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Close to You Book Summary and Study Guide

Detailed plot synopsis reviews of Close to You


While Eve Alexander tries to make her new cafe a success, she is unaware that the man she is falling in love with has a mother who owns a teashop across the street and will do anything to sabotage Eve's business. Six months ago, Eve finally had the courage to stop working for her father and followed her dream of opening a bookstore cafe called Grounds for Thought in Laurel Heights, California. Unfortunately, Eve is running low on cash and could end up filing for bankruptcy if she doesn't generate more revenue quickly.
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Freya, Eve's best friend, tells her that the renowned pastry chef Daniela Rossi is releasing a new cookbook and the launch party could be held at Grounds for Thought. Eve believes that having the party at her cafe could give her the publicity and financial boost she needs.

Eve calls Daniela Rossi's public relations representative, Carmen McKnight, and convinces her that Grounds for Thought would be a great place to have the book launch. Carmen tells Eve that her cafe is one of the places they are considering, but Daniela will visit the cafe and make the final decision.

Margaret Byrnes has a teashop called Crumpet located near Eve's cafe. Margaret has been a shell of her former self ever since her husband, Harry, died eight years ago. She has a son named Treat who owns a construction company and helps her whenever she needs anything. Margaret is worried that Eve's cafe will cause her to lose customers at the teashop.

Margaret asks Treat to visit Eve's cafe and check out her competition. When Treat goes to the cafe, he thinks the atmosphere is warm and inviting. He also thinks Eve is very attractive. Treat keeps visiting the cafe on a regular basis without telling his mother and starts dating Eve.

When Margaret checks out Eve's cafe, she overhears Eve discussing the launch party for Daniela Rossi. Margaret thinks that having the party at her teashop could help her business. Margaret contacts Carmen McKnight and the teashop is added to the list of places that Daniela will visit before deciding where the party will be held.

Margaret writes negative Yelp reviews about Eve's cafe even though she thought the pastries were delicious. When Carmen contacts Eve and expresses concern about the negative Yelp reviews, Eve is shocked. She has only received positive feedback about her pastries.

Eve tells Treat that she is interested in expanding the cafe in the future. She wants to make improvements to the courtyard at the back of the cafe. Treat inspects the courtyard and tells her it is susceptible to becoming flooded based on the way it was constructed.

When Eve's friend, Olivia, visits the cafe, she tells her that a kid is passing out flyers advertising a special sale for tea at Crumpet. Eve goes to the teashop and introduces herself to Margaret. Eve assumes Margaret isn't intentionally trying to hurt her business, but Margaret says there is no law that prevents her from passing out flyers in front of the cafe.

One day Margaret meets a man named Grant Norquist as she is walking home. Grant is interested in Margaret and asks her out on a date. Margaret declines his invitation. The two of them continue to run into each other and Margaret keeps turning down his requests to spend time together. Even though she is attracted to Grant, she feels partially dead inside and doesn't think she deserves to be happy.

A Department of Health representative stops by Eve's cafe and tells her there were complaints of health code violations. After the representative inspects the cafe, she says that Eve has one of the cleanest kitchens she has ever seen. Eve suspects that Margaret is the person who filed the complaints.

Eve tells Treat she thinks Margaret is trying to sabotage her cafe. He doesn't disclose that Margaret is his mother. When Treat visits Margaret, he tries to convince her that Eve isn't a threat to her business. He also mentions that he is going to work on Eve's courtyard to prevent it from flooding.

Margaret knows that Treat is interested in Eve based on the way he talks about her. She has noticed that his truck is often parked near Eve's cafe. Margaret fears that she is losing the teashop and her son to Eve.

One night Margaret walks to Eve's cafe and jumps a fence to enter the courtyard. She turns on the water hose and leaves it running. Eve is distraught when she sees all of the water damage in the cafe the next day. Treat offers to help her make the necessary repairs.

When Eve goes to Margaret's teashop to confront her about sabotaging the cafe, she sees Treat there. Treat finally tells Eve that he is Margaret's son. Eve thinks that Treat and Margaret were both conspiring against her. Treat says he wouldn't do anything to hurt her, but Eve walks out on him. Margaret confesses to Treat that she is responsible for the damage to Eve's cafe.

Treat apologizes to Eve for misleading her and declares his love for her. Margaret tries to make things right by encouraging Daniela Rossi to have the party at Eve's cafe. Margaret also apologizes to Treat and Eve for her behavior. Then, she calls Grant and asks him out on a date.

Eve forgives Treat. After hosting the Daniela Rossi event, Eve moved in with Treat and they got engaged. Margaret gave Treat and Eve a two-week vacation in Tuscany as a wedding gift.
Best part of story, including ending: The best part of the story is reading about how Eve put her heart and soul into the cafe. The author, Kate Perry, does a great job of describing the essence of the cafe as well as the sweet smells and taste of the pastries consumed by the patrons.

Best scene in story: The most memorable scene in the story is when Margaret floods the courtyard at Eve's cafe. At that point, it is apparent Margaret's fears have gotten the best of her. The scene was filled with suspense and you kept wondering if she was really going to take things that far.

Opinion about the main character: Eve is a very positive person who keeps picking herself back up in spite of the obstacles that stand in her way. She is not afraid to confront things head-on. Through hard work, determination, and patience Eve is able to create the type of cafe she always envisioned.

The review of this Book prepared by Pamela Parker a Level 3 Eurasian Jay scholar

Chapter Analysis of Close to You

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Plot & Themes

Time/era of story    -   2000+ (Present Day) Hidden Identity/Secret Motive    -   Yes Lovers are competitors    -   Yes competing in    -   business arena

Main Male Character

Profession/status:    -   laborer/blue collar Age/status:    -   20's-30's Sex makes him    -   blissful

Main Female Character

Age/status:    -   20's-30's Profession/status:    -   chef/cook Effect of sexing    -   blissful

Setting

United States    -   Yes The US:    -   California

Writing Style

Accounts of torture and death?    -   no torture/death What % of story is romance related?    -   70% How explicit is the sex?    -   actual description of sex Focus of story    -   Her How much dialog    -   roughly even amounts of descript and dialog

Books with storylines, themes & endings like Close to You

Kate Perry Books Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).
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