This is definitely the book that has taken Samantha Tonge's writing to a new level. I've always enjoyed the books she has written, but there are subjects discussed in this story that make me feel as though she has moved up a gear, providing some fascinating storylines.

Its a story of self discovery, or at least rediscovering who you truly are. Jenny great up in a regular family, and then while very young married Zachary who is a millionaire. She embraced the wealthy lifestyle to the fullest, along with her their daughter April who is 10.

When Zachary blows their marriage apart and reveals his web of lies, Jenny suddenly has to rethink all of her priorities in life, and even manages in her early thirties to get her first job, in a coffee shop. She and April also move into the accommodation above the shop, and are now living with Noah and Elle, who work there too.

Noah and Elle both have secrets, one of them I guessed reasonably early on, and the other triggers my favourite storyline in the book, which tackles an issue that very relevant in today's society and that I haven't really seen in books before. However I'm not saying else on the subject of secrets as I don't want you to be potentially prejudiced towards any characters before you start reading.

What I also loved was seeing April, turn from a Kardashian loving, fashionista sort of a pre-teen into into a far more regular 10 year old child. She never ceased to amaze me, and I loved the creative ways that Jenny came up with dealing with what a cynic could say was April's bribe list for being happier at the new school!

If you are a fan of coffee then you will love Noah's love of the drink, he is very into all of his coffee varieties and as a non drinker, I couldn't help but be surprised at just how much flavour variation there really is in coffee beans from various parts of the world.

The Coffee Shop of New Beginnings is clearly a well researched book, that I didn't put down and just thoroughly enjoyed reading. I loved the various characters, apart from Jenny's soon to be very ex husband, while also enjoying the village they live in and the various customers in the shop. I can't help but wonder if there could be more books set in the village, as I would love to know more about various of the secondary characters.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and HQ Digital for this copy of the book which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

When Jenny's marriage crumbles she is forced to give up her life of luxury and privilege and look for some other way to support her young daughter April and herself. In the village coffee shop she finds a job, new friends and a home. With lots of secrets revealed and a few surprises along the way, both Jenny and April are able to discover that there is much more to a happy and fulfilled life than money. This is a heartwarming story about what really matters in life, with the perfect feelgood ending that satisfied at all levels. Recommended.

I absolutely loved this latest novel from Sam. No spoilers allowed but the themes of identity, resilience and starting over are beautifully explored. A wonderfully life affirming read!

A nice, pleasant, easy-to- read story, that had me hooked from the very first chapter. It suggests hope, strength, positiveness and puts the reader in a most optimistic mood.
Uplifting from the very start, full of twists and surprises, I particularly liked how very serious matters are discussed, providing depth while maintaining a very light atmosphere, with the certainty of a happy ending.
A set of fantastic characters and an idyllic setting provide the perfect escape for the perfect summer read, that I can certainly recommend!
Thank you, NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Not long into The New Beginnings Coffee Club I was reminded of the quote attributed to Eleanor Roosevelt: “A woman is like a teabag, you never know how strong it is until you put it in hot water.”
Jenny, the main character in Samantha Tonge’s latest book, has definitely been dunked in hot water but I really enjoyed seeing this strong woman find her way.

Here’s the blurb:

Everyone deserves a second chance…don’t they?
Jenny Masters finds herself living the modern dream. Wife to a millionaire, living in a mansion and mother to Kardashian-obsessed ten-year-old April, there isn’t anything missing. Until, her whole world comes crashing down, forcing Jenny and April to leave behind their glittering life and start over with nothing.
With village gossip following her wherever she goes, she finds refuge and a job in the new coffee shop in town. As the days pass Jenny fears she doesn’t have what it takes to pick herself back up and give April the life she always wanted to.
But with the help of enigmatic new boss Noah, and housemate Elle, Jenny realises it’s never too late to become the woman life really intended you to be!

Without giving anything away that would spoil it, there are hidden depths to this book, which make it all the more impressive, in my opinion.
It’s so easy to get lost in the warm-hearted story, as all of the characters, not just Jenny, have their own intriguing tales to tell.
And Samantha Tonge is adept at making sure each chapter hooks you in so you just have to keep reading long into the night.
Having said that, while it was really is an enjoyable read, admirably tackling some challenging issues, everything seemed like it was resolved a little too easily – and I know that’s generally what you want from this sort of book but it just didn’t quite work for me.
Mind you, I’m still happily giving it four stars and I don’t think you would regret popping it in your bag as you head off on your summer holidays.

Format: Kindle.
Price: £2.99.
My rating: Four stars.

With thanks to HQ Digital (via NetGalley) for the ARC in return for my honest opinion.

I adored this book because it was fun to read and at times very uplifting as you follow Jenny Masters on her journey of self-discovery. Samantha Tonge wrote one of those great books you want to read on the beach, when the sun is shining and the water is crashing nearby.

You know that woman who seems incredibly perfect, with the perfect life, perfect clothes, perfect hair, perfect family and you just want to smack her? Tonge gives you someone who gets all the perfect but is so nice that when her perfect becomes nothing but imperfection you actually feel pain as her world collapses rather than clapping with glee. Her characters are really put through some hell in this story but instead of just falling apart they show the positive aspects of helping each other through the tough times. Her character development will make you fall in love with her creations as their struggles and wins become yours.

Tonge managed to write the perfect summer novel but with unpredictability so you won’t just slide your way to the conclusion bored at having read a template of everything else out there. Instead you’ll wallow in the adventure and be grateful for the journey as it provides you a chance to examine what you know about yourself.

Spending so much time in their coffee shop made me wish I had something besides Starbucks in the area because it’d be nice to have a place the way Tonge describes. I highly recommend enjoying a decent cup of coffee while reading this book so you can fall into the story more.

This book was awesome!!! Its about finding yourself as a mother and wife that found out a secret from her husband that ultimately destroyed their marriage. When times were low she found a coffee house with wonderful owner and partner. During the whole book all 4 had to come to terms who they were deep inside.

I absolutely loved this book! It is so heart warming and really enjoyable.

The characters in the book go through so much. They have some really dark hard times but the characters come together to support each other.

The thing I thought was really great about the book was that there was loads of unexpected parts which added elements of suprise to me as a reader. So I didnt know how the book was going to end and when you get a book like that it makes it so much better to read.