Secrets at the Ambrose Cafe by Carryl Church

Secrets at the Ambrose Cafe by Carryl Church
published 17 June 2025

PUBLISHER: Joffe Books
FOMAT: Digital
PAGES: 224

🌟 Review Note:
This review is provided as part of the Virtual Book Tour hosted by Zooloo’s Book Tours which runs 17-23 June 2025. Follow along, with the Book Tour Schedule.

Thank you to the author Carryl Church, publisher Joffe Books, NetGalley and, of course Zooloo’s Book Tours for including me on this book tour and for providing a copy of the digital edition of this historical fiction/romance novel to read and review.
As always, this review reflects my honest thoughts.

About the book

Exeter, 1925.
Della Wilde has set aside her dream of moving to Paris to study at the renowned Le Cordon Bleu, choosing instead to support her family torn apart by war. By night, she works at the prestigious Ambrose Café, serving the city’s elite – she feels utterly invisible. Until a chance encounter with rebellious Alice Winters, the daughter of a powerful MP, upends Della’s world.

Alice is a woman caught between duty and desire. She secretly yearns to be an artist but is expected to marry a respectable suitor and raise a family. Della, with her sharp wit and quiet strength, is unlike anyone she has ever known. She makes Alice feel alive.

So she draws Della into her orbit – first as a muse for her secret art, then as something infinitely more intimate. But in a world where reputations are easily shattered, their growing bond is a danger that threatens not only their futures, but those around them.

As Alice risks scandal and Della faces the consequences of following her heart, they must decide: will they allow others to choose their path, or dare to forge their own?

About the Author

Inspired by her childhood fascination with old films which led to a career as a Film Archivist, Carryl’s debut novel The Forgotten Life of Connie Harris is a dual timeline story set against the immersive backdrop of cinema. Originally from the Isle of Wight, Carryl now lives in Devon with her husband, son and a cat called Ditsy who keeps her company while she types.

Carryl’s Social Media

Facebook: Carryl Church Author

Twitter: @CarrylChurch

Instagram: @carrylchurch

Website : carrylchurch.co.uk

My Review

It took me a few chapters to settle into the rhythm of Secrets at the Ambrose Café, but once I did, I was completely swept away. The writing has a gentle, almost lyrical quality that perfectly suits the story’s 1920s setting, and as the world around Della and Alice unfolded, I found myself utterly immersed.

At the heart of this novel is a tender, slow-burn romance between two women caught between expectation and desire. Della Wilde is a quietly determined woman who’s sacrificed her dreams to support her family after the devastation of war. She works at the prestigious Ambrose Café in Exeter, where she feels largely invisible—until the confident and complicated Alice Winters walks into her life.

Alice is the daughter of a powerful MP, raised in privilege but burdened by duty. She’s expected to marry well, keep up appearances, and suppress the parts of herself that long to create—and to love freely. Her connection with Della is immediate but fraught with risk, and Carryl Church explores their relationship with care and depth.

I was completely caught up in the emotional push and pull between them – their shared longing, the moments of stolen freedom, the fear of being seen. Church writes their bond with such sensitivity, and the stakes feel real and immediate in a world where even a whisper of scandal could destroy everything.

The historical detail is rich but never overwhelming. From the café’s quiet elegance to the hushed studio where Alice paints, the setting comes alive without ever overshadowing the emotional core of the story. I also appreciated the supporting characters – particularly those who quietly support Della and Alice in a society that doesn’t make space for their kind of love.

This is a story of quiet rebellion, of choosing yourself even when the world tells you not to, and of finding courage in the most unexpected places. It’s romantic, heart-wrenching, and ultimately hopeful.

Five stars from me. I didn’t want it to end.

See About My Reviews and Review FAQ for full star rating explanations and review guidelines.

This review may also appear on my social media channels and selected book platforms. All links were correct at the time of publication.

DISCLOSURE: I received an advance or review copy of this book. As always, my thoughts are honest and my own.
DISCLOSURE: I received a review copy of this book via NetGalley/Zooloo’s Book Tours. As always, my thoughts are honest and my own.
DISCLOSURE: I purchased this book myself. As always, my thoughts are honest and my own.

#SecretsAtTheAmbroseCafe #CarrylChurch #JoffeBooks #digitalread #ZooloosBookTours #bookreview #booktour