What do you think?
Rate this book
Cupcake Café #2
Christmas at the Cupcake Cafe: A Novel
From perennial bestseller Jenny Colgan comes this sugar-fueled Christmas treat of a novel, bursting with recipes and holiday cheer.
Life is sweet for Issy Randall, owner of the Cupcake Cafe. Taught how to bake by her beloved late grandfather, she is proudly carrying on the family tradition with her London eatery. Not only is business thriving, the icing on the cupcake is that she also happens to be head over heels in love. Plus she's surrounded and supported by close friends, even if her cupcake colleagues Pearl and Caroline don't seem quite as upbeat about the upcoming season of snow and merriment.
But when her boyfriend Austin is scouted for a possible move to New York, Issy is forced to contemplate the prospect of a long-distance romance. And when the Christmas rush at the cafe--with its increased demand for her delectable creations--begins to take its toll, Issy has to decide what she holds most dear.
This December, Issy will have to rely on all her reserves of calm, courage, and cinnamon to make sure everyone has a merry Christmas, one way or another. . .
Life is sweet for Issy Randall, owner of the Cupcake Cafe. Taught how to bake by her beloved late grandfather, she is proudly carrying on the family tradition with her London eatery. Not only is business thriving, the icing on the cupcake is that she also happens to be head over heels in love. Plus she's surrounded and supported by close friends, even if her cupcake colleagues Pearl and Caroline don't seem quite as upbeat about the upcoming season of snow and merriment.
But when her boyfriend Austin is scouted for a possible move to New York, Issy is forced to contemplate the prospect of a long-distance romance. And when the Christmas rush at the cafe--with its increased demand for her delectable creations--begins to take its toll, Issy has to decide what she holds most dear.
This December, Issy will have to rely on all her reserves of calm, courage, and cinnamon to make sure everyone has a merry Christmas, one way or another. . .
416 pages, Paperback
First published October 25, 2012
784 people are currently reading
11075 people want to read
About the author
Jenny Colgan
97 books11.8k followersJenny Colgan is the author of numerous bestselling novels, including 'The Little Shop of Happy Ever After' and 'Summer at the Little Beach Street Bakery', which are also published by Sphere.' Meet Me at the Cupcake Café' won the 2012 Melissa Nathan Award for Comedy Romance and was a Sunday Times Top Ten bestseller, as was 'Welcome to Rosie Hopkins' Sweetshop of Dreams', which won the RNA Romantic Novel of the Year Award 2013.
For more about Jenny, visit her website and her Facebook page, or follow her on Twitter.
Jenny Colgan has also been published under the name Jenny T. Colgan.
For more about Jenny, visit her website and her Facebook page, or follow her on Twitter.
Jenny Colgan has also been published under the name Jenny T. Colgan.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,076 reviews
November 22, 2013
Aw man, I wish I hadn’t read this. It’s kind of besmirched the nice memories of the first Cupcake Café book which, to my surprise, I enjoyed immensely. All the love and hard work Colgan put into her characters first time around, she completely negated with this: sparkly, straight-talking Helena becomes an insufferable baby bore; adorable Austin becomes predictably and stupidly inveigled in a near-affair with a perky American waitress; Caroline remains the hard-assed bitch she was before, only with less of a sense of humour.
And what’s with emphasising the hugeness of culinary implements in the USA by comparing them all to the size of a head? Fair enough, when describing a sundae glass, but a dinner plate? Aren’t most dinner plates around the size of a head? And I lost count of how often characters “rolled their eyes” at various points, but it was a fraction of the number of times I rolled mine at the banal dialogue, incessant clichés, unbelievable bad-ness of it all.
Seriously trying to one’s patience and not conducive to stoking my Christmas spirit whatsoever.
And what’s with emphasising the hugeness of culinary implements in the USA by comparing them all to the size of a head? Fair enough, when describing a sundae glass, but a dinner plate? Aren’t most dinner plates around the size of a head? And I lost count of how often characters “rolled their eyes” at various points, but it was a fraction of the number of times I rolled mine at the banal dialogue, incessant clichés, unbelievable bad-ness of it all.
Seriously trying to one’s patience and not conducive to stoking my Christmas spirit whatsoever.
November 13, 2016
Got cupcakes? Issy Randall does! She bakes them fresh every day at her London bakery, the Cupcake Café. Now that the Christmas season is drawing near, Issy is up to her eyebrows in batter, icing, and stress. That’s right – stress! But it’s not what you’d expect. She loves her job, her business, and her boyfriend Austin. But in Christmas at the Cupcake Café, Issy’s troubles begin when Austin travels to New York City for an interview for a promotion. Will he be swept off his feet by the big city bigwigs and the glitz and glamour of the Big Apple? If so, what about Issy? Will Austin turn up the heat and push Issy to move to New York? Or will she show Austin that she’s no cupcake? After all, he can’t have his cake and eat it too – can he?
Christmas at the Cupcake Café is a sequel to Meet Me at the Cupcake Café. Regrettably, I had not read book one, and I was not familiar with the characters. Since the author does not reintroduce them, it’s rather like being a newcomer walking into a social gathering where everyone knows everyone else. You just have to pay attention and figure things out as you go along. Unfortunately, I did not find the story all that attractive. It wasn’t until about the 66% mark that I started to engage and get into the spirit of the story.
I found some of the secondary characters distracting, but I was interested in Austin, his brother Darny, who’s eleven but seemed older to me, and Issy. The story is mostly told from Issy’s perspective, which is that she wants to keep her happy little business, her boyfriend, and her happy little life. Does she figure things out? Does she get her way, or does she compromise? All in all, it’s a decent story, but not one to ooh and ah over. If you like to bake, however, you might enjoy the recipes that are included in each chapter. Having no cupcakes available, I munched on Wheat Thins and Triscuits! Some reviewers have been disappointed in this book; I found it to range from boring to amusing at times, but overall, mildly pleasant.
3 stars
Christmas at the Cupcake Café is a sequel to Meet Me at the Cupcake Café. Regrettably, I had not read book one, and I was not familiar with the characters. Since the author does not reintroduce them, it’s rather like being a newcomer walking into a social gathering where everyone knows everyone else. You just have to pay attention and figure things out as you go along. Unfortunately, I did not find the story all that attractive. It wasn’t until about the 66% mark that I started to engage and get into the spirit of the story.
I found some of the secondary characters distracting, but I was interested in Austin, his brother Darny, who’s eleven but seemed older to me, and Issy. The story is mostly told from Issy’s perspective, which is that she wants to keep her happy little business, her boyfriend, and her happy little life. Does she figure things out? Does she get her way, or does she compromise? All in all, it’s a decent story, but not one to ooh and ah over. If you like to bake, however, you might enjoy the recipes that are included in each chapter. Having no cupcakes available, I munched on Wheat Thins and Triscuits! Some reviewers have been disappointed in this book; I found it to range from boring to amusing at times, but overall, mildly pleasant.
3 stars
December 28, 2014
Having never read a Jenny Colgan book in my life and this being Christmas season, this book seemed like a good option.
But, alas, a good option it was not.
It happens during Christmas, there are lots of Christmas-related recipes, lots of talk about Christmas and the such, but the characters spend most of the time whining and complaining about this or that. Making choices is never easy, but come on! No need for such drama!
I already mentioned the characters so I'm going to say I didn't care for most of them. Issy, the Cupcake Cafe owner, was probably the best, even though most of the whining came from her. Oh, and the crying too. I think Issy spends most of the story crying. Then there was Pearl. Now, I haven't read the first Cupcake Cafe book, so I don't know much about all of the characters' backgrounds, but I did notice Pearl's wasn't mentioned as the others'. So I couldn't really make a picture of Pearl, really. Nor one of her son, Louis. Another difficult characteristic for me, in terms of imagining, was Darny, Austin's eleven year-old brother. Darny could only be a precocious boy, because I doubt any eleven year-old would talk like that. Then Austin, Issy's boyfriend, wasn't as lovely as Colgan tried to picture him. I mean, he just sounded like this completely distracted fellow. The author mentions Issy has to check whether Austin has left the house wearing odd socks!!! I mean, what?! Then we've got Caroline the bitch and Helena, who is trying to raise a small female dictator (a.k.a. her daughter) while her husband gives her his blessings. Character-wise, this is a rather weak book.
What kind of saves it is the background, really: there's a cupcake shop, it's Christmas in London and then in New York. At least there's those things.
I will probably give another chance to Jenny Colgan, but I don't really recommend this book. Unless you're at the doctor's waiting, it's around Christmas time, and this is the only book you have around.
But, alas, a good option it was not.
It happens during Christmas, there are lots of Christmas-related recipes, lots of talk about Christmas and the such, but the characters spend most of the time whining and complaining about this or that. Making choices is never easy, but come on! No need for such drama!
I already mentioned the characters so I'm going to say I didn't care for most of them. Issy, the Cupcake Cafe owner, was probably the best, even though most of the whining came from her. Oh, and the crying too. I think Issy spends most of the story crying. Then there was Pearl. Now, I haven't read the first Cupcake Cafe book, so I don't know much about all of the characters' backgrounds, but I did notice Pearl's wasn't mentioned as the others'. So I couldn't really make a picture of Pearl, really. Nor one of her son, Louis. Another difficult characteristic for me, in terms of imagining, was Darny, Austin's eleven year-old brother. Darny could only be a precocious boy, because I doubt any eleven year-old would talk like that. Then Austin, Issy's boyfriend, wasn't as lovely as Colgan tried to picture him. I mean, he just sounded like this completely distracted fellow. The author mentions Issy has to check whether Austin has left the house wearing odd socks!!! I mean, what?! Then we've got Caroline the bitch and Helena, who is trying to raise a small female dictator (a.k.a. her daughter) while her husband gives her his blessings. Character-wise, this is a rather weak book.
What kind of saves it is the background, really: there's a cupcake shop, it's Christmas in London and then in New York. At least there's those things.
I will probably give another chance to Jenny Colgan, but I don't really recommend this book. Unless you're at the doctor's waiting, it's around Christmas time, and this is the only book you have around.
October 20, 2022
Best Jenny Colgan book Ive read, added bonus recipes every two chapters that sounds amazing with funny comments by author.
March 1, 2016
This book picks up a year after the end of Meet Me at the Cupcake Cafe. Please don't read since there are spoilers for Meet Me at the Cupcake Cafe included in this review.
Issy is finally content, she has an awesome boyfriend in Austin. She loves living with him and working at her cafe with Pearl and Caroline. Though she feels adrift from her best friend Helena since Helena had a baby, she still feels happy about things. And one of the things she loves most of all is celebrating Christmas.
So pretty much everyone in this book sucked in this follow-up. Case in point. I loved the character of Austin in the last book. He found himself attracted to Issy and was also juggling raising his brother Darny. Darny was in essence a jerk. Seriously. Austin seems to let him run wild and when Darny's constant interruptions and just general behavior gets him in trouble at school, no one tells Darny off or grounds him, or pretty much acts like an adult. Instead the book seems to be saying that poor Darny had the right side of things, and us foolish adults don't. Bah.
Austin had a personality transplant and I thought at times he was acting more like Issy's ex. All of a sudden when a job opportunity pops up for him to move to New York, he just acts oblivious for what this means to Issy. And when she and Darny arrive in New York the whole book goes sideways. He acts like a jerk and is annoyed that Issy just doesn't get how great New York is.
Pearl. Oh woo boy. Nope a thousand times nope. It came up in the last book that her son Louis was a little overweight, instead she is still ignoring that and oh yeah still letting her ex come around when he wants to while acting jealous at a love interest who dares to maybe care for someone else. Instead of Pearl being a grown up and saying that she shouldn't put her life on hold for her son in order to maintain the fiction that her ex is not a reliable human being, she keeps up the farce the whole book. I was so mad at how things ended with this character.
The character of Caroline was 100 percent one note and I wish that she had disappeared in this book. I ended up loathing how she was acting and what she was saying to other characters such as Pearl in this one.
And lastly we will get to Issy. I was so upset at how everyone acted like Issy was to give up something to make her happy in order to keep her man. I wanted to kick several characters in this one.
I can say mostly every other character in this book was just not well developed and seemed to pop in and out for scenes and then pop back out.
The writing was not on point in this follow-up. I loved the recipes in the last book. That book had the recipes in a different font and in a frame that kept it from running into the book's text. This one had none of that. So you would go into a chapter and sometimes there would be a recipe and sometimes not. Sometimes the recipe would go on for like two pages, and sometimes not. What made the recipes so special in the last book was the fact that Issy's grandfather sent those to her. These ones were just crammed in there and didn't fit the book.
The flow was off from beginning to end. There were multiple POVs in the last book, but it worked better in that one. This one just jumped from plot to plot and the book would just stutter to a stop anytime we would go from Issy, to Austin, and to Pearl.
There was no specialness in this one as it relates to Issy's neighborhood. And New York, blerg. There was nothing that was in the New York scenes that made me feel all warm and fuzzy about Christmas in New York. Heck I love Christmas books because they usually put me in a Christmas mood. This one does not do that at all.
I hated the ending.
Issy is finally content, she has an awesome boyfriend in Austin. She loves living with him and working at her cafe with Pearl and Caroline. Though she feels adrift from her best friend Helena since Helena had a baby, she still feels happy about things. And one of the things she loves most of all is celebrating Christmas.
So pretty much everyone in this book sucked in this follow-up. Case in point. I loved the character of Austin in the last book. He found himself attracted to Issy and was also juggling raising his brother Darny. Darny was in essence a jerk. Seriously. Austin seems to let him run wild and when Darny's constant interruptions and just general behavior gets him in trouble at school, no one tells Darny off or grounds him, or pretty much acts like an adult. Instead the book seems to be saying that poor Darny had the right side of things, and us foolish adults don't. Bah.
Austin had a personality transplant and I thought at times he was acting more like Issy's ex. All of a sudden when a job opportunity pops up for him to move to New York, he just acts oblivious for what this means to Issy. And when she and Darny arrive in New York the whole book goes sideways. He acts like a jerk and is annoyed that Issy just doesn't get how great New York is.
Pearl. Oh woo boy. Nope a thousand times nope. It came up in the last book that her son Louis was a little overweight, instead she is still ignoring that and oh yeah still letting her ex come around when he wants to while acting jealous at a love interest who dares to maybe care for someone else. Instead of Pearl being a grown up and saying that she shouldn't put her life on hold for her son in order to maintain the fiction that her ex is not a reliable human being, she keeps up the farce the whole book. I was so mad at how things ended with this character.
The character of Caroline was 100 percent one note and I wish that she had disappeared in this book. I ended up loathing how she was acting and what she was saying to other characters such as Pearl in this one.
And lastly we will get to Issy. I was so upset at how everyone acted like Issy was to give up something to make her happy in order to keep her man. I wanted to kick several characters in this one.
I can say mostly every other character in this book was just not well developed and seemed to pop in and out for scenes and then pop back out.
The writing was not on point in this follow-up. I loved the recipes in the last book. That book had the recipes in a different font and in a frame that kept it from running into the book's text. This one had none of that. So you would go into a chapter and sometimes there would be a recipe and sometimes not. Sometimes the recipe would go on for like two pages, and sometimes not. What made the recipes so special in the last book was the fact that Issy's grandfather sent those to her. These ones were just crammed in there and didn't fit the book.
The flow was off from beginning to end. There were multiple POVs in the last book, but it worked better in that one. This one just jumped from plot to plot and the book would just stutter to a stop anytime we would go from Issy, to Austin, and to Pearl.
There was no specialness in this one as it relates to Issy's neighborhood. And New York, blerg. There was nothing that was in the New York scenes that made me feel all warm and fuzzy about Christmas in New York. Heck I love Christmas books because they usually put me in a Christmas mood. This one does not do that at all.
I hated the ending.
December 23, 2021
Мені сподобалася ця різдвяна історія. Багато смачних рецептів випікання капкейків (обов'язково спробую приготувати хоча б за одним з рецептів!), працелюбність головної героїні дівчини Іссі, її
любов до капкейків та свого кафе, метушливі подруги (кожна зі своєю життєвою історією), дружба, кохання та випробування...
Легкий атмосферний роман, захотілося прочитати іншиі твори авторки🥰🎄❄️
любов до капкейків та свого кафе, метушливі подруги (кожна зі своєю життєвою історією), дружба, кохання та випробування...
Легкий атмосферний роман, захотілося прочитати іншиі твори авторки🥰🎄❄️
January 2, 2020
Wow. Super terrible. It’s like she changed and ruined the personality of every character except for one adorable toddler.
December 6, 2021
A Smarmy, and ultimately forgettable Christmas romance. I was not impressed.
December 19, 2024
••• TIME OF DEATH 7:47 DECEMBER 18TH, 38% •••
HOLY BORING!
Did the characters do ANYTHING in this book?? I didn’t enjoy the beginning and it just slowly got worse. I skipped to the last 20 pages and.. wtf man.
I’m so mad the cover is freakin adorable. I guess what matters is on the inside.
This book will be used as a Christmas decoration. The only useful way this can be used.
I will be swearing off this author. ✍️
HOLY BORING!
Did the characters do ANYTHING in this book?? I didn’t enjoy the beginning and it just slowly got worse. I skipped to the last 20 pages and.. wtf man.
I’m so mad the cover is freakin adorable. I guess what matters is on the inside.
This book will be used as a Christmas decoration. The only useful way this can be used.
I will be swearing off this author. ✍️
November 13, 2023
3,5/5 estrellas
Es la continuación de la historia de amor entre Issy y Austin en el libro “Encuéntrame en el cupcake café” pero puede leer independiente y así lo he hecho ya que no le leí el primero. Para éste mes es una novela sencilla, ligerita, con capítulos algo largos pero su trama hace que se lea con rapidez; trasmite el espíritu navideño y contiene recetas navideñas; Esto último a mí me dio antojo de comer cupcakes, “magdalenas” como aquí se le llama.
Por momentos me recordaba a las típicas películas navideñas de Hollywood y la propia autora cuenta que escribió éste libro por nostalgia a los personajes, de hecho, Jenny hace una introducción donde nos explica sobre Issy y Austin; la primera tiene un pequeño negocio el cual marcha muy bien y está muy enamorada de Austin quien trabaja en el mundo financiero y tiene a su cargo a un hermano que está cerca de la adolescencia. Éste tiene una oferta de empleo en Nueva York a la que irá y a partir de aquí las cosas en la pareja se volverán complicadas porque Issy queda en Inglaterra. ¿Cómo seguirá la relación? ¿Austin se dejará coquetear por el mundo de las luces de Nueva York? ¿Preferirá a Issy o a su elevado puesto de trabajo?
Este libro se centra más en el romance y los problemas de Issy y Austin pero también en el "Cupcake café", los ricos dulces que se hornean allí y las historias que ocurren entre otros personajes que tienen mucha importancia en la vida de nuestra protagonista, y que querrán ver a los dos juntos sabiendo la buena pareja que estos hacen.
Es una novela imprevisible ya que hasta el final no sabemos cómo terminarán las cosas. Lo recomiendo como lectura para ésta época porque tiene todo los ingredientes perfectos para ella: es decir; cupcakes, navidad y una historia de amor. No puedo pedir más. Es un libro de género chick-lit, en donde se destaca el humor y el amor que hay entre sus páginas. Me lo devoré como a los cupcakes (jajaja)
Es la continuación de la historia de amor entre Issy y Austin en el libro “Encuéntrame en el cupcake café” pero puede leer independiente y así lo he hecho ya que no le leí el primero. Para éste mes es una novela sencilla, ligerita, con capítulos algo largos pero su trama hace que se lea con rapidez; trasmite el espíritu navideño y contiene recetas navideñas; Esto último a mí me dio antojo de comer cupcakes, “magdalenas” como aquí se le llama.
Por momentos me recordaba a las típicas películas navideñas de Hollywood y la propia autora cuenta que escribió éste libro por nostalgia a los personajes, de hecho, Jenny hace una introducción donde nos explica sobre Issy y Austin; la primera tiene un pequeño negocio el cual marcha muy bien y está muy enamorada de Austin quien trabaja en el mundo financiero y tiene a su cargo a un hermano que está cerca de la adolescencia. Éste tiene una oferta de empleo en Nueva York a la que irá y a partir de aquí las cosas en la pareja se volverán complicadas porque Issy queda en Inglaterra. ¿Cómo seguirá la relación? ¿Austin se dejará coquetear por el mundo de las luces de Nueva York? ¿Preferirá a Issy o a su elevado puesto de trabajo?
Este libro se centra más en el romance y los problemas de Issy y Austin pero también en el "Cupcake café", los ricos dulces que se hornean allí y las historias que ocurren entre otros personajes que tienen mucha importancia en la vida de nuestra protagonista, y que querrán ver a los dos juntos sabiendo la buena pareja que estos hacen.
Es una novela imprevisible ya que hasta el final no sabemos cómo terminarán las cosas. Lo recomiendo como lectura para ésta época porque tiene todo los ingredientes perfectos para ella: es decir; cupcakes, navidad y una historia de amor. No puedo pedir más. Es un libro de género chick-lit, en donde se destaca el humor y el amor que hay entre sus páginas. Me lo devoré como a los cupcakes (jajaja)
November 3, 2012
Having loved 'Meet Me at the Cupcake Cafe', I had really high hopes for the sequel. I enjoyed it, definitely, but it lacked the sparkle and charm somehow of the original story. I love the characters but found myself getting frustrated every so often - like when Pearl still stuck with Ben instead of seeing what she could have with Doti even when she knew Ben was up to his old tricks. The story seemed a bit disjointed at times because it was jumping from so many different characters rather than just focusing on what was happening in the Cafe itself.
My other sticking point is - as much as I love Issy and Austin - that Issy chose to leave the cafe. After seeing how hard she worked in book one to get it together and how much it meant to her, that didn't seem right to me. I think - and I can't believe I'm saying this - that I would've preferred them to break up rather than have her give up her dream. Yes, she gets to be manager of a place in New York but manager of one store in a chain is one thing and being owner/manager of the cafe she built up from scratch is another.
All in all, it was an enjoyable read but not one I think I'll be going back to in a hurry, unlike it's predecessor and Ms Colgan's Sweet Shop novel.
My other sticking point is - as much as I love Issy and Austin - that Issy chose to leave the cafe. After seeing how hard she worked in book one to get it together and how much it meant to her, that didn't seem right to me. I think - and I can't believe I'm saying this - that I would've preferred them to break up rather than have her give up her dream. Yes, she gets to be manager of a place in New York but manager of one store in a chain is one thing and being owner/manager of the cafe she built up from scratch is another.
All in all, it was an enjoyable read but not one I think I'll be going back to in a hurry, unlike it's predecessor and Ms Colgan's Sweet Shop novel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 7, 2013
Sorry but I found this a very disappointing read. I LOVED the original Cupcake Café but this book was not for me, it was not festive at all - it was full of angst and anxiety all the way through as the two 'romantic' lead characters spent most of the book arguing and at odds with each other, the rushed 'happy' ending did not make up for this and I actually sped read the second half of the book to get it over with. Also, what happened to Helena???!! I loved her character in the first book but she turned into a completely different person after having a child (very spoilt with a ridiculous name!). Caroline and Pearl antagonise each other without the humour of the original book, wish I had left this story at the first book and not revisited it - this did not get me in the festive spirit at all.
February 27, 2015
4.5
Nastavak romana Vidimo se u Kapkejk kafeu koji i dalje prati Isi, njene prijateljice i momka, te njihove živote u srtci pred Božić. Veoma dobar nastavak, za nijansu lošiji od prvog dijela i zbog toga mu dajem 4.5. Svakako preporučujem, divno chick-lit štivo sa divnim božićnim receptima za kolačiće.
Nastavak romana Vidimo se u Kapkejk kafeu koji i dalje prati Isi, njene prijateljice i momka, te njihove živote u srtci pred Božić. Veoma dobar nastavak, za nijansu lošiji od prvog dijela i zbog toga mu dajem 4.5. Svakako preporučujem, divno chick-lit štivo sa divnim božićnim receptima za kolačiće.
July 22, 2016
Slightly better than the first one, still not the best chick-lit book I've read so far but the series it's enjoyable overall.
December 20, 2021
Ras-le-bol des personnages niaiseux de Jenny Colgan ! Cette série du Cupcake Café est soulante.
J'abandonne.
J'abandonne.
December 27, 2022
Het Cupcake Café vond ik echt heel leuk en had dan ook zin om kerst te vieren met Issy, Pearl, Caroline, Louis, Austin en alle anderen. Maar de kerstsfeer viel tegen. Dat had wel meer mogen zijn. Het was ook geen zoetsappig verhaal, was ik zin in had en wel op rekende. Ik vond de personages allemaal heel negatief en er werd totaal niet gecommuniceerd waardoor alles fout liep. Op het laatst kwam alles soort van goed, maar dan ook echt pas de laatste 2 pagina's, alsof het snel nog even afgerond moest worden.
Het is geen slecht boek en het leest vlot, maar het was anders dan ik had verwacht. Verwacht geen zoetsappig kerstboek en wie weet is dit dan een geweldig boek, net zoals het eerste deel!
Het is geen slecht boek en het leest vlot, maar het was anders dan ik had verwacht. Verwacht geen zoetsappig kerstboek en wie weet is dit dan een geweldig boek, net zoals het eerste deel!
December 18, 2013
A world away from my usual literary fare - I picked this up because I loved the first Cupcake Cafe book. I wish I hadn't bothered. I got 40 pages in before I threw it on the floor - lazy writing in the extreme. For a start, the lovely cast from the first book have turned into a cast of utter miseries.
Issy can't seem to see beyond her nose end in terms of supporting her boyfriend who is actually doing what he's doing to support her (lazy gender stereotyping here: 'oh, look how hopeless Austin was before Issy came along with her penchant for paint, cakes and pretty things).
Darny obviously has issues that require medical intervention of some kind before he does some real damage, but he is made into a cute comedy figure who says amusing things for comic relief.
'Posh' Caroline says to 'Poor' Pearl 'At least I was married when I had a child' - and that is dealt with by 'Pearl and Caroline are not talking'? If someone had said that to me.....lets just say it would have escalated beyond this. Not to mention that this is lazy social stereotyping in the extreme.
And don't even get me started on the best friend - earthy and relatable in the first book, a yummy-mummy nightmare in this book.
Rosie Hopkin's Sweet Shop, also by Colgan, was as godawful as this one which leads me to believe that my liking for the first Cupcake book was a fluke, and I am now officially done with this author.
Why on earth would I want to spend Christmas at the Cupcake Cafe with this lot? I'd rather tear out my eyes.
Issy can't seem to see beyond her nose end in terms of supporting her boyfriend who is actually doing what he's doing to support her (lazy gender stereotyping here: 'oh, look how hopeless Austin was before Issy came along with her penchant for paint, cakes and pretty things).
Darny obviously has issues that require medical intervention of some kind before he does some real damage, but he is made into a cute comedy figure who says amusing things for comic relief.
'Posh' Caroline says to 'Poor' Pearl 'At least I was married when I had a child' - and that is dealt with by 'Pearl and Caroline are not talking'? If someone had said that to me.....lets just say it would have escalated beyond this. Not to mention that this is lazy social stereotyping in the extreme.
And don't even get me started on the best friend - earthy and relatable in the first book, a yummy-mummy nightmare in this book.
Rosie Hopkin's Sweet Shop, also by Colgan, was as godawful as this one which leads me to believe that my liking for the first Cupcake book was a fluke, and I am now officially done with this author.
Why on earth would I want to spend Christmas at the Cupcake Cafe with this lot? I'd rather tear out my eyes.
December 17, 2022
I love the cover, but really disliked this book...
The story was so boring and was all about whining and complaining. The characters are very flat and the main character Issy really does not have a selfesteem. She complains about everything and does only what other pleople want her to do. Even though she wants something else. Her love interest Austen treats her pretty badly and only thinks about himself. The two don't communicate... The other characters were just utterly annoying.
I only finished this book, because I liked another book writen by Jenny Colgan. Christmas at the Little Beach Street Bakery, if you are looking for a fun Christmas read I do reccomend that one.
I just kept waiting for it to become better...
The story was so boring and was all about whining and complaining. The characters are very flat and the main character Issy really does not have a selfesteem. She complains about everything and does only what other pleople want her to do. Even though she wants something else. Her love interest Austen treats her pretty badly and only thinks about himself. The two don't communicate... The other characters were just utterly annoying.
I only finished this book, because I liked another book writen by Jenny Colgan. Christmas at the Little Beach Street Bakery, if you are looking for a fun Christmas read I do reccomend that one.
I just kept waiting for it to become better...
February 19, 2017
I really love The Cupcake Cafe and all the characters in it! I'm really hoping for at least one more Cupcake Cafe book from Jenny Colgan because there were some storylines left unfinished (Pearl and Caroline).
February 28, 2017
She did it again. Good job Jenny Colgan!
January 10, 2020
Cute and lighthearted. Definitely a feel good read!
December 9, 2024
I wanted to like this book but had such a hard time getting into the story.
First of all this is a sequel with no indication that it’s book #2. So when the book starts with a bunch of memories from the past, I was getting way too confused.
Too many characters where thrown in there in the beginning. I just kept spacing out while reading this.
Most of the time they talked about so and so's kids and it was hard for me to relate since I don’t have any (Cat mom here). I still don’t even know if Issy has a kid of her own…that’s how confused I am hahaha.
Some parts were getting interesting with a bit of drama going on between Issy and Austin, but then it was quickly back to the day to day normal life. And I feel like they had a hard time talking to each other. Like SAY WHAT YOU FEEL to each other. I'm all about talking things out asap.
And also Austin….wth are you doing letting other women talk to your girlfriend like that???
I feel bad giving this 2 stars because i'm sure others might like it. It just wasn’t for me.
First of all this is a sequel with no indication that it’s book #2. So when the book starts with a bunch of memories from the past, I was getting way too confused.
Too many characters where thrown in there in the beginning. I just kept spacing out while reading this.
Most of the time they talked about so and so's kids and it was hard for me to relate since I don’t have any (Cat mom here). I still don’t even know if Issy has a kid of her own…that’s how confused I am hahaha.
Some parts were getting interesting with a bit of drama going on between Issy and Austin, but then it was quickly back to the day to day normal life. And I feel like they had a hard time talking to each other. Like SAY WHAT YOU FEEL to each other. I'm all about talking things out asap.
And also Austin….wth are you doing letting other women talk to your girlfriend like that???
I feel bad giving this 2 stars because i'm sure others might like it. It just wasn’t for me.
December 19, 2022
#2 (and final) in the Christmas chick lit At the Cupcake Cafe series
This is such a charming, feel-good book. We follow along at Issy's Cupcake Cafe in London, where it's a huge success, just as warm and lovely and successful as she had imagined it. She has everything, she thinks, until boyfriend Austin is offered a huge job in NYC and travels there to be wooed. Issy checks it out too, but she's feeling nervous and unhappy, and things don't go well. We meet Darny a little more (Austin's younger and troublesome 11-year-old brother), as well as the main assistants in the shop--Pearl, her son Louis, and Caroline (the stylish divorcee). Each adds some flavor to the story and the life of the cafe. I loved how good the book made me feel, even when there was conflict and indecision. Life can be messy, but it is also fulfilling and lovely, and the cafe points that out. Colgan writes a wonderful Christmas story, and I enjoyed how much it put me in the mood for the season. HEA between Issy and Austin was inevitable, but I still wasn't sure what would actually happen until almost the last page.
This is such a charming, feel-good book. We follow along at Issy's Cupcake Cafe in London, where it's a huge success, just as warm and lovely and successful as she had imagined it. She has everything, she thinks, until boyfriend Austin is offered a huge job in NYC and travels there to be wooed. Issy checks it out too, but she's feeling nervous and unhappy, and things don't go well. We meet Darny a little more (Austin's younger and troublesome 11-year-old brother), as well as the main assistants in the shop--Pearl, her son Louis, and Caroline (the stylish divorcee). Each adds some flavor to the story and the life of the cafe. I loved how good the book made me feel, even when there was conflict and indecision. Life can be messy, but it is also fulfilling and lovely, and the cafe points that out. Colgan writes a wonderful Christmas story, and I enjoyed how much it put me in the mood for the season. HEA between Issy and Austin was inevitable, but I still wasn't sure what would actually happen until almost the last page.
December 19, 2021
Sweet romance back at the Cupcake Cafe. I felt I was rooting for these people. What a fun ending, I hope she continues this series.
October 30, 2012
Review originally on I Heart.. Chick Lit.
www.chicklitkevinxx.blogspot.com
I loved Jenny Colgan's Meet Me at the Cupcake Cafe, which is the prequel to Christmas at the Cupcake Cafe. I won it from a giveaway hosted by one of Sphere's publicity managers, and I was so glad I picked it off the catalogue! The thing is, I love baking. Yes, trying out new recipes, the lovely, delicious smell wafting in the air as the yummy cakes cook in the oven. It's heaven. Well, it's hell when you have to clean the mess up, that is.
When I found out about its sequel, I knew I had to get it. But thank God for my job, I could get a review copy! Finally got around to read it, don't ask. Busy schedule, preparation for exams and shitload of assignments. Since I read Meet Me at the Cupcake Cafe in April, this year, the story was still fresh in my mind and I could easily pick up the pieces of the story in Christmas at the Cupcake Cafe. But don't panic! Christmas at the Cupcake Cafe could easily stand on its own, if you haven't read its prequel, don't worry. The only thing you're missing is Grandpa Joe and how Issy met Austin.
Christmas at the Cupcake Cafe follows up from where Meet Me at the Cupcake Cafe ended, where Issy and Austin are a couple and Issy's cafe is a successful establishment selling the loveliest, daintiest little cakes. Then Austin gets a call to leave for New York, where he is scouted by a top banking firm, and Issy and him are forced to do the long-distance relationship thing. I won't want to give away any more about the book or else Jenny's readers would kill me. That's the thing with Jenny's books, they are lovely little works of art. I admit, the covers are to die for, delightful even! The one thing I loved most about this series is, undoubtedly, Issy Randall.
I loved how Issy carried herself in the book, she's sweet, caring and thoughtful. She's sensitive and sensible. She puts others before her and secretly, I think she'll make a good mum. Master of the kitchen, baker extraordinaire and kindest soul in a home. What's not to love about her? She's a character I'd root for, not only does she bake wonderful cakes but has a big heart! The characters were lovely too, Austin, Issy's boyfriend. He's wonderful and his little brother, Darny with his motormouth, reminds me of myself! Pearl and darling little Louis return in the sequel and also Caroline. Sadly, not Gramps, I miss him though.
Christmas at the Cupcake Cafe has got to be the best Christmas book I've read so far. Don't get your hopes up, Jenny. There are still a few I haven't read but Christmas at the Cupcake Cafe is on top of the list! As if Meet Me at the Cupcake Cafe wasn't warm, fun and delightful enough, Jenny decided to add more to the mix - NEW YORK! Amazing setting, as the book was set between London and New York, at Christmas time! Isn't that the best feeling you get when you read a festive novel?
I'm glad to say Christmas at the Cupcake Cafe was a wonderful read, I loved the characters and I enjoyed the recipes in the book which I'm dying to try, if only my exam would zoom by quicker. Snap. It's next week, but the sooner it ends, the sooner I could read more chick lit and bake all I want! Warm as the brownies you bake and light and fluffy as the little angel cakes/cupcakes you love. Perfect for you if you love your book with a cup of hot chocolate and a delicious, light cake.
Rating : 5/5
www.chicklitkevinxx.blogspot.com
I loved Jenny Colgan's Meet Me at the Cupcake Cafe, which is the prequel to Christmas at the Cupcake Cafe. I won it from a giveaway hosted by one of Sphere's publicity managers, and I was so glad I picked it off the catalogue! The thing is, I love baking. Yes, trying out new recipes, the lovely, delicious smell wafting in the air as the yummy cakes cook in the oven. It's heaven. Well, it's hell when you have to clean the mess up, that is.
When I found out about its sequel, I knew I had to get it. But thank God for my job, I could get a review copy! Finally got around to read it, don't ask. Busy schedule, preparation for exams and shitload of assignments. Since I read Meet Me at the Cupcake Cafe in April, this year, the story was still fresh in my mind and I could easily pick up the pieces of the story in Christmas at the Cupcake Cafe. But don't panic! Christmas at the Cupcake Cafe could easily stand on its own, if you haven't read its prequel, don't worry. The only thing you're missing is Grandpa Joe and how Issy met Austin.
Christmas at the Cupcake Cafe follows up from where Meet Me at the Cupcake Cafe ended, where Issy and Austin are a couple and Issy's cafe is a successful establishment selling the loveliest, daintiest little cakes. Then Austin gets a call to leave for New York, where he is scouted by a top banking firm, and Issy and him are forced to do the long-distance relationship thing. I won't want to give away any more about the book or else Jenny's readers would kill me. That's the thing with Jenny's books, they are lovely little works of art. I admit, the covers are to die for, delightful even! The one thing I loved most about this series is, undoubtedly, Issy Randall.
I loved how Issy carried herself in the book, she's sweet, caring and thoughtful. She's sensitive and sensible. She puts others before her and secretly, I think she'll make a good mum. Master of the kitchen, baker extraordinaire and kindest soul in a home. What's not to love about her? She's a character I'd root for, not only does she bake wonderful cakes but has a big heart! The characters were lovely too, Austin, Issy's boyfriend. He's wonderful and his little brother, Darny with his motormouth, reminds me of myself! Pearl and darling little Louis return in the sequel and also Caroline. Sadly, not Gramps, I miss him though.
Christmas at the Cupcake Cafe has got to be the best Christmas book I've read so far. Don't get your hopes up, Jenny. There are still a few I haven't read but Christmas at the Cupcake Cafe is on top of the list! As if Meet Me at the Cupcake Cafe wasn't warm, fun and delightful enough, Jenny decided to add more to the mix - NEW YORK! Amazing setting, as the book was set between London and New York, at Christmas time! Isn't that the best feeling you get when you read a festive novel?
I'm glad to say Christmas at the Cupcake Cafe was a wonderful read, I loved the characters and I enjoyed the recipes in the book which I'm dying to try, if only my exam would zoom by quicker. Snap. It's next week, but the sooner it ends, the sooner I could read more chick lit and bake all I want! Warm as the brownies you bake and light and fluffy as the little angel cakes/cupcakes you love. Perfect for you if you love your book with a cup of hot chocolate and a delicious, light cake.
Rating : 5/5
November 28, 2017
Feeling ready for a bit of festive, fun, feel good fiction? Christmas at the Cupcake Café by Jenny Colgan includes all the delicious ingredients needed for a warm and delightful Christmas romance. We have Issy, the hardworking owner of the tinsel bedecked Cupcake Café in London. Then there’s Austin, the caring boyfriend, doing his best to get on in the world by accepting a job in snowy, lonely New York. Not forgetting Pearl, Caroline and Helena who make a whole stack of interesting friends.
Christmas at the Cupcake Café is a sequel to Colgan’s Meet Me at the Cupcake Café, however I read this as a standalone and had no problem at all in working out relationships between characters. This novel delivers exactly what you’d expect – and more. At the beginning of each chapter the reader is given the added bonus of a wonderful cupcake/traybake recipe. And Christmas and baking go hand in hand, right? I can’t wait to try making the Christmas Cherry Chocolate Biscuit Slice, which includes Maltesers and rum! Enjoy!
Christmas at the Cupcake Café is a sequel to Colgan’s Meet Me at the Cupcake Café, however I read this as a standalone and had no problem at all in working out relationships between characters. This novel delivers exactly what you’d expect – and more. At the beginning of each chapter the reader is given the added bonus of a wonderful cupcake/traybake recipe. And Christmas and baking go hand in hand, right? I can’t wait to try making the Christmas Cherry Chocolate Biscuit Slice, which includes Maltesers and rum! Enjoy!
December 8, 2023
Це була дуже затишна серія😍
Атмосфера маленької кав'ярні у закутку Лондона, розміщеної під грушею, яку взимку одягнули в гірлянди✨✨✨
Це затишок маленької кав'ярні з завжди свіжою випічкою, яка розмальована різними кольорами, з ароматом кави та какао з маршмеллоу. Взаємозв'язок трьох подруг: Іссі яка живе випічкою, і їй не важко встати о п'ятій ранку і усіх частувати смачними капкейками; Керолайн, яка супер_сучка-зла_розлучена_жінка🤣, але якій ця робота була потрібна як ковток свіжого повітря; Перл, яка живе в неблагоприємному районі міста, і яка не могла влаштуватися на роботу через маленького солодкого трьохрічного хлопчика, і яка завдяки Іссі дійсно повірила у дива.
А от любовна лінія була трішки розчаруванням у цій книзі, тому що Остін і Іссі не могли спокійно поговорити, кожен думав про добро для іншого, і робив навпаки. Навіть до кінця книги вони помирилися, але говорити так і не навчилися....
Атмосфера маленької кав'ярні у закутку Лондона, розміщеної під грушею, яку взимку одягнули в гірлянди✨✨✨
Це затишок маленької кав'ярні з завжди свіжою випічкою, яка розмальована різними кольорами, з ароматом кави та какао з маршмеллоу. Взаємозв'язок трьох подруг: Іссі яка живе випічкою, і їй не важко встати о п'ятій ранку і усіх частувати смачними капкейками; Керолайн, яка супер_сучка-зла_розлучена_жінка🤣, але якій ця робота була потрібна як ковток свіжого повітря; Перл, яка живе в неблагоприємному районі міста, і яка не могла влаштуватися на роботу через маленького солодкого трьохрічного хлопчика, і яка завдяки Іссі дійсно повірила у дива.
А от любовна лінія була трішки розчаруванням у цій книзі, тому що Остін і Іссі не могли спокійно поговорити, кожен думав про добро для іншого, і робив навпаки. Навіть до кінця книги вони помирилися, але говорити так і не навчилися....
January 22, 2018
almost 4 stars....it took me a whole month to read this but not to the fault of the book, I've been in a reading funk for so long!
This was a pretty sweet little read which I enjoyed quite a lot, I liked the writing and the pace, but it left a few loose ends, I now know it's part of a series but it's okay as a standalone...
why not 5?... I like a book boyfriend with a bit more assertion, Austin was nice but he was a bit passive, he wasn't very bold... and Issy, as much as I related to her, was also a bit on the pushover side...
The recipes at the beginning of the chapters were probably quite a nice touch, but tbh I skipped most of them because I'm just not a baker of cakes
like I say, the book was cute and I liked a lot of the characters within the story... I'll probably pick up another book or two by this author
This was a pretty sweet little read which I enjoyed quite a lot, I liked the writing and the pace, but it left a few loose ends, I now know it's part of a series but it's okay as a standalone...
why not 5?... I like a book boyfriend with a bit more assertion, Austin was nice but he was a bit passive, he wasn't very bold... and Issy, as much as I related to her, was also a bit on the pushover side...
The recipes at the beginning of the chapters were probably quite a nice touch, but tbh I skipped most of them because I'm just not a baker of cakes
like I say, the book was cute and I liked a lot of the characters within the story... I'll probably pick up another book or two by this author
November 18, 2023
Another DNF at about 100 pages. I used to run a cupcake shop, I love Christmas, I love London, and I love a romance novel, so I figured this would be an easy win for me. I tried Meet Me at the Cupcake Cafe and just couldn’t get past the constant weight shaming by every single character in the book, and was unhappy to have the same issue with its sequel. They also constantly frame Darny as annoying for… caring about social causes? I can’t speak to any of Colgan’s other books, as these two are the only I’ve tried, but after these I wouldn’t bother trying another.
July 30, 2023
Adorable book with little bit of just everything that makes cute, romantic and comedic Christmas story. I think I’m not really targeted audience and/so I didn’t really connect with this book, hence my rating.
3.5🌟
3.5🌟
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,076 reviews