Okay, it seems like an unpopular opinion but I didn't really enjoy reading this book even though I love love stories. I'll tell you why:

I like the blurb, and I like the description of the setting but I just couldn't connect with the main protagonist. I understand she was going through a bad phase but sometimes she gets annoying.

The writing is good but the execution of the story is painfully slow and repetitive. Also, the chapters are too long, which was tiring for me.

This book was charming, beautifully written, touched me with its romance, and the characters were delightful. It had a picturesque feel, and I liked how cozy it felt. I did think the hero's sister interfered a tad too much into the heroine's budding romance with the hero but I loved how it worked out. From a verbally abusive husband who made her feel worthless to learning to love herself and her hero, the heroine realizes her worth.



Thank you to Netgalley and The publisher for the ARC of this book. This was an honest review.

The Café at Marigold Marina by Tilly Tennant
Published: April 8, 2022
Bookouture
Pages: 371
Genre: Romance
KKECReads Rating: 5/5
I received a copy of this book for free, and I leave my review voluntarily.

Tilly Tennant was born in Dorset, the oldest of four children, but now lives in Staffordshire with a family of her own. She also works as a freelance fiction editor and part-time lecturer. Hopelessly Devoted to Holden Finn was her debut novel; published in 2014, it was an Amazon bestseller in both the UK and Australia. In 2016 she signed to the hugely successful Bookouture and is currently working on her fifteenth Tilly Tennant novel. Christmas bestseller A Very Vintage Christmas has just been made into a movie for Lifetime Channel. Tilly also writes young adult fiction as Sharon Sant.

“Time to let go.”

Rosie is in a village far from home and family. But her mate husband had decided that the Marigold Marina and the cafe were their dreams. Rosie is still trying to process and heal from Fergus’s sudden passing, so she continues with the cafe. What else could she do? The last thing she ever expected was just how welcoming and supportive the Marina community would be. And the warm brown eyes that belonged to fellow business owners, that made her heart flutter.

This was such a sweet story. I enjoyed how it expanded as the plot moved along. This novel had a lovely pace, and I enjoyed the characters.

Rosie is a shy, sweet, loyal woman who is attempting to continue on after the sudden death of her husband. She is our main character, and it is her journey we follow.

I enjoyed the writing style and the storytelling. This was such a well-done book, and I love that hindsight was such a prominent aspect.

The life Rosie thought she loved with her husband was not all sunshine. Then there is Tabitha, the intelligent, kind, hardworking woman who applied to work at the cafe with Rosie.

She brought sunshine and laughter back into Rosie’s life, and with that, she also brought her brother, Kit. With warm, dark eyes, and a genuinely kind heart, Rosie is more conflicted than ever.

This was a beautifully written love story about second chances and falling in love with yourself. Finding value in your heart, your desires, your wishes, and wants.

I loved the last half of this book. The way things were discovered, the life-changing realizations, and the pursuit of a fresh start. Such a beautifully written novel, set in a stunning locale, with quirky characters and a love that can last.

This was a really sweet book, beautifully written, touching romance, wonderful characters and simply a pleasure to read. A young widow struggles to complete her late husbands dream, I mean as soon as I read that synopsis I knew it was going to be a book I would love, with emotions and full of heart. This book was exactly what I wanted and hoped for, a book full of community and family, about the family that we choose for ourselves, the right community can throw its arms around you and care for you as well as any family of blood. Tilly Tenent never disappoints, although I would have liked more of Kit's story, I am hoping for something more in a future book hopefully 🙏🏻

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

Always enjoy this author's books. A bit of light escapism. Easy to read and goes at a decent pace. . .

Rosie was married to Fergus, who had big ideas which usually didn't go anywhere. One of those dreams was to renovate the rundown Marigold Cafe and run it. Before they got the chance to do so, Fergus died unexpectedly. So, Rosie carried on regardless, even though this really wasn't HER dream.

Naturally enough, there is drama and romance, and lots of interesting locals who end up being more like family for Rosie.

This was a really sweet book in a lot of ways. I thought Rosie was quite wonderful and I loved her plain talking, younger assistant too. Naturally, Kit plays a big part in this book and I especially love the part where he is taking Rosie swimming.

I think that this book was really about the family that we choose for ourselves. That you can be part of a community and that that community can throw its arms around you and treat you well.

It had the right balance of light and shade for me :)

4.5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture.

This is funny, breath taking, beautifully written and a pure delight to read. It’s one of definitely recommend.

A beautiful and touching love story that I loved and enjoyed reading. Made me happy and my mind relaxed.

A really great story, charming, atmospheric, great characters. Filled me with warmth and spirit. Well written and flowed nicely, was romantic and funny, charming and full of fun. A great read, i really enjoyed it.

If it's romance you want, Tilly Tennant is your author. This novel was an enjoyable and comfortable read. Love her writing and her stories, they bring me many happy moments! My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love Tillys books I always feel totally absorbed into the book. Another great story, setting and characters full warmth.

Tilly Tennant’s books are always a delight and this is no exception.
An unusually young widow struggles to complete her late husbands dream. Set in beautiful Stratford upon Avon, the canal side community are welcoming and supportive and these supplementary characters are very interesting. They would make a return journey very appealing.
Highly recommended.

Second chances. Rosie's husband Fergus died, leaving her a widow at 30 and now she's sort of stuck running the cafe that was his dream. She's settled into the marina but grief is a rug on top of her until she discovers her husband's secret. Yep. You might guess it before Rosie does but no matter, this is all about how she remakes her life to be what she wants. Then there's Kit. the guy who owns the book barge. This is pretty trope-y but I liked the marina, the community, and the characters. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. Another good one from Tennant.

Thanks to netgalley for the chance to read this book.

When Rosie’s husband dies and she inherits the cafe on Marigold Marina she is determined to make a go of the cafe and give it her best. Kit the owner of the bookshop barge becomes a regular customer of the cafe and Rosie feels it is her time to move on. When Rosie starts to discover some secrets about her husband she decides she can no longer stay at the marina and leaves for good. Will she return to Marigold Marina or will she stay away and risk her chance of happiness.

Another good book from Tilly.

Tilly Tenent never disappoints, really good book though i did find Rosie at points annoying and we didn't get all of Kit's story so im hoping there will be a foolow up.

Rosie is opening a dream cafe in Stratford on Avon.
Well it's not exactly her dream it is that of her husband and he had died.
Rosie wants to be brave on his behalf but she feels guilt at her feelings for the kind Kit.
But gradually she realises that her dreams should be her and that her husband was not all that she believed he was and begins to rebuild her life in her lovely community.

Most of Tilly Tennant's books have a backdrop of romance setting with a cute cover and title. The Cafe at Marigold Marina is one such book.

Rosie inherits the cafe in Marigold Marina after her husband Fergus dies. Across the cafe is Kit who owned a bookshop and another shop owned by her friend Nicole. Rosie makes friends in the neighborhood and the whole neighborhood would go bar hopping to learning swimming. But then Rosie discovers some secret about her husband.

This is a cheesy romance novel and compared to her last book which I reviewed, this was a good romance book. Quite engaging and I do like this whole camaraderie setting mentioned in the book and the slow-developing romance between Kit and Rosie. Nevertheless the ending was predictable but other than that, the writing was engaging that the author did a good job of drawing the reader into the story.

Overall this is an all too good romance that will make you laugh and cry. Worth four stars.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookoutre for the ARC of The Café at Marigold Marina. This is my personal review.
Fergus had big dreams of renovating a dilapidated rundown café on Marigold Marina. But this was not a dream that Rosie had but she went along with it. When Fergus dies unexpectantly Rosie wonders if she wants to continue with his dream.
This book will have you wrapped up with so many emotions as you read. I enjoyed going along with Rosie as she comes to terms with losing her husband and finding herself.

A very easy, heartwarming well written book with great characters, a good story line with plenty of lol moments along the way which I can thoroughly recommend.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

Rosie opens the cafe but it was more of her deceased husband’s dream than hers. She has friends on the marina but are most of them true?
Enter cute Kit with a book barge; he had my vote from day one. Rosie seemed to be in a mental fugue for most of the book. She is finally forced to face the truth about her marriage and her husband and, which I suspected early on.
It’s a good read. The character development is substantial for Rosie and also Tabitha, Kit’s sister.
I liked the cozy marina setting, but the book barge was the most inviting concept.