The New Beginnings Coffee Shop by Samantha Tonge
Contemporary Romantic Fiction comes in two flavours (at least from my experience); light, fluffy and warms the cockles of the heart, and the kind that makes you think. The latter are usually written by authors that have been around for a while and have taken their time to hone their craft. Now, I could find out for how long Ms Tonge has been an author, but that’s immaterial as within the first couple of chapters, I knew, simply knew, that her was the story that has elevated Ms Tonge’s writing to a new level.
And my reason for this sweeping statement? Strangely enough, it’s from the presence of a secondary character and I couldn’t be more pleased to say that. The main characters, Jenny and Zak separate early on and the main narrative is to do with how Jenny and her daughter April cope with their drastically changed situation. Jenny married Zak early in life, Zak being a millionaire, and had known no life different to her pampered existence, until now. Taken in by local coffee shop owner Noah and, the source of my joy at discovering her, Elle.
Jenny, though at first a little difficult to feel sympathy for and therefore an atypical protagonist in the first place, may be the central person around whom everything centres, but it’s the relationship she forges with Elle that made such an impact on this reader. I’d love to tell you just what it is about her, other than the fact that she’s such a well-written character, but I can’t. Suffice to say, there’s one central thing about her that I simply can’t tell you. Buy the book to find out and you won’t be disappointed.
I never give away anything about the story in my reviews – there are plenty of other reviews around if you want to know more about the story but I can and will say that this is one of the most enjoyable stories I’ve read in a while. There are surprises at virtually each turn of the page, and delightedly, not every storyline is tied up neatly at the end; don’t worry, the book doesn’t suffer for that as that is life, not everything comes with a bow around it.
Do yourself a favour, of all the books that are currently out there, this should be the one that you start to read now. Hit that ‘Buy Now’ type button.
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book.

Before I began reading this new book from Samantha Tonge I had seen someone mention how with this story the author's writing had really been upped a level and everything was going in a more serious direction. I was intrigued to see would I agree with this statement as having read several of her books I know what to usually expect - light, fun, easy reads with some humour and romance thrown in. Now having finished reading The New Beginnings Coffee Club (don't worry this is not another one of those club/shop/group books) I completely agree that Samantha's writing has certainly shifted to a new level and the overall storyline was really relevant to our times today. I liked the serious undertones coming through with good, strong messages for the reader to take from the story. Yes it is a departure for the author but in a really good way. Don't get me wrong I enjoyed her earlier stories and not to detract from them in any way but sometimes you need that change of direction to keep the writing fresh and the readers wanting to come back to your books time and time again. With this story Samantha will earn lots of new readers and pleasantly surprise those who have followed her work since her début Doubting Abbey was published in 2013.

The New Beginnings Coffee Club is a story of a journey, a transformation, of battling through the rough and unexpected times and with the help, support and care of others our main character may begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I really enjoyed accompanying our main character Jenny Jarvis as she embarks upon a new start in life. Although she may have thought her warm, cushy world was forever it's when we least expect things to change that they do through unfortunate, unforgiving circumstances and perhaps at the time the most soul destroying of ways.

We meet Jenny in a brief prologue as she reminisces about her childhood. She thought back then if she ever has a child she wants to be a mum just like her own mother - baking, crafting and creating wonderful memories for her child to savour. Fast forward many years later and Jenny is 32 and happily married to a handsome high flyer Zachary Masters. The couple have a daughter April aged ten who is on the cusp of that tween phase where celebrity and peer pressure play such an influential role on their later teenage years. The references throughout the story to the Kardashians and celeb culture were spot on. I loved how the author had a point to put across as to how celebrity is becoming like a modern religion and not in a good way so much so that the influence and remarks of April's friends play a huge part in the way she is feeling and the persona she puts across. Food, calories, makeup and hair trends seemed to be such an obsession for the young girls. This issue wasn't too in your face but well meshed with the overall storyline amongst all the other little plot lines. If it had been a very dominant theme I think it would have strayed too far with what we have known Samantha to write before. Yes the book ventured down new writing avenues for the author but not too much too soon.

Jenny enjoys a very nice life with Zach - his business Elite Eleganz has afforded the family a life of privilege and luxury. April attends a fee paying school where competition to be the best is rife amongst the girls. Jenny can buy anything she wants and thinks she is in the 'in club ' with fellow mum Chanelle who owns a nail salon. Things really couldn't be better for Jenny. The author did a brilliant job of painting such a picture of a wonderful life for a loving and happy family that when it all comes crashing down your heart instantly goes out to Jenny. Even in the beginning I never felt Jenny herself had come across as truly spoilt but I could see when everything disappears she has a battle on her hands to re- accustom herself to a 'normal life'. Jenny thinks a lovely romantic meal is in store for her when she goes out with Zach but he turns up late, a fight ensues and the truth finally emerges and it's not what Jenny ever thought she would hear. This was such a brutal uncessary putdown from Zach.'Oh Jenny .... you're just a housewife. And it's not enough anymore'. My picture of Zach as this hunk who works hard and earns plenty of money disappeared and for the rest of the book I disliked him intensely. All Jenny's safe, secure world comes crashing down and she is out on her ear and someone she thought quite close to her is in her place.

Lack of money becomes a huge issue but maybe really this is the wake up call Jenny needed to create a better life for herself and April. The only trouble is having had so much how can she cope with so little? 'Bit by bit my perfect life was crumbling - jagged chunks of it smashing through my ignorance'. Jenny now can't fall apart as April really needs her. I could sense that's what she wanted to do but she desperately needed to find some inner strength to keep moving forward and put the past behind her and forge a new and happy future. Although I did think she was quite down on herself believing she had always been handed everything and now wasn't capable of achieving anything on her own.

Before starting the book I did think it could be about a group of women forming a coffee club where all their woes and ups and downs were discussed. Thankfully this couldn't have been further from the truth. The coffee club in question is a café run by Noah with the help of Elle. It's unique and special as Noah puts so much time and effort into sourcing so many various flavours of coffee beans in a bid to attract as many customers as possible into such a warm and inviting place. Noah was an instantly likeable character, I think he felt a certain affinity with Jenny and wanted to reach out and help her. His advice was so sound and useful. I did think though offering her a job and a place to stay with April was quite rushed but it could just be do with his kind nature. I sensed Noah had been through a lot and having been so wanted to help others in need. These simple brilliant words are just what Jenny needed to hear 'Just be true to yourself. Listen to your heart. The rest will follow. Everyone has problems. You aren't alone'. As Jenny battles to adjust to a whole new way of life she also has to contend with Zach still in her life after all he is Jenny's father but also April has her own little issues. April was such a sweet character and brought plenty of humour to the story but also spoke a lot of sense for someone so young. The wishes she requested were magical and such a nice touch to the story.

The story moved along at a nice pace once Jenny gets the job and we get to know Elle and Noah that little bit better too. I enjoyed seeing how Jenny slowly became more confident as she found her feet and became more independent. Yet it wasn't all plain sailing and therefore very much reflective of life especially after a break up. There were a few twists and turns throw in towards the end of the book and a few dramatic scenes. A surprising revelation I would never have seen coming in a million years but bravo Samantha Tonge for including this subject and handling it with such sensitivity.

The New Beginnings Coffee Club is well worth a read. I flew through it in two sittings and I found both its themes and characters really resonated with me. This is a warm, inviting book with characters you won't want to leave behind. I so thoroughly enjoyed Jenny's path to finding her inner voice and searching for a positive, hopeful future. Does Jenny get a happy ending or will there be a few spanners thrown in the works? Pick up this delightful book to discover the answers for yourself.

I have literally fallen in love with this story, I'm pretty sure my review is not going to do it justice as there are simple just not enough words to describe how this book made me feel and how truly wonderful it was from start to finish.

Right from the start, I was drawn into the story, it was a real page turner & there was always something happening, going on, whether it be with the main characters or the other characters. Such a wonderful story of friendship, kindness, supporting each other & fighting for what you believe in.

This was is the second book I've read of this author and I'm now on a mission to read all her other books. A truly delightful author, her books are heartwarming, emotional and deal with real life issues that life can throw at us all in today's world. Plus I learnt quite a bit about coffee beans, who'd have thought there was so many different kinds :-).

Yet another fabulous book by Samantha Tonge, A fun easy read that was just lovely. A 5/5

5☆  Fabulous Read, Heart warming, captures true essence of Friendship

The new beginnings Coffee shop, is exactly that. It's a charming story of friendship, love and new beginnings.

There is so much I want to say about this book. One being..... How much I LOVED it!

So I urge you all to read, to discover the beautiful story within!

Samantha has written a beautiful piece of writing.

I fell in love with Noah and Elle in particular and really warmed to their friendly, endearing, at times mysterious, welcoming, kind nature. I felt like I had become one of their friends. That's how well there characters were thought out and developed.

Jenny was one of the main characters. When her husband Zak dropped a bombshell on her she knew her life was about to change possibly forever!

For me I didn't like Jenny to begin with, I found her attitude to life very spoilt.
However come the middle of the book my opinion of her completely changed.
I warmed to her strength and determination, the need to make her daughter April's life as pain free and easy as possible.
The touching moments between Jenny and April melted my heart.

The biggest change was April. From her lavish lifestyle she adapted.
Proving how resilient she was to change. Her zest for the outdoors and life was so refreshing.
She had the biggest heart. I just wanted to give her a big hug! She was far more grown up then her parents believed.
I also loved her beautiful friendship with Tom!
 April was one if my favourite characters.

For me I disliked Zak the whole way through. He is arrogant. Does he redeem himself, that is something you will have to discover!

 There was some great unexpected twists which were written with grace and compassion. I loved the chemistry between the characters and the need to support each other was touching!

Overall a beautiful and at times emotional journey.
Samantha captured the true essence of friendship and kindness.
I felt like I was a part of the Coffee Club and I didn't want it to end.
I was enthralled and blown away.

I urge everyone to read this gem of a book.
It truly is a beautiful piece of writing.

What an unusual book! Sam has taken her writing to a whole new level. There are many, many books about broken relationships and people moving to a new (usually pretty seaside) place and starting over.

This book is wonderful because Jenny starts over in her own village. She doesn't move away, there is no miraculous inheritance for her. She starts with nothing and she and her lovely daughter, April, adapt to life with nothing. Noah and Elle are lovely people and you really warm to them as they accept Jenny, no questions asked.

This book proves that money isn't everything and the simple pleasures of life should be enjoyed!

I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A lovely light read that has some serious points to make about peer pressure and the pitfalls of our consumerist, celebrity obsessed society. I enjoyed the mentions of various books (although it was interesting that mainly YA books were used - I really don't find it believable that a grown man would have read Twilight and Fault in our Stars I'm afraid!) and the descriptions of side characters in the village were well thought out. An enjoyable, happy story.

The New Beginnings Coffee Club may look, and sound like a chick-lit book, but this book goes much deeper and has you far more emotionally involved than a chick-lit book does.

The characters are all realistic and each has their own story to tell. Jenny is one resilient young woman. Her world may of come crashing down on her, but she gathered the strength to pick herself up, face her fears, and move on. Imagine after being married to a millionaire, attending fancy parties, having a cook and a cleaner, and being part of an exclusive club, having to go back to basics and work in a coffee shop!

It’s not just about Jenny though, it’s also about April, her daughter, Noah, Elle, and the coffee shop customers, who all have their own stories to share. The cafe is a place where people who have been through a tough time can come in, grab a brew, and feel the love.

At times the emotions ran high, and I felt myself getting pulled into a story of friendship and kindness, and how being there for one another really helps people cope with problems in their lives.

A feel good book, set in an idyllic little village, that gives you pure escapism. It’s a wonderful, beautiful read with a few surprises along the way to keep you on your toes.

The perfect summer read, that won’t let you down.

The New Beginnings Coffee Club is a wonderful heartwarming story. It follows Jenny, used to being the wife of a wealthy man and living a life of luxury with their daughter April, her world comes crashing down around her and she must learn to stand on her own two feet, get a job and provide a stable home for her daughter April. Taken in by Noah and Elle and offered a job and home at the Coffee Club, she slowly begins to turn her life around.

This book is beautifully written and the characters are fabulous. The story covers a number of issues and ultimately has a great ending.

I've always been a fan of Samantha Tonge's books and this is no exception. Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins UK and Samantha Tonge for the chance to review.

Zak Masters is the head of the fashion house, Elite Eleganz. His wife, Jenny, has a good life married to a millionaire, and living in a lovely home with their precious 10-year-old daughter, April. Jenny wears beautiful clothes, jewelry, shoes, and can afford to belong to spas and such. April attends a private school with the children of some of their rich friends.

One evening, Zak tells Jenny he wants to go out for a special dinner as he wants to discuss something with her. She had been thinking of talking to him about her finishing college in fashion design. But when Zak confesses that the business is bankrupt, plus Zak and their rich friend, Chanelle, are together, she is shocked. He tells her that their lovely home will have to be sold too.

Jenny decides that she will look for a job and is hired by Noah and Elle who run the popular coffee shop in town called The Coffee Club. As Jenny has been used to being just a customer, it is hard to think of herself as an employee. But she is determined to learn and try to ignore the looks and gossip from her former friends. Jenny soon learns that Chanelle plans on moving into her home, so Noah and Elle agree to let Jenny and April move into their loft above the coffee shop where Jenny and April can share a room. In addition, Jenny moves April from the expensive private school to a local school. These changes are difficult for April to accept but she tries hard and Jenny finds ways to help reward her for her cooperation.

But Zak continues to try and throw roadblocks to thwart any plans Jenny has for April. He wants to keep her in the private school and wants her to live with him and Chanelle. He keeps threatening to take her to court.

Jenny settles in with her new friends, Noah and Elle, who are so helpful and kind to both she and April. As they get to know one another better, they all open up and share their lives.

Will Jenny be able to keep April and raise her or will Zak do as he threatens and take her away?

This is a very involved story that tugs at the heart strings and shows how people can come together and form close friendships as they help one another. I don’t wish to add any more teasers because they could easily turn into spoilers.

I enjoyed the story very much but found the grammar to be atrocious. “Me and Zak, Me and her, etc.” shows the need for a good editor to be brought in. Thus, I gave the book 4 stars instead of 5 stars.

Copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

THE NEW BEGINNINGS COFFEE CLUB by Samantha Tonge is one of the freshest, captivating, and inspiring contemporary fiction novels that I have read in a very long time. I don't know how I haven't read anything from this author before, but that is something I am definitely going to rectify as I embark on another bookish shopping spree - don't tell anyone!!

The characters are so full of depth and emotion that you cannot help but get really attached to them as their lives unfold before us on the page. The pace is perfect with just enough humour, heartbreak, and self-discovery to carry you along its excellent journey from beginning to end.

When Jenny's picture perfect world implodes, she is really forced to look at herself, who she had become, and the kind of role model she wanted to be for her very impressionable ten-year-old daughter. Finding unexpected kindness and compassion from Noah and Elle, who run the local coffee shop, she soon finds friendship, confidence, and a place to clear her head.

As the story continues, we watch as Jenny, Noah, Elle, April, and others are forced to look at who they are and what they want from life, with many surprises along the way that will really burrow into your heart and take root there.

THE NEW BEGINNINGS COFFEE CLUB by Samantha Tonge is such a beautiful story of friendship, love, honesty, and embracing the person you are meant to be in this world. This novel is absolutely breathtaking and one that all fiction fans should read.

When Jenny finds herself having to carve out a new life for her and her daughter following a shocking discovery about her marriage, things feel very tough and scary. Her husband was a very wealthy man and she'd got used the to the trappings of success.
She has to try and get her little girl to adapt to life with no luxuries, hoping to instil in her the lovely childhood values that she herself enjoyed.
April finds it a little tough to adjust- but we see her life begin to relax into a much calmer, happier and healthier lifestyle. I loved the wishes that she came up with and how her mum managed to make these days into mini life experiences for her.
The Coffee Club where she finds work and lodging sounds a wonderful place to spend time and Noah and Elle the perfect friends to help rebuild your life and confidence. The strong sense of friendships run through the book and is really heartwarming. I loved the customers and hearing about the villagers and was quite sad to say goodbye. There are some amusing exchanges and also characters who give you belief in humanity. Samantha's books always transport you to an idyllic place- feeling warm and cosy getting to know new friends and settling down in wonderful locations. I was quite happy to settle down for a few hours with a great book and a lovely cup of coffee and just lose myself completely.

I loved this book you really get drawn into the characters lives and go through all the ups and downs of their journey with them. It is also thought provoking as to why do we have to do and wear certain things who decides what is correct and also it makes you think of the pressures put on people to make them conform. I highly recommend this book to all my reader friends

I'm a bit of a coffee addict so as soon as I saw the title for Samantha Tonge's latest book I just couldn't resist requesting it!

The authors warm writing style shone through right from the start as I was embraced by comfortable characters and easy to visualise scenes. I loved the idea of the coffee club and couldn't wait to delve deeper into that side of the storyline.

Jenny seemed to have the perfect life until a life-changing revelation brought it all crashing down around her. There were some difficult scenes that followed and I couldn't help but feel sad for Jenny and her daughter. The author captured the complexities of Jenny's life beautifully, the after-effects of the devastating event were described in vivid detail and left me feeling quite emotional.

As her life moved forward I enjoyed seeing how she dealt with each obstacle she came across. The coffee shop felt like the perfect safe haven for someone who had reached a crossroads and needed time to collect their thoughts.

I would have liked to have read a bit more about the coffee club itself and also its members, it was one of the things that attracted me to this book so I was a little disappointed.

As the title suggests, this was a warm tale of new beginnings. A charming read, perfect for curling up on the sofa with a nice cuppa!

I found ‘The New Beginnings Coffee Club’ to be an enjoyable read both light and with depth if that makes sense. It starts with the seemingly perfect marriage of Jenny and Zachary who have everything in the conventional sense but it all falls apart when he reveals a secret she couldn’t have imagined in her worst nightmares. Jenny is left having to put her life back together with her daughter April and it’s not easy. Noah and Elle offer her a job in the village coffee shop and it’s the beginning of a rocky road to a new version of happy. Noah and Elle both have their own problems, one I guessed from the beginning but the other not so. The author takes deep, modern issues and tackles them admirably without becoming in any way preachy. Definitely worth reading.

Thanks to Net Galley and HQ Digital for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

I liked this book a lot. On a personal level it spoke to me and I could associate with Jenny, the main character. The writing was good.

All in all, I liked the friendships, the small town community and how they stuck together to help each other.

Thank you, Samantha Tonge, for writing about strong women, great friendships and how it is important to take your life into your own hands.

https://jennyobrienwriter.wordpress.com And have been in touch with writer on SM x

This was an enjoyable read. A lovely story of reinvention. The narrative drags on at times and some characters are more like caricatures (very one dimensional) but it flows well.

I haven't read many books by Samantha Tonge, and was delighted to have the chance to read and review this latest story. I wasn't sure what to expect from the title, but found a really gripping story of betrayal and, most of all, self discovery within its covers.



The main characters in the story are Jenny Masters and her 10-year-old daughter, April. Jenny's dream-world existence with wealthy husband Zak suddenly comes to an end she had not foreseen, and she and April have to adjust to a new life style. Jenny is not used to having to find her own way in the world, but, incredibly, finds a new home and a job at the village coffee shop, the Coffee Club, working and living with owner Noah and friend Elle. Their new life teaches Jenny and April much about themselves and also about the kindness found in others. Many other village inhabitants also feature in the story, giving some added humour and also a reflection of the strong community spirit often found in village life.



I really liked Jenny. She doesn't mess about feeling sorry for herself when disaster strikes. She just knuckles down and gets on with her life, putting her daughter's interests and happiness above all else while also making a path for herself. I greatly admired Noah for offering a home and a paid job to a person he barely knew. There was obviously more to him than was immediately apparent. It was really fascinating peeling back the layers of both Noah and Elle to uncover what was going on beneath the surface.



I very much enjoyed this book. It was an easy read, and I found myself quite engrossed in the story, eager to discover what was going to be revealed. Indeed, it is the kind of story that could pull you in and make you lose track of time - perfect for a holiday read.

This is definitely the book that has taken Samantha Tonge's writing to a new level. I've always enjoyed the books she has written, but there are subjects discussed in this story that make me feel as though she has moved up a gear, providing some fascinating storylines.

Its a story of self discovery, or at least rediscovering who you truly are. Jenny great up in a regular family, and then while very young married Zachary who is a millionaire. She embraced the wealthy lifestyle to the fullest, along with her their daughter April who is 10.

When Zachary blows their marriage apart and reveals his web of lies, Jenny suddenly has to rethink all of her priorities in life, and even manages in her early thirties to get her first job, in a coffee shop. She and April also move into the accommodation above the shop, and are now living with Noah and Elle, who work there too.

Noah and Elle both have secrets, one of them I guessed reasonably early on, and the other triggers my favourite storyline in the book, which tackles an issue that very relevant in today's society and that I haven't really seen in books before. However I'm not saying else on the subject of secrets as I don't want you to be potentially prejudiced towards any characters before you start reading.

What I also loved was seeing April, turn from a Kardashian loving, fashionista sort of a pre-teen into into a far more regular 10 year old child. She never ceased to amaze me, and I loved the creative ways that Jenny came up with dealing with what a cynic could say was April's bribe list for being happier at the new school!

If you are a fan of coffee then you will love Noah's love of the drink, he is very into all of his coffee varieties and as a non drinker, I couldn't help but be surprised at just how much flavour variation there really is in coffee beans from various parts of the world.

The Coffee Shop of New Beginnings is clearly a well researched book, that I didn't put down and just thoroughly enjoyed reading. I loved the various characters, apart from Jenny's soon to be very ex husband, while also enjoying the village they live in and the various customers in the shop. I can't help but wonder if there could be more books set in the village, as I would love to know more about various of the secondary characters.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and HQ Digital for this copy of the book which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.