The Spirit Of Generosity
Second Chances At The Board Game Café by Jennifer Page is the most charming, contemporary read that warmed my heart.
Just once in a while, a book comes along that as soon as you start it, you just know that it is going to wrap around you like a warm blanket, leaving you feeling loved – Second Chances At The Board Game Café is one such book.
Everything between the pages delighted me. I chose to read the book because it is set in Yorkshire – my favourite place in the whole world. I thought that it could not get any better – but it did! Not only set in Yorkshire but the 1970 film The Railway Children, one of my favourite films, was continually referenced. And then to top it all off, Haworth, my favourite place to visit, was mentioned. This book was just made for me!
Second Chances At The Board Game Café is a book to savor, to keep, and to prompt you to buy the other two books in the series! I just cannot get enough of this book! I certainly hope there will be many more in the series.
All the characters were delightfully drawn and easy to empathise with. Max, who was in year four, brought out my mothering instincts. He has autism. Jennifer Page has perfectly captured Max with his mannerisms, fears and dislike of change. Likewise, leading character Harry also has autistic traits. Despite their age difference, Max and Harry understand and support each other as they navigate life.
Single Mum, Taylor, lives for her son. She puts Max first in every situation. Taylor is easy to empathise with, as she navigates the school gates and altercations with teachers who fail to understand Max. We also witness how vulnerable she is to an unscrupulous letting agent and how she steers through life in a new town.
Both Harry and Taylor are lacking in confidence. They both believe that neither could possibly like the other as more than a friend. Misunderstandings arise, making them both miserable.
Harry believes that people will like him if he does things for them. “You don’t have to go around helping people for them to like you … We like you because we like you.” Insecurity in characters is heartbreaking to see.
All the residents are community minded. They support local businesses rather than huge chains.
The Board Game Café is at the heart of the town – whether you want coffee, cake, playing a board game or learning to sew. The café provides all this and more. It offers support to those who enter its’ doors.
We learn the importance of upcycling. Why throw clothes away when you can alter them and add new life to old clothes?
A character has been so self-reliant that she hates to accept help from others. “It’s okay to accept help once in a while.” Life has not always been kind to her in the past but here, the community practices the spirit of generosity.
I absolutely adored Second Chances At The Board Game Café. It is a book that I shall be reading again and again. It is positively delightful.
I received a free copy via Rachel’s Random Resources for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
JULIA WILSON
Second Chances at the Board Game Cafe
The next warm and uplifting instalment in The Little Board Game Cafe series, perfect for fans of Holly Martin and Christie Barlow.
In the cosy Yorkshire village of Hebbleswick, single mum Taylor dreams of a fashion design career, but she spends her days fixing zips, hemming skirts and worrying about her son, Max.
At the local board game cafe, railway enthusiast Harry, still recovering from a painful breakup, dreams of fatherhood. When Taylor and Harry cross paths, sparks fly, but Harry’s confidence issues and Taylor’s concerns for Max threaten their budding romance.
Can they find a second chance at love where they least expect it?
Purchase Link – https://amzn.eu/d/gyPqfRG
Author Bio –
Jennifer Page wrote her first novel – a book about ponies – when she was eight. These days she prefers to write romance. When she isn’t writing, Jennifer can usually be found playing board games which are the inspiration for her first novel. She has worked as a television producer, a music teacher and has even run a children’s opera company. She now lives near Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire with her husband and his large collection of games.
Social Media Links –
https://www.facebook.com/JenniferPagewrites
https://www.instagram.com/jenniferpagewrites
