Summer at the French Café

Summer at the French Café
by Sue Moorcroft is a great contemporary fiction and romance that I really enjoyed.

I have been a huge fan of Ms. Moorcroft for a while now, so of course I had to read her newest book…and of course I enjoyed it!

The author has a way about her in that she is able to create warm characters, engaging narratives, and locations that transport us to another time and place.

This time I was able to follow along with Kat in the French countryside during the glorious warmer months and see her address her obstacles (professional and personal), progress as a character, and find her own place in life and her own happiness in the process.

Such a positive and uplifting book. I definitely recommend.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Avon Books UK for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 5/12/22.

I absolutely love this authors books as they combine perfect escapism with transporting you on a travel journey to the perfect holiday destination. In this particularly book the reader is transported to beautiful French villages and the idyllic book cafe. I envisaged myself sat outside of the cafe people watching and eating one of the delicious pastry’s that jumped of the page.

This was so much more than a romance story and explored the complexities of relationships with each other and with family and how sometimes life throws challenges at you but if things are meant to be then everything will work out. This was such an uplifting and positive read and a perfect way of escaping from the current times. I read this in practically one sitting as couldn’t put it down.

I have always loved Sue moorCrofts books and this is now my new favourite!
Perfect summer escapism, based in an idyllic location in France, Summer at the French cafe encompasses love, laughter, friendship, relationships,gorgeous food and heavenly summer days!
Fantastic characters, we follow Kat as she lives, works and breathes her job at the cafe and bookshop, I would so love to visit and could see myself sat reading,eating pastries overlooking the park!
Kat is the product of a broken home and has many unresolved issues re this and during her time in France she manages to rekindle her relationship with her half brother solly, bare all to her father and most importantly develop a relationship with the gorgeous, kind, understanding Noah and his daughter despite some setbacks along the way!
Kat doesn’t have an easy time of it due to a previous relationship and being taken advantage of by her employers but she comes through it stronger than ever!
A great read perfect for the summer I really didn’t want it to end, would love to read a sequel!
Thank you netgalley for this early read.

Another fabulous and uplifting book from Sue Moorcroft, full of summer sun, books,, dogs and family plus a smattering of romance - perfect! I was swept up in Kat, Noah, Angelique and Clé’s story. The book also covers cheating, family dynamics, misunderstandings, coercive relationships and even a little detective work……. Perfect escapism from the world we are living in right now.

This was such an uplifting and light-hearted read that I read in one sitting. It was well written with goof character development, with characters that were relatable and likeable and a compelling sotryline. The book was so crammed pack with ambience and rich imagery that I felt like I was sat in the sunshine in France reading. A great read,

Let me start of by saying that I absolutely love Sue Moorcroft books. They are always fabulous and this one is simply no exception at all. This book has a great storyline and wonderful characters and is just so easy and fun to read. I really enjoyed it.

In this book we meet Kat Jenson. Kat seems to have it all. A gorgeous house in the beautiful French village of kirchhoffen, a wonderful boyfriend, a beautiful dog and her dream job managing a bustling book cafe in Parc Lemmel. Kat really feels so lucky and feels like she really has landed on her feet.

However not everything is as rosy as kat believes. Suddenly Kat's life spirals. It turns out her boyfriend isn't as wonderful as he first appeared, there's family heartache, and work troubles. Suddenly everything seems all doom and gloom. That is until Kat meets Noah. Noah has troubles of his own, but can they work through all of their troubles and find themselves happy and in love?

I have to say that I loved this book. The storyline was great and the characters were really endearing you really do wish the best for all of them. My favourite thing though was how descriptive it was I really felt like I was in the beautiful French village of Kirchhoffen and I really wish to visit the gorgeous bookshop in real life. Definitely one to chase away those blue skies and have you longing for beautiful sunny skies.

Glorious….
Escape from your armchair to the sunny climes of a village in France in this wonderfully uplifting and enjoyable offering from Sue Moorcroft. Combining a glorious backdrop, a well crafted cast of characters, a tad of romance and an entertaining and engaging storyline, this is perfect escapism between the pages of a book.

Sue Moorcroft has done it again – this story is like a warm summer breeze, an absolute delight and exactly what I needed right now to sweep me away from real life! It’s a wonderful tale of learning to trust, the importance of being open and honest with everyone, and the healing power of love. The reader can’t help but empathise with the hard-working heroine Kat from the start. She’s independent and capable, but with a positive outlook on life, and she never complains even when things go decidedly pear-shaped. A child of divorced parents, she has lots of emotional baggage, but for the most part, she manages to ignore it. Then the hero Noah arrives on the scene and he seems almost too good to be true. He has his own problems to contend with, but instead of charging in like a bull in a china shop, he stops to consider the best way of solving them. I fell head over heels in love with him – how can you not love a man as determined as he is to do the right thing for his very sensitive 8-year old daughter, while at the same time being the perfect boyfriend? Kat has to decide whether she dares to take a chance and believe that he is every bit as great as he seems, and I was rooting for this couple all the way. This is definitely the perfect summer story!

I have previously read books by this author and I must say that Summer at the French Cafe is one of my favorites.

She spins a story that makes you feel as if you are right there along with the characters in that perfect cozy setting.

In this story, we find ourselves in the French countryside alongside Kat, her boyfriend, and the lovely book cafe she manages. However, her life changes drastically and she wonders if there is hope for new love in the mysterious Noah.

Truly fun read!

Sue Moorcroft at her best. Set in a beautiful part of France..You had love, controlling husbands, naughty employers, a fab bookshop/ coffee shop. A cheating husband whose wife once she found out was horrid. . You also had all the hang ups of being a child with divorced parents who remarried . Amazing subjects covered really well. I loved it. A must must read

Kat lives in a village in France and manages a book cafe. She is firm friends with her employers Reeny and her husband and as Reeny is sick Kat has taken on extra work and responsibility at the cafe.

Kat's childhood has been difficult. Coming from a broken family with her parents remarried to other partners, Kat always felt unloved and left out from both her parent's new families. She left home as early as she could and travelled around before moving to France.

Life seems to change for her when her half brother Sulley comes to work in the park beside the cafe. He introduces her to his new roommate Noah and there is an instant attraction.

The book cafe where Kat works sounds like an idyllic place to work. On the edge of a glorious park with boating lake, woods and a funfair. The descriptions of the area made me feel as if I was wandering through it myself. There are many threads in the book, second families, step parents, cheating partners, controlling partners , friendships, people who love you and people who let you down.
Sue Moorcroft's book are always good reads and full of surprises, this is another one of them.
Highly recommended.

I absolutely loved this slice of summery sunshine from Sue Moorcroft! It had me captured from the very first page, and I really didn’t want it to end! The characters were all so engaging and beautifully drawn. Set in the beautiful region of Alsace in France, the vivid description made me feel like I was right there. I would love to return to Parc Lemmel and to Livres et Cafe - sounds like heaven! The story flowed seamlessly, and was beautifully plotted and written. Clemence stole my heart, as did Angelique, and I loved watching Kat and Noah’s story unfold. The story has a darker undercurrent to it, that is dealt with sensitively, and thoughtfully. This lovely book made me smile, laugh, hurt my heart in places, and left me feeling happy but also sad that it was over. Bravo Sue - another winner! Highly recommended.

A 5 Star average on Netgalley? Still, a 5 Star average on Netgalley!

I've literally just finished the new Sue Moorcroft novel, 'Summer at the French Cafe'; and I didn't want to, finish, that is. This is Sue's best book so far, IMHO, dealing as it does with the mental side of relationships, as it's main theme. Does that sound as if this will be 'heavy' reading? You'd think so, wouldn't you, only you'd be wrong. The skill of this author shows all of the way through as she winds up the emotion to the exact right level, leaving you there for the perfect length of time in the story, before she artfully constructs the most satisfying narrative.
Being true to life, not everything gets formally wrapped up, but that's alright, as that's how things should be. Plus, take out the above, this is also a laugh out loud type book, or at least, I did...many times. Cute children, daffy dogs, wonderful women who put everyone else before their own happiness, this books got the lot!
Add in the beautiful setting of the French village of Kirchhoffen in summer, and you have the perfect summer read.
My thanks to both Avon and Netgalley for the reading copy.

This is such a fabulous engaging and heart-warming story, as the gorgeous yellow summery cover promises. Kat is instantly likeable, the sort of character you would want as a best friend, and I was quickly immersed in her story, rooting for her and the mysterious Noah. Sue’s characters are always realistic, flawed in some way, but basically good people, and it’s the same with Kat and Noah. I love how Kat is willing to own her mistakes, and to try and be ‘the best version of herself’ and how much Noah adores his daughter, Clé, and is willing to fight for her. There is a strong supporting cast – Kat’s half-brother Solly, her dad and step-mum, the owners of the bookshop - while Clé and Kat’s dog Angelique add cuteness and humour. The Livres et Café bookshop in the Parc Lemmel, and the park itself are so skilfully described that you feel as if they really exist and long to pay them a visit. Sue’s stories are always more than a romance, and she expertly but sympathetically weaves in darker elements to the story, divorce, coercive control, blackmail and misunderstandings that keep you turning the pages.. An absolute delight.

This is a quick fun read...takes place in France...in a book store/cafe with a quirky protagonist...finding love...losing love...friendship...family...this author has woven a story that reads like true life...I enjoyed this book...grab a cozy afghan...a hot of steaming tea...a delicious scone...or sit by the ocean with the breeze...read and become engrossed in the lives of the characters in this book. I can't wait for another one by this author...she is ingenious at keeping us entertained...no trying to discern which character is doing what...it is all evident...jus a fun read. This book was sent to me from Netgalley for review.

I always look forward to a new book from this author and this one doesn’t disappoint.

Living in France and managing a busy book cafe is Kat’s dream. With a gorgeous boyfriend she has everything she wants. Until she discovers that said boyfriend is a liar and a cheat and then trouble begins. When she meets kind and gentle Noah, she’s willing to give love a second chance, but he is dealing with a complex family situation which could put an end to their budding romance.

A wonderful uplifting story with a great mix of characters and a nice romance which makes for the perfect summer read.

With the vibrant yellow cover, Summer at the French Café was always going to create the warmth of a summer’s day as Kat and Noah’s story unfolded. I was immediately drawn to Kat, her job at the book café in Park Lemmel sounded idyllic, as did the village of Kirchhoffen. The opening pages set the scene as Kat’s romantic future implodes with the revelation that her boyfriend isn’t as available as he had seemed. The fallout of this revelation will resonate throughout a huge part of the story, but it is certainly not the main theme.
Kat is a capable, independent woman whose childhood was affected by divorce, leading her to feelings of both abandonment and displacement. Despite that, she has developed a better relationship with her stepbrother, Solly, since he arrived to spend the summer working at the Parc. It’s Solly’s roommate, Noah that helps Kat to move on from her heartache and push forward with the book café.
Noah has his own issues as he is dealing with his own familial heartache having arrived at the Parc, hot on the heels of his ex-wife and his daughter Clemence.
I just love romantic fiction, I doubt anyone who follows my reviews will be surprised by that statement, but I love it when a story brings a couple together and unites them early on. Seeing them work together and battle through their challenges as a couple is somehow more romantic than some other tropes.
There is a strong supporting cast in this story, and I just loved the way they all fell into place. Kat’s relationship with her father was the perfect motivation for Noah’s determination to remain part of Cle’s life. Sadly, it’s this determination that Kat is sorely missing from her life; nobody has ever seemed to put her first, a fact that she finds hard to reconcile.
Part of the joy of Sue Moorcroft’s writing is her ability to create fabulous, well-developed characters who are instantly believable. Her stories are often complex and deal with some serious aspects of life. She doesn’t pull her punches as difficult topics are explored, but it never feels like heavy going as she steers the story to its perfect conclusion.
I enjoyed my escape to France and am already excited about the next book from this wonderful author.

This book was cute, I loved the characters and the setting. I loved the dog!! New fan of the author!

Kat is living the dream in France, running a bookshop/cafe, living in a charming small-town apartment and enjoying a romance with handsome Jacques. Then her world comes tumbling down when she learns Jacques is already in a relationship. Daughter of two remarried parents, poor Kat always feels she is second best and this just reinforces it. Then handsome Noah comes on the scene. But with his own family problems in the shape of an ex-wife who has run away with his small daughter, can he really be the one to heal Kat's heartache? Or will she be second best again?
What I like about Sue Moorcroft's books are that they are so multi-layered. Yes, this is a summer romance, but it addresses so many other issues, like betrayal, the effects of divorce on children, coercive control, family dynamics, and even serious illness.
I also like the fact that her characters are so open with the reader - nothing in their past is kept secret from us. They are open and honest with the reader and with each other, and ultimately with themselves.
This means the tension in the plot has to come from the ongoing storyline, and as always, Sue Moorcroft delivers up a cracking tale where the outcomes are never quite certain.
The setting of the bookshop in Parc Lemmel in the Alsace is a lovely backdrop for Kat and Noah's story - a perfect summer romance that delivers warmth, depth and a dose of much needed sunshine.

Love all Sue Moorcroft books and this is no exception. You can believe you're in France. Kat manages a book cafe and she loves the job. She gets to know Noah who has taken a job in the local park helping with the water sports. They both have complicated personal lives

Do not be fooled by the beautiful watercolor book cover. This is not a light-hearted romance story. While the story does have a romance, so much more is held withheld within the pages of this book.

The story deals with blended families at it's core and how even as adults, the situations of childhood are not usually forgotten or their harm healed. Sometimes healing comes much later then it should.

As I do in every book by Sue Moorcroft, I travel, this time to France, and it was a wonderful journey. I enjoyed so much the visits to Parc Lemmel and the many dog walks around village of Kirchhoffen.

It amazes me with all the books that Ms. Moorcroft has written, that she continues to create unique characters and very different plots. I have become a big fan of her writing and hope to have more of her books to read in the future.

I want to thank Avon Books UK and NetGalley for giving me the pleasure of reading the advance reader copy, with no obligation to write a review. My review is written freely as a hobby, and is totally my own opinion, not influenced by receiving the ARC.

This is truly the perfect summer read!! The little French town is beyond cozy and the book cafe is my dream location!! Sue Moorcroft is my go to author for a cozy feeling - she does a great job of building characters that you root for in a location you want to transport to. Winter holidays and summer holidays are Sue Moorcroft’s!!

Kat is really lovely and I related to her in a very genuine way. Moorcroft never shied away from dealing with real issues in a way that feels perfect. I really loved watching her struggles but also her inevitable success. And Noah, of course, is so kind and the perfect fit for Kat. You are ROOTING for them!

Fun twists and turns keep this interesting and engaging. I cannot recommend this enough.

Thank you to Sue Moorcroft and Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. PICK THIS ONE UP!

I really enjoyed this book, Sue Moorcroft never fails to disappoint likeable characters and good storyline.

I received this book via NetGalley and give it my honest opinion.

The perfect sunny romance full of French wine, sunshine and love! Sue Moorcroft does it again, this is such a gorgeous uplifting read and didn't disappoint. I loved it and wish there was an option for 10 stars!

Love the idea of a book café, so the setting of Sue Moorcroft’s book immediately appealed. Sue writes romance, attraction and sensual scenes in a most convincing way. As with all of her books this one has a steely edge too, with the characters facing difficult life issues that hinder the hero and heroine from committing wholeheartedly to their relationship, indeed making it possible that they will never work things out at all.

I experienced a full range of emotions reading this book – horror, disgust, tears, laughter, hope and much more. A complicated romantic read with many twists and turns. As always, Sus, I am ready for the next book and this one is only just finished.

The characters were all so engaging and beautifully drawn. Set in the beautiful region of Alsace in France, the vivid description made me feel like I was right there. A wonderful and incredibly rich novel . . . Powerful writing and a wonderful premise make this a novel you’ll simultaneously want to savour and race through!

Perfect summer read! I really enjoyed this novel. I found it warm and cosy to read out on a sunny day even though we have just entered spring.

As you start off the novel we are in a French town called Kirchhoffen. The main character Kat is basically running the book cafe. Books and snacks, what a great combination for a cute store set up. It doesn’t take long before you are welcomed with all the characters getting yourself familiar with them. A main character would you believe is a dog.

Kat and Angelique definitely encounter their fair share of drama. I really did not like some of the male characters in this novel straight away you could tell they were not good people and for some, were hiding something.

Some twists and turns throughout this novel in some aspects that you would not believe would happen to Kat. I enjoy how her relationship with her family including her brother Solly does improve. I loved how karma finally won with people getting what they truly deserved especially those that are controlling that shouldn’t expect to control others.

Overall, this summer romance is easy to get into, you begin to know the characters without it being complicated making it the perfect summer read as there is enough drama in a light way to make it a read that you must finish whilst being a warm read for the summer!

Thank you to the publishers for sending me this in exchange for an honest review.

A lovely gentle read, the setting in France makes it all the more enjoyable, it also deals with some heavier themes such as divorce and blended families. Characters are likeable and relatable.

What a delightful read this book was, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved being whisked off to the little French town of Kirchhoffen, where Kat is the book store /cafe manager for her good friends. Sue Moorcroft set the scene so well that I immediately felt part of the story and invested in the characters.

The characters are great, well written and well developed I felt I really knew them all. I loved Kat, she is lovely and tries so hard to please everyone. I felt for her when she found out about the betrayal by her boyfriend and the subsequent problems this causes for her at the book shop. I enjoyed her humour and really got just how much she loved her job. Kat's dog Angelique, is a star and definitely adds something to the story.

Noah is a lovely man, so kind and understanding. I enjoyed getting to know him and seeing his and Kat's friendship develop. There are some great characters in this book, who all add something new to the storyline.

With some interesting twists in this Summer romance, it is one you need to read. It is the perfect read to escape with and enjoy a little French adventure.

"Summer at the French Cafe" is another great read from Sue Moorcroft. It introduces an area of France which is completely new to me and sounds lovely. I seem to have read quite a few books recently where there is at least one relationship involving "coercive control". That being said, there are some wonderful characters and a good plot. Perfect holiday read.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this book.

Summer at the Fench Cafe is a really lovely, well-written romance, with relatable characters and beautiful descriptives. If you're looking for an escapist read to leave you feeling happy and uplifted, this one is for you.

You can actually feel the sunshine in this delightful and heartwarming read. Lovely Kat manages the

Livres et Cafe in France. She has a lovely job but so much to contend with, including her nasty boyfriend, her

employers and there is an enjoyable although stressful workload, It is an amazing French escape and I found it

extremely difficult to put down..

Another wonderful book from sue, love everything that's written. Loved the storyline and characters in this book and loved the setting in France

A brilliantly crafted story as usual by Sue Moorcroft. Again Moorcroft deals with tricky situations exceptionally well. Brings the colour and relaxation of France to life enabling the reader to picture the scene as well as added romance. A definite holiday read with my idea of a relaxing time, romance, culture, tea and cake and books.

Loved this so much and gutted to have finished it. Beautiful story of the lives of different characters and how it brought them to be in France. Some stories its pretty easy to see where its going, I like a bit of mystery to keep me hooked and this certainly had that. Some parts I really didn't see coming. Also made me really want to visit France and a book cafe which just sounded like pure heaven. Who doesn't love books, coffee and cake!

I love Sue Moorcroft books, she has the art of pulling you into the story with her descriptions of the settings and the interesting characters. There are always difficult issues included. This time it was controlling partners, cheating lovers, the difficulties experienced with blended families but always the power of friendship. Kat runs the cafe bookshop for her fiends Reeney and Graham, she is a kind person who has problems associated with her young life. Noah works in the nearby park and shares accommodation with Kat’s half brother Sulley,. Noah’s love for his daughter shines through and everyone loves Kat’s dog Angelique whose antics made me smile.

This is a definite five star book, one to curl,up with, switch everything else off and lose yourself in France.

Smashing, Sunshine Read!

Curl up and enjoy another of Sue's books that will transport you, this time, to France, where the sunshine, cafe, books, pan au chocolate, coffee, relationships and family will captivate you. Topics of coercive control, lies, blended families, cyber attacks and matters if the heart all wrapped up in beautiful scenery and the heat of the French sun will keep you on your toes. Another fantastic read by the very talented Sue Moorcroft.

My thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books for giving ,e the opportunity to review this book in return for an honest review.

Summer At The French Cafe is the perfect holiday read. Full of warmth, sunshine, life and hope,, it will make you smile and then plan a trip to the Alsace region of France. Ot at least find your own book cafe to wile away the hours with coffee, cake and a good book!

. Kat is living in Alsace, happily working at a book cafe within a park, popular with tourists and locals alike. Up until recently, her life has been complicated and lacking family ties and love. Escaping to Alsace from the UK has been one of her better moves. She has her job, a lovely flat in a nearby town, her dog Angelique and her boyfriend Jakey. She is happy…..until she finds out the truth and her world comes tumbling down..
At just the right time, her half brother comes to work at the park and introduces her to Noah. Kind, tall, handsome Noah. Noah with.a complicated life, Noah who is only in Alsace to find someone. Noah who will go back to the Dordogne at the end of summer.
Can Kat give her heart again? Can she risk all for love? Or will she be let down again, as she has been all her life?
Can Noah find the one he is looking for? Can he allow himself to love once more? Or will the pull of his previous life win out?
This charming book is another triumph from Sue Moorcroft, who is fast becoming a favourite author.
I highly recommend Summer At The Book Cafe.

Goodness there is a lot to unpack here with this book, the cover makes it look like a light-hearted summer, beach read but don’t let the cover fool you – this novel takes on a lot of heavy themes. I always include a trigger/content warning when a novel tackles difficult themes and this novel broaches: child abduction, domestic violence, childhood trauma, cancer, stalking & harassment.

We follow Kat Jenson managing a beautiful France at a bookshop café but its far from idyllic, she must face cheating boyfriends, difficult new relationships and strained working situations. Honestly its a miracle the woman even made it out of bed each day.

The book is very well written and the characters are well rounded but I did feel Kat Jenson didn’t get the resolution I wanted for her. I was hoping she would firstly involve the police for the disturbing abuse she kept receiving at work from the so-called “hacker”, secondly I wish she had told her abusive, neglectful parents to stick it and I was hopeful that Florine would also divorce her husband and stand on her own two and seek therapy for the domestic abuse. I feel a bit cheated from successful outcomes, ones that would have resulted in the characters being far happier but continued to be doormats. I also think when topics like childhood trauma are covered, a therapist should be consulted in the writing stages.

There are also some errors on the kindle version – Loc 3008 “Francine looked wistful” and Loc 3011 “Francine dropped her gaze.” Both of these should read Florine. Hopefully the publishers can amend these.

Sue Moorcroft is a great writer and its a lovely read.

I really enjoyed this book. Not only is it a perfect holiday read, it has beautiful descriptions of the Alsace region of France and has made me want to travel there. Kat has the perfect job at a combined book shop/ cafe but a troubled relationship with her blended family. She copes admirably with her difficult relatives but will she find lasting love…. I highly recommend this book!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I think I mention this is every review lately - I'm a sucker for a story about a strong woman who rebuilds herself. I also love stories set in book shops. This book was no different - it had everything I love about a story.

The book had me wishing that I could visit this little books store / cafe. I really wish there were places like this - a fun, social, independent bookstore that takes so much pride in their store.

I could see a follow up book to get more in depth about some of the characters.

Definitely worth a read!

Fabulous trip to France!
Wonderful characters, beautiful setting and a gentle romance, what more could you ask for from a summer read?
Loved seeing the slow romance blossom, and the families coming back together too.
A delightful book , that oozes sunshine from every page! ☀️

A beautiful cover for a beautiful book!

I've read a few books by Sue Moorcroft, and I've enormously enjoyed them all. They all have the particularity of covering very serious and difficult themes which are treated by the author with extreme sensitivity. Her writing style is gorgeous, and every book is a real treat. Can't wait for the next one!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Can I say Sue Moorcroft you know how to fill a coffee shop with romance and sunshine!
I loved this light heartwarming book, it takes us to France where Kat runs a bookshop/cafe for hear dear friend Reeny who is battling cancer.
When her half brother Solly arrives to work in the theme park where the shop is situated he introduces Noah his roommate to Kat who is nursing a damaged heart by her cheater boyfriend Jakey.
Noah and Kat become friends when. Noah helps Kat out be walking her beloved dog Angelique.
Noah is also trying to sort out his family as his ex wife has run off with her husband and Jakes daughter Clemence bringing him to work in the park.
Will Kat and Noah find happiness together and will Noah be allowed to be back in Clenence’s life.
Get your shades on and your tissues ready for Sues new book, it’s a must.!
Thank you Avon Books Uk and NetGalley for a ARC of this lovely summer read..

Loved this book!!! What an amazing tale of love, blended families and all the love, complications and warmth that comes with it too!! French summer time in all its glory!!
Kat is manager at the book cafe in the beautiful Parc Lemmel in Alsace. Her brother Solly works nearby with his friend Noah at the lake with the kayaks and keeping the park maintained. Kat lives in a nearby village with her dog Angelique.. working long hours throughout the summer is hard work!!
The gorgeous summer atmosphere, aromas of flowers and coffee, the pastries, the books, dog walks, Kat and Noah, this is the perfect summer read this year!!
Brilliantly written, characters I can relate to, a fantastic feel good fabulous summer read!! Loved it!! Best yet from Sue Moorcroft!!
Thank you NetGalley for the early read, so very much appreciated!!

Review: I am a firm fan of Sue Moorcroft’s books and know that I can sit down with them and be transported to another world. This book sounded absolutely ideal for a summer read, and I looked forward to being whisked off to a warm French location; I could almost smell the coffee even before I opened the cover. When I started to read, I found that the setting was not only a cafe, but a bookshop into the bargain - one of my favourite sorts of establishment. The story itself soon had me engaged and I finished it all too quickly.

The central character in the story is Kat, who is managing a popular bookshop-cafe by the lake in busy Parc Lemmel in the village of Kirchhoffen. Having left behind a complicated family situation in her native UK, she is happy with her life in the French village, where she has a job that she loves, a handsome boyfriend and an adorable dog who accompanies her to work every day. However, her peaceful existence is suddenly shattered by the discovery that her boyfriend is not the person she believed, and this revelation brings her into contact with someone who is super-vindictive, causing trouble for her and her shop. On a lighter side, she is delighted that her step-brother has also come to work in the parc, giving her a chance to get to know him better, a thing that seemed impossible in the home setting. Contact with him has also brought into her life newcomer Noah, a divorced father with a young daughter. A relationship soon blossoms between Kat and Noah, but his family life is also very complicated, and, although they try to work through their problems together, there seems no way forward for the pair.

The bright and breezy cover on this book suggests a light summer read in a beautiful setting, but it is so much more than that. Within the book’s pages, Sue Moorcroft has introduced and dealt ably with a number of serious topics which I will not list for fear of bringing in spoilers. I will just say that the main characters in the story have to deal with such a lot. There is romance here, but it is set around a strong storyline which twists and turns, keeping the reader guessing as to how it will all end. I very much liked both Noah and Kat and was amazed at how they were able to cope with what was continually coming their way. I can thoroughly recommend this book to Sue Moorcroft fans and those new to this author, but be ready to be confronted with some difficult topics.

Another beautiful one by Sue Moorcroft.

This would be my second by this author and it does deal with some heavy subjects. It made me super emotional...

It is a well written book and I loved all the characters and the way the story was developed...

Overall - an enjoyable warm read...

Kat has my ideal job, working in a café/bookshop. So many books to read & so much cake to eat! The story is based in France where Kat is managing the café for the owners as Reeny has cancer & is undergoing treatment. The story covers many issues, such as stepfamilies, cyber hacking, custody battles, new relationships & added in, a bit of deceit!

Even with very large issues being tackled, the book feels positive & it's very enjoyable. As with all of Sue Moorcroft's books, you are never left feeling disappointed. She never holds back with difficult subjects. Loved the characters, all very believable. Another great book from Sue Moorcroft.

A beautiful novel, set in a summery location of Parc Lemmel in the Alsace, based on a café-cum-bookshop. Fun characters and lots of entanglements surrounding cheating, divorce, parenthood and betrayal. That sounds heavy, but it is a light-hearted story, combined with heavier subjects and is exactly in balance.

Love plays a major role and the relationship between Kat (Katherina) and Noah is nicely built and developed. The other relationships, those with her brother and her parents and those of Noah with his ex and his daughter, are well described and come across as realistic.

The pace of the story is not that high and it drops off a bit in the middle part, but towards the end, when the plot lines are continued and are completed, it is fun and fascinating to read again.

A special role is played by Kat's dog Angelique, as is the little girl Clemence.

Summer in the French café is a nice feel-good and a real summer read.

Starting a new book by Sue Moorcroft is like immersing yourself in a warm bath - comforting, relaxing and you know that you will love it.

Kat has a job she loves managing a cafe and bookshop in France. With her little dog, and her boyfriend, life seems ideal. When her half brother comes to work nearby life just gets better, giving Kat the opportunity to get to know the half brother she wasn't allowed to be with in her youth, and who was the apple of her father and stepmother's eye.

When her boyfriend turns out not to be the person she thought he was, and life starts getting a whole lot more complicated in various aspects of her life, can Kat bring her life back on track and find happiness again?

I loved this book, as I have all the Sue Moorcroft books I have read. It is well written with believable characters, and some interesting situations it is well thought out, and shows how difficult relationships in one generation, can cause issues down the generations. Definitely worth reading, and high on the feel- good factor.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4701445484

Fractured families and feelings: good framework for the romance!🤗

4-4.5🌟 stars
This and Under the Italian Sun are my favorites so far of the books I've read by author Sue Moorcroft. In this story she provides a good sense of character development for Kat and Noah, the principal players, and the story kept up a good pace with all the events happening in their work and personal lives over the course of a summer in northeast France near Strasbourg.

The romance builds in a realistic manner and the intimate scenes have just a bit of heat. Plus, the examination of the complications and pitfalls of broken and reconstituted families gave it extra depth and a share of angst, particularly for Kat and Noah. I really felt for Kat and her piled up disappointments in the key people in her life made her an underdog figure to root for!

I also found the details of local interest just right: not a travelogue but just enough to give a feel for the high points of the area where they lived. And I adored Angelique, Kat's rescue dog; she added some whimsy along with touching comfort when things weren't going well for her human.

Thanks to Avon Books and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

Thank you so much Sue Moorcroft, Rachel’s random resources, Avon books and Harper Collins for gifting me a digital copy of summer at the French cafe in exchange for an honest review. This was a sizzling slow burn of a book filled with heart warming characters in a stunning location. How I wish I could visit Parc Lemmel, find a book and a pastry in the cafe then sit under a tree watching the boat lake. I really enjoyed the relationship between Kat and Solly and the development of their bond. The relationship between Noah and his daughter Clemence was simply beautiful; watching him fight for her was wonderful. This book is beautifully written and I really enjoyed it. Perfect for the longer summer days we hopefully will get this year.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

A perfect Summer Holiday Read.

I absolutely loved this book, couldn’t put it down. It’s the perfect holiday read, with lots of sunshine and a beautiful setting that will make you wish you was there with Kat in Alsace. Or want to visit a book cafe just like the one in this book and treat yourself to coffee, cake and a good book.

Living in Alsace, Kat is really happy with her job, working at a book cafe within a park which has tourists and locals visiting.

Her life didn’t have any family locally and love. Escaping to Alsace from the UK was the best thing she did. Now she has a job and a lovely flat, not too far from where she works, as well as her dog Angelique, Jakey, her boyfriend and she’s feeling happy…. that is until she’s faced with the truth, and suddenly, things aren’t looking to good for her

Just when she needs family, her half-brother arrives to work at the park, and she meets his friend Noah. He is handsome and tall. But, Noah also has his problems, he’s only there to locate someone. Once he’s found who he’s looking for, he’ll go back, to Dordogne, after summer ends.

So, will Kat fall for Noah and will she leave the place she loves? Or will the same thing happen again?

Will Noah find who he’s looking for and will he let himself fall in love again? Or will his present life be too much for him to try again?

Highly Recommend This Book.

I grabbed this book because of the beautiful cover and because a French cafe sounded like and interesting setting for a story. I enjoyed the author's writing and the descriptions of the beautiful area in France. I thought this would be a light read, but it surprised me.

This story follows Kat Jenson who is managing a book cafe in Park Lemmel in France. The book contains elements of romance, bleneded families, domestic violence, illness, grief, and several other topics. I really enjoyed the writing. The characters are believable and I liked several of them and disliked a few as well. There were some difficult situations in the book that had to be overcome and the book had me captivated.

Thanks to Avon Books UK through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on May 12, 2022.

As the saying goes, this is the first Sue Moorcroft book I have read, but it won’t be the last. On the face of it, Summer at the French Café is a happy ever after holiday read, but actually the book is far more.

So, what makes it stand out? The sense of place, certainly, and I love that. As I read I could actually see every place the author described; Parc Lemmel, the bookshop café at the story’s heart, the local villages… and without a single sentence of overblown description. All I needed to know was dropped seamlessly into the narrative in an exceptionally skilful way.

But more than the quality of the writing, I love the fact there is a very serious issue at the heart of the book, one that isn’t squashed or skimmed over in the search for a happy ending, one that is dealt with in a sensitive and realistic manner. That issue is emotional control; how it can be used in relationships, the reasons people accept it, and the dangerous patterns that mean it can echo across generations and years.

I really recommend this book if you like a romantic holiday read with a little more 'meat'.

Really enjoyed it, a bit of everything in this one, a lying cheating boyfriend, being used by your bosses, cyber attacks, family rows and a child being taken from her dad by his ex wife and her controlling husband and all in what sounds like a lovely French leisure village !
A fab read

I need some escapist read and this was the perfect read as Sue Moorcroft never disappoints.
It's a heartwarming and compelling story that made me smile and root for the characters.
It's well plotted and I liked the storytelling.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This was an original and unusual book in a fantastic setting, which brought back happy memories of my own visits to the region around Strasbourg.

The novel weaves together several strands, including romance, hacking, books, French café culture and more! There was also a serious storyline about a child that had been moved to a different region without its father's consent so the book contained plenty of substance about complex and intertwined family relationships that I particularly appreciated.

Thank you very much to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of Summer at the French Café in exchange for an honest review.

This book instantly transports you to a sunny French village. You find yourself right in the midst of the action and it’s a delightful, fun trip.

What a fantastic read. I could not put this book down.
Kat runs a cafe/book shop in France for her friends Reeny and Graham. She has the best job in the world! But…her life is complicated with a father she never sees and step mother who is controlling and a step brother who she is trying to get know better now he has moved to France. Kat meets Noah who has a difficult background himself but they both fall in love. This book has a bit of everything… love, friendships, families and relationships all set in beautiful France with the beautiful sunshine.
This book is a must read for pure summer escapism.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review. It was an absolute pleasure.

Another lovely summer romance from Sue Moorcroft, set in the beautiful region of Alsace, France. Kat and Noah meet at the beginning of the summer. She works as the manager of a wonderful sounding book cafe in a beautiful park just outside Strasbourg, France and is coming off a relationship with a man who deceived her. Noah has an 8 yo daughter he loves dearly, but his ex and her new spouse disappeared with her without warning. He’s been frantically trying to track them down and finally traces them to the Strasbourg region, so he takes a summer job at the park in hopes of finding her.

As luck would have it, Noah ends up rooming with Kat’s brother, also temporarily working at the park. They meet through her brother, and quickly realize they like each other very much. Kat helps Noah locate his daughter and things seem to be going along swimmingly, but as the end of the summer approaches, both of them will face major challenges and decisions before they can make the relationship work long term. I really enjoyed both Kat and Noah, who are both kind, responsible adults trying to make the best choices for themselves and the people around them. They make a great couple. My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

Feels like i have been teleport to France. It's my first Sue Moorcroft’s books and i enjoy this one practically because it's set in France, one of the country i wish to travel too.

I like how the cover portray what it mention on the title. Also this is a slow burn book so for those to like a holiday chill read then this is for you. This book follows the story of Kat who manages a book cafe in Park Lemmel. Kat feels her life is perfect until she discovers her boyfriend isn’t all he seems which leads to the start of a difficult summer for Kat. Meeting mysterious Noah, although he also seems to have his fair share of burdens.

Thank you to NetGalley for approving my request for this beautiful summer read.

This lovely novel invites readers to a holiday in Alsace, where Kat, a British woman, manages a multilingual book café in a tourist park, and Noah got a summer job in that same park for a secret reason.
I quickly got attached to both Kat and Noah, and greatly enjoyed watching their romance unfold while some unpleasant characters created plot twists I really liked even if they made me want to slap a few people. 😉
There's also an adorable, highly emotional little girl, a cute, mischievous dog, and a general theme of family relationships (plus how something that happened in one's childhood can influence decisions made as an adult) that I found very interesting.

Sue Moorcroft is one of my favourite authors, she always delivers a deeper story than the average romance and this one was the same. Characters were great and I just got swept up in the story.

Another heart warming sunny read by this author which I thoroughly enjoyed. Fabulous characters and nice story I would recommend to anyone.

Kat thought life was perfect and then things went upside down. But she's resilient and the small village in France where she lives and works is delightful. And then her half brother Solly comes to visit and he introduces her to Noah. Noah's got some issues but more importantly (and positively) he's got Cle, a sweet daughter with just the right amount of tartness. Fans of Moorcroft know what's going to happen but as always, she writes a good tale of new beginnings in a terrific setting. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A sunny read for a rainy day.

I was lucky enough to be given an ARC from Netgalley of Sue Moorcroft’s new book – Summer at The French Cafe.

I loved this novel. I feel like I say this about every book Sue Moorcroft writes, but it’s true! Just thinking about writing a review makes me want to pick up the story and read it all over again.

Kat and Noah are brilliant main characters who deserve happiness together if only life’s problems didn’t get in the way. We follow both as viewpoint characters and really get insides their heads to understand the decisions they make and how the past has affected them. There are serious issues in this book that are handled with care and sensitivity. My heart aches for Noah and his little girl, and Kat has some really crap situations to contend with too. At the end I felt like cheering, but you’ll have to read Summer at the French Cafe to find out why!

I loved the book cafe in Park Lemmel, I would love to stop there for cake and tea. And Angelique the dog was a star character for me. Having a dog in romantic fiction should be compulsory!

I was in quite a big reading slump before picking up this book. As Sue Moorcroft is one of my favourite authors, I knew I could rely on her to pull me out of my reading slump and she definitely didnt disappoint.

We follow Kat and Noah as they navigate complicated family relationships and work situations.
Its a brilliant story and as with all Sue Moorcroft's books, leaves you desperate to visit the area in which the book is based. Having researched Kirchhoffen (and unfortunately discovered it isnt a real place) I have since discovered that one of her other books (Just For The Holidays) is based in the same place. Thankfully Alsace is a real place though so there's always a chance to visit.

I'd definitely recommend this book but be ready to have tissues avaliable for the last couple of chapters. It gets emotional.

Once again Sue Moorcroft has written another delightful novel, that I thoroughly enjoyed and couldn't get enough of.

I mean we are talking about a bookshop with cafe, in the middle of a gorgeous sounding park (by park I mean the sort that has a kayaking lake, many rides including rollercoasters, expanse of greenery, shops and more) and not the your down the bottom of your road small park, a gorgeous little dog, summer in France, and a story that looks at family relationships.

Especially looking at how children and step parents exist, and how that can shape who you are as an adult.

I loved the friendship that was developing between Kat and Noah, and seeing Noah really come alive as the story progressed from his initial rather quite, withdrawn self, to at a certain point someone truly special.

There is certainly drama involved which leads to sabotage, and then a bit of detective work. And I do love a confrontation or two to heighten the excitement of the story!

So many good storylines, everything moves along at a decent pace and this is just wonderful writing, a great story and Sue Moorcroft at her best. An all around thoroughly enjoyable book.

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

Kat lives in France and manages a cafe book shop. She has finally found her ideal job and loves her life. She has a background coming from a divorced family. She has issues with parents, step parents and step siblings on both sides. She is thrilled when her step brother moves to France working at a Leisure Park near the book cafe. Kat loves meeting customers, helping them choose books and runs book clubs and children's activities within the community. This book covers family, friendships, romance and it's difficulties. It is a very good read and one that I would recommend.

I've read a few Sue Moorcroft books now and they never disappoint. Summer at the French Café was another delightful romance and a perfect summer read! As I currently live in France myself, I could really relate to the story and to Kat as a character. Just a little heads up: while it's definitely a lovely summer romance novel, there are some trigger warnings and there is some depth to the story. This book was a 4/5 star read for me.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the author for gifting me an eARC, in return for an honest review.

Another lovely summer read. Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
This book was tres joli. Kat was the manager of a charming bookshop/cafe in a pretty theme park. She works long hours and has taken on the responsibility of most of it due to the illness of the owners wife. She is dating Jacey a racing enthusiast with a secret life. She’s having fun. Until it doesn’t become fun any more. She’s reconnected with her younger half brother who has come to work at the theme park for the summer and is sharing a caravan with Noah. Cat and Noah’s path cross as he sometimes walks her dog in his lunch break. This book is a great read and i really enjoyed it.

SUMMER AT THE FRENCH CAFE is refreshing as a mint julep in the summer heat. It stars a pretty lady, Kat Jenson, who is lucky to have a lovely house in the French village, Kirchhoffen, a handsome boyfriend, a cute dog and a dream job managing a book cafe' in Parc Lemmel. Then, her life derails when she finds out her boyfriend isn't who she thought, when a lunatic lady threatens her at the cafe'. Kate has family troubles, but manages to reconnect with her half brother, Solly. Then, her employers take advantage of her good nature, leaving her angry and despaired. Will Kate find happiness again?

Per chance, Kate meets Noah, a handsome, gentle soul who is her brother's friend. Noah has a wonderful daughter that worms her way into Kate's heart. Noah has problems of his own too. Life in France is wonderful and peaceful. However, obstacles emerge along the way that are very troubling to both of them. Will they find romance while working out all the setbacks?

You will love SUMMER AT THE FRENCH CAFE with its inspiring and uplifting romantic story line. Kate and Noah meet and chitchat over pastries and tea, at the bustling cafe and bookstore where Kate works. They hit it off and Noah is her life savior time and again. Kate has some unsettling situations and so does Noah. Together they make a good team and they come through adversity stronger than ever! This story is aglow with sparks of wit, romance, mayhem, with a pleasantly perfect Parisian view of French culture. The pastries that Kate sells sound smashing! Keep snacks handy while reading this, because I got very hungry. The author has many wonderful characters in this story that are quirky, vindictive, likable and charming. This story has it all and is sheer reading enjoyment for the summer months. SUMMER AT THE FRENCH CAFE is oo la la, fantastic!

Is there such a thing as a bad Sue Moorcroft book? I don’t think there is.

I love that her inspiration for this book was Wicksteed Park and theme park. I agree it is a beautiful, family friendly place to visit, and whilst I do prefer the greenery of England, I do agree that France is also beautiful and fits perfectly with her storyline so I understand why she moved it.

Whilst Sue is known for her happy, uplifting stories, she doesn’t hide from the more intense themes such as marital affairs, abandonment, cancer, controlling behaviour and cyber crime for example.

I did think there was potentially a few too many characters to give them all the time they deserved, which meant some of them felt a bit 2D as they didn’t have enough to work with, but Kat’s story was very clear and passionate she is strong, loyal and friendly.

I couldn’t decide if I felt the ending was a bit rushed. It seemed to from everything being a nightmare to happily-ever-after very quickly, but I think if it had been slower then there’s a chance it might have felt like it dragged on too much. So I’m undecided here, but it didn’t hinder the story.

If I’m being completely honest, I do prefer her wintery Christmas books but that’s because me and Christmas go together like salt and pepper. Having said that, this was enjoyable and fun to read and has given me the push to explore more of her summer-themed stories.

What a truly stunning read this book is and Sue never fails to disappoint. Heart warming and beautifully written.

Summer at the French Cafe is Sue Moorcroft’s latest novel and follows the story of Kat who manages a book cafe in Park Lemmel. Imagine sunny days, French countryside and sparking wine and add in a faithful dog. Kat feels she has the perfect life until she discovers her boyfriend isn’t all he seems which leads to the start of a difficult summer for Kat. It seems her bright blue skies have clouded over until she meets mysterious Noah, although he also seems to have his fair share of burdens. Can they overcome their obstacles and find love again? This is a real heartwarming and uplifting story with some great characters. It kept me entertained throughout. Thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books UK and the author for the chance to review.

This book certainly took me to what sounds like an idyllic location, I had travelled near there on business and it brought it back to life for me. I could relate to Noah and his feeling for his daughter, Kat was a much more complex character due to the effect of her parent's divorce when she was young, together with the recent breakup with her boyfriend Jake. There are many twists and turns in the book, every time you think that things are going well something happens to put a spanner in the works, which is probably true to life. Not necessarily a light read due to the content, with some spicy moments if they're not your thing, but one that I enjoyed, I certainly envied the summer weather involved.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

Kat is the manager at livres et cafe; the story follows her through one tumultuous summer as she encounters problems, people and overcomes it all.

This was a mixed book for me; I liked the characters and the setting, the storyline is a solid romance one that was interesting to follow. I enjoyed it on the whole but I felt in some parts, the author used 100 words where she could've used 10, which is a shame as it impacted the pace and lessened my interest.

Having said that, I did really like the characters and would like to know what happens next- they were interesting and different enough to your usual Romcom characters.

First of all, I want to give an extra star for the front cover! The yellow colored background with the picture gave a vibrant attraction.

Kat Jenson seems to have it all--a perfect boyfriend, a delightful dog named Angelique and a perfect job at a book cafe in the vibrant Park Lemmel. But then her life takes a turn when she finds out that her so called "perfect" boyfriend isn't what he seemed to be--he is already married! Now Kat thinks her life is shattered but then she meets mysterious Noah, who seem to be having family problems as well--his wife remarried who seemed to be taking control of Noah's own daughter Clemence. Now Kat and Noah must overcome their family obstacles and eventually, their friendship soon turns to romance as they help each other out.

I am very skeptical about romance books but this book actually grew into me. I really like the author's style of writing which was engaging and as a reader who had never been to France, I felt like I was in France, in this quaint small town with all those descriptions. I do like how the author labeled out Kat's relationship with her own father and how she helps Noah to meet his daughter Clemence. I simply couldn't put this book down as I actually grew into liking Kat and Noah's relationship. Overall, a heartwarming romance novel that will make the reader feel like they are in France and in love.

If you like a story set in small quaint vibrant French town and want to feel like you are in France, then this book is one for you. Worth five stars!

Many thanks to the Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

I really enjoyed this book it covered a lot of topics. Step families, feelings of desertion, acceptance and love. Set in France it's well described and not overly wordy. I quite liked the main character Kat but thought she was slightly repetitive, loved her dog. I was annoyed by Reeny at the end trying to justify what they had done it wasn't right however she worded it. East read you won't want to put down

I've yet to be disappointed by a Sue Moorcroft book. They just get better and better.

I was looking forward to getting stuck into Summer at the French cafe and I wasn't disappointed.

Kat is a lovely character, and Noah was wonderful too. The park seems amazing and I would love to visit!

Highly recommended - enjoy!

This was my first book by Sue Moorcroft and it certainly will not be the last!

Set in the summer in France (duh!) Sue transports you to feel and taste and see all there is to offer.

There is love, heartache, and the stress of everyday life. A light lovely book perfect for the beach this summer.

I received an advanced copy of this book courtesy of NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Another lovely summer story from Sue Moorcroft. This time the setting is France and it oozes a picturesque fun location.
Kat has had an unhappy time lately with her mother passed away and her Dad already remarried to a not so nice controlling woman. Kat has however found solace in a job that she adores managing a book café in a theme park, complete with her gorgeous sidekick Angelique, a delightful, loyal dog that everyone falls in love with. Kats love life takes an eventful twist and once again she feels let down. New relationship with her half-brother Solly and her Dad help guide Kat to trust again when she doubts a future with new beau Noah.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and loved its enticing gorgeous yellow book cover.
My thanks to Net Galley and publishers Avon for the digital ARC.

How warm and summery does this book look and feel! This is the perfect book to warm your heart on these wet and windy spring days, and it will certainly get you looking forward to the summer! Kat is a lovely character, and her job at the book café, nestled in a little French town sounded enchanting! Kat is so likeable, and I connected with her straight away. She goes through a bit of rough time with her boyfriend, Jakey and has a lot of past family problems, but she still manages to keep an optimistic, if not a little wary at times, outlook on life. I love Noah’s character and you just know there’s a connection between him and Kat, but we are kept guessing to find out whether either of them are ready to make that commitment.

It's not as bright and love filled as it looks though, and there are a lot of difficult topics covered with the characters relationship and family issues. The author has done her usual job in writing these sensitively and this was such a heart-warming and positive read that I couldn’t help but feel enlightened by Kat and Noah’s story by the end! The book flows along well, and aside from Kat and Noah’s relationship we are treated to some wonderful scenic images! There were some characters though that I just couldn’t connect with, mainly because of how they were to Kat, but this just made me root for Kat’s happiness even more!

This author always manages to write a book which creates that little bit of escapism from everything that is going on around us, and this was book was no different. I happily settled down into the story and easily found myself forgetting everything for hours at a time as I read! The ideal summer read – warming, uplifting and delightful! Would recommend!

While reading this book I felt that I had been transported to France for little holiday. I could imagine myself sitting in Livres et Café with some pain au chocolat, some coffee and a book of course. One of the restaurants that Kat and Noah go to sounded amazing with a river literally under it and visible through a glass floor. If it really does exist, I would so love to visit. I’ve never spent much time in the Alsace region of France and Sue Moorcroft made it sound such a pretty place to see.

I enjoyed the slowly developing relationship between Kat and Noah which Sue Moorcroft wrote in a way that made it seem very natural. It was lovely to see the depth of attraction they had for each other both emotionally and physically, although they certainly had some challenges to test their commitment.

There were some tricky family situations for both Kat and Noah and there was a strong focus on family throughout the book. Both had experiences of broken relationships and could see the challenges presented by the resulting blended families and the compromises that sometimes had to be made.

You might think from that lovely bright and airy front cover that you are going to be reading a sweet romance and of course, there is a love story at the heart of the book. However, the author incorporates some darker issues within the story. There is a slimy cheat of a boyfriend which leads to some rather vindictive revenge and causes Kat a lot of worry regarding the cyber security of the shop. A good friend has a serious illness and this is not glossed over with Kat showing love and concern for her friend. A controlling relationships also features and all these issues add depth to the story.

Summer at The French Cafe has all the elements of a well-told story which I have come to expect from Sue Moorcroft. There’s a strong focus on family and friendship, a great sense of place and a nicely done romance where the hoped for happy ending is far from certain. It’s an engaging and entertaining read which the author skilfully brings to an uplifting and satisfying conclusion.

This book really is set in the most enticing of locations, quite perfectly described and brought to life. I think I’d rather like to settle down for an afternoon – after browsing the bookshelves of course – at an outside table at Livres et Café, order a peach tea and perhaps a tarte au framboises (as a special treat), and soak up the unique atmosphere of Parc Lemmel in the warm sunshine.

And at the start, it’s a happy place for Kat too. She’s taken over the café’s management while its English owners are handling a few problems of their own (it’s challenging, but she’s taking it in her stride) – and her home life’s also pretty good, with a lovely garden flat in Kirchhoffen, her blossoming relationship with Jakey, and her much-loved dog Angelique always at her side. Her family background might be particularly difficult and complicated, but she’s rather looking forward to having her younger brother Solly around for the summer, and to have the opportunity to get to know him a little better.

But then life turns rather more difficult – Jakey proves to be something of a disappointment (and that’s putting it mildly…), someone’s out to sabotage all her hard work at the cafe, and on top of that there are all the many complications family can bring. Thank goodness for Noah – he’s working with her brother at the park, and they soon become good friends and more – and I really enjoyed both his personal journey and their very authentic-feeling developing relationship. But his own family life isn’t without its complications – he’s in the area in search of his ex-wife, who disappeared with his young daughter and a new husband determined to keep the family apart – and the way that unfolds might just jeopardise any possibility of a shared happy ending.

And I have to say that’s a very simplified telling of a story that has many more layers – and I really enjoyed the way they were all explored and handled. I particularly liked the family-related content (ah, the difficulties of blended families…) – Noah’s determination to be a father to young Clémence and part of her life, and its sharp contrast with Kat’s difficult experience with her own family. Both sets of relationships and their psychological consequences are dealt with particularly realistically – nothing too heavy, but these are very real people, and rarely behave in the ways you’d rather like them to. And there are actually quite a few people in this book who behave particularly badly – I’d grown to really like Kat, always so sunny and warm, and one development later in the book made me particularly angry on her behalf.

This book’s rather lovely cover might lead you to expect a light read – but that’s never quite what you get with a book from Sue Moorcroft, and it’s one of the reasons why I enjoy her books so much. The story is strong and well-told, the characters well-drawn and convincing (and, in the most part, eminently likeable and sympathetic), the setting far more than a mere backdrop, the issues she addresses very real and well-researched (cyber security, anyone – I certainly learned a lot!), and I particularly enjoy her sureness of touch with the emotional content. But it’s also tremendous fun, feel-good fiction at its best – I loved the convincing romance, the relationships between the characters, Angelique’s swishy-tailed interventions, the excitement of a small child, the whole atmosphere of the park.

I just love the way she writes – and I think this book is one of her strongest yet. Highly recommended.

(Review copied to Amazon UK, but link not yet available)