Publication
HarperCollins, c2016
Status
Available
Description
Fiction. Literature. Romance. Humor (Fiction.) HTML: The beloved author of The Bookshop on the Corner returns with a sparkling, sunny, soulful new novel perfect for fans of Elin Hilderbrand. Years ago, Flora fled the quiet Scottish island where she grew up �?? and she hasn't looked back. What would she have done on Mure? It's a place where everyone has known her all her life, where no one will let her forget the past. In bright, bustling London, she can be anonymous, ambitious... and hopelessly in love with her boss. But when fate brings Flora back to the island, she's suddenly swept once more into life with her brothers �?? all strapping, loud, and seemingly incapable of basic housework �?? and her father. Yet even amid the chaos of their reunion, Flora discovers a passion for cooking �?? and find herself restoring dusty little pink-fronted shop on the harbour: a café by the sea. But with the seasons changing, Flora must come to terms with past mistakes �?? and work out exactly where her future lies... Funny and heartfelt, The Café by the Sea is a delightful summertime novel that puts a modern twist on the classic Seven Brides for Seven Brothers s… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member TheGoldenPen
Flora Mackenzie is a paralegal secretary at a London Law Firm who secretly fancies one of the lawyers, Joel. Flora has been nominated by one of Joel's secretaries to go back home to Scotland to help an American Tycoon, Colton, win an appeal to build wind mills in the Scottish Island of Mure. Flora
This is a story of family secrets , nostalgia with a bit of romance strewn in it.
Once back in Mure Flora finds her mother's secret treasure….a recipe notebook her mother kept inside a cupboard. Flora begins to replicate her mother's dishes and in doing so she unleashes a hidden talent within her.
Soon Flora begins to come to terms with her past and start to build herself a future in Mure.
I fell in love with this story from day one. It is Colgan at her best! Dreams can come true with Jenny Colgan!
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hasn't been back home in twenty years and is dreading her return.This is a story of family secrets , nostalgia with a bit of romance strewn in it.
Once back in Mure Flora finds her mother's secret treasure….a recipe notebook her mother kept inside a cupboard. Flora begins to replicate her mother's dishes and in doing so she unleashes a hidden talent within her.
Soon Flora begins to come to terms with her past and start to build herself a future in Mure.
I fell in love with this story from day one. It is Colgan at her best! Dreams can come true with Jenny Colgan!
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LibraryThing member -Cee-
This is a good summer read. Colgan gives us a wonderful description of a very northern island with an old world ethnic culture struggling to stay alive. Strong family ties through thick and thin, a frustrating romance, great character development, and emotional hurdles moving a community from past
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to future lifestyles are all wrapped in a comfortable and easy read package. I, for one, would love to visit that "Cafe by the Sea" ! Show Less
LibraryThing member susan0316
This is another delightful book by Jenny Colgan. If you enjoy light-hearted stories with easy to like characters, give her books a read. The Cafe by the Sea is a good book to read as your first book by this author. It has family issues, acceptance problems, love and a wonderful story of learning to
Flora fled to London after her mother died, leaving bitter words to her family and her community in the small island of Mure in northern Scotland. When she is sent back on an assignment for her law firm to try to help a rich US tech mogul fight a local plan to build wind turbines that would ruin his view, she has to face the negative feelings from hr family and the small town. Along with missing London and her life there, she had a huge crush on her boss at the law firm. While on Mure, Flora has to make a lot of decisions about what to do with her life. As she gets caught up in daily life at the farm and in the town, she has to decide whether she was met to live a small life in the big city or learn to live where she was meant to be.
I have read a lot of books by Jenny Colgan but this was one of my favorites. Even though it appears to be a light read, the author grapples with several difficult themes throughout the book. The characters were well written and very real. Plus I am ready to book a trip to Scotland to see the beautiful islands that she writes about so lovingly. This is a definite must read.
Thanks to the author for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.
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be who you are meant to be and not who others want you to be. Along with that there are beautiful descriptions of the islands in Scotland and to top it all off - RECIPES for the food that is written about in the book - Bannocks and Steak and Ale Pie are two that I would try if I cooked. Flora fled to London after her mother died, leaving bitter words to her family and her community in the small island of Mure in northern Scotland. When she is sent back on an assignment for her law firm to try to help a rich US tech mogul fight a local plan to build wind turbines that would ruin his view, she has to face the negative feelings from hr family and the small town. Along with missing London and her life there, she had a huge crush on her boss at the law firm. While on Mure, Flora has to make a lot of decisions about what to do with her life. As she gets caught up in daily life at the farm and in the town, she has to decide whether she was met to live a small life in the big city or learn to live where she was meant to be.
I have read a lot of books by Jenny Colgan but this was one of my favorites. Even though it appears to be a light read, the author grapples with several difficult themes throughout the book. The characters were well written and very real. Plus I am ready to book a trip to Scotland to see the beautiful islands that she writes about so lovingly. This is a definite must read.
Thanks to the author for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.
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LibraryThing member Twink
I love Jenny Colgan's books - they're the perfect 'feel-good' read. Her latest North American release is The Cafe by the Sea.
What makes Colgan's books such a delight to read? Her characters first and foremost. There's always a fun female lead facing decisions, both professionally and personally.
Flora is a perfect lead - fun, quirky and very likable. The supporting cast also endears themselves to the reader - Flora's loud and noisy family, the townsfolk - and two other possible romantic entanglements......
The grief and loss Flora is experiencing over her mother's death is very well written. Anyone who has suffered such a loss will find themselves shedding a tear or two. But there's lots of joy as well - rediscovering that place we call 'home' and finding your own passion - the thing you were meant to do. The title gives you a pretty broad hint of what Flora's passion might be. Colgan's description of the joy of food and baking was, well, mouthwatering! The descriptions of Mure are vivid, bring the imaginary isle to life - and had me wanting to visit. And who doesn't love a good romantic tale - the meandering path to true love - all the while knowing that yes, there's a happy ending. But sad for the reader when the end is reached. More please!
The Cafe by the Sea is the perfect summer (okay, really anytime) read - engaging, touching, joyful, romantic, humourous and more. Loved it!
(And I have to say that I look forward to reading the note from the author at the beginning of Colgan's books - her warmth and wit shine through and add a personal note to the novels.)
What makes Colgan's books such a delight to read? Her characters first and foremost. There's always a fun female lead facing decisions, both professionally and personally.
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This time 'round it's Flora, born on the remote Scottish island of Mure. When her mother died, Flora fled to London to pursue her career. Three years on she hasn't returned, even for a visit. But when her boss (yes she does have a crush on him - this is another integral part of Colgan's books - the romantic will they, won't they component) sends her there for work, she is forced to confront her past - and look to her future. (Another few pieces of the feel-good read - conflict and heart-string tugging.)Flora is a perfect lead - fun, quirky and very likable. The supporting cast also endears themselves to the reader - Flora's loud and noisy family, the townsfolk - and two other possible romantic entanglements......
The grief and loss Flora is experiencing over her mother's death is very well written. Anyone who has suffered such a loss will find themselves shedding a tear or two. But there's lots of joy as well - rediscovering that place we call 'home' and finding your own passion - the thing you were meant to do. The title gives you a pretty broad hint of what Flora's passion might be. Colgan's description of the joy of food and baking was, well, mouthwatering! The descriptions of Mure are vivid, bring the imaginary isle to life - and had me wanting to visit. And who doesn't love a good romantic tale - the meandering path to true love - all the while knowing that yes, there's a happy ending. But sad for the reader when the end is reached. More please!
The Cafe by the Sea is the perfect summer (okay, really anytime) read - engaging, touching, joyful, romantic, humourous and more. Loved it!
(And I have to say that I look forward to reading the note from the author at the beginning of Colgan's books - her warmth and wit shine through and add a personal note to the novels.)
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LibraryThing member nyiper
I was not at all sure what to think when the author welcoming me at the very beginning---hoping I would like her book! But I DID like it---VERY much! What a good story---wonderful characters and something going on with every page---not a boring moment in the entire book. Fortunately, I have not
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read anything else by Colgan so I can now go backwards and read her earlier books. I was wondering how the cafe was going to suddenly appear out of nowhere because you have to read well into the book before you get to that idea. The story works beautifully, from beginning to end. Show Less
LibraryThing member thornton37814
Flora, studying to be an attorney, works as a paralegal for a London law firm. She has a crush on her boss Joel who barely knows she exists. Flora is from the fictional island of Mure, which was the author's creation to avoid being criticized for anything she didn't get right about the Shetland
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Islands. When a case requiring her knowledge of the island sends her back home, she's not that thrilled. She left home with no intentions of returning, but Colton Rogers wants to prevent a wind farm from being built next to his investments on the island. However, Joel begins to notice her. She also meets Charlie who runs week-long retreats on the island. Flora knows Colton's public relations problem is bringing in outsiders to do jobs which could be done by islanders in need of employment. Many have left the island because of the lack of jobs. The novel got off to a slow start but improved. I do not recommend this book for theologically conservative Christians. The author includes a gay couple, probably just to show her acceptance of the lifestyle. It was in my opinion unnecessary to the plot and probably alienated some potential readers. It would make a good beach read for those who don't mind some premarital sex in the book. I received an advance review copy of the book from LibraryThing Early Reviewers program in exchange for an honest review. Show Less
LibraryThing member bookchickdi
I recently read my first Jenny Colgan book, The Bookshop On The Corner, (review here), and was utterly charmed by it. I recommended it to several people, and each one enjoyed it as well. When I heard that Jenny had a new book publishing, I was excited to be offered a spot on her TLC book tour.
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She has a few friends in London, and a major crush on her boss at the firm, Joel, an enigmatic, hard-driving man who serially dates women but doesn't appear to have anyone serious in his life.
When one of Joel's biggest clients, Colton Rogers, buys up property in Flora's hometown, Flora is assigned the task of returning home to help Colton smooth over relations with the townspeople to get approval for his building plans.
Flora does not want to return home to face her family and friends. Something happened at her mother's funeral, and she is afraid of having to deal with everyone in that aftermath. Flora's brothers and her father don't appear to be too happy to see Flora either.
She is dismayed to find the family's home in disarray; the men don't keep it neat and tidy, and although they live on a farm, they seem to only eat takeout from the fish and chips place or eat food out of a can.
Flora finds her mother's old recipes and cooks up some family favorites. In order to schmooze the townpeople, Flora opens up a cafe in town in a building owned by Colton, and right away it is a hit. Cooking helps Flora feel alive in a way that her law work doesn't allow her.
I adored The Cafe By The Sea. The setting of the Scottish town by the sea is so vivid, and the characters are so wonderful, I wanted to know them all- her brothers Fintan, Innes and Hamish, Colton, Joel, Flora's friend Lorna, even Bramble the dog- they were all so endearing.
There are romantic entanglements- Flora and Joel, Flora and Charlie the local hunk, and a sweet surprise romance for Fintan. (I confess that Fintan was my favorite character.) There are delicious food descriptions that will have your stomach growling (but fear not, Colgan includes recipes at the end of the book) and the setting is so enticing, you will want to book a ticket to Mure so you can eat at The Cafe By The Sea. I highly recommend this delightful novel.
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The Bookshop On The Corner, The Cafe By The Sea is also set in a small town in Scotland. Flora is working as a paralegal for a law firm in London, having left her home in Mure and her fathers and brothers behind after her mother passed away.She has a few friends in London, and a major crush on her boss at the firm, Joel, an enigmatic, hard-driving man who serially dates women but doesn't appear to have anyone serious in his life.
When one of Joel's biggest clients, Colton Rogers, buys up property in Flora's hometown, Flora is assigned the task of returning home to help Colton smooth over relations with the townspeople to get approval for his building plans.
Flora does not want to return home to face her family and friends. Something happened at her mother's funeral, and she is afraid of having to deal with everyone in that aftermath. Flora's brothers and her father don't appear to be too happy to see Flora either.
She is dismayed to find the family's home in disarray; the men don't keep it neat and tidy, and although they live on a farm, they seem to only eat takeout from the fish and chips place or eat food out of a can.
Flora finds her mother's old recipes and cooks up some family favorites. In order to schmooze the townpeople, Flora opens up a cafe in town in a building owned by Colton, and right away it is a hit. Cooking helps Flora feel alive in a way that her law work doesn't allow her.
I adored The Cafe By The Sea. The setting of the Scottish town by the sea is so vivid, and the characters are so wonderful, I wanted to know them all- her brothers Fintan, Innes and Hamish, Colton, Joel, Flora's friend Lorna, even Bramble the dog- they were all so endearing.
There are romantic entanglements- Flora and Joel, Flora and Charlie the local hunk, and a sweet surprise romance for Fintan. (I confess that Fintan was my favorite character.) There are delicious food descriptions that will have your stomach growling (but fear not, Colgan includes recipes at the end of the book) and the setting is so enticing, you will want to book a ticket to Mure so you can eat at The Cafe By The Sea. I highly recommend this delightful novel.
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LibraryThing member mckait
The Cafe by the Sea: A Novel by Jenny Colgan is a soft and pleasant read. Flora left her home on the island farther north than Finland, but a bit off the shores of Scotland, soon after her mother died. She left to find happiness and a career in law. While working as a paralegal and waiting for her
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big break, an unusual circumstance sent her home to Mure. The law firm where she worked was asked to represent an eccentric and wealthy entrepreneur on this far away island home. Her job was to try to encourage the island people to accept his project on their island. Little did she know, that finally being given a big break in her career would affect her life in so many unexpected ways. Is it true that you can't go home again? Show Less
LibraryThing member 2LZ
Thank you librarything.com for the advanced copy of The Cafe by the Sea: A Novel by Jenny Colgan in return for my honest review.
I had never read a Jenny Colgan book before, and I almost gave up on this one, but I am glad that I didn't. It took a liitle while for me to get connected with the story
This is what I loved about the novel: the descriptions of the island and its residents, their culture and traditions. If it wasn't an imaginary place, I would surely want to live there, or at the very least, visit Mure several times a year. The interaction between the main character Flora (a paralegal from a posh London law firm returning home for business after a prolonged absence) and her family members, especially her brothers, felt incredibly real and true. Flora's young niece Agot was my favorite character of all with her mischievousness and spunkiness. Agot may not have been in many scenes, but she stole the show for me. Additionally, the recipes made sounded amazing, and some of them appear at the end of the book. Further, this shouldn't make a difference, but the short chapters made this book such a quick, enjoyable read.
Less appealing to me was how Flora's love story turned out. I was hoping that a different character would win her heart. The one that did seemed unrealistic to this reader. Also, though I don't object to sexuality issues being incorporated into a story, in this case I didn't find it necessary, and it was introduced, announced and accepted so completely it seemed too ideallic, especially in this community. It is the type of reaction hoped for, but it just didn't feel honest.
I would definitely read this author again. Despite some criticisms, I did get lost in the story, and being transported to the Island of Mure was a beautiful escape. This would make a great beach read.
I had never read a Jenny Colgan book before, and I almost gave up on this one, but I am glad that I didn't. It took a liitle while for me to get connected with the story
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and the characters, but once the setting moved to the Scottish Island of Mure, the story took hold. This is what I loved about the novel: the descriptions of the island and its residents, their culture and traditions. If it wasn't an imaginary place, I would surely want to live there, or at the very least, visit Mure several times a year. The interaction between the main character Flora (a paralegal from a posh London law firm returning home for business after a prolonged absence) and her family members, especially her brothers, felt incredibly real and true. Flora's young niece Agot was my favorite character of all with her mischievousness and spunkiness. Agot may not have been in many scenes, but she stole the show for me. Additionally, the recipes made sounded amazing, and some of them appear at the end of the book. Further, this shouldn't make a difference, but the short chapters made this book such a quick, enjoyable read.
Less appealing to me was how Flora's love story turned out. I was hoping that a different character would win her heart. The one that did seemed unrealistic to this reader. Also, though I don't object to sexuality issues being incorporated into a story, in this case I didn't find it necessary, and it was introduced, announced and accepted so completely it seemed too ideallic, especially in this community. It is the type of reaction hoped for, but it just didn't feel honest.
I would definitely read this author again. Despite some criticisms, I did get lost in the story, and being transported to the Island of Mure was a beautiful escape. This would make a great beach read.
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LibraryThing member mchwest
Jenny Colgan has to be one of my all time favorite authors to read. Her books take you to places you've never been through vivid description of landscapes and seascapes. This book was not an exception, the town and food and family lore all make you want to escape the world and live there. If I had
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a book a day by Jenny to read I would be the happiest of readers. Show Less
LibraryThing member vnesting
I wanted so much to like this book. I had heard good things about it, and loved her previous book, The Bookshop on the Corner. Unfortunately I found the tone in the opening chapters so off-putting, I couldn't get past them. :-(
LibraryThing member smallwonder56
Another lovely book by Jenny Colgan. The main character, Flora, returns to the small Scottish island she grew up on to help an American businessman start an extraordinary resort on the island. Flora has to tread carefully to help the residents of the island earn a living, and fulfill her
But the characters in the book are enjoyable people that you'd (mostly) want to know in real life. It was fun and an interesting read. Now I want to go and bake in Scotland. Lovely book.
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responsibilities in her job. In the process, she discovers more of who she really is and what's important to her. I wasn't as fond of some of her choices, but then I'm not always fond of my friends' choices, either. But the characters in the book are enjoyable people that you'd (mostly) want to know in real life. It was fun and an interesting read. Now I want to go and bake in Scotland. Lovely book.
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LibraryThing member KClaire
This is a warm-hearted romance in an unusual island location with well developed story and characters. It has a lovely mix of island lore and language juxtaposed with modern problems. This is a great escape read for anyone who enjoys contemporary romance. Also - bonus recipes! You'll want to try
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them after reading about them in the story. Recommend! Show Less
LibraryThing member KateBaxter
A delicious blend of romance, cooking and nostalgia.
Synopsis:
The beloved author of The Bookshop on the Corner returns with a sparkling, sunny, soulful new novel perfect for fans of Elin Hilderbrand.
Years ago, Flora fled the quiet Scottish island where she grew up -- and she hasn't looked back. What
But when fate brings Flora back to the island, she's suddenly swept once more into life with her brothers -- all strapping, loud, and seemingly incapable of basic housework -- and her father. Yet even amid the chaos of their reunion, Flora discovers a passion for cooking -- and find herself restoring dusty little pink-fronted shop on the harbour: a café by the sea.
But with the seasons changing, Flora must come to terms with past mistakes -- and work out exactly where her future lies...
Funny and heartfelt, The Café by the Sea is a delightful summertime novel that puts a modern twist on the classic Seven Brides for Seven Brothers story.
Synopsis:
The beloved author of The Bookshop on the Corner returns with a sparkling, sunny, soulful new novel perfect for fans of Elin Hilderbrand.
Years ago, Flora fled the quiet Scottish island where she grew up -- and she hasn't looked back. What
Show More
would she have done on Mure? It's a place where everyone has known her all her life, where no one will let her forget the past. In bright, bustling London, she can be anonymous, ambitious... and hopelessly in love with her boss.But when fate brings Flora back to the island, she's suddenly swept once more into life with her brothers -- all strapping, loud, and seemingly incapable of basic housework -- and her father. Yet even amid the chaos of their reunion, Flora discovers a passion for cooking -- and find herself restoring dusty little pink-fronted shop on the harbour: a café by the sea.
But with the seasons changing, Flora must come to terms with past mistakes -- and work out exactly where her future lies...
Funny and heartfelt, The Café by the Sea is a delightful summertime novel that puts a modern twist on the classic Seven Brides for Seven Brothers story.
Show Less
LibraryThing member thebooklover2
Jenny Colgan's books are a wonderful way to escape the everyday and this book is no different!
Flora, the protagonist of "The Cafe by the Sea" is a Scottish lass from a Scottish island where everyone knows everyone else. She tried to escape this life by heading to London, but finds herself back on
"The Cafe by the Sea" does not disappoint and has a surprise ending that any reader will enjoy. I highly recommend this book for readers who enjoy the genre!
Flora, the protagonist of "The Cafe by the Sea" is a Scottish lass from a Scottish island where everyone knows everyone else. She tried to escape this life by heading to London, but finds herself back on
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the island with her raucous family and running a small cafe. "The Cafe by the Sea" does not disappoint and has a surprise ending that any reader will enjoy. I highly recommend this book for readers who enjoy the genre!
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LibraryThing member whybehave2002
I listened to this book because I knew I would hear the beautiful language what I didn't realize was that a few times the reader would sing and what an amazing treat it would be. A sweet story where you realize that sometimes you CAN go home.
LibraryThing member dieseltaylor
Very good , definite 5 star. However giving the plot would lessen the adventure for new readers.
LibraryThing member Baochuan
Easy read with good story line.
LibraryThing member TheEllieMo
I had read a Quick Reads novella by Jenny Colgan, set on the fictional island of Mure, and enjoyed it, so I thought I would also enjoy this full length novel set of the same island.
I was so wrong!
I wasn't expecting a literary classic in the vein of Austen, but given Colgan's legion of fans, I
Lets start with the protagonist, Flora, the paralegal with a huge crush on her attractive but miserable boss, who abandons her plans for a career in law to return home, run a cafe and cook and clean for her family, thereby putting the cause of feminism back 50 years. I believe the reader is meant to find her endearing, but as the book progressed, I came to dislike her more and more. She spends a significant amount of time leading on one of the male characters, and when he finally wises up, she blames him for not being "the man she’d hoped he was; that he wasn’t brave enough, in the end, to give it a shot. To risk it." Well, no, I can't say I blame him.
And then there is her crush, senior lawyer Joel. Throughout the book, there are allusions to his childhood, bought up in a series of care and foster homes, which made him the man he is, but we never really get to truly understand his character. He remains an aloof caricature, and I can't help seeing the future for Joel and Flora being a short-lived relationship that ends when he gets bored. Maybe I am just altogether too cynical.
The books itself felt too full of superfluous detail in places (did we really need to spend so long talking about Colton's big party at The Rock? Every detail of the preparation, the dancing, on and on....) and skimming over other areas (quickest planning meeting I've ever seen!)
The only good thing I can say about this book is that it is incredibly easy to read, even when running on a treadmill. So it served its purpose of helping the time pass. But otherwise, I wouldn't recommend it.
I was so wrong!
I wasn't expecting a literary classic in the vein of Austen, but given Colgan's legion of fans, I
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expected something a little better than this fantasy-world tale of poorly-drawn characters.Lets start with the protagonist, Flora, the paralegal with a huge crush on her attractive but miserable boss, who abandons her plans for a career in law to return home, run a cafe and cook and clean for her family, thereby putting the cause of feminism back 50 years. I believe the reader is meant to find her endearing, but as the book progressed, I came to dislike her more and more. She spends a significant amount of time leading on one of the male characters, and when he finally wises up, she blames him for not being "the man she’d hoped he was; that he wasn’t brave enough, in the end, to give it a shot. To risk it." Well, no, I can't say I blame him.
And then there is her crush, senior lawyer Joel. Throughout the book, there are allusions to his childhood, bought up in a series of care and foster homes, which made him the man he is, but we never really get to truly understand his character. He remains an aloof caricature, and I can't help seeing the future for Joel and Flora being a short-lived relationship that ends when he gets bored. Maybe I am just altogether too cynical.
The books itself felt too full of superfluous detail in places (did we really need to spend so long talking about Colton's big party at The Rock? Every detail of the preparation, the dancing, on and on....) and skimming over other areas (quickest planning meeting I've ever seen!)
The only good thing I can say about this book is that it is incredibly easy to read, even when running on a treadmill. So it served its purpose of helping the time pass. But otherwise, I wouldn't recommend it.
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LibraryThing member Maydacat
In searching for a better life, Flora left her home on Mure, Scotland to become a paralegal in London. But a twist of fate brings her home again, in the company of her lawyer boss and a very wealthy businessman whose accounts they would very much like to handle. As the story moves along, readers
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will likely predict what is going to happen, but the journey there is still well worth the read. The Scottish setting, the engrossing characters, and the intriguing plot combine for an entertaining tale. Though romance certainly is part of the story, there is much more to it than just that, as the author touches on family relationships and social issues. The first in the Summer Seaside Kitchen series, this novel is another example of Jenny Colgan’s skill as a wonderful storyteller. Show Less
LibraryThing member TheYodamom
What a happy surprise this book was. I won a copy in a giveaway and was not sure how I would like it. I loved the title and cover, but had never read this author before. Happily, It was a fantastic summer read, beautiful locations, amazing characters, food and events. I loved them all, would want
I can't wait to read more from this autho
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any of them over for tea. This book was not really about the romance it was about finding you in your world. Set in a mythical N. Scottish Island, small town, hard working honest people, and it's weather. The MC is a young woman who left to pursue her career as a lawyer in London after her mother died. She thought she'd never be back on the island till her job takes her there for a visit. Oh and she cooks delicious sounding dishes which this lovely author included at the end of the book. I'm making at least two of them. I can't wait to read more from this autho
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LibraryThing member Familyhistorian
Flora tried to fool herself that she was fitting in to the London work scene, just like she tried to ignore the huge crush she had on her boss, a guy with relationship issues. Joel didn’t have relationships, just one-night stands. It was safer that way and didn’t interfere with his work as a
The descriptions of the island and the food were delightful fictions and the story of how Flora finds confidence and ends up running "The Café by the Sea" grew naturally in the story. The relationship between Flora and Joel was suitably rocky and the book was a quick and entertaining read.
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hot shot lawyer. That was before one of the firm’s largest clients wants them to work on his behalf to stop a wind farm being built close enough to be visible from his destination hotel on the same small island Flora was from. Which meant, of course, that Flora was the ideal person to send there to represent the firm even if she had burnt all her bridges when she had left.The descriptions of the island and the food were delightful fictions and the story of how Flora finds confidence and ends up running "The Café by the Sea" grew naturally in the story. The relationship between Flora and Joel was suitably rocky and the book was a quick and entertaining read.
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LibraryThing member PattyLee
A delightful confection. Loved it for the depiction of the Scottish isles more than anything else.
LibraryThing member murderbydeath
I don't know what to say about this book; it's unlike the other books I've read by Colgan, and a much more straightforward romance. The plot premise is implausible, at best, and the titular kitchen isn't even hinted at before the halfway mark. But it takes place on a fictional northern island off
But this was not as tightly written a story as it could have been, and felt like it was trying to tackle way too much in one book. Flora's baggage, Joel's baggage, Fintan's baggage - there was just an awful lot of baggage, leaving the important impediments only glossed over here and there. When things started to come together, they came together well, but at 400+ pages, the atmosphere carried me more than a time or two over some rough, and possibly extraneous, bits of story that ordinarily would have left me bored.
While I'd happily love to read another of her books set on Mure, this wasn't as good as the others of her books I've read. Still it was a nice mental holiday.
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the coast of Scotland, and the romance is a slllooowww burn, so I coped, and was pleasantly diverted by the wonderful atmosphere, obviously written by someone who loves their home country.But this was not as tightly written a story as it could have been, and felt like it was trying to tackle way too much in one book. Flora's baggage, Joel's baggage, Fintan's baggage - there was just an awful lot of baggage, leaving the important impediments only glossed over here and there. When things started to come together, they came together well, but at 400+ pages, the atmosphere carried me more than a time or two over some rough, and possibly extraneous, bits of story that ordinarily would have left me bored.
While I'd happily love to read another of her books set on Mure, this wasn't as good as the others of her books I've read. Still it was a nice mental holiday.
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LibraryThing member phyllis2779
liked this book a lot. Wished I had read this before the sequel, Endless beach.
Language
Original language
English
ISBN
9780062662989
Original publication date
2017-06-27