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Texas Hill Country #2
Lonestar Cafe
The national bestselling author of Texas Cooking serves up another treat.
Laura Draper is having the worst day of her life. By noon, her career as a magazine editor, her relationship with a well-known photojournalist, and her very sanity are all in doubt. She finds herself marooned at a crossroads in Nowhere, Texas, wondering which way to turn.
What's a girl to do? Certainly not allow herself to be lured into the ramshackle Lone Star Cafe run by two crazy old ladies who claim their coffee has mystical secret ingredients. Definitely not return again and again. And under no circumstances fall for the laid-back moves, twinkling eyes, and slow grins of guitar-picking local guy Graham Keeton.
But Laura can't help herself. Suddenly her uptight professionalism is out the window. She's landing in the most amazing, undignified, hilarious situations with Graham, and she likes it. What in the world is happening to her? Where is she heading, and why does it feel as if she's finally come home.
Laura Draper is having the worst day of her life. By noon, her career as a magazine editor, her relationship with a well-known photojournalist, and her very sanity are all in doubt. She finds herself marooned at a crossroads in Nowhere, Texas, wondering which way to turn.
What's a girl to do? Certainly not allow herself to be lured into the ramshackle Lone Star Cafe run by two crazy old ladies who claim their coffee has mystical secret ingredients. Definitely not return again and again. And under no circumstances fall for the laid-back moves, twinkling eyes, and slow grins of guitar-picking local guy Graham Keeton.
But Laura can't help herself. Suddenly her uptight professionalism is out the window. She's landing in the most amazing, undignified, hilarious situations with Graham, and she likes it. What in the world is happening to her? Where is she heading, and why does it feel as if she's finally come home.
Audiobook
First published January 1, 2004
6 people are currently reading
974 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Wingate
57 books13.4k followersLisa Wingate is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Before We Were Yours, which remained on the bestseller list for over two years. Her award-winning works have been selected for state and community One Book reads, have been published in over forty languages, and have appeared on bestseller lists worldwide. The group Americans for More Civility, a kindness watchdog organization, selected Lisa and six others as recipients of the National Civics Award, which celebrates public figures who work to promote greater kindness and civility in American life. She lives in Texas and Colorado with her family and her deceptively cute little teddy bear of a dog, Huckleberry. Find her at www.lisawingate.com, on Facebook at LisaWingateAuthorPage, or on Instagram @author_lisa_wingate
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
August 24, 2018
I knew before listening to "Lonestar Cafe" that it would be similar to Texas Cooking. But I did not expect that both the books has the same template - protagonist in publishing industry in small town in Texas, sweet small town characters, girl and boy fall in love within a week, perfect male lead with a difficult past. On many occasions, I had a sense of déjà vu. But I still enjoyed the book due to its humor, sweet romance and small town characters.
I liked listening to Johanna Parker. She did an incredible job on the voices for the old ladies. She has a great repertoire of voices.
I liked listening to Johanna Parker. She did an incredible job on the voices for the old ladies. She has a great repertoire of voices.
February 21, 2010
I started off this book irritated with the formula for this trilogy - High-powered career woman goes through personal trauma and is sent to small-town Texas on assignment. Woman meets handsome cowboy with his own troubled past, falls in love, and realligns priorities to replace career with love in small town Texas. Afterall, why is it that the man never has to give up his high-powered job for a beautiful cowgirl?
As this story continued, Wingate won me over. Her discriptions of the people and small-town life were charming, and I found myself considering leaving my mid-powered career for love and life in a small town in Texas.
As this story continued, Wingate won me over. Her discriptions of the people and small-town life were charming, and I found myself considering leaving my mid-powered career for love and life in a small town in Texas.
April 25, 2023
I usually enjoy Lisa Wingate books but this one was simply too cute for my taste. It was very stereotypical in regards to the language and culture of Texas, but then what do I know? Lol. It read as though the author was writing, hoping for a potential movie offer. I am surprised that I didn't connect with the storyline because I adore anything about food, cooking and country life but this one left me feeling complacent. Oh well.
March 31, 2025
What a fun read! I really liked this couple and their adventuresome spirit!
April 8, 2009
This was more a 'contemporary' romance novel without the laid on thick romantic crap that most romances are made of. Well written, heart-warming, funny and made me feel like I myself had visited 'The Lone Star Cafe'. I'll be looking for more of this author's novels.
From back cover:
"Laura Draper is having the worst day of her life. By noon, her career as a magazine editor, her relationship with a well-known photojournalist, and her very sanity are all in doubt. She finds herself marooned at a crossroads in Nowhere, Texas, wondering which way to turn.
What's a girl to do? Certainly not allow herself to be lured into the ramshackle Lone Star Cafe run by two crazy old ladies who claim their coffee has mystical secret ingredients. Definitely not return again and again. And under no circumstances fall for the laid-back moves, twinkling eyes, and slow grins of guitar-picking local guy Graham Keeton.
But Laura can't help herself. Suddenly her uptight professionalism is out the window. She's landing in the most amazing, undignified, hilarious situations with Graham, and she likes it. What in the world is happening to her? Where is she heading, and why does it feel as if she's finally come home?"
From back cover:
"Laura Draper is having the worst day of her life. By noon, her career as a magazine editor, her relationship with a well-known photojournalist, and her very sanity are all in doubt. She finds herself marooned at a crossroads in Nowhere, Texas, wondering which way to turn.
What's a girl to do? Certainly not allow herself to be lured into the ramshackle Lone Star Cafe run by two crazy old ladies who claim their coffee has mystical secret ingredients. Definitely not return again and again. And under no circumstances fall for the laid-back moves, twinkling eyes, and slow grins of guitar-picking local guy Graham Keeton.
But Laura can't help herself. Suddenly her uptight professionalism is out the window. She's landing in the most amazing, undignified, hilarious situations with Graham, and she likes it. What in the world is happening to her? Where is she heading, and why does it feel as if she's finally come home?"
October 28, 2018
Although the story line resembled the first book in this series "Texas Cooking", I did enjoy this book.
January 27, 2019
So, what's a girl supposed to do when she finds herself being overwhelm by life? She stands at the Crosswords of Nowhere, Texas and hopes that someone sends her some buttermilk pie. Okay- that's last part for me and I have never eaten buttermilk pie. Our heroine, Laura Draper is not having a good day. Her douche of her boyfriend breaks up with her over the phone. Commence the hissing! A freak storm ruin the photo shot she set up and to top it off her father's not coping well since her mother's death.
Our girl is on the road when all of the sudden she has to take an unexpected detour. Alright, I shouldn't say unexpected, considering the day that Laura was having. Anyway, Laura finds herself entering the Lone Star Café. I don't think I have ever been more jealous of a fictional character in my life. All that buttermilk pie!
By placing one foot in the café, Laura finds herself and what she wants out of life. It isn't the fast pace, it's the quiet moments. The memories you make with the ones you love and love you back.
This is the first book I read by Lisa Wingate and it won't be the last.
Our girl is on the road when all of the sudden she has to take an unexpected detour. Alright, I shouldn't say unexpected, considering the day that Laura was having. Anyway, Laura finds herself entering the Lone Star Café. I don't think I have ever been more jealous of a fictional character in my life. All that buttermilk pie!
By placing one foot in the café, Laura finds herself and what she wants out of life. It isn't the fast pace, it's the quiet moments. The memories you make with the ones you love and love you back.
This is the first book I read by Lisa Wingate and it won't be the last.
March 16, 2021
The audiobook version is on y.t., so my review may be influenced by the reader and production. I've read only a few "romance" genre novels, two by Nicholas Sparks come to mind. Perhaps it is this year-long isolation due to the covid-19 virus, but I liked the tale. It gives memories of what could be until the evil virus and evil politics, which culminated with the insurrection, struck at our hearts.
I later listened a second time to the audiobook and this time, because I knew what was coming, I could almost "check off" the boxes of the romance tropes: successful, hard working woman has a crisis . . .cowboy . . . Texas . . . and the fact it was a borrowing of much of the plot of her first book in the series that should make me rate this uninspired work lower than the 3 stars I give it. But I can't. These have been hard times, especially for people who need physical contact and in-person meetings to feel connected to REAL life. At this point, it earns its stars for offering a better 2021.
I later listened a second time to the audiobook and this time, because I knew what was coming, I could almost "check off" the boxes of the romance tropes: successful, hard working woman has a crisis . . .cowboy . . . Texas . . . and the fact it was a borrowing of much of the plot of her first book in the series that should make me rate this uninspired work lower than the 3 stars I give it. But I can't. These have been hard times, especially for people who need physical contact and in-person meetings to feel connected to REAL life. At this point, it earns its stars for offering a better 2021.
October 17, 2019
First of all, the narrator did a fantastic job with the reading of this book-she did a great job giving each character their own "voice". I do like the author's writing- the plot of this story seemed very similar to the first book in the series, Texas Cooking, but it's a plot that works. It's a feel good, cozy romance novel. And it's a clean romance novel, as I was listening I kept thinking the Hallmark Channel could turn it into a movie.
This book was published in the early 2000s, so smart phones and social media were not a thing at that time. I kinda like going back to a time where we weren't attached to our phones 24/7 (not judging, because I totally do that).
It's fun, it's cute, and it's a story you can listen to on your commute to work or while working around the house.
This book was published in the early 2000s, so smart phones and social media were not a thing at that time. I kinda like going back to a time where we weren't attached to our phones 24/7 (not judging, because I totally do that).
It's fun, it's cute, and it's a story you can listen to on your commute to work or while working around the house.
December 2, 2017
Well, I had high expectations for this book & I'm sorry to say I am a bit disappointed with it. The cover blurb sounded great & I'd lent it to a friend in the past who loved it...but it hasn't quite done it for me.
It's a nice enough tale but I was hoping for something a bit more "fun" (more on the lines of Janet Evanovich's romances)& it hasn't really gripped me. The characters are fine & the way the relationship alters between Laura & her father is good but it hasn't quite hit the spot for me.
It's a nice enough tale but I was hoping for something a bit more "fun" (more on the lines of Janet Evanovich's romances)& it hasn't really gripped me. The characters are fine & the way the relationship alters between Laura & her father is good but it hasn't quite hit the spot for me.
August 9, 2018
The juicy second novel in the Texas Cooking series. You meet new characters plus getting to see generous amounts of the characters from the first book, I like that combination.
The main character, Laura is a little too distressed for my taste and feels desperate, plus on the rebound. Not sure what Graham sees in her, but as long as he's in the story I"m happy.
I nice, fun read by a great author that knows how to create a town of great characters.
The main character, Laura is a little too distressed for my taste and feels desperate, plus on the rebound. Not sure what Graham sees in her, but as long as he's in the story I"m happy.
I nice, fun read by a great author that knows how to create a town of great characters.
February 2, 2019
I have always liked any of Lisa Wingate's books that I have read so was happy to come across a few new ones. This is the second in the series Texas Hill Country and I loved it. I read A LOT of romances and actually remember the story line for both books in the series. Usually I have to look at the description to see the story for a reminder. The story is fun and a little unbelievable but enjoyable like the first one.
August 17, 2023
Summary - After a breakup Magazine Editor Laura Draper is sent to Texas to give a facelift to a newly acquired magazine. She finds herself stranded in the Lone Star Cafe at the crossroads of Nowhere Texas. She is befriended by two elderly women who run the cafe and falls for a guitar picking local cowboy (Graham) who shows her what is truly important in life: laughter, love, and a place to call home.
May 6, 2018
I'm thinking I'm just getting too old for the endless formulated romances, but this was pretty good. I would have loved to have had Mernalene and Hassalene with more storyline, and her father, and Lone Star Café, for sure. Would have loved to have had more magic included. But, I enjoyed it; glad I read it!
July 28, 2022
"In hard moments you can either laugh or cry but it’s better to laugh."
Collie from the first book in the series is best friends with Laura and makes an appearance a few times in this book.
Laura realizes what’s most important to her is family and gives up her dream job in California to stay in Texas. Her dad is there, her ancestors were and left traces such as the church they built, and Graham and his aunts are there.
Religion mentioned as far as her reading the Bible and praying for a miracle. Clean, some funny parts.
“Walking to the couch, I sank into the cushions, wrapping the afghan around me. It smelled like Mom...[Oh how] I missed her. No matter how much time went by, I continued to miss her. Not so much every moment of the day now, but in quiet moments the pain was intense. Even at 36 years old, all grown up and independent, without her I felt like an orphan in the universe. Pulling the afghan up to my face, I drank in the soft scent, closing my eyes. My thoughts began to drift into calm, quiet water.” Ch 4
“They were two parts of one person. Bonded through 60 years of army towns, four children, countless tours of duty that took him far away yet never separated them. And now, here we stood. Mom gone, dad asleep on the sofa in three day old clothes, and me wondering why I'd never realized that my parents were in love. Maybe I'd never thought about what love really meant. Maybe it wasn't about fighting to preserve yourself, or your space, or your me time. Maybe it was about wanting someone so much you fell in all the way, head first, every bit. About caring for someone else so much that you wanted that person's happiness more than you wanted your own. About not being able to imagine how you would breathe in a world you didn't inhabit together... Oh Mom, I whispered into the dim silent air, feeling the tingling of tears that so often came when I thought of her. I wish you were here. I wish you could tell me what to do now. Everything is falling apart...Mom was the glue that held the whole spoiled self-centered bunch of us together. Mom took care of the holidays, and the birthday cards and gatherings full of food and grandkids. She gave [us] advice on love and marriage while we laughed behind our hands and called her ideas old fashioned. We never considered that just maybe she understood all of it better than we did. Now we were like planets with no sun to orbit, drifting in space.” Ch 11
Collie from the first book in the series is best friends with Laura and makes an appearance a few times in this book.
Laura realizes what’s most important to her is family and gives up her dream job in California to stay in Texas. Her dad is there, her ancestors were and left traces such as the church they built, and Graham and his aunts are there.
Religion mentioned as far as her reading the Bible and praying for a miracle. Clean, some funny parts.
“Walking to the couch, I sank into the cushions, wrapping the afghan around me. It smelled like Mom...[Oh how] I missed her. No matter how much time went by, I continued to miss her. Not so much every moment of the day now, but in quiet moments the pain was intense. Even at 36 years old, all grown up and independent, without her I felt like an orphan in the universe. Pulling the afghan up to my face, I drank in the soft scent, closing my eyes. My thoughts began to drift into calm, quiet water.” Ch 4
“They were two parts of one person. Bonded through 60 years of army towns, four children, countless tours of duty that took him far away yet never separated them. And now, here we stood. Mom gone, dad asleep on the sofa in three day old clothes, and me wondering why I'd never realized that my parents were in love. Maybe I'd never thought about what love really meant. Maybe it wasn't about fighting to preserve yourself, or your space, or your me time. Maybe it was about wanting someone so much you fell in all the way, head first, every bit. About caring for someone else so much that you wanted that person's happiness more than you wanted your own. About not being able to imagine how you would breathe in a world you didn't inhabit together... Oh Mom, I whispered into the dim silent air, feeling the tingling of tears that so often came when I thought of her. I wish you were here. I wish you could tell me what to do now. Everything is falling apart...Mom was the glue that held the whole spoiled self-centered bunch of us together. Mom took care of the holidays, and the birthday cards and gatherings full of food and grandkids. She gave [us] advice on love and marriage while we laughed behind our hands and called her ideas old fashioned. We never considered that just maybe she understood all of it better than we did. Now we were like planets with no sun to orbit, drifting in space.” Ch 11
July 24, 2023
Nice little, very light summer read. Id did feel as if I were reading almost the same book as Texas Cooking. I did enjoy the slighty different geography, although once again she made the distances from one place to another too short a distance she gave it in the time she allowed. I'll wait awhile before I read another Wingate book. So far, none have compared to "Until We Were Yours."
May 26, 2019
Sometimes you need to read more than one book by an author to get their rhythm. This second book in Lisa Wingate’s Texas Trilogy is so sweet and charming.
Reading an actual book as opposed to my Kindle seems just right when it comes to this trilogy.
Reading an actual book as opposed to my Kindle seems just right when it comes to this trilogy.
January 24, 2020
I very much enjoyed this book! Like Texas Cooking, the emphasis was on being where your family is, not where you think you should be. Some things will melt your heart, make you laugh out loud and really think about your own life. Very well done!
March 24, 2021
A sweet love story! I really enjoyed meeting Hasselene, her sister Mernalene and there nephew Graham. I felt like I really knew them!
Wingage writes with nice images of the people and places of a small Texas town.
Wingage writes with nice images of the people and places of a small Texas town.
April 13, 2021
Loved the closing statement in this book. "I imagine they came to a fork in the path. The trick when you get there is to stop for a minute and stand at the crossroads and look. Ask for the ancient paths. Ask where the good way is and walk in it." (Jeremiah 6:16).
June 5, 2021
This is the second in a trilogy . Like most of Lisa Wingate’s series you can read this on it’s own and the story is still good. There are characters from the first book in this one but the story stands alone. It’s an easy, enjoyable read.
August 2, 2025
I loved the premise of this book and usually enjoy books about small Texas towns, but oh goodness this one was slow. Not my favorite but I would still read the other two books in the trilogy because I usually like her writing.
August 22, 2025
I like this author because the books are relatable and here is nothing graphic. That being said, this is a simple book that’s easy to listen to or read on the beach, not a great work of a master. But I still love it!
October 18, 2017
This book was amazing. It was so much fun.
August 9, 2017
Another short and sweet book in Wingate's Texas series. Somewhat like #1, but the last page of the book about asking where the good is and following that path rings true.
August 10, 2017
Good light story, looking forward to the other two in the series
October 21, 2017
Listened to this book on a long car ride and really enjoyed it. Looking forward to reading or listening to the other 2 books in this series.
November 27, 2017
Cute, fun, wonderful read..a twinkie on the bookshelf. Not a great literary book but a heartwarming charming tale.
August 10, 2018
Predictably like the first book, even the same sort of story line in the same profession. Arg.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 1, 2018
Book on Tape
Good book, all ends well - needed this nice story.
Good book, all ends well - needed this nice story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews