\n<\/p>\n
Title: <\/span>The Time Hop Coffee Shop<\/span> BLURB<\/span><\/b> Phaedra Patrick is the bestselling author of several novels, including The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper, which has been translated into twenty-five languages worldwide. Her second novel, Rise and Shine Benedict Stone, was made into a Hallmark movie. An award-winning short story writer, she previously studied art and marketing and has worked as a stained glass artist, film festival organizer and communications manager. Phaedra lives in Saddleworth, UK, with her family.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n 2005<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n MAPLE GOLD COFFEE COMMERCIAL SCRIPT<\/span><\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n VOICEOVER: \u2018Maple Gold is here for endings The scene opens with a young woman, GRETA (WHISPERING): \u2018Bye Mum.\u2019<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n She turns to face a pretty white house, The front door is ajar, and she enters a VOICEOVER: \u2018It\u2019s here for the good times Greta looks apprehensive but takes a She spies her name written on the side The doorbell rings, and she opens the They all laugh, and she invites them \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n A CAPPELLA GROUP (SINGING):<\/i> \u2018You\u2019re \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Chapter\u00a0 <\/span>1<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n Present Day<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n GRETA PERKS LOVED three things in life more \u2018I wish you could stay longer,\u2019 she said, She\u2019d volunteered to be the guest speaker Jim offered her a smile. \u2018I wish we could, \u2018Talent show rehearsal,\u2019 Lottie muttered, Greta and Jim shared a glance, a silent \u00a0<\/span>\u2018A Lottie shrugged a disinterested shoulder.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Greta\u2019s spirits dipped a little. \u2018Well, \u2018We\u2019ll grab a burger afterward, then I\u2019ll Greta nodded, hoping for a word of Jim\u2019s fingers lightly brushed Greta\u2019s arm, Then he turned and followed their daughter Through the window, Greta watched as her \u2018Drop her back at your place.\u2019<\/i> The She and Jim were over four months into a It didn\u2019t seem as clear-cut as Greta had Greta peeked Outside, the \u00a0<\/span>Greta turned to face the room. In half an She preferred cozy spaces where she could Brewtique, on the other hand, had Her long-time agent, Nora, had applauded A boost? Greta knew her career needed a Greta missed the camaraderie on set, If Greta was The students The sound of dropped cutlery pulled her out \u2018Need a hand with anything?\u2019 Greta called \u2018Oh gosh, no.\u2019 Josie shook her head \u2018Are you sure? I\u2019ve already prepped for my Josie bit her lip, tempted. \u2018Well . . . \u2018Sure,\u2019 Greta said, catching her drift. Greta set out coffee cups with vigor, The young woman barely raised her eyes. \u2018Yes, we starred in them.\u2019 Greta briskly When Josie reappeared wearing fresh \u2018How many are you expecting?\u2019 Greta asked, Greta chewed her lip. Disappointment was \u2018An intimate gathering,\u2019 she said with a Josie welcomed the guests inside. When they \u2018Welcome to the monthly Brewtique Coffee No pressure,<\/span><\/i> \u2018G . . . good evening, everyone,\u2019 she \u2018I\u2019m going to tell you a story about how I \u00a0<\/span>A \u2018Did you know that Maple Gold was born in She took out her phone and played the When you wake and open your You\u2019re ready
Author: <\/span>Phaedra Patrick<\/span>
Publisher: <\/span>Park Row Books<\/span>
Release Date:<\/span> 9th December 2025<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Greta Perks was once the shining star of the iconic Maple Gold coffee commercials, everyone\u2019s favorite TV wife and mom. Now fame has faded, that once-glittering career a distant memory. Her marriage is on the rocks, her teenage daughter is distant, and she can\u2019t even book any acting jobs.
<\/span><\/span><\/span>
When Greta stumbles upon a mysterious coffee shop serving a magical brew, she wishes for the perfect life in those past Maple Gold commercials. Next thing she knows, she\u2019s waking up in the idyllic town of Mapleville, where the sun always shines and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and second chances fill the air. Given the opportunity to live the life she dreamed, Greta is determined to rewrite her own script. But can life ever be like a coffee commercial? And what will happen when Greta has to choose between perfection and real life, with no turning back?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\nand new beginnings . . .\u2019<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\nGreta, standing on the pavement, waving as a car pulls away. She\u2019s holding a
\nsmall cardboard box.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n
\nstraightens her back and smiles bravely. She\u2019s ready to enter a new phase of
\nher life\u2014moving into her first home.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n
\nhallway, then a sitting room. We can see there are more, bigger boxes sitting
\naround the place, sealed and ready to unpack.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n
\nand the even better ones . . .\u2019<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\nmoment to take in her new surroundings. She switches on the kettle and opens a
\ncupboard, disappointed to find it empty.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n
\nof the box she carried in and opens it. Inside is her old teddy bear and a jar
\nof Maple Gold coffee, a gift from her mum. Greta takes the jar out, becoming misty-eyed
\nas she makes herself a cup of coffee. Wrapping her fingers around the cup helps
\nher to feel more at home.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n
\ndoor to find a group of her new neighbors gathered outside. They present Greta
\nwith flowers and another jar of coffee as a welcome present. It\u2019s Maple Gold,
\nof course.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n
\ninside for coffee.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n
\nalways at home with Maple Gold.\u2019<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\nthan anything\u2014her family, the thrill of performing, and a fine cup of coffee.
\nWhen she could combine all three, it was as satisfying as a frothy cappuccino
\non a cold day. But recently, a happy home life and sparkling career seemed to
\nbe slipping through her fingers.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\nglancing between her husband, Jim, and their daughter, Lottie, as coffee cups
\nclattered in the background. \u2018Tonight\u2019s important to me.\u2019<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\nat Brewtique\u2019s monthly Coffee Lover\u2019s Night Out, talking about her acting
\ncareer. It had been a while since she\u2019d last performed in public, and her
\nnerves were jumping around like frogs in a pond.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\ntoo. But I promised Lottie I\u2019d get her back to school.\u2019 He passed Greta a
\nshopping bag like it was a peace offering. \u2018Just brought a few things you might
\nneed . . .\u2019<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\nnot looking up from her phone. \u2018Total waste of time.\u2019<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\nunderstanding of the challenges of raising a fifteen-year-old together while
\nliving apart.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\ntalent show? Sounds fun.\u2019 Greta gave Lottie\u2019s arm a quick reassuring rub. \u2018What
\nare you doing? A show tune, or a monologue? Perhaps even a Shakespeare sonnet?\u2019<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\nwhatever you do, I bet you\u2019ll be great,\u2019 she said.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\ndrop her back at your place.\u2019 Jim opened his mouth slightly, as if wanting to
\nsay something more. \u2018Stay safe returning to your car tonight, okay?\u2019<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\nencouragement, perhaps a \u2018good luck,\u2019 \u2018break a leg,\u2019 or even a quick hug. But
\nLottie was already heading toward the door.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\nbut didn\u2019t linger.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\noutside.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\nfamily dashed across the road without her. She smiled brightly and waved, even
\nthough her stomach was twisting.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\nwords stung like a paper cut. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\ntrial separation, with just a few weeks left until their self-imposed New
\nYear\u2019s Eve deadline. At that point they\u2019d agreed to make a final call on the
\nfuture of their marriage.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\nhoped. What had once felt like a simple decision\u2014to try to rebuild their
\nmarriage or let it go\u2014now felt tangled with uncertainty. After almost twenty
\nyears together, was she still in love with Jim? Was he still in love with her?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\ninside the bag, her mood lifting when she saw Jim had brought her herbal throat
\nlozenges, a new notebook, and a spare pen.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\nwet, grey pavement was the same color as the inky November sky, and she
\nsuddenly craved a rich mocha.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\nhour, the place would hopefully be buzzing with people. She was determined to
\ndeliver an entertaining talk, even if it wasn\u2019t exactly her kind of coffee
\nshop.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\ncurl up with a good book, sipping coffee from mugs the size of plant pots. The
\ntype of place that served homemade rocky road and had a corner dedicated to
\nboard games.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\nindustrial-style light- bulbs and blackboards showcasing quirky concoctions,
\nsuch as rhubarb and custard lattes. A pink neon coffee cup on the wall cast an
\neerie pink glow on her face. The spindly branches of a Christmas tree on the
\ncounter looked like they\u2019d been pecked by crows.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\nGreta for spotting Brewtique\u2019s Facebook post asking for local speakers.
\n\u2018Putting yourself forward shows brilliant initiative, darling. Well-done,\u2019 Nora
\nhad gushed. \u2018You never know who might be in the audience. Any exposure could
\nhelp give your career a little boost. Plus, it\u2019s a great way to plug your
\nacting classes.\u2019 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\ndefibrillator. If one human year equals seven dog years, the same rule
\ndefinitely applied to actors out of the spotlight. She felt like her career had
\nbeen on pause for too long, and she was ready to hit Play again.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\nfilming the iconic Maple Gold coffee commercials she\u2019d starred in with Jim and
\nLot- tie a decade ago. Nothing compared to the soar of her senses when the
\ndirector called, \u2018Action,\u2019 and everything clicked into place. She longed to
\nfind that spark again, not just for herself, but in the hope of pulling her
\nfamily back together again.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\nhonest, she also missed the attention. Champagne on ice in a silver bucket,
\nfans queuing around the block for her autograph, and the occasional limousine
\nwhisking her to grand events had been cherries on top of the cake. Those
\nmemories felt almost unreal now, as if they belonged to someone else.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\nshe\u2019d coached since then seemed to enjoy her acting classes, but it wasn\u2019t the
\nsame. Guiding nervous amateurs through voice projection techniques or stage
\npresence didn\u2019t give her the same buzz as stepping in front of a camera or an
\naudience. Hopefully, tonight would rekindle some of that feeling, proof she
\nstill had something to offer.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\nof her thoughts. Greta turned to see Brewtique\u2019s owner, Josie, rushing around,
\na dusting of flour in her hair. Meanwhile, her young pink-haired assistant,
\nMaisie, dawdled in a corner, glued to her phone.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\nout.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\nfrantically. \u2018You\u2019re the talent. I\u2019m just running a bit late with everything .
\n. .\u2019<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\ntalk.\u2019<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\nsetting up the refreshment table would be helpful, while I get changed. I\u2019ve
\njust popped fresh brownies in the oven. Maisie knows to keep an eye on them.\u2019
\nShe gave Greta a pointed look. \u2018She\u2019s new here.\u2019<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\n\u2018Leave it to me.\u2019<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\narranged cookies on plates, and laid out napkins. Her pulse quickened when she
\nsaw the time. \u2018Maisie!\u2019 she called out. \u2018We need to hurry. There\u2019s only fifteen
\nminutes left until showtime.\u2019<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\n\u2018Didn\u2019t your family once star in some coffee ads or something?\u2019 she asked. \u2018One
\nday, I\u2019ll get discovered like that. Want to see my latest TikTok audition?\u2019 She
\nheld out her phone.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\npolished a spoon on her apron. \u2018I\u2019ll look at your clip later. Now, please check
\nall\u00a0 <\/span>the glasses. Some of these are
\nscratched, and Josie said you\u2019re in charge of the brownies…\u2019<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\nclothes, she glanced out of the window and sighed. \u2018Looks like we\u2019ve got a
\nsmaller crowd than usual.\u2019<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\njoining her. \u2018Six or seven. I\u2019ve just checked my messages and had quite a few
\ncancellations. Christmas is coming, and it\u2019s the Strictly Salsa final on TV
\ntonight.\u2019<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\npart of an actor\u2019s life\u2014the rejections, the scathing reviews, and the
\noccasional inappropriate behavior from a director she\u2019d once respected. She
\nhadn\u2019t expected a theatre-sized crowd, but six?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\nnod. \u2018I\u2019ll make it work.\u2019<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\nwere settled down around tables with coffee and cake, she launched into her
\nintroduction.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\nLover\u2019s Night Out. We\u2019ve been fortunate to hear some incredible stories from
\nour speakers this year\u2014conquering Mount Everest, training guide dogs for the
\nblind, and a brain surgeon who worked in war-torn countries. And tonight we\u2019ve
\ngot the former star of the Maple Gold coffee commercials. Let\u2019s bid a warm
\nwelcome to our special guest, Greta Perks.\u2019<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\nGreta thought, smiling brightly as she stepped forward.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\nstarted, feeling woefully out of practice. \u2018Thanks for coming.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\nbecame the face of the Maple Gold coffee commercials. Yes, for ten years, I was
\nthe lady who made you believe coffee could make your life perfect.\u2019<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\nfew chuckles rang out, and Greta soon found her flow. She paced up and down,
\ncommanding the little coffee shop as if starring in a West End theatre
\nproduction.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\n1950, as a humble roastery in the back streets of London? Over the years, it
\nbecame a household name, beloved for its delicious blends and vintage appeal.\u2019
\nShe leaned in, as if sharing a secret. \u2018And who wouldn\u2019t want to live in
\nMapleville, the idyllic town from the commercials? The sun always shone, the
\ngrass was emerald green, and the whole town thrived on cups of Maple Gold.\u2019<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\njingle.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\nat sunrise, <\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n
\neyes.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n
\nto start your day, the Maple Gold way.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n