The Little Board Game Cafe

The Little Board Game Café is the first novel by British author, Jennifer Page. On Thursday, Emily is living with her fiancé, James, working at his engineering business, and having her wedding organised by his bossy, snobby mother. By Saturday, she's been made redundant, realised that James is not the right man, and is living in her best friend, Kate's spare room.

Is this the right time to throw her life savings and her mother's bequest into their long-held dream of owning a café? Perhaps not, but soon she has signed a lease on a tatty-looking, dismal, out-of-the-way café in Essendale, painting walls, scrubbing the kitchen and devising menus. Down the street, Sweet Treats is always busy: surely she can have a share of that? Nico's Café becomes The Lancashire Hotpot, serving All Day Breakfasts, lunches, coffee and tea, cakes and pies.

But, apart from a few regulars, there are no customers, and Emily's savings are dwindling fast. "Had she been tricked into buying what basically amounted to a failing business? Perhaps so, but it wasn't going to be a failing business anymore. She was even more determined to turn things around."

Then local GP and board-game geek, Ludek, whom she met while acting as wingman on one of Kate's quests to find "The One", asks a favour: could his board game club hold their Friday night get together at her café, as their regular venue was unavailable? Indeed they could! And seeing the delectable Ludek would be a bonus.

Even though custom picks up a little, her ex suggest that her café needs a Unique Selling Point to succeed and, after a false start, she lands upon the idea: The Little Board Game Café. With lots of help, the place is transformed, and invitations are sent out for a launch event. Emily gets so busy, she begins to think she needs a helper.

News of a chain café soon to open nearby is a worry, but turns out it's not worst thing that can happen. And when it does, will Emily have to say goodbye to her dream?

Page gives the reader interesting and appealing characters who often share insightful observations and offer sound advice: "you shouldn't marry someone you can live with. You should marry someone you can't live without." In a cute touch, some chapters are prefaced with Emily's bedside reads, reflecting her mood and interests. This light-hearted cosy romance is an outstanding debut novel, and more from this author is most welcome.

This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Aria & Aries