I love the scent of lavendar but I have a husband who is very sensitive to smells and sometimes they trigger migraines for him. So I can't very well disregard his opinion when it comes to scents. But I did enjoy this ebook, which I requested from NetGalley for free. The book gives a thorough overview of of everything lavender, from history, aromatherapy, crafting, baking and cooking, planting, harvesting and drying lavendar. Different types of lavendar are outlined along with notes on how each type is best used. The book ends with a short history of the author's Pine Creek Lavendar Farm where she and her husband not only grow lavendar but hold tours and offer classes on using lavendar. This is a great book to page through if, like me, you just want to look at beautiful pictures and add a little knowledge to your trivia store. It is also a good introduction, I believe, if you are interested in growing or working with lavendar.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an ARC of this book for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed portions of this book, especially the recipes section and the beginning portion that went through the many different kinds of lavender and their uses. Overall, I felt like this was a very informative book about all sorts of ways to use lavender.

I do wish it provided more details on where to get ethically sourced/pure lavender essential oil since many of the crafts and recipes require lavender oil instead of dried lavender buds.

Publication date: May 28, 2024

This is a beautifully assembled book. In terms of aesthetic the book gets 5 stars - gorgeous high quality pictures. Would definitely be a great coffee table book.
There are tons of recipes for using lavender, a solid mix of both savory and sweet as well as beverages and I look forward to trying a few out. There are some helfpul tips on growing lavender but this is where to book fell a little short for me. I was hoping for more details on growing lavender - more on what kinds thrive in different climates etc.

Super helpful book about lavander and all its qualities. Perfect for the lavander lovers.
Easy to read and understand. A must.

If you’ve been following my blog for any period of time, you might have noticed that I have an interest in “witchy” topics. I like to read books about tarot, candle magic, tea magic, crystals, herbs, runes, and essential oils. Part of this is because I like to create custom-made self care products for my friends using essential oils, like sugar scrubs and beard oils. Everyone raves about them, and I not only like to make them, I also like to know that other people enjoy the scents and the effects. So I’m always on the lookout to learn more about the plants I’m incorporating.

To start with, I have to say that this book has so many gorgeous photographs throughout. The clarity and detail that is shown in the pictures is amazing, and I was so happy to see that the things discussed in nearly every sections had a photograph attached to demonstrate what the author was talking about. It was nice to be able to visualize what I had just read, to ensure that I understood. I also loved that the author talked about the scientific properties of the plant, and referenced peer-reviewed studies to back up medical claims, but also included information about how it was used in the past, since it has such a long documented history of use.

I never realized how many different varieties of lavender there are, and that certain types are better for certain purposes, such as baking or essential oils. The author is a lavender farmer, and their love for their farm and lavender shines through these pages, so that this book reads like a love letter to this versatile plant. In these pages, there are ideas on using lavender to create crafts, recipes, drinks, and different beauty products. Included is even a chapter on how to grow your own lavender, as well as how to harvest and dry it.

There are plenty of amazing ideas for things to do with lavender in this book, and I found myself bookmarking nearly every single one. This is a book that I’ll be returning to again and again, whether it is to double-check some information or to try out one of the ideas or recipes. Some of the recipes sounded really good, while some others sounded a bit quirky but still something I’d be willing to try. And the lavender margarita and lavender honey are on my list to try first!

The Lavender Companion is a beautiful book, in the pictures, in the stories, and in the recipes. I love lavender probably more than the next person, and this book just added to that love by leaps and bounds. I would purchase this book for the pictures alone, truthfully.

But it’s so much more than a coffee table photo book! There are recipes for a chicken dish, cakes, a cookie, cocktails and even tea. Then there’s also the recipes that are for topical uses. A massage oil, a face oil, bath bombs. I can almost smell the beautiful scent just thinking about those items! And that’s STILL not the end!

The author tells about how it is she came to be on a lavender farm. She explains the different types of lavender. She describes how best to pick which type of lavender you should plant and how to transplant it. How to dry it and store it.

I’ve only given a brief description of all that this book holds, and how enlightening it can be about one amazing plant, with its many different types. If you have any interest in growing and using lavender in your life, I highly recommend this book. I did receive a digital copy for an honest review through NetGalley, but I also plan to buy a hard back copy soon! It’s that beautiful and informative. And lavender happens to be possibly my favorite plant.

What I like best about The Lavender Companion is the stunning photography and the inspirational story behind Pine Creek Lavender Farm. I was under the impression that the beautiful photos were all taken at Pine Creek Lavender Farm. And that the photos were of their own lavender and farm. At the end of the book I was disappointed to read that another lavender farm provided photos. I'm not sure how many or which. Now knowing this, I would like to see small text with each photo crediting where it came from. The authors created such a wonderful vibe with the story behind their successful farm based business. Properly identifying the photos helps paint a more accurate picture of Pine Creek Lavender Farm.

The introduction implies that this is mainly a cookbook. Heck, they indicate that they offer a lavender cooking and baking school! While this does have recipes (I list all of them later in my review), it's not a cookbook in the way one would expect. If I'm buying a lavender cookbook, I expect a lot of recipes with lavender. While this does contain a nice little handful of various recipes, the quantity simply does not meet expectations the introduction created. If the reader is looking for a lavender cookbook and that's it, They may not be happy.

Aside from those two minor "issues", I have been thoroughly enjoying this book. It is very useful to me as a long time, albeit small, Eco grower of lavender. This book is worth having on my shelf.

The Lavender Companion: Enjoy the Aroma, Flavor, and Health Benefits of This Classic Herb
by Terry Barlin Vesci & Jessica Dunham
This title has actually not yet been released, but you can pre-order it if you are obsessed with lavender like I am. The book is gorgeous, with vibrant colorful photos of lavender and lavender-filled landscapes. I'm a big fan of books from Storey Publishing for their practicality. But this books is both practical and beautiful. The book has information about growing lavender, as well as the many, many uses for this amazing herb. The authors detail the many different kinds of lavender as well as their uses in wellness and cooking. There are tons of useful recipes to make things like lavender tea, bath bombs, and a variety of culinary uses. If you love lavender, definitely grab a copy of this lovely book.

What a beautiful and joyful book! Full of wonderfully illustrated recipes from body care to aromatherapy to cooking, cleaning and crafting. You can almost smell the lavender just looking at it! It gives all the details about types of lavender and how to grow it,and is written by the experts, who have a lavender farm. Was thrilled to see an advance copy and will definitely be buying this book upon release.

If you know someone who loves lavender, this book will make a great gift for them. It is highly informative, filled with gorgeous pictures, and shares a variety of ways to use lavender. Personally, I have several lavender bushes in my yard and am excited to try some of the craft projects mentioned in the book such as bath bombs and face wash. Recently, I also planted culinary lavender and am eager to make the lavender simple syrup and salt blends that are mentioned in the book.

This is an amazing, comprehensive guide to all things lavender! I really enjoyed the variety of uses for lavender that were highlighted in this book. Not only are there tips for growing and harvesting lavender, but this guide gives some great explanations of the various types of lavender and the best uses for some of the more popular types.

This books has instructions for crafty projects like wall hangings, bath gombs and scented sleep masks. It also has recipes for cocktails, meals, and desserts! It was mind boggling to me how much was packed into this lavender companion!

This is a great resource for people who enjoy lavender scent and taste. I know I’ll be using this book as a reference for a long time to come!

A full encompassed guide to all things lavender! Thank you to Netgalley and Storey Publishing, LLC for access to the digital ARC! I am enamored with this title, I can see myself planting a lot of lavender in the future. I was intrigued by this title after having a wonderful dinner at a restaurant called Heirloom in Lewes Delaware of which ended with a delicate dessert serving of chocolate madeleines topped with fresh pollen and lavender icing. Following the whimsy of that dessert, I found myself seeking out other ways to infuse herbs into my culinary endeavors. The Lavender Companion served up exactly what I was looking for. I was surprised to find sewing projects included at the beginning of the book. Full of wonderful recipes and guides to use lavender in a ton of ways. I 100% recommend this title to all who are interested in herbs!

I love Lavender. And I loved this book. I never new so much about the plant I grow and use all the time. There is history of lavender and fun antidotes. There are copies and growing advice. This would be a great comprehensive book for an enthusiast or someone just getting into lavender.

Such a sweet book. It was really informative and so great to read. We looked through it together and chatted about bits that were relevant to us.
Thank you NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

The Lavender Companion is a must have for any lavender lover! Who knew it could be used so many ways. The pictures are absolutely stunning and the recipes are fantastic. I also love all the information on the different types of lavender. I was stunned at how many varieties there are. Absolutely fascinating and a fantastic resource for anyone looking to add lavender to their garden.

Very informative and interesting book. I highly write recommend it. Very educational. Very enjoyable

Great book, with lots of information about lavender and beautifully photographed. There are recipes for gifts, lotions and cooking recipes, which I was surprised with such as Lavender Pecan Salmon, Jammy Pork Loin and sweat cakes and biscuits as well. Enjoyed this book, . Thanks you NetGalley and the publishers for the DR

This was a lovely breath of fresh, lavender, air.

As someone currently on their own wellness journey, it was fun to read and learn all the different ways lavender can be used. Some of my favorite ways were listed in the following chapters: "in the kitchen" and "in the garden."

Another favorite was reading all the different ways lavender and be used in body care; face wash, scrubs, oils, bath bombs, teas - just to name a few.

I am looking forward to growing lavender in my garden this year and experimenting with harvesting and drying stems. Oh, and don't forget all the amazing recipes - can't wait to try those!

Lavender has truly captivated me; it's one of the standout plants in my garden! This book was a delightful find, offering a wealth of knowledge on using Lavender in cooking and around the home. From its soothing aromatherapy to the versatility of lavender extract, its benefits are abundant!

What a lovely book about something I love: lavender! I could smell the lavender while reading the book. There is a lot of information about this lovely herb, what different kind of lavenders there are, and so much great and useful things. If you want to learn the basics and beyond about lavender, this is a great read! I also enjoyed all the different ideas how to use lavender, like oils and lotions.