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Mornings on Main
From the beloved and bestselling author of the Ransom Canyon and Harmony, Texas series comes a powerful, heartwarming story about generations of family and the ironclad bonds they forge.
When Jillian James lands in the small town Texas community of Laurel Springs, she's definitely not planning to stay--except to find a few clues about the father who abandoned her and destroyed her faith in family.
Connor Larady is a single dad, and the only one caring for his grandmother, Eugenia, who has Alzheimer's. And now he has to close Eugenia's quilt shop. When Connor meets down-on-her-luck Jillian, he's out of options. Can he trust the newcomer to do right by his grandmother's legacy?
Jillian is done with relationships. But as she grows closer to Connor and Eugenia, she must consider giving up her nomadic life for a future with those who need her.
An inspiring family saga that asks us to consider what love and chosen family really mean.
When Jillian James lands in the small town Texas community of Laurel Springs, she's definitely not planning to stay--except to find a few clues about the father who abandoned her and destroyed her faith in family.
Connor Larady is a single dad, and the only one caring for his grandmother, Eugenia, who has Alzheimer's. And now he has to close Eugenia's quilt shop. When Connor meets down-on-her-luck Jillian, he's out of options. Can he trust the newcomer to do right by his grandmother's legacy?
Jillian is done with relationships. But as she grows closer to Connor and Eugenia, she must consider giving up her nomadic life for a future with those who need her.
An inspiring family saga that asks us to consider what love and chosen family really mean.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published April 10, 2018
568 people are currently reading
1566 people want to read
About the author
Jodi Thomas
128 books2,500 followersI'm a New York Times and USA Today Best Selling author, wife, mother, in-law, grandmother, sister, friend, and owner of one fat cat.
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April 10, 20184 Sweet Small Town Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟
There something about a small town romance that draws me in every. single. time.... throw in a bunch of fabulously develop characters and I am hooked.... major props to Jodi Thomas not only were the main characters Connor and Jillian well developed and likable..... so were all the many secondary characters.... I felt as though I spent the hours I did reading this book immersed in this lovely small town in Texas.....
Neither Connor or Jillian are looking for love, neither of them want a relationship, so of course what happens? This was absolutely not a case of Insta love it was a slow burn.... quite slow.... and I liked it like that, it was very realistic.... everything about this book was real.... the town seemed so very real and lifelike with all the good and bad.... but best of all it was so refreshing to read a romance with male characters who you might actually meet some day.... they were men you would find walking down the street not walking on a runway in a fashion show.... don’t get me wrong I love reading about that super hot musclebound guy that will fulfill my every need wish and desire... but this was definitely a refreshing change.... Jillian also was a real girl, with real problems, Who you would really love to hang out with..... I think I need to head to Texas and hang out with Connor and Jillian for the day!
Absolutely recommend when you’re in the mood for a sweet clean love story with amazing characters and that small town feel😍
*** thank you so much to the author and the publisher for a copy of this book ***
There something about a small town romance that draws me in every. single. time.... throw in a bunch of fabulously develop characters and I am hooked.... major props to Jodi Thomas not only were the main characters Connor and Jillian well developed and likable..... so were all the many secondary characters.... I felt as though I spent the hours I did reading this book immersed in this lovely small town in Texas.....
Neither Connor or Jillian are looking for love, neither of them want a relationship, so of course what happens? This was absolutely not a case of Insta love it was a slow burn.... quite slow.... and I liked it like that, it was very realistic.... everything about this book was real.... the town seemed so very real and lifelike with all the good and bad.... but best of all it was so refreshing to read a romance with male characters who you might actually meet some day.... they were men you would find walking down the street not walking on a runway in a fashion show.... don’t get me wrong I love reading about that super hot musclebound guy that will fulfill my every need wish and desire... but this was definitely a refreshing change.... Jillian also was a real girl, with real problems, Who you would really love to hang out with..... I think I need to head to Texas and hang out with Connor and Jillian for the day!
Absolutely recommend when you’re in the mood for a sweet clean love story with amazing characters and that small town feel😍
*** thank you so much to the author and the publisher for a copy of this book ***
June 6, 2018
Sweet, comforting, and small-town charming!
Mornings on Main is a heartwarming novel that immerses you in a story about love, old love, new love, and young love and highlights the importance of having a place to call home.
The prose is fluid and warm. The characters are affable, genuine, supportive, and lovable. And the plot is an absorbing tale about life, love, family, friendship, community, coming-of-age, single parenthood, romance, the difficulties and struggles of Alzheimer's, and the beautiful art of quilting.
Overall, Mornings on Main is a tender, lovely, compelling mix of heart, hope, and humour that ultimately reminds us that capturing, remembering, and sharing those special moments in life is truly what it's all about.
Thank you to Harlequin Books for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
All my reviews can be found on my blog at https://whatsbetterthanbooks.com
Mornings on Main is a heartwarming novel that immerses you in a story about love, old love, new love, and young love and highlights the importance of having a place to call home.
The prose is fluid and warm. The characters are affable, genuine, supportive, and lovable. And the plot is an absorbing tale about life, love, family, friendship, community, coming-of-age, single parenthood, romance, the difficulties and struggles of Alzheimer's, and the beautiful art of quilting.
Overall, Mornings on Main is a tender, lovely, compelling mix of heart, hope, and humour that ultimately reminds us that capturing, remembering, and sharing those special moments in life is truly what it's all about.
Thank you to Harlequin Books for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
All my reviews can be found on my blog at https://whatsbetterthanbooks.com
April 7, 2018
I'm sure it will not come as a surprise to anyone when I say this isn't the sort of cover I'm usually drawn to. It's beautiful if that were an actual storefront I'd go in but I like to see a bit of skin on my book covers. With that said, this was a lose-lose situation. The book wasn't sexy, so a sexy cover would have just annoyed me. The cover's nice enough, and it fits with the story.
I adore well-written stories about small towns. One hallmark of a well-written small town story is when you get to know the entire community, not just the main characters. This author did an amazing job of not only introducing me to the key players in the community but putting me right in the middle of the action.
More often than not, I complain when authors try to introduce me to a dozen or so people, how am I supposed to keep them all straight? This time, however, I can't complain at all. The characters were introduced and layered and developed in such a way I wasn't overwhelmed. It was beautiful to read.
During this book, I was introduced to three couples at various stages of their lives. We have Sunnie and Reese, who are teenagers and just figuring out the whole dating thing. Conner and Jillian who are adults and trying to figure out how to make a relationship work when they know it has an expiry date. Then we meet Joe and Jeanie. Jeanie who have been best friends for pretty much their entire 80-some years of life. Their relationship isn't romantic in the slightest, Jeanie was married to Joes best friend before he passed away, but it's obvious how much they care about each other.
Now, Ms. Thomas, you have a unique way of describing the men in this book.
Let's look at Conner first:
"he was starting to look like the mug shots on the Dallas nightly news. Hair too long, this was the third day he'd worn the same old wrinkled shirt, and he hadn't bothered to remove the raincoat his gam said only a vampire would wear."
And Reese:
"He was skinny, ate everything in sight, had hair the color of the Red River, and never said the right thing at the right time... his face had more scabs than pimples."
... At least he has all his teeth.
I all for being realistic, but I think we need to have a very serious talk about what I expect from my book boyfriends. I don't ask for much: he pretty much just needs to look like he stepped right out of a Calvin Kline underwear advertisement, have an uncanny way of always knowing what I need to hear... nothing unreasonable there.
My husband, on the other hand, is your biggest fan. He thinks it's about time men were realistically represented in romance novels. So I guess I'll be getting every book you've ever written for Christmas.
Anyway, my only serious complaint about the book is the ending. I wanted more, obviously, but I really wanted to see Conner and Jillian give a relationship an honest shot when they weren't counting down the minutes until it ended.
Overall, Mornings on Main was a beautiful, engaging, and well-written story. I would recommend it to anyone who is looking to take a break from their reality and get lost in the drama of a small town for a few hours.
I adore well-written stories about small towns. One hallmark of a well-written small town story is when you get to know the entire community, not just the main characters. This author did an amazing job of not only introducing me to the key players in the community but putting me right in the middle of the action.
More often than not, I complain when authors try to introduce me to a dozen or so people, how am I supposed to keep them all straight? This time, however, I can't complain at all. The characters were introduced and layered and developed in such a way I wasn't overwhelmed. It was beautiful to read.
During this book, I was introduced to three couples at various stages of their lives. We have Sunnie and Reese, who are teenagers and just figuring out the whole dating thing. Conner and Jillian who are adults and trying to figure out how to make a relationship work when they know it has an expiry date. Then we meet Joe and Jeanie. Jeanie who have been best friends for pretty much their entire 80-some years of life. Their relationship isn't romantic in the slightest, Jeanie was married to Joes best friend before he passed away, but it's obvious how much they care about each other.
Now, Ms. Thomas, you have a unique way of describing the men in this book.
Let's look at Conner first:
"he was starting to look like the mug shots on the Dallas nightly news. Hair too long, this was the third day he'd worn the same old wrinkled shirt, and he hadn't bothered to remove the raincoat his gam said only a vampire would wear."
And Reese:
"He was skinny, ate everything in sight, had hair the color of the Red River, and never said the right thing at the right time... his face had more scabs than pimples."
... At least he has all his teeth.
I all for being realistic, but I think we need to have a very serious talk about what I expect from my book boyfriends. I don't ask for much: he pretty much just needs to look like he stepped right out of a Calvin Kline underwear advertisement, have an uncanny way of always knowing what I need to hear... nothing unreasonable there.
My husband, on the other hand, is your biggest fan. He thinks it's about time men were realistically represented in romance novels. So I guess I'll be getting every book you've ever written for Christmas.
Anyway, my only serious complaint about the book is the ending. I wanted more, obviously, but I really wanted to see Conner and Jillian give a relationship an honest shot when they weren't counting down the minutes until it ended.
Overall, Mornings on Main was a beautiful, engaging, and well-written story. I would recommend it to anyone who is looking to take a break from their reality and get lost in the drama of a small town for a few hours.
April 10, 2018
In Mornings on Main there is another delightful story by Jodi Thomas, set in a small town in Texas that has perhaps seen better days. But what counts are the warm hearted characters that populate the town and with the touches of humor that Jodi Thomas does so well, this book was all I had hoped for.
But wait... there's more! I hadn't realised that one of the shops on Main is a quilting shop and that Gram, the darling old lady is a wealth of knowledge and has such a love for the many quilts that have found their way into her shop. I just loved finding out about the various quilts - their history and the way in which they told the stories of people from the town.
Wandering into this small town is Jillian - a wanderer since birth really. She now has nobody - totally alone, her father ditched her when she started college, and she has kept up the wandering ways she learned as a child with him. Right from the beginning she has made it clear, she isn't stopping, just spending a few months and then moving on.
Connor is the mayor, and owner of a lot of property in the town. But that doesn't make him rich as a lot of it is now land with old disused factories that knew better times. He is a part time unpublished writer, father of teen Sunnie and carer of his ageing Gram. It sure keeps a man busy. When he meets Jillian though, his heart begins to pine for something he has been assured he can't have.
So the mix of the quilting, the interaction of the characters, the small mysteries, the humor and warmth of the story kept me happily reading along. Yes and some romance too of course, sweet and gentle - perfect. For more than one set of characters too!
And of course it all ended too soon, I so hate leaving these small towns where I feel like I could just fit in so well.
But wait... there's more! I hadn't realised that one of the shops on Main is a quilting shop and that Gram, the darling old lady is a wealth of knowledge and has such a love for the many quilts that have found their way into her shop. I just loved finding out about the various quilts - their history and the way in which they told the stories of people from the town.
Wandering into this small town is Jillian - a wanderer since birth really. She now has nobody - totally alone, her father ditched her when she started college, and she has kept up the wandering ways she learned as a child with him. Right from the beginning she has made it clear, she isn't stopping, just spending a few months and then moving on.
Connor is the mayor, and owner of a lot of property in the town. But that doesn't make him rich as a lot of it is now land with old disused factories that knew better times. He is a part time unpublished writer, father of teen Sunnie and carer of his ageing Gram. It sure keeps a man busy. When he meets Jillian though, his heart begins to pine for something he has been assured he can't have.
So the mix of the quilting, the interaction of the characters, the small mysteries, the humor and warmth of the story kept me happily reading along. Yes and some romance too of course, sweet and gentle - perfect. For more than one set of characters too!
And of course it all ended too soon, I so hate leaving these small towns where I feel like I could just fit in so well.
December 17, 2018
Jillian is a traveler, never spending more than a few months in one place. She arrives in Laurel Springs, Texas looking for a job. She is hired to help Connor's grandmother, Eugene who is declining into Alzheimer. Eugene has stitched the towns history into beautiful quilts that are to be donated to the local museum and Jillian is to write the story of each and help Eugene keep remembering. This is small town romance at it's best. The story is touching and sensitive on a very depressing subject. Jillian learns about her past and decides what she wants for her future. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
April 10, 2018
Title: Mornings on Main
Author: Jodi Thomas
Publisher: J. T.
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
"Mornings on Main" by Jodi Thomas
My Thoughts....
This was a rather interesting read that I found rather sad in some ways. I felt rather sorry for the heroine Jillian James who had lost faith in family due to what had happened to her. I was so glad when she was able to finally meets someone that seemed to care for her. As Jillian slowly comes into this town where she was looking her father and lucked upon a meeting with Connor Larady, his daughter, grandmother, a few interesting town people and getting a job [working for A Stitch In Time] will give the read some attention. Even though Jillian gave out 'no strings' attachment because I will be leaving in a few months I did feel that she really did start to like these town people and seemed to be a interest in Connor. But it seemed she kept in her mine that her primary goal was to be looking for her father who had dropped her off at college ten years ago and simply had disappeared completely out of her life. So, will Jillian be able to find any of her family history here in [sleepy] Laurel Springs, Texas? Will Jillian and Connor become a item? With Connor grandmother who was dealing with her failing memory loss [Alzheimer] what will she say to Jillian during one of her episode that will give light to Jillian situation about her parents? Will Jillian's search for her pass finally come to a end and not keep following in her fathers footsteps but maybe putting down some roots and able all be willing to take a chance at love with Connor? To get all of these questions answered you will just have to pick up "Morning on Main" to see how this story will all come out.
Author: Jodi Thomas
Publisher: J. T.
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
"Mornings on Main" by Jodi Thomas
My Thoughts....
This was a rather interesting read that I found rather sad in some ways. I felt rather sorry for the heroine Jillian James who had lost faith in family due to what had happened to her. I was so glad when she was able to finally meets someone that seemed to care for her. As Jillian slowly comes into this town where she was looking her father and lucked upon a meeting with Connor Larady, his daughter, grandmother, a few interesting town people and getting a job [working for A Stitch In Time] will give the read some attention. Even though Jillian gave out 'no strings' attachment because I will be leaving in a few months I did feel that she really did start to like these town people and seemed to be a interest in Connor. But it seemed she kept in her mine that her primary goal was to be looking for her father who had dropped her off at college ten years ago and simply had disappeared completely out of her life. So, will Jillian be able to find any of her family history here in [sleepy] Laurel Springs, Texas? Will Jillian and Connor become a item? With Connor grandmother who was dealing with her failing memory loss [Alzheimer] what will she say to Jillian during one of her episode that will give light to Jillian situation about her parents? Will Jillian's search for her pass finally come to a end and not keep following in her fathers footsteps but maybe putting down some roots and able all be willing to take a chance at love with Connor? To get all of these questions answered you will just have to pick up "Morning on Main" to see how this story will all come out.
May 5, 2018
Jodi Thomas is sharp as a quilters needle in this new book Mornings on Main. A delightful fun read that took me back in time When my own Granny would sit around a quilters frame with ladies that traveled near and far to stitch their own personal touches to the canvas of a quilt.
What can Jillian a nomad all her life learn from a bunch of little old ladies that love to gather at a small town quilt shop? A lot she can and does learn a lot especially about true friendships and maybe putting some roots down for once in her life. From the moment Conner lays eyes on Jillian he is smitten with the tall raving beauty. Can he risk a broken heart to hire her to help his beloved Grams close up her lifetime in just a few short weeks.?? Mornings on Main is filled with truly fun colorful characters all bringing their different shades of joy to spread around the little quaint town of Laurel Springs Texas. Never oh never a dull minute in Jodi Thomas’s best book yet. I simply adored this book and the Hope and Love that was found within the pages of my new favorite Jodi Thomas book. Do Not Miss Out on this sweet wonderful love story with a little old fashioned twist.
What can Jillian a nomad all her life learn from a bunch of little old ladies that love to gather at a small town quilt shop? A lot she can and does learn a lot especially about true friendships and maybe putting some roots down for once in her life. From the moment Conner lays eyes on Jillian he is smitten with the tall raving beauty. Can he risk a broken heart to hire her to help his beloved Grams close up her lifetime in just a few short weeks.?? Mornings on Main is filled with truly fun colorful characters all bringing their different shades of joy to spread around the little quaint town of Laurel Springs Texas. Never oh never a dull minute in Jodi Thomas’s best book yet. I simply adored this book and the Hope and Love that was found within the pages of my new favorite Jodi Thomas book. Do Not Miss Out on this sweet wonderful love story with a little old fashioned twist.
April 9, 2018
MORNINGS ON MAIN by Jodi Thomas is a lovely read. It’s the perfect way to spend a cold spring day: curled up on your favorite reading nook with a cup of tea in one hand and a delightful book in another. Incredibly well-written, this book took me to a small town, introduced me to the people living there, and made me like them and care about them. There are plenty of characters, but the book always centered on Jillian, Connor, and Sunnie -- the three whose points-of-view we rely on to tell the story. These are normal, real people with every day problems that everyone can relate to -- growing up, growing old, leaving, staying, and taking risks to fall in love or continue drifting.
I appreciate Jillian and Connor’s sweet slow-burn fall into love. You can see how it developed throughout the length of the book. I also enjoyed Gram and Joe, the quilts, and the town’s coming-to-life side stories. My favorite part of the book, though, is Sunnie. Her growth as a character from the sullen, resentful child in the beginning to the warm, lovable, funny teenager at the end brought a smile to my face.
I’m rating Mornings on Main four stars. Jillian’s storyline with her parents remained unresolved. I’d have liked for her to find a more definitive closure than what she got. Other than that, I found this book heartwarming and I’d recommend it to everyone who likes small town reads with a sweet romance.
Note: I requested this title from the publisher and received it from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.
I appreciate Jillian and Connor’s sweet slow-burn fall into love. You can see how it developed throughout the length of the book. I also enjoyed Gram and Joe, the quilts, and the town’s coming-to-life side stories. My favorite part of the book, though, is Sunnie. Her growth as a character from the sullen, resentful child in the beginning to the warm, lovable, funny teenager at the end brought a smile to my face.
I’m rating Mornings on Main four stars. Jillian’s storyline with her parents remained unresolved. I’d have liked for her to find a more definitive closure than what she got. Other than that, I found this book heartwarming and I’d recommend it to everyone who likes small town reads with a sweet romance.
Note: I requested this title from the publisher and received it from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.
October 28, 2019
Jillian James mencari ayahnya, tetapi dirinya malah terdampar di Laurel Springs. Dia membaca ada lowongan di toko kain perca yg ternyata milik nenek dari Connor Larady, walikota Laurel Springs. Jillian malah akhirnya terhanyut oleh orang-orang di kota kecil ini.
Novel ini lebih mirip chicklit drpd contemporary romance sebenarnya. Connor adalah single father yg cuek terhadap anak gadisnya, Sunnie, yg berusia 15 thn dan baru 3 thn yg lalu kehilangan ibunya gara-gara kecelakaan. Connor ini walaupun kaya dari turun-temurun sbg juragan tanah, juga gak peduli dgn propertinya, hingga sejak kedatangan Jillian, keberuntungan mewarnai keluarganya. Sunnie memiliki pacar yg lucu dan tidak bermasalah, gram (nenek buyut Sunnie) memiliki asisten yg bisa diandalkan yaitu Jillian, dan pacar lamanya, Joe. Sedangkan Connor pun jatuh cinta pada Jillian tetapi sadar bhw Jillian tidak akan menetap di Laurel Springs.
Alurnya lamban mnrt saya dan cerita berputar-putar di situ-situ saja. Lagipula gak memecahkan masalah Jillian jg hingga akhir cerita. Ini cuma cerita idealisme suatu keluarga di Amerika alias America's Sweetheart deh. Bukan tipe bacaan eyke juga.
Novel ini lebih mirip chicklit drpd contemporary romance sebenarnya. Connor adalah single father yg cuek terhadap anak gadisnya, Sunnie, yg berusia 15 thn dan baru 3 thn yg lalu kehilangan ibunya gara-gara kecelakaan. Connor ini walaupun kaya dari turun-temurun sbg juragan tanah, juga gak peduli dgn propertinya, hingga sejak kedatangan Jillian, keberuntungan mewarnai keluarganya. Sunnie memiliki pacar yg lucu dan tidak bermasalah, gram (nenek buyut Sunnie) memiliki asisten yg bisa diandalkan yaitu Jillian, dan pacar lamanya, Joe. Sedangkan Connor pun jatuh cinta pada Jillian tetapi sadar bhw Jillian tidak akan menetap di Laurel Springs.
Alurnya lamban mnrt saya dan cerita berputar-putar di situ-situ saja. Lagipula gak memecahkan masalah Jillian jg hingga akhir cerita. Ini cuma cerita idealisme suatu keluarga di Amerika alias America's Sweetheart deh. Bukan tipe bacaan eyke juga.
April 18, 2018
There’s just something about small-town romances I can’t resist. Having grown up in a tiny town with dreams of someday living in a big city, I think I have finally realized that my dream isn’t as appealing to me as I once thought. Maybe that’s the appeal of these kinds of stories?
Mornings on Main is more than just a small-town romance, though. There are so many elements packed into this book, like exploring familial bonds and obligations, a lifelong mystery being investigated, and other funny happenings that can only take place in a smaller location.
Jillian drifts into town, intent on finding out why her father wrote down the zip code in his log book before she was born. A drifter at heart, just like her father, she only plans to be in town for a short time. She doesn’t want entanglements and Jillian certainly doesn’t want possessions or even memories weighing her down.
Conner wears many hats: father, grandson, mayor, newspaper owner, landowner, and more. He’s weighed down by all of the responsibilities he carries on his shoulders, from raising a daughter to watching over his forgetful grandmother. He’s initially intrigued by the stranger who blows into town, but as time passes, Jillian becomes both integral to his happiness and also lightens his burden. The only problem is, he knows there’s an expiration date to the happiness with the ever-wandering Jillian.
I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and the story, from the secrets of the town that are revealed through the quilt stories to the family ties that root the characters in their identity. Everything seems to grow and come alive once Jillian arrives in town–like the old buildings that were sleeping until someone saw a vision for them, Conner’s daughter, Sunnie, becomes a little wiser and mature, Jillian realizes that she never felt loved her entire life, and Conner realizes how important his responsibilities are to everyone in the town.
Mornings on Main was a wholesome and refreshing take on a small-town romance and it came along at a time when I needed something light and simple to read. While it isn’t as racy as some of the romance I typically read, it was a great way to spend a cozy afternoon with a sweet read.
ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review.
▸ Purchase: Amazon US | Paperback | Kobo | iBooks | Nook
▸ For more reviews, visit http://www.totallybex.com
Mornings on Main is more than just a small-town romance, though. There are so many elements packed into this book, like exploring familial bonds and obligations, a lifelong mystery being investigated, and other funny happenings that can only take place in a smaller location.
Jillian drifts into town, intent on finding out why her father wrote down the zip code in his log book before she was born. A drifter at heart, just like her father, she only plans to be in town for a short time. She doesn’t want entanglements and Jillian certainly doesn’t want possessions or even memories weighing her down.
Conner wears many hats: father, grandson, mayor, newspaper owner, landowner, and more. He’s weighed down by all of the responsibilities he carries on his shoulders, from raising a daughter to watching over his forgetful grandmother. He’s initially intrigued by the stranger who blows into town, but as time passes, Jillian becomes both integral to his happiness and also lightens his burden. The only problem is, he knows there’s an expiration date to the happiness with the ever-wandering Jillian.
I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and the story, from the secrets of the town that are revealed through the quilt stories to the family ties that root the characters in their identity. Everything seems to grow and come alive once Jillian arrives in town–like the old buildings that were sleeping until someone saw a vision for them, Conner’s daughter, Sunnie, becomes a little wiser and mature, Jillian realizes that she never felt loved her entire life, and Conner realizes how important his responsibilities are to everyone in the town.
Mornings on Main was a wholesome and refreshing take on a small-town romance and it came along at a time when I needed something light and simple to read. While it isn’t as racy as some of the romance I typically read, it was a great way to spend a cozy afternoon with a sweet read.
ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review.
▸ Purchase: Amazon US | Paperback | Kobo | iBooks | Nook
▸ For more reviews, visit http://www.totallybex.com
April 9, 2018
Mornings on Main by Jodi Thomas
Jillian James is a drifter who wanders the world staying in places a short time without putting down roots or carrying more than she needs from one place to another. She is living the life shown to her by her father – a man who disappeared from her life a decade before the story begins. In some ways she is strong but the strength is also one that keeps her isolated rather than part of those around her.
When Jillian arrives in Laurel, Texas she is hoping to learn more about her parents, spend some time working while adding to her nest egg and regroup before traveling on. She is a bit of a Chamaeleon able to do many different jobs so when she goes in to get a job and finds out it will be cataloguing quilts rather than working at the newspaper that is fine with her. Her new boss is the mayor of town but Connor Larady is much more than just the mayor. Connor is a single father of a teenager, widow, guardian of his grandmother, owner of much in and out of town, writer and a man with more depth than Jillian first expected.
This is a story of generations in one town. It is the story of community and family and also a love story. I enjoyed the slow unfolding of the romance between Jillian and Connor and hoped that the two would find a way to be together. I found Sunnie, Connor’s daughter, to be intriguing and was happy to see her growth through the book. I loved Gram and the stories she was caretaker of in her person and through the quilts she saved and cared for.
This was a wonderful read and one that made me want to hear more about Laurel Springs, I am hopeful that if this is a series there will be more about each of the characters mentioned and perhaps that Jillian will find out more about her ancestors, too. This was the first book I have read by this author but doubt it will be my last.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4-5 Stars
Jillian James is a drifter who wanders the world staying in places a short time without putting down roots or carrying more than she needs from one place to another. She is living the life shown to her by her father – a man who disappeared from her life a decade before the story begins. In some ways she is strong but the strength is also one that keeps her isolated rather than part of those around her.
When Jillian arrives in Laurel, Texas she is hoping to learn more about her parents, spend some time working while adding to her nest egg and regroup before traveling on. She is a bit of a Chamaeleon able to do many different jobs so when she goes in to get a job and finds out it will be cataloguing quilts rather than working at the newspaper that is fine with her. Her new boss is the mayor of town but Connor Larady is much more than just the mayor. Connor is a single father of a teenager, widow, guardian of his grandmother, owner of much in and out of town, writer and a man with more depth than Jillian first expected.
This is a story of generations in one town. It is the story of community and family and also a love story. I enjoyed the slow unfolding of the romance between Jillian and Connor and hoped that the two would find a way to be together. I found Sunnie, Connor’s daughter, to be intriguing and was happy to see her growth through the book. I loved Gram and the stories she was caretaker of in her person and through the quilts she saved and cared for.
This was a wonderful read and one that made me want to hear more about Laurel Springs, I am hopeful that if this is a series there will be more about each of the characters mentioned and perhaps that Jillian will find out more about her ancestors, too. This was the first book I have read by this author but doubt it will be my last.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4-5 Stars
April 10, 2018
Living in Texas, I always enjoy books set in the Lone Star State and sometimes the locations are close to somewhere I have lived and I can imagine the town and the people. Laurel Springs felt like many small towns across the country where everyone knows each other and stick their noses in your business, but under the guise of being concerned. But that sort of community is a blessing to those that embrace it because they know that there are people that care about them and their well being.
Jillian ends up in this small town searching for details about her parents and her history. Growing up, she never had ties to anywhere she lived or any person other than her father, and even that is questionable based on some of their histories that is revealed throughout the story.
Connor has had a rough life, or at least not the one he expected to live out in his dreams. He wanted to travel and write books but ended up married with a daughter and the responsibilities that ensue. But meeting Jillian fills a hole that has been empty for quite some time.
This book has a great cast of characters, from the steady to the quirky. Each rounds out the story and makes an impact on the story and each other. I loved seeing Sunnie mature a bit more when it came to boys and I think Jillian had an impact on that even if it was subtle. Gram may be dealing with memory issues, but she is still pretty sharp and endears everyone to her that knows her, especially Joe who has probably loved her for 60+ years.
This book made me laugh and cry and the only thing I wish was an epilogue or something to let us know if Jillian ever resolved her past. I don't want to say too much about that but would love to know what happened. I felt like a few stories were left unfinished and perhaps that means another book? Only time will tell.
We give it 4 1/2 paws.
Jillian ends up in this small town searching for details about her parents and her history. Growing up, she never had ties to anywhere she lived or any person other than her father, and even that is questionable based on some of their histories that is revealed throughout the story.
Connor has had a rough life, or at least not the one he expected to live out in his dreams. He wanted to travel and write books but ended up married with a daughter and the responsibilities that ensue. But meeting Jillian fills a hole that has been empty for quite some time.
This book has a great cast of characters, from the steady to the quirky. Each rounds out the story and makes an impact on the story and each other. I loved seeing Sunnie mature a bit more when it came to boys and I think Jillian had an impact on that even if it was subtle. Gram may be dealing with memory issues, but she is still pretty sharp and endears everyone to her that knows her, especially Joe who has probably loved her for 60+ years.
This book made me laugh and cry and the only thing I wish was an epilogue or something to let us know if Jillian ever resolved her past. I don't want to say too much about that but would love to know what happened. I felt like a few stories were left unfinished and perhaps that means another book? Only time will tell.
We give it 4 1/2 paws.
April 19, 2018
This book hit close to home for me.
The characters were like people you would want to be friends with and the story draws you in so quickly.
As sweet and romantic as this book could be at times, it was also heartbreaking.
Connor is taking care of his grandmother, Eugenia's quilt shop, but being the only person around to help take care of Eugenia. He is also a single dad on top of all of his other responsibilities.
Jillian James is a newcomer to town and she accepts Connor's work proposal and as she walks into the quilt shop, she is shocked at the space itself. Initially Jillian had come to this town for something, figuring she was not going to stay, she would just be passing thorough, but you never know what will happen when your heart gets involved.
Connor and Jillian are drawn together and find quite stolen moments.
Will Jillian follow in her father's foot steps and will she be able to put down roots in this lovely town?
I love all of the characters and it felt like they were your friends and you felt the sense of family.
I am now a huge of Jodi Thomas.
4.5 stars
The characters were like people you would want to be friends with and the story draws you in so quickly.
As sweet and romantic as this book could be at times, it was also heartbreaking.
Connor is taking care of his grandmother, Eugenia's quilt shop, but being the only person around to help take care of Eugenia. He is also a single dad on top of all of his other responsibilities.
Jillian James is a newcomer to town and she accepts Connor's work proposal and as she walks into the quilt shop, she is shocked at the space itself. Initially Jillian had come to this town for something, figuring she was not going to stay, she would just be passing thorough, but you never know what will happen when your heart gets involved.
Connor and Jillian are drawn together and find quite stolen moments.
Will Jillian follow in her father's foot steps and will she be able to put down roots in this lovely town?
I love all of the characters and it felt like they were your friends and you felt the sense of family.
I am now a huge of Jodi Thomas.
4.5 stars
April 14, 2018
Jillian and Connor. Their Quilt has an amazing story!
Slowly, nomadic Jillian James is sewn into the lives of the townsfolk and the family of Connor Larady. Each character has a depth and story to tell. The town has its own story that leaves you with a sense of birth, life, lingering to death, to a rebirth. Get out the box of tissues. The emotional ride will have you breathless, laughing, thrilled and weeping. Jodi Thomas has put it all in here. A good straight through read. 5 Stars are not enough!
Slowly, nomadic Jillian James is sewn into the lives of the townsfolk and the family of Connor Larady. Each character has a depth and story to tell. The town has its own story that leaves you with a sense of birth, life, lingering to death, to a rebirth. Get out the box of tissues. The emotional ride will have you breathless, laughing, thrilled and weeping. Jodi Thomas has put it all in here. A good straight through read. 5 Stars are not enough!
April 19, 2018
This was the first book that I’ve read by Jodi Thomas and it won’t be my last. I love the whole small town romance and how everyone knew everyone and you felt that family vibe. There was so much history between the characters. Plus I loved the fact that the characters were regular ordinary people. There were no abs, chiseled jaws and beauty queens. No millionaires or billionaires. Just regular people with everyday issues. This was a sweet book that held my interest and I’m hoping we get more books about them in the future. I’m not ready to let them go!
*Netgalley Review*
*Netgalley Review*
September 14, 2018
This was a down home comfort tale with genuine characters showing
warmth, love, and concern for one another. Jillian comes to town and
finds a job in running a quilt shop for the mayors grandmother. Connor is
A single dad and town mayor who needs help. The book is beautifully written
With a lot of emotion and memories depicting life in a small town. Both
Main characters have something the other needs that brings out the best
In them. I recommend this book .
warmth, love, and concern for one another. Jillian comes to town and
finds a job in running a quilt shop for the mayors grandmother. Connor is
A single dad and town mayor who needs help. The book is beautifully written
With a lot of emotion and memories depicting life in a small town. Both
Main characters have something the other needs that brings out the best
In them. I recommend this book .
July 19, 2021
"The quilts were blankets, heirlooms, memory keepers and works of art. . . . They were also the story of the town."
This is a WONDERFUL book about a lost, lonely, restless soul searching for her family but finding a small town where the true family of her heart could be found.
It has been sitting on my Kindle forever. I could slap myself for not reading it sooner. ;)
This is a WONDERFUL book about a lost, lonely, restless soul searching for her family but finding a small town where the true family of her heart could be found.
It has been sitting on my Kindle forever. I could slap myself for not reading it sooner. ;)
June 3, 2019
A heartwarming story that takes place in a small town in Texas. Jillian is always on the move looking for somewhere to fit in and be loved. Has she finally found it? Read the story to find out.
March 15, 2021
ceritanya sebenarnya klise, tapi aku suka penggambaran setting kota kecil dan penduduknya, bacaan yang comfort dan menghangatkan hati :)
April 30, 2020
3.5 star rounded up to 4! A huge comfort read, with lovable characters and a small town feel! This book had a steady storyline and is a great read if you’re looking for something less serious and comfy. This book has big heart and wonderful memories!
April 9, 2018
Mornings On Main is a story of generations of loving, living, and surviving. It is filled with an intriguing history of the people in town, reflecting the times they have lived, and bringing a warm, comforting gust of past into the current, contemporary world.
Jodi Thomas is a master of a storyteller. Her words are so well put together, the poetic-kind of strings of tales entwined between the covers of the book, binding the lives of generations together with a gentle yet in a real, and at times emotionally raw, strands. The vivid images pulled me into this small town Texas, where the people are kind, curious, and generous while trying to survive with the new challenges the times are throwing at them.
It was so easy to relate to the people of the town, especially the newcomer, Jillian James. Her search for her father and for her roots, trying to find a place where she belongs to, her wondering ways to live and exist, her realistic way to see life, and the deep hidden need to belong and to be loved, made her a truly likable character. In her many layers, she has something each and everyone can relate to, pull from their own life and mirror it against her emotions, experiences, and characteristics.
Jillian's sweetly romantic connection to the mayor Connor Larady was tangible. The chemistry was there and their minds seemed to come into the same wavelength from very different experiences in life. Connor has the patience of a saint, he is kind, he is a caretaker of everyone in town, he is smart, he is generous, and a bit of a visionary.
The Connor's teenage daughter, Sunnie, and her adventures in the age-related drama, her friend Reese, and Gram and Joe with their 80 years of life and memories together brought new patches to the tale like the pieces of a quilt, altogether making a beautiful and unique piece of art.
Personally, I found so many connections to the story with the quilting, loving a person with a memory illness, and living in several places and even in different continents. At times it was like reading my own story in some parallel universe with a bit different twists and turns in the plot, and I absolutely treasured every moment I got to spend in Laurel Springs, Texas.
Mornings On Main is not one of those books you inhale on one sitting. Oh, don't get me wrong, it is doable and a temptation because of the well-written, alluring story. But to me, it was a book to be enjoyed slowly, taken on bites, relishing the moments and each relationship in the tale. Each twist and turn in the plot, the new emotions arising, revelations, tidbits of history and lives from the past was something I wanted to savor and ponder as I was reading. It is a story that you want to come back to, re-read, and visit the friends of Laurel Springs. It is a keepsake book that you want to escape into again and again, and get lost in the enticing lives of the people in Laurel Springs. They make you smile and sigh, even laugh. They pull you into their lives and make you feel like one them like you were right there in the middle of Main, living and observing your friends lives to happen to them.
Absolutely a delight to read and experience!
~ Five Spoons
Jodi Thomas is a master of a storyteller. Her words are so well put together, the poetic-kind of strings of tales entwined between the covers of the book, binding the lives of generations together with a gentle yet in a real, and at times emotionally raw, strands. The vivid images pulled me into this small town Texas, where the people are kind, curious, and generous while trying to survive with the new challenges the times are throwing at them.
It was so easy to relate to the people of the town, especially the newcomer, Jillian James. Her search for her father and for her roots, trying to find a place where she belongs to, her wondering ways to live and exist, her realistic way to see life, and the deep hidden need to belong and to be loved, made her a truly likable character. In her many layers, she has something each and everyone can relate to, pull from their own life and mirror it against her emotions, experiences, and characteristics.
Jillian's sweetly romantic connection to the mayor Connor Larady was tangible. The chemistry was there and their minds seemed to come into the same wavelength from very different experiences in life. Connor has the patience of a saint, he is kind, he is a caretaker of everyone in town, he is smart, he is generous, and a bit of a visionary.
The Connor's teenage daughter, Sunnie, and her adventures in the age-related drama, her friend Reese, and Gram and Joe with their 80 years of life and memories together brought new patches to the tale like the pieces of a quilt, altogether making a beautiful and unique piece of art.
Personally, I found so many connections to the story with the quilting, loving a person with a memory illness, and living in several places and even in different continents. At times it was like reading my own story in some parallel universe with a bit different twists and turns in the plot, and I absolutely treasured every moment I got to spend in Laurel Springs, Texas.
Mornings On Main is not one of those books you inhale on one sitting. Oh, don't get me wrong, it is doable and a temptation because of the well-written, alluring story. But to me, it was a book to be enjoyed slowly, taken on bites, relishing the moments and each relationship in the tale. Each twist and turn in the plot, the new emotions arising, revelations, tidbits of history and lives from the past was something I wanted to savor and ponder as I was reading. It is a story that you want to come back to, re-read, and visit the friends of Laurel Springs. It is a keepsake book that you want to escape into again and again, and get lost in the enticing lives of the people in Laurel Springs. They make you smile and sigh, even laugh. They pull you into their lives and make you feel like one them like you were right there in the middle of Main, living and observing your friends lives to happen to them.
Absolutely a delight to read and experience!
~ Five Spoons
February 22, 2024
Another sweet, charming book with lovely characters!!
March 26, 2018
MORNINGS ON MAIN
Jodi Thomas is one of my favorite western authors. In fact, some of her books are on my keeper shelf. For the last few years, her books have been set in West Texas, which is where she lives. MORNINGS ON MAIN is set in East Texas, in the small town of Laurel Springs.
Jillian James is a wanderer. Except for two years at university, she has never lived in one place long enough to belong. Her father, who disappeared when he left her at university, would never reveal anything about her mother or why he moved so often. His motto was “pack nothing from the past, not even memories”. Because she has only a few scribbled notations of his, she chooses the first zip code he mentions to investigate her origins.
When she looks for a job, Conrad Larady, mayor and newspaper owner, hires Jillian to work at his grandmother’s quilt shop, A Stitch In Time. Jillian warns him that she only plans to be in town for three months. She is to photograph and catalog each of the quilts in the shop before his grandmother’s Alzheimer’s means the stories are lost forever. Jillian enjoys hearing Eugenia relate the stories.
Before long, she and Conrad become friends. Jillian also meets Conrad’s teenage daughter Sunnie, who does not live up to her name. Sunnie loves Eugenia, though, and is very good with and to her. A Stitch In Time is central to the town and through her work there, Jillian meets many of the locals.
Conrad is amazed at how detailed Jillian’s quilt write-ups are and how clear her photographs and submits several to large newspapers for her. Jillian has no plan to develop attachments, but she is growing closer to both Conrad and Eugenia.
As with each of Jodi Thomas’ books, this one has a sense of community. Like each of the small towns I’ve known, Laurel Springs is filled with quirky characters as well as those who are mainstream or average. I love the warm feeling produced by her small-town novels and this is no exception. Her words weave a wonderful mind picture.
This is the first of her new series. I’m eager to read the coming titles and learn more about the residents of Laurel Springs. This book deserves 5 stars. I was furnished an ARC of this book for an honest review, which this is.
MORNINGS ON MAIN will be released on April 10. You can pre-order the book at https://www.amazon.com/Mornings-Main-...
Jodi Thomas is one of my favorite western authors. In fact, some of her books are on my keeper shelf. For the last few years, her books have been set in West Texas, which is where she lives. MORNINGS ON MAIN is set in East Texas, in the small town of Laurel Springs.
Jillian James is a wanderer. Except for two years at university, she has never lived in one place long enough to belong. Her father, who disappeared when he left her at university, would never reveal anything about her mother or why he moved so often. His motto was “pack nothing from the past, not even memories”. Because she has only a few scribbled notations of his, she chooses the first zip code he mentions to investigate her origins.
When she looks for a job, Conrad Larady, mayor and newspaper owner, hires Jillian to work at his grandmother’s quilt shop, A Stitch In Time. Jillian warns him that she only plans to be in town for three months. She is to photograph and catalog each of the quilts in the shop before his grandmother’s Alzheimer’s means the stories are lost forever. Jillian enjoys hearing Eugenia relate the stories.
Before long, she and Conrad become friends. Jillian also meets Conrad’s teenage daughter Sunnie, who does not live up to her name. Sunnie loves Eugenia, though, and is very good with and to her. A Stitch In Time is central to the town and through her work there, Jillian meets many of the locals.
Conrad is amazed at how detailed Jillian’s quilt write-ups are and how clear her photographs and submits several to large newspapers for her. Jillian has no plan to develop attachments, but she is growing closer to both Conrad and Eugenia.
As with each of Jodi Thomas’ books, this one has a sense of community. Like each of the small towns I’ve known, Laurel Springs is filled with quirky characters as well as those who are mainstream or average. I love the warm feeling produced by her small-town novels and this is no exception. Her words weave a wonderful mind picture.
This is the first of her new series. I’m eager to read the coming titles and learn more about the residents of Laurel Springs. This book deserves 5 stars. I was furnished an ARC of this book for an honest review, which this is.
MORNINGS ON MAIN will be released on April 10. You can pre-order the book at https://www.amazon.com/Mornings-Main-...
January 5, 2018
What can be better on a wintry day than a cup of tea, cookies, and a good book to cozy up with? This week that is just what I did. This week I curled up on my Laz-Boy and enjoyed this fun and cozy book, MORNINGS ON MAIN, by one of my favorite authors, Jodi Thomas. She has a wonderful way of drawing you into the story almost from page one. Jodi Thomas is exceptionally good at character development, and readers quickly care about all these flawed folks with hearts of gold.
MORNINGS ON MAIN is a powerful story about love, family, friends, and how the strongest ties are the ones we forge over time.
This is a story about Jillian James, she has never had a place she could call home. She is a drifter, just like her father. While Jillian was growing up her father traveled from town to town, never putting down roots. Now she seems to be following in his footsteps, until she lands in the sleepy Texas town of Laurel Springs. There she meets Connor Larady , his teenage daughter, Sunnie, and his grandmother. She's definitely not planning to stay...except to find a few clues about the father who abandoned her and destroyed her faith in family.
But the closer she grows to Connor, his daughter, and his Grandmother, the higher the stakes of her leaving get. Is she fated to follow in her dad's footsteps, or is she willing to put down roots and take a chance on love?
This book was a nice relaxing book to curl up with, and spend a few days of peace and quiet reading, while the temperature was -10 below zero outside. I enjoyed this book so much that I have decided to award it 5*****Morning Stars.
This book was gifted to me by the publishers. While I receive free books from publishers and authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. I did not receive any type of compensation for reading and reviewing this book.
MORNINGS ON MAIN is a powerful story about love, family, friends, and how the strongest ties are the ones we forge over time.
This is a story about Jillian James, she has never had a place she could call home. She is a drifter, just like her father. While Jillian was growing up her father traveled from town to town, never putting down roots. Now she seems to be following in his footsteps, until she lands in the sleepy Texas town of Laurel Springs. There she meets Connor Larady , his teenage daughter, Sunnie, and his grandmother. She's definitely not planning to stay...except to find a few clues about the father who abandoned her and destroyed her faith in family.
But the closer she grows to Connor, his daughter, and his Grandmother, the higher the stakes of her leaving get. Is she fated to follow in her dad's footsteps, or is she willing to put down roots and take a chance on love?
This book was a nice relaxing book to curl up with, and spend a few days of peace and quiet reading, while the temperature was -10 below zero outside. I enjoyed this book so much that I have decided to award it 5*****Morning Stars.
This book was gifted to me by the publishers. While I receive free books from publishers and authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. I did not receive any type of compensation for reading and reviewing this book.
March 31, 2019
Mornings on Main by Jodi Thomas is so eloquently written. A journey that transforms us back in time to a near forgotten ritual that tells so many stories.
A Stitch In Time not only embraces the quilting circle women have set around for decade’s enjoying, while solving all life’s dilemmas, but a place where bonds are created, one stitch at a time.
It’s often been said that you can read a person’s soul by the mark they leave behind. Some are created through adventure, some through their daily lives, but some are left forever in a memory to be explored through blocks.
Lost, nomadic, and roaming, Jillian is searching for her past with no direction to actually follow. “Maybe all she was looking for was some link to the past. One place to say she came from. Not a person at all.”
As if time forgot him, Conner is just surviving, not even living for the past or the present.. just living, as a never ending day of order.
Mornings On Main truly is an exceptional book of lost souls trying to find their way, without being noticed or remembered, but just found and loved. Truly an inspiring book, as only Jodi Thomas can pen.
A Stitch In Time not only embraces the quilting circle women have set around for decade’s enjoying, while solving all life’s dilemmas, but a place where bonds are created, one stitch at a time.
It’s often been said that you can read a person’s soul by the mark they leave behind. Some are created through adventure, some through their daily lives, but some are left forever in a memory to be explored through blocks.
Lost, nomadic, and roaming, Jillian is searching for her past with no direction to actually follow. “Maybe all she was looking for was some link to the past. One place to say she came from. Not a person at all.”
As if time forgot him, Conner is just surviving, not even living for the past or the present.. just living, as a never ending day of order.
Mornings On Main truly is an exceptional book of lost souls trying to find their way, without being noticed or remembered, but just found and loved. Truly an inspiring book, as only Jodi Thomas can pen.
September 3, 2018
This turned out to be my favorite book that I read for the Summer Romance Book Bingo. I loved the three generations of characters. The story lines were all great. There were some mysterious aspects along with a some very slow burning romances. I liked the fact that there were no graphic scenes.
But the best part of the story was the quilt shop and the descriptions of the stories behind all of the quilts. This is a must read for people who love quilting and quilt-themed fiction.
But the best part of the story was the quilt shop and the descriptions of the stories behind all of the quilts. This is a must read for people who love quilting and quilt-themed fiction.
April 24, 2018
Jillian has lived all over the world, it seems. She traveled with her father, an oil worker who went from job to job. Growing up this way made her a wanderer of sorts. After college she’d work in a town and move on when she wanted to another. In her search for information about her father and mother Jillian arrives in Laurel Springs. She’s hoping to find a job and a place to live but isn’t looking for a relationship. Her new boss, Connor Larady, has deep roots in the town. He also can offer a job to Jillian running his grandmother’s quilt shop. She can’t turn down the offer and she soon can’t ignore her attraction to Connor.
Mornings on Main is a story about two people who are very different yet similar in small ways. I enjoyed Jodi Thomas’ novel about creating family and appreciating people for who they are. It was a total comfort read for me at a time when I needed it. Fans of small town stories and Jodi Thomas are sure to enjoy it. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for my copy.
Mornings on Main is a story about two people who are very different yet similar in small ways. I enjoyed Jodi Thomas’ novel about creating family and appreciating people for who they are. It was a total comfort read for me at a time when I needed it. Fans of small town stories and Jodi Thomas are sure to enjoy it. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for my copy.
Read
August 7, 2020 A wonderful book. I just love the way Jodi Thomas writes. This book is just as wonderful as all her others.
this one is not part of one of her established series. I do hope we visit Lauren Springs again soon.
A small town, interesting characters, hope and love.
Ms. Thomas writes from the heart and this one did not disappoint. The first few chapters were slow, but I knew it would be worth continuing and I was correct.
waiting for the next book!
this one is not part of one of her established series. I do hope we visit Lauren Springs again soon.
A small town, interesting characters, hope and love.
Ms. Thomas writes from the heart and this one did not disappoint. The first few chapters were slow, but I knew it would be worth continuing and I was correct.
waiting for the next book!
October 14, 2018
Reviewed by JoAnne
Book provided by NetGalley
Originally posted at Romancing the Book
Jodi Thomas is one of my favorite authors and I enjoyed Mornings on Main, her latest book which is also a stand alone. I love how she weaves her stories with multiple generations and that they always care for each other and listen to the wisdom of their elders. They learn from each other but you can also feel how much they care. This is Connor and Jillian’s story but it is also the story of Eugenia, also known as Gram, his daughter Sunnie and Gram’s friend, Joe among others.
Jillian is a wanderer and a loner. She never knew her mom and her father deserted her years ago. She’s trying to locate him by tracing his travels that he kept track of in notebooks by listing zip codes. When she ends up in small town, Laurel Springs, Texas she doesn’t expect to stay awhile but that’s what she does when she meets Connor and he needs someone to catalog the quilts and tell the history of each one that’s in his grandmother’s shop so they can be displayed in the county museum. She takes the job and becomes part of the community during her supposed short stay. She gets along with everyone and takes to Gram. She also likes being with Connor and others are trying to figure out their relationship. She’s told him and everyone else that she plans to leave once the quilts are cataloged and set up for display but that doesn’t stop the speculation or their chemistry. Neither has ever been in a real relationship even though Connor was married to Sunnie’s mother who has since died. We also see Sunnie’s relationship with her dad, her great-grandmother and her maybe boyfriends.
There are lots of twists and turns to the story along with family and town history. There are family and friends, small town dynamics, established businesses along with unexpected new ones, injuries, illness, love interests, support, sarcasm, feelings of closeness, safety, romance, loving and love. There is love on different levels between many of the characters. There is a nice flow to the story and a depth to the characters from the oldest down to the youngest. There is some closure and an ending that took me by surprise and had me in tears. It was better than I imagined but an epilogue sometime in the future would have been the icing on the cake.
I enjoyed the Reader’s Guide at the end of the book that was insightful and made me think about what I read. The questions asked of the author that Thomas answered was a nice touch and unexpected. I look forward to reading more of Thomas’ books – those that are part of a series as well as those that stand alone!
Book provided by NetGalley
Originally posted at Romancing the Book
Jodi Thomas is one of my favorite authors and I enjoyed Mornings on Main, her latest book which is also a stand alone. I love how she weaves her stories with multiple generations and that they always care for each other and listen to the wisdom of their elders. They learn from each other but you can also feel how much they care. This is Connor and Jillian’s story but it is also the story of Eugenia, also known as Gram, his daughter Sunnie and Gram’s friend, Joe among others.
Jillian is a wanderer and a loner. She never knew her mom and her father deserted her years ago. She’s trying to locate him by tracing his travels that he kept track of in notebooks by listing zip codes. When she ends up in small town, Laurel Springs, Texas she doesn’t expect to stay awhile but that’s what she does when she meets Connor and he needs someone to catalog the quilts and tell the history of each one that’s in his grandmother’s shop so they can be displayed in the county museum. She takes the job and becomes part of the community during her supposed short stay. She gets along with everyone and takes to Gram. She also likes being with Connor and others are trying to figure out their relationship. She’s told him and everyone else that she plans to leave once the quilts are cataloged and set up for display but that doesn’t stop the speculation or their chemistry. Neither has ever been in a real relationship even though Connor was married to Sunnie’s mother who has since died. We also see Sunnie’s relationship with her dad, her great-grandmother and her maybe boyfriends.
There are lots of twists and turns to the story along with family and town history. There are family and friends, small town dynamics, established businesses along with unexpected new ones, injuries, illness, love interests, support, sarcasm, feelings of closeness, safety, romance, loving and love. There is love on different levels between many of the characters. There is a nice flow to the story and a depth to the characters from the oldest down to the youngest. There is some closure and an ending that took me by surprise and had me in tears. It was better than I imagined but an epilogue sometime in the future would have been the icing on the cake.
I enjoyed the Reader’s Guide at the end of the book that was insightful and made me think about what I read. The questions asked of the author that Thomas answered was a nice touch and unexpected. I look forward to reading more of Thomas’ books – those that are part of a series as well as those that stand alone!
January 6, 2025
Ini pertama kali aku baca novel Jodi Thomas. Menarik dan menurutku ini novel yg heart warming. Dimana seluruh tokohnya saling terlibat dan bahu-membahu. Meskipun ada beberapa tokohnya sudah berusia lanjut, tapi karakter mereka sangat mengesankan. Waktu baca novel ini aku sambil ngebayangin gimana semisal kita yang sebelumnya tinggal di kota besar dengan segala sesuatu yang serba modern lalu kemudian pindah di kota kecil yang masih terbatas baik dari segi akses ataupun kecanggihan teknologi.
Nah di sinilah Jillian memulai petualangannya di sebuah kota kecil Laurel Springs-Texas, dia yang hanya berencana untuk tinggal selama tiga bulan saja. Namun semua berubah ketika satu per satu kejadian mau tidak mau harus melibatkan dirinya. Apalagi sejak pertemuannya dengan Connor Larady, semua jadi terasa semakin menarik apalagi semua berkaitan dengan
Eugenia, nenek Connor yang menderita Alzheimer.
Karakter Jillian dan Connor sangat bertolak belakang. Karakter Jillian menurutku cukup menonjol selain karna dia adalah salah satu tokoh utamanya dia, tapi dia juga wanita muda yang cukup aktif memberikan masukan sehingga tidak sulit untuknya beradaptasi dengan lingkungan Laurel Springs. Dia ini tipe-tipe wanita bebas dan struggle di segala keadaan.
Berbeda dengan Connor yang segala sesuatunya ingin terlihat sesuai dengan keinginannya, meski jauh dalam lubuk hatinya dia merasa iri dengan hal-hal yang bisa dilakukan Jillian termasuk kebebasannya yang bisa pergi kemanapun Jillian mau.
Tempat dimana Jillian bekerja juga sangat menarik, iya dia mencoba bekerja di sebuah toko yang mana membuat kerajinan quilting craft. Hal ini ingetin aku ada salah satu penulis Indonesia juga yang pernah membahas tentang kerajinan tangan satu ini. Tapi yang menarik, selimut dari kain perca buatan Eugenia ini memiliki cerita yang tidak biasa. Banyak makna dan cerita yang terkandung dalam pembuatan selimut itu.
Overall aku suka dengan ceritanya meskipun alurnya cukup lambat, tapi dari situlah aku bisa merasakan keindahan suatu hubungan yang terjalin. Sebuah ketulusan, persahabatan, hubungan dengan orang-orang sekitar (tetangga dan teman), dan bagaimana tentang kita mengabadikan suatu moment kedalam sebuah karya yang kelak bisa kita ceritakan ke orang-orang terdekat.
Nah di sinilah Jillian memulai petualangannya di sebuah kota kecil Laurel Springs-Texas, dia yang hanya berencana untuk tinggal selama tiga bulan saja. Namun semua berubah ketika satu per satu kejadian mau tidak mau harus melibatkan dirinya. Apalagi sejak pertemuannya dengan Connor Larady, semua jadi terasa semakin menarik apalagi semua berkaitan dengan
Eugenia, nenek Connor yang menderita Alzheimer.
Karakter Jillian dan Connor sangat bertolak belakang. Karakter Jillian menurutku cukup menonjol selain karna dia adalah salah satu tokoh utamanya dia, tapi dia juga wanita muda yang cukup aktif memberikan masukan sehingga tidak sulit untuknya beradaptasi dengan lingkungan Laurel Springs. Dia ini tipe-tipe wanita bebas dan struggle di segala keadaan.
Berbeda dengan Connor yang segala sesuatunya ingin terlihat sesuai dengan keinginannya, meski jauh dalam lubuk hatinya dia merasa iri dengan hal-hal yang bisa dilakukan Jillian termasuk kebebasannya yang bisa pergi kemanapun Jillian mau.
Tempat dimana Jillian bekerja juga sangat menarik, iya dia mencoba bekerja di sebuah toko yang mana membuat kerajinan quilting craft. Hal ini ingetin aku ada salah satu penulis Indonesia juga yang pernah membahas tentang kerajinan tangan satu ini. Tapi yang menarik, selimut dari kain perca buatan Eugenia ini memiliki cerita yang tidak biasa. Banyak makna dan cerita yang terkandung dalam pembuatan selimut itu.
Overall aku suka dengan ceritanya meskipun alurnya cukup lambat, tapi dari situlah aku bisa merasakan keindahan suatu hubungan yang terjalin. Sebuah ketulusan, persahabatan, hubungan dengan orang-orang sekitar (tetangga dan teman), dan bagaimana tentang kita mengabadikan suatu moment kedalam sebuah karya yang kelak bisa kita ceritakan ke orang-orang terdekat.
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