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 |
『Close to Famous』
A novel full of heart, humor, and charm from Newbery Honor winner Joan Bauer! When twelve-year-old Foster and her mother land in the tiny town of Culpepper, they don't know what to expect. But folks quickly warm to the woman with the great voice and the girl who can bake like nobody's business. Soon Foster - who dreams of having her own cooking show one day - lands herself a gig baking for the local coffee shop, and gets herself some much-needed help in overcoming her biggest challenge - learning to read . . . just as Foster and Mama start to feel at ease, their past catches up to them. Thanks to the folks in Culpepper, though Foster and her mama find the strength to put their troubles behind them for good.
Author | Joan Bauer |
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Price | unknown |
Publisher | Penguin |
Release Date | Jan 05, 2012 |
Source | Google Books |
『Of Literature and Lattes』
Return to the cozy and delightful town of Winsome, where two people discover the grace of letting go and the joy found in unexpected change. After fleeing her hometown three years earlier, Alyssa Harrison never planned to return. Then the Silicon Valley start-up she worked for collapsed and turned her world upside down. She is broke, under FBI investigation, and without a place to go. Having exhausted every option, she comes home to Winsome, Illinois, to regroup and move on as quickly as possible. Yet, as friends and family welcome her back, Alyssa begins to see a place for herself in this small Midwestern community. Jeremy Mitchell moved from Seattle to Winsome to be near his daughter and to open the coffee shop he’s been dreaming of for years. Problem is, the business is bleeding money—and he’s not quite sure why. When he meets Alyssa, he senses an immediate connection, but what he needs most is someone to help him save his floundering business. After asking for her help, he wonders if something might grow between them—but forces beyond their control soon complicate their already complex lives, and the future they both hoped for is not at all what they anticipated. With the help of Winsome’s small-town charm and quirky residents, Alyssa and Jeremy discover the beauty and romance of second chances. Sweet and thoughtful contemporary read Stand-alone novel featuring characters from The Printed Letter Bookshop Book length: 86,000 words Includes discussion questions for book clubs “In her ode to small towns and second chances, Katherine Reay writes with affection and insight about the finer things in life.” —Karen Dukess, author of The Last Book Party “The town of Winsome reminds me of Jan Karon's Mitford, with its endearing characters, complex lives, and surprises where you don't expect them. Reay has penned another poignant tale set in Winsome, Illinois, weaving truth, forgiveness, and beauty into a touching, multilayered, yet totally cozy story. You'll root for these characters and will be sad to leave this charming town.”—Lauren K. Denton, bestselling author of The Hideaway and Glory Road “Like all of Reay’s novels, Of Literature and Lattes delivers a story with details so vivid you can feel the fabric slipping between your fingers, characters so rich they could slide into the booth across from you, and a message so hopeful and redemptive it will linger in your mind long after you turn the final page. Of Literature and Lattes brings the town of Winsome alive again, and I couldn’t wait to return and savor a story of forgiveness, of fresh starts, of literary delights, and of love.” —Melissa Ferguson, author of The Dating Charade
Author | Katherine Reay |
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Price | $11.49 |
Publisher | Thomas Nelson |
Release Date | May 12, 2020 |
Source | Google Books |
『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 |
『Better Latte Than Never』
Peggy Fleming Farrell's summer is not going according to plan. But she's sure she can turn things around, if she can just get a certain IHOP waiter to finally notice her.
Author | Catherine Clark |
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Price | unknown |
Publisher | Harper Collins |
Release Date | Apr 29, 2008 |
Source | Google Books |
『The Van Gogh Cafe』
The Van Gogh Cafe, located in Flowers, Kansas, has magic in its walls, causing strange and mysterious events to occur there.
Author | Cynthia Rylant |
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Price | unknown |
Publisher | Clarion Books |
Release Date | Jan 01, 2006 |
Source | Google Books |
『Coffeehouse Angel』
Sixteen-year-old Katrina's kindness to a man she finds sleeping behind her grandmother's coffeehouse leads to a strange reward as Malcolm, who is actually a teenage guardian angel, insists on rewarding her by granting her deepest wish.
Author | Suzanne Selfors |
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Price | unknown |
Publisher | Bloomsbury Publishing USA |
Release Date | Nov 09, 2010 |
Source | Google Books |
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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