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!

at

59 comments:

  1. Reyna Meinhardt July 6, 2009 at 9:34 AM

    I loved this book as well! It was fantastic!

    ReplyDelete
  2. KdJuly 6, 2009 at 10:23 AM

    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

    ReplyDelete
  3. MeganDreamerJuly 6, 2009 at 2:17 PM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
  4. prophecygirlJuly 6, 2009 at 3:37 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  5. BrianaJuly 6, 2009 at 4:30 PM

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

    -Briana

    ReplyDelete
  6. SandyJuly 6, 2009 at 6:13 PM

    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?

    ReplyDelete
  7. BookwormJuly 6, 2009 at 6:50 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  8. ThaoJuly 6, 2009 at 9:42 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  9. SenfayeJuly 7, 2009 at 12:54 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  10. GreenBeanTeenQueenJuly 8, 2009 at 6:03 PM

    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!:)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Kay CassidyJuly 9, 2009 at 6:56 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousJuly 14, 2009 at 7:29 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  13. RachelJuly 14, 2009 at 7:36 PM

    Wow this sounds really good! Great Review =)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Sunshine EditionJuly 14, 2009 at 7:51 PM

    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

    ReplyDelete
  15. PamJuly 14, 2009 at 8:18 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  16. MissSusieJuly 15, 2009 at 9:10 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  17. EricaJuly 15, 2009 at 9:10 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  18. holdenjJuly 15, 2009 at 2:28 PM

    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!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Book Butterfly (Kim)July 15, 2009 at 3:25 PM

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

    Kim

    ReplyDelete
  20. LlehnJuly 17, 2009 at 8:32 PM

    Cool review! Am looking forward to reading it.

    ReplyDelete
  21. 文学少女 (Literature Girl)July 17, 2009 at 10:42 PM

    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*)

    ReplyDelete
  22. SaraJuly 18, 2009 at 7:55 AM

    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 :))

    ReplyDelete
  23. The Real KatieJuly 19, 2009 at 7:55 PM

    sounds awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  24. WrightyJuly 19, 2009 at 8:59 PM

    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!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Vanessa (whatvanessareads.wordpress.com)July 21, 2009 at 2:19 PM

    This looks really good.

    ReplyDelete
  26. WordVore ProdJuly 22, 2009 at 8:19 AM

    Wow...the book sounds so good!

    ReplyDelete
  27. wdeboJuly 24, 2009 at 3:13 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  28. ReggieWritesJuly 25, 2009 at 12:49 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  29. KristenJuly 25, 2009 at 6:00 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  30. Tales of WhimsyJuly 25, 2009 at 8:27 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  31. RagDollVampGirlJuly 26, 2009 at 11:28 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  32. The Book ExplorerJuly 26, 2009 at 3:45 PM

    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

    ReplyDelete
  33. BiancaJuly 26, 2009 at 8:06 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  34. MonaJuly 26, 2009 at 11:36 PM

    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!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Tales of WhimsyJuly 27, 2009 at 8:49 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  36. a flight of mindsJuly 28, 2009 at 1:30 PM

    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

    ReplyDelete
  37. sharon54220July 28, 2009 at 5:34 PM

    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

    ReplyDelete
  38. KaylynJuly 30, 2009 at 7:28 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  39. UnknownJuly 31, 2009 at 10:08 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  40. ParadoxAugust 1, 2009 at 1:42 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  41. EsmeAugust 1, 2009 at 7:09 AM

    This sounds like a nice story.

    ReplyDelete
  42. LAugust 1, 2009 at 12:56 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  43. AnAddictedBookReaderAugust 3, 2009 at 4:45 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  44. mrsshukraAugust 4, 2009 at 3:49 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  45. AnonymousAugust 4, 2009 at 5:33 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  46. SerieslyReadyAugust 6, 2009 at 3:26 AM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Lady KAugust 6, 2009 at 5:00 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  48. MeganAugust 7, 2009 at 5:59 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  49. Simply SamanthaAugust 8, 2009 at 10:59 AM

    I really wanna read this book lol =]

    ReplyDelete
  50. TAugust 11, 2009 at 1:32 AM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
  51. HaileyAugust 11, 2009 at 11:47 AM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
  52. AnonymousAugust 14, 2009 at 3:01 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  53. MaartenAugust 17, 2009 at 1:50 AM

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

    Ciao,

    maarten.bouwman(at)ets.eni.it

    ReplyDelete
  54. MavieAugust 17, 2009 at 4:18 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  55. BrittanyAugust 17, 2009 at 8:04 AM

    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!

    ReplyDelete
  56. Jordan PerrymanAugust 17, 2009 at 9:11 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  57. Shawna L.August 19, 2009 at 3:53 PM

    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!!!

    ReplyDelete
  58. ClaireAugust 19, 2009 at 10:38 PM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
  59. UnknownApril 13, 2011 at 10:46 AM

    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!!

    ReplyDelete