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Comfort Food Café #4
Veranda zum Meer
»Genauso heimelig wie gebuttertes Teegebäck« Sunday Times
Ich heiße Willow Longville. Ich lebe in einem Dorf namens Budbury an der unwerfenden Küste Dorsets, zusammen mit meiner Mutter Lynnie, die manchmal vergisst, wer ich bin. Ich arbeite als Kellnerin im Comfort Food Café, was tatsächlich so viel mehr als nur ein Café ist … es ist mein Zuhause.
Das baufällige Café mit Blick auf den Strand und seiner warmherzigen Gemeinde hat für Willow täglich Freundschaft im Angebot und immer ein herzliches Willkommen auf der Karte. Als aber ein gut aussehender Fremder mit einer Sommerbrise hereingeweht wird, wird Willow bald klar, dass sich ihr stilles Landleben für immer ändern wird ...
Ich heiße Willow Longville. Ich lebe in einem Dorf namens Budbury an der unwerfenden Küste Dorsets, zusammen mit meiner Mutter Lynnie, die manchmal vergisst, wer ich bin. Ich arbeite als Kellnerin im Comfort Food Café, was tatsächlich so viel mehr als nur ein Café ist … es ist mein Zuhause.
Das baufällige Café mit Blick auf den Strand und seiner warmherzigen Gemeinde hat für Willow täglich Freundschaft im Angebot und immer ein herzliches Willkommen auf der Karte. Als aber ein gut aussehender Fremder mit einer Sommerbrise hereingeweht wird, wird Willow bald klar, dass sich ihr stilles Landleben für immer ändern wird ...
Paperback
First published March 8, 2018
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About the author
Debbie Johnson
31 books916 followersDebbie Johnson is an award-winning author who lives and works in Liverpool, where she divides her time between writing, caring for a small tribe of children and animals, and not doing the housework.
She writes feel-good emotional women’s fiction, and has sold more than 1,000,000 books worldwide. She is published globally in many different languages, and has had two books optioned for film and TV.
Her books include the best-selling Comfort Food Cafe series, The A-Z of Everything, Maybe One Day, The Moment I Met You, Falling for You and the Starshine Cove books.
She is also the author of supernatural crime thriller, Fear No Evil, and urban fantasies Dark Vision and Dark Touch.
source: Amazon
She writes feel-good emotional women’s fiction, and has sold more than 1,000,000 books worldwide. She is published globally in many different languages, and has had two books optioned for film and TV.
Her books include the best-selling Comfort Food Cafe series, The A-Z of Everything, Maybe One Day, The Moment I Met You, Falling for You and the Starshine Cove books.
She is also the author of supernatural crime thriller, Fear No Evil, and urban fantasies Dark Vision and Dark Touch.
source: Amazon
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 314 reviews
March 5, 2018
The Comfort Food Cafe is located on the stunning coastal landscape of Dorset, and is a local focal point for great food, and gossip for the diverse range of characters that work and drop in there. It offers opportunities for the community to support each other and meddle in the lives of others. The wonderful Willow lives in the village of Budbury, with her dementia suffering mother, Lynnie. Willow is an eye catching character with her tattoos, doc marten boots and pink hair, working her socks off in running her cleaning business and working as a waitress in the eponymous Comfort Food Cafe. She is not close to her siblings who have all left, leaving her with the family responsibilities. Both Willow and Lynnie keep journals for different reasons, Lynnie to remind herself who she is and Willow as a form of self help therapy.
Willow is taken on to clean The House on the Hill aka Briarwood where geeky, socially awkward local boy made good, Tom Mulligan, now resides. Over a period of time, Willow and Tom gravitate towards each other, find the strangest things in common, including how to survive a Zombie Apocalypse. Slowly romance blossoms between the two, although it is not all plain sailing. I love the strong sense of community in the novel, the wisdom imparted, the range of characters, and the great comic touches and moments of hilarity. A feel good heartwarming read that knows how to entertain whilst touching upon serious issues. Many thanks to HarperCollins for an ARC.
Willow is taken on to clean The House on the Hill aka Briarwood where geeky, socially awkward local boy made good, Tom Mulligan, now resides. Over a period of time, Willow and Tom gravitate towards each other, find the strangest things in common, including how to survive a Zombie Apocalypse. Slowly romance blossoms between the two, although it is not all plain sailing. I love the strong sense of community in the novel, the wisdom imparted, the range of characters, and the great comic touches and moments of hilarity. A feel good heartwarming read that knows how to entertain whilst touching upon serious issues. Many thanks to HarperCollins for an ARC.
April 5, 2018
4.5 - "Second chances and fresh starts…" Stars!
The fourth book in Debbie Johnson’s hugely enjoyable Comfort Food Café series finally gives the reader Willow Longville’s story.
The siren call of Budbury has resulted in yet another weird-but-well-built male responding to its pagan appeal…
I was hooked from the beginning on this one, Willow has played a large part as a secondary character in the previous books I have read, a scene with her mother and an impromptu yoga session in Book one still makes me chuckle just thinking about it. And it is those familial issues that also added to my interest in her finally getting having her story told, because the author has not been shy in highlighting the difficulties and emotional turmoils a child (no matter the age) experiences when looking after an ailing parent whether it be in body or in this instance in mind.
My life isn’t the stuff of fairy tales. The curse can’t be broken with a kiss from a handsome prince, and I’m not going to wake up one day and find that my mother has miraculously been healed…
The prologue set everything up pretty well for Willow and Tom, and I really liked his quirkiness, Debbie has a way of giving you an attractive male that is always slightly different from the preconceived hotness norms. And this time it was a lonely, nerdy geek, with a highly strung dog that ticked all my boxes. Together they found a fulfillment as a couple that both had been lacking as individuals, and I liked that the relationship was given equal footing with Willows situation with her mother, as well as the inclusion from all the characters that you have come to know and love through the previous books.
"Feelings are sometimes pretty messed up things aren’t they..?"
My one and only niggle was that Willow turned into a bit of a martyr in the latter stages of the book, and although it didn’t massively impact my enjoyment of the story being told in general, it did lessen my like for her specifically. The author however is also good at the grand gesture in relation to a character redeeming themselves and this was handled really well on this occasion as well.
"Meeting you… Being here, in this place… it’s like I’ve suddenly woken up in a whole new world."
I am hoping with the return of several of her siblings that the author now has scope to carry on with the series, as I love returning to Dorset, and the rich tapestry of characters that have been developed with each and every book published.
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.
The fourth book in Debbie Johnson’s hugely enjoyable Comfort Food Café series finally gives the reader Willow Longville’s story.
The siren call of Budbury has resulted in yet another weird-but-well-built male responding to its pagan appeal…
I was hooked from the beginning on this one, Willow has played a large part as a secondary character in the previous books I have read, a scene with her mother and an impromptu yoga session in Book one still makes me chuckle just thinking about it. And it is those familial issues that also added to my interest in her finally getting having her story told, because the author has not been shy in highlighting the difficulties and emotional turmoils a child (no matter the age) experiences when looking after an ailing parent whether it be in body or in this instance in mind.
My life isn’t the stuff of fairy tales. The curse can’t be broken with a kiss from a handsome prince, and I’m not going to wake up one day and find that my mother has miraculously been healed…
The prologue set everything up pretty well for Willow and Tom, and I really liked his quirkiness, Debbie has a way of giving you an attractive male that is always slightly different from the preconceived hotness norms. And this time it was a lonely, nerdy geek, with a highly strung dog that ticked all my boxes. Together they found a fulfillment as a couple that both had been lacking as individuals, and I liked that the relationship was given equal footing with Willows situation with her mother, as well as the inclusion from all the characters that you have come to know and love through the previous books.
"Feelings are sometimes pretty messed up things aren’t they..?"
My one and only niggle was that Willow turned into a bit of a martyr in the latter stages of the book, and although it didn’t massively impact my enjoyment of the story being told in general, it did lessen my like for her specifically. The author however is also good at the grand gesture in relation to a character redeeming themselves and this was handled really well on this occasion as well.
"Meeting you… Being here, in this place… it’s like I’ve suddenly woken up in a whole new world."
I am hoping with the return of several of her siblings that the author now has scope to carry on with the series, as I love returning to Dorset, and the rich tapestry of characters that have been developed with each and every book published.
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.
April 6, 2025
Another winner in this great series! Man! I’m just loving these characters!
March 24, 2018
A welcome return to the Comfort Food Cafe - I love this series!! And they can all be read as a stand alone too if you've not already 'visited' so I highly recommend dropping on by!
This time the story follows Willow who is a waitress at the cafe. She is also a part time cleaner, and also full time carer for her mother who is suffering from Alzheimers and this whole aspect of the story is sensitively portrayed throughout and really showed the highs and lows of being a carer and having to watch someone you love not remember anything. Willow does have 3 siblings but they've all gone off to live their own lives leaving Willow behind to shoulder the responsibility and this often gets Willow very down. But with the support of the community she gets by and it is wonderful to see everyone pulling together to help out each other when needed.
When Tom Mulligan moves into the House on the Hill it brings back many memories for Willow, her mum and Tom himself as he grew up in the childrens' home that was there before and is looking to revamp the tired house. He isn't keen on company and has problems dealing with crowds of people, so when he first meets Willow she is the ideal friend for him to meet as she doesn't rush things! But they're soon getting along like a house on fire and share the same geeky and weird sense of humour which often had me laughing out loud while reading!
This was just a delight to read from start to finish - the characters were wonderful, the topics discussed were a great mix of the light hearted and the more serious and I'm just counting down the days until we get to visit the Comfort Food Cafe again - I just wish it was real!!
This time the story follows Willow who is a waitress at the cafe. She is also a part time cleaner, and also full time carer for her mother who is suffering from Alzheimers and this whole aspect of the story is sensitively portrayed throughout and really showed the highs and lows of being a carer and having to watch someone you love not remember anything. Willow does have 3 siblings but they've all gone off to live their own lives leaving Willow behind to shoulder the responsibility and this often gets Willow very down. But with the support of the community she gets by and it is wonderful to see everyone pulling together to help out each other when needed.
When Tom Mulligan moves into the House on the Hill it brings back many memories for Willow, her mum and Tom himself as he grew up in the childrens' home that was there before and is looking to revamp the tired house. He isn't keen on company and has problems dealing with crowds of people, so when he first meets Willow she is the ideal friend for him to meet as she doesn't rush things! But they're soon getting along like a house on fire and share the same geeky and weird sense of humour which often had me laughing out loud while reading!
This was just a delight to read from start to finish - the characters were wonderful, the topics discussed were a great mix of the light hearted and the more serious and I'm just counting down the days until we get to visit the Comfort Food Cafe again - I just wish it was real!!
March 1, 2018
Another absolutely amazing story set around the village of Bubury and featuring The Comfort Food Cafe. I felt so at home really quickly, with all of the recurring characters, and this book focuses on Willow's story, whereas she has previously just been a side character.
This totally works as a standalone, and the mechanism used to give the relevant back details for all the previous books in a quick and easy to understand way, or as a great reminder for those that haven't got the best memories, was really clever and fitted into the book seamlessly.
I won't lie this story may affect some people a lot more than others, due to Willow's mum Lynnie and what they have to deal with on a day to day basis. Not only that but Willow as well as caring for her mother, also runs a cleaning business, and is a waitress at the cafe. She is distanced from her three older siblings, and just doesn't think she has time for love.
Enter Tom, gorgeous new guy to the area, a bit socially awkward, slightly geeky but generally all around fabulous once you start to get to know him. He and Willow hit it off instantly and I loved their rather weird conversations, as well as their normal ones, was impressed they seemed to be on the same wavelength.
All of the familiar villagers are present and I loved seeing more of all of them, as well as the latest updates to all the other previous main characters in this series which just adds to my love of a series Catching up with old friends and making new ones.
In fact with the depth of Willow's story I think this may be the best book in the series so far, and I'm positive that with every book I read from Debbie Johnson they really do just get better and better.
I loved every last second of this wonderful book, it was pure escapism and took me to warmer climes in the middle of a cold snap in the UK, which is just what I love about books. I can't wait to read more from this fantastic author.
Thanks to Netgalley and Harper for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
This totally works as a standalone, and the mechanism used to give the relevant back details for all the previous books in a quick and easy to understand way, or as a great reminder for those that haven't got the best memories, was really clever and fitted into the book seamlessly.
I won't lie this story may affect some people a lot more than others, due to Willow's mum Lynnie and what they have to deal with on a day to day basis. Not only that but Willow as well as caring for her mother, also runs a cleaning business, and is a waitress at the cafe. She is distanced from her three older siblings, and just doesn't think she has time for love.
Enter Tom, gorgeous new guy to the area, a bit socially awkward, slightly geeky but generally all around fabulous once you start to get to know him. He and Willow hit it off instantly and I loved their rather weird conversations, as well as their normal ones, was impressed they seemed to be on the same wavelength.
All of the familiar villagers are present and I loved seeing more of all of them, as well as the latest updates to all the other previous main characters in this series which just adds to my love of a series Catching up with old friends and making new ones.
In fact with the depth of Willow's story I think this may be the best book in the series so far, and I'm positive that with every book I read from Debbie Johnson they really do just get better and better.
I loved every last second of this wonderful book, it was pure escapism and took me to warmer climes in the middle of a cold snap in the UK, which is just what I love about books. I can't wait to read more from this fantastic author.
Thanks to Netgalley and Harper for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
March 8, 2018
Sunshine at the Comfort Food Cafe is a wonderful standalone novel which will brighten your day as much as the title suggests. Another visit to the Comfort Food Cafe by the beach in picturesque Dorset, but if you haven't dropped in before, don't worry. Although the village setting by the sea, with rambling cottages and quirky inhabitants will be familiar to readers who have already visited, each book is a whole new beginning focusing on a different character. You can enjoy this book without having read the others, but I guarantee after dipping your toe into this particular stretch of sea, you'll be dashing off to grab the rest of the stories.
While I love returning to the feel good vibe of the cafe with the generous servings of delicious food, for me the books are outstanding because each story has its own totally unique feel. While the coffee and walnut sponges and lemon drizzle cakes may be fluffy, Johnson doesn't let her characters off so lightly. Willow is the central character here, and as a young carer her life isn't easy. Johnson shows us the reality as she tries to cope with a mum whose early onset dementia is galloping away. Willow's struggles are real and heartbreaking, and Johnson shows these beautifully with a combination of deep sensitivity and down to earth grittiness. Alongside this, there are a cast of colourful friends who support and help Willow, and a lovely relationship that stumbles to life against the backdrop of the past and the big crumbling house on the hill.
Poignant and tender, yet simultaneously optimistic, funny, happy and uplifting, the laugh aloud moments slide straight into hanky grabbing times – I have to admit sometimes I'm so engrossed in the story I can't even bear to stop to wipe my tears. A visit to the Comfort Food Cafe always leaves me wanting more. I'm SO happy there's another book on its way after this.
While I love returning to the feel good vibe of the cafe with the generous servings of delicious food, for me the books are outstanding because each story has its own totally unique feel. While the coffee and walnut sponges and lemon drizzle cakes may be fluffy, Johnson doesn't let her characters off so lightly. Willow is the central character here, and as a young carer her life isn't easy. Johnson shows us the reality as she tries to cope with a mum whose early onset dementia is galloping away. Willow's struggles are real and heartbreaking, and Johnson shows these beautifully with a combination of deep sensitivity and down to earth grittiness. Alongside this, there are a cast of colourful friends who support and help Willow, and a lovely relationship that stumbles to life against the backdrop of the past and the big crumbling house on the hill.
Poignant and tender, yet simultaneously optimistic, funny, happy and uplifting, the laugh aloud moments slide straight into hanky grabbing times – I have to admit sometimes I'm so engrossed in the story I can't even bear to stop to wipe my tears. A visit to the Comfort Food Cafe always leaves me wanting more. I'm SO happy there's another book on its way after this.
July 9, 2021
3.5⭐️
March 9, 2018
My name is Willow Longville. I live in a village called Budbury on the stunning Dorset coast with my mum Lynnie, who sometimes forgets who I am. I’m a waitress at the Comfort Food Café, which is really so much more than a café … it’s my home.
Willow is the youngest of four children born to Lynnie, a yoga-teaching new age hippie. Unfortunately Lynnie is now suffering from dementia and Willow spends her time looking after her mother whilst juggling her own cleaning business and working as a waitress at the cafe. Relentlessly cheerful with her pink hair, Doc Marten boots, pierced nose and tattoos, she and her mother have journals in which they try to write every day - Lynnie to help her remember who she is and who other people are, Willow as a form of therapy.
As the book opens Willow is writing her journal entry for the day, a list of eight things that happened to her during the day, some mundane, some weird and some inexplicable. Her cleaning service has been engaged on behalf of the new owner of The House on the Hill (the locals' name for Briarwood, a large old house which has sat empty for 10 years after the previous owners retired. There she meets the young owner, Tom Mulligan, a former resident when Briarwood was a children's home, now a successful, but socially inept, inventor and millionaire. Soon Willow and Tom are bonding over their plans for surviving the Zombie Apocalypse and their nerdy dog names (Bella Swan and Rick Grimes in case you are interested).
This is a feel good geeky romance set in a wonderful village where everyone meddles in each others' business and social life revolves around the cafe and the pub. However, a warning, this is relentlessly British and there may therefore be a number of cultural references which fly right over the heads of other readers (or I might be making assumptions about the narrowness of our culture). If you like schoolboy puns and stories where no-one is too busy to sit down and eat a slice of cake (its mentioned 34 times according to my Kindle) then this is the charming book for you.
I loved it from start to finish, I want to know more about Willow's sister Auburn (because of her hair colour) and brothers Van (big ears as a baby) and Angel (blonde curls as a baby), although Angel prefers to be called Andrew now and is a teacher.
This is the second book in this series that I have read, they can easily be read as stand-alone novels as the various relationships between the villagers are explained (Willow even does a handy-dandy Game of Thrones style recap for Tom's benefit), I really must get hold of the first two books and read them!
Highly recommended for fans of Strictly Come Dancing, cake and dogs!
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Bumped for release.
Willow is the youngest of four children born to Lynnie, a yoga-teaching new age hippie. Unfortunately Lynnie is now suffering from dementia and Willow spends her time looking after her mother whilst juggling her own cleaning business and working as a waitress at the cafe. Relentlessly cheerful with her pink hair, Doc Marten boots, pierced nose and tattoos, she and her mother have journals in which they try to write every day - Lynnie to help her remember who she is and who other people are, Willow as a form of therapy.
As the book opens Willow is writing her journal entry for the day, a list of eight things that happened to her during the day, some mundane, some weird and some inexplicable. Her cleaning service has been engaged on behalf of the new owner of The House on the Hill (the locals' name for Briarwood, a large old house which has sat empty for 10 years after the previous owners retired. There she meets the young owner, Tom Mulligan, a former resident when Briarwood was a children's home, now a successful, but socially inept, inventor and millionaire. Soon Willow and Tom are bonding over their plans for surviving the Zombie Apocalypse and their nerdy dog names (Bella Swan and Rick Grimes in case you are interested).
This is a feel good geeky romance set in a wonderful village where everyone meddles in each others' business and social life revolves around the cafe and the pub. However, a warning, this is relentlessly British and there may therefore be a number of cultural references which fly right over the heads of other readers (or I might be making assumptions about the narrowness of our culture). If you like schoolboy puns and stories where no-one is too busy to sit down and eat a slice of cake (its mentioned 34 times according to my Kindle) then this is the charming book for you.
I loved it from start to finish, I want to know more about Willow's sister Auburn (because of her hair colour) and brothers Van (big ears as a baby) and Angel (blonde curls as a baby), although Angel prefers to be called Andrew now and is a teacher.
This is the second book in this series that I have read, they can easily be read as stand-alone novels as the various relationships between the villagers are explained (Willow even does a handy-dandy Game of Thrones style recap for Tom's benefit), I really must get hold of the first two books and read them!
Highly recommended for fans of Strictly Come Dancing, cake and dogs!
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Bumped for release.
March 8, 2018
I read a lot of books, and most of them are good but the 'Comfort Food Cafe series', has a magic sparkle that makes it's stories marvellously memorable, even when you read as much as I do.
It has a broad appeal; there's romance, lots of laughs and heartwarming poignant moments. The whole age spectrum is covered, including various charismatic animal friends. Most readers will see a little of their own lives written into the pages of these realistic, yet wonderfully escapist stories, which means they are relevant, contemporary and worth reading.
'Sunshine at the Comfort Food Cafe', the fourth book in the series is Willow's story. Willow is unique, definitely new age and the primary carer for her mother Lynnie who has dementia. The friends at the cafe support her in practical ways, which make her life easier and give her much-needed respite but she has put romance and having a family of her own out of her mind, her mother's well being her only focus.
Willow's meeting with Tom, echoes a vibrant childhood memory, he is intelligent, successful but a loner and quite probably Willow's soulmate in another life. Exploring Willow's life, the author illuminates some of the problems of living with Dementia and how it affects not only the sufferer but their carers. Willow is vibrant, eccentric and loyal and in a village full of lovely characters, she is my favourite. Her quirky sense of humour and positive outlook on life is refreshing. Willow is not a victim, she loves her mother and wants to care for her, but she deserves to have some lighter moments in such a dedicated life.
There are lots of humorous moments in this poignant story, learning to dance the 'Strictly' way is one of them, hilarious and the ' Mr Darcy scene in the pond is another. If you love animals, there is another delightful animal charmer to meet too.
It reads well as a standalone story; courtesy of Willow you get a handy 'Game of Thrones' style crib sheet introducing all the characters but if you get the chance read all the books because you're in for a treat.
Perfect to read at any time, it's as addictive as cake and coffee and just as yummy.
I received a copy of this book from Harper Impulse via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
It has a broad appeal; there's romance, lots of laughs and heartwarming poignant moments. The whole age spectrum is covered, including various charismatic animal friends. Most readers will see a little of their own lives written into the pages of these realistic, yet wonderfully escapist stories, which means they are relevant, contemporary and worth reading.
'Sunshine at the Comfort Food Cafe', the fourth book in the series is Willow's story. Willow is unique, definitely new age and the primary carer for her mother Lynnie who has dementia. The friends at the cafe support her in practical ways, which make her life easier and give her much-needed respite but she has put romance and having a family of her own out of her mind, her mother's well being her only focus.
Willow's meeting with Tom, echoes a vibrant childhood memory, he is intelligent, successful but a loner and quite probably Willow's soulmate in another life. Exploring Willow's life, the author illuminates some of the problems of living with Dementia and how it affects not only the sufferer but their carers. Willow is vibrant, eccentric and loyal and in a village full of lovely characters, she is my favourite. Her quirky sense of humour and positive outlook on life is refreshing. Willow is not a victim, she loves her mother and wants to care for her, but she deserves to have some lighter moments in such a dedicated life.
There are lots of humorous moments in this poignant story, learning to dance the 'Strictly' way is one of them, hilarious and the ' Mr Darcy scene in the pond is another. If you love animals, there is another delightful animal charmer to meet too.
It reads well as a standalone story; courtesy of Willow you get a handy 'Game of Thrones' style crib sheet introducing all the characters but if you get the chance read all the books because you're in for a treat.
Perfect to read at any time, it's as addictive as cake and coffee and just as yummy.
I received a copy of this book from Harper Impulse via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
March 26, 2019
This series is simply brilliant as I pick up the next book I can't think it will improve but it clearly does. It's heartwarming and heartbreaking as well and shows how families can pull together to help. Also has plenty of romance as well and such great characters and beautiful setting as well.
Willow works as a waitress in the comfort food cafe and also cleans but also has to look after her mother and it's not easy for her at all. Tom moves into the big house on the hill and it brings many memories for willow and her mum but also for Tim as it use to be a children home and he stayed there. Willow is cleaning the house and they both have a spark and get on so well. Willow is struggling to care for her mother but Tom manages to trace her half sister and she turns up and starts to help out and it give willow more time. She goes to stay with Tom on a rare night out but after an amazing time with Tom her phone goes in the early hours and her sister is ringing to say the mother has gone missing and they all panic they do find her and she's saying she is con get to find willow so she blames herself for being out and thinks she can't be with Tom and care for her mum. They throw a big party for one of the older ladies and she speaks with Tom and says she can only be friends as she can't do more but deep down she loves him can they change this and find a way to be together or not. Also willows brother turns up and does it mean that her half brother and sister will be able to stay and help with willow or not.
Simply brilliant and worth more than five stars.
Willow works as a waitress in the comfort food cafe and also cleans but also has to look after her mother and it's not easy for her at all. Tom moves into the big house on the hill and it brings many memories for willow and her mum but also for Tim as it use to be a children home and he stayed there. Willow is cleaning the house and they both have a spark and get on so well. Willow is struggling to care for her mother but Tom manages to trace her half sister and she turns up and starts to help out and it give willow more time. She goes to stay with Tom on a rare night out but after an amazing time with Tom her phone goes in the early hours and her sister is ringing to say the mother has gone missing and they all panic they do find her and she's saying she is con get to find willow so she blames herself for being out and thinks she can't be with Tom and care for her mum. They throw a big party for one of the older ladies and she speaks with Tom and says she can only be friends as she can't do more but deep down she loves him can they change this and find a way to be together or not. Also willows brother turns up and does it mean that her half brother and sister will be able to stay and help with willow or not.
Simply brilliant and worth more than five stars.
February 28, 2018
Oh guys, I can't tell you how happy I am that The Comfort Food Cafe series is going strong! I could read about it, and the characters, over and over again and I won't have enough. "Sunshine at the Comfort Food Cafe" is already the fourth addition to the series and yes, it is a stand - alone novel but without reading the previous books you're going to miss too much on the characters, the incredible warmth and hidden wisdom.
"Sunshine at the Comfort Food Cafe" focuses on Willow. Willow, the youngest of Lynnie's fourth children. Willow with pink hair, Doc Martens boots, and a dog. Willow, who's currently looking after her dementia suffering mum and juggling her own cleaning business with working as a waitress at the cafe. Willow is not angry with her siblings for travelling the world and for the fact that she's left alone to look after their mum. No, she's cheerful and happy with her life and takes things as they are. To help her mum remember things they both have journals in which they write things - who is who and what has happened.
Willow's cleaning business has been engaged to clean The House on the Hill - a large old house that previously served as a children's shelter and has just been bought after years of standing alone. When Willow spots the new owner she can't believe her eyes, as it's Tom, a former resident of Briarwood, and there is something that happened many years ago that is a reason for her being so shocked right now - you must read this scene for yourself. It's hilarious. They bond very quickly not only over their dogs or plans for renovating the House but also over plans for surviving the Zombie Apocalypse - don't ask. But you will love it.
I can't express enough how much I loved this book. It is full of so extremely beautifully captured emotions and feelings and standing ovation to Debbie Johnson for being able to put them so well into words. The dynamics between the characters were brilliant, and there was so much love and acceptance that you could spot and feel it through the pages. Also, the author has this talent to immediately draw you into the heart of the book - I, for once, right from the beginning felt at home, and yes sure, it was the fact that I've already known and loved the characters, but it was also the lovely writing style, so inviting and so enveloping, like the cosiest of blankest. The author always knows when to drop a surprise on your not - expecting - it head, or to put a joke or two to break the ice.
The banter between the characters was abso - bloody - brilliant, especially between Willow and Tom. I adored those two, they were so honest and so genuine around each other, and they talked, which made such a great difference...! There weren't any understatements, they knew where they stand, and I loved their testing, checking and their feelings and emotions. It was just so real and so true, you know. And I adored how much they loved their dogs, Bella Swan and the perfect mix of German Shepherd and Rottweiler, Rick Grimes. And the way Willow has done a very handy Game of Thrones - style recap on the residents of the village for Tom's benefit was brilliant, and it was also a great recap for us all.
The story also introduces us to some new characters, such like Willow's siblings, especially her sister Auburn who comes home to help Willow look after their mum. My gut feeling is telling me she's going to be the heroine of the next novel - I hope I'm right because she seems to be a very colourful person that has a lot in store.
This was a brilliant, feel - good, poignant and touching romance, set in a wonderful, full of lovely people, village, and the community spirit there is very easily spotted. They all know about each other's businesses and they meddle in each others' lives, and not always in a very subtle way, but it is hilarious and so uplifting, to know that they had their backs. They also always have time to eat a slice of cake and to try Laura's new recipes.
I simply loved this book and didn't want it to end. I've been hooked by Willow's story and fell for her immediately. It was bitter - sweet, with many emotional and poignant moments, and with many hilarious as well, it made me cry and it made me laugh - out - loud, just the perfect mix for me. It touched upon some heavier issues as well, just like Tom's past or Lynnie's disease but it's done in such a subtle and gentle way and it opens eyes to what it really means to be an orphan or how it is to live with a person suffering from dementia, how emotional and unstable this life is. I was truly hanging onto every single word of the story and I could beg for more, guys. A gorgeous story about family, friends, love and forgiveness, with a lot of hidden depth that made me feel so warm inside and left me feeling hope and optimistic. Highly, highly recommended!
Copy provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.
May 20, 2018
http://www.jerasjamboree.co.uk/2018/0...
With the responsibilities Willow has she needs to be practical and organised and there is no room in her life for any extra emotions. She’s keeping on an even keel but it wouldn’t take much to tip her over. In breezes Tom, the new owner of Briarwood, opening up all sorts of possibilities (and not just on a romantic level). He sets something off that has the possibility of changing Willow’s life and it could go either way …
Willow is an awesome character. She has amazing strength (although she wouldn’t see it that way) and a great sense of humour. I laughed when she told Tom:
They’re like the Spanish Inquisition, with scans of squirty cream.
in reference to Cherie and Laura 🙂 She is so helpful to others and yet accepting limited help herself (the Budbury Bible for Tom was a fabulous idea!). She’s used to being in control and when she gets the chance to let go a little, I just knew conflict was on its way. It’s never easy is it …
I loved the dancing lessons in the cafe – bringing the characters back into the story, as well as the support for Willow. I couldn’t wait for Edith’s birthday party at Briarwood, already imagining the glitz and glamour. Such a fabulous setting. Although I didn’t guess it would be the setting for sadness too. The Budbury crew really do feel like family 😀
So many emotions for those close to Lynnie (the reason for the pink is very poignant) as well as the heart connection between Tom and Willow. I’m wondering if Auburn and Van will stick around – I’m hoping so! It will make such a difference.
Sunshine at the Comfort Food Cafe was a page turner for me. I found it hard to put down. And easy to slip back into the story each time I picked it up. I felt plenty of emotions! and as always, I’m left with the feeling that although there are trials ahead, all will be ok and everything is right with the world. I’m trying to guess who will be next, maybe Kate? but there’s definitely something Auburn has to tell too. Can’t wait!
I noticed on Amazon that Sunshine at the Comfort Food Cafe has a #1 Best Seller flag in Holiday Fiction … and quite rightly so. Congratulations Debbie Johnson!
With the responsibilities Willow has she needs to be practical and organised and there is no room in her life for any extra emotions. She’s keeping on an even keel but it wouldn’t take much to tip her over. In breezes Tom, the new owner of Briarwood, opening up all sorts of possibilities (and not just on a romantic level). He sets something off that has the possibility of changing Willow’s life and it could go either way …
Willow is an awesome character. She has amazing strength (although she wouldn’t see it that way) and a great sense of humour. I laughed when she told Tom:
They’re like the Spanish Inquisition, with scans of squirty cream.
in reference to Cherie and Laura 🙂 She is so helpful to others and yet accepting limited help herself (the Budbury Bible for Tom was a fabulous idea!). She’s used to being in control and when she gets the chance to let go a little, I just knew conflict was on its way. It’s never easy is it …
I loved the dancing lessons in the cafe – bringing the characters back into the story, as well as the support for Willow. I couldn’t wait for Edith’s birthday party at Briarwood, already imagining the glitz and glamour. Such a fabulous setting. Although I didn’t guess it would be the setting for sadness too. The Budbury crew really do feel like family 😀
So many emotions for those close to Lynnie (the reason for the pink is very poignant) as well as the heart connection between Tom and Willow. I’m wondering if Auburn and Van will stick around – I’m hoping so! It will make such a difference.
Sunshine at the Comfort Food Cafe was a page turner for me. I found it hard to put down. And easy to slip back into the story each time I picked it up. I felt plenty of emotions! and as always, I’m left with the feeling that although there are trials ahead, all will be ok and everything is right with the world. I’m trying to guess who will be next, maybe Kate? but there’s definitely something Auburn has to tell too. Can’t wait!
I noticed on Amazon that Sunshine at the Comfort Food Cafe has a #1 Best Seller flag in Holiday Fiction … and quite rightly so. Congratulations Debbie Johnson!
April 13, 2018
I’ve just had a slice of village life served up with a little cake on the side … and I loved every single minute of it! Happy, sad, poignant, funny at times and life-like in so many ways this is a really great read. I loved the village setting, the journals, the amazing cast of characters and who wouldn’t love a book that has a line … ‘Bella Swan ate a frog’ ha! Ha! Bella Swan is, of course, a beloved dog and as a huge Twilight (and Bella) fan it made me smile. If you’re looking for your next read then look no further … fabulous!
March 8, 2021
Tredje delen i serien om livet runt café Havsbris. Jag är oerhört förtjust i karaktärerna i den här bokserien och rekommenderar den till alla som söker varm feelgoodläsning.
May 24, 2021
Zonnige dagen in het Duincafé is het vierde deel van de serie en gaat over Willow, een personage die al in de vorige boeken voorkwam. Hierdoor weet je als lezer al iets over haar leven en is het leuk om vanuit haar te lezen. Doordat Willow de zorg voor haar moeder met alzheimer heeft, krijgt het boek diepgang. Het is erg mooi hoe ze daar mee omgaat.
Maar ik miste wel de sfeer van het duincafé. Dat kwam in dit deel niet goed naar voren. Daarnaast kon ik de gedachten van Willow niet altijd even goed volgen en snapte ik haar beslissingen dan ook niet.
Wat ik wel leuk vond waren de verwijzingen naar films en series door het boek heen. Daardoor ontstond er ook een connectie tussen Willow en Tom.
Maar ik miste wel de sfeer van het duincafé. Dat kwam in dit deel niet goed naar voren. Daarnaast kon ik de gedachten van Willow niet altijd even goed volgen en snapte ik haar beslissingen dan ook niet.
Wat ik wel leuk vond waren de verwijzingen naar films en series door het boek heen. Daardoor ontstond er ook een connectie tussen Willow en Tom.
July 16, 2022
Absolutely loved this and it tackles Alzheimer’s sooo well. Bring a carer is so hard as well as rewarding and I love the way it’s discussed. Willow has always been one of the characters I love in this series so reading her story is great.
February 28, 2022
Pfff de vorige boeken vond ik leuk en grappig, zeker omwille van de vele personages. Helaas kwamen de dorpsbewoners in dit deel weinig aan bod en was het eerder het levensverhaal van 1 personage. Dat sprak me veel minder aan. Ook 8s het geschreven vanuit de ik persoon en dat is ook al niet mijn ding.
March 13, 2018
I absolutely loved the return to the Comfort food, catching up with all the characters and falling in love with new ones. Willow features in this book. She is looking after her mum and working as a waitress at the café alongside her cleaning job. She takes on a cleaning job at Briarwood, The House on the Hill where her mum worked for a while. She meets Tom, who has just bought the house after spending time in care there as a child.
They are both dealing with troubling issues- but the spark of romance is there- and he sounds just lovely!
I love the whole cast of characters coming together for each other , a real sense of community. The café sounds like the sort of place you could spend many hours enjoying a cuppa and a delicious cake whilst overlooking the ocean.
At times I really could not put the book down- wanting to see that everyone was ok! Or enjoying the plans for Edie's birthday. I can't wait to see where we go next with this lovely series.
They are both dealing with troubling issues- but the spark of romance is there- and he sounds just lovely!
I love the whole cast of characters coming together for each other , a real sense of community. The café sounds like the sort of place you could spend many hours enjoying a cuppa and a delicious cake whilst overlooking the ocean.
At times I really could not put the book down- wanting to see that everyone was ok! Or enjoying the plans for Edie's birthday. I can't wait to see where we go next with this lovely series.
March 13, 2018
Having read the other books in the Comfort Food Cafe series I was looking forward to an easy, humorous, heart-warming read from this latest book by Debbie Johnson.....but no! The cafe itself featured very little and this is the story of Willow and her mum Lynnie. It was a very sad tale and I found it hard to accept Lynnie was only in her 50s, I felt she was portrayed as much older. Although there was a lot of humour, it seemed forced into the story, maybe to balance out the sadness. Overall an ok read but not as good as the others.
2-3 stars
2-3 stars
April 10, 2018
I have read numerous books by the author before and they have been of the 'I can't put it down until I finish' but this one was the total opposite. I really struggled to get into the book and found myself more skim reading than being engrossed by the storyline. I've started the follow up book and I'm hooked (thankfully) into it already!
August 22, 2019
This is such a great book! OK, it’s not great literature but so what? It’s romantic and funny and a little bit sexy with great characters and a satisfying ending. I only wish that the entire series was available on Audible instead of just this one and the next book in the series. Listening to it was just as good as reading it!
November 1, 2019
I love Debbie Johnson's Comfort Food Cafe series - while they've always got some really sad bits (and are quite formulaic with that aspect) they're real celebrations of found-family and how communities can come together. Willow has been in the series from the beginning, a young woman who spends most of the time caring for her mother who has Alzheimers. I was pleased to hear that she was a main character in this book, because we've seen her as a continual side character, and I was eager to find out more about her. Also, she's younger than some of the main characters have been, and at a more similar stage of life to me, so I thought I might relate to her situations more than I have with the characters who already have kids, for example.
When she's not looking after her mum, Willow works as a cleaner, with a business she set up and runs by herself. She's been employed to clean up a big local house, which used to be a children's home, and soon meets her employer, who turns out to be surprisingly handsome and surprisingly young. I loved that Tom was a bit of a geek, interested in sci fi & fantasy and how to survive a zombie apocalypse - a man after my own heart!
They have the usual mix of ups and downs, and deal with problems like Willow's strained relationship with her siblings, the trials of looking after her mum, and the interference of well-meaning neighbours who have seen her work so hard & just want her to be able to have some nice things for herself sometimes. It's an emotional ride in places, but as with the rest of the series, very uplifting and - as you might guess from the name - comforting. I love this series as a quick read to perk up a weekend. Overall, I'm giving it 8/10.
[A digital copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Review first posted on my book blog; link in my profile.]
When she's not looking after her mum, Willow works as a cleaner, with a business she set up and runs by herself. She's been employed to clean up a big local house, which used to be a children's home, and soon meets her employer, who turns out to be surprisingly handsome and surprisingly young. I loved that Tom was a bit of a geek, interested in sci fi & fantasy and how to survive a zombie apocalypse - a man after my own heart!
They have the usual mix of ups and downs, and deal with problems like Willow's strained relationship with her siblings, the trials of looking after her mum, and the interference of well-meaning neighbours who have seen her work so hard & just want her to be able to have some nice things for herself sometimes. It's an emotional ride in places, but as with the rest of the series, very uplifting and - as you might guess from the name - comforting. I love this series as a quick read to perk up a weekend. Overall, I'm giving it 8/10.
[A digital copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Review first posted on my book blog; link in my profile.]
June 10, 2023
The book is about Willow Longville who is 26 years old, Lynnie (Willow’s Mother who has Alzheimer) and Tom Mulligan (the new owner of Briarwood). Willow is a young woman with pink hair and a love for Doc Marten boots, who works as a waitress at the Comfort Food Café. She also runs her own cleaning business called as the Will-o’-the-Wash. She grew up with her single mother and three older siblings (Auburn, Van and Angel) in a hippie household in Budbury. The book contains a mixture of humour, romance, and heartache along with significant decisions that must be made, but what stood out most to me was the feeling of togetherness and camaraderie among the characters.
The unique perspective and outlook on life possessed by the eccentric characters of the Comfort Food Cafe has captured my heart. Though their story is tinged with sadness, their journey evokes both laughter and tears, and I find myself wholeheartedly rooting for them. The strong sense of community within the cafe is undeniable. I believe every place could benefit from a Comfort Food Cafe, with its welcoming and accepting characters and relaxed atmosphere, which is both formidable and charming.
Some lines from this book -
It also makes me realise what a weird and wonderful collection of people we have here. Everyone is different, and different is okay. We're all different, we're all flawed - and there's a place for everyone. Or at least there should be.
In a life that is pretty complicated, I like to keep my own head space as simple as possible.
The unique perspective and outlook on life possessed by the eccentric characters of the Comfort Food Cafe has captured my heart. Though their story is tinged with sadness, their journey evokes both laughter and tears, and I find myself wholeheartedly rooting for them. The strong sense of community within the cafe is undeniable. I believe every place could benefit from a Comfort Food Cafe, with its welcoming and accepting characters and relaxed atmosphere, which is both formidable and charming.
Some lines from this book -
It also makes me realise what a weird and wonderful collection of people we have here. Everyone is different, and different is okay. We're all different, we're all flawed - and there's a place for everyone. Or at least there should be.
In a life that is pretty complicated, I like to keep my own head space as simple as possible.
November 25, 2022
Heerlijk weer even naar het Duincafe 🤗 De personen leer je al goed kennen en voelen aan als een warme jas bij koud weer.
In het vierde deel kijk je mee uit het perspectief van Willow die er in haar eentje voor staat voor de zorg van haar moeder met Alzheimer. Gelukkig springen de mensen uit het Duincafe bij wanneer nodig en word de familie beetje bij beetje herenigd.. maar dat gaat niet van een leien dakje.. een heerlijke feelgood.. 🥰💃🕺🏼🪩
In het vierde deel kijk je mee uit het perspectief van Willow die er in haar eentje voor staat voor de zorg van haar moeder met Alzheimer. Gelukkig springen de mensen uit het Duincafe bij wanneer nodig en word de familie beetje bij beetje herenigd.. maar dat gaat niet van een leien dakje.. een heerlijke feelgood.. 🥰💃🕺🏼🪩
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 17, 2018
absolutely adore this series by Debbie Johnson, and not only because it is set in my favourite county in England but because the characters are so diverse but all loveable in their own way.
If you haven't read the previous books in the series don't worry - the author cleverly gives the reader a concise background when the buyer of Briarwood, the run-down former children's home, moves into the village of Budbury and our main character Willow writes him a reference book so he can recognise the local residents without having to go through the painful ordeal of making introductions.
Willow is struggling to cope with mum Lynnie's Alzheimers despite the amazing support of Budbury's close knit community. Circumstances and a little help from the village's newest resident lead to Willow finally contacting her estranged siblings in an attempt to bring the family back together to try and ease daily life not just for herself but also in attempt to make life easier for Lynnie as she spends more of her time living in the past due to her condition.
Debbie Johnson has portrayed life with dementia in a sensitive yet very real manner, celebrating the fun day to day happenings while still balancing these with the scary emotions both the sufferer and their family members go through every hour of every day.
Every book in this series has been a complete triumph and the latest instalment had me laughing and crying in equal measure. One example of Debbie's brilliant writing which stood out for me was a quote from nonagenarian Edie: "It's not just your generation who does complicated. The films might have been black and white back then, but our lives weren't."
If you haven't read the previous books in the series don't worry - the author cleverly gives the reader a concise background when the buyer of Briarwood, the run-down former children's home, moves into the village of Budbury and our main character Willow writes him a reference book so he can recognise the local residents without having to go through the painful ordeal of making introductions.
Willow is struggling to cope with mum Lynnie's Alzheimers despite the amazing support of Budbury's close knit community. Circumstances and a little help from the village's newest resident lead to Willow finally contacting her estranged siblings in an attempt to bring the family back together to try and ease daily life not just for herself but also in attempt to make life easier for Lynnie as she spends more of her time living in the past due to her condition.
Debbie Johnson has portrayed life with dementia in a sensitive yet very real manner, celebrating the fun day to day happenings while still balancing these with the scary emotions both the sufferer and their family members go through every hour of every day.
Every book in this series has been a complete triumph and the latest instalment had me laughing and crying in equal measure. One example of Debbie's brilliant writing which stood out for me was a quote from nonagenarian Edie: "It's not just your generation who does complicated. The films might have been black and white back then, but our lives weren't."
May 25, 2018
So poignant!
This beautiful, cleverly written book spoke straight to my heart. As the primary caregiver to my parents, I could completely relate to Willow’s adventures with her mom that was suffering from Alzheimer’s. Poignantly and powerfully written! Thank you!
This beautiful, cleverly written book spoke straight to my heart. As the primary caregiver to my parents, I could completely relate to Willow’s adventures with her mom that was suffering from Alzheimer’s. Poignantly and powerfully written! Thank you!
September 5, 2020
Band 4 der Comfort Food Café-Reihe bietet mit allem auf, was mich am ersten Band schon begeistert hat: Humor, Herzlichkeit und ein bisschen Herzschmerz. Es hat mich nicht ganz so sehr mitgerissen, wie das erste Buch, aber es war wieder eine Freude in die Geschichte der Dorfbewohner von Budbury einzutauchen.
Read
June 3, 2023The last book in the series left me a bit weirded out, but I really like the characters in Budbury. This one was much better. I like that I card about everyone in these stories, not just whichever main couple we're focused on.
November 20, 2023
Het minst leuke boek tot nu toe van de Duincafé serie. Ik kwam er moeilijk doorheen ten opzichte van de vorige, hoewel het thema wel weer pakkend was, waren er minder cynische grapjes en je weet nu ook wel hoe het afloopt, erg voorspelbaar.
July 1, 2018
Couldn’t put the book down was so good , really enjoyed reading this book.
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