Review of 'The Cafe on the Coast' by Christie Barlow

Review of 'The Cafe on the Coast' by Christie Barlow

Release date: Dec 31, 2025

Publisher: One More Chapter

REVIEW

Wow, what an enchanting story feast! This is now my ultimate favourite Puffin Island instalment of the series. Christie Barlow’s writing skills shine even brighter with this outstanding mystery romance which contains numerous surprises, twists, turns and heavenly delights. And I don’t just mean the mouth-watering recipes that we actually can create for ourselves since they are included at the back of the novel.

I don’t quite know where to begin in my praise of The Café on the Coast as it is a reading experience like a delectable dessert. Pure heavenly escapism. I don’t want to give anything away but I will touch on a few areas. First, the Prologue is set in 1918 at Eldenbridge Palace, where we meet Earl of Aberford standing before the Queen. We learn he has been to Puffin Island for a reprieve but returns with a different decision than what the Queen expects. His time away provided ‘a taste of life he secretly longed for.’ His desire for freedom is strong: so he chooses to give up his title and end his courtship with the Queen’s daughter. What are the consequences? We will ultimately learn.

Chapter One pulled me into the present with a warm and welcoming introduction to Clemmie’s baking. Then a squawking mischievous puffin makes an appearance and heads for her glistening Victoria sponge cake with its luscious cream and dives in. A humorous scene indeed! I was hooked from the start and could not stop laughing and reading. Puffins certainly have quite the personalities! I am sure that cake must have tasted delicious even to a bird. But humour aside, I loved this royal fairy-tale cooking story set in amazing dream-filled historical locations with likeable characters (human and feathered!). This fourth book is so enchanting it had me cheering, crying, laughing and mesmerised.

I enjoy books and movies that centre around cooking events and this one is extra special as it includes royalty. The novel is brimming with all the excitement you’d expect from a Royal Baking Competition where the winner is invited to a royal garden party and their winning recipe is created at the palace and featured at the event. On top of this, the winner gets their own cookbook deal and all the positive publicity imaginable. The setting for the competition is impressive, too, as it takes place on the Royal Yacht at Puffin Island. Winning this event is a massive boost to a business and a baker’s morale. And in this case, beloved Clemmie has a chance to showcase her family’s history: particularly through her great-great grandmother’s signature Clementine Torte recipe. But as exciting as this all is, she soon discovers there are challenges to overcome. Starting with the host who is someone special from her past. This charming world traveller Oliver, who broke her heart, now waltzes back into her life. How will she handle the situation? Well, I can tell you it turns out to be quite an adventure of daring and delightful moments. Their reunion is fairy-tale spectacular.

Yet Clemmie must remain focused. Winning a prestigious baking contest is her dream. She learned to cook as a child with her grandmother who instilled in her a passion for whipping up fine treats. Until a negative review of her Café, sent her through a period of serious self-doubt. Thankfully her grandmother offered advice that helped set her back on track. For she has real talent and the island residents know this and support her. So when she gets word she has been nominated as a contestant, she is over the moon with joy. But who has put her name forth? She does not know. Yet this question (later answered) will not stop her from seizing this gift with both hands! When the day arrives for the royal yacht tour, she is spellbound. For it offers her an unforgettable culinary experience (and more time with Oliver). I loved the detailed descriptions and historical references everywhere throughout this book. And cannot praise Christie enough for taking me up close to artifacts and magnificent locations (whether fictional or real) through her beautiful words. I felt transported to the atmospheric settings.

The antagonist in this story is well executed and we certainly find a number of reasons to dislike her! She really gives our Clemmie lots of trouble! And delivers some surprises to the plot. Then there is an age old secret that erupts in Clemmie’s family that is quite unexpected. I enjoyed the mystery, the clues and resolution--even though this discovery threatens Clemmie’s chances of success and happiness. But I must add, the romance elements in this novel (all aspects) are at a fairy-tale level and the excursions in royal settings are of princess dream quality. I loved the interactions between Clemmie and Oliver so there’s lots to keep a romantic heart beating wildly! And so many humorous situations such as the one of Clemmie in her pjs with the Queen!

There are many excellent messages in this novel. One is about baking and how it can offer joy, love and a chance to display family traditions. And the ‘secret ingredient is the care you put into it...’ And there are positive messages to counter attacks on self-esteem. It seems lately I have read a lot of novels that focus on this topic. In The Café on the Coast, when Clemmie’s café is given a nasty review, she feels like giving up. Her grandmother, though, pulls her aside and offers good advice. ‘You can’t let what other people do and how they treat you define you as a person.’ True! And Clemmie learns with time that ‘self-worth isn’t about never failing. …It is about having courage to keep going, to keep learning, to keep dreaming… and… surrounding yourself with people who believe in you even when you can’t believe in yourself.’ Great words of wisdom and this message rings loud and clear the bell of hope.

I could go on for hours praising this novel but I will say no more except The Café on the Coast is a must read. Everyone who wants a dreamy pick-me-up, dive into this romantic, royal fairy-tale story full of good vibes, great food and a happy ending. This is an epic 5 Star feel-good treat! I absolutely loved it from the first taste to the very last bite. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️