A very sweet cozy mystery with touches of fantasy. The read is smooth, a little slow in places, it takes its time to heal its two main characters and give them some lovely things to look forward to. A perfect holiday read, I totally see that one coming out just before spring, making you long for flowers and bees and sweets.
The book is full of homely feelings, good sentiments, hugs, wholesome tears, cute romances and adorable dogs. This is really for people looking for a feel-good story with nothing too confronting. The conflict is really mild, just like the fantasy elements which are almost more akin to magical realism.
A lovely uplifting novel I recommend to fans of clean romance, cozy mysteries and feel-good mysteries.

I didn't enjoy this book as much as Heather Webber's other books but it still an enjoyable story that will touch your heart.

There are some things that happen when I read any of Heather Blake Webber’s books. First, I know that I will get so involved with the characters and their stories that I will never want it to end. Second, I know that there will be wisdom, and love, and magic. Third, I will cry at the end—at the beauty, at the multitude of emotions, at the wonder. All of those things happened, and more, while I was reading her upcoming book, In the Middle of Hickory Lane. Emme Wynn has been searching her whole life to find a family, a home, a place where she will fit in and lever want to leave. Cora Bee is hiding from a painful past, too afraid to let anyone in that will hurt her bruised heart even more. I loved being let into their world, watching as they learn and grow and trust: allowing themselves to let go of their secrets, and their pasts, so that they can prove that they are so much more than the things that have happened to them. Sweetwater, Alabama is inhabited by the most colorful, warm-hearted cast of characters, (okay, some of them not so nice), and there are other secrets long-buried by the folks of this town, including a mystery that is unearthed just as Emme arrives. All of this and so much more caused my heart to swell with love for this absolutely wonderful book about community, family, hope, and home.

Another great book by one of my favorite authors! Includes a bit of mystery with a bit of magic and really likeable characters.

First of all, I love Heather Webber’s books. MIDNIGHT AT THE BLACKBIRD CAFE is part of the reason I started a book blog. That said, I honestly believe that this is her best book yet.

Emme and Glory Bee are the point of view protagonists and both are so fully lovable, unpredictable, relatable, and realistic that I feel like I’ve met two dear friends. The author’s focus on their found family is the center of this beautiful novel, and I’m a sucker for a found family story.

Furthermore, the author’s use of flower symbolism to reveal the mystery at the center of Hickory Lane—the novel begins with a sink hole opening up to reveal a skeleton—is so well written that it had me spinning. Honestly, this should be a major book club pick this season.

What a thoroughly enjoyable book. I loved the characters and being from Alabama myself, related to a lot of the cultural components. (Yes, we still have friendly neighbors.) Glory reminds me of a lot of the older ladies that I've gone to church with where she knows just how to make you welcome and knows just what you need. I'm also a sucker for second chance love. And the little surprise ending helps it mark off all my checkboxes for a great book.

This book was all right. Kind of a slice of life. Thank you for the chance to read and review this. I would recommend it.

Thank you Netgalley and Forge Books for the chance to read an advanced copy of In the middle of Hickory Lane by Heather Webber. Ever since reading the absolute fabulous Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe by the author I have looked forward to her next magical book! Each book holds a special place in my heart, and this one is no different. In the middle of Hickory Lane we are introduced to Emme, who has grown up on the run. She shows up in the small town of Sweetgrass, Alabama to visit her grandmother and possibly become part of the family she has always wanted.
Cora Bee volunteers, and has a wonderful job as a designer but is hiding her pain she is holding everyone away from her. When she is injured she must accept help not only from her family but someone who could break her heart again.
In the magical neighborhood garden in the middle of Hickory Lane, there is a gazing pond that allows certain people a look into the past; and a mystery that has haunted the neighbourhood -- Cora Bee"s grandmother disappeared years ago. As Emme arrives, a sink hole opens up and remains are discovered...but who is it?
While this book was a bit different then Blackbird Cafe, I enjoyed reading about Cora Bee and Emme and their developing relationship. I laughed and cried, and totally enjoyed the mystery that was weaved through it. I loved the little diary notes at the beginning of each chapter. I totally recommend this book. I did read this a bit early...it will be out July 26.

Really enjoyed the twists in this book. Kept me reading until the end. I liked the characters and the story line. Hope to read more from this author!

I loved this book! All her books have a mystical feel to them. This one was magical with unexpected surprises and secrets. I wanted to crawl inside this book and live on Hickory Lane. I didn’t want the book to end.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

This book, I so enjoyed it! This is my fourth Heather Webber book and it's one of my favorites she's written. Heather is the first author who introduced me to magical realism, which I now know I love!

I loved that this book had two romances story lines going along with the main story of family and healing.
I also enjoyed that this one had a bit of a murder mystery vibe as well.
I love Heather Webber and I can't wait for her next book! I definitely recommend grabbing this one when it comes out in July.

Thank you NetGalley and Forge books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Another great book by Heather Webber! Loved the southern setting and the story line. There were several twists and turns but in the end it all worked out. I can’t wait to read the next book by this author.

Must read. A complex story with characters who are simple in their wants but unable to identify their needs. Beautiful in many ways.
Thank you netgalley and the publisher for this arc

Heather Webber's magical realism books are absolutely fantastic and this one was no exception!

This book, like most of Webber's, is about family, found family, friends, caring, and a beautiful, magical garden that brings the community together.

If you're looking for a read filled with joy, happiness, and all good things, this is one you'll want to read. Heather Webber has become a must-read author for me and I already can't wait for her next book to release!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for an ARC at my request. All thoughts are my own.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Hickory Lane is charming and a little magical with downhome characters you wish you could visit with in the garden with a lovely cup of tea. Heather Webber writes beautifully idyllic settings filled with imperfect people you can’t help but love.

This book started off great and ended really strong. The middle was long and too slow for me without a lot of forward momentum. I found myself forgetting which of the two main characters I was currently reading, they were so similar and their situations were so similar I would start to lose who I was currently with until context clues brought me back.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. It is a nice break to spend time on Hickory Lane with Emme, Glory, and Cora Bee. This book is full of love, family, friendship, and redemption. I would recommend it for all fans of womens lit and especially book clubs.

Heather Webber never ceases to amaze me. Folks living on Hickory Lane have their fair share of heartache, loss, secrets.... and healing. I fell in love with the characters and the town. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of In the Middle of Hickory Lane in exchange for an honest review. I can't wait until the release so that I can get the audiobook and relive this wonderful book.

Oh my heart.- another wonderful story by Heather Webber. I just can't get enough of her magical realism and I think it's because we all wish for a little magic in our lives. I certainly want to believe it exists!

In this novel, Emme Wynn comes home to Hickory Lane, a place she hasn't lived since she was six months old and her mother swept her away. Emme has lived a hard life with her mother who is a commensurate con artist and romance schemer. Emme was given $50 on her eighteenth birthday and turned out on her own. Now, Emme's long-lost grandmother has found her and asked her to come and stay. Emme can't resist the offer of a home, family or roots, so she heads off to Sweetgrass, Alabama.

This story is about family, both the ones you share blood with and the ones you choose. This story is about new beginnings and the bravery it takes to start fresh. I just absolutely loved this story and it will be one I enjoy reading again and again I would recommend this book to anyone who would like an uplifting magical read.

Thanks to #NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Emme Wynn has come to Sweetwater, Alabama to help her estranged Grandma Glory Wynn with her business. Emme has lived a life on the run with her con artist mother. She's hoping to meet some family and set down roots. On the day Emme comes to Sweetwater a body is discovered in Glory's garden.

Glory Wynn is a grandmother to all and is so welcoming. I just love her so much. I wish I could visit the garden and all the flowers and the gazing pool.

I loved the mystery surrounding the characters and their growth. Such a wonderful book of Magical Realism and warmth.

This is my favorite genre....magical realism....I loved the development of characters and the sense of mystery. The family 'gifts' of Sight....always so interesting. I can hardly wait for Heather Webber's next book.

Having spent almost her entire life on the run with her con artist mother, the one thing Emme Wynn longs for is family. Having never known any sort of stability, and being put in situations no child should ever have to endure, it was no great loss when she and her mother parted ways when Emme turned 18. So when her estranged grandmother tracks her down out of the blue and extends a job offer—helping to run her booth at an open-air marketplace in small-town Sweetgrass, Alabama—Emme is hopeful that she’ll finally be able to plant the roots she’s always dreamed of. Cora Bee Hazelton keeps herself busy with volunteering, gardening, her job as a color consultant and designer, and just about anything she can do to keep her mind off her painful past, a past that has resulted in her holding most everyone at arm’s length. The last thing she wants is to let someone in and then let herself get hurt. But when she’s injured, she has no choice other than to let people into her life and soon realizes it’s going to be impossible to keep her heart safe—or her secrets hidden. In the magical neighborhood garden in the middle of Hickory Lane, Emme and Cora Bee learn some hard truths about the past and themselves, the value of friends, family, and community, and most importantly, that true growth starts from within.
I love this author's books. They are the perfect combination of women's fiction, a dash of mystery and just a sprinkling of fantasy ,mixed in to make the story magical. The characters all seem like someone you might know, if you live in the south. I loved Emme and Cora Bee, in fact I loved all of the characters, well except for Emme's mother and I am not sure who could love her. This is perfect for anyone who just loves a good story. I highly recommend it!