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ramblings_ofa_booknerd's review against another edition
4.0
Christmas at the Cat Café is the first book I've read by Jessica Redland, but it won't be my last because look at that kittens!!
This story will touch all of your emotions, so be prepared to be happy, sad.
Tabby has had a dream of opening her own cat cafe, and after several setbacks, her dream is coming true. But unfortunately Tabby gets dumped, she comes to terms with her diagnosis of Fibromyalgia, and finds herself the target of someone's hate crimes.
The story is well written, the author certainly did her research. The fibro fog, the overwhelming fatigue, and constant pain is something patients all deal with this kind of diagnosis and learning to live with it is a challenge. It’s hard to accept but eventually you’ll endure that.
I love how she uses colors for her flare stages and the description of the cats in the cafe in the beginning. I am definitely recommending this book to others.
This story will touch all of your emotions, so be prepared to be happy, sad.
Tabby has had a dream of opening her own cat cafe, and after several setbacks, her dream is coming true. But unfortunately Tabby gets dumped, she comes to terms with her diagnosis of Fibromyalgia, and finds herself the target of someone's hate crimes.
The story is well written, the author certainly did her research. The fibro fog, the overwhelming fatigue, and constant pain is something patients all deal with this kind of diagnosis and learning to live with it is a challenge. It’s hard to accept but eventually you’ll endure that.
I love how she uses colors for her flare stages and the description of the cats in the cafe in the beginning. I am definitely recommending this book to others.
fekete815's review against another edition
3.0
I have a lot of contradicting thoughts with this book. I loved the cats and the chronic illness representation. But for a book with Christmas in its title, it really wasn’t Christmasy, nor did it need to take place at Christmastime. I was hoping for a heartwarming read, but this was often more sad than happy. Also, it kind of drags and gets repetitive. This really should have been a novella.
okayashe36's review against another edition
3.0
I really only continued reading it because of the cats. I did like the chronic illness representation but besides this really fell flat for me.
outofoffice_reading's review against another edition
3.0
A low 3⭐️ and really only getting 3 because of the cats.
This was such a weird book. I run hot & cold with Jessica Redland, but this is the first I’ve read of hers where I’m pretty much indifferent. It was a nice, easy, quick read, but honestly there was nothing remarkable.
I expected a feel good festive story, but it was seriously lacking in anything close to a Christmas book, other than it taking place in November / December, and to be honest there wasn’t much about the cat cafe really either. I think the book tried to handle far too many things and ended up a bit of a mess.
The first half of the book is like a completely separate story to the second half, like 2 novellas, one about opening a cat cafe & one about falling in love with your best friend. It didn’t run smoothly at all and a lot of the characters actions were at odds with what you come to expect from them. I did like the chronic illness element, you don’t see it often enough and it worked well with the overarching story.
But the story as a whole was just underwhelming and odd. The bit where her brother says it would be gross for them to date simply highlighted the fact that actually it WAS a bit weird to fall in love with effectively your foster uncle?! But then everyone was ok with it and always saw it coming?! Even though she refers to him as a second brother for most of the first half. Like I said, weird book.
The ultimate weirdness was that rather than a lovely successful cat cafe Christmas, she decides on Christmas Eve she doesn’t want the cafe afterall and sells it…
I really didn’t get much from this, 3⭐️ is being generous.
This was such a weird book. I run hot & cold with Jessica Redland, but this is the first I’ve read of hers where I’m pretty much indifferent. It was a nice, easy, quick read, but honestly there was nothing remarkable.
I expected a feel good festive story, but it was seriously lacking in anything close to a Christmas book, other than it taking place in November / December, and to be honest there wasn’t much about the cat cafe really either. I think the book tried to handle far too many things and ended up a bit of a mess.
The first half of the book is like a completely separate story to the second half, like 2 novellas, one about opening a cat cafe & one about falling in love with your best friend. It didn’t run smoothly at all and a lot of the characters actions were at odds with what you come to expect from them. I did like the chronic illness element, you don’t see it often enough and it worked well with the overarching story.
But the story as a whole was just underwhelming and odd. The bit where her brother says it would be gross for them to date simply highlighted the fact that actually it WAS a bit weird to fall in love with effectively your foster uncle?! But then everyone was ok with it and always saw it coming?! Even though she refers to him as a second brother for most of the first half. Like I said, weird book.
The ultimate weirdness was that rather than a lovely successful cat cafe Christmas, she decides on Christmas Eve she doesn’t want the cafe afterall and sells it…
I really didn’t get much from this, 3⭐️ is being generous.
the_real_tanya's review against another edition
4.0
Sweet love story. Quick holiday read. You'll know where this is going very early on but it's still a pleasure to read as the story unfolds and the main character (cat lady Tabby - it's that kind of cute) gets her happily ever after.
sarahthereadingaddict's review against another edition
5.0
It was so lovely to come back to Castle Street but to a new shop with the lovely Tabby.
Straight away I love the description of the Cat Cafe in the first chapter. It sounds perfect and I love the names of the areas ❤️
I adore Marmalade, he sounds so much like my cat.
The Fibromyalgia is relatable to me as my mum was diagnosed with it years ago. This isn't the only relatable part in this book. There are elements all the way through it that are relatable, situations, relationships and conversations.
I love the nicknames that Tabby and Tom have, so cute. I was hoping all the way through that Tabby and Tom would become and item despite Tabby being with Leon. I was looking forward to finding out what happened throughout the book.
I absolutely loved the cats in this book, having had cats as soon as I had my own place, I love the comfort they bring. There is also some heartache but on the whole having cats in my life is beautiful so I love the descriptions of the cats in this book.
Oh my God this book gets more and more close to home. I cried...I can't say why because I don't want to give spoilers so you'll have to read it
Straight away I love the description of the Cat Cafe in the first chapter. It sounds perfect and I love the names of the areas ❤️
I adore Marmalade, he sounds so much like my cat.
The Fibromyalgia is relatable to me as my mum was diagnosed with it years ago. This isn't the only relatable part in this book. There are elements all the way through it that are relatable, situations, relationships and conversations.
I love the nicknames that Tabby and Tom have, so cute. I was hoping all the way through that Tabby and Tom would become and item despite Tabby being with Leon. I was looking forward to finding out what happened throughout the book.
I absolutely loved the cats in this book, having had cats as soon as I had my own place, I love the comfort they bring. There is also some heartache but on the whole having cats in my life is beautiful so I love the descriptions of the cats in this book.
Oh my God this book gets more and more close to home. I cried...I can't say why because I don't want to give spoilers so you'll have to read it
ruth24's review against another edition
2.0
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
When I first saw this book, I wanted to pick it up right away because I love cats. Believe it or not, this is the second book I've read that was set in a cat cafe during Christmas!
Overall, this was an okay read for me. I enjoyed reading about the cats, the creative interior design at the cafe, and about fibromyalgia (in particular, the process of accepting the diagnosis and limitations). It did, however, feel like I was being taught about fibromyalgia at times. It didn't always feel natural. The plot was somewhat predictable until the one part, which made me audibly gasp. I liked the romance and thought it was sweet.
I would have liked to hear more about the day-to-day of the cafe, more descriptions of the food and drinks, and different customers to up the cozy factor.
I'd recommend if you're a cat lover or interested in reading about or learning more about chronic pain/illness.
When I first saw this book, I wanted to pick it up right away because I love cats. Believe it or not, this is the second book I've read that was set in a cat cafe during Christmas!
Overall, this was an okay read for me. I enjoyed reading about the cats, the creative interior design at the cafe, and about fibromyalgia (in particular, the process of accepting the diagnosis and limitations). It did, however, feel like I was being taught about fibromyalgia at times. It didn't always feel natural. The plot was somewhat predictable until the one part, which made me audibly gasp. I liked the romance and thought it was sweet.
I would have liked to hear more about the day-to-day of the cafe, more descriptions of the food and drinks, and different customers to up the cozy factor.
I'd recommend if you're a cat lover or interested in reading about or learning more about chronic pain/illness.
sampinter's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
laineygillon's review against another edition
4.0
Such a cute book, so wholesome and sweet. An absolute perfect read/listen for those cold, wet and windy days.