Another new new-to-me author, Church had me captivated with her writing style from the off. I was drawn into the plot and became so immersed into the story of Della and Alice, I didn't want to leave until I'd turned the final page. It's spellbindingly good!

The characters were so easy to become emotionally invested in and soon became more than just names on a page to me.

Beautifully written it's a story of friendship, love, and cakes of course!

Here is my review for Secrets At The Ambrose Cafe by Carryl Church

I found this to be an intriguing story of forbidden love that could cause a scandal if found out. Della bakes cakes at the Ambrose Cafe and has worked there roughly three years. It’s there she comes into contact with Alice Winters, the daughter of a local powerful MP and they both feel a spark of a connection between them. Alice uses an attic room as a studio to do her painting and she wants to paint Della. She can imagine what it will look like. She asks Della and she agrees to sit for her but things are not that easy for them. Problems arise but their feelings are stronger. But are they strong enough? This story was brilliantly written, extremely well thought out and expressed in the writing. Della and Alice’s characters are outstanding and I really routed for them throughout their discovery of their feelings for eachother. The story had very descriptive descriptions and explained everything well so it was easy to understand. Also, it described Exeter and some of its buildings. I think some research had been done for this book and it showed in the detailed writing and knowledge in the book. The storyline was intriguing and well thought out. The synopsis was what drew me to read this book and I have enjoyed reading it. I have enjoyed reading this story and I will look to read more books by this author in the future.

Blurb :

Two women. Two different worlds. One secret that could ruin them both.

Exeter, 1925. Della Wilde has set aside her dream of moving to Paris to study at the renowned Le Cordon Bleu, choosing instead to support her family torn apart by war. By night, she works at the prestigious Ambrose Café, serving the city’s elite — she feels utterly invisible.

Until a chance encounter with rebellious Alice Winters, the daughter of a powerful MP, upends Della’s world.

Alice is a woman caught between duty and desire. She secretly yearns to be an artist but is expected to marry a respectable suitor and raise a family. Della, with her sharp wit and quiet strength, is unlike anyone she has ever known. She makes Alice feel alive.

So she draws Della into her orbit — first as a muse for her secret art, then as something infinitely more intimate. But in a world where reputations are easily shattered, their growing bond is a danger that threatens not only their futures, but those around them.

As Alice risks scandal and Della faces the consequences of following her heart, they must decide: will they allow others to choose their path, or dare to forge their own?

In 1925 Exeter England, Della, a working-class girl, works as a baker's assistant at a high-class cafe. One morning, she rescues Alice, a wealthy young woman from the ballroom after her raucous birthday party. The novel moves forward describing the developing relationship as Alice, a secret artist, asks to pain Della's portrait and their attraction deepens. Meanwhile, Della is being pursued by a persistent waiter at the cafe who befriends her brother, and Alice suspects her father of having an affair.

This is an engaging and well written historic novel. I'm rating it a 4 because it's level of engagement for me didn't rise to the level of a 5.

I was provided an ARC by the publisher via NetGalley.

It took me a few chapters to settle into the rhythm of Secrets at the Ambrose Café, but once I did, I was completely swept away. The writing has a gentle, almost lyrical quality that perfectly suits the story’s 1920s setting, and as the world around Della and Alice unfolded, I found myself utterly immersed.

At the heart of this novel is a tender, slow-burn romance between two women caught between expectation and desire. Della Wilde is a quietly determined woman who’s sacrificed her dreams of studying at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris to support her family after the devastation of war. She works at the prestigious Ambrose Café in Exeter, where she feels largely invisible—until the confident and complicated Alice Winters walks into her life.

Alice is the daughter of a powerful MP, raised in privilege but burdened by duty. She’s expected to marry well, keep up appearances, and suppress the parts of herself that long to create—and to love freely. Her connection with Della is immediate but fraught with risk, and Carryl Church explores their relationship with care and depth.

I was completely caught up in the emotional push and pull between them—their shared longing, the moments of stolen freedom, the fear of being seen. Church writes their bond with such sensitivity, and the stakes feel real and immediate in a world where even a whisper of scandal could destroy everything.

The historical detail is rich but never overwhelming. From the café’s quiet elegance to the hushed studio where Alice paints, the setting comes alive without ever overshadowing the emotional core of the story. I also appreciated the supporting characters—particularly those who quietly support Della and Alice in a society that doesn’t make space for their kind of love.

This is a story of quiet rebellion, of choosing yourself even when the world tells you not to, and of finding courage in the most unexpected places. It’s romantic, heart-wrenching, and ultimately hopeful.

Five stars from me. I didn’t want it to end.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was emotional and very well written. The characters were well thought of and interesting. This book kept me wanting to know what was going to happen. I thank you for allowing me to read it.

this was such an emotional and immersive tale. Carryl paints a vivid picture of the time so much so that sometimes i could watch a scene play out in my head. my imagination of each moments was just so vivid. i was so taken in by this story i both wanted to read more but also wanted to devour it slowly so i could take in each part. its once again shining a bright light on to why i keep loving historical fiction even more. when done well it is truly a genre to keep coming back to over and over. and this one was done very well indeed.
the story is mostly centred around our two main characters. young woman who are just on that tender cusp of becoming "adult adults" and is mostly the expectation of the time it feels pressure on them to do the right things regarding next steps.
Alice comes from a world of top class and society at that time deemed class very very important and her behaviour is watched carefully. her parents are important people and she has all the privilege one can expect of their money.
but Alice holds dreams of simply being an artist. its her love and shes good at it. and she does not like the man she is expected to marry( im with you there). all she wants is to live and be an artist and Paris.
our other character is Della. Della doesnt come from class or money. but she is one hell of a woman. she works hard, too hard. she has a mother resounding in her own grief at the loss of their men from the war. and she is not only her carer but also has to deal with a rogue brother and two younger brother who fiercely depend on her putting them at risk when she has to work.they couldnt live more differently than Alice does but that doesnt stop Della's own dreams of becoming a chef and attending the heights of chefs schooling in Paris.
the journey this book took me on with these girls was a brilliant and thought provoking one. i found myself many a time pausing to think over things i was reading and the topics it bought to the surface. important topics of the time but also sometimes stark in how still relevant they are to today.
this book cover a vast set of people and feelings. but the arcs between them and connections they face,risk, sacrifice makes for a stunning read

I really enjoyed this book. The author did a wonderful job with sharing full details about the characters and making them come alive so you felt like you knew them. They touched on topics that are still important and cause disparities between people in society based on their opinions. It was nice to see that those who were of different classes could be pleasant and compassionate come together and it made for a very pleasant read.

Church thoughtfully explores enduring political and social issues—such as gender roles, LGBTQ+ identity, veterans’ reintegration, and class divides—through a story reminiscent of Dirty Dancing. The themes felt natural and well-integrated, making the novel both enjoyable and impactful without seeming forced.

Taking place in 1925 Exeter, The Secrets at the Ambrose Café offers a poignant exploration of forbidden love, societal expectations, and personal resilience. Carryl Church masterfully weaves the lives of Della Wilde, an aspiring patisserie chef who sacrifices her dreams to support her family, and Alice Winters, the daughter of a powerful MP yearning to pursue her passion for art. Their chance meeting at the Ambrose Café ignites a connection that challenges the rigid (and for some, illegal) norms of their time.

The books portrayal of post-war England immerses readers in a world where class divisions and gender roles are deeply recognized. The book not only delves into the complexities of same-sex relationships during an era of limited acceptance, but how the war affected all varieties of people.

I didn’t think this book was going to be for me in the beginning, but the historical significance of same sex relationships in this time was fascinating and kept me intrigued. For those who appreciate historical romances that tackle themes of identity and societal constraints, this novel resonates with the emotional intensity found in works like The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Fingersmith. I would recommended this if you like historical fiction or LGBTQ romances.

When a talented trainee patisserie chef sees one of her creations destroyed in a food fight involving a spoilt daughter of a local MP, she never guessed that she would become her muse. Two women fr9m widely different backgrounds are drawn to each other despite knowing that their families would never approve. Set in the 1920’s in a provincial city the book explores issues surrounding class and sexuality and ponders on the effects of warfare on a generation of young men in particular. While it was great to see acceptance of people as they are even if they are different, I thought that the rich girls family were out of step with attitudes at the time. I would have expected much more hostility . When she exhibits a painting in the royal academy, I would have expected more prejudice to female painters. These however, do not detract from what was an absorbing, entertaining read.

Set in the 1920s, this story takes us along the daring and heartfelt story of two women from two very different social classes. Both of these women feel almost "stuck" in life; Della at the bakery, trying to keep her family afloat, and Alice, who comes from a wealthy family, but has to hide her desire to produce art in order to avoid being shunned by her family.

Della and Alice are both such beautiful characters, inside & out. I felt like I was truly rooting for both of them to overcome & outlast the social norms of the 1920s. I enjoyed the banter in this book, and felt like it moved at a quick enough pace to keep me turning the pages. Made it feel like a super fast read & kept me interested until the very last word.

Daring, intimate, and unforgettable.


Secrets at the Ambrose Café swept me away from the very first page. Set in the richly detailed world of 1925 Exeter, this book is as atmospheric as it is emotionally moving. Della and Alice come from such different lives, but their connection is undeniable — tender, complicated, and beautifully human.

Della’s strength lies in her quiet perseverance, her sacrifices, and her hunger for something more. Alice is a woman torn between societal expectations and the fierce, secret hope that she might live a life of art and authenticity. When their lives collide at the Ambrose Café, something extraordinary begins.

This isn’t just a romance — it’s a story of two women waking up to the truth of who they are, even as the world threatens to silence them. The stakes are high, the love is achingly real, and the writing sings with historical detail and emotional depth.

If you love stories like The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo or Fingersmith, this one deserves a place on your shelf. The ending left me misty-eyed and full of hope.

The 1920s is a great time period because it is marked by so much change. That being said, this book was frustrating because, once again, it's filled with men who feel entitled to a woman regardless of how she feels about it. And even Della's brother doesn't think twice about letting William manipulate him in the name of 'getting' Della.

Over and over again, William is shown to be hateful and despicable but still everyone keeps pushing Della towards him, because 'he's a good man, with a good job'. So what?!? She also has a good job, and he's not a good man. Ugh, I can't even write about this book without getting annoyed.

This is a book about secrets. A wealthy young woman who doesn't want to marry, and has dreams of being an artist; two men who found love in wartime and are willing to sacrifice even to just be near each other; a young working woman who is ready to give up what she is 'supposed' to do, in order to follow her dreams and have a chance at real love.

A heart-warming tale of forbidden love set in 1920s Exeter. Wonderful characters, sharp dialogue, lots of tension, and splashes of humour – the scenes with the trolley are perfectly crafted, both very funny and very moving. Couldn't put it down.

Secrets at the Ambrose Cafe is an unforgettable tale that takes place in England in 1925. The country is trying to move forward in fixing the damage caused by the Great War. Two girls from different social backgrounds meet and soon become very close. However, will this newfound closeness that is often frowned upon in society ruin their chances at persuing their dream careers. This is a story filled with artistic talent, baking, and a great deal of blackmail.
We are first introduced to Della who works at a cafe as a baker who was dreams of attending a culinary school in France. However she is sole breadwinner for her family since her father passed in the war. One day while working an event at the cafe she meets a a stranger who becomes so much more.
Alice is the sort of girl who seems to have it all a wealthy family, a big house, and ect. However, she feels the need to hide away her artistic talent because she knows that they would never approve. Her life changes when she meets Della and asks her to pose for a portrait that Alice is working on.
While working on the portrait Alice and Della find themselves growing closer and that growing closeness is soon becoming more than friends. However, society shuns those who go against the laws of nature. Things start to get worse when they find themselves to be the target of blackmail to keep their secrets. Will they be able to defeat those that threaten to destroy them or will it all come down crashing and burning.
Overall I was quite impressed with this novel. It was exciting from beginning to end and it kept me on my toes the whole time.
I received an arc copy from Netgalley and all opinions are of my own.