Picnic in Someday Valley is the second book in the Honey Creek series, but it can be read as a standalone story. this story has three couples dealing with different issues: Texas Ranger Colby McBride and Honey Creek's mayor, Piper Mackenzie; Pecos Smith, Honey Creek's emergency dispatcher and his wife Kerrie; Marcie Latimer an outcast and singer and rancher and ex-military Brand Rodgers. Will these three couples find love in Honey Creek?

I enjoyed Breakfast at the Honey Creek Café and was looking forward to catching up with the characters and seeing what else was happening. There is always some crime and danger in these books, but the psychopath was not expected. He details what he wants to do to Marcie, and I think those details could have been left out. I really enjoy the characters in this series. Each book adds new ones and you get to see what life in Honey Creek is like for many of it's residents. Marcie is a great character. Even though she is a victim at the beginning, her strength, resilience and brains enable her to become more than she thought she could be. The romance is wonderful. I love Happily Ever Afters, and this book has more than one. We also meet Jesse, father of three whose wife died giving birth to their last child and Adalee who looks after her young teenage sister Star and runs the local bakery. I am hoping the next book will be their story. If you like books with community, friendship, new beginnings, romance and some danger and intrigue, then pick up Picnic in Someday Valley, or better yet, the Honey Creek series.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. The book was entertaining. It is one of those books that has drama and stories from different people around a small town. I enjoyed it and if you like that type of Novel you might want to check this one out.

I love books written by Jodi Thomas and this one did not disappoint! i loved it tremendously!! This was a great book!

This one was a struggle to read. It was very difficult for me to keep up with so many story lines and keep the characters straight. I thought the villain was horrendous. I don't know. I expected so much more from this author. Just not her best work.

Diving into the second book in the Honey Creek series, Picnic in Someday Valley explored more of the underdogs of what I thought from the first book.

After reading Breakfast at Honey Creek Cafe, I just feel it scratched the surface. This book really got into the their lives. Actually, I didn't want to let go and stop reading.

We revisit Piper and Colby. To be honest, I like Piper but don't love her. I really hope we see in the future that she can appreciate what a gem Colby is. I know with her family history and position with the town, she has to be a certain kind of way, but she needs to open her eyes to what;s in front of her. The fact that he turned his back not his heart off despite all that he has experiences with her. They left off in a good place, we'll see what happens.

I really love the storyline with Pecos and Kerri. You really get to know them more in this book. The maturity of the relationship and real life influencing their lives makes their story engaging and worth rooting for. Pecos is such an underdog. Seeing his evolution was worth the read. I'll admit, I wasn't fond of Kerri at first but she grew on me in this book.

I was really surprised to see Marcie. So glad we get to see her story unfold. I was on the fence in the first book how I felt about her but she is an example of not to judge a book by its cover. We see her get a second chance in life. Just a disclaimer, there is a part of her storyline that might be uncomfortable but relevant to people like her. I really love seeing where she was to what makes up her life now.

Even though there is some cross elements of Honey Creek, we get to know more of Somewhere Valley. Overall, I really felt this one gave me so much more of the characters. I enjoyed reading this one. I felt page turn worthy in terms of wanting to know more of them and what was going to happen. This was a good transition into the second book between Honey Creek and Someday Valley. I'm looking forward to Dinner on Primrose Hill and what it will bring.

Loved reading this book and author. She has some amazing books. Hope you enjoy this book more 😊 happy reading.

Jodi Thomas is my favorite Texas author. This is the 2nd book in the Honey Creek Series. I feel reading the series in order. I enjoyed the first book, Breakfast at the Honey Creek Café and wanted to know more of others characters side of events. I was not disappointed. Definitely will read the next book also.

I throughly enjoyed this book! I didn’t want to put it down! I would definitely recommend this book!

When I think of literary fiction, I think of books just like this one, that gives all the feels and can satisfies just about every reader's heart. This is a perfect books to snuggle up with on any day.

Picnic in Someday Valley continues the Honey Creek series with more about the couples we fell in love with during Breakfast at the Honey Cafe plus a bit more for other residents of this unique small town. I’ll always recommend reading in order if you can for any series, yet the Honey Creek series does build on what happened in the previous story (stories) so that’s just a tidbit of information that you can do what you wish with, you won’t be lost but you will understand what happened a bit better, in my opinion.

In some ways, my heart broke for several residents, Marcie in particular. She had the bad luck of falling for a jerk who did major damage and she’s still paying, in some ways, for his actions. Yet, it was such fun watching her learn how to defend herself while falling for the man who would keep her safe if she’d allow it. Other relationships are going through road bumps along the way and one lesson learned the hard way is talking to each other, listening as well is just as important as the sizzle in the sheets. And young love is overshadowed by a new baby and impossible schedules as two young lovers find their way a bit closer to each other through the tough, exhausting hours. Oh, and the dream lovers… I cannot wait for this romance to really explode.

Yep, vague bits and pieces of the stories within Picnic in Someday Valley… but this one will be better enjoyed if you experience it firsthand for yourself. I love this author and her storytelling style – you’ll get all you need, a few happy for now endings, some mystery, a whole lot of love going on in this small town with couples you cannot help but cheer on as they work their ways to those happy endings. I had a blast back in this world, and if you love a good romance with interesting people and unusual circumstances, then you’ll want to pick this one up, soon.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

I always read and review Jodi Thomas as soon as I get my hands on a copy. I always review on other platforms but always forget to review here. This book was awesome!

This Author was new to me. I enjoyed the small town setting of this book & the charming characters. I will be reading the other books in this series.

Picnic in Someday Valley by Jodi Thomas
Subgenre: small town romance
Release date: 27 Apr 2021
Publisher: Random House US
Format: ebook and print
Length: 336 pages
RRP: $13.74 (ebook); $28.75 (print)

This book continues from Breakfast at the Honey Creek Café, the previous book. The story threads are typical of Ms Thomas as she relates the continued story of Peco and Kerrie, Piper and Colby, and the reader is able to discover what happens next in their journey. But we also have the addition of Marcie and Brand, and Alabee and Jesse. Two new couples. One event takes place that brings the town together.

The previously known couple are at different places. Peco and Kerrie are married. Kerrie is due to have the baby, soon. Their story in this book details Peco’s feelings towards Kerrie and what happens after the baby. Peco is settled in his new job—deputy sheriff—and takes charge of the emergency line during a very trying time for the community. He shines. When the baby comes, and after a medical emergency (I won’t say at this stage who it was), Peco finds his life changed.

Piper and Colby are in an interesting place. As a Texas Ranger, Colby only seems to come in on the weekend and then leaves on Monday, or he is late due to crime happening. Piper is not sure if Colby is really into their relationship, and Colby is trying to figure out where it might be going wrong and why Piper has lost interest.

Then Brand turns up to save Marcie. She lives in a trailer park and is accosted by a group of drunken men. Brand beats a couple of them but one of these men vows revenge on Marcie. Marcie is trying to turn her life around after she was shamed by her former flame (Bowie in the previous book). Marcie is the very wary type and can’t believe Brand would be interested in someone like her. But Brand has his own secretive background. Colby discovers who Brand is and he is known as a ghost and fixer in policing and security. And in the end, he gets his man.

The next story thread is Jesse and Alabee. Jesse is a widower. He has three children. He is a farm worker. During the day his children are cared for by his mother and his mother-in-law. Jesse has a secret. He is always in the bakery ordering treats he doesn’t really need but wants to see Alabee. When the community is in trouble, Jesse is a key player as he has the space to look after the horses. This also means some extra income for his family. He also takes on Alabee’s younger sister when she decides to hide in his car when she runs away. She only gets as far as his farm, but he is then able to convince her to stay and learn about caring for horses. This brings Jesse and Alabee together.

I know that I have said this many a time about reading a Jodi Thomas book—I love them. I love the characters. I love the town atmosphere. I love the continuing storyline and I wouldn’t say that about all the books I read. Ms Thomas is just a master at weaving the storylines and developing characters that you fall in love with.

reviewed by Heather

A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher.

Picnic in Someday Valley (A Heartwarming Texas Love Story) by Jodi Thomas
Publisher: Kensington Books
Genre: Romance | Women's Fiction
Publication Date: April 27, 2021

Picnic in Someday Valley by Jodi Thomas is the second book in the Honey Creek series.

This heartwarming romance is set in small town Texas and I am here for it! Since I moved to Texas 2 years ago, I am always looking for the books that are about what I imagined living in a small town would be like. (My town is nothing like the ones in the books...it is even smaller and less quaint.)

This book was wonderful! I loved the characters and the storyline. I truly could not put this book down, I was hooked from the start!

I look forward to reading the other books in this series, as well as the other books written by the author!

I'm so grateful to Jodi Thomas, Kensington Books, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this ARC ebook in exchange for my honest review.

This is the second book in the Honey Creek series. You can read it as a standalone but I love seeing the continuing characters in the series. I enjoyed this story. It had three different romance stories that were interesting. I would recommend.

I always look forward to a new book from Jodi Thomas. Picnic in Someday Valley You'll find my complete review by following the link below.

I loved that this book has several stories into one. It was refreshing. Sweet and cute read. Just a delight.

There are several story lines in this book, with each chapter switching to a different one. Too many, in my opinion, and they made the book very disjointed. I found myself skipping chapters to try to get some continuity with one or two of them. Also, really disliked the graphic violence and menace. This is the first Jodi Thomas book that I couldn't read all of it. I pre-ordered it months ago. Very disappointing.

My goodness!
This was great!!
So many intertwining stories woven into one novel. They all take place in Honey Creek.
I loved it!
I can't wait for the next book!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Picnic in Someday Valley by Jodi Thomas is the second book in the Honey Creek romance series. This can be read as a stand alone, but you will want to read the first book to follow the characters. This book has a romance with three couples, Piper and Colby, Pecos and Kerrie, and Marcie and Brand. I enjoyed this book with it’s many stories.
I hope there are more books in this series! I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kensington Books through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.