Breakfast at the Honey Creek Cafe
A Honey Creek Novel
by
Jodi Thomas
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Zebra
Publication Date: May 26, 2020
Number of Pages: 336 pages
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From Jodi Thomas, New York Times bestselling author of Mornings on Main and Indigo Lake, comes this heartwarming new novel set in Honey Creek, Texas—a small town where family bonds and legends run deep, and friendship and love are always close at hand . . .
Piper Jane Mackenzie, mayor of Honey Creek, won’t let a major scandal rip her quirky hometown apart or jeopardize her dream of one day running for higher office. So she’s willing to welcome undercover detective Colby McBride, hired to help solve the mystery behind her wannabe fiancé’s disappearance. Colby’s cover? That he is an old boyfriend now begging Piper for a second chance—always when there are plenty of townsfolk around to witness his shenanigans.
Piper hardly knows whether to laugh or cry, especially when she finds herself drawn to the handsome rascal. He’s not the only newcomer she has to deal with. There’s a new interim preacher in town, Sam Cassidy. Drifting from one assignment to another since his one love died, Sam isn’t sure he’s the right fit for Honey Creek. But as Piper knows, this is a place chock-full of surprises. And if she can keep her town—and her heart—from going completely off the rails, there may be a sweet, unexpected future in store . . .
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I am never disappointed when I read one of Jodi’s books. They take me on a journey through a small Texas town where the pace is usually a little slower and the folks are friendly. But don’t be fooled, they have their issues too, but in true Texas form, they work through those issues together.
This book felt a little different than Jodi’s other books. I think it is because I felt like there was a little bit of a mystery to solve that paired nicely with the romance. Piper, or PJ as a certain State Trooper was wont to call her, is stuck in the middle of a media storm due to the disappearance of Boone Buchanan, a friend who claimed they were engaged. As the mayor of a small town, this doesn’t bode well for her since many wonder if she had something to do with the events surrounding his disappearance. Enter Colby McBride, the sexy State Trooper doing a favor for a friend, also known as Piper’s brother. Colby has a way about him that puts the citizens of Honey Creek at ease and he even charms Piper’s family, especially the women, to get them on his side. It takes a bit longer with Piper.
This assignment had more layers than the Palo Duro Canyon.
While the story’s primary focus is Piper and Colby, there are several other storylines occurring that bring humor and more romance to the book. Sam arrives to fill a spot at the local church and wonders if being a preacher is his calling. Stella and Anna work at the church in different roles and have their own issues to deal with with the help of Sam. Sometimes you just need a fresh pair of eyes on the situation.
I think the most endearing character was Pecos. He is a graduating senior at the local school and his home life hasn’t been that great. His parents just consider him a worker and not their child which is a shame because Pecos has dreams that he should follow. His life turns upside down when he meets up with a classmate, Kerrie, and they form a friendship. There are some surprises in store for Pecos, but he rolls with the punches with the help of Mr. Winston, a lonely older citizen of the town. I actually think that Pecos and Mr. Winston save each other in the end and it is definitely a heartfelt moment (or two) as situations unfolded for these two.
I enjoyed the descriptive text about the town and especially the preacher’s new quarters. I’m not sure who decorated the cottage but it is not what a single bachelor would want to see when they wake up each day. You’ll have to read the book to discover how it was decorated, I think you will get a chuckle out of it much as I did.
I loved this book and did not want the story to end. There were so many unanswered questions, ok maybe not that many but a few. The upside is that this is going to be a series and I hope that all of these characters make guest appearances in future books.
We give this book 5 paws up and can’t wait for book two, which I was lucky enough to read the first couple of chapters at the end of this book.
With millions of books in print, Jodi Thomas is both a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over fifty novels and countless short story collections. Her stories travel through the past and present days of Texas and draw readers from around the world.
In July 2006, Jodi was the eleventh writer to be inducted into the Romance Writers of America Hall of Fame. With five RITAs to her credit, along with National Readers’ Choice Awards and Booksellers’ Best Awards, Thomas has proven her skill as a master storyteller.
Thomas was honored in 2002 as a Distinguished Alumni by Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas and served sixteen years as the Writer in Residence at West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas.
When not working on a novel, or inspiring students to pursue writing careers, Thomas enjoys traveling with her family, renovating an historic home, and “checking up” on two grown sons and four grandchildren.
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GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!
ONE WINNER: One signed copy of Breakfast at the Honey Creek Café
MAY 12-21, 2020
(US ONLY)
Visit the Lone Star Literary Life Tour Page for direct links to the other blog stops on this tour,
updated daily, or visit now
| 5/12/20 | Notable Quotable | Texas Book Lover |
| 5/12/20 | BONUS Post | Hall Ways Blog |
| 5/13/20 | Review | Carpe Diem Chronicles |
| 5/14/20 | Guest Post | All the Ups and Downs |
| 5/15/20 | Review | Momma on the Rocks |
| 5/16/20 | Author Interview | Story Schmoozing Book Reviews |
| 5/17/20 | Scrapbook Page | That’s What She’s Reading |
| 5/18/20 | Review | Jennifer Silverwood |
| 5/19/20 | Guest Post | Chapter Break Book Blog |
| 5/20/20 | Review | Reading by Moonlight |
| 5/21/20 | Review | StoreyBook Reviews |
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I am excited about the next book, I really enjoyed the sneak peek!
Thanks for such a great review. I’m so glad you enjoyed the first book in my Honey Creek series. You will love then next book too!
Jodi
Excellent review — nothing better than an author who reliably gives readers a great story but still manages to keep the stories fresh and new. Thanks for the post!