The Best Little Motel in Texas: A Novel

by Lyla Lane

A charming, edgy mystery about a young woman who unexpectedly inherits the best little motel in Texas – replete with a feisty set of golden working girls, a poisoned priest, and a sleepy hometown thrown into chaos.

After a childhood spent combing the dive bars of Sarsaparilla Falls to collect her fun-loving momma, Cordelia West now enjoys a simple, respectable life in Dallas. Then one phone call from the hometown she’s spent years trying to forget throws it into chaos.

Cordelia's great-aunt Penelope has passed away, naming Cordelia the sole heir to the Chickadee Motel. She has no memory of a great-aunt and no interest in hospitality, but the will stipulates that the motel can’t be sold until its residents leave or pass away – so she reluctantly heads back down to Sarsaparilla Falls to figure out who's living in the Chickadee, and how to get them out.

But upon her arrival, Cordelia discovers the Chickadee isn’t a motel—it’s a brothel, housing three women in their sixties known as the Chicks. For decades, Daisy, Arline, and Belinda Sue have entertained the men of Sarsaparilla Falls (with their wives’ blessings)—including the upright Pastor Reed-Smythe, who thunders against the town’s favorite sins when he’s not indulging. Cordelia doesn’t want to be a hotel manager or a madam, but she can’t just sell the only home the Chicks have known—especially not after the pastor is found poisoned in Daisy’s bed.

With the Chicks—and the town—on the verge of a breakdown, Cordelia steps up to mop up the mess. For a small town, there are plenty of could it be the obsessed nurse with access to arsenic? Developers eager to gobble up the land? The righteously angry town librarian? Things are heating up in Sarsaparilla Falls, and with the Pastor’s obnoxiously attractive son Archer—Cordelia’s childhood nemesis—investigating the Chicks and getting close, straightlaced Cordelia may just have to get a little dirty to make a killer come clean.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Adult Fiction, Contemporary, Cozy, Sex Work

Audible Audio

Expected publication March 3, 2026

Reviews

[TheConnieFox · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ⭐️ Review to come.

[Kellye · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Best Little Motel in Texas is a must-read for anyone who loves amateur detective novels. Lyla Lane has crafted one of the most unique settings of any cozy I’ve ever read and introduces funny and well-crafted characters who will stay with you long after you reach the final, shocking resolution. I loved it and hope we see more of Cordelia and the Chickadees.

[Megan Magee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cordelia finds an estranged family member has passed and she inherits her place of business. As a tragic cozy mystery is so keen to do, Cordelia has a terrible and traumatic past when it comes to returning to her hometown. Her mom was the local drunk, complete with falling into the town square fountain and being on display for everyone to see. Worried the stress of running an inn will be too much for her 20 year sober mom, Cordelia takes it upon herself to scope out the situation- only to be shocked to find the "place of business" she inherited is an illegal henhouse that doubles as a Texas staple, the "Chicks" being responsible and appreciated by the middle-aged husbands and wives alike. I loved how uniquely the small Texas town looked at this scenario, personally. Cordelia is delightfully anal, so it's fun to see her decide what course of action she will take. Lyla Lane paints a beautiful picture of this delightful town, complete with whimsical descriptions and satisfying character development. My least favorite aspect of the entire book was the romance, so take that however you will. Archer fell flat for me and lacked character development, where the Chicks and our FMC shined and thrived. I hope the series continues, but I kinda hope the romance delivers more on the next one if that's the case. Thanks so much to the author and Harper Perennial And Paperbacks for the chance to read this eARC!

[Samantha Bailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the early copy of this novel.

This was definitely not what I expected. It's definitely a quirky vibe, and it reminds me a lot of how the writers of "Sweet Magnolias" depicts the south. If you like things like that, you'll enjoy this. Definitely a book that will make you laugh and keep you interested, hands down.

[Stephanie (read_with_steph) · Rating 5 out of 5]

When buttoned up Cordelia inherits a pink motel on the outskirts of her hometown from an aunt she never knew existed, she thought she couldn't be any more surprised. But when she discovers that the motel is actually a brothel with geriatric sex workers (Daisy, Arline, and Belinda Sue) and she's their new madame, she about leaves town then and there. That is, until a client drops dead from a seeming heart attack and Cordelia feels compelled to help out her girls in moving the body to a more respectable location. Everything seems fine until they merry band discovers it wasn't a heart attack, but poison, and Daisy is the prime suspect.

This book is so random and unique that you can't help but love it. Out heroine Cordelia is a delight, and the women of the Chickadee motel all have their moments that make you laugh and want to give them a good hug. And Cordelia's love interest, a local FBI agent and her childhood bully (who OF COURSE pulled her pigtails because he had a crush on her) should not be overlooked--the two of them together are just adorable. I'm not sure how this book could be a series, but I would love to see more of these endearing characters.

Thanks to Harper Perennial for my ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

5 stars - 9/10

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

I loved this book. I went in not expecting much and it started with a dedication to Dolly Parton. Hmmm, points, I like it.

A small-town return when a librarian (mmm, points again) inherits a motel and a new job, with and three older ladies who are the permanent residents, and one is modeled after Mrs. Parton, too. (Gah, more points!) I will admit to laughing out loud many, many times, with the situational humor (hard to pull off for many authors) and the funniest southern sayings I've ever heard. The romance, if you can call it that, was delightful, and more than bumbling, it was harmful to the MMC. It's cute enough for me to recommend it to friends immediately, with some interesting talking points about various moral flexibility topics. I will read the heck out of this as a series.

[Caroline · Rating 2 out of 5]

A cute story idea, but the plot was very slow and the characters were not easy to connect to. A lot of the storyline felt very over the top as well.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for the ARC!

[Maya Polon · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you loved the Finlay Donovan series this book is for you. It has a touch of romance but is ultimately a story of a young woman finding and accepting herself and the wacky women who have become her adopted family, all wrapped up in a fun murder mystery. I’m grateful to the publisher for the ARC and can’t wait for this book to be published so readers can fall in love with Cordelia, the Chicks, Archer, and the town of Sarsaparilla Falls.

[kippen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Southern Euphemisms! How I miss you!

[Danielle Shearer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh man, I struggled with this book. I felt like it was a pretty slow plot and I could not connect to the characters. I felt like the plot/character traits felt like trying too hard to grab the readers attention, but then fell flat unfortunately. It was a cute story idea, but the execution just didn’t work for me. Too many themes plugged into one story. I kept having to take a break from this book because I just couldn’t get into it!

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Perennial and Paperbacks for this ARC.

[Carly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel follows Cordelia West, who is dragged back to her hometown after unexpectedly inheriting her great aunt’s “motel” which turns out to be a long running brothel run by three outspoken women in their sixties. When the town’s judgmental pastor is found poisoned in one of their beds, Cordelia is pulled into a messy small town mystery full of colorful suspects and complicated secrets, made worse by the involvement of the pastor’s attractive son. While the premise is fun and the mystery has potential, the book often feels like it is trying too hard. The brothel angle did not appeal to me, and despite some enjoyable moments with Cordelia, the story moves slowly. Overall, an okay read but not a standout. Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Melrose's · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a lot of fun.

The chicks; Belinda Sue, Arline and Daisy reminded me of The Golden Girls, but all of them are Blanche Devereaux with a mind like Sophia Pertillo - sex and a mind for money.

I know this is more of a comedy thriller, but that dash of tension and chemistry between Cordelia and Archer Reed Symthe was definitely something else. Like I was craving for more interaction between them and I have to keep reminding myself that Cordelia has a murder case to solve. Archer really keeps giving that yearning lines, like he's saying that whatever she gives even a little he will willingly take and thank the heavens he received it. The scene in Archer's office where he pull Cordelia closer and nuzzle her neck. Perfection!

I hope there's a sequel since I want to know if Cordelia and Archer will be endgame.

[McKaylee Drake · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Best Little Motel in Texas had all the ingredients for a fun, quirky mystery… and then immediately lost me with the whole brothel plotline. I get what the author was going for, but the “feisty older working girls” angle wasn’t charming to me… it felt weird, dated, and honestly kind of gimmicky. Like she was almost trying to go for like the quirkiness of The Apothecary Diaries (which works so well) but just fell flat.

And the Texas small-town stereotypes? As someone who has actually lived in small Texas towns, the book was doing the absolute most. Every character felt like a caricature, and not in a cute cozy-mystery way. More like “this is what people who’ve never been to Texas think Texas is.”

Cordelia had some good moments, and the mystery itself had sparks of potential, but the tone was so all over the place that I never fully settled into the story. Not the worst thing I’ve read, but definitely not something I’d recommend unless you’re very into eccentric, over-the-top small-town chaos (which… I am not).

Thank you NetGalley and publishers for this arc

[Terry Pearson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A delightful cozy mystery to read on a rainy day.

[Kelsey Fredericks · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Best Little Motel in Texas is a cozy, quirky mystery with a little chemistry. This is about Cordelia West, who inherits a motel from her long lost great aunt. She comes to find out that this is not a motel, but the Chickadee is a "cathouse" with three 60+ year old women working it. Just as she is coming to terms with the fact that she is now a madam, the town pastor is found dead in the bed of one of the "chicks", Daisy. Cordelia and the chicks work to find the true killer before Daisy can take the fall for a crime she didn't commit. Archer, the pastor's son and Cordelia's childhood nemesis, is now an FBI agent who is suspicious of the chicks involvement in his father's death.

At first I was hesitant about how this book would go, however after I got through the first few chapters it was a blast. Cordelia is and OCD librarian who is thrust into a very much not black and white world of the Chickadee Motel. Her relationship with the chicks and the mess they get themselves into is very entertaining. Honestly, just wish there was more with Archer and Cordelia. Their chemistry and banter were great. This ends on a bit of a cliffhanger and I hope that means we will be getting more Sarsaparilla Falls in the future!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Recommend for fans of a quirky cozy mystery! Thank you Harper Perennial and NetGalley for the ARC!

[Kim Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved every bit of this book. I am normally I spicy romance reader, but "The Best Little Motel in Texas" scratched an itch in my brain that I did not know I needed. I wish this book was going to be a 10 part series because I just did not get enough.

[laurakellylitfit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Out March 3rd, 2026
“The Best Little Motel in Texas” is a warm slice of small-town charm served with a side of secrets and a dash of sass. Set in a roadside haven that’s seen better wallpaper but never a dull moment, the story unfolds with a cast of characters who feel like they’ve been waiting for you to check in. There’s heartache tucked into the linen closet, laughter echoing down the halls, and a sense of community that’s as stubborn as it is sweet.

The plot hums along with gentle twists and emotional depth, never rushing but always moving. It’s the kind of story where the biggest revelations come not from dramatic confrontations, but from quiet conversations over coffee and confessions made under flickering neon lights. The motel itself is more than a setting—it’s a character, worn and welcoming, with stories in every creaky floorboard and faded postcard.

This novel doesn’t shout—it sings, softly and sincerely. It’s about finding home in unexpected places, healing in shared silences, and love that lingers like the scent of honeysuckle in the Texas heat. You’ll leave with your heart a little fuller and a sudden craving for pie at midnight.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Perennial for this ARC!

[C Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Best Little Motel in Texas by Lyla Lane
Publication date March 3, 2026

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

This author is a first for me. I really enjoyed this book and hope there is a sequel! I could easily picture each of the characters and the small town. It’s a story about a woman who inherits a motel from an aunt she didn’t know she had. She is surprised to find out that it is a brothel and she has stepped in to the role of a madam. It’s a fun story that has a little bit of everything. I highly recommend if you like a cozy mystery!

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️

This book is definitely not something I would usually pick up, but the storyline really piqued my interest and I’m so glad I was able to read it. The Best Little Motel in Texas is charming, funny, exciting, and suspenseful. We follow Cordelia to south Texas after she inherits a motel from a great aunt, and surprise surprise, it's a brothel and home to three charismatic, sweet, and chaotic seniors who had me laughing for the entire book. Just think Golden Girls, but make it Texan. After one of the clients, who also happens to be the pastor, ends up dead, all of the ladies must play detective to try and save themselves from being blamed. The story is dramatic, enticing, and a testament of friendship and loyalty.
Right off the jump, I really enjoyed all of the details and care the author took into describing the weather, surroundings, and characters. It painted great imagery and really pulls you into the story and I felt at times that I was along the sidewalks of Sarsaparilla Falls. Additionally, I loved that all of the characters we meet were really fleshed out and you could pick up on their quirks and personalities with just a few lines of dialogue. I adored our four leading ladies and how they all shined through their different attitudes, humor, and emotions. There were moments that called for softer conversations and also some that required tons of fire, and I think the author did a fantastic job conveying that through the pages. Cordelia, specifically, came in as a very sheltered and guarded person, but as the story unfolded, she became more comfortable in her own skin and unknowingly ventured on this journey of self discovery. Speaking of our FMC, the banter and tension she had with the pastor’s son, Archer, was top notch. I wish we could’ve gotten more of them, but romance was a very small subplot and I think that was for the best. I’m just saying, I would eat up a book just about the two of them!
I think I might have reviewed this book higher if it weren’t for a few key elements that were a little bit disappointing and took me out of the story. The ending felt very rushed and I wasn’t a fan of the event that it ends with. I’m assuming maybe it’s to set up a future continuation, but it stressed me out more than anything. I felt it wasn’t really necessary considering all the FMCs had already been through. Additionally, it was glaringly obvious the author was not from Texas and hasn’t spent much time in the southern area. After looking up the county mentioned in the book, it turns out its about 1.5 hours south of where I am in San Antonio. Knowing this, it was very hard to focus on some parts because the southern-isms, for lack of a better word, were a bit too much. It played into the very stereotypical southern assumptions about how we talk, but I can almost guarantee that the more south you travel in Texas, the less and less twang you are going to hear in people's voices. This kind of dialogue and mannerisms are usually found in the north/north central areas of the state so it did throw me for a loop. Additionally, HEB is mentioned a few times, however, one small detail about purchasing alcohol there immediately took me out of the story. Fellow readers who are not from Texas, please be aware that you cannot buy hard liquor in grocery stores in this state. A quick google search could have prevented this very minor slip up, but from someone who was born and raised her whole life in Texas, these are the details that can make or break a story.
Overall, this was a fun book that had the right amount of suspense to keep your attention and wishing you could know more. The characters, small and large, were interesting and engaging without overpowering the story as a whole. If you love Golden Girls and a Law & Order marathon, this book is right up your alley.

Thank you NetGalley & Harper Perennial for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Online Eccentric Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/

Sadly, this is one of those books where the premise is much better than the execution. I can definitely picture this as a silly movie that you don't question too closely, especially one from the 1980s. But for me, it was missing sparkle and a LOT of heart.

After having left Sarsparilla Falls in her youth due to her mother's excessive drinking disgraces, Cordelia West has lived a quiet and purposefully boring life. When an Aunt she barely remembers leaves her a small motel with permanent guests, Cordelia figures she'll come out, encourage them to move out, and then sell the property. But then a guest dies suddenly and she finds herself assuming a leadership position to save the residents of the hotel from jail.

For me, the entire book was cute and cozy - but also incredibly silly and not in a fun way. With people this stupid or clueless, it really needs to be zany and more over-the-top to really work. But instead, Cordelia was rather boring, her love interest very unrealistic and uninteresting, and the whole book felt heavy-handedly plotted. There wasn't an honest or organic bone anywhere in the book, robbing the story of joy and enfranchisement by the reader. I couldn't help but feel this greatly needed more heart.

To be fair, the "chickadees" were cute in a very hyperstylized Golden Girls way (and that's saying a LOT!). But the cat fights from 1980s Dallas TV show rejected characters were trite and lacking zing, the murder mystery ridiculous, both lead characters (male and female) door knob stupid and lacking any common sense and the pacing could get really slow. There was nothing snappy, original, or intriguing.

So while not a horrible read, it was just too ludicrously illogical and the main characters way too uninteresting to really hold my attention. One can only suspend absolute disbelief for so long before it just becomes an exercise in disappointment. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

[Barbara Schultz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: The Best Little Motel in Texas
Author: Lyda Lane
Publisher: Harper Audio Adult/ Harper Perennial
Format: 🎧
Narrator: Reba Buhr
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Audiobook Pub Date: March 3, 2026
My Rating: 4.5. Stars Rounded up to 5 Fun Stars
Pages; 288

Story starts when Cordelia gets a phone call from an estate lawyer telling her that her great-aunt Penelope has passed away, naming Cordelia the sole heir to the Chickadee Motel. Cordelia has no memory of a great-aunt and was informed she was her dad’s aunt - dad left her and her mother when she was eight months old.
She isn’t interesting in going back to Sarsaparilla Falls nor has an interest in running a motel. However, the will stipulates that the motel can’t be sold until its residents leave or pass away. .
She reluctantly heads to Sarsaparilla Falls to figure out who is living in the Chickadee, and how to get them out so she can sell.

When she arrives, Cordelia discovers the Chickadee isn’t a motel—it’s a brothel, and there are three women Daisy, Arline, and Belinda Sue who are in their sixties known as the Chicks who live there. They have entertained the men of Sarsaparilla Falls for years- (with their wives’ blessings).
Cordelia doesn’t want to be a hotel manager or a madam, but she can’t just sell the only home the Chicks have known—especially not after the Pastor Reed-Smythe, is found dead in Daisy’s bed.

Okay a dead body isn’t good! Our chicks decided they need to get the Pastor’s body out of the Chickadee. They decided to move him to his office at the church and take a few items to make it look like a break-in.

When they find out he was poisoned and the Pastor’s son Archer an FBI agent wants to search Daisy’s room. As he knows, about his father’s Friday night visit to Daisy. The Chicks plus Cordelia are able to discourage him and they immediate search the room for anything that might have contained the poison. Story is such fun- plus totally love the laugh out loud Texas analogies.

Searching for Whodunit got far more involved than I expensed.

Want to thank NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult/Harper Perennial for this fun early audiobook.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for March 3, 2026.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in a day; it was funny and the mystery actually had me guessing. This book is inspired by the Dolly Parton movie The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (which was inspired by a book that was written about a real whorehouse in Texas). I felt like the author did a good job injecting the campiness into the novel. I mean what isn't fun about 3 sex workers in their 60s?

The main character, Cordelia, has spent her life trying to fit in. It's obvious to the reader that Cordelia struggles with pretty severe anxiety and what seems to be obsessive compulsive disorder. I didn't love the inclusion of the character having obsessive tendencies like needing to clean or over-use of hand sanitizer. It felt very much based on stereotypes of mental illness and not really based in the reality. Not to mention it's clear that Cordelia has not sought any help for these behaviors or management for her anxiety.

I grew up in a small southern town and the way Cordelia feels like an outsider in her community really resonated with me. Her coming back to her hometown and suddenly being given respect because she now owns a town staple, really throws Cordelia. It also allows her to let go of some of the rigidness. I did love the flirtation between Cordelia and Archer, but I wish there had been some more acknowledgement of the bullying Cordelia experienced. Archer's dad was especially cruel to her when she was like an 8-year-old. I felt like there could have been more recognition of Cordelia's past and why she's stayed away for 20 years.

I really hope there are more books in this series, because it was such a fun read and it felt like there was so much more story for the characters to explore.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Perennial for the advanced copy, all opinions are my own.

[Dorie - Cats&Books :) · Rating 4 out of 5]

*This is a review of the audiobook

Cordelia West is living a relatively happy life in Dallas - then she gets a phone call that will change everything!

“Cordelia's great-aunt Penelope has passed away, naming Cordelia the sole heir to the Chickadee Motel. She has no memory of a great-aunt and no interest in hospitality, but the will stipulates that the motel can’t be sold until its residents leave or pass away – so she reluctantly heads back down to Sarsaparilla Falls to figure out who's living in the Chickadee, and how to get them out.”

This is a cozy mystery with a great cast of characters. Cordelia had no idea that the motel that she has inherited is really a brothel with “golden age” working girls. When a priest passes away while at the Chickadee Motel all manner of cover ups, sleuthing, fun and a bit of romance ensues.

Cordelia never wanted to return to Sasaparilla Falls as her childhood wasn’t ideal. Her mother was the local town drunk and Cordelia had to live with the rumors and isolation. She also spent many nights combing the town bars to retrieve her mother.

There is quite a good mystery here with Cordelia and the “chicks” putting their heads together to figure out the killer.

Not only are there multiple suspects but the list of reasons why someone would want to discredit Cordelia and perhaps close the motel and purchase the land continues to grow.

I enjoyed this light hearted audiobook and the narration was great.

I received this audiobook from the publisher through NetGalley and HarperAudioAdult.

It was my pleasure to listen to and review this novel!

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

" You couldn't move a body with someone and not develop an instant life-long bond..."

A twisty,turny mystery with just a tiny hint of future romance.

I hope that this book goes through one more round of editing. There are so many inconsistencies that I kept having to back-track to make sure I wasn't going crazy!


I love these characters, and I love the Texas women who can stab you in the back while being as sweet as pie to your face. Something about Southern women. Oh, don't get me wrong, we Northeners can be right bitchy, but we ain't sweet about it!

I loved the idea of a bordello for the *ahem* older set! The Chicks are fiesty and outspoken, and when the pastor dies while having a 'date', things start to get really amusing.

But it wasn't from a heart attack as first thought. It was something more evil, and Cordelia and her chicks set off to find the real culprit. I was shocked at who it turned out to be that did the murdering ...I was hoping that it was someone else, but what are you going to do?

Cordelia is the perfect foil for these oldtimers. She was straight-laced, cleanlyness obssessed and knew nothing about owning a brothel. She's ready to give up and return to her librarian's job, but circumstances just keep pulling her back. And it's a good thing that she stayed.

The chicks are hilarious, not all the time, mind you, sometimes they can be annoying, and the rest of the townspeople are a vivid picture of what really small-town life is all about.

There looks to definitely be a second boo in the works.

*ARC was supplied by the publisher Harper Perennial/HarperCollins, the author, and ATTL/Edelweiss and NetGalley.

[Liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

I genuinely want to love the geriatric hot pants right off this book --alas.

Cordelia West is a woman of values respectability above all else, her life as a mild-mannered library in the Lone-Star State is just one more chapter in a life crafted to blend in and belong, much like she'd never been able to do in her tiny Texas hometown with an alcoholic mother and all the shame that came from a young life of disappointments. The last thing grown Cordelia wants to hear is that she's inherited her great aunt's 'Motel' on the outskirts of town, and with it responsibility of the three aging 'Chicks' working out of it.

I have a lot of thoughts about the read and I don't know if I can get them all straight of this review. First of all I have to say I loved the Chicks more than anything and I wish we'd gotten more of them, more of their stories and just more. They're all fantasticly entertaining and I could have read a whole series of books just about them and their escapades. Unfortunately there was a murder to solve. And a weird unfinished flirtation to dance around. And southern style cat fights to tend to. And a vague baddie to frame and.... let me just say for the first 85% I was like looking at the clock and then the last 15% had my head spinning and not in a good way.

There are good things here, a lot of fun threads to pull on but we never pulled enough on any one of them to really do it for me?

[Lauren (lololovesthings) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

"The Best Little Motel in Texas" by Lyla Lane is riotous! I had no idea what I was in for when I picked up this book, but this wasn't it (complementary). It's part mystery, part comedy, part romance, and I laughed quite a bit while reading it. It definitely has its wit and charm, that's for sure! The mystery is pretty obvious, but it's still enjoyable to watch Cordelia and the three older women of the Chickadee Inn (read: brothel!!!!) be wildly unqualified and borderline absurd while solving a murder. I appreciated the zany characters, the wacky small town, the mystery of who killed the pastor, and the general shenanigans and silliness between "the chicks" and Cordelia. The romance aspect is very, very small, so if you're hoping this will have a lot of it, look elsewhere! One thing I will say is there are waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too many metaphors and similes in this book! I cannot remember the last time an author used as many literary devices as she does. It got to be a bit much, if I'm honest! The first half is undeniably stronger than the back half, but it's still a clever, good time overall. Quite fun!

Thank you to NetGalley, Lyla Lane, and Harper Perennial and Paperbacks for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

[Susie Corker Cobb (rekroceisusreads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up for quirkiness and the laughs.

The Best Little Motel in Texas is a quick, light, and fun amateur sleuth novel about Cordelia West, a Dallas librarian who is set in her ways. Cordelia inherits her aunt’s motel in Sarsaparilla, a small Texas town that happens to be where Cordelia grew up and moved away from abruptly at age 10 when her mother was outcast. Cordelia finds that there are three long term tenants and some interesting business that is being conducted. When a murder happens, Cordelia and the three tenants take the investigation into their own hands.

There were several parts in this book that made me laugh out loud. I liked the characters, the quirky puns and metaphors, and the little fictional town of Sarsaparilla. Overall, the mystery and book is very unserious with some flaws and areas that could have been smoothed over, but it is a darn tootin’ good time.

Thank you, NetGalley and Harper Perennial and Paperbacks, for the early copy and opportunity to review this ebook!

Keep an eye out for the Best Motel in Texas when you are looking for a fun, quick read during your travels this spring, or if you’re looking for the perfect palette cleanser!

Publication date: March 3, 2026

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

An entertaining mystery that didn't quite live up to its unique premise. Cordelia inherits what she thinks is a small motel in the tiny Texas town where she lived as a child, but which turns out to be a brothel with three remaining employees (the "chicks") who've been working there and serving the local married men for 40+ years. Then the town pastor dies in one of their beds, and havoc breaks loose as they try to cover up his death and also figure out what (and who) killed him.

The chicks were the best part of the book. They're daffy and hard to control, but they also immediately love and protect Cordelia. There's also a romance subplot between Cordelia and the pastor's son, who is now an FBI agent and highly suspicious of her and the chicks. That did not work as well. He's always getting his feelings hurt and leaving when she won't tell him what she knows. The book also ends very abruptly. The author is clearly setting up a series, but you have to give the reader some kind of resolution between books.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC to review. All opinions are my own.

[Kendy Cotten · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Best Little Motel in Texas is such a fun, steamy, small-town romance that had me hooked from page one. Lyla Lane delivers a story that blends charm, heat, and just the right amount of drama. The setting, a quirky Texas motel feels like a character all on its own, adding humor and heart to the romance.

The banter is sharp, the chemistry is sizzling, and the characters are the perfect mix of sweet and stubborn. I loved how the motel brought everyone together, creating that found-family vibe that makes small-town romances so addictive.

If you’re looking for a book that will make you laugh, swoon, and fan yourself a little, this one checks all the boxes. Lyla Lane proves once again that she knows how to write a romance you don’t want to put down.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Tropes you’ll find:
🏨 Small town romance
🔥 Forced proximity
💖 Found family vibes
💬 Witty banter
😍 Off the charts chemistry

Perfect for fans of: steamy romcoms, small town settings, and romances that don’t take themselves too seriously.

📚 Huge thanks to the author Lyla Lane and NetGalley for the ARC!!

#RomanceReaders #SmallTownRomance #BookReview #TheBestLittleMotelInTexas #LylaLane #NetGalley

[Zoe Lipman · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

I think this cover is just so much fun, that is what really drew me to this book. And then I read the description and thought it sounded like so much fun.

I just couldn't get into this book nearly as much I wanted to or expected myself to. I don't know if it was the book or if I just wasn't exactly in the mood for it at that moment. Because of that, I do think that I will reread it again in the future. Don't get me wrong, I still had such a fun time reading this, I just think I need to eventually read it again to fully get the experience that I wanted from it.

This book is full of great characters that bounce off of each other (and I really do love an ensemble cast, that's my absolute favorite) and so much drama and so many secrets.

This was definitely a unique and interesting book with a little bit of everything. There's a mystery element and a bit of romance too.

And based on how this book ended, it felt like maybe the author was setting up a sequel. And I will be reading it.

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!