Cover Image: The Christmas Café

The Christmas Café

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Member Reviews

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

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

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

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

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

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Sylvie, is a baker who works at the same cafe her grandmother did, the Christmas Cafe. A small town called Silver Bells, Wyoming. It holds all of memories of her and her grandmother baking there as she grew up. She misses her grandmother but she can feel her there. She hears a rumor about the cafe being up for sale. Sylvie refuses to let that happen. She’ll show the owner that she can run it while they retire. Can she make that happen? What will help her bring more business there? There is a movie taking over the town, so Sylvie thinks that they may can help with advertising it. Can they? They love her cooking. She meets the star of the show. He’s handsome and is paying attention to her. They go on a few dates. She enjoys them but isn’t sure he’s genuine. She still can’t believe he’s into her. She is clumsy, shy and she doesn’t think she’s pretty. Why would he? There’s also a school friend, Abe who delivers products to her at the cafe. She is noticing him more and more. She’s seeing the real man. She doesn’t know he’s always had a crush on her. He’s a good man who came home after the military to take care of the farm when his father was diagnosed with an illness. He has no regrets. Will Sylvie safe the Christmas Cafe? Will she fall for the movie star? Is he genuine or fake? Will she fall for Abe, the one she’s more comfortable with and enjoys spending time with? The characters are wonderful. If you love a Christmas story with romance, this book is for you. It puts you in the Christmas spirit. Worth the read. Eliza Evans made you feel like you were in the story. I received this book from NetGalley for my honest review. I give it voluntarily.

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This book wasn’t anything spectacular but was a perfect, cozy, Hallmark-esque read! I didn’t love Sylvie and felt like her character was a bit on the cheesy side but LOVED Gramps.

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This was a good adult contemporary Christmas romance! And I really like the cover of it!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher

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I am a huge fan of cheesy Christmas Hallmark movie-esque books and this did not disappoint. I highly recommend it if you're also a fan.

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This book was okay. I know going into a "holiday" book that I am expecting it to be cheesy. However, I wish it was WAY less cheesy and gave less "hallmark" vibes. If I devote my time to a holiday book I want a strong plot and character development and I do not think this book executed.

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When Sylvie learns the Christmas Cafe might sold, she’s determined to save it by getting the Holiday Channel to film at the café. Between an unexpected acting gig, a booth at the Christmas festival, an appearance at the Christmas parade, and a budding romance with movie star Royce, Sylvie has a lot on her plate. Good thing her old friend, gruff yet reliable Abe, has just come home to manage his parents’ goat farm—until she catches herself feeling a little too merry and bright in his presence.

This was fine - I wasn’t crazy about it. It was super predictable, and I didn’t really click with Sylvie.

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I loved The Christmas Cafe! It was a pure delight to read. From the setting of the Cafe and the family history behind it and the fact the story had an actually Hallmark movie being filmed in the town, this book really had it all. Perfect holiday read.

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I thought I was going to love this, I really did. I am a sucker for a Hallmark Christmas movie and The Christmas Cafe sounded like it would be that in a book form. It might be exactly that for some readers, but unfortunately for me it had all the cringe of a Hallmark movie, but did not get to the "it's so bad that it's good" gooey heart that brings me so much joy during this wonderful season.

All I kept thinking was "she's not like other girls." Maybe this was a desirable troupe 5, 10, 15 years ago - but those days are over. And this is coming from someone who LOVES film from the 40s and 50s, give me White Christmas or Meet Me in St. Louis all day long, but that does not make a personality. So if I cannot connect one bit with the female lead we're pretty much done. But honestly she was not the worst part - that is reserved for her dog, Crumpet. Cute name, but that's where the cuteness stops. He's horribly misbehaved, but omg he's just too adorable. I know someone in real life with a horribly behaved dog, and there aren't many dogs I dislike, but that is one of them. So Crumpet reminded me of that read dog, but 50x worse. She feeds it horrible food and in turn it will not listen to a single thing Sylvie says. OK, enough of the rant, I think you get it - didn't like Sylvie and didn't like the dog.

Anyways, the long and short of this novel is it is a small town romance of this clumsy baker trying to save the Christmas Cafe, a staple of the town. While this is going on a hallmark style movie is being filmed in said small town. A romance begins with the male lead, but is he her prince charming, or is the farmer who's been in the background all along?

Even though I really did not like this novel, if you like hallmark movies and Christmas romcoms (there is no spice) give it a try. You might find the female lead endearing and her dog just the cutest. But if you start reading and are not vibing with them, but it down and move onto the next.

Thank you to Netgalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for the advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

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I love Christmas. Everything about it. So of course I love it when NetGalley unveils the year's new Christmas books. This book did not disappoint. It was the book equivalent to a romantic Hallmark Christmas movie. I had not read a book by Eliza Evans before but this certainly will not be my last. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was perfect to read cuddled up by a fire under a blanket with a cup of delicious hot cocoa,

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book in exchange for my review!

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The Christmas Cafe was a sweet holiday read for my favorite time of year. It felt like reading a Hallmark movie, which is exactly what I want for a cozy Christmas read. The characters in Silver Bells, Wyoming felt like my friends, and Sylvie's bakes inspired a few bakes of my own. If you like cozy Christmas vibes, a classic love-triangle, and families and towns coming together in the most heartwarming way - you will love The Christmas Cafe!

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This was really cute! I loved the grandpa and loved the cute small town aspect. I thought her dog Crumpet was so cute and the memories and elements of her grandma were really sweet.

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I just loved how easy this was to read, and just how much of an escape this was. It has a good blend of romance and comfort and romance. Perfect for the holidays

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Cover drew me into this one! Love a small town Christmas romance! Hallmark Christmas movie in a book - perfect for a lazy holiday afternoon.

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This cover is just so cute. I need all the Christmas romances. I love the small town feel. Sylvie was so sweet and determined. I was happily surprised by the romance. It was so perfect. I cannot wait to read more by this author. Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

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The Christmas Cafe by Eliza Evan’s

A baker, Sylvia West, has worked at the Christmas Cafe in Silver Bells, Wyoming, ever since her eggnog fruitcake won the town’s annual holiday bake-off. She was recently widowed. She lived with Gramps and her pup, Crumpet.

Sylvia is carried away by the attention of Royce, a movie star filming in town. Meanwhile, Abe is adoring her from a distance. A romantic, holiday novel. Sylvia realizes Royce is only using her. A light, enjoyable book. I recommend this book..

Thanks to Net Galley for sending me an advanced copy for my review.

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