Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. I loved this feel good book and really related to Cassie, this had so many laughs in. Recommend

Cassie has returned home to Seashell Cove with a big secret, plenty of questions and a determination to reframe her life. She used the last bit of her trek from London to gather her thoughts – and surprises her parents in a topless clinch on the sofa. Aside from the “ick” factor – this scene gives a peek into the connection and affection her parents share: something she longs for. But – there’s more to Cassie’s return than she’s let on. Fired from a prestigious event management company in London, her life, despite the highlights she shared (and perhaps played up) with her parents was one long round of stress, struggles and ultimately, disappointment. Sure, she was good at her job, mostly, but she wasn’t in love with the work or even able to see the point most of the time. Now with that black mark on her resume, she’s going to find event management, and London, unwelcoming unless she has a list of proven successes to bring with her. Deciding that her parent’s little café is the perfect option to use her ‘help’ as she is determined to make her mark by planning evenings at the café with different themes: tastings, cat days, game nights, even comedy: all intended to bring in new customers and boost the bottom line.

From the start, Cassie’s character was difficult for me: the fact she was hiding so much from everyone, and her desperation to forge ahead with her plans, with no thought to anyone else’s wishes or desires. Sure, she means well, but her own tone-deafness to those around her just seemed to give her an extra dose of immaturity and cluelessness as to what she actually is accomplishing. Fortunately, Clarke manages to offset Cassie’s problematic moments with some wonderful characters: her Nan in the midst of a ‘back to nature clear-out’ is adorably quirky, her brother, now back in school with a new focus on life and moving forward, her parents: loving and so beautifully drawn and so determined that their children will not be “stuck” as they were. Lastly there are Cassie’s school friends and a leaving-year crush… her friends have been back in town with one leading walking tours when the mood strikes, the other engaged and splitting her work time between the bakery next door and her parent’s café: then there’s Danny, seeming to be everywhere and a dab hand at everything, much to Cassie’s discomfiture.

Round and round the story goes: Cassie is stuck on her own merry go round of secrets, ambitions, desires and dreads, and only manages to get off that ride when circumstances force her to adapt. From Danny putting her artwork on the café walls, to a liquor fueled confession and the offer of a “dream job” in London from the man she was just starting to date, the story kept me reading and wondering: for if ever there was a character that could invent difficulties for herself, Cassie is she. And it was interesting to see how Clarke managed to keep her sympathetic and show all of her reasons (even if arrived at wrongly) that kept her from being honest with her family and friends, and her own struggles with the word success, and just what that means. Clarke managed to make this story one of reframing a life with the help of family, friends and the potential of new romance: and give Cassie, even in her difficult moments, a future she deserved.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.


Review first appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-9Gb/”> <a> I am, Indeed </a>

This is the second novel by Karen Clarke that I have read and loved.
I have also read The Beachside Sweet Shop which I also enjoyed.
It is a lovely romantic comedy set in a cafe located at the beach!
A well written book, a relaxing story with an excellent story flow, a book about starting over and parent-children relationships. If you are a parent, it's going to make you see the well-meaning things you say to your children from a different perspective.
For fans of Sophie Kinsella's "My not so perfect life".

Whenever I get my hands on a new book from Karen Clarke I know I'm in for a treat. This one didn't disappoint. Cassie's character was wholly believable (don't we all want to make our parents proud?) and the way her parents try not to let their thoughts and feelings sway their children, but the kids are swayed regardless, is classic.  I can see the situation from both sides,  as a child and a parent,  and I kept nodding my head as I was reading it.  
Thank you Ms Clarke for another lovely read.

I have really enjoyed all of Karen Clarke's previous books so was looking forward to starting this one. I wasn't disappointed. A lovely heartwarming cosy book. I was immediately drawn into the story and empathised with the lead character. I love the setting and would love to visit Seashell Cove. I enjoyed the interaction of the locals. A lovely story about family, friendship and new beginnings.

Well written with characters you really care about and identify with. Well paced throughout. I couldn't put it down. Perfect for relaxing for a cosy afternoon on the sofa or a lovely holiday beach read. I loved it. I hope there will be more books in Seashell Cove.

If you haven't read Karen Clarke's other books, I recommend these too!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

OMG what a deliciously GORGEOUS read!
A journey of rediscovery and new beginnings, passion and following your dreams while also realising that nothing stays the same.
I have to say that the opening chapter had me both laughing out loud as well as gagging a bit - I mean no one wants to see or believe their parents are ...well.. you'll have to read the book to find out more about that!
I loved the characters, none too perfect and all just right for the story. So well written, I almost wanted to search out Seashell Cove to hang out with this diverse group of peeps!
This is one of those books that you just find your self escaping IN to. I laughed, enjoyed the quick pace and was a wee bit sad when it ended. However, I'm now really looking forward to what will happen next in Seashell Cove! Adored it!

It is a lovely holiday read. Nice story, the whole book has a great summery feel . I would certainly recommend it.

Cassandra comes home, after being fired from her event management job in London, back to Seashell Cove and finds everything changed. The Cafe has modernized, her brother Rob has left the band to become a teacher, her best friends are back home and working at/near the Cafe, an old crush Danny is everywhere she goes, her prim and proper Nan is going au naturel, including an outdoor outhouse (if you know what I mean)

Coming back home to lick her wounds and start her own business, but finding everything changed, is shocking at first to Cassie (as she likes to be called) and she does become a bossy know-it-all who wants to start her own event management company in this town, soon realizes some truths about herself and her world.

My first book by Karen Clarke, a fast paced book, easy to read, easy to get immersed in the fictional place, with the chapters flowing smoothly and pages turning quickly. I didn't like the main character Cassie at all, but the love interest Danny and hilarious Nan, and the rest of the characters more than made up for her attitude. All were just so cute. Innocent, likable characters, old best friends, new-old love, a lovely beach, beautiful warm cafe - what more can I ask for?

A light-hearted, feel good, warm story is what this book is all about with an underlying theme of loving what you do and rediscovering oneself. This book by Karen Clarke is the one which warmed my heart and made me happy reading it. It pulled me out of my reading slump and I got my mojo back. A refreshing change from my usual genre.

This story is light hearted and perfect for relaxing with as we experience Cassie's return and all the feelings that come with her visit to her family. There are some wonderful characters who will make you smile and laugh.

I have to admit that it took me a while to come to love Cassie's character as I felt like she sometimes had tunnel vision and couldn't see anything else but her ideas. However she was hoping to help her family and had their best interests at heart she just sometimes went about it in the wrong way. In a way I guess this made me appreciate her character even more because of her flaws and how she was so determined to succeed. I loved Cassie's family dynamic especially the playful sibling relationship she has with her brother. Along with Cassie reconnecting with old friends who I would love to hear more from!

There is a lovely warmth to the story that made The Café at Seashell Cove such a pleasure to read. Karen Clarke's writing is witty and easily pulled me into the characters lives in Seashell Cove. The café is definitely somewhere I would love to visit, have coffee and a slice of cake or two!

Four stars from me!

With thanks to Noelle at Bookouture for my copy. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.

The Cafe at Sheashell Cove was really a cover love. I saw that gorgeous lovely cover and I wanted to dive straight into the book. After reading the synopsis I was sold completely, who wouldn't want to read about a little cafe with delicious cakes located at the beach. Let’s be honest, that sounds pretty good for a contemporary book right? Such a shame that the book didn't really deliver like I had anticipated.
Let's start off with my main point of irritation. The main character Cassie, she is probably the most annoying character I read about this year. She is around my age, but acts like a little, spoiled princess who thinks the whole world revolves around her. Everything was Always about her. There was absolutely no room for the needs and demands of other people. The Cafe at Sheashell Cove could have been named the Big Cassie One Woman show for all it is worth. And I don't have a problem with self-centered characters if you see some character development throughout the story, but with Cassie there wasn't any development. She stayed egocentric throughout the story. No growth what so ever. The inability to connect with her and warm to her really took away from my overall enjoyment of the story. You spend a lot of time with Cassie, so it would have been nice to have some friendly feelings towards her. Such a shame....
I kept wishing we could have seen more of the secondary characters in this story. Because I actually found their storylines more interesting. I wanted to know more about Rob and his decision to leave his successful band. I wanted to know more about Meg wedding and why it felt she wasn't there with whole of her heart. I just wanted more but because Cassie was so into herself we only got glimpsed of the other characters.
The overall writing style was enjoyable. The author really brought the settings to live. At times I almost felt like I was drinking tea on the terrace of the cafe or even eating a piece of pie with a giant cat sitting in my lap. That's why it is such a shame that I couldn't enjoy this story more. I loved the idea of the book and the overall storyline was quite good. A light, fluffy contemporary with a decent dose of romance and wooing.
The best part of this book was definitely the cover. I might give this author another try in the future, because I think I would have enjoyed this book way more if Cassie wouldn't have been such a spoiled, little princess.

My Review
‘The Café At Seashell Cove’ is the second book by Karen Clarke that I have had the pleasure of reading and reviewing. I have another two on my mountainous ‘To Be Read’ pile but I aim to read them sooner rather than later. I have loved both of the books I have read and I am sure that I will love the other two.
Cassandra Maitland has had a bit of a time of it of late. She has been working hard in London as an events planner. However, after one too many disagreements with her boss, she (Cassie) finds herself without a job. Of course, Cassie decides that she needs a period of time licking her wounds and to recover from everything she has been through so she goes home to her Mam and Dad. She thinks that she will be able to revamp their old and tired seaside café. However there are two main problems. One being the fact that Cassie’s parents are tremendously proud of everything that Cassie and her brother have done and Cassie might have let them believe that she is far more successful than she actually is. Of course she doesn’t want to tell them the truth because she is ashamed and she thinks that they will think less of her. The other main problem with going home is that the café is no longer run down and in fact is busier than ever thanks to some help from one of Cassie’s childhood friends, who has a passion for interior design. When Cassie does return home, she is upset to learn that everything has changed and I got the impression that all the changes knocked her for six. Cassie isn’t down for too long though because she bounces back with lots of ideas for events that can be held in the family café. Cassie enjoys reconnecting with her family, her friends and especially with her one time boyfriend. Will Cassie tell her parents the real reason why she has returned home? Will Cassie carve out a new life for herself back in her childhood home? Will Cassie get back with her old flame? Well for the answers to those questions and more you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves as I am not going to tell you.
This was the perfect book to pick up on a day when I needed a distraction from the nasty weather outside. In fact, I had the book in one hand, a cup of tea in my other hand and I was sat in front of a roaring fire, which was absolute bliss. The book starts with such a memorable and embarrassing scene, that it will stay fresh in my memory for a long time to come. The writing style is such that you can’t help but be drawn into the story and before you know it you are addicted to reading the book. I just had to keep reading to see what would happen to Cassie, if there were any more embarrassing incidents and whether or not Cassie found happiness with her old flame. I was a typical addict, who was in need of another fix- only mine was this book and not anything nasty or bad for your health. The author clearly cares about her characters and this shines through in her writing. She describes them so vividly that I began to think of them as being ‘real’ and I found myself thinking of them as friends and caring about what happened to them. ‘The Café At Seashell Cove’ is one of those books that will have you chuckling away from almost the beginning and you won’t stop chuckling away until you finish the book.
In short I absolutely loved reading ‘The Café At Seashell Cove’ and I sincerely hope that there are more books to come in the series. I would definitely recommend this author and her books to other readers. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is 4* out of 5*.

This book opens with Cassie interrupting her parents in an…AHEM intimate moment and I about fell out of my chair laughing, I just knew I was in for a good time and was I ever right! It was hysterical and really set the tone for how fun this story was. Clarke is one of my favorite authors to turn to when I need a pick me up, she achieves that perfect balance between humor and romance that works so well for me.

Cassie returns home sort of down on her luck, she’s been fired from her London job and her romantic life is pretty stagnant. Instead of the typical plot where the heroine goes home to lick her wounds and get comfort from family, Cassie actually keeps things a secret from then and pretends she left her job willingly and is super happy about it. I love the originality of Clarke’s novels, there’s never anything cookie cutter about them, but she does consistently create lovable and quirky characters that charm me. Cassie’s parents were my favorite they were sweet and doting and always embarrassed Cassie with their affection for each other.

This is set in another idyllic location making it a perfect vacation read, plenty of fun loving moments, a dash of romance and so many laughs my sides were sore after reading! I’m hopeful this is the start to a new series as there were so many characters that I would love to read about again.

The Cafe at Seashell Cove in three words: Charming, hilarious and Effortless.

Cassie is back in her home town, staying with her parents after losing her job in London - but she isn't telling anyone she has lost her job. She is doing her best to help out and come up with (unwanted) ideas to make her parents cafe busier, but always seems to have a mishap along the way.
Danny, who she went to school with, is still in the area, wants to win her over, and get her to go on a date with him.
An entertaining read about starting over, and also putting your happiness before money and career.

Review: This is my first book that I have read by Karen Clarke. From reading the blurb it sounded like a really good book and one that I would enjoy. Upon reading the book I am glad I did ask to review The Cafe in Seashell Cove because it is absolutely fantastic. I haven't laughed out loud while reading a book for a while now and with this story I couldn't help but laugh.

 Cassie Maitland has returned home and soon realises that things carry on without her and she inst sure she likes that it does. Needing a break from her stressful life Cassie tries to get back into life at home in the only way she knows how, through events. However, she soon discovers that perhaps it is her that needs to change and adapt to the new life she finds back home. Perhaps, she wasn't; all that happy in the first place in London.

I found the plot idea great. Understanding that perhaps we all need to have a break at times and that it is hard to be honest with others when we are not honest with ourselves and by telling the truth to ourselves we can be far happier. Really strong characters that while reading I felt that I was really getting to know. Karen's writing is strong, engaging, warm and funny.

I got totally lost in her world, a perfect break from reality!

The Cafe at Seashell Cove by Karen Clarke is a wonderful fun read that takes you back to fun summers at the shore. Cassie Maitland loses her job as an attorney in London, and returns home to Seashell Cove where her parents have a cafe on a cliff overlooking the ocean. Cassie is shocked at all the changes that have taken place, plus discovering how close her old boyfriend Danny is to her family. This was a very enjoyable book. I enjoyed seeing how the different threads tied together and how the dynamics between the characters played out. This was the first time I've read this author and it definitely won't be the last!

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

4 seashells to The Cafe at Seashell Cove and a new author to love! 🐚 🐚 🐚 🐚

I’ve been searching for an author that compares to early Sophie Kinsella and Anna Maxted, zany British humor, easy reading. Karen Clarke just may be her! Highly recommended by my friend, Melisa, The Cafe at Seashell Cove was a delightful read!

When Cassie loses her job in London, she moves back home to Seashell Cove where her family has the coziest seaside cafe. Of course, Cassie hides the truth of why she’s there from her parents, and while she’s a bit self-centered at first, through self-discovery, she uncovers her own true happiness.

There’s a natural flow to Karen Clarke’s writing, and the characters are all likable and believable. I was transported through her writing to Seashell Cove.

Overall, I enjoyed every bit of reading this book, including many fun, laugh-out-loud moments.

Thank you to Karen Clarke, Bookouture, and Netgalley for the copy to review. The Cafe at Seashell Cove is available now!

loved this book so much I devoured it in one sitting as I couldn't bear to leave it out of my hands once I had picked it up. The Café at Seashell Cove has such a lovely title and an equally as gorgeous cover that conjures up so many beautiful images in one's mind. It was nice to have a new setting for Karen Clarke's books as I was beginning to think the books set in Shipley had naturally run their course and something new and fresh was needed. That was certainly what I found here in spades as within the first paragraph you find yourself gasping out loud and laughing at the scene unfolding in front your eyes. In fact I would say it's best to keep your eyes shut, if only our main character Cassie had been able to do so. If you get a good feeling regarding book the minute you pick it up you just know you are going to enjoy every bit of it. Yes there is that ever so slight niggle at the back of your mind will this feeling last the entire way through but with The Café at Seashell Cove, my enjoyment just grew and grew as Cassie even though she struggled so much really found a place in my heart.

Cassie Maitland is an event planner and has spent the last few years working in London but now she is arriving home to Seashell Cove and to the heart of the cosy café her parents run on a headland overlooking the most beautiful vista. Cassie's parents Lydia and Ed are full of nothing but pride for their wonderful daughter who has achieved so much in her glittering career. They grab any opportunity to boast to all and sundry as to how well their daughter has done and how she has so effortlessly climbed the career ladder.

There is only one problem with this as what her parents believe to be true simply isn't, Cassie may have embellished the truth ever so slightly or just never dampened her parents enthusiasm for fear of upsetting them. Cassie and her younger brother Rob were always encouraged to fly the nest to find something better for themselves outside of Seashell Cove, to spread their wings and achieve as much as they can. That is what Cassie tried to do, unfortunately that didn't all go to plan and now she finds herself fired from her job and returning home. In fear of disappointing her parents she stretches the truth even further and says she is just home for a break to reassess and to plan what her next step should be. To be honest this to me seemed such a foolish thing to do. Cassie appeared to be digging an even deeper hole for herself when maybe admitting the truth and seeing people's reactions may have been the wiser choice. But one thing is clear when things go wrong, what do we do? Our natural instinct of course is to seek refuge and comfort from the familiar- our home and family.

Wounded from her experiences in London Cassie was attempting to cover everything up. She came back with a plan to revitalise the café and try and make more money for her parents. So the storyline seemed as if it was going to be one I had read countless times over. I couldn't have been more surprised as was Cassie when she discovers the café has been transformed and is now a hub of activity and a social place for all. Thanks in part to her old friend Tilly Campell, whom she hasn't seen for years, who employed her interior design skills and has now made the café the place to be. Meg Larson, another friend whom Cassie again let fall by the wayside, works a few hours at the café and supplies the cakes as well as some hours at the local bakery.

Seeing her old friends and Danny Fleetwood, a man she feels let her down when they were younger, sets Cassie to think why did she let good friends drop from her radar? An element of guilt sets in and so this feeling intensifies with regard to her parents. She was always so busy to pay proper visits or listen carefully to news her mother may impart on the phone. I suppose to suppress these feelings Cassie jumps in with all guns blazing with new and exciting adventures for the café. But does the café really need them or is for Cassie's own personal benefit to make herself feel better and to avoid confronting the actual truth.

There wasn't one character I didn't enjoy reading about in this book. All were brilliantly utilised and all offered lots of comedic moments but also advice and support when needed. Cassie flounders the more the book develops , maybe not in terms of the initiatives she comes up with but more so in the faith and belief she has in herself. She begins to think her parents have built up such a wonderful picture of their talented daughter that how can she bring them crashing back down to earth by admitting the truth? I hated the way Cassie doubted herself so much, she always seemed to put herself down and couldn't see how kind hearted she was. She always wanted to help others but forgot it's herself who perhaps needed the most help. I loved reading about the tea and coffee night, the cat day in the café, the games night and the comedy night in the pub.

Cassie thinks everything is a disaster but really she is bringing new fun elements to Seashell Cove and she should have been proud of herself. Her feelings of being unsettled only ever increased throughout the story as failure becomes a standard word in her heart and mind. Oh how I wished she didn't have to feel this way. On the romance front I felt Cassie had very mixed feelings. Rob a business man from London had been her latest squeeze but she feels this has gone by the wayside so really a new relationship is not on the cards but I had my suspicions regarding Danny. I fervently hoped said suspicions would come to fruition as Cassie deserved some happiness and contentment. Such a kind, loving picture of Danny was built throughout the story, any woman would love a Danny in their life. He seemed to pop up at just the right moments, he was a jack of all trades and would certainly help a girl in need.

Nan was another brilliant character and demonstrated the abundance of humour and laughter to be found in this book. Her fads were simply hilarious to read about and her latest embracing all things eco and green to bring her back to nature was a brilliant example of this. Offloading the shackles of modern society to be no longer tied by time had me roaring with laughter. I thought Cassie and her family were best to turn a blind eye and leave her up to her antics as surely she would grow out of the phase as is often mentioned in reference to teenagers! Ed and Lydia, Cassie's parents, even from our first encounter with them I just loved the pair. They loved their café but behind it all I felt they were hiding something in a similar way to Cassie. So clearly a lot of people in the book needed to confront their feelings. Even Rob, Cassie's younger brother had a lot of growing up to do.

There may have been plenty of characters to get to know but the book never felt over crowded with them or that one storyline would be lost amongst the others. Cassie's storyline was the main element of this book and all the other little sub-plots seemed to flow beautifully out from this. Cassie had a hidden talent, one in which she doubted her capabilities but I could see the positives in these and I hoped with time she would do the same.

Hopefully this is not the last we have heard from Seashell Cove as I thoroughly enjoyed this excellent read. Even if future books do not focus on Cassie I would certainly love to know more about Tilly and Meg, I wonder will they get their own story to share with us? The Café at Seashell Cove was a brilliant return to form for Karen Clarke and long may it continue. I hope lots of people pick up this fabulous book and enjoy it as much as I did.

The Cafe at Seashell Cove is an amusing, light-hearted read, but one with a poignant message running through it.

Cassie is a lovely character, if a bit self-centred and full on sometimes, but to me this added to her character. Her family are all wonderful secondary characters, especially her Eco Warrior Nan, and her clutter-free lifestyle! Plus, her old best friends, Meg and Tilly and ex-boy crush Danny who is quite the looker.

Karen Clarke’s writing had a natural flow to it, and she certainly knows how to write scenes to make you laugh-out-loud, including actual jokes!

Seashell Cove seems like a lovely carefree place. A place to holiday in, somewhere you can sit by the beach and watch the waves, or grab a bite to eat in the lovely cafe owned by a remarkable husband and wife.

This is one of those books that once you open the pages, you are transported into the fictional world and held there, letting the real world melt away into the background.

A fabulous book to curl up with, or to take to the beach. I would definitely recommend this book to others and I do wonder if we will meet Cassie again in the future?

I really enjoyed this funny and cozy book. I liked the characters, the plot and the style of writing.
It left with a wonderful summer taste and feeling good.
Stronglyrecommended.
Many thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley

If you think that this book is just going to be a calm and serene read with oodles of tea at your fingertips, think again. 'The Café at Seashell Cove' is more than a cup of PG tips or a warm cheese scone - A LOT more. Even though Karen Clarke injects a large dose of comedy into her storyline, she also fills the storyline with multiple scenarios her readers will be guaranteed to relate to.

Cassie has decided to visit her parents in Seashell Cove - 'visit' being the operative word. As far as Cassie's parents are concerned, their daughter is still the high flying, independent, popular events manager. As far as Cassie is concerned however, well, let's just say things certainly aren't as they seem in Cassie's world. Not only that, Cassie's parents' café has had an image overhaul and her brother has changed direction regarding his career, so why isn't Cassie happy for them?

Karen Clarke's new novel really hit home with me as I saw a lot of myself in Cassie, and I am sure a lot of readers might do as well. We have all been in similar positions to Cassie, so when her situation became even more black and white as the story progressed, I couldn't seem to get rid of the lump that was beginning to form in my throat. From the outside, people may be the most happiest people in the world, yet on the inside they could be minutes away from breaking. Nobody knows what goes on behind closed doors. Nobody knows what people are dealing with on a day to day basis. Nobody truly knows except the person living that life. Even though this book made me giggle, I was so pleased that the author wrote such a poignant message within her storyline - it made me realise that going through life and not knowing exactly what you want to do, or having to work even harder to get yourself on the path of your dreams which could take longer, is in no way a bad thing and people should stop seeing it as that.

I have everything crossed that 'The Café at Seashell Cove' is just the start of a new series - I really want to read more about the characters and whether their dreams come true later on. Karen Clarke is another author whose writing has gone from strength to strength, earning herself a place in my little list of 'favourite authors of all time'.

Without even knowing, 'The Café at Seashell Cove' was a book I just needed to read, and what a heartfelt, thought-provoking read it is. From the very first page, I felt like I was getting hugged by a giant teddy, with a voice whispering in my ear that everything will be okay. I laughed out loud, I snorted, I became emotional, but most importantly, I learnt a valuable lesson from Cassie (and her gran, of course!).

If 'The Cafe at Seashell Cove' was on my doorstep, I would be there all day every day. But, seeing as it isn't, I have the pleasure of holding this book very close to my heart for a very long time.

A truly beautiful, cosy and touching novel which will not only leave you wanting another cup of tea and a slice of cake, it will also leave you feeling the most loved person in the world.