Book Review: Snowed In at the Cat Café

I recently devoured Snowed In at the Cat Café by Rachel Rowlands, and I can confidently say it’s the coziest, most heartwarming read I've encountered this season! From the moment I stepped into Catpurrcino, I felt enveloped by the charm of this small-town setting and the delightful array of feline companions.

Emmie's journey towards healing after a tough year resonated deeply with me. Her aunt’s offer to work at the café felt like a perfect escape, especially as the holiday season approached. I loved the vivid descriptions of her interactions with both the cats and the café's customers. It was pure joy to see her thrive in this new environment, pouring hot chocolate and caring for the adorable cats.

Then enters Jared, the tall and handsome driver with a guarded demeanor and a surprising allergy to cats. The tension between them was palpable, and I found myself rooting for Emmie to break through his walls. Their unexpected snowed-in situation on Christmas Eve forced them into close quarters, unveiling secrets and emotions I hadn’t anticipated. Watching their relationship evolve from mere attraction to deeper connection was utterly satisfying.

Rowlands beautifully captures the essence of second chances, friendship, and the joy of unexpected love. The festive backdrop, combined with the quirky charm of the café and its furry residents, made for an engaging and immersive reading experience.

This book is not just a romantic escape; it's a reminder of the warmth that comes from community and kindness during the holiday season. I recommend pouring yourself a cup of mulled wine and curling up with this delightful story—it’s bound to leave you smiling long after you turn the last page!

A pleasant undemanding read. Set in a cat cafe in Cumbria, Emmie works for her aunt and lives in one of two flats above the cafe. Emmie moved to get away from her abusive brother who has a problem with alcohol. Jared has just lost his much loved cat, Poppy. After finding out his girlfriend of six months actually had a fiancé, he ended their relationship six months ago. Struggling financially due to the huge vet bills, he takes a job as a delivery driver for the cafe. He tells one small lie at his interview. The story is set over the Christmas period. A sweet tale, somewhat improbable, but will still leave a smile on your face.

Cute and cozy story about cat cafe. Would be a purrfect winter reading.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

First of all thank you for approving my request!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The authors writing style had me hooked throughout this book.

I didn't want it to end, a book I really couldn't put down.

I really enjoyed reading this book and I I loved the characters in this book. It’s a really heartwarming book that it just makes you feel all warm and fuzzy and ready for Christmas and snow.

I would highly recommend reading this book if you like cats, Christmas and a heartwarming story.

I would like to thank Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book early.

Oh I loved this so much.

What a heartwarming and cosy read. The characters were loveable and the scene setting was perfect. I am obsessed with cats and this just hit the spot.

And there’s a little bit of conflict which I wasn’t expecting but added nicely to the story.

I just wish this was released nearer to Christmas so I could have read it all cosy with Christmas decs up.

Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for this copy.

I loved getting into the Christmas feeling and it has made me even more excited to get to the holiday seasons where I will definitely be doing a re read of this book

A visit to the cat cafe is always wonderful. Jared finds himself working there as a delivery driver but tells a lie to avoid admitting his own pain. Meeting Emmie who works there could be just what he needs and then they get snowed in.

Oh what a lovely festive read this was. Definitely a must for Christmas. This was such a cute story and I read it really quickly. I love the idea of a cat cafe even as a dog lover. The plot is well written and we get some drama thrown in as well which was very good. The ending was beautiful and I loved how the story came together, The characters are easy to warm up to and you want that happy ending. I do love a snowy story so this was perfect for me. A fab festive read.

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

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.

At her aunts cafe in the Lake District, Emmie is happy working there, after what’s happened in her past, she enjoys spending her days with the furry friends.

Having lost Poppy, his cat recently, Jared hasn’t gotten over the loss. When he goes to Catpurrcino, he’s given a job as a driver, but he’s uncertain whether it’s the right thing to do as he’ll be nearby cats again. But, he needs to work so takes the job.

When a snow storm hits, they’re both snowed in, on Christmas Eve. Both in one place together they have the opportunity to become close, but both have their walls that have been up due to their pasts.

Will they be able to break them and get to know each other?

I highly recommend this book.

This book has everything i would ever need in a christmas book....actually for me its the cats lol. Give me a book with cats and i'm happy out!

This is such a lovely festive story and the thought of being snowed in with cats and a lovely man sounds just about perfect. Not only is this a fluffy festive read but it does touch upon some heavier topics such as alcoholism and is done very well in my opinion.

I had to order a physical copy because i need to re read this when i have my tree up and can enjoy it at christmas time

I was obviously drawn to this book by the lovely festive cover and think it will sell very well. A great read which I devoured, Jared is down on his luck and needs a job to pay off debts he gets a delivery job from Sylvie at her cat cafe when he meets Emmie her niece sparks fly but both carry baggage with all the cats and the lovely setting of the lakes this is a perfect festive read to curl up with

Cute and cosy and perfect for a wintry night. Cute story and really likeable characters, including the cats!

I loved this book ! It was cute it was cozy it was fun.

I read this book and 2 sittings and could not put it down. The main characters were very likeable and so relatable which made me enjoy this book even more.

It’s an easy read filled with festive vibes and a really cute romance !

This is the first book I have read from this author and it will definitely not be the last.

Snowed in at the cat cafe is a perfect read for December when you are cozied up with a yummy hot chocolate.

*Thank you NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for providing me this Arc in return for an honest review*

Emmie is left to look after her Aunts cafe during the Christmas period, but a huge storm roars in. Jared, the cafes driver has also got himself snowed in at the cafe. How will they survive the storm?

There is nothing to not love about this book, it’s full of cats, Christmas, snow and a twinkling romance. I really enjoyed reading this book and really want to go to a cat cafe now. The story was well written with plenty of descriptive detail. The main characters I liked and brought the story to life, plus Salem the cat. The title and cover really appealed to me that. A bright snowy 5 star read.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

Thank you for the chance to read this ARC in return for my honest opinion.

This was a new author for me but the title caught my eye. She seems proficient in her craft and writes a good story.
Catpurrcino cat cafe
Christmas
Cats
and cosy romance - what else could one want?

Add in some lovely sounding cakes, hot chocolate with cream marshmallows and sprinkles and snow and this book makes for a hot toddy, a snuggly blanket and curling up on a sofa in front of a fire.
This was essentially a book about love, redemption, being snowed in and making the best of a bad job and the welfare of cats. Add in the contrivance of the ex-girlfriend showing up and unpacking of emotions is bound to follow.
This would prove to be the undoing of the central couple - Emmie and Jared - who had to take a poorly puss to an out of hours vet in the snow.
A treacherous journey home over an unsafe road (don't satnavs send you wrong at the most inconvenient moments?) and disaster ensues.

A lovely book for a holiday or even a UK rainy day

Personally I can't think of anything I'd enjoy more than getting snowed in at a cat cafe, so as soon as I saw the title of this I was desperate to read it. It certainly didn't disappoint! Reading it felt like being wrapped up with a cosy Netflix Christmas movie - perfect for when you need a comforting escape.

It would be remiss to start a review of this book by talking about anything other than the cats. This really is a great read for cat lovers - I was desperate to pay a visit to Catpurrcino. Rachel's love for cats shines through so clearly, with each of the cats proudly showing off their personality and mannerisms. It's so lovely, and makes the cat cafe feel like such a warm and lifelike setting.

The story revolves around Emmie and Jared, as they both try to heal from past hurts and find their way forward. It's impossible not to want them both to find their happy ending. There's also a lot of space given to exploring one character's grief for a lost cat, and it's refreshing to see the loss of a pet taken seriously and handled with sensitivity.

A delightful read, and one I'd happily return to, preferably whilst seated in front of a warm fire with a mug of hot chocolate in my hand.

Thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the review copy.

Having had cats most of my life, I was fully onboard with the emotions of the characters in this book. Rachel obviously understands the attachment to your cat and also the behaviour of cats. I love the idea of a cat cafe and having my drink surrounded by our furry friends. The story line is easy to follow and makes a for a nice, relaxed read. Ideal for a leisurely afternoon in the garden.

Emmie loves working at her aunt’s cat café, Catpurrcino, in the Lake District,
After a difficult time, the relaxing pace, surrounded by furry friend is just what she needs.
Jared is still feeling the loss of his beloved Cat, Poppy. When he’s offered a job driving for Catpurrcino he’s not sure he is ready for being close this close to cats again, but, he needs the money so he takes a chance and accepts the job.
When Emmie and Jared get snowed in at the café on Christmas Eve, it’s the perfect opportunity for them to get closer, but they both have barriers built from the past, can they break them down?
If you love cats, fun, Christmas and romance you need to read this. It will warm you from the inside, like a soothing mug of hot chocolate.

This is a fabulous read! I love reading books about cats & Christmas so this was right up my street.
Can’t recommend this book highly enough!

This is the first book I've read from this author and it certianly won't be the last.

I loved this purrfectly cozy and adorable festive read so so much.

After all if you re going to get snowed in somewhere, you could do a lot worse than a cat cafe.

Although the specifics of the people that get snowed in, make some of the dynamics so much trickier than you may expect.

And the cats and the cafe itself sounded amazing, and certainly somewhere that is well worth a visit, if it actually existed.

With a gorgeous setting for before the snow, this really is a lovely story of Emmie and Jared who find out out they a lot more in common than first thought.

I devoured this book, and couldn't get enough of it and read it in a few short hours. It was a fabulous start to my 2024 Festive reading!

Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.