Member Reviews
Had trouble finding where this book went, evidently at one point I've selected "I will not be giving feedback on this title"... that said, I did read it, and actually wrote quite a lengthy review for it on GR.
I really didn't like the main gal. It's not like I don't sympathize her, because I do, I want my parents to be proud of me, and I actually did some of the stuff she did, afraid of admitting failure such and such, those weren't my issues with her: I didn't like how she was, imo, somewhat unrealistic/delusional. I want to believe she was actually good at her job, event planning, but, IDK how she messed up the stuff she aggressively planned after she got back home.
The first one, the tea sampling one, she made it off as if her parents (and people hired) were the ones at fault for not knowing you only give out small amount and people would have to pay for the regular size; heck, following her POV, even I initially berated her parents for not taking this gig seriously and paying attention when they were taught how to proceed, yet, when it comes down to it: They weren't ready. The main gal obviously didn't do rehearsal for an event that's never done before in her parents' café. Okay, that's not a big deal, people all make mistakes. You'd think she learned from that, but the following events she planned, she just never was fully prepared.
The cat one, I was like WTF are you doing? She doesn't know jack-sh*t about the procedure, so WhyTF did she think she could do it without anything going wrong? Like, reading about the things were so frustrating and to me, she actually comes off as a person who's incompetent. She's super eager, that's a great attitude, but she has no idea of her own capability; from the way the story was presented, those events she planned sounded like they were held pretty close together, and I'm just like, WhyTH would you do that to yourself? If I was wrong, and each event has at least a week apart or more, that'd be okay, but it didn't sound like that to me, and because of that, it just looks stupid.
The great thing to me in this book is that, don't think about how one's parents would react; while I'm sure a lot of people do know their parents enough to accurately predict their reactions, most of the time, one still won't 100% know for sure until confirmed. Sometimes one actually worried over nothing to the point of giving themselves panic attacks. It's not easy, but still a good thing to keep in mind.
This book actually opens up pretty hilarious, it's just that the majority of the situations to me was super stressful to read about. Oh and I was also kinda waiting for a reveal that the ex was like, someone already married or something lmao. IDK, like I said, the book started off pretty funny, but then there's some comments that come off as super elitists and I'm just like... It's a stressful read lol.
Review also on:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2636140292
This is a pleasant book to read when you are wanting to escape or have a break from more weighty reading. Characters and setting are charmimg, and the style is easy and engaging . I loved it so nice a book that your in the cafe loved it
A very easy light read. Finished within a day. A great summer book for the beach. The story of Cassie and her move back home to Devon. Will she give up her life in London to settle back at home?
I've read Karen Clarke before and enjoyed her book and this one didn't disappoint. I'm so glad it's the first one in a series of Seashell Cove. I liked all of the characters but a couple aspects of the book annoyed me a little. How Cassie came back from London and then took over event planning for her parents cafe. Maybe they didn't want any help. And I got a little fed up of hearing 'how great Cassie is and how proud' her parents are of her went on a little bit. But apart from that I enjoyed the storyline and the characters and I can't wait to visit Seashell Cove again soon. Thank you for accepting my request for an honest review and I look forward to the next instalment.
I am a big fan of Karen Clarke and loved The Beachside series of books. The Café at Seashell Cove introduces the reader to a new destination and again there is a great cast of characters within the book.
Cassie is a great lead character and I think lots of people will be able to identify with her, a lady who returns to her parents home after leaving her job and home in London behind. Meeting back up with old school friends and appearing to have it all, whereas the truth is very different. Deciding to draw on her strengths (?) of event planning she decides to inject some new blood into her parents café and create a number of special evening events for the locals to enjoy. However she soon finds that her childhood hobby of painting and sketching can earn her more money and has to consider how her career will pan out.
I would love to pull up a chair at The Café at Seashell Cove and watch the world go by. The locals all sound a great bunch and the scenery sounds glorious. Karen Clarke has again created a great setting, with lovable characters and a story that takes the reader to a sunny seaside destination, where they can relax over a weekend and enjoy a great read.
Thank you to the publishers, Bookouture, for giving me a copy of the book in return for an honest review.
It always helps when you find yourself laughing at the antics of the characters from page one, and that is what I found myself doing with this book as Cassie returns home to visit her parents! Her parents are so proud of the life she has found herself in - working hard as an events planner - and are always imagining her living such a glamorous lifestyle. The reality is not quite that good and Cassie has returned home as she's been fired and now doesn't know what she wants to do with her life.
As she returns home to her childhood home, all the feelings she had for the idyllic setting return and she starts trying to help arrange events to help raise the profile of her parents cafe - even though while she has been away, they've done an amazing job in redecorating and bringing the cafe into the 21st century. And her efforts don't exactly go to plan so her confidence takes a big hit!
I loved Cassie and her family - they live life to the fullest and don't do normal! And while she is back in Seashell Cove she starts to reconnect with old school friends, Tilly, Meg and Danny. He was her schoolgirl crush and seems to be a jack of all trades as he's helped out her parents and is currently helping her nan with her garden. And even though Cassie has recently split from city boy Adam, she is torn between the lifestyle she had that seemed to make her parents so proud, and a lifestyle of being happy and following her passions in life.
This was such a fun, fresh read and I've found another fictional area that I want to move too - alongside a new fictional boyfriend in Danny! I've not read anything from this author before BUT that will be changing as I'm looking forward to reading more from her!
The Cafe at Seashell Cove is the kind of book you take with you everywhere just so you can grab few paragraphs waiting in line at the bank drive thru or in the parking lot after school pick up! You'll laugh right out loud and become so into the story that you lose track of what's going on around you~ A really good story with characters you want to visit with over and over again. Loved it..
This is the first in a new series of books from the author Karen Clarke, who in 2017 gave us the Beachside series. This time we are in Seashell Cove and quite frankly I want to move there straight away, it seems to be a hive of activity.
Cassie long since left Seashell Cove but she has come back home because she needs a break from her career - well that is what she is telling anyone who asks and probably is trying to convince herself as well.
To keep herself occupied Cassie decides to breathe some new life back into her parents cafe. She is too late it seems the cafe has a lot going for it, but not one to be put off despite her parents reluctance - she starts thinking about how she can set up a cat cafe or coffee tasting to bring something different to the area.
Trouble is Seashell Cove does not need anything different. It has everything for everyone which is why Cassie's brother has also returned and started surprisingly to settle down. Even Cassie's old school friends, Meg and Tilly have a different outlook on living in Seashell Cove. Then there is Danny who remembers the girl he sat with in art classes in school, perhaps now he can see a future being painted before his very eyes.
Of course Cassie's impact on Seashell Cove has some interesting and somewhat humorous outcomes. In fact all the characters are likeable and even the disagreeable ones are quite fun in their own way! At its heart is the strength of family love for each other and respecting decisions. I did think at one point it might not all be settled how it should be, but of course with a bit of humour even the quirkiest of families can love each other.
Heartwarming and funny is sometimes all you need in a book and this is one book which will satisfy the reader!
This is a lovely sweet book which I really enjoyed . In really am becoming an massive fan of Karen Clarke. Her books while easy to read tell a lovely story and I love the characters . Perfect holiday read.
Fun light read
Karen Clark did a great job of setting the tone of the book giving the reader a taste of Devon and an assortment of the people who lived there.
Cassie is flawed in a lot of her thinking and it was satisfying to see her grow and realize who she was and what she wanted in life. It takes Cassie time to appreciate Danny and I was happy when their relationship got better.
I received an advance reader copy from Netgalley.
The best book from Karen Clarke so far in my opinion! It's excellent! It's very funny, full of events and very meaningful. Main subject of the book is to know what makes you really happy in life and not do what other people (family or friends) dream for you to do. I really really loved this story! I gave this book a 5 stars out of 5! Thank you Karen Clarke for this enjoyable moment!
Super cute book. Parents that give their children independence to spread their wings to go out and do whatever you want as long as you are happy with yourself and career. Children who go out and want to be a success to have their parents proud. Seems like the perfect relationships. Parents that have made a successful business. BUT, no one really talks to each other in fear of hurting the others feelings. Only grandma has the right idea. All happening in a small seaside community. Lovely book. Easy and fast read.
A lovely way to spend a couple of hours. I really enjoyed this book. An easy read with likeable characters. The descriptions are so good I could imagine myself there. I would definitely recommend this book and I will be looking out for more books by Karen Clarke.
This is a fabulous read for anyone who loves sophie kinsella. It begins with a great opening too where Cassie walks in on her parents in an unorthodox situation.... OUCHIE. I was laughing at loud at this scenario, not that i want this to happen but i was hooked from thereon in knowing this was going to be hell of a great read, i wasn't wrong.
The story begins as the usual opener, Cassie looses her job in the high life of London and heads of to seashell cove where her parents reside. She tells a little lie not to hurt her parents feeling so they wouldn't be proud of her but says its just a visit not the truth she's been fired. Everything she recognises has changed and her parents run the cafe and its been modernised. Her brother isn't in the band anymore her friends are all local loving life in this western cove. her ex is everywhere she is and her nan is no different ...
I didn't click with Cassie but the connection she has with her ex was fun and the hilarious too often.
Its a light hearted fun read for nights in by the fire or one on the beach because its centralised around a beach.
I will certainly look out for future books by this author.
Thank you to net galley and the publishers for this opportunity to read and review such a fantastic book.
Lovely light hearted read. Great to pick up for a summer read. Good storyline and interesting characters, The cover drew me in and im glad to say i was not disapointed at all
A fantastic read - the pages almost turned by themselves and I was quickly transported to the beach where I could feel the sun on my skin and the sand between my toes (sigh!).
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review.
When Cassie gets fired from her events management job in London she thinks the only thing she can do is escape to her parent's seaside cafe and lick her wounds...... privately as she can't possibly tell her proud parents that she has been fired! Thinking that she can turn the business round for her parent's she is shocked to find that they have already done it themselves and it is the in place to go. Still she can still organise some events for them.... maybe a cat's party want the best idea she has ever had!
Great easy reading story with some brilliant characters, I especially loved Nan, and great humerous moments... the start of the book certainly set the scene! Perfect summer read for the beach
This is a great read!
I love how all the characters are very likable and real.
From a high power event planning job to living back in her hometown.
Cassie is in for a wake-up call.
After being fired from her job, she sets a plan into motion to get her families cafe on the map with a planned event. Only to be surprised when she shows up and it is already a well known and loved place. She has her work cut out for herself as she tries to figure out her next step and what’s next in life.
I just recently visited London/England so I was excited to read it ;)
I love this author's books, they at the kind of ones that make you feel all warm and cosy inside! As soon as I saw the blurb for this one I knew I wanted to read it and oh my goodness that cover is gorgeous!!
I loved the plot for this one and the pace was spot on, I flew through the story and really enjoyed it. Seashell Cove is definitely the kind of place that I would like to visit and the locals don't seem that bad either! A lovely writing style and a fantastic story.
Another great release - 5 stars from me for this one - highly recommended!!
This is a great book with a wonderful story and well developed characters. The story flowed very well and was very enjoyable. This book will keep you reading long into the night and you will not want to put this book down until you finish. This was such a great read and full of surprises. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader’s copy of this book. The free book held no determination on my personal review.