The Seaside Cafe

By: Rochelle Alers

Narrated by: Shari Peele

Length: 9 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

Set on breathtaking Coates Island, off the coast of North Carolina, best-selling author Rochelle Alers' new series debut brings together three book-loving women whose summer will offer a chance to rewrite their own stories....

For three decades, the Seaside Cafe has served delicious meals to locals and island tourists alike. Kayana Johnson has moved home to help her brother run the cafe - and to nurse her wounds following a deep betrayal. Between cooking favorite recipes - creole chicken with buttermilk waffles, her grandmother's famous mac and cheese - and spending time reading, Kayana is trying to embrace a life free of entanglements, while staying open to new connections....

After striking up a conversation with two customers, Kayana suggests a summer book club. Each week, they'll meet on the patio to talk about their favorite novels. But there are plot twists awaiting them in real life too. For schoolteacher Leah, this two-month sojourn is the first taste of freedom she's had in her unhappy marriage. Cherie, filled with regret about her long-term affair with a married politician, discovers a powerful new passion. And Kayana finds a kindred spirit in a reclusive visitor who's ready to make his true identity known and fill this summer with new possibilities....

©2020 Rochelle Alers (P)2020 Recorded Books

nice story

There were no real plot twists but it was a nice story. The characters were solid and the dialog was OK but it just never went anywhere.

Great summer read

The author described the characters in Amazing details. The story was full of interesting turns. I loved the ending, especially the recipes

I thought there would have been more😔

I LOVE Rochelle Alers! The Hideaway Saga is to this day one of my favorite series of books and I was so excited to read even more of her works. Sadly, this story was not that exciting. I listened to the whole book. SPOILER ALERT: FOR ME- The Sea Side Cafe lacked climactic danger or the turbulence I'm used to from this author. I felt like this was a story more so than a novel, about the story of characters- if that makes sense. The narrators voice although, very soothing, was slightly monotone. I couldn't attach myself to the writing style through the whole book. Ex: Choice of wording, (Babe; A beat passed), using the same voice for every character, the resolution seemed rushed. The small disagreement that was had between the 2 main characters was the climax- and it was not enough of a climax for the whole story). It was a cute story of 2 people who found each other and love, but I really thought there would have been more. I'm glad Rochelle Alers is still writing because I'm still going to keep reading and buying whatever she creates in the future. I love her and MANY of her other works. I did not connect with this one.
I know when it comes to the creative works of others, I have to understand that I won't love it all- all of the time. But I will still support this author. I'm downloading my next Alers read this week and I am hopeful! Don't just take my word for it, read this story for yourself!

Book Club, Food & Love

Great story, mature romance. Grown folks living, loving, laughing and eating great food. Even the dog helped move the story.

2nd Chance for True Love

A book that depicts some of types of women in society. Also, learning to love after divorce. A well blended story that connects books, food, romance, relationships, and friendship in a good book. Wouldn't mind reading it again.

Great Story!!

I truly enjoyed this story of romance and fun! It was well written and performed!!

A summer to cook , to read and fall in love .

Loved the story when she stopped analyzing her feelings and let herself go with the flow of life.

Kind of disappointed

The book seemed to be missing something that I just can’t put my finger on. it also ended unexpectedly

I just can’t listen any more …

Nearly halfway through and this has gone absolutely nowhere. Hours I’ll never get back … I also have to warn other listeners, this narrator is just awful. Not only is she monotonous, she mispronounces way too many words for it to be acceptable. She clearly didn’t know a number of the words and a large city name in Massachusetts, but honestly, if someone is PAYING you to do this, when you don’t know a word, look it up!!!

Won’t waste my time finishing.

I really don’t like this book. It is not intelligently written or gives a vicarious enjoyment of going to coastal North Carolina. Too many racial references when what occurs in the story has nothing to do with the characters pat remarks. Author has an agenda. I could not “like “ any of the female characters. There were multiple references to book clubs, booklovers etc. but didn’t seem to have any appreciation for literature. Had the wrong overall theme of Pride and Prejudice entirely!! Will not purchase anything else from this author.