⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Cake off at the Cat Cafe by Rachel Rowlands

I came across this novel totally by chance on NetGalley while looking to fill a prompt for a book with a cat on the cover and this fit the bill perfectly.

The two protagonists of this romantic tale are Clem who produces amazing cat-inspired cakes at the Catpurrcino Cafe and Lucas who is a baker and part owner of Muddy Paws Cafe.

The pair couldn’t be more different if they tried. Clem is a shy cat lover whose anxiety is through the roof and self-confidence on the floor. She recently broke up with her ex-boyfriend and now is back living with her mum.

Lucas is the owner of Reina, a sprightly golden Retriever and is a fairly friendly, sociable guy. He tries to put on a happy face but underneath he is struggling. His dad is sick and trying to find out why is costing a fortune. His parents are struggling to pay their bills and although Lucas is helping out a bit it’s still not enough. He is devastated he can’t help more and it kills him to see his dad in pain.

When it is announced that a bake-off competition is coming to town where the prize money is £100,000 Lucas & Clem know this could be the answer to their prayers.

As the bake takes off the chemistry between these two is hotting up. As a friendship develops they both wonder how they became have a relationship whilst competing against each other for something they want so desperately.

This was a beautiful story about the positive effect some people have on each other. Clem was a scared, timid frightened little thing but when she was around Clem, his smile and kind heart brought out her wonderful nature and lit it her from deep within.

Lucas’s father suffered greatly and he was miserable that a diagnosis could not be found. It was heartbreaking to see Lucas feeling so helpless and remembering the man his father used to be.

Not my favourite genre usually but I thoroughly enjoyed this easy, romantic read. Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book. This book will be published on 27th March 2025

Clem loves her job at Catpurrcino Cat Cafe. Working behind the scenes creating her delicious, sweet treats is perfect for her. When she discovers that online cookery competition Whisked Away is looking for competitors in the Lake District she is tempted to apply, there is so much she and Catpurrcino could do with the prize money, but for someone who prefers to stay out of the limelight being on camera is the stuff of nightmares.
Lucas runs Muddy Paws cafe with his best friend Dwayne. When he sees the advertisement for Whisked Away he knows what the prize money could do for the business and for his parents.
When Clem and Luke meet at the first audition, there is instant chemistry.
As things heat up in more ways than one, will their friendship become more or is there too much standing in the way.
Escape into a world of cats, dogs, delicious treats and romance with this warm, cozy, book. It’s got characters you will take to your heart both human and animal, all set in the beautiful Lake District.

This book is like the perfect pastry; warm, sweet, and filled with layers of charm and slow-burning romance. The writing has that soft, cozy glow, wrapping you up in the world of whisk-clinking competition and stolen glances across the baking station. Clem and Lucas’s chemistry simmers like batter in the oven, building with every gentle nudge and shared moment until it’s something undeniable. The cat café setting is pure comfort, the baking competition adds just the right amount of stakes, and the romance? The sweetest thing of all. A warm hug of a book, best enjoyed with tea, cake, and a cat curled up by your side.

“Sometimes, dreams take a path you don’t expect.”

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.

Clem is the baker in charge of creating delicious cat-themed treats for the loyal customers of the Catpurrcino cat café. From iced kitten doughnuts to macarons with ears and whiskers, Clem's creations always bring a smile to the face of anyone lucky enough to taste them. But outside of the café's kitchen, Clem struggles with feelings of anxiety and where she fits in. Until Sylvie, the owner of the café, decides to push her out of her comfort zone. The Whisked Away baking competition is a chance for Clem to shine and find her inner confidence. Also competing this year is Lucas, the owner of Muddy Paws café, accompanied by his faithful Golden Retriever Reina. The stage is set for an epic cake-off between cats and dogs. But as Clem stumbles in the first challenge, Lucas always seems to be there with an encouraging word and a smile. The chemistry between them is soon undeniable. Is this just the heat in the kitchen? Or something real? And can their feelings survive a showdown in the final round...

Clem adores baking, and she adores cats. So being the resident baker for a cat cafe is a perfect job for her. She has an undercurrent of anxiety that forces her to overthink and worry - but it only made me like her more. Plus she has a very good reason for feeling that way. She’s incredibly kind and thoughtful, considerate of how others are feeling and wanting to look after them. I honestly adore Clem. If I had the opportunity to be her friend, I would jump at the chance. Who wouldn’t want a talented baker to feed you treats AND they’re obsessed with cats? She’s my match made in heaven.
Lucas is quite the sweetheart. He cares for his family and is incredibly passionate about his business - and his rather energetic pup! I liked that we got to see his way of thinking in this dual POV story. Though at times he did frustrate me, I could see his compassion for the plight of others and his desire to ensure people’s happiness. I definitely enjoyed his interactions with Clem as well - especially his ability to take in the situation and calm Clem down when needed so she feels more comfortable. I wouldn’t mind having someone like that by my side when things feel too much.

Despite not having read the first book, the moment I saw this available to request I JUMPED on it. I’m a massive cat lover (I have 5!) and the thought of a book set in a cat cafe mixed with baking in the style of the Great British Bake Off? Hell yes, sign me up! The plot from start to finish was just utter perfection for me. I cannot fault the flow or the contents. I wanted more, more, more and I got it! I was absolutely hooked and could scarcely put the book down! Something I really appreciated was the fact that Rowlands did not shy away from the inclusion of anxiety - namely Clem’s. The fact she showed how vulnerable Clem feels in those down moments but also the coping mechanisms she has gained? Absolutely brilliant. As someone who suffers from anxiety myself, and the fact it can have sudden onset in overwhelming circumstances, I absolutely loved this unapologetic inclusion. More authors need to follow this example! The characters were great and helped enhance the overall story. There were one or two I wish we got a bit more background on but generally, they all made a great impression and helped move the story along. Romance wise, there was a lot going on. There was a hit of insta-love (which I’m not the biggest fan of) but the fact this blossomed into a lovely friendship between our two main characters, I was all for it. It certainly wasn’t smooth sailing which I love - I’m a big fan of some drama! But the romance was sweet and very heart warming. The ending was a wonderful ending to this absolutely delightful story! I am in desperate need for more books in this series - giving me more fluff and more cats!

Overall, Cake Off at the Cat Cafe is a stunning book that I absolutely adored.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Thank you again to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an advanced copy of this book. Review will be live on my blog on 24th March and is available immediately on Goodreads.

A lovely cosy read! I would love to go to the cat cafe and spend time with Clem and her cakes. Clem is so relatable and I really enjoyed her journey throughout this book. It was very thought provoking and inspiring. Lucas is a dream too!

This was the perfect cozy read!

I had a fun time reading about Clem, who is a baker at a Cat Cafe. She hates to be perceived and gets really anxious in most situations. She’s entered into a baking competition, where she meets another competitor, a dog cafe owner Lucas who is also going through a lot in his own life.

These two were adorable together. I liked that even though the attraction was there from the beginning, it didn’t feel like insta love, it was slower to develop and meaningful. Both of their issues had them going back and forth and seeing their development through the story was everything!

The characters were great, the writing was descriptive surrounding the cats and baking which was nice and overall this was a good read!

Thank you Hodder & Stoughton for providing this ARC via NetGalley.

Another great read in this series. I loved the cooking contest and all the details of what they cooked. I love cats so reading this was a real pleasure. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

This was a nice cozy read , possibly a tad too cozy for my reading preferences, but that of course is a personal thing . On the plus side it was a good storyline, and it was very well written with interesting characters .

A beautiful story. I didn’t realise it was the second in the series till I was reading it. Reads perfect as a stand alone though . You follow a baking competition , a slow burn love story and someone gaining their life back. Magical and moving. The cat cafe is lovely. Good ending. Can’t wait for the next one

This is the second book of the series and is equally delightful. Wholly predictable but that takes nothing away from my enjoyment of this novel.

This book centres around Clem - the baker - and gives her an opportunity to shine in the Whisked Away contest for local bakers and their businesses. It brings her into contact with Lucas from a local doggy cafe.

Clem lacks confidence after a betrayal at university and has to face her fears of rejection and ridicule to take part. As the rounds progress she also has to deal with her attraction to Lucas and examine his motives. Can she trust him?

A delightful tale of facing your fears and finding hope for the future.

A heartwarming treat.

Clem is the baker at the Catpurrcino cat cafe - she suffers with crippling anxiety about whether she is good enough. Lucas is the co-owner of the Muddy Paws Cafe, a dog friendly cafe - he is going through some serious family problems. Both of them are entered into the Whisked Away baking competition, and both want to win the large prize money to help with the issues they are facing. Can they put their attraction aside, and each concentrate on the tasks ahead?

This was an enjoyable story, with compelling characters. I really felt for Clem and her nasty bouts of anxiety. I loved Lucas, he was very caring and considerate, putting everyone else first. A sweet story, easy to read, and nicely written.

Having thoroughly enjoyed the first book in the Cat Café series, I was excited to dive into this second instalment.

Rachel Rowlands does not disappoint, delivering another delightful tale filled with charm, humour, and heart.

It was great to catch up with Emma, Jared, and Sylvie, who we were introduced to in the first book.

This time, the focus shifts to Clem, the baker at the café, and Lucas, who co-owns Muddy Paws, a dog-themed café also set in the picturesque Lake District.

Watching Clem come into her own as she navigates her anxiety, shyness, and past experiences of bullying was particularly moving.

Her journey feels relatable and inspiring, as she works to find her confidence and embrace her talents.

The baking competition theme adds a layer of fun and excitement, and fans of The Great British Bake Off will be hooked.

As the competition hots up, so does the chemistry between Clem and Lucas - will the sparks between them fizzle or pop?

Their budding romance adds an extra layer of warmth and tension to an already engaging story.

The lovable characters, both human and feline, make the story even more enjoyable, and the Cat Café itself continues to be a warm and inviting setting.

Rowlands’ storytelling is engaging and light-hearted, with moments of poignancy that deepen the narrative.

It’s the perfect read for curling up with a cup of tea and some cake, especially if you're a fan of cosy stories and cats.

This book is a heartwarming treat, and I can’t wait to see what’s next for the Cat Café!

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

Introvert Clem enters a national baking competition representing the Cat café where she works, Lucas enters for his Dog café . Cats v. dogs, but who will win? The tv cameras and audience make much of a romance between them but can competitors fall in love? Perfect winter/ holiday reading.

Weirdly, I started reading this book without knowing what it was about. Good thing I didn't as I don't like stories that are about reality TV and competitive shows. However, I am so glad to have read this book (it was the cat theme that lured me into this) as it had all sorts of characters and I do love it when fiction is about all flavors of the human kind. In this case someone with social anxiety, chronic pain, financial troubles, men that dare to be more than their testosterone.

And now I am hoping for a next in this series, perhaps we can see what Dwayne is up to, I would love to know =^.^=

Clem suffers badly from anxiety . She works as a baker at Catpurrchino café making cat shaped bakes. Her boss Sylvie enrols her in a competition by Whisked Away a tv show. One of her opposition is Lucas who Bakes dog shaped treats for Muddy Paws cafe. It starts to get awkward when they get attracted to each other