn how to ride the motorbike she won. And of course it's also easy to see why she's attracted to her instructor and quickly gets attached to his cute, funny little daughter.
The only "bad" thing about this book is that, as it's fiction, we can't have any hope of ever tasting the Art Café's cakes or see Lucy's paintings. ;)

[Gill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our heroine is Lucy – an arty, sensitive soul whose self esteem has taken a battering from her controlling husband. Until she wins a motor bike and decides to learn to ride it, thus starting to rediscover her backbone. Enter Ash – policeman in his ‘proper’ job, but bike instructor for pleasure. He has a tragic history, a 7 year old daughter, and a disturbed sister-in-law.

I loved this book – the story flowed easily and kept me interested. Lucy is very likeable, and Ash – well, he’s a man so needs a tiny bit of work! A lot of the action is set in a cafe – which left me craving cake, but that’s not unusual really.

All in all, a very pleasant, easy read with no lurking horrors, explicit sex descriptions or unresolved issues – just my cup of coffee! (Don’t like tea!)

[Wednesday · Rating 5 out of 5]

This audio book was an absolute delight! The main character Lucy, is likeable, funny and warm and the reader finds oneself really cheering her on at every step. The story of her development from unhappy wife to independent but not entirely flawless woman, is heart-felt and humourous. All the surrounding characters are excellently portrayed and developed and are a real community in their own right. I loved the learning-to-ride motorbike scenes as I have some experience of being a learner rider myself and made very similar mistakes. (Unfortunately, I didn't keep at it like Lucy did). Ash is a great hero with his own issues to develop and he is entirely the one for Lucy. Charlotte Streven's narration is superb. Very enjoyable listening for a long car journey.

[Saundra Callender · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first book by this author, and I have to admit, I bought the four-book box set and I've only read the first book so far - Summer at the Art Cafe. But I had to come write a review for it. This is one of the best books I've ever read. It was unique and I had no idea where it was going, and that's a good thing. So many books I've read have a cookie cutter storyline. I know exactly what's happening next. And though it might be a very good book, it just doesn't surprise me. This book did. I loved every character (except Sarah). It was sweet and funny, and oh so easy to read. I'm going to read the other three books and I'll come back and write reviews for them, too. I can only hope they're even half as good as this first book was.

[Femke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wat een heerlijk boek, gevuld met stoere vrouwen die voor zichzelf opkomen, doen waar hun hart om vraagt en misschien ook wel wat liefde. Genieten.

[Oolookitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just the kind of charming read that you need when the whole world seems to be on fire.

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this. Very girlie, but not "soft and fluffy" girlie, more "woman finding her strength" girlie.

[Jeannie Zelos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summer at the Art Cafe, Sue McDonagh

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: Romance , Women's Fiction

Ah no....usual moan :-( Why, why do we have women's fiction as a category? Why assume men won't/don't read romance – they do, they write it and read it.
Anyway, other than that moan I loved this book. I find that Choc-Lit books almost always work well for me, fun and easy to read but not a dumbed down romance. Sometimes I want a simple romance, not a deep, dark, heavy one but I still want some solid characters, believable plots and choc-lit delivers that.
As an artist myself I loved reading about Lucy's artwork, and the lovely finds she brought into the cafe. The idea of cakes and art sounded wonderful, and the beach-side setting just perfect. Of course on a rainy November day its not so good but ;-) Its fiction, and in romance land its always sunny summer or crisp snowy winter, no grim and gloomy days allowed!
I loved Lucy, so talented, so kind and warmhearted but married to an absolute pratt of a man. It makes me wonder – and Lucy – how did things change, was he always like this and she blinded by love. Sometimes we're just too much in the thick of things to see the real truth and that's what seemed to happen to Lucy, it wasn't until it was thrown in her face she realised how cruel and awful Gerry had become. Still, I like a character I can hate on so all's good ;-) and of course when she masters all the things he belittles her for and makes a huge success of life without him, that's just so, so satisfying.
Speaking of people to hate, Sarah was perfect too, one face to Ash and a very different one to Lucy. I love manipulative characters like that, bring in a real challenge to the story, and of course she was determined not to let things work between Ash and Lucy.
There's some great humour in this story, a lovely plot encompassing not just romance, but growth, Ash growing to trust in love and Lucy learning to trust in herself and her talent, lots of new friends all round, Nic and Richard from the cafe, TV Tom, the Biker Girls, Ed and co from the bike shop, even the pupils Lucy first learned her CBT with.
I adored Daisy too, she made a fabulous character in the story, a wonderful young lady, and of course she ( and I) loved all the rescue animals. I've seen ex battery hens in jumpers too while their feathers grow in ;-) and Ash was so open hearted taking in all those animals.
What makes a romance perfect for me though isn't just the build up, but the crash down, the angst and its really well done here, lasts a while not just over in a couple of pages, and that's just what I need. Real life is like that, and when things go right again it feels so much more satisfying. Love, real love, needs that challenge to last IMO.

Stars: Five, a gorgeous read, perfect for holidays and beach, or when you just want an escape to a happy place for a few hours.
Arc via Netgalley and publishers

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summer at the Art Cafe is a fantastic read full of romance. And cakes. And art. And motorbikes. Naturally they all go together! Lucy is an artist and co-owner of the Art Cafe. Things have not been going so well in her marriage to Gerry (such an awful character!) and when she wins a powerful motorbike, he laughs at her saying she's too fat, will never manage to ride it and should just sell it. Determined not to be bullied by him any longer, she decides to prove him wrong and starts taking lessons under the watchful eye of Ash, a policeman who does bike training on his rest days.

Now biking is not my thing, I can't imagine ever going on a motorbike, but even I found the idea appealing as I read about Lucy learning how to ride. I must admit that perhaps the appeal had something to do with the lovely Ash! The author wrote so well about the camaraderie and support of the lady bikers' group as well.

I really liked Lucy. She is a woman who is feisty and sticks up for herself yet has her vulnerabilities too. Ash was a typical ChocLit hero - gorgeous, caring yet not without difficulties from his own past to cope with. These two people with all their life experiences, joys and disappointments could clearly complement each other. There were more than a couple of bumps in the road to true love - literally in the case of the motorbike training! - with Lucy dealing with her nasty husband who didn't treat her as she deserved to be treated and a jealous sister in law with designs on Ash. I loved Ash's wee daughter Daisy and all the waifs and strays they took in to their home.

If you are looking for good old fashioned romance, a book from ChocLit is where to look. I don't think there's been a single one which has disappointed. I must mention the gorgeous cover of this book which was painted by the author. It is just perfect for the book and sets the scene beautifully. Having finished the book with a happy sigh, I was delighted to read at the end that this is the first in a series of books set at the Art Cafe and look forward to meeting Lucy and Ash again and the others who work there too.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recently I’ve got back into reading books about true love and how the characters journeys finally bring them together after a series of different events. Once again I find myself reading another amazing story.

Here we meet Lucy, an artist and cafe owner whose relationship with her husband Gerry isn’t a bed of roses , constantly belittling her over the slightest thing, it’s made worse when she wins a motorbike. His reaction is to laugh at her saying she’s too fat, and won’t be able to ride it, insisting she must sell it. However Lucy has had enough and decides to prove him wrong and starts taking lessons in secret. Enter Ash, a policeman who does bike training on his rest days and so starts the beginning of self discovery, new friendships and most of all a purple bike called Cadbury!

I absolutely loved this book. I fell completely in love with the characters, apart from Gerry, and you’ll see why when you read it. I especially fell in love with Ash, I loved the description of him and it just made me swoon over him, and as for Lucy, you just can’t help but cheer her on as you discover throughout her journey to prove Gerry wrong, as she finds strength and determination, even with a few disappointments along the way, that anything is possible, not just in life goals but in love too.

This book kept me glued for days, I absolutely loved the writing but what I loved most was the characters, from Ash and Lucy to Richard in the cafe, the lady bikers, even the people at the test centre, it almost felt like you were part of a big family, and proves how related or not they all came together when needed most.

One thing that will stick, after reading this story, is what Ash said while Lucy and the group were learning to ride, and has often been said to me was ‘Don’t dwell on past mistakes. remember you can all do this. Concentrate on the job in hand.’ Sometimes when things aren’t going well we forget this. So the lesson from this is, whether its riding a bike, relationships, or work related this book goes to show anything is possible, you just have to believe in yourself, even if sometimes the ride maybe a little bumpy.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review is in Dutch, since I read the book in Dutch, down below some words in English.

Van keurige waterverfschilderijtjes en cupcakes naar een leren jack en een gevoel van vrijheid …

In de bibliotheek liep ik langs het rek met boeken en mijn oog viel op de voorkant van dit boek. Het sprak me aan en de achterkant nog meer, dus meegenomen om te gaan lezen.
Wauw, wat was dit genieten. Ik kon het boek bijna niet wegleggen, zo graag wilde ik verder lezen.
Ik vind haar schrijfstijl wel wat weg hebben van Jill Mansell, dus als je haar boeken leuk vind, zou ik zeker deze ook eens lezen.

Lucy schildert en heeft samen met haar compagnon Richard een kunstcafé in Wales.
Samen helpen ze met een benefiet avond van mega bikes en Lucy wint de paarse motor die de hoofdprijs is.
Haar man maakt haar belachelijk en wil dat ze de motor verkoopt, maar Lucy is verliefd geworden op de motor en neemt motor rijles. Het gaat allemaal niet zo makkelijk, maar ze zet door en geeft niet op.

Haar man wilde ik eigenlijk al meteen al wat aan doen, maar gelukkig komt dat goed later in het boek.
De chemie tussen Ash haar motor instructeur en Lucy spat van de pagina’s af. Heerlijk om te lezen.
Net als hoe hij met zijn dochtertje om gaat. Uiteraard moet er ook wat tegenslag in het boek voorkomen naast de man van Lucy is dat het schoonzusje van Ash, Sarah. Wat een nare en rare vrouw.

Heerlijk boek met humor, herkenbaarheid, doorzettingsvermogen, je dromen na jagen, niet opgeven, vriendschap, netwerk, liefde en Wales
Ik wil zeker meer lezen van deze schrijfster.

Found this book at the library and brought it with me and loved it.
If you like Jill Mansell books, I think you will like this too.
Great read about a woman who owns an art cafe and wins a motor and decides she wants to learn how to ride it.
A read with humour and about friendship, love, chasing your dreams, don't give up and Wales