Sweet Tea & Christmas Trees

Sweet Tea B&B #5

by Rachel Hanna

It's Christmas time at Sweet Tea B&B!

When Kate and Mia agree to decorate the B&B for the town's annual Christmas house tour, they may have bitten off more than they can chew.

Meanwhile, Travis and Cooper get the adventure center ready for the holiday season, but someone shows up in town that one of them never expects. When a secret is revealed, will one of their relationships fall apart?

Catch up with your favorite characters in this warm holiday women's fiction book about family, love and the joy of Christmas!

Genres: Christmas, Audiobook, Romance, Humor, Fiction, Contemporary

169 pages, Paperback

First published December 7, 2021

About the author

Hey there! Before I tell you all about myself, can I invite you to join my private Rachel's Readers Facebook group? That's where my readers hang out, discuss my books, participate in giveaways and learn about new releases.

You can join us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Rache...

So who am I? My name is Rachel Hanna, and I am a wife, mother of three incredible kids (maybe I am a BIT biased?), two lovable doggies and one cat that lives outside and thinks he owns the world. Okay, I also have a gecko now too. Don't judge me.

I started writing as a young child, and I went into the field of Journalism for many years as an adult. Now, as a romantic fiction writer, I get to live out my own daydreams every single day and share them with readers around the world!

I'm a Southern chick living near Atlanta, so I say "yes, ma'm" and "ya'll", but I wouldn't have it any other way. :)

Reviews

[Lori (on hiatus, life is crazy busy)) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun series that I have been reading as each book comes out. I had fun revisiting the character's from the sweet Tea B&B as they celebrated Christmas 🎄 Every book has a sweet story with a good message. This one was about forgiveness, which is sometimes hard to do.

[Toby · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a bonus borrow on Hoopla — audiobook version — and guys I just can’t. The narrator is awful. I made it about 30% of the way and I… just… cannot.

[Mary Jackson _TheMaryReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a feel-good holiday story. I am so happy that I read it. I loved how Hanna writes topics that I can relate to. Characters that I can connect with. I just wish the books were longer.

[Jo Anne · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is, quite possibly, the worst book I have read in years. I wanted to read a holiday book, and the library only had this one on its site. So, having read some holiday clunkers over the years, I thought I’d try it. It is absolutely unbelievable to me that books like this get published AND that people read them. I suppose if someone can barely read, this would be a good choice. Characters are barely one-dimensional, plot is inane. Yet, I see the rating is 4.42! I am stunned.

One star because I finished it.

[Hannah Beth (Hannah's Book Cafe) · Rating 4 out of 5]

So this book is part of a series and it is the second to last book. I had not read the first 4 before I started reading this one and I probably shouldn't have done that.

However, I really enjoyed this book! I REALLY want to read the rest of the series soon. I absolutely adore family drama book series and I will be back to read the rest!!

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

When is Cooper going to stop hiding things from Kate? Glad things got straightened out. Mia and Travis are happy can not wait for the book to continue the story of the Sweet Tea B&B

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet Tea & Christmas Trees is the fifth book in the Sweet Tea B&B series. It's Christmas time and Kate and Mia are very busy with the holiday season. Travis and Cooper are also busy getting their new business, adventure center ready for the holiday season. Everyone is excited for the holidays including Evie who gets to spend the holidays on a cruise with her dads family. The holidays aren't all happy and fun filled when Mia begins to feel sick and Cooper is hiding a secret. Will things work out for the best for everyone or will the holidays not be so jolly

I really like the Sweet Tea Series and this book did not disappoint. The holidays can be fun filled but also stressful as we see in this short story. I love Mia and Kate and who could forget Evie whose growing up. The development of the characters is great and I love seeing the characters evolve and grow. You get themes of forgiveness, family and love. It's perfect for those that want a clean romance.

[Lauren Reed Harland · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet and easy, festive story. I love its predictability. I kind of hate that Cooper is always the bad guy, but love the wholesome stories.

[Debbie Babbage · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very disappointing.

[Janet Haas · Rating 3 out of 5]

A festive, easy read.

[Penny Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of Sweet Tea & Christmas Trees for an honest review.
It is always fun to reconnect with the characters in this series. Everyone is preparing for Christmas and lots of special events. Just like in real life, the season adds stress. Then add some twists and surprises to the story. This is a light easy read when you need to just relax with a book.

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

another great book by Rachel

Rachel is my new favorited author. I go ahead and pre-order her books, as they are so good. That way even though my husband and I are retired these are not too expensive. These are wonderful books and so far they are far enough apart that I can afford them. Read them you won’t be disappointed! 🌹

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not sure why I continue this self-torture, but there's only one more book left in the series and now I refuse to let it beat me.

But it came close this time.

Folks, some real talk here: If you are over the age of, say, 25ish, and you're with a long term partner who would break up with you for not giving them every detail of every relationship they've ever had, that's a red flag. A big, wavy red flag made of control issues and irrational insecurity. Past relationships, I mean. (If they had a kid or an STD with someone, that's probably relevant to a current relationship, and I get that. But everyone you ever dated and/or committed to? No. Nope. Not relevant. And not really your business unless they choose to share.)

I mean, it's not like we've seen a whole lot of emotional maturity in most of these characters, but given how often one of them will pull a whole fist-full of random events and experiences and character traits out of their back pockets (i.e. the assertion that their dad was always late, despite never having been, y'know, late on-page. There are a gazillion tell-don't-show instances like this in these volumes.), you'd think that they'd at least not act like a bunch of teenagers. If it wasn't for the marriages and owning houses, I'd think this was set in a high school, not a b&b.

The writing continues to be so dumbed-down and disjointed that it's hard to pay attention, though, again, I think that's a blame shared equally between the writing and the narrator's performance. If you're unlucky enough to also be listening to these instead of reading them with your eyeballs, you know what I mean -- the breathy delivery that sounds like someone reciting an overly dramatic essay on the economics of an obscure forested nation is sometimes cringy, sometimes eye-rolley, and almost never listenable. The emphasis on places where Hannah failed to use a contraction is like nails on a chalkboard. I WILL go gather the sticks. DO not tell me what to do. I am A grown woman.

Oh, god. And the southernisms and the overemphasis on how the Rhode Island sister used the word y'all so she's suddenly southern now, too. I think there were three of those instances pointed out in this book alone, not to mention the last four. WE GET IT. SHE MOVED TO GEORGIA AND SAYS Y'ALL NOW. GIVE HER SOME PEACH COBBLER OR SOMETHING. Ugh.

One book to go. Wish me luck; I'm goin' in.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with this book looking at it objectively. The story makes sense, it has Christmas vibes with a Holiday Home Tour and a daughter on a Christmas Cruise, all of the characters had a place. But, I was so bored!

I guess I just feel like, if you want a super clean book that may be you want to have sitting on the cover of your Kindle when your family comes over for Christmas, or maybe even playing in the background while you’re cooking Christmas dinner? This is definitely it. It was like, reading an episode of Bluey. It got to the point where like, if somebody burped that could’ve been taboo. 🤣

So if that’s your thing, yay! But I need just a little more debauchery in my Christmas shenanigans.

[Jeannine Wickliffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fifth book in the series and a great continuation of the series. Travis and Cooper are working on getting their Adventure Experience Center ready to open in the spring. Meantime, Mia and Kate are working on growing their businesses after the great review they got in the magazine. So when they are approached to be part of the Tour of Homes Parade, they agree. As they start working on decorating, they realize with eveything else, they may have bitten off more then they can accomplish. But they continue to push on and face everything that is going on. Hopefully eveything will get done for Christmas.

[Tricia Toney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kate and Mia decide to include the B&B in the annual Christmas tour. Travis and Cooper also decide to turn the adventure centre into a Christmas village, leading Cooper to confront his shameful past. Evie is gone for Christmas and her mother misses her greatly. With Cooper's secret revealed, much tension is added to everyone's life. Can forgiveness win the day?

[Jodi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have not read the previous books but was able to follow the storyline. Christmas time at the B&B and entering into the home tour is putting additional work on Mia and Kate. Then a class reunion for Cooper brings doubts to Kate about their relationship. Mia and Travis are wonderful and thrilled to be starting their family. A quick read with a little holiday delight.

[EmG ReadsDaily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short, feel-good read - Christmas time at Sweet Tea B&B, celebrating the joy of Christmas with themes of family and forgiveness. This is part of a series, and I have not read any of the other books.

In my attempt to read more widely, I deliberately chose fiction and non-fiction Christmas-themed reads across various genres. This is one that was available from my local library.

[Jenn S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn’t put it down!

Great book! I love this series and author and yet another title I couldn’t put down. May have read the whole thing in one day. I hope there’s another in the series!!

[Phyllis Saunders · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars

4 stars for Sweet Tea & Christmas Trees (Sweet Tea B&B Book 5). Catching up with Mia and Travis after their wedding and their unexpected news. Plus Kate and Cooper have a problem to overcome.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet tea & Christmas trees

Reading this was like coming back home catching up with friends. Mia and Kate and the guys. Even the best of couples have their issues. How you work it out is the important thing.

[Janie D · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this series!

What a wonderful story of families, love, happiness and even a little heartache. I really hope it doesn’t end here! Looking forward to the next book in this heartwarming story!

[Terri Mastraieni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story. It was so nice to catch up with the two main characters Mia and Kate.These sisters have wonderful relationship. It was fun to read about their Christmas traditions. Ms Hanna did it again!

[Bobbie N · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kate and Mia agree to decorate the B&B for the town's annual Christmas house tour, and Travis hires someone to do the same at the adventure center cabins - someone who Cooper had hoped never to see again.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I rated this 3.5 stars. The festive small-town setting and heartwarming relationships made it a cozy holiday read. While charming, the pacing felt slower, and the story wasn’t as engaging as others in the series. Still, it’s a light and uplifting addition for fans of Seagrove!

[Emily Hartley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I listened to the audio version and the narration made it challenging to focus on the story itself. I haven’t read any of the previous novels in the series, which I think would have helped to feel more connected to the characters. This book wasn’t my cup of tea.

[jennifer m. · Rating 2 out of 5]

🥴 ummm. Just. No.
I gave it the benefit of the doubt, and gave two stars since I didn’t realize it was a part of a series, so maybe that’s on me…
The story was 🙄 and the narration was just…so, so, SO bad. Yikes.

[Sande Mcatee · Rating 2 out of 5]

A sad attempt to be a Hallmark story. I usually purchase the audible version along with the kindle so I can continue to read. This audible almost sounded robotic at times. It's THE worst audible I have ever listened to!

[Shelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t know this was a series when I started it. It filled in a lot of background information so I didn’t notice. With this in mind my review will not be a fair judge on this book. I like the idea of a B and B series and will try to read the rest of the series to see if my views change.

[Ron Baumer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another great book in the series. Each book builds on the other and is a great story of two sisters finding each other and getting a new life together. The characters are well written, and the story is well-done. On to book 6!