TLC Book Tour: The Cafe By the Sea

The Cafe by the Sea by Jenny Colgan was my first experience with this author. It certainly will not be my last.

Summary taken from Amazon:

The beloved author of The Bookshop on the Corner returns with a sparkling, sunny, soulful new novel perfect for fans of Elin Hilderbrand.

Years ago, Flora fled the quiet Scottish island where she grew up -- and she hasn't looked back. What would she have done on Mure? It's a place where everyone has known her all her life, where no one will let her forget the past. In bright, bustling London, she can be anonymous, ambitious... and hopelessly in love with her boss.

But when fate brings Flora back to the island, she's suddenly swept once more into life with her brothers (all strapping, loud and seemingly incapable of basic housework) and her father. Yet even amid the chaos of their reunion, Flora discovers a passion for cooking -- and finds herself restoring dusty little pink-fronted shop on the harbour: a café by the sea.

But with the seasons changing, Flora must come to terms with past mistakes... and work out exactly where her future lies...

Funny and heartfelt, The Café by the Sea is a delightful summertime novel that puts a modern twist on the classic Seven Brides for Seven Brothers story. 

My Thoughts:

I loved the Scottish setting of this novel. Colgan's story resonated with me because small towns the world over are struggling to survive as more people move to cities where there are different opportunities. Despite the fact that this novel is set in a foreign country, I think the story will be familiar to many readers.   

Colgan's novel is easy to read, easy to get into and enjoyable.  I appreciate a book that is just a pleasant reading experience, and The Cafe by the Sea provided this over the weekend as I relaxed in a lawn chair to enjoy it.  Colgan's descriptions of Scotland are lovely, and despite the fact that the weather seems harsh, sounds like a beautiful place to visit.

Thanks to TLC Book Tours for providing a copy of this book for my review.  All opinions expressed are, as always, my own.

Visit the HarperCollins website to find out more about this book.