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Love Struck Café
This brand-new novella from beloved New York Times and USA Today bestseller Carolyn Brown has all the sassy fun and Southern charm you love!
Authentic small-town Texas and a lively cast of characters
A resilient heroine determined to keep her dream alive
A strong, sexy hero with a heart of gold
Jasmine Thurman is desperate. If someone doesn't answer her "Help Wanted" sign soon, her struggling café in the heart of Texas won't be open much longer. But when a handsome traveler pops in for a country-fried steak, Jasmine's luck begins to turn around. Hiring Flint Walker is the answer Jasmine has been looking for, and if her business can have a second chance, then maybe her love life can too.
Authentic small-town Texas and a lively cast of characters
A resilient heroine determined to keep her dream alive
A strong, sexy hero with a heart of gold
Jasmine Thurman is desperate. If someone doesn't answer her "Help Wanted" sign soon, her struggling café in the heart of Texas won't be open much longer. But when a handsome traveler pops in for a country-fried steak, Jasmine's luck begins to turn around. Hiring Flint Walker is the answer Jasmine has been looking for, and if her business can have a second chance, then maybe her love life can too.
91 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 22, 2022
185 people are currently reading
229 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Brown
176 books4,071 followersHi! I'm twenty five years old and movie star gorgeous. The camera added thirty plus years and a few wrinkles. Can't trust those cameras or mirrors either. Along with bathroom scales they are notorious liars! Honestly, I am the mother of three fantastic grown children who've made me laugh and given me more story ideas than I could ever write. My husband, Charles, is my strongest supporter and my best friend. He's even willing to eat fast food and help with the laundry while I finish one more chapter! Life is good and I am blessed!
Reading has been a passion since I was five years old and figured out those were words on book pages. As soon as my chubby little fingers found they could put words on a Big Chief tablet with a fat pencil, I was on my way. Writing joined reading in my list of passions. I will read anything from the back of the Cheerio's box to Faulkner and love every bit of it. In addition to reading I enjoy cooking, my family and the ocean. I love the Florida beaches. Listening to the ocean waves puts my writing brain into high gear.
I love writing romance because it's about emotions and relationships. Human nature hasn't changed a bit since Eve coveted the fruit in the Garden of Eden. Settings change. Plots change. Names change. Times change. But love is love and men and women have been falling in and out of it forever. Romance is about emotions: love, hate, anger, laughter... all of it. If I can make you laugh until your sides ache or grab a tissue then I've touched your emotions and accomplished what every writer sets out to do.
I got serious about writing when my third child was born and had her days and nights mixed up. I had to stay up all night anyway and it was very quiet so I invested in a spiral back notebook and sharpened a few pencils. The story that emerged has never sold but it's brought in enough rejection slips to put the Redwood Forest on the endangered list. In 1997 Kensington bought two books for their Precious Gems line. Two years and six books later the line died with only four of those books seeing publication. But by then Avalon had bought a book and another, and another. Ten years later the list has grown to thirty nine. Last year Sourcebooks bought the Lucky Series which is in the bookstores now. They've also bought The Honky Tonk Series which will debut with I LOVE THIS BAR in June and will be followed by HELL, YEAH, MY GIVE A DAMN'S BUSTED, and HONKY TONK CHRISTMAS.
Folks ask me where I get my ideas. Three kids, fifteen grandchildren, two great grandchildren. Note: I was a very young grandmother! Life is a zoo around here when they all come home. In one Sunday afternoon there's enough ideas to keep me writing for years and years. Seriously, ideas pop up at the craziest times. When one sinks its roots into my mind, I have no choice but to write the story. And while I'm writing the characters peek over my shoulder and make sure I'm telling it right and not exaggerating too much. Pesky little devils, they are!
I have a wonderful agent, Erin Niumata, who continues to work magic and sell my work. I'm very lucky to have her and my editors who continue to believe in me.
Happy reading!
Reading has been a passion since I was five years old and figured out those were words on book pages. As soon as my chubby little fingers found they could put words on a Big Chief tablet with a fat pencil, I was on my way. Writing joined reading in my list of passions. I will read anything from the back of the Cheerio's box to Faulkner and love every bit of it. In addition to reading I enjoy cooking, my family and the ocean. I love the Florida beaches. Listening to the ocean waves puts my writing brain into high gear.
I love writing romance because it's about emotions and relationships. Human nature hasn't changed a bit since Eve coveted the fruit in the Garden of Eden. Settings change. Plots change. Names change. Times change. But love is love and men and women have been falling in and out of it forever. Romance is about emotions: love, hate, anger, laughter... all of it. If I can make you laugh until your sides ache or grab a tissue then I've touched your emotions and accomplished what every writer sets out to do.
I got serious about writing when my third child was born and had her days and nights mixed up. I had to stay up all night anyway and it was very quiet so I invested in a spiral back notebook and sharpened a few pencils. The story that emerged has never sold but it's brought in enough rejection slips to put the Redwood Forest on the endangered list. In 1997 Kensington bought two books for their Precious Gems line. Two years and six books later the line died with only four of those books seeing publication. But by then Avalon had bought a book and another, and another. Ten years later the list has grown to thirty nine. Last year Sourcebooks bought the Lucky Series which is in the bookstores now. They've also bought The Honky Tonk Series which will debut with I LOVE THIS BAR in June and will be followed by HELL, YEAH, MY GIVE A DAMN'S BUSTED, and HONKY TONK CHRISTMAS.
Folks ask me where I get my ideas. Three kids, fifteen grandchildren, two great grandchildren. Note: I was a very young grandmother! Life is a zoo around here when they all come home. In one Sunday afternoon there's enough ideas to keep me writing for years and years. Seriously, ideas pop up at the craziest times. When one sinks its roots into my mind, I have no choice but to write the story. And while I'm writing the characters peek over my shoulder and make sure I'm telling it right and not exaggerating too much. Pesky little devils, they are!
I have a wonderful agent, Erin Niumata, who continues to work magic and sell my work. I'm very lucky to have her and my editors who continue to believe in me.
Happy reading!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
September 1, 2022
Another feisty southern romance.
This was a wonderfully sweet romance between a café owner and a cowboy who had to sell his grandfather's property and was seeking for a new beginning.
Even though Jasmine and Flint had a sort of love at first sight, they didn't jump into anything, which I thought was really sweet of them both. This had few angsty moments, was brief, and featured likeable characters. just what I wanted
This was a wonderfully sweet romance between a café owner and a cowboy who had to sell his grandfather's property and was seeking for a new beginning.
Even though Jasmine and Flint had a sort of love at first sight, they didn't jump into anything, which I thought was really sweet of them both. This had few angsty moments, was brief, and featured likeable characters. just what I wanted
December 22, 2023
Love Struck Café is a standalone, but it’s connected to the Spikes and Spurs series particularly the heroine in book two of that series. A Valentine holiday time frame for a low-angst, sweet love at first sight romance.
Flint Walker is lighting a shuck north away from the bitter memories of having to sell the family ranch when fate brings him to a screeching halt in sleepy Ringgold, TX at a diner with fab food and a help wanted sign in the window. Flint is taken with pretty cook-owner, Jasmine Thurman, and takes the advice of some old local ranchers to stick around a few days to check out a local sale property and take Jasmine up on her offer of room and board if he helps her out until her cousin and staff arrive to take over the Chicken Fried diner.
Jasmine was desperate and took in a handsome stranger who plans to move on. Three days later, she’s fighting her heart and her dreams that Flint will put down stakes and not go looking for a ranch to own up north.
This was love at first sight, but this pair took their time as friends, working partners, and then addressed the elephant in the room. Both were scared to believe in what seemed too good to be true and the way fate lined things up. A swoony country-fried romance that left me hungry for Jasmine’s cooking and envious for one of Flint’s fiery kisses.
The earthy, every day romance and characters was heartily appealing and draws me in each and every time to Carolyn Brown’s writing. Small Town Romance fans who like it sweet and sassy should give this one a go.
Flint Walker is lighting a shuck north away from the bitter memories of having to sell the family ranch when fate brings him to a screeching halt in sleepy Ringgold, TX at a diner with fab food and a help wanted sign in the window. Flint is taken with pretty cook-owner, Jasmine Thurman, and takes the advice of some old local ranchers to stick around a few days to check out a local sale property and take Jasmine up on her offer of room and board if he helps her out until her cousin and staff arrive to take over the Chicken Fried diner.
Jasmine was desperate and took in a handsome stranger who plans to move on. Three days later, she’s fighting her heart and her dreams that Flint will put down stakes and not go looking for a ranch to own up north.
This was love at first sight, but this pair took their time as friends, working partners, and then addressed the elephant in the room. Both were scared to believe in what seemed too good to be true and the way fate lined things up. A swoony country-fried romance that left me hungry for Jasmine’s cooking and envious for one of Flint’s fiery kisses.
The earthy, every day romance and characters was heartily appealing and draws me in each and every time to Carolyn Brown’s writing. Small Town Romance fans who like it sweet and sassy should give this one a go.
February 25, 2022
This is just what the title says, a sassy southern romance. And no one does them better than Carolyn Brown.
When Flint Walker is making his way to a new life, he never could have realized what could happen to him when a dog is sitting in the middle of the road and he sees a woman, Jasmine come out of her business, where a "helped wanted" sign is in the window that it would change is life forever. Jasmine could not believe her eyes when the cowboy got out of his truck and asked her if she made the best Chicken fried in Texas, if this cowboy could be a dream come true. He takes the job and her heart and puts her on a path she never saw in her future.
I love that Carolyn Brown's style of writing never changes and the characters that she writes are people you know you could sit down at the table with and have a glass of sweet tea and natter and become best friends with. They are quirky and lovable and I always feel good when I finish one of her books and I can't wait to get my hands on more.
This book is a quick read that leaves a lot of lasting feel-good moments.
When Flint Walker is making his way to a new life, he never could have realized what could happen to him when a dog is sitting in the middle of the road and he sees a woman, Jasmine come out of her business, where a "helped wanted" sign is in the window that it would change is life forever. Jasmine could not believe her eyes when the cowboy got out of his truck and asked her if she made the best Chicken fried in Texas, if this cowboy could be a dream come true. He takes the job and her heart and puts her on a path she never saw in her future.
I love that Carolyn Brown's style of writing never changes and the characters that she writes are people you know you could sit down at the table with and have a glass of sweet tea and natter and become best friends with. They are quirky and lovable and I always feel good when I finish one of her books and I can't wait to get my hands on more.
This book is a quick read that leaves a lot of lasting feel-good moments.
November 22, 2022
Love Struck Café by Carolyn Brown
2h 19m narrated by Karissa Vacker, 91 pages
Genre: Romance > Contemporary, Western
Featuring: Texas, Food, Ranches, Love After Heartbreak Trope
Rating as a movie: PG-13 for sexual innuendo and profanity
My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
My thoughts: This book is only available in ebook and eaudiobook format at the moment. It was worth the read, but I don't know of a distinct Louisiana drawl for residents near Shreveport, especially one that outdoes a Texas accent. Anyway, I love this story. I wish it was a novel. I will be looking for more from Carolyn Brown. Hopefully, my next journey with her will be something over 300 pages. FYI I saw a Hallmark movie with the same title but it's unrelated and was released in 2019.
Recommend to others?: Yes! I snagged this one up because it was new; I wasn't expecting it to be great. If you need a quick fix, this is an excellent selection.
2h 19m narrated by Karissa Vacker, 91 pages
Genre: Romance > Contemporary, Western
Featuring: Texas, Food, Ranches, Love After Heartbreak Trope
Rating as a movie: PG-13 for sexual innuendo and profanity
My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
My thoughts: This book is only available in ebook and eaudiobook format at the moment. It was worth the read, but I don't know of a distinct Louisiana drawl for residents near Shreveport, especially one that outdoes a Texas accent. Anyway, I love this story. I wish it was a novel. I will be looking for more from Carolyn Brown. Hopefully, my next journey with her will be something over 300 pages. FYI I saw a Hallmark movie with the same title but it's unrelated and was released in 2019.
Recommend to others?: Yes! I snagged this one up because it was new; I wasn't expecting it to be great. If you need a quick fix, this is an excellent selection.
April 27, 2023
Western romance- nothing too steamy, predictable-
dnf
December 13, 2023The narrator is not working for me
September 13, 2024
I listened to this as an audio book to and fro work & it is the cutest little story! It was such an easy listen , easy to follow and beyond cute !
If you are on a. Road trip 10/10
If you are on a. Road trip 10/10
December 21, 2023
Jasmine owns a small, understaffed cafe in a tiny town in Texas. She’s struggling to fill waitstaff positions when Flint Walker shows up. Flint is looking to buy a ranch but is just passing through until some older ranchers in the area convince him to stick around for a few days and check out some land. In the meantime, Flint helps Jasmine in her cafe and takes her up in her offer for lodging.
This novella was attached to the audiobook for On the Way to Us, but this one really didn’t talk about Christianity. It was written over 20 years after the other, so I guess that makes sense. This story had less flaws, for sure, but there was still really no development. Also, two books is all it took for me to see that Brown loves a random meet cute with a love at almost first sight and a married within the year narrative. It was fine but not great.
This novella was attached to the audiobook for On the Way to Us, but this one really didn’t talk about Christianity. It was written over 20 years after the other, so I guess that makes sense. This story had less flaws, for sure, but there was still really no development. Also, two books is all it took for me to see that Brown loves a random meet cute with a love at almost first sight and a married within the year narrative. It was fine but not great.
February 24, 2022
Flint Walker has left his LA home going to seek a new ranch further north. He almost runs over a dog in the road; ends up in Jasmine's parking lot. He sees the sign for Country Fried Steak and help wanted sign. He goes into eat and meets to old ranchers. They tell him about a ranch close by for sale cheap. He decides to stay, and Jasmine offers him a free room and board for him to waitress for her for only one week. Both have never been married and are looking at 40 soon. The sparks fly of course; and will Flint stay or go.
December 30, 2024
A fun, quick read!
Flint Walker is traveling somewhere north to buy a ranch, settle down, and start his life over. When he sees a sign for the best chicken fried steak in Texas, he’s intrigued. He swerves to avoid hitting a dog sitting in the middle of the road and comes close to hitting a building, which just happens to be where the best chicken fried steak was advertised to be. He meets Jasmine Thurman, a café owner, and a few of the local residents. When they hear his story, they tell him about a ranch nearby. He’s not really interested since he’s had his heart set on moving north. He decides to extend his stay for a week and help Jasmine in the café. The more he hears about the ranch, the more time he spends with Jasmine has him rethinking his plans.
Flint Walker is traveling somewhere north to buy a ranch, settle down, and start his life over. When he sees a sign for the best chicken fried steak in Texas, he’s intrigued. He swerves to avoid hitting a dog sitting in the middle of the road and comes close to hitting a building, which just happens to be where the best chicken fried steak was advertised to be. He meets Jasmine Thurman, a café owner, and a few of the local residents. When they hear his story, they tell him about a ranch nearby. He’s not really interested since he’s had his heart set on moving north. He decides to extend his stay for a week and help Jasmine in the café. The more he hears about the ranch, the more time he spends with Jasmine has him rethinking his plans.
May 19, 2022
love at first dog?
Can a dog in the middle of the road change a life? In the case of Flint Walker it sure did. A man looking for a new life stopped at a Texas Cafe because the sign said Chicken Fried ( his favorite food) and ended up staying to help out the owner Jasmine. This is a short and sweet work by Mrs. Brown who dropped in a couple of old favorites from her other books. Who have aged 10 years. Wow time flies. I would recommend this book to all who love small towns and true love.
Can a dog in the middle of the road change a life? In the case of Flint Walker it sure did. A man looking for a new life stopped at a Texas Cafe because the sign said Chicken Fried ( his favorite food) and ended up staying to help out the owner Jasmine. This is a short and sweet work by Mrs. Brown who dropped in a couple of old favorites from her other books. Who have aged 10 years. Wow time flies. I would recommend this book to all who love small towns and true love.
March 6, 2022
LOVE STRUCK CAFÉ by Carolyn Brown is a bonus story in THE HONEYMOON INN.
A sweet short romance about a sassy lady named Jasmine Thurman, who meets Flint Walker, a cowboy with a heart of gold who dreams of owning a ranch. LOVE STRUCK CAFÉ is a heartwarming romance full of sizzling chemistry and fun banter.
Carolyn Brown delights her reader with contemporary romances of tender and passionate love scenes, sexy, hot cowboys, and their sassy women, and so much more.
A sweet short romance about a sassy lady named Jasmine Thurman, who meets Flint Walker, a cowboy with a heart of gold who dreams of owning a ranch. LOVE STRUCK CAFÉ is a heartwarming romance full of sizzling chemistry and fun banter.
Carolyn Brown delights her reader with contemporary romances of tender and passionate love scenes, sexy, hot cowboys, and their sassy women, and so much more.
March 27, 2022
Quick story about fate and love
Flynn was cheated out of his grandfather's ranch when he died and decides to head North to start anew. He by chance finds a cafe to eat lunch and finds a woman needing help at her cafe so he agrees to work for a week before moving on. He ends up finding love and a ranch. It is a short quick paced love story Ms. Brown is known for. I really enjoyed this book.
Flynn was cheated out of his grandfather's ranch when he died and decides to head North to start anew. He by chance finds a cafe to eat lunch and finds a woman needing help at her cafe so he agrees to work for a week before moving on. He ends up finding love and a ranch. It is a short quick paced love story Ms. Brown is known for. I really enjoyed this book.
December 29, 2023
Love Struck Cafe was a great quick read by Carolyn Brown. Jasmine Thurman finds herself desperate for someone to answer her "Help Wanted" sign. If no one does her struggling cafe wont stay open much longer. A handsome traveler pops in for a country-fried steak which starts to turn her luck around. She hires Flint Walker but never expects that he could also turn around her love life as well. I enjoyed reading this book and cant wait to read more by the author.
February 24, 2022
This was a really cute romance between a cafe owner and a cowboy looking for a fresh start after having to sell his grandfather's ranch. I loved how genuinely nice both Jasmine and Flint were, and that even though they had a kind of love at first sight thing, they still didn't rush into anything. This was low angst, quick, and filled with likable characters. Just what I needed.
April 27, 2023
SamThe Foreman
The book is not asking as Carolyn Browns other books but she kept you interested through the whole story. Just wish she got Sam interested one of the women moving to help with the cafe. That would help make it even more promising that even Sam found someone as special.
The book is not asking as Carolyn Browns other books but she kept you interested through the whole story. Just wish she got Sam interested one of the women moving to help with the cafe. That would help make it even more promising that even Sam found someone as special.
December 21, 2023
As with any Carolyn Brown book you won't be disappointed. Once I started reading I just couldn't put it down.
Flint had to sell his Grandfather's ranch when his Grandfather passed away. The proceeds were split between him and the others. He wasn't happy about it, so he went in search of something to buy.
While driving a big dog sat in the road, he seemed to miss it, and ended up at the cafe.
Flint had to sell his Grandfather's ranch when his Grandfather passed away. The proceeds were split between him and the others. He wasn't happy about it, so he went in search of something to buy.
While driving a big dog sat in the road, he seemed to miss it, and ended up at the cafe.
October 15, 2024
Quick & Fun Read
I chose the five star rating because it kept my attention throughout the weekend. I would love to see this sweet romance as a TV rom-com. The main characters were endearing and relatable. The humor was on point! U love the community, and the simple details of each place made it easy to picture every component of the story.
I chose the five star rating because it kept my attention throughout the weekend. I would love to see this sweet romance as a TV rom-com. The main characters were endearing and relatable. The humor was on point! U love the community, and the simple details of each place made it easy to picture every component of the story.
February 24, 2022
Always a fun read
I think I have read everything Carolyn Brown has ever written. Her books make me smile but you also learn to never accept 2nd best in any relationship, be strong enough to stand up for what you deserve
I think I have read everything Carolyn Brown has ever written. Her books make me smile but you also learn to never accept 2nd best in any relationship, be strong enough to stand up for what you deserve
February 27, 2022
She does it again
I love all the stories that Carolyn writes. This little story is one of the best. I do believe in love at first sight and also soul mates. Putting the past behind you and moving forward with your life is the best lesson in the book.
I love all the stories that Carolyn writes. This little story is one of the best. I do believe in love at first sight and also soul mates. Putting the past behind you and moving forward with your life is the best lesson in the book.
February 27, 2022
Oh my couldn't put it down!
Mrs.Brown would be a hoot to sit on a porch swing with! Her stories just keep you glued and as if you knew everyone in the story guess cause I know folks just like them lol
Just kept waiting on that other shoe to drop ....
Mrs.Brown would be a hoot to sit on a porch swing with! Her stories just keep you glued and as if you knew everyone in the story guess cause I know folks just like them lol
Just kept waiting on that other shoe to drop ....
February 28, 2022
Beautifully done!!
I have read about 90% of her books and this was a nice short story. If you have read “One Hot Cowboy Wedding “, this is a twist on what if Jasmine did not marry Ace. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did,
I have read about 90% of her books and this was a nice short story. If you have read “One Hot Cowboy Wedding “, this is a twist on what if Jasmine did not marry Ace. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did,
October 16, 2022
Good quick read from Brown. She always makes me smile and that's a good thing. Really liked these characters and the plot of this book. Glad Jasmine found her happily ever after. Looking forward to reading more from this author.
March 12, 2023
The Love Struck Cafe,Novella
This was an awesome and amazing story. A story of how love comes to those who wait willingly while life leads them to the right place and the right time!!
This was an awesome and amazing story. A story of how love comes to those who wait willingly while life leads them to the right place and the right time!!
September 23, 2023
A wonderful feel- good book!
While sweet and predictable, I really enjoyed this story. Told in such a way that I could have forgotten I was reading a story, it could make you feel that you were right there. Looking forward to more like this.
While sweet and predictable, I really enjoyed this story. Told in such a way that I could have forgotten I was reading a story, it could make you feel that you were right there. Looking forward to more like this.
December 27, 2023
A cute and sweet novella written in typical Carolyn Brown style. Jasmine meets the cowboy of her dreams when he wanders into her cafe. She hired him as a waiter for a week and when her cousin arrives to take over the cafe she's all set to head to "The Promised Land" with Clint.
April 28, 2024
I really loved this book. This was a sweet, southern, small town rom com. This would have been great as a full length book. This was clean and not at all spicy but the characters had some instant chemistry! Also gave Nicholas Sparks vibes.
Audiobook// hoopla
Audiobook// hoopla
January 8, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Absolutely loved this cute little story with Flint and Jasmine! Can't go wrong with a Carolyn Brown story. Can't help but fall in love with her characters, who quickly become friends of your own.
February 24, 2022
Quick read
Sweet romantic quick read. The story and characters kept your attention. Love Carolyn brown books. She never disappoints, always enjoy her books
Sweet romantic quick read. The story and characters kept your attention. Love Carolyn brown books. She never disappoints, always enjoy her books
February 26, 2022
Perfect
Ms. Brown knows how to weave the perfect love story. This Novella had me hooked at the first chapter. This author never disappoints.
Ms. Brown knows how to weave the perfect love story. This Novella had me hooked at the first chapter. This author never disappoints.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews