The Goodbye Café (The Hudson Sisters, #3)

by Mariah Stewart

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Chesapeake Diaries series comes an “irresistible” (Publishers Weekly) novel in her Hudson Sisters series, which follows a trio of reluctant sisters who set out to fulfill their father’s dying wish and discover themselves in the process.

California girl Allie Hudson Monroe can’t wait for the day when the renovations on the Sugarhouse Theater are complete so she can finally collect the inheritance from her father and move on with her life. After all, her life and her fourteen-year-old daughter are in Los Angeles.

Allie’s divorce left her teetering on the edge of bankruptcy, so to keep up on payments for her house and her daughter’s private school tuition, Allie packed up and flew out east. But fate has a curveball or two to toss in her direction.

She hadn’t anticipated how her life would change after reuniting with her estranged sister, Des, or meeting her previously unknown half-sister, Cara. And she’d certainly never expected to find small-town living charming. But the biggest surprise was that her long-forgotten artistry would save the day when the theater’s renovation fund dried up.

With opening day upon the sisters, Allie’s free to go. But for the first time in her life, she feels like the woman she was always meant to be. Will she return to the West Coast and resume her previous life, or will the love of “this amazing, endearing family of women” (Robyn Carr, #1 New York Times bestselling author) be enough to draw her back to the place where the Hudson roots grow so deep?

• ISBN10: 1501145169
• ISBN13: 9781501145162
• Publish Date: 26 March 2019
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Imprint: Gallery
• Format: eBook (EPUB)
• Pages: 416
• Language: English

Reviews

[Lorelei's Lit Lair]

The Goodbye Cafe by Mariah Stewart is the final book in the The Hudson Sisters trilogy.
I was highly anticipating this story and throughly enjoyed it.
I recommend reading the trilogy in order. .
I loved the banter and chemistry between Allie and Ben since book one. Allie’s relationship with Ben deepens into something more than expected. As time passes Allie feels better about herself, more confident while spending this time with her daughter, aunt Barney and her sisters. There’s an unexpected twist in the story that concludes the series with a happy ending.
I loved Aunt Barney, and most of the secondary characters which made for an entertaining read. The town is charming and described so well I could envision it.
I highly recommend The Goodbye Cafe. I received an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.

[kimbacaffeinate]

Family, particularly sisters have been the theme throughout the Hudson Sisters series and each book continues their journey of restoring their family-owned theatre but it also shares their lives, romances, friendships and the small-town named after their ancestors.

Allie was a damaged cookie when we first met her in book one and I’ve really enjoyed her journey of self-discovery and belonging. I’ve come to care for all the girls, but I think she had the toughest road to travel.

We witness the final transformation of the Sugarhouse Theater and even partake in its grand reopening. Their Aunt takes on a new business at the Goodbye Cafe and quickly had the girls involved. We discovered more secrets about the Hudson family and I hope it means more books for us.

There is a slow-burning romance in The Goodbye Café between Allie and Police Chief Ben Haldeman. From the beginning these two have traded barbs, even said hurtful things..but that spark was always there. I loved watching their friendship unfold into something more.

I had my fingers crossed while reading this hoping that the author would work something out for Allie and her daughter. You must read it for yourself to find answers. I was sad to say goodbye but loved how the story wrapped up. The author left the door open for additional books and I am hoping that we learn more about the new character we met.

This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer

[Molly J(Cover To Cover Cafe)]

I haven’t read a Stewart book in some time. With her work, sometimes, it’s a hit or miss with me. She’s either got a really amazing book, or one that doesn’t captivate me. This one, her third in The Hudson Sisters trilogy, is easily read as a stand alone and absolutely captivated me. I loved the detail Stewart added to the story, I loved the characters, the plot line, all of it captivated me so this was a hit for sure.

I loved how Stewart blended these sisters together. They are new to each others lives, having to live together because of their late father’s will. Seeing them together, watching them work through differences was awesome.

Allie is a woman I could relate to, having been through a divorce myself and raising children. I could feel her pain, her walls that were up around her heart were my own. I loved watching her come to terms with her new life, and with her decision to stay in Pennsylvania, or back to California where her old life awaited her. Seeing her form new bonds, watching her blossom into who she’s truly meant to be, was a refreshing time for me.

This is a chick lit read that I recommend to all. It’s four stars worthy and two thumbs up from this reader. From laughter, to tears, to smiles and finding one’s true self, this book will keep you up late into the night reading.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Gallery Books and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*