Quick Synopsis – Cordelia’s great-aunt Penelope has passed away, naming Cordelia the sole heir to the Chickadee Motel. She has no memory of a great-aunt and no interest in hospitality, but the will stipulates that the motel can’t be sold until its residents leave or pass away – so she reluctantly heads back down to Sarsaparilla Falls to figure out who’s living in the Chickadee, and how to get them out.

But upon her arrival, Cordelia discovers the Chickadee isn’t a motel—it’s a brothel, housing three women in their sixties known as the Chicks. Cordelia doesn’t want to be a hotel manager or a madam, but she can’t just sell the only home the Chicks have known—especially not after the pastor is found poisoned in Daisy’s bed.

With the Chicks—and the town—on the verge of a breakdown, Cordelia steps up to mop up the mess. Things are heating up in Sarsaparilla Falls, and with the Pastor’s obnoxiously attractive son Archer—Cordelia’s childhood nemesis—investigating the Chicks and getting close, straightlaced Cordelia may just have to get a little dirty to make a killer come clean.

Song This Reminds Me Of – She Don’t Love You (Like I Love You) – Dolly Parton

Publication Date – March 03, 2026

Bookshop Link – The Best Little Motel in Texas by Lyla Lane

Content Notes – For a book including prostitution, there is no on page sexual acts in this book. There is death, violence, alcoholism, parental neglect, kidnapping, blood, and slut shaming.

Spicy Rating – 🌶️ (honestly there is no sexual activity, but the tension between the Cordelia and Archer is 🥵)

Rating – ⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of 5

Review – I read this book in a day; it was funny and the mystery actually had me guessing. This book is inspired by the Dolly Parton movie The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (which was inspired by a book that was written about a real whorehouse in Texas). I felt like the author did a good job injecting the campiness into the novel. I mean what isn’t fun about 3 sex workers in their 60s?

The main character, Cordelia, has spent her life trying to fit in. It’s obvious to the reader that Cordelia struggles with pretty severe anxiety and what seems to be obsessive compulsive disorder. I didn’t love the inclusion of the character having obsessive tendencies like needing to clean or over-use of hand sanitizer. It felt very much based on stereotypes of mental illness and not really based in the reality. Not to mention it’s clear that Cordelia has not sought any help for these behaviors or management for her anxiety.

I grew up in a small southern town and the way Cordelia feels like an outsider in her community really resonated with me. Her coming back to her hometown and suddenly being given respect because she now owns a town staple, really throws Cordelia. It also allows her to let go of some of the rigidness. I did love the flirtation between Cordelia and Archer, but I wish there had been some more acknowledgement of the bullying Cordelia experienced. Archer’s dad was especially cruel to her when she was like an 8-year-old. I felt like there could have been more recognition of Cordelia’s past and why she’s stayed away for 20 years.

I really hope there are more books in this series, because it was such a fun read and it felt like there was so much more story for the characters to explore.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Perennial for the advanced copy, all opinions are my own.