I really enjoyed this book and plan to carry on reading more in the series (I've had this one a while!!)

It was interesting to hear Laura's story and how losing her Husband at a young age affected her and her children's lives. I really liked all of the characters that frequented the Comfort Food Café, the kind of place I would love to go to myself. I particularly liked the part when the walker came in and all of the help she was given. I'm a walker myself and would feel very grateful if a came across such a lovely place while out walking.

This book helps to show how a change of scene can help people to see the way forward, whether that is for the Summer or perhaps a little longer.

Finally! I got to start this series! I must admit I think I am a little in love. This is a book that ticks so many boxes and has left me smiling, all thanks to a couple of teenagers – who would have thought.

When we meet our MC, Laura, she is a shell of a woman, her husband died 2 years prior and for the Summer she applied for a job in a cafe, many many miles away from home. Her children do not want to go, leaving everyone and everything behind for 6 weeks. What I loved about this book is the growth, not just the growth of Laura, but her two children and Matt.

Matt, well he is a welcome surprise with a broken heart. Initially awkward when meeting people, the ice melts when he and Laura inadvertently get set up on a date. So this story has been told many times before, but I love the journey that the character goes on and no characters are ever the same. We see Laura, a shell of a woman, forlorn and lost but by the end, she is the sunshine. She has learned to open herself up and just be again. She is also so brave for uprooting everything for the summer! I love stories like this as it is something I have kind of done, not to the extent of some books, but I get to live vicariously through these wonderful characters. It is this progression I love to see and it is lovely to see when you care about the characters.

This was a lovely and easy read, especially on the dark and gloomy days. It is a charming story and it was a fab introduction to Debbie and her storytelling ways. I am really looking forward to the next book in the series. She has made me care and long for the characters and I always looked forward to jumping back into the book.

My only question is, when can I go to the Comfort Food Cafe?

Laura is a widowed, mother of two children, she lost the love of her life, her childhood sweetheart. She decides she needs to start living her life again, and she uproots her children and their dog, Jimbo and moves to Dorset from Manchester for the summer to work in The Comfort Food Cafe.

I loved the way Debbie started this book, the first two chapters drew me in, the first chapter is the job advert for someone to come and work at the Comfort Food Cafe. Then the second chapter is Laura’s application letter. Laura gives her whole backstory, in which we learn how she lost her husband in a freak accident, two years ago, who was her childhood sweetheart. She’s raising her two teenage children, and they are all still coming to terms with their grief.

There’s a real family vibe, throughout the book, everyone looks out for everyone, even the people who are just passing through the town of Budbury, Dorset are treated like family. All of the characters play a part, and you can’t help but fall in love with them all.

There were some very funny moments that had me laughing out loud but I’d say I spent the last 20% of the book, shedding a few tears, well maybe more than a few. But that didn’t stop me having a big smile upon finishing the book. Can’t wait to start the next instalment.

Copy received from HarperCollins UK via Netgalley for an honest review

I read Summer at the Comfort Food Cafe back in 2016, when it first came out, and really enjoyed it. I actually enjoyed it so much, I continued with the series (didn't finish it though, still have 2 books to go).

Recently I wanted to read the last two books in the series, so I decided to remind myself of what happened in the previous books (even though they all can be read as standalones) and realized that I have never reviewed Summer at the Comfort Food Cafe, the very first book that introduced me to Debbie Johnson amazing writing in the first place.

So I decided to reread it and give it my proper review.

I loved this book so much even the second time around. I forgot so many things and little details that happened, so it was nice to remember and explore everything again.

I just love the idea of Comfort Food Cafe. It is a place where customers come to hang around, to talk with someone and to feel safe and comfortable.
I love how warm and welcome people in the story are...

Laura is such a strong woman who cares about her children, and she is so down to earth. I love how at the beginning of the novel she is still so into her beloved husband, but how with time she learns to let go and love again.

This is story about love entwined with sadness.

I loved spending time with the characters and am probably going to reread the books so I could continue with the series.

This book reminded me how heart warming this series is.

Yet another wonderful book by Debbie Johnson.

These books are so easy going and warm to read.

The perfect beach summer read

Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for ARC

I have read a few of Debbie Johnson’s books and loved them all this was no exception I loved the characters and felt at times I was part of the story q
Wonderful easy reading

My first book by this author and I will read more, took me a while to get into it but I enjoyed it.
Great characters nice feel good chick-lit a really easy summer read.

The Comfort Food Cafe is perched on a windswept clifftop at what feels like the edge of the world, serving up the most delicious cream teas; beautifully baked breads, and carefully crafted cupcakes. For tourists and locals alike, the ramshackle cafe overlooking the beach is a beacon of laughter, companionship, and security – a place like no other; a place that offers friendship as a daily special, and where a hearty welcome is always on the menu.

For widowed mum-of-two Laura Walker, the decision to uproot her teenaged children and make the trek from Manchester to Dorset for the summer isn’t one she takes lightly, and it’s certainly not winning her any awards from her kids, Nate and Lizzie. Even her own parents think she’s gone mad.

But following the death of her beloved husband David two years earlier, Laura knows that it’s time to move on. To find a way to live without him, instead of just surviving. To find her new place in the world, and to fill the gap that he’s left in all their lives.

Her new job at the cafe, and the hilarious people she meets there, give Laura the chance she needs to make new friends; to learn to be herself again, and – just possibly – to learn to love again as well.

Sheer perfection of a story, I couldn't put it down and am already on book 2 in the series (with number 3 on order). I cannot believe I had this little gem tucked away.

An enjoyable read, I've gone on to buy the rest of Debbie Johnstone books so there can't be a much better verdict than that!
A warm friendly story of a family emerging in a new life after the loss of their target /husband. New relationships, challenges and a welcoming friendly group of people. A good read

I absolutely love Debbie Johnson books!! The Comfort Food Cafe series is just fab! Wonderful characters and a idyllic setting have made this series a joy to read.

I really enjoyed Summer at the Comfort Food Cafe. I’ve read a few of Debbie Johnson’s books now and each time you know you’re in for a heartwarming tale. Well written with lovely characters, you find yourself totally immersed into the book. Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins UK and the author for the chance to review.

Linda is struggling after the death of her childhood sweetheart, David. When her husband died leaving her with their two children she went to pieces. Finding a job advert to work in a cafe in Dorset, Linda moves with her kids for 6 weeks where she finds peace with herself and heals as do her kids. They make memories and some excitement along the way.

What a lovely read and I can’t wait to read the next ones. Beautifully written, plenty of lol moments and even tears too. Perfect read. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

'Summer at the Comfort Food Café' wasn't perfect. I felt it waffled a lot about the Laura's thoughts rather than what was actually going on. BUT I have to say, the warmth and comfort this book brought to me was just everything I needed! It was such a relaxing read and the characters on the other hand, are just lovable and hearty. It didn't even bother me so much that the ending was predictable because it was such a delightful read!

Overall, it was a very comforting read and I'd happily go back to Budbury any time!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a very easy read and perfect for the summer (whether you're on holiday or not!).

The plot revolves around a woman who has just lost her husband (and father to her 2 difficult children) in a freak accident and they're all struggling to survive. On a whim, she responds to a job advert for someone to help run a cafe during the summer on the Dorset coast and takes her grumpy kids with her. I'm sure a lot of people could guess the rest of the plot but Johnson fills it with lovely characters and wonderful evocations of that part of the world. If nothing else, it has made me want to visit Dorset asap!

I would definitely recommend this book for anyone wanting a light read and I look forward to reading the other ones in the series.

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were all very likeable and felt like friends by the end of the book. I am really looking forward to joining them on future stories, I already have the next book lined up although as it is a Christmas one will wait until summer is over. There are some nice recipes at the end which I am going to try.
Thanks Netgalley for the introduction to Debbie Johnson.

Summer at the comfort food cafe by Debbie Johnson.
The Comfort Food Cafe is perched on a windswept clifftop at what feels like the edge of the world, serving up the most delicious cream teas; beautifully baked breads, and carefully crafted cupcakes. For tourists and locals alike, the ramshackle cafe overlooking the beach is a beacon of laughter, companionship, and security – a place like no other; a place that offers friendship as a daily special, and where a hearty welcome is always on the menu.

For widowed mum-of-two Laura Walker, the decision to uproot her teenaged children and make the trek from Manchester to Dorset for the summer isn’t one she takes lightly, and it’s certainly not winning her any awards from her kids, Nate and Lizzie. Even her own parents think she’s gone mad.

This was a good read with likeable characters.  It did make me smile. 4*.

This is another great read by Debbie Johnson. I read this book in one sitting, it had my hooked from page one.
A brilliant and funny summer read.
I would recommend this book

This is the first bok I have read by Debbie Johnson but I was not disappointed. It is a lovely read about Laura and her children trying to get on with life after the death of her husband. She suffers some ups and downs along the way. It is inspirational what she did moving away to give her children an idyllic summer. Well worth reading and will look to reading more books by Debbie.

Heart warming. The story of a lady trying to come to terms with the loss of a loved one will touch even those with a heart of ice.
Learning to live again, an amazing journey through the life of ups and downs.
A great comforting read, and one that once you start you will find difficult to put down. This author has certainly put a lot of thought into engaging with the reader in this book and she's done it beautifully.