Christmas has never been Katie Seddon’s favourite time of year. Whilst everyone else shares memories of families coming together and festive number ones, the soundtrack to Katie’s childhood wasn’t quite so merry.
But since she moved to the village of Budbury on the gorgeous Dorset coast, Katie and her baby son have found a new family. A family who have been brought together by life’s unexpected roads and the healing magic of a slice of cake and a cupful of kindess at the Comfort Food Café.
This year, Katie’s new friends are determined to give her a Christmas to remember, and with a gorgeous newcomer in town, Katie’s Christmas wish for a happy home for her son might just come true.
Many thanks to Harper Collins UK via NetGalley for my copy of A gift from the Comfort Food Café to review and to Sharon for having my review on the blog.
A Gift from the Comfort Food Café is the fifth in the Comfort Food Café series by Debbie Johnson. Each book is easily read as a stand alone but in my opinion it would be advisable to start right from book one simply because this is such a gorgeous series that you won't want to miss out on any of these wonderful stories. There has never been a book centred around the café and the small village of Budbury that I haven't enjoyed. In fact my love for these books grows even stronger each time I return to a set of characters that are unique, friendly, supportive and loveable and who always extend the hand of friendship at every given opportunity.
Time and time again Debbie Johnson creates a warm and inviting atmosphere although which ever character the book focuses on is not without their troubles. That's what makes the people we meet easy to relate to and to identify with. That they are simply human like the rest of us and go through troubles and strife’s on a daily basis with some laughter and fun times thrown in for good measure. The café that perches on the cliff top overlooking the sea is like a beacon that calls people who need a helping hand or words of advice. Eccentric owner Cherie Moon is like the grandmother figure we would all love to have. She has created a family unit who although they may not be related by blood they are as close as any family could be. Accompanied by manager Laura - herself the focus of book one – Cherie and her team embrace everybody in this glorious series that continues to go from strength to strength.
Each book centres around a character who may have been hovering around in the background previously but now it is their time to step into the spotlight and share their story. At the same all the residents of Budbury that we have come to know and love appear again. I love that characters are never forgotten about, that they have prominence when needed and can step back a little when it is the turn for us to get to know someone new. This time the focus is on Katie Seddon and her young son Saul, who is always such a bundle of energy and exuberance and who steals so many scenes providing laugh out loud moments.
Katie is a single mother whose own childhood has had a deep affect on the way she lives her life today. There was an intensive and detailed opening chapter which was necessary as it allowed us to understand Katie's mentality from the off and why she acted the way she did. It was interesting and provided food for thought and the reader instantly wonders will Katie's barriers be easily broken down? She always tries to do her best for her son working in the local pharmacy whilst the Comfort Food Café crew all join to care to care for Saul. Christmas has never been Katie's favourite time of year and this Christmas is no different. She will do her bit for Saul but she rather wishes it was all just brushed under the carpet and that they could press fast forward to New Year. But Cherie,Laura and all the people I have come to know so well don't want that to happen for Katie and they are determined to give her a Christmas to remember.
Poor Katie, she really was a lovely girl and one to be admired for all that she does for her son but having so many memories in her life ruined by arguments and battles between her parents have left deep scars. So much so that she is afraid of commitment for fear of getting hurt herself, she doesn't want the life for Saul that she had herself. So she believes staying single and not engaging too much with others will prevent hurt and pain invading her life once again. I felt she really kept herself on the outskirts of the little community that was build up within the café. Yes she may have gone there to collect Saul and to indulge in some of the mouthwatering treats on offer, be warned you will want something tasty and full of sugar to hand whilst reading this book, but she never fully let go and enjoyed herself. Her guard was always up and the outer shell of protection she has created and which she believes to be necessary was very hard to crack. I really wanted her just to let go and embrace what Budbury had to offer.
The café offers conversation, reassurance and a warm welcome but given Katie's nature and her determination to stay as quite as possible so people won't notice her I questioned would she be the person for whom the magic of the café just didn't work. I'm not saying Katie was all bad in that she never interacted with anyone, of course she did but similar to some of us she prefers solitude and it's the defence mechanism she has built up for herself. On the other hand there was a kind and caring side to Katie that although she was reluctant to show it did emerge at various times. In particular when it came to Edie May and an incident that could have turned out an awful lot worse. Katie became a confidant for Laura who has an unexpected but the most wonderful of secrets. Certainly a smile came to my face with this particular storyline.
Things start to change for Katie as I felt events outside of her comfort zone started to take over and although Cherie may meddle in things it always done with such a good heart and in a respectful way, Katie was really presented with no other option other than to let go and allow love and friendship into her life. But can she do that or have the memories of the past done too much damage to ever recover from and move forward in her life? I really wanted Katie to get more confidence and realise that people genuinely wanted to help and that she is not a burden on anyone but I understand that when you are independent and have chosen to be that way for so long it can be hard to step out of the comfort zone you have built around you and to reach out and share the burden with others.
Although life has taught Katie not to believe in herself as much as others do the little glimmer of love and affection that emerged between herself and a member of the opposite sex was so lovely to see. I knew what I wanted to happen but I felt a lot of water needed to flow under the bridge before Katie could give in to feelings she has kept at bay for so long. Unless the issues that were present in her past can be resolved and she understands things aren't all her fault than there would be no way forward for her despite the efforts of Cherie and co. As Christmas draws nearer and Katie finds the changes around her very challenging the reader enjoys all the mentions of the festivities and celebrations and it reminds us that this time of year is one to be enjoyed and shared with those we love. I always had the question would this all be too much for Katie or was there something or someone which would allow her to see the light, to take the risk and to try and be happy?
A Gift from the Comfort Food Café was another delightful read which I loved from beginning to end. Katie's story was interesting and emotive and I believe many people will identify with her in one small way or another. This really is a series that I don't want to end and I was delighted to see that in March we will return to Budbury in A Wedding at the Comfort Food Café. That title alone has piqued my interest but in the meantime do read this wonderful and heart-warming story it will do you good to do so.
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