Molly and the Cat Cafe by Melissa Daley

This is the first in a series of cosy reads about Molly, a tabby cat, who can read her owners and know exactly what they need. Molly is also able to read writing which even too an avid cat lover is a bit of a stretch to far.

Molly here is two years old and lived to begin with an elderly lady. Molly’s spoilt life is brought to an end as her owner gradually fades with dementia. At first, I had little love towards the lady’s son, as he struggles to cope, but as I read, I begin to see the tragedy which unfolds in the lives of those dementia touches. Although I cannot say I came to like the son, I did begin to emphasise with him.

Molly is re-homed with a friend of the son’s, who has three cat hating dogs. Fur flies and Molly leaves with no feral instinct to aid her on her way. We see her however meeting a cat who teaches her all she needs to know and who then waves her on her way, to a new town, where Molly hopes to find a new home.

After many – and sometimes eventful days – Molly finds herself in bin heaven behind the back of a café.Molly is patient and eventually wins the heart of the café owner – Debbie. 

Debbie along with her daughter is an outsider with a painful past and divorce.

The café has few customers but with Molly’s help it gains many more. Molly sits in the windowsill watching the world go by. Many of the customers who do begin to use the café do so because of Molly. Molly being in the window also gives the battle axe who once owned the cafe a reason to get the café shut. Debbie, her daughter, and friends begin the process of registering the café as a cat café with the council - a long process. There are surprises in store for all in involved.

Debbie’s daughter is at first acrimonious to Molly as well as her mother – she had not wanted to move – but with Molly’s help their relationship softens and old wounds heal.

Molly should be an inspiration to all cats around the world.

To some this could be called a ‘fluffy’ read with not much substance, to others it is a light-hearted read with a few ups and downs to keep you interested.

The characters are fun and full of life, even the son is rounded. The battle axe for some reason reminds me of Nora Batty from Last of the Summer Wine. I could see her pushing her shopping trolley along, while giving Wally an ear bashing.

Molly is gorgeous and a little minx with her wrangling to get the humans to do what is needed to save the day. Her potter through the café one day, shows the mishaps cats can get into.

The ending is lovely and shows how cats can bring people together.

If you’re not a cat lover then leave well alone, if you are then enjoy an uplifting cat in charge of life – as they are – story.