Book Review - Christmas at the Candied Apple Cafe by Katherine Garbera - Rachel Reads Randomly Book #78

Amazon UK

Title:  Christmas at the Candied Apple Cafe

Author:  Katherine Garbera

Format reviewed:  Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Harper Impulse

Publication Date: 10th November 2017

Rating: 4 Stars

There’s nothing so magical as Christmas in New York…
Santa is coming to New York!

Snow is falling, excitement is high and the delicious scent of chocolate drifts along Fifth Avenue – the Candied Apple Café is ready for Christmas! And no one is busier than publicist Iona Summerlin. With so much to do, she doesn’t have time to think about men, dating, or the fact her last boyfriend ditched her for her brother… Relationships are off the menu!

Hotel boss Mads Eriksson is not looking forward to the first Christmas since losing his wife. His six-year-old daughter Sofia has lost her belief in Christmas magic along with her mother, and he has no idea what to do. But an unusually festive business meeting at the Candied Apple – and meeting the beautiful Iona – starts to defrost Mads’ frozen heart, and suddenly life seems full of light and sparkle again.

If only they dare to believe, maybe all their Christmas dreams will come true!

Certainly a book that tries its hardest to bring the magic of Christmas in New York to life. 

There is a romance in this but to me that was the frustrating part of the book, as I was getting fed up with neither character wanting to admit what was blatantly obvious for half the book to the reader, to each other. 

The story that I loved within this book was of Sofia, she is Mads daughter, six years old and unfortunately doesn't believe in Santa anymore. When you hear the reasoning you will understand it, but due to a series of encounters with Iona, she and Mads are determined to bring the magic of the season back to Sofia. 

So there are all manner of fabulous festive outings, that show off New York and Christmas to their best. There is a trip to the Nutcracker, there are Christmas markets, and Sofia is also keen to learn about various Christmas traditions.  

The other highlight of the book for me was The Candied Apple Cafe itself. I loved all the delicious sounding chocolates and other candy on offer, as well as the friendship co-owners Hayley, Cici and Iona all shared.  I remember parts of Hayley's story from The Hot Cop Next Door which I read a few years ago, so it was good to have a degree of familiarity. 

I didn't feel lost that I hadn't read Cici's story, so would say this could easily be read as a standalone despite being the third in a series about the friends.  

Mads and Iona are both great characters and I enjoyed reading their story. There was certainly some chemistry between them which they were fighting. Both of them are selfless and both just want what's best for Sofia which was lovely to see. 

Christmas at the Candied Apple Cafe is an enjoyable story to read in the run up to Christmas and I'm glad I read it. 

Thanks to Harper Impulse and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Thanks to everyone that took part and voted for this book this week, good to see your normal decisions to get me to read books I will enjoy is continuing to work!  Let's see what happens this time!