This was a first read for me by Jessica Redland and I can say that I was pleasantly surprised! When I first started reading I though I was not going to be able to get into the book, but that quickly changed as you get to know more and more about the main character, Tara. I fell in love with the characters and really enjoyed getting to know them. The main focus being on Tara.

Tara left her family 14 years ago because of being betrayed by some on the closest people to her that she thought loved and cared for her. When Tara left, she ended up in a small town looking for a place to open her own restaurant. Tara finds the perfect place, but the owner is sort of a butt and wants more for the business and building than it is worth. Tara is very conservative and has not talked to too many people since she left her parents, but she is not going to let anyone else run over her either. She is determined to get the building on her terms. She does get the contract on her terms but then something comes back to bite her in the butt and she has had to learn another hard lesson in life.

Tara lives above her restaurant and is happy there with her rabbit, Hercules. She and Hercules have spent many nights and weekends together alone in the flat and that is how Tara wants it until her friend opens her eyes a little and makes her see that there is more out there for Tara and that not all people are as cruel as the people that have hurt her in her past. I loved being able to go along on this ride with Tara. The way that she gradually lets people in is honorable. She doesn't just jump into things again, but is cautious and plays it safe.

One day, many years after owning the Chocolate Pot Cafe, Tara sees Jed, the previous owner of the building, back in town. Tara immediately has a dislike for the man and wonder if he is there to try and take back his old spot? Why would he be back anyway, his wife had wanted to move away and he went with her. Jed and Tara eventually run into each other and immediately there is something there about Jed that Tara didn't sense last time. He is not as hostile and stand offish with her. They have a casual conversation and Jed mentions that he is looking to open up a shop on the same strip as the Chocolate Pot Cafe. This worries Tara and Jed keeps things a secret until he is ready to open the store. Come to find out, it is no competition for Tara at all.

With the revelation that Jed is not there to provide competition for Tara, they both are able to overcome their past and move one with getting to know each other. Tara finds out that Jed is divorced now and his daughters live with him. Tara is surprised by this and is excited for the chance to get to know Jed even more. You will have to read this one to see if Tara can open up enough to actually let someone in her life again or if she is going to close down all doors again and just continue to live with Hercules as her main companion? This book was a good read. I hope that you enjoy it as much as I have. Can't wait to read more from this author!

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book and all opinions are my own. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.

This book at times could be a little forlorn and sad, but had a very cozy overall feeling. I really loved Tara and would like to read more about her character.

I loved this book so much, it’s so touching and I absolutely loved The character of Tara , she was so well written and developed, her past , her experiences are so well done, I could relate completely , the romance is so sweet and lovely, but doesn’t erase her past or issues (as some romances seem to do) and I loved the fact the author did this, respected romance isn’t the quick fix in someone’s life. A heartwarming and heartbreaking read, emotional to say the last but full of hope.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

I loved this book so great I recommend to you Tara a wonder character I loved her she so complete adorable he love for her friends is so lovely to read a fab plot your in the story with the all a great community spirt and nice Christmas book

I read an advanced copy of Starry Skies Over The Chocolate Pot Cafe, by Jessica Redland. Tara Porter is the owner of, The Chocolate Pot, but she is lonely. I found this book a little depressing. Others might like it though.

This book was ok to read on a rainy day but not my usual thing to read
I would give this a 3 star
It was ok to read but others need to read if they like this sort of thing

The glad game survives to brighten another day: warm and inspiring😊

❄ Heroine Tara Porter's story is moving and inspiring. This was the tale of a strong young woman who's been through a lot of sorrow and pain but holds on to her original love for her parents to push on and better herself. She ends up a successful businesswoman and a generous mentor in a coastal Yorkshire town. But her biggest challenge is opening up and sharing who she really is with others.

I found this a really lovely read. There's a strong plot, warm community spirit, an enemies to lovers sweet romance and lots of cozy atmospherics with local community Christmas festivities, a large pet rabbit and hot chocolate served up by the barrelful.

Author Jessica Redland was a new name to me only a few months ago. Since then, I've now read three of her novels and I've found each one positive, warm and full of wonderful characters. She's now a go-to author for me.

Thanks to publisher Boldwood Books and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.

The story of Tara, who runs the Chocolate Pot Cafe. Something happened in her past to make her closed off from everyone who tries to be her friend. As she starts to confide in people close to her, she starts to live her life again.

An enjoyable read.

Starry Skies Over The Chocolate Pot Cafe by Jessica Redland
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Genre: General Fiction (Adult) | Women's Fiction
Release Date: 08 Sep 2020

When I first started reading this book, I didn't think I would like it. It started a little slow, but I was so wrong. This is a wonderful book that touches your heart in all the right ways.

This story is about courage and vulnerability and how to trust after being destroyed by people you love. By coincidence, I read this right after listening to Dr. Brene Brown speak on the Oprah's Super Soul Session podcast about vulnerability and boy, did I feel like the Universe was trying to tell me something.

This book was so touching. I laughed, I cried, I made my husband worry something was wrong with me because I got a little emotional. It is a beautiful story of growth and the rewards being vulnerable can bring into your life.

There is so much depth to this story and my review can't even begin to do it justice. The characters are well developed and I want to be Tara's best friend! I understand her, I know what trauma feels like, and in the end, there is hope.

I'm so grateful to Jessica Redland, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this ARC ebook in exchange for my honest review.

This was my first book by this author, It was pretty enjoyable. I would give this book a 3.5 star rating! It was a pretty Quick and easy read!

A delightful installment in the Whitsborough Bay series! Tara has a rather complicated past that she fully and completely left behind when she came to Whitsborough Bay to start a new life. The problem is, in doing so, she has safely locked herself behind all her own walls and is now starting to feel lonely. Tara decides to start to start letting people back in and I loved watching her grow in her friendships as well as her own personhood with wonderful strengths and talents. A warm romance that does not gloss over the hard things in life.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions and views expressed are my own and freely given.

This book was great! Although it broke my heart in places I really enjoyed it and it left me feeling all warm and happy! Would recommend this author.

Amazing story.

After finding out the truth about her husband, Tara runs away to a small Yorkshire town and sets up a new life for herself. A life she lets no one else into. Fourteen years later she finally decides to open up.

A sweet story about overcoming trauma and trusting again. The story had good characters and an interesting story. It flowed well and revealed the main players stories in a good way. A nice quick read.

Yet another fantastic book from Jessica Redland, her works get better and better, if that is possible. This isn't really a Christmas story but you feel as though it is, this is one to curl up with a hot mug of chocolate and get right into this and feel part of the plot. The characters are well detailed and keep the plot going right to the very end. I would love to give this 10 stars but can only give 5. Jessica Redland books always give value for money and this one certainly does.

The Chocolate Pot Cafe is as deliciously wonderful as it sounds and Tara Porter's pride and joy. At Christmas however, even that can't stop the loneliness, which she manages to ignore most of the time, from almost overwhelming her. Hurt in so many ways over the years she has decided the best way to stop it ever happening again is to retreat and so she works then goes home, nothing else is allowed to find its way into her life. Secrets will eat away at you though and gradually Tara has to make a decision, one which is almost too difficult to contemplate, or face losing everything.

This isn't really the cosy Christmas story the cover would suggest, and I have to admit I struggled with this book. I didn't engage with Tara which also meant for the most part I didn't engage with the storyline either. It covers some serious issues and whilst they need to be discussed there was no indication of what was to come in the precis for this title.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for an unbiased review. Although I think this will be a popular book it wasn't for me unfortunately.

Great series which i thoroughly enjoyed and always look forward to reading books by Jessica Redland and i enjoy this book .

Such a sweet Christmas story. Perfect to enjoy with hot chocolate by the fire. Loved this one!

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to Boldwood Books for the digital review copy via NetGalley - my thoughts are my own and not influenced by the gift.

This is the first book I've read by Jessica Redland and I thoroughly enjoyed it. However I did find myself craving for a hot chocolate and some freshly baked chocolate brownies in the middle of the August 2020 UK heatwave.

Great characters, a wonderful setting (I wanted to move into the cafe), a large house rabbit called Hercules and a young woman called Tara who needs to take some steps forward to start living her life again.

I'm happy to recommend this uplifting book.

DNF at 30%. This took a weird turn with sexual exploitation of the MC when she was living with her longtime foster family. I am all for depth in romances, but this is bizarre. Maybe others aren't as sensitive as I am, but this is definitely not the book for me.