Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this title.

Had this not been a love triangle, I would have rated it higher. I get that it is in the style of a made for tv christmas movie, but that was the real downfall of this for me.

I liked the actual paring, and felt that was very strong. I wanted more time focused on her relationship with her family rather than this half baked actor character.

Because of that, I just didn't find this as warm and cozy as it was trying to be.

If you’ve ever wanted to step inside a snow globe and be greeted with a steaming mug of cocoa and some small-town gossip, "The Christmas Café" is your ticket in. The book delivers exactly what the title promises—a cozy café, a flurry of festive vibes, and a second-chance romance that unfolds under twinkling lights and the watchful eyes of meddling townsfolk. Our protagonist, a big-city transplant who’s running from her past (as one does in holiday romances), ends up getting more than she bargained for when she finds herself entangled in a little business drama, a lot of holiday magic, and a romance that’s both sweet and a little frustrating.

Now, let’s talk about the romance. The chemistry between the leads is there, but at times, the emotional stakes feel a bit too low, making the will-they-won't-they stretch a little longer than necessary. That said, their dynamic has plenty of charm, and if you’re a sucker for rekindled love, this one delivers. The side characters—quirky, nosy, and a little too invested in other people’s love lives—bring personality to the town, though some lean heavily into small-town rom-com archetypes. And if you love a holiday read packed with descriptions of warm pastries, crackling fireplaces, and Main Street decked out like a Christmas card, then buckle up—because this book does not skimp on the festive atmosphere.

Final verdict? 3.5 stars. It’s cozy, it’s heartwarming, and yes, it’s predictable—but that’s part of the appeal. Sometimes, you just need a story that feels like wrapping yourself in a blanket and pretending your biggest problem is whether you’ll find true love before the Christmas tree lighting.

This was very cute. I love a good Christmas book and it felt like a hallmark movie. I really liked this!

This was a cute and fun holiday read! Sylvie is a baker on a mission to save the town's bakery that she works at from being sold. In order to bring in attention, she needs to think big! After an awkward encounter with actor Royce, Sylvie thinks of the perfect way to bring attention to the bakery and what better way than filming a scene there for a holiday movie. Not only is she trying to save the bakery but an old friend comes back to town and she finds herself in a bit of a love triangle. This was cute and fun to read and felt like a Hallmark Movie!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. This is my honest review.

This was a cute read. However, I didn't really care for the love story. I thought it was obvious from the start that the celebrity love interest was going to be using Sylvie from the start. While I did enjoy the scenes between Sylvie and her other love interest, I can't even remember his name because we don't really get enough interaction with them other than swooning from physical touch. I think their love story would've benefited from either more interactions to a budding relationship, flashbacks from when they went to school together, or multiple POVs.

Silver Bells, Wyoming
Sylvie West has worked at the Christmas Cafe for years. Enter her trying her best to save the struggling cafe and getting caught up in a Hallmark love triangle at the same time.

Positives:
Cute story, Lighthearted
pet dog (Crumpet)
Small town romance
Community and found family
Loved the character of Gramps

No negatives: You get exactly what you would expect from this book.

Review will be posted on 12/28/24

In Silver Bells, Wyoming, everyone knows about the famous Christmas Cafe. It's Christmas year round in the restaurant and they serve delicious treats made by Sylvie. Sylvie works there and it holds a special place in her heart as she has so many memories at the cafe with her grandmother. But she finds out that the owner of the cafe will be retiring and he plans on selling it. Sylvie convinces him that he doesn't have to sell just yet; she can run it for him and he can enjoy the extra money. The owner agrees to do this on a trial basis, so Sylvie has to convince herself she can turn this cafe around and that she is capable of running it. And what better way to do that when a holiday channel movie is being filmed in Silver Bells? She knows she can get the cafe featured on social media and in the movie, especially after meeting the movie's star, Royce, and they hit it off. Not only will he feature the cafe, he also is interested in her romantically. As time goes on, her friends and family worry about Royce's intentions though. Sylvie needs to figure out not only what she wants for the cafe, but also what she wants for her life in The Christmas Cafe by Eliza Evans.

I enjoyed the character of Sylvie and her interactions with her family, especially her grandfather. I do feel she was a bit codependent on him and it made her a bit of a hermit. I was happy to see her get out, go on dates, try new things, and get outside of her comfort zone. But the more she hung out with Royce, the more things got complicated. Her friend and goat farmer, Abe, is the person I was rooting for her to recognize as a love interest and I was so happy when he started coming around more as he is genuinely supportive of her. Also, my favorite aspect of the novel was Sylvie's dog---adorable! It made this holiday novel even more enjoyable. But be forewarned, The Christmas Cafe reads like a Hallmark movie. In fact, this plot feels very familiar, doesn't it? There's over the top gestures, melodrama, quirky townspeople, and endings that are too good to be true, which reminded me a bit of Virgin River as it had that small town feel with lots of sentimental moments. Nonetheless, it was a solid holiday novel that made me smile.

Thank you NetGalley, Eliza Evan’s, and GP Putnam’s Sons for the e-arc of The Christmas Cafe! It was such a cute Christmas book and authors debut novel.

We first meet our lovable MC Sylvie West when she’s trying to wrestle her bra away from her sneaky pup — only to have him run out the door and straight to a mysterious man — movie star Royce Elliot, who is in town shooting a Christmas movie. When Sylvie learns that the cafe she works at is going to close after the holidays, she tries to use the publicity of Royce to increase business.
The Christmas cafe means everything to Sylvie — it’s where she has some of her best memories of her late grandma, where she discovered her love of baking, and the one place she feels most at home outside of her actual house. Sylvie and her grandpa make a pact to survive the winter together — getting out into town more, being more social, and hopefully saving the Christmas Cafe.
As Sylvie and Royce spend more time together, she gets put into situations that any introvert would get tense over (like having a background part in the holiday film Royce is a part of). Even though she’s being thrown into the spotlight more and her older sister is (unhelpfully) trying to get Sylvie to come out of her shell, her childhood friend Abe is always just around the corner to lend a helping hand. With the help of Abe, her gramps, and the rest of her family, Sylvie is hoping for the sweetest Christmas yet.

The Christmas Cafe is straight from Hallmark, and I love it. I usually tend to read more spicy/steaming romance books, but Christmas hallmark movies are my absolute fav, so I did end up enjoying this book. Sylvie grew as a character — not that she all of a sudden became more outgoing but more like she accepted herself and stood up for herself when her family was trying to step over her. We also see character growth from almost all of the side characters — not just the love interest. All in all, this was a really sweet Christmas book.

3.75/5 stars, rounded up to 4
Green pepper spice

Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for the ARC of The Christmas Cafe!

Sylvie has been baking at The Christmas Cafe for the last fifteen years, taking over in what was generally considered her grandmother's kitchen there. While all the local businesses have been struggling there are big rumors that the cafe owner plans to sell but now that there is a big movie being set in their town, Sylvie hopes to turn things around. The movie's lead love interest, Royce, can't take his eyes of Sylvie but she is discovering feelings for her gruff, long-time friend Abe. Can Sylvie save the cafe and find love?

This is one of the best Christmas stories I have ever read! All of the characters are well-developed and the plotlines are engaging. Sylvie is interesting and intelligent. Abe is the perfect amount of cantankerous. Royce is written perfectly. It doesn't have the cloying sweetness of some Christmas books. I highly recommend this Christmas read!

There is nothing like reading Christmas books this time of year and this one did not disappoint it is fun holiday read with all the cozy romance holifay feelings. If you love Hallmark movies, you'll love this book.
The book tajes place in a small-town Silver Bells about Sylvie's trying to save the local Christmas cafe that means the world to her. It's a good Christmas read!!

This romantic comedy is a joy to read! With quirky characters and a fun plot, it’s filled with laugh-out-loud moments and tender scenes. The relationship develops in a believable way, and the ending leaves you with a smile. Perfect for anyone looking for a light, uplifting read!

Set in Wyoming, this cozy little town will steal your heart. All the Hallmark feels once again, thanks to a cafe that needs saving and a movie being shot right here. Adorable!

Such a charming small town Christmas novel! I loved the coziness of it. Sylvia was such a fun character.

This was the perfect holiday read! It was so cozy, I absolutely loved it! Very hallmark Christmas movie, but in a book!

I was not the biggest fan of the third person pov or writing style, but the story line was cute and very Hallmark holiday cheesey. Over all it was an okay read, even if it’s not Christmas time.

The Christmas Café by Eliza Evans is a cute, light, cozy book. I definitely prefer books written in first person and this one was in third. Had to adjust my way of reading. Overall, it was a good holiday read which drops you in your very own Hallmark movie.

I love these holiday channel stories where the bakery needs to be saved. I will definitely be reading more of Eliza Evans in the future.

What a delightful book! I loved the story of the little cafe. It was so homey and I wished I could live in this town and visit this cafe. Perfect addition to my holiday reads!

This story will leave you with the most wonderful, happy, full feelings ever. It would leave you with the knowledge and deep certainty that everyone in them has the beautiful happy ending they deserve!

Cute, seasonal, ultimately not that impressionable holiday read with lots (and lots) of holiday baking... read with a cookie in hand!