Aussie Book Review: The Coffeeholic and Cafe by Elizabeth Martin & GIVEAWAY
Elizabeth Martin- The Coffeeholic and the Cafe Format- Paperback Source- Review copy from Boolarong Press Synopsis: Newly self-diagnosed Coffeeholic Claire moves to Cairns to escape a failed long term relationship and to open the coffee shop of her dreams. But things are not as glamorous as she imagines. The coffee plantation is a dusty farm, the cafe is a tin shed behind a Hills Hoist, and the tall, quiet man who meets her at the station is called Bruce. Despite this and her own addiction, can she create the best coffee shop in Tropical North Queensland? Can she also find love at the same time? Review: The Coffeeholic and the Cafe is a fun chic lit novel set in Queensland, Australia by Aussie novelist Elizabeth Martin.Claire is 28 years old and living in the shadow of her older three successful sisters, floating from job to job and not taking life too seriously. When a long-term relationship ends, Claire decides it's time to do something with her life and she moves from Melbourne up to hot, humid Cairns to open a coffee shop. Only, when she arrives at her new job it is not the glamourous chic setting she had imagined and quickly learns that her pretentious Melbournian ways are not going to last in hot, dusty northern QLD where her new home is a caravan. Claire is a self-confessioned coffee addict and it is interesting to see this play out during the story. She makes new friends in unlikely places and develops a connection to the quiet, mysterious farmhand Tom AKA Bruce.It was my 2011 new years resolution not to read too much chic lit this year because I was often left underwhelmed by the themes of infidelity and shallow characters, but The Coffeeholic and the Cafe reminded me of how much I really enjoy this genre when it is done well. I loved the Australian setting, the culture shock Claire experiences (even though she has only moved interstate!), I even thought her naive ignorance was quite funny and endearing. Claire throws herself into the new coffee shop project oblivious to what is happening around her, the author makes sure the reader is always a couple of steps ahead of Claire and surprisingly this works well- I didn't get frustrated by this at all. I had my suspicions about Claire's best friend Natalie who comes to visit and did predict the shocking news that is delivered and although I would have loved to see Claire have it out with her and get angry I can understand that she coped with this by working harder and avoiding the painful feelings. I especially loved the relationship that develops between Claire and Bruce, he is a quiet, strong man who definitely has some appeal! The ending wrapped up things nicely and left enough things open-ended to let your imagination run wild. I only wish there was an epilogue just so I can see how things worked out for Claire and Bruce. It was a lovely ending but left me wanting more!Overall, Martin has created a witty, fast-paced chic lit novel set in the Queensland tropics. It was a fast read and I managed to read it in one afternoon because I found it so entertaining. It's such a pleasure to find chic lit that doesn't indulge in themes of infidelity and provides a fresh, smart perspective on the genre.
4/5 rating
Purchase book @
Fishpond (free shipping in Aus)
About the author: Elizabeth Martin was born in Melbourne, Australia, and now lives with her husband and 3 boys in Cairns. Elizabeth has been residing in Far North Queensland since 2000, and loves a good cup of coffee almost as much as a good old-fashioned romance. This is Elizabeth Martin's first published novel.
GIVEAWAY
With thanks to Boolarong Press I have one copy of The Coffeeholic and the Cafe to giveaway to one lucky follower!
This giveaway is for AU and NZ only. If you live outside AU/ NZ and would like to win a copy then please enter the Mega Aussie Author Giveaway for a chance to win The Coffeeholic and the Cafe along with 5 other titles
HOW TO ENTER:You must be a follower to enter this giveaway. Find me @TwitterFacebookGoodreadsOr subscribe to my blog by email!Please fill out this form to enter: ENTRY FORM THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSEDYou must complete the form and follow this blog to be entered in the draw (I will be checking if you win!). Entries close on August 31st. The winner will be drawn via random.org and announced on September 1st, 2011. The winner will be contacted via email and will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is drawn.
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