Scan barcode
laureads14's review against another edition
5.0
Time to return to the beautiful Whitsborough Bay once again.
Hollie runs The Starfish Cafe . Hollie is overcome with grief from a number of family tragedies.
Jake lives with his Nana. Both have broken hearts that need to be healed.
Bonfire night holds lots of memories for Hollie and a chance meeting with Jake happens on that night. Are things about to change for the both of them?
I loved getting to know Hollie and Jake and watching their story unfold together.
Hollie runs The Starfish Cafe . Hollie is overcome with grief from a number of family tragedies.
Jake lives with his Nana. Both have broken hearts that need to be healed.
Bonfire night holds lots of memories for Hollie and a chance meeting with Jake happens on that night. Are things about to change for the both of them?
I loved getting to know Hollie and Jake and watching their story unfold together.
alaynacp's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Death of parent, and Death
Minor: Violence and Emotional abuse
kirstyreviewsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Snowflakes Over the Starfish Cafe - Jessica Redland
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books and I am leaving this review voluntarily
Welcome to The Starfish Café - where you will find stunning views, delicious food and lifelong friendships.
Two broken hearts.
Since she inherited The Starfish Café, Hollie has poured her heart into the business, striving to keep her mother's traditions and warm-hearted spirit alive. But behind closed doors Hollie is searching for true happiness as she grieves the tragic loss of her family who were once the beating heart of the café...
This is a touching story about family relationships and friendships. It is a heart-warming love story of two damaged people who both have tragedies that they need to overcome. This is more than your average Christmas book.
A well-written slow paced book brimming with emotion, delightful characters and a wonderful community spirit. Jessica will take you on a rollercoaster ride with this book. Perfect for anyone that is in need of that uplifting read.
Rating 4/5
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books and I am leaving this review voluntarily
Welcome to The Starfish Café - where you will find stunning views, delicious food and lifelong friendships.
Two broken hearts.
Since she inherited The Starfish Café, Hollie has poured her heart into the business, striving to keep her mother's traditions and warm-hearted spirit alive. But behind closed doors Hollie is searching for true happiness as she grieves the tragic loss of her family who were once the beating heart of the café...
This is a touching story about family relationships and friendships. It is a heart-warming love story of two damaged people who both have tragedies that they need to overcome. This is more than your average Christmas book.
A well-written slow paced book brimming with emotion, delightful characters and a wonderful community spirit. Jessica will take you on a rollercoaster ride with this book. Perfect for anyone that is in need of that uplifting read.
Rating 4/5
ashleycd45's review against another edition
4.0
I want to fist say thank you to the author and NetGalley for giving me the eARC. Este libro me rompió y me volvió a poner con tape me hizo llorar, me puso feliz, y me enamoré de los personajes. El libro fue maravilloso y me encanta saber que va a tener otro libro porque se lo merece yo necesito más de esta historia. Este libro te va a romper el corazón habla de perdidas de lo que se siente y todo eso. Pero yo pienso que el libro es maravilloso y deberían de leerlo enserio!
anwesha_rc's review against another edition
3.0
**Thanks to Netgalley, Jessica Redland and Boldwood Books to provide me with a copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review.**
## Book in One Sentence
Jessica Redland's *Snowflakes Over The Starfish Café* is a modern romance story that showcases 2 people — Hollie and Jake — fighting their own demons and emerging victorious along the way.
## Introduction
Jessica Redland's *Snowflakes Over The Starfish Café* is about the lives of Hollie and Jake — two different people, navigating through their own lives. Scarred by their individual pasts, they have their own struggles. As they go through life, they find and help each other to overcome their own fears and reservations to live a more fulfilling life together.
## Themes
### Modern Fiction
The story is set in the contemporary world and focuses on the struggles of the people in this age. Not only does the author write about the lives of the two protagonists but also the side characters, shedding light on their day-to-day lives. This incorporates a hint of reality to the story as we might be the main characters in our own stories but that is the same for someone else too. The author also makes sure to create a sense of fraternity by acknowledging the struggles of other people and how they overcome them. Many times, this serves as an opportunity to encourage the protagonists to take a step forward and face their own fears.
### Battling You Own Demons
Both Hollie and Jake have their own demons and struggles. Hollie comes from a loving and supportive family but a few years ago, it all crashed down when she lost her family in a series of mishaps. She lost her loved ones, her support system. Jake, on the other hand, lost his mother the day he was born. This gave rise to resentment in his sister's mind, which haunted Jake till adulthood. Jake's father died in an accident later and he was raised by his grandmother, who passed many years later due to old age. His struggles manifested as experiences in his life. Both Hollie and Jake managed to overcome their demons at the end of the story.
## The Ending
The ending showed both Hollie and Jake battle their mental paranoias and emerge triumphant along the way. However, they didn't achieve these all by themselves. They helped each other face their fears and battle them until the very end.
## Significance of the Title
The title can be literal as we see at the end how they preferred forever to each other while the snow gathered outside. Sure, it wasn't "dancing in the rain" for them, but it was definitely something similar.
## Final Take
All in all, *Snowflakes Over The Starfish Café* is a great light-read. Sometimes I wished the story was more fast-paced. But if you are looking for something mature yet fun, this is for you.
## Book in One Sentence
Jessica Redland's *Snowflakes Over The Starfish Café* is a modern romance story that showcases 2 people — Hollie and Jake — fighting their own demons and emerging victorious along the way.
## Introduction
Jessica Redland's *Snowflakes Over The Starfish Café* is about the lives of Hollie and Jake — two different people, navigating through their own lives. Scarred by their individual pasts, they have their own struggles. As they go through life, they find and help each other to overcome their own fears and reservations to live a more fulfilling life together.
## Themes
### Modern Fiction
The story is set in the contemporary world and focuses on the struggles of the people in this age. Not only does the author write about the lives of the two protagonists but also the side characters, shedding light on their day-to-day lives. This incorporates a hint of reality to the story as we might be the main characters in our own stories but that is the same for someone else too. The author also makes sure to create a sense of fraternity by acknowledging the struggles of other people and how they overcome them. Many times, this serves as an opportunity to encourage the protagonists to take a step forward and face their own fears.
### Battling You Own Demons
Both Hollie and Jake have their own demons and struggles. Hollie comes from a loving and supportive family but a few years ago, it all crashed down when she lost her family in a series of mishaps. She lost her loved ones, her support system. Jake, on the other hand, lost his mother the day he was born. This gave rise to resentment in his sister's mind, which haunted Jake till adulthood. Jake's father died in an accident later and he was raised by his grandmother, who passed many years later due to old age. His struggles manifested as experiences in his life. Both Hollie and Jake managed to overcome their demons at the end of the story.
## The Ending
The ending showed both Hollie and Jake battle their mental paranoias and emerge triumphant along the way. However, they didn't achieve these all by themselves. They helped each other face their fears and battle them until the very end.
## Significance of the Title
The title can be literal as we see at the end how they preferred forever to each other while the snow gathered outside. Sure, it wasn't "dancing in the rain" for them, but it was definitely something similar.
## Final Take
All in all, *Snowflakes Over The Starfish Café* is a great light-read. Sometimes I wished the story was more fast-paced. But if you are looking for something mature yet fun, this is for you.
reading_ladies_blog's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Emotional abuse, and Grief
marfina's review against another edition
1.0
I feel much more comfortable with my Hallmark movies than having to read this again.
Unfortunately I think this missed the mark incredibly. I'm a pretty tough critic of romance novels and this one was impossible to get through.
The first character we are introduced to is Hollie. Her mother owns the Starfish Cafe in Northern England. She has a loving family and boyfriend who doesn't show her affection. Easy to tell from day one they won't last. After seeing several different years on the same Bonfire night, the POV switches to Jack who lives with his grandmother and had a tough childhood. His mother died giving birth to him and his sister has blamed him for their mother's death his whole life.
I was under the impression that the set up of this novel will be going through the years for this one bonfire night (which is how the book was set up). After skipping multiple years through Hollie's life and some of Jack's we are suddenly in the present where everything is SO SLOW. I'm talking snails pace. I had to read every single thought, flashback, action these two character do EVERY SINGLE DAY. This level of detail was so unnecessary and undoubtably the reason the novel was 400 pages long.
Also in the present both characters have lost pretty much every single person that did care about them. It makes the characters feel so in-authentic. How is it possible that these two people could literally have EVERYONE and I mean EVERY SINGLE PERSON that loved them die?? I love tragedy as trope in romance novels but in this book its just TOO much.
With such a weak start to his book, I really had to force my way through it. I couldn't find the willpower to care about the romance and not a single tear was shed from my eyes. Absolutely disappointing start to my holiday reads (which I usually incredibly look forward to).
This book might be the sole reason I am currently in a reading slump.
Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
∙
part of race against time challenge (aka read all 2021 releases before the year ends.)
Unfortunately I think this missed the mark incredibly. I'm a pretty tough critic of romance novels and this one was impossible to get through.
The first character we are introduced to is Hollie. Her mother owns the Starfish Cafe in Northern England. She has a loving family and boyfriend who doesn't show her affection. Easy to tell from day one they won't last. After seeing several different years on the same Bonfire night, the POV switches to Jack who lives with his grandmother and had a tough childhood. His mother died giving birth to him and his sister has blamed him for their mother's death his whole life.
I was under the impression that the set up of this novel will be going through the years for this one bonfire night (which is how the book was set up). After skipping multiple years through Hollie's life and some of Jack's we are suddenly in the present where everything is SO SLOW. I'm talking snails pace. I had to read every single thought, flashback, action these two character do EVERY SINGLE DAY. This level of detail was so unnecessary and undoubtably the reason the novel was 400 pages long.
Also in the present both characters have lost pretty much every single person that did care about them. It makes the characters feel so in-authentic. How is it possible that these two people could literally have EVERYONE and I mean EVERY SINGLE PERSON that loved them die?? I love tragedy as trope in romance novels but in this book its just TOO much.
With such a weak start to his book, I really had to force my way through it. I couldn't find the willpower to care about the romance and not a single tear was shed from my eyes. Absolutely disappointing start to my holiday reads (which I usually incredibly look forward to).
This book might be the sole reason I am currently in a reading slump.
Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
∙
part of race against time challenge (aka read all 2021 releases before the year ends.)
More...