Sylvie is someone who knows all about Christmas. Not only does she live in Silver Bells, Wyoming, but she's also the cook (and heart) of The Christmas Cafe. And it's about to feel even MORE like Christmas! The good news: The Holiday Channel is filming their latest Christmas movie in town, putting Silver Bells, and the Christmas Cafe, on the map! The bad news: The Christmas Cafe is in danger of closing its doors...for good! To make life even MORE complicated, TWO potential suitors are vying for her attention. One man is a childhood friend who might see her as more, and the other is none other than the Holiday Channel's main heartthrob! Can Sylvie save the cafe AND follow her heart?

Sylvie is a fantastic cook, and reading about all of the yummy food made me hungry! As if that wasn't cozy enough, the reader is also gifted with homey scenes of decorations and special Christmas items passed from generation to generation. Anyone who has strong ties to their grandparents is likely to feel right at home in this story of a strongly bonded family. I enjoyed reading about the fun holiday themed dates. Sylvie has some sweet chemistry with not one, but two, gentlemen, and was curious to see which man she would wind up with!

I would say that this story is more women's fiction than a romance novel. Sylvie spends a lot of time with members of her family, sorting through their feelings about her having been adopted, as well as the death of Sylvie's grandmother, which permeates a lot of the story. Christmas references and events abound, but many weren't quite as fun as I'd hoped. Sylvie's stress over the potential loss of her cafe, and which man to choose left her less available to enjoy the festivities. I found myself wishing for more time between Sylvie and her main man, but I was pleased with the one she chose!

Trigger warnings: stress related to adoption, cancer, death of a grandmother (off page), person falling unconscious and bleeding

I'd like to thank PENGUIN GROUP Putnam and Netgally for the eARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Christmas Café by Eliza Evans takes readers on a journey to small-town, Silver Bells, Wyoming, during the holiday season. Sylvie embarks on a mission to save her family's beloved Christmas Cafe with the help of the tight-knit community & her reliable friend & neighbor, Abe. This cozy, holiday rom-com is filled with festive cheer & endearing side characters that will leave you feeling all warm and fuzzy inside. The bond between Sylvie and Abe will tug at your heartstrings. Perfect for fans of holiday romance, this book is a must-read for anyone seeking a charming and feel-good story. TAGS: fiction, romance, contemporary romance, rom-com, holiday romance, christmas, small-town, friends-to-lovers, love triangle, opposites attract *Thanks to NetGalley, the book's publisher & the book's author for providing a free eARC in exchange for my honest review #NetGalley #TheChristmasCafe #ElizaEvans

Loved it and I don't even celebrate Christmas. Sweet, entertaining and engaging romance. Amusing interactions with movie industry people. Adorable dog and goat. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

Thanks NetGalley for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I love a good Hallmark movie and this would be it in book form. I do have to mention that reading and watching a Hallmark type setting are two different things. I found some parts, dare I say, cringy? Just a little too cutesy and laying it on thick. I LOVED the dog Crumpet and the main character Sylvie, however I wish that had given her romance a bit more depth. Ultimately I did enjoy this book, it was a cozy feel good read which I think everyone needs sometimes.

This was a cute little romp through the town of Silver Bells. Sylvie and her friends at the Christmas Cafe use a movie filming in town to promote, and hopefully save, their beloved cafe. Mishaps, miscommunication, and hilarity ensue. As does romance with not one but two leading men in Sylvia’s life.

While the setting was fun and the premise a little different than usual, I feel the characters were a little stiff and the writing unpolished. Referring to her friend as “the man” (as in “the man swept into the room”) felt extra, especially when it was used over and over for almost every character. Sylvie just didn’t resonate with me. However, I’d love a book featuring Brando as the leading man!

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC. This is the story of Syvlie who is trying to save her café. They are also filming a movie in the same town and all the actors have a crush on her... along w her childhood friend. I feel like Hallmark has already made this movie several times.

I really enjoyed this story about Sylvie who was the baker at the Christmas Cafe. This year the town is excited as a Christmas movie is being filmed in town which means more business for the cafe. Sylvie is a behind the scene s type of girl. . She meets Royce, when her dog Crumpet , gets out of the house but doesn't know who he is until he comes in the cafe. Then there is Abe, who has been around forever. See what happens has Royce asks her out but ,she goes and then finds out why. The Christmas Cafe is for sale by the manager, See what happens between Sylvie and Abe. A VERY GOOD READ.

* I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this book. All thoughts are my own.

I was really disappointed by this book. None of the characters are anything special. I prefer a strong female main character and that’s just not how I would describe Sylvie. She was basically just clumsy and awkward. It was also really obvious from the beginning that Royce was going to suck. Since the book was so short, it felt very rushed and the romance seemed super forced.

I really didn’t enjoy reading The Christmas Cafe and I wouldn’t recommend it to a friend.

I didn’t like this one. Just felt like it was very generic nothing really stood out to me. I was really board while reading this one. I was hoping it would be better because it sounded really cute.

3.5 Stars

The Christmas Cafe, by author Eliza Evans, is my first holiday book of the season! I am so excited to kick off the BER months with this warm and fuzzy book. This is my first book by Eliza.

If you want to start your Hallmark Movie experience now, this is definitely the book for you. The book follows the FMC of Sylvie West, a baker at the Christmas Cafe in Silver Bells, Wyoming. I mean, come on. This setting is perfect! Sylvie learns the cafe is at risk of being sold, and she jumps to action. I adored the Christmas vibe of this book so much. From the Christmas movie shoot and the yummy creations that Sylvie has created, the Christmas parade, and the lights and holiday spirit.

While I enjoyed Sylvie’s character, I found her a little immature, and I was not too fond of how she constantly put herself down. The side characters were awesome and were a welcome addition to the storyline. I did not get the love story I had hoped for; it was more behind the scenes.

Thank you to Netgalley, Eliza Evans, and Penguin Group Putnam for gifting me an eARC of Let Him In. I am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Sylvie West bakes at the Christmas Cafe and it's been her whole life. She worked there with her grandmother and since she passed this is her link to her.
A movie crew is in town filming a Christmas movie with Royce as the lead actor. He shows an interest in Sylvie and starts helping her promote the cafe.
Abe is local and supplies the cafe with goat milk, cheese and eggs. He has returned from the army to take over his family farm. Abe has been in love with her for years.
Can Sylvie find love this year and save the cafe?

This was a cute quick read that felt like every other holiday romance on the market. I feel like I've watched this book during the Hallmark Christmas movie season.

Despite absolutely no spice, it was a cute rom-com.

The Christmas Cafe was a quick holiday, no spice romance that was cute and predictable. While I enjoy formulaic holidays stories, The Christmas cafe doesn't have anything that sets it apart from the already saturated market.

I enjoyed Sylive and Gramps but the rest of the characters fell flat and were extremely one dimensional.

While this wasn't my favorite read, I recommend it when you want to have a quick read that is easy to follow and doesn't take much concentration.

The Christmas Cafe by Eliza Evans was the cutest holiday love story, involving a love triangle, cute animals, and a Cinderella story moment, complete with a shoe left at a ball that the protagonist was desperately fleeing on foot.

I love how through the book, the protagonist, Sylvie finds what is truly important to her. When the book opens, she really is a true people-pleaser and a bit of a doormat, which is unfortunate because there is so much greatness that was part of her character that was being taken advantage of by most of her quaint hometown of Silver Bells, WY. Like most people, she reached her limit of being taken for granted, and started standing up for herself, even though a time or two, she ended up behaving badly because she had been pushed too far by that person. But after the flying cake settled, everyone around understood why she was justified in her actions and reactions, and continued to respect who she really was.

And did I mention cute animals??? Her tiny rescue dog likes to cuddle with a baby goat. That would be enough for me to pick up this book.

But seriously, this book is a great read for anytime that you are wanting to feel in the wintery holiday mood. …and now, I want holiday treats!!

Thank you so much to Putnam Books and NetGalley for this unforgettable ARC!!

This wants to be a Hallmark Christmas story, including filming a holiday movie during the book. Sylvie West works as a baker at the Christmas Cafe in Silver Bells, WY. She has a meet cute with hot actor Royce who is in town to make a movie for the Holiday Channel. When Sylvie learns that the owner plans to sell the Cafe she hopes to get diner in the film in hopes of saving it. Her old friend Abe has returned home to manage the family goat farm and she ends up spending time with him too.

Love triangles are tricky to write because inevitably you’re spending time on a person who isn’t going to get the girl. This book is sweet but maybe trying to be a little too cutesy. But if you want to suspend practicalities, this is a sweet, kissing only, low angst holiday romance. And Gramps and her siblings add to the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnum for the ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review.

Just a fun holiday romance!

Baker Sylvie is trying to save the Christmas Cafe - where her grandmother worked and taught her how to bake. Abe is the local goat farmer that brings in her baking supplies. A movie is being filmed in their town and the hunky leading man, Royce, falls for Sylvie - but is he just acting or is it real? Gramps and all the side characters are such great supporting cast. It's a super cute romance and I really enjoyed reading this book! There is a sad undertone with the death of Grams, but it's healing, too.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

This was an ok read. A cute romance where a small town tries to save a restaurant.




***********************I received an ARC for my honest opinion from NetGalley*********************************

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for the Advanced Readers Copy of The Christmas Cafe by Eliza Evans!

ARC REVIEW

The Christmas Cafe
By Eliza Evans

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Publishing date 10/3/23

Review:
This was cute! Not my favorite holiday book but I actually liked it! 🎄

It was 100% predictable. I figured out what was going to happen almost instantly but that's not uncommon with rom coms!

I liked sylvie and found myself laughing out loud. And the relationship with her Gramps was ADORABLE.

I recommend!

Thanks @netgalley and @putnambooks ! Always appreciative to read your arcs!

SUMMARY:
Clumsy, earnest baker Sylvie West has worked at the Christmas Café in Silver Bells, Wyoming, ever since her boozy eggnog fruitcake won the town’s annual holiday bakeoff fifteen years ago. Her forever happy place, the café compliments her sweet, well-ordered life with her roommates: recently-widowed Gramps and her yappy chihuahua-pug Crumpet.

When Sylvie learns the café might be sold, she’s determined to put the Christmas Café on the map in a big way. Good thing the Holiday Channel* is filming in Silver Bells. And how perfect of bra-snatching Crumpet to have forced an awkward encounter with the film’s charming lead actor, Royce. When Gramps and Sylvie make a pact to be brave this Christmas, Sylvie knows just how to stretch her wings and save the Christmas Café in the process: get the film team to set a scene at the café!

Between her newfound acting gig, a booth at the Christmas Festival, an appearance at the Christmas Parade, and a budding romance with Royce, Sylvie has a lot on her plate. Good thing her old friend, gruff yet reliable Abe has just come back home to manage his parents’ goat farm. That is, until she catches herself feeling all too merry and bright in his presence. With a little help from family, friends, Crumpet, and the goat farmer down the way, Sylvie just might make this Christmas the sweetest she’s ever had…

The romance in this book was good and has me kicking and giggling the whole time. It’s not just a romance story, you also get to go through Sylvia’s journey and her finding herself and what she wants and her needs, the romance is a plus. I loved the characters especially her little brother Brando and her sister Claire. Overall it was a good story and I would highly recommend