The Cherry Tree Cafe

The Cherry Tree Cafe is Heidi Swain debut novel and what a fabulous read it is! I am so glad I was recommended this heart-warming and an uplifting book.Lizzie Dixon is The Cherry Tree Cafe main character. She is a clever, a creative and a resourceful woman who got sort of lost in a relationship with a very uptight and a snobbish man. After a terribly embarrassing and a humiliating break up Lizzi is determined to do a bit of a soul searching. Encouraged by her best friend Jemma she decides to move back to her home town. Lizzie is not only enthusiastically met by Jemma's family, her own family as well as all the town's good folks but she also learns that her high school crush is back in town and nursing his own broken heart too!I was certain I was going to enjoy this book as soon as I saw it landing into my kindle library. I loved the way Heidi describes The Cherry Tree Cafe and the surrounding town of Wynbridge. There is plenty of beautiful ( Jemma, Tom and Ben), funny ( Ella) and colorful ( Lizzie's mother) characters to let us fully immerse in the story-line. The friendship between Lizzie and Jemma was so delectable to read. They have such an understanding of each others life and seem to nudge one or the other in the right direction while giving plenty of encouragement and love on the way. Although during some scenes I found Lizzie very exasperating and wanted her to get a move on and come to a decision! At the end I tried to put myself in Lizzie's shoes and I realized that it must have been very difficult for her to choose a path she will be happy to follow. I loved the relationship dynamics between Jemma and Tom and Lizzie and Ben. All four of them worked hard at making their dreams come true!I really enjoyed the crafting scenes of the story; making bunting, crocheting and getting people together to have some creative fun. What a joy! I would definitely join a crafting session in The Cherry Tree Cafe myself.The story had been developed very cleverly with a few twists and turns so we,as readers, could see how a couple of misunderstandings can lead to lots of trouble or broken hearts. There was definitely a few mysteries surrounding our Ben Fletcher but a good chat and a hot cup of tea can sort out almost anything. As a romantic comedy The Cherry Tree Cafe is simply a pure gold.Heidi Swain had created a wonderful, warm and inspiring book that was so pleasurable to read. I will be eagerly awaiting what she will deliver.

I enjoyed the setting of this book -- a crafting café. It's not a place I have personal experience with, but I found it to be good fodder for my own imagination, which to me always enhances a story. While telling the story of one young woman's romantic ups and downs, the author also managed to work in believable descriptions of other life challenges -- balancing family life and work, difficult relationships with parents, evaluating the pros and cons of becoming an entrepreneur, and then the actual work involved in starting a business, just to name a few. The sexual content is very understated. The tone is light, rather than intense, which makes it perfect for summer reading. I found it so pleasant that I immediately bought the author's next book, Summer at Skylark Farm, which I found to be even more enjoyable. I'm glad to have found a new author to follow!

When I first read The Cherry Tree Cafe's blurb, I knew it was my kind of read. I love baking and crafting so the promise of both mixed with a bit of romance is my idea of a perfect story. And after finishing it I can tell you that I was not wrong. As soon as I stepped into The Cherry Tree Cafe I felt like home. Even if when we first read about it, it still needs a bit of work, I completely fell in love with it through Lizzie's eyes. Actually, Lizzie's ideas and concepts to renovate it were some of my favourite bits of the story.But story behind this book is so much more than the renovation of the little Cafe. When we meet Lizzie, she is expecting a proposal from her rich boyfriend. Which doesn't happen, at all. Instead she is bumped and given that she moved to London for him and got her job thanks to him, she finds herself in quite an awkward situation. But soon she realises, as we do too as readers, that she never fitted in this shiny luxurious life and goes back home to her friend's place to start over. Jemma is the kind of friend we would love to have in our lives. The friendship between these two is really well developed and believable and I enjoyed reading their interactions a lot. But the star of the story is Jemma's little girl, Ella. She always had something to comment on and was usually spot on.But Jemma and her family are not the only ones waiting for Lizzie in her hometown. Her neurotic mother (imagine Judy Geller from Friends), an old high school rival, her old job and an old flame are all waiting for Lizzie too. Which make her return a bit more complicated and give the story quite a lot of drama. There certainly were a couple of twists that I didn't expect at all and there was a moment when I really had no idea where the story was going to go. So good for Heidi Swain for having the ability to surprise me.The Cherry Tree Cafe is Heidi's debut and she has showed us her great potential. She certainly is one author to watch. I highly recommend The Cherry Tree Cafe to baking and crafting lovers as there are so many ideas to take from the book. I think I'll leave now to go make some bunting, Lizzie's style!

Good for summer reading ... but just too predictable for me. I enjoyed the details of Lizzie's crafting.. but felt the characters were a little washy.

Loved the story. Great read.

The Cherry Tree Cafe was an easy read and a delightful story. Enjoyed it! 😊

Very entertaining and different

I’m surprised by all the high ratings. It started out as a great cozy book about a young woman finding herself. It had some great characters However, as it progressed there were many conflicts. The heroine was so weak and constantly apologizing that it became annoying. The romance fell flat for me because she new he was hiding something. So how do you fall in love with someone you know is deceiving you? Also, if I’m choosing a cutesy book about a crafting cafe I don’t want scenes thrown in about getting drunk, falling into bed with men, and not being able to remember anything.

Thankfully I bought this as a kindle book for about 99 cents. I am a sucker for colourful covers and Heidi Swain was compared to other authors I enjoy reading. But I did not like this at all. Halfway through I started skipping whole pages. I found Lizzie, Ben and most other characters very annoying. Hundreds of pages were spent on Lizzie doubting herself. Even if everyone around her told her everything looked good and that she could do it.I could not understand how Ben could fall in love with Lizzie. Sure, they were each other’s crush from a distance in school, but I cannot remember any scenes where they were really talking and getting to know each other. No, none of the characters were really talking and being honest.Somehow I bought more Heidi Swain books and will still try to read the next story set in Wynbridge. As this was her first novel, I truly hope they will get better.

Did not arrive in good condition as described. Spine was broken.

So I will let you into a little secret, I have never read a Heidi Swain book before. I know what you are all thinking... what a shocker! So I decided to start from the beginning and read her debut novel 'The Cherry Tree Cafe' I LOVED it!! I mean seriously why have I never read her books before, I have been missing out on some fantastic reads!'The Cherry Tree Cafe' is a total feel good book packed with friendship, love, crafting and of course CAKE! What's not to like!We meet Lizzie, out for a romantic dinner thinking her boyfriend Giles was about to propose when in fact she gets dumped, being dumped on any day of the year is gutting but it's poor Lizzie's birthday and to top it off Giles didn't even remember! Oh Giles what a sleazebag he was totally in love with no one but himself, he decided he wanted to get back with his ex Natasha. Natasha we soon realise was the girl he had left at the aisle just before he met and romanced Lizzie.Lizzie had moved to London, changed her hair and style all for Giles, but without him in her life now Lizzie decides its time to pack up and head back home to Wynbridge. This is where we meet her best friend Jemma, her husband Tom and daughter Ella, thankfully Jemma comes to her rescue and lets her stay with them saving her from having to move back home to her parents.Lizzie soon finds out that she isn't the only homeless one camping out on a friends sofa, she meets Ben (Hottie Alert!) Ben, a close friend to Jemma and Tom and also an old school crush of Lizzie's. Eeek! Is also bunking down at theirs however we don't know why, of course Jemma and Tom are in on the secret but as a true friend to him they do not let on to Lizzie which drove me mad during most of the book as I just wanted to know his secret!!! Of course I wont tell you and let you find out for yourself, I guessed completely wrong and my god I was so wrong! What a secret!Jemma and Tom have recently bought the little village café and asks Lizzie for her help in refurbishing in time for the grand opening in return Lizzie is offered to stay in the cosy little flat above the café. The café is transformed and Lizzie's passion for needlework and craft come to light, something she hasn't done or thought of for quite a while but becomes so popular in the café with the locals that Jemma decides that Lizzie should hold a crafting session to bring in business.Business is booming in the café and the crafting sessions are super popular, but then Ben's big secret is let out the bag and Lizzie soon realises that everyone knew but her. After cutting off her friends and feeling lost an opportunity arises back in London could this send Lizzie packing back to the big smoke? I wont tell you of course!All the characters were written so well, believable, likeable (apart from a few...), and totally down to earth and fun that by the end they felt more like friends than just characters in a book.Like I said earlier, this book does not disappoint, it's brilliant, a real page turner with hidden twists and turns throughout.

Very easy to read ,not too many characters,good story with a happy ending .Easy to put down and pick up later.

You know what springs to mind when I hear/read 'The Cherry Tree Cafe'? No? Well, no, I guess you won't know as I haven't told you yet! The word 'cosy' springs to mind. Before I started reading the book, I envisioned a vintage style café with cakes, floral decoration and a homely, cosy feel to it. Funny how much a title of a book and its cover can make you think isn't it!Lizzie is at a standstill in her life thanks to her wonderful boyfriend, sorry, EX boyfriend. She could stay working in the job that HE got for her, or she could go back to her home town and await all the told you so's from her mother. Damned if she does, damned if she doesn't really. Poor Lizzie.Lizzie decided to go for the latter. Go back to her home village and deal with the comments when they arose. However, little did Lizzie know, her life was about to get even more complicated. Even more complicated that one of Jemma's cakes couldn't even fix it. I wonder if Jemma makes humble pie?I adored following Lizzie's new venture and 'seeing' her make good use of the talents that she had to put aside for many years. Heidi described every little detail of everything that was made. It was as though I had the items right in front of me. Maybe I need to sweet talk Heidi into 'getting' me a memento from the café -flutters eyelashes-.I did find Lizzie to be a little bit of a lost character. She came across as though she didn't have a clue what she wanted, but was easily tempted by things that she thought she wanted. I must say, I got a little frustrated at her choices during the story. But I guess it is easy for an outsider to say that though isn't it? All Lizzie wants is to be loved for who she is, and to be settled in a life that she chose NOT what she had to go along with.When friendships and relationships get put to the test, it becomes perfectly clear why Lizzie has issues with trust. I felt quite sorry for her. Despite the fact that I worked out where the story was heading about half way through, it didn't ruin the rest of the story for me. I thought it may have done, but I was getting excited waiting for it all to happen and take place. I just wanted Lizzie to be happy and those around her to realise the error of their ways.I really enjoy reading books about cafe's and shops because the likelihood of me actually working in one, are slim to nil. Plus, if I read fun books about them, like this one, I can be transported to The Cherry Tree Café without even leaving my bed! The Cherry Tree Café is definitely a fun, cosy read; ideal to read especially if 'stress' has become your middle name. Why? Because as soon as you 'walk' into The Cherry Tree Café, your problems disappear.