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sarahthereadingaddict's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this book. Jessica Redland is such a fabulous author, I have loved every book I have read so far of hers.
This book made me smile, cry, gasp and swoon. It's a romantically funny book absolutely packed full of loveliness and if that's not enough there's Christmas thrown in too and oh my I love it all.
I absolutely loved the characters that visited the cafe, Hollie and Jack's stories were so incredible.
This book made me smile, cry, gasp and swoon. It's a romantically funny book absolutely packed full of loveliness and if that's not enough there's Christmas thrown in too and oh my I love it all.
I absolutely loved the characters that visited the cafe, Hollie and Jack's stories were so incredible.
steph_k_103's review against another edition
3.0
It was rlly nice!! I think I just read it at the wrong time. It starts off quite slow paced (but I still enjoyed reading, especially when describing the cosy-Christmasy-beachy-cafey atmosphere). And by the time the two people met it was only 25% into the book (so around 100 pages??). But by then I felt like because it was slow paced my patience ran out
b00kw0rms0fthew0rldunite's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
themainjane's review against another edition
3.0
*2.75 stars
This was not the cute read I thought it would be. The cover is very misleading. It’s not that this book is bad, it’s just not what I’m looking for.
I mean, they killed the main character’s whole family off in the first few chapters. Who does that in a Christmas romance book?
The first few chapters in general were also just really confusing to me. The felt incredibly fast paced compared to the rest of the book. You’re introduced to a lot of characters in a short time period, so I didn’t really know who anyone was through the whole book. There’s also a lot of time jumps in the beginning, so without mapping it out, the timeline felt so confusing and things didn’t feel like they were adding up (even though they probably were and I was just confused).
This was not the cute read I thought it would be. The cover is very misleading. It’s not that this book is bad, it’s just not what I’m looking for.
I mean, they killed the main character’s whole family off in the first few chapters. Who does that in a Christmas romance book?
The first few chapters in general were also just really confusing to me. The felt incredibly fast paced compared to the rest of the book. You’re introduced to a lot of characters in a short time period, so I didn’t really know who anyone was through the whole book. There’s also a lot of time jumps in the beginning, so without mapping it out, the timeline felt so confusing and things didn’t feel like they were adding up (even though they probably were and I was just confused).
lovesresqdogs's review against another edition
5.0
Finished it in two days. Thankful for a good book to keep me company on sleepless nights.
kazza27's review against another edition
5.0
Thank you to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for my invitation to the tour and to Boldwood Books for my copy of the e book via Net Galley.
I love Jessica’s books they hold a special place in my heart as they are based on the North Yorkshire coast where my family are from. Place is so important to Jessica’s novel and this book starts with the introduction to the wooden The Starfish Cafe overlooking the woods at Whitsborough Bay.
In this book we meet Hollie and Jake, the story goes back over the past eight years. Hollie loved Christmas but when she loses those dear to her she doesn’t feel the same way about it. The Starfish Cafe is her world and she decides to keep her promise to her mother.
Jake has had a troubled childhood and his mother died in childbirth and since then his Sister Larissa hated him. They are brought up by their Nanna but Larissa was hateful to Jake and he becomes a nurse and does very well considering the horrible abuse he had succumbed too.
Both of the pair have experienced such tragedy the story is really sad in places but also with an underlying hope of them finding their own ways in life. When Jake finds a dog they are brought together but will they be able to love again. I loved the inclusion of the RNLI which is a charity close to my own heart too.
Another gorgeous book from Jessica and I am happy to say my first Christmas book this year and it did not disappoint. Wonderful characters and nods to Castle Street and its residents made me feel like I was coming home to Whitsborough Bay again and there is snow ! I loved it !
5 Stars *****
I love Jessica’s books they hold a special place in my heart as they are based on the North Yorkshire coast where my family are from. Place is so important to Jessica’s novel and this book starts with the introduction to the wooden The Starfish Cafe overlooking the woods at Whitsborough Bay.
In this book we meet Hollie and Jake, the story goes back over the past eight years. Hollie loved Christmas but when she loses those dear to her she doesn’t feel the same way about it. The Starfish Cafe is her world and she decides to keep her promise to her mother.
Jake has had a troubled childhood and his mother died in childbirth and since then his Sister Larissa hated him. They are brought up by their Nanna but Larissa was hateful to Jake and he becomes a nurse and does very well considering the horrible abuse he had succumbed too.
Both of the pair have experienced such tragedy the story is really sad in places but also with an underlying hope of them finding their own ways in life. When Jake finds a dog they are brought together but will they be able to love again. I loved the inclusion of the RNLI which is a charity close to my own heart too.
Another gorgeous book from Jessica and I am happy to say my first Christmas book this year and it did not disappoint. Wonderful characters and nods to Castle Street and its residents made me feel like I was coming home to Whitsborough Bay again and there is snow ! I loved it !
5 Stars *****
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
portybelle's review against another edition
4.0
Well my goodness, Jessica Redland doesn’t shy away from giving her characters some very troubled times! You would have to be very hard-hearted not to feel for both Hollie and Jake. They both had gone through so many sad times and it was no wonder that they didn’t feel like celebrating Christmas any more. A lot of Jake’s insecurities came from his older sister who was truly horrible to him, one of the nastiest characters I’ve come across. Thank goodness he had some kind people in his life too. Hollie’s reasons for finding the period from Bonfire Night to Christmas were heart-breaking to read about but she had some wonderful friends to hold her up as well as her beloved Starfish Café.
The Starfish Café really does feel like a welcoming place, a little community in its own right. I so enjoyed meeting some of the regular customers and finding out their stories. Warmth and friendship are so central to the ethos of the cafe. These values were established by Hollie’s mum, values which she was determined to honour and carry on.
Jessica Redland has such a warm and easy to read writing style which draws you into the book from the beginning. Snowflakes Over the Starfish Café packs quite an emotional punch and is a cosy story of courage and finding love. I’m looking forward to returning to the café to read more about these characters in other books in the forthcoming series.
The Starfish Café really does feel like a welcoming place, a little community in its own right. I so enjoyed meeting some of the regular customers and finding out their stories. Warmth and friendship are so central to the ethos of the cafe. These values were established by Hollie’s mum, values which she was determined to honour and carry on.
Jessica Redland has such a warm and easy to read writing style which draws you into the book from the beginning. Snowflakes Over the Starfish Café packs quite an emotional punch and is a cosy story of courage and finding love. I’m looking forward to returning to the café to read more about these characters in other books in the forthcoming series.
cant_stop_reading's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lmkent1's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0