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Valentine Texas #2
Spill the Sweet Tea
Some describe me as a quirky, free-spirited journalist who charges her crystals by moonlight.
They’re not wrong.
My instincts ensure I know everything that goes on in my small town. And not much surprises me. But when the man who destroyed my heart returns to care for his family’s business, I’m shaken to the core.
After our messy breakup, Hayden Shaw swore he’d never come back to Valentine, Texas.
Years later, I’m still trying to forget we ever existed.
Damn near impossible when he’s now everywhere.
A constant reminder of what could have been.
Rumors swirl about his true intentions, but a little gossip has never bothered me.
However, if winning over my heart is his end game, he can hang up his spurs because I won’t make the same mistake twice—or will I?
Spill the Sweet Tea is a second chance, hate-to-love you, grumpy/sunshine contemporary small-town southern romance with rom-com vibes and a happily ever after.
Each book in the Valentine Texas series is a stand-alone.
Warning: this romance book contains tons of southern sass, lots of woo-woo, and small-town gossip! Fade to black and cheating are not included.
They’re not wrong.
My instincts ensure I know everything that goes on in my small town. And not much surprises me. But when the man who destroyed my heart returns to care for his family’s business, I’m shaken to the core.
After our messy breakup, Hayden Shaw swore he’d never come back to Valentine, Texas.
Years later, I’m still trying to forget we ever existed.
Damn near impossible when he’s now everywhere.
A constant reminder of what could have been.
Rumors swirl about his true intentions, but a little gossip has never bothered me.
However, if winning over my heart is his end game, he can hang up his spurs because I won’t make the same mistake twice—or will I?
Spill the Sweet Tea is a second chance, hate-to-love you, grumpy/sunshine contemporary small-town southern romance with rom-com vibes and a happily ever after.
Each book in the Valentine Texas series is a stand-alone.
Warning: this romance book contains tons of southern sass, lots of woo-woo, and small-town gossip! Fade to black and cheating are not included.
246 pages, Paperback
Published September 19, 2023
480 people are currently reading
3988 people want to read
About the author
Lyra Parish
22 books2,344 followersLyra Parish is a hopeless romantic obsessed with writing spicy Hallmark-like romances. When she isn’t immersed in fictional worlds, you can find her pretending to be a Vanlifer with her hubby. Lyra loves coffee, the great outdoors, authentic people, and living her best life.
To learn more, please subscribe to Lyra's newsletter: https://bit.ly/lyraparishnewsletter
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 440 reviews
November 14, 2023
I don't know why this rated so highly tbh. it was honestly incredibly boring and the book wasn't awful but it also wasn't by any means great.
a couple things that made me rate this book what I rated it (#2 and #3 are the biggest reasons and they have to do with the main characters unfortunately):
1) the pacing, the pacing was really weird and fast paced which I will get more into when I start talking about the main characters but it really threw the whole book off imo.
2) the (H) hayden shaw?? I don't understand this guy, truly. basically the H and the h were sweethearts before hayden took a job in another state and broke up with the heroine and that was that. soon after, this man got ENGAGED and it wasn't simply like one of those moments where he tried to take his mind off the heroine and that was why he did it—no, he said that was the reason he started dating so fast but he literally talks about how him and his ex-fiancee hit it off right away and he fell for her hard and fast (he used those exact words). and he mentions his ex-fiancee a lot of times throughout the novel and how he loved her (eventually throughout the relationship in the recent year and a half, he begins to stop loving his fiancé but not on his own, its just because of how the fiancé begins to treat him, but for me, this didn't make a difference)...not exactly the type of stuff I like to read in a romance...
however, his ex-fiancee was cheating on him and so that is when he breaks it off with her. but before this, he did not seem interested in the heroine in a romantic way at ALL, just physically attracted really. it was more like he was just interested in how she was now and how she acted but its not like he saw her again and wanted to pursue her. all that happened was that he reminisced of their relationship and how he thought they'd end up together and blah blah blah. but then suddenly he breaks up with his fiancee and then he misses the heroine and is open about it? none of these feelings were at all present in his inner monologues or anything prior to this. it just gave off the impression that he wasn't really romantically interested in the heroine and only saw her as a good memory of his past if that makes sense.
so because of this, this was one of the books where I had to wonder if the ex-fiancee didn't drop the mask and was still the woman he said he fell in love with, would he have left his ex-fiancee for the heroine because his love for her outmatched his ex-fiancee? who knows because he never took the initiative before and it wasn't like he saw the heroine and all of his old feelings fled back.
I can't explain it, but I hated this quote. It just didn't give me the idea that they were this love story that everyone loved and everyone expected to end up together.
3) the (h) kinsley valentine lol. the fact that I have a problem with the main characters should say enough. I didn't understand kinsley either, she refuses to speak of hayden and everything but when he comes back, she is open about how much their breakup haunted her and everything and she claims to not be interested. but she literally followed him one time.
and then soon after—it felt like this entire book only spanned like within a month which I think it did? I don't know—when hayden (H) asks her "Also, what if I did come back to Valentine to win you back? Would that be so bad?...Maybe it's the truth. Maybe it isn't. I'm not confirming anything." THAT IS NOT WHY HE CAME BACK AT ALL. I HAVE NO IDEA WHY THIS GUY SUGGESTED THAT TO HER BROTHER AND SAID THAT LAST PART TO HER??? he literally from the beginning when he first came back only came for his dad and had no intentions of coming back for her. absolutely NONE. I think at one point he even said he thought the better of it, so had his father not gotten sick he would have NEVER came back for the heroine and to me that doesn't seem like he loved her enough or at all during their years apart. so that whole scene was a complete 180 and also pretty much right after he broke it off with his ex—which by the way HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE HEROINE. it wasn't like he realized he still loved her and wanted to pursue her.
then kinsley in response literally tells him that if he intends to stay that would change things in regards to her ability to give him a second chance and then tells him to kiss her. it was THAT easy for her. that easy. there was no actual push/pull ever within this book. I don't know if I'd call her a doormat but she certainly had no backbone especially considering the way in which and circumstances he broke it off with her all those years ago and how she received it.
anyways.
I ended up skimming like the last chapter or three. its a shame because this plot had potential.
a couple things that made me rate this book what I rated it (#2 and #3 are the biggest reasons and they have to do with the main characters unfortunately):
1) the pacing, the pacing was really weird and fast paced which I will get more into when I start talking about the main characters but it really threw the whole book off imo.
2) the (H) hayden shaw?? I don't understand this guy, truly. basically the H and the h were sweethearts before hayden took a job in another state and broke up with the heroine and that was that. soon after, this man got ENGAGED and it wasn't simply like one of those moments where he tried to take his mind off the heroine and that was why he did it—no, he said that was the reason he started dating so fast but he literally talks about how him and his ex-fiancee hit it off right away and he fell for her hard and fast (he used those exact words). and he mentions his ex-fiancee a lot of times throughout the novel and how he loved her (eventually throughout the relationship in the recent year and a half, he begins to stop loving his fiancé but not on his own, its just because of how the fiancé begins to treat him, but for me, this didn't make a difference)...not exactly the type of stuff I like to read in a romance...
however, his ex-fiancee was cheating on him and so that is when he breaks it off with her. but before this, he did not seem interested in the heroine in a romantic way at ALL, just physically attracted really. it was more like he was just interested in how she was now and how she acted but its not like he saw her again and wanted to pursue her. all that happened was that he reminisced of their relationship and how he thought they'd end up together and blah blah blah. but then suddenly he breaks up with his fiancee and then he misses the heroine and is open about it? none of these feelings were at all present in his inner monologues or anything prior to this. it just gave off the impression that he wasn't really romantically interested in the heroine and only saw her as a good memory of his past if that makes sense.
so because of this, this was one of the books where I had to wonder if the ex-fiancee didn't drop the mask and was still the woman he said he fell in love with, would he have left his ex-fiancee for the heroine because his love for her outmatched his ex-fiancee? who knows because he never took the initiative before and it wasn't like he saw the heroine and all of his old feelings fled back.
"I smile thinking about all the good times we had together. But there were bad times, too. No relationship is perfect—at least none of the ones I've had. I honestly thought she was the one I'd spend the rest of my life with. I was wrong."
I can't explain it, but I hated this quote. It just didn't give me the idea that they were this love story that everyone loved and everyone expected to end up together.
3) the (h) kinsley valentine lol. the fact that I have a problem with the main characters should say enough. I didn't understand kinsley either, she refuses to speak of hayden and everything but when he comes back, she is open about how much their breakup haunted her and everything and she claims to not be interested. but she literally followed him one time.
and then soon after—it felt like this entire book only spanned like within a month which I think it did? I don't know—when hayden (H) asks her "Also, what if I did come back to Valentine to win you back? Would that be so bad?...Maybe it's the truth. Maybe it isn't. I'm not confirming anything." THAT IS NOT WHY HE CAME BACK AT ALL. I HAVE NO IDEA WHY THIS GUY SUGGESTED THAT TO HER BROTHER AND SAID THAT LAST PART TO HER??? he literally from the beginning when he first came back only came for his dad and had no intentions of coming back for her. absolutely NONE. I think at one point he even said he thought the better of it, so had his father not gotten sick he would have NEVER came back for the heroine and to me that doesn't seem like he loved her enough or at all during their years apart. so that whole scene was a complete 180 and also pretty much right after he broke it off with his ex—which by the way HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE HEROINE. it wasn't like he realized he still loved her and wanted to pursue her.
then kinsley in response literally tells him that if he intends to stay that would change things in regards to her ability to give him a second chance and then tells him to kiss her. it was THAT easy for her. that easy. there was no actual push/pull ever within this book. I don't know if I'd call her a doormat but she certainly had no backbone especially considering the way in which and circumstances he broke it off with her all those years ago and how she received it.
anyways.
I ended up skimming like the last chapter or three. its a shame because this plot had potential.
Read
August 22, 2023Spill the Sweet Tea is the perfect book to read during the fall! This book was so much fun to write, and I can't wait for you to meet Hayden (our book-loving hero) and Kinsley (our quirky woo-woo queen)!
Spill the Sweet Tea can be read as a stand-alone and is available for pre-order on all platforms!
GRAB YOUR COPY HERE
Want a little snippet?
I feel as if I’m free-falling as the kiss deepens, and I lose my grip on reality.
Hayden Shaw. The love of my life. The man I hate. Kissing me like no time has passed.
Hayden groans, then pushes away, creating much-needed space.
I’m breathless as I meet his eyes, feeling something I can’t explain. “Did you…” I dunno what I’m trying to ask.
“I felt it, too,” he whispers. “Forget this.”
Hayden steps forward, and his mouth crashes against mine.
Someone passes by the front windows, and he laughs, kissing me as he leads me to the back. I grab the whiskey...just in case I need more courage.
I almost feel like a teenager again, fooling around in the bookstore.
The big brown couch we’ve made love on countless times is still in the storeroom, and I push him onto the springy cushions.
I climb onto his lap, my mouth crashing against his. The control I had has vanished.
“What are we doin’?” My lips are swollen, and my heart sprints in my chest.
He pulls away. “We can stop. We don’t—”
“No.” I tug on his bottom lip with my teeth. “I have to know.”
Want to continue this Southern small-town, second-chance romance? Grab Spill the Sweet Tea! Each book can be read as a stand-alone!
Amazon
Apple
Kobo
Other Platforms
Spill the Sweet Tea can be read as a stand-alone and is available for pre-order on all platforms!
GRAB YOUR COPY HERE
Want a little snippet?
I feel as if I’m free-falling as the kiss deepens, and I lose my grip on reality.
Hayden Shaw. The love of my life. The man I hate. Kissing me like no time has passed.
Hayden groans, then pushes away, creating much-needed space.
I’m breathless as I meet his eyes, feeling something I can’t explain. “Did you…” I dunno what I’m trying to ask.
“I felt it, too,” he whispers. “Forget this.”
Hayden steps forward, and his mouth crashes against mine.
Someone passes by the front windows, and he laughs, kissing me as he leads me to the back. I grab the whiskey...just in case I need more courage.
I almost feel like a teenager again, fooling around in the bookstore.
The big brown couch we’ve made love on countless times is still in the storeroom, and I push him onto the springy cushions.
I climb onto his lap, my mouth crashing against his. The control I had has vanished.
“What are we doin’?” My lips are swollen, and my heart sprints in my chest.
He pulls away. “We can stop. We don’t—”
“No.” I tug on his bottom lip with my teeth. “I have to know.”
Want to continue this Southern small-town, second-chance romance? Grab Spill the Sweet Tea! Each book can be read as a stand-alone!
Amazon
Apple
Kobo
Other Platforms
October 4, 2023
1. Too many characters. No chance to really connect with any of them, and it’s clear it’s just setting up their future books.
2. Where was the grovel? He breaks up with her, leaves for 10 years, gets engaged to someone else, and all it takes is him coming home for them to get back together? Yeah not good enough.
4. Honestly the plot was held together with string cheese. His reason for coming back was eh, and her reason for having to interact with him was pure BS. It all went out the window the moment they got back together. At least pretend to put some effort into the plot.
3. There were too many other things I didn’t like, but nothing made my blood boil more than the family dinner scene. The way everyone was laughing at Kinsley and telling her she was wrong when she said she wasn’t in a relationship with Hayden yet. They way they spread rumors around town that the two were back together again. The way she said she didn’t like that they were forcing the relationship on her, and just brushed it off as “she’ll come around to it.” Not to mention that Hayden just went along with it all, not seeing a single thing wrong with the situation. At that point I completely checked out of the book. Screw everyone in that family.
2. Where was the grovel? He breaks up with her, leaves for 10 years, gets engaged to someone else, and all it takes is him coming home for them to get back together? Yeah not good enough.
4. Honestly the plot was held together with string cheese. His reason for coming back was eh, and her reason for having to interact with him was pure BS. It all went out the window the moment they got back together. At least pretend to put some effort into the plot.
3. There were too many other things I didn’t like, but nothing made my blood boil more than the family dinner scene. The way everyone was laughing at Kinsley and telling her she was wrong when she said she wasn’t in a relationship with Hayden yet. They way they spread rumors around town that the two were back together again. The way she said she didn’t like that they were forcing the relationship on her, and just brushed it off as “she’ll come around to it.” Not to mention that Hayden just went along with it all, not seeing a single thing wrong with the situation. At that point I completely checked out of the book. Screw everyone in that family.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 28, 2024
If there is one thing Lyra is really damn good at it is writing small towns and I am so in love with the town of Valentine Texas. Small town second chance is my jam, like my favorite trope of all time. So to say I was so excited for this book is an understatement. Spill the Sweet Tea is book 2 in the Valentine Texas series and it features Hayden and Kinsley. They were high school sweethearts who broke up over 10 years ago. Hayden left his family and his small town behind for the big lights of Houston and never returned. Until a family emergency brought him back home and face to face with the one he let get away. Kinsley hasn't so much as mentioned Hayden's name in the 10 years since they broke up, yet as much as she says she hates him, her heart hasn't really moved on.
I loved their banter and the sass that Kinsley throws at him, they definitely know how to push each other's buttons. There is also a level of comfort with each other that you have after being so close, even if 10 years have passed. You see that when they sit down to interview each other. The chemistry between these two is off the charts and I loved that Kins is open with her sexuality and isn't afraid to show it to Hayden. She definitely learned a few tricks in the years they were apart.
I love the whole Valentine family. They are all up in each others business but they are also always there for each other. The small town gossip mill is always running rampant and I love that about a small town. All in all this was another amazing addition to the series and I am soooo excited to see where Harrison's story goes!!!
I loved their banter and the sass that Kinsley throws at him, they definitely know how to push each other's buttons. There is also a level of comfort with each other that you have after being so close, even if 10 years have passed. You see that when they sit down to interview each other. The chemistry between these two is off the charts and I loved that Kins is open with her sexuality and isn't afraid to show it to Hayden. She definitely learned a few tricks in the years they were apart.
I love the whole Valentine family. They are all up in each others business but they are also always there for each other. The small town gossip mill is always running rampant and I love that about a small town. All in all this was another amazing addition to the series and I am soooo excited to see where Harrison's story goes!!!
September 18, 2023
Overall: 4/5
Spice level: 4/5
Tropes: second chance, small town
I enjoyed book 2 in this series, but my main criticism is when people from the south or rural areas are written with strong twangy accents. Not everyone sounds like that. I get the author is from the south also, but still.
Also, the flow of the spice scene escalations didn't feel very seamless. Yes, they have history, but it just seemed like they went from avoiding each other to full on spice. It was odd.
But, overall I enjoyed their chemistry and the storyline, as well as the supporting characters around them. And the grand gestures were definitely grand.
I also loved and appreciated that our hero recognized his need for therapy due to healing he needed to do after his toxic relationship. It sets a good example. It's nothing to be ashamed of.
I'm definitely curious for the next story in the series.
Spice level: 4/5
Tropes: second chance, small town
I enjoyed book 2 in this series, but my main criticism is when people from the south or rural areas are written with strong twangy accents. Not everyone sounds like that. I get the author is from the south also, but still.
Also, the flow of the spice scene escalations didn't feel very seamless. Yes, they have history, but it just seemed like they went from avoiding each other to full on spice. It was odd.
But, overall I enjoyed their chemistry and the storyline, as well as the supporting characters around them. And the grand gestures were definitely grand.
I also loved and appreciated that our hero recognized his need for therapy due to healing he needed to do after his toxic relationship. It sets a good example. It's nothing to be ashamed of.
I'm definitely curious for the next story in the series.
February 11, 2025
Tropes for this include:
✅second chance romance
✅small town
✅ hate to love
✅HEA
✅spice
✅dual POV
I absolutely loved this book. This was the second book in the Valentine Texas series. This is Kinsley and Hayden’s story. Hayden is Kinsley ex and he comes back to town when his dad is injured. Both are now single, due to circumstances that you will read about. Kinsley is very hesitant because she was hurt by him last time he left town. Eventually she decided to give their relationship another try. This book had it all because Kinsley is easy to like because she’s such a sassy soul. I knew this would have good spice when it started talking about butt plugs and porn. If you like HEA, second chance romance with spice and a sassy FMC then this book is for you. This is such an enjoyable read I read it cover to cover and can’t wait for Harrison’s book next. Thank you to Lyra and Candi Kane PR for allowing me to read for an honest review.
Edited for AlC:
Listened to this today at work
Such a cute, fun and spicy listen.
Narrated again by Vanessa Edwin and Aaron Shedlock.
They did a great job bringing these characters and their story to life.
Loved the emotion and accents used by narrators
Again was very easy to listen to and loved their portrayal of these characters.
✅second chance romance
✅small town
✅ hate to love
✅HEA
✅spice
✅dual POV
I absolutely loved this book. This was the second book in the Valentine Texas series. This is Kinsley and Hayden’s story. Hayden is Kinsley ex and he comes back to town when his dad is injured. Both are now single, due to circumstances that you will read about. Kinsley is very hesitant because she was hurt by him last time he left town. Eventually she decided to give their relationship another try. This book had it all because Kinsley is easy to like because she’s such a sassy soul. I knew this would have good spice when it started talking about butt plugs and porn. If you like HEA, second chance romance with spice and a sassy FMC then this book is for you. This is such an enjoyable read I read it cover to cover and can’t wait for Harrison’s book next. Thank you to Lyra and Candi Kane PR for allowing me to read for an honest review.
Edited for AlC:
Listened to this today at work
Such a cute, fun and spicy listen.
Narrated again by Vanessa Edwin and Aaron Shedlock.
They did a great job bringing these characters and their story to life.
Loved the emotion and accents used by narrators
Again was very easy to listen to and loved their portrayal of these characters.
September 11, 2023
There’s something special about a second chance romance. I really enjoyed this one, where two people fell in love and shared their “firsts,” parted as kids, spent 10 years growing into different people, then came back to each other to find they were, and still are, the right fit. 💕
There’s a lot of hurt these two characters have to process and work through in this book, but amidst that is humor and “woo” and friendship and healing and family and coming back to your roots.
I loved seeing Summer and Beckett from the first book of this series and how important family and community is for the Valentine clan.
If you enjoy steamy, small-town, second chance romance with supportive and loving family, then this book is for you!!
Thanks so much to Lyra Parish not only for the ARC of this book, but the amazing PR package she sent me! 😍 I can’t wait for more from this series.
There’s a lot of hurt these two characters have to process and work through in this book, but amidst that is humor and “woo” and friendship and healing and family and coming back to your roots.
I loved seeing Summer and Beckett from the first book of this series and how important family and community is for the Valentine clan.
If you enjoy steamy, small-town, second chance romance with supportive and loving family, then this book is for you!!
Thanks so much to Lyra Parish not only for the ARC of this book, but the amazing PR package she sent me! 😍 I can’t wait for more from this series.
September 10, 2023
“Bless his heart. This is war.”
Kinsley and Hayden’s story is of love and hate. Kinsley is a journaling, crystal loving, tarot loving woman and Hayden is wish I didn’t leave my small town man.
Hayden broke Kinsley’s heart and she never fully recover. Hayden realized he never should have moved away from his small hometown.
This story had me on the edge of my seat wanting to see what happened and how they worked out. I had to read this in one sitting. You don’t want to miss out on this Valentine’s story!
Kinsley and Hayden’s story is of love and hate. Kinsley is a journaling, crystal loving, tarot loving woman and Hayden is wish I didn’t leave my small town man.
Hayden broke Kinsley’s heart and she never fully recover. Hayden realized he never should have moved away from his small hometown.
This story had me on the edge of my seat wanting to see what happened and how they worked out. I had to read this in one sitting. You don’t want to miss out on this Valentine’s story!
September 9, 2023
When Kinsley Valentine’s ex, Hayden Shaw, shows back up in their small town to help his family she is not happy. She wanted to move on from him but sometimes feelings have a way of floating back to the surface. From the very first page you will be giggling! Don’t worry there’s also an emotional story mixed in to this feel good second chance love story. A wonderful small town romance with fun, sass and heart! Told in dual POV
February 6, 2025
A second chance small town romance that’s after my own heart! I love how quirky Kinsley is. I’ve never met a girl quite like her. She’s fun, flirty, and downright dirty.
September 19, 2023
I just read it in one day! Started yesterday and ended it today!
I loved it! It was spicy and funny, and maybe I cried too! * yeah, I did* 🙈
Kinsley & Hayden were made for each other, and it was fate that brought em back together! I loved how we got little glimpses into the past so we could understand the present better!
And the spice was spicin' 🥵🥵 I almost melted away here...
I cannot wait for Harrison & Grace's book!
🫶🏽
I loved it! It was spicy and funny, and maybe I cried too! * yeah, I did* 🙈
Kinsley & Hayden were made for each other, and it was fate that brought em back together! I loved how we got little glimpses into the past so we could understand the present better!
And the spice was spicin' 🥵🥵 I almost melted away here...
I cannot wait for Harrison & Grace's book!
🫶🏽
October 17, 2023
Kisnlay y Hayden eran novios, se amaban hasta que un día él le dijo que consiguió trabajo en otro estado y podía ir con el o quedarse. Kisnlay no puede creer que tomara decisiones importantes para ambos sin consultarle, por lo que decide quedarse.
Pues resulta que Hayden tenía miedo de casarse joven (como sus papás) y no conocer el mundo por eso decide irse y dejar a su "gran amor". A los pocos meses conoce a Penelope, se enamora y le propone matrimonio, por x razón no se casan y terminan comprometidos por casi una década hasta que él descubre que su prometida le es infiel.
Ya se imaginaran que cuando él regresa al pueblo mágicamente recuerda que Kins es realmente el amor se su vida y no la mujer a la que ha amado por años 😑. Pues chasquea los dedos y como Kinslay lo sigue amando lo perdona inmediatamente y son felices por siempre.
No pierdan su tiempo.
Pues resulta que Hayden tenía miedo de casarse joven (como sus papás) y no conocer el mundo por eso decide irse y dejar a su "gran amor". A los pocos meses conoce a Penelope, se enamora y le propone matrimonio, por x razón no se casan y terminan comprometidos por casi una década hasta que él descubre que su prometida le es infiel.
Ya se imaginaran que cuando él regresa al pueblo mágicamente recuerda que Kins es realmente el amor se su vida y no la mujer a la que ha amado por años 😑. Pues chasquea los dedos y como Kinslay lo sigue amando lo perdona inmediatamente y son felices por siempre.
No pierdan su tiempo.
September 13, 2023
I was very interested in this book upon seeing the summary, but I felt like there was something missing within the romance — there was a lot of telling rather than showing the fmc and mmc were in love. I wished we got to seen/know more about the main characters relationship as kids, so I could really understand and feel them falling in love, especially because their romance as adults is based in the connection they had as kids.
I was also a little disappointed with how quickly Kins went from hating him to telling him to kiss her. It was too sudden for me.
I did have a good time reading the book, and was excited to continue reading it when I had to step away for a few hours. So, if you are looking for a fun fluffy read, this is perfect for that.
I was also a little disappointed with how quickly Kins went from hating him to telling him to kiss her. It was too sudden for me.
I did have a good time reading the book, and was excited to continue reading it when I had to step away for a few hours. So, if you are looking for a fun fluffy read, this is perfect for that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 16, 2024
It always feels like an honor to get an advanced copy of one of Parish's books. I can always count on her to deliver a comfy (but still SUPER STEAMY) small town romance.
September 21, 2023
Spill The Sweet Tea is the second book in Lyra Parish’s Valentine Texas series! If you’re craving a small town series with all of the second chance vibes, I highly recommend you run to your nearest book store and pick up a copy of Spill The Sweet Tea! Lyra Parish gets all the praise for her small town heartthrobs!
There was once a time in Kinsley Valentine’s life, when she thought love could conquer all. She was quick to realize love could not, in fact, conquer all when her boyfriend and the love of her life, Hayden Shaw, declared he was moving to Houston… and she could either come with him or they would end things. With her family and her new career in Valentine Texas. She stayed, ending her happily ever after on the spot.
Now, ten years later, an illness in Hayden’s family has him running back home to tend to his family’s bookstore. What he doesn’t anticipate, is running into his one that got away. Nor does he anticipate the feelings seeing her for the first time in ten years resurrects within his soul. There’s only one thing standing in his way of reuniting two hearts that are clearly meant to be together… that being his fiance in Houston… Oh, and the small fact that Kinsley Valenting hates Hayden’s existence! HELLO DRAMA!
My Thoughts:
I’m head over boots in love with the Valentine Texas series! I can’t get enough! Every book is another adventure!! Lyra Parish is doing the damn thing!!! If you’re new to the Valenting Texas Series, have no fear, each book can be read as a standalone! I’m all for second chance romances, and when I tell you I felt the love through these pages, I’m not exaggerating!
So let’s start with Kinsley Valentine. One thing I loved about this character was her FIRE! This woman is as stubborn as they come, but given her back story, I understand where the stubbornness comes from. It comes from a place she’s attempting to protect with every fiber of her being. I also loved the fact that she wasn’t afraid to put someone in her place when situations were warranted! This one is definitely a spit fire! I couldn’t get enough of her.
And then we have Hayden Shaw. Hayden had dreams of leaving the small town life for something bigger and more luxurious. But what he realized a few years into living in Houston, Texas… the grass is not always greener on the other side of the pastures. I do have to say, this man had every single attribute I look for in a book boyfriend. He was sweet, kind, and considerate. He blended in well with Kinsley’s family, and let’s not forget how sexy this man was in the bedroom. I loved his boy next door vibes! He was the calm to Kinsley’s storm. Mostly, I loved the fact that he laid all of his cards on the table, and during that climatic ending moment, he chased her down and explained himself. He chased her and fought for her and their happily ever after.
It just goes to show, if you love someone enough you have to set them free so they can live their dreams. If they come back to you, that just means it was meant to be. Kinsley and Hayden were written in the stars!
One more thing I loved about this novel was the strong bond and the interactions between Kinsley, Hayden, and their family and friends. I loved the interactions between Kinsley and her siblings! I couldn’t stop laughing. I wanted more! I can’t wait to see what Lyra Parish brings to the table next with the Valentine Texas Series! I’m falling hard for this small town series!
_________
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The Staircase Reader
Bookbub
September 11, 2023
Loved this book! Lyra has created such a charming small-town setting in this series; it’s a perfect reflection of the small town I grew up in and brings back so many fun memories. I love the Valentine clan with all their antics and support systems and the characters are fun and have so much heart.
This second book centers around Kinsley and Hayden. Childhood sweethearts turned enemies, it was a young dreams, broken hearts, hate scenario with undertones of regret, longing, and desire to reconnect and make amends. There is a lot of animosity and hurt between these two that they have to process and work through. I loved how Hayden handled his situation and his recognition and desire to better himself. Kinsley was a creature solely to herself and had her own rhythm and rules she lived by throwing caution to the wind and living in the moment. However, due to past experiences and a broken heart was quite gun-shy when it came to Hayden. With the huge small-town rumor mill, constant run-ins, and nosey family there are quite a few laughs and many tense confrontations with emotional turmoil. I just loved the spark between these two.
I enjoyed the few glimpses into the past we got to experience to see how things began between Kinsley and Hayden. It added a nice depth and understanding to their current dynamics and relationship rekindling they were dealing with. The chemistry was definitely there between these two and the passion sizzled. I also enjoyed Kinsley’s uniqueness with her meditation, crystals, and journaling.
This small-town, second-chance HEA is full of family, drama, emotions, hot (hot…hot and spicy) sexy times, reflection, growth, sass, and humor.
This second book centers around Kinsley and Hayden. Childhood sweethearts turned enemies, it was a young dreams, broken hearts, hate scenario with undertones of regret, longing, and desire to reconnect and make amends. There is a lot of animosity and hurt between these two that they have to process and work through. I loved how Hayden handled his situation and his recognition and desire to better himself. Kinsley was a creature solely to herself and had her own rhythm and rules she lived by throwing caution to the wind and living in the moment. However, due to past experiences and a broken heart was quite gun-shy when it came to Hayden. With the huge small-town rumor mill, constant run-ins, and nosey family there are quite a few laughs and many tense confrontations with emotional turmoil. I just loved the spark between these two.
I enjoyed the few glimpses into the past we got to experience to see how things began between Kinsley and Hayden. It added a nice depth and understanding to their current dynamics and relationship rekindling they were dealing with. The chemistry was definitely there between these two and the passion sizzled. I also enjoyed Kinsley’s uniqueness with her meditation, crystals, and journaling.
This small-town, second-chance HEA is full of family, drama, emotions, hot (hot…hot and spicy) sexy times, reflection, growth, sass, and humor.
September 19, 2023
Thank you Lyra Parish for this ARC copy in exchange for my honest opinion and review!
This fast paced small town romance is the perfect fall read!
Childhood lovers Hayden and Kinsley come face to face 10 years after a nasty break up. Both are in new phases of life, yet still are impacted by lingering emotional scars from "the one that got away."
Read if you love:
-second chances
-small towns
-manifesting/crystals
-spicy scenes
-Finding yourself/ healing from trauma
I loved that these two found each other again! At times the pacing of this was a bit too fast for my liking, but this author is known for shorter stories. This quicker read is the perfect "pallet cleanser" in between more lengthy reads.
I could relate so hard to the trauma of a toxic relationship Hayden experienced, and each of the main characters fear of ending up alone. The relatable self conscious thoughts, hilarious bantering, and determination shared within these pages made this one hard to put down!
I highly recommend giving this one a chance!
Favorite quotes:
"A part of me was hoping if I ever saw him again, he'd be like the Hunchback of Notre Dame, and I wouldn't still be attracted to him. But no, he's sexier than ever, and I actually kinda hate him for it."
"Funny, I've been home fore a week, and my life feels like it's taken a one-eighty." "Sometimes that's how it happen," Mom says.
"It's good to get away sometimes, but there's no place like home."
"When I think about the paths I chose and how they turned out, I try not to regret them. There's a lesson to be learned in every situation, and sometimes we have to realize what we had so that we can cherish and appreciate what we lost."
This fast paced small town romance is the perfect fall read!
Childhood lovers Hayden and Kinsley come face to face 10 years after a nasty break up. Both are in new phases of life, yet still are impacted by lingering emotional scars from "the one that got away."
Read if you love:
-second chances
-small towns
-manifesting/crystals
-spicy scenes
-Finding yourself/ healing from trauma
I loved that these two found each other again! At times the pacing of this was a bit too fast for my liking, but this author is known for shorter stories. This quicker read is the perfect "pallet cleanser" in between more lengthy reads.
I could relate so hard to the trauma of a toxic relationship Hayden experienced, and each of the main characters fear of ending up alone. The relatable self conscious thoughts, hilarious bantering, and determination shared within these pages made this one hard to put down!
I highly recommend giving this one a chance!
Favorite quotes:
"A part of me was hoping if I ever saw him again, he'd be like the Hunchback of Notre Dame, and I wouldn't still be attracted to him. But no, he's sexier than ever, and I actually kinda hate him for it."
"Funny, I've been home fore a week, and my life feels like it's taken a one-eighty." "Sometimes that's how it happen," Mom says.
"It's good to get away sometimes, but there's no place like home."
"When I think about the paths I chose and how they turned out, I try not to regret them. There's a lesson to be learned in every situation, and sometimes we have to realize what we had so that we can cherish and appreciate what we lost."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 19, 2023
✨ Spill the Sweet Tea ✨
Spill the Sweet Tea by Lyra Parish
Book #2 of the Valentine Texas series
Available Today, Sept 19th!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
In Valentine, Texas high-school sweethearts who haven’t seen each other since their breakup 10 years ago, finally see each other for the first time when Hayden Shaw comes back into town. Is he back home for more than just a family emergency? Or is this the perfect excuse to win back his soul mate?
“I know for a damn fact you were made for me.”
Can true love really come out on top after having a broken heart for 10 years? Kinsley Valentines ex-boyfriend Hayden Shaw returns home after he promised her he would never return. She tries to avoid him at all costs, but fate & true love brings them back together again.
"Forever and always,”
If you love cheesy, small town, family oriented, feel good romance novels, this book along with this entire series, is a MUST READ! I can not wait to see what is in store for Harrison and Grace!
Thank you so much Lyra for giving me the opportunity to read this book early! I can’t wait to read the rest of this series!
Spill the Sweet Tea by Lyra Parish
Book #2 of the Valentine Texas series
Available Today, Sept 19th!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
In Valentine, Texas high-school sweethearts who haven’t seen each other since their breakup 10 years ago, finally see each other for the first time when Hayden Shaw comes back into town. Is he back home for more than just a family emergency? Or is this the perfect excuse to win back his soul mate?
“I know for a damn fact you were made for me.”
Can true love really come out on top after having a broken heart for 10 years? Kinsley Valentines ex-boyfriend Hayden Shaw returns home after he promised her he would never return. She tries to avoid him at all costs, but fate & true love brings them back together again.
"Forever and always,”
If you love cheesy, small town, family oriented, feel good romance novels, this book along with this entire series, is a MUST READ! I can not wait to see what is in store for Harrison and Grace!
Thank you so much Lyra for giving me the opportunity to read this book early! I can’t wait to read the rest of this series!
January 25, 2025
I love everything about Kinsley and Hayden. Kinsley is a happy eccentric woman who loves her tarot cards and crystals. Hayden is a man who is in a loveless relationship and works himself to death. They were each others first loves and when things ended Kinsley had her heart broken. She forbid her family for even mentioning his name. When circumstances being Hayden back into town things start to get interesting when they run into each other.
This was a fun and spicy read. Exactly what I’ve come to expect from Lyra.
This was a fun and spicy read. Exactly what I’ve come to expect from Lyra.
June 11, 2025
Another great book in this series, also listened on audio and loved the narration!
Kinsley was such a fun character, she’s our journalist, crystal loving, tarot reading, sassy FMC. Hayden is her ex who wishes he never left his small town, he broke Kinsley’s heart and she’s been trying to recover since. When Hayden’s dad isn’t doing well, he finds himself back in Valentine. Can Kinsley be around him without falling again?
Really enjoyed this book, such a fun and cute read. Excited to continue the series before the new book comes out 😍
Kinsley was such a fun character, she’s our journalist, crystal loving, tarot reading, sassy FMC. Hayden is her ex who wishes he never left his small town, he broke Kinsley’s heart and she’s been trying to recover since. When Hayden’s dad isn’t doing well, he finds himself back in Valentine. Can Kinsley be around him without falling again?
Really enjoyed this book, such a fun and cute read. Excited to continue the series before the new book comes out 😍
September 10, 2023
I love this book. Hayden and Kinsley were made for each-other. No matter how long they were apart their love was so strong it was like no time passed. I laughed and cried and laughed some more in this book. I love how Kinsley spoke her mind on everything. Definitely will be reading this book again!
February 14, 2025
Such a great cast of quirky characters. I am really enjoying this series so much. It’s such a great little rom-com series & the perfect little in-between books palate cleanser. I can’t wait to continue my journey through the Valentine Texas books!
October 17, 2025
Overall I enjoyed the story.
It’s your typical small town second chance romance . Lovers to enemies back to lovers.
No spice till about half way through the book then it’s just all smut haha
It’s your typical small town second chance romance . Lovers to enemies back to lovers.
No spice till about half way through the book then it’s just all smut haha
November 6, 2025
Oh boy. As great as book 1 was, I can't help but be a little gutted I didn't enjoy this one as much.
I didn't love that this book opens with BOTH the FMC and MMC in relationships with other people.
Kinsley has a situationship with a bartender. It's not serious (even though she's beginning to feel things for him) and it's got an expiration date because he's moving back to NYC in September - he ends up leaving earlier because he finds out his ex is pregnant and he wants to be with her.
Hayden's even worse - he's got a FIANCEE. Even though, apparently, they're "not on good terms". What that really means is Hayden suspects his woman of cheating - but he can't just break up with her because she's pregnant with what may be his child.
Turns out she's a real piece of work, the pregnancy is fake, and she's actually screwing multiple men behind Hayden's back.
But they've been together SEVEN years. So no matter how horrible this woman's painted out to be - Hayden still stayed with her longer than he was with Kinsley.
So. Wow, that's a lot of drama for a very short book. And I'm not typically a huge fan of...well, any of it.
Thankfully, by 35% of the way through the story, all of the OM/OW drama is pretty much handled.
But I don't know how I feel about that, either.
We bring up heavy situations, and then shoo them away for the sake of the main relationship. It's entirely too convenient.
Then, 50% of the way through the book, without any preamble, Hayden and Kinsley have one conversation where ALL of their dirty secrets are spilled and then they're screwing. There's no tension, no build up, no groveling or anything to make up for whatever happened a decade before. Just Kinsley - the injured party who's turned Hayden's name into a dirty word for the last 10 years, mind you - asking him to kiss, then fuck her. Out of nowhere.
Now listen, I know this is a short book. I know it's not meant to be deep or complex. But wasting 40% of the story on OM/OW drama then getting the 2 main characters, who've been estranged for a decade and who now, at least from 1 side, have a contentious relationship, together immediately after... feels like lazy work.
Hayden doesn't have to do anything to win Kinsley back.
Even after she confesses straight up to him that he broke her heart and she's never been the same since. SHE is the one who asks for it.
They have a brief and torrid affair where they finally discuss that they're going to attempt to rekindle things - but Kinsley wants to do it without crawling into bed together again.
And at that point, I thought 'Yes! dates! rebuilding the relationship! I am HERE for it!'
But then I turned the page and got slapped with this:
ONE MONTH LATER
Are you fucking kidding me?
What is the point of this book if you're not gonna give us the relationship? If we're not going to see the two come back to each other in real time? Why bother writing anything at all, if the whole time it's just snark then fucking then huge time skips where all the important stuff happened.
And when we tune back in? More sex. 🙄😒
I was so annoyed!
Also I really didn't need the flashback scene to them screwing around when she was a minor. Obviously, I understood that they were together when they were kids. I didn't need the graphic visual of those CHILDREN having sex. I'll never understand why authors feel compelled to write that kind of thing.
The end of the story happens the only way it really could. The two finally take some legitimate time a apart when Hayden returns to Houston to square up his life there and figure out what he wants to do (whether he wants to stay or return to Valentine). He also attends therapy (I was actually glad to see this, so many characters NEED therapy, and so few actually seek it out. Good for him.)
He's also been writing a novel over the course of this story and he leaves the manuscript with Kinsley when he goes. She naturally reads it, gets all emotional and then finishes the story that he left on a cliffhanger (the story is based on their real story, so he left it open because "the ball's in her court" and all that). THAT was cute. I just wish I knew a bit about what the story actually was. Not that I wanted to read a whole novel within a novel, but give me SOMETHING!
I guess I just don't really feel like it's earned. We literally go from Kinsley treating Hayden like his very name like Voldemort to them screwing six ways to Sunday, to a huge time skip where we're TOLD they 'hang out' non-sexually, to a flashback of teenagers having sex, to them being apart for several weeks.
Through all of that, I didn't really manage to feel close to the couple at all because the only thing we get to see them do together is screw. The chemistry between them feels sort of manufactured because of that and I think a LOT of this could have been remedied if I'd gotten to spend some time with them when they had their clothes on. There's a good deal more sex in this book than there was in book 1. And I think this very short story sort of suffers for it.
Even if the smut is good, you still have to make me believe in the relationship, you know?
And no matter how much I wanted to root for these two, I just didn't quiiiiiite get there. The ending was cute. The world is still charming. I still enjoy the Valentine family. Kinsley by herself was kind of a great character. I love me a witchy woo-woo FMC. the tarot and crystals were a fun little addition to the story.
Alas.
I'm giving this 3 stars - but just know it's there by the skin of its teeth.
I didn't love that this book opens with BOTH the FMC and MMC in relationships with other people.
Kinsley has a situationship with a bartender. It's not serious (even though she's beginning to feel things for him) and it's got an expiration date because he's moving back to NYC in September - he ends up leaving earlier because he finds out his ex is pregnant and he wants to be with her.
Hayden's even worse - he's got a FIANCEE. Even though, apparently, they're "not on good terms". What that really means is Hayden suspects his woman of cheating - but he can't just break up with her because she's pregnant with what may be his child.
Turns out she's a real piece of work, the pregnancy is fake, and she's actually screwing multiple men behind Hayden's back.
But they've been together SEVEN years. So no matter how horrible this woman's painted out to be - Hayden still stayed with her longer than he was with Kinsley.
So. Wow, that's a lot of drama for a very short book. And I'm not typically a huge fan of...well, any of it.
Thankfully, by 35% of the way through the story, all of the OM/OW drama is pretty much handled.
But I don't know how I feel about that, either.
We bring up heavy situations, and then shoo them away for the sake of the main relationship. It's entirely too convenient.
Then, 50% of the way through the book, without any preamble, Hayden and Kinsley have one conversation where ALL of their dirty secrets are spilled and then they're screwing. There's no tension, no build up, no groveling or anything to make up for whatever happened a decade before. Just Kinsley - the injured party who's turned Hayden's name into a dirty word for the last 10 years, mind you - asking him to kiss, then fuck her. Out of nowhere.
Now listen, I know this is a short book. I know it's not meant to be deep or complex. But wasting 40% of the story on OM/OW drama then getting the 2 main characters, who've been estranged for a decade and who now, at least from 1 side, have a contentious relationship, together immediately after... feels like lazy work.
Hayden doesn't have to do anything to win Kinsley back.
Even after she confesses straight up to him that he broke her heart and she's never been the same since. SHE is the one who asks for it.
They have a brief and torrid affair where they finally discuss that they're going to attempt to rekindle things - but Kinsley wants to do it without crawling into bed together again.
And at that point, I thought 'Yes! dates! rebuilding the relationship! I am HERE for it!'
But then I turned the page and got slapped with this:
ONE MONTH LATER
Are you fucking kidding me?
What is the point of this book if you're not gonna give us the relationship? If we're not going to see the two come back to each other in real time? Why bother writing anything at all, if the whole time it's just snark then fucking then huge time skips where all the important stuff happened.
And when we tune back in? More sex. 🙄😒
I was so annoyed!
Also I really didn't need the flashback scene to them screwing around when she was a minor. Obviously, I understood that they were together when they were kids. I didn't need the graphic visual of those CHILDREN having sex. I'll never understand why authors feel compelled to write that kind of thing.
The end of the story happens the only way it really could. The two finally take some legitimate time a apart when Hayden returns to Houston to square up his life there and figure out what he wants to do (whether he wants to stay or return to Valentine). He also attends therapy (I was actually glad to see this, so many characters NEED therapy, and so few actually seek it out. Good for him.)
He's also been writing a novel over the course of this story and he leaves the manuscript with Kinsley when he goes. She naturally reads it, gets all emotional and then finishes the story that he left on a cliffhanger (the story is based on their real story, so he left it open because "the ball's in her court" and all that). THAT was cute. I just wish I knew a bit about what the story actually was. Not that I wanted to read a whole novel within a novel, but give me SOMETHING!
I guess I just don't really feel like it's earned. We literally go from Kinsley treating Hayden like his very name like Voldemort to them screwing six ways to Sunday, to a huge time skip where we're TOLD they 'hang out' non-sexually, to a flashback of teenagers having sex, to them being apart for several weeks.
Through all of that, I didn't really manage to feel close to the couple at all because the only thing we get to see them do together is screw. The chemistry between them feels sort of manufactured because of that and I think a LOT of this could have been remedied if I'd gotten to spend some time with them when they had their clothes on. There's a good deal more sex in this book than there was in book 1. And I think this very short story sort of suffers for it.
Even if the smut is good, you still have to make me believe in the relationship, you know?
And no matter how much I wanted to root for these two, I just didn't quiiiiiite get there. The ending was cute. The world is still charming. I still enjoy the Valentine family. Kinsley by herself was kind of a great character. I love me a witchy woo-woo FMC. the tarot and crystals were a fun little addition to the story.
Alas.
I'm giving this 3 stars - but just know it's there by the skin of its teeth.
September 18, 2023
Title: Spill the Sweet Tea
Author: Lyra Parish
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
I have no words to describe this book. I’m in love with it, I’m in love with Lyra Parish’s writing. It sucked me in from the beginning. This book is book 2 in the Valentine Texas series and my first book ever by her. This book follows the story of Hayden and Kinsley. They dated as teenagers then broke up and Hayden moved away. Now Hayden is back, but for how long, and what does that mean for Kinsley and Hayden.
Hayden is a partner of an accounting firm in Houston, Texas which he left his small town of Valentine to go to 10 years ago. Kinsley is a journalist for their town newspaper, who is sassy and loved. They are both bookworms who also had a passion for writing, but both stopped after writing after their break up. Can they find their passion for writing again and for each other?
This is a second chance romance and it’ll have you melting all over the place. You’ll want to laugh and cry. I have read a lot of second chance books but this one was a little different, they didn’t just automatically fall back into each other, they took it slow, got to know each other again, and even took some time apart (when Hayden went back to Houston to tie up some loose ends). They find their way back to each other in a very organic and real way.
There is banter and spice between the MC’s and even the supporting characters. It’s a small town romance so as you can guess rumors are constantly flying around about Hayden and Kinsely, why is he back, they are back together, they are going to get engaged etc, etc. Anything you can think of you’ll hear the rumors rolling through that town, and Kinsley lives for it being as she is the journalist. I really enjoyed seeing that their love for each other was still there from 10 years ago but also the new love forming as they learn about how the other person has changed and they fall even more in love.
I highly recommend this book. Even though I haven’t read it yet, I’m going to say go ahead and say read Bless Your Heart, which is the first book in the series. It isn’t required before reading Spill the Sweet Tea, but based on the story this story I can almost guarantee it’s going to be amazing.
Tropes/what to expect
📚 grumpy/sunshine
📚small town
📚second chance, high school sweethearts
📚hate to love you vibes
📚happily ever after
📚spicy rom-com
📚brothers friend
📚cinnamon roll hero
📚sassy heroine
Author: Lyra Parish
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
I have no words to describe this book. I’m in love with it, I’m in love with Lyra Parish’s writing. It sucked me in from the beginning. This book is book 2 in the Valentine Texas series and my first book ever by her. This book follows the story of Hayden and Kinsley. They dated as teenagers then broke up and Hayden moved away. Now Hayden is back, but for how long, and what does that mean for Kinsley and Hayden.
Hayden is a partner of an accounting firm in Houston, Texas which he left his small town of Valentine to go to 10 years ago. Kinsley is a journalist for their town newspaper, who is sassy and loved. They are both bookworms who also had a passion for writing, but both stopped after writing after their break up. Can they find their passion for writing again and for each other?
This is a second chance romance and it’ll have you melting all over the place. You’ll want to laugh and cry. I have read a lot of second chance books but this one was a little different, they didn’t just automatically fall back into each other, they took it slow, got to know each other again, and even took some time apart (when Hayden went back to Houston to tie up some loose ends). They find their way back to each other in a very organic and real way.
There is banter and spice between the MC’s and even the supporting characters. It’s a small town romance so as you can guess rumors are constantly flying around about Hayden and Kinsely, why is he back, they are back together, they are going to get engaged etc, etc. Anything you can think of you’ll hear the rumors rolling through that town, and Kinsley lives for it being as she is the journalist. I really enjoyed seeing that their love for each other was still there from 10 years ago but also the new love forming as they learn about how the other person has changed and they fall even more in love.
I highly recommend this book. Even though I haven’t read it yet, I’m going to say go ahead and say read Bless Your Heart, which is the first book in the series. It isn’t required before reading Spill the Sweet Tea, but based on the story this story I can almost guarantee it’s going to be amazing.
Tropes/what to expect
📚 grumpy/sunshine
📚small town
📚second chance, high school sweethearts
📚hate to love you vibes
📚happily ever after
📚spicy rom-com
📚brothers friend
📚cinnamon roll hero
📚sassy heroine
September 20, 2023
"When he's near me, concentration might as well be a unicorn, a fable, something that doesn't exist."
That is exactly how I felt about Hayden Shaw. He is a man who loves reading and wants to write and enjoys working in a bookstore...a unicorn of the male specimen for sure!!!
I am a sucker for second chance romances and I knew this was going to be a good one b/c Lyra built it up just enough in the previous book to have me wanting Kinsley and Hayden's story ASAP!!! It did not disappoint either...it consumed all my free time and I didn't want it to end.
Hayden's name might as well be a four letter bad word that starts with F in the town of Valentine, TX. He burned Kinsley something fierce in the past because of his own stubborn pride. Then some years later he shows back up and ends up having to face just what that pride has cost him all this time.
Kinsley gets wind of Hayden being back in town and karma steps up seemingly in an ugly way at first when her boss assigns her the story on Hayden's family's bookstore. But is karma really appearing in a bad way?????
The following story of these two finding their way back to each other was so freaking outstanding. While Kinsley is full of apprehension Hayden is probably seeing clearly for the first time in his life. As the saying goes, "don't know what you got 'til it's gone". That is exactly how I feel about Kinsley and Hayden's story. The universe knows they are meant for each other and the years apart were necessary for them to grow as individuals to be all the better together in their new life.
I am very much enjoying Ms. Parish's Valentine Texas series and cannot wait for more from these Valentine siblings.
That is exactly how I felt about Hayden Shaw. He is a man who loves reading and wants to write and enjoys working in a bookstore...a unicorn of the male specimen for sure!!!
I am a sucker for second chance romances and I knew this was going to be a good one b/c Lyra built it up just enough in the previous book to have me wanting Kinsley and Hayden's story ASAP!!! It did not disappoint either...it consumed all my free time and I didn't want it to end.
Hayden's name might as well be a four letter bad word that starts with F in the town of Valentine, TX. He burned Kinsley something fierce in the past because of his own stubborn pride. Then some years later he shows back up and ends up having to face just what that pride has cost him all this time.
Kinsley gets wind of Hayden being back in town and karma steps up seemingly in an ugly way at first when her boss assigns her the story on Hayden's family's bookstore. But is karma really appearing in a bad way?????
The following story of these two finding their way back to each other was so freaking outstanding. While Kinsley is full of apprehension Hayden is probably seeing clearly for the first time in his life. As the saying goes, "don't know what you got 'til it's gone". That is exactly how I feel about Kinsley and Hayden's story. The universe knows they are meant for each other and the years apart were necessary for them to grow as individuals to be all the better together in their new life.
I am very much enjoying Ms. Parish's Valentine Texas series and cannot wait for more from these Valentine siblings.
March 19, 2024
“I’d wait a lifetime for you.”
Sweet sigh … oh my does Author Lyra Parish know how to write small town romance. Spill the Sweet Tea is all the swoony, sassy, spicy Southern goodness. I was utterly spellbound by this love story.
After book one, I was so ready to return to Valentine, Texas for more! Kinsley and Hayden are reunited after years apart. Despite distance and time, this hero and heroine are inevitable. Together they are a fire that burns and I felt their undeniable chemistry. These destined soulmates are drawn toward each other like a moth to a flame with a combustible connection that ignites everywhere.
Kinsley is a heroine you can’t help but want to be or make your bestie. She marches to the best of her own drum and I couldn’t help but adore her. She’s sunshine dipped in fire and needs a strong hero like Hayden to be her formidable equal. Hayden is a strong alpha hero with a side of soft and I loved him!
Brimming with rich character history, intense emotion, combustible chemistry, and all the soul-deep love, Spill the Sweet Tea checks off all the small town romance boxes.
Protective alpha hero ✅
Strong and stunning heroine ✅
Delicious, red-hot tension ✅
Sizzling chemistry ✅
Second-chance love ✅
Small town charm ✅
I was a goner for Hayden, Kinsley and their heart-hitting love story with all the Sweet Home Alabama vibes.
“The truth is, I gave my heart away a long time ago. My whole heart. And I never really got it back.”—Sweet Home Alabama
💋💋💋💋💋 crystal kisses
➡️ https://amzn.to/3vjZaa4
Reviewed on behalf of Bookalicious Babes Blog
Sweet sigh … oh my does Author Lyra Parish know how to write small town romance. Spill the Sweet Tea is all the swoony, sassy, spicy Southern goodness. I was utterly spellbound by this love story.
After book one, I was so ready to return to Valentine, Texas for more! Kinsley and Hayden are reunited after years apart. Despite distance and time, this hero and heroine are inevitable. Together they are a fire that burns and I felt their undeniable chemistry. These destined soulmates are drawn toward each other like a moth to a flame with a combustible connection that ignites everywhere.
Kinsley is a heroine you can’t help but want to be or make your bestie. She marches to the best of her own drum and I couldn’t help but adore her. She’s sunshine dipped in fire and needs a strong hero like Hayden to be her formidable equal. Hayden is a strong alpha hero with a side of soft and I loved him!
Brimming with rich character history, intense emotion, combustible chemistry, and all the soul-deep love, Spill the Sweet Tea checks off all the small town romance boxes.
Protective alpha hero ✅
Strong and stunning heroine ✅
Delicious, red-hot tension ✅
Sizzling chemistry ✅
Second-chance love ✅
Small town charm ✅
I was a goner for Hayden, Kinsley and their heart-hitting love story with all the Sweet Home Alabama vibes.
“The truth is, I gave my heart away a long time ago. My whole heart. And I never really got it back.”—Sweet Home Alabama
💋💋💋💋💋 crystal kisses
➡️ https://amzn.to/3vjZaa4
Reviewed on behalf of Bookalicious Babes Blog
September 11, 2023
I loved this sweet (and spicy) story of childhood love renewed into something bigger and greater. Kinsley is sweet, kind, determined, and her love of books will have you relating to her in an instant. She believes in manifesting her good luck and Hayden is by far lucky to have her. He’s a family man through and through and without a doubt Kinsley is his muse as he gets back into writing. Books and their love of writing pulled them together more than once and I live for that sweet energy. The magic and manifestation themes, coupled with Hades and Persephone references, the books and writing, along with the second chance love story, just had me absolutely melting for these characters. I loved it so much.
Lyra seriously slays the witty banter and tension between characters. The characters never feel rushed in their development or the unfolding of their stories. I cried, I laughed, and I definitely got some butterflies. This one felt more sentimental, so close to relationships we’ve all had when we were young. And giving that space to have a second chance. It was truly beautiful.
Each book in this series has me binge reading and always wanting more. 5/5 book, 2/5 spice. I do think the spice level was appropriate for the story in the way it was told purely because it mirrors their childhood relationship, it just worked. I would recommend and will read again.
Lyra seriously slays the witty banter and tension between characters. The characters never feel rushed in their development or the unfolding of their stories. I cried, I laughed, and I definitely got some butterflies. This one felt more sentimental, so close to relationships we’ve all had when we were young. And giving that space to have a second chance. It was truly beautiful.
Each book in this series has me binge reading and always wanting more. 5/5 book, 2/5 spice. I do think the spice level was appropriate for the story in the way it was told purely because it mirrors their childhood relationship, it just worked. I would recommend and will read again.
September 19, 2023
☆ 5/5 & 2.5/5 spice
“I’ll give you as much time as you need, but I’m allowing you to decide how our story ends. Will it be a love story or a tragedy?”
“A second chance with you is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I don’t wanna leave and f*ck this up again.”
Lately I’ve been in my small town, second chance romance era. I devoured this book in one sitting. Hayden and Kinsley were high school sweethearts, who broke up many years ago, but after a family emergency Hayden returns back to his hometown to help his family with their family bookstore. Kinsley’s job requires for her to go do an interview at a bookstore in town, but she dreads the idea since it’s owned by her ex’s family.
Kinsley wants nothing to do with Hayden because he left her heartbroken 10 years ago, which she still hasn’t recovered from. When Kinsley finds out that Hayden’s back in town, she tries to avoid him at all cost, but fate brings them back together. She gives into her feelings for him, and eventually give their relationship a second chance.
I love the storyline so much and seeing how Hayden handled dealing with his problems. He admitted that in order for him to be a better partner and give her all his love, he admits that he is willing to go to therapy to heal himself. I enjoyed that both K & H were book lovers and they bonded over writing and reading.
Not all relationship are perfect, and their story was beautifully written from heartbreak to the reconnection. They were truly soulmates. I adore the close knit, supportive, crazy family dynamics. I laughed, I cried, I swooned. I will definitely be going back and reading the first book in the series. Definitely recommend!
Tropes:
❥ Second chance
❥ Small town
❥ Hate to love you vibes
❥ Friends to lovers
❥ Rom com vibes
❥ Family saga
❥ Teenage sweethearts
“I’ll give you as much time as you need, but I’m allowing you to decide how our story ends. Will it be a love story or a tragedy?”
“A second chance with you is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I don’t wanna leave and f*ck this up again.”
Lately I’ve been in my small town, second chance romance era. I devoured this book in one sitting. Hayden and Kinsley were high school sweethearts, who broke up many years ago, but after a family emergency Hayden returns back to his hometown to help his family with their family bookstore. Kinsley’s job requires for her to go do an interview at a bookstore in town, but she dreads the idea since it’s owned by her ex’s family.
Kinsley wants nothing to do with Hayden because he left her heartbroken 10 years ago, which she still hasn’t recovered from. When Kinsley finds out that Hayden’s back in town, she tries to avoid him at all cost, but fate brings them back together. She gives into her feelings for him, and eventually give their relationship a second chance.
I love the storyline so much and seeing how Hayden handled dealing with his problems. He admitted that in order for him to be a better partner and give her all his love, he admits that he is willing to go to therapy to heal himself. I enjoyed that both K & H were book lovers and they bonded over writing and reading.
Not all relationship are perfect, and their story was beautifully written from heartbreak to the reconnection. They were truly soulmates. I adore the close knit, supportive, crazy family dynamics. I laughed, I cried, I swooned. I will definitely be going back and reading the first book in the series. Definitely recommend!
Tropes:
❥ Second chance
❥ Small town
❥ Hate to love you vibes
❥ Friends to lovers
❥ Rom com vibes
❥ Family saga
❥ Teenage sweethearts
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