Review :: Cathy’s Christmas Kitchen by Tilly Tennant

Tilly Tennant is one of my favourite writers of cosy Christmas novels – I’ve talked about some of her previous books here and here. I don’t know why it took my so long to get to this one – especially since it has food at its centre, which I always think makes these Christmas stories even cosier.

What is Tilly Tennant’s Cathy’s Christmas Kitchen about?

Cathy cooked at her mother’s side her whole life and could bake a fairy cake before she could ride a bike. Now she is facing her first Christmas without her beloved mother, she’s determined to use her memories for something positive. She decides to organise a weekly cooking class, sharing her mother’s precious recipes with other lonely souls.

There’s just one small spanner in the works: teenager Tansy, who attends Cathy’s classes even though she’s rude to everyone there and seems to hate every minute. Cathy is poised to ask Tansy to leave, but her uncle, physiotherapist Matt, begs her to give the teenager another chance. And Cathy can’t resist Matt’s sparkling hazel eyes and incredibly kind heart…

But just as Cathy is feeling she might find joy again, her ex returns to Linnetford, desperate for a second chance. With Matt becoming distant as his life gets more complicated, it seems so easy to return to the safe embrace of someone she knows so well. Can Cathy avoid the temptation of falling back in love with the man who broke her heart and let Christmas bring her the greatest gift – that of happiness?

My review of Cathy’s Christmas Kitchen by Tilly Tennant

I enjoyed this one! I can’t quite put my finger on what it is but I always like Tennant’s characters and writing.
The main character in cosy Christmas stories often have tragedy in their background, and I feel like Tennant has done a good job with Cathy of having that element of something painful that she is emerging from but without that overshadowing the cosy/festive vibe of the story.
The romance in this one was sweet – I liked the way the characters got to know each other and their relationship developed. I also liked that the challenges they faced were a bit different to the usual blow-up over a misunderstanding. One of my favourite things about this story was the friendship between the group of people in the cooking class, and the way that these relationships got as much time and attention in the book as the romantic one.

Overall this one is a sweet story that gives enough depth to the characters that you feel for them, but stays light enough at the same time to feel hopeful and uplifting. I’ve already added Tennant’s upcoming title, Christmas in Paris, to my tbr for the 2022 festive season!

xo Bron
***

Cathy’s Christmas Kitchen by Tilly Tennant.
Out now from Bookouture.
Source: I received a free ebook copy from Bookouture (via NetGalley).
Category: Cosy Christmassy romance.

Cathy’s Christmas Kitchen on Goodreads.
My review of Tilly Tennant’s A Very Vintage Christmas and A Cosy Candlelit Christmas.
My review of Tilly Tennant’s The Christmas Wish.