I received an Advanced Reader Copy from Gallery Books and Netgalley for my unbiased opinion of the book. This is the third book in the Hudson Sisters series and centers around Allie Hudson Monroe with her devil may care attitude. She has learned to reign it in a bit but not much. Since she is now conscious of her how her drinking effects everyone else including her daughter. She is tackling her fears instead of just bitching at everyone within distance. When her daughters bff starts to bully her instead of being a friend. Allie comes to life and realizing what is important in life. I loved this book, I hope this isn't the end of the story. I couldn't put it down. Mariah, keep up the great writing don’t let us wait too long for the next book. I am already in withdrawal lol

A wonderful read. I am a fan of the author's previous work and this series . This was a perfect book for a enjoyable afternoon . I love the theme of family, rebirth of lives and of starting over through difficulties. This is a great relaxing read with a pleasant plot and ending set up for the next book.

Favorite Quotes:

You may say senior. You may not say old, elder, or advanced age. And never geriatric if you know what’s good for you.

Cara, you think Des’s kids’ll come out bald with tiny Harley-Davidson tattoos on their shoulders?

The short answer is I don’t know…The long answer is I don’t know.

“The universe doesn’t owe you an explanation for everything,” as Mandy, Allie’s across-the-street neighbor back in L.A., used to say. Then again, she reminded herself, Mandy set traps for unicorns in the hills behind her house and sprinkled visitors with glitter before they walked through her front door.

“You know it’s not good to tease old ladies. You could give them a heart attack.” “Barney, did you just call yourself an old lady?” “Of course not. I was speaking in generalities.”

My Review:

Ms. Stewart has performed a major transformation; she tamed the shrew and made her not only likable but commendable - kudos! I enjoyed the slow yet meaningful metamorphosis of the bitter and virulently tongued Allie, although Ms. Stewart had granted her some of the wittiest lines and snarkiest banter of all the characters during her acerbic and noxiously abrasive period. The gradual reformation and reshaping of her nature was cleverly and realistically done, I didn’t expect to care for her as much as I did; she was completely made-over and admirably appealing by the story’s end.

Some mysteries were solved, more secrets were uncovered, and some questions may forever remain unanswered. I don’t think this series is anywhere near finished as there are still more Hudsons to feature, young and old, and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if several more popped up as the prolific horndog Fritz couldn’t seem to keep it in his pants.

Mariah Stewart did it again! Loved this book - great story. I actually couldn't put it down. Hope she continues with this storyline. But read :The Last Chance Matinee" before she so you know how the story started.

Mariah Stewart has returned once again with The Hudson Sisters. And I am the most delighted of all because I have been waiting for Allie Hudson story since the beginning of the series.
The Goodbye Cafe will focus Allie Hudson. Allie is the older sister of the Hudson family. She may appear cold and stand-offish but there is so much more to her. She always had to be the tougher one in the family because everyone expected her to be. She always had the heavy load in the family. She may have resented the way she was. She is very caring and protective to her family, she just hide it. However, the more and more she spends with her family, the more she can be herself.
It is will be a struggle for Allie to loose up herself. Allie will start to be her true self when she realize what matters most. Her artist career and her family (including sisters) will matter to her. She left her artist career behind but she is getting to realize she love it so much that she should never left it behind. She provides so much in the theater remodel. She is beautiful artist and its waste not to use those talent.
While she is exceeding in her arts, she is also going to discover sister bonds. And it is going to be fantastic thing even if it may get bumpy along the way. It will but it is definitely worth it since they will all need to know who they are as sisters. Bonding takes time. But being sisters is the most absolutely best thing ever. No one can forget a sister bond.
The Goodbye Cafe will discover who Allie is as person to herself and to her family. Five stars.

When I reviewed the first book of this series, The Last Chance Matinee, I said Allie started off as the character I sympathized with the most but ended up really disliking. We watched her grow emotionally quite a bit during this series so far. By the middle of this one I was all Team Allie once again. She stopped feeling sorry for herself and pulled herself up out of her destructive cycle she had been on there for a while.

I may not have been an Allie fan for much of the series so far, but I could always feel the chemistry between her and Ben. Let me say, I do not classify this as a romance because this is really so much more about Allie and her daughter than it is about Allie and Ben. Yet it does have definite romance interspersed throughout the book and I love that Ben and Allie find a way to see past their bitterness and acknowledge their deeper connection.

So many things happen with Allie’s daughter Nikki and I love how they are addressed. Nikki is such a strong and bold personality, but even strong kids can have moments of uncertainty…especially when there are other people spurring those doubts on and overall being terrible friends. I wanted to scream and shake some sense into Nikki’s dad, but I also appreciated the author writing this as reality instead of a perfect dream world. At least for much of the story.

Many mysteries from the previous books are resolved in this story. But just as the sisters think they have it all figured out, a new bit of history comes to light and shocks them all. Which, if the end of this story is anything to go on, will mean at least one more book in this series. Yay! I just adore the relationships in this series, especially between all the women.

This is the third book in a series about three sisters forced to relocate to a small Pennsylvania town to fulfill a stipulation in their fathers will. This book focuses on Allie whose life in LA has fallen apart. Divorced and unemployed, Allie is the prickliest of the sisters. She was very resentful at being coerced into coming and having to work on a dilapidated old theater in order to receive her inheritance. As time has passed, she has found peace with her situation and her new found family. The arrival of her daughter has made a big difference. The one major annoyance in her life has been local lawman Ben, who ticketed her the day she drove into town and the relationship has been downhill ever since.

Ally has been working on the restoration of the Sugarhill theater and re-discovering her love of art. When her eccentric aunt Barney buys the local café Ali finds her self working there as well. Given Allie’s cantankerous nature it’s a little rocky in the beginning especially as Ben is a regular customer. However, her time with her family has allowed Allie to discover some truths about herself and to see the positives she has in her life. Her contact with Ben gives her the opportunity to clear up misconceptions on both sides and develop a friendship . Friendship turns into something more as they both get to know each other.

I enjoyed watching Ally grow and become less dependent on drinking and her anger. As she becomes closer to her sisters and her daughter she is able to find space for love in her life. She becomes stronger in her dealings with her ex-husband and is able to stand up and protect her daughter when his new relationship causes friction. Working at the café gives her a different perspective on her life and the opportunities and losses she has had.

There is an interesting twist in this story that leads into what I would presume is the next book in the series. As I have enjoyed all of the books in this storyline I’m glad to see that it might continue. Mrs. Stewart always does a great job creating a fictional town that has a multitude of interesting residents, storylines, and of course a happy ever after ending.

I was excited to get my hands on this book! I've enjoyed the previous books in this series and I wanted to finally get Allie's story! And let me just say, I think this was the best book in the series. We, the reader, knew Allie was fighting demons, but we really saw her struggle in this book. She isn't a happy person but her dad's will is making her find out who she really is. She's doing things she's never done before and learning to make amends with her sister. I love the strong family ties these women find and hold on to. They realize what family means, even if it wasn't the original way they knew. The bond these women had all from a will was extraordinary and I was wrapped up in all things Hudson! I didn't want to read too fast or this book would be over way too soon. This book brought such a book hangover, I struggled once it ended. And to me, that's the sign of a GREAT story and author. I can't recommend this series enough, especially this gem! Please be sure to grab your copy!

Awesome chick lit read! This is the third book in the Hudson Sister's series and I have loved each one. I've really enjoyed seeing how the relationship between the sisters has blossomed and grown as they work together to bring an old theater back to life. This book is Allie's story and it's truly amazing. Her strength really comes into focus as she fights for her daughter and allows herself to open her heart again after a devastating divorce. This is truly a series and book that you don't want to miss. I highly recommend it.

Allie Hudson Monroe is a divorced mother of a 14-year old daughter, Nicole, and currently struggling financially now that she’s lost her job in Los Angeles. If not for her current money situation, she wouldn’t have felt the need to comply with her late father’s terms to receive her inheritance, which is to join her two sisters in Hidden Falls, Pennsylvania and restore the family’s former Sugarhouse Theater. Allie's got a few issues, including her late mother’s problems with alcohol, though she’s not ready to own that, and a not-so-great relationship with her ex. It’s all combined to make her brittle and abrasive, especially when it comes to Police Chief Ben Haldeman who is aware of her predilection to alcohol.

This was the story I was least looking forward to but ended up possibly being my favorite! Allie wasn’t very likable, by her own admission, but over the past months in Hidden Falls had begun to transform. When the Goodbye Café becomes a major factor in her life, she discovers the breadth of her skills and talents. Where she previously believed she needed to prove herself to others, the café became the place where she began to believe in herself, especially as a mother. I loved being part of her developing self awareness, so wonderfully gradual that I couldn’t help but liken it to a blossoming flower. I admired the woman underneath all that armor who didn’t create all that on her own. She was a victim but also a survivor even though it didn’t wear so well.

I often hate it when a story ends but this time, it felt painful to let this one go. Allie is a well crafted character with so many dimensions I enjoyed exploring. Her relationship with Ben transitioned just as slowly, as it should have, and I was surprised at my own patience with them. The newly formed family dynamics involving her sisters and aunt just added more flavor, too. I thought this might be the last book in the series but I believe we were given a lifeline at the end for at least one more book!!! I know I’ll be waiting for it, rather impatiently. This is a wonderful series and this story is exceptional. 4.5 stars

This is the third book in this series. I have not read the first two books but I had no problems jumping right into this book. So I would say that this book can be read as a stand alone novel.

While, I enjoyed meeting and visiting with everyone in this book; I felt that the main leads were Allie and her daughter, Nikki, and her Aunt Barney. Which was fine with me as I enjoyed getting to really know these three ladies. Allie seemed like she was the most reserved of the three sisters but had come a long way in this book.

I had such an enjoyable time reading this book that I almost got lost in it. Because I liked this book so much, I plan to go back and read the prior novels to get to know the other sisters better as well. This is not the last "goodbye" but "hello" to a long friendship.

Though this story belongs to the whole family, it does circle a bit more around Allie and Barney...and what a tale to tell! Poor Allie was in a pickle between fighting her own demons, addressing the situation with this Ben fella (what a bonehead!), and her daughter's sudden desire to stay after the theater is finished. I couldn't fathom what new straw would appear and be the one to break her...though she has more backbone than she seemed to know. It was great to watch her become comfortable in her own skin, even addressing those issues that she attempted to hide, and realize her own potential.

The great big mystery that surrounded Barney and the dessert maker dropped us a clue here and there as to what created such a rub between them, allowing the plot to thicken quite nicely, and build to a final reveal of sorts by book's end...rest assured while it could be quite the scandal, our gal Barney has it all in hand just as she always does. Really, how can you NOT adore her character?

All in all, it was a wonderful conclusion to what's been an amazing series. It gave us satisfying ends for our leading ladies as well as the potential for new beginnings long after we turn the final page. ♡ For me, it also felt like a little piece of home because the setting of the book is actually in the surrounding area of where I was born and partially raised...haven't been up there in FOR-EV-ER, but it's still nice to reminisce, and reading about places I've been, lived, or seen, gives it another layer of "personal".

**eARC received for review; opinions are my own

This series is so much and I’m so glad I got to read this book early! I love following these sisters and their journey. Pick it up if you think that sounds fun! I can’t say more without giving it away!!

New-ish to me author Mariah Stewart has completely won my adoration. In book 3 of the Hudson Sisters series each sister is entrenched in their mission; complete the renovation of the Sugarhouse Theater, collect their inheritance and live their dreams. This is probably no more important than it is to the eldest sister Allie. Allie is halfway across the country from where she lives and in desperate need for the benefits that the inheritance will give her. Once complete she’ll have the ability to buy a house closer to the school where her teenage daughter Nikki goes giving them the opportunity to live together as per the custody agreement with Nikki’s father. But first Allie must paint and decorate, and oh there is also the new endeavor their aunt Barney drags them into, in particular Allie.

This is a wonderful story about the complexity of mother/daughter relationships, blended families, teenage angst, and starting over. With Nikki at her side during the summer months we witness the extent of the importance and depth of this relationship. Stewart really does an amazing job creating a plot that’s allows her to showcase the characters. I loved being in Allie’s head, in her challenges to adapt to all that is thrust upon her and to see how she navigates her own “demons” and seeing the mother-bear she is. But we also see just how important Allie's aunt and sisters are as they navigate life in this small town.

Aunt Barney becomes a key catalyst for change as she enlists Allie's help as she purchases the Goodbye Cafe. Here Allie finds herself facing an adversary, Police Chief Ben Haldeman, as he parades his dates through the café. After all there’s only 2 restaurants in town, where else we he go? The tension between Allie and Ben originates when Allie was new to town they can’t seem to stop antagonizing each other. But theirs is a slow-burn love story as enemies find friendship and their mutual attraction leads to something more.

The story is well paced giving time for Stewart to develop characters and more surprises for the family. Stewart does a wonderful job addressing bullying and I found myself so caught up in Nikki's life and all she was going through. So for me I felt like a got a bonus with Nikki’s coming of age story-line.

This can easily be read as a standalone but don’t deprive yourself – read the series! Every character adds something to the story. Stewart adds in little hints as to how some characters are involved in the Hudson girls lives, I highly recommend this book and this series.

Lindas Book Obsession Reviews "The Goodbye Cafe" by Mariah Stewart, Gallery Books, March 26, 2019

Mariah Stewart, Author of "The Goodbye Cafe" (The Hudson Sisters #3) has written an entertaining, delightful, heartwarming and enjoyable novel. This is the third book in The Hudson Girl Series, and it is my opinion, you can probably read by itself, but would benefit from reading the two books before. The Genres for this Book are Fiction , Women's Fiction, and Romance. The author describes her characters as complex and complicated. Each of the characters has their own set of problems and worries to work out.

The stipulation from the father's will is that the three sisters live and work together  fixing the Movie Theater.  In this book, one of the sister's  Allie has to come to terms what she wants out of her life. She is supposed to go back to California with her lovely teenage daughter when the theater is completed.  There is friction with her divorced husband's girlfriend's daughter who once was friends with Allie's daughter. 

The theater is close to being finished, and decisions will be made. I appreciate that Mariah Stewart discusses the importance of family, friendship, neighbors, community, love and hope. This is a fun read and I would recommend this for readers who enjoy a romantic novel. I received an ARC for my honest review. I hope that the author will be writing another book in this series.

In the continuing story of the Hudson Sisters, this is the third in the series. I read this book as a standalone as I hadn't read the first two, but this wasn't a problem. Allison Hudson Monroe (Allie) returns to Hidden Falls, Pennsylvania from California with a heavy weight of problems resting on her shoulders...divorce, sharing custody of her daughter, Nikki, with her ex-husband, and trying to understand what makes a teenager tick! But Allie has to keep herself in check as well...she has an abrasive personality which she understands needs toning down. Now she is helping her Aunt Barney restore the local movie theater, painting the damaged ceiling to match its once beautiful artwork. With her aunt buying the popular restaurant in town, The Green Brier Cafe but known locally as the Goodbye Cafe, Allie and her family have a lot to contend with but for Allie it is only for the summer as she and Nikki will be returning to California. With the promise of an inheritance in exchange for living in Hidden Falls and restoring the Sugarhouse theater, Allie is eagerly looking forward to returning to California with "cash in hand."

This is a book with the heartwarming story of "small-town USA" and it's one of the best. The family and their friends and neighbors make this a charming read. For myself, having grown up in New York City, this is what I would envision a small town to be. This my first book written by Ms. Stewart, but it won't be my last as I intend to read the other two books as well and follow the series.

My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! This book is a great conclusion novel to the Hudson Sisters trilogy. I loved this book so much! It will be going on my keeper shelf.

I want to thank the publisher and author for the chance to read this book in advance.

This is my honest review.

The third in a series and although each book moves from one character point of view to another, I would absolutely advise to start at the beginning of this series because there is so much groundwork with these sisters that you will need from book one to book to this one.

This book centers around Allie Monroe who came to Pennsylvania from California and her daughter is spending the summer with her mom and aunts and gets really connected to the happenings in Pennsylvania and maybe they both realize that their life in California is in the rear window.

I loved the added storyline in this book that made it more than the other two by adding in the mother/daughter relationship. These books could be defined as romance and in each book each sister finds a man to compliment their lives, but there was more to this one and I loved that. I am keeping my thoughts brief because I don't want to spoil too much and I really think you should start at book one for this series and meet the sisters there.

This series and this author are nice easy reads that I love to insert in the middle of mysteries or historical fictions when I just want something nice, easy and breezy. I like this genre for its vacation like feel and enjoy reading them throughout my reading life.

This is the third book in the Hudson Sisters series. I figured that this one of the last of the series but there are definitely hints that there could be more to come. I really hope so! This is one of my favorite series. All of the books are heartwarming and engaging. Highly recommended!

The Goodbye Cafe is third in a trilogy. I read it as a stand alone and had no trouble understanding anything. It's the continuation of the story of three sisters who only found each other after their father died. His will stipulated that they must live together in the town of Hidden Falls and restore the old Sugarhouse theater there. They are doing this indeed. Allie is the focus of this story. The story gives some background as to why she's so abrasive. It's well written and predictable but still entertaining. It's a heart warming and hopeful story of lost connections and female relationships. If you like women's fiction or romcom type stories, you'll like it. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.