Camilla needs to start again.

The Cosy Little Cupcake Van is an absolute delight but should come with a warning. Whatever you do, don’t try to lose weight whilst you read it. The descriptions of food, especially cakes, and the wonderful drinks are so delicious sounding I swear I put on four pounds just reading this book! I genuinely had to start getting my lunch at 11.45 because it made me so hungry.

In all seriousness, Annette Hannah has such a deft ability to evoke the senses that The Cosy Little Cupcake Van truly is a book to experience sensuously rather than just to read. Every sense is catered for, whether that’s through the touch of a hand, the sound of laughter, the taste of lemon meringue, the sight of a newly decorated cupcake or the scent of flowers, in such a vivid way that The Cosy Little Cupcake Van is a pleasure to read. I thought the description and settings too were brilliantly drawn.

Although there are references to Annette Hannah’s debut Wedding Bells at the Signal Box Café with some returning characters, The Cosy Little Cupcake Van works perfectly well as a stand alone novel. That said, I think readers would be missing out not to read both books. I loved meeting up again with some of the people, especially Jackson, whom I’d grown so fond of before, as well as encountering new people.

There’s a plot based on an action of greed and deceit in The Cosy Little Cupcake Van that is surprising, but that works so well because Annette Hannah illustrates so gloriously that what doesn’t break you makes you stronger as Camilla learns to get her life back on track. The sense of friendship and community that weaves through the narrative is heart-warming and uplifting and whilst, as might be expected in this genre, the path of true love doesn’t run entirely smoothly, there is a reality in The Cosy Little Cupcake Van that I thoroughly appreciated. Along side the relationships explored is the positive sentiment that is is people and not possessions that provide happiness. In a world where we have all been struggling of late, The Cosy Little Cupcake Van feels like a beacon of happiness and positivity – even if I did shed a tear towards the end of the book.

The Cosy Little Cupcake Van is a perfect example of its genre. It’s the book equivalent of getting into clean bedding after a relaxing bath; it’s soothing, comforting and oh so enjoyable – a kind of hug in a book. I loved it and think some of those well established, award winning, romantic fiction novelists need to look out. Annette Hannah is after their crowns.

A lovely little read, doesn’t take much thinking about or concentrating on but it’s extremely enjoyable and with the mouthwatering cupcake flavour descriptions you will definitely be in need of tea and cake!
I didn’t realise this was the second book in a series until afterwards, but I wouldn’t have known – it didn’t make any difference. Written well enough to work as a standalone anyway. I will be catching up on the first book anyway because I did enjoy the writing, the style, and the characters,
A fun quirky idea that makes for a lovely story. I knew what to expect and enjoyed it thoroughly, some would say predictable, but I say comfortable and reliable.

Romance and over-coming all the odds; fabulous.
Thanks to the publisher for an copy to read and review.

To begin, I wasn’t aware that there was a book before this one however, I really don’t think you need to have read it. I do like a book in a series that can also be read as a standalone.

Right at the beginning of the book Camilla goes though something life changing; she loses her Mum. For various different reasons she finds herself homeless and not being able to do the job she once did. Luckily, Camilla has amazing friends who rally round her and make sure she is okay. I absolutely loved the friendships in this book and they were such a special part of it.

There really is a lot to love about this book including the obviously adorable cupcake van, a nice romance with a sexy Canadian but I especially liked the theme of homelessness that was carried on throughout the book in a few different ways. I thought it was a really important topic and covered well.

This is such a cute and fun read that I really enjoyed and I didn’t really want it to end.

Thank you NetGalley, Annette Hannah and Orion Publishing Group for the ARC The Cosy Little Cupcake Van. This is my personal review.
I liked everything this book had to offer. Camilla has had everything in life totally ripped away from her and yet she decides that life is what it is, and she can turn her life into what she wants it to be with a bit of hard work and wonderful friends.
She turns her life around with the help of her friends and a cute van she turns into a Cupcake business. Everyone in town loves her baking abilities.
Blake coming back into her life makes her look deep inside herself to see if things will be there for them again.
This book will have you give you many new friends to help fill your heart with so much happiness.
And the cupcakes will make your mouth water!

A lush book filled with love, hope, loss, friendship and loads of the feel good factor, I just loved it. Only think is you want to eat cupcakes whilst reading lol

The Cosy Little Cupcake Van - Annette Hannah

Such a cute read! The perfect weekend book to snuggle down with- just add a cosy blanket, hot drink and (of course) snacks. I really liked the flavour and scent descriptions throughout the book - but must admit that I now have a huge craving for cake! I wasn't aware that there was a book previous to this one (The Signal Box Cafe) but now this has become a must read for me as I really liked the other characters in the book and would like to get to know them more. Many thanks to NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group for giving me the chance to read and review this book.

A sweet read! The ending felt a bit rushed, all the drama seems to happen in the last couple of chapters but a fab bit of escapism from the real world.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and was hooked from the beginning. Poor Camilla what a dreadful time she had after losing her mother. Thankfully she had some wonderful friends to help her rebuild her life. Beautifully written and the characters were all lovely. A really feel good book which was very welcome at this time in our lives. Brilliant.

The Cosy Little Cupcake Van is delicious in every way. It tells us the story of Camilla who has had her heart shattered and confidence smashed in every worst way possible.
Homeless, grief-stricken and unable to work, Camilla rebuilds her life thanks to the generous help of good friends and kind acquaintances.
I may have put on weight just reading this book! The descriptions are so good that I felt I could smell and taste the cupcakes!
I like that this book isn't completely focused on romance. The value of friendships is a big part of the story and the major part of Camilla's recovery.
A good 'who will she choose', 'will they, won't they' romantic thread runs through the book too, but is unpredictable which keeps you engaged to the end.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I’d already read the first book The Signal Box Cafe. So was really looking forward to reading this, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I loved meeting the characters from the previous book, and found this a just right read, not too deep, enjoyable.

I hope there’s another book after this.

When I requested this book I didn't realise I had already read book one until they mentioned The Signal Box Cafe!
This is the second book of the series, but could easily be read as a standalone too.
I absolutely loved the first one, and thoroughly enjoyed this one as well.
Very easy to read, with very likeable characters, including revisiting Lucy from from the first book.
A bit predictable like all these books are but didn't stop me from enjoying it regardless - just what I needed for a perfect, easy read where I didn't have to think too deeply.
Can't wait for the next book in the series if there is one!

Last summer, twitter led me to a wonderful book by Annette Hannah, Wedding Bells at the Signal Box Café. This book takes up the gauntlet and follows one of the characters as she battles with life’s challenges. Although this is a standalone story, I would certainly recommend reading both.
Camilla is an instant hit with the reader, it’s impossible not to love her sweet nature or empathise with the sadness of her situation. As Camilla finds herself having to start from scratch, her friends, new and old, rally around to help make sure that she has a future to look forward to.
It was lovely to revisit with Lucy, Dom, Gracie and the rest of the gang from the Signal Box Café, but it was a treat to meet so many new characters, especially Blake, Aunt Edie and Ged.
At its core, this book examines the heart’s ability to rebuild trust after the most devastating of traumas. What Camilla has to handle, besides losing her mother, is a daunting list and the story is a testament to good friends and the human spirit.
There are so many lovely elements to this story, but a special mention has to go to the cheeky liver birds. I found myself smiling each time they featured.
Annette Hannah has definitely found a winning formula and I look forward to her next offering.

This was my 1st Annette Hannah book, I would highly recommend. 5 star

Camilla has lost the most important person in her life, her mum. The books tells how her life fell apart after this loss and how Camilla builds her life up again, cupcake by cupcake.

With the help of her friends and her Aunt, Camilla rebuilds her life and she also finds love with her ex-boyfriend when he returns to the country. Camilla's cupcake van makes you want to have one and I think of this book every time I hear an ice cream van play their music :-)

A must read. Perfect for a relaxing day on the beach, in the garden or just to help to forget about Covid for a few hours.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers.
Camilla's delicious cakes are the talk of her little village. If you need a perfectly iced mouthful of joy, Camilla 'Cupcake' is your woman. But after losing her mother, she finds her home and her business in jeopardy. She needs a little helping hand...
Thankfully her friends are always there for her, and when she is given an old ice cream van, Camilla's dream of a cupcake delivery service is born. Now she can bring happiness - and buttercream frosting - to the whole town.
But when her ex Blake appears back on her doorstep, Camilla must decide if she can trust him again or if her heart might belong to someone else...
This is a lovely, lovely read. Its a page turner that hooks you in and makes you want to continue reading. Lots of story that flows really well and the characters are well thought out and gel together well. You can see on the page how the all interact and the relationships as they develop. I wont put in any spoilers but will recommend this to anyone looking for a couple of hours escapism. I don't believe that I have read anything by Annette Hannah before but this wont be my last.

Absolutely fantastic. Love , cakes and friendship what more can you want. I loved the idea of an ice cream cup cake van with icing coming out instead of ice cream. Brilliant. A must jolly good read

This was my first netgalley book and my first booky by Annette Hannah.

I absolutely love a good romance book and this one definitely is. I really want to go to a cupcake van now! All the flavours sounded yummy and made me hungry 😋
I loved reading about Camilla and Blakes history and glad they got there happily ever after. At one point I didn't think they were going to. I also loved Auntie Edie, she is such a fab character.

This book makes your heart flutter and gives you warmth. Also some heartache.
Such a good book to snuggle up and read
Highly recommend
5⭐

Thanks to NetGalley and Orion Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

What a charming read this book was, with it’s themes of triumph over adversity and “what comes around, goes around”.

Camilla’s life is not perfect, not at all, but literally overnight, she loses everything: her home, transport, job, finances. Everything. It is only with the help of friends and those she has done good to in the past, is she able to put her life together again.

This is a heartwarming book, just like one of Camilla’s cupcakes: delicious, and full of spice and yummy ness.

Fans of Ali McNamara will love this book.

Thanks to Orion and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for a review.

Camilla has lost everything - her home, her mum, her business, her confidence. An enjoyable easy read as we watch her build herself back up - one cupcake at a time.

The only trouble with this book is - I now want cake!!

I really loved this book

I loved the main character Camilla and following her story as she picks herself up after enduring everything life has thrown at her

I really loved how it dealt with issues around homelessness and helping others in bad circumstances in a kind and sensitive manner. It’s such an important message at the moment

I really liked the signal box cameos.

Camilla 'Cupcake' is on to a winner with her fantastic cake designs, winning over the wedding crew and almost the judges. However, after sadly losing her mother, disaster strikes, Camilla's delicious cakes become the talk of the town and not for the right reasons and she loses confidence in herself, her home and her business.

In step her friends who pull together to ensure that Camilla's life doesn't deflate any more like an unrisen cake. When a previous customer gives her the opportunity to revitalise an old ice cream van her business eventually takes another turn and life appears more positive.

When surprisingly her ex Blake arrives back in the country, Camilla needs to dig deep to find out whether that long lost love can once again be rekindled or is it is time to finally move on.

A beautifully romantic novel which proves that building up the layers when life has reached rock bottom with the help of good friends can be the start of something new and exciting.

A fantasically 'sweet' read that leaves you wanting more.