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The Honeysuckle Cafe
What if a DNA test reveals everything you thought you knew about your family to be a lie?
Matilda Berry has her life on track. She’s got a long-term boyfriend. A career she loves. And a family who is always there for her. But when her father dies, she discovers a secret about her parents that shakes her to her core.
Looking for answers, she travels to the other side of the world, to a place of chicken biscuits, peaches and sweet tea, where the humidity zaps her energy and the traffic destroys her will to live. And it’s there she discovers the truth about her past and finds a family she never knew she had in a quaint cafe that's been passed down through the family line for generations.
A chance encounter with an irritatingly handsome construction manager takes her by surprise… especially since he turns out to be her neighbour. When he offers to marry her for a work visa to stay in the USA, she’s worried his feelings will turn real. Or maybe hers will…
A heartwarming and emotional exploration of family, friendship and community, The Honeysuckle Cafe is a small-town women’s fiction read you won’t be able to put down.
Read The Honeysuckle Cafe if you enjoy sweet and wholesome fiction
Small townRomanticSouthernFamily mysteryFriendshipsEnemies to lovers
Matilda Berry has her life on track. She’s got a long-term boyfriend. A career she loves. And a family who is always there for her. But when her father dies, she discovers a secret about her parents that shakes her to her core.
Looking for answers, she travels to the other side of the world, to a place of chicken biscuits, peaches and sweet tea, where the humidity zaps her energy and the traffic destroys her will to live. And it’s there she discovers the truth about her past and finds a family she never knew she had in a quaint cafe that's been passed down through the family line for generations.
A chance encounter with an irritatingly handsome construction manager takes her by surprise… especially since he turns out to be her neighbour. When he offers to marry her for a work visa to stay in the USA, she’s worried his feelings will turn real. Or maybe hers will…
A heartwarming and emotional exploration of family, friendship and community, The Honeysuckle Cafe is a small-town women’s fiction read you won’t be able to put down.
Read The Honeysuckle Cafe if you enjoy sweet and wholesome fiction
Small townRomanticSouthernFamily mysteryFriendshipsEnemies to lovers
- GenresFiction
264 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 25, 2025
314 people are currently reading
278 people want to read
About the author
Lilly Mirren
36 books309 followersLilly Mirren is a USA Today Bestselling women's and contemporary fiction author.
She lives in Brisbane, Australia, with her husband and three children. When she's not writing she's running around after children, bushwalking, or spending time with friends.
"If readers are looking for an author who is the perfect mix of Debbie Macomber and Nora Roberts, Lilly Mirren is it." - InD'tale Magazine
She lives in Brisbane, Australia, with her husband and three children. When she's not writing she's running around after children, bushwalking, or spending time with friends.
"If readers are looking for an author who is the perfect mix of Debbie Macomber and Nora Roberts, Lilly Mirren is it." - InD'tale Magazine
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 9, 2025
While not the absolute WORST book I ever read, it comes darn close. Incredibly trite and predictable. The characters were mere sketches and not well-rounded at all. The ending was so abrupt it was like tripping at the end of a moving sidewalk at the airport. (IYKYK)
"The Honeysuckle Cafe (Southern Charm Book 1)" promised a sweet escape to the South, brimming with charm and heartwarming moments. What I got instead was a saccharine, predictable slog that felt less like a charming novel and more like a paint-by-numbers guide to Southern clichés.
From the very first chapter, it was clear where this story was headed. The "charming" small town felt less authentic and more like a collection of stereotypes cobbled together. Every character, from the quirky best friend to the brooding love interest, was so thinly sketched they could have been cardboard cutouts. There was no depth, no genuine conflict, and certainly no surprises. The protagonist, while initially seeming relatable, quickly devolved into a caricature of a woman finding herself, making choices that felt more convenient for the plot than true to any believable personality.
The "romance" was equally uninspired. It followed every trope in the book without adding any fresh perspective or genuine chemistry. The interactions between the leads felt forced and lacked any real spark, making their inevitable connection feel utterly unearned. It was less a slow burn and more a lukewarm simmer that never quite reached a boil.
And the "charm"? It was laid on so thick it became cloying. Every mention of sweet tea, porch swings, and Southern hospitality felt less like an organic part of the setting and more like a checklist being ticked off. It quickly became tiresome, drowning out any potential for genuine warmth or wit.
Ultimately, "The Honeysuckle Cafe" is a book that tries too hard to be charming and ends up being bland. If you're looking for a genuinely engaging story with compelling characters and a fresh take on Southern life, you'd best look elsewhere. This one is best left unread, much like a forgotten, overly sweet dessert.
"The Honeysuckle Cafe (Southern Charm Book 1)" promised a sweet escape to the South, brimming with charm and heartwarming moments. What I got instead was a saccharine, predictable slog that felt less like a charming novel and more like a paint-by-numbers guide to Southern clichés.
From the very first chapter, it was clear where this story was headed. The "charming" small town felt less authentic and more like a collection of stereotypes cobbled together. Every character, from the quirky best friend to the brooding love interest, was so thinly sketched they could have been cardboard cutouts. There was no depth, no genuine conflict, and certainly no surprises. The protagonist, while initially seeming relatable, quickly devolved into a caricature of a woman finding herself, making choices that felt more convenient for the plot than true to any believable personality.
The "romance" was equally uninspired. It followed every trope in the book without adding any fresh perspective or genuine chemistry. The interactions between the leads felt forced and lacked any real spark, making their inevitable connection feel utterly unearned. It was less a slow burn and more a lukewarm simmer that never quite reached a boil.
And the "charm"? It was laid on so thick it became cloying. Every mention of sweet tea, porch swings, and Southern hospitality felt less like an organic part of the setting and more like a checklist being ticked off. It quickly became tiresome, drowning out any potential for genuine warmth or wit.
Ultimately, "The Honeysuckle Cafe" is a book that tries too hard to be charming and ends up being bland. If you're looking for a genuinely engaging story with compelling characters and a fresh take on Southern life, you'd best look elsewhere. This one is best left unread, much like a forgotten, overly sweet dessert.
May 12, 2025
Matilda lives in Australia, is happy, has a steady boyfriend, a career she loves, and a supportive family, but all that is threatened when her DNA test shows that none of her siblings are related to her. With her parents deceased, who can she ask? Her search takes her to the United States to track down a potential relative. How can she get the answers she needs and discover the truth after all these years? While in Georgia, she makes some friends, enjoys the food (but not the humidity) and meets a grumbly construction manager. Will Matilda find her a place she belongs? And what about that construction manager who happens to be her next store neighbor? I enjoyed the warm-hearted friendships and storyline. Life isn't always what it seems, but surprises and adventures along the way make it worthwhile. I highly recommend this "The Honeysuckle Cafe" and am looking forward to reading the rest of the books in the series. I received a complimentary ARC of this book and have voluntarily given my honest opinion in this review.
March 20, 2025
Fantastic characters that captured my heart and made me feel at home. So much to love about this story. The pace is spot on and keeps the reader fully engaged with hints of what may have happened with the DNA test. A story built around Matilda living in Georgia while finding answers not only brings romance but love for people who could possibly be family. Working at the Honeysuckle cafe brings a break she didn’t know she needed and the answers that unfold there brings blessing she never saw coming. Hardships and blessing are all part of this beautiful story, I could’nt stop thinking about this book even after I finished it. A sweet and happy ending ties everything up leaving the reader entertained and completely enjoying this book! Was given a complementary copy. All opinions are my own.
June 30, 2025
The storyline was interesting but every aspect felt rushed. The characters were all one dimensional and aside from the beginning - when we meet Matilda’s siblings - the personalities were cut and paste. The FMC is blond, loves animals and suffers from anxiety. The MMC is handsome, kind and wealthy. The romantic aspect takes a back seat behind the “DNA mystery”. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out what happened. Overall a very quick read that slightly different enough to get 3 stars, though I’d probably round down 1/2 star due to most sections reading like a list to check off (the villain characters - Cathy & Cam, the loving relatives, the doubters, cute little town, etc).
December 24, 2025
The Honeysuckle Cafe by Lilly Mirren . (Southern Charm Book 1)
Please read a sample of the book on the amazon website to see if you like the writing style before you purchase the book. This e-book is free on amazon website as at the time of writing this review December 2025. Based on the 4 and 5 star reviews and the blurb on what the story is all about, I wanted to be engaged with the emotional story of DNA family search and finding a Happy Ever After. Yes, there is a Happy Ever After, but the end result is in my opinion just an Ok story.
Did we all read the same book? In my opinion, this book needs a good editor to notice and correct the discrepancies/inconsistencies in the story.
Please read a sample of the book on the amazon website to see if you like the writing style before you purchase the book. This e-book is free on amazon website as at the time of writing this review December 2025. Based on the 4 and 5 star reviews and the blurb on what the story is all about, I wanted to be engaged with the emotional story of DNA family search and finding a Happy Ever After. Yes, there is a Happy Ever After, but the end result is in my opinion just an Ok story.
Did we all read the same book? In my opinion, this book needs a good editor to notice and correct the discrepancies/inconsistencies in the story.
March 24, 2025
With a smile on my face and a good feeling in my heart, I've just finished reading this new book as first of a new series. There's family, friends and death of parents. There's new love, new jobs and new lives a continent away. Plus, the incidents of IVF, babies born and the excited celebrations in families. This storyline held my attention from the first page. I've always enjoyed this author as she jumps into the story on page one and keeps your attention right up until The End. I loved it!
April 8, 2025
Lilly Does It Again!
What is not to like about a book written by Lilly Mirren? As usual, It doesn't take long for the reader to feel like they know the characters well. Each and every situation is written in such detail that the reader sees it as if it is playing out right in front of them. Outstanding work, as usual!
What is not to like about a book written by Lilly Mirren? As usual, It doesn't take long for the reader to feel like they know the characters well. Each and every situation is written in such detail that the reader sees it as if it is playing out right in front of them. Outstanding work, as usual!
June 7, 2025
What a wonderful book!
It was hard putting this book down. It makes you wonder if other people that went thru IVF has had this happen to them. I being from the south I was so connected to the story. Can wait to read the next one in this series of this family and see adventure has waiting for them.
It was hard putting this book down. It makes you wonder if other people that went thru IVF has had this happen to them. I being from the south I was so connected to the story. Can wait to read the next one in this series of this family and see adventure has waiting for them.
December 24, 2025
Following their father's death, Matilda Berry and her siblings decide to take the DNA tests he gifted to them without explanation, and hers shows that she is not related to any of them, so she travels from Australia to a town outside of Atlanta, Georgia to seek out a man who a match indicates is her cousin.
March 26, 2025
One action can change everything you ever believed in. But it can also be the start of a new future.
I really enjoyed this story. All the characters brought something to the story. Can wait for the next in this new series.
I really enjoyed this story. All the characters brought something to the story. Can wait for the next in this new series.
March 27, 2025
What a wonderful book. I loved the characters and the story line. IVF is such a relevant topic and has been in the news frequently. I loved the outcome of the story and cannot wait for more of this series.
September 21, 2025
Surprises are wonderful and sad
I’ve read books for pleasure since I was 8 years old, which was 70 years ago.
This book was amazing. The information that was found about the family was a shocker. I’ve never read a book with this plot. I was glued to the book!🌺🌺
I’ve read books for pleasure since I was 8 years old, which was 70 years ago.
This book was amazing. The information that was found about the family was a shocker. I’ve never read a book with this plot. I was glued to the book!🌺🌺
March 25, 2025
A story of revelations and new family. Great characters and storyline. It will inspire you.
April 15, 2025
honeysuckle cafe
Wow, what an amazing story, never can predict where it will go, but it’s an awesome end! Just love Lilly’s stories….
Wow, what an amazing story, never can predict where it will go, but it’s an awesome end! Just love Lilly’s stories….
June 10, 2025
Easy read, would definitely read the follow up in the series
December 26, 2025
cute read
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews