Happy Tuesday Sweet Friends :)
I pray today finds you all doing well, and I'm so thankful you've taken the time to drop on by The Preppy Book Princess today for another book review.
I'm Kirby, and I always enjoy having you join me here on my little bookish corner of the internet.
Today is a very special day. Why you may ask? Well it's the release day of the newest title in one of my very favorite series.
I can't wait to tell you guys all about this wonderful, heartwarming title, but first, if you'd like to check out my reviews of the other titles in this series, you can do so using the links below:
Otherwise, keep on reading down below, and join me for today's full review.
The Uncomplicated Cafe by Rachael Bloome:
Source: Complimentary Copy Provided by the Author as Part of Her ARC Team
Publisher: Secret Garden Press
Publication Date: September 16th, 2025
Genre: Clean Romance/Contemporary/Small Town
Series: Blessings Bay
Synopsis:
A fake engagement. A not-so-pretend kiss. And a lifelong friendship on the line….
CeCe Dupree has always played it safe. She’s happiest running her small-town café, curling up with her cat, and binge-watching Star Trek reruns. Love? That’s best left to the movies.
But when her childhood best friend—turned Hollywood heartthrob—Jayce Hunt shows up on her doorstep with an outrageous request, her quiet world flips upside down. Pretend to be his fiancée. Just for the cameras.
Only… nothing about it feels pretend. Not the way his hand lingers in hers. Not the almost-kisses that leave her breathless. Not the spine-tingling chemistry she’s trying hard to ignore. Suddenly, the line between best friends and something much more is dangerously blurred.
For Jayce, one white lie was supposed to save his co-star. Instead, it might cost him the only woman he’s ever loved.
Meanwhile, Abigail Preston’s picture-perfect wedding faces an unexpected threat when the past collides with the future she’s fought so hard to protect.
Full of swoon-worthy romance, heart-tugging twists, and the kind of small-town charm that floats off the page, The Uncomplicated Café is a story about friendship, found family, and the power of second chances.
Also Includes:
An original recipe
Book club questions and more….
(synopsis from goodreads)
My Review:
Rachael Bloome is one of the best voices in the clean romance genre of today, and I always know I'm in for a heartwarming treat when I get the chance to pick up one of her new titles. Her Poppy Creek series has long been one of my favorites, and Blessings Bay is quickly becoming another. The Uncomplicated Cafe was everything I hope for whenever I pick up a title by her, but honestly even more than I was expecting. The plot was beautifully written and heart wrenching, and hard to put down once I started.
Cece and Jacye's story was honestly adorable. I loved both the fake dating trope, and the famous person dating the regular person storyline. Overall, while their relationship is full of hijinks, hilarity and interesting circumstances, it was also wonderful to see them both finally face up to their feelings, and see how their friendship had grown into something else over the years. As well, I thought the author did a lovely job of showcasing how they both grew as characters as they learned to face past hurts and move on from them.
While I would absolutely recommend this title for Cece and Jayce's story alone, I have to be honest that what really made this one stand out in my eyes was the continuing story of Abby, Logan, and Max. Please do yourself a favor and have tissues handy while reading this one, as I can guarantee you're going to need them. The story went in ways I was absolutely not expecting, and it made my heart break a little in certain passages. I truly feel no other author could have given this story the ending it deserved, and it truly speaks volumes to the talent of Rachael Bloome as an author.
I won't say anything else as I don't want to spoil anything, but please do yourself a favor and pick this one up. Don't just stop there however, go ahead and read the entire series as each title is just as lovely and charming as the one before it.
Final Rating: 5/5.
Thanks so much to Rachael Bloome for allowing me to read and review this title!
I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary advance reader copy of this novel from the author as part of her ARC team. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and this is my honest review.
Thanks so much for reading guys! Have a great rest of your day :)
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