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Honeysuckle, Texas #1
Sweet Beginnings
When the Sweet family’s Texas ranch is threatened, Preston Sweet knows he and his siblings must do whatever it takes to save the land that has been in his family for generations—even marry. To everyone’s surprise, their neighbor Sarah Conroy offers to join forces with Preston to protect the ranch. What begins as a simple arrangement, soon takes unexpected turns. Can they withstand growing complications without losing the friendship they’ve always valued—or will this sweet beginning lead to a happily ever after?
Step into Honeysuckle, Texas, a charming small town where love, family, and ranching roots run deep.
Step into Honeysuckle, Texas, a charming small town where love, family, and ranching roots run deep.
158 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 24, 2025
519 people are currently reading
3308 people want to read
About the author
Chris Keniston
119 books376 followersA native New Yorker, Chris Keniston was on her way to Australia when she fell in love with North Texas. Little did she know the balmy seventy-degree October days would turn into fry-an-egg-on-the-sidewalk heat in August!
Twenty years later, she started scribbling short stories about her favorite TV shows, giving them lives more to her liking - and the elusive happy ending. Not long after, a dear friend dragged her to a local writers’ meeting. After winning multiple writing contests and making the finals in the Romance Writers of America’s prestigious Golden Heart contest, she now spends her days, and nights, writing contemporary romantic fiction with lots of emotion, plenty of surprises, and, of course, the happily ever after.
Chris lives in suburban Dallas with her husband, two human children, and two canine children. Though she loves her puppies equally, she admits being especially attached to her German Shepherd rescue named Gunny. After all, even dogs deserve a happily ever after.
Die gebürtige New Yorkerin Chris Keniston war auf dem Weg nach Australien, als sie sich in Nord-Texas verliebte. Damals wusste sie noch nicht, dass die milden einundzwanzig Grad des Oktobers sich im August in eine Hitze verwandeln würden, in der man ein Ei auf dem Asphalt braten könnte. Zwanzig Jahre später verbringt sie ihre Tage und Nächte mit dem Schreiben von zeitgenössischen Liebesromanen mit viel Gefühl, einigen Überraschungen und natürlich mit Happy End.
Als stolze Mutter von zwei menschlichen Kindern lebt Chris mit ihrem Mann und ihren beiden Hundekindern in einem Vorort von Dallas. Obwohl sie ihre vierbeinigen Familienmitglieder gleichermaßen liebt, gibt sie zu, dass sie eine ganz besondere Bindung zu ihrem Deutschen Schäferhund Gunny aus dem Tierheim hat. Schließlich verdienen auch Hunde ein Happy End.
https://www.chriskeniston.com/deutsch...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
September 19, 2025
The romance was sweet. The most annoying thing was the chapter headings. Most romance books will have a nice design or a quote above the chapter number but for some reason the author felt her name needed to be in box directly above each chapter number. Makes me rate this 2.5 for they annoyance factor and the narcissistic feeling that she needed to proclaim she wrote this mediocre sweet family romance. I am sure the rest of the series follows this nice family as they come together to deal with family struggles and find love but I don’t want to see her name every 5-10 pages.
September 19, 2025
Super choppy narrative for such a quick story. I liked parts of it, but overall, it was just meh.
July 7, 2025
Sweet Beginnings is the first book in a new series (Honeysuckle, Texas) by Chris Keniston. The book rotates around the Sweet family and their ranch in Texas. The siblings are called home by their mother, only to find out that the foreman and most of the ranch hands have been stealing the cattle as well as building supplies and machinery. Huge amounts of money are needed immediately to save the ranch. There is a trust that will give money to each of the siblings after they have married (and stayed married for a year). That will be a huge help. But none of them are married yet…
Preston and his siblings realize the only way to get the money is for them to marry. One of the neighbors, Sarah Sue, offered to help out by marrying Preston in a marriage of convenience. After her mother died, the Sweet family did a lot for her after her mother died. A marriage of convenience - just until the bank releases the funds needed to Preston. Meanwhile there is a small payment to help them limp along. Is it really only going to be a marriage of convenience or two people who are really fated for each other?
I am excited for a new series from Chris Keniston. I love her sweet books with strong family bonds. I enjoyed the setting and the family. Unfortunately, I can imagine the plot line with a widow not realizing she couldn’t trust long term employees while dealing with her grief.
Sweet Beginnings by Chris Keniston is a great start to a new series!
Preston and his siblings realize the only way to get the money is for them to marry. One of the neighbors, Sarah Sue, offered to help out by marrying Preston in a marriage of convenience. After her mother died, the Sweet family did a lot for her after her mother died. A marriage of convenience - just until the bank releases the funds needed to Preston. Meanwhile there is a small payment to help them limp along. Is it really only going to be a marriage of convenience or two people who are really fated for each other?
I am excited for a new series from Chris Keniston. I love her sweet books with strong family bonds. I enjoyed the setting and the family. Unfortunately, I can imagine the plot line with a widow not realizing she couldn’t trust long term employees while dealing with her grief.
Sweet Beginnings by Chris Keniston is a great start to a new series!
March 26, 2025
What a wonderful beginning of a new series from Chris Keniston! I can already tell after reading this story, the series is going to be amazing!
The Sweet family has owned their ranch for a very long time. Now that their father has passed away, their mom and the ranch hands have it under control....or so the Sweet kids thought. Come to find out their foreman was robbing them blind and one by one all the ranch hands quit. Leaving the ranch in serious financial trouble. The kids are all called home by their mom and learn of the mess that's going on. Putting their heads together, they realize that there's a huge trust that goes with the property, as the kids marry, money is released. It's enough to help if one child marries, but if they all get married quickly then they'll be home free!
Sarah has known the Sweet family all her life. When she hears of the financial trouble they are in and what needs to be done to help them, she volunteers herself to marry Preston. They've always had a close relationship and it just feels natural for them to marry. With a plan in place, one kid has found someone to marry, now the rest need to.
I loved this story so much! The characters are amazing and I look forward to reading each of their stories! As much as I loved Sarah and Preston, Samson and Brady stole the spotlight!!
The Sweet family has owned their ranch for a very long time. Now that their father has passed away, their mom and the ranch hands have it under control....or so the Sweet kids thought. Come to find out their foreman was robbing them blind and one by one all the ranch hands quit. Leaving the ranch in serious financial trouble. The kids are all called home by their mom and learn of the mess that's going on. Putting their heads together, they realize that there's a huge trust that goes with the property, as the kids marry, money is released. It's enough to help if one child marries, but if they all get married quickly then they'll be home free!
Sarah has known the Sweet family all her life. When she hears of the financial trouble they are in and what needs to be done to help them, she volunteers herself to marry Preston. They've always had a close relationship and it just feels natural for them to marry. With a plan in place, one kid has found someone to marry, now the rest need to.
I loved this story so much! The characters are amazing and I look forward to reading each of their stories! As much as I loved Sarah and Preston, Samson and Brady stole the spotlight!!
June 27, 2025
Sweet Beginnings Honeysuckle Texas Book 1
Chris Keniston
Take Chris Keniston, begin with Romance, stir in one Texas Cowboy, one Texas Cowgirl, add a touch of Family, Trouble, Animals mix well and you get a new Series set in Honeysuckle Texas.
Mom called a family conference. Preston Sweet, siblings, Rachel, Carson, Jillian, Aunts Liz and Vickie had converged. Where was Mom, Alice Sweet? Not answering her phone had all of them worried. A frantic search revealed Mom hung up on a barbwire fence, cuts, bruises, but not seriously injured. But why did she call us home Midweek? Ever since their Dad, Charles had died she was singled handedly running the ranch, with help of her foreman and some hands.
Once she was settled Alice told the kids. They were in serious trouble. They owed a lot of money and had no way to pay it. What were they going to do?
Sarah Sue Conroy, Doc Conroy’s daughter grew up with the Sweet Kids. She spent as much time at the ranch as at her own home. She and Preston had been thrown together a few times in HS. She still thought of Preston with fondness. The Sweets ranch was part of a trust fund. Generations got some of their inheritance when they married. How would a temporary marriage help out? Only we cant tell Mom…..or Doc……
How do you fake love in front of your family? Well its not easy even if its only for one year, but you live at the ranch?. Throw in turmoil and animals and you have a classic Chris Keniston Texas Romance that you have to read for yourself!
Chris Keniston
Take Chris Keniston, begin with Romance, stir in one Texas Cowboy, one Texas Cowgirl, add a touch of Family, Trouble, Animals mix well and you get a new Series set in Honeysuckle Texas.
Mom called a family conference. Preston Sweet, siblings, Rachel, Carson, Jillian, Aunts Liz and Vickie had converged. Where was Mom, Alice Sweet? Not answering her phone had all of them worried. A frantic search revealed Mom hung up on a barbwire fence, cuts, bruises, but not seriously injured. But why did she call us home Midweek? Ever since their Dad, Charles had died she was singled handedly running the ranch, with help of her foreman and some hands.
Once she was settled Alice told the kids. They were in serious trouble. They owed a lot of money and had no way to pay it. What were they going to do?
Sarah Sue Conroy, Doc Conroy’s daughter grew up with the Sweet Kids. She spent as much time at the ranch as at her own home. She and Preston had been thrown together a few times in HS. She still thought of Preston with fondness. The Sweets ranch was part of a trust fund. Generations got some of their inheritance when they married. How would a temporary marriage help out? Only we cant tell Mom…..or Doc……
How do you fake love in front of your family? Well its not easy even if its only for one year, but you live at the ranch?. Throw in turmoil and animals and you have a classic Chris Keniston Texas Romance that you have to read for yourself!
March 14, 2025
Sweet Beginnings doesn't start out so sweet when the family discovers that the foreman they thought was a friend has scammed and stolen and pretty much left the ranch with nothing. Ever since their dad died their mother has trusted Ray and the hands to make the difference in keeping the ranch going. A hard worker herself, she can't take care of everything by herself and by time she realizes what has been happening, the mortgage and a lot of other bills are late and expensive new equipment and cattle are missing. The family steps up as much as they can but none of them have the kind of money it will take to save the ranch. The family trust could save the ranch if only it wasn't so tied down with rules. That money is only handed out for fancy weddings, first year spending money, and a great big pay out on first anniversaries. You can guess where this is leading, but the tale itself is not just a redo of an old line. The great characters and beautiful romance make reading the first book in Chris Keniston's Honeysuckle, Texas another winner in a long line of winners for the sweet romance author.
As a big fan of Chris Keniston's romance novels, I requested an ARC and loved it as much as I expected to. I can't wait for the next one.
As a big fan of Chris Keniston's romance novels, I requested an ARC and loved it as much as I expected to. I can't wait for the next one.
October 14, 2025
Chris Keniston! You and I are going to have a talk. How can you create characters with depth and a situation that has such an enjoyable plot line and then make it a novella? These characters deserved 300 more pages! I want this story fleshed out more!
So after the Sweet family, mom falls from her horse and gets caught in. barbed wire( seriously, ouch!) the family finds out that a ranch hand had been seriously stealing and that the ranch was about to go belly up.
The family remembered that the estate it set up that each newly married couple gets a settlement of money. That money can save the farm.
Sarah( or Sarah Sue as she is sometimes called) is the lovely girl next store, and she offers to marry one of them for one year to save the farm.
Obviously, Mother Sweet can know nothing about this because she would never let her kids do this. So, of course, Preston and Sarah have to play up falling in love for the town, his mom, and her Dad.
Of course, they end up actually in love. That is never the big reveal. The story is the journey of getting there.
I love the failed service dogs in the story it adds more depth, and I know that this plot alone could have stretched it another 50 pages. Honestly. It's such a good book!
So after the Sweet family, mom falls from her horse and gets caught in. barbed wire( seriously, ouch!) the family finds out that a ranch hand had been seriously stealing and that the ranch was about to go belly up.
The family remembered that the estate it set up that each newly married couple gets a settlement of money. That money can save the farm.
Sarah( or Sarah Sue as she is sometimes called) is the lovely girl next store, and she offers to marry one of them for one year to save the farm.
Obviously, Mother Sweet can know nothing about this because she would never let her kids do this. So, of course, Preston and Sarah have to play up falling in love for the town, his mom, and her Dad.
Of course, they end up actually in love. That is never the big reveal. The story is the journey of getting there.
I love the failed service dogs in the story it adds more depth, and I know that this plot alone could have stretched it another 50 pages. Honestly. It's such a good book!
March 11, 2025
What a sweet and entertaining beginning to this new series!
When the Sweet siblings are all called home by their mother, the kids are all trying to guess at what is going on. The last thing they expected to hear was that the family’s Texas ranch is in big trouble.
Preston and his siblings know that they will do whatever it takes to save the land that has been in their family for generations. Even if it means marrying someone they aren’t in love with so that they can get part of the family trust. When their neighbor Sarah Conroy offers to help by marrying Preston, he knows it’s necessary if they have any chance of saving the ranch.
Sarah Sue Conroy grew up hanging out with the Sweet kids and she and Preston have always had a good relationship. Agreeing to marry him so that he can help his siblings save their ranch is a small price to pay for all of the love and care she got from their family after her mom died.
Neither Sarah, nor Preston expected the connection they always had to suddenly morph into so much more. But will their friendship suffer if they take a chance on love?
When the Sweet siblings are all called home by their mother, the kids are all trying to guess at what is going on. The last thing they expected to hear was that the family’s Texas ranch is in big trouble.
Preston and his siblings know that they will do whatever it takes to save the land that has been in their family for generations. Even if it means marrying someone they aren’t in love with so that they can get part of the family trust. When their neighbor Sarah Conroy offers to help by marrying Preston, he knows it’s necessary if they have any chance of saving the ranch.
Sarah Sue Conroy grew up hanging out with the Sweet kids and she and Preston have always had a good relationship. Agreeing to marry him so that he can help his siblings save their ranch is a small price to pay for all of the love and care she got from their family after her mom died.
Neither Sarah, nor Preston expected the connection they always had to suddenly morph into so much more. But will their friendship suffer if they take a chance on love?
March 13, 2025
I felt so bad for Preston’s mother for what her ranch Forman did to her. It was hard enough losing her husband, but to have an unreliable employee who did what he did was the last straw. But Preston’s mother Alice was a positive person. Her children that were near by went to their mother’s house and were shocked as much as their mother that the ranch didn’t have hardly any money left to continue. I loved how the kids threw around ideas on how to get money for the ranch. Sarah’s father lived next door and Preston’s mother had always treated her like a daughter since Sarah’s mother had passed when she was younger. There was a way to get some money for the ranch, but one of them had to get married. I was so glad to see Sarah volunteer to marry Preston for a year. You will love watching the two get to know each other better. I enjoyed the book and encourage you to read it.
June 3, 2025
A wonderful start to a new series. Welcome to Honeysuckle, Texas. A small town where everyone helps each other out. There’s an issue at the Sweet Ranch. It starts with Alice Sweet being hurt, and then finding out the ranch is in dire straights. What the siblings do is not ethical at all, but they will do whatever it takes to save there family ranch. When Sarah Sue jumps in to help anyway she can well the next words out of her mouth are shocking to everyone including Preston. Now they ave to make everyone in town believe they’re a couple. One thing I loved was when a situation presents itself that put Preston and Sarah Sue in danger a sweet, but misunderstood dog with PTSD comes to there side. In that moment Preston and Sarah Sue admit to one another how they truly feel about each other. It’s a beautiful moment. It was an emotional read.
A beautiful ending. Of course there were laughs.
A beautiful ending. Of course there were laughs.
June 27, 2025
This is the first book in a new series by Chris Keniston.
When Preston and his siblings are called home by their mother, they aren't sure what is going on. They find out their former Ranch Manager has been stealing them blind! Their ancestors have a significant trust fund for each member of the family that marries. The siblings decide to look for mates.
Sarah Conroy is their close neighbor and had grown up with the family. When she finds out about the situation she and Preston decide to do a marriage of convenience for 1 year.
Hmm, marriage of convenience, what surprises happen?
This is a wonderful start to the new series.
When Preston and his siblings are called home by their mother, they aren't sure what is going on. They find out their former Ranch Manager has been stealing them blind! Their ancestors have a significant trust fund for each member of the family that marries. The siblings decide to look for mates.
Sarah Conroy is their close neighbor and had grown up with the family. When she finds out about the situation she and Preston decide to do a marriage of convenience for 1 year.
Hmm, marriage of convenience, what surprises happen?
This is a wonderful start to the new series.
March 27, 2025
Oh my gosh, this is such a wonderful romance series beginning; friends to lovers, smart rescue dogs, villains, large family, ranch life, small town gossip, love, devotion, loyalty, and on top of it all, there is mention of another beloved family! I love how Chris Keniston's books and characters all have a mention of a connection. It makes them that much more interesting to read.
I was gifted an ARC and I'm voluntarily sharing my honest opinion. I recommend this book and can't wait for the next one to come out.
I was gifted an ARC and I'm voluntarily sharing my honest opinion. I recommend this book and can't wait for the next one to come out.
January 12, 2026
Sweet and homey
Ah, the joys of small town living where everyone knows everyone, and everyone is in everyone's business.
I read the story in one sitting because I'm drawn to themes of family and friends-to-lovers.
To manage your expectations, this is a clean romance. It worked very well as Sarah and Preston had natural chemistry.
Their way to save the ranch surprised them, but not the parents.
I would have loved to see a wedding reception take place, like what Sarah's dad was saying, but I guess it's time to move on to another story. Carson's.
Ah, the joys of small town living where everyone knows everyone, and everyone is in everyone's business.
I read the story in one sitting because I'm drawn to themes of family and friends-to-lovers.
To manage your expectations, this is a clean romance. It worked very well as Sarah and Preston had natural chemistry.
Their way to save the ranch surprised them, but not the parents.
I would have loved to see a wedding reception take place, like what Sarah's dad was saying, but I guess it's time to move on to another story. Carson's.
July 14, 2025
A great start for a new series. Preston is the oldest of his siblings who were called home to help the family ranch. Sarah is willing to help the family with a marriage of convenience to Preston. Now they are getting to know each other more than friends and must decide whether to take a chance on real love.
October 18, 2025
It was a SWEET one but didn't really catch my attention. Def need more sensual scenes because Preston and Sarah Sue had a lot of chemistry together so that would've been interesting to add. Also, I found myself having to read sentences out loud because the flow wasn't there? Too much dialogue as well , so many names all jumbled up together it makes you say who is who???? Has potential.
June 25, 2025
Sweet Beginnings is the start of something new. Keniston brings the heart full circle with a family in transition and a romance, that's been years in the making. Through the drama of life and the heartache of love, family is ever constant.
September 12, 2025
Enjoyed!
A good start to the series, I think it will be very good. I liked the characters, the way they interacted and how the story developed. I look forward to the next siblings story.
A good start to the series, I think it will be very good. I liked the characters, the way they interacted and how the story developed. I look forward to the next siblings story.
June 26, 2025
Captivating
This book is addictive and captivating. I loved it. Looking forward to reading more of this series. I highly recommend this book
This book is addictive and captivating. I loved it. Looking forward to reading more of this series. I highly recommend this book
June 27, 2025
Likeable characters and a heartwarming story. Promising start to the series.
July 4, 2025
cute
This was such a cute love story..Preston and Sarah were perfect for each other they just did know it. A crisis with the ranch brings them together and love takes over
This was such a cute love story..Preston and Sarah were perfect for each other they just did know it. A crisis with the ranch brings them together and love takes over
July 8, 2025
The first story in the Honeysuckle, Texas, Preston Sweet and Sarah Conroy join forces to fight off the threat to Preston's ranch. a good start to this series. I want to read the next book.
August 7, 2025
Lovely Book
I always look forward to a new book from Chris! This one was great, as usual! Can't wait to read the next one!
I always look forward to a new book from Chris! This one was great, as usual! Can't wait to read the next one!
September 9, 2025
Sweet Beginnings
The book was fabulous and shocking when they got some good news. Please continued to read
Please. Thank you 😊
The book was fabulous and shocking when they got some good news. Please continued to read
Please. Thank you 😊
September 9, 2025
I love the family sticking together
September 14, 2025
Great Story
This is a really good story. I really enjoyed reading this story and seeing how things worked out for Preston and Sarah Sue.
This is a really good story. I really enjoyed reading this story and seeing how things worked out for Preston and Sarah Sue.
September 16, 2025
in theory its cute but literally the plot was no where to be found
September 20, 2025
sweet and easy
Cute, easy read. Perfect story to read after a heavier read. Lowest rating on the romance scale Peppermint!
Clean read.
Cute, easy read. Perfect story to read after a heavier read. Lowest rating on the romance scale Peppermint!
Clean read.
September 21, 2025
Great story
I loved story but it needed more ending, I realize more stories but we need to know about Samson also.
I loved story but it needed more ending, I realize more stories but we need to know about Samson also.
October 2, 2025
took me a little to get into it.
October 5, 2025
Clean& wholesome love story
A series starter about a loving, wholesome family who get together to save their home. I think you will enjoy it as I did.
A series starter about a loving, wholesome family who get together to save their home. I think you will enjoy it as I did.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews