All Inn Thyme

Freedom Valley Series, Book 3

By: Erin Branscom

Narrated by: Sophie Daniels, Chris Brinkley

Length: 7 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

All Inn Thyme is a complete standalone that can be listened to without having heard any of the other books, but if you prefer to listen in order, start with Falling Inn Love, as the characters and families are connected.

©2023 Erin Branscom (P)2023 Erin Branscom

Finally we get Mellie's Story

Book 3 in the series it stands alone but gets the best impact if you know the back story from the previous books.

What to expect:
- Single Mom
- Found Family
- Past Trauma
- Living with secrets
- Forced Proximity
- Lovable Goofball Pit Bull Nanny Dog

Mellie & Ty's story is emotional at times. They are both living with secrets, but as they become friends and Mellie opens up, Ty realizes his secrets could get in the way of everything he wants. Ty's dream right now is a family, someone to come home to at the end of the day (other than his dog Nova). Mellie and her son Case are exactly who he wants to be with, as long as they can get past what he's unable to share.

These two characters broke my heart at times. Mellie wants to feel safe and protected while having her dreams supported and her joys encouraged. Ty wants to give that to her. The have chemistry from the start but their pasts get in the way. The history that Mellie has been through is intense (check the trigger warnings, it's handled well, but it could be upsetting to some) and Ty recognizes the minefield really quickly, especially when they start sharing a house.

The audiobook is performed by Chris Brinkley and Sophie Daniels. Both of these narrators were perfect for the characters they portrayed. Sophie's range in portraying Mellie was delightful, from joyous and passionate to tentative and emotional, she had it all. Her anger and fierceness at times was so much fun and turned on a dime into embarrassment or shyness. She's a very complex character and it make my heart ache for her past self and all that she went through to become the woman we meet here. Chris's voice is so smooth like butter and I loved it. The way he allowed Ty's accent to peek out at times the way Ty was torn over the secrets he keeps, the longing to be part of a family... it was so gripping to listen to, I didn't want to stop.

I requested and was provided with an advanced copy of the audiobook. These are my honest opinions.

A great single mom, cinnamon roll- dark background

I'm really enjoying Erin Branscom's Freedom Valley series - a small town inn with found family and such sweet characters!

This book, All Inn Thyme, is quite different than the previous, but both are very emotional as they are single mom romances, fleeing bad situations and needing to get away from the fathers of the kids involved.

Mellie and Kace have been at the inn for about a year and no one really knows anything about their backstory. Ty is a local mechanic and works nights at a factory in the area, and part-time at an auto mechanic. He moves into the bunk house on the inn property. Mellie and Ty came to town around the same time, but hadn't really met before this point. When they do finally cross paths, it's an instant attraction. Both can tell they have secrets, but neither can divulge.

As the pair gets involved and ends up having to room together when circumstances arise at the inn, some secrets come out. Ty becomes extremely protective of the pair and does everything in his power to watch out for their safety. He doesn't, however, spill everything on his end (can't share things that aren't his to tell).

I loved how the pair was with each other, and how Ty was with his dog and with Kace. Ty is a great cinnamon roll and we love him right from the beginning, except for the secrets he is forced to keep. We don't find out a lot until the very end so keep reading the whole way and find out why he's one of the best book boyfriends around!

Narrated by Sophie Daniels who did a very good job as Mellie, and Chris Brinkley, my top favourite male narrator, who was a perfect Ty. Couldn't have asked for a better voice for the southern gentleman! Bravo, Chris!

I received an advance listen copy from Home Cooked Books, and this is my honest feedback.

Story of Starting Over

**Updated Review**

After escaping her abusive husband, Mellie is finally starting to feel settled at the Golden Gable Inn. The people of this small New England town have become like family to her and her young son. When her apartment floods, Ty, a local mechanic, offers some of the extra rooms in his home to Mellie until the damage can be repaired. They soon begin to realize that they’re each hiding something that may put them all in danger.

All Inn Thyme is the third book in the Freedom Valley series. It could be read as a stand-alone but I would highly suggest reading the other two books first for context. (I read all three books back to back.) This book is open-door but not particularly descriptive or spicy.

Content/Trigger Warnings: parental manipulation, domestic abuse

Mellie is such a sweet side character in the other two books. I was excited to finally get to her book but I don’t think I was ready for how devastating her background story was going to be. Domestic abuse can be such a difficult topic to not only read about but to write. While readers generally want to see these characters get their happy ending, I think it is also important to show that it’s not always easy. The author depicts Mellie’s situation in one of the most realistic ways that I’ve seen written. As heartbreaking as it can be to read, it makes the story all the more impactful.

This is the first of any of the audiobooks for this series that I have listened to. Each book has different narrators. Sophie Daniels’ sweet, gentle voice is perfect for Mellie. Chris Brinkley gives Ty just the right amount of Southern charm. I highly recommend getting the audiobook.

I enjoy Erin Branscom’s style and I appreciate that she can write not only a great love story but she also deals with the tough stuff. This series has great re-read potential. I look forward to reading Preston’s book next!

I voluntarily read, listened to, and reviewed advanced copies of this book and audiobook. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Sweet, feel good small town romance

“All Inn Thyme” is a slow burn, sweet, feel good small town romance that I enjoyed so much and I loved Ty and Mellie finding their happy ending after years of being alone.

Mellie has been working at the end for a year now after leaving an abusive relationship with her son, Kase. She has been constantly looking over her shoulder for her ex but is starting to feel safe. Ty is new in town and has moved on to the Inn property while working on an assignment he has to keep to himself. But he starts spending time with everyone there, including Mellie. The two have an instant connection but Mellie is scared because of her past. But Ty is willing to go slow and show her how much she means to him.

This story was incredibly sweet and heartfelt. It’s low on spice but that doesn’t take anything away from this romance story. I had always liked Mellie from the past books and I’m so glad we finally got her story. Her past is tough and she’s so strong for being able to leave for her and son. Ty is such a genuine guy and he was great right from the beginning. He did keep a big secret from Mellie but he 100% had to. Their romance is so genuine and starts from a friendship and blossoms into a true relationship. It was great having the other characters a part of their story. I loved the hint at the next book and I can’t wait to listen to it when it’s released.

Chris Brinkley and Sophie Daniels were so great as Ty and Mellie. Chris brought all of Ty’s genuine and protective qualities to life and I enjoyed his narration so much. Sophie was great as Mellie. Her performance was real and emotional and she brought all of Mellie’s wonderful qualities to life perfectly

Sweet, heartwarming and emotional romance!

I really enjoyed this sweet, heartwarming and emotional romance with a bit of suspense. Mellie escaped from an abusive marriage with her son. She is building a new life at a quaint New England Inn under assumed names. She has found good friends who help keep her safe and has found a love of gardening. She is also attracted to Ty, the hot mechanic who is also fairly new in town. He is charming, attentive and makes her feel safe. Ty is drawn to Mellie and her son, and it makes him want things he never has before. But he has secrets that could make Mellie lose her trust in him, breaking both their hearts. This is an emotional, slow burn story that tackles difficult subjects with honesty, and empathy. I fell hard for Mellie and Ty, and all their family and friends, and dogs, who made this story completely captivating.
Chris Brinkley and Sophie Daniels did a great job bringing these characters and story to life. I really enjoyed both of their voices and performances as they easily delivered all the wit, emotion, and steam, making this story even more delightful.

Sweet & Steamy Slow-Burn

Chris Brinkley is top shelf whiskey and a warm hug in my book! He gave an incredible performance as Ty, the rugged mechanic with a heart of gold. Chris brought Ty’s vulnerable, protective cinnamon roll character to life flawlessly. Sophie Daniels is a new-to-me narrator and I loved her portrayal of Mellie. She played the tender hearted, wary, down-to-earth mama bear charmingly. These two balance each other nicely in pacing, tone, and storytelling style.

Family, Life and Love

The narrators for this book were so perfect. They truly brought that small town family feel to life. Love this beautifully written second chance at love and family by choice romance. All the people of Freedom Valley are so welcoming and wonderful. Mellie and her son Kase end up there after fleeing a dangerous situation. Mellie meets Ty and there is instant attraction that she fights for a while. These two end up living together and build a friendship that turns more. Both have secrets that kept me on edge waiting to see how this all played out. Love their happy for now ending and can't wait to see what happens in the next book.

I was sent a free audiobook and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.

Wonderful story with amazing narration

I have enjoyed all the books in this series but this one is my favorite. Erin tells a beautiful story filled with so many emotions and beautiful characters. There are some sensitive topics that she handles with grace and care while giving us the honest truth about the situation. Mellie is a strong woman, an amazing mother to Kace and a hard worker. She has endured so much but is willing to work hard to make sure she is able to care/protect her and her son. She keeps people at a distance, trust/relationships are a bit tough but she has found a new family in Freedom Valley. Ty is a great man who help others, makes all the ladies swoon and is instantly smitten with Mellie and Kade. His dog Nova is a big part of the story and I love how she is so loving and protective. Ty is also a bit guarded due to his line of work. This is a a slow burn filled with so much love, understanding, and new beginnings. A really great read. Chris Brinkley and Sophie Daniels gave an outstanding performance! Chris is one of my favorite narrators - his voice is so calm, smooth and smexy. He delivers the perfect emotion and personality for each of his characters. Sophie is a new to me narrator and I really enjoyed her voice. She gave her characters strength, vulnerability and love. Their narration brought a new experience to enjoying this story.

Loved Ty and Mellie!

All In Thyme is book #3 in the Freedom Valley series. Mellie works for the Inn as a housekeeper, lives in an upstairs apartment with her son, and has plans to turn her gardening passion into a farmer's market and community garden. She's making Freedom Valley her home. Ty is also a transplant, working a couple of jobs and just rented the abandoned bunkhouse. When a catastrophe makes Mellie's apartment unliveable, she moves into the bunkhouse. The sparks between Mellie and Ty grow hotter, but both have secrets that could put out the flame before it even gets started. I love this series and was so glad to get Mellie's story.

The narration was fantastic. Chris Brinkley is a top narrator favorite of mine. He can bring the sexy talking, small town, next door hunk to life like nobody else. Sophie Daniels is new to me. I enjoyed her narration and look forward to more of her work. 5 stars for these two!

Likable story with some bumps in the execution…

Book 3 in Branscom’s Freedom Valley series has likeable characters, and an interesting storyline that engages with a favorite trope, but there are some bumps in the execution of the storytelling. The MCs, Ty and Mellie have good chemistry and are a couple whose journey to HEA the reader wants to follow. Ty was a particularly appealing H - not afraid to say he cares for the h, has a great connection to her son, is a dog guy - lots to love. Mellie was a good mom, hard worker, and good friend, though some of her behavior during the inevitable third-act breakup was frustrating, even if mostly understandable given her past. The found family trope was the strongest story-telling element and is on fine display here. I had not read other books in this series, and the interactions between the MCs and secondary characters in AiT made me want to go back and check out the first two books, as well as continue with characters whose stories follow this one. I also really enjoyed how the dogs were portrayed - both Nova and Sassy tugged on my heartstrings in all of their scenes.

The book was not without flaws. There were some pacing issues, especially in the third act, and the major conflict in the h’s life resolved a bit too tidily - a little too deus ex machina for my taste. Another bump for me was how the first person pov narration often fell in to one of the pitfalls of that technique - redundant inner monologuing. The dialogue between characters was well done, but there were so many times when the characters were in their own heads and repeating thoughts that had already been conveyed either via action or conversation, or had been thought by the character not long before using too similar phrasing; I found it a bit distracting. This was frustrating because I did like the MCs when they were interacting with one another and with the secondary characters, but the writing of the thoughts within their heads was often clunky and unnecessarily repetative. Still, the characters and storyline mostly make up for these flaws in execution.

As for the audiobook, the narrator performances were a mixed bag. Chris Brinkley was great as Ty and his delivery mitigated my problems with the inner-monologuing within the H’s chapters. He is a talented performer and I always enjoy his work. Sophie Daniel’s was a new-to-me-narrator, and unfortunately, I did not find her performance as appealing as Brinkley’s. Whereas Brinkley took negative aspects of the pov and made it more tolerable, Daniel’s delivery exacerbated my frustration with the pov flaws during the h’s chapters. There were things I enjoyed about Mellie, but Daniel’s performance was not one of them.

Overall, I do recommend this book, especially if you enjoy a found family trope. While AiT can be read/listened to as a standalone, I do wish I had started with book 1 to get the full sense of how the relationships between characters had built to this point.

I received an ALC copy of the audiobook via Home Cooked Books and read the book via KU. All opinions are my own.