Title: Spilling the Tea
Author: Brenda Jackson
Publisher: Harlequin & Canary Street Press
Publish Date: April 1, 2025
Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 3.8/5
Spice: 🌶 🌶 🌶 2.5/5
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 350
Format: 📖 🎧
Narrator: Ron Butler

First, I would like to thank Netgally and Harlequin for providing me with this Arc as it was such a joy to read. I also would love to give Brenda Jackson a standing ovation as this marked her 150th published novel. Even though this was my first read book from her collection. I learned so much about her in such a short time.

I never knew she was the first African-American Romance Author to make the USA Today and New York Times Best Sellers List. This is huge and such an accomplishment as she paved the way for some of my favorite African-American Romance Authors.

I appreciated how the story started off with a breakdown (recap) or the other books in the series and how mamma Laverne came to be known as the Madaris Matriarch. She is quite the match maker and has had a 100% success rate. There was even a family tree to show how everyone was connecting. I have never seen this in a romance novel before. You usually see this more so in Fantasy so I thought her attention to detail was so iconic.

The story begins with us learning about Zoey Pritchard. When she was eight she experienced a traumatic event being in a car accident that ended the lives of her parents leaving her as the lone survivor. This also left Zoey with memory loss as she was unable to remember anything prior to the accident. She then was sent to live with her great aunt whom refused to speak about her parents or the accident leaving Zoey with so many questions as she consistently has been having the same dream over and over ever since. This was when I knew there would be ground breaking secrets that could change the course of everything.

Chance is introduced as heartless as he has sworn off relationships as his previous relationship ended with his fiancé running off and marrying someone else. He is content with being single and enjoying life until his ex-fiance' comes back into town with the mission of getting him back.

Zoey is new in town as Mama Laverne has been helping her get a fresh start. All is fair in love and war as Zoey catches the eye of Chance. Grief, Healing, Uncovered Secrets, Love, and Family drive this rollercoaster of emotions home. I hope you read this novel and enjoy it as much as I did.

The concept and book blurb drew me in from the start. I really enjoyed the authors writing style. I loved that there was a family chart within the start. This was my first time seeing this. In the beginning getting to know Chance’s history, more about Mama Laverne’s gifts - it was really enjoyable. However, I got lost in the middle between the characters, the back and forth, it was moving so so slooow and I couldn’t get back the story. There was a lot going on. I couldn’t finish it.

Mama Laverne, matriarch of the Madaris family, has a one hundred percent rate of finding matches for her many great grandchildren. Some of those great grandchildren have proved more challenging than others, like Chance who was injured in Iraq, and plans to stay off of Laverne’s matchmaking list. He’s vowed to be done with love, until a stranger shows up looking for answers about a tragedy during her childhood. Zoey is an orthopedic surgeon, who has no memories of her first eight years, but she finds a link to the ranch that Chance owns and wants to find answers that could help her regain her memory. Chance and Zoey have an immediate connection, but there are secrets that only Mama Laverne knows, that could definitely get in the way of the feelings between the two of them.

Spilling the Tea is my first read by Brenda Jackson. I really enjoyed the multi-generational storyline and family drama. Jackson does a great job writing characters you love and characters you hate. There is a lot of heartbreak caused by a feud that started between the Madaris and Satterfield families that goes back five generations.

Zoey is a likable character, and I enjoyed the storyline of her coming to the Madaris ranch to find the answers she’s been looking for her whole life. She and Chance have an insta-attraction, but deal with some issues along the way due to Chance’s past with a failed engagement.

I enjoyed the dual timeline, with the focus on Zoey in the present, while the past timeline reveals what happened between the two families and how Mama Laverne came to be the Madaris matriarch. Both timelines tell a story of tragedy, lies, heartache, and manipulative people.

I did feel like there were too many characters named that didn’t serve any purpose, and it took away from the focus of the story, for me. I understand that the Madaris family is a large one, but I just felt like so many characters being mentioned was confusing and that the story would have worked better without so many family members being named.

If you love family stories that include past secrets, family loyalties, and insta-love romance, then I would definitely recommend Spilling the Tea.

Brenda does it again! This book was a breath of fresh air. From the first page to the last I laughed, swooned, and wished I was apart of this story. If you’ve read any of her other works then you know exactly how amazing her stories are. Pick this one up. You won’t regret it.

This book was just ok in my opinion. A light and cute romance.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

I was invested in reading this as I love Brenda Jackson and her writing. She can definitely tell a great love story. But this one fell flat for me.
There are entirely too many Madaris characters to keep up with and I got lost.
When we focused on Chance and Zoey I was good. But I think this story mentions the Madaris crew way too much for my liking.

A heartwarming story filled with romance, mystery and family.

This story centers around Chance, Zoey and Mama Laverne. Chance and Zoey do not get off on the right foot so their romance is very much dislike to lovers. Both have been through hardships and it was nice to see them working on themselves. The romance is very sweet and lovely. Mama Laverne was a hoot. Her matchmaking schemes were delightfully fun.

If you're in the mood for a feel-good romance with a dash of mystery, I would recommend this one.

Hail to the Queen of Romancelandia, Brenda Jackson! SPILLING THE TEA is the 150th book of her stellar career. Her first book was TONIGHT AND FOREVER that introduced us to the Madaris family. SPILLING THE TEA reunites us with the family and highlights the Grand Matriarch, ninety-something- year-old Mama Felicia Laverne. Believe me, fans, there is plenty of tea to be spilled. The Madaris family member taking center stage is Chancellor “Chance” Madaris, owner of Teakwood Ridge a two-hundred acre ranch. Chance has had some serious challenges in his life that affected how he lived his life. You will discover those challenges when you read the story. One, in particular, involves a woman by the name of Ravena Boyle. Put a pin right there.
SPILLING THE TEA also follows the unlikely romance between Chance Madaris and Dr. Zoey Pritchard. Zoey is in Houston to learn about her family, a family that she has no memory of. Zoey’s family is the same family who was involved in a bitter feud with the Madaris family in the early 1950’s. You’ll get it when you read this engrossing story that is complicated, jaw-dropping and full of ah-hah moments.
One of the best features of this story is being with the Madaris family and their friends. Jake and his nephews will come to the rescue of their beloved Mama Felicia Laverne, and Alex Maxwell’s investigative skills will place the final pin in the Madaris-Satterfield scandal. The Epilogue houses a wonderful HEA for Chance and Zoey. That’s not all…. Mama Felicia Laverne, the forever matchmaker, makes a prediction about Alex and Christy’s daughter and one of the triplet sons of Ashton and Netherland Sinclair. Stay tuned!
I loved this story! It is a real page turner as more and more of the intense feud between the Satterfield family and the Madaris family is revealed. SPILLING THE TEA is a must read!

Oh man, what is there to say? Mama Laverene is clearly still running the show in this family and they do not dare to not bend to her wishes. Zoey is looking to find the answers to her forgotten past, Chance has never quite emotionally recovered from being injured in the military. Can these 2 break down their walls and find love?
This book was everything! I am hoping there will be more with this cast of characters.

Spilling the Tea is a heartwarming and engaging romance that perfectly blends family drama, mystery, and undeniable chemistry. With a meddling yet lovable matchmaker, a hero who has overcome adversity, and a heroine on a journey of self-discovery, this novel delivers everything fans of emotional, character-driven love stories crave.

Chancellor "Chance" Madaris has defied the odds after being told he’d never walk again, thanks in part to his indomitable great-grandmother, Mama Laverne—who also happens to have a perfect track record in matchmaking. Meanwhile, Zoey Pritchard arrives in Houston searching for answers about her past, uncovering a long-buried family scandal that leads her straight to Chance. Their instant attraction is tangled with tension and reluctance, but as Zoey pieces together the truth about her parents, she and Chance find themselves drawn together in ways neither expected.

The novel’s mix of romance and mystery keeps the pages turning, and Mama Laverne’s well-intentioned interference adds charm and humor to the story. The chemistry between Chance and Zoey crackles, making their slow-burn romance all the more satisfying. With compelling family dynamics, a touch of fate, and just the right amount of drama, Chance of a Lifetime is a delightful read for romance lovers who enjoy love stories with depth and heart.

Spilling the Tea is a spectacular addition to the Madaris family series. Chancellor (Chance) Madaris and Zoey Pritchard are kindred spirits who don't realize when they first meet how much they have in common. As the story unfolds we get to know Chance and Zoey and also learn more about the Madaris family history. The story takes us through what is happening in the present and also revisits the past as we learn how past actions are still impacting present events. I didn't want to stop reading as it seemed with every new chapter more secrets were uncovered and tea spilled. Mama Laverne continues to surprise and amaze I highly recommend this book for all lovers of romance, mysteries and how history impacts the present. .

I really thought I was going to love this one more than I did. I thought the summary was interesting, the writing is easy to get into, but plot got slow and I struggled to keep the story straight because my eyes would wander. This is a story I might try to pick up again later

I really loved this story, cover to cover. The characters are real, with lots of personality and well developed. The plot seemed simple on the onset, but had lots of depth, full of secrets, lies, romance, family, and self discovery. Highly recommend for all readers looking for a great story.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The story flowed well and the characters were well developed. I recommend this book and look forward to more from this author.


****Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review****

‘Spilling the Tea’ by Brenda Jackson reads like a Harlequin romance novel. Many characters and past events mentioned that made it somewhat confusing and especially difficult to follow the story line. Unfortunately not a story for me.

This is a novel that reads like a soap opera. There were far too many characters and family member names dropped. It didn't add to the plot and actually weighed things down.. The romance aspect ran from typical Harlequin to borderline crude. I was glad to finally have gotten through the book. I don't really recommend it. unless you are a fan of romance novels that tend toward rose-colored trite plots sprinkled with PG as well as R sex.

An excellent read for any and all readers! Author comes at you with both barrels and knocks you out of your shoes! Great job fleshing out all the characters. I give this book FIVE stars! Definitely recommend!

I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet and heartwarming romance. The story centers around Chance Madaris, who defies the odds after being told he'd never walk again, and Zoey Pritchard, a woman searching for answers about her past. Chance's great-grandmother, Mama Laverne, plays a significant role in bringing them together with her matchmaking skills, though it's clear Chance isn't thrilled about being a part of her plans.
The chemistry between Chance and Zoey is undeniable, as they experience both intense dislike and attraction from the moment they meet. I loved watching their relationship evolve, especially with the added mystery of Zoey's past. The mix of romance, family dynamics, and a little bit of intrigue makes for a delightful read. Mama Laverne's meddling only added to the charm, and it made for an entertaining, feel-good story that was a pleasure to read.

Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Canary Street Press for the ARC and opportunity to provide an honest review.

Love Brenda Jackson’s books and this one just might be my favorite! This is the perfect book full of nostalgia to cozy up with. My favorite characters and I think I’ll be getting the audio to this one as well.

this was a cute book! I like that this grand mother has a mission to get her grandchildren all paired up before she passes away. She is determined to mke it work, and the family dynamic is cute!

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!