If you have been following my blog for awhile, it will come as no surprise as to how much I love reading Carolyn Brown! THE STRAWBERRY HEARTS DINER is exactly why. Carolyn pulls on my heart strings with each and every story, making me feel as if she is writing just for me! Each character has their moments with insight and so much heart. THE STRAWBERRY HEARTS DINER will surely touch the reader’s heart. Carolyn’s writing is effortless and the storytelling is enchanting. The reader will feel like they could step into the story and be right at home.

THE STRAWBERRY HEARTS DINER centers around four strong, independent women who are all related either by blood or friendship. All these women are at different ages and different stages in their life, living in the small town of Pick, Texas. Jancy stops to visit her grandmother’s resting place at the cemetery. Pick, TX is a very small community where everyone knows everyone and most everything about them. She used to live here once, but never thought she’d be back. Her car gives out in the parking lot of the Strawberry Hearts Diner. Destiny, fate? Whatever it was, it was a turning point in her life… turning out to be the best thing that ever happened to her. Unwavering friendship is the tie that binds these characters to the reader! The characters find their solace in each other’s unwavering loyalty to one another. Difficult topics, heart aching trials, knowing when to let go and never losing hope is written in such a way that the circumstances just come to life.

Carolyn Brown really shows her readers her talent for writing romance but mixing in everything that life can throw at you. She shows you that family doesn’t necessarily have to be a blood relation. She writes about four very complex characters that meshed and bonded through their experiences. Their journey through life was intense. THE STRAWBERRY HEARTS DINER is a gently-paced, heartwarming story that leaves the reader well-satisfied and not in the least bit anxious for it to end. There are laughter and a few tears, fun times and some heartache, but a wonderful story when all was said and done. Those who enjoy country charm and a contemporary romance/women’s fiction crossover should definitely read THE STRAWBERRY HEARTS DINER.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.

At first I've picked up Strawberry Hearts Diner because there is the word strawberry in the title, there are strawberries on the cover and I love strawberries a lot. Everything on the outside is so pretty and colourful but when you begin to read it you realize the story on the pages is pretty good too and the characters add a lot of layers and colours.

This is the story of four women, Nettie, Vicky, Emily and Jancy, they are different from each other and at different stages of their lives, one of them wants to go back home, one wants to find her home and all of them feel at home at the diner, because often home is not just a place but a person, or a group, who appreciate you as you are.

I've really liked this book, I'm gonna read more works written by Carolyn Brown for sure.

What a fascinating book. I was impressed by the storyline and the characters were all well written and complex. Where there are complex storylines combined with intriguing characters the reader experience is magnified tremendously. To have a book that is well written as well as entertaining is a delight. Reading is about escaping your world and entering another one. The word building was phenomenal in this book. Here I forgot about my own life and was immersed in the world created by the author. I would recommend this book.

Jancy never expected to end up in Pick, Texas but she's found a life and happiness there- until...This is one of those it takes a village reads complete with romance. A good read.

I haven't read any of Carolyn Brown's books before and this book has definitely added her to my favorite author list! This was a sweet contemporary romance set in a small town. But this isn't just a romance alone, it also focuses on friendships and finally finding a place to belong!

Lovely story by Carolyn Brown. Really heartwarming, touching and humorous. Highly recommend to others.

The Strawberry Hearts Diner is another delightful story by Carolyn Brown. Nettie and Vicky are the co-owners of the diner in Pick, Texas. They are looking for help and help falls into their laps. Jancy Wilson is on her way to New Orleans, but stops in Pick to visit her grandmother's grave. As she stops to get gas and something to eat, her car goes up in flames. With little cash and no way out of town she sees the help wanted sign, and ends up employed at The Strawberry Hearts Diner. When others in town find out that Jancy is back (her family moved when she was in highschool) and working at the diner, many come and welcome her with open arms.Carolyn Brown does a wonderful job of creating the wonderful town of Pick. This town is small but mighty. Everyone pulls together when it is for the best of the town and the people who live there. I loved the descriptions of the town and some of their activities like Sunday School at different times at the two churches so the kids could attend both classes. When Carlton Wolfe comes to town trying to buy up all the land to build houses, and possibly swindle people, the town closes rank and sends him packing. Of course that means an opportunity for a whole town potluck and picnic. The main characters, Nettie (70 year old grandma stand in), Vicki (40 year old single mom), Emily (Vicki's daughter) and Jancy are all strong, smart, loyal, and feisty women. I loved how they treated one another and became a family even if they were not blood related. The men in their lives were also wonderful and when you throw in a few quirky small town residents, I wanted to head off to Pick and meet all of them. They made me smile, laugh and even cry a bit.While this book has romance and relationship issues, there is more to the story than that. It is about family, faith, love and finding your own happiness. There are second chances and acceptance all rolled together to produce a wonderful story. I will definitely watch for more books by Carolyn Brown.

The Strawberry Hearts Diner was delightful! I enjoyed the friendships that were portrayed and the way the people of the community of Pick, Texas were all so close. The story starts with young Jancy being stranded in Pick one day as she is on her way to Louisiana. She begins working at the Strawberry Hearts Diner and gets to know the others who work there and the other people of the community. She forms close friendships with the other women. Jancy becomes torn between continuing her original plan of moving on or staying put in Pick to live. The characters are all enjoyable and fun. It seems as if everyone knows everyone else in Pick. The story is refreshing and full of romance and humor. Author Carolyn Brown also includes yummy food throughout the pages of the story!

**My thanks to NetGalley and Montlake Romance, for providing me with a free copy for an honest review**

I really enjoyed this book and it follows characters in Pick, Texas when a woman who lived in the town for years breaks down on her way to her cousin.

Jancy has not had an easy life, but the moment that she returns to Pick, her life takes a one-eighty. She gets a good job, a place to live, friends and a family that take her into their lives and hearts.

The story does focuses on four women all at different stages in their lives. Nettie the matriarch and Vicky the mum who co-own the diner along with Emily the daughter who moves back home and Jancy.

With a little mystery and a few plot twits along the way it was a satisfying story that leaves you feeling happy at the end.

I feel in love with The Strawberry Hearts Diner from the very first page. Pick Texas is a place that I would love to move to & be a part of. The characters are so unique & their stories are so special. When the book is over your heart is a little lighter & life looks a bit brighter

I hope that there will be more books set in Pick Texas

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

Engaging from the first page. Not a sappy love story but a look into what fate could bring. All character's voices are clear (some deeper than others) multi generational, interesting, suprising and emotional. My favorite piece of dialogue is concerning the cemetery clean up between Ryder and Wolff. Anyone who has ever lived in a small town can relate

My review can be seen at RT Book Reviews.

I really enjoyed this book. I liked how Everyone Rallied around Jancy even though she hadn't lived there for several years. It was nice seeing her let her guard down little by little. You will want to read this book. But once you pick it up you won't want to put it down.

Thank you netgalley and Montlake Romance for allowing me to read this book for an honest review.

I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly I became invested in the characters in this sweet romance. Jancy Wilson wasn't planning on staying in Pick, Texas after visiting her grandmother's grave. But after her car actually bursts into flames, a help wanted sign in a nearby diner seems heaven sent. The diner is run by longtime friends Nettie and Vicky, who along with Vicky's daughter Emily round out the strong female characters in this story. I liked how the sweet romance developed between Jancy and Shane, and how the wonderful characters in this small town banded together against outside developers.

How can you not love a Carolyn Brown book? It's impossible. This book is no different. It's small town life at it's finest. When Jancy finds herself stuck in Pick, Texas she decides to take a job at the Strawberry Hearts Diner where strawberry tarts aren't the only sweet thing.

Charming tale of small-town life and how when things seem impossible you can always find a helping hand in town full of sweet folks and simple times.

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?

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This is book that just warmed my heart as it shows how our past shapes us but doesn’t need to define us. And it features four strong women of three different generations. I really liked Jancy, Emily, Vicky and Nettie. They are willing to stand up for themselves and their town. I also liked the town of Pick and the chance to meet the townspeople. Pick has a strong identity for such a small burg because of those folks and their traditions.

Now as you can tell, I very much enjoyed my time in Pick and Ms. Brown has done a wonderful job with the pacing, the descriptions and the dialogue. It was wonderful to watch the characters change and grow. My only issue at all is the fact that there is a lot of head hopping. And often with no warning leaving the reader floundering for a few seconds try to decipher just which of the women is thinking or talking.

I do think that my readers would very much enjoy THE STRAWBERRY HEARTS DINER if they enjoy contemporary romance set in a small town. I am really hoping that this was just the first book in a series.

** I received this book at no charge from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions expressed within are my own.

Jancy Wilson did not expect to be in pick Texas. She was there once for a bit as a child with her parents who did not stay in one place for a long time at all. She also remembered that her grandmother was from Pick so maybe one day she could come back after she goes to her cousins’ home in Louisiana. The problem is as she is thinking though things her car begins to smoke and she realizes that it is on fire. Now with no ride or job, she finds one at the strawberry diner. She also finds her long last crush from when she was younger when he comes to tow her wreck away. Nettie and Vicki who own the diner give her a job and a place to stay and when Vicki’s daughter comes home from college Jancy and Emily become friends something that she does not remember from when she was younger. Overall a good story about small town and people coming to the aide of someone. I liked all of the little touches of the story of her remembering her mother and reading the letters that she had kept which added to Jancy’s story. Overall a good book.

This little book packs a powerful punch with our emotions. Love, friendship and loyalty can help us overcome every adversity life can deal out. 'Ms Brown tells this story beautifully. It was hard to put it down for the night.

Absolutely loved this book. Great relationships between strong female characters. I will be recommending this book for book club.

Loved it! Small town, family friends, relationships and Love! Carolyn Brown makes books come to life. Well written, believable characters, but most of all so much fun!!