Sunday at the Sunflower Inn by Jodi Thomas is a feel-good romance, totally clean. I love Thomas' romances. The characters are always widely disparate and there are usually three or more stories going on at once; sometimes they meet at intersections, sometimes not. This story is typical: McCoy Mason has had a bad month. He crashed his car and was in the hospital for three weeks; his girlfriend took the moving van and his stuff back to Georgia; and the job couldn't wait. Now he had a couple hundred bucks, no car, no job, nowhere to sleep. He had a grandfather he'd never met in Honey Creek. Why not? He couldn't be worse off than he was. His grandfather was a crusty old guy, but they got along. He met the local vet one night. She dropped off medication for Pops' donkeys when she could, saving him the trip. She also subbed for the local doctor when he was away, and vice versa. Mr Winston was a great old guy, 67, who decided he'd like to be engaged. He came in to the Honey Creek Cafe once a month with three ladies, walked them home, dropping two of them first and then travelled on with Miss Lilly Lamb, who had been the pharmacy assistant for 43 years before she retired. He asked her if she's like to be engaged, and she said yes, but there would have to be some rules. And so it went, everybody moving at their own pace.

It is a story about lonely people, families split apart, young love and elderly love, fairies and donkeys, and rude developers. Whatever kind of story you are looking for, you will find it in this book. People nearly die, are thought to be dead, and anticipate death after a long life. It is a heart-warming book full of feels and desires to kick someone's behind.; sometimes the same person. I love Thomas' books. They are so clear-cut and free of nonsense. Reading it will make your day. It's perfect.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Sunday at the Sunflower Inn by Kensington, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #kensington #jodithomas #sundayatthesunflowerinn

This is a 5 star read, very well written and interesting. The characters seem real and well described, I am sure thast most people will love this book.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this e ARC

I want to move to Honey Creek...

It's one of my favorite places to return to. It feels like a step back to a quieter time even though the stories are set now and their problems are still complex. And, as usual, there were not just one situation and set of lovebirds in this novel. Each plot line was unique, featuring a variety of characters, and all coming together to intertwine…

Jam was living her dream even as she felt her other wishes and hopes were going to go unfulfilled. Until a handsome, cranky stranger landed on her doorstep, that is. Tucson was a man passing through, cranky as anything, and shouldn’t have been what she was looking for. This was Honey Creek though and anything was possible…

McCoy had his own problems, including the loss of everything he’d hoped would be his fresh start. Finding family was unexpected, shocking and welcome. Sort of. Baylor became his helpmate, his love, and more family to cherish… Mike and Melanie were young, finding and navigating first love through family determined to keep them apart. Charles and Lily provided a touching glimpse into love in older age, providing an old-fashioned view of courtship that didn’t hide the devotion that lay beneath…

A mystery pulled them all together yet love was the glue. Another sweet, gentle and completely absorbing read filled with wonderful characters in a place I could only hope was real…

Sunday at Sunflower Inn by Jodi Thomas is a terrific story. There are actually three stories going on in or near the small town of Honey Creek. All are well written and are intertwined in this small town. The story is full of romance, laughter, and a bit of suspense. This author is a terrific storyteller, and I look forward to reading more of her books in the future.
Thank to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my review.

This book tell the story of Mike and Melanie, Jam and Tucson, McCoy and Baylor and Mr Winston and Lily. I love the story of Mr Winston and Lily the most. Love to see how they explore the one side that they haven’t done. Their story are just too sweet to read :)

As the same with earlier books, this book has several storylines and the character will flow into one at the end of the book. It also have a mystery and I love how the people in Honey Creek came together to solve it. Overall, I love the way the author bring together stories from different characters at different stage in life.

This is the 4th book in the Honey Creek series. Though I have not read the previous books, I had no issue reading this as a standalone read.
Sunday at the Sunflower Inn is certainly a character driven story! You follow the life’s of four different couples that eventually intersect.
There are many laugh out loud moments, many sad moments and many uplifting moments.
A beautifully written story about friendships, family and relationships.
I truly fell in love with all the characters.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I have enjoyed all of Jodi Thomas’ contemporary and historical novels, and this one did not disappoint. Her stories are so character driven, and I love then all! I am giving this 4 stars because there were some slow spots in the plot for me.

Susan F's reviewApr 11, 2022 · edit
really liked it

When I started reading this book I thought it would be one of the rare ones I refuse to read. I thought I had picked out a story that was going to be filled the kind of descriptive action that makes me feel like a voyeur. (I was wrong, it is not!) Are there sexual relationships in the book? Yes, but they are, for the most part, 'off camera. Off page? So to speak.' Thank you author. There are sensual portions to the character's stories, written in good taste.
The entire book is well written and magnetic. When the potential mystery of a murder took place I was hooked. There are stories within the story that swirl around one another until it all blends together reflecting what life in a small town can be like. I laughed right out loud more that once at these richly detailed characters. Also felt emotion for them too. I can say I actually found that I cared about the characters, all of them, which is a nice surprise. I have to say I loved how the author had each character tell their story, even to showing the view point of each man. I appreciate that. It made everything more interesting. I also appreciate an author who has intelligent humor, descriptive writing and the ability to tell a story without using crass language.
I want to thank Zebra Books and NetGalley for the advanced reader's copy of this book. My rating is a 4.5 and I would definitely read more of Jodi Thomas' work.
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Sunday at the Sunflower Inn is the fourth book in the Honeycreek series and a slice of quintessential, small town southern fiction. This story follows four couples, of a variety of ages and personalities, and their individual stories. Each couple’s journey eventually comes together to complete a cohesive, heartwarming story.

This charming story has southern colloquialisms, a descriptive setting with a shared closeness of small town community, humorous commentary, a little mystery and a lot of romance with heartfelt everyday life issues. This story can be read as a standalone, but is best read in order as a series for a deeper connection to the other characters, town and shared history.

Thank you to NetGalley and Zebra Books for the digital advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Once again the author adds another great story to the Honey Creek series. Her characters come alive and it's amazing that there are actually 4 love stories happening at once. Alternating each chapter with a different couple's story might sound disjointed, but somehow it works, and magically I might add. It also lends itself to these characters appearing in future stories.

Jam and Tucson, Melody and Mike, Mr Winston and Lilly, and McCoy and Baylor have their lives unfold before our eyes and it's fun to have a front row seat!

I received a free ARC eBook from Net Galley and the publisher in exchange for my honest opinions.

This is a Women's Fiction/Romance, and this is the fourth book in the Honey Creek series. I have not read the first three books in this series. The author told this book in a weird way for me, and it took me a long while to get used to the way this book was told. There was so much going on and there was way to many storylines going on. This book was several storylines and character that merge into one at the end. I loved the end of this book, and I loved how all the storylines comes together. I do feel that this book felt award when moving for one storyline to the other storyline through out this book. I saw what this author was trying to do, but I guess this type of book is just not for me. This book does have some great characters, and I think I would loved this book so much if each storyline was a whole book of its own. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Zebra Books) or author (Jodi Thomas) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

Loved the interactions with the characters. The mystery and adventure interwoven through the story kept you guessing on who was doing the crimes or not crimes.
Received a copy from Netgalley and leaving a voluntary review.

I enjoyed this book because it was like stepping into a community, and being part of it. The community has different generations, some people that have lived there all their lives, and some that has just arrived. A new sheriff that has just started the job and says nothing ever happened until he became sheriff, so what has happened. There are a lot of things happening in Honey Creek.
There is mystery, intrigue, building relationships, as new people shows up in town, it changes the dynamics. It is learning what small town living is all about.
It had me laughing out loud many times, it had me trying to figure out a mystery, and you just never know what is coming next. I had the time of my life in this town.
I received an ARC from Kensington Books, Zebra, through NetGalley.

The story takes place in a small town called of Honey Creek, TX (think Virgin River vibes)

The author intertwines four very different love stories between (Girl/Boy, Man/Women, Grandfather/Father/Son, Widow/Widower). Jodi Thomas is a smooth storyteller and I loved the way the constant in all the love stories was this little town called Honey Creek.

Each individual story was full of tenderness and warmth and it kept me reading to find out how it all would end.

I enjoyed the chemistry between Jam and Segreant Thomas. The book is a clean read so there are no explicit descriptions of the bedroom scenes. It was fun to read their fun-loving bantering back and forth.

The story is a slow burn which I like, but I wish there would have been a little more steam between McCoy and Baylor.....maybe in the next book?

The young love between Melody and Mike was interesting, but not my favorite part of the story.

The romance between widower, Charles Winston and widow Lily Lambert was just so touching. As someone in middle-age and unmarried, it was heartwarming to read about a romance later in life.....it’s still possible (YAY)!!!

I would enjoy reading separate books about each main character and diving deeper into their lives and what happens after this story ends.

Definitely a made-for-the-movies type of book. Perfect for a Hallmark show. (Fingers crossed)

I highlighted so many sayings/quotes about love while reading Sunday at the Sunflower Inn because they really touched my heart.

I highly recommend it if you want a heartfelt romance with a HEA. So many book couples to love in this one!

Sunday at the Sunflower Inn by Jodi Thomas is a great contemporary romance that is the fourth book in the equally wonderful Honey Creek series. Such a great addition.

I loved this book, and have read all four books thus far. The author does a wonderful job weaving together different couples, threads, and romance stories together into a solid narrative that comes together around one small town in Texas. She brings together stories from different character ages, different stages in life, and different points of view. All of these different situations give us a wide array of sweet stories that come together, wrapping up together perfectly. One does not have to read all the previous books to appreciate and follow along with this one, but they are all so enjoyable, so why not read them all?

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Zebra/Kensington Publishing for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 4/26/22.

A perfect example of contentment is spending a few hours devouring the latest Jodi Thomas book. This story is easy and comforting to read. Four couples come together in the most perfect little town: a young girl and a young soldier; a seasoned soldier and a lonely cafe owner; a down on his luck contractor and a no,frills vet; and finally can older couple who somehow let love pass them by.
The funniest scene is the skinny dipping off the dock; it’s vividly described. Poor Pecos is about to come undone during his first week as sheriff. His older brother Tucson is there to assist
If you don’t fall in love with Thomas’ stories, then there’s something missing from your life..

This book has been on my TBR pile for awhile, but my reason being I haven’t read a book of Jodi Thomas I haven’t loved and this didn’t disappoint. It’s just a long wait for the next book so I held off reading it. Weird? Maybe? But that’s just me and prolonging the enjoyment of a good read. Once again we have several different stories going on, which do all intersect with one another. We have young love, first time in senior love, and few other love stories. There is a mystery that connects all. Overbearing parents, shady business dealings, sweet little “fairies” and grumpy old man who has a few secrets. The small town Texas life isn’t that ideal, murder, runaway, killing of farm animals. A lot packed into one book, great storytelling.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC. I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story. #NetGalley #SundayattheSunflowerInn

I love having the opportunity to walk the streets of Honey Creek again and meet some of the wonderful characters that populate various places.  It's an ensemble cast again, and each character found a place in my heart.

What I really like about the characters who meet each other, or have known each other for awhile, wonderful respecting relationships grow. Romantic relationships of course, but family and neighbours as well.

There is a little bit of mystery, a little bit of suspense and quite a bit of humor. Mix that with the quirky characters and the dry Texas setting, and as a reader I am hooked.

I want to name them all as my favorite character, but each one appealed to me. McCoy might come close as he buses into town, everything gone and a grandfather to meet. To say nothing of the little fairy that lives near his grandfather. Charles Winston and Miss Lily proved to be sweeties, choosing life over vegetating. Tucson and Jessica or Jam as she is known, a pair who find themselves attracted to each other. And a young teen girl and her soldier friend who provide the town with a bit of mystery.

It was all in all a delightful read, reminding the reader that there are good ordinary people out there who can bond together and live life well.

Sunday at the Sunflower Inn is the fourth book in Jodi Thomas’ Honey Creek series. As with other books in this series, there is an unlikely intertwining of characters and events leading to the story’s conclusion.

In this book, four unlikely couples are involved. McCoy Mason has arrived in Honey Creek to seek sanctuary from the grandfather he has never met, Sadler Mason, after a serious accident in Houston cost him a broken leg, a head injury, his fiancé and promised job. A building contractor, McCoy slowly begins renovating his grandfather’s property until those trying to get the Mason land put him back in the hospital under the watchful eye of the lovely Dr. Baylor Blanton.

Jessica Ann Mackenzie, owner of the Honey Creek Cafe, finds a drenched and muddy Sergeant Tucson Smith coming from the Brazos River behind her business on Valentines night. He is in Honey Creek to see his little brother sworn in as sheriff, but ends up there to help investigate the suspected murder of a young soldier.

Teenaged Melody Avondale has led a very sheltered life, always under the thumb of her older professor parents. As her eighteenth birthday approaches, she meets young private Michael Alderton. This leads to a “fake” homicide, a runaway, and a reunion.

Senior citizen Charles H. Winston III has spent much of his adult life caring for the getaway home of his high placed employer. The employer never made it to Honey Creek, but did leave the home to Charles. Charles feels he has had a good life, but now his highlight is the monthly lunch he has with three elder ladies at the Honey Creek Cafe. Miss Lilly Lambert is much like Charles, and he seeks to start a new adventure with Miss Lilly.

This is a delightful, complex, well plotted story! The characters are well drawn and the little town of Honey Creek seems a step back in time. The interweaving of these characters and the small differences one may make, and how it leads to a change in things for another is a fine example of how such real moments in everyday life work. I very much enjoyed this book and look forward to the next in the series. I do recommend this book!

Jodi Thomas never fails me when she writes a new Honey Creek novel. This series has become so dear to my heart. With a town full of lovely people, it's picturesque qualities, and romantic settings, Honey Creek is a place one could easily call home. Every character and their stories brought something special to the story. Jam and Tucson both so lonely, but not knowing just how vital each would be to the other. Mel and Mike..two young lovers just wanting to have their chance. McCoy's journey to his grandfather he had never known only to realize he would fight tooth and nail to help the old man ward off intruders. Winston and Lilly taking a chance on love when they are so up in age. Both wanting to find something special before time is up. Jodi Thomas brings so much life and uniqueness to each storyline all the while managing to blend them together so seamlessly. I don't see how any reader could not fall in love with this series, it's town, or it's people.