Title: Breakfast at Honey Creek Cafe by Jodi Thomas
Honey Creek Series Book One
Publisher: Zebra Books
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 320 pages
Book Rating: C+
Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley
Summary:
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 . . .
Review:
Breakfast at Honey Creek Cafe by Jodi Thomas is a homespun, small town romance with a slight mystery element.
Mayor Piper MacKenzie is the mayor of Honey Creek and she is well-liked by the townspeople. She unexpectedly finds herself in the midst of unwanted publicity when her childhood friend Boone Buchanan goes missing. MacKenzie went along with his fake girlfriend plan but she wants no part of his pretend fiancée scheme. Luckily her Texas Ranger brother knows just the person to help her get to the bottom of Boone’s disappearance.
Texas State Trooper Colby McBride wants to stay under the radar during his investigation. But convincing Piper to go along with his cover story takes a bit a persuasion. Colby is accepted at face value by everyone so he is able to glean startling information about Boone. In order to protect his fake identity, he continues to try to charm Piper into dating him. Within a few days, Colby realizes his feelings for her are becoming serious, but how Piper feels about him is difficult to tell.
Colby is not the only newcomer to town. Sam Cassidy has accepted a short-term request to preach at one of Honey Creek’s local churches. Despite graduating from the seminary years earlier, Sam’s career has taken a couple of unexpected turns. He has fond memories of Honey Creek so he hoping to feel at home in the town. Sam is not sure he is called to preach but he does help a few of the residents who are struggling on their current paths. And he is very intrigued by Anna Presley who selflessly offers to help anyone who needs assistance.
High school senior Pecos Smith is surprised but delighted when longtime crush Kerrie Lane wants to spend time with him. He has big dreams for his future that do not include remaining on the family farm. When Kerrie’s life takes an unanticipated detour, Pecos eagerly steps in to help her and he finds himself on an unanticipated, but welcome, new path.
With three separate story arcs unfolding at the same time, Breakfast at Honey Creek Cafe is an charming novel that is a little slow paced. The characters are likable but lack development. Some of the dialogue is a little cheesy but it is easy to become invested in each of the characters’ fate. Since the story takes place over a handful of days, there is a bit of an insta-love vibe to the various romances. The investigation into Boone’s disappearance is interesting but it sometimes overpowers Colby and Piper’s storyline. With an appealing small-town atmosphere, Jodi Thomas has crafted a warm and inviting setting for the Honey Creek series.
All in all, a feel-good, light-hearted romance that readers of the genre are sure to enjoy.
