This has been such a wonderful series set in a café at the top of a cliff. All the characters look out for each other. Katie has tried to keep herself at arms length from all the locals- but they draw her in and make her part of the circle. Her little boy is such a charming little character that she could hardly fail to be drawn into everyone’s hearts. She’s had an emotional childhood and she gradually comes to realise that she is her own person and she can make decisions to take back control and allow her to be happy and part of the community. When we meet her parents we can understand how she has become jaded- they aren’t the easiest of people to be around!
I really loved catching up with everyone and look forward to seeing what Debbie Johnson has in store for us all next.

I love the Comfort Food Café. I've completely fallen in love with this series, its characters and of course, the cosy setting. Like the previous four stories in this series, this book can be perfectly read as a stand-alone as it has its own independent story, but I would highly recommend reading all the books, as each one of them is a real treat. And the big cast of characters can be a bit overwhelming for new readers.

This time, the focus falls on Katie. She has appeared a bit in previous books, but we just know that she is a single mum to a very active toddler and that she spends some afternoons in the Café. With this story though, we immediately discover Katie's past: coming from a very disrupted family, all her life she has been trying to escape, but she has never been sure of where to escape to.

Now she has something that she has never had before: people to rely on. Budbury's residents are a big family and they are determined to welcome Katie and her son with open arms. Something that might not have the desired effect on Katie herself...

As usual, author Debbie Johnson balanced the sadder and harder parts in Katie's story with the more humorous scenes perfectly. It's a story that can made you cry in one page and then make you laugh out loud in the following one. And of course, for fans of the series, it's a real treat to catch up with our favourite characters.

The only thing I didn't enjoy as much as in the previous books was actually the main character. Katie is a difficult character to like, especially at the beginning, as I couldn't understand some of her actions. But as the story unfolded, I also saw her change and evolve, which was very enjoyable.

But all in all, this turned out to be a magical story and the setting around Christmas was perfect to put me on the a festive mood. Definitely a story to enjoy on the run up to the holidays with a hot chocolate and some Christmas treats!

It's always worth visiting the Comfort Food Cafe, whatever the season, but this one is extra special as it has a festive twist. The book reads perfectly as a complete story, but give yourself a treat with the rest of the series, if you haven't already done so, they are worth reading.

This story will tug your heartstrings, Kate is a single mum who's had a difficult life, Christmas was one of her worst times, but she values her friends at the cafe and is willing to let them make it special with a little persuasion.

Festive cheer, heartwarming friendship, with a little bit of poignancy make this the perfect Christmas read.

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

I have enjoyed all of Debbie Johnson's books but her Comfort Food Cafe Series are my particular favourite. I couldn't wait to get started and I wasn't disappointed as this was another cracking read from Debbie which I couldn't put down.

This could be read as a standalone novel but I highly recommend reading the others in the series as they are fab.

Heartwarming with lovely well written characters. Fantastic location so well described you could be in Dorset with the waves crashing in the background. I was drawn into the story from the start and found this book difficult to put down. A story of family relationships, friendship, romance and some eccentric characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

A Gift from the Comfort Food Cafe is another great book by Debbie, featuring all the familiar friends from the Comfort Food Cafe. It was like going home, going back to Budbury and to the regulars as well as some new faces. I could not put it down and am looking forward and waiting impatiently to the next book in the series.

With the Comfort Food Cafe series, you know exactly what you're going to get - and this latest addition to the series is full of the warm fuzzies that makes for such an enjoyable read!

This story features Katie who has recently moved to the area with her young son Saul. And we see her life from the age of 7 and how her perception of Christmas and family life has always been tainted by her constantly bickering parents, leading to her running away on a number of occasions. She's been out on her own for many years and prefers it that way, and even now with young Saul - who is a total sweetheart!! - she is guarded about who she lets in to her life.

But being alone isn't really possible in the idyllic setting of Budbury, where everyone knows everyone else and is just like one big family, always looking out for one another! And it also seems to be full of the most gorgeous and considerate blokes (where is this place?! I need to move there!!) - step forward Van, Lynnie's son, who has struck up the cutest bond with young Saul and Katie is happy to have him around, but still wary of getting too close. Just in case it all goes wrong. And things also get a little more complicated when her mum shows up in town!

I loved being back in Budbury as it feels so familiar now, with old characters popping up to help Katie along the way. There's lots of fun moments to enjoy throughout as well as watching the characters coming to terms with changes in their lives and trying to move on from the past.

A fabulously festive read!

My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the e-copy in return for a fair and honest review.

When I first request the ARC of this book I must say it was mainly because of the lovely cover and the words food and café. Those two words are really buzz words for me. I love a book that involves cakes, tea, pastries… well food mainly. When I request the ARC I didn’t know A Gift from the Comfort Food Café was the fifth book in a series. I haven’t read any of the other books, but that didn’t really influence my overall enjoyment of this story.
In A Gift from the Comfort Food Café we follow single mom Katie who has been on the run almost her entire life. If she wasn’t running from the violent fights her parents had, then she was running away from her boyfriend because of their fights. Now Katie is trying to make a home for herself and her lovely 4 year old son in the little village of Budbury.
I absolutely loved the fact that Katie, our main character is a mother of a four year old boy. I myself am the proud mom of a almost 5 year boy, so I could really picture the situations Katie was drawn into. And although Katie and I have very little in common, I instantly liked her because of the way she loved her son. And that was a good thing, because I think I would have found it harder to connect with Katie if is wasn’t a mother. She is very closed up person, who is dealing with some issues from her past. She really has her guard up and doesn’t allow people to break through the defensive wall she has built around herself. The flashbacks we get in the beginning of the story try to explain why Katie is so drawn back and careful when it comes to trusting other people and opening her heart. But as the story progresses for me her motivation felt lacking and she really felt very self-absorbed. She keeps on saying she wants to chance her ways, but she keeps on repeating the same mistakes on and on. I honestly would have loved this story more if there was some more character growth going on with Katie.
So yes, it was a bit hit and miss for me with Katie, but I absolutely loved the inhabitants of the village. Considering this is a book series I really want to check out the previous instalment’s. While reading you felt like you were missing out on some inside information and I loved the overall setting so much that I want to explore the other villagers some more.
Overall this is a lovely Christmas read. There is enough storyline to keep you flipping the pages. The romance is realistic and gave me some little butterflies. And of course Christmas is all around. Lovely, entertaining novel to read with a hot mug of chocolate during a blizzard!

Review will be posted on my blog on 31/12/2018

A charming read with a Christmassy ending, this story of Katie and her son is a feelgood story. Having moved to the lovely village of Budbury, Katie is making a new life for herself, and meets a tall handsome man (don't they all?). However her mother comes to stay, having separated from Katie's father, and Katie struggles to get her priorities right.
Thanks to the publisher for a review copy.

I love the frequent visits to Budbury. This time it is through the eyes of Katie. Katie has been somewhat of a mystery in the Comfort Food Café series. A bit reclusive, keeping herself and her young son out of arms length but now we get to see why.

As we watch Katie unfold and start to appreciate the closeness of the regulars of the café we get to understand exactly what made her this way to begin with. You constantly shout at her to keep those arms open and accept everyone’s metaphorical hugs because you get the sense that one bad move and Katie will be out of Budbury asap.

I genuinely love the Comfort Food Café series. I eagerly anticipate each new release and I am not ashamed to admit that I pre-order them and count down the days until each new story will be with me. If that is not a big enough reason to buy and read and love each of these books then I really don’t know what is.

A Gift from the Comfort Food Café by Debbie Johnson is available now.

For more information regarding Debbie Johnson (@debbiemjohnson) please visit www.debbiejohnsonauthor.com.

For more information regarding Harper Impulse (@HarperImpulse) please visit www.harperimpulse.com.

Christmas doesn't hold the fondest childhood memories for Katie Seddon. While her friends enjoyed the holidays with all the warmth family has to offer Katie's soundtrack was a little different. It involved, just like every other day her parents fighting and breaking dishes. She runs away for the first time at age seven and again as a teen. She needs to distance herself from her parents and Gran's house is just the spot to go. When her Gran dies she feels betrayed and trapped. As Katie continues to have problems her bright spot is her toddler son who is her ray of sunshine. Her little boy is her everything in life and she works hard to make her life pleasant and stable for him. This book rings out with heartwarming comfort and cheer this holiday season and you'll love reading about her little boy's mischievous antics.
Pub Date 18 Oct 2018
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harper Impulse and Killer Reads through NetGalley. Thank you. All opinions expressed are my own.

I adore this series and I couldn't wait for this Christmas title to come out. Katie has been a bit of a mysterious character in the previous books so I was excited to discover she was getting her own book. I thoroughly enjoyed finding out more about her character and felt the single mother aspects of her story were handled sensitively and written beautifully. I kept going to bed far too late as I just couldn't stop reading. I defy you not to get emotionally invested in the community of the Comfort Food Cafe and feel warmed by it's generous spirit. Highly recommended.

Heartwarming, cozy, comfort read. Perfect to read sitting next to the Christmas tree.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author. All opinions are my own.

I've read all the books in the Comfort Cafe series and they've sparked several blogs of my own through reminding me of people (Cherie Moon) and feelings generated by the stories.

This one started a little darker than what I'd usually prefer with a childhood of arguing parents, I did find that a bit disturbing but once we got a 1/4 way into the book, we find that familiar feeling that you get from the Comfort Food Cafe. I've said it before it just makes you want to live there and befriend all its inhabitants.

a great read once again from Debbie Johnson

A Gift from the Comfort Food Café is the fifth in the Comfort Food Café series by Debbie Johnson. Each book is easily read as a stand alone but in my opinion it would be advisable to start right from book one simply because this is such a gorgeous series that you won't want to miss out on any of these wonderful stories. There has never been a book centred around the café and the small village of Budbury that I haven't enjoyed. In fact my love for these books grows even stronger each time I return to a set of characters that are unique, friendly, supportive and loveable and who always extend the hand of friendship at every given opportunity.

Time and time again Debbie Johnson creates a warm and inviting atmosphere although which ever character the book focuses on is not without their troubles. That's what makes the people we meet easy to relate to and to identify with. That they are simply human like the rest of us and go through troubles and strife’s on a daily basis with some laughter and fun times thrown in for good measure. The café that perches on the cliff top overlooking the sea is like a beacon that calls people who need a helping hand or words of advice. Eccentric owner Cherie Moon is like the grandmother figure we would all love to have. She has created a family unit who although they may not be related by blood they are as close as any family could be. Accompanied by manager Laura - herself the focus of book one – Cherie and her team embrace everybody in this glorious series that continues to go from strength to strength.

Each book centres around a character who may have been hovering around in the background previously but now it is their time to step into the spotlight and share their story. At the same all the residents of Budbury that we have come to know and love appear again. I love that characters are never forgotten about, that they have prominence when needed and can step back a little when it is the turn for us to get to know someone new. This time the focus is on Katie Seddon and her young son Saul, who is always such a bundle of energy and exuberance and who steals so many scenes providing laugh out loud moments.

Katie is a single mother whose own childhood has had a deep affect on the way she lives her life today. There was an intensive and detailed opening chapter which was necessary as it allowed us to understand Katie's mentality from the off and why she acted the way she did. It was interesting and provided food for thought and the reader instantly wonders will Katie's barriers be easily broken down? She always tries to do her best for her son working in the local pharmacy whilst the Comfort Food Café crew all join to care to care for Saul. Christmas has never been Katie's favourite time of year and this Christmas is no different. She will do her bit for Saul but she rather wishes it was all just brushed under the carpet and that they could press fast forward to New Year. But Cherie,Laura and all the people I have come to know so well don't want that to happen for Katie and they are determined to give her a Christmas to remember.

Poor Katie, she really was a lovely girl and one to be admired for all that she does for her son but having so many memories in her life ruined by arguments and battles between her parents have left deep scars. So much so that she is afraid of commitment for fear of getting hurt herself, she doesn't want the life for Saul that she had herself. So she believes staying single and not engaging too much with others will prevent hurt and pain invading her life once again. I felt she really kept herself on the outskirts of the little community that was build up within the café. Yes she may have gone there to collect Saul and to indulge in some of the mouthwatering treats on offer, be warned you will want something tasty and full of sugar to hand whilst reading this book, but she never fully let go and enjoyed herself. Her guard was always up and the outer shell of protection she has created and which she believes to be necessary was very hard to crack. I really wanted her just to let go and embrace what Budbury had to offer.

The café offers conversation, reassurance and a warm welcome but given Katie's nature and her determination to stay as quite as possible so people won't notice her I questioned would she be the person for whom the magic of the café just didn't work. I'm not saying Katie was all bad in that she never interacted with anyone, of course she did but similar to some of us she prefers solitude and it's the defence mechanism she has built up for herself. On the other hand there was a kind and caring side to Katie that although she was reluctant to show it did emerge at various times. In particular when it came to Edie May and an incident that could have turned out an awful lot worse. Katie became a confidant for Laura who has an unexpected but the most wonderful of secrets. Certainly a smile came to my face with this particular storyline.

Things start to change for Katie as I felt events outside of her comfort zone started to take over and although Cherie may meddle in things it always done with such a good heart and in a respectful way, Katie was really presented with no other option other than to let go and allow love and friendship into her life. But can she do that or have the memories of the past done too much damage to ever recover from and move forward in her life? I really wanted Katie to get more confidence and realise that people genuinely wanted to help and that she is not a burden on anyone but I understand that when you are independent and have chosen to be that way for so long it can be hard to step out of the comfort zone you have built around you and to reach out and share the burden with others.

Although life has taught Katie not to believe in herself as much as others do the little glimmer of love and affection that emerged between herself and a member of the opposite sex was so lovely to see. I knew what I wanted to happen but I felt a lot of water needed to flow under the bridge before Katie could give in to feelings she has kept at bay for so long. Unless the issues that were present in her past can be resolved and she understands things aren't all her fault than there would be no way forward for her despite the efforts of Cherie and co. As Christmas draws nearer and Katie finds the changes around her very challenging the reader enjoys all the mentions of the festivities and celebrations and it reminds us that this time of year is one to be enjoyed and shared with those we love. I always had the question would this all be too much for Katie or was there something or someone which would allow her to see the light, to take the risk and to try and be happy?

A Gift from the Comfort Food Café was another delightful read which I loved from beginning to end. Katie's story was interesting and emotive and I believe many people will identify with her in one small way or another. This really is a series that I don't want to end and I was delighted to see that in March we will return to Budbury in A Wedding at the Comfort Food Café. That title alone has piqued my interest but in the meantime do read this wonderful and heart-warming story it will do you good to do so.

Such a lovely and cosy read! I didn't read the other books in the Comfort Food Café series but it wasn't an issue at all to understand what is going on. I found this book sweet, a bit sad (Katie struggles with her parents strange relationship since her childhood) but also so much fun. The son of Katie, called Saul is such a sweet little boy! He is so funny, he made me laugh a lot! I also liked the atmosphere of friendship that you find in the Comfort Food Café, everyone is nice, warm and understanding. And I loved to read about the male character, Van. He is such a nice guy. I could have put 5 stars to this book but I found it a little bit too long. I could have done with 100 pages less, but all in all I absolutely loved this Christmassy read full of romance, friendship, parenthood and love! I recommend this book!

I love the Comfort Food Cafe series and this one certainly is an early Christmas gift if you enjoy the festive season. It's incredibly comforting to encounter favourite characters from previous books and to learn more about new ones. Essentially these stories are about community and pulling together and supporting one another and these are values we could all do with adhering to more. More a love story about a town than just a classic boy/girl romance but this just adds to the charm.

Katie Seddon, always seems to be running away - at age 7, it was from her turbulent home to her Gran''s. Then as she got older, she fled from bad situations and bad relationships. She and her son, Saul, find refuge, like so many others, at the Budbury Comfort Food Cage. This is a charming, humorous story, with sad overtones. The budding romance between Katie and Van is sweet, and Katie finally finds the courage to stop running and tell her noisy demons to take their bother elsewhere. An enjoyable, cozy, heartwarming read for the Christmas Season. Highly recommended.

Amazing book. Loved it from beginning to end.
Well written which kept me captivated throughout.
I will definitely be reading other books by this author

super cozy story! loved all the descriptions of the cafe and the characters. It was like reading a arm hug! lots of sweetnes and holiday spirit.

I know I'm guaranteed the perfect escape when I visit Budbury and that by the end I will have walked side by side with the main character, totally involved with all that happens. And I've been interested in hearing Katie's story since she first appeared with toddler Saul. I made a guess that after Sunshine at the Comfort Food Café, Katie could be next. :)

I do enjoy a first person narrative! I loved getting passed that lockdown of emotion to the reason why Katie views the world as she does. She's a mixture of vulnerability and strength and I found her easy to identify with. As much as she wants to settle and be a part of the community - breaking a cycle - there's another part of her that is ready to run if she thinks she needs protecting. And with the events and experiences throughout the story there is plenty to test her!

On Christmas Even I felt a mixture of emotions and cried for different reasons - overwrought early evening with tears of sadness followed by one of the best scenes in the story! Debbie Johnson pulls you in so you experience everything through your senses. It was so easy to imagine myself in the woods around Briarwood, picture perfect for Christmas Eve and Santa hunting. I loved the optimism.

Talking of Briarwood, it was great to feel the buzz of activity and being used for Tom's purpose. I love the continuity of spending time in this community. Laura, Lynnie and Edie's secondary stories provide just as much emotion as Katie's.

There is so much wisdom on these pages. Single parents, well all parents really, will identify with Katie and Saul. I can't end without saying that Saul brings so much to the story with that charm. transparency and innocence that only 3 year olds can. He's a star.

Sometimes a series loses its way a little but not these stories. A Gift from the Comfort Food Café has everything I've come to expect and comes highly recommended from me.