I had a love/ hate relationship with this book. I think it had so much potential to be really great, but a lot of it fell kind of flat for me, personally. I don’t feel like the description of the book was a fully accurate portrayal and so I had different expectations going into this one. I don’t feel like mama and heaths story line had really anything to do with the point of the story at all. And I’m assuming the other siblings will be brought in in future installments of this series, but we only meet one of Rusty’s siblings in this one. Most people have seemed to love this one, but it just wasn’t my cup of tea, and left too many things unresolved. 2.5 stars.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington for my ARC in exchange for my honest feedback

Strawberry Lane is just plain delightful. It begins with a crusty old man leaving instructions to will his four offspring - who he has never met - all his worldly goods. Whatever they might be!

Jackson sets out to carry out the dying wishes and firstly meets up with son one - Rusty. A builder and a real good guy with lots of surprising things to find out about him, once he recovers from rolling his vehicle down a hill.  It's not long before the second son turns up and then the fun really begins.

This book is full of wonderful characters, who might not seem to know what they are doing, but really are the very best.

Strawberry Summer is full of humor, friendship and love. As well as Rusty beginning to find some family, it is full of found family and good spirit. I enjoyed the development of the various relationships and as well the story moves along with something always happening around the corner.

This is a real feel good story and if you are in need of some straight out feel good reading head off for Strawberry Lane. 

And... I am hoping that we will hear more of the missing members of Rusty's family.

Absolutely loved this story! Definitely will be reading the next books in the series. I love the characters. Ms. Thomas did a great job making them seem so real. Love the married/divorced/married again couple. That was funny.

I have not read Jodi Thomas before, but I'm glad to have learned about her. STRAWBERRY LANE is such a charming story. I really like Thomas' writing style, which is evocative and not too flowery or sappy. The crisp dialogue flows well, and the scenery really comes alive. What a sweet place this is! My one minor complaint is that the novel follows quite a few couples, which means we don't dig super deep on any particular character. This is different from what I'm used to. Ultimately, it did not impact my enjoyment of the story too much; it was just something to get used to. There's not a ton of plot here, but then again, I didn't really expect there to be. Sometimes a dose of charming sweetness is just what you need.

Loved it. All the characters were damaged by life. It made it all more necessary for them to have a happily ever after. Misty moments along the way. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

Strawberry Lane
Jodi Thomas
April 25, 2023

We are back in Texas for Thomas’s continuing series of Someday Valley. We find Jaimie Ray Morrell in the hospital, drunk and moaning about his having to stay there. His lawyer, Jackson Landry sat by his side trying to give the old man comfort. The confessions did result in Jamie Ray advising Landry that should he pass, all he had belonged to his four sons. Now Jackson never knew anything about his children. Turns out his boys lived in different states - all but Rusty O’Sullivan of Someday Valley. Zachary Holmes was mentioned but no real whereabouts or age was given. After Morrell’s passing, Rusty was found after a car accident in the country after a washing rain that took out many of the roads. Dr Ryan and Lawyer Jackson went searching on horseback. When he was found they carried him to old Aunt Ona-May’s cabin. She is the local nurse when the docs are out of the local hospital.
This story begins and travels through the Texas flavor of couples who have yet to discover each other. It is quite a delightful tale. The local townsfolk are a kind, friendly lot who believe in helping their neighbors.
Strawberry Lane will be published by Zebra Books of Kensington Publishing Corporation on April 25, 2023. I was selected to read and review Jodi Thomas’s latest novel via NetGalley. It is a joy to read her updates from Someday Valley. I am certain her fans are looking forward to her novel, all others should pick up this fun,heart warming book.
Do enjoy!

This book was amazing!! It was the perfect small town romance. The characters and plot were great but interesting. I couldn’t get enough of the book. I couldn’t put it down

Strawberry Lane by Jodi Thomas was a nice sweet heartwarming story. We meet Rusty O’Sullivan from the start, when he is travelling home in a major storm, in which he is in a terrible accident during a mudslide. Starri Knight, who lives with her aunt, sees the accident and together with her aunt, they manage to rescue Rusty; the aunt helps as much as she can, but he has serious damage, and is taken to the hospital for a recovery period.

Starri herself was involved in a similar car accident almost 20 years ago, where her parents were killed, and her aunt took care of her. Starri is a sweet and gentle soul, who believes in fate, and she makes it her business to watch over Rusty, as he is now a friend. While Rusty is recovering in the hospital, he meets Jackson Landry, who is a lawyer, and tells Rusty that the father he never knew, left a will giving him and three other unknown brothers all of his money. Rusty, not having known about his father for 32 years, declines the inheritance. Jackson will continue to look for the other brothers, but him and Rusty do become friends. As Jackson finds a young brother, Zach, he and Rusty automatically hit it off, as Rusty is thrilled knowing that he has half siblings (a family he never had). There is an evil uncle, who comes forth to try and take Zach away; but it was nice that the town stood up to protect Zach.

There are quite a few main characters who have their own story lines, as we watch them find their true future paths and love. Jackson has taken over his father’s law firm, and everyone seems to like him, which makes him happy to be back in Honey Creek. Slowly, he finds that Sharri always is able to predict things and calm him, helping him succeed; though he is 10 years older, this will turn into a slow burn romance. Rusty’s stay at the hospitable was lengthy, with the doctor, (Amber) being the one who took care of him. Amber was a workaholic, working long hours, and she would fall asleep, with both of them finding solace. Though she was tough, slowly Amber began to enjoy Rusty’s comfort, and by closer to the end, theirs will also be a slow burn romance. There was also a mature romance between nurse, Emma, who spent her free time, watching and constantly talking to Heath, who was in a coma; not expected to live. Heath slowly comes out of his comatose state, and together they will find true love.

Strawberry Lane was a sweet, heartwarming, entertaining story of love, friendship and new found family. There were many wonderful main characters, with unexpected romances, that we really liked. Strawberry Lane was well written by Jodi Thomas

It's a rainy night and Rusty O'Sullivan is heading home in his beat-up Ford Falcon. The road washes out and he slides off the road and Starri Knight and her Aunt Ona-May rescue him. Starri and her auntie bring him to their cabin.
Jackson is home after completing law school and he is taking over his fathers practice and the family ranch. He wanted to work in Dallas; but due to the death of his parents he returns to Honey Creek. His client is dying and wants a will to leave his 4 boys his worldly goods. Ryan is the doctor at the local hospital and Jackson's best friend. Jackson and Ryan have to ride in on horses to get to Rusty to save his life.
Rusty is one of the sons Jackson is searching for along with 3 more brothers to track down.
The book gives a glimpse of the characters in the new story and I just loved this book. I always enjoy hos Jodi connect her characters to each other. Looking forward to the next book.

A sweet small town romance about Starri and Rusty who meet when she rescues him from an accident. He's in town because the father he never knew left him a legacy, There are three other siblings he hasn't met (I suspect they will feature in future installments). You"ll like these two, as well as Jackson the attorney, Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC,. A good read.

Such a good story. A very young lawyer comes home to his hometown when his parents are killed in a plane crash. His clients are driving him nuts and he doesn't know if he is cut out for small town lawyering. Another young man rolls his car and is hurt badly in a rain storm what washed out a bridge. The lawyers friend is a local doctor and the two of them ride up on horses to help Rusty. Rusty was taken out of the wreck by an older woman who had been a nurse a long time ago and her adopted niece. They kept him alive until the doctor got there. Rusty meets an intern in the hospital and can't help himself flirting with her. Their relationship is cute to follow. Rusty finds out that his father has died and he has 3 half siblings. Since he didn't know his father, he didn't want anything to do with an inheritance. A young kid shows up and actually is one of his siblings. This young boy has been mistreated most of his life and is tickled pink that he might actually get to live a good life and get to go to school. I loved the scene when the football team and a young girl stand up to his uncle who is trying to make him come back to the farm to work it and beat him. It was touching and funny at the same time. Also, one of the funniest scenes is when an nurse tries to explain what a period is to the young man. He decides he doesn't want to know anymore.
This was a very entertaining book to read and I recommend it
I got this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review

Jodi Thomas has created a new series, Someday Valley. In the first installment which is titled, Strawberry Lane, Jackson, who recently took over his father’s law firm, needs to find the four offspring of Jamie Ray Morrell. Jamie Ray is dying and would like to leave his assets to his four kids who he has never met and, each child does not know about their other three siblings.. After Jamie Ray dies, Jackson comes across an accident which happens to involve the first son, Rusty. Jamie Ray also meets Starri, who begins to develop an attraction for Jackson. While Recovering, Rusty falls for an intern, Amber. Rusty then meets his brother Zach who gets arrested and put in the town jail. Zach has run away from his horrible uncle, Vern. Rusty then takes his younger brother in and the two begin to bond.

Strawberry Lane is a fun story with lots of romance, humor and suspense. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series to see how each romance blossoms and if they find Jamie Ray’s other two kids.

The story is a heartwarming look at what defines a family as well as who is worthy of being loved. There are a number of characters but they are all well developed and their stories intertwine. Rusty is a loner, who has an accident and it starts his journey of finding a family. Jackson has come home to take over his father's law practice and isn't sure it is what he wants out of life. His first case has him finding the heirs of his client to give them their share of the estate. As Jackson tries to figure out how to do this, he starts his own journey of finding friends and family. Zach comes looking for a better life and finds a brother, Rusty, as well as people to support him. Each character in the story is searching for belonging and a sense of family, not all by blood but by choice.

This was a great book. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Interesting characters and plot. It held my interest from start to finish. I look forward to the next book in the series.

Strawberry Lane (Someday Valley) by Jodi Thomas
This is a small-town romance in Texas that is super sweet. then Strawberry Lane is for you. Starri Knight and Rusty O’Sullivan’s story. I enjoyed it even if it got a little slow towards the end. If you like sweet and happy endings, you will enjoy it.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Entertaining Original Great world building wonderful characters Easy-to-read Romantic.

This is a wonderful book that provides a light and hopeful story. You meet a variety of characters and story lines which will continue to be expanded upon in the series, which I look for to reading. The only drawback on this one is I did not care for the abrupt ending, but it does leave the reader wanting more which is probably a good thing for the author. Jackson Landry has taken over his father’s lawyer business. He had always wanted to be in a big city but ended back where he was raised. Dr. Ryan was a close friend of his and they grew up in the outdoors and on horses. Which came in useful when rescuing Rusty. Jackson had represented Jamie Ray Murrell and he had left his four kids an inheritance. Jamie only told Jackson their names and approximate ages and where he thought they were residing. In other words in wasn’t ever involved with these four siblings all from different mothers. Starrie is a young adult and her parents were killed in a car accidents and her Aunt Ona May had raised her. Starrie believed in fate and she was such a gentle soul. She came upon a wreck and helped save the man named Rusty who was one of Jamie Ray’s offspring. Rusty had grew up on his own basically since he was 15 years old and he kept to himself. He had a construction crew and he worked very hard. Dr. Amber was the one who helped Rusty the most she was also a workaholic but did find solace in laying beside Rusty to fall a sleep. Then we have Rusty’s little brother Zach that was treated horrible by his quote Uncle Vern. Rusty will go to great links to protect Zach.
Emma was a nurse who had fell in love with Heath a rancher that had been in a coma. Emma would go into his room and talk to him constantly about what they would do someday. Keep in mind they had never dated but she always admired him. You will fall in love with the main characters and want to know more about the other siblings. Jodi Thomas writes the story where you absolutely want more.

This reminds me of many other loved series and looking forward to the next installment.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity.

It makes me so happy to say this is the first in a new series (also a spinoff from the previous one). Strawberry Lane is the story of a young lawyer who finds himself back in is small hometown to take over his late father's law practice. He's like a fish out of water even though he's in the pond he grew up in. His first case is to find the heirs of a recently deceased client. It becomes clear those heirs will be the focus of the series and I can't wait to read more! This story of finding family is filled with interesting characters whose lives so far have been formed by how they were and weren't raised. Told in Jodi Thomas's usual warm and humorous style, Strawberry Lane was the perfect comfort read. I think fans of small town fiction will love it as much as I did.

I had the pleasure of reading an advanced copy of Strawberry Lane by Jodi Thomas provided by Net Galley and Kensington books.

It is a delightful story of strangers in a small town community coming together in times of need, family taking care of each other, and a love story that warms the heart.

The writing brings the characters to life. My favorite was Rusty. He is loner at heart but learns that to accept family and friends into his life brings so much comfort and joy.

I would definitely recommend this book and would give it more than 5 stars if I could!

If you like your stories and romances super sweet, then Strawberry Lane is for you. Set in a small town in Texas where everybody knows everybody, Honey Creek is the kind of place most people only wish could be real. The one villain in the story invades from out of town and the townspeople band together to repel him. About 3/4 of the way through the book, I got bored with the lack of action or suspense, but I did read through to the multiple happily ever after endings.

Thank you Jodi Thomas, Net Galley and Kensington Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Strawberry Lane is the first book in the spin-off series Someday Valley by Jodi Thomas. A heartfelt, satisfying read concerning those who have had some troubles in their lives. None more so than Rusty who finds family, unknown and chosen along the way to healing and happiness. He is part of only one couple in this story, two others also are main characters in this book. Still while there are several characters it was not too many for me to keep up with yet. Honey Creek is nearby so the community make an appearance.

I will say that Zach who is fourteen was the one character who completely stole my heart. If certain things in his life had not worked out I would have been as hopping mad as Rusty was in this story. Besides Zach there are others who need to find hope, family and love. I will say that the couple who do find their HEA was a surprise to me. I was expecting both other two couples to find theirs. Life is not often that clear cut so accordingly this book follows the reality of that. For them it is happy right now, with a wait and see for the future. Wait we will do until the next book comes along, which hopefully will be soon.

4.5 Stars
An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.