On the rolling hills that border the Brazos River lies Honey Creek, Texas—a small town where family bonds and legends run deep, and friendship and love are always close to hand . . . Piper Kate McKenzie, 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 calls for reinforcements to find the source … reinforcements to find the source of corruption in the sheriff’s office—two men recommended by her Texas Ranger brothers . . .
At seventeen, Sam Cassidy left home, heeding the call to be a preacher. Later he found another mission: serving his country. After his one love died, he lost both his faith and his fight. Drifting from one assignment to another, he’s come to Honey Creek intending to earn his pay check and move on.
As a Dallas cop, Coby Riddell has grown skeptical and wary. People have a bad habit of disappointing each other, but the job never lets him down. This job in particular—his first undercover—is too intriguing to pass up.
Piper, who’s been wondering if Honey Creek might be the only real love of her life, suddenly finds herself drawn to two very different men. 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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On the rolling hills that border the Brazos River lies Honey Creek, Texas—a small town where family bonds and legends run deep, and friendship and love are always close to hand . . .
Piper Kate McKenzie, 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 calls for reinforcements to find the source of corruption in the sheriff’s office—two men recommended by her Texas Ranger brothers . . .
At seventeen, Sam Cassidy left home, heeding the call to be a preacher. Later he found another mission: serving his country. After his one love died, he lost both his faith and his fight. Drifting from one assignment to another, he’s come to Honey Creek intending to earn his pay check and move on.
As a Dallas cop, Coby Riddell has grown skeptical and wary. People have a bad habit of disappointing each other, but the job never lets him down. This job in particular—his first undercover—is too intriguing to pass up.
Piper, who’s been wondering if Honey Creek might be the only real love of her life, suddenly finds herself drawn to two very different men. 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 . . .
Visit us at www.kensingtonbooks.com
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Breakfast at the Honey Creek Cafe was the first book that I have ever read by Jodi Thomas and after finishing it I can say that it will not be my last! This was a charming story full of great characters that really gave me a feel of what life is like in small town Texas. Honey Creek is a fictional small town and Piper Mackenzie is the young mayor. She has been born into the job because her grandfather was the beloved mayor before her but she is dedicated to the town that she knows so well and loves. She has a bit of a problem though, a missing fiance who really isn’t her fiance so her Texas Ranger brothers have sent in some help in the way of Texas state trooper Colby McBride. Colby will work undercover and find out just what is going on with the missing man and hopefully this will lead to his dreams of becoming a Texas Ranger sooner than planned. There’s also a new preacher in town. Sam Cassidy has been lost for awhile. He has a job but his soul is empty so when a letter arrives meant for his late father, Sam decides to head to Honey Creek and see what would have happened if he had chosen to follow in his father’s footsteps to preach. I just loved this book and I cannot not say anymore without giving away the story. It was told from multiple POV from Piper, Colby and Sam and would be perfect for a Hallmark Mystery channel movie. It is sweet and kept me turning the pages.
“Breakfast at the Honey Creek Cafe” by Jodi Thomas
This is my first book by Jodi Thomas and I really loved it. It had everything I loved in a cozy read, a small town and an amazing cast of characters I really enjoyed reading about. There is a little bit of romance, and a little bit of mystery too, with plots and sub plots that drew my attention and added to the excitement of the read. I could not stop reading this book and devoured it in one lovely afternoon. I highly recommend this book and look forward to continuing the story with a possible start of a lovely series.
My first read by Jodi Thomas and ut was great
You meet a small handful of characters from the small town of Honey Creek.
My first thought when I started reading was that Colby was looking for Sam. They happened to meet at a gas station and headed to the same town.
However the more I read about Sam, the more I changed my mind about him. He was lost in life looking to be HOME! I guess this is a cosy mystery? It seemed that each character had their own troubles, in the end they all saved each other.
Boone was a shady person who you only heard about from other people. Never really got to see him until the very end.
Piper and Anna have a lot in common. They were tough on the outside and soft on the inside. Both knew how to take care of themselves, yet still needed to be rescued.
Colby talked like a true cowboy! Darling this and darling that.
Each character you met seemed to have a background story that had twists, those twists came out straight in the end.
I’d like to read about Marcie next, from the looks of it Boone did her wrong as well.
No one tells Texas tales better than author Jodi Thomas–she’s a true Texan who has stayed true to her Texas roots. A master storyteller, she builds her characterizations and story lines with layers, and there are always elements of surprise for the reader. Her latest release, “Breakfast at the Honey Creek Cafe” is a compelling contemporary romance filled with characters you’ll want to get to know, plus small-town politics and a touch of mystery. The heroes are sigh-worthy, the heroines are smart and sassy, the humor is heartfelt, and the town itself is quaintly quirky. Piper Jane Mackenzie, mayor of Honey Creek, TX, comes from a long line of politicians and public servants. Dedicated to her job, Piper envisions herself someday advancing her political career to the governor’s office. When Piper’s longtime acquaintance and sometime photo-op partner mysteriously disappear at the same time the local sheriff goes missing, speculation and nasty rumors begin to swirl. One of Piper’s Texas Ranger brothers calls in state trooper Colby McBride to head to Honey Creek as an undercover investigator who will keep a very close eye on Piper. As events escalate around them, the sparks fly between Piper and Colby. He finds her lovely and appealing , and she is hard-pressed to resist his outrageous charm. The new preacher in town, Sam Cassidy–son of a “traveling preacher”–arrives for a short-term stay and is soon involved in the lives of the townsfolk. Somewhat at a crossroads in his life, Sam finds himself drawn to the area and the people–especially a certain sharp-tongued redhead named Anna Presley. As the mysteries deepen and dangers loom, Colby is working hard to protect Piper and keep safe the growing admiration between them. When all truths are revealed, will there be a happy future in sight for the mayor and the lawman? Will Sam’s restless heart find its home in Honey Creek? This book made my romance-lover’s soul smile for all the right reasons, and I greatly look forward to the next book in the series.
Book Copy Gratis Author
‘Breakfast at the Honey Creek Café’ begins the ‘Honey Creek’ series with a bit of mystery, definitely people who aren’t exactly who they first appear to be, all the fun of a quirky small town with romance in the air for some residents. We meet Piper, the mayor of Honey Creek with a bit of a PR problem on her hands since the friend who claimed they were engaged (they were not) has done a disappearance act and many are wondering just what the mayor has to do with that situation. Colby who has been hired by her brothers to investigate Boone’s vanishing act and the jilted, still in love wanting a second chance lover is the perfect cover for those questions he’s asking around town. Then there’s Sam, the new preacher in town who is not everything he appears to be on the surface. Finally, Pecos, a young man about to graduate high school and leave behind the sad and complicated life he’s lived right under the noses of the residents of Honey Creek.
I enjoyed myself very much in ‘Breakfast at the Honey Creek Café’. There is world-building, of course, there has to be some when it’s the beginning of a new series, but I didn’t find any of it overwhelming. I fell in love with this small town with its secrets, residents who are, for the most part, good-hearted, and characters who came alive on the pages quite easily. The writing is smooth, the plot interesting, and the people we meet are as diverse as can be found in any small town across the country. There are threads woven throughout this story that I’m guessing will be picked up on throughout the series. So, not all answers will come in this one, but it is a series so that’s not unexpected. I had a blast with this one, and I’ll definitely be watching for the next story in the series.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from Kensington Books via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
Only a few authors have a way of telling a story with enhanced dedication and exquisite charm.
Jodi Thomas’s wit and dry sense of humor shines with each turn of the page.
If you only read one book this summer, make it BREAKFAST AT HONEY CREEK CAFE. You’ll be forever grateful you strolled through this beautiful journey.
Breakfast at the Honey Creek Café by Jodi Thomas
Honey Creek #1
When the news is filled with protests, political shenanigans, and the fear of catching a killer virus causing a pandemic there is nothing better than escaping into a small-town romance that has it all. In this book there are, in fact, THRE…or was if four… romances, some soul searching, a mystery, a bad guy, interesting local characters and the introduction to a series I know I will thoroughly enjoy.
What I liked:
* Meeting the two men that will star in the story…and how they were introduced
* Piper: a woman who is dedicated to her town, doing a great job as mayor and eager to end the news reports about her supposed fiancé
* Colby: a charmer working undercover to help Piper, her town, and the Texas Rangers.
* Sam: a good man who hopes that a few weeks engaging with his past will give him insight into the direction his future should take.
* Anna: The fiery redhead with a long list of things to do. She captures the attention of Sam just as he captures hers.
* The meet-cutes for both the above couples
* Pecos: a young man who will go far someday…I really felt for him but admired him as he stepped up and became knight for a damsel in distress
* Kerrie: I felt for her, too, and enjoyed the way she came through a tough time well.
* Mr. Winston: an older gentleman with a heart of gold
* The side stories…there were a few and I look forward to hearing more about some of them in future books of the series.
* That the mystery was solved, a bad guy thwarted and HEA’s were provided for the couples by the end of the book.
* The charm of the town and the way the story left me feeling good as I read the last page
What I didn’t like:
* I really can’t think of much except for the scoundrel that finally got his comeuppance
Did I enjoy this book? I surely did!
Would I read more in this series? Definitely!
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books-Zebra Publishing for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
Breakfast at the Honey Creek Cafe by Jodi Thomas is the first in a new series and a totally FUN book. Sam Randall Cassiday is the son of an itinerant preacher in Texas and now has decided to take a break from his real like by following in his father’s footsteps with a two-week stint as a substitute pastor in Honey Creek, Texas. He had trained for it, after all. Colby McBride was at the same gas station 40 miles outside of Honey Creek at the same time Sam McBride was. Colby was a state trooper whose aim was to become a Texas Ranger. This assignment in Honey Creek was the net step. Piper Jane MacKenzie was the Mayor of Honey Creek and her “almost” fiancé was missing. He wasn’t really her fiancé. It was a rumor, probably started by him. Her overprotective brother was sending her a bodyguard. She could take care of herself.
This lovely book is a romance and a mystery, also a bit of an adventure, but it stays in Honey Creek. It is well-written and very character-driven. The personalities of the main characters shine through and ring true. Colby is nothing if not a protector. Sam may have found his calling rather sooner than he expected and Mayor Piper turns out not be quite as self-sufficient as she thought. The search for the mysterious fiancé turns out to be a highlight and a pretty good dilemma to solve, but it comes together in the end. Thomas tells a good story. She always does. Looking forward to the next book in the series. I recommend it as a fun and uplifting read for tough times.
I received a free ARC of Breakfast at the Honey Creek Cafe from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #breakfastatthehoneycreekcafe
Excellent start to what should be a fun new series. This is a small town romance tinged with a bit of mystery that keeps things interesting. Honey Creek is a fun and intriguing small town with lots of quirky town folk that could provide interesting stories in the future. The writing of this book is excellent but the one thing that kept it from being a 5 star read for me was the sheer number of characters. At times it was frustrating and difficult to keep them straight. Overall though it was a very enjoyable read and a book I would recommend.
The story itself was sweet but this book was way too slow and I had a hard time keeping up with it. Unfortunately it wasn’t the kind of book that you don’t want to put down. I didn’t really feel connected to the characters and everything was too rushed! I mean, in less than a week people were saying ‘I love you’ and giving up their lives to be together forever. While you’re reading the book, it feels like the whole story happens in about a month or two but then when you see the names of the chapters, it’s only been three days and I was confused. There are so many characters to remember and the story is told by three different people: Piper (the mayor), Colby (undercover trooper), Sam (the new preacher/firefighter) and Pecos (a high school kid). The characters only connect at the end of the story and still don’t have a strong connection between them; it’s more like they were in the right place at the right time, and that’s all. I saw that this will have a continuation but I’m not sure if I want to keep reading it. Maybe in the next book they explain better the connection between the characters. The ‘mystery’ was predictable and very silly. Another thing that didn’t make sense for me was the book name. Honey Creek is the name of the town, and there’s a cafe where they had breakfast a couple times, but that’s all. I think the name should be something like “Love Stories of Honey Creek”, because for some reason, people in Honey Creek get to know each other, start loving each other and decide they want to be together forever in four days! The story itself was sweet. There were three different love stories going on. If the stories had happened in about a month or two everything would make more sense. The only story I’m interested in knowing the ending of is Pecos’ marriage. I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review
This seemed like a different kind of book from Jodi Thomas. It seemed just a little bit dark, which I’m not used to from her. The characters were compelling as are all her characters. I loved the two relationships in the book and the mystery was very interesting. Ms. Thomas can obviously write anything very well. The story kept me turning the pages.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley. All thoughts are my own.
“Because I want to always be the one you run to when you need help. The one you go through wild times with. I want to hold you when you cry, and laugh with you.”
Breakfast at the Honey Creek Café by Jodi Thomas is a 3-in-1 romance that will warm you all the way down to your toes. While all three romances develop at lightning speed, they are believable, sappy in all the right places, and downright entertaining. But this story is not all about love and romance.
Piper Mackenzie is the mayor of Honey Creek, Texas, and she finds herself embroiled in quite the mystery. Where is the sheriff, and where is her supposed boyfriend, Boone Buchanan? Piper’s brother has hired Colby McBride to pose as Piper’s admirer from her past trying to gain her affections once more, all so he can protect her and figure out what in the world is going on in this one-horse town, without raising any suspicion in this gossipy town about his true reason for being there.
Sam Randall heads into Honey Creek as an interim preacher, but while formally trained in theology, that is not his true calling. Pecos Smith is about to graduate from high school, and he cannot wait to start building his life away from his indifferent parents. All three of these men become embroiled in their own mysteries: whirlwind love connections that knock them for a loop and seal their romantic fates.
Jodi Thomas catches the reader’s attention with a wonderful tapestry of danger, mystery, relationships, and sweet romance. All the characters are full-on enchanting and interesting. The three main men are flawed, of course, but still a bit too good to be true, and the women they fall in love with are full of either secrets or spitfire sparks. Watching these relationships blossom across the pages is pure entertainment. My personal favorite characters are Pecos Smith and Daily Watts. These two have faced their share of troubled times and will definitely steal your hearts.
While Boone’s disappearance is the main backdrop to the story, Boone seems to be somewhat of a non-entity in the grand scheme of things. Nevertheless, the story is too fun, and the other characters are too fabulous for that to make that big of a difference. If you enjoy a bit of mystery and a healthy dose of funny and sweet romance, then stop in for breakfast at the Honey Creek Café and lose yourself in the goings on in a small Texas town. You won’t be disappointed.
I received a free copy of this book from Lone Star Book Blog Tours in exchange for my honest review.
As with most of Ms. Thomas’s books, this one held a little bit of romance, a little bit of mystery, and a little bit of the quirky citizens in a small Texas town. Even though there were three ‘romances’ being followed, it was an easy book to navigate. I read it on a lazy afternoon.
Mayor Piper Mackenzie is talked into allowing Colby McBride to investigate her now missing, faux fiancé by her brothers, both Texas Rangers. Piper wants to keep her reputation and her town safe. Colby is looking to become a Texas Ranger and figures this will help his chances.
Firefighter, pilot, and ex-military drifter with a divinity degree, Sam Cassidy, is the new interim pastor. He’s lost his soulmate and isn’t looking for anything but giving it two weeks to see if the pastor gig will work for him. It’s not looking good until he barrels into a church worker with secrets of her own.
Pecos Smith just graduated from High School and he’s going to be somebody someday. His parents are tired of being parents and he’s been saving money to leave. His high school crush and his heroics in town, may change his mind and his future.
I believe this is the beginning of a new series and I can’t wait to see what happens next with all of the couples and eccentric town folk. A fun, easy read.
4 stars
This is my first Jodie Thomas novel. I did not realize that Breakfast at the Honey Creek Café is the first book in a new series. The first years of my life were spent in a small town where everyone knew everyone’s business.This is true in Honey Creek.
We have Piper, the mayor, Colby, a state trooper who has been sent to Honey Creek to protect Piper and find out what happened to Boone Buchanan who claims to be Piper’s fiancé. Then we have Sam who comes to town to fill in as a guest minister who hasn’t figured out what he wants to do with his life after losing his parents. He meets Annie who is a lawyer who never really had a family. These are just a few of the characters. (I would suggest keeping a list of the characters as there are quite a few. Lots of secrets and also charming moments in the story. I liked that the chapters alternated between several of the characters.
I did think the mystery about Boone needed a bit more to it as to why he did what he did. This book makes a good summer read or a read for a rainy afternoon. My thanks to Zebra Books and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review
I so want to go hang out in Honey Creek with these wonderful people. Just like in real life there are the good and the bad and the ones that just need a little push to realize what they really want in life. I think you’ll enjoy the stories of Piper, Sam, Colby, Pecos and friends. The characters in this book are so great as is the story line. I just wanted to keep reading. I hope you are as entertained and enjoy this book as much as I did. I received this book from NetGalley, but my opinion is my own.
Je suis en premier tombée amoureuse de cette couverture…. J’ai donc découvert l’histoire des personnages et beaucoup aimé passer du temps avec eux. On ne s’ennuie pas une seule seconde, l’histoire va se concentrer en priorité sur 3 couples et on ne peut que sourire en les voyant se construire petit à petit (même si la fin est un peu trop rapide à mon gout…). Je me suis attachée à eux, à cette ambiance small town et j’ai aimé la pointe de suspense que l’autrice nous réserve grâce à la disparition d’un personnage. Ils se battent pour ce qui compte pour eux et c’est très bien fait !
Honey Creek, TX is a small town with a strong sense of history and community. Piper Jane Mackenzie, the very proper mayor, a third-generation public servant, has a major problem – her childhood friend and self-proclaimed fiancé has disappeared. And with his disappearance has come threatening messages left at her office.
Enter Colby McBride, Texas state trooper and undercover bodyguard hired by Piper’s brother, a Texas Ranger. Colby acts the part of a former college friend who has been in love with for years and has come to woo.
Sam Cassidy is a wanderer who answers a call meant for his father from the local church for an interim preacher. Sam is trying to find who he is and hopes the peace of Honey Creek will help. Little does he know that even a small town has its challenges.
As Colby tries to protect Piper and Sam tries to decide who he is, the community circles around them to aid and protect.
The residents of the town that play a secondary role in the story represent the best of small-town living: Mr. Winston, a wealthy gentleman in the old-fashioned sense of the word. Pecos Smith, an invisible high school gentleman in a modern sense. Sheriff Hayes, Piper’s cousin Jennifer who owes the Café – loved them all.
The resolution to the various story lines satisfies and makes for an enjoyable, relaxing read. Thank you to GoodReads and the author for the opportunity to read and provide my honest review of this entertaining book.
A zany, fun read of a quirky small town romance (three of them).
Full review is at maidamalby.com
This is the first book in the new series titled Honey Creek, and the first book I have read by this author.
My favorite part of the book was the town of Honey Creek , a place I would like to visit.
The reader is introduced to a large number of characters which for me , sometimes was exhausting.
The storyline, at times a tad slow, has some mystery, and a little romance in this interesting town.
Though I never felt totally engaged in the story, it was entertaining .
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Netgalley. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
This is the first book in a new series by this author. It is a romantic contemporary book set in a town in Texas. Darci is the mayor and has to deal with the arrest of her whole police force and the integration of a new batch of sheriffs while trying to sort out her personal life. A nice Romance and mystery will look for the next one in the series.