Hollie Gabrielle "Angel" Brooks meets Jake by chance at The Starfish Café in delightful Whitsborough Bay, the eating place she inherited from her mum, Heather. For Hollie, Christmas has always started on bonfire night when she and her mother hosted a party and watched the fireworks across the bay, and when they put up the Christmas decorations, drinking steaming mugs of hot chocolate with marshmallows and cream. Now, Hollie's mum is gone and she's really not looking forward to Christmas. Enter Jake and his stray dog, Mr Pickles. Jake also has reasons for dreading the upcoming festive season...

This is my seventh novel by Jessica Redland and it was so good to be back in Whitsborough Bay, in the North Yorkshire seaside town with some new characters and a few of the stalwarts. I easily warmed to Hollie who had a sad past but the depths of emotion and despair are beautifully balanced by the joy she and Jake experience as they bond and share the care of the characterful Mr Pickles and slowly open up to each other. I adored the charming setting especially as I have lived near the area myself. Jessica Redland's descriptions of the locale were perfect and I dreamt of walking around the streets and popping into the various shops located there.

Snowflakes Over The Starfish Café is a gentle story, of love, loss, courage and friendship. It is complete in itself, and you don't need to have read any of the others set in the bay to enjoy it. The Christmas theme was extremely enchanting with its festive allure though not a main feature and the story's overall tone was mostly of sadness with dashes of humour and laughter. Along with the pleasing characters, there were splashes of a gentle romance, some scrummy sounding treats, and touching moments. All in all, this is a lovely, heartwarming, as well as an emotional novel that will tug at your heartstrings and that I have no hesitation in recommending. I look forward to reading more from Jessica Redland very soon.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Boldwood Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

This is now the third book that I have read by this author and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I expected it to be a Christmassy read book by the title and cover, but it wasn't. It was an excellent book that had romance in it but there was also an emotional depth to it.
I enjoyed the dual narration and dual timelines as in my opinion it bought the characters to life.
Highly recommended.
Thanks to netgalley and the publishers for this read.

A return to Whitsborough Bay! A series of books set around a fictional Yorkshire town.
Jessica Redland has done it again, another magical book ! In fact in my view her best book yet and she has set very high standards with her previous books .
This is Jake and Hollies stories and what stories! Add in an unwanted dog Mr Pickles and the story reaches another dimension.
I really enjoy Jessica’s writing style and the emotional rollercoaster she takes you on. Difficult subjects are always sensitively handled and the characters in her books seem to come alive to the reader
Forget real life , it’s put on hold when reading Jessica’s books
Loved it and would highly recommend. Roll on the sequel !
Thank you to Netgalley, Boldwood Books and Jessica for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review

Jessica Redland has quickly become one of my favourite authors and this book I absolutely loved!

In this story we meet Jake & Hollie who have both suffered major loss and trauma in their lives. Hollie has the sweetest nature and within a few pages you can just see how lovely she is and I was excited to get to know her.

Starfish Cafe is set in a lovely seaside location with the RNLI playing a major part of this book. After growing up by the sea and being taught to respect it at a young age, this book appealed on so many levels and contained a selection of wonderful and inspiring characters.

I flew through this book, laughing and crying as I read and experienced the highs and lows of these wonderful characters as their paths cross and they feel their way into a new friendship.

I am already missing Jake & Hollie since finishing this book and would love to visit them in another story in the future.

Told from alternating viewpoints, for some this has a slow start. I appreciated getting to know some background to this romantic tale.
The setting descriptions are vivid and add to the overall feel of this book. I always love animals as an integral part of any story.

This is no easy romance even if there was immediate attraction. It is a very emotional read.
I also enjoy books with strong, supportive friendships.

It is a wonderful read about not giving up, moving forward, and continuing to hope and believe.

Every now and then, a book pulls the proverbial rug from under me, and leaves me moved to tears. This is one of those books. Jessica Redland always delivers wonderful stories, but this is a different league. I went on a rollercoaster ride through every emotion possible from delirious joy to utterly bereft grief.
Hollie and Jake are wonderful characters and I loved seeing their friendship grow at a steady pace. From their early encounters over an abandoned dog, to their delicious romance, I felt a real joy at seeing their connection grow ever stronger.
We learn from the start that both characters have endured extensive heartache and it’s impossible not to hope that they will each support the other as they follow the difficult path which leads to recovery from pain. Of course, the path of true love is never smooth, but Jessica takes that view to another level.
Starfish Café is located just outside of the delightful Whitsborough Bay, made famous by Jessica’s other titles, but this is a standalone story with some of the best characters that she has introduced to date.
I actively avoid spoilers, and for that reason, I am struggling to include more detail about the story. It is a finely woven drama which encompasses some of the most poignant scenarios which I could ever imagine. Whilst this beautiful book includes such heart-breaking elements, there’s joy at its core. From learning Sylvia’s story, Betty and Tommy, Irene and Jaffa, there is plenty of happiness to even the score.
Just remember to keep your tissues close when you start reading this very special book!

My first winter read and the first from this author (it won’t be my last). I went into it thinking it would be my first nice cosy little Christmassy read too. I was wrong! It is an emotional wringer of a book that whilst there is some sweet and light moments there are also plenty filled with hopelessness and grief. So much so that I began to wonder if I would be crying with tears of sadness or joy by the end. It turns out it was a little of both.

I loved Holly and Jake and the dual timelines and alternating narration really brought them to life and gave me more details into the kind of people they were and the hardships they have both faced. I also defy anyone not to fall in love with Mr Pickles, the cutest rescue dog who brings them together in their care for him.

This is a movingly poignant read with just the right balance between dark and light to satisfy cosy romance lovers and those who want a little more depth to their stories. Showing that sometimes a chance of love is worth taking a risk for.

Within 10 minutes of beginning this novel I was heartbroken but in love. I was in love with Hollie, her family, The Starfish Café, Jake and is nanna just to name a few. I already loved Whitsborough Bay from previous novels in this linked series however I think I’ve just decided this is where I now want to live forever more.
The setting is so picturesque and quaint and I love a book with a huge community feel. The landscape is richly described, and the seaside feel to the town is charming. I couldn’t get enough. The members of the community are just so caring and lovely to Hollie and Jake and make the whole place come alive.
The main characters are just delightful. Both Jake and Hollie have experienced some terrible traumas in their lives and are struggling to move on. Hollie puts on a brave face daily but inside she is heartbroken. Jake comes across as prickly and stand-offish but he’s scared and lonely. They are both so loved by family and community alike but can they overcome their pasts and allow themselves to be truly happy?
This story is just like a giant hug with warmth oozing from in-between the pages. Emotionally charged in places but heat-warming and cosy in others it’s the perfect start to my wintery, festive reads for 2021. I cannot recommend this novel enough.

I would firstly like to say a big thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources and Netgalley for very kindly forwarding me an arc copy of this book, for my Kindle, in return for an honest review.
Before i had even read this book I fell in love with the gorgeous tag line about it, ‘join Snowflakes Over The Starfish Cafe for a magical Winter at the seaside, where love blossoms and lifelong friendships are made’ - it just sounded like a perfect, wonderful book and it definitely was - I loved it!!
Set in Whitsborough Bay we meet Hollie who has inherited Starfish Cafe and Jake who comes in with Mr. Pickles, the cutest little lost dog!!
This story was written in an amazing, heartwarming way and at the end of the book I was left with a wonderful warm and fuzzy feeling!

Snowflakes Over the Starfish Cafe is a beautifully written story with wonderful characters, vivid descriptions, and many surprises! It took me a few chapters to get used to the timeframes at the beginning, but it helps to develop Hollie and Jake’s stories to shape the present. I would love to read a sequel with Hollie, Jake, and Mr Pickles! Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this eARC.

Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Snowflakes Over The Starfish Cafe
author: Jessica Redland
Boldwood Books

In the beautiful setting of the five acres of Starfish Point, south of North Yorkshire, is the Starfish Cafe. Hollie's mom always put up the Christmas decorations fifty days before the holiday, on the occasion of the community Bonfire. Readers are introduced to Hollie's family, a new friend Jake, and a sweet lost dog as events unfold involving chance encounters, loss, and grief. Ms. Redland's story is one of family, friendship, bravery, sacrifice, courage and risk-taking.
This story was multi-layered and very emotionally compelling. The characters and their relationships were well developed and pulled the reader completely into the plot. I love the gorgeous setting in North Yorkshire, with the cafe overlooking the woods, a lighthouse, and the sand and shingle beach. Whitsborough Bay is a community I will want to return to.
Thank you to Net Galley and Boldwood Books for the advanced reader's copy and the opportunity to provide my unbiased review.
#SnowflakesOverTheStarfishCafé #NetGalley

What a treat – it is with the utmost pleasure that I have received this latest Jessica Redland novel to review. This is invariably going to be a hit, judging by the past novels I have read by this author and I can’t wait to get stuck in.

I immediately warmed to both Holly and Jake as characters. They both instantly seemed like wholesome family orientated folk; the kind of people you would want to count among your friends. Craig fell foul of my affections fairly early on, but especially when he was critical of Holly’s beautiful wood carvings. There really was no need to be snarky about them and he plummeted in my estimations. I wondered if Holly just liked being in a relationship, as opposed to being particularly attached to Craig? Jake, I just felt that he was lonely, partaking in little activity outside of work. I felt particularly sad at the way his older Sister had treated him in the past. Equally I felt terrible for Holly, at the amount of heartbreak she had endured in such a relatively short period! As for Larissa, to call her vile, would be a major understatement!

I liked the idea of Mr Pickles being sent to a Jake from heaven, to help him get brought the anniversary of his Mother’s death; it appealed to my emotional side. I just felt so desperate for Jake to be released from his sadness; Holly, going through similar feelings – could she be a good companion for him, or would they drown in each other’s misery? Either way, the pair of them both needed and deserved more happiness in their lives, and if they could get, that happiness from each other, then why not! At least they each would be empathetic to the other’s sorrow. I am no expert, but in my opinion, Jessica Redland dealt with the subject of grief in a most empathetic manner and I would hope that those that suffer from similar grief would get comfort from her writing.

There is no doubt in my mind that Jessica Redland has a rare gift. To be able to take two separate yet inexorably entwined tales of sorrow and to combine them into such a joyous, intelligent, empathetic novel really does take some truly special skills and I can but thank her for sharing these wonderful skills with us readers.

I want to fist say thank you to the author and NetGalley for giving me the eARC. Este libro me rompió y me volvió a poner con tape me hizo llorar, me puso feliz, y me enamoré de los personajes. El libro fue maravilloso y me encanta saber que va a tener otro libro porque se lo merece yo necesito más de esta historia. Este libro te va a romper el corazón habla de perdidas de lo que se siente y todo eso. Pero yo pienso que el libro es maravilloso y deberían de leerlo enserio!

I had a bit of bumpy start with this one due to time hopping and remembering to keep an eye out if it was Hollie or Jake's chapter. When this settled, the book really takes shape and becomes ever so Christmas log sickly sweet.
This doesn't shy away from grief and heartache, how it impacts people in different ways, and trying to live with grief. Will more than resonate if you've lost a loved one.
Hollie's and Jake's relationship is brought closer through Mr Pickles (I won't provide his full name). It's great to see this relationship develop and also how honest they are with each other. I'm not sure I'll look at a Rubik's cube in the same way again.
I also like the creativity with the characters. Lots packed in as the backstory gets revealed. A celebration of love, a thought to loss, and buckets of hope.
Joyous,

Snowflakes Over the Starfish Cafe is a delightful book. Hollie works hard at her family's Starfish Cafe that she inherited. She misses her brother and father that had been killed together in an accident and her Mother that died of cancer. Jake has been raised by his Grandmother as his parents died when he was young. His Grandmother had died leaving her house to Jake. He was lonely without his Grandmother. One day while taking a walk on the beach, he sees a small dog with no tags on it. He takes the dog to try to find the owner. He runs into Hollie as he was parked near the Cafe. Hollie is attracted to the adorable puppy. Jake and Hollie both would love to have a dog but feel that their schedules would not allow enough time to give a dog enough attention. When Jake locates the current owner and finds that the dog was the beloved pet of her mother but the daughter doesn't want the dog, Jake consults Hollie about finding a new home for the dog and they end up of deciding that Jake will keep the dog and Hollie will watch the dog when he works long shifts. They realize that they have a lot in common and develop a relationship. As with most relationships they have some problems as secrets are know. I really enjoyed this book.

Time to return to the beautiful Whitsborough Bay once again.

Hollie runs The Starfish Cafe . Hollie is overcome with grief from a number of family tragedies.

Jake lives with his Nana. Both have broken hearts that need to be healed.

Bonfire night holds lots of memories for Hollie and a chance meeting with Jake happens on that night. Are things about to change for the both of them?

I loved getting to know Hollie and Jake and watching their story unfold together.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

For Hollie, at the Starfish Café, Christmas has always started on bonfire night – it’s the night when she and her mother always hosted a party to watch the fireworks across the bay, and when they put up the Christmas decorations amid much joy and laughter. Those happy times are now gone and Hollie is alone, trying to keep the traditions alive in her mother’s memory, dreading the approach of the festive season she always so loved. But then she meets Jake – on a wet and windy night, he’s found an abandoned dog while taking photographs on the beach below, and needs her help. The spark between them is instant, and their connection grows – but Jake, also alone, has his own reasons for dreading the approach of Christmas, and his bravery in facing up to the tragedy in his life has the potential to make a happy future for them both quite impossible.

My goodness, this is an emotional one! The sadness in the lives of both these two lovely people is almost too much to bear – but the depths of emotion and despair are beautifully balanced by the joy they find in each other, as they share the care of the characterful Mr Pickles and slowly open up to each other about the past events that have shaped them. Their viewpoints loosely alternate, with glimpses of their past lives, the happy moments that fill your heart and the immensely sad ones that make you angry that two young people can have gone through so much sadness and heartache. The relationship that develops between them is beautiful – until Hollie discovers Jake’s Monday night secret, and knows it means that they can never be together.

If that all looks immensely sad, it really is – but there’s also a lot of lightness and humour, the joy of finding a special person, the shared laughter, the moments of quiet togetherness. I really enjoyed the small details – the supportive friendships (Angie and the visiting customers at the café, Jake’s with his elderly next-door neighbour), Jake’s passion for photography, Hollie’s work with driftwood and seaglass collected on early morning forays to the beach. And then there was the fragmented rubik’s cube, slowly put back together – beautifully done – and the cards left by Hollie’s mother encouraging her to always dance in the rain.

At times, this book really will break your heart – there’s a lot of grief and loss, and a sense of future happiness being quite impossible. But it’s also a book filled with the warmth of friendship and family, the need for bravery to give happiness the chance, the hope of a brighter future, all wrapped up in the warm hug that the author’s books unfailingly provide.

I thought it was quite wonderful – I really loved it, and recommend it really highly.

Thank you NetGalley, Jessica Redland and Boldwood Books for the book Snowflakes Over The Starfish Café. This is my personal review.
Hollie has inherited The Starfish Café and she has put everything she has into this café. She wants to keep all of her mothers’ traditions and her spirit in the café that has always been there.
Jake has as much to overcome as much as Hollie.
The two of them have to find a way to become what they want to be. The story has so much emotion you will need a full box of Kleenex beside as you read this one.

Snowflakes Over The Starfish Cafe will absolutely test your emotions. A beautifully written story with love, loss, family and friendship. Completely compelling reading.

**Thanks to Netgalley, Jessica Redland and Boldwood Books to provide me with a copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review.**

## Book in One Sentence

Jessica Redland's *Snowflakes Over The Starfish Café* is a modern romance story that showcases 2 people — Hollie and Jake — fighting their own demons and emerging victorious along the way.

## Introduction

Jessica Redland's *Snowflakes Over The Starfish Café* is about the lives of Hollie and Jake — two different people, navigating through their own lives. Scarred by their individual pasts, they have their own struggles. As they go through life, they find and help each other to overcome their own fears and reservations to live a more fulfilling life together.

## Themes

### Modern Fiction

The story is set in the contemporary world and focuses on the struggles of the people in this age. Not only does the author write about the lives of the two protagonists but also the side characters, shedding light on their day-to-day lives. This incorporates a hint of reality to the story as we might be the main characters in our own stories but that is the same for someone else too. The author also makes sure to create a sense of fraternity by acknowledging the struggles of other people and how they overcome them. Many times, this serves as an opportunity to encourage the protagonists to take a step forward and face their own fears.

### Battling You Own Demons

Both Hollie and Jake have their own demons and struggles. Hollie comes from a loving and supportive family but a few years ago, it all crashed down when she lost her family in a series of mishaps. She lost her loved ones, her support system. Jake, on the other hand, lost his mother the day he was born. This gave rise to resentment in his sister's mind, which haunted Jake till adulthood. Jake's father died in an accident later and he was raised by his grandmother, who passed many years later due to old age. His struggles manifested as experiences in his life. Both Hollie and Jake managed to overcome their demons at the end of the story.

## The Ending

The ending showed both Hollie and Jake battle their mental paranoias and emerge triumphant along the way. However, they didn't achieve these all by themselves. They helped each other face their fears and battle them until the very end.

## Significance of the Title

The title can be literal as we see at the end how they preferred forever to each other while the snow gathered outside. Sure, it wasn't "dancing in the rain" for them, but it was definitely something similar.

## Final Take

All in all, *Snowflakes Over The Starfish Café* is a great light-read. Sometimes I wished the story was more fast-paced. But if you are looking for something mature yet fun, this is for you.