super cozy story! loved all the descriptions of the cafe and the characters. It was like reading a arm hug! lots of sweetnes and holiday spirit.

I know I'm guaranteed the perfect escape when I visit Budbury and that by the end I will have walked side by side with the main character, totally involved with all that happens. And I've been interested in hearing Katie's story since she first appeared with toddler Saul. I made a guess that after Sunshine at the Comfort Food Café, Katie could be next. :)

I do enjoy a first person narrative! I loved getting passed that lockdown of emotion to the reason why Katie views the world as she does. She's a mixture of vulnerability and strength and I found her easy to identify with. As much as she wants to settle and be a part of the community - breaking a cycle - there's another part of her that is ready to run if she thinks she needs protecting. And with the events and experiences throughout the story there is plenty to test her!

On Christmas Even I felt a mixture of emotions and cried for different reasons - overwrought early evening with tears of sadness followed by one of the best scenes in the story! Debbie Johnson pulls you in so you experience everything through your senses. It was so easy to imagine myself in the woods around Briarwood, picture perfect for Christmas Eve and Santa hunting. I loved the optimism.

Talking of Briarwood, it was great to feel the buzz of activity and being used for Tom's purpose. I love the continuity of spending time in this community. Laura, Lynnie and Edie's secondary stories provide just as much emotion as Katie's.

There is so much wisdom on these pages. Single parents, well all parents really, will identify with Katie and Saul. I can't end without saying that Saul brings so much to the story with that charm. transparency and innocence that only 3 year olds can. He's a star.

Sometimes a series loses its way a little but not these stories. A Gift from the Comfort Food Café has everything I've come to expect and comes highly recommended from me.

I did not realize that this book was a series until Chapter 3. Although this book can definitely stand alone, there were a lot of characters throughout the book and could get confusing. This book is a great winter romance novel. The setting was perfect and made me want to go to Europe ASAP. At few times in the book I was annoyed by Katie but overall the book was a fun quick read.

What a wonderful book! I enjoyed this story and would recommend it to everyone. Debbie Johnson has a unique writing style that draws the reader into the story.

Ahhhh (sighs contentedly)!!! Is there anything more satisfying than reading a Comfort Food Cafe book? Another great instalment from Debbie Johnson where we get to meet all our old friends, meet new ones and learn a bit more about others who have previously only been in the background of the books.

This book features on single Mum Katie and her adorable son, Saul. Katie was always running away when she was younger and her parents were arguing 24/7. Now she is older and old habits die hard, she doesn’t like getting too close to anyone and likes to be as independent as she can. When things get tough or she feels things are getting too much, her first instinct is to run but now she feels she should be putting roots down and let Saul blossom in the village he loves so much. Throw in a love interest and poor Katie is in bits.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book (as I do with all in the series). I love how we get a wee catch up on the characters who have featured heavily in previous books.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced read copy of the book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE these books by Debbie, the whole collection is simply breathtaking and although ther is a series of books they can be read alone. It isnt required to read the previous books because Debbie always delves into new characters and i always fall in love with them, older charcters are included and theres always a small bit of background information so you understand each and everyone of the book.
The focal point in the book is at the comfort food cafe and who wouldnt want to be there? the sublime geographical localtion makes you want to visiti and if you havent been to the jurassic coast, i suggest you go because this book does it justice and when i rmemeber back to visiting the area, i can see where the characters are. Its almost as if you are there by the beach and listening to the waves crashing as you pour your mouth around a delicious bacon sandiwich or a slice of delicious cake.
I wont add what happenes in the book because i want you all to read it.... i love this author.

When I heard Debbie Johnson was releasing a new book in the Comfort Food Cafe series, I was really excited as I have loved getting to know the residents of Budbury in these stories.

In this visit to Budbury set in the lead up to Christmas we have the opportunity to get to know Katie and Saul who we have met previously. On this visit we gain an insight as to what bought Katie and Saul to Budbury and see a different side to her character as she gets used to village life and the insecurities she feels in relation to Saul. Saul is one of the many wonderful characters in the village and has won the hearts of everyone. His brilliant character transported me back to when my daughter was a young bouncing bundle of energy.

A fantastic addition to the Comfort Food Cafe series, I have loved snuggling down to read the story of Katie and Saul and I hope that there will be more books set in the lovely idyllic village of Budbury at the Comfort Food Cafe

Katie Seddon isn’t the biggest fan of Christmas. While most people in the village of Budbury revel in the holiday cheer, Katie’s reminded of her tumultuous upbringing. Fortunately, her little boy, Saul, keeps her more than occupied. However, when people from her past try to reenter her life, it threatens to destroy the peaceful home she’s created in the seaside village. But with the help of new friends, the Comfort Food Café, and a handsome newcomer, she might find that maybe, just maybe, life doesn’t have to be peaceful to be good.

This is part of a series, which I was not aware of when I started reading. However, it also works as a standalone novel. There are a lot of characters mentioned, and this feels like a callback to previous books so that readers can see what their favorite characters are still doing. With lesser writers, the sheer volume of characters could be overwhelmed. Instead, author Debbie Johnson has managed these scenes masterfully, and the overall result is a well-rounded world that is easy to drop into.

And what a world. This is a remarkably cozy Christmas story, perfect for reading curled up with a blanket and a cup of hot chocolate. The Comfort Food Café hovers over the story, providing a festive backdrop that the characters float in and out of. As well, Katie is a highly relatable character, attempting to chart her own path in this tight knit community. At the start, she’s still on the fringes of the village and, perhaps because I didn’t start with the first book in the series, I was immediately drawn in. As she became more comfortable with her eclectic mix of neighbors, I followed.

Yet the action isn’t all fairy lights and wrapping paper. Johnson seamlessly melds tension into the narrative in such a unique way. Katie deals with some serious problems stemming from a strained relationship with her parents and an ex-husband. Johnson doesn’t shy away from these themes and that makes this Christmas tale have some bite. It’s more than effective and the end result is a rich story that is satisfying without being sugarcoated.

It’s charming. It’s heartwarming. It’s pure literary comfort in the best way possible.

Katie seems to have spent all her life running away from difficult situations. First from the violent rows of her parents then from a partner she seemed to be constantly arguing with.
Now she's living in Budbury with her young son Saul and thanks to the friendly villagers and the Comfort Food Café she is finally starting to feel settled, make friends and let people in. She even has a budding relationship with the gorgeous Van.
Then her mum turns up needing to stay for a while as Katie's dad has run off with another woman and throws Katie's new life into disarray. Then her Dad also turns up in the village and after a promising start the rows between her parents start up again Katie starts to wonder if she should run again. The village is invited to the Café for Christmas lunch but can Katie overcome her urge to run or will she and Saul be there?
Love the Comfort Food Café books, You don't have to have read the previous ones to enjoy this one but why would you not read them?

Katie is a single mum to a little boy Saul. She moves to Budbury hoping to find peace there, to just have a simple life, far away from her childhood home and her parents' constant fighting that outshone them the real needs of their daughter and the real sense of life. Katie doesn't want such life for her son. Budbury is full of wonderful people that want to help each other, people who embrace Katie without asking, who accept her immediately. But can Katie leave her past behind? And can her past leave Katie behind? Is she going to find what she's looking for in Budbury?

I really am not sure what to say more about the Comfort Food Cafe series that I haven't already said. It is really hard to write another review about a book that you loved - and please, please, please don't get me wrong, I could read books set in Budbury all year long - but they start to feel the same. "A Gift from the Comfort Food Cafe" is a brilliant, funny, uplifting story, with beautiful characters but for me there was nothing that I haven't come across in previous books in this series.

But. Having said that I can only admit that Debbie Johnson has written another fabulous, full of feelings and emotions story. I loved getting to know Katie and her son Saul, though I must admit that the parts where the characters from the previous books entered the scenes brought me so much more joy, especially all the surprises. Katie, I think, was not the easiest character to like - she was challenging, with her moods and blowing cold and hot but it was, of course, absolutely understandable. Already at the beginning of the story we learn about her life and to say it was turbulent would be an understatement - hence the habit of running away when the troubles come. But now Katie found her place in Budbury - didn't she? I loved seeing Katie coming out of her shell, leaving her comfort zones, to have the guts to do something new, to perhaps start to trust again. However, when the troubles came back to literally knock on her doors, she started reverting back, packing her bags and it was incredibly sad to see. On the other hand, I think Debbie Johnson has captured here the most realistic, genuine emotions - the need to just bury your head in the sand, to repeat the old pattern because they were working, and this is what Katie's initial thoughts were, which was really understandable. It takes a lot of courage to overcome the old habits and it was truly brilliantly described by the author, and Katie felt so genuine, and I loved it. I think she just needs a chance, so please just give her some time, you will really like her and understand her.

Of course the story touches upon many sensitive issues and Debbie Johnson proves again that she can tackle them with so much sensitivity and also humour. I also adore this overwhelming sense of familiarity, belonging and community in her books. Debbie Johnson never disappoints with her stories, and the Comfort Food Cafe series is one of the best ever. They are books that you don't want to end, that you immediately feel like a part of the characters' world - that doesn't feel fictional at all and reading "A Gift from the Comfort Food Cafe" was like being back with your old friends. Really, opening this book was like stepping back into a parallel world, a world that you know is just one page away. I immediately felt comfortable, as if I've came back to a place where I belong, and it is a great feeling.

It was a warm and feel - good book, perfectly mixing humour, fun and poignant moments. Despite some sadness, it was full of this overwhelming feeling of happiness and content and you know what, I'd love to be a character in Johnson's books, even if there are many challenges awaiting them because at the end they always find love, luck, come out of their shells and feel good on their own skin. It was a lovely story about friendship, letting go, finding yourself - highly recommended, even if you haven't read the other books in the series: every single one of them is a good start.

When I requested a copy of this book to read, I hadn't realized it was part of a series. That being said, this could be read as a stand alone book. I enjoyed getting to know the characters of Budbury and learning of their struggles and accomplishments. It made me wish I lived in a small, tight knit community. I enjoyed seeing how the characters grew and loved routing for Van and Katie. I will be seeking out the rest of the Comfort Food Cafe series and would recommend this book to anyone looking for a small town, holiday, romance.

Another fantastic instalment of The Comfort Food Cafe books. I really enjoyed this book , I’ll admit I don’t normally start reading Christmas books until November but I was desperate to read this and it’s made me crave Christmas now.

I loved the character Van, he reminded me of my husband in a lot of ways I.e he’s caring , good at fixing things and handsome.
It was great to be introduced to more new characters and once again reunited with old characters. Debbie Johnson is certainly on to a winner here as she could carry on writing these books for some time yet and they’d still be amazing and the sort of book you never tire from.

This book is part of a series but there is no necessity to read the others, it stands alone well. However you may want to as these stories are written so well you'll want to read more!

It's a nice holiday romance story and while not my favourite was still enjoyable. The main character had her flaws but she was a good person overall, the other supporting characters were wonderful as always and the setting is simply lovely. It really makes me wish it was real and I could go for a visit. An entertaining and cosy read.

Likable characters and a charming setting make this book a great comfort read. However, it shows its share of adult marital problems as well. After a failed marriage, Katie, along with her small son, moves to Budbury, a village along the Dorset coast. She finds comfort in the charming cafe and the people of the village. Will her parents ruin her peace? Will she be able to love again? With the climax coming around Christmas, it's a perfect holiday read. I look forward to reading earlier installments of the series to learn more about Budbury. This review is based on an electronic copy provided by the publisher through NetGalley with the expectation of an honest review. (3.5 stars)

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I didn’t realise that this book was one of a number based at the Comfort Food Cafe, so read this as a stand-alone.

It took a few chapters to get into the rhythm of the book, I’m not sure if this was because it was a series, but once I’d got into the story it moved along nicely. In this edition you get to know Katie and her son Saul. She has escaped to Budbury after a difficult time in Bristol, and she is guarded, wairy of getting close to people but gets drawn into this lovely postcard village and the people.

We get to see Katie face her past and work her way through her approach to the future. The cafe is the centre of the book and it provides a great backdrop to the people who live in Budbury. Katie is a lovely likable character who you ‘cheer on’ in the traditional underdog way.

A wonderful heart warming story, it’s well written with warm characters. The story starts with a seven year old girl who is packing her bag to run away to her grandmothers house. The reason being her parents are downstairs fighting again, both verbally and physically. The story moves on to an adult Katie and her son Saul moving to Budbury a small village full of wonderful uncomplicated people who have welcomed them. Katie is working in the Pharmacy with Auburn and both her a Saul spend time at the Comfort Food Cafe. At first the are shy, then through the warmth of the other customers they begin to become part of the small community. This story is like a mug of hot chocolate, delicious and comforting. A perfect winter read.

A Gift from the Comfort Food Cafe is such a heart warming story of love, family, and the problem that come with Christmas, this is a perfect book to read, loved the characters and everything about this book.

I love everything about this series of books. Its a joy to come back to them again and again.

Katie is a young bride, married to Jason and they hate each other and fight all the time. They have a little boy called Saul and one day Katie just decides enough is enough, takes the baby and runs away. She ends up in Budbury and moves into a house across the road from the pharmacy where she takes up a job with Autumn. Katie is hesitant to integrate with the locals at 1st but slowly she starts to make friends and earns the attraction of Van, Autumn's brother.

This was a lovely story, filled with lots of cake and parties as usual, and not only do we learn about Katie, but big things happen to some of our regulars we well.

Loved every delicious minute of it.

If you are searching for warm and fuzzy, feel good book that is perfect for the holidays and all year through, then look no further than A Gift From the Comfort Food Café.

The book begins with the backstory of Katie, a single mum to an adorable toddler, Sean. We find Katie when she is just seven years old and “running away for the first time.” We soon learn that her home life is filled with abusive parents who care more about destroying one another than they do about caring for their young daughter. Over the continuing years, Katie continues to “run away,” first to her grandmother’s home, then to college and head first into a bad relationship, to new towns until, finally, she lands in Budbury – a quaint village filled with wonderfully quirky and loving residents who embrace Katie wholeheartedly, despite the fact that Katie is slow to embrace them in return. However, as the holidays approach – the worst time of the year for Katie – she decides to take small steps toward allowing others into her life, including the very nice Van, whom her son adores.

A Gift From the Comfort Food Cafe belongs to a series revolving around the cast of characters from Budbury who gather together at the Comfort Food Café. I had no idea I was stepping into a world that was ongoing but this book stands alone quite well. The only reason I even mention the series is because reading this book will make you want to know more about the village of Budbury and all of those who live within.
This particular story is wonderful. It has just the right amount of tension, the perfect amount of “cosy,” and a dash of the holidays to make it a wonderful read! I admit that the very beginning of the book had me scratching my head as we were given Katie’s backstory, but soon it flowed beautifully and the rest of the book was marvelous! The people are just quirky enough to make them interesting but not over-the-top so that they are unbelievable. Again – it was all “just right.”

This felt more like women’s fiction than a true holiday tale but in a good way. I highly encourage you to visit the village of Budbury this season. You will be glad that you did!
Thank you to @HarperImpulse, #Netgalley, @Dead-yJohnson and for my copy of this delightful book. On sale October 18, 2018.   (review published 10-18-18)

3.5 - It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas... Stars!

We return to Budbury, Dorset for the fifth book in Debbie Johnson’s Comfort Food Café series. Katie Seddon and her toddler son; Saul finally start to integrate into village life just as Christmas approaches.

Things are changing – and I don’t want them to…

I’d say I fell in like, rather than love with this addition. The setting, secondary characters and the goings on with them were as entertaining as always, and everything on that front lived up to expectations. But when you struggle to like the leading character of the story being told it tends to dim the sparkle of everything else going on a little.

"I’ll let you rescue me…"

I can understand Katie’s actions and motivations in a way, but as the book progressed I found it more weak willed, and self-absorbed than anything, especially when the trouble she thought she had left behind comes knocking on her door and pretty much starts reverting back to the same old patterns as before, and rather than nip it in the bud immediately, she goes for the head-in-sand mentality until it’s almost too late.

"Have you ever considered... I don't know... telling them to fuck off?"

I held off on reading this one, because I wanted to save it to the last minute so it pains me that I didn’t totally love it. That-said I still read it in less than a day, I loved Saul, adored Van, and really appreciated seeing the rest of the characters I have gotten to know through the previous books moving along with their lives as Katie’s story played out.

"I’m maybe already in a bit deeper than I thought I was… And that’s okay – but I know you’re not."

I am so pleased to see that we get to return March 19, for A Wedding at the Comfort Food Café, lots happened in this book, so I am looking forward to reading more of the continuation of everyone lives when it’s released.