Cover Image: Summer at Lavender Bay

Summer at Lavender Bay

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Member Reviews

I thoroughly enjoyed this book but was about quarter of the way through when I discovered it was the second book in a series. The author assured me that each book can be read as a stand alone title and she was right. Loved the setting and the gentle developing romance between Eliza and Jack plus the seaside setting was perfect. A lovely book to loose yourself in and I will certainly be going back to read the first book in the series.

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A quick and delightful read with some lovely characters that you can warm too. This book involves Eliza who comes out of a marriage and goes back to her home town of lavender bay. The friendship between the three friends is a big part of the story and what happens next in Eliza’s life. This book is the second in a series of three books. Can’t wait to read the next in the series. Thanks netgalley for letting me review this book.

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I enjoyed revisiting Lavender Bay, this time with Eliza. The second of the three friends. I enjoyed her story and reading about the soap making and oils. It was obvious the ending but enjoyed the story none the less. I loved Jack's and Noah's relationship and it finished to pick up on the third of the friends' stories. I look forward to the next one but will be sad to finish the Lavender Bay stories. Thank you for accepting my request and I will be reading the finial installment.

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Great story and lovely 2nd installment ti the series.
Having read all three I think this is my favourite one.
Full review found on my instagram.
Lookong forward to what Sarah writes next!

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Eliza’s story is next, one of the three best friends, all christened Elizabeth but decided when meeting to grab names for themselves, she along with Beth and Libby are all now back in Lavender Bay, although it took Eliza some time to get there. Her marriage has fallen apart, and she’s not been happy for years, but it took Martin’s callous disregard of her wishes as he gaslighted her into “seeing” things his way that finally cracked things wide open, and the departures gate at the airport for a three year stint in Abu Dhabi is the line in the sand that she won’t cross. Returning home to Lavender Bay with her best friends, in her room above the family’s pub, Eliza is at loose ends and unsure of her next step, just knowing that she wants to be excited for her next move.

Jack Gilbert came to Lavender Bay as a child, his parents wishing for a ‘simpler life’ and they’ve built their lavender farm into a growing concern. But after his father’s death, and then his older brother being killed by a drunk driver, he’s now cocooned himself into a self-imposed prison of sorts, determined to make up for everything to Noah, his young nephew, and keep hurt and angst from the door. He’s prickly and anti-social, and perhaps too wrapped up in his own superhero complex to actually allow the natural ebb and flow of life’s challenges to approach without kicking out at them, but he’s got a heart of gold. When Eliza, with an idea to use her ‘crafty skills’ and her new idea for a “With Love from Lavender Bay” line of products (that her best friend Beth has already agreed to sell in her emporium) she’s popped up the hill to Gilbert’s farm, hoping to discuss a potential sale of lavender oil for use in candles and soaps. Of course, Jack is his usual grumpy bear self and Eliza, not being the most bold or brash person to start with, heads off.

Oh these two are adorable together, and as Eliza gains confidence in her own idea for a business, and things start to sell, she also starts to find her own footing for her own life, and the ability to demand a divorce from Martin (who arrives to guilt her back into his life) as she is quietly showing Jack that isolating himself, his mother and little Noah isn’t healthy or necessary, and that once you’ve been accepted into this little ‘family’ of people, you’re in. From taking over the help with the harvest to the moments with Noah, Eliza has wormed her way into Jack’s heart, despite his ability to turn every situation into worst case scenario and take instant offense at even offhanded comments. It will take not just Eliza, but the whole village to help bring Jack awareness of the potential and pleasure of ‘letting people in”, and with a visitor to town in Colin, now appearing to become more involved in the people and the town with his partnering with Sam in the proposed restaurant in the old skittles lanes under the pub, the possibility for more growth for both Jack and Eliza is strong, while we’ve still got more to look forward to in this village. A lovely read, heartfelt and sweet, that can be read out of order – it’s only going to make you want to meet the people and the town in the first.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=”https://wp.me/p3OmRo-a8t/” > <a> I am, Indeed </a>

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This book is the second in the series and well worth the wait.
I was hooked from the first page. It was full of romance and heartbreak. Moments of laughter too
I loved this book and didn’t want it to end

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This is the second book in the Lavender Bay series. I enjoyed this book much better than the first. It is best to read in order to understand the characters better. A nice summer read.

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Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. Great book and even though I did not read the first one still was able to relate to the characters.

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This is the part 2 of the Lavender Bay series but I haven't read the part 1. Fortunately not reading the part 1 was not a problem to understand what was going on. You can read this book as a standalone which is good. I really enjoyed this book. And can't wait for part 3 of the series! The only thing I didn't really understand in this book is how fast Martin, the husband of Libby is forgotten. It's almost like Eliza was not married (or at least separated) and if she was single. But other than that, I found this romance very cute and I liked the fact that it takes place around a place where lavender is growing, it gives the story a particular summery scent. By the way, I find the cover very lovely! When you look at it, you immediately think "summer", "sun", "happiness". And it summarize pretty much the book! I recommend it!

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Lovely book to read. Hadn't read the others but that really didn't matter it works as a stand alone also. Nice destination and well written.

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I was really looking forward to this second book in the series, but was not as excited as I had hoped. The beginning sets up the story so we know who the couple will be that the story revolves around. Eliza is married to Martin, her high school boyfriend. They are about to move to Abu Dhabi for his job when she realizes that he does not care what she thinks or wants. His job, his desires and his dreams are all that matters. When she asks him a question and his answer is not what she needs to hear, she tells him she isn't happy and she's not going with him. She leaves the airport and heads back to Lavender Bay. Once she is back home, she realizes that she has been very unhappy and wants to see what will make her happy. When she goes to the local lavender farm to see if she can buy lavender to start a soap making business, she meets the owner, Jack. He is not happy that this person is wandering around his working farm. He is rather rude to her, but both of them feel something. Jack has baggage and he is not sure he is ready for a relationship. Eliza has her own baggage and is in the same boat. Can they work through everything to be happy together. As the story progressed, I began to get invested. There are some blips along the way that they need to work through that gives the story some angst, but overall, this is a feel good, second chance romance.

This story is full of heartbreak, romance and finding what is best for you and doing what you are truly happy with. You want to laugh at times as well as reach out and shake someone. Along the way the characters from the first book are there and once again step up to help one another when in need. I enjoyed seeing how Sam and Eliza's father has dealt with his illness and is trying to give his kids more autonomy at the bar. The trio of ladies (Eliza, Beth and Libby) are still there supporting, teasing and loving one another. I enjoyed my second trip to Lavender Bay and based on what happened in this book, I am ready for Libby's story in the next outing at Lavender Bay. The publisher, HQ Digital, provided me with a copy of this book to read. The opinions stated are my own.

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This was a really cute read which was exactly what I was hoping for. I didn't realise until I was a little way in that I had actually read the first book in this series, though it isn't necessary to in order to enjoy it. Characters are well written and the story is sweet. I recommend this as an easy summer read.

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In the second story of the Lavender Bay trilogy, we follow Eliza who returns home after leaving her husband. After not following her dreams because she was always doing what her husband wanted, she finally has the opportunity to make her life her own. At first she works at her parents pub, The Siren, to make some money and help out her family. Soon though, she comes up with a plan to make her happy. In the meantime, she visits the local lavender farm to buy some lavender for her business but makes no headway as the farmer is rude to her. As soon as this occurrence ends, Jack (the farmer) regrets his attitude. As all things happens, they soon find themselves attracted to each other but each comes with baggage. Will they be able to overcome these obstacles?

I wanted a cute summer read and that's what I got. All the characters were relatable, sweet, and, basically, made me want to live at Lavender Bay:)

*Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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Loved it! I read the first one where we met Beth, Libby and Eliza and this one is just as good. You can hear the sea, smell the salt tang overlaid with fields of lavender and feel the heat of the sun.
These three best friends each have a story, a perspective that is unique and true to them. This story is Eliza’s. How will she fair after the breakdown of her marriage to her childhood sweetheart. Without wanting to spoil her story I can tell you that he r return to Lavendar Bay is entirely the right decision

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A lovely warm tale of Eliza. A Loveless marriage, a tragic death, a bereaved boy and a chocolate Labrador combine to bring a summertime story that is engaging and evocative.

Loved the description of the lavender fields and some of the farming processes - this really brought the book to life

4*

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Eliza is supposed to be moving to Abu Dhabi with her husband when she realises that she has had enough and the marriage is over. Leaving him at the airport she goes home to Lavender Bay and her parents pub, and her two lifelong best friends. She is soon back into the swing of life there and decides that she wants to start using her aromatherapy skills and where better to get supplies than the local lavender farm. Her first encounter of Jack though isn't great but soon the sparks stay to fly..... but can they overcome the baggage they are both carrying?

Another lovely story in this series, great characters and stunning setting and this again is a book that you can't put down..... can't wait for the next instalment

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I am really delighted that I was asked to join the blog tour for this enjoyable book.

I've been reading lots of psychological thrillers recently, so it was extremely refreshing to turn to this sweet, feel good story.

There are no surprises, I anticipated every twist and turn , but that’s not to say that the characters aren’t well developed, credible and extremely likeable. Eliza is a delight, Jack sounds wonderful and the supporting cast brought colour and humour to the story. The dialogue was extremely realistic and flowed naturally. My only reservation is that at times the language was a bit flowery for my liking, but that's a personal thing.

I hadn’t realised that the book was the second in a series- which is good, as I usually avoid novels that aren't stand alone.

I finished it with a great big smile on my face- exactly what you need on a Friday at this time of year.

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I really loved Spring at Lavender Bay, which was book one in this series. I was excited to get going with book two and it was as good as id hoped. That said this book can be read as a standalone, but you will want to start at the beginning to get to know the charactors and fall in love with Lavender Bay.
In this book we focus on Eliza Barnes, Eliza and her husband Martin are at the airport about to start their new life in Abu Dhabi after Martin has taken a job there for a few years. Eliza is reluctant to go and when he tells her he will be flying in business class while she is in normal class, Eliza finally realises she cant go through with it and tells him shes not happy and doesnt want to go with him, she instead is moving back to lavender bay. He lets her go vowing to her he will not stop her. My only gripe with this was, why didnt she speak up before and not leave it until last minute at the airport. But I love Eliza so shes forgiven.
As we follow Eliza back to Lavender Bay to sort her life out, she decided to make some clothes after getting a compliment about something she was wearing and also decides to make bath and body products using Lavender from the local farm. Enter handsome Jack, who is instantly likeable, he owns the farm and walks into Eliza’s life just when she needs it. He has his own baggage but can they work through it and make a go of things or will Martin return and want his wife back!?.
It was great to be back in Lavender Bay and read more about Eliza’s story aswell as being back with Libby, Beth, Sam and the wonderful Eleanor’s Emporium.
Sarah Bennett always keeps me entertained from the very first page, I am so glad to be back in the Bay as its always filled with such descripitive surroundings and the whole bay reminds me of a fairytale, I love getting lost in this series. I am looking forward to book three to find out more about Libby’s life.

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A lovely summer, Chick Lit read :c)

Not too heavy...

The perfect escape for a long, hot day :c)

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This is a brilliant five star modern fiction story. It's the second in the "Lavender Bay" trilogy .I can't wait until the next one. Eliza, Libby and Beth are three friends who grew up together in Lavender Bay. The first book was Beth's love story and this is Eliza's. She is separated from her husband Martin and has moved back home to her parent's pub "The Siren". Eliza dreams of running her own business and amongst other things producing lavender products. She visits a local lavender farm and meets the owner, Jack, sparks fly between them. Read on!

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