Summer at the French Café
by Sue Moorcroft is a great contemporary fiction and romance that I really enjoyed.

I have been a huge fan of Ms. Moorcroft for a while now, so of course I had to read her newest book…and of course I enjoyed it!

The author has a way about her in that she is able to create warm characters, engaging narratives, and locations that transport us to another time and place.

This time I was able to follow along with Kat in the French countryside during the glorious warmer months and see her address her obstacles (professional and personal), progress as a character, and find her own place in life and her own happiness in the process.

Such a positive and uplifting book. I definitely recommend.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Avon Books UK for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 5/12/22.

I absolutely love this authors books as they combine perfect escapism with transporting you on a travel journey to the perfect holiday destination. In this particularly book the reader is transported to beautiful French villages and the idyllic book cafe. I envisaged myself sat outside of the cafe people watching and eating one of the delicious pastry’s that jumped of the page.

This was so much more than a romance story and explored the complexities of relationships with each other and with family and how sometimes life throws challenges at you but if things are meant to be then everything will work out. This was such an uplifting and positive read and a perfect way of escaping from the current times. I read this in practically one sitting as couldn’t put it down.

I have always loved Sue moorCrofts books and this is now my new favourite!
Perfect summer escapism, based in an idyllic location in France, Summer at the French cafe encompasses love, laughter, friendship, relationships,gorgeous food and heavenly summer days!
Fantastic characters, we follow Kat as she lives, works and breathes her job at the cafe and bookshop, I would so love to visit and could see myself sat reading,eating pastries overlooking the park!
Kat is the product of a broken home and has many unresolved issues re this and during her time in France she manages to rekindle her relationship with her half brother solly, bare all to her father and most importantly develop a relationship with the gorgeous, kind, understanding Noah and his daughter despite some setbacks along the way!
Kat doesn’t have an easy time of it due to a previous relationship and being taken advantage of by her employers but she comes through it stronger than ever!
A great read perfect for the summer I really didn’t want it to end, would love to read a sequel!
Thank you netgalley for this early read.

Another fabulous and uplifting book from Sue Moorcroft, full of summer sun, books,, dogs and family plus a smattering of romance - perfect! I was swept up in Kat, Noah, Angelique and Clé’s story. The book also covers cheating, family dynamics, misunderstandings, coercive relationships and even a little detective work……. Perfect escapism from the world we are living in right now.

This was such an uplifting and light-hearted read that I read in one sitting. It was well written with goof character development, with characters that were relatable and likeable and a compelling sotryline. The book was so crammed pack with ambience and rich imagery that I felt like I was sat in the sunshine in France reading. A great read,

Let me start of by saying that I absolutely love Sue Moorcroft books. They are always fabulous and this one is simply no exception at all. This book has a great storyline and wonderful characters and is just so easy and fun to read. I really enjoyed it.

In this book we meet Kat Jenson. Kat seems to have it all. A gorgeous house in the beautiful French village of kirchhoffen, a wonderful boyfriend, a beautiful dog and her dream job managing a bustling book cafe in Parc Lemmel. Kat really feels so lucky and feels like she really has landed on her feet.

However not everything is as rosy as kat believes. Suddenly Kat's life spirals. It turns out her boyfriend isn't as wonderful as he first appeared, there's family heartache, and work troubles. Suddenly everything seems all doom and gloom. That is until Kat meets Noah. Noah has troubles of his own, but can they work through all of their troubles and find themselves happy and in love?

I have to say that I loved this book. The storyline was great and the characters were really endearing you really do wish the best for all of them. My favourite thing though was how descriptive it was I really felt like I was in the beautiful French village of Kirchhoffen and I really wish to visit the gorgeous bookshop in real life. Definitely one to chase away those blue skies and have you longing for beautiful sunny skies.

Glorious….
Escape from your armchair to the sunny climes of a village in France in this wonderfully uplifting and enjoyable offering from Sue Moorcroft. Combining a glorious backdrop, a well crafted cast of characters, a tad of romance and an entertaining and engaging storyline, this is perfect escapism between the pages of a book.

Sue Moorcroft has done it again – this story is like a warm summer breeze, an absolute delight and exactly what I needed right now to sweep me away from real life! It’s a wonderful tale of learning to trust, the importance of being open and honest with everyone, and the healing power of love. The reader can’t help but empathise with the hard-working heroine Kat from the start. She’s independent and capable, but with a positive outlook on life, and she never complains even when things go decidedly pear-shaped. A child of divorced parents, she has lots of emotional baggage, but for the most part, she manages to ignore it. Then the hero Noah arrives on the scene and he seems almost too good to be true. He has his own problems to contend with, but instead of charging in like a bull in a china shop, he stops to consider the best way of solving them. I fell head over heels in love with him – how can you not love a man as determined as he is to do the right thing for his very sensitive 8-year old daughter, while at the same time being the perfect boyfriend? Kat has to decide whether she dares to take a chance and believe that he is every bit as great as he seems, and I was rooting for this couple all the way. This is definitely the perfect summer story!

I have previously read books by this author and I must say that Summer at the French Cafe is one of my favorites.

She spins a story that makes you feel as if you are right there along with the characters in that perfect cozy setting.

In this story, we find ourselves in the French countryside alongside Kat, her boyfriend, and the lovely book cafe she manages. However, her life changes drastically and she wonders if there is hope for new love in the mysterious Noah.

Truly fun read!

Sue Moorcroft at her best. Set in a beautiful part of France..You had love, controlling husbands, naughty employers, a fab bookshop/ coffee shop. A cheating husband whose wife once she found out was horrid. . You also had all the hang ups of being a child with divorced parents who remarried . Amazing subjects covered really well. I loved it. A must must read

Kat lives in a village in France and manages a book cafe. She is firm friends with her employers Reeny and her husband and as Reeny is sick Kat has taken on extra work and responsibility at the cafe.

Kat's childhood has been difficult. Coming from a broken family with her parents remarried to other partners, Kat always felt unloved and left out from both her parent's new families. She left home as early as she could and travelled around before moving to France.

Life seems to change for her when her half brother Sulley comes to work in the park beside the cafe. He introduces her to his new roommate Noah and there is an instant attraction.

The book cafe where Kat works sounds like an idyllic place to work. On the edge of a glorious park with boating lake, woods and a funfair. The descriptions of the area made me feel as if I was wandering through it myself. There are many threads in the book, second families, step parents, cheating partners, controlling partners , friendships, people who love you and people who let you down.
Sue Moorcroft's book are always good reads and full of surprises, this is another one of them.
Highly recommended.

I absolutely loved this slice of summery sunshine from Sue Moorcroft! It had me captured from the very first page, and I really didn’t want it to end! The characters were all so engaging and beautifully drawn. Set in the beautiful region of Alsace in France, the vivid description made me feel like I was right there. I would love to return to Parc Lemmel and to Livres et Cafe - sounds like heaven! The story flowed seamlessly, and was beautifully plotted and written. Clemence stole my heart, as did Angelique, and I loved watching Kat and Noah’s story unfold. The story has a darker undercurrent to it, that is dealt with sensitively, and thoughtfully. This lovely book made me smile, laugh, hurt my heart in places, and left me feeling happy but also sad that it was over. Bravo Sue - another winner! Highly recommended.

A 5 Star average on Netgalley? Still, a 5 Star average on Netgalley!

I've literally just finished the new Sue Moorcroft novel, 'Summer at the French Cafe'; and I didn't want to, finish, that is. This is Sue's best book so far, IMHO, dealing as it does with the mental side of relationships, as it's main theme. Does that sound as if this will be 'heavy' reading? You'd think so, wouldn't you, only you'd be wrong. The skill of this author shows all of the way through as she winds up the emotion to the exact right level, leaving you there for the perfect length of time in the story, before she artfully constructs the most satisfying narrative.
Being true to life, not everything gets formally wrapped up, but that's alright, as that's how things should be. Plus, take out the above, this is also a laugh out loud type book, or at least, I did...many times. Cute children, daffy dogs, wonderful women who put everyone else before their own happiness, this books got the lot!
Add in the beautiful setting of the French village of Kirchhoffen in summer, and you have the perfect summer read.
My thanks to both Avon and Netgalley for the reading copy.

This is such a fabulous engaging and heart-warming story, as the gorgeous yellow summery cover promises. Kat is instantly likeable, the sort of character you would want as a best friend, and I was quickly immersed in her story, rooting for her and the mysterious Noah. Sue’s characters are always realistic, flawed in some way, but basically good people, and it’s the same with Kat and Noah. I love how Kat is willing to own her mistakes, and to try and be ‘the best version of herself’ and how much Noah adores his daughter, Clé, and is willing to fight for her. There is a strong supporting cast – Kat’s half-brother Solly, her dad and step-mum, the owners of the bookshop - while Clé and Kat’s dog Angelique add cuteness and humour. The Livres et Café bookshop in the Parc Lemmel, and the park itself are so skilfully described that you feel as if they really exist and long to pay them a visit. Sue’s stories are always more than a romance, and she expertly but sympathetically weaves in darker elements to the story, divorce, coercive control, blackmail and misunderstandings that keep you turning the pages.. An absolute delight.

This is a quick fun read...takes place in France...in a book store/cafe with a quirky protagonist...finding love...losing love...friendship...family...this author has woven a story that reads like true life...I enjoyed this book...grab a cozy afghan...a hot of steaming tea...a delicious scone...or sit by the ocean with the breeze...read and become engrossed in the lives of the characters in this book. I can't wait for another one by this author...she is ingenious at keeping us entertained...no trying to discern which character is doing what...it is all evident...jus a fun read. This book was sent to me from Netgalley for review.

I always look forward to a new book from this author and this one doesn’t disappoint.

Living in France and managing a busy book cafe is Kat’s dream. With a gorgeous boyfriend she has everything she wants. Until she discovers that said boyfriend is a liar and a cheat and then trouble begins. When she meets kind and gentle Noah, she’s willing to give love a second chance, but he is dealing with a complex family situation which could put an end to their budding romance.

A wonderful uplifting story with a great mix of characters and a nice romance which makes for the perfect summer read.

With the vibrant yellow cover, Summer at the French Café was always going to create the warmth of a summer’s day as Kat and Noah’s story unfolded. I was immediately drawn to Kat, her job at the book café in Park Lemmel sounded idyllic, as did the village of Kirchhoffen. The opening pages set the scene as Kat’s romantic future implodes with the revelation that her boyfriend isn’t as available as he had seemed. The fallout of this revelation will resonate throughout a huge part of the story, but it is certainly not the main theme.
Kat is a capable, independent woman whose childhood was affected by divorce, leading her to feelings of both abandonment and displacement. Despite that, she has developed a better relationship with her stepbrother, Solly, since he arrived to spend the summer working at the Parc. It’s Solly’s roommate, Noah that helps Kat to move on from her heartache and push forward with the book café.
Noah has his own issues as he is dealing with his own familial heartache having arrived at the Parc, hot on the heels of his ex-wife and his daughter Clemence.
I just love romantic fiction, I doubt anyone who follows my reviews will be surprised by that statement, but I love it when a story brings a couple together and unites them early on. Seeing them work together and battle through their challenges as a couple is somehow more romantic than some other tropes.
There is a strong supporting cast in this story, and I just loved the way they all fell into place. Kat’s relationship with her father was the perfect motivation for Noah’s determination to remain part of Cle’s life. Sadly, it’s this determination that Kat is sorely missing from her life; nobody has ever seemed to put her first, a fact that she finds hard to reconcile.
Part of the joy of Sue Moorcroft’s writing is her ability to create fabulous, well-developed characters who are instantly believable. Her stories are often complex and deal with some serious aspects of life. She doesn’t pull her punches as difficult topics are explored, but it never feels like heavy going as she steers the story to its perfect conclusion.
I enjoyed my escape to France and am already excited about the next book from this wonderful author.

This book was cute, I loved the characters and the setting. I loved the dog!! New fan of the author!

Kat is living the dream in France, running a bookshop/cafe, living in a charming small-town apartment and enjoying a romance with handsome Jacques. Then her world comes tumbling down when she learns Jacques is already in a relationship. Daughter of two remarried parents, poor Kat always feels she is second best and this just reinforces it. Then handsome Noah comes on the scene. But with his own family problems in the shape of an ex-wife who has run away with his small daughter, can he really be the one to heal Kat's heartache? Or will she be second best again?
What I like about Sue Moorcroft's books are that they are so multi-layered. Yes, this is a summer romance, but it addresses so many other issues, like betrayal, the effects of divorce on children, coercive control, family dynamics, and even serious illness.
I also like the fact that her characters are so open with the reader - nothing in their past is kept secret from us. They are open and honest with the reader and with each other, and ultimately with themselves.
This means the tension in the plot has to come from the ongoing storyline, and as always, Sue Moorcroft delivers up a cracking tale where the outcomes are never quite certain.
The setting of the bookshop in Parc Lemmel in the Alsace is a lovely backdrop for Kat and Noah's story - a perfect summer romance that delivers warmth, depth and a dose of much needed sunshine.

Love all Sue Moorcroft books and this is no exception. You can believe you're in France. Kat manages a book cafe and she loves the job. She gets to know Noah who has taken a job in the local park helping with the water sports. They both have complicated personal lives

Do not be fooled by the beautiful watercolor book cover. This is not a light-hearted romance story. While the story does have a romance, so much more is held withheld within the pages of this book.

The story deals with blended families at it's core and how even as adults, the situations of childhood are not usually forgotten or their harm healed. Sometimes healing comes much later then it should.

As I do in every book by Sue Moorcroft, I travel, this time to France, and it was a wonderful journey. I enjoyed so much the visits to Parc Lemmel and the many dog walks around village of Kirchhoffen.

It amazes me with all the books that Ms. Moorcroft has written, that she continues to create unique characters and very different plots. I have become a big fan of her writing and hope to have more of her books to read in the future.

I want to thank Avon Books UK and NetGalley for giving me the pleasure of reading the advance reader copy, with no obligation to write a review. My review is written freely as a hobby, and is totally my own opinion, not influenced by receiving the ARC.

This is truly the perfect summer read!! The little French town is beyond cozy and the book cafe is my dream location!! Sue Moorcroft is my go to author for a cozy feeling - she does a great job of building characters that you root for in a location you want to transport to. Winter holidays and summer holidays are Sue Moorcroft’s!!

Kat is really lovely and I related to her in a very genuine way. Moorcroft never shied away from dealing with real issues in a way that feels perfect. I really loved watching her struggles but also her inevitable success. And Noah, of course, is so kind and the perfect fit for Kat. You are ROOTING for them!

Fun twists and turns keep this interesting and engaging. I cannot recommend this enough.

Thank you to Sue Moorcroft and Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. PICK THIS ONE UP!

I really enjoyed this book, Sue Moorcroft never fails to disappoint likeable characters and good storyline.

I received this book via NetGalley and give it my honest opinion.

The perfect sunny romance full of French wine, sunshine and love! Sue Moorcroft does it again, this is such a gorgeous uplifting read and didn't disappoint. I loved it and wish there was an option for 10 stars!

Love the idea of a book café, so the setting of Sue Moorcroft’s book immediately appealed. Sue writes romance, attraction and sensual scenes in a most convincing way. As with all of her books this one has a steely edge too, with the characters facing difficult life issues that hinder the hero and heroine from committing wholeheartedly to their relationship, indeed making it possible that they will never work things out at all.

I experienced a full range of emotions reading this book – horror, disgust, tears, laughter, hope and much more. A complicated romantic read with many twists and turns. As always, Sus, I am ready for the next book and this one is only just finished.

The characters were all so engaging and beautifully drawn. Set in the beautiful region of Alsace in France, the vivid description made me feel like I was right there. A wonderful and incredibly rich novel . . . Powerful writing and a wonderful premise make this a novel you’ll simultaneously want to savour and race through!

Perfect summer read! I really enjoyed this novel. I found it warm and cosy to read out on a sunny day even though we have just entered spring.

As you start off the novel we are in a French town called Kirchhoffen. The main character Kat is basically running the book cafe. Books and snacks, what a great combination for a cute store set up. It doesn’t take long before you are welcomed with all the characters getting yourself familiar with them. A main character would you believe is a dog.

Kat and Angelique definitely encounter their fair share of drama. I really did not like some of the male characters in this novel straight away you could tell they were not good people and for some, were hiding something.

Some twists and turns throughout this novel in some aspects that you would not believe would happen to Kat. I enjoy how her relationship with her family including her brother Solly does improve. I loved how karma finally won with people getting what they truly deserved especially those that are controlling that shouldn’t expect to control others.

Overall, this summer romance is easy to get into, you begin to know the characters without it being complicated making it the perfect summer read as there is enough drama in a light way to make it a read that you must finish whilst being a warm read for the summer!

Thank you to the publishers for sending me this in exchange for an honest review.

A lovely gentle read, the setting in France makes it all the more enjoyable, it also deals with some heavier themes such as divorce and blended families. Characters are likeable and relatable.

What a delightful read this book was, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved being whisked off to the little French town of Kirchhoffen, where Kat is the book store /cafe manager for her good friends. Sue Moorcroft set the scene so well that I immediately felt part of the story and invested in the characters.

The characters are great, well written and well developed I felt I really knew them all. I loved Kat, she is lovely and tries so hard to please everyone. I felt for her when she found out about the betrayal by her boyfriend and the subsequent problems this causes for her at the book shop. I enjoyed her humour and really got just how much she loved her job. Kat's dog Angelique, is a star and definitely adds something to the story.

Noah is a lovely man, so kind and understanding. I enjoyed getting to know him and seeing his and Kat's friendship develop. There are some great characters in this book, who all add something new to the storyline.

With some interesting twists in this Summer romance, it is one you need to read. It is the perfect read to escape with and enjoy a little French adventure.

"Summer at the French Cafe" is another great read from Sue Moorcroft. It introduces an area of France which is completely new to me and sounds lovely. I seem to have read quite a few books recently where there is at least one relationship involving "coercive control". That being said, there are some wonderful characters and a good plot. Perfect holiday read.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this book.

Summer at the Fench Cafe is a really lovely, well-written romance, with relatable characters and beautiful descriptives. If you're looking for an escapist read to leave you feeling happy and uplifted, this one is for you.

You can actually feel the sunshine in this delightful and heartwarming read. Lovely Kat manages the

Livres et Cafe in France. She has a lovely job but so much to contend with, including her nasty boyfriend, her

employers and there is an enjoyable although stressful workload, It is an amazing French escape and I found it

extremely difficult to put down..

Another wonderful book from sue, love everything that's written. Loved the storyline and characters in this book and loved the setting in France

A brilliantly crafted story as usual by Sue Moorcroft. Again Moorcroft deals with tricky situations exceptionally well. Brings the colour and relaxation of France to life enabling the reader to picture the scene as well as added romance. A definite holiday read with my idea of a relaxing time, romance, culture, tea and cake and books.

Loved this so much and gutted to have finished it. Beautiful story of the lives of different characters and how it brought them to be in France. Some stories its pretty easy to see where its going, I like a bit of mystery to keep me hooked and this certainly had that. Some parts I really didn't see coming. Also made me really want to visit France and a book cafe which just sounded like pure heaven. Who doesn't love books, coffee and cake!

Smashing, Sunshine Read!

Curl up and enjoy another of Sue's books that will transport you, this time, to France, where the sunshine, cafe, books, pan au chocolate, coffee, relationships and family will captivate you. Topics of coercive control, lies, blended families, cyber attacks and matters if the heart all wrapped up in beautiful scenery and the heat of the French sun will keep you on your toes. Another fantastic read by the very talented Sue Moorcroft.

My thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books for giving ,e the opportunity to review this book in return for an honest review.

Summer At The French Cafe is the perfect holiday read. Full of warmth, sunshine, life and hope,, it will make you smile and then plan a trip to the Alsace region of France. Ot at least find your own book cafe to wile away the hours with coffee, cake and a good book!

. Kat is living in Alsace, happily working at a book cafe within a park, popular with tourists and locals alike. Up until recently, her life has been complicated and lacking family ties and love. Escaping to Alsace from the UK has been one of her better moves. She has her job, a lovely flat in a nearby town, her dog Angelique and her boyfriend Jakey. She is happy…..until she finds out the truth and her world comes tumbling down..
At just the right time, her half brother comes to work at the park and introduces her to Noah. Kind, tall, handsome Noah. Noah with.a complicated life, Noah who is only in Alsace to find someone. Noah who will go back to the Dordogne at the end of summer.
Can Kat give her heart again? Can she risk all for love? Or will she be let down again, as she has been all her life?
Can Noah find the one he is looking for? Can he allow himself to love once more? Or will the pull of his previous life win out?
This charming book is another triumph from Sue Moorcroft, who is fast becoming a favourite author.
I highly recommend Summer At The Book Cafe.

I really enjoyed this book. Not only is it a perfect holiday read, it has beautiful descriptions of the Alsace region of France and has made me want to travel there. Kat has the perfect job at a combined book shop/ cafe but a troubled relationship with her blended family. She copes admirably with her difficult relatives but will she find lasting love…. I highly recommend this book!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I think I mention this is every review lately - I'm a sucker for a story about a strong woman who rebuilds herself. I also love stories set in book shops. This book was no different - it had everything I love about a story.

The book had me wishing that I could visit this little books store / cafe. I really wish there were places like this - a fun, social, independent bookstore that takes so much pride in their store.

I could see a follow up book to get more in depth about some of the characters.

Definitely worth a read!

Fabulous trip to France!
Wonderful characters, beautiful setting and a gentle romance, what more could you ask for from a summer read?
Loved seeing the slow romance blossom, and the families coming back together too.
A delightful book , that oozes sunshine from every page! ☀️

A beautiful cover for a beautiful book!

I've read a few books by Sue Moorcroft, and I've enormously enjoyed them all. They all have the particularity of covering very serious and difficult themes which are treated by the author with extreme sensitivity. Her writing style is gorgeous, and every book is a real treat. Can't wait for the next one!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Can I say Sue Moorcroft you know how to fill a coffee shop with romance and sunshine!
I loved this light heartwarming book, it takes us to France where Kat runs a bookshop/cafe for hear dear friend Reeny who is battling cancer.
When her half brother Solly arrives to work in the theme park where the shop is situated he introduces Noah his roommate to Kat who is nursing a damaged heart by her cheater boyfriend Jakey.
Noah and Kat become friends when. Noah helps Kat out be walking her beloved dog Angelique.
Noah is also trying to sort out his family as his ex wife has run off with her husband and Jakes daughter Clemence bringing him to work in the park.
Will Kat and Noah find happiness together and will Noah be allowed to be back in Clenence’s life.
Get your shades on and your tissues ready for Sues new book, it’s a must.!
Thank you Avon Books Uk and NetGalley for a ARC of this lovely summer read..

Loved this book!!! What an amazing tale of love, blended families and all the love, complications and warmth that comes with it too!! French summer time in all its glory!!
Kat is manager at the book cafe in the beautiful Parc Lemmel in Alsace. Her brother Solly works nearby with his friend Noah at the lake with the kayaks and keeping the park maintained. Kat lives in a nearby village with her dog Angelique.. working long hours throughout the summer is hard work!!
The gorgeous summer atmosphere, aromas of flowers and coffee, the pastries, the books, dog walks, Kat and Noah, this is the perfect summer read this year!!
Brilliantly written, characters I can relate to, a fantastic feel good fabulous summer read!! Loved it!! Best yet from Sue Moorcroft!!
Thank you NetGalley for the early read, so very much appreciated!!

Review: I am a firm fan of Sue Moorcroft’s books and know that I can sit down with them and be transported to another world. This book sounded absolutely ideal for a summer read, and I looked forward to being whisked off to a warm French location; I could almost smell the coffee even before I opened the cover. When I started to read, I found that the setting was not only a cafe, but a bookshop into the bargain - one of my favourite sorts of establishment. The story itself soon had me engaged and I finished it all too quickly.

The central character in the story is Kat, who is managing a popular bookshop-cafe by the lake in busy Parc Lemmel in the village of Kirchhoffen. Having left behind a complicated family situation in her native UK, she is happy with her life in the French village, where she has a job that she loves, a handsome boyfriend and an adorable dog who accompanies her to work every day. However, her peaceful existence is suddenly shattered by the discovery that her boyfriend is not the person she believed, and this revelation brings her into contact with someone who is super-vindictive, causing trouble for her and her shop. On a lighter side, she is delighted that her step-brother has also come to work in the parc, giving her a chance to get to know him better, a thing that seemed impossible in the home setting. Contact with him has also brought into her life newcomer Noah, a divorced father with a young daughter. A relationship soon blossoms between Kat and Noah, but his family life is also very complicated, and, although they try to work through their problems together, there seems no way forward for the pair.

The bright and breezy cover on this book suggests a light summer read in a beautiful setting, but it is so much more than that. Within the book’s pages, Sue Moorcroft has introduced and dealt ably with a number of serious topics which I will not list for fear of bringing in spoilers. I will just say that the main characters in the story have to deal with such a lot. There is romance here, but it is set around a strong storyline which twists and turns, keeping the reader guessing as to how it will all end. I very much liked both Noah and Kat and was amazed at how they were able to cope with what was continually coming their way. I can thoroughly recommend this book to Sue Moorcroft fans and those new to this author, but be ready to be confronted with some difficult topics.

Another beautiful one by Sue Moorcroft.

This would be my second by this author and it does deal with some heavy subjects. It made me super emotional...

It is a well written book and I loved all the characters and the way the story was developed...

Overall - an enjoyable warm read...

Kat has my ideal job, working in a café/bookshop. So many books to read & so much cake to eat! The story is based in France where Kat is managing the café for the owners as Reeny has cancer & is undergoing treatment. The story covers many issues, such as stepfamilies, cyber hacking, custody battles, new relationships & added in, a bit of deceit!

Even with very large issues being tackled, the book feels positive & it's very enjoyable. As with all of Sue Moorcroft's books, you are never left feeling disappointed. She never holds back with difficult subjects. Loved the characters, all very believable. Another great book from Sue Moorcroft.

A beautiful novel, set in a summery location of Parc Lemmel in the Alsace, based on a café-cum-bookshop. Fun characters and lots of entanglements surrounding cheating, divorce, parenthood and betrayal. That sounds heavy, but it is a light-hearted story, combined with heavier subjects and is exactly in balance.

Love plays a major role and the relationship between Kat (Katherina) and Noah is nicely built and developed. The other relationships, those with her brother and her parents and those of Noah with his ex and his daughter, are well described and come across as realistic.

The pace of the story is not that high and it drops off a bit in the middle part, but towards the end, when the plot lines are continued and are completed, it is fun and fascinating to read again.

A special role is played by Kat's dog Angelique, as is the little girl Clemence.

Summer in the French café is a nice feel-good and a real summer read.

Starting a new book by Sue Moorcroft is like immersing yourself in a warm bath - comforting, relaxing and you know that you will love it.

Kat has a job she loves managing a cafe and bookshop in France. With her little dog, and her boyfriend, life seems ideal. When her half brother comes to work nearby life just gets better, giving Kat the opportunity to get to know the half brother she wasn't allowed to be with in her youth, and who was the apple of her father and stepmother's eye.

When her boyfriend turns out not to be the person she thought he was, and life starts getting a whole lot more complicated in various aspects of her life, can Kat bring her life back on track and find happiness again?

I loved this book, as I have all the Sue Moorcroft books I have read. It is well written with believable characters, and some interesting situations it is well thought out, and shows how difficult relationships in one generation, can cause issues down the generations. Definitely worth reading, and high on the feel- good factor.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4701445484

Fractured families and feelings: good framework for the romance!🤗

4-4.5🌟 stars
This and Under the Italian Sun are my favorites so far of the books I've read by author Sue Moorcroft. In this story she provides a good sense of character development for Kat and Noah, the principal players, and the story kept up a good pace with all the events happening in their work and personal lives over the course of a summer in northeast France near Strasbourg.

The romance builds in a realistic manner and the intimate scenes have just a bit of heat. Plus, the examination of the complications and pitfalls of broken and reconstituted families gave it extra depth and a share of angst, particularly for Kat and Noah. I really felt for Kat and her piled up disappointments in the key people in her life made her an underdog figure to root for!

I also found the details of local interest just right: not a travelogue but just enough to give a feel for the high points of the area where they lived. And I adored Angelique, Kat's rescue dog; she added some whimsy along with touching comfort when things weren't going well for her human.

Thanks to Avon Books and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

Thank you so much Sue Moorcroft, Rachel’s random resources, Avon books and Harper Collins for gifting me a digital copy of summer at the French cafe in exchange for an honest review. This was a sizzling slow burn of a book filled with heart warming characters in a stunning location. How I wish I could visit Parc Lemmel, find a book and a pastry in the cafe then sit under a tree watching the boat lake. I really enjoyed the relationship between Kat and Solly and the development of their bond. The relationship between Noah and his daughter Clemence was simply beautiful; watching him fight for her was wonderful. This book is beautifully written and I really enjoyed it. Perfect for the longer summer days we hopefully will get this year.