About The Café by the Sea
The beloved author of The Bookshop on the Corner returns with a sparkling, sunny, soulful new novel perfect for fans of Elin Hilderbrand. Years ago, Flora fled the quiet Scottish island where she grew up -- and she hasn't looked back. What would she have done on Mure? It's a place where everyone has known her all her life, where no one will let her forget the past. In bright, bustling London, she can be anonymous, ambitious... and hopelessly in love with her boss. But when fate brings Flora back to the island, she's suddenly swept once more into life with her brothers -- all strapping, loud, and seemingly incapable of basic housework -- and her father. Yet even amid the chaos of their reunion, Flora discovers a passion for cooking -- and find herself restoring dusty little pink-fronted shop on the harbour: a café by the sea. But with the seasons changing, Flora must come to terms with past mistakes -- and work out exactly where her future lies...
Funny and heartfelt, The Café by the Sea is a delightful summertime novel that puts a modern twist on the classic Seven Brides for Seven Brothers story.
My Thoughts:
The Bookshop on the Corner was the bookish equivalent of my happy place so I couldn't wait to read this newest one. While there are big differences (food not books, paralegal not bookstore owner, etc). Flora seems so young, so desperate to impress but so unsure of how to do it. At the beginning especially she's very much a child - all about image and appearance without really understanding how to have substance behind it or the knowledge of what makes her happy. It took me a few pages to really get in the flow of the book because I felt so sorry for her but once she returns to Mure I was completely hooked. I loved seeing the island and the dysfunctional relationships of her family. All her brothers seem so one note on first meeting but as the book progresses it quickly becomes apparent that all is not what it seems. This is a lovely story. While there is a bit of a romance what really seemed to stand out was Flora, her family, and the people of Mure getting to know each other again and figuring out what they really want. The romance was the cherry on top of a deliciously tasty ice cream sundae. Rating: Very Good
Purchase Links
HarperCollins | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
About Jenny Colgan
Looks like a nice book, and I remember seeing the Bookshop on the Corner and thinking the same thing. And wh doesn't like a cafe on the water right? Looks like a great summer read! Almost sounds like Eight Hundred Grapes in a way- obviously vastly different settings and circumstances, but the theme of returning home and re- connecting seems somewhat close.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you loved this, especially since it took you a bit to get into it. I love the setting! I'm such a sucker for books set in Scotland!
ReplyDeleteKatherine I bought Bookshop on the Corner. I am glad to see this was equally as good.
ReplyDeleteI fell in love with this one, I want to visit Mure - just visit, not live!
ReplyDeleteHer Bookshop on the Corner was a very easygoing one. I wouldn't mind living on an island.
ReplyDeleteYour reviews are making me want to read Colgan... and I love Scotland and have a yen to visit the Scottish Isles (I've been to Skye and it was gorgeous!)...so...I've put myself on the wait list at the library. :-)
ReplyDeleteOh this is one that's on my list! Yay for it being good :)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great story. Glad you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteThe cover of this book is so lovely ... I wish I could spend an afternoon in a place like that!
ReplyDeleteThanks for being a part of the tour.