Reviewed by Emma Crowley
Can a cake change your life?
Clemmie Rose’s great-great-grandmother’s beloved clementine torte is her ticket to the prestigious Royal Baking Competition. A win could put Puffin Island’s charming Café on the Coast on the map, land Clemmie her very own cookbook deal, and secure her a coveted invitation to a royal garden party.
But when she discovers the competition is being hosted aboard the Royal Yacht by none other than her ex, Oliver Lockwood, the stakes – and the soufflés –suddenly rise, and Clemmie’s bid for the Golden Whisk trophy is at risk of collapsing like an underbaked sponge.
When a decades-old secret is thrown into the mix, she’ll need more than the perfect recipe to keep her dreams from crumbling.
Many thanks to Harper Collins UK (One More Chapter) via NetGalley for my copy of The Café on the Coast to review and to Sharon for having my review on the blog.
The Café on the Coast, the newest book in the Puffin Island series by Christie Barlow was the book I chose to finish off my 2025 reading year. This is book four in the series and I am slowly coming to love this series just as much as Christie’s previous series, Love Heart Lane, which will always hold a special place in my heart. Don't worry if you are new to these set of books as they can be read as standalone stories and in any order. Characters from previous books do make an appearance but nothing is given away that may ruin your future reading experiences. I really enjoy spotting new characters or shops or locations that I think may feature in future books. It keeps the reader guessing as to what is to come in the future whilst at the same time deeply enjoying the current read which this time around focuses on Clemmie and the café she runs with her grandmother Betty on Puffin Island.
I always love whatever Christie writes and this book is no exception. Within the first few chapters you feel instantly feel right at home and at ease. There is nothing better than snuggling up on the couch and being whisked away to the island and reconnecting with its residents. One thing I will say and I’ll get it out of the way early on in this review is that the royal family features heavily throughout the book. Of course, it’s a made up Queen and royal setting so once you get the image of Queen Elizabeth out of your head you’ll find yourself getting on better with this aspect of the storyline. Yes, there is an awful lot where the reader has to suspend their disbelief because in reality Clemmie would never get the access she did or become so closely embroiled in a historical secret but to be honest I didn’t mind this too much and just enjoyed the story for what it was and admired Christie for doing something a little different. The blend of history, mystery, present day and romance was in my mind just perfect. A very brief prologue which I won’t divulge any details of for fear of giving anything away gives the reader plenty to ponder and question. I felt I could read between the lines as to how it would connect to the island in the present day but saying that I could have been completely wrong. It turns out I had elements correct but never could have guessed as to the eventual outcome. It was surprising and touching in equal measure.
In the present day, a funny opening scene involving Clemmie, a cake and a puffin will bring a smile to your face and further on a similar incident will occur. Those puffins sure can get up to mischief and take on almost human like qualities. Clemmie adores working in the café which was first established by her great great grandmother Beatrice. Clemmie is a hard worker, driven, full of love and creativity and she was so proud of her heritage and the life she leads on the island. The island itself accessed by a tidal causeway is like a safe haven for people and the sense of community, camaraderie and coming together when needed is evident with every turn of the page. Just like the village of Heartcross in the Love Heart Lane series you wish it was real and that you could visit taking in the stunning views and visiting all the shops etc.
Clemmie receives exciting news that someone has nominated her for the Royal Baking Competition which is held annually. The winner will have their bake served at the royal garden party and a cookbook published. Clemmie can’t believe her luck and wonders who could have nominated her? But she is eager to take on the challenge and will bake Beatrice’s famous chocolate orange torte. The torte represents the spirit of connection, community, friends and love that have existed on the island for so many years. Clemmie is determined to do her best she feels the story behind the recipe needs to be told and Beatrice’s memory and all that she did deserves to be brought into the limelight. I did think the competition would form the plot of the remainder of the book so I thought it was brilliant that by around the midway point the competition was done and dusted and therefore it allowed the romance element of the story to come much more to the fore and also the mystery/historical aspect of which I was constantly trying to piece the clues and bits and pieces together. The run up to the competition onboard the royal yacht moored off the coast of Puffin Island and the details of the competition were brilliant. There was lots of drama and excitement. None more so than when Clemmie discovers the presenter of the competition is none other than food journalist Oliver.
Initially, I didn’t like Oliver at all. I felt he was going to come across as being obnoxious and brash and just full of himself. But over time all that changed and I could see he had a good heart and a kind nature but he could also turn on the charm and bravado when needed for the cameras. He was married to his work and dallied in fleeting relationships but the good aspects of his character quickly became apparent. Clemmie and Oliver share a history although a very brief one, a week to be exact but they were seven days full of magic and wonderful experiences. Despite only being with each other for a week Clemmie taught Oliver what real happiness was like. It’s three years since they have laid eyes on one another when Clemmie came back from London leaving Oliver to travel the world. She is rooted to the island and from her mannerisms, thoughts and feelings she always expresses this and I don’t think it was ever going to change and why should it? Just for a man? Why couldn’t he change an aspect of his life? The sexual chemistry between the pair is off the charts and the things Oliver does for Clemmie are out of this world and something from a fairytale. Admittedly he does have very good connections, but he uses them wisely and with great care and attention creating a perfect little world for Clemmie which can’t last really as there is Fiona lurking in the corner plus the fact that Oliver loves his job and all the places it takes him too. Settling on an island is not for him.
Fiona is an influencer specialising in baking and she has her own shop. She is very connected to Oliver and she is also taking part in the competition. Fiona was horrible, rude, arrogant and would do anything to come out on top no matter the consequences or who she trampled on in the process. She was determined to make life very challenging for Clemmie and even in the later half she had several cruel blows to impact. I couldn’t stand her and admired how Clemmie rose above all that Fiona was trying to do. As previously mentioned the competition takes up the first half of the book, the results of which I won’t reveal and then aspects of the past start to make themselves known with the numbers 1705 popping up again and again. Subtle clues as to the origins of this were dropped in throughout the book but I didn’t grasp them at the time which upon the reveal I was kicking myself as it was so cleverly done and brings Clemmie and Beatrice’s story full circle.
I loved watching Clemmie’s story unfold and that her friends were there for her every step of the way offering comfort and advice when needed but also cheering her on as she took on the competition. I constantly wondered would thinks work out between herself and Oliver? There seemed to be no apparent way that a resolution could be found despite the fact that anyone could see they were head over heels for each other. As I raced through the final chapters Christie certainly still had plenty in store for the reader and everything was revealed and explored throughout at just the right time.
The Cafe on the Coast is another excellent instalment in the Puffin Island series and I am just so grateful that Christie writes so quickly as I can’t get enough of her books. There are another two books to come in 2026 the first being No.17 Curiosity Lane which publishes in February which I am already eagerly looking forward to. Meanwhile do yourself a favour and make sure you read The Café on the Coast especially as we have New Years coming up allowing you plenty of time to get lost in the wonderful story that awaits you between the pages.
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