This story transported me to a small town in Texas called Pick. It's filled with families and friends who know each other's business, and don't mind. It's also the home of the Strawberry Hearts Diner, known far and wide for their Strawberry Tarts. Diner rule #1......no one is allowed more than two since they are in such high demand. It's run by seventy year old Nettie and forty year old Vicky. "For more than two decades Nettie had been her surrogate mother, best friend, business partner and roommate all rolled into one."

On a hot Texas day, Jancy Wilson was heading out of town in her broken down truck after visiting her Grandma's grave. She had spent a few years here when she was in high school and hated to leave, but her father was a wondering man. Jancy was headed to Louisiana to spend time with her cousin, broke and nowhere to go, this was her solution. Suddenly outside the Diner, her car started billowing smoke and she barely got it pulled into the parking lot before it burst into flame. Nettie and Vicky raced to the rescue and immediately recognized Jancy. She quickly had a job, home and care-takers. Jancy had gone to high school with Emily, Vicky's daughter, although they had never socialized. Jancy' plan was to stay two weeks just to get her feet under her, but her plans changed shape fairly quickly. She felt her life blend seamlessly into Pike and the Diner. Her high school crush, Shane is now a volunteer firefighter and Owen's his family's scrap yard, and he grew up very well.

Soon the town is threatened by investors, stirring up trouble. Jancy couldn't leave until it was settled! Shane becomes more and more important in her life, and she realizes she likes being a friend to Emily.

This is a sweet romance surrounded by wonderful caring characters. It's heartwarming, and you'll find yourself smiling all the way through. If you need a laid back, sweet southern story, Strawberry Hearts Diner is perfect.

I received this ARC from the publisher and Netgalley .

I loved this book. By the time I was done reading the book I felt like I was part of the town and really loved all of the characters. I will definitely recommend this book.

Could see the appeal to some people in this book, but it just wasnt for me. I didnt enjoy reading about the different generations and it was to slw paced for me

Carolyn Brown has done it once again by creating a story that is so carefully scripted that the reader often is unaware that they do not live in Pick, Texas and take their meals at the diner. “Strawberry Hearts Diner” is the heart of Pick, Texas and is owned by Vicki and Nettie and they are awaiting the arrival of Vicki’s daughter Emily from college when they notice a car on fire in their parking lot. Jancy Wilson has had a run of bad luck and all she wants to do is go to her cousin’s house, but when her car is destroyed she finds herself stuck in a town that offers her a chance to heal and find the home she has been searching for. I was given an advanced copy of this book, and all of the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

You can't read a Carolyn Brown novel without getting attached. Her characters have a way of thawing out the coldest heart. The Strawberry Hearts Diner is another inspirational tale that worms it's way into the heart and makes a reader take notice. Jancy is a wanderer. She seems to have wanderlust in her blood, but her reality is much different. She longs to settle down and make a home for herself, permanently. Yet, circumstances continue to make that goal hard to achieve. When an unexpected turn of events introduces her to small town living and welcoming people she may have to rethink her loner ways. Can a woman used to life on her own, allow her heart to guide her home? In my opinion, it's impossible for Ms. Brown to write a bad tale. She leads with her heart and that love shines within each tale.

this was wonderful. It was everything I hoped it would be. All the characters were great in and of themselves and the storyline(several) all came together like a good ice cream sundae. Run to read this!

Imagine a feel good story about two young woman returning to a small town named Pick. The return of each will have quite an impact on the folks of this small tight community. In addition to this noteworthy event there is the entrance of someone with a sinister plan for Pick. Nothing can bring a community closer than facing someone who threatens their calm existence. No one in Pick is really looking for anything more than they have right now at home.

Carolyn Brown knows how to pen delicious love stories and in THE STRAWBERRY HEARTS DINER she gets to play Cupid multiple times. There is definitely love in the air even though some of the participants are working diligently to keep their heads on straight and not rush into any sort of relationship. Keeping both feet on the ground is something that is really important. Having made bad choices in the past does that to you.

Jancy seems to spend an inordinate amount of time looking over her shoulder. She was on her way to her cousin when fate took a stand and made leaving Pick pretty impossible. Jancy has a way of landing on her feet but as she starts to make friends and pick up relationships from years ago when visiting her grandmother there is a nagging concern that they will find out just how rough her life has been. Jancy firmly believes that her past threatens her desire for a normal future.

Emily is at home for the summer break from college. And Emily has some rather big surprises for her mother Vicky. Emily wants to stay home in Pick. College just isn’t where she wants to be. Working with Vicky and Nettie tugs at Emily’s heart. That’s home. Vicky has worked tirelessly to ensure that Emily has a bright successful future. One with a wondrous career – certainly not waitressing at the Strawberry Hearts Diner.

And there’s also Ryder who has become important to Emily. And this is definitely going to add to an already challenging enlightenment for Emily’s mom Vicky.

As I noted before Carolyn Brown has quite a collection of arrows in her Cupid bag this time around. I haven’t scratched the surface with the possible relationships popping up in Pick. Each one is sure to capture your heart. THE STRAWBERRY HEARTS DINER is a totally stand-alone romance by one of my all-time favorite go to authors Carolyn Brown. Her Honky Town series brought me onboard the Carolyn Brown train and I’ve happily journeyed with this prolific author ever since.

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Millie Swank's Reviews > The Strawberry Hearts Diner

The Strawberry Hearts Diner 
by Carolyn Brown 

Millie Swank's review 

Jul 05, 2017  ·  edit


it was amazing


In The Strawberry Hearts Diner, Carolyn Brown takes us to the charming town of Pick, Texas. There we meet the most quirky and loveable characters. Right from page one, she draws you in and keeps you turning the pages. Jancy Wilson never had roots, due to her Father always pulling up stakes and moving them to another town even another state. After Jancy's Mom passed away, ancy sets out on her own. After years of never laying down roots Jancy only intent to stay in Pick long enough to earn enough money to be on her way. But, Jancy hadn't counted on Nettie and Vicky, the owner of The Strawberry Heart Diner taking her under their wings and not only giving her a job, but a place to live. Can Jancy, the girl who always had wings start laying down roots? If the good people of Pick have anything to say about it, yes. But trouble is just around the corner. Watch for how the good people handle this trouble in their very 0wn unique way. In every book that Carolyn Brown write there is always at least one scene where she had me snorting my sweet tea! Yes, I said snorted. Lol! Carolyn Brown does not disappoint.

The cover caught my eye, it's gorgeous. And though this isn't the typical type of book I go for, it sounded cute and mushy and I thought I'd give it a try. The writing is good. The setting, the characters and the food are all brought to life. Of course it's predictable but that doesn't take away from anything. I do like how Pick is a place where everyone knows everyone and they're supportive of one another and kind, but (and I hate to say this) it also got on my nerves at times.

What a sweet and delicious read!

Jancy Wilson has found herself stranded in the small town of Pick, Texas after her car has caught fire in the parking lot of the The Strawberry Hearts Diner. Jancy’s original plans for fleeing the Loan Star State are place on hold and she soon takes a job at the very location her car caught fire, The Strawberry Hearts Diner. What is meant to be a two week job to raise enough money to be on her way, Jancy finds what she didn't even know she was looking for, roots.

This was very sweet story and I found myself in love with the fictional town of Pick, TX. As a native Texan I identified with the southern charm that could be found in the characters of this book.

This was the first book that I have read by Ms. Brown and what a delightful read it was!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A good read. I liked this book

Yes!!! This is the Carolyn Brown type of story I like. It's got romance, it's got morals, and it's funny. It's nothing that requires too much thought, which makes for a perfect light read. Great for the beach!!! I love when she gets the perfect mix on her characters, and they come together and help each other out. Whether they want it or not.

When Jancy's car catches on fire outside the Strawberry Heart's Diner, she thinks her life is over. But wait! They need a waitress and that's exactly what she has spent her life doing. She can literally start right away. Just for a little bit, until she gets enough money to move on. Then Emily comes back and Jancy thinks she won't be needed anymore...

Well, let's just say, family isn't always who shares your blood. Good job, Ms. Brown!

Seventy year old Nettie and forty year old Vicky are co-owners of the Strawberry Hearts Diner in the small town of Pick, Texas. Just when the ladies are wishing that they had more help in the diner Jancy Wilson finds herself in the parking lot with her old beat up car going up into flames. Jancy had just planned on visiting her grandmother’s grave in the small town but with little cash and no way out of town she spies the help wanted sign.

Jancy finds herself waiting tables in the diner and planning on only helping out until she gets the money together to leave, a week or two tops. Vicky’s daughter will be home soon from college so the ladies shouldn’t need her then. But when Emily returns Jancy and Emily become fast friends and Pick, Texas begins to feel a lot like a home to the wandering Jancy.

The Strawberry Hearts Diner was such a lovely little read. The book revolves around the three generations of ladies working at the diner and lots of other quirky characters that make up the lovely small town of Pick, Texas. It didn’t take long to become invested in their stories and lives with the small town charm.

While there’s relationships and romance involved to a degree in the story I’d hesitate to classify the read as just that. It really is family and friends and finding out where one belongs and your own happiness for all of the characters and just a feel good story with that quirky small town charm. Would definitely recommend checking this one.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

Book Info
Paperback, 286 pages
Expected publication: July 18th 2017 by Montlake Romance
ISBN 1477848762 (ISBN13: 9781477848760)
Edition Language English
Other Editions (3)
Source:Netgalley EARC

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BOOK BLURB


Being broke, unemployed, and stranded back in the tiny town of Pick, Texas, was not part of Jancy Wilson’s plan. Yet here she is, watching her car literally go up in smoke—along with her last-ditch hope of staying with her cousin in Louisiana. When Jancy spies a Help Wanted sign hanging in the window of the quaint Strawberry Hearts Diner, the memories of the two years she spent there as a teenager—and the lure of the diner’s beloved strawberry tarts—are enough to draw her in and plant her feet…but only temporarily.

Raised by parents who refused to settle anywhere for long, Jancy has never known what it is to have roots. Now that Jancy’s swept up by the warmth and character of this quirky little community—and by the pull of an old crush—it’s beginning to feel like home. She’s making friends and even discovering the sweetness of falling in love. But when the town is threatened, Jancy knows it will take more than its legendary tarts to save it. Can she fight for this little Texas town—knowing she might not stay forever?

My Thoughts


The name of the piece drew me in first, wanted to find out what prompted someone to name a place to eat Strawberry Hearts Diner. The name and fictional Texas based small-town was my second draw, however as started reading the quirky atmosphere and the intriguing mix of characters with their unique personalities kept me interested.

As you start to read it becomes very apparent this really is a character driven story rather than one driven by action alone, with one of the main characters being an actual place rather than a person.

Jancy Wilson cannot believe her ill luck when she finds herself stranded in Pick, Texas. This particular small town is the last place she would have thought of as a permanent home. When her old car burns up in front of The Strawberry Heart Diner fate steps in giving her not only a job but a second chance to get to know her high school crush also. While finding a home was not the original plan she finds that sometimes plans change in the best of ways possible and it was a true pleasure to watch it unfold for her.

Jancy is not the only draw we find to be of interest. There is also a matter of controversy taking place that allows the best of small-town life to shine for readers who have experienced it for themselves. This secondary storyline truly added to what otherwise would have been a pretty typical contemporary romance.

Another small Texas town tale filled with an eclectic cast of characters to fall in love with.

The Strawberry Hearts Diner was by far one of the best locations to build a story around and Nettie’s tarts sound absolutely delicious, wished I had one or two to enjoy along with the book.

[EArc from Netgalley in exchange for honest review]


On every book read as soon as it is done and written up for review it is posted on Goodreads and Netgalley, once released then posted on Amazon, Barnes and Nobles as well.

This was a cute book with quirky characters and an interesting small town. There were several different stories going on in this one, all revolving around a popular diner in Pick, Texas. I enjoyed reading about the different characters and loved all the mentions of the delicious food served in the diner. I was really hoping for a recipe of the famous strawberry tarts!

This was not a five star book for me because it was so predictable. I knew what was going to happen with every story line the whole way through the book. There wasn't much exciting, just a warm story about people living in a small town.

This is the first book that I have read by this author. I enjoyed the characters and the setting. Will be reading more of her books in the future

Sometime, life sucks. Jancy Wilson has been stranded in Pick, Texas with no money or prospects after her car died a spectacular death in the little town. She can’t decide if it’s good luck or bad, but the Strawberry Hearts Diner needs a waitress and she has worked there before, after all. For the first time in her life, Jancy allows herself to form attachments to the people she works with and the customers who frequent the little diner. There may even be a chance to reignite an old love affair. If you are looking for a sweet little story where people and love of place take center stage, then this is the book for you

This story takes place in tiny town I love story's about small town being a small town women myself, it takes place in pick Texas. my favorite character in this story is Jancy. Because she's a strong lady and stands up for herself
I love all the characters in this story I wish I could go in to more detail but I won't .. I want to hear more about the characters Jancy and Shane ....

If you loved the Yellow Rose Beauty Shop then this book has the same warm and fuzzy feelings. The author brings a town and it's people to life, so much so that you'd love to live there. Jancy is a girl without any close family who is down on her luck. She pulls into Pick, TX to visit her grandmother's grave and her car catches fire effectively stranding her there. The story is about how she fits in with the people of the town and finds that they are now her family in every way.. Not a family she was born into but a family formed with love. A rare treat that will leave you smiling!

I loved this small town romance novel. It was like reading a whole series in one book. There were a few love stories being told in The Strawberry Hearts Diner. I got a craving for strawberry desserts and spent some time looking up recipes after reading this book.