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 . . .
I adore Jodi Thomas books so, of course, I jumped at the opportunity to read Breakfast at the Honey Creek Cafe. I was pleasantly surprised to be greeted by a mystery when I read the prologue. Who could possibly be threatening the beloved mayor, Piper Jane Mackenzie, in such a cute little town like Honey Creek?
Cut scene and we are introduced to the intriguing Sam Cassidy whose name perfectly matches the outdoorsy manly man who is attempting to step into his father’s shoes. As he is peeling away one life to start another, Sam bumps into another man who seems to be doing the same, Colby McBride. Each man assesses the other in back to back chapters, and it made me nervous about a possible love triangle with Piper. Flipping back, I tried to look for clues early on about who would claim the mayor’s heart, but Thomas kept those early encounters professional and didn’t hint at any romance… yet.
Much like a Stars Hollow but set in Texas, Honey Creek is small but a busy hive of locals who are all up in each other’s business. I really enjoyed the time that Thomas took to tell us tidbits about the inhabitants: from the old ladies in the walkers that take up the second row real estate in the church to the town drunk who is tailed by children wanting to bring home a daddy to the youngest son of a family who uses children as free labor. Those last two sound a bit tragic but they’re anything but when Thomas brings them to life on the page. And I am truly amazed at how much world building is accomplished in such a short book. Not only do many eventful happenings occur in this town in the span of a few days, but also Thomas has created fully developed characters with interesting backstories, all being interwoven as they interact with each other.
When you take into account how much happens, it is surprising to realize that the pace is perfect. No loitering in fanciful daydreams about the love interest for pages on end, but a gradual and realistic build of attraction, respect, and then love. It seems that all of the male characters have to break down the cold hearts of their female love interests, and I would have loved to see at least one relationship that deviated from that pattern. I also felt like the end was not fully resolved, at least to my satisfaction. But when I read the teaser chapter at the back of the book, I realized that maybe some of the questions I had would be answered in the next book. Well played, Ms. Thomas.
Should you read this book? Yes! The mystery is great and the romance is even better. This book further solidifies Jodi Thomas as one of my go-to authors for romance reads. If you’re a little nervous of steamy stories, don’t worry. This one is cozy and so much fun to read.
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Notable Quotable
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Author Interview
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Scrapbook Page
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