A super cute, sweet cozy tale that’s perfect to read on a summer day! Sasha’s books are very lovely.

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my opinion.

Review of Honey, Be Mine by Sasha Summer

Okay, so Honey, Be Mine had a lot of potential, but it didn’t quite hit the mark for me. The romance was cute, but the characters felt a bit flat. They needed more backstory or depth to really stand out and make me care about them.

The plot was pretty predictable—like, you could see the twists coming from a mile away. A few surprises or unique angles could’ve made it way more exciting and less of a déjà vu moment.

Also, the pacing was all over the place. Some parts dragged on while the big moments felt rushed. It’s like the book couldn’t decide if it wanted to be chill or intense.

Overall, Honey, Be Mine is a sweet read if you’re into classic romance vibes, but it could use some upgrades in the character department and plot twists. It’s not a total miss, just needs a little more sparkle.

This review uses a more casual and modern tone while offering constructive criticism.

Rosemary Hill has returned to Honey, Texas for her aunt's wedding. She is out of a job and not certain what her future holds. He grandfather always told her she was meant for great things and she feels she has not lived up to his vision. Everette has always been her best friend and he has always secretly loved her. Since Rosemary is now home, she needs to decide where she is going next in her career. Everette is trying to stay away as much as possible due to his love for her. Everette offers her a temp job working for him until she decides on what her future holds. Her family wants her to stay in town, but don't want to hold her back in her career. Rosemary is really her happiest in a long time by being home in Honey.
The more time she spends with Everette she is seeing him in a new light and is having feelings for him. When she is offered two opportunities out of town will they finally find their way to each other.

Good book. Rosemary came home to Texas for her aunt's wedding but is staying to decide about her future. The bee genome project she worked on in California lost its funding and, adding insult to injury, her mentor and team lead claimed her research as his own. She's happy to be home in her family's loving and supportive arms and to spend time with her best friend, Everett.

Everett stayed in Honey and is now the parks and rec director, as well as backup for the mayor. He has also been named the town's most eligible bachelor, further complicating his life. He's happy Rosemary is back but also concerned about keeping his stronger feelings for her a secret.

I enjoyed watching the development of the relationship between Rosemary and Everett. They've always been friends who could tell each other anything. However, Everett has been in love with Rosemary for years but doesn't want to say anything and ruin their friendship. Rosemary always considered Everett her friend, so why did she suddenly notice him as a man? I loved watching them spend time together. Rosemary is determined to help Everett in her new job as an event planner, even if it means dealing with her high school bully, Libby. Everett's support of Rosemary when she encountered her old boss/mentor at the bee convention was outstanding. Unexpected opportunities give Rosemary something to consider, and Everett must decide if he wants to speak up. I liked the ending and seeing them finally talk to each other about their feelings instead of assuming they know what is best for the other person.

There was a side story about a group of paintballers going around and vandalizing towns in the county. For some reason, many people seemed to think it was Everett's job to stop them. I could feel his frustration each time they struck. The resolution was about what I expected.

I loved the part about the alphabet book that Rosemary wrote and illustrated for Bea and Nova. The children's joy in the book was infectious, and Everett's reading was adorable. I would love to see that book published for real.

The story felt too slow. I couldn't finish the book. the summary sounded cute so I was excited to read but reading the actual book did not really hold my attention.

This checked all my boxes off for romances. I am eager to watch the town and characters grow within the Honey Acres series. I absolutely loved the small town of Honey Texas, and every little event / person that was part of the town. There were quite a few characters and it got a little confusing at parts, but once you went along you could understand who was who. I think if I started the series with the first book, I would have been able to follow who was who more. Grandma Dot was by far my favorite character, and I sadly was able to relate her to my late Grandma which made it even more touching. The end of the book, the author added in so many good recipes with honey in them which I loved!

Can Rosemary and Everett finally admit they are in love?

Rosemary Hill had returned to Honey, Texas for her aunt’s wedding and to figure out what she wanted to do after her research project lost funding when the lead researcher took all the credit. Rosemary is glad to be home because she gets to spend time with her family and her best friend Everett Taggert.

Everett Taggert had been in love with Rosemary forever but would never tell her because he didn’t want to lose her friendship. But everything changed when after the Annual Texas Beekeepers Convention and she was offered her dream job of teaching at Texas A&M University.

There is a small mystery about paintball vandalism that adds to the story.

I loved all of the bee information that was in the story!

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

A sweet romance-with an underlying bit of bite. Rosemary is back in town after she lost the funding for her bee study (I love the bees) and she's reconnected with Everett. Not as a romantic partner but as a BFF. But what she doesn't know is that Everett has been in love with her since forever. Yep- a trope of a set up but what a delightful read this becomes especially when Rosemary decides to stand up for herself. Will there be a romance? No spoilers but well, we all know there's smiles ahead. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. This is good clean fun that will make you smile.

I have really enjoyed this book. This is the first book I have read by Sasha Summers. I can see myself reading more in the future. I admired the character Rosemary. I thought she was strong and courageous. I loved the ending I thought it was really romantic. I'm grateful that netgalley and the publishers let me read this in exchange for an honest review.

HONEY BE MINE On sale June 25/24

Rosemary has returned from California to her home town of Honey, Texas, because the team she was working on studying bees, has lost its funding. She returns to her loving family of sisters, brother in laws, nieces, nephews and aunts and to her best friend, Everett.

Then she finds out her former team leader, Dr. Voight, has taken all her research work and claimed it as his own.

As much as she loves being home with her family, she feels that the love she feels for Everett is unrealistic as she thinks he just wants to be friends…

When she gets an offer to teach at her former university, she has to decide if she should leave Honey or stay even if Everett only wants to be friends.

Everett, in an effort to let Rosemary ( or Rosebud as he always called her) decide what she wants to do, must downplay is undying love for her.

“Delicious reading! Sasha Summers writes books brimming with warmth, humor, and the kind of love that lasts a lifetime.” —Cathy Maxwell, New York Times bestselling author

Can best friends become something more?

Returning to Honey, Texas, for her aunt’s wedding should be a joyous occasion, but Rosemary Hill is feeling down. She’s lost funding for her bee genomics project and feels betrayed by her trusted mentor. Reuniting with her best friend, Everett, helps ease her pain. Soon, Rosemary is helping Everett plan bee-friendly park events and finds herself unexpectedly jealous when her high school nemesis shows interest in him.

Honey’s most eligible bachelor, Everett, has a secret—he’s loved Rosemary for as long as he can remember. He’s always hesitated to risk their friendship by asking for more, but now he’s finally ready. However, when Rosemary is offered her dream job, he’s torn. What kind of best friend would ask her to give that up? Or maybe the butterflies they’re both feeling mean something has changed—in the sweetest possible way...

When I saw this book with the gorgeous yellow on it, i knew I had to read it.
I did a little dance when I received it.
Here's a quote I wanted to share because this author has it right on the nose.
“Life is all about change. And making the best of things.”
A great saying but not so easily done.
I've always felt that change is hard.
Sometimes it's necessary for the good.
I know just how Rosemary feels right about now. Hurt,scared,nervous and sad. Change is scary.
I like the bees in the story too. I learned quite a bit about them which I thought was pretty cool!
I really enjoyed the mystery of the paintball lol. That had me turning the pages to see who did it.
Frankly, I was surprised but then again I really wasn't. I just don't understand why people have to destroy properties especially when it wasn't theirs to begin with. Not worth a cheap thrill.
I did love how everything wrapped up nicely in this story. I stayed up late to finish it because Rosemary and Everett wanted me to.
Loved every minute of it! I kept rooting for them lol.
I'm giving this sweet story 5 stars for keeping me entertained. I highly recommend.
My thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.