Review: Picnic in Someday Valley by Jodi Thomas

New York Times bestselling author Jodi Thomas continues her charming and heartwarming series set in small-town Honey Creek, Texas, where ties run deep, and lives intersect in unexpected ways . . .

Marcie Latimer longs to run away from Someday Valley—especially since her ex-boyfriend spun a web of lies that almost led to tragedy in neighboring Honey Creek. Little wonder so many locals have turned their backs on her. But not Brand Rodgers. The quiet cowboy comes to listen every time she sings at Bandit's Bar, offering a glimpse of safety and calm that Marcie's rarely known.

After Texas Ranger Colby McBride saved Honey Creek's mayor, Piper Mackenzie, from a fire, she claimed him with a kiss. That was five months ago, and Colby still isn't sure where they're headed. Piper loves her town—but does she love Colby? And is he even ready for what comes next?

Pecos Smith, Honey Creek's emergency dispatcher, is grateful to have a new bride he adores and a baby on the way—even if one vital piece of the puzzle is missing. But as trouble comes stalking through the valley, lives will cross surprising paths. And Marcie, who's always felt that a forever love was out of reach, might discover that Someday is the perfect place to find it . . .

Review

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 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 experienced 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.

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