Excellent book with a great storyline. Characters that are so well written. I would highly recommend this book to anyone!

I found the heroine to be wishy-washy and hard to warm up to but did enjoy the book overall and liked the end.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

It took a while to read this because I had difficulty with the subject matter. However I persevered and finished it. I have to say I did like it after a fashion

Really enjoyed this book heart warming & thought provoking but in chick lit style look forward to reading more in the future thanks for the preview

Thanks everyone for letting me review this wonderful book that will be part of a series. I absolutely loved it and the character of Tash. Great read

3.5 Stars – rounded
Tash has it all – or that’s what she wants everyone to believe. A successful career as the manager of the local estate agent, a lovely home in an upscale development, a boyfriend who dotes on her and always is pushing for her to be more and better, some good friends and plenty of nights out in spectacular and expensive restaurants, clubs and social events. So why is she feeling so restless, and not wanting her boyfriend Adrian to come near her? Slowly Tash’s story unfolds as the nitty gritty of her life starts to come clear to the reader. Her friend and co-worker Emma, a solid bookworm who has a fascination with Poldark has convinced her to come to the book club – a first in the soon-to-be-open book shop owned by Millie and her husband, owners of the local café. Adrian isn’t thrilled with her finding her own entertainments of a night – preferring to control and direct her ‘after work’ life to suit him, and Tash heads out to the inaugural meeting with her snarky attitude and bad mood fully on show.

What Tash doesn’t see, and won’t share because it is far more important to her that people find her ‘controlled and competent’ than human, is that Adrian is not only controlling and grooming her to become his property, not a girlfriend, she also misses that the people in her life: her parents, friends and even her new acquaintance Kit sees all is not right, and while they broach the subject with her, her prickles and lashing out in anger are off-putting. She wasn’t easy to like at all – and it is a testament to the people around her who never gave up worrying and offering help that she didn’t find herself truly without anywhere to go when she catches Adrian abusing her mother’s little westie, his rage in full effect.

Georgia Hill managed to show a more insidious and dangerous sort of abuse perpetrated in relationships: the lengths to which Adrian would go to increase Tash’s isolation and paranoia about other people, her own behavior and keep her guessing about what is and isn’t real. With a bit of digging, a ton of determination and solid friendship offered by Kit, his mother and his giant Irish Wolfhound, Tash is finally able to make a clean break, and the revelations and discoveries she makes about Adrian have her reclaiming her own sense of self and anger – allowing her to heal. Sure, she’s still judgmental and more than a bit closed off, but those are things that , as she continues to redefine her life in her own terms will change, I hope.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-a3l/” > <a> I am, Indeed </a>

A really thought provoking book subtly raising Domestic Abuse issues but it a chick lit style, i look foward to reading the other books in the series.

Last year, I read Crazy For You by Jennifer Crusie, and if you've ever read anything by that author: this story has a bit of a familiar feel to it. Georgia Hill manages to perfectly an increasing feeling of discomfort that not only Tash, but I too felt as the book continued. I've never really been too crazy about the idea of being crazy in love (see what I did there? ;) ) and if nothing else, this book has certainly reinforced that feeling. It is clear from pretty much the first page what is going to happen in Tash's story. The author manages to make the journey to that destination so interesting, though, that I could not stop reading. I actually flew through this book, that's how much I got sucked in to the world of Berecombe. From the locals and all their quirks to Tash's friend, Emma, and the leader of the book club, Amy, to Kit and his pendant for saving animals... Georgia Hill manages to set up a remarkably in depth world in just 100 pages!

Rating: 3.5/5

This is a wonderful story of finding oneself, taking control of your life, sharing friends and the love of reading. A glass of wine and brownies helps. Can’t wait to read the next book coming out soon. A definite thumbs up.

WOw this first book the in the "Little Book Café" series from Georgia Hill was excellent! If the other books in the series are as good as this one, it might become my favorite series! I really enjoyed getting to know Tash's story. Tash is in a difficult relationship with her partner who is someone manipulative. This story was so intense, so intense that I almost forgot to breath at some parts. It's almost like a psychological thriller mixed with chick lit and romance. I really really really loved my read! I can't wait to read the second book of the series to get to know Emma!

When you read the title of a book called The Little Book Cafe, you would think innocently it just about a bookstore, and in some ways you are right, but it's really about a book club in a small town, but in Tash's Story it's more about how this Book club made her open her eyes and realize her life is not as it seems, and in the end, has quite a sinister undertone! And you are left hoping Tash will get free in time!

But don't think that this book is a book full of suspense, but it has love, humor and manages to deal with a very serious topic, which is domestic abuse. Domestic abuse can come in many forms, from unwanted control, isolation, verbal abuse to things that are more serious, and while this book is fiction, if you are in an abusive situation, please reach out for help.

The little Book Cafe is well written and an inspiring story, and while it was written as a part of a series Tash's Story can totally be read as a stand-alone, just like I did, but it will make you want to go back and start from the beginning, just like I want to do.

I give The Little Book Cafe 4 stars!

I must admit to struggling with this one at the beginning and was ready to stop reading on more than one occasion but kept going as I thought there was going to be much more to this series. The reason for my wavering was such an intense dislike for the character of Adrian and his relationship with Tash. But the author wrote it in such a way that I wanted to keep going. I became sympathetic to why Tash allowed herself to be treated that was as we found out more about her past. I was willing her to become stronger and develop her relationships with other members of the book club. I was also longing for her to develop confidence in herself. I am looking forward to reading more in this series.

this review will appear on my blog shortly

Really enjoyed this book. The storyline wasn’t terribly original but I thought it was cool how Tash’s life (the protagonist) had similarities to the book they were reading for their book club - in the book. I really liked the characters and felt they were loveable (except the one character I loved to hate). I liked the way that Tash developed and how badass she turned out to be. My heart broke around 3/4 in (no spoilers) but I think that speaks to the fantastic writing style of the author. Would definitely recommend with a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for a fun and easy read.

Definitely my kind of book - I was so happy to receive the chance to read it via NetGalley (thanks HarperImpulse!) in exchange for an honest review and I raced through this novella.

This story focused on Tash who is persuaded to go to a book club at the local cafe (a bookshop/cafe in 1 = bliss!). There she meets and makes new friends but in the background she has a controlling partner, Adrian, who does not seem right for Tash and unknowingly is making her unhappy. The subject was well-written and sensitively dealt with; Tash's character was handled so realistically in terms of the denial and then coming to terms with his actions. I had not expected there to be such a menacing undertone to what I anticipated to be a light-hearted read but it really delivered right up to the last page.

There was very little focus on the book club/cafe itself but this was not a hindrance to the story and the times we did visit the cafe it tended to raise a chuckle which I found to be a positive given the, at time intense, storyline.

There are going to be 3 parts of this story with a focus on different characters each time and I'm so looking forward to reading the next parts. I am eager to read more about Tash and maybe a new romance (you'll have to read it for yourself to see!) in future books and almost a little sad that she will not be the main focus next time!

I have already added Georgia's 'Millie Vanilla's Cupcake Cafe' (which is the story of the joyful-sounding cafe) to my wishlist and highly recommend this enchanting book!

The Little Book Cafe, Tash's Story by Georgia Hill
Published by HarperImpulse
Format reviewed: Ebook

The Little Book Cafe is a series set in the seaside town of Berecombe, Tash's story is the first instalment in the line up of visits to this quaint part of the world.

Tash is living her perfect life, with a promising career, a showroom house and a passionate relationship, to rival that of Cathy and Heathcliffe, but is a perfect surface enough? Beneath lies a web of manipulation in the form of Adrian, Tash's boyfriend.

This book starts off with all the characteristics of a charming easy read rom-com, but I soon found myself deeply immersed in a somewhat grittier storyline than what I initially thought I was letting myself in for. The book took me through a range of emotions as I traversed the storyline with Tash. These emotions suggest how well her characters are formed by their ability to pull such feelings from a reader, ensuring that the book had a page-turning quality as I continued to read on to find out what happened next.

This is not your typical rom-com read in many respects as this book surprised me, in a good way, with its grittier depth of storyline and I'm very much looking forward to reading more from this author.

Reviewed with kind permission by HarperImpulse.

This is the first Georgia Hill I have read and am looking forward to reading more. I have heard of Millie Vanilla and now after reading these will be pushing it up my list.
This book was a very quick read and i wouldnt say easy due to the topic it covered. It did it in a way which wasn't too independent and allowed those who didn't want to hear too much didn't.
Good characters and I cannot wait to read the next couple of parts.

I enjoyed Millie Vanilla's Cupcake Cafe series and expected this one to be similar. It does feature some of the characters I met previously, but this story has a much darker tone.

Outwardly Tash appears ambitious and successful, her property developer boyfriend dotes on her, and she has the lifestyle she always aspired to. She's only attending the book club for her friend Emma and considers it a waste of time. The first book club meeting is pivotal in Tash's life. It highlights the cracks in her perfect facade and makes her wonder if a different life would suit her better.

Tash's gradual realisation that something isn't right in her relationship is accompanied by out of character forgetfulness. Adrian's attitude towards her is increasingly controlling, and she knows something needs to change but is she strong enough to face the challenge?

Natasha's character development is extensive as the story progresses, and her strength of character finally lets her be the person she is. Adrian is a dark, draining individual with dangerous secrets. The suspense and menace in this story intensify with every scene as Tash fights for her identity.

The ending is powerful and satisfying and makes me want to see what happens next.

Not what you'd expect from this author but riveting reading.

I received a copy of this book from Harper Impulse via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Enjoyable, if predictable, chick lit. An easy read with relatable characters who i developed an interest in. Would certainly read others in this series.

I was expecting a light-hearted romance, but this book has a lot more grit and depth than your typical romance.. Tash seemingly has it all: a successful career, living in a beautiful house, and living with the love of her life.. But after a few years, things seem to be changing and she begins to doubt everything she has held dear.. She slowly begins to realize that she is dealing with domestic abuse.

There were parts to this book I really liked - and parts that were just meh. I actually found myself enjoying the cast of characters other than Tash much more than Tash herself. This books hsould definitely have a trigger warning on it for domestic abuse situations. Tash definitely showed, very realistically, how any woman can become a victim of abuse. The one thing I never felt though - was a strong connection to her. So even as I understood how horrifying what was happening to her - I never felt any fear for her or pain. I just couldn't connect. This is what held the book back for me.