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The Book Club #1
The Seaside Cafe
Set on breathtaking Coates Island, off the coast of North Carolina, bestselling author Rochelle Alers' new series debut brings together three book-loving women whose summer will offer a chance to rewrite their own stories . . .
For three decades, the Seaside Caf� has served delicious meals to locals and island tourists alike. Kayana Johnson has moved home to help her brother run the caf�--and to nurse her wounds following a deep betrayal. Between cooking favorite recipes--creole chicken with buttermilk waffles, her grandmother's famous mac and cheese--and spending time reading, Kayana is trying to embrace a life free of entanglements, while staying open to new connections . . .
After striking up conversation with two customers, Kayana suggests a summer book club. Each week, they'll meet on the patio to talk about their favorite novels. But there are plot twists awaiting them in real life too. For schoolteacher Leah, this two-month sojourn is the first taste of freedom she's had in her unhappy marriage. Cherie, filled with regret about her long-term affair with a married politician, discovers a powerful new passion. And Kayana finds a kindred spirit in a reclusive visitor who's ready to make his true identity known, and fill this summer with new possibilities . . .
Praise for The Inheritance
"The ambiance and flavor of New Orleans are on full display."
--RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars
"A novel that resembles female bonding romance series like The Bride Quartet by Nora
Roberts. . . . Capitalizing on its assets: the sensuous Big Easy setting and the rarely encountered middle age romance."
--Kirkus Reviews
For three decades, the Seaside Caf� has served delicious meals to locals and island tourists alike. Kayana Johnson has moved home to help her brother run the caf�--and to nurse her wounds following a deep betrayal. Between cooking favorite recipes--creole chicken with buttermilk waffles, her grandmother's famous mac and cheese--and spending time reading, Kayana is trying to embrace a life free of entanglements, while staying open to new connections . . .
After striking up conversation with two customers, Kayana suggests a summer book club. Each week, they'll meet on the patio to talk about their favorite novels. But there are plot twists awaiting them in real life too. For schoolteacher Leah, this two-month sojourn is the first taste of freedom she's had in her unhappy marriage. Cherie, filled with regret about her long-term affair with a married politician, discovers a powerful new passion. And Kayana finds a kindred spirit in a reclusive visitor who's ready to make his true identity known, and fill this summer with new possibilities . . .
Praise for The Inheritance
"The ambiance and flavor of New Orleans are on full display."
--RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars
"A novel that resembles female bonding romance series like The Bride Quartet by Nora
Roberts. . . . Capitalizing on its assets: the sensuous Big Easy setting and the rarely encountered middle age romance."
--Kirkus Reviews
304 pages, Paperback
First published May 26, 2020
About the author
Rochelle Alers
196 books999 followersRochelle Alers was born in Manhattan, New York, USA, where she raised. She obtained degrees in Sociology and Psychology, before started to work. She is a member of the Iota Theta Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., and her interests include gourmet cooking and traveling. She has traveled to countries in North, Central and South America, and Europe. She is also in accomplished in knitting, crocheting and needlepoint.
Published since 1988, today a full-time writer, has been hailed by readers and booksellers alike as one of today's most prolific and popular African-American authors of romance and women's fiction. With more than fifty titles and nearly two million copies of her novels in print, she is a regular on the Waldenbooks, Borders and Essence bestseller lists, regularly chosen by Black Expressions Book Club, and has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the Gold Pen Award, the Emma Award, Vivian Stephens Award for Excellence in Romance Writing, the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award and the Zora Neale Hurston Literary Award. She also wrote as Susan James and Rena McLeary.
Rochelle Alers lives in a charming hamlet on Long Island.
Published since 1988, today a full-time writer, has been hailed by readers and booksellers alike as one of today's most prolific and popular African-American authors of romance and women's fiction. With more than fifty titles and nearly two million copies of her novels in print, she is a regular on the Waldenbooks, Borders and Essence bestseller lists, regularly chosen by Black Expressions Book Club, and has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the Gold Pen Award, the Emma Award, Vivian Stephens Award for Excellence in Romance Writing, the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award and the Zora Neale Hurston Literary Award. She also wrote as Susan James and Rena McLeary.
Rochelle Alers lives in a charming hamlet on Long Island.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 209 reviews
October 4, 2020
I found this a disappointing book. The description sounded like a great beach read, but the character interactions felt unrealistic and contrived. I really couldn't relate to the snippy way they spoke to each other.
June 29, 2020
I’m already a fan of Rochelle Alers work and I really liked this one even though it felt a lot slower moving and different from her previous books I’ve read. This slow burner of a romance feels like a romance for grown folks and it totally is with the heroine, Kayana, being in her late forties and hero, Graeme, being in his early 50s. I love mature love and so obviously, I loved this book.
The premise is that after her divorce, Kayana has resettled in her quaint small town seaside holiday hometown where she helps her brother run their family restaurant. However, her predictable, quiet book-loving world is about to change forever with the arrival of some new best bookish best friends in the form of summer visitors with complicated pasts and a mysterious visiting math teacher, who can’t seem to take his eyes off of her.
Even though this had a strong romantic elements, I’m hard pressed to actually call this a romance. It’s more what publishers categorize as “women’s fiction” or “domestic fiction.” It is a definite slow burn and the author can almost be said to be tedious with the amount of detail she gives about each book Kayana’s book club reads or about architecture or design of food, but I enjoyed this style. I found the level of description soothing and it’s something I’ve come to recognize in this author’s writing. Her in depth analysis of the book club reads in the pages definitely made me want to pick up those classics i haven’t read yet. Also, I really cared about the friendship Kayana developed with Leah and Chérie and am really interested in them having books and in exploring more of their own stories. The romance in this is interracial and that is discussed but the racial difference isn’t really a theme of Graeme and Kayana’s love story and that felt natural. They’re both such grown ups that it was normal that they knew what they wanted. And I think that theme of mature love of knowing what you want, of not NEEDING the other person, but rather WANTING them in your life because they enhance it, that was really nice to read.
This is admittedly not the most excitingly, page-turning book. It’s not one you necessarily breeze through and “can’t put down.” It is however the sort of gentle, soothing book that feels like a warm blanket and a comfort and that you can’t help but enjoy reading. The food in this fed my soul and I really appreciated the recipes at the end. I liked this and am looking forward to reading more in this series!
I received a copy of this book from Dafina Books (Kensington Books) through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The premise is that after her divorce, Kayana has resettled in her quaint small town seaside holiday hometown where she helps her brother run their family restaurant. However, her predictable, quiet book-loving world is about to change forever with the arrival of some new best bookish best friends in the form of summer visitors with complicated pasts and a mysterious visiting math teacher, who can’t seem to take his eyes off of her.
Even though this had a strong romantic elements, I’m hard pressed to actually call this a romance. It’s more what publishers categorize as “women’s fiction” or “domestic fiction.” It is a definite slow burn and the author can almost be said to be tedious with the amount of detail she gives about each book Kayana’s book club reads or about architecture or design of food, but I enjoyed this style. I found the level of description soothing and it’s something I’ve come to recognize in this author’s writing. Her in depth analysis of the book club reads in the pages definitely made me want to pick up those classics i haven’t read yet. Also, I really cared about the friendship Kayana developed with Leah and Chérie and am really interested in them having books and in exploring more of their own stories. The romance in this is interracial and that is discussed but the racial difference isn’t really a theme of Graeme and Kayana’s love story and that felt natural. They’re both such grown ups that it was normal that they knew what they wanted. And I think that theme of mature love of knowing what you want, of not NEEDING the other person, but rather WANTING them in your life because they enhance it, that was really nice to read.
This is admittedly not the most excitingly, page-turning book. It’s not one you necessarily breeze through and “can’t put down.” It is however the sort of gentle, soothing book that feels like a warm blanket and a comfort and that you can’t help but enjoy reading. The food in this fed my soul and I really appreciated the recipes at the end. I liked this and am looking forward to reading more in this series!
I received a copy of this book from Dafina Books (Kensington Books) through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 14, 2020
I wanted to read the Seaside Cafe because the premise is one I love in books-- women reinventing their lives, food, coastal living and North Carolina. Unfortunately the book left me underwhelmed and I attribute it to one reason: the story felt fragmented. I was not able to connect with it and considered it not finishing it, but I decided to keep going. The more I read, the more I kept thinking that the characters interactions felt forced. The story had all the elements of a phenomenal first book in this series (I am assuming it will be a series), but it just did not deliver for me.
First, there is the main character, Kayana (Kay), who is running the cafe in Coates Island, NC with her brother. After the divorce from a wealthy surgeon. Kayana is focused on cooking and her books. That is it. Until seasonal customers start arriving. First there are the two women who share a mutual love of books, and they start a book club. However, their interactions were rude and contentious most of the time. I kept thinking "Why is Kay still talking to them?". Then there is her interaction with her own brother, which was so odd because it did not feel genuine. Their dialogue was ridiculous. It felt like they were two strangers talking.
But the oddest relationship is that of Kay and her main romantic interest. This man has been in love with her for a few years but she has "never noticed" although everyone else has. At first she isn't really interested, but because they love books and movies, they start dating. At times, Kay comes across as bitchy when talking to him, as a way to exert she's an independent woman. He's is bitchy with her at times too, especially about his dog. The most annoying aspect is that it went from no chemistry to sexual in 2.2 seconds and the author expects us to find that believable. It was not. They had no chemistry whatsoever and the sex scenes just read so clinical. I was disappointed that I could not get into it.
Thank you for the opportunity to review this book, NetGalley and the publisher.
First, there is the main character, Kayana (Kay), who is running the cafe in Coates Island, NC with her brother. After the divorce from a wealthy surgeon. Kayana is focused on cooking and her books. That is it. Until seasonal customers start arriving. First there are the two women who share a mutual love of books, and they start a book club. However, their interactions were rude and contentious most of the time. I kept thinking "Why is Kay still talking to them?". Then there is her interaction with her own brother, which was so odd because it did not feel genuine. Their dialogue was ridiculous. It felt like they were two strangers talking.
But the oddest relationship is that of Kay and her main romantic interest. This man has been in love with her for a few years but she has "never noticed" although everyone else has. At first she isn't really interested, but because they love books and movies, they start dating. At times, Kay comes across as bitchy when talking to him, as a way to exert she's an independent woman. He's is bitchy with her at times too, especially about his dog. The most annoying aspect is that it went from no chemistry to sexual in 2.2 seconds and the author expects us to find that believable. It was not. They had no chemistry whatsoever and the sex scenes just read so clinical. I was disappointed that I could not get into it.
Thank you for the opportunity to review this book, NetGalley and the publisher.
August 2, 2020
2.5 stars
Overall, I enjoyed the story and the characters, but I had some real problems with some of the choices the author made with her writing.
Kayana is a 46-year-old divorcee who is rebuilding her life after leaving her cheating trauma surgeon husband in Atlanta. She has moved back home to tiny Coates Island, where she and her brother run the local restaurant, working themselves ragged during the busy summer season. Keeping busy during the summer season allows Kayana more downtime during the rest of the year for reading and relaxing.
While Kayana has very little social life (by choice), she does enjoy seeing repeat customers summer after summer. And now that she's two years out from her traumatic divorce, she's getting more ready to branch out.
Not only does Kayana make friends with a couple of customers once she learns they share her love of reading, she also starts to get close to a male customer who seems to have taken a shine to her.
While life on an island that creates luxurious summer getaways that people return to year after year should be relaxing and slow-paced, it seems like all the main characters in this book are very quick to anger and really want to argue with one another. I don't understand why the author chose to have these characters be so confrontational in non-confrontational discussions unless she was trying to create drama, which in my opinion did not do this story any favors and was actually quite distracting from the feel-good story this wants to be.
I also found it distracting when the author would repeat multiple times in different places long paragraphs of details that had previously been explained. I can't tell you how many times the reader was told about the non-summer hours and schedule Kayana and her brother shared maintaining the restaurant. There are several other examples of the repetitiveness of the writing throughout this book that seemed like it was done for no other reason than to pad the page count.
If the writing had been less clunky, I would have given a higher rating because the story was pretty good and it was a fun, breezy read.
I won a copy of this book from First Reads.
Overall, I enjoyed the story and the characters, but I had some real problems with some of the choices the author made with her writing.
Kayana is a 46-year-old divorcee who is rebuilding her life after leaving her cheating trauma surgeon husband in Atlanta. She has moved back home to tiny Coates Island, where she and her brother run the local restaurant, working themselves ragged during the busy summer season. Keeping busy during the summer season allows Kayana more downtime during the rest of the year for reading and relaxing.
While Kayana has very little social life (by choice), she does enjoy seeing repeat customers summer after summer. And now that she's two years out from her traumatic divorce, she's getting more ready to branch out.
Not only does Kayana make friends with a couple of customers once she learns they share her love of reading, she also starts to get close to a male customer who seems to have taken a shine to her.
While life on an island that creates luxurious summer getaways that people return to year after year should be relaxing and slow-paced, it seems like all the main characters in this book are very quick to anger and really want to argue with one another. I don't understand why the author chose to have these characters be so confrontational in non-confrontational discussions unless she was trying to create drama, which in my opinion did not do this story any favors and was actually quite distracting from the feel-good story this wants to be.
I also found it distracting when the author would repeat multiple times in different places long paragraphs of details that had previously been explained. I can't tell you how many times the reader was told about the non-summer hours and schedule Kayana and her brother shared maintaining the restaurant. There are several other examples of the repetitiveness of the writing throughout this book that seemed like it was done for no other reason than to pad the page count.
If the writing had been less clunky, I would have given a higher rating because the story was pretty good and it was a fun, breezy read.
I won a copy of this book from First Reads.
May 2, 2020
The Seaside Cafe by Rochelle Alers was what I term a "chick lit" book. Ms. Alers did an excellent job of describing Coates Island and I could actually feel like I was there while reading. I was intrigued by the description of the book about three women who form a summer book club.
I confess that Kayana, Leah and Cherie seemed to bicker each time they got together to discuss the book rather than discuss the book. Their friendship seemed to be forced rather than casual. They even got into some very personal discussions which I thought was odd for casual acquaintances. Kayana's romance was sweet and I thought her and Graeme's relationship developed realistically. All in all it's not a bad read but it's not one that I loved.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Dafina via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.
I confess that Kayana, Leah and Cherie seemed to bicker each time they got together to discuss the book rather than discuss the book. Their friendship seemed to be forced rather than casual. They even got into some very personal discussions which I thought was odd for casual acquaintances. Kayana's romance was sweet and I thought her and Graeme's relationship developed realistically. All in all it's not a bad read but it's not one that I loved.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Dafina via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.
August 7, 2020
I love small town stories and the coastal setting is perfect, especially for those of us who escape to places like this in the summer. While I would typically be in Delaware or Maryland in a cute beach cottage, the pandemic has really forced me to escape through books more than ever.
This book focuses mostly on Kayana, a recent divorcee who has returned back to her family's island and restaurant after living in the big city (Atlanta) for years. While the book does spend a good portion of its time exploring the blossoming romance between her and a new island resident, the friendship with two island guests is what drew me in. And the fact that they formed an informal book club was icing on the cake.
It's apparent that Rochelle Alers is a fan of the "classics," as well as contemporary writing, as witnessed by the discussions her characters have during book club. She also seems to be a fan of finding friends in unlikely places. It's doubtful that the three women portrayed within the pages would have met and become friends under any other circumstances, given how different their personalities and backgrounds were. There is friction at times, but also understanding. I'm intrigued enough by the women to want to know more of their backstory.
What I was less intrigued with was Kayana's romance. The male protagonist seemed very stiff and stuffy, the exact kind of man she'd escaped in her marriage. Their relationship didn't feel believable or very loving. Honestly, I wanted better for her and was almost sad to see her with him.
A friend mentioned to me how slow the book was. While it wasn't exactly a page turner, it felt like life on an island where things don't happen quickly, they just happen in their own due time.
This book focuses mostly on Kayana, a recent divorcee who has returned back to her family's island and restaurant after living in the big city (Atlanta) for years. While the book does spend a good portion of its time exploring the blossoming romance between her and a new island resident, the friendship with two island guests is what drew me in. And the fact that they formed an informal book club was icing on the cake.
It's apparent that Rochelle Alers is a fan of the "classics," as well as contemporary writing, as witnessed by the discussions her characters have during book club. She also seems to be a fan of finding friends in unlikely places. It's doubtful that the three women portrayed within the pages would have met and become friends under any other circumstances, given how different their personalities and backgrounds were. There is friction at times, but also understanding. I'm intrigued enough by the women to want to know more of their backstory.
What I was less intrigued with was Kayana's romance. The male protagonist seemed very stiff and stuffy, the exact kind of man she'd escaped in her marriage. Their relationship didn't feel believable or very loving. Honestly, I wanted better for her and was almost sad to see her with him.
A friend mentioned to me how slow the book was. While it wasn't exactly a page turner, it felt like life on an island where things don't happen quickly, they just happen in their own due time.
May 9, 2022
Such a cute love story. I was in a bit of a reading slump and needed something light and happy to pull me out if it, this was perfect for that.
The story is about a restaurant owner, Kayana, who’s moved back to her seaside hometown to run the family business with her brother after her divorce. The story filled her as she starts a book club (and has interesting conversations with visitors turned friends about classic novels), and falls in love with a frequent patron who has a secret. It’s a very sweet love story that tackles the long term effects of heartbreak, interracial relationships and friendships. I so enjoyed watching the romance bloom and can’t wait to read more. I’m also excited about the books discussed in the story, and will be checking those out soon too. I felt that the friendships between the protagonist and the other ladies could’ve been explored more, but maybe that’s saved for future books.
I loved that the book makes me want to be a writer, as it does an excellent job of exploring the themes and times that affect an authors work. I think we all have a story inside us, and need the right circumstances to pull it out. I really liked the story Allegra told - 4 stars!
The story is about a restaurant owner, Kayana, who’s moved back to her seaside hometown to run the family business with her brother after her divorce. The story filled her as she starts a book club (and has interesting conversations with visitors turned friends about classic novels), and falls in love with a frequent patron who has a secret. It’s a very sweet love story that tackles the long term effects of heartbreak, interracial relationships and friendships. I so enjoyed watching the romance bloom and can’t wait to read more. I’m also excited about the books discussed in the story, and will be checking those out soon too. I felt that the friendships between the protagonist and the other ladies could’ve been explored more, but maybe that’s saved for future books.
I loved that the book makes me want to be a writer, as it does an excellent job of exploring the themes and times that affect an authors work. I think we all have a story inside us, and need the right circumstances to pull it out. I really liked the story Allegra told - 4 stars!
May 21, 2020
Good book. It has two main storylines; both centered around Kayana. She is a forty-six-year-old woman who returned home to Coates Island two years earlier after divorcing her cheating husband. She has found peace and healing in helping her brother run the family café and spending her free time reading. Part of the book is spent on the book club she started with two female customers, Leah and Cherie. The other part covers Kayana's unexpected connection with Graeme, a visitor who is more than he appears.
The book club aspect was an interesting one. A voracious reader herself, Kayana struck up a conversation with Leah about a book she was reading while dining at the café. Kayana proposed that they get together once a week over the summer to talk about what they are reading. A second customer, Cherie, was also invited to join. All three women have issues in their lives, which color their opinions of the books they read and discuss.
I was a bit put off by one of the women, Cherie, who was somewhat abrasive in her interactions. She was frequently rude and often seemed angry at everything and everyone. Leah also had her moments, especially when dealing with Cherie, leaving Kayana to play peacemaker. Though originally meant just to discuss books, the three women found themselves becoming friends and sharing their personal lives. Leah is married, but not happily, and the mother of grown twin sons. She has stayed in her marriage to provide a stable home for her boys, but living with her husband becomes harder each year. She enjoys the freedom of being on the island and contemplates her future. Cherie is filled with guilt over her affair with a married man, which makes her defensive in many of her conversations, even if they have nothing to do with her personal life. I liked seeing the three women become friends as they shared views on books and life both in general and specifically when it comes to their own situations.
The other part of the book was devoted to Kayana's developing relationship with Graeme. He has come to the island during the summer for a couple of years and was drawn to Kayana from the beginning, though she didn't take any particular notice of him. However, this summer something changes, and Kayana does take note of him. She's not too happy about it as she was burned by her cheating husband and has no intention of getting involved with another man. His betrayal of her trust made her wary of letting another man close. Graeme is a widower of several years who was burned by a spoiled wife. He carries a load of guilt because of the argument he had with her shortly before her death. Besides being a math teacher, he is also a bestselling author, though that part of his life is a well-guarded secret. There are sparks between Kayana and Graeme though Kayana is initially reluctant to acknowledge them. Graeme is more interested but is also patient enough to give Kayana time to get used to the idea. I liked seeing their friendship grow. I loved their cooking lessons, which were fun and relaxing. I enjoyed seeing them grow closer, and the attraction between them becomes stronger. Kayana doesn't look forward to the end of the summer when Graeme will go back to his teaching job. But he hasn't been forthcoming about his plans, and when she finds out about them, she feels betrayed. I liked that both Kayana and Graeme are mature enough not to make too big a drama out of the issue. Graeme gives Kayana the space she needs to process what she learned, and Kayana doesn't write off their relationship. I liked the ending and seeing them come back together.
I'm looking forward to the next book in the series and learning more about Leah and Cherie.
The book club aspect was an interesting one. A voracious reader herself, Kayana struck up a conversation with Leah about a book she was reading while dining at the café. Kayana proposed that they get together once a week over the summer to talk about what they are reading. A second customer, Cherie, was also invited to join. All three women have issues in their lives, which color their opinions of the books they read and discuss.
I was a bit put off by one of the women, Cherie, who was somewhat abrasive in her interactions. She was frequently rude and often seemed angry at everything and everyone. Leah also had her moments, especially when dealing with Cherie, leaving Kayana to play peacemaker. Though originally meant just to discuss books, the three women found themselves becoming friends and sharing their personal lives. Leah is married, but not happily, and the mother of grown twin sons. She has stayed in her marriage to provide a stable home for her boys, but living with her husband becomes harder each year. She enjoys the freedom of being on the island and contemplates her future. Cherie is filled with guilt over her affair with a married man, which makes her defensive in many of her conversations, even if they have nothing to do with her personal life. I liked seeing the three women become friends as they shared views on books and life both in general and specifically when it comes to their own situations.
The other part of the book was devoted to Kayana's developing relationship with Graeme. He has come to the island during the summer for a couple of years and was drawn to Kayana from the beginning, though she didn't take any particular notice of him. However, this summer something changes, and Kayana does take note of him. She's not too happy about it as she was burned by her cheating husband and has no intention of getting involved with another man. His betrayal of her trust made her wary of letting another man close. Graeme is a widower of several years who was burned by a spoiled wife. He carries a load of guilt because of the argument he had with her shortly before her death. Besides being a math teacher, he is also a bestselling author, though that part of his life is a well-guarded secret. There are sparks between Kayana and Graeme though Kayana is initially reluctant to acknowledge them. Graeme is more interested but is also patient enough to give Kayana time to get used to the idea. I liked seeing their friendship grow. I loved their cooking lessons, which were fun and relaxing. I enjoyed seeing them grow closer, and the attraction between them becomes stronger. Kayana doesn't look forward to the end of the summer when Graeme will go back to his teaching job. But he hasn't been forthcoming about his plans, and when she finds out about them, she feels betrayed. I liked that both Kayana and Graeme are mature enough not to make too big a drama out of the issue. Graeme gives Kayana the space she needs to process what she learned, and Kayana doesn't write off their relationship. I liked the ending and seeing them come back together.
I'm looking forward to the next book in the series and learning more about Leah and Cherie.
July 12, 2021
I really did not enjoy this book at all.I struggled to finish it in fact.The premise sounded intriguing.It is set on Coates island off North Carolina, where 3 woman join a book club. Kayanna is a local and runs the local cafe along with her brother Derrick. Leah and Cherie are visiting for the summer. The issue with me was that I couldn’t stand any of the characters. The women are so snappy and hostile with each other that I can’t understand why they would voluntarily spend any time together. I normally love a story about women bonding, but these women are so unpleasant and don’t even seem to like each other. The story touches on race issues quite a lot and it comes across as very heavy handed at times.Kayanna is divorced after being married for over 20 years to her cheating spouse. This experience has somehow given her the right to constantly give advice to the other 2 woman.Her preachy ,sanctimonious tone really set my teeth on edge and my God, some of her ideas are so old fashioned. A romance develops between her and visiting teacher Graeme, who is also carrying his own emotional baggage. I don’t understand how or why he puts up with her. Kayanna is prickly and defensive with him, leaping down his throat for no reason. I couldn’t get into their romance at all I am afraid.Kayanna isn’t even that nice to her brother Derrick and always seems to be telling off/passing judgement on him. The authors writing style was not my cup of tea either. She rambles an awful lot and gives so much needless information. The dialogue between characters, especially Kayanna and Graeme seemed stilted and unnatural. Editing is sloppy. Needless to say I will not be reading any more books from this author. Finishing this book became an endurance test for me and sorry there is too many great authors out there to waste time on this
April 7, 2020
You know those movies and tv programs you put on but don’t really pay attention too, but are still nice to have on and distract you from time to time? That’s what this book is, sort of comfortable background noise.
The story revolves around Kayana and Graeme on the little Coates Island. Graeme has had a crush on Kayana and she is unaware and dealing with her divorce. She sets up a book club with two vacationers on the island. Graeme is a silent man who waits his turn to make a move on Kay. I don’t really know how it all happened but all of a sudden they are in love.
The book also starts with some background to Kay’s book club friends, Cherie and Leah, I figured it would be about the 3 women, but it was some twisted love story for Kay and Graeme.
I guess all is well that ends well. But the book was at its best when the book club came together to talk about books and life. The women are opinionated and funny. But you lack their entire backstory to comprehend where they are coming from, nor do their differences get worked out or addressed.
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*
The story revolves around Kayana and Graeme on the little Coates Island. Graeme has had a crush on Kayana and she is unaware and dealing with her divorce. She sets up a book club with two vacationers on the island. Graeme is a silent man who waits his turn to make a move on Kay. I don’t really know how it all happened but all of a sudden they are in love.
The book also starts with some background to Kay’s book club friends, Cherie and Leah, I figured it would be about the 3 women, but it was some twisted love story for Kay and Graeme.
I guess all is well that ends well. But the book was at its best when the book club came together to talk about books and life. The women are opinionated and funny. But you lack their entire backstory to comprehend where they are coming from, nor do their differences get worked out or addressed.
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*
September 7, 2020
I read an Advanced Reader's Edition of this book. I'm hoping all the errors were fixed before the final edition was printed, as they really annoyed me. There are multiple places were short words such as "of" and "to" were missing. There were other errors such as mixing up the names of the members of the book club in one spot. Plus the love interest has a four pound dog that fetches a tennis ball!
The characters of the book club did not have a strong story line. They seemed to fight more often than not. Much was made of their various backgrounds and love lives, but I'm not sure to what end. The romance of Kayana, the main character, takes awhile to get going. Of course there is a stumbling block right near the end of the book. I didn't feel like the sudden ending made sense with everything that had come before it. It was almost like the author hit the minimum number of pages specified in her contract, and then she quickly tied everything up to end the book. I'm not sure I'll read further books in this series.
The characters of the book club did not have a strong story line. They seemed to fight more often than not. Much was made of their various backgrounds and love lives, but I'm not sure to what end. The romance of Kayana, the main character, takes awhile to get going. Of course there is a stumbling block right near the end of the book. I didn't feel like the sudden ending made sense with everything that had come before it. It was almost like the author hit the minimum number of pages specified in her contract, and then she quickly tied everything up to end the book. I'm not sure I'll read further books in this series.
July 16, 2020
I really wanted to like this book—the beach, a book club, cooking, a romance. The characters were defensive and confrontational which I felt was not realistic. And the ending....what? The main character did a 180 in about two pages. What the heck??
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 24, 2023
Oooof I have a lot of thoughts but mainly: this book could’ve used more editing and a clearer direction for the characters.
I thought we’d be getting more interactions between the book club and more viewpoints from the other women. Instead, the two viewpoints given were hard for me to get into, they felt extremely contrived and fake. The wording of several conversations did not feel real to me at all, and the ending seemed like it came out of nowhere. I didn’t think Kayana would change her mind so rapidly, it felt out of character for a woman who was so resolute in everything else. Plus there were still so many miscommunications between her and Graeme that weren’t solved by the end of the book.
I thought this would be a good, chill summer read, but it was a slog to get through.
I thought we’d be getting more interactions between the book club and more viewpoints from the other women. Instead, the two viewpoints given were hard for me to get into, they felt extremely contrived and fake. The wording of several conversations did not feel real to me at all, and the ending seemed like it came out of nowhere. I didn’t think Kayana would change her mind so rapidly, it felt out of character for a woman who was so resolute in everything else. Plus there were still so many miscommunications between her and Graeme that weren’t solved by the end of the book.
I thought this would be a good, chill summer read, but it was a slog to get through.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 27, 2020
This book took me awhile to get into. I found the characters to be rather irritating at times because they were so defensive about the smallest things! I didn’t understand the hostile attitudes from the characters, especially from the book club ladies.⠀
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I did enjoy the book though. It was a quick, easy read that would be nice for the summer season. I also liked how recipes from the story were included at the end of the book. I think readers will enjoy that!⠀
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Overall, it wasn’t my favorite book, but it also was not the worst book that I’ve read. ⠀
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Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced digital copy of this book.
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I did enjoy the book though. It was a quick, easy read that would be nice for the summer season. I also liked how recipes from the story were included at the end of the book. I think readers will enjoy that!⠀
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Overall, it wasn’t my favorite book, but it also was not the worst book that I’ve read. ⠀
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Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced digital copy of this book.
September 10, 2023
This was an appallingly written book - it was a recommended ‘points purchase’ on my kobo. The only thing in its favour was it was quick to skim read whilst I was travelling on trains. I knew it would be a light romantic story but it positively annoyed me. Why do authors think that 45+yrs old women think being ‘winked at’ is knee tremblingly sexy? Why would any self possessing independent woman want to be called ‘babe’ ,lifted out from a SUV or carried up to bed because they were tired? How insulting. As this was no.1 in a compelling series I will ensure that I pass on any subsequent books by this author.
Shelved as 'dnf'
June 13, 2024DNF at pg 73. This book had so much potential but missed the mark. I agree with the other low star reviews in that the dialogue was unnatural at times and honestly the first red flag for me was Kayana, a Black woman, referring to other Black people as “African Americans.” It’s not a big thing but it came off weird. Also I agree that everyone was so snippy with each other unprovoked😟
August 3, 2021
Very enjoyable!! I really liked Kay and learned to like Leah and Cherie. At first I wasn't sure about them, especially Cherie, but by the end she had grown and learned.
Seeing the books they were reading made me decide I wanted to dip into some classics, but I couldn't help but think, "doesn't anybody read Mary Higgins Clark or Mary Kay Andrews?"
Looking forward the next one in the series.
Seeing the books they were reading made me decide I wanted to dip into some classics, but I couldn't help but think, "doesn't anybody read Mary Higgins Clark or Mary Kay Andrews?"
Looking forward the next one in the series.
August 11, 2022
Rounded up from 3.5. A good read, but not one of my favorites by her.
June 30, 2023
3.5 ⭐⭐⭐
September 7, 2022
A person can be warned that someone or something may not good for them, but only when they have to deal with the consequences of their actions does it become a reality.
March 21, 2023
Thanks to Susan M. Boyer and The Lowcountry Bookclub for introducing me to this author. I enjoyed this book. The thing that struck me about this author was she wrote about characters in their 40's and 50's who were happy and living a full life. Some authors write characters in their 60's and are on their last legs. So thanks Rochelle Akers.
February 15, 2021
This is a tough book to rate because I had very mixed feelings. Will put it behind the spoilers and share more.
What I loved:
- Kayana and Graeme are adults in their late 40s/early 50s. They both have had other relationships and experiences in their lives and are coming together as fully formed adults and I love that. No games, they know what they want.
- the love of books - Kayana starts a book club with two other women and also bonds with Graeme over a love of reading. I love when they discussed the books together and got into the topics from the books - racism, revenge, marriage for love or money, etc.
- the friends’ relationship - it wasn’t all smooth sailing for Kayana, Leah and Cherie and I enjoyed seeing them work through the bumpy parts and disagreements.
What I didn’t:
- the pacing of the end of the book. A major conflict happened between Kayana and Graeme at 98% through the book and then a super rushed resolution and ending
- the romance - I just didn’t really ever feel the romantic part build and felt the I love yous kind of came out of nowhere. They built a great friendship and I could see they cared about each other but I wasn’t feeling love.
- the sex scenes were underwhelming. After a long wait there was no passion, everything felt like on fast forward or skimming it.
- there were some old fashioned values shared that I don’t agree with and was a little pulled out of the story each time it came up (staying married for the kids, a pro-adoption message that felt a little anti-abortion to me at one point, some thoughts around masturbation and sex).
This was my first book by Rochelle Alers and like I said I was really enjoying it for most of the book. I will still be reading more of her books for sure but this one left me a little underwhelmed at the end.
What I loved:
- Kayana and Graeme are adults in their late 40s/early 50s. They both have had other relationships and experiences in their lives and are coming together as fully formed adults and I love that. No games, they know what they want.
- the love of books - Kayana starts a book club with two other women and also bonds with Graeme over a love of reading. I love when they discussed the books together and got into the topics from the books - racism, revenge, marriage for love or money, etc.
- the friends’ relationship - it wasn’t all smooth sailing for Kayana, Leah and Cherie and I enjoyed seeing them work through the bumpy parts and disagreements.
What I didn’t:
- the pacing of the end of the book. A major conflict happened between Kayana and Graeme at 98% through the book and then a super rushed resolution and ending
- the romance - I just didn’t really ever feel the romantic part build and felt the I love yous kind of came out of nowhere. They built a great friendship and I could see they cared about each other but I wasn’t feeling love.
- the sex scenes were underwhelming. After a long wait there was no passion, everything felt like on fast forward or skimming it.
- there were some old fashioned values shared that I don’t agree with and was a little pulled out of the story each time it came up (staying married for the kids, a pro-adoption message that felt a little anti-abortion to me at one point, some thoughts around masturbation and sex).
This was my first book by Rochelle Alers and like I said I was really enjoying it for most of the book. I will still be reading more of her books for sure but this one left me a little underwhelmed at the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 28, 2020
This is such a delightful summer time book. The author has created a new series that has every element we love in a summer beach read ,. This is the first book in what we readers hope will be a ongoing long series. This series that has a perfect summer setting, charcters with strong friendships and speaks to the love of books.
We are introduced to The Seaside Cafe on Coates Island, off the coast of North Carolina, The author has a wonderful way of incorporating all the Southern Charm and beauty of the area for her readers. The cafe is popular with the locals and has delicious receipes handed down in the Johnson family. Kayana has moved home to help her brother manage and run the cafe. She is seeking refuge and needs to start her life over. She hopes to spend time reading her beloved books, cooking her Grandmother's receipes and recover . She is friendly and enjoys talking to her customers who she strikes up conversations with . Soon Kayana wants to start a new book club with two women who enjoy sharing their love of books.
Kayana and her new friends soon strike up strong friendships as only women can do. As they share their books they also share their lives. They grow closer and share their secrets , hopes and dreams. Soon each woman is supported by the group and their love of books brings them to a wonderful new friendship . Kayana has a new romance at the same time that does not seem smart or a good fit for her and I imagine she will move on quickly in the next book. There are sex scenes that some may find offensive and are easy enough to skip through as they add nothing to the book.
I loved this book as the perfect summer read that leaves the reader feeling uplifted by the friendships, the books shared and the wonderful setting. I highly recommend this book for your reading enjoyment.
We are introduced to The Seaside Cafe on Coates Island, off the coast of North Carolina, The author has a wonderful way of incorporating all the Southern Charm and beauty of the area for her readers. The cafe is popular with the locals and has delicious receipes handed down in the Johnson family. Kayana has moved home to help her brother manage and run the cafe. She is seeking refuge and needs to start her life over. She hopes to spend time reading her beloved books, cooking her Grandmother's receipes and recover . She is friendly and enjoys talking to her customers who she strikes up conversations with . Soon Kayana wants to start a new book club with two women who enjoy sharing their love of books.
Kayana and her new friends soon strike up strong friendships as only women can do. As they share their books they also share their lives. They grow closer and share their secrets , hopes and dreams. Soon each woman is supported by the group and their love of books brings them to a wonderful new friendship . Kayana has a new romance at the same time that does not seem smart or a good fit for her and I imagine she will move on quickly in the next book. There are sex scenes that some may find offensive and are easy enough to skip through as they add nothing to the book.
I loved this book as the perfect summer read that leaves the reader feeling uplifted by the friendships, the books shared and the wonderful setting. I highly recommend this book for your reading enjoyment.
September 26, 2020
This book was the first hardcover book I won on the giveaways contest (it does work).
Things I loved were the characters, the story, the food ohhhh the food, the setting, and the books. I especially loved the recipes at the end of the book. I also got very in to the book and couldn’t put it down towards the end
So why not 5 stars? Well, the characters all seemed to talk to each other and not really listen, but apparently had this ultimate best friend / intense love connection. I actually felt like there was a big disconnect. They all seemed to snap at / judge each other and oddly think something completely different with great conviction at the same time. It’s hard to explain, but it didn’t work for me. It was almost like a wall they were trying to talk through, but then yet they would act like nothing was wrong. It was weird. I feel like the author should have stuck with just the book club without any romance and developed their characters and conversation towards eachother better.
I also didn’t like the constant repetitive information of
Kayana and Graemes previous marriages and how they feel about each other. It was extremely annoying. Same information was repeated as if the Character just had an epiphany with their thoughts. No, it was already said In detail a page or two ago.
And I honestly didn’t understand why Graeme lied about moving there. He wasn’t omitting the information; he straight up lied to her repeatedly when she told him repeatedly that her deal breakers were cheating and lying. I can get on board barely with the author thing, but not that, because it really didn’t make any sense. You asked her to adopt you (which was so weird), but you can’t say you moved there 🤦♀️🤷♀️?
With that, I would read the next one in the series. I’m curious of the other girls in the book club. And Derrick too.
Things I loved were the characters, the story, the food ohhhh the food, the setting, and the books. I especially loved the recipes at the end of the book. I also got very in to the book and couldn’t put it down towards the end
So why not 5 stars? Well, the characters all seemed to talk to each other and not really listen, but apparently had this ultimate best friend / intense love connection. I actually felt like there was a big disconnect. They all seemed to snap at / judge each other and oddly think something completely different with great conviction at the same time. It’s hard to explain, but it didn’t work for me. It was almost like a wall they were trying to talk through, but then yet they would act like nothing was wrong. It was weird. I feel like the author should have stuck with just the book club without any romance and developed their characters and conversation towards eachother better.
I also didn’t like the constant repetitive information of
Kayana and Graemes previous marriages and how they feel about each other. It was extremely annoying. Same information was repeated as if the Character just had an epiphany with their thoughts. No, it was already said In detail a page or two ago.
And I honestly didn’t understand why Graeme lied about moving there. He wasn’t omitting the information; he straight up lied to her repeatedly when she told him repeatedly that her deal breakers were cheating and lying. I can get on board barely with the author thing, but not that, because it really didn’t make any sense. You asked her to adopt you (which was so weird), but you can’t say you moved there 🤦♀️🤷♀️?
With that, I would read the next one in the series. I’m curious of the other girls in the book club. And Derrick too.
July 14, 2020
This was a fun, cozy read. It's perfect for anyone who loves good food, good books, and good discussions about life, love, and readings. It has the perfect small-town summer vibe while also dealing with real-life issues the various characters have to work through. The primary romance was a sweet, slow-burn and I appreciated that the characters were older. The author did a good job of exploring what romance looks like when you are older and you've gone through more things, compared to first-love/young love romances.
There were only a few smaller issues I had. The first is that the book club characters didn't always seem to like each other--I'll be interested to see how those relationships develop. Then, near the end of the book, the protagonists have sex without a condom without first talking about it. Although the heroine is older and can't pregnant, and neither of them has STDs, it seems like it would be an important thing to discuss BEFORE they get hot and heavy, especially given their past partners and trust issues they are both working through. Likewise, the HEA felt a little rushed, especially in terms of the emphasis on marriage and only being able to share important secrets with a spouse. Given that they've both had difficult first marriages, it would seem like they would need more time getting to know one another and deepening their relationship before diving into marriage.
Still, those are small issues and did not take away from my enjoyment of the overall story. I look forward to reading the rest of the books in the series, especially since I am eager to see how the other characters in this book find their HEAs.
There were only a few smaller issues I had. The first is that the book club characters didn't always seem to like each other--I'll be interested to see how those relationships develop. Then, near the end of the book, the protagonists have sex without a condom without first talking about it. Although the heroine is older and can't pregnant, and neither of them has STDs, it seems like it would be an important thing to discuss BEFORE they get hot and heavy, especially given their past partners and trust issues they are both working through. Likewise, the HEA felt a little rushed, especially in terms of the emphasis on marriage and only being able to share important secrets with a spouse. Given that they've both had difficult first marriages, it would seem like they would need more time getting to know one another and deepening their relationship before diving into marriage.
Still, those are small issues and did not take away from my enjoyment of the overall story. I look forward to reading the rest of the books in the series, especially since I am eager to see how the other characters in this book find their HEAs.
Read
May 22, 2020The Seaside Cafe by Rochelle Alers is the first book in a new series called The Book Club. The Seaside Cafe is located on Coates Island off the North Carolina coast. The main characters are the three women who join together in a book club, however Kayana Johnson is who the book mostly focuses on.
Kayana Johnson is one of the owners and cooks at the Seaside Cafe. She handles the breakfast shift and then preps all the sides for lunch and dinner. She loves reading and since she is two years out of her divorce from her social climbing husband, she has plenty of time. Two of the summer people she meets are also readers and the three of them decide to start a book club reading classics. On top of starting a book club, she also has met a man who interests her, Graeme. He seems to be another summer person, but he seems intent on pursuing her and she is open to interest.
I liked the premise of the book. The cafe and small island sounded like a fun place to vacation. I liked Graeme as a character, but wished he had been more upfront at first. The three women characters both delighted and rankled me which was surprising. I liked two of them as people, but found the outright anger of the third one overdone. I do want to read the other books in this series as I expect their back stories will explain a great deal about why they are so prickly.
The Seaside Cafe by Rochelle Alers was an interesting read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Net Galley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Kayana Johnson is one of the owners and cooks at the Seaside Cafe. She handles the breakfast shift and then preps all the sides for lunch and dinner. She loves reading and since she is two years out of her divorce from her social climbing husband, she has plenty of time. Two of the summer people she meets are also readers and the three of them decide to start a book club reading classics. On top of starting a book club, she also has met a man who interests her, Graeme. He seems to be another summer person, but he seems intent on pursuing her and she is open to interest.
I liked the premise of the book. The cafe and small island sounded like a fun place to vacation. I liked Graeme as a character, but wished he had been more upfront at first. The three women characters both delighted and rankled me which was surprising. I liked two of them as people, but found the outright anger of the third one overdone. I do want to read the other books in this series as I expect their back stories will explain a great deal about why they are so prickly.
The Seaside Cafe by Rochelle Alers was an interesting read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Net Galley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
May 24, 2020
‘ For three decades, the Seaside Café has served delicious meals to locals and island tourists alike. Kayana Johnson has moved home to help her brother run the café—and to nurse her wounds following a deep betrayal. Between cooking favorite recipes—creole chicken with buttermilk waffles, her grandmother’s famous mac and cheese—and spending time reading, Kayana is trying to embrace a life free of entanglements, while staying open to new connections . . .’
I was really excited to read this book as it sounded like my cup of tea. The writing grabbed me into the story from the first pages and it was a very engaging story. Rochelle is easily able to set a scene through her use of descriptive language. Conversations are described in full so you can really grasp a hold of what the characters are trying to express.
I wasn’t able to give this book 5 stars because personally I was a bit out of touch with certain elements of the book. If you’ve read classic novels like Jane Austin’s Pride and Prejudice you probably won’t find this to be an issue however.
The story on the whole is really insightful and does leave you wanting more. Despite not fully connecting with the characters I wanted to read the story and discover what happens. I also found that the ending came too soon and I turned the next page thinking there would be another chapter and was disappointed when I’d reached the end.
All in all a beautifully written book and story and if you love classic novels then I’m sure you’ll love this to!
I was really excited to read this book as it sounded like my cup of tea. The writing grabbed me into the story from the first pages and it was a very engaging story. Rochelle is easily able to set a scene through her use of descriptive language. Conversations are described in full so you can really grasp a hold of what the characters are trying to express.
I wasn’t able to give this book 5 stars because personally I was a bit out of touch with certain elements of the book. If you’ve read classic novels like Jane Austin’s Pride and Prejudice you probably won’t find this to be an issue however.
The story on the whole is really insightful and does leave you wanting more. Despite not fully connecting with the characters I wanted to read the story and discover what happens. I also found that the ending came too soon and I turned the next page thinking there would be another chapter and was disappointed when I’d reached the end.
All in all a beautifully written book and story and if you love classic novels then I’m sure you’ll love this to!
May 17, 2020
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Rochelle Alers is yet another new-to-me author that came to my attention in my conscious effort to diversify my reading and prioritize more authors of color, and I was particularly intrigued by the book club theme for this upcoming release, The Seaside Cafe. The book itself puts equal focus on the second chance romance between Kayana and Graeme, and the book club aspect.
I found Kayana and Graeme’s relationship really sweet, especially since both have dealt with heartbreak in their past. Kayana learning to trust again is a focal point, given the way her ex betrayed her, and I think this was well done.
While the book club starts off as a group of unlikely people coming together, and they do spend as much time bickering as they do talking about their chosen books, I found that aspect really fun, especially as it allowed them insights into each others’ lives. both Leah and Cherie also have woes when it comes to love, so seeing them bond over that is great, and I can’t wait to see how it develops in the next book.
I really enjoyed this one, and look forward to trying more of Alers’ work in the future. I recommend this if you like sweet stories with equal emphasis on romance and friendship.
Rochelle Alers is yet another new-to-me author that came to my attention in my conscious effort to diversify my reading and prioritize more authors of color, and I was particularly intrigued by the book club theme for this upcoming release, The Seaside Cafe. The book itself puts equal focus on the second chance romance between Kayana and Graeme, and the book club aspect.
I found Kayana and Graeme’s relationship really sweet, especially since both have dealt with heartbreak in their past. Kayana learning to trust again is a focal point, given the way her ex betrayed her, and I think this was well done.
While the book club starts off as a group of unlikely people coming together, and they do spend as much time bickering as they do talking about their chosen books, I found that aspect really fun, especially as it allowed them insights into each others’ lives. both Leah and Cherie also have woes when it comes to love, so seeing them bond over that is great, and I can’t wait to see how it develops in the next book.
I really enjoyed this one, and look forward to trying more of Alers’ work in the future. I recommend this if you like sweet stories with equal emphasis on romance and friendship.
May 23, 2020
I received an advanced copy of this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Kayana Johnson has gone home to Coates Island to work in her family’s cafe during the summer season and live a quiet life the rest of the year. After a divorce from a prominent, controlling surgeon, she wants a quiet life that she is in control of. Graeme Ogden, raised in wealth, retired from teaching, and a secret best selling author has purchased a home on Coates Island that he intends to make his permanent home. The two meet, and, well....that’s the meat of the book.
I had high hopes for this book when I began reading it. Summer romances make for quick, enjoyable reads, but this one fell just a bit short. There seemed to be a lot os side characters who didn’t really need to be there, as their storylines kind of petered out. I found a LOT wrong with Kayana & Graeme’s relationship, as they spend kind of a lot of time misunderstanding each other’s meanings. The ending felt really rushed...as in everything was resolved in the final 3 pages, almost as if the author just got tired of writing it. It wasn’t the worst book I’ve read, but also not the best.
Kayana Johnson has gone home to Coates Island to work in her family’s cafe during the summer season and live a quiet life the rest of the year. After a divorce from a prominent, controlling surgeon, she wants a quiet life that she is in control of. Graeme Ogden, raised in wealth, retired from teaching, and a secret best selling author has purchased a home on Coates Island that he intends to make his permanent home. The two meet, and, well....that’s the meat of the book.
I had high hopes for this book when I began reading it. Summer romances make for quick, enjoyable reads, but this one fell just a bit short. There seemed to be a lot os side characters who didn’t really need to be there, as their storylines kind of petered out. I found a LOT wrong with Kayana & Graeme’s relationship, as they spend kind of a lot of time misunderstanding each other’s meanings. The ending felt really rushed...as in everything was resolved in the final 3 pages, almost as if the author just got tired of writing it. It wasn’t the worst book I’ve read, but also not the best.
July 1, 2020
***Was given this Advanced Readers Copy in exchange for an honest opinion by NetGalley***
The Seaside Cafe revolves around a 46 year old woman called Kayana Johnson who has moved back home to Coates Island after divorcing her husband due to him cheating on her with one of their colleagues. She meets 2 women whom have very different personalities to her, which results in their endless bickering when they create a book club and meet every Sunday to discuss the literature. During this particular summer, Kayana meets Graeme Ogden, a bestselling writer who writes under the name Brendan Andersen.
Kayana and Graeme start to spend time together and as predicted they fall in love and at the end of the book, it’s eluded that they are going to get married. It is mentioned just before the end but you don’t get to read about it.. In my opinion, there wasn’t really a storyline here. I struggled to get into it and a lot of the paragraphs are repeated further on in the story, which can be quite frustrating at times.
All of the above is written in my opinion.
The Seaside Cafe revolves around a 46 year old woman called Kayana Johnson who has moved back home to Coates Island after divorcing her husband due to him cheating on her with one of their colleagues. She meets 2 women whom have very different personalities to her, which results in their endless bickering when they create a book club and meet every Sunday to discuss the literature. During this particular summer, Kayana meets Graeme Ogden, a bestselling writer who writes under the name Brendan Andersen.
Kayana and Graeme start to spend time together and as predicted they fall in love and at the end of the book, it’s eluded that they are going to get married. It is mentioned just before the end but you don’t get to read about it.. In my opinion, there wasn’t really a storyline here. I struggled to get into it and a lot of the paragraphs are repeated further on in the story, which can be quite frustrating at times.
All of the above is written in my opinion.
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