A Gift from the Comfort Food Cafe - Debbie Johnson

Available from Amazon here 

Christmas has never been Katie Seddon’s favourite time of year. Her childhood memories aren't the type that fill her with happiness or nostalgia.  But since she moved to the village of Budbury on, Katie and her son have found a new family to be part of.  This family is a community of people, brought together by life’s unexpected roads and all seeking the healing magic that a yummy slice of cake and a cupful of kindness at the Comfort Food Café can provide. Katie’s new friends are determined to give her a Christmas to remember, and with a gorgeous newcomer in town, Katie’s Christmas wish for a happy home for her son might just come true.

I am a massive fan of Deborah Johnson (@debbiemjohnson) and especially The Comfort Food Cafe series and so was especially excited to go back and see the wonderful familiar faces. It's a  full length standalone book, you really don't have to have read any of the previous Comfort Food Cafe books to enjoy it (if you have you will love catching up with everyone!). I do recommend going back and reading them though of course.

Finally this book brings in Katie, who has perhaps been on the edge of some of the other stories told about Budbury's finest. I'm so pleased we get to delve into her story but also having secondary narratives of our many of my old favourites.

The story touches on some sensitive and emotive issues and considers how a persons upbringing can affect future relationships. We see how Katie's childhood has damaged the relationship she had with Saul's father and continues to threaten all other relationships that Katie has tried her hardest to avoid building.  

Katie is a loner - a hard working and loving single Mum, but I find her to be very likable. I loved little Saul and the relationship they have is adorable. I can understand why she has built up a little wall around herself but was desperately willing her to start letting others in. The Comfort Food Cafe and its regular faces have the ability to make anyone feel better, whatever is happening in life -cake, tea and friendship is waiting to make things right.  

This is such a heart warming read. Definitely one to read all snuggled up with a big pot of tea and some fancy treats. I read it very quickly - devouring every moment. There are some lovely comedic moments in this romantic tale, I laughed out loud on a couple of occasions - especially when naming the cat!

As always Debbie Johnson has written with warmth and love, taking us back to a place fans hold dear. I, for one, would love to go to that cafe and see what unfolds. Such a fabulous book to escape with - Debbie never lets us down. I can't wait until March 2019 to get my next fix of The Comfort Food Cafe!

Comfy Rating: 👍👍👍👍👍