Although Ryan and Weston spend a lot of time in the restaurant, they do their fair amount of exploring when Everheart Bar and Fine Dining is closed or on joint off days. I wanted to hand Austin to readers in all its glorious quirkiness—the city motto is Keep Austin Weird after all. So, I’ll take you through a few of the places Ryan, Weston, the cousins, and architect bros visit and enjoy their intertwined lives.

The first location outside the restaurant is the entire gang meeting at Lady Bird Lake. The “lake” is actually a reservoir, part of the Colorado River. It was initially created as a cooling pond for a power plant but is only used recreationally now. And let me tell you, sitting right near downtown Austin, it is a recreational centerpiece for city residents and visitors. There’s a nice walking trail circling the lake’s perimeter where you can exercise or people-watch folks as they paddle board and kayak.

In the book, there’s a scene devoted to the event Sound and Cinema. I’ve enjoyed many an evening sitting in the grass under the stars outside the Long Center bordering the river. A local band plays (honestly, you can’t go anywhere in Austin without catching a local band performing—after all, it’s the live music capital of the world!) before everyone settles in for an outdoor movie projected on a big screen. Local cuisine is featured in various food trucks along with plenty of beer and spirits trucks, too. The event is free; however, the food and drinks aren’t. The last movie I saw there was The Goonies while eating a lobster roll.

I can’t take credit for the next great find. My sisters came to visit a few weeks before I properly moved to Austin. I drove over from Houston, and we met there and explored the city together. As a donut fiend, my youngest sister recommended Gourdough’s Public House for their specialty hamburgers made with donut buns. Yes—they really make these donut-bun burgers. I’m not kidding.

What can I say about Hippie Hollow? It boasts the clearest water around. Oh, and it’s clothing optional.

We end the book at Jo’s Coffee Shop. Weston does a great job giving you the history behind the beloved Austin mural on the side of the building, so I’ll let you read the book to find out what it’s all about and the surprising reason they end up there. We’re venturing into spoiler-y territory.

There’re at least five other locations I’d love to highlight, but I’m quickly running out of room. Just pick up TASTES SO SWEET and you’ll get the full gamut. Have I convinced you to visit Austin yet?

About the Author

Kelly Cain is a native Californian but has spent the last couple of decades in Texas, currently residing in the live music capital of the world, Austin. Consequently, most of her books are set somewhere between those two locations.

Kelly writes multicultural romance with determined women directing their own fates, and the swoon-worthy men who adore them. She loves reading most genres but please don’t ask her to pick just one. However, she can pick her favorite book boyfriend – Will Herondale.

When she isn’t reading or writing, Kelly is most likely using a genealogy site to research her extended family, both old and new. Or cooking/baking something delightful.

She has two adult daughters, and a new granddaughter. Visit her website kellycainauthor.com for more info.