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Rachel Rowlands, Book Editor & Author
cat café series

Cake Off at the Cat Café

Cake Off at the Cat Café

Published by Hodder & Stoughton 27 March 2025

Available in ebook, paperback, and audio

View translations available here

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Whisks at the ready! This summer, two local cafes will go head-to-head in a baking competition where more is at stake than just the trophy… Will true love be the icing on the cake?

Clem is the baker in charge of creating delicious cat-themed treats for the loyal customers of the Catpurrcino cat café. From iced kitten doughnuts to macarons with ears and whiskers, Clem’s creations always bring a smile to the face of anyone lucky enough to taste them.

But outside of the café’s kitchen, Clem struggles with feelings of anxiety and where she fits in. Until Sylvie, the owner of the café, decides to push her out of her comfort zone. The Whisked Away baking competition is a chance for Clem to shine and find her inner confidence.

Also competing this year is Lucas, the owner of Muddy Paws café, accompanied by his faithful Golden Retriever Reina.

The stage is set for an epic cake-off between cats and dogs. But as Clem stumbles in the first challenge, Lucas always seems to be there with an encouraging word and a smile. The chemistry between them is soon undeniable.

Is this just the heat in the kitchen? Or something real? And can their feelings survive a showdown in the final round…

The most delightful read to curl up with and enjoy with a cup of tea and slice of cake – for both cat and dog lovers! Fans of The Cinnamon Bun Book Store, Catherine Walsh and Sarah Morgan will adore this charming, romantic story.



“This book is like the perfect pastry; warm, sweet, and filled with layers of charm and slow-burning romance… A warm hug of a book, best enjoyed with tea, cake, and a cat curled up by your side” Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“A book set in a cat cafe mixed with baking in the style of The Great British Bake Off? Hell yes, sign me up!… I was absolutely hooked and could scarcely put the book down!… a stunning book that I absolutely adored” Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


“Beautiful story… A baking competition, a slow burn love story… Magical and moving. The cat café is lovely” Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I honestly cannot recommend this beautiful book enough. It’s the perfect cosy read for any time of the year!”
Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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💜😻 First Dates at the Cat Cafè is out today with @ 💜😻 First Dates at the Cat Cafè is out today with @hodderbooks @hodderfiction!! I'm so excited this book is finally in the hands of readers. This is probably my most romcom book yet and it's perfect for the summertime. I had so much fun writing it. I hope you'll love meeting cat café barista Grace and brooding musician Nathan!

This is my third traditionally published book, as well as the third in the cat café series (though you can read it perfectly fine as a standalone). I'm still pinching myself that I get to continue doing this!

Thank you, lovely readers, for all the support! 🥰

💜💜 Blurb 💜💜

Grace adores her job as a barista at the café, but dreams of one day setting up her own matchmaking agency to help pet lovers find true love.

When Catpurrcino partners with a dating festival for the whole of August it seems like it is meant to be.

The last thing on Grace's mind is her own love life.

Until she is matched with musician Nathan, who is only at the festival so he can perform.

Grace knows from the very first moment that Nathan is not the man of her dreams.

But no one is going to take romantic advice from someone who can't even get through one successful date. So Grace and Nathan make a pact: they will pretend to be smitten with each other until the end of festival.

The more time Grace and Nathan spend playing the perfect couple, the more Grace wonders if her fake feelings are becoming real... Could Nathan ever feel the same?

#firstdatesatthecatcafe #catcafeseries #firstdatesatthecatcafè #rachelrowlands
My author copies of First Dates at the Cat Café ar My author copies of First Dates at the Cat Café arrived! How gorgeous are they?! I just love all the colours and the cats having their own little dates outside the café! @kelley.mcmorris.art has done it again with her beautiful illustration!

I think you'll love this one if you enjoy fake dating, summer festivals, and brooding musicians. 🎶 Here's a reminder of the blurb! Out May 28 with @hodderbooks @hodderfiction 🥰🥰

🐱💜🐱💜

Grace adores her job as a barista at the café, but dreams of one day setting up her own matchmaking agency to help pet lovers find true love.

When Catpurrcino partners with a dating festival for the whole of August it seems like it is meant to be.

The last thing on Grace's mind is her own love life.

Until she is matched with musician Nathan, who is only at the festival so he can perform.

Grace knows from the very first moment that Nathan is not the man of her dreams.

But no one is going to take romantic advice from someone who can't even get through one successful date. So Grace and Nathan make a pact. They will pretend to be smitten with each other until the end of festival.

The more time Grace and Nathan spend playing the perfect couple, the more Grace wonders if her fake feelings are becoming real... Could Nathan ever feel the same?

#firstdatesatthecatcafè #firstdatesatthecatcafe #catcafeseries #rachelrowlands
April 🌸🌻 A month of doing lots of decorating and o April 🌸🌻 A month of doing lots of decorating and other jobs in our house... I also worked on several really good books for some lovely writers, and turned in copyedits for one of my own cat café books. 🐱

We did manage to get out into nature and the glorious sunshine when we could. And I listened to BTS on repeat. 🎶

Now I'm cooking up a new book idea... ✨️
Love a peaceful day browsing books and grabbing co Love a peaceful day browsing books and grabbing coffee, so I decided to vlog it because I love watching cosy little reels and wanted to make one! ☕️📖 I picked up The Dark Mirror by Samantha Shannon (The Bone Season series is one of my absolute favourites!) and Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid. 

Have you all been reading anything good this weekend? 💕📖

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