Final book in this series or is it? I love the strong female characters in this book and series. Fun read for Summer. Make sure to read them in order.

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. I'd prefer to read the books in this series before I read this one. I read a bit but then realized that I had missed a lot of the background.

RATING: 4 STARS
2019; Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books

I am so sad to say goodbye to the Hudson sisters (pun not intended)!!! Since book one, The Last Chance Matinee I have loved visiting the small town in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains and getting to know all the characters. In the final book, we get to see the Matinee come together and the Hudsons' start a new adventure. The Goodbye Cafe is Allie's story, the one sister who was the most reluctant to come to Fritz's hometown. Allie is a prickly character at the beginning of the series, and slowly she starts to open up, and her vulnerability becomes endearing. It is this combined with the love for her daughter that opens her up to love she deserves. I wasn't sure if I would like Allie's book, and was hoping it would be book two as I did not think she would be "exciting" enough for the conclusion. I was wrong! I enjoyed this book immensely and could see myself visiting the Hudson's sisters again.

I did have a love/hate relationship with the ending. There is a secret that is revealed that you don't even expect until midway of the novel. While I actually liked this new storyline, I felt like there should have been more. Like, maybe, another novel to know more of where the story goes as I feel like there is a lot more to say on it. Yet, for those that like an open ending this is probably the best way to end it. While I hope there is a book 4, I could live with it being a trilogy. I highly recommend this novel, and series.

***I received an eARC from the AUTHOR/PUBLISHER via NETGALLEY***

Cara, Des and Allie have come together to rebuild the theater as required by their father’s will. When their aunt decides to buy the Goodbye Cafe, they get new adventures. ARC.

What a marvelous book 3 in the Hudson Sisters series. One might think that this is the end of the series since the old theater is finally renovated and open. The three sisters have all worked out the problems in their lives and found someone to share their future. Set in the Pocono's Pennsylvania this is a family tale at its best. This is Allie's story and it has a good resolution to her divorce and custody of her teenage daughter. There is even a hint of another sister for the next book. Can't wait. Mariah Stewart is an excellent writer and this is a very satisfying read. Can be read as a stand alone but you'll enjoy it much more by reading Last Chance Matinee and Sugarhouse Blues before. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

The Goodbye Cafe by Mariah Stewart is the 3rd book in the Hudson Sisters series, and my first book by this author. Three estranged sister must come together in Pennsylvania, to renovate the Sugarhouse Theater, to receive their inheritance from their father. This book concentrates on Allie and her 14 year old daughter, who live in California. On the verge of bankruptcy, they head to Pennsylvania. It would have been better if I read the books in order, but I didn't feel too lost. I plan on going back and reading the first two books in the series. This book was a feel good family drama that I recommend to people who enjoy Chic Lit, with romance thrown in.

I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and the publisher. Thank you.

For Allie Hudson Monroe, finishing up the renovation of the family theater can’t get here fast enough so she can claim her inheritance and get back to Los Angeles where her life and teenage daughter live. But she never anticipated that reuniting with her sister, Des and a new found sister, Cara, would impact her nor the ties that bind them together would strengthen as time went on. As the final touches are added to the theater, Allie finds herself in a quandary, does she stay and make a life with family and friends she has made in the hometown of her father or go back to the big city lights where she is just a cog in a wheel? Allie is about to figure out that life has a few more tricks up her sleeves for her as she finally finds the woman she was meant to be in Pennsylvania.

THE GOODBYE CAFÉ is the final story of the Hudson sister’s trilogy and one I loved to pieces. As we have seen in the past two books (The Last Chance Matinee and The Sugarhouse Blues), all three sisters are unique and entertaining. From Cara, the untold half-sister of Allie and Des to the strained relationship Allie in this third book become the woman she was meant to be, to tap into her background in art to save the day and the theater that has become to mean so much to the girls. I love how the author delivers a character rich story that centers on family. With some amazing secondary characters alongside Cara, Des and Allie, the reader is charmed by THE GOODBYE CAFÉ as well as the other two books in the series. I loved all three books, but Allie was my favorite by far character in the series. She was prickly, caustic and determined to leave as fast as she could without forfeiting her inheritance. But we see the growth Allie goes through to book three and I know I had my doubts about her but dang, doesn’t the author deliver a perfect story for Allie. Between a love interest that started in book 1, The Last Chance Matinee, to making new friends who give Allie the strength to keep reaching for the stars. All the characters are well written and kept my attention till the very end of the book.

THE GOODBYE CAFÉ is a perfect read on a spring afternoon, with a chilled glass of iced tea and maybe some of Cara’s granola to munch on. Ms. Stewart delivers a fast-paced storyline that ties up a lot of loose ends as well as giving sneak peeks into Cara, Des and other characters lives as Allie finds just where she belongs. If you haven’t checked this series out, I highly recommend it. It’s a great feel good story that will leave you breathless and with a smile on your face when the last page is read.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement

This is book three in a series, telling how three sisters met after being separated all their lives, and then renovated an old theatre house together.

Loved this third installment, focused on Allie. I feel like a lot of things happened and went untold in between books 2 and 3, because Allie seemed like a different person in this book - for the better! I loved how the sisters grew even closer, Allie’s daughter grew up, and how the whole family supported their aunt when they came upon a new bump in the road.

NetGalley provided a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Goodbye Cafe by Mariah Stewart is the final book in the The Hudson Sisters trilogy.
I was highly anticipating this story and throughly enjoyed it.
I recommend reading the trilogy in order. .
I loved the banter and chemistry between Allie and Ben since book one. Allie’s relationship with Ben deepens into something more than expected. As time passes Allie feels better about herself, more confident while spending this time with her daughter, aunt Barney and her sisters. There’s an unexpected twist in the story that concludes the series with a happy ending.
I loved Aunt Barney, and most of the secondary characters which made for an entertaining read. The town is charming and described so well I could envision it.
I highly recommend The Goodbye Cafe. I received an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.

Strong women. Supportive men. And a bevy of mysteries and intrigue along the way. This is the story of love, redemption, and self worth, all wrapped up nicely in the third installment of Mariah Stewart’s, The Hudson Sisters trilogy.
The Goodbye Cafe is the third installment in The Hudson Sisters. The Hudson Sisters – Allie, Des, and Cara are three estranged sisters, thrown together by a strange will left by their endearing but elusive father. Each of the three books in the series are told by the various sisters, with The Goodbye Cafe written from the POV of Allie, the eldest sibling. Allie is perhaps my most favorite sister out of the three because she is so relatable and heartbreaking and so very interesting. Her character is one of strength and innocence but she doesn’t realize her self worth until the ending of the story. Allie’s story is one of struggle and redemption and finding out that a family’s love is the one true love she never thought she had.
In the Goodbye Cafe, the old town’s theater, The Sugarhouse Theater is finally fully renovated and ready to be opened. The sisters all agreed at the start of the project that they would do their parts, take the inheritance, and then go back to their old lives. As with each book in the series, each sister starts to realize that their stay in the Pocono Mountains and working on The Sugarhouse Theater brought them more joy and meaning than their previous lives ever did. And as with each sister’s POV in the different titles, Allie starts to realize that she too, can have a choice. A choice that makes her happy for once, and to not live through her daughter or her personal transgressions.
I really enjoyed reading The Goodbye Cafe because it wraps everything up nicely. I’m also bittersweet because I don’t want this wonderful series to end! I adored the characters, the setting, the supporting characters, and the little nuances that speaks to the readers along the way. As I noted before, Allie was my favorite character because she resonated so much to my heart.
If you’re ever stuck wondering what new book series to pick up, then don’t hesitate for one second in getting The Hudson Sisters Series. The entire series is filled with laughter, intrigue, mystery, and love that you never quite thought you needed or wanted.

The Hudson sisters live in Hidden Falls, Pennsylvania and are currently renovating their family’s theatre. In order to collect an inheritance from their father’s estate, they are required to work together until these renovations are completed. When Allie, Des, and Cara first relocated to their father’s hometown, their aunt gave them a place to stay. Two of the sisters settled into a routine over the past year with Des and Cara involved in strong relationships. Allie is the only sister resisting the change and is still living with her aunt. She came to Hidden Falls with a strong desire to return to her Los Angeles lifestyle and to be closer to her daughter.

While the final improvements are taking place, Allie finds herself managing the local cafe that her aunt recently purchased. The small town feeling starts to grow on her as she starts to connect with her neighbors. Soon she will have to make some important decisions about her future when the project is completed and she finally receives her inheritance.

The Goodbye Cafe is the third novel in Mariah Stewart’s Hudson Sisters series.
This novel can be read as a stand- alone story but I recommend that readers learn the backstories from the previous editions. I enjoyed this series and anticipate a spin-off in the future.

I was a little hesitant about this one. I loved the first sister, Cara, and I loved her book. I really liked the second sister, Des, and I really liked her book. However, the third sister, Allie, was never a character I warmed to. She was so prickly and hostile and just not very nice. It was hard to imagine that I would really enjoy getting to know her and see her story unfold. However, I trust Mariah Stewart so I took a deep breath and started reading. And for awhile I still didn't like Allie. She is making better decisions but for the first third or so she can still be more than a bit sharp with those around her. As well, while her relationship with her daughter, Nikki, is sweet and provides some needed softness, I didn't understand a lot of her thoughts regarding Nikki's future. Nikki is nothing but enthusiastic about the town and being involved with her newfound family. As well, she has made solid friendships with some really good kids and is constantly involved with new projects. Allie seems unable to see this and assumes that Nikki will of course start looking down on all the stuff in the small town despite all the evidence to the contrary.

The relationship between Ben and Allie took awhile to develop. Actually it took awhile to even turn to not antagonistic. In a previous book Allie and Ben had a confrontation and it took a long time for things to thaw. At the beginning I just didn't see how anything could ever happen. And at the beginning I just wasn't sure I'd ever really like Allie. However, I was wrong on both counts. I think the struggle made the connection all the more real and by a third of the way in I can say I really liked Allie and felt truly connected with her even though I still wanted to shake her a time or two (or more). Despite my rocky relationship with Allie at the beginning I never had a rocky relationship with the book. From the beginning it pulled me and had me fully invested in the lives of the Hudson sisters and the town.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this series and loved not only seeing Allie's character really develop but also spend more time with Cara, Des, and Barney. It was a delightful read from beginning to end.

This series is charming in its small-town setting and the simpler life people live. I’ve been onboard for the complete series and highly recommend it. The three sisters have to refurbish an inherited theatre, The Sugarhouse, part of the inheritance left by their father. All three sisters had to live in Hidden Falls and complete this task to inherit what he left for them. All, with various reasons, could use the money. They received so much more in their six months in Hidden Falls. Book one and two are the stories of Des and Cara, Allie’s sisters.

This is Allie’s story. She is the sister who was most flawed and unhappiest. Her multiple fears, based on her insecurities and the events life dishes out to her, lead her to drink heavily – an addiction which destroyed her mother and her mother’s marriage. When the opportunity to gain some financial stability comes along, she grabs it. Her father didn’t leave much of a dent in Allie’s life—he seldom was around the home front, escaping from his wife.

I loved how much Allie grew in these six months. From a rather bitter woman insecure on so many fronts, with fear of not able to be a part of her daughter’s life, to a woman with a softer side, humorous, and vivid, capable to stand on her own feet, and who begins acknowledging her own talents. She was no longer needful of her snobbish friends back in L.A. She finds a relationship of immeasurable value with her siblings and her aunt. But will this keep her in Hidden Falls? Her daughter must return to L.A., to her private school. Allie will do anything for her daughter. Is her daughter enough for her?

Nikki, Allie’s daughter, has virtually been taken from Allie, circumstances Nikki’s father provides. When Nikki goes to visit her mother in Hidden Falls, she discovers she enjoys so much of what the town provides. She discovers real friends with more than clothes and boys on their minds, meets two aunts and a great-aunt who all adore her, and generally provides the reader the energy only an innocent young, sharp-witted teenager displays.
Three local men get involved in the sisters’s lives. Allie’s included. But will time run out for this budding relationship to mature enough before Allie returns back to L.A.?

Author Stewart not only builds a small town where I wish I could live, she allows us into the hearts of these three sisters, Nikki, and their aunt, Barney. Barney is a little mysterious with her nieces, a bit of an artist in providing what her nieces need, lending more entertaining and emotion to the read. The characters will charm your socks off! Thematic and highly entertaining.

This is the third book in the Hudson Sisters’ Trilogy. I loved The Last Chance Matinee but somehow missed The Sugarhouse Blues. I was just as enamored by The Goodbye Café. I will definitely be searching for the missing second book soon. I am also hoping for a fourth in the series (saying why would be a spoiler, I’m afraid).

The book begins with Aunt Barney buying the Goodbye Cafe. It is known to be called this by the locals because legends has it that is where to take someone you are breaking up with. As I got reacquainted with Allie, Carrie, Des and Barney, I met new friends such as Nikki and Tom. I felt like I had been away for a long time. To say that Mariah Stewart writes great characters would be un understatement. I am so immersed in her stories that I desperately want them to be my family but would settle for them as friends. [Note to Ms. Stewart: I want them to be my sisters, too.] They are the types of people we both want and need in our lives. They each have their own unique flaws but I love them anyway. Even those I want to hate. Like most people, all of her characters have at least one redeeming quality.

The mark of a good book is when you are finished, you don’t move but wrap yourself in the warmth it has brought you. This is one of those stories (all of the trilogy, I am sure). I just wanted to stay in the Hudson world. I want to live in Hidden Falls and work at the Goodbye. Like Allie, I have never waitressed but I now think I could try and be proud of it.

There are many books I like. There are few that I am in awe of. The Hudson Sisters’ series are ones that will stay in my heart. They are made of the world I want to live in. Through retirement, I am going to strive to be like Barney. Enough said when I emulate a fictional character.

Please do yourself a favor – read this book (and any you have missed by this author). Read it on a day when everything is going well, but especially when you need even a twinge of sunshine. It is not a deep literary read. It is a comfortable, worn blanket that makes your day brighter.


I received an ARC from Galley, Threshold, Pocket Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion. This in no way affects my opinion or rating of this book.

Great read. The author wrote a story that was interesting and moved at a pace that kept me engaged. The characters were easy to invest in.

"'Here's to the Hudsons. To those who came before us and those who will carry the family forward into the future. We've a proud heritage, girls, and I'm proud to see you each living up to it. To the Sugarhouse, her glorious past. May she be equally glorious in the years to come.'"

The Hudson Sisters trilogy wraps up with a focus on Allie. This "snarky diva" is waiting for the day she and her sisters Cara and Des finish renovating the Sugarhouse Theatre -- a clause in their father's will -- so she can move back to L.A. and what is left of the life she knew there before her divorce. Allie's sweet, enthusiastic teen daughter Nikki returns to Hidden Falls for the summer and is delighted when Aunt Barney announces she's bought the Goodbye Cafe' to help out a friend in a pinch. Allie is less than thrilled. It's not like the Sugarhouse isn't keeping them busy already. Now she's been "voluntold" to help run the cafe'.

But as work on the Sugarhouse draws to a close, and as Cara and Des make some serious plans to put down roots in Hidden Falls, Allie finds herself dreading the day she has to go back to the West Coast. It doesn't help matters that Nikki, who's disenchanted with her life in California, is begging her mom to let her stay ...

I read and reviewed the first book in the trilogy, "The Last Chance Matinee," in 2017 for a blog tour when I was still book blogging like a madwoman. Part 2, "The Sugarhouse Blues," languished in my Kindle for the past year and I regret that I wound up bowing out of the blog tour for that one. I'm back on board for "The Goodbye Cafe'" and feeling like I neglected some very dear friends in Hidden Falls. In "The Sugarhouse Blues," we saw Allie shed a bit of that prickly exterior but there was still a lot of work to be done. By the end of the trilogy, the taming of the shrew is complete and it's a beautiful transformation that doesn't seem forced or fake. Nikki brings out the best in her mom, and so does "Sheriff" Ben Haldeman!

As the product of a small town, I could relate to a lot of the everyday life-type scenes and the simplicity and slower pace. I was on a bit of a time crunch to finish the book, as I have plans with my own mom this weekend that will make it hard for me to do my blogging on Saturday as scheduled. I may someday come back to this trilogy so I can really soak in the atmosphere. I've been through a lot recently, and I normally enjoy more "gritty" books, so any chance I get to read something that's softer around the edges feels like a nice escape.

There were moments in the book where I did a mental eye-roll, thinking, "I know where this is going." And I was often correct. Somehow, though, Mariah Stewart managed to deliver some curveballs into the overall plot that I hadn't anticipated. Again, though, when my brain is tired from dealing with my line of work and certain personal issues, a bit of predictability is welcome.

One of my dearest book-loving friends enjoys what she calls "Calgon-take-me-away" novels, and that is exactly what the Hudson Sisters trilogy offers. I'm missing my friends in Hidden Falls already.

4.5 stars!

I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I had the opportunity to read both of the first two weeks in the Hudson Sister Series written by author, Mariah Stewart, so when I saw the third book available on NetGalley for review, I signed right up and was happy when I was approved.  Interestingly, I believe at the time, I read the second book first and then went back and read the first book.  The first book to this series was The Last Chance Matinee.  The second book to the series was The Sugarhouse Blues.

Today's post is about the third book, The Goodbye Café, which is the t's the continuation of the story of three sisters who only found each other after their father died. As readers learn in the first two books (and are reminded here), their father's will stipulated that they must live together in the town of Hidden Falls, Pennsylvania and restore the old Sugarhouse theater there.

This book is primarily about sister, Allie Hudson Monroe, who is a divorced mother of a 14-year old daughter, Nicole.  She's lost her job in Los Angeles and she's financially struggling, which is why she agrees to comply with her late father's stipulations to receiving her inheritance.

Allie’s got her own issues - drinking is one of them but she's not ready to look at that. She has a lousy relationship with her ex too, and these things make her a bit salty and abrasive, especially when it comes to Police Chief Ben Haldeman. I didn't think Allie wasn’t very likable when she arrived in Hidden Falls, but like the others, she begins to change and grow.

When the Goodbye Café becomes a major factor in her life, she learns more about herself and begins to trust and believe in herself.  Allie is a victim when she arrives, but turns out to be a survivor.  Allie's character was very well crafted and she had a lot of dimension.  Her relationship with Ben transitioned at a very slow speed, which was the perfect pace for that relationship.  The family dynamics involving Allie's sisters and aunt were perfectly added as well.

I was thinking that this might be the last book in the series, but it seemed like readers were given a lifeline at the end for at least one more book!!! I know I’ll be waiting for it, because this is a wonderful series and this story line is exceptional.

I received an advanced readers digital copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to provide a positive review, but I did because the book was great!! Thank you NetGalley!

I’ve been a fan of this series from the start and the past few years I’ve always looked forward to the newest book being released in order to catch up with the Hudson family, it’s such a treat. Each book shifts focus to one of the three Hudson sisters and while I’m sure that you probably could read them on their own, it’s such a great trilogy that I would recommend starting with the first book. You also get to know the residents of this sweet small town and part of the charm for me was reading about a group of people that I’ve come to know so well.

It’s finally Allie’s turn to be the star of the show in this book and I’ve been looking forward to finding out more about her and her daughter Nikki since the first book. Once again, I found myself invested in her life and wondering how things would turn out for her in the end. You can’t help yourself from loving the Hudson family, they’re incredibly endearing and just fun to read about. As always Aunt Barney is my favorite, she always have several tricks up her sleeve and this was no exception. Nikki was a close second though, she’s an amazing kid, just quirky and sweet. Stewart has created a warm and memorable cast of characters that will resonate with readers everywhere.

As the sisters draw closer to finishing the renovations of the theater, some of the questions that have went unanswered since the start are finally answered and some secrets are revealed! I absolutely loved how things ended and was totally satisfied on all levels. There were no lingering questions, everything was concluded to my liking and while I adored this one (it’s my favorite of the three) I’m also super sad that it’s over, always the sign of a great book. Highly recommend this series for WF fans and even romance fans, there’s plenty of that sweet, small town romance to make you swoon a little.

The Goodbye Cafe in three words: Charming, Endearing and Easy

Renovations continue on the family theatre, in book three of the Sugarhouse series.
This book tells Allie’s story.

When the Hudson’s sisters’ father Fritz died he left the family with a bombshell. Fritz never told his daughters Allie and Des that they had another sibling named Cara. And Cara never knew Allie and Des existed. Fritz completely controlled the release of the information, because it was only in his will that he let all three girls know about the others.
And then Fritz insisted that all three girls stay with their aunt (who they also never knew) and fix up the family theatre. If at any point, any of the girls left town, all three would lose their inheritance.

So we can either say that Fritz was realizing his mistake late in life and trying to force his daughters to connect, or we can say that he was still controlling their lives even after his death.

Either way, the sisters have grown incredibly close and they love the town and they love their newly discovered aunt. They’ve even met some interesting love interests.
But the situation might be the hardest on Allie because she can’t easily just pick up and move to Pennsylvania because her daughter is in California. Allie is divorced and she can’t move her daughter to Pennsylvania with her. So staying to work on the theatre, a project that will likely take a year, is very difficult for her. But she does need the money and she won’t be responsible for her sisters losing their inheritance.

Her compromise is that she gets to have her daughter stay with her for the summer. Her daughter loves everything about being there and it’s very hard for both mother and daughter to think of summer ending.

I enjoyed reading Allie’s portion of this story. At one point, I thought their lovable aunt was going to get on my nerves with her insistence of buying a diner and making her nieces work there. I thought, they’re already restoring a theatre and now the other half of the time they have a second family obligation. I was also concerned that it would take too much of the story away from the theatre restoration.
But ultimately I think it worked, there really wasn’t a lot left to describe about the theatre restoration. So it gave everyone a new project. And it also seemed to be an attempt by their aunt to keep Allie in Pennsylvania.

I thought this was a satisfying end to the trilogy but there was a little twist at the end that i could see resulting in a spinoff story.

I got to read an early copy from NetGalley. Thanks!

This was my favorite book in the Hudson Sisters series so far. Going in I was a little apprehensive about the book because in the first two books I really didn’t like Allie but I was pleasantly surprised. Her character development in the book was fantastic and it was really great to see her happy and doing things she loved rather than moping. I also adored the fact that her daughter had a much bigger role in this book. She really added to the story line and overall feel of the book. The story line of this book was also really fun with the girls taking over and running a café in town. As always the writing and pacing of the novel was great and I loved it. Although I have read (and enjoyed) the first two books in the series this one could be read as a standalone. You’d really be missing out on those first two books though!