welcome home to Strawberry Grove
Population: 1,253 (and yes, we know everyone)
Nestled 45 miles off the highway you probably shouldn’t have taken, Strawberry Grove is a small Southern town where front porches are sacred, coffee is strong, and everyone has an opinion—especially about you. We may be small in size, but make no mistake: this town runs on sugar, gossip, and just enough chaos to keep things interesting.
Here in Strawberry Grove, the locals will wave as they pass you on Main Street… then immediately text someone to ask who you are and why you’re here. It’s the kind of place where donuts count as a food group, town meetings turn into entertainment, and secrets have a way of becoming public announcements by lunchtime. If Stars Hollow and Bluebell had a baby and raised it on sweet tea and unsolicited advice, you’d get Strawberry Grove.
Romance tends to bloom when you least expect it—often between people who swear they can’t stand each other—and the town is always watching, rooting, and interfering just enough to help things along. Whether you’re here to stay or just passing through, one thing is certain: Strawberry Grove will get under your skin, steal your heart, and absolutely refuse to let you leave unchanged.
The Strawberry Grove series is a collection of interconnected standalone romantic comedies set within the charmingly chaotic town of Strawberry Grove, Tennessee. Each mini-series features three standalone novels, all linked by familiar faces, shared history, and a town that knows everyone’s business.
While the books may arrive annually, the gossip never takes a day off—readers can keep up with all things Strawberry Grove on Katie James-Lawson’s social media, where the Strawberry Grove Gossip runs 24/7.
Sweet vs. Semi-Sweet & How Faith Fits in
Romantic comedies come in many flavors, and two terms readers often see are sweet rom-com and semi-sweet rom-com. A sweet rom-com is typically light, wholesome, and very gentle in tone. These stories focus on humor, heartfelt moments, and the emotional journey of the characters while keeping the romance entirely “closed-door.” Physical intimacy is minimal or happens off the page, and the humor generally avoids more adult or sarcastic elements. Sweet rom-coms are designed to feel cozy, uplifting, and universally family-friendly.
A semi-sweet rom-com keeps that same closed-door approach to romance but allows for a slightly more grown-up tone. The characters may face realistic life situations, witty banter, and occasional adult humor that reflects the way many adults actually speak and interact. While there are no explicit scenes, the dialogue and comedic style can be a bit more playful, sarcastic, and relatable for adult readers. In short, semi-sweet rom-coms offer all the swoon and laughter of a romantic comedy while still maintaining a clean, fade-to-black approach to romance.
Because of this slightly more mature humor, semi-sweet rom-coms generally fall outside the formal publishing category of Christian romance, which traditionally follows stricter content guidelines for language, humor, and tone. However, faith still plays an important role in my stories. While they may not carry the official industry label of Christian fiction, readers will still find biblical principles, faith, grace, forgiveness, and hope thoughtfully woven throughout every book.
For many readers, this style creates a comfortable middle ground. These stories can be especially welcoming for newer Christians or readers who are transitioning away from more explicit romance and looking for something cleaner without feeling preachy or overly heavy in religious language. Instead of sermons on the page, the faith elements unfold naturally through the characters’ growth, choices, and relationships. The result is a series that blends humor, heart, and meaningful values—offering a gentle step into stories that celebrate romance, laughter, and faith-filled living.
Inspiration Behind Sugar Rush Donuts in Strawberry Grove, TN
Sugar Rush Donuts was inspired by my friend Vanessa, the incredible woman behind Go Nutz Donuts. If you’ve ever stepped into her shop, you know it’s the kind of place that feels like the opening scene of a rom-com—warm, welcoming, smelling like fresh gourmet donuts and rich craft coffee, with a baker who somehow manages to make everyone feel like a regular. Vanessa pours her heart into everything she makes, and her joy for feeding people and her love of books made my writer heart ridiculously happy. Without Vanessa’s kindness, encouragement, and the many donuts that fueled my writing sessions, there would be no Sugar Rush, and honestly, no Strawberry Grove. This whole sugary little corner of my fictional world exists because of her.