The Christmas Cake Café is a fun story of family, friendship, new beginnings, self-reflection and romance. When Jen Barker is dumped by her long term boyfriend on the night that she is expecting a proposal, she is at loose ends. She calls her half-sister Jody to commiserate, she ends up accepting her invitation to go with her on a working vacation to the Swiss Alps. It wasn't what she had planned for her Christmas Holiday, but she will be able to recharge and be with her only living family member. She meets Jon Zucker, a ski instructor in a meet cute, and they become friends. As they spend more time with each other, they both begin to have feelings for the other, but both of them have baggage and Jon has a secret. Although her sister pushes her to have a holiday romance, Jen isn't sure she wants to do that. As they bond over Sachetorte at the picturesque Cake Café, Jen thinks he might just be her perfect man, but what about the secrets?

This was a romance, but so much more. Jen has serious issues about love and taking chances. She didn't have a very good relationship with her father after he and her mother divorced and she really didn't know Jody well, so there was a storyline about broken families and how that affects people into adulthood. Jen has very low self-esteem and doesn't believe she is worthy of love, so sticks with a man that doesn't treat her the best and is always undermining her. I'm glad he left her as it gave her a chance to go on a journey of self-discovery. Jen was a character that had me feeling so much for her and with her. Jody and her friends were a hoot. They supported Jen and pushed her a little, but also got her to try new things. The secret Jon has is also something to do with family to it also adds to that theme. There was humour, adventure, fun and sweet times in this book and I enjoyed it a lot. It is set at Christmas time, but other than that, there was not a lot of festivities in the story, but it was still a good one that I recommend.

The Christmas Cake is an absolutely delightful read and I adored every single chapter. A gorgeous Christmassy read.

The Christmas Cake Café by Sue Watson

I wanted to love this so, so badly, but when I can't connect with a single character I end up losing interest. Unfortunately, this was a DNF for me but I so appreciate the opportunity I was given to read and review it.

As the Prosecco chills and Bing Crosby croons, Jen Barker just knows that her long-term boyfriend is about to propose. But instead of a diamond ring nestled in her champagne flute, Jen finds cold flat rejection. Her once perfect life and dreams of a husband and family seem even further from reach.

A working holiday to the Swiss Alps with her younger sister Jody might not be the Christmas Jen had it mind, but it offers her the chance to recharge her batteries and recover from heartbreak.

I love Christmas books and all things Christmasy so I was excited to start The Christmas Cake Cafe. I liked the fact that the characters were a little older sometimes it's a breath of fresh air to read something that's slightly different. I have a love/hate relationship with the whole insta-love thing. I really wanted to see more of their romance, it's like we got lots of other points of the story but not the romance.

This was my first book from Sue Watson and I would definitely read more from this author.

Cute and sweet Christmas tale featuring a couple that is older than most books. I think if readers are tired of reading about twenty-somethings finding love this book may just hit the right spot. I liked Jen. The romance is a bit predictable and kind of Hallmark-movie-like, but overall it's a fun story for the season.

I've read Sue Watson before and love a Christmas read. This one was no exception and enjoyed it it didn't take me long to read. Enjoyed reading about the ski slopes, could picture it as I was reading. Will look out for her next book. Thank you for letting me read and review this book.

I really enjoy this author’s voice, especially the Christmas-themed stories. Sue Watson has a wonderful way of capturing the spirit of the holiday season within the pages of her books so vividly, as a reader, I feel transported into the story. I can almost feel the icy sting on my cheeks of the swirling snow, the melting chocolate on my tongue and the scent of apples and cinnamon baking in a cozy bakery. I want to live in Sue Watson’s books.

The Christmas Cake Café introduces us to Jen Barker, a middle-aged woman who has spent too much time and energy on her loser boyfriend who breaks her heart just when she thought he would propose. Thank God for Jen’s sister, Jody, who practically forces Jen to come to the Swiss Alps with her and some friends for a once-in-a-lifetime Christmas working holiday. Here in the perfect Christmas backdrop, Jen can find herself again and begin to dream of a happily-ever-after.

Jen meets Jon, a local ski instructor, who seems to show up during some of Jen’s less than appealing moments, especially when forced to wear clothing she had to borrow because her own luggage has gone MIA. I liked Jon, though. He is kind, sweet and attentive and manages to keep his surprise and bewilderment about Jen to himself. I especially liked that he has his own relationship baggage of his own to carry but doesn’t let it derail him from his own path.

Likable characters and a smooth flowing storyline are essential to me as a reader. The characters are easy to relate to and bond with. I really liked them all and cared about what happens to them. The story flows from moment to moment in a leisurely and smooth pattern. It was very easy to lose myself in the story and forget where I was.

My Final Verdict: I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the scenery and highly recommend it for anyone looking to add some Christmas cheer to their reading pile.

A sweet story set in the Swiss Alps, but not one that blew me away. It was mainly focused on the lead character finding herself, with a bit of romance mixed into it. The café mentioned in the title, however, is only a dream of the character and it doesn't exist when the novel starts.

I tried to enjoy this book, but it was a little predictable for me. It had some sweet and warm qualities - who doesn't like a feel good story, complete with food - but it didn't keep my interest as much as I would like it to have. It was a fast read, and it did have some good qualities.

This was not a book for me. I was bored and I didn't care about the characters. I was bored and wasn't taking anything in. I skim read the rest of the book.

Oh my goodness I adored this book!!  I loved Jen as a character and could really sympathise with her struggles and I had to laugh at times too at her mishaps! 

I loved how the relationship between Jen and Jon developed and the descriptions of the area really have made me want to go and visit in the future and I definitely need to go any eat some of the cakes described!! 

The book completely charmed me and I haven't hesitated to give it 5 stars!!

I was just about to start Snowflakes, Iced Cakes and Second Chances: When searching through my kindle for it I realised I hadn't read this one. How does this keep happening to me. 
​I'm a huge Sue Watson fan after being introduced to Love, Lies and Lemon Cakes. All of Sue's books have managed to make me smile or LOL, I find these really easy and enjoyable reads and a big change from my usual crime thrillers.
​Jen goes off on a working holiday with her half sister and friends, and after being dumped by Dan. Jen is maybe a little to straight for the girls she's away with, they certainly do their best to change that. Jen also seems to manage to get most things wrongs, which in parts is hilarious. This book really does have so many happy, smiley parts to it. Fairy tales and cake and maybe a little more cake. Just what more can girl ask for. OH yeah maybe a little 'lovin'.  
​This one is another feel good, happy read. I loved the character Jen, although at times her need for perfection did get a little annoying. 
​The story is brilliantly written and keeps you gripped the whole way through, I read this in a day, after racing round doing all I needed to I decided it was me time and sat down to read. I'm lucky that I now have another Sue Watson book to start and I so can't wait for it.

This book is a tonic. The characters are described with humour. Life and love does not always work out as expected. I felt cold in the snow and could smell the wonderful coffee and cake. A heart warming tale, great to read snuggled up on the couch in the warm.

Jen Barker, in her forties, feels depressed after the shock of being dumped on Christmas Eve by her longtime "live in" boyfriend, when she was expecting a marriage proposal.
She accepts an offer to join her sister and friends on a working vacation in the Swiss Alps. The scenery is gorgeous- a winter wonderland.
Lost luggage leads to lots of humorous and potential embarrassing situations.
Does Jen get along with her sister's friends?
Does she cheer up and have fun?
Does the airline find her luggage?
Does she find romance with one of the ski instructors?
I enjoy reading Christmas stories and chose The Christmas Cake Cafe by Sue Watson because it was listed as a brilliantly funny, feel good Christmas read. Romance stories are not my usual genre, which may explain my lower rating for this novel. It was a quick and easy read.

Thanks to NetGalley, Bookoture and Sue Watson for an ARC of this book.

I really enjoyed the book, it has everything I love in a novel from start to finish. I can’t wait to read what the author has planned next!

Really lovely feel good book. Made me feel ready for the joys and magic of Christmas. Fun characters a proper snuggle up by the fire read

Yet again, Sue Watson delivers another wonderfully funny tale, this time with a festive twist!When Jen's dreams of a proposal are crushed, her dreams of a husband and family later on down the line are over, too. Instead, she embarks on a trip to the Swiss Alps for Christmas with her younger sister in an attempt to put the past behind her. Until she meets the handsome ski instructor...

This is a perfect Christmas read to snuggle up with in the cold! Sue's writing is funny, addictive, and packed with romance.

Sue Watson never disappoints! The Christmas Cake Cafe is another lovely, feel good holiday book that will have you giggling (and really, is a fun book for any time of year, not just the Christmas holidays). Her characters are delightfully quirky and free-spirited. My heart broke for Jen as much as my jaw dropped as she dealt with the oddities of her roommates' borrowed wardrobe - cow udders, see-through dresses and all.

This was a lovely romance, happy and light - and a quick read, which is good because you will want cake!

This is a lovely, fun, happy, Christmas story. Jen, 40, is single and fed up with her life. She takes a three month job working in a café in the Swiss Alps. Her half sister Jody is there and two of Jody's friends. Jen and Jody are taking time to bond. Handsome ski instructor Jon catches Jen's eye and they begin a romantic relationship. Jon wants to open a bakery selling Christmas Cake and pastries. Jen however has to return to her flat and job in England. Will she come back to the Alps to join Jon? Read on!

I love Christmas books and I was really looking forward to reading this, but I really struggled to get into it, but when I did I found myself liking Jen and all her antics in Switzerland, my only problem was that I didn't feel much chemistry between Jen and Jon, and i was a little disappointed with the whole story.