Cake Shop in the Garden

LoveReading Says

Carole Matthews is a go-to author when I’m in a reading slump or keen to get my hands on something heartwarming and romantic. Bringing the feeling of a relaxing summer afternoon to wherever you are, her books are riveting and full of feel-good charm.

The beautifully sunny yellow cover refresh of The Cake Shop in the Garden is the perfect opportunity to meet, or reacquaint yourself with Fay Merryweather. Fay left the job she hated working for the council to run a café and cake shop from the childhood home and narrowboat at the end of her garden. Fay selflessly puts everyone and everything before herself, with a needy mother, distant partner and selfish sister as well as a business to run and an old house and garden to maintain. It’s not an understatement to say that I giggled with glee when The Dreamcatcher docks and the very dreamy Danny Wilde and his cute little dog Diggery stroll into the garden. That’s more like it! But with Fay’s life so connected to Canal House, will she be able to let herself fall for this wandering stranger?

Alongside the sweetness, the tension and the romance, as with all the Carole Matthews stories I’ve read, there are added layers of dimension too. Fay’s connection to her father through the Maid of Merryweather and her feelings of obligation to care for her mother creates a deeply feeling and caring character that you see give so much of herself and hope as you read that she'll get something back in return. All that’s not to mention the stunning cast of side characters that you expect from Matthews' books. The brusque and prickly Lija with a heart of gold, and the adorable café regular Stan have imprinted themselves on my heart, and the patchwork of colourful customers and members of the narrowboat community add to the story's vibrancy.

The Cake Shop in the Garden is the perfect book to give you warm fuzzy feelings of nostalgia for summer days. As sweet as strawberry jam and would pair perfectly with a slice of lemon drizzle cake and a cup of tea.

Charlotte Walker

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