Monday, July 6, 2009

Coffeehouse Angel


Title: Coffeehouse Angel
Author: Suzanne Selfors
Pages: 288
Published: July 21 2009, Walker Books for Young Readers
Genre: Realistic Fiction/Fantasy
Cover Score: B+
Overall Rating: A

   Katrina's grown up around coffee. As the granddaughter of Anna Svensen of Anna's Old World Scandinavian Coffeehouse, she's used to waking up at 6:00 AM to brew coffee. But one morning changes everything for Katrina, when she spots a homeless man sleeping in the coffeehouse's alley and decides to leave him some coffee and pastries. Little does she know, the homeless man is actually an angel named Malcolm, who is around her age and has an important message to deliver in Katrina's town, Nordby. But he insists he must pay back her good deed. Katrina could ask for anything--customers for their slowly sinking business, her friendship troubles to be resolved, the popular rival Java Heaven coffee shop next door to go out of business, her parents to come back, or for her grandmother's health to improve. But what happens when what she really wants is for Malcolm to stay?
   My thoughts: I was so pleasantly surprised by Coffeehouse Angel! The summary on the back totally mislead me, making it seem like the whole book was a light story about an angel and romance, etc. However, I found the plot to be quite different! I loved how Ms. Selfors combined lots of different conflicts into the story (coffeehouse closing, angel, friendship issue, love, finding yourself...) into one delicious, satisfying combination.
   The characters in this book were phenomenal. Katrina was so realistic and relatable, and I loved how clever, determined and creative she was in trying to keep the coffee shop open. And who couldn't love Malcolm?
    The only issue I had was that Katrina and Malcolm's relationship seemed very quick. At first she hates him and then she adores him? It didn't really make sense to me.
   I was so sad when this book ended. It was magical, charming, and a super-quick and enthralling read--I couldn't put it down! Coffeehouse Angel is one of those books that makes you feel warm and fuzzy like you're drinking a hot cup of coffee. (: Ms. Selfors writes with love and honesty, making her book enjoyable and lovely. I can only wish for a sequel, and that Nordby isn't fictional!

59 comments:

Reyna Meinhardt said...

I loved this book as well! It was fantastic!

Kd said...

This cover makes me want to go get some coffee! I have heard many good things from this book. I think I might go get it. Good Review :D

MeganDreamer said...

Yet another book to add to the long list of the books I'm going to buy when I win the lottery.
I've read another review for it, but yours really makes me want to go hunt it down.

prophecygirl said...

Everyone seems to be loving this book, so I'm looking forward to reading it! Thanks for the review!

Briana said...

I love the cover! This book looks really good but I didn't see it at Barnes and Noble today! Anyway, great review!

-Briana

Sandy said...

this sounds really cute! I liked the cover but I actually had no clue what this book was about until I read your review. xD but I wanted to ask: did you receive your copy of Airhead by Meg Cabot? The one that you won at Chick Lit Teens?

Bookworm said...

Piratepenguin: No, Airhead hasn't come yet. Hopefully soon, though, I'm so excited to read it!

Thao said...

I love this book really much as well. It seems to make life more enjoyable ^^

Senfaye said...

You got awards: http://amazeofbooks.blogspot.com/2009/07/awards-galore.html

GreenBeanTeenQueen said...

I really want to read this one. I'm glad you liked it-I'm sure I'll enjoy it too then! And you know I love romance!:)

Kay Cassidy said...

I really want to read this one! And every time I see it reviewed, I want it a little bit more. :-)

Anonymous said...

I'd love to read this. I'm glad you were pleasantly surprised. I hate when a good book ends. :)

Rachel said...

Wow this sounds really good! Great Review =)

Sunshine Edition said...

Yay! im excited to read this, i love coffee, and although i don usually read fantasy, since you said its not too bad i just might! Thanks for the review

xoxox,
Rachel

Pam said...

This book sounds so cute! I love the cover and in spite of disliking coffee, I do like coffeehouses.

MissSusie said...

I sooo want to read this book!!Thansk for your review..It sounds great!

Erica said...

This book sounds great! I can't wait to read it.

holdenj said...

I agree, the cover really makes me want to pick up the book. And I like your honesty in how much you enjoyed the book, even though there were things, like how quickly their friendship bloomed, that seemed too fast.
Definitely on the TBR list!

Book Butterfly (Kim) said...

I want to read this--especially since you said you hated to see it end!

Kim

Llehn said...

Cool review! Am looking forward to reading it.

文学少女 (Literature Girl) said...

Personally, I find Coffee and Books a wonderful combination! I'm not the only one because our city's reader's circle meets up at coffee houses to discuss books we want to share.

A dear friend of mine has a copy of Saving Juliet from the same author, so I think I know what my next read will be (if she'd let me borrow *crosses fingers*)

Sara said...

Wow, sounds like a great book! What's Nordby? Sounds like a Scandinavian place to me ;)(or a last name, but I doubt it is)

Sara (from Sweden :))

The Real Katie said...

sounds awesome!

Wrighty said...

I really want to read this! I love books with angels and the different perspectives the authors come up with. And coffee too - yum! Great review!

Vanessa (whatvanessareads.wordpress.com) said...

This looks really good.

WordVore Prod said...

Wow...the book sounds so good!

wdebo said...

sounds adorably cute!! Gotta check it out...yeah for coffee!! <3

ReggieWrites said...

I can't wait to read this book!!!

Kristen said...

This book really does sound cute and even more so after your review. You need a nice fuzzy book every once in a while. :)

Tales of Whimsy said...

Hi! I'm a new reader. I can't wait to read this one. I love stories with angels.

RagDollVampGirl said...

Awesome Review!
I Love CoffeHouses And I LOVE Angels!
This Book Seems So Great!
Can't Wait To Read It!!

The Book Explorer said...

This book sounds amazing! I can't wait for a chance to read it (winning a contest or buying it win my current stack gets smaller)! Great Review

Bianca said...

I haven't had the chance to read this book. I love your review, I'm glad you liked it!

Mona said...

I just love the cover of this book. The coffee looks so inviting. The girl also looks like someone most anyone would like to read about as a character. The title is so unique too!

Tales of Whimsy said...

I can't wait to read this one. Great review.

a flight of minds said...

Coffeehouse Angel just sound so adorable. All of the reviews I've read say it's very cute. Katrina sounds like a great character, and so does Malcolm. Great review!

- Alex

sharon54220 said...

The book sounds great and I love the cover. I'm actually drinking a cup of coffee as I'm typing this.

sharon54220@gmail.com

Kaylyn said...

Everyone makes this book sound so good, I want to read it so bad!

Unknown said...

i think this book is going to be awesome, i cant wait to read it. with a warm cup of coffeee by my side.

Paradox said...

I love books that make me feel warm and fuzzy inside, so I'll try to find a copy of this one!

Esme said...

This sounds like a nice story.

L said...

this sounds like a cute love story. I really want to read it after hearing your review.

AnAddictedBookReader said...

I've heard lots of good thing about this book. I really want to read it!

mrsshukra said...

I like the book's title! Your review makes me want to read this book, thanks!

Anonymous said...

Thankyou for the review!
I love coffeehouses so I should lovbe this book.

SerieslyReady said...

I've seen this cover on several blogs. I never noticed the angel on the cover.

Your review was sweet. Hope it really is as good as you say.

Lady K said...

Great book. I've read a lot about it. Can't wait to read it.
Great review

Megan said...

This book looks really good I can't wait to read it. Great Review.

Simply Samantha said...

I really wanna read this book lol =]

T said...

This book sounds really cute! Your review really makes me want to read it! I can't wait to go my hands on it! I'd like to see what happens with Kartina and Malcom.

Hailey said...

This book sounds awesome! I've seen the book before but never knew what it was about! I can't wait to read it! I'll have to add it to my reading list.

Anonymous said...

Sounds good! Everyone who has reviewed this loved it! Hope it comes to the UK.

Maarten said...

For me the caracters are to "good" and "right".
But that's Angels for you.

Ciao,

maarten.bouwman(at)ets.eni.it

Mavie said...

Sounds awesome! Great Review! I really want to read Coffee House Angel, a lot of people have said it's really good.

Brittany said...

I didn't even know this book was about a real angel. Shows how much I pay attention! I'm glad it wasn't just a light romance!

Jordan Perryman said...

Great review. This book sounds amazing and I cant wait to read it for myself!

Shawna L. said...

Shawna Lewis
weloveourdogs@juno.com

This sounds so good and I just love the cover ;o)
Thanks for this review!!!
I think it's cool that it has a real angel in this book!!!

Claire said...

Oohh sounds good! Especially when it involves that much coffee haha I'll definitely be adding this to my 'to read' pile. Thanks for the great review.

Unknown said...

Im only in the middle of the book but is really good! I can't wait till the end but then i can't! The book is so amazing!!