I read this book about 10 years ago and when I found it again I had to reread it since I didn't remember much about it. I didn't think very highly of it before since it's a romance, but my opinion went up after I read it a second time.
Collie is a freelance writer who has the job of writing a series of articles about some of the local food in small-town Texas. She arrives in her first town (her home base for the articles) and is not impressed by the tiny town. What follows is a series of local stories and recipes, car trouble, friendships, and matchmaking.
What really sets this book apart, and why I loved it so much this time around, are the stories. Collie hears all sorts of stories about the people and community of San Saline, Texas. From the pastor who works a second job to raise money for his baptistery to the women's luncheon that started off as a meeting to get the vote for women, the stories pull you in.
Flowing through Collie's experiences and found stories is True McKittrick, the local eligible bachelor, who Collie doesn't like at first (the feeling is mutual), and who the bed and breakfast owner OF COURSE tries to set Collie up with.
The romance plot was a bit cheezy, but mostly pure fluff. It's got plenty of laughs (and cow kisses), even if the romance goes just a little too fast.
Still, it's a feel-good book that I found myself enjoying more the second time around.