Reading a new Jodi Thomas book is pure bliss.
She shuffled people around at the beginning,throwing me off who was intended for whom.
A lawyer who runs around, initially like a chicken without his head.
The pitiful builder who has never known love but finds it in dark corners with the bossy doc.
The 14 year old who the entire town looks after.
The sweetest story was Emma and Heath.
This book is tender and so sweet because the people care and my heart ached for all the bad stuff Rusty and Zach had to endure.
I can’t wait to take up with the next story!

Hope!

I'm not sure how I've missed out on this author in the past, but I don't plan on missing any in the future! I really enjoyed this small town Texas novel. So glad this is the beginning of a series, but I feel like this could easily be a stand-alone.

I use the word hope to describe this book because that's how it felt to me. Sure, there's some conflict, but nothing gory or terrible. Just a clean, sweet, hopeful story for everyone involved. Amber "Doc" and Rusty, circle around each other for a while and slowly become closer. Jackson and Starri, trying to overcome their age difference. Zach and his terrible uncle, Zach finally has hope for a better life and maybe even college. Heath and Emma, two people who knew each other for a long time and didn't get close until Heath was in a coma. I found myself inwardly rooting for all of them!

I think fans of Sharon Sala's Blessings, Georgia series will feel right at home in Honey Creek.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

A guilty pleasure, small town read, as I love any time I can return to Honey Creek. Jackson, just out of law school, has taken over his father’s practice. A stormy night and an accident start the connections needed to locate the sons of Jackson’s client.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books, Zebra for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.

Posted to Barnes & Noble as Julie Booklover

Great story in a wonderful series! I love the small town camaraderie and the "real" characters. To Jodi Thomas I say, "5 stars! Keep those stories coming!"

As a long-time reader of this author’s interesting worlds, I’m always excited when a new series begins, and Strawberry Lane is an excellent novel to introduce us to the Someday Valley series.

Several strangers are about to have their lives intersect with the death of one man who didn’t do well at all by his children… or perhaps he did by staying away. On this night Rusty is about to wreck on a muddy, washed-out road up the hillside that will set events in motion that will change not only his life but bring those strangers together as a family as well. Lives are about to be changed, and we won’t know exactly how the shattered pieces fit until the series ends.

There is never a cliffhanger, but there are some happy-for-now couples, and the main focus shifts a bit to different characters throughout not only this story, but the series to come. There are a lot of people whose lives will be changed by these events. I wasn’t lost in tracking them and saw their inclusion as an overall introduction to who we’ll interact with in the novels later in the series. In my opinion, there is always world-building in any new series, even if we the readers think we know everything there is to know about a small town.

I enjoyed myself immensely in this world. There are characters who will steal your heart immediately and others who hold back on giving up much information. I adored Starri, and I just love Ona-May’s personality. And I will always love seeing some familiar faces from Honey Creek in any story. I had fun here, and if you enjoy a romance that speaks to the family that didn’t know they were connected, and discovering secrets that change lives then you’d love this novel.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher 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.*

Release date: April 25, 2023

Not gonna lie; when I saw this book as a Goodreads giveaway I added it to my TBR list simply because of the title alone. You see, I grew up on Strawberry Lane myself and couldn’t resist. 🙂 I received an ARC from NetGalley and Zebra Books in exchange for an honest review; all opinions expressed are my own.

I’m not sure I’m the right demographic for this book, because I had a few issues with it. Set in the small town of Honey Creek, Texas, the community is full of dysfunctional characters. Most of the men objectify women, which made me cringe reading it. But maybe that was the point; these men featured in the story did not know any better because of the way they were raised.

There were many characters in the book, since this is the start of the Someday Valley series, and a few romances. One felt far-fetched, the other wholly unrealistic, and forget about the publisher blurb above: the book is barely based upon the description and Starri and Ona-May are hardly featured at all. The book is mainly about Rusty and Jackson.

I won’t say this is a bad book; I definitely wanted to find out more about these damaged people of Honey Creek. But I didn’t love the book enough to want to continue reading the rest of the series when it comes out.

Isn’t it funny how some books just take you forever to get into and others suck you in?

Strawberry Lane sucked me in, but I am a sucker for small-town stories.

This is the first book I’ve read by Jodi Thomas, but I really enjoyed her writing so I don’t think it will be my last. I do have to stick around to see what happens to everyone in Someday Valley, after all.

There are quite a few characters, all with their own stories, but I didn’t find it hard to keep up with them.

Emma and Heath’s story seemed a little out of place (maybe to set up for future books?) but otherwise, I have no real critiques of the plot or characters. I really enjoyed getting to know all of the characters.

It was a pretty typical book for its genre and I’d definitely recommend it if you like small-town, clean romances/plots. It was a quick read and kept me intrigued very well.

Thank you to Jodi Thomas, the publisher, and NetGalley for providing me the ARC.

I love Jodi Thomas’ books. They are small town romances. That make you feel like you are a part of each story. I was so excited to read this new book that connects some of the Honey Creek characters. It was a great story with romance and suspense. I cannot wait until the next book in this story comes out. I hope it connects the siblings that didn’t know they had siblings and I would love to see what happens to some of the characters from this book.

Thank you NetGalley, Jodi Thomas and Kensington Books for the ARC of Strawberry Lane. This is my personal review.
This is a story of how the lives of complete strangers can intertwine and the emotion of them all can be felt with each word as I was reading. The characters are all written so perfectly that I could help feel I was getting to know them more and more as I read this book.
This was an easy read and being set in a small town makes it even better.

Strawberry Lane by Jodi Thomas is an extraordinary conglomeration of peculiar personalities woven together so completely they touch the reader’s heart in a very unique way. I enjoy Thomas’ work and this one was the same and yet, so very different. Jamie Ray Morrell is dying and his called his lawyer, Jackson Landry to his bedside at Honey Creek Hospital. He wants to write a will and he tucks a paper into Jackson’s hands with the names of his offspring, not a one of which he has ever even met. He dies, but the paper is signed, dated, and witnessed so Jackson begins the hunt. Rusty O’Sullivan is a young man who has raised and educated himself. He has worked hard and saved his money. He has taken a ramshackle cabin and turned it into a palace, of sorts. It was raining hard and the road was muddy. Suddenly his truck was sliding of the hill and into a ravine. Luckily, Starri and her “aunt,” Ona-May were watching and followed the trail of lights as the truck tumbled. They set off to help and found Rusty barely alive. They drug him to their cabin in Starri’s coat and called 911. Jackson and his friend, Dr. Ryan Henson were saddling horses and taking off overland to help until the ambulance got there. The man was in pieces when they had arrived, but Starri and her aunt had done well and he made it to the hospital, where he instantly became a favorite. Turns out he was on the Morrell’s list and wanted no part of his inheritance.

What a charming and intriguing novel. It was the characters and their juxtapositions to one another: it was all so unlikely. Jackson had come home because his parents died in an accident. He still expected them to walk in any day and he felt like he was playacting. Starri was beautiful, adopted, home-schooled, and about to earn her Bachelor’s degree. Rusty was a self-made man and an introvert. Rarely did he interact with anyone other than those he worked for and with. Dr. Adams was an intern and second in charge at Honey Creek Hospital. That’s how small it was. She was tall and gorgeous and had a plan for herself. The interactions between these four, with a few others thrown in to make it all interesting made for a novel that was so moving, so complete, that it was a shame it had to end. The plot was not complicated. It captured the novelty of these players perfectly. What a lovely novel.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Strawberry Lane by Kensington Books, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley#KensingtonBooks#JodiThomas#StrawberryLane

Another lovely small town Texas story by the author . She has the wonderful skill of weaving a story that encompasses many people but is not confusing or overwhelming. You get to know each of the characters and the relationships among the small town folks. She puts you at ease in the town rooting for the underdog and cheering when the villain is captured.

It's fun to reconnect with other characters like the sheriff from past books . A great read that I highly recommend adding to your TBR pile..

Although I received a free ARC eBook, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a 3.5 stars for me, a good book and one I would recommend. It a first read in a new series and there were a lot of characters and relationships introduced sometimes a bit too jumpy for me. I am intrigued though to read more about this little town and follow each relationship into the future. The story does not end all wrapped up in a bow so each new book will give more insight I’m sure into all the storylines introduced in this book. I am loving the relationships that so far are all unexpected and show that opposites and quirky characters can fit together perfectly.

I voluntarily received a free copy from NetGalley and all opinions are my own

A lovely small town romance and a will they wont they story. Great characters and setting, wanted more, Ifelt this story couldhave gone on a lot longer, but all good thinks have to come to an end.

5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this ARC

A car accident in the middle of the night on a muddy back road sets off a chain of events for the people living in a small town. For Rusty, the solitary contractor driving the car, Starri, the 19 year old orphan who helps to save him and Jackson the young lawyer who has returned to town after the loss of his parents, this event irrevocably connects them.

I liked the premise of the story and individually, I enjoyed the characters. For me, the book has been written quite chaotically and especially in the first half of the book, we are thrown a ton of characters that are slightly connected with a lot going on in their lives. It became hard to keep track and make connections.

As such as I enjoyed them, the storyline for Heath and Emma was unnecessary. It didn't link to the larger story could have been a separate novella of it's own. Similarly, we are seemingly given the young doctor as a key character at the beginning of the book with the cry of Geronimo, but then he's barely seen again.

Despite this, I did enjoy the story. I just wish that the field of focus has been narrowed so I could learn more about those three main characters without the extra fluff.

Thank you to the Author Jodi Thomas & Netgalley for providing me with an ARC. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Strawberry Lane is another winner from Jodi Thomas. Her stories just suck me in. The people and emotions feel so real. She is the queen of small town stories with real people struggling to find happiness.
We are following three couples and they find their way and possibly love. Only Thomas can create such intricate relationships and weave them together so beautifully.

I highly recommend Strawberry Lane; but honestly I have yet to read a book by Jodi Thomas that I haven't fallen in love with.

Everything this talented wordsmith writes is touched with magic and drenched in heart. She creates a world of ordinary folks struggling with real life challenges who are wholly relatable so we’re invested in their finding healing, contentment, and love. However, the synopsis for this one is a bit misleading, so go in blind or ignore what you've read.

Rusty O'Sullivan has always been an outcast and a loner. One stormy night, he flips his car while driving home. His neighbors, Ona-Mae and her nice Starri Knight, rescue Rusty and take his battered body to their little cabin. The town doctor responds to their call, and he and his long-time friend, attorney Jackson Landry, ride their horses to the cabin to provide care for Rusty until the ambulance can get there around the impassable road. This begins a series of events and unlikely friendships as Rusty's life expands in ways he never dared to dream.

At its heart, this is a story of unimagined possibilities. A young lawyer finds his footing, becoming vested in his town and its people while finding love in the last place he ever thought to look. A nurse in the autumn of her life shares her heart and love with a coma patient only to find her best years are ahead of her. A doctor and a construction worker, opposites in every possible way, find comfort and peace with each other, and a solitary, lonely man finds an array of family he holds close and would lay down his life for. It's a compelling, heartfelt story of community, friendship, and found family.


My single critique is minor, that the ending of this phenomenal story felt a little incomplete to me. Two of the romances were left open-ended with a happy for now, and even if their stories are continued in the next book, I would have loved to see an epilogue to tie up those lose ends.

That said, one of the things I love about this amazing storyteller's writing is her consistency. She keeps the focus of her stories on heart, home, healing and human fallibilities, never feeling the need to dip her toe into whatever fad is being championed by the fringe of society at a particular time. This keeps her writing authentic, relevant, and timeless, and I couldn’t love her more for it. Touching, heartfelt, and uplifting, this one is sure to leave you with a joyful heart and a smile on your face.

Jodi Thomas has always been a favorite author of mine. Her characters and story lines draw a reader in and continue turning the pages. Strawberry Lane tells the beginning story of Jackson Landry's search for the heirs of an estate. Rusty O’Sullivan lives a very hermit life. However, a major accident which sends Rusty to the hospital, his life is turned upside down. Starri Knight and her "Aunt" Ona May rescue Rusty. Will love and a long buried longing be enough for Rusty to see life is worth living? I look forward to the next Honey Creek story. I received a copy through Netgalley. A review was not required.

One never can go wrong reading a book written by Jodi Thomas. The start of a new series with ties to the previous series. Back in Honey Creek, TX, Jackson a lawyer has taken over his father’s practice. Lots of funny things happened with that storyline, but when one of his client passes on leaving him with a handwritten note and instructions to divide up equally his estate between his four kids the quest is on. Finding the first, Rusty was not what one would expect. Helping save Rusty life in a car crash riding thru a storm on a horse with his best friend who happens to be a doctor.. Already on the scene was a retired nurse Aunt Ona-May and Starri stabilizing Rusty.
Amber is working as an intern at the ER when Dr, Ryan and Jackson brings in the severely injured man. She is a take charge no time for fools type of person. And now there is another fool in the ER.
Lots of new characters supporting the quest to find the missing heirs, but not that many to get lost. Page turner to see who winds up with whom and which ones find their HEA. Of course a few loose ends, but I hope will be tied up in next book. Thank you NetGalley for this eARC. I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story. #NetGalley StrawberryLane

Books by Jodi Thomas are always interesting and entertaining as well as comforting for the heart. This gives us two romances for the price of one.

It starts out with a guy from this small town dying and finally recognizing children he produced in his less than stellar lifetime. The town lawyer sets out to find the man's mostly grown children to give them their inheritance. The story continues on to involve two of the sons, some drama and some clean romance round out this quick read that will keep you turning the pages in concern and delight till the very last page.

Thanks to Kensington Books, Zebra and NetGalley for the gifted copy. All thoughts are my own.

A great read from the start. Loved the part about the Larrys and where the nurse was explaining to Rusty and Zach about young girls and their periods. It was funny. It was emotional and a lovely read that I could not put down. The part about the strawberries is very memorable.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and I am leaving a review by my own accord. I highly recommend this book.