This book is the first by Kate Hewitt that I have read. I thoroughly enjoyed her tale of an English tea shop and the charming owner. The tea shop is set in Willoughby Close. The neighbors are all close and take care of each other.
Olivia James runs Tea on the Lea which was her mother’s tea shop. Her mother has retired and is now in an assisted living place. Olivia wants to make a go of the shop, but is having trouble attracting new customers and then a neighbor gives her an idea. Olivia is going to do a 12 Days of Christmas Cupcakes incentive. This promotion seems to attract all kinds of new customers especially one handsome man in particular.
Simon Blacklock rushes into the shop just as it is closing and praises the cupcakes. He makes an impression by being attractive and telling Olivia that she isn’t charging enough for the cupcakes. Olivia gets his name off of his debit card and can’t wait to see him again. When she mentions his name to a friend, the friend hints that there may be secrets in Simon’s past.
Olivia is trying to figure out who she is and what she wants. She sees all of her friends in happy relationships and wants that for herself. However, after being single for a number of years, Olivia isn’t sure she wants to give up that freedom. When she meets Simon, she has to balance her own expectations with the man that he shows her to be while coping with the rumors surrounding him.
This story is a sweet love story about the power of Christmas time and the romance of the season. Things are not trite nor is the story overwrought. It is simply a feel good story for the holidays.

Another fantastic read by Kate Hewitt with more of her works to be added to my forever growing TBR pile.

Always the baker, never the bride…

Olivia James has always been happy running a tea shop and bakery in the Cotswold village of Wychwood-on-Lea, and helping her friends find their happily-ever-afters, topped by the perfect wedding cake. But as Christmas approaches, Olivia is home alone and questioning her choices while eating too many of her own specialty confections.

When Simon Blacklock, a handsome, whimsical stranger, breezes into her shop and buys a cupcake and then returns the next day and the day after, Olivia begins to dream. Can romance blossom amidst the sugar and flour? And after a lifetime of living on the side lines, is she brave enough to star in her own story?
Simon may be hiding a painful secret, but Olivia harbours secrets of her own. If they can dare to risk their hearts, this Christmas might be the most magical yet!

Two serious issues are woven into the fabric of the story - Olivia’s mother’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis and Simon’s longstanding history with depression. Both medical issues are handled rather simply, yet sensitively. This was a lovely story of new love between two mature people nearing middle age.

Lots of tears and laughter in this heart-breaking yet heart-warming story about family and friends mixed with a journey of romance.

Whilst I haven't read the previous Willoughby Close stories... I found I wasn't missing anything and that this can be read as stand-alone.

Thank-You Netgalley for my ARC.

Cupcakes for Christmas is another Cotswold village of Wychwood-on-Lea story by Kate Hewitt. The characters are common everyday people with everyday type of struggles. It is both a heartwarming and heart aching read. Also it is a story that supersedes the holiday season and the place where it takes place, meaning it could happen anytime and anyplace.

If Olivia James lives in my neck of the woods, we would call her a small-town bakery shop owner. Her shop is one we would welcome not just for the cupcakes but for the safe haven it provides for the young teens. Again her age was of interest as well as Simon’s. I like that Kate Hewitt’s stories that include all ages. As a Christmas story it was sweet, as a story of life and love it was wonderful. Recommend to all who lean towards women’s fiction with a helping of real romance.

I’ve enjoyed other Willoughby Close books, but this one, the first in a new series, left me feeling a little unsatisfied.

The book has the same mix of romance and serious issues as the other books. Olivia is trying to make a go of running the village bakery, which she has taken over after her mother’s retirement. She’s been content with her life as a single woman, but when Olivia meets awkwardly handsome Simon, she begins to realize that maybe she’s not so happy living alone after all. A relationship starts to develop between them, but a health crisis with Olivia’s mum and Simon’s secretive behavior threaten to derail their romance.

I’m not entirely sure why I didn’t like this novel as much as the earlier books. I think partly it was because story seemed to develop very slowly, with the relationship between Simon and Olivia inching forward. In the other books, friendships between the main and secondary characters are as important to the plot as the romance, but Olivia doesn’t seem to have a really close friend, so that element was missing, too.

That said, if you are looking for a Christmas-themed read, this is a good choice. Hewitt is a very good writer; I’m just disappointed that this one just doesn’t live up to some of her past work.

A copy of this book was provided through NetGalley for review; all opinions expressed are my own.

This was a sweet romance novel. Even though I have never read any of Kate Hewitt's books, it was easy to catch up with the characters. Olivia was very likable and relateable. I think of times I've been in a new relationship and doubted myself. It's a very uneasy and yet exciting place to be and this was captures very well from Olivia perspective. There were also some heavier topics sprinkled in this otherwise light-hearted romance, such as dementia and depression. It made the novel seem more realistic and heart-wrenching. Overall a sweet story that has made me want to read more of Kate Hewitt's books.

This was a lovely festive read. This was unusual in the it had not only some comedic and silly moments but also some poignant and moving moments too. It had a very real feel to it and I appreciated that a lot. I do recommend this to anybody who wants a really good, slightly deeper Christmas read.

Cupcakes for Christmas is the perfect Christmas read, straight away I fell in love with the characters Olivia and Simon, but they both have problems that they are dealing with, can they banish their problem and fall in love? Read the book and find out, you won't be disappointed.

This is Olivia and Simon’s story, a romance full of life’s trials. “Tea on Lea (Olivia’s business that she inherited from her mom) is how she meets Simon. He used buying a cupcake of the day as his excuse to meet her. Simon is a music teacher who suffers from depression. Simon helps Olivia deal with her Mom’s memory issue and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. In turn Olivia helps Simon with his depression.

When she does let herself get to know Simon, she learns she likes him (first). She likes his enthusiasm, his smile, his goofy grin. It’s “like” before any insta-love. She’d like to know what is behind his disappearances and wariness but doesn’t gossip or pry into his private business. It’s nice to see a little restraint like that. What she does do is cut to the chase and ask him his intentions about “them.” They’re both too old to wishy-wash around. Good for Olivia. She does have a few moments when she is worried about him but she has cause.

I liked the addition of her relationship with her mother which feels realistic. My own mother is getting up there in age and I worry about her too. What they discover is all to common these days and I could see myself in some of the ways Olivia responds and reacts.

When Olivia does learn about Simon hasn’t told her, it has an impact. Again, I feel she responds realistically to something she’s had no experience with but involving someone she’s coming to care for. Major huzzahs that twue love doesn’t conquer all the ills and illnesses in life. Olivia and Simon appear to be moving towards a happy relationship and perhaps we’ll see more of them in the coming series. B

Cupcakes for Christmas by Kate Hewitt
Always the baker, never the bride…
Olivia Williams has always been happy running a tea shop and bakery in the Cotswold village of Wychwood, and helping her friends find their happily-ever-afters, topped by the perfect wedding cake. But Christmas approaches, Olivia is home alone and questioning her choices while eating too many of her own specialty confections.
But when Simon Blacklock, a handsome, whimsical stranger breezes into her shop and buys a cupcake and returns the next day and the day after, Olivia begins to dream. Can romance blossom amidst the sugar and flour? And after a lifetime of living on the side lines, is she brave enough to star in her own story?
Simon may be hiding a painful secret, but Olivia harbors secrets of her own. But if they dare to risk their hearts, this Christmas might be the most magical yet!
This is Olivia Williams and Simon Blacklock's story.
“Hey, Olivia!”
Olivia James looked up from her shopping list with a smile for twelve-year-old Mallory Lang as, on a gust of cold air, she breezed into Tea on the Lea, the tea shop Olivia had been running for the last two years.
Mallory shook her long, blonde hair over her shoulders as she collapsed into one of the white wrought-iron chairs at a small, spindly table and shivered dramatically. “It’s freezing out there. Mum says it might snow.”
“A white Christmas? That would be lovely.” Olivia came around the counter to close the door a bit more firmly; it really was cold, and her little shop’s antiquated bow windows were not double-glazed. Although it was only a little past three, outside the sky was already turning to the colour of pewter and only a few brave souls were walking down Wychwood-on-Lea’s high street, heads tucked low against the chilly December wind.
The merry jingle of bells on the shop door had Olivia lifting her head, and then quickly standing up as a man came into the shop, ..
Simon Blacklock a stranger breezes into her shop and buys a cupcake and returns the next day and the day after, Olivia begins to dream.
Simon Blacklock is new to the village and has been living with his sister and her family whilst trying to find a property of his own. Simon is a music teacher.
Will Olivia and Simon risk their hearts for love? read this book to find out.
"I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book."
I highly recommend reading.
Cupcakes for Christmas by Kate Hewitt is a 4 star book.
I am looking forward to reading more books by Kate Hewitt.
Kate's Books with Tule:
A Yorkshire Christmas
Christmas Around the World
Falling for Christmas
Falling for the Freemans
Falling Hard
Falling for the Freemans
A Cotswold Christmas
Willoughby Close
Meet Me At Willoughby Close
Willoughby Close
Find Me at Willoughby Close
Willoughby Close
Kiss Me at Willoughby Close
Willoughby Close
Marry Me at Willoughby Close
Willoughby Close
A Vicarage Christmas
The Holley Sisters of Thornthwaite
A Vicarage Reunion
The Holley Sisters of Thornthwaite
A Vicarage Wedding
The Holley Sisters of Thornthwaite
Cupcakes for Christmas

I quite enjoyed returning to Willoughby Close once again – if you haven’t read the original Willoughby Close series I would strongly suggest that you add it to your reading list. Is it necessary to start this new series… no, not at all, but they are amazing stories and it’s something to keep you connected while waiting for the rest of this current series to release.

Neither Olivia nor Simon are in the first bloom of their youth, and in many ways that makes this story more poignant and realistic. We face far different issues in our twenties than in our thirties or forties, don’t we? Cupcakes for Christmas reflects that very well.

I loved the idea of a different flavor cupcake each day leading up to Christmas… and Simon certainly did too, for he kept returning, although that might have been for much more than a love of cupcakes. While this story isn’t a particularly long one, it does pack an emotional punch in the issues that are dealt with in Olivia and Simon’s lives. No one comes into a relationship without some sort of baggage from the past or even the present. It was an intriguing journey watching this couple work their way through issues and realities to find each other and a happy ending.

I enjoyed myself back in this small town with it’s close knit community and quirky neighbors once again. If you’re a reader who enjoys going a little deeper into the issues that crop up in any relationship while enjoying a perfectly charming Christmas romance as well… then Cupcakes for Christmas is perfect for you.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

Kate Hewitt is a new author to me but mention the word Christmas and I’m ready to dive in and after reading Cupcakes for Christmas I have to wonder why I haven’t come across this author before now.i really enjoyed meeting the residents of Willoughby Close and I loved the idea of the 12 Days of Christmas Cupcakes, what a great new tradition. Olivia has taken over her mum’s cafe and she is trying to find ways to increase business and when one of the teenagers who frequent the cafe suggested having 12 different cupcakes for each day with a free one if you purchase all 12 Olivia decides it’s perfect and that’s when we meet Simon who comes in everyday for a cupcake. An instant attraction and a love of Cupcakes makes for a sweet romance. This book is am emotional read the author covers the subject of Alzheimer’s and dementia with compassion and protrayed just how hard this terrible illness is on loved ones. Looking forward to reading more from this author .

Kate Hewitt is an author that I’ve lost count of how many books that I’ve managed to read at this point but seeing I’m reviewing yet another you can probably guess that I do enjoy her writing. The last book I had read was more of a domestic drama but Cupcakes for Christmas returns to what I’m most familiar with of her work, a contemporary romance with this one being set during the holiday season.

Olivia James is the owner of her own little tea and sweet shop that had once belonged to her mother. Olivia and her mother had always been close living about the shop together until recently when she turned the business over to Olivia and retired and moved into her own place.

Olivia had been experimenting with new ideas for the shop when she decides on trying out different cupcakes to hopefully expand her business. One day Simon Blacklock stumbles into the shop and his quirky nature wins Olivia over so when he promises to keep visiting for more cupcakes Olivia finds herself looking forward to his visits.

Cupcakes for Christmas is the type of book that is just as much heartbreaking as it is heartwarming. The couple within this story were both immediately likable and their meeting and getting to know one another quite sweet. Both however have issues in their lives that are quite heartbreaking and bringing that into each other’s lives only made them seem stronger so overall I found this quite the touching read with a bit heavier subject matter.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

The plot is actually pretty interesting. It could have definitely been used a little bit better though. I found the book kind of flat. Like the characters didn't have any depth. I was reading about them and it was just that. Nothing more. 
Even though you know that I have a soft spot for book boyfriends but I didn't feel that way for Simon.

These characters just felt out of place sometimes.
Apart from that I really enjoyed the concept of Christmas. The book made me feel so cozy and I just loved that feeling.

Cupcakes for Christmas: The most uplifting and unmissable feel good love story of Christmas 2018! (Return to Willoughby Close Book 1)
By Kate Hewitt.

(Possibly one of the longest titles for a fiction book ever, but the story is so good I will let it off LOL.)

I have all the feels for this book and it greatly deserves its 5-star review.
There were moments in this story where I had to escape to the bathroom so I could sob my little heart out. The main characters fears and emotions struck a chord which resulted in some cathartic ugly crying. This is not a bad thing, in some ways, for me, it is a sign of an exceptional author who can hold me in the palm of their hand and guide me through their world.

Having said that, this is a festive romance novel and it has more cupcakes than I could possibly eat, it may have even given me a few ideas to suggest to my cake baker sister. The romance is made real by not just showing the toe-curling, cozy snuggles but the down and dirty reality of life.

This is a short but well-rounded book and I highly recommend but caution even the cold-hearted of you out there to have tissues to hand. My thanks to #TulePublishing and #Netgalley for the opportunity to review #CupcakesForChristmas
Purchase Links:
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cupcakes-Christmas-uplifting-unmissable-Willoughby-ebook/dp/B07G5P1GNK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1540332011&sr=8-1&keywords=cupcakes+for+christmas+kate+hewitt

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Cupcakes-Christmas-uplifting-unmissable-Willoughby-ebook/dp/B07G5P1GNK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1540332011&sr=8-1&keywords=cupcakes+for+christmas+kate+hewitt

Enjoyed the book. I definitely would not have minded if it was longer. It was the perfect book for the holidays. I definitely want to read the Willoughby Close Series now. I loved getting to know Olivia and her not so loving kitty. The book was a quick read , but a very cute story. The cover of the book was beautiful.

Olivia runs the tea shop and bakery, which she has taken over from her mom. Olivia decides to do the Twelve Days of Cupcakes leading up to Christmas. Each day will be a different flavor cupcake. At almost forty, Olivia has pretty much given up on marriage. She's resigned herself to having a life of living over the tea shop while taking care of Dr. Jekyll, her mom's cat who has a love -hate relationship with Olivia. Then Simon walks into the bakery to buy a cupcake. Olivia gets that feeling that she still might have a chance at love. Both Simon and Olivia are dealing with their own issues, but they end up being exactly what each other needs.

I enjoyed the story, characters, and writing style. Throughout the whole book, I kept wishing I could stop by Olivia's tea shop. I can't wait to read more stories about the new residents of Willoughby Close.

Definitely recommend the book and can't wait to read more books by the author.

Thanks to NetGalley, Tule Publishing and the author, Kate Hewitt, for a free electronic ARC of this novel.

My first book book Kate Hewitt and it will not be my last! Cupcakes for Christmas is a delightful story about Olivia who has been running a tea shop since her mother’s retirement. Her friend’s daughter loves her cupcakes and suggests she makes a different flavoured one each day in the run up to Christmas. Will this give the tea shop the boost of sales it requires?
Olivia has been happily single for many years, she then meets Simon. Could he be the man she didn’t know she wanted in her life? Does he hide a secret? If so, will it change the way she feels about him?
Despite its title, ‘Cupcakes for Christmas’ is by no means a sickly sweet book, it tackles some hard hitting issues such as dementia and does so very well.
I’d recommend this book for people who enjoy this type of fiction with a bit of a difference.
Thanks to NetGalley for a Kindle copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Olivia, single and almost forty years old, is trying to make her mother's tea shop profitable. When friend suggests running a special on cupcakes during the month of December, a handsome stranger named Simon begins to come into the shop each day to buy a cupcake. Amid many false starts, misunderstandings, and family upheavals, Olivia and Simon get to know each other in this sweet romance.

The cute cover of this book attracted me to it in the first place, but the book itself was a little on the ho-hum side. It took me a great many sittings to finish and it dragged laboriously in places. Olivia was an interesting character, and the issues of Alzheimers and depression were handled in a deft way; however, there was something about the pacing of the book that just didn't maintain my interest. Fans of small village stories and cozy romance may enjoy this read.

This cosy romance with a Christmas theme deals with several hard issues, while keeping an uplifting overall theme. Sometimes you have take a leap of blind faith in order to deal with issues and get both the life & love you desire.

I will leave a 4 star review on Amazon under name of Connie

Thanks for granting me access to this delightful book.

First time I was reading a book from Kate Hewitt. I really enjoyed her writing and really enjoyed the story. This is a feel-good book that takes place around Christmas time and that is full of yummy cupcakes made by the lovely Olivia who up until now has a cozy life. She is single and has many good friends. One days comes in her little shop an interesting and charming man who will start to buy a cupcake from her everyday. This is a book full of cupcakes, romance but it also talks about a serious issue that is dementia, Alzheimer. I found this book very cozy but also very profound. It's quite a quick read and is part one of a series called "Return to Willoughby Close". I can't wait to read the second part and read more about Olivia and her friends! I can only warmly recommend this Christmassy book.