Christmas At The Cat Cafe by Jessica Redland

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

It had always been Tabby's dream to work with cats and an inheritance from her beloved nanna has finally made that a reality. Idyllic Castle Street in Whitsborough Bay couldn’t be a better place for pastry chef Tabby to open a cat café with her boyfriend, Leon. But when Leon leaves her in the lurch, the pressure mounts for Tabby. With Christmas fast approaching, she has to open the café on her own – a daunting prospect, especially when she's been hiding her health issues from the ones she loves. Faced with local resistance to the café – and somebody seemingly determined that she won’t succeed – Tabby will need her friends, family and cats more than ever to recover her broken Christmas spirit and pull together for a Christmas miracle. Will the cat café bring the festive joy to Castle Street as Tabby had hoped or will it be a cat-astrophe? And can the magic of Christmas on Castle Street mend Tabby's broken heart as well as her business? 

My Opinion

I have now read a few books by Jessica Redland and I have to wonder why I didn't start sooner. Right from the beginning I knew that this was going to be an enjoyable read. I have to say that this book will play with your emotions. This was one of those books that I just couldn't get enough of, as soon as I put it down I wanted to pick it straight back up again.

We follow Tabby as she learns how to cope with running her business following a fibromyalgia diagnosis which I thought had been delicately handled and well-researched. This is a relatable read as nothing everything goes according to plan. Personally I feel that whilst set at Christmas this would be a sweet read for any time of year. It goes without saying, but there are a lot of cats featured but there is a handy list at the beginning. Are you ready to step inside the cat cafe?

Rating: 4/5

Firstly I am not a cat person but I am a Jessica Redland person and I could not wait to dive into her latest book. I absolutely loved it. I love the Whitsborough Bay, I love the characters and I love Christmas. Towards the end of the book I was almost coming round to loving cats! It's a great read and I highly recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my ARC.

You had me at cats and Christmas!
This was everything I hoped it would be and more! Just hear meowt.

When cat-astrophe strikes and Tabby is left to run her about to open a cat cafe by herself, her long-time paw-some friend steps up to help her and becomes so much more and I loved watching the friendship develop!

I adored their purr-fectly delightful and cute pet names for each other-Tabby-cat (Tabitha) and Tom-cat.😍

Of course, there are some clawful incidents that keep you guessing and on the edge of your seat. The drama leading up to the opening and then partway was a roller coaster of emotion! From frustration ( about the delays for her), empathy, and wanting to claw at the vandals!

There's an im-paw-tant messages about asking for help when you need it, one I think I should take to heart more.
And of course friendships, and unconditional love. I can't say too much without giving slight spoliers.

Purr-ruse and purr-chase this book if you love cats, Christmas, friends to lovers, and small town vibes.

Puns aside, I really enjoyed this book it came at the perfect time for me, and I could relate to Tabitha and her condition. I devoured this book in about 24 hours, I couldn't put it down.

Christmas at the Cat Cafe is a beautiful book set in the wonderful town of Whitsborough Bay in Castle Street. This book revolves around Tabby who’s dream it is to own a cat cafe, what starts out as a joint project with boyfriend Leon turns out to be a solo project as Leon leaves Tabby in the lurch but with the help of family and friends it soon becomes a reality. The other issue is Tabby has recently been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and is struggling to deal with it and what it means for her future going forward, there is another problem with regards the fibromyalgia Tabby hasn’t been entirely honest with how bad it effects her with her family she has told them it’s mild as she doesn’t want to be a burden to them, as someone who suffers with fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis I can completely understand the way Tabby feels. Also the way that the author has described fibromyalgia is exactly on point with the way this awful chronic condition affects you so much in life.

I’m a big fan of Jessica Redland books and love the series set in Whitsborough Bay and Castle Street so I was really looking forward to getting this book which I received from Netgalley in order to review this book for free. This book does not disappoint it’s an amazing book and showcases the true spirit of family and friends who help when you are in need but also shows the importance of community spirit. It’s such a heartwarming book and I would truly recommend this book to everyone but especially those who are dealing with fibromyalgia or know someone who is dealing with fibromyalgia as it shows that we should never be ashamed of who we are now but also that if we need help we should never be afraid to ask as it’s never a burden to those who truly love us and want to be there for us.

For me personally, Jessica Redland can do no wrong when it comes to her books. I love each and every one of them and Christmas at the Cat Café was no exception to that.

The characters created a close-knit community that was heartwarming, and I appreciated the inclusion of previous characters from other books, although the story can still be enjoyed as a standalone.

If you're looking for a mood boost or a heartwarming read to cuddle up with, I highly recommend this new release.

Yet another beautiful book by Jessica Redland, tackling an illness/condition that I certainly knew nothing about and cast of cats. This book is very well researched and written.

I couldn't resist taking part in this blog tour for Christmas at the Cat Café as not only does it involve some of my favourite creatures but it also sees a welcome return to Castle street in the beautiful area of Whitsborough Bay which this author brings to life with such enthusiasm. Introducing us to Tabitha, Tabby for short, just as she is about to open her much longed for Cat Café but with opening day fast approaching,Tabby is dealt a devastating blow and it is going to take all of her strength to carry on. However, Tabby hasn't bargained for the help of friends, and family, who rally round to make sure the cat café is a success. The story brings into focus the sharp reality of how sometimes life deals a devastating blow and Tabby, battling her need to succeed in business and with her health problems, must learn how to ask for help,

I've really enjoyed being back on Castle Street especially as some of the familiar characters make an appearance which helps give a real sense of community and a feeling of familiarity to this new adventure. The cats who inhabit the cat cafe are equally delightful and I fell in love with each of them but especially Marmalade who reminded me of a couple of ginger cats who are close to my own heart.

I read Christmas at the Cat Café in one sitting as I couldn't put it down and wanted to know how everything would play out for Tabby and her cats. Despite the book title it's not an overly festive story so could comfortably be read at any time of year and whilst it does mention the characters from previous books in this series, Christmas at the Cat Café can be read as an enjoyable standalone story about friendship, love and cats.

My heart is so full of love after reading this. Being such a fan of Jessica Redland, books set around Christmas and a cat fanatic, I was so looking forward to reading Christmas at the Cat Cafe and ut did not disappoint. It was lovely to have another book set on Castle Street and see how everybody helps out when times get tough. I really admired Tabby and the daily struggles she faced with health made her very real and relatable. Tom is now my new favourite leading man. What a lovely, sweet man. Any man who loves cats has my heart I hope this isn't the last we've seen of Castle Street.

I absolutely adore Jessica's books and have four cats myself, so the idea of a cat cafe and Christmas all wrapped up in book is my idea of heaven!

We return to Whitsborough Bay which has been the perfect setting for several of her previous books, so we were able to have long overdue catch ups with some old faces, meet some new, and stroke some cats.

Tabby, not only had the perfect name to be running the cafe, she struggles with fibromyalgia, so it was a journey for her, and us to see her flourish and grow.

I loved the inclusion of the 'meet the cats' at the start of the book. Jessica's love for her furry friends shines through just like her passion for hedgehogs from the previous series.

My new favourite Christmas read of the year!

Christmas at the Cat Cafe is the latest book from Jessica Redland, set in her fictional town of Whitsborough Bay.

Tabby has had a life long dream to open a cat cafe, and when a property becomes vacant in a great location, she decides to use the money her Gran left her to realise her dream. Along the way, Tabby suffers setbacks and problems - can she make her business successful with the help of her family and friends?

Redland's main character suffers with fybromyalgia, and she uses the book to increase awareness of the illness. I learned a lot of new things, but at times I did feel like it distracted from the story and read a bit like a lecture.

I struggled to like Tabby, but adored Tom and the cats with their individual quirks. Will definitely be interesting to read another story about these characters if the author decides to create a new series based on them.

Wow, wow, wow! I adored this book. A friend of mine has fibro and it gives a real true insight to living with this debilitating illness. I couldn't put it down, spent a lazy Saturday reading until I had to go out. L9vely feel good story.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, as it combined two of my favourite things - cats and books! The romance in this festive story was executed perfectly, making it an easy, fast read that I finished in just one day.

The characters created a close-knit community that was heartwarming, and I appreciated the inclusion of previous characters from other books, although the story can still be enjoyed as a standalone.

As a self-proclaimed crazy cat lady, I especially loved the beautiful descriptions of the feline characters, which added to the realism of the story. I would love to visit the Cat Cafe described in the book!

My favourite aspect of the book was the awareness it brought to Fibromyalgia through its character portrayal. Redland effectively addressed the complexities of the condition, making it the first rom-com read to feature such a topic that I have read. Although unexpected, I am grateful for the author's inclusion of this fresh concept, as it has increased my understanding of Fibromyalgia.

If you're looking for a mood boost or a heartwarming read to cuddle up with, I highly recommend this new release.

Taking the chance to follow her dream
The perfect opportunity, or so it would seem.
Opening a cat café with her boyfriend on hand
Until he calls her - he's other things planned.

Chronic ill health, that won't go away
Impacts Tabby's life almost every day.
But she's hiding the truth from those she holds dear
But she needs their help now, that's very clear.

Add in an aggressive secret saboteur, too,
Tabby is unsure just what she should do.
But there's support from many and new friends, too
As well as a heartwarming romance coming into view.

Such a moving story that gives a great insight
Into fibromyalgia and what its impact is like.
There are cats - and kittens - and great friendships, too,
With family and romance shining all the way through.

For my complementary copy of this book, I say thank you,
Such an enthralling read and this is my honest review.

Jessica Redland is one of my favourite authors, I always pre-order her books. I also love cats and Christmas, so what a great combination to have in this book. I loved the cast of cat and kitten characters at the start of the book too.
This story is set in Whitsborough Bay on Castle Street (which will be familiar to those who have read Jessica’s other books) and features the Castle Street Cat Café owned by 34-year-old Tabitha Walsh, aptly known as Tabby. We first meet her two and a half weeks before the café is due to open. She lives with her boyfriend Leon (who has been away for five months) and sixteen gorgeous cats.
The book is written in first person, so we hear Tabby’s voice and get to know her quickly. Her two passions are baking and cats and opening a cat café is her dream, especially as she is using her beloved late Nanna’s inheritance to do so.
However, Loser Leon lets her down at the last minute, which means Tabby now has to cope on her own with setting up her new business, all the while dealing with health issues she hasn’t really told anyone about. (This seems really well-researched too! Very authentic.)
First off, the cat café itself sounds fabulous! All of the décor sounds great and I loved the sound of it. The themed areas are inspired – Cat Castle, Feline Forest and Kitty Cove (seaside) – just adorable. Jessica has thought of everything, it’s beautifully designed, every little detail has been thought out so well and perfectly described. I want to go!!! (insert toddler tantrum here)
I don’t want to say too much about the story, because 1) I recommend you read it yourself and 2) I don’t want to spoil your enjoyment by telling you too much of what happens. It is one of those books where you should find out everything for yourself by reading the book.
Tabby is lovely and so are her friends and her very supportive family – and not forgetting those gorgeous cats, who all have their own individual personalities. (I think Jupiter is my favourite, but don’t tell the others!) This is a real story of success over adversity, of keeping going, of striving to achieve a dream – things we can all relate to. It has lots of ups and downs, of course, sad and emotional parts, but overall, it has such a message of positivity that it is truly uplifting.
Jessica Redland has a beautiful way of writing. She achieves that difficult feat of having her easily identifiable voice throughout all her books, but the novels never feel samey. I have read several authors where I’ve enjoyed the first few of their books, then realised they all seem a bit formulaic or repetitive after a while and have stopped reading them. I’m pretty sure I’ve read ten or more of Jessica’s books and each one has been distinct and completely different to any others, yet still showcasing her beautiful characters and communities that are her strengths. Christmas at the Cat Café is another triumph and I whole-heartedly recommend it.

This books really is for all of you Cat lovers.

I enjoyed reading this story alot. There was great characters, beautiful writing and obviously Christmas!

We return to Whitsborough Bay for another beautiful festive read. I've made no secret of being a Jessica Redland fan and it was so lovely to catch up with characters from previous books.

The Cat cafe is warm and welcoming and a definite place for cat lovers to visit. Tabby is passionate about her cats and wants to let customers have that cuddly experience too.

I enjoy my visit back to Whitsborough Bay and the addition of Tabby and Tom and their adventures. Another wonderful read from Jessica.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book is for cat people!
I enjoyed reading it! There was a great cast of characters, lovely writing, and of course Christmas! I will be recommending this to my family and friends who love cats, and I think it will be throughly enjoyed by many!

Thank you to the publisher for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

A pretty decent read from Redland. Was hoping this would be the start of a new series about cats, but sadly it is marked as a standalone. To be fair though the ending does mimic Hedgehog Hollow a bit much. Tabby and Tom were cute but again I will say the added nastiness was not necessary in this book. It just seemed weirdly placed.

I give this story 4.5 stars but rounded up to 5. I loved this story although it was different than what I thought it was going to be about.

Life throws so many curves at Tabby that she doesn't know if she can get the Cat Cafe off the ground. So many things happen not to mention some health problems. Tabby has always wanted a Cat Cafe and now that it is happening, she is happy and scared. Not to mention her health issue.

The writing is wonderful, and it flowed nicely. I truly loved the story but at times it felt like there was way too much information about Fibromyalgia. Don't get me wrong the character suffered from it but it just felt pushed on the reader. So much information on the symptoms and such that it took something from the story. I found the fibro sections too narrative.

I went through a lot of emotions while reading Christmas at the Cat Cafe....it was a rollercoaster. I loved how the author described all the cats and their personalities...it made them more come alive with their antics. Some of the aspects of the cafe I don't think would go over big like being charged to sit at a table. I know I wouldn't go to a cafe if you had to pay to sit there and purchase food/drink. But then again it is a story and one that I did love.

I recommend if you love cats and want to learn about the different aspects of Fibromyalgia.

This book made me cry, not in a bad way but in such a good way. Fibromyalgia is such an isolating and debilitating illness that is often invisible to all other than the person with it and their close friends & family. It is also invisible in the media, literature etc., so finding a book by one of my very favourite authors featuring a main character with fibromyalgia really made me feel seen and that the experiences of those of us with fibro & other chronic pain conditions, matter to people. The limitations of fibro do feature prominently in this story, but it is not portrayed in a negative way, just as the daily life experience of Tabby, the main character & owner of Castle Street Cat Cafe.
It was so good to be back in Whitsborough Bay, especially back in Castle Street and becoming reacquainted with some familiar characters while getting to know a group of new characters. A really touching storyline full of tenderness and heartwarming experiences.
A wonderful winter read for Christmas-time. If I could give it more than 5 stars I would.