Reviews with content warning for Death - The Pumpkin Spice Café

Because of all the hype, I was excited to read my next favorite cozy, small-town romance... and this was not it. The quality of the writing is actually kind of poor and the author did a lot of telling, not showing. The characters are pretty one-dimensional, and the while I could understand the main conflict why the characters couldn't date, these adult characters acted like 15 year olds in their assumptions and lack of communication. Also, while we got little snippets of deeper characterizations, those deeper thoughts were never fleshed out. I wasn't on board with the romance because it was very insta-lovey. While the book has a wholesome, cozy vibe, the spicy scenes did not fit in with the overall feeling of the book or the characters as they were portrayed on the page. The "mystery" going on was so weak, with minimal details or suspects and a very predictable conclusion. If this book wasn't such a quick listen (only 3.5 hours on 2x speed), I would have DNFed it. Another reviewer said this book felt like just an outline of a novel, and I completely agree. This book could have been a lot better if it had more details, more fine-tuned writing, and more character development. Bumped up the rating slightly because I laughed out loud a couple times at some funny lines.

Content Warnings

singingshooter's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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lavasteentje's review against another edition

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funny hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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kelleykamanda's review against another edition

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funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

Cozy, cheesy, nothing particularly special- but as a homesick New England gal, it was needed

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bookcheshirecat's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

4.5

“Somewhere along the way, she’d forgotten to figure out who she was or what she wanted to be when she grew up. She’d graduated college all shiny and optimistic about her future with her nose ring intact, and then spent the next seven years having her soul sucked out one ten-hour day at a time.”

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“Was that her future? To work and work until her heart just gave out? Gave up? Jeanie had a tendency to overthink. To over-talk. To overwork. She didn’t do rest and relaxation very well. She didn’t do calm or cool. But she was determined to try.”

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chelseaisreading's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

A perfect cozy fall romance. Some laughs, some spice, and my favorite—small town found family. I would not characterize him as grumpy?? Just a guy who got his heart trampled on, trying to play it cool. And she’s not really a sunshine…just an anxious girlie trying to start over in a small town. Take that as you will.
Will definitely continue the series as the holidays approach.

Also bless the town bookclub, my favorite side characters!

Content Warnings

aishallnot's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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henriettaenam's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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