Jessica's books are incredibly comfortable, cosy and wholesome. This one is no exception. However, it started a little slower for me.

It's part of a series, but reads fine as a standalone book too.

I really haven't read as many of Jessica Redland's books as I should have, each one of her books I have read has been incredibly heart-warming and leaves you feeling hopeful and happy and this is no different.

Snowflakes over the Starfish Cafe is a hugely emotional read, it's a well-used recipe but one we all keep returning to time and time again. there are quite a few characters which I felt bombarded the beginning a wee bit but once you get to know each one and how they are all connected everything fell into place and I began to settle into the story. There are tears and laughter but most of all huge amounts of heart - it will tug at those heart-strings a fair few times and if you are prone to bursting into happy (or sad) tears then you will need a tissue (or a box) as this story pulls out all the stops to make you cry.

I liked the plot, it flows nicely throughout, the character Hollie is a lovely woman she is the heart of the entire book and it was a joy to follow her journey.

If you love a heart-wrenching romantic women's fiction then this is a must-read, it sticks with what works in the genre knowing that faithful womens function romantic fiction readers will happily pick it up time and time again - which I would happily spend hours re-reading.

Brilliant novel with a cast of wonderful new characters. The start of another fantastic series by Jessica Redland. My favourite author discovery of 2021.

Loved this book and enjoyed the RNL elements and love for the sea 🌊. Super lovely romance and some sad moment I did cry a few times but I loved it so much. Enjoyable read highly recommended romance read 💖

This was a brilliant read and is being featured on my blog for my quick star reviews feature, which I have created on my blog so I can catch up with all the books I have read and therefore review.
See www.chellsandbooks.wordpress.com.

If you’re thinking that this is going to be a cutesy little Christmas story, you couldn’t be more wrong. It’s so much more!!

Heartwarming characters that you root for along the way. Heartbreaking tragedies that will likely have you reaching for the Kleenex tissues (and more than just once). A beautiful setting both in location and space (love stories that take place in cafe’s). An adorable little dog named Mr. Pickles (so cute!). Dual timelines, an unfolding mystery and ….romance!

I loved this one so much! This is my second read by Redland and I’m happy to say that I’m definitely a fan. I’m going to need to read all of her books going forward as she includes so many emotions and interesting storylines.

This is more of a winter read than a Christmas read, in my opinion, so feel free to pick this one up any ole’ time!

Thank you to #NetGalley and #BoldwoodBooks for this fabulous ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

Snowflakes Over the Starfish Cafe by Jessica Redland.
This was a beautiful feel good book, although it did make me cry towards the end which I really wasn’t expecting. A magical story if two people that are a little lost and have lost people that played an important part of their lives. Together they form a friendship and learn to break down the barriers and to let love in again. All with a magical Christmas sparkle. I really loved this read and a big thank you to @jessicaredlandauthor and @bookandtonic for my copy of it.

Jessica Redland has become one of my favourite authors with her stories about the residents of Whitsable Bay & surrounding area. I think this book is my favourite of all her books, as always it is so well written with interesting, fully-formed characters who capture your imagination from the beginning. It’s also great to read from the different perspectives of the two main characters within the book, also occasionally going back into the characters’ pasts to set the scene and explain their experiences so the reader understands their perspective further. This also adds to the enjoyment as we get more insight into each character but they don’t know about this about each other at the time, so we as readers have more knowledge than the characters, which makes it all the more special when both characters fall for each other.
The subject of death & bereavement features on occasion throughout the book, so perhaps not the best book for anyone recently bereaved. However, although it is a prominent feature in both characters’ backstory & current experience it does not dominate the book. The personal impact of grief is handled sensitively and not sensationalised in any way, it brought tears to my eyes at times but really added to the story and made the end of the book even more enjoyable.
I was thrilled to read that this book is going to be a series and I will definitely be looking out for the next book to find out more about the lives of characters in Starfish Cafe.

"Snowflakes Over The Starfish Café": 4⭐

When you look at the cover of this book, you instantly feel warm and fuzzy and all the deliciously cozy feelings.
But this story starts on a sad note, like when your hot chocolate turns cold. It just leaves you there wondering what it would tasted like 5 minutes ago. Well, don't relish on that, because this book gets better and it feels like such a warm hug! I really enjoyed it and would recommend!

Thank you #netgalley for letting me read the ARC.

What a beautiful and very emotional read.

Jessica is incredible at putting threads together on different dynamics.

100% recommend this book and look forward to more.

A really emotional read about two people who have to overcome fears caused by tragedies years before to finally find happiness.
Their paths cross one bonfire night, when a lost dog brings them together. Can they overcome their fears and allow love to blossom?
A really endearing read, with some great twists along the way.

Hollie took over Starfish cafe after her mother no longer around. Christmas is a season that she love before all her family member left her. Now being alone, she trying to keep the tradition alive. Jake rescued an abandoned dog and took it to the cafe. There is an instant spark between them which both of them are trying hard to avoid. Whilst Hollie love Christmas, Jake dreading the approach of Christmas.


It is a sad and emotional read for me. Both the main characters have their own emotional struggle within them and being a reader, their emotion tends to get to me. It saddened me to read about them being so young are subjected to so much sadness and heartache. It is a story about relationship between family and friends, loss of loved ones, grief and eventually emotional recovery.

A very sweet and cozy read perfect for not just the holiday season, but for a rainy day or relaxing night in.

4.5 Stars

Warm-hearted, poignant and uplifting, Jessica Redland’s Snowflakes Over The Starfish Café is a beautifully written tale of second chances, healing and hope that is the literally equivalent of a big hug and a slice of your favourite cake.

Since inheriting The Starfish Café, Hollie has put her heart and soul into the business. Keeping her mother’s traditions alive and the spirit of the café means everything to her and having lost so much already, Hollie vows to keep striving to ensure that her family’s legacy continues to thrive and prosper under her responsibility. Hollie might be totally professional in front of her customers, but in private she is still mourning and grieving the loss of her beloved family. She would love nothing more than to find true happiness and not to feel so lonely any more.

Loneliness doesn’t bother Jake one bit. Jake lives by two rules in life: don’t let anyone get too close and don’t talk or think about the past. Having grown used to keeping people’s at arm’s length, Jake isn’t especially keen to be dissuaded from his resolve to keep navigating the world by himself – until he sets foot in The Starfish Café and his entire world is turned upside down. Meeting Hollie makes Jake wonder just what he will keep missing out on if he keeps on hiding behind the walls he has built around himself and his heart…

With Christmas just around the corner, will Hollie and Jake find the courage to knock down the barriers they have built around themselves and grasp this chance at happiness? Or will their fears and insecurities continue to condemn them to a lifetime of loneliness and regret?

Jessica Redland is so good at writing emotional, involving, witty and wonderful contemporary tales that sparkle with magic, sensitivity, humour and heart and she is on great form with this delightful second chance romantic tale, Snowflakes Over the Starfish Café. Sure to make you laugh out loud and wipe away a tear or two, this first rate novel of forgiveness, courage and falling in love will charm, move and enchant readers everywhere.

A brilliant read that is an absolute joy to lose yourself in, Snowflakes Over the Starfish Café is another winner by Jessica Redland.

Snowflakes and starfish don’t typically belong together, yet this title brings broken hearts and love together with gentleness and so many emotions. Hollie is working to keep her mother’s spirit alive even with renovating her mother’s café. Jake takes on a hobby he gave up before his father died and after his older sister teased him and put him down.

Each living their own lives remembering the past hurts and trying to move on at the same time. Both have someone close to them who is very supportive and a wonderful shoulder to lean on. Little did they expect to meet.

Hollie is a fantastic protagonist that I could find myself being friends with and eagerly being a regular at her Starfish Café. With delicious cakes and tasty lattes, it’s any readers dream atmosphere!

Jake is a lonesome fella who seems insecure and awkward in the company of others. He’s learning more and more about photography, which he enjoyed with his father when he was a child, and I find that quite nostalgic. I work part-time at a camera shop and the learning curve is quite high when you first take it on as a hobby.

Now that Christmas is coming soon, will Hollie and Jake find themselves getting past their past hurts? They have so much going for them! The hope for a happy ending is huge as the snowflakes start falling.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Rachel’s Random Resources for access to Snowflakes Over the Starfish Café by Jessica Redland. I give this book 5 out of 5 tiaras because there’s a seat at the café with a latte waiting for me! This book warms my heart so much that I think the Hawaii in me won’t need a coat for this Christmas at the Starfish Café!

Well, as always, a fabulous read from Jessica Redland. She never let's you down!
This book touches lots of different emotions. I wanted to cry for both Jake and Hollie but I also wanted to bang their heads together. I adored pickle and I think that Angie, Katie and Bex are wonderful friends to Hollie and I felt this story, also ugh it has lots of mentions of Christmas, isn't directly a Christmas story. This is a good thing as sometimes books can be OTT with Christmas but this went much deeper than Christmas cake and mistletoe. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you Jessica Redland, Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read this for my honest opinion

Both Jake and Hollie have had some tough times. They are both lovely people and the book starts with us getting know them and some of their backstory.
Hollie, fiercely proud of her family and the Starfish Cafe but torn apart by her loss of them. Now focussing of the cafe, her relationship has ended and she feels like she is marking time.
Jake, who has never felt good enough, missing his Nanna who cared for him so deeply and was so protective of him, especially from his sister- a real nasty piece of work but a fabulous creation!
Their pathways cross with the help of the lovely Mr. Pickles, the dog - I had a little butterfly squeak as they hit it off 🙌🏻 yes!!
I love this sort of story especially at this time of year.

‘Although he hadn’t magically made the sadness go away, he had helped me find moments of pure happiness.’

This really tugged at my heart strings and I had a lump in my throat at points. I think because many of us have suffered in life, lost loved ones and had relationship break downs. It is brought to life here, BUT there is hope, and love, and laughter too, just like life and these are such special treasured moments! These characters are fully formed and the connection and chemistry between them is gorgeous and believable. They felt like friends that you could just bump into in a cafe for a chat. I really loved how it wasn’t just girl meets boy, they fall out, then get married, the end. There is a development of a relationship, it went slowly and steadily and felt true to life rather than fiction. There is a big fat twist which I didn’t see coming and made the book even better. This book is a perfect blend for me - I am becoming a serious convert to this genre and I want more of this series!

Hollie has had her share of heartache in the past but is determined to make a success of running the Starfish Cafe and making it a warm and welcoming place for all those visitors who come to sample her excellent coffee and cakes. Despite having close friends around her Hollie is lonely and hopes to meet someone who will make her world complete. Jake too has had his share of loneliness and it's only when two very special characters enter his life that he realises just how much he has missed by keeping people away.

Rather like the Starfish cafe, the story has a warm and welcoming feel with extra special characters who enter into your heart right from the start. I especially enjoyed the emotional pull of the story as these two lovely characters start to open up their thoughts and feelings but blimey, the sadness they have endured had me bringing out the tissues on more than one occasion. However, throughout the whole of this emotional story this talented writer brings everything to life in such a lovely way that even the sad bits are beautifully written and thoughtfully expressed.

I thought Snowflakes over the Starfish Cafe was an absolute joy to read. It's perfect for a cosy afternoon when all the Christmas tasks are done and you can relax in your favourite chair with a cup of tea and a mince pie and immerse yourself in a wonderful story.

After a slow start I really enjoyed this book. Loved the characters and their back stories and the way their relationship developed. I will admit to welling up on more than one occasion. Pickle was a great addition and catalyst to the story. So glad this book is the first in a brand new series so we have more to look forward to.

Isaiah 41:10. “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Hollie and Jake. Two people who were shaped by fear. Everyone has something in their lives that we are afraid of. Some can not let it go. Others learn a way to deal with it and move forward.

I, for one, felt that I had no choice but to move forward. Hollie's Mom left her a precious gift. She gave her the permission to move forward, to dance. But will Hollie listen?

I really enjoyed the book. It expressed the importance of friends. Friends are family even a dog named Pickles can be a valued family member.

#loveBoldwoodBooks

Pick up a copy and give it a read during the holiday season!!