10 Best Cafe-themed Young Adult Books Set in Charming Cafes
There's something kind of magical about cafés, isn't there? That intoxicating scent of fresh coffee, the gentle murmur of conversation, the warmth of baked goods. They’re the perfect setting for soulful reflections, deep connections, and countless life-changing encounters. It's no wonder so many authors choose these quaint establishments as the backdrop for their stories. Now, pair that with the vibrant energy, the evocative emotions, and the riveting drama of young adult books, and you've got a match made in literary heaven.
We've put together a delightful list of 10 young adult novels centred around this very theme. In these novels, cafés aren't just places to grab a bite, they take on a character of their own. They become a haven for our protagonists, places of refuge, wonder or simply the settings for deep and heartfelt conversations. Laden with storylines right from the rollercoaster of first love, the struggle of self-discovery, to the race towards achieving dreams, these novels provide a captivating literary escape. So, grab your favorite beverage, find a comfortable nook, and immerse yourself in these wonderfully brewed tales. You're in for a treat. And we're not talking about the coffee.
『The Little French Bistro』
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • From the New York Times and internationally bestselling author of The Little Paris Bookshop, an extraordinary novel about self-discovery and new beginnings. Marianne is stuck in a loveless, unhappy marriage. After forty-one years, she has reached her limit, and one evening in Paris she decides to take action. Following a dramatic moment on the banks of the Seine, Marianne leaves her life behind and sets out for the coast of Brittany, also known as “the end of the world.” Here she meets a cast of colorful and unforgettable locals who surprise her with their warm welcome, and the natural ease they all seem to have, taking pleasure in life’s small moments. And, as the parts of herself she had long forgotten return to her in this new world, Marianne learns it’s never too late to begin the search for what life should have been all along. With all the buoyant charm that made The Little Paris Bookshop a beloved bestseller, The Little French Bistro is a tale of second chances and a delightful embrace of the joys of life in France.
Author | Nina George |
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Price | unknown |
Publisher | Ballantine Books |
Release Date | Mar 06, 2018 |
Source | Google Books |
『Save the Cupcake!』
Hayley, who has started baking cupcakes to deal with her problems, and her friend Artie suddenly find themselves arguing a lot.
Author | Lisa Papademetriou |
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Price | unknown |
Publisher | Scholastic Paperbacks |
Release Date | Jan 01, 2012 |
Source | Google Books |
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『The Espressologist』
What's your drink of choice? Is it a small pumpkin spice latte? Then you're lots of fun and a bit sassy. Or a medium americano? You prefer simplicity in life. Or perhaps it's a small decaf soy sugar-free hazelnut caffe latte? Some might call you a yuppie. Seventeen-year-old barista Jane Turner has this theory that you can tell a lot about a person by their regular coffee drink. She scribbles it all down in a notebook and calls it Espressology. So it's not a totally crazy idea when Jane starts hooking up some of her friends based on their coffee orders. Like her best friend, Em, a medium hot chocolate, and Cam, a toffee nut latte. But when her boss, Derek, gets wind of Jane's Espressology, he makes it an in-store holiday promotion, promising customers their perfect matches for the price of their favorite coffee. Things are going better than Derek could ever have hoped, so why is Jane so freaked out? Does it have anything to do with Em dating Cam? She's the one who set them up! She should be happy for them, right? With overtones of Jane Austen's Emma and brimming with humor and heart, this sweet, frothy debut will be savored by readers.
Author | Kristina Springer |
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Price | $11.99 |
Publisher | Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) |
Release Date | Oct 27, 2009 |
Source | Google Books |
『Café Con Lychee』
From the author of Meet Cute Diary comes a delectable rom-com that’s brimming with zest and a sprinkle of sweetness. A must-read for fans of Casey McQuiston and Julian Winters. Theo Mori and Gabriel Moreno have always been at odds. Their parents own rival businesses—an Asian American café and a Puerto Rican bakery—and Gabi’s lack of coordination has cost their soccer team too many games to count. Stuck in the closet and scared to pursue his own dreams, Gabi sees his family’s shop as his future. Stuck under the weight of his parents’ expectations, Theo’s best shot at leaving Vermont means first ensuring his parents’ livelihood is secure. So when a new fusion café threatens both shops, Theo and Gabi realize an unfortunate truth—they can only achieve their goals by working together to cook up an underground snack operation and win back their customers. But can they put aside their differences long enough to save their parents’ shops, or will the new feelings between them boil over?
Author | Emery Lee |
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Price | $13.99 |
Publisher | HarperCollins |
Release Date | May 10, 2022 |
Source | Google Books |
『Confessions of a Triple Shot Betty』
Geena can't wait to spend summer vacation at the Triple Shot Betty coffee shop with her best friend, Amber, and her cousin, Hero. But Amber and Hero hate each other on sight, and Geena's dreams of a girl-bonding summer fly out the window - then vanish entirely when a few cute (okay, drop-dead gorgeous) guys enter the picture. All is not what it seems, though, and in a story of mistaken identities, summer high jinks, and just enough romance, Geena and her friends learn that when Bettys unite, they can take on the most powerful force in their world: a hot guy.
Author | Jody Gehrman |
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Price | $4.99 |
Publisher | Penguin |
Release Date | Apr 17, 2008 |
Source | Google Books |
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Phew! That was quite a journey we just embarked on together, wasn't it? Traversing the globe through quaint European espresso bars, cozy New York City nooks, Japanese 'Kissatens' and Parisian patisseries. All in the pages of our outrageously absorbing young adult novels. And the cherry on top? The delicious cafe ambiance that each setting provides. Talk about sensory overload! Isn't it amazing that we can almost smell the coffee, taste the pastries and hear the clatter of dishes in these narratives? Remember, these aren't just tales of love, friendship, self-discovery, and growing pains. These are experiences—ones grounded in the warmth and comfort that only a well-loved café can provide. So, fellow bookworms, the next time you're craving some heartwarming YA lit coupled with a caffeine fix, why not revisit these novels? Just remember to bring along a cup of your own brew—these books are bound to make you crave some! Until next time, keep turning those pages. Happy reading!
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