Emme Wynn has been on her own since she was eighteen, her whole life she's wanted to be part of a family and she can’t believe it when her grandmother Glory Wynn tracks her down and invites her to stay with her. She lives in Sweetgrass, Alabama, on Hickory Lane and she needs help running her booth at the Sweetgrass Marketplace.

Cora Bee Hazelton has her own color and consulting design business in Sweetgrass, and she’s Emme’s cousin. Emme and Cora Bee have a lot in common, their hearts have broken in different ways, they cover up the pain of the past, hide it from people and especially Cora Bee who seems like she has everything under control.

When Cara Bee has a run in with a dog, she needs some assistance at home and she asks Emme to stay with her. She will still be able to help her grandmother Glory at home and with the market. Soon Emme realizes that Hickory Lane is one of the busiest and inquisitive places in Alabama, and living on the street are Glory’s close friends and neighbors Nannette, May, Dorothy and her son Chase and James and Alice are newcomers.

The garden in the middle of Hickory Lane is magical, it has a glazing pool and a body sensationally uncovered the day Emme arrives. Through spending time with Glory and Cora Bee, Emme discovers what it’s like to have a family, security, support, friends, and be part of the community. Emme discovers an interesting trait some of the women in the family have, a sixth sense, the truth about her paternity, who’s buried in garden, and an old family secret is revealed.

I received a copy of In The Middle of Hickory Lane from NetGalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge in exchange for an honest review. This is the first book I have read by author Heather Webber and it defiantly won’t be my last. She certainly knows how to create an interesting narrative, full of engaging and characters I cared about, plot twists I didn’t see coming, I enjoyed reading every page and five stars from me.

I know when I read a Heather Webber book I will be living in the book. I feel like I am right there with the characters and see and feel everything they do. This book is magical realism at its very best! Emme has never had a family and that is all she wants in the world. When her grandmother Glory reaches out and asks her to come visit her on Hickory Lane, Emme cannot get there fast enough. There she meets Glory and her cousin Cora Bee. she finally feels she has the family she has always longed for. The neighborhood garden and gazing pool are magical. The flowers are planted for their meanings. I also loved the secondary characters with Dorothy being my favorite. As Emme arrives on Hickory Lane, a long lost secret is unearthed and throughout the book, the reader realizes everyone has secrets of their own. I absolutely loved this book and its amazing characters. I received an advanced readers copy and all opinions are my own.

“Hickory Lane had a dark past. Just like me.”

Did you read Midnight At The Blackbird Cafe? If so, you’ll want to read this one as it contains the same magical realism and Southern charm. Grab your sweet tea, plop in some ice cubes, and cancel your afternoon. You’ll want to read this one on the porch … uninterrupted!

Hickory Lane in Sweetgrass, Alabama is home to an eclectic group of people, including grandma Glory Wynn at #17 and her great-niece, Cora Bee, who lives next door. Glory finds her estranged granddaughter, Emme, and invites her to stay with her, giving Emme a chance to start afresh.

You’ll uncover the secrets hidden in Hickory Lane and have a front-row seat to witness healing within the Wynn family. Webber has created believable characters, placed them in an authentic-sounding neighbourhood, given everyone challenges and secrets to deal with and then sprinkled a little magical realism on top! I enjoyed the unravelling, of the family history and seeing how each family member worked, first from within, and then for the betterment of the entire group.

I loved how one character described the library; her Narnia. It was a magical place that took her away to another land. Isn’t that why we all love reading? It takes us to Narnia!!! Love it.

In the magical neighbourhood garden in the middle of Hickory Lane, cousins Emme and Cora Bee, come to understand more about themselves, their past, their family and their neighbourhood. The core message of this delightful and mystical tale is that true growth begins within.

I was gifted this advance copy by Heather Webber, Macmillan-Tor/Forge, Forge Books, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

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.