Rating: 3.5* out of 5
My fellow bookish folk, make sure you add this book to your Christmas to-read-lists because this is such a beautiful, festive read that is best accompanied with a cup of tea and a biscuit, or in this case, a slice of cake. I would first like to thank Netgalley and the publishers at Bookouture for sending me an arc of this joyous book! 
I loved every single bit of this book and wished that there was more, I was like ooooo I can't wait to see whats in store for the next chapter and then it was onto the epilogue and I was like wait what? By that I don't mean the ending was short and rushed, what I mean is that I was so invested in this story, the characters and the what next that I was a little upset to say goodbye to them all. 
Anyway back to the review at hand, Cathy is literally that type of friend who doesn't realise how wonderful she actually is. Cathy has a heart of gold and can't bare to upset anyone despite if they hurt her which is where Tansy comes in. 

Tansy is your average angry, seventeen-year-old who seems to be mean to just about anyone. Its not until Cathy peels the layers away that we get to see the real Tansy. Her character's influence in the story is refreshing and adds a rawness to the story. However, at times I thought Tansy was a bit of a brat and just plain rude, the excuses seemed pointless but at the same time, Tansy's character is that of an misunderstood teenager. 

I've found that this book is not just about the blossoming romance between Cathy and Matt. No this book is about friendship, loneliness, mental health, love and festive joys. Its a book that I found easy to read and light, the dialogue was clever and real and the characters weren't perfect which is always a plus, there faults were what made them unique and special. If you read this book I guarantee you'll be left wanting to walk down the canal more, bake delicious cakes, join a church group and eat lots of cakes. 
As much as I loved this book I felt that the ending was short and could have done with a bit more, I did love the epilogue though which answered a lot of questions but I would have also liked to have seen maybe Tansy's mum to have appeared in the book. But then again, I'm not a writer, thats just something I would have liked to have seen.
With that in mind, I still loved this book and thought it a lovely festive read.

I found this book a low key romance that gently flowed along.  The book wasn't particularly Christmassy but touched upon the very real problem of loneliness and being alone which was dealt with sympathetically and in a caring manner.  This was particularly noticeable in the form of the main character, Cathy, who was just so understanding and tolerant about everyone., plus Matt and Erica who were dealing with a rebellious niece.   I enjoyed the rest of the characters, although none of them were dealt with much depth so that a lot was left to the imagination.  There was a a baking element but more in the background and I only wish our Village/Church Hall was so well equipped, sounds amazing.  

The one thing that grated with me somewhat was that on first being introduced to Mattias, Cathy insisted on calling him Mattias throughout the rest of the book despite being told yo call him Matt as that everyone called him.

A quick light cosy read with some romance which bubbled along without the usual dramas and misunderstandings.

I love Tilly Tennant books and every time i read a new one I think that it is my new favourite story! So this one is now my favourite! The perfect cosy Christmas story that will really leave you in a festive mood!

Cathy was able to bake before she could do much else. Always at her mother's side she seems to have picked up all the recipes her mother made through osmosis and takes great joy in being able to share them with everyone she loves.

But now her mother is gone and Cathy faces Christmas alone for the first time, in bid to combat the loneliness, Cathy finds herself at a church coffee morning taking baked goods with her.

It is through her baking that Cathy starts to make new friends and they encourage her to use her skills that she has picked up from her mother for a better good.

That is how Cathy's starts the cookery classes.

Through this she meets teenage Tansy, angry and full of attitude, she despairs as it seems the cookery classes are going to be over before they have even started thanks to Tansy.

Add into the mix, bickering church ladies trying to outdo each other, an ex who turns up with his new wife back in the village he did not like, and the man with the gorgeous hazel eyes and friendly dog, Cathy is all of a tizzy and is not sure which way her life is going to go.

Perfect Christmas reading with the right amount of romance and interest to keep you turning the pages, it really does warm you heart and I enjoyed it immensely. I was transported to the cottage of Cathy's and wanted to live there myself and bake to my heart's content and feel part of a community.

This is a real joy of a book to read - it would be even better if you read it whilst consuming the vast quantities of cakes that are mentioned, but then you might never get up off the sofa!

Whatever you do, don't read this book unless you have large quantities of cake and other goodies to hand, to eat while you are reading - well unless you just want to be made to feel hungry. 

Cathy is a fabulous baker, whether she believes it or not, and there are so many delicious sounding bakes in this book it is sure to make your mouth water, and your stomach grumble in anticipation! 

Cathy's having to rebuild her life, now that the mother she has been a carer for has passed away, and she realises just how small her life has become. so when she goes to a coffee morning at the local church, it changes everything for her. 

Her life improves so much on the back of that decision, and she gains a group of people that love what she bakes, and she is encouraged to start a cooking class, to help guide others with their own baking.   Well everyone seems to enjoy the club apart from Tansy. 

But as you get to know Tansy a bit better, she is so aloof it's hard to feel like you know her, you can't help but have some sympathy for the young adult, 

And then there is Guin, and his lovely owner who Cathy keeps bumping into on the canal path, who Cathy seems to really like, but at the same time her ex fiance keeps showing up at the flower stall, which has a great name, to buy flowers - but does he want more than just new floral bouquets? 

There are some rather more serious topics dealt with in this book in addition to the far more light hearted cake baking.  I really enjoyed seeing how both Cathy and Tansy were developed over the course of the book. 

It has been a pleasure to spend time in Cathy's Christmas Kitchen, and in Linnetford too, where I have to give a special mention to Isla and Orla who are hilarious in their bickering! 

Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and volunarily.

Having looked after her mum throughout her illness Cathy is devastated when she dies. 
Cathy learned to cook at her mother's side so she decides to set up a group where people can come to learn to bake and hopefully make new friends, starting with some of the recipes her mum taught her.
At the cookery club Cathy becomes friendly with Erica who arrives with her teenage niece Tansy. Although Tansy is rude and makes no attempt to be friendly Cathy is determined that she will not stop her coming. The cookery class is meant to be inclusive
When Cathy meets Matt, Erica’s brother and Tansy’s uncle she feels like she might actually find happiness again but her ex suddenly turns up throwing her feelings into chaos.
Made me smile and gave me a real warm glow.

Love all Tilly Tennant books if you lovely cozy reads with romance, comedy family life you will love the books

What a sweet and uplifting book this is, with loveable characters Cathy, Matthias and Erica. Unfortunately, it has some annoying characters too. It is filled with warmth, love, baking and some will they, won't they moments.

Thank you to NetGalley, Tilly Tennant and Bookouture for an ARC of Cathy’s Christmas Kitchen. In exchange for the ARC I am giving my personal review.
Cathy's Christmas Kitchen is a story about Cathy and her love of baking she got from her Mother who recently had passed away. 
The story had a little bit of everything in it from friendship- fun- baking- mystery and romance.
I normally start reading and within a few pages I am lost in the story and words but this one did not seem to hold my attention. I read it and said to myself--- it was OK but not one of the best Christmas based books I have read.

Another lovely easy read. The characters were relatable and the story flowed well. There was enough side story to make it feel different from all the other baking novels out there. Its a perfect cosy afternoon in front of the fire style book.
Many thanks to Tilly Tennant and Netgalley for the early e book copy.

Cathy’s Christmas Kitchen by Tilly Tennant

I love this time of year when all the Christmas books from my favourite authors are appearing on the shelves. I usually find a few by authors who are new to me as well. Tilly Tennant is one of those authors whose books I always look forward to with great anticipation, knowing I’m in for a treat. Alas, this one just didn’t do it for me. There were the usual strong and interesting characters I would expect from her but the storyline was lacking. I kept thinking that something was going to happen, but it really didn’t. I don’t even feel it lives up to its description of a heart-warming, feel-good romantic comedy. The story is, however, filled with references to cakes and baking, which had me itching to get into the kitchen and start mixing. Not a book I can recommend, but I’ll be looking out for Tilly’s next release nonetheless.

Cathy’s Christmas Kitchen - Tilly Tennant

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review thanks to BookOuture and Netgalley. 

Cathy was taught how to bake by her mother. Following the death of her Mother, Cathy is learning how to deal with the prospect of spending her first Christmas alone. With the help of her new friend Erica, starts up a baking class for the residents of Linnetford.

This is not your typical Christmas romance novel but it is a very enjoyable read. This is the first book I have read by Tilly and I found her writing style very enjoyable. 

Difficult topics such as ; death of a loved one, loneliness, isolation and caregiving are handled in a delicate manner.

Rating: 4/5 
After reading this, I am looking forward to the home baked treats of the Christmas season.

Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for granting me a copy of this book!

Thank You Netgalley and Bookouture for approving this ARC!

Cathy is moaning at the death of her mother and the only way she remembers her is through her mother's brilliant recipes which Cathy also uses. She gets an unexpected invitation from the church, she used to attend with her father many years ago for a coffee and so she decides at the last minute to attend the coffee. Before attending, she starts making some of her mother's delicious recipes and takes the baked goods to church. At church, the group was in awe at her baking and insists she starts cookery classes at the church. Despite the initial hesitance, Cathy give in and starts the cookery classes and while doing the classes, she makes many new friends and also finds a bit of romance...

I have read The Waffle House on the Pier and the plot line is a bit similar--along with the death of her mother, she was also heartbroken when Jonas, her ex-boyfriend ends things with her long time ago and marries someone else. However, the story itself talks about friendship, as well as about community uniting together and also supporting each other. The descriptions of the cakes like banana loaf and fruit cake, made my mouth water and made me want to have one as well. The writing was good as the author did a good job, bringing the reader into the story. The story was actually fun to read, cozy and enjoyable with some comedic scenes in the book.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this book--I should say, this book is a perfect one to read for Christmas. Worth four stars!

Another wonderful book from Tilly! I don’t even read the blurb an6more I just know I’ll love it, and I wasn’t disappointed :)

This is a sweet book that I think readers will want to curl up with! 
Cathy is dealing with the death of her mother and what to do now that she doesn't have to be her caregiver anymore. I liked Cathy and I liked all the baking! I wanted to be there in her kitchen and smell all the goodness she was making. 
I like that we get a look at the lonely side of caregiving. I don't think everyone realizes what its like. I liked seeing Cathy grow into her new sort of self. 

A cute, charming book! 

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC!

I’m really becoming a fan of Tilly Tennant books, they’re great to read. This one was very enjoyable, the characters are developed well, they’re believable and relatable.

It was OK. I think I expected something different. It didn't feel much like a Christmas book. Nothing happened for the first 20% of the book and then a blender is stolen. Nothing much happens throughout the book. I would have liked to read more about the actual cooking classes. I found most of the characters unlikeable. Cathy didn't need to do everything for her mom, she could have had assistance. Although, I'm guessing they had a very co-dependant relationship with each other. I hated how everyone made excuses for Tansy. She was simply a brat. She chose to be rude to people and deliberately went out of her way to be mean. Everything she did was on purpose. I really didn't love Cathy. The whole Jonas storyline was a little unbelievable. It's been five years, would all of that really happen? 

Give the book a try, it just wasn't for me. I look forward to reading more books by the author. I loved the cover of the book. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bookouture through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Escape to a beautiful little village called Linnetford. Where christmas is in the air and snow is fluttering down all around you. Where the setting of this lovely book is a cosy farmhouse kitchen, heavily scented with the intoxicating Christmas aromas of Christmas cake, gingerbread and biscuits and a wonderful cast of characters awaits you. Great now I have your attention let's meet our leading characters  

Cathy has loved baking and cooking ever since she was a little girl and used to bake by her mother's side. But sadly this year her mother passed away and suddenly she is facing the festive season without her beloved mother. Determined not to be sad Cathy decides to organise a weekly cooking class to let her mother's memory live on, by sharing all her lovely recipes with other lonely souls just like her. 

But with every good idea comes some interesting challenges. For Cathy's class this comes in the shape of a teenager called Tansy. Tansy is rude, to littler everyone she meets and looks like she hates every minute of being in the class. But just as Cathy is about to ask Tansy to leave. Tansy's uncle Matt explains what Tansy has and is going through and begs Cathy to let Tansy to stay. Cathy is taken in by Matt's hazel eyes and his kind heart and so agrees to keep Tansy in the class hoping that they might be able to make a break through with the healing powers of baking and cooking. 

Cathy is starting to really feel that she could find happiness with Matt. But the bubble is burst when Cathy's ex returns to Linnetford and begs for a second chance. Matt's life has got more complicated and it just seems like the easiest thing for Cathy to do to return to the comforting embrace of her past love. Completely forgetting the reasons why it didn't work out in the first place. But will Cathy fall back into the old romance or keep making things work with Matt? 

A wonderful romantic book, filled to the brim with Christmas spirit, joy and festive treats. Grab your favourite festive treats, a warm drink and a cosy blanket and curl up in your favourite chair and enjoy this lovely festive read.

Cathy's Christmas Kitchen was a pleasant surprise of a book.  The story revolves around Cathy who is still kind of trying to find her place after the death of her mother.  She was her mom's caregiver so her life had really revolved around her.  The story explores her new friendships, taking risks, and well, doing a lot of baking.  It deals with some things we normally do not read a whole lot about like the loneliness of caregivers and trying to be social when you are a bit older.  Great book.

Cathy has lived her life devoted to her ill mother. When her mother passes away, Cathy spends her time exploring her mother’s recipes and making cakes for friends. When she joins a church group for charity, her life opens to new friendships and her devotion to baking is heightened when she teaches classes for the group. Cathy is a quiet and gentle character and this is a heart-warming book. Readers will want to join her in her cozy kitchen for a slice of cake and a cup of tea. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.