A wonderful start to this beautiful series.

Millie is a warm loveable character really friendly and has time for everyone. She has a lovely little cafe that you just want to visit, you can imagine the delicious smells of her bakes and cooking, the sea breeze and the bright colours of the cafe.

Im looking forward to the next part to see what it brings for Millie and the cafe.

In January I decided to read more books out of my usual comfort zone (like Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Graphic Novels and Young Adult lit). When I stumbled upon Millie Vanilla’s Cupcake Café I was intrigued right away. I got hooked on the story after two pages and couldn’t put down the book until I finished it in one sitting. That hasn’t happened to me in a long time. Often I need a break to do something else, but not with this lovely story.

It’s a sweet, light read and one that you should definitely read accompanied by some biscuits or cake, because I can promise you you’ll crave them. Novellas like these make me miss all the lovely cafés I’ve visited in the UK and I really wished I could go to Millie’s Café right about now.

The story had the right pace and you get to know the characters pretty well. It’s written in such a good way and of course there had to be a cliffhanger in the end. I really need to get my hands on the sequel!

This makes for a fantastic read between all of your highly-concentrated fantasy and sci-fi reads and the romance is pretty perfect for a February feeling (with Valentine’s Day coming up and all). I suggest you pick up a copy as soon as it’s published (which will be tomorrow, by the way).

I am probably not the first one to be enticed by that sugary sweet front cover, and I am sure that I won't be the last either! Sweet and cosy front cover + a book title with 'cake' in it = TWG set for the evening. Yes, those two things sold me on nabbing Georgia Hill's novel to read. Shallow? No way. Genius? Hell yeah!

Going to the seaside wouldn't be the same, jovial experience we have all reminisce about, without nipping into the café nearby for an ice-cream or egg and chips. Well, they're my personal favourites anyway, but I'm sure you catch my drift! Cue Millie and her seaside café; a venture in which she is fiercely protective of. So protective in fact, that when the rumour mill goes into overdrive about a new café pulling the rug from under her feet, Millie soon learns who she can and can't trust. Although, lets emphasise the can't trust shall we? I mean, they do say that it is the nice ones that you need to watch...

'Spring Beginnings' is the first book in the 'Millie Vanilla's Cupcake Cafe' three part series with part two 'Summer Loves', following later in the year. Even though the front cover screamed sweet like chocolate, the storyline itself reminded me of the popular seaside treat, rock; vibrant on the outside yet full of depth and flavour on the inside. There is more to 'Spring Beginnings' that meets the eye but one thing is for certain, I am VERY glad that you cannot consume calories from a physical book. The amount of yummy treats that are described in this book is mouth watering; and then you have the actual food on top of that! (Yes, there are a few dapper gentleman mentioned!!)

As with all multiple part book series, you will only find out so much from each section, leaving you with unanswered questions or in this case, loud hunger pains too. I adored the homely personality of the main character, Millie, as it felt as though she was the heart and soul of the storyline itself. From the very beginning, 'Spring Beginnings' stole my heart; the storyline had enough depth to keep me going until the end. Even the characters stood out in their own ways without losing any of their identity along the way. A very promising start to an already cosy read, roll on part two!

Thank you HarperImpulse/Netgalley.

Thanks Netgalley for letting me review this 3 part book. This is a real heart warmer and made me look forward to spring and summer (which at the moment seems a long way away). Millie the main character and is totally relatable and easy to like and the sense of friendship and community in the seaside village is wonderful. Makes me thing of the old days.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this copy.

Millie runs a café in a seaside village just outside Lyme Regis. Her parents originally owned the café and since they died some years ago in a car accident, Millie has given everything up to keep the café going. It does well, situated on the sea front. She bakes her own cakes, uses local produce, has lots of regulars to keep her going through the winter and plenty of seasonal customers throughout the summer. One day the man of her dreams walks in. Jed in a management consultant working in the area. The attraction is instant and the pair soon become inseperable. Then Millie finds out that the old bank has been taken over by a huge multi national chain coffee house. She worries how she is going to compete against them, and finds her friends rally round her to think of ideas to keep her business going. She’s so thankful for all the help and support, especially from Jed – but she then finds out something about him…..

This is a short story beginning the first part of the Millie Vanilla’s Cupcake Café Series. I have, on a previous review, said about how much I hate these little short stories when they could just be released as one whole book. This book I make an exception to!! I loved this one. I finished it in a couple of hours, and even though I knew it was going to be a short one and would be left wanting more, I didn’t care!! The story was predictable, you knew where it was going right from the beginning, but it had me hooked and I couldn’t put it down. I loved the characters and I loved the setting. I love the Dorset and Jurrasic Coastline and I could just picture sitting in this little café along the sea front eating a slice of Millie’s Victoria Sponge!! Can’t wait for the next instalment!!