Blog Tour - The Christmas Cafe at Seashell Cove by Karen Clarke

Today I am really pleased to be taking part in the Blog Blitz to celebrate the publication of Karen Clarke's latest book, The Christmas Cafe at Seashell Cove.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the café at Seashell Cove, where there’s hot chocolate to keep you warm – and the man of your dreams could be waiting…

Interior designer Tilly Campbell loves being carefree and single. But her latest job is redecorating the cosy local café for a Christmas party, and when her friends confess their plans for the big night – including a proposal, a declaration of love and a pregnancy announcement – Tilly starts to wonder if she might be missing out…

Transforming the café into a winter wonderland is more of a challenge than she thought, so when she bumps into gorgeous newcomer Seth, Tilly welcomes the distraction. Seth is a single father, struggling to settle his son Jack into their new cottage, and Tilly is determined to help them make their house into a home in time for Christmas.

But with the café still in chaos just days before the party it looks like it’s going to be a Christmas to remember for all the wrong reasons… With friends old and new relying on her, can Tilly save the Christmas party?

And could she finally find love waiting for her under the mistletoe?

A heart-warming, hilarious read about friendship, family and the meaning of Christmas. Perfect for fans of Sue Moorcroft, Holly Martin and Debbie Johnson! 

It was great to make a return visit to Seashell Cove, and this one was extra special as it is Christmas and the Cove sounds just as welcoming in the winter as it did in the summer.

This is the third book in the series and I really enjoyed the visit and catching up with old friends while also meeting new visitors, one of whom was Seth - a single parent who has recently moved to the Cove with his son. Although this is the third book in the series, it could easily be read as a standalone books but I am sure that readers will soon be reaching for the other two books after finishing this one.

Karen Clarke has written another great book and I really like the welcoming feel to Seashell Cove and its cast of characters. Karen's writing draws you into the community and the Cafe is a central part to it. 

This book concentrates on Tilly, the daughter of the cafe owners, a person who has featured in all three books in the series and it was great for the spotlight to be on her. She has trouble with relationships, mainly getting past the one month mark and is having trouble to commit to her latest boyfriend, Rufus, when he asks her to be his plus one at a wedding. While she is wrangling with her emotions, she spots a young boy running into the sea after his dog, and her instincts take over and she jumps in to rescue him. She drags him back to the beach and is herself pulled out by his father, Seth, who soon becomes a friend. I really enjoyed watching this friendship develop. Tilly has an inner turmoil as she tries to understand her feelings and I would of loved to have been able to help her. 

There was a real strong storyline of family and friendship throughout the book. Seth and his son, Jack, had had a hard time and I would of loved to have been able to give them a huge hug and help them work through it. 

The book is a great read and there was added humour throughout with Gwen from the cafe and her brilliant straight laced humour. I can imagine visitors to the cafe returning for her alone, and that is before the gorgeous cakes that are served.

A great start to the festive reading spree that I am sure will be building up over the next few months. I am really looking forward to seeing what Karen comes up with next. 

Thank you to Bookouture for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.