Skip to main content
book cover for The Little Board Game Café

The Little Board Game Café

This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.

Buy on Amazon Buy on BN.com Buy on Bookshop.org
*This page contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.

Send NetGalley books directly to your Kindle or Kindle app


1

To read on a Kindle or Kindle app, please add kindle@netgalley.com as an approved email address to receive files in your Amazon account. Click here for step-by-step instructions.

2

Also find your Kindle email address within your Amazon account, and enter it here.

Pub Date Apr 13 2023 | Archive Date Apr 18 2023

Aria & Aries | Aria


Talking about this book? Use #TheLittleBoardGameCafé #NetGalley. More hashtag tips!


Description

An irresistible story of love, friendship and the power of Games Night, perfect for fans of Holly Martin and Christie Barlow.

When Emily loses her job, house and boyfriend all within a matter of days, she's determined to turn a negative into a positive and follow her dream of running a small cafe in the gorgeous Yorkshire village of Essendale.

But she quickly finds she's bitten off more than she can chew when the 'popular' cafe she takes over turns out to secretly be a failing business. Emily desperately needs a way to turn things around, and help comes from the unlikeliest of places when she meets local board game-obsessed GP Ludek. But when a major chain coffee shop opens on the high street, Emily is forced to question if she'll ever be able to compete.

Has she risked everything on something destined to fail? Or can a playful twist, a homely welcome, and a sprinkle of love make Emily's cafe the destination she's always dreamed of?

An irresistible story of love, friendship and the power of Games Night, perfect for fans of Holly Martin and Christie Barlow.

When Emily loses her job, house and boyfriend all within a matter of days...


Available Editions

EDITION Ebook
ISBN 9781804548349
PRICE £2.99 (GBP)
PAGES 352

Available on NetGalley

NetGalley Shelf App (EPUB)
Send to Kindle (EPUB)
Download (EPUB)

Average rating from 218 members


Featured Reviews

4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars

This book is adorable. I loved the premise of the games nights and the competition of the other coffee shop to add a touch of drama. And the romance was sweet. I enjoyed following Emily’s journey to happiness

4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
Was this review helpful?
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars

What a gorgeous little book. It was, not only the title, but the cover that drew my attention to the cover. I love books set in cafes and I have read a lot through the years, but never one set in a cafe.

Bascially Emily is sacked by her fiance, a man who is, how can I word this, blind to see what an amazing woman he has in front of him. Unsupportive he pushes her into become somewhat of a wallflower. Emily frustated me so much through this book. Undecisive, she's a bit of a push over always complying to what he wants until finally she snaps and ends the relationship. Becoming homeless she moved in with her best friend who encourages her to buy Nico. But as you as you can guess it she's undecisive wither or not to take the plunge and do it.

Problem - with little footfall, a bad location can she turn it around to become the title of the book? Well you need to read her journey, find that out for yourself as it made me want to be there.

It was the draw of reading a cafe story with a difference which made me want to read this book and keep pushing through. I'm so glad I didn't put this on my DNF because it's a story you want to read. Along with new friends, a new romance love interest in Ludek (Polish GP!) she becomes the person you want her to be. The book is set in the town of Essendale in Yorkshire. We get to take whistlestop tours of Harrogate and London as Emily follows her's and her mother's dream of owning a cafe.

This is my first book by Jennifer Page that I have read and I will be looking out for more.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publicists for allowing me access to this title in exchange for a honest review. I hope I get to review many more.

4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
Was this review helpful?
3 stars
3 stars
3 stars
3 stars
3 stars

Oh I just adore books like this and this book is no exceptions. It had a place that I would adore to visit and hang out at. Characters I would love to befriend and a love story that is very sweet and enjoyable.

3 stars
3 stars
3 stars
3 stars
3 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

A lovely story of following your dreams and even failure not putting you off . Emily was an amazing character. Strong in many ways. When her father showed it was fab. Her best friend was amazing and supportive. I loved all the board games. Her x was a piece of work in so many ways but he did help .A great ending and we had love and laughter. Loved it

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars

Well this book and I... it was love at first sight.
I am board-gamer myself, so the title was enough to pull me in. But it mentioned it was recommended for fans of Holly Martin... and well, Holly is my favorite feel good author since years.

Lucky the book actually delivered with it promised! I was enchanted from the very first pages and couldn't put it down!

We follow Emily on a life changing mission. After she looses her job and her fiance, she wants to invest in a dream she had with her mother for years. Owning their own cafe. But she soon realizes that a normal cafe won't cut the deal. She needs something extra for her cafe. And that are board games.

I must say I was a little annoyed at first by the depiction of the board game club and their members. Jennifer Page went with the whole boardgamers are geeks approach and I cant have had it with that. Have you ever been to a board game club? Cause even D&D players aren't all geeks. So yeah.... she could have handled that better. But that is actually the only comment I have.
Lots of very well know games are mentioned, so even non boardgamers will recognize a ton, because they are pretty basic games.

What I especially loved was the overall story arc. There is of course a love interest, but the book isn't a romance. It is all about Emily finding what drives her, finding who she is after loosing so much and starting this whole professional adventure.

I cant wait to see what Jennifer Page comes with next! Definitely an author I will keep my eyes out for.

4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

Absolutely loved this.

What a fantastic idea a board game cafe, Emily makes her dream reality after being made redundant by her fiance.

Mr B is just the sweetest man!.


Really looking foward to reading more from this Author.

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

A lovely take on a classic romance really beautiful and a fabulous debut - the board games were a great twist.

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars

What can you do when your fiance and boss suddenly makes you redundant, not only that you have moved into his house and have a future mother in law who thinks you aren't good enough for her son? Naturally you break off the engagement, move out and follow your dreams of owning your own cafe. Premises found and decorated, baking going well....at least that is something you can do., but where are the customers? one a day won't make you a profit. Gradually the local pensioners are a life line and when asked to go to a board game evening what else do you do? Love and life start picking up but is this the life but is this really all the future hold

4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

I really enjoyed this book.
Emily is pursuing her lifelong dream and setting up her own cafe in a quirky little town in Yorkshire.
A snappy start hooked me straight in and the book rolled along with lively dialogue between Emily and her supporters. There is a delightful set of supporting characters and the story itself does not stray from being believable.
As the title suggests, this book has a board games theme which adds an unusual element to the book. The games are incidental to the plot, although accurate in description. If you play boardgames they will raise a familiar smile but they don't dominate the plot, so if you don't have an interest in games, you can roll with Emily's ups and downs regardless.
I loved seeing Emily's character develop as she battles her self-doubts and various business setbacks. I also enjoyed the developing romance between Emily and Ludek and the ending was cute.

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
3 stars
3 stars
3 stars
3 stars
3 stars

3.5 ⭐️ After Emily loses her job, fiancé, and home in quick succession, she decides to pursue her life-long dream of owing a cafe. After little foot traffic and customers, she decides to revamp the cafe into a board game cafe in order to attract more customers.

As a board game enthusiast the title and synopsis immediately drew me in. I loved the mention of Azul- my favorite board game! I feel that you can still enjoy this book even if you are not interested in board games. I liked that there was enough detail about board games for those who enjoy them, but not so much detail that it would be overwhelming for those who know nothing about board games.

I enjoyed this book- it was different from a typical romance novel. This book focuses more on Emily’s journey to happiness and turning her dream into a reality, and the romance aspect is secondary. Overall this is an adorable story and had good character development. I also thought the romance was really sweet. Overall, I would recommend this book.

💕“It’s a risk I’m willing to take Em. For you.”💕


Thanks to NetGalley and Aria & Aries for this ARC.

3 stars
3 stars
3 stars
3 stars
3 stars
Was this review helpful?
3 stars
3 stars
3 stars
3 stars
3 stars

I enjoyed this story of a woman who is looking to realize the dream she held with her late mom to open a cafe. After a break up and losing her job, she finds friends who become like family and opens her cafe only to of course struggle. Really cozy story.

3 stars
3 stars
3 stars
3 stars
3 stars
Was this review helpful?
3 stars
3 stars
3 stars
3 stars
3 stars

Set in Essendale, Emily had always dreamed of running her own cafe with her mum Diane. It all started when Mrs. Benton who ran Tricia’s Treats was going on a six-week cruise 🚢 with a man she met through a dating agency. She asked Diane to run the cafe in her absence. Diane would manage the kitchen while Emily did her mom’s job waiting tables.

Emily’s distraught when learns she’s been fired from her job. Worse she’s been fired by her fiancé James. She’s been living in Essendale for three years.

While ruminating about the day’s events and wondering how she’d cope now that she has no job, she stumbles on an unattractive one-storey building that’s for sale.

Soon after taking over a poloular cafe in town, Emily realizes she’s gotten more than what she’s bargained for. Undeterred she decides to move forward with her plan and not too long she meets a man named Ludek, who’s a GP.

Overall, an interesting read. Would recommend

Thank you to Jennifer Page, NetGalley and Aria for the arc of this book.

3 stars
3 stars
3 stars
3 stars
3 stars
Was this review helpful?
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars

Really enjoyed this novel. I’d never heard of this author before but I loved her style of writing.

It was quite a unique storyline and I loved reading about all the different games.

Will definitely be looking out for more books by this author in future

4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
Was this review helpful?
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars

3.5 stars!
this book was interesting! i love the game aspect! i really enjoyed the relationships that were built along the way. i also liked that lots of known board games were mentioned. it was fun seeing that.

the cover is SO CUTE I LOVE IT.

would recommend and will be looking out for future books by this author!

thank you to NetGalley and the publicists for allowing me access to this title in exchange for a honest review!

4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

I was immediately attracted by the title of The Little Board Game Cafe and the cute book cover. Some of my favorite social outings in real life have centered around games and I have to add an extra star for the mentions of Carcassonne and pierogi.

The story starts out pretty typically with a heroine on the skids - lost her job, living in a lackluster relationship and no clear future ahead. Emily does have a dream and decides to take a chance. With the support of best friend Kate, hot doctor Ludek and sweet Mr Baranski, Emily survives the pitfalls and challenges of starting a new business. She even maintains a good relationship with her ex James and he supports her efforts too. That was a nice touch.

I did find the romance between Emily and Ludek a bit strange with the push/pull between them. The attraction is there but not the emotion behind it. I wasn't even sure that maybe she was going back to James, but wasn't feeling that either. Actually not a bad plot point if it had been clearer. After all, Emily discovers a love of board games, Ludek even makes a handmade game for her and she tries to master Polish cooking with the help of Mr Baranski.

Overall, I did enjoy reading about the cafe, I wish such a place existed near me because I would definitely become a regular. The story moved along at a good pace and I wanted to see Emily's venture succeed - perhaps even more than her romance. I recommend The Little Board Game Cafe for readers who like a plot with their romance.

Thank you to NetGalley, Jennifer Page and Head of Zeus for the opportunity to read and review this book.

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars

**I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley and this is my honest review**

Emily and her mother had a dream of someday running a cafe. A place for the community with good food and friendship. When Emily loses her job and her fiance in the same week, she decides to take the chance on a small cafe off the beaten path. During this business adventure she makes new friends, gains a love for board games, and has the chance to fall in love with a board game enthusiast/doctor.

I grabbed this book because I own over 80 board games and my board game TBP (to be played) is just as long as my TBR. So an idea of a board game fueled romance sounded fun. I will say that I feel like the romance takes a backseat in this book. We do have a relationship build but we only get to see the love interest in shorter spurts in between everything else happening in Emily's life. Really this book focuses on Emily, her dreams, and her budding courage to pursue what makes her happy even if means taking risks in love and business.

I LOVED all the board game references tossed in throughout and Emily's character development. But I missed out on Ludek's character. I don't feel like I got to know him as well and so his character arc fell flat for me. The pacing threw me off a little bit as we have a pretty slow pace up until the end where everything seems to speed up VERY quickly.

This was a cozy fiction read with romantic subplot. Despite missing some of the heavier romance I was expecting (there is some mild spice) I still enjoyed this book. Emily was a great character to follow and the side characters were all dynamic and delightful.

4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
Was this review helpful?
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars

I enjoyed this book, I thought the characters were really interesting and loved the relationship with Mr B, someone who would help you completely, without really knowing you. It's a book that really touches on grief and the realities of what it can do to a person
Thank you netgalley for the advanced copy

4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

Ohh i really enjoyed this book, something a bit different i like the idea of a board game cafe, wish there was one near me

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

As a recent board game addict I had to read this book immediately! I'm pleased to say I absolutely loved it. The characters were mostly all likeable (a bit more support from her friend early on would have been nice) and the storyline took a few turns before reaching the expected happy ending. I will look for more books by this author.

And the bonus is I now have some new board games to check out :)

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

What a fantastic read! I thoroughly enjoyed 'The Little Board Game Cafe'. It's an engaging story that keeps you turning the pages to find out what happens next. There are twists and turns along the way with unexpected outcomes and many tender and poignant moments. It has a satisfying ending that will leave you with a warm glow. I also loved the brilliant descriptions of quaint villages and cosy cafes, I wanted to step inside the book and snuggle up with a hazelnut latte, a slab of cake and a board game on the go!

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars

First of all, I love this cover. I was immediately wanted to pick it up based by the title and this most adorable cover. This story follows Emily's journey to happiness and self discovery with a touch of romance. Emily is tired of her "average life" and takes us on a journey of her pitfalls and challenges to succeed. I loved the game nights and the competition of the other coffee shop in town. I wish I had a place like this near me. Sounds like a dream.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

Really enjoyed this read, was a lovely story too! The community of the cafe and the board game sound wonderful!

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars

I received this book from Netgalley. The first thing I noticed about this book was the cover, and then the title. It's been a dream of mine for quite some time to open up a little coffee shop so this book seemed like a great choice.

It's easy to read and the character descriptions are really good. I feel like I got to know the characters really well. I find the idea of buying the business a bit odd. Probably because it's a café that is closed. So why would she need to buy it? Couldn't she just rent the premises and open her own from scratch - then again, I'm no expert.

Having Costa open up wouldn't change the business that Em's Café has. I love Costa but sometimes you want to go to a cute, independent place instead. Also, I'm sure she would have a better selection of treats.

I like Emily as a character but I so feel like she gave up too easily. She just sold/donated all of her things without even trying to make enquiries about finding a new place - that was disappointing.

Where can I find my own Ludek though?! Man, he is such a great character. Definitely book boyfriend potential ;)

4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

A cozy, lovely story about finding the courage to follow your dreams despite life's hard knocks.

I really enjoyed this story and read it in one sitting. I could commiserate with Emily on feeling stuck and unsure of where to head next when she finds herself unemployed. The big feeling of "what now?" becomes "what if?" when she allows herself to believe in an old dream she had to open a cafe as a teenager. The unique theme of the cafe certainly made it a fun ride. I myself got into board games through my spouse so it was a lot of fun to watch her relationship evolve with board games and the man who got her into it all!

If you're looking for a sweet and light read that feels like a warm cup of tea, this is the book for you.

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars

My first book by this author, and what a delightful read! We meet Emily who pursues her lifelong dream of owning a café! The cafe she chooses though turns out a bit of a nightmare with no passing trade and not many customers, but can it all change when she comes across the idea of introducing board games?

This was a lovely story. I liked Emily’s character and felt quite sorry for her right from the beginning when she loses her job, her house and her fiancé all in one go. I’ve always loved the idea of running a café, so could totally relate to Emily’s enthusiasm for running her own! I loved the idea of having a theme café, and when board games were mentioned and tables were decorated, I could totally see me sitting down for lunch whilst playing a game of draughts or snakes and ladders! Some of the games however I’d never heard of, and to be honest I never realised there were so many different types of board games! I loved Ludek’s character and the surprise of what he was hiding in his house was…well surprising!! He was such a lovely character though and would have loved him as my GP!

The story flowed along at a lovely pace. There was the required romance, lots of café related talk (the Polish food sounded so tasty!) and some heart-warming friendships amongst the regulars to the café. I loved the relationship that Emily had with her dad, and whilst I didn’t really like James initially (or strangely her best friend Kate for that matter!), I did warm to them all as the story moved on. The location was perfectly chosen and the storyline was light-hearted, emotional at times and very easy to read! Grab yourself a latte and sausage and bacon sandwich and settle down to enjoy!

4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

This novel is all about love  ❤ and friendship.

When out protagonist Emily loses her job, boyfriend and home in one day we know that her life is going to change dramatically.
She live  in  West Yorkshire in village called Essendale. She dreams of owning her own small cafe thereand this is going to be the best time to do it,  as she has literally nothing to lose. 

The only problem is the cafe she buys does not have many passing trade 'no foot fall' therefore not many customers at all. She needs to turn this failing business around and make it a brighter and make it nicer place to work an eat in. If she cannot do this the business is bound to fail.
But at present Emily is 'working six days a week and mostly on her feet than sitting behind a desk- was taking its toll and she was tired'.

Local board game obsessed GP Ludek he is Polish and he partner hasintroduces her to the world of board games, the group play games about taking risks, Ludes Emily watched him 'fascinated by how meticulously sorted out all the pieces' 'He  looks  after his games' say Malcolm (His friend)'the way other people look after their children '.

Is this new business destined to fail or can Emily and her friends turn things arou she first saw him'.
Need a 'Unique Selling Point' for the Lancashire Hotpot Cafe. 'Something that would make it a destination to persuade people to drive a mile out of their way to visit. Or, at least a few hundred yards from Essendale's high street instead of going to sweet delights' her rival cafè so
'She was going to transform The Lancashire Hotpot from an ordinary back-street cafè into a board gamers paradise'.

Opening night 🌙 òf cafè and Ludek states 'It'd  risk I'm willing to take for your' after he brings lots of (expensive) games to the cafe.

Kate, Emily's flatmate and best friend, turns up at the grand opening 🌙 night with new  boyfriend Freddie but they are drunk, and as soon as they arrive  they spoil one of Ludek's special games.

Things go from bad to worse when Emily find out  that Costa is to open in three weeks time, on the High Street!!!
'Now she was back to square one.  No, worse than square one.  When she was at square one, she didn't have a reputation. Now it has a bad one'

This is a easy to read novel,  and has a overall upbeat feel to it😊 ! I can quite see this being the first of a series of books 📚 as we have a knowledge of town, characters and challenges, they might face. 

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me a complementary digital copy of this ebook in exchange for a honest review. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

Emily has always wanted to open a cafe. It was her and her mum's dream. A cafe is up for sale and she decides to buy it but then discovers it wasn't such a good deal as she thought. Ludek a local games enthusiast persuades her to let his friend suse the cafe for their games night. Loved it

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

This is my go to kind of book, when I want to curl up on the sofa on a cold winter's day & disappear into an easy to read tale.
This is a lovely little book, set in a newly opened cafe and how it's customers and owner all get to know and help one another

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars

What an enjoyable book this was, my first one by Jennifer Page (and I've just found out through Instagram that it's her debut novel, which makes it even better!).

It had been Emily's dream for years to run her own cafe, one where people could come to enjoy themselves, and get wholesome, home-cooked food. When she got fired by her fiance, split up with said fiance, and came across a run down cafe for sale all in a few days, it seemed like the perfect time to take the leap. However, it doesn't turn out exactly as it had in Emily's dreams, and she has to overcome many obstacles if she wants her new cafe to be a success.

I was drawn into this book by the sense of community - Mr B especially was a lovely character. It was great to follow Emily's journey and to watch her grow in confidence with the help of her friends and family, new and old.

The romance was lovely too, but this one was Emily's story, and I was rooting for her the whole way through.

What a lovely read! 💕

Thank you so much to Aria & Aries, Jennifer Page and Netgalley for the ARC.

#thelittkeboardgamecafe #netgalley

4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
Was this review helpful?
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars

A story of friendship, life changes, love and a bit more. This is the story of Emily and how she copes with lose and moving forward in life and with her life.

It is a lovely story, a story that many of us can probably relate to. It flows well, it is sweet and even light-hearted. It is a story for everyone.

Easy to read, entertaining and a bit of fun. I enjoyed this one.

4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
Was this review helpful?
3 stars
3 stars
3 stars
3 stars
3 stars

I received a free copy of, The Little Board Game Cafe, by Jennifer Page, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Emily has lost everything, so she decides to pursue her dream and buy a business, a cafe. Not knowing its not a successful business. Will Emily be able to survive and thrive, or is this just another loss for Emily. A really good read.

3 stars
3 stars
3 stars
3 stars
3 stars
Was this review helpful?
3 stars
3 stars
3 stars
3 stars
3 stars

I was drawn to this book by the title, as a board game enthusiast, I was excited to see a book featuring them. Although this is pegged as a romance, I personally think it is more of a women's fiction, with romance as a secondary plot.

I loved that board games were mentioned in detail, but not so much as to overwhelm someone who was not familiar with them.

Overall, a cute, fun read that can easily be read in an hour.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book in return for my honest review.

3 stars
3 stars
3 stars
3 stars
3 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

This book is cosy romcom heaven! I quickly got lost in its pages and loved the light, comic voice of the author and was willing Emily on from the very outset. She is very relatable as is the hero, Ludek, who has all the qualities needed to make readers fall in love. Both characters were well-rounded with flaws and vulnerabilities that made them that much more realistic and provided understandable barriers to their romance before they each grew in confidence. I particularly loved the way the community developed around the café and these supporting characters and that sense of community was a real strength of the book. The board games aspect was a great USP for the novel as much as it was for Emily’s new venture and reminded me how much I love board games.
Overall, a heart-warming romance perfect for curling up with. Strong on friendship, love, growth and community, it really was a delightful escape. I absolutely loved it and am excited to read Jennifer Page’s next book.

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars

This is a good book. I enjoyed the flow of the story, it had well rounded robust characters, a good dose of fun and romance and is a all round general good read.

4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
Was this review helpful?
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars

I started reading this book and thought oh no this is going to be so predictable. I can see she is going to split up from her long time boyfriend and probably buy a café just like she has always dreamed of.... and yes these things do happen but, this is only a very small part of the story. There are so many twists and turns and real curve balls , real challenges for the characters making it anything but, predictable.
Humorous in places and on the whole a light hearted read with likeable characters. I think this which would make a great holiday read.

4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

What an enjoyable read. Both light hearted and with a real depth of emotion running through, this book about the trials and tribulations of running a cafe is an absolute belter.

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars

The place, coffee shop, the atmosphere i’d like to visit! It’s so adorable and charming story with real character development we face in our life and lovable friendship i’d like to be around with. More plot twist as the story goes but it was worth to read and suits summer the best! Can’t wait to read more books from the author.

Thank you Aria & Aries and NetGalley for providing me the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
Was this review helpful?
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars

An enjoyable light read to relax with making it an ideal holiday read. Good portrayal of characters, some a little quirky, although I did rather blow hot and cold with the main one of Emily. A little predictable in places but a good book displaying community spirit and friendships with a touch of romance. Set in a small town in Yorkshire with a background of baking and board games. I certainly didn't know there was such a plethora of different board games out there being stuck in the playing of more traditional well known ones.

4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
Was this review helpful?
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy in return for an honest review. I really enjoyed this story, it was entertaining and kept me wanting to find out what happened in the end. It was heartful, emotional and funny, exactly what I wanted from this novel. An excellent debut and I will definitely be looking out for what the author produces in the future.

4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

A lovely read, following Emily as she pursues her and her mums dream of opening a cafe. Whilst Emily goes on such a rollercoaster of a journey with her cafe, and creates a wonderful community of delightful characters, it was the grief storyline and the process of learning to love again that made the book for me.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley UK for the free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

Knew from the first page I was going to love this book and it didn't disappoint, the wonderful characters and the unusual board game cafe storyline were an amazing combination I could not put this book down
After Emily gets made redundant from her job working for her fiance she decides after much thought to take a risk on her dream of owning a cafe in memory of her mum, after struggles and a break up and making 'new friends along the way she may just succeed in her and her mum's dream.
A wonderful book I thoroughly enjoyed reading would highly reccomend this story

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars

Delightfully charming!

I think my opening two words sum this book up perfectly, it's such a sweet and touching story, full of friendship and family and of course board games - it makes me want to pull out the dusty Scrabble box from the attack!

I really liked this, when I say it's cute and cosy, I absolutely mean it, it's easily one of the most enjoyable books I have read for a while, I loved the simplicity of the story, of how incredibly easy it is to read. I love how it's a gentle stroll instead of a whirlwind dash through the story - which has to be said is a little odd for me as I am usually one who loves faster-paced plots, but this one is incredibly enjoyable.

There is nothing heavy about this book, some readers may say it's a bit too sickly sweet but I loved it, it's refreshingly feel-good, I loved the characters as individuals; Emily is a lovely woman, one who I connected with right away and I was willing her on in trying and fighting so hard for her dream and Ludek is a gorgeous charismatic doctor (why haven't I got one like him?) so as individuals they were wonderful, but (and this is my only negativity) I don't think they worked as well as a couple then they did as friends, I thought the romance between them was lacking something.

I loved the concept of a board game cafe, it is so relevant to what people are going through at the minute, where people are a little lonely and worried they can escape reality for a moment and become absorbed ina an innocent board game - we really need cafes like this!

Overall, The Little Board Game Cafe is charming, it's the perfect lazy weekend read, full of friendships and relationships and lots of those much-needed feel-good emotions!

4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
Was this review helpful?
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars

A light hearted enjoyable read. Perfect for Sunday afternoons and pure escapism. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book.

4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

A charming book, especially for fans of board games. A sweet romance novel that brought tears to my eyes at times. The FMC was relatable and the character development in all characters was good.

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars

Three and a half stars.

Emily and her mother always dreamed of owning a small café selling good old-fashioned cakes and soup and sandwiches to the local community. When Emily's boss (who also happens to be her fiancé) makes her redundant, she begins to hop to make her dream a reality, even if the only vacant café in her price range is a scruffy, deserted, ugly café in a cul-de-sac away from the main run of shops and cafés.

Initially afraid to take a risk Emily buys a one-year lease on the café and starts about making it her own, but aside from one elderly Polish gentleman who turns up at eleven o'clock every day for a cappuccino and a cake, she has no customers. It appears the vendor may not have been entirely honest about the profitability of the business and Emily risks losing the small inheritance she received from her mother, until local GP Ludek asks if the local Board Games group can use the café one Friday night when the pub they usually use has an event. Suddenly the café is reinvented as the Little Board Game café.

This was a cosy romantic read, very reminiscent of some of Jane Lovering's early Yorkshire romances. There was a bit of angst, but no real villains, a sweet romance and a bit of personal growth. I liked it, but I didn't love it. 2023 the year of three and a half stars continues.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
Was this review helpful?
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars

I absolutely adored this book. I could connect with the characters which is very important to me. The struggles that Emily went trough were very realistic and I could relate to her. She looses her job, fiancée and home and she has to build a new life while staying with a friend and realising her dream of owning a cafe. I would definitely recommend reading this book!!

4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
Was this review helpful?
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed this book. Emily, the main character, was fantastic, and I was rooting for her all the way. I also love the premise of the board games themed cafe. The one thing I didn't think was developed as well as it could have been was the romance. I know this story was more about Emily's personal journey, but I would have liked to seen a little more emphasis placed on the romance.

4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

I adored this book! Emily and Ludek are the cutest! Meeting each other in a running club, who knew how their lives would become entwined and their love for board games would become a trademark.

I'm not a huge board game fan as I'd rather watch than play them but I can see the draw to them when it comes to building a community and make new friendships along the way. Emily definitely found her feet and her saviours when she bought the shop in Essendale.

Mr B sounds amazing, Annie was an angel in disguise and Kate is well, Kate!

Very heartwarming and lovely read, thoroughly enjoyed and would recommend to others!

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

Love. Board games. Cafe. That has cozy written all over it. A delightful romcom story that will have you hooked from the very beginning

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars

An enjoyable read that brings multiple love stories to fruition. I did tend to skip over the explanation of the games!

4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
Was this review helpful?

Readers who liked this book also liked: