This is Tilly’s story: Tilly the happy-go-lucky, drifting from one ‘thing’ to another with a flair for decoration. Tilly has always been different from her best friends Cassie and Meg: by the time she was born, her father was eminently successful, her sister was resentful of losing her place in the family, and Tilly didn’t experience the financial struggles her friends had. Now returned from her family’s relocation to Canada, and with her sister and toddler daughter back at home for ‘a break’, an extension on the Café that is to be opened for a party on Christmas Eve and a ‘boyfiend’ her first ‘adult relationship’ in her life – she’s got plenty to keep her busy. The work on the extension is backed up due to a burst pipe, and only a few days are left to get things done. Dating Rufus is making her increasingly uncomfortable, he’s demanding more commitment from her – and pushing her into uncomfortable situations. Her best friends Cassie and Meg are both ‘in love’ and happy- and her sister Bridget is busily applying all of her control freak tendencies to her two year old daughter Romy, while never missing an opportunity to snipe at Tilly and her ‘lack of”. Meanwhile, Tilly is completely obsessed with not breaking her promise to have the function room complete and ready for the party – even as she’s hitting roadblocks left and right, and isn’t completely comfortable with the brusqueness and manner of Gwen – now managing the café as Cassie’s parents are on holiday.

An escape walk along the beach leads to Tilly’s diving in the icy water to save a young boy who went in after his dog – an interesting first impression of good parenting from his father, the gorgeous Seth. A former Formula One driver, Seth has purchased a small cottage to live with his son as he tries to bond with the little boy who seems, to Tilly, cloaked in sadness. Seth is trying his best with his fear of rejection keeping him from pushing his son, Jack, into closer quarters. In the midst of a nasty custody battle with his mother, who uses his former career and his history with women after divorcing his son’s mother as a bludgeon – she’s judgmental, sharp, controlling and utterly intimidating Seth- as he’s desperately ceding ground in order to keep Jack with him. With his attraction to , and perceived debt for saving his son, Seth likes Tilly, and the feeling is mutual. But, aside from being kind and mostly happy, Tilly is also completely unselfish – thinking that Seth and her sister would be perfect together – and perhaps that would make things better between them.

Clarke does a lovely job of exploring difficult issues with characters who have long played background roles in their own lives. Tilly has the ability to bring laughter, peace and sunshine into the lives she touches, yet rarely thinks of her own desires. Everyone knows that they can rely on her for anything, as long as that anything doesn’t involve her finding just how marvelous she is. This is the book where Tilly learns just how strong, capable and important she is to both Seth, her sister and her friends – and along the way discovers some simple truths about herself: she won’t allow those she cares for to be hurt, and she’ll always go out of her way, in every situation to do what she thinks is best. When she dumps Rufus (far too long after he vandalized the function rooms of the café to ‘make a statement’, she’s more angry than hurt, and learned that her unease with Rufus is a complete contrast to the comfort she feels with Seth – even with his harridan of a mother lurking around every corner. With the multiple events planned for Christmas eve – from a wedding to a snogging to an announcement of a baby to come, the return of her niece’s father, her parents from holiday and new romance, the story is far more one of finding yourself and your happiness – and fits with the others in the series seamlessly, All the characters from earlier books are here, the atmosphere is Christmassy with treats from the bakery and heartfelt emotional moments making this a series and little town you want to exist in.

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-a3X/” > <a> I am, Indeed </a>

THE CHRISTMAS CAFE AT SEASHELL COVE by Karen Clarke is a sweet story with wonderfully written characters! From the cafe manager to the toddler, great personalities!

I love Seashell Cove! This is a lovely series of books, all of which can be read as standalone, set in Seashell Cove and featuring different characters (although they all make cameos I the others) and businesses. Tilly is an interior designer. Seth and his young son Seth have a new home and she helps them out with decorating it. You know what's going to happen, don't you? Well, you might not guess it all because Clarke keeps the plot lines fresh. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This is heartwarming and just right to lift your spirits.

This is the third book in the Seashell code series. I have read the two previous books and enjoyed them a lot. You could read this as a standalone book, but the series is so good that I highly recommend reading them all.
This book is Tilly's story, she is often thought of as someone who is just drifting through life, with no real ambitions. Desperate to be taken seriously, she agrees to take on the task of redecorating the new function room at the Seashell Cafe. A series of setbacks out her car behind, but that doesn't stop most of the Villagers confusing in her just how important it is that it is finished in time for the Christmas party.
Newcomer Seth and his son are a welcome distraction, but she soon becomes very involved with them, which puts her even further behind.
Tilly really develops as a character in this book, she shows that she is not as carefree and flaked as the Villagers think she is. This book is very funny in a lot of places, and the characters are great. There is also a fair amount of romance which develops between several of the Characters, some of which is surprising. This book is heartwarming, and shows the importance of friends and family, especially to help each other in their time of need. It has a great community feel to it. It makes you want to visit the cafe and have something to eat. Perfect for cosy days in during the festive season.

I received an early preview of this book from Netgalley in return for an honest review.

This book was a joy to read. It is the latest in a series from Seashell cove. Don't worry too much if you have not read the previous books. The author has written the story in such a way that it can be read as a stand alone. But, i would recommend reading the others, as they too were great stories. This is a wonderfully written story and although it has Christmas in the title, its an all year round read. Don't just put it on your 'to be read' pile.. read it xx

Oh how I love Seashell Cove! It's probably one of my favourite series - ever - and I was so excited when I saw another one was coming out! The cover is probably my favourite Christmas cover to date. I LOVE the use of the huge Christmas pudding, the snow, the presents - it's all so cute and pretty! I've also been really eager to read about Tilly, she's been a character in the past novels that I've liked and been interested in. As with all Karen's other books, it's funny throughout, it's engaging, and just written beautifully!

I've been so looking forward to Tilly's story and her story didn't disappoint. If this novel doesn't get you into the Christmas spirit then I don't know what will! What I will say, is that it's not as festive as what I thought it would be, there's a few mentions of Christmas baking and a paragraph or so on decorating a tree but not much else festive happens - even the Christmas Eve Party wasn't described that much! However, the overall story was wonderful and enjoyable to read - so I couldn't give it less than 5 stars!

I liked Tilly's character. She's a no-nonsense kinda gal and I love that about her. She's not overly interested in what she looks like, she prefers to stick to jeans and trainers rather than a dress and isn't that interested in a career or money. I also loved Seth's character, at first I thought he was probably too good to be true but he ended up being a nice guy and I loved his son Jack and Tilly's sisters daughter Romy's frienship - so cute! And I loved Digby of course.

I loved, loved, loved being back in Seashell Cove, as always Karen's style of writing keeps you hooked to the story until the very last page. Thank you to the publisher for a chance to read this novel, which I have reviewed honestly.

Another winner by Karen Clarke. Yes a holiday read with a easy to figure out ending but I really liked the storyline. I wish the back story on the characters were a little deeper but good light read overall.

I absolutely loved this book just wish I had read the other books in this series before it. Thanks for the preview

This is the second book by this author that I read and this may be needless to say that I would not read a second one if I did not think the first one was great. But I am saying it anyway : the first one was great and the second one was as wonderful. 

It was nice meeting up with a lot of characters we got to know in the previous one but we were introduced to some new ones as well. Some were very nice, others not so much. 

The story takes place in the days leading up to Christmas and a party where everyone is looking forward to. But the path to this big event may not be as smooth as people were hoping ...

And what will Father Christmas have in store for Tilly?

A lovely, cosy and heartwarming Christmas story about love, family and friendship. It is fluently written and makes you laugh out loud but will also make you want to shed a tear. 5 stars.

Thanks you, Karen Clarke, Bookouture and Netgalley (the review will be posted on Goodreads, Amazon and my blog on publication day)

As the year comes to a close, many of the books I have read have been part of trilogy and inevitable must come to an end. Which is the case with the latest novel from Karen Clarke.

We are at the point of Tilly's story, after exploring her friends Cassie and Meg in the previous two novels and who also feature in this book too. Tilly could be said to coast through life, she has a passion for many things including taking people on walks during the tourist season along the cliffs as well as some interior designing.

When she is given the job of finishing the extension to the function room at the cafe in Seashell cove she tackles it with the same laid back attitude as most things.

Trouble is there is a lot riding on the completion. Romance is in the air, and the mistletoe must be in place, for new relationships, proposals and new life. The secrets that Tilly is holding make the task even more important and even less possible.

When she meets Seth, she perhaps starts to realise what her friends have been going on about and when she gets the opportunity to perhaps help him with some more interior designing she could then perhaps spread her skills further and everyone would take her a bit more seriously.

What Tilly did not bank on, was the doubt her sister Bridget throws at her as well as Seth's frightening mother and a young lad who just wants some fun. It could all go horribly wrong and become over complicated but of course with Christmas round the corner, it has to come right in the end. Doesn't it?

For me this was the weakest of the trilogy and at times, I was just simply turning the pages and did not feel very involved with the story and certainly did not feel much for Tilly. It needed something else to hold the story from beginning to end - it was too bitty and seemed rather rushed.

I think this book deserves to be read straight after the previous two, I struggled to remember anything about the characters and plot and there was not enough to remind me in this book. If you are looking for a book to pass the time, with an ultimately happy ending then this series of books could well be the for you.

Well if this book doesn't get you into the spirit of Christmas then I don't know what else will!

I love this series of books all set within Seashell Cove. Each one introduces us to new characters and are stand alone's. The setting is fabulous for getting across the coldness of the time of year we are about to enter but still made me want to very much be there seeing and experiencing everything for myself.

Seth is my new book crush. I absolutely adored him as well as his son. I just wanted to wrap them both up in my arms and take care of them. In fact all of the characters in the book are great. Some for very different reasons.

Tilly will have readers warming to her instantly. Her character really is wonderful even though she doesn't seem to have really found her niche yet in life. I loved how she portrays many of us, as I know I for one had no clue what I wanted to do with my life and this very much comes across from Tilly. 

The story is one about new beginnings and more importantly, family. The romances side builds slowly so I could sit back and enjoy every aspect of this wonderful novel. The Christmas Café at Seashell Cove is one that will definitely warm your heart. It's a fabulous story that will make you appreciate your family that little bit more. One to put a smile on your face and joy in your heart!

I enjoyed reading the evolution of the three women's friendships and how they never gave up despite hardships. A sweet holiday read that I would recommend to my friends.

This may be my favorite of the series so far. Karen Clarke has delivered a delightfully fun read. There could have been a bit more Christmas festivities for my taste, but I'm not complaining.

I love reading about all of the Seashell Cove inhabitants and look forward to more in this series. Please let the next book be about Gwen!

This is a first for me by this author but won't be my last.

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 Tilly manages to avert a potential tragedy involving Seth's adorable son Jack, she welcomes the distraction.
Seth promises to make it up to Tilly and feels he owes her anything, so Tilly requests that he 'date' her sister, Bridget who has showed up with her daughter after a relationship break-up.

Seth is a newly single father, who has just moved to town with his 6 year old son Jack, after the passing of Jack's mother. Seth hasn't had much contact with Jack over the years so wants to concentrate on him and be a good dad, but his own mother has other idea's and interferes too much.
Seth is struggling to settle his son Jack into their new cottage, but Tilly is determined to help them make their house into a home in time for Christmas.

Tilly and Seth strike up a friendship that just feels so genuine and sweet with Tilly still believing Seth is feeling indebted to her. Why else would he be insistent on helping her out wherever possible. As it happens however, Tilly is more helpful to Seth especially when it comes to dealing with his unconventional mother, Felicity.

I found myself chuckling whenever Tilly and Felicity came up against one another and I thought Tilly stood her ground rather well.

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? With Seth's help... just maybe she can!!

Will Tilly finally find love waiting under the mistletoe? You'll have to read this heart-warming and hilarious book to find out!

A heart-warming, hilarious read about friendship, family and the meaning of Christmas.

I now need to search out the rest of series and let myself get swept away as I did with this book.

Thank-You Netgalley for my ARC.

Funny from the first page - in fact make that funny from the first paragraph! I so enjoyed this light-hearted and feel-good read.

The first time I have read a book by Karen Clarke but evidently this was part of a series that has the same setting and characters but it was easily read as a standalone.

The main characters are Tilly and Seth who meet when Tilly manages to avert a potential tragedy involving Seth's adorable son Jack. Seth promises to make it up to Tilly and feels he owes her anything and so Tilly requests that he 'date' her sister, Bridget. Tilly meanwhile is in her own relationship with the dopey sounding Rufus who is her longest running relationship (at 1 month!) but starting to feel like he is putting pressure on her happily independent life.

Tilly and Seth strike up a friendship that just feels so genuine and sweet with Tilly believing Seth is still feeling indebted to her hence why he is insistent on helping her out where possible. As it happens however, Tilly helps Seth more especially when it comes to dealing with his unconventional mother, Felicity.

I found myself chuckling along whenever Tilly came up against Felicity or rather when Felicity came up against Tilly who wonderfully held her ground!

Will Seth fall for Tilly or is it just a case of gratitude? You'll have to read this engaging and very witty book to find out!

My thanks to Bookouture via NetGalley for providing me with this advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.

What a delightful book! I'll definitely be reading the previous books in the series.

Gwen's Cockney accent was really annoying but that's my only complaint.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

I've loved this series so much and this one certainly didn't let me down at all you were laughing at times and crying the next and has you hooked from the beginning. Full of friendship and romance and how you can pull together to get what you want. It's based about a beautful seaside village and so heartwarming. Also about families and pulling together for the best of the family. It's a great read and I was hooked and of course plenty about Christmas as well and just want to be curled up in front of the fire when you read it.
Tilly is an internal designer and is transforming the cafe room into a Christmas function room to hold a party. At the party it's going to be full of friends and families and people decairing their love, a proposal and a pregnancy announcement so can she get the hall done in time. Especially when handsome Seth come to love in the village. He's got a child jack and she first comes across them when she sees jack going in to the sea and she races to rescue him and Seth feels he has so much to owe to her for saving his son. He's moved to start a new life with his son after his sons mother has died and he hasn't had contact with his son for years so he wants to concentrate on him. Sadly his mother has other ideas and wants to have the son herself. Tilly starts spending time with Seth and jack and gets to know them but Tilly's sister has arrived with her daughter as her relationship is over and she wants to go out for dinner with Seth so asks Tilly to arrange it. Are these to meant to be together or not. Tilly is beginning to think she has taken on to much trying to convert the room and wasn't expecting that everything would go room. She is so upset as really doesn't think she will et the room finished in time for the party but Seth comes to the rescue and provides the men who can do the work. Tilly's sister Bridget starts to get friendly with Seth but when her husband chad contacts her who is right for her and will Tilly find romance and be happy or not.
Be prepared for many laughs and romance wen you read this book.

Thanks for the early review copy!

I recommend this novel to fans of contemporary novels. It was well-written and interesting novel.

A fabulous ending to the seashell cove series, as we finally get Tilly's story, and a whole lot of series long story arcs reach a fitting conclusion in a great finale.

Tilly has promised to get the renovations of the function room of the cafe ready in time for a Christmas Eve party. Over the course of the book we can see that things aren't going quite according to plan.. but what amused me was the amount of people planning key events for the party so long as it goes ahead.

Tilly meets Seth who has just moved to town with his 6 year old son Jack, and watching a fledgling friendship between them start up was lovely to see. Equally seeing how Tllly's relationship with her sister progresses s quite heartening.

This could be read as a standalone but why would you want to when the others in the series are so good.

I loved reading every moment of this story, and found myself really getting behind Tilly, especially in her uncertainty about her boyfriend, Rufus. All the regulars from Seashell Cove were there, and Gwen from the cafe was as amusing as ever.

A joy to read this is another lovely story from an author who is fast becoming a drop everything and read now author - in fact I pretty much did that with this book and didn't regret it. Such a pleasurable story to lose yourself in for a few hours.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

What a lovely, fun, festive read! I really liked this series!

My review has been posted to my blog & Goodreads. Review has also been tweeted as usual. Thank you! :c)