Quick cozy read that touches on a few realistic life struggles! I enjoyed the book especially as the characters were easy to relate to. They all had their pro and cons and nobody was made out to be the perfect person for the perfect romcom.

Exactly as described, a lovely gentle story about a young woman, Emmie, seeking refuge in her aunts cat cafe, she is an artist and I really enjoyed the descriptions of how she drew the various cats. I also enjoyed the character of Jared, unusual for this genre, he is very sensitive, particularly as he mourns for his recently deceased cat. It is good to see pet loss being taken so seriously, given the space and understanding that it deserves. The cat cafe sounds wonderful, all the cats and their different personalities shine through, set in the lake district, this is a delightful festive book.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I haven’t read anything by this author before, but promise of cats & Christmastime had me leaping for the book.
There are cats aplenty in this wonderful sounding Lake District cat cafe as we follow the ups & downs in the life of Emmie.
I didn’t feel this book had much of a festive feel despite being set during the Christmas period. However, what we do get is a snowstorm that forces characters Emmie and Jared together to share some enforced time together which ignited the sparks of attraction between the two.
I did enjoy this book (and the cats!) but do wish that it felt a bit more Christmassy.

Content warnings for pet death, pet illness, and car accidents.

This was a wonderful read, and wasn't predictable at all – I was surprised by the directions it took, and pleasantly surprised by many of the plot points. Jared was a compassionate masculine lead character, while Emmie felt incredibly likeable and relatable. The setting was beautiful, and care has been taken to craft an authentic cat cafe.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Thanks to NetGalley, publishers and author for an ARC of Snowed In at the Cat Cafe.

This story is an enjoyable cozy romance read with the cuteness of cats thrown in.
3.5 stars.

Such a beautiful, whimsical story set in the Lake District. And a cat cafe - what’s not to love?! Emma and Jared are each characters to root for with interesting and layered personal circumstances. A festive, cosy read.

Snowed in at the Cat Cafe was quite a lovely read. I love romance books that have a strong setting like this, especially when it’s themed in such a way. All of the cats sounded adorable and I loved how much thought was put into how the cafe functions. I’ve never been to a cat cafe but I do imagine you get cat hair in your food, but not at Catpurrcino, they’ve thought of everything.

Sadly, this book wasn’t really festive at all. Which is fine because the title doesn’t suggest it should be, but if you’re going to set a book in the lead up to Christmas and include the actual day itself, I expect some kind of festive activity to take place. I get that the circumstances made that a little difficult but the lead up could have been more festive.

Emmie took Jared’s lie about being allergic to cats a little too seriously. It’s really not that big of a deal. She gets so mad she doesn’t even ask him why he lied about it. As it’s such a tiny lie you’d surely think something has happened or there’s something else to the lie, but no. She completely freezes him out and doesn’t let him explain. I despise the miscommunication trope so this was the worst part of this book for me.

The other drama is quite a spoiler so I won’t mention it in detail, but they spend a lot of time discussing why they shouldn’t do it and then oh what do you know they’re in that exact situation. I’m not a fan of creating drama for the sake of drama. Which yeah I know, it’s a book it’s all created for the sake of creating something, but there was already a different situation going on that would have been enough drama for this type of book.

Although saying this, I did really like both Emmie and Jared. They have a shared love of art and seeing them bond over this was really cute. I didn’t like how they thought about each other though, it was a little too risque in my opinion.

Snowed in at the Cat Cafe is the type of book that I definitely enjoyed but I can quite vocalise why. It was a fairly quick read that had a lovely setting and good characters but there wasn’t anything particularly special about it. I would recommend it if you’re a cat lover though.

Snowed In at the Cat Café by Rachel Rowlands is a heartwarming and cosy winter romance that beautifully captures the themes of grief, healing, and love in the festive season.

Set in the picturesque Lake District, the novel revolves around a freak snowstorm that traps the workers of a charming cat café.

As the storm rages outside, secrets and emotions come to light in the warmth of the café, creating a setting of healing, connection, and romance.

Rowlands weaves a gentle yet emotionally resonant story about two individuals—Jared and Emma—who are both dealing with significant losses.

Jared’s grief over the loss of a beloved pet is portrayed with depth and authenticity, touching on the very real, raw emotions that come with losing an animal companion who feels more like family.

His pain, anger, and healing journey resonate deeply, particularly for readers who have experienced similar heartache.

Emma, on the other hand, is dealing with betrayal and learning to find the strength to walk away from those she loves but cannot help.

The connection between Jared and Emma is instant, their shared experiences of loss bringing them together in a sweet, if somewhat predictable, romance.

The story embraces the familiar "insta-love" trope, but the emotional depth and relatability of the characters make their swift romance feel natural.

Their shared vulnerability and understanding of each other’s pain make their bond believable and touching.

Rowlands handles their emotional journeys with care, ensuring that their romance is not just about falling in love but also about finding healing and solace in one another.

The setting of the Lake District, with its rolling hills and snow-covered landscapes, adds a magical, wintry charm to the novel.

Rowlands’ descriptive writing brings the beauty of the region to life, immersing readers in a cosy, festive atmosphere.

The cat café itself is a delightful addition to the story, with its furry residents each possessing their own quirks and personalities, stealing the show and providing warmth and comfort throughout the novel.

Snowed In at the Cat Café isn’t just a romance—it’s a heartfelt exploration of how Christmas can be a difficult time for those dealing with loss and grief, but also a time for hope, healing, and new beginnings.

Fans of cosy, feel-good romances will find this book a perfect read for curling up by the fire with a hot chocolate.

With its well-drawn characters, emotional depth, and of course, a cast of lovable cats, it’s a delightful holiday escape.

For those who enjoy authors like Laurie Gilmore, B. K. Borison, or Sue Moorcroft, Snowed In at the Cat Café will offer the cosy, emotional, and heartwarming vibes that are perfect for the festive season.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Cost Christmas read that’s a must for a cosy night in. A lovely story that I couldn’t stop reading. I really enjoyed the characters as I got to know them.

This was a cute Christmas read, I loved the cat cafe and it’s made me really want to go visit one! The setting was just idilic, especially with the snow.

The storyline was pretty much as expected for a romance/christmas book but it was still a wonderful read that made me feel all warm and cosy inside.

If you’re a cat lover as I am then this is just purrfect. I really enjoyed it.

If you love the Lake District & also Love Cats you will adore this beautifully written Book & add in the Festive season what more could one ask for & I will be highly recommending it to lots of friends #NetGalley, #GoodReads,# FB, #Instagram, #Amazon.co.uk, #<img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/8a5b541512e66ae64954bdaab137035a5b2a89d2" width="80" height="80" alt="200 Book Reviews" title="200 Book Reviews"/>, #<img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/ef856e6ce35e6d2d729539aa1808a5fb4326a415" width="80" height="80" alt="Reviews Published" title="Reviews Published"/>, #<img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/aa60c7e77cc330186f26ea1f647542df8af8326a" width="80" height="80" alt="Professional Reader" title="Professional Reader"/>.

It's the first time for me to read a book by Rachel Rowlands and I am so happy to have given this author a try! I absolutely adored this book! If you like cozy and snowy atmosphere this book is for you, if you like cats, this book is for you, if you enjoy a good latte or a yummy hot chocolate, this book is for you. If you like a good romance that is building up slowly, this book is for you! Super lovely book, a real page turner!!!! 4 starts out of 5 for this book!!!

Such a cute read! Being in a cat cafe is something on my bucket list, and this book made it come close to making it a reality! For a little bit, I actually felt as if I might be in a cat cafe, and it was wonderful. I loved the story, and the characters were amazing as well. It makes for a very cosy christmas read!

Great Christmas story set in the Lake District. Add in some characterful cats and a serious snowstorm and it makes for a great read. Recommended.

Not a bad read, though highly unsuitable for a sun lounger on 30 degree heat! The writing is the standard you’d expect from the title, but oh my goodness there are so many inconsistencies! Jared decides to drive round until it gets dark - at 4pm in the Lake District in December when it’s already been dark for an hour. And what happened to the car that caused the accident on the Kirkstone Pass? It hit them, disappeared with apparently no damage and is never mentioned again!
Okay if you need a fluffy read, I guess.

Rachel Rowlands' Snowed In at the Cat Cafe is a heartwarming and cozy read that combines the charm of a small-town romance with the comfort of a feline-filled café. Rowlands crafts a delightful story of love, friendship, and new beginnings, set against the backdrop of a quaint café during a snowstorm. The characters are relatable and endearing, especially the café’s furry residents, adding a touch of warmth and whimsy to the narrative. With its gentle humor and feel-good vibes, Snowed In at the Cat Cafe is the perfect escape for anyone looking for a sweet, uplifting story to curl up with on a chilly day.

This is a perfect, feel-good, cosy up with the fire and Christmas tree lit behind you kind of book. Perfect Christmas read, simple and easy! This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

http://thesecretbookreview.co.uk

Cats, Christmas and a cafe. Super cozy, perfect read for the festive season. Thanks to the author, NetGalley and publishers for the arc of Snowed in at the cat cafe by Rachel Rowland.

Visiting the cat café in this wintery romance was the perfect escapism this week. Packed with feline cuteness, loveable characters, tense drama and more than a sprinkling of chemistry, this is a great read.

Omg this was just utter perfection and my fave xmas book of the year so far. I’m definitely going to reread once the November / December time starts to get into the perfect christmassy spirit