Two short stories. I must say I enjoyed the 2nd novella more, Love Stuck Cafe. The story of Flint and Jasmine was a sweet romance of being at the right place at the right time. As for the 1st story it came across a little too preachy for me, but that is my opinion. Thank you NetGalley for this eARC. I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story. #NetGalley #OntheWaytoUs

On the Way to Us is a nuanced story by Carolyn Brown. It is the story of Mercy Spenser as she discovers her place in the world. While doing missionary work she feels she was tricked into doing by her friend and roommate in a steamy west Texas town, she is already hot, tired, and not in a good mood when the jukebox music got so loud in the neighboring cantina that the hymns couldn’t be heard in the little adjacent church. Incensed, Mercy went into the cantina to demand the music be turned down only to encounter a tall, sexy cowboy behind the bar. Although taken by this quite tall man, even taller than her almost 6 foot height, Mercy still takes him on over the noise, but to no avail.

Once back home from her miserable ‘vacation’, Mercy barely gives the tall man a thought. Unexpectedly she runs in to Hunter Wilson in her own hometown. This is where the story truly takes off, both in her split from judgmental best friend Jenny and ever increasing attraction to Hunter.

This story is told with heart and humor. I very much enjoyed this story.

This book also includes Ms. Brown’s lovely novella Love Struck Cafe, the story of two floundering folks, Flint Walker, a displaced rancher, and Jasmine Thurman, current owner of a little cafe that she was soon selling to her cousin. These two cross paths at her cafe in the super small town of Ringgold, Texas, and the rest is a lovely story of right time right place.

I very much enjoyed both of these stories and do recommend this book!

You don't know what you have until it's gone. This is true for everyone involved. Mercy learns too late that her friendship with Jenny is stronger than the bickering that drove a wedge between them. She also learned that her heart misses Hunter too late. Hunter misses Mercy after just one brief encounter and exchange of heated words. It's even worse after he gets to know her then loses her. Made for a great book. I enjoyed reading, On My Way to Us.

On the Way to Us is a well written romance. I loved the plot, characters and the setting. I always enjoy this author’s books. I received an advance ebook from the publisher and Netgalley and this is my unbiased review.

The book On the Way to Us had a lot to the plot and each part, and all the characters fit perfectly together to give me a pleasant romance and enough drama to make me keep reading. The story had a good flow to it.
As an added bonus there is a novella included Love Struck Café.
Thank you NetGalley, Carolyn Brown and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca for the Arc of On the Way to Us. This is my personal review.

You, like me, might have read this when it was initially published but here's the thing- it's still a good story and will make you smile. Mercy and Hunter are two very different people but they make an excellent couple. She's a gospel singer on a mission when she meets him- and sparks do fly (even if this doesn't get steamy). Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. Made for an enjoyable read.

This is a fun romantic story with a couple who met in an usual place and unusual circumstances. It’s well written, the characters and the situations are all realistic. It was fun to watch the relationship develop. I received an arc of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own. I received an arc of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.

On The Way to Us

Mercy Spenser reluctantly agrees to spend her vacation in Texas for a charitable mission with her friend and roommate, Jenny. When the cantina interrupts the gospel singing in the little church, Mercy takes it upon herself to storm next door and demand that the music from the jukebox be turned down. It’s there she meets Hunter Wilson. Hunter is watching over the cantina as a favor to a friend and has no plans to comply with Mercy’s request. Not the greatest first meeting, but neither one can get the other one out of their minds.

Hunter tracks Mercy down in her hometown, which surprises her, and starts asking her to go on dates. The more time they spend together, the more their feelings grow. But apparently Hunter has a few secrets which leave Mercy wondering if she can trust him. Will she ever give him a chance to give his side of the rumors she’s heard, or will she give up on the guy who might just be “the one”?

Mercy also seems to be at odds lately with Jenny. Jenny doesn’t agree with much that Mercy does, says, or wears, and Mercy doesn’t appreciate Jenny’s matchmaking. But when Jenny marries her fiancé, Kyle, she finds married life isn’t quite what she thought it would be. She confides in Mercy, who gives her some advice and hopes she’ll follow it.

Love Struck Café

Flint Walker was passing through the town Ringgold, Texas, when he had to swerve to avoid hitting a big yellow dog sitting in the middle of the road. He ends up in the parking lot of the Chicken Fried Café, where he meets the owner, Jasmine. Deciding to eat at her café instead of where he had originally intended to stop, meets some of the town’s residents and regulars at the café, notices her Help Wanted sign in the window, and suddenly his plans and his life are forever changed.

A quick, fun, heartwarming story.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Mercy Spencer agrees to spend her vacation in Texas for a charitable mission. The heat is unbearable and the living conditions are horrible. When the music from the bar next door disrupts their gospel singing, Mercy ventures over and clashed with the sexy guy running the place. Hunter Wilson can’t get her out of his mind and pursues her. Mercy must decide if she wants to give him a chance and maybe find out he is the one.



Thanks to Carolyn Brown and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca for the book

Early work of Carolyn Brown being re released. This story has all of the charm and wit Carolyn Brown adds to her stories. Fiery woman and stubborn men that pursue what they want. Spread a little love and romance and you have another classic.
I liked the opposing backgrounds of Mercy and Hunter. It really shows that you can find love just about anywhere. Even when you least expect it!
Never heard from the 2 "villans" again in this story. What happened to.them? Felt like it could have 1 more chapter.

My Thoughts

On The Way To Us
Mercy Spenser, her roommate and best friend since college Jenny Mathison both work for the Dental office of Dr. Nelson.

Mercy on the business end and Jenny as a dental hygienist.

We start out with Mercy, Jenny and their boss out in West Texas where the trio are helping provide much needed dental work as well as doing Missionary assistance at the local small church.

Not a fan of the heat, the lack of amenities or the loud jukebox from the cantina right next door to said church Mercy has finally had enough.

Giving in to her building outrage she leaves no doubt in anyone’s mind what her opinion is when she goes next door to confront the owner and finds Hunter Wilson tending bar.

This is a multi-layered story that involves more than how Mercy and Hunter end up in a relationship.

There is also a side detour in later chapters about Jenny and her husband Kyle where Mercy gives her friend advice that some may take exception to but I found to be well done.

A story that I found myself heartily enjoying until its very welcome conclusion that embraced the best life for all concerned.


Love Struck Cafe novella
Located out in the middle of going nowhere the small town of Ringgold Texas was not one where Flint Walker planned on stopping.

An old yellow hound dog he almost hit on his way through played a small part in changing his mind, lovely café owner Jasmine Thurman and a promised excellent Chicken Fried Steak dinner played a much larger one.

Much to his satisfaction the meal was as good as it had been promised to be and a couple of other elements that came into play prolong staying for one meal to staying a week working for Jasmine until her friend and new owner of the Chicken Fried Cafe arrives.

This bonus novella brought both Flint and Jasmine not only a second chance but readers one heck of a great short read as well.

A lovely 2-fer that had both grit and heart in its stories.

[EArc from Netgalley]

A good afternoon read as always with Carolyn Brown. Lots of drama and romance. Two books together in this one. Both really good!!

This book has 2 previously published by the author plus a few chapters of another book. The stories were enjoyable, funny in spots and with predictable happy endings. A nice way to spend an afternoon reading. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

Both books included within on the way to us were great. They were heartfelt story’s that make you not want to put the book down.A few nights I lost sleep because I could put it down. If you like surprising love stories or cowboy stories you will for sure enjoy these.

After Mercy Spenser and Hunter Wilson's tempers clash in their first meeting, they can't stop thinking about each other. Hunter finally hunts her down in her tiny hometown. He convinces her to give him another chance that they just might have the love of a lifetime. Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC of this book. I really enjoyed it.

This is an entertaining romance. I was a bit hesitant at first as it seemed overly religious. Fortunately, I quickly understood the direction of the story. There is also a bonus novella. The romance is quickly read to their happily ever after. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

Sweet romance duo
On The Way To Us
Ms. Brown hits the mark again with a sweet romantic tale show casing two distinctly different friends who struggle with their own insecurities and separate only to realize they need each other, one finding a happy ever after because of the reasons she disparaged her friend.
Great locations and interactions between the characters.
Love Struck Cafe
Ms. Brown has created some memorable characters for this tale. Jasmine is struggling to keep her little cafe open, due to lack of help, when Flint stops while passing through and becomes the answers to her prayers. Short sweet Texas read.
I requested and received a NetGalley ARC gratis and offer my opinion in the same

On the Way to Us by Carolyn Brown is an updated version of An Old Love’s Shadow published in 1999. This reader loved that version so I was happy that NetGalley allowed me access to this incarnation. Mercy and Hunter have an unforgettable meet cute that he hopes will lead to something more when they run into each other again. Mercy is a more complicated character who finds herself in a period of change. She’s intrigued but in no way desperate to be matched up. Readers are in for a fun read. This volume also contains the wonderful novella Love Struck Cafe and several chapters from The Sisters Cafe, two of the author’s earlier works. I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book from NetGalley. Most highly recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the opportunity to read On the Way to Us
by Carolyn Brown. I can never get enough of Carolyn Brown!