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Comfort Food Café #5
Een kerstcadeau van het duincafé
Terwijl het Duincafé zich opmaakt voor een warme kerst, bloeit er een romance die meer is dan een kerstcadeau
Kerstmis is nooit Katie Seddons favoriete tijd van het jaar geweest. Iedereen haalt herinneringen op aan gezellige familiediners en onvergetelijke kerstmuziek, maar de melodie van Katies kindertijd was een stuk minder vrolijk. Maar sinds ze is verhuisd naar het dorpje Budbury aan de prachtige kust van Dorset, hebben Katie en haar zoontje een nieuwe familie gevonden. Een die bij elkaar is gebracht door de onverwachte wendingen van het lot en door de helende kracht van een stuk taart en een bakje troost bij het Duincafé.
Dit jaar zijn Katies nieuwe vrienden van plan om haar te verrassen met een kerstfeest om nooit te vergeten, en met een aantrekkelijke nieuweling in het dorp zou het zomaar kunnen dat Katies grootste droom werkelijkheid wordt.
Kerstmis is nooit Katie Seddons favoriete tijd van het jaar geweest. Iedereen haalt herinneringen op aan gezellige familiediners en onvergetelijke kerstmuziek, maar de melodie van Katies kindertijd was een stuk minder vrolijk. Maar sinds ze is verhuisd naar het dorpje Budbury aan de prachtige kust van Dorset, hebben Katie en haar zoontje een nieuwe familie gevonden. Een die bij elkaar is gebracht door de onverwachte wendingen van het lot en door de helende kracht van een stuk taart en een bakje troost bij het Duincafé.
Dit jaar zijn Katies nieuwe vrienden van plan om haar te verrassen met een kerstfeest om nooit te vergeten, en met een aantrekkelijke nieuweling in het dorp zou het zomaar kunnen dat Katies grootste droom werkelijkheid wordt.
352 pages, Paperback
Published October 28, 2021
933 people are currently reading
1542 people want to read
About the author
Debbie Johnson
31 books908 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 276 reviews
October 18, 2018
If you are searching for warm and fuzzy, feel good book that is perfect for the holidays and all year through, then look no further than A Gift From the Comfort Food Café.
The book begins with the backstory of Katie, a single mum to an adorable toddler, Sean. We find Katie when she is just seven years old and “running away for the first time.” We soon learn that her home life is filled with abusive parents who care more about destroying one another than they do about caring for their young daughter. Over the continuing years, Katie continues to “run away,” first to her grandmother’s home, then to college and head first into a bad relationship, to new towns until, finally, she lands in Budbury – a quaint village filled with wonderfully quirky and loving residents who embrace Katie wholeheartedly, despite the fact that Katie is slow to embrace them in return. However, as the holidays approach – the worst time of the year for Katie – she decides to take small steps toward allowing others into her life, including the very nice Van, whom her son adores.
A Gift From the Comfort Food Café belongs to a series revolving around the cast of characters from Budbury who gather together at the Comfort Food Café. I had no idea I was stepping into a world that was ongoing but this book stands alone quite well. The only reason I even mention the series is because reading this book will make you want to know more about the village of Budbury and all of those who live within.
This particular story is wonderful. It has just the right amount of tension, the perfect amount of “cosy,” and a dash of the holidays to make it a wonderful read! I admit that the very beginning of the book had me scratching my head as we were given Katie’s backstory, but soon it flowed beautifully and the rest of the book was marvelous! The people are just quirky enough to make them interesting but not over-the-top so that they are unbelievable. Again – it was all “just right.”
This felt more like women’s fiction than a true holiday tale but in a good way. I highly encourage you to visit the village of Budbury this season. You will be glad that you did!
Thank you to @HarperImpulse, #Netgalley, @Dead-yJohnson and for my copy of this delightful book. On sale October 18, 2018. (review published 10-18-18)
The book begins with the backstory of Katie, a single mum to an adorable toddler, Sean. We find Katie when she is just seven years old and “running away for the first time.” We soon learn that her home life is filled with abusive parents who care more about destroying one another than they do about caring for their young daughter. Over the continuing years, Katie continues to “run away,” first to her grandmother’s home, then to college and head first into a bad relationship, to new towns until, finally, she lands in Budbury – a quaint village filled with wonderfully quirky and loving residents who embrace Katie wholeheartedly, despite the fact that Katie is slow to embrace them in return. However, as the holidays approach – the worst time of the year for Katie – she decides to take small steps toward allowing others into her life, including the very nice Van, whom her son adores.
A Gift From the Comfort Food Café belongs to a series revolving around the cast of characters from Budbury who gather together at the Comfort Food Café. I had no idea I was stepping into a world that was ongoing but this book stands alone quite well. The only reason I even mention the series is because reading this book will make you want to know more about the village of Budbury and all of those who live within.
This particular story is wonderful. It has just the right amount of tension, the perfect amount of “cosy,” and a dash of the holidays to make it a wonderful read! I admit that the very beginning of the book had me scratching my head as we were given Katie’s backstory, but soon it flowed beautifully and the rest of the book was marvelous! The people are just quirky enough to make them interesting but not over-the-top so that they are unbelievable. Again – it was all “just right.”
This felt more like women’s fiction than a true holiday tale but in a good way. I highly encourage you to visit the village of Budbury this season. You will be glad that you did!
Thank you to @HarperImpulse, #Netgalley, @Dead-yJohnson and for my copy of this delightful book. On sale October 18, 2018. (review published 10-18-18)
January 17, 2019
A gift from the comfort cafe has a picturesque coastal setting with a rocky start. Katie Seddon’s parents didn’t demonstrate the perfect loving relationship when she was growing up. Unfortunately, the father of her child also wasn’t a good fit. Katie needs a fresh start and Budbury in Dorset is looking like a good fit. The comfort food cafe offers the perfect treat for a lonely heart.
I’m a little late reading this book as it’s a Christmas read. It was released back in October. If it was set at any other time of year I probably wouldn’t have even given the setting a second thought. Christmas is magical and this book adds a little Christmas spirit, giving extra warmth. I was a little worried when I started reading this book as it opens with Katie spending portions of her childhood running away from home. The book unfolds to be a warm-hearted magical read about finding a home, mending bridges and finding what really matters. It is a romance but so much more. It’s about friendship and community. This book is part of a series, however, can be read as a standalone. 3.5 stars out of 5.
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I’m a little late reading this book as it’s a Christmas read. It was released back in October. If it was set at any other time of year I probably wouldn’t have even given the setting a second thought. Christmas is magical and this book adds a little Christmas spirit, giving extra warmth. I was a little worried when I started reading this book as it opens with Katie spending portions of her childhood running away from home. The book unfolds to be a warm-hearted magical read about finding a home, mending bridges and finding what really matters. It is a romance but so much more. It’s about friendship and community. This book is part of a series, however, can be read as a standalone. 3.5 stars out of 5.
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 18, 2018
3.5 -
It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas...
Stars!
We return to Budbury, Dorset for the fifth book in Debbie Johnson’s Comfort Food Café series. Katie Seddon and her toddler son; Saul finally start to integrate into village life just as Christmas approaches.
Things are changing – and I don’t want them to…
I’d say I fell in like, rather than love with this addition. The setting, secondary characters and the goings on with them were as entertaining as always, and everything on that front lived up to expectations. But when you struggle to like the leading character of the story being told it tends to dim the sparkle of everything else going on a little.
"I’ll let you rescue me…"
I can understand Katie’s actions and motivations in a way, but as the book progressed I found it more weak willed, and self-absorbed than anything, especially when the trouble she thought she had left behind comes knocking on her door and pretty much starts reverting back to the same old patterns as before, and rather than nip it in the bud immediately, she goes for the head-in-sand mentality until it’s almost too late.
"Have you ever considered... I don't know... telling them to fuck off?"
I held off on reading this one, because I wanted to save it to the last minute so it pains me that I didn’t totally love it. That-said I still read it in less than a day, I loved Saul, adored Van, and really appreciated seeing the rest of the characters I have gotten to know through the previous books moving along with their lives as Katie’s story played out.
"I’m maybe already in a bit deeper than I thought I was… And that’s okay – but I know you’re not."
I am so pleased to see that we get to return March 19, for A Wedding at the Comfort Food Café, lots happened in this book, so I am looking forward to reading more of the continuation of everyone lives when it’s released.
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.
We return to Budbury, Dorset for the fifth book in Debbie Johnson’s Comfort Food Café series. Katie Seddon and her toddler son; Saul finally start to integrate into village life just as Christmas approaches.
Things are changing – and I don’t want them to…
I’d say I fell in like, rather than love with this addition. The setting, secondary characters and the goings on with them were as entertaining as always, and everything on that front lived up to expectations. But when you struggle to like the leading character of the story being told it tends to dim the sparkle of everything else going on a little.
"I’ll let you rescue me…"
I can understand Katie’s actions and motivations in a way, but as the book progressed I found it more weak willed, and self-absorbed than anything, especially when the trouble she thought she had left behind comes knocking on her door and pretty much starts reverting back to the same old patterns as before, and rather than nip it in the bud immediately, she goes for the head-in-sand mentality until it’s almost too late.
"Have you ever considered... I don't know... telling them to fuck off?"
I held off on reading this one, because I wanted to save it to the last minute so it pains me that I didn’t totally love it. That-said I still read it in less than a day, I loved Saul, adored Van, and really appreciated seeing the rest of the characters I have gotten to know through the previous books moving along with their lives as Katie’s story played out.
"I’m maybe already in a bit deeper than I thought I was… And that’s okay – but I know you’re not."
I am so pleased to see that we get to return March 19, for A Wedding at the Comfort Food Café, lots happened in this book, so I am looking forward to reading more of the continuation of everyone lives when it’s released.
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.
September 20, 2018
This wasn't my favorite Comfort Food Cafe book from the series but I was still a lovely cozy read.
I honestly just found the character of Katie a bit too whiny and childish for someone who is a parent herself. She spends most of her time moping about instead of attempting to make a life for herself in Budbury. What a waste!
As usual the cast of characters (other than Katie herself) was great. I did enjoy reading about Saul's antics as a wee little powerhouse, especially his love of beauty parlor!
I honestly just found the character of Katie a bit too whiny and childish for someone who is a parent herself. She spends most of her time moping about instead of attempting to make a life for herself in Budbury. What a waste!
As usual the cast of characters (other than Katie herself) was great. I did enjoy reading about Saul's antics as a wee little powerhouse, especially his love of beauty parlor!
October 30, 2018
Katie Seddon isn’t the biggest fan of Christmas. While most people in the village of Budbury revel in the holiday cheer, Katie’s reminded of her tumultuous upbringing. Fortunately, her little boy, Saul, keeps her more than occupied. However, when people from her past try to reenter her life, it threatens to destroy the peaceful home she’s created in the seaside village. But with the help of new friends, the Comfort Food Café, and a handsome newcomer, she might find that maybe, just maybe, life doesn’t have to be peaceful to be good.
This is part of a series, which I was not aware of when I started reading. However, it also works as a standalone novel. There are a lot of characters mentioned, and this feels like a callback to previous books so that readers can see what their favorite characters are still doing. With lesser writers, the sheer volume of characters could be overwhelmed. Instead, author Debbie Johnson has managed these scenes masterfully, and the overall result is a well-rounded world that is easy to drop into.
And what a world. This is a remarkably cozy Christmas story, perfect for reading curled up with a blanket and a cup of hot chocolate. The Comfort Food Café hovers over the story, providing a festive backdrop that the characters float in and out of. As well, Katie is a highly relatable character, attempting to chart her own path in this tight knit community. At the start, she’s still on the fringes of the village and, perhaps because I didn’t start with the first book in the series, I was immediately drawn in. As she became more comfortable with her eclectic mix of neighbors, I followed.
Yet the action isn’t all fairy lights and wrapping paper. Johnson seamlessly melds tension into the narrative in such a unique way. Katie deals with some serious problems stemming from a strained relationship with her parents and an ex-husband. Johnson doesn’t shy away from these themes and that makes this Christmas tale have some bite. It’s more than effective and the end result is a rich story that is satisfying without being sugarcoated.
It’s charming. It’s heartwarming. It’s pure literary comfort in the best way possible.
Note: I received a free ARC of this book through NetGalley.
Review also posted at https://pluckedfromthestacks.wordpres...
This is part of a series, which I was not aware of when I started reading. However, it also works as a standalone novel. There are a lot of characters mentioned, and this feels like a callback to previous books so that readers can see what their favorite characters are still doing. With lesser writers, the sheer volume of characters could be overwhelmed. Instead, author Debbie Johnson has managed these scenes masterfully, and the overall result is a well-rounded world that is easy to drop into.
And what a world. This is a remarkably cozy Christmas story, perfect for reading curled up with a blanket and a cup of hot chocolate. The Comfort Food Café hovers over the story, providing a festive backdrop that the characters float in and out of. As well, Katie is a highly relatable character, attempting to chart her own path in this tight knit community. At the start, she’s still on the fringes of the village and, perhaps because I didn’t start with the first book in the series, I was immediately drawn in. As she became more comfortable with her eclectic mix of neighbors, I followed.
Yet the action isn’t all fairy lights and wrapping paper. Johnson seamlessly melds tension into the narrative in such a unique way. Katie deals with some serious problems stemming from a strained relationship with her parents and an ex-husband. Johnson doesn’t shy away from these themes and that makes this Christmas tale have some bite. It’s more than effective and the end result is a rich story that is satisfying without being sugarcoated.
It’s charming. It’s heartwarming. It’s pure literary comfort in the best way possible.
Note: I received a free ARC of this book through NetGalley.
Review also posted at https://pluckedfromthestacks.wordpres...
December 8, 2018
With the Comfort Food Cafe series, you know exactly what you're going to get - and this latest addition to the series is full of the warm fuzzies that makes for such an enjoyable read!
This story features Katie who has recently moved to the area with her young son Saul. And we see her life from the age of 7 and how her perception of Christmas and family life has always been tainted by her constantly bickering parents, leading to her running away on a number of occasions. She's been out on her own for many years and prefers it that way, and even now with young Saul - who is a total sweetheart!! - she is guarded about who she lets in to her life.
But being alone isn't really possible in the idyllic setting of Budbury, where everyone knows everyone else and is just like one big family, always looking out for one another! And it also seems to be full of the most gorgeous and considerate blokes (where is this place?! I need to move there!!) - step forward Van, Lynnie's son, who has struck up the cutest bond with young Saul and Katie is happy to have him around, but still wary of getting too close. Just in case it all goes wrong. And things also get a little more complicated when her mum shows up in town!
I loved being back in Budbury as it feels so familiar now, with old characters popping up to help Katie along the way. There's lots of fun moments to enjoy throughout as well as watching the characters coming to terms with changes in their lives and trying to move on from the past.
A fabulously festive read!
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the e-copy in return for a fair and honest review.
This story features Katie who has recently moved to the area with her young son Saul. And we see her life from the age of 7 and how her perception of Christmas and family life has always been tainted by her constantly bickering parents, leading to her running away on a number of occasions. She's been out on her own for many years and prefers it that way, and even now with young Saul - who is a total sweetheart!! - she is guarded about who she lets in to her life.
But being alone isn't really possible in the idyllic setting of Budbury, where everyone knows everyone else and is just like one big family, always looking out for one another! And it also seems to be full of the most gorgeous and considerate blokes (where is this place?! I need to move there!!) - step forward Van, Lynnie's son, who has struck up the cutest bond with young Saul and Katie is happy to have him around, but still wary of getting too close. Just in case it all goes wrong. And things also get a little more complicated when her mum shows up in town!
I loved being back in Budbury as it feels so familiar now, with old characters popping up to help Katie along the way. There's lots of fun moments to enjoy throughout as well as watching the characters coming to terms with changes in their lives and trying to move on from the past.
A fabulously festive read!
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the e-copy in return for a fair and honest review.
December 23, 2021
Katie Seddon woont samen met haar zoontje Saul in een klein rijtjehuis in het centrum van Budbury. Ze werkt in de apotheek en heeft nieuwe vrienden gemaakt, maar ze vindt het nog steeds moeilijk om zich echt open te stellen. Ook al hebben de stamgasten van het Duincafé er de afgelopen twee jaar alles aan gedaan om haar en Saul in hun gemeenschap op te nemen, gebeurtenissen uit haar verleden hebben voor littekens op haar ziel gezorgd en ze durft nergens echt te aarden, omdat het zomaar kan gebeuren dat ze weer moet vluchten. Toch is het Duincafé een tweede thuis geworden, een plek waar ze zich fijn voelt, een plek waar er altijd iemand voor je is.
Terwijl het dorp zich voorbereidt op de kerstvieringen en een grote verrassing in petto heeft, heeft Katie de kerststemming nog niet echt te pakken. Herinneringen uit haar jeugd dringen zich op, ook al zorgt een nieuwe vriendschap voor veel plezier en durft ze hierdoor ook langzamerhand een stukje van haar muur af te breken. Maar wanneer haar leven overhoop wordt gegooid door een mededeling van haar ouders, lijkt het verleden haar weer in te halen. Is ze sterk genoeg om vast te houden aan haar eigen waardes of vervalt haar leven in oude patronen?
Wat is het toch altijd fijn om weer terug te keren naar het Duincafé! Terwijl in ieder boek een ander personage centraal staat, krijg je zeker ook een inkijk in de levens van de andere karakters en dat voelt in dit vijfde deel in de serie als thuiskomen. Katie is goed neergezet, zij vertelt jou haar verhaal en door haar hersenspinsels en de terugblikken naar het verleden snap je steeds beter waarom zij terughoudend is om nieuwe relaties aan te gaan. Dat komt realistisch over, al wil je haar ook wel eens aansporen om iets meer vertrouwen te hebben als iemand dat verdient.
Het verhaal is zeer vlot en gemakkelijk geschreven en door de leuke personages, de fijne sfeer en de boeiende gebeurtenissen vlieg je door het boek heen. Je weet vanaf het begin al wel hoe dit verhaal zal eindigen, maar de weg daarnaartoe is leuk uitgewerkt, met hier en daar nog wat hobbels en verrassingen. Hoewel er net iets minder kerstsfeer in het boek zit dan ik verwacht had en ik dit eerder een winterse feelgood zou noemen, wordt dat door het hartverwarmende einde helemaal goedgemaakt. Het is een warm, sfeervol en liefdevol verhaal om bij weg te dromen terwijl je meeleeft met de personages!
3.5⭐️
Terwijl het dorp zich voorbereidt op de kerstvieringen en een grote verrassing in petto heeft, heeft Katie de kerststemming nog niet echt te pakken. Herinneringen uit haar jeugd dringen zich op, ook al zorgt een nieuwe vriendschap voor veel plezier en durft ze hierdoor ook langzamerhand een stukje van haar muur af te breken. Maar wanneer haar leven overhoop wordt gegooid door een mededeling van haar ouders, lijkt het verleden haar weer in te halen. Is ze sterk genoeg om vast te houden aan haar eigen waardes of vervalt haar leven in oude patronen?
Wat is het toch altijd fijn om weer terug te keren naar het Duincafé! Terwijl in ieder boek een ander personage centraal staat, krijg je zeker ook een inkijk in de levens van de andere karakters en dat voelt in dit vijfde deel in de serie als thuiskomen. Katie is goed neergezet, zij vertelt jou haar verhaal en door haar hersenspinsels en de terugblikken naar het verleden snap je steeds beter waarom zij terughoudend is om nieuwe relaties aan te gaan. Dat komt realistisch over, al wil je haar ook wel eens aansporen om iets meer vertrouwen te hebben als iemand dat verdient.
Het verhaal is zeer vlot en gemakkelijk geschreven en door de leuke personages, de fijne sfeer en de boeiende gebeurtenissen vlieg je door het boek heen. Je weet vanaf het begin al wel hoe dit verhaal zal eindigen, maar de weg daarnaartoe is leuk uitgewerkt, met hier en daar nog wat hobbels en verrassingen. Hoewel er net iets minder kerstsfeer in het boek zit dan ik verwacht had en ik dit eerder een winterse feelgood zou noemen, wordt dat door het hartverwarmende einde helemaal goedgemaakt. Het is een warm, sfeervol en liefdevol verhaal om bij weg te dromen terwijl je meeleeft met de personages!
3.5⭐️
October 3, 2018
Debbie Johnson does it again! She has written yet another wonderful instalment to this comfort food cafe series.
Don't worry if you haven't read the others in this series this works perfectly as a standalone but you would be missing out on some other fabulous books.
I loved getting to know Katie, who has been on the fringes in the other books, and her gorgeous son Saul. As the story begins we learn about Katie's nightmare Christmases not exactly happy childhood, and her habit of running when the going gets tough.
Fast forward to this year and she is finally starting to come out of her shell in Budbury and let others into her life, but whether she is ready for the sexy Van, well you will need to read to find out.
Touching on tough themes in a sensitive way, this book is one heartwarming hug of a story, full of familiar faces, adorable animals, and a sense of belonging and family from the community of Budbury. All of your favourite couples from the previous instalments are there, some more prominently than others.
I can't really express how much I enjoyed this story which had me hooked from the first pages and had me reading into the small hours of the night. An absorbing read,, which at this time of year, I would suggest you get yourself a cup of hot chocolate, put on something comfy and curl up by the fireplace and settle down to an incredibly good book that is perfect for this time of year.
Thank you to Harper and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Don't worry if you haven't read the others in this series this works perfectly as a standalone but you would be missing out on some other fabulous books.
I loved getting to know Katie, who has been on the fringes in the other books, and her gorgeous son Saul. As the story begins we learn about Katie's nightmare Christmases not exactly happy childhood, and her habit of running when the going gets tough.
Fast forward to this year and she is finally starting to come out of her shell in Budbury and let others into her life, but whether she is ready for the sexy Van, well you will need to read to find out.
Touching on tough themes in a sensitive way, this book is one heartwarming hug of a story, full of familiar faces, adorable animals, and a sense of belonging and family from the community of Budbury. All of your favourite couples from the previous instalments are there, some more prominently than others.
I can't really express how much I enjoyed this story which had me hooked from the first pages and had me reading into the small hours of the night. An absorbing read,, which at this time of year, I would suggest you get yourself a cup of hot chocolate, put on something comfy and curl up by the fireplace and settle down to an incredibly good book that is perfect for this time of year.
Thank you to Harper and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
May 21, 2023
What a great series! Just what I needed this week. A big comfortable Cherie Moon hug!
I’m still at the 3-3/4 star rating but will revisit these books again as they’re getting very close to a 4.
I’m still at the 3-3/4 star rating but will revisit these books again as they’re getting very close to a 4.
June 26, 2020
Werbung | Rezensionsexemplar
Für Auburn läuft es gerade richtig gut. Ihre Partyzeit und übermäßiger Alkoholkonsum gehören der Vergangenheit an. Sie betreibt in Budbury die Dorfapotheke, ist glücklich mit Finn liiert, hat Freunde und ein harmonisches Verhältnis zu ihrer Familie. Alles könnte schön so weiterlaufen und in einer gemeinsamen Zukunft mit Finn enden, hätte sie nicht eine Kleinigkeit erfolgreich verdrängt. Ausgerechnet am Tag der Hochzeit ihrer Freundin Laura, taucht diese Kleinigkeit in Gestalt ihres Noch-Ehemanns Seb auf, von dem noch nicht einmal ihre Familie etwas ahnt.
Leider hatte ich übersehen, dass dies bereits der fünfte Teil der 'Comfort-Food-Café-Reihe' ist. So prasselten auf den ersten Seiten jede Menge Charaktere auf mich ein, was mich anfangs sehr irritierte und vielleicht geschickter für Quereinsteiger hätte gestaltet werden können. Es hat ein wenig gedauert, bis ich mich im englischen Budbury zurecht fand. Es gibt jede Menge Anleihen auf die Pop-Kultur, wobei ich nicht beurteilen kann, ob das nur für das Pärchen Auburn und Finn zutrifft, oder zum Schreibstil der Autorin gehört - Das ist reine Geschmacksache. Anfangs mochte ich auch den Ton des Buches nicht besonders, doch dann wurde das Buch mit jeder Seite besser und auch die Charaktere wurden mir sympathischer, allen voran der grummelige Mister Pumpwell, die Schwangere Laura und natürlich Auburn. Ich mochte auch den Gefühlskonflikt in den Auburn durch Seb gerät. Erfreulicherweise endet das Buch so, wie ich es mir erhofft hatte.
Dieses Buch wurde mir als kostenloses Leseexemplar zur Verfügung gestellt.
Für Auburn läuft es gerade richtig gut. Ihre Partyzeit und übermäßiger Alkoholkonsum gehören der Vergangenheit an. Sie betreibt in Budbury die Dorfapotheke, ist glücklich mit Finn liiert, hat Freunde und ein harmonisches Verhältnis zu ihrer Familie. Alles könnte schön so weiterlaufen und in einer gemeinsamen Zukunft mit Finn enden, hätte sie nicht eine Kleinigkeit erfolgreich verdrängt. Ausgerechnet am Tag der Hochzeit ihrer Freundin Laura, taucht diese Kleinigkeit in Gestalt ihres Noch-Ehemanns Seb auf, von dem noch nicht einmal ihre Familie etwas ahnt.
Leider hatte ich übersehen, dass dies bereits der fünfte Teil der 'Comfort-Food-Café-Reihe' ist. So prasselten auf den ersten Seiten jede Menge Charaktere auf mich ein, was mich anfangs sehr irritierte und vielleicht geschickter für Quereinsteiger hätte gestaltet werden können. Es hat ein wenig gedauert, bis ich mich im englischen Budbury zurecht fand. Es gibt jede Menge Anleihen auf die Pop-Kultur, wobei ich nicht beurteilen kann, ob das nur für das Pärchen Auburn und Finn zutrifft, oder zum Schreibstil der Autorin gehört - Das ist reine Geschmacksache. Anfangs mochte ich auch den Ton des Buches nicht besonders, doch dann wurde das Buch mit jeder Seite besser und auch die Charaktere wurden mir sympathischer, allen voran der grummelige Mister Pumpwell, die Schwangere Laura und natürlich Auburn. Ich mochte auch den Gefühlskonflikt in den Auburn durch Seb gerät. Erfreulicherweise endet das Buch so, wie ich es mir erhofft hatte.
Dieses Buch wurde mir als kostenloses Leseexemplar zur Verfügung gestellt.
December 24, 2020
Katie Seddon, always seems to be running away - at age 7, it was from her turbulent home to her Gran''s. Then as she got older, she fled from bad situations and bad relationships. She and her son, Saul, find refuge, like so many others, at the Budbury Comfort Food Cage. This is a charming, humorous story, with sad overtones. The budding romance between Katie and Van is sweet, and Katie finally finds the courage to stop running and tell her noisy demons to take their bother elsewhere. An enjoyable, cozy, heartwarming read for the Christmas Season. Highly recommended.
October 29, 2018
Katie is a single mum to a little boy Saul. She moves to Budbury hoping to find peace there, to just have a simple life, far away from her childhood home and her parents' constant fighting that outshone them the real needs of their daughter and the real sense of life. Katie doesn't want such life for her son. Budbury is full of wonderful people that want to help each other, people who embrace Katie without asking, who accept her immediately. But can Katie leave her past behind? And can her past leave Katie behind? Is she going to find what she's looking for in Budbury?
I really am not sure what to say more about the Comfort Food Cafe series that I haven't already said. It is really hard to write another review about a book that you loved - and please, please, please don't get me wrong, I could read books set in Budbury all year long - but they start to feel the same. "A Gift from the Comfort Food Cafe" is a brilliant, funny, uplifting story, with beautiful characters but for me there was nothing that I haven't come across in previous books in this series.
But. Having said that I can only admit that Debbie Johnson has written another fabulous, full of feelings and emotions story. I loved getting to know Katie and her son Saul, though I must admit that the parts where the characters from the previous books entered the scenes brought me so much more joy, especially all the surprises. Katie, I think, was not the easiest character to like - she was challenging, with her moods and blowing cold and hot but it was, of course, absolutely understandable. Already at the beginning of the story we learn about her life and to say it was turbulent would be an understatement - hence the habit of running away when the troubles come. But now Katie found her place in Budbury - didn't she? I loved seeing Katie coming out of her shell, leaving her comfort zones, to have the guts to do something new, to perhaps start to trust again. However, when the troubles came back to literally knock on her doors, she started reverting back, packing her bags and it was incredibly sad to see. On the other hand, I think Debbie Johnson has captured here the most realistic, genuine emotions - the need to just bury your head in the sand, to repeat the old pattern because they were working, and this is what Katie's initial thoughts were, which was really understandable. It takes a lot of courage to overcome the old habits and it was truly brilliantly described by the author, and Katie felt so genuine, and I loved it. I think she just needs a chance, so please just give her some time, you will really like her and understand her.
Of course the story touches upon many sensitive issues and Debbie Johnson proves again that she can tackle them with so much sensitivity and also humour. I also adore this overwhelming sense of familiarity, belonging and community in her books. Debbie Johnson never disappoints with her stories, and the Comfort Food Cafe series is one of the best ever. They are books that you don't want to end, that you immediately feel like a part of the characters' world - that doesn't feel fictional at all and reading "A Gift from the Comfort Food Cafe" was like being back with your old friends. Really, opening this book was like stepping back into a parallel world, a world that you know is just one page away. I immediately felt comfortable, as if I've came back to a place where I belong, and it is a great feeling.
It was a warm and feel - good book, perfectly mixing humour, fun and poignant moments. Despite some sadness, it was full of this overwhelming feeling of happiness and content and you know what, I'd love to be a character in Johnson's books, even if there are many challenges awaiting them because at the end they always find love, luck, come out of their shells and feel good on their own skin. It was a lovely story about friendship, letting go, finding yourself - highly recommended, even if you haven't read the other books in the series: every single one of them is a good start.
Copy provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.
February 18, 2019
Kate lives with her young son Saul in Budbury and feels that she has finally found somewhere that she can call home, somewhere that she doesn't want to run away from, and she wants to make a safe happy home for Saul unlike her own childhood with constantly warring parents! This year she feels that she should try to interact more with locals as they have all been so kind and welcoming to her but what about Van, he is so good with Saul but she is scared to get too close and worried that Saul might become too attached
A lovely book, you really feel for for Kate with the trauma she has been through with her parents but you are really rooting for her to take a chance with Van as they are so perfect for each other. Lovely to be back with all of the old friends from the cafe as well.
A lovely book, you really feel for for Kate with the trauma she has been through with her parents but you are really rooting for her to take a chance with Van as they are so perfect for each other. Lovely to be back with all of the old friends from the cafe as well.
January 6, 2022
Wat fijn om me weer in het Duincafé te wanen! In het vorige deel miste ik de sfeer een beetje, maar dat kwam in dit deel weer helemaal terug. Je voelt de saamhorigheid van het dorp en het samenkomen in het duincafé voelde weer vertrouwd.
Maar ik had geen klik met Katie, ik ergerde me aan hoe teruggetrokken ze is en haar manier van doen. Van daarentegen vond ik wel leuk en haar zoontje Saul maakten het samen wel weer een beetje goed, waardoor ik het boek nog wel met plezier heb gelezen. Maar het is niet mijn favoriet van deze serie.
Maar ik had geen klik met Katie, ik ergerde me aan hoe teruggetrokken ze is en haar manier van doen. Van daarentegen vond ik wel leuk en haar zoontje Saul maakten het samen wel weer een beetje goed, waardoor ik het boek nog wel met plezier heb gelezen. Maar het is niet mijn favoriet van deze serie.
September 28, 2018
3.5 stars!
A very genuine book that I much preferred the second half of. I was slow to get into this but could also put that down to being full of cold and not totally with it!
When I say it was a genuine book, I felt the lead female - Katie - was very relatable with her fighting parents and the difficulties of bringing up a young child (Saul) as a mostly single parent. She also promoted Saul's relationship with his dad along with his new, pregnant, wife.
Katie fell fast and hard for Saul's dad but she ended up leaving him, not wanting to become like her own parents. This seems to have put her off relationships in general so I was happy to see Van introduced as a potential love interest who was clearly a friend first and foremost. Their relationship was not rushed and that felt more likely as Katie needed to grow into it and ensure it was right for both her and Saul - I enjoyed following her story and learning to trust and think of herself first sometimes.
There were some comical moments right from the beginning and this always ramps up my enjoyment factor!
The ending was incredibly romantic and stole my heart! I am definitely interested in reading other books in this enjoyable series.
My thanks to Harper Impulse via NetGalley for providing me with this advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.
A very genuine book that I much preferred the second half of. I was slow to get into this but could also put that down to being full of cold and not totally with it!
When I say it was a genuine book, I felt the lead female - Katie - was very relatable with her fighting parents and the difficulties of bringing up a young child (Saul) as a mostly single parent. She also promoted Saul's relationship with his dad along with his new, pregnant, wife.
Katie fell fast and hard for Saul's dad but she ended up leaving him, not wanting to become like her own parents. This seems to have put her off relationships in general so I was happy to see Van introduced as a potential love interest who was clearly a friend first and foremost. Their relationship was not rushed and that felt more likely as Katie needed to grow into it and ensure it was right for both her and Saul - I enjoyed following her story and learning to trust and think of herself first sometimes.
There were some comical moments right from the beginning and this always ramps up my enjoyment factor!
The ending was incredibly romantic and stole my heart! I am definitely interested in reading other books in this enjoyable series.
My thanks to Harper Impulse via NetGalley for providing me with this advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.
November 28, 2018
Christmas doesn't hold the fondest childhood memories for Katie Seddon. While her friends enjoyed the holidays with all the warmth family has to offer Katie's soundtrack was a little different. It involved, just like every other day her parents fighting and breaking dishes. She runs away for the first time at age seven and again as a teen. She needs to distance herself from her parents and Gran's house is just the spot to go. When her Gran dies she feels betrayed and trapped. As Katie continues to have problems her bright spot is her toddler son who is her ray of sunshine. Her little boy is her everything in life and she works hard to make her life pleasant and stable for him. This book rings out with heartwarming comfort and cheer this holiday season and you'll love reading about her little boy's mischievous antics.
Pub Date 18 Oct 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.
Pub Date 18 Oct 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.
December 28, 2018
This has been such a wonderful series set in a café at the top of a cliff. All the characters look out for each other. Katie has tried to keep herself at arms length from all the locals- but they draw her in and make her part of the circle. Her little boy is such a charming little character that she could hardly fail to be drawn into everyone’s hearts. She’s had an emotional childhood and she gradually comes to realise that she is her own person and she can make decisions to take back control and allow her to be happy and part of the community. When we meet her parents we can understand how she has become jaded- they aren’t the easiest of people to be around!
I really loved catching up with everyone and look forward to seeing what Debbie Johnson has in store for us all next.
I really loved catching up with everyone and look forward to seeing what Debbie Johnson has in store for us all next.
November 25, 2018
https://www.jerasjamboree.co.uk/2018/...
I know I’m guaranteed the perfect escape when I visit Budbury and that by the end I will have walked side by side with the main character, totally involved with all that happens. And I’ve been interested in hearing Katie’s story since she first appeared with toddler Saul. I made a guess that after Sunshine at the Comfort Food Café, Katie could be next. 🙂
I do enjoy a first person narrative! I loved getting passed that lockdown of emotion to the reason why Katie views the world as she does. She’s a mixture of vulnerability and strength and I found her easy to identify with. As much as she wants to settle and be a part of the community – breaking a cycle – there’s another part of her that is ready to run if she thinks she needs protecting. And with the events and experiences throughout the story there is plenty to test her!
On Christmas Eve I felt a mixture of emotions and cried for different reasons – overwrought early evening with tears of sadness followed by one of the best scenes in the story! Debbie Johnson pulls you in so you experience everything through your senses. It was so easy to imagine myself in the woods around Briarwood, picture perfect for Christmas Eve and Santa hunting. I loved the optimism.
Talking of Briarwood, it was great to feel the buzz of activity and it being used for Tom’s purpose. I love the continuity of spending time in this community. Laura, Lynnie and Edie’s secondary stories provide just as much emotion as Katie’s.
There is so much wisdom on these pages. Single parents, well all parents really, will identify with Katie and Saul. I can’t end my review without saying that Saul brings so much to the story with that charm. transparency and innocence that only 3 year olds can. He’s a star.
Sometimes a series loses its way a little but not these stories. A Gift from the Comfort Food Café has everything I’ve come to expect and comes highly recommended from me.
I know I’m guaranteed the perfect escape when I visit Budbury and that by the end I will have walked side by side with the main character, totally involved with all that happens. And I’ve been interested in hearing Katie’s story since she first appeared with toddler Saul. I made a guess that after Sunshine at the Comfort Food Café, Katie could be next. 🙂
I do enjoy a first person narrative! I loved getting passed that lockdown of emotion to the reason why Katie views the world as she does. She’s a mixture of vulnerability and strength and I found her easy to identify with. As much as she wants to settle and be a part of the community – breaking a cycle – there’s another part of her that is ready to run if she thinks she needs protecting. And with the events and experiences throughout the story there is plenty to test her!
On Christmas Eve I felt a mixture of emotions and cried for different reasons – overwrought early evening with tears of sadness followed by one of the best scenes in the story! Debbie Johnson pulls you in so you experience everything through your senses. It was so easy to imagine myself in the woods around Briarwood, picture perfect for Christmas Eve and Santa hunting. I loved the optimism.
Talking of Briarwood, it was great to feel the buzz of activity and it being used for Tom’s purpose. I love the continuity of spending time in this community. Laura, Lynnie and Edie’s secondary stories provide just as much emotion as Katie’s.
There is so much wisdom on these pages. Single parents, well all parents really, will identify with Katie and Saul. I can’t end my review without saying that Saul brings so much to the story with that charm. transparency and innocence that only 3 year olds can. He’s a star.
Sometimes a series loses its way a little but not these stories. A Gift from the Comfort Food Café has everything I’ve come to expect and comes highly recommended from me.
January 1, 2022
Mijn eerste boek van 2022 is alweer een feit! En hoe kan ik een jaar nu het beste afsluiten en beginnen dan met een deel uit de Duincafé-reeks van Debbie Johnson. Deze serie laat me met al zijn unieke karakters als Laura, Cherie, Edie, Willow en Lynnie - binnen mum van tijd thuisvoelen en ieder deel is weer een groot feestje!
Maar heel eerlijk? Ik denk persoonlijk wel dat dit voor mij de minste tot nu is. Ik vond het hoofdpersonage namelijk af en toe een beetje ongrijpbaar en mede daardoor (en het gebrek aan een echt kerstgevoel) viel ik toch niet voor dit boek. Dit ondanks de heftige thema's, de onweerstaanbare Van en de schattige Saul!
Maar heel eerlijk? Ik denk persoonlijk wel dat dit voor mij de minste tot nu is. Ik vond het hoofdpersonage namelijk af en toe een beetje ongrijpbaar en mede daardoor (en het gebrek aan een echt kerstgevoel) viel ik toch niet voor dit boek. Dit ondanks de heftige thema's, de onweerstaanbare Van en de schattige Saul!
October 24, 2018
Likable characters and a charming setting make this book a great comfort read. However, it shows its share of adult marital problems as well. After a failed marriage, Katie, along with her small son, moves to Budbury, a village along the Dorset coast. She finds comfort in the charming cafe and the people of the village. Will her parents ruin her peace? Will she be able to love again? With the climax coming around Christmas, it's a perfect holiday read. I look forward to reading earlier installments of the series to learn more about Budbury. This review is based on an electronic copy provided by the publisher through NetGalley with the expectation of an honest review. (3.5 stars)
September 26, 2018
Delicious holiday romance set in the glorious village of Budbury.
Katie Seddon is a single mother of a three year old boy called Saul. She moved away from her parents in Bristol to get away from their constant fighting only to find herself copying their behaviour with Saul's father so she moved to Budbury where she has kept herself aloof from the rest of the villagers.
But as Christmas approaches she decides that maybe it's time to let other people in to her life, to let them help her with Saul, to join in with the activities at the Comfort Food Cafe, maybe even to let Auburn's brother Van get close.
But as tensions rise can Katie overcome her instinct to run?
Lovely, just lovely addition to the Comfort Food Cafe series - great if you have read the others but I think it can easily be read alone. If you like cake and eccentric characters and romance you'll love this.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Katie Seddon is a single mother of a three year old boy called Saul. She moved away from her parents in Bristol to get away from their constant fighting only to find herself copying their behaviour with Saul's father so she moved to Budbury where she has kept herself aloof from the rest of the villagers.
But as Christmas approaches she decides that maybe it's time to let other people in to her life, to let them help her with Saul, to join in with the activities at the Comfort Food Cafe, maybe even to let Auburn's brother Van get close.
But as tensions rise can Katie overcome her instinct to run?
Lovely, just lovely addition to the Comfort Food Cafe series - great if you have read the others but I think it can easily be read alone. If you like cake and eccentric characters and romance you'll love this.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
January 7, 2023
Deze serie heeft voor mij wat up en downs, dit deel was wel weer een meevaller, leuk verhaal met gekende personages. Ontspannend om te lezen.
May 23, 2020
Rezension "Caféglück am Meer" von Debbie Johnson, erschienen im Heyne Verlag. Ein Roman mit 351 Seiten.
"Ich habe das Gefühl, dass es mehr Comfort Food Cafés im Universum geben sollte - denn je mehr ich darüber nachdenke, desto mehr komme ich zu dem Schluss, dass dieser Ort wirklich etwas Magisches hat."
Dieses Zitat kann ich aus vollem Herzen bestätigen. Ich war wirklich traurig, als ich nach den letzten Worten das Buch zuschlug und im ersten Moment nicht wusste, wohin mit mir.
Worum geht's denn überhaupt?__________
Wir lernen Auburn Longville kennen und lieben, die sich in einem kleinen Städtchen an der Küste Dorsets niedergelassen hat und ihr Liebesglück mit ihrem Freund Finn genießt. Während der Hochzeitsvorbereitungen einer Freundin, rückt sie mit der Sprache heraus und erzählt, dass sie eigentlich verheiratet ist und plötzlich steht auch noch ihr Noch-Ehemann vor der Tür und möchte sie zurückerobern. Wie wird sie sich entscheiden?
Meine Meinung____________________
Ich habe das Buch von der ersten bis zur letzten Seite geliebt. Auburn ist eine sehr liebenswerte, charakterstarke Frau, die man einfach mögen muss. Ihr Liebesglück mit ihrem Freund Finn ist nachfühlbar und mir sprangen die Glücksgefühle des Paares förmlich entgegen. Dabei wirkt die Geschichte auf mich keinesfalls konstruiert oder überzogen kitschig.
Anfangs habe ich mich von den vielen Charakteren etwas erschlagen gefühlt, aber ich Heldin habe dann herausgefunden, dass "Caféglück am Meer" das ENDE einer Reihe ist. Da ist es ja dann auch kein Wunder, wenn ich mit den plötzlich auftretenden Charakteren nichts anfangen kann, aber dennoch konnte ich mich ganz gut in die Bewohner der Kleinstadt hineinfuchsen.
Auburns Ehemann wurde keineswegs negativ dargestellt und selbst ich war oftmals am Grübeln, für wen ich mich entscheiden würde. Beide Männer haben ihre Vorteile und die wurden zugunsten der Geschichte sehr gut dargestellt.
Ein Gefühlschaos war natürlich vorprogrammiert und ich war sehr gespannt, für wen sich Auburn entscheiden wird.
Mit dem Ende war ich voll und ganz zufrieden und habe das Buch mit einem wohlig-warmen Gefühl im Bauch beendet.
5 / 5 Sternchen
"Ich habe das Gefühl, dass es mehr Comfort Food Cafés im Universum geben sollte - denn je mehr ich darüber nachdenke, desto mehr komme ich zu dem Schluss, dass dieser Ort wirklich etwas Magisches hat."
Dieses Zitat kann ich aus vollem Herzen bestätigen. Ich war wirklich traurig, als ich nach den letzten Worten das Buch zuschlug und im ersten Moment nicht wusste, wohin mit mir.
Worum geht's denn überhaupt?__________
Wir lernen Auburn Longville kennen und lieben, die sich in einem kleinen Städtchen an der Küste Dorsets niedergelassen hat und ihr Liebesglück mit ihrem Freund Finn genießt. Während der Hochzeitsvorbereitungen einer Freundin, rückt sie mit der Sprache heraus und erzählt, dass sie eigentlich verheiratet ist und plötzlich steht auch noch ihr Noch-Ehemann vor der Tür und möchte sie zurückerobern. Wie wird sie sich entscheiden?
Meine Meinung____________________
Ich habe das Buch von der ersten bis zur letzten Seite geliebt. Auburn ist eine sehr liebenswerte, charakterstarke Frau, die man einfach mögen muss. Ihr Liebesglück mit ihrem Freund Finn ist nachfühlbar und mir sprangen die Glücksgefühle des Paares förmlich entgegen. Dabei wirkt die Geschichte auf mich keinesfalls konstruiert oder überzogen kitschig.
Anfangs habe ich mich von den vielen Charakteren etwas erschlagen gefühlt, aber ich Heldin habe dann herausgefunden, dass "Caféglück am Meer" das ENDE einer Reihe ist. Da ist es ja dann auch kein Wunder, wenn ich mit den plötzlich auftretenden Charakteren nichts anfangen kann, aber dennoch konnte ich mich ganz gut in die Bewohner der Kleinstadt hineinfuchsen.
Auburns Ehemann wurde keineswegs negativ dargestellt und selbst ich war oftmals am Grübeln, für wen ich mich entscheiden würde. Beide Männer haben ihre Vorteile und die wurden zugunsten der Geschichte sehr gut dargestellt.
Ein Gefühlschaos war natürlich vorprogrammiert und ich war sehr gespannt, für wen sich Auburn entscheiden wird.
Mit dem Ende war ich voll und ganz zufrieden und habe das Buch mit einem wohlig-warmen Gefühl im Bauch beendet.
5 / 5 Sternchen
November 10, 2021
Dit is en blijft een heerlijke serie waar ik iedere keer bij een nieuw deel weer echt naar uitkijk. De gezelligheid, de liefde, de familie, de sfeer, deze boeken geven je gewoon echt een fijn gevoel.
Plot:
In dit deel duiken we in het leven van Katie en haar zoontje Saul. We hebben hen in een ander deel al eens ontmoet maar dit boek draait volledig om hen. Katie is een lieve vrouw maar eentje die door haar jeugd en de dingen die ze heeft meegemaakt heel voorzichtig is geworden en iedereen op afstand houdt. Maar in het Duincafé vindt ze haar nieuwe familie en vrienden en misschien zelfs weer de liefde....
------
Ik val maar meteen met de deur in huis, dit vond ik tot nu toe echt het minste deel in de serie. Ik denk dat dat komt door de hoofdpersoon in dit boek. Ik vond Katie echt met vlagen irritant en ik ergerde mij aan haar manier van doen. Veel dingen van haar herken ik ook bij mijzelf maar zij slaat door in het zelfmedelijden soms. Ik miste ook de chemie tussen de personages een beetje. Het voelde soms geforceerd en langdradig aan.
Ik vond de eerdere delen echt heerlijk, en de sfeer was er ook nog. Je voelt je meteen thuis in deze boeken en je zou willen dat de andere personages echt waren. Dat jezelf zulke lieve en warme vrienden had en een plek die centraal stond hierin. De setting heeft gewoon iets magisch en betoverends waardoor je steeds weer terug die wereld in wilt duiken.
Helaas had ik gewoonweg geen klik met de hoofdpersonages dit keer en had ik liever meer gelezen over Laura, Becca, Zoe of Cherie. Dus vandaar dat dit deel maar 3 sterren heeft gekregen.
Plot:
In dit deel duiken we in het leven van Katie en haar zoontje Saul. We hebben hen in een ander deel al eens ontmoet maar dit boek draait volledig om hen. Katie is een lieve vrouw maar eentje die door haar jeugd en de dingen die ze heeft meegemaakt heel voorzichtig is geworden en iedereen op afstand houdt. Maar in het Duincafé vindt ze haar nieuwe familie en vrienden en misschien zelfs weer de liefde....
------
Ik val maar meteen met de deur in huis, dit vond ik tot nu toe echt het minste deel in de serie. Ik denk dat dat komt door de hoofdpersoon in dit boek. Ik vond Katie echt met vlagen irritant en ik ergerde mij aan haar manier van doen. Veel dingen van haar herken ik ook bij mijzelf maar zij slaat door in het zelfmedelijden soms. Ik miste ook de chemie tussen de personages een beetje. Het voelde soms geforceerd en langdradig aan.
Ik vond de eerdere delen echt heerlijk, en de sfeer was er ook nog. Je voelt je meteen thuis in deze boeken en je zou willen dat de andere personages echt waren. Dat jezelf zulke lieve en warme vrienden had en een plek die centraal stond hierin. De setting heeft gewoon iets magisch en betoverends waardoor je steeds weer terug die wereld in wilt duiken.
Helaas had ik gewoonweg geen klik met de hoofdpersonages dit keer en had ik liever meer gelezen over Laura, Becca, Zoe of Cherie. Dus vandaar dat dit deel maar 3 sterren heeft gekregen.
December 20, 2021
Het verhaal is minder kerstig dan de cover en de achterflap doen geloven. Dat vond ik best jammer want ik had me helemaal verheugd op een heerlijk kerstverhaal.
Maar dat neemt niet weg dat het wel een heel fijn boek is om te lezen. En de personages van het Duincafe voelen toch een beetje als thuiskomen..
Maar dat neemt niet weg dat het wel een heel fijn boek is om te lezen. En de personages van het Duincafe voelen toch een beetje als thuiskomen..
January 9, 2019
First of all, I had no idea this book is part of the series. However, this can be a stand-alone novel.
This is about a young mother and her son living in a small town with the infamous Comfort Food Cafe. She struggles to learn about herself and her friends she's made in this town. She's had a rough childhood and does not care for Christmas. This is about her personal emotional growth and how she evolved.
This is a humorous and emotional novel. I thoroughly enjoyed it very much. I'd give it a low 4 stars.
I received this heartwarming ARC from Harper Impulse and Killer Reads HarperCollins through Net Galley in exchange for my honest and unbiased review, Thank you!
This is about a young mother and her son living in a small town with the infamous Comfort Food Cafe. She struggles to learn about herself and her friends she's made in this town. She's had a rough childhood and does not care for Christmas. This is about her personal emotional growth and how she evolved.
This is a humorous and emotional novel. I thoroughly enjoyed it very much. I'd give it a low 4 stars.
I received this heartwarming ARC from Harper Impulse and Killer Reads HarperCollins through Net Galley in exchange for my honest and unbiased review, Thank you!
December 10, 2019
Lovely Christmas read, although the main character did annoy me at times. But it all ends so cute!
June 2, 2025
Eher 2,5⭐️
Viel zu viele Namen und auch einiges, was gar nichts mit der eigentlichen Geschichte zu tun hat. Hatte mir ein anderes Ende erhofft, die letzten 30 Seiten ging alles ganz plötzlich
Viel zu viele Namen und auch einiges, was gar nichts mit der eigentlichen Geschichte zu tun hat. Hatte mir ein anderes Ende erhofft, die letzten 30 Seiten ging alles ganz plötzlich
May 1, 2020
Just like all the other books in the series, this one also does not disappoint. Catching up with all the characters we have met before but this one focuses on the story of Katie and Van.
December 5, 2018
3.5 stars
When I first request the ARC of this book I must say it was mainly because of the lovely cover and the words food and café. Those two words are really buzz words for me. I love a book that involves cakes, tea, pastries… well food mainly. When I request the ARC I didn’t know A Gift from the Comfort Food Café was the fifth book in a series. I haven’t read any of the other books, but that didn’t really influence my overall enjoyment of this story.
In A Gift from the Comfort Food Café we follow single mom Katie who has been on the run almost her entire life. If she wasn’t running from the violent fights her parents had, then she was running away from her boyfriend because of their fights. Now Katie is trying to make a home for herself and her lovely 4 year old son in the little village of Budbury.
I absolutely loved the fact that Katie, our main character is a mother of a four year old boy. I myself am the proud mom of a almost 5 year boy, so I could really picture the situations Katie was drawn into. And although Katie and I have very little in common, I instantly liked her because of the way she loved her son. And that was a good thing, because I think I would have found it harder to connect with Katie if is wasn’t a mother. She is very closed up person, who is dealing with some issues from her past. She really has her guard up and doesn’t allow people to break through the defensive wall she has built around herself. The flashbacks we get in the beginning of the story try to explain why Katie is so drawn back and careful when it comes to trusting other people and opening her heart. But as the story progresses for me her motivation felt lacking and she really felt very self-absorbed. She keeps on saying she wants to chance her ways, but she keeps on repeating the same mistakes on and on. I honestly would have loved this story more if there was some more character growth going on with Katie.
So yes, it was a bit hit and miss for me with Katie, but I absolutely loved the inhabitants of the village. Considering this is a book series I really want to check out the previous instalment’s. While reading you felt like you were missing out on some inside information and I loved the overall setting so much that I want to explore the other villagers some more.
Overall this is a lovely Christmas read. There is enough storyline to keep you flipping the pages. The romance is realistic and gave me some little butterflies. And of course Christmas is all around. Lovely, entertaining novel to read with a hot mug of chocolate during a blizzard!
Thank you netgalley and Harper Collins for the ARC!
When I first request the ARC of this book I must say it was mainly because of the lovely cover and the words food and café. Those two words are really buzz words for me. I love a book that involves cakes, tea, pastries… well food mainly. When I request the ARC I didn’t know A Gift from the Comfort Food Café was the fifth book in a series. I haven’t read any of the other books, but that didn’t really influence my overall enjoyment of this story.
In A Gift from the Comfort Food Café we follow single mom Katie who has been on the run almost her entire life. If she wasn’t running from the violent fights her parents had, then she was running away from her boyfriend because of their fights. Now Katie is trying to make a home for herself and her lovely 4 year old son in the little village of Budbury.
I absolutely loved the fact that Katie, our main character is a mother of a four year old boy. I myself am the proud mom of a almost 5 year boy, so I could really picture the situations Katie was drawn into. And although Katie and I have very little in common, I instantly liked her because of the way she loved her son. And that was a good thing, because I think I would have found it harder to connect with Katie if is wasn’t a mother. She is very closed up person, who is dealing with some issues from her past. She really has her guard up and doesn’t allow people to break through the defensive wall she has built around herself. The flashbacks we get in the beginning of the story try to explain why Katie is so drawn back and careful when it comes to trusting other people and opening her heart. But as the story progresses for me her motivation felt lacking and she really felt very self-absorbed. She keeps on saying she wants to chance her ways, but she keeps on repeating the same mistakes on and on. I honestly would have loved this story more if there was some more character growth going on with Katie.
So yes, it was a bit hit and miss for me with Katie, but I absolutely loved the inhabitants of the village. Considering this is a book series I really want to check out the previous instalment’s. While reading you felt like you were missing out on some inside information and I loved the overall setting so much that I want to explore the other villagers some more.
Overall this is a lovely Christmas read. There is enough storyline to keep you flipping the pages. The romance is realistic and gave me some little butterflies. And of course Christmas is all around. Lovely, entertaining novel to read with a hot mug of chocolate during a blizzard!
Thank you netgalley and Harper Collins for the ARC!
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