The Seafront Tearoom by Vanessa Greene

Title: The Seafront Tearoom

Author: Vanessa Greene

Publisher: 1 December 2015 by PENGUIN GROUP Berkley, NAL / Signet Romance, DAW

Pages: 370 pages

How I Read It: ARC book

Genre: womens fiction, contemporary, chick lit, contemporary, romance

My Rating: 4 crowns

Synopsis:

From the author of The Vintage Teacup Club.
 
The first rule of afternoon tea: never rush. Take time to savor it. Just like friendship…

The Seafront Tearoom is an insider secret in small-town Scarborough – a beach-front haven with the best tea and cakes in town – and  journalist Charlie Harrison would love to put it on the map with a feature in her magazine. But single mom Kat Murray doesn’t want to see her favorite sanctuary overrun by tourists, and begs Charlie to seek out other options. She offers her help, as a “tea obsessive,” and so does French au pair Séraphine Moreau, whose upbringing makes her a connoisseur of everything sweet and indulgent.

Together the three women will scour the countryside for quaint hideaways and hidden gems, sharing along the way their secrets, disappointments, and dreams – and discovering that friendship, like tea, takes time to steep. But learning too that once you open your heart, the possibilities are endless. 

My Thoughts

There is just so much to like about this book. Let's start with the delectable cover. It gives you a window into what to expect from this book. And what can you expect once you open the cover (or click the button) - tea, cakes, love, and friendship. What more could a person ask for, as these are most definitely some of the essentials in life. 

"With a good book you can enter into whichever world you want."

The Seafront Tearoom is a light-hearted, inviting novel about the growing friendship of three women who meet in a tea room. All three women are going through challenging times, having reached crossroads in their respective lives, and working together, support each other without too much encroaching angst or over the top drama. It's chick lit at its best with a good storyline, well crafted characters facing realistic problems. With perfect backdrops, the growing friendships, romances and challenges all come together nicely. Throw in tea and cakes and we have a winner!

"Kat sipped her tea slowly, gazing out of the window. Life moved on, and places changed. She'd find a way to move forward to."

It was a real attraction to read about all the tea and tea shops they visited: what tea they requested and scrumptious cakes they ordered. It made me want to embark on a similar journey. There is even the added bonus of recipes found in the back of the book. The whole concept of tea rooms is just so warming for the soul, finding a peaceful corner with your worries and concerns left at the door and indulging in some quiet respite. 

"The champagne of teas" Kat said, lifting the lid of the teapot and drinking in the aroma."

There are a few unexpected plot twists that keep the reader engaged and the expected, heart warming conclusion to satisfy everyone. The Seafront Tearoom is a lovely novel that I enjoyed and, as I stated, what could be more perfect for a light weekend read: tea, cake, friendship, with a little romance thrown in for good measure. 

"Spending all evening in the bath with a glass of wine and a good book - you can't beat that."

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This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.