I was drawn to this title by the cover. It made me want to be in the place where the story is set.

The Lavender House is a women’s fiction title about Nancy. She is middle aged, divorced, has family responsibilities and gave up on some of her dreams when she married. Her daughter counts on Nancy for childcare help and more, while her mother needs her as well. As many know being in the middle of this “sandwich generation” is not always fun.

When Nancy meets Jim she starts to hope for something. Jim may not be the ideal candidate for a relationship; he drinks, is somewhat of a failed singer but…should it be up to Nancy or her family to decide her future?

Those who want to see how a woman navigates a life that is not always easy will want to take a look at this title. Those who enjoy novels by writers like Erica James may well find a good read in this long novel.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Quercus for this title. All opinions are my own.

This story follows Nancy de Freitas and her family. Nancy appears to be the type of matriarch that wants to help everyone, and while I can relate at times it was bordering at martyrdom. She finds herself attracted to a smoking, drinking, country singer while at a friends birthday. It is four years after her divorce, her husband leaving her for a younger woman.

She can't seem to fully commit as her mother, Frances is starting to become ill. She takes on her full care even when Frances doesn't want her to. You also have Nancy's daughter Louise who also "needs" her to help take care of her daughters.

Nancy's relationship suffers when both her mother and daughter don't seem to like her new man. Feeling pulled in many directions she seems to always pick her family.

I think i struggled with this one due to Nancy being older than I expected, she is in her early 60's. I also expected a stronger female, being older and more wise to stick up for herself, instead her daughter especially was bratty and ran all over her. Lavender House didn't really play a big part in the plot until the very end. While I feel the ending was ok, it was a little bit anticlimactic. Overall I don't think it was for me but feel others would enjoy it.

Lovely tale of mature romance! Nancy has not had it easy - between her hateful ex-husband, her difficult mother, and her kids, she really needs some positivity in her life. Jim fills the bill, not only because he's a different sort but also because he's actually a grown up, which some of the other characters aren't, no matter their age. Boyd has a good way with dialogue, as well as with inner monologue, and has touched a topic where few others have gone. Thanks to net galley for the ARC. You'll like this if you like romance and would like to see a happy future.

I enjoy Hilary Boyd’s books; they are more along the lines of mature romances instead of the sweaty sheet books that are too prevalent in this genre.

Love hurts no matter what your age and unfortunately, fate is not yet finished with Nancy de Freitas. Having given up her own music career when she married, Nancy now finds herself alone when Christopher walks out after thirty-four years. Four years later, she is all that is holding her small family together. Her ailing mother Frances refuses to get the medical treatment that she needs, her daughter Louise is in a troubled marriage to a man that cannot see beyond his own dreams to understand that his family is suffering. And two adorable granddaughters that are of the age where they can both see and need to be sheltered from the dynamics surrounding them.

Taking an evening for herself, Nancy is introduced to Jim, a pseudo successful, but past his prime, country singer. There is a spark, but Nancy knows that she has more pressing responsibilities at home then starting up with a man that may not be completely honest when it comes to his current situation.

Yet she cannot get this man off her mind. This may be her last chance at not being alone, that is until fate once again steps in. Does she choose Jim and the new life that he has to offer or does she stay firmly within her comfort zone and resign herself to the needs of her family.

That is what I like about Hilary Boyd – she writes realistic characters. We can feel Nancy’s pain and confusion and we can understand why Jim is not willing to let go. We find ourselves constantly preaching to and cheering on this couple and it is not until the last pages that we can finally exhale and hope that destiny has finally connected this couple.

Slow moving and terrible character development.

I really wanted to love this book. I liked the idea of a romance between mature people. The main character deals with issues typical of the sandwich generation... caught between aging parents and needy adult children. But even though the characters were middle aged, they were as silly as college kids. I was bored. Also the author tried to sex it up with liberal use of the f-word. It seemed out of place for such a bland read. Others might enjoy.this book but I was disappointed.

Nancy a 60 something year old woman is heartbroken after her husband leaves her for a younger woman. When Nancy meets Jim at her best friends line dancing birthday party, she immediately feels a sense of attraction between the two of them.Nancy is trying to hold her whole family together while seeing Jim, however this becomes a great challenge because she is always committed to family first and because her family does not think kindly of Jim at first. I have enjoyed this book, I think it was great that the author used an older woman in this story. I was not really into the ending, I'm glad how it ended but think there could have been more to it and could have ended differently with the family all together at lavender house maybe all working together at a bed and breakfast or inn with a restaurant for Ross, Just a thought.

A;lthough the people were obviously adults, I thought the whole plot seemed to be one long teen soap opera. Make the people younger and it could have been the story of any highschool romance. Not my cup of tea.

Nancy is stuck in the sandwich generation, caring for her ailing mother and helping her troubled daughter care for her own family. She’s so exhausted, taking care of everyone and no one to take care of her since her recent divorce. Like so many women, Nancy soldiers on, when by chance, she meets Jim. He’s really not a great catch: a smoker, country music star wannabe and he likes his alcohol. Still, Nancy and Jim are drawn to each other even as her family warns her off. They think he’ll steal her blind and break her heart at the same time. Is her family truly worried about her, or are they worried they will lose their built-in carer? Ah, the joys of being middle-aged, too old to be young, too young to be old. Boyd hits the bullseye with this story that will resonate with all women