I loved this book! The story had so much heart and I loved the characters. I can’t wait to read what this talented author writes next!

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. I have read, and enjoyed, several other books by this author and this book was as good as the others I read.

Hazel Stillman is incensed at her Uncle Elliot when he presents to her a substantial inheritance but it requires that she marry of which Hazel has no plans to do so. Hazel has a clubfoot and this disfigurement has led her to believe it is better for her to lead a life of education and scholarship. She loves the freedom as a professional, respected woman that she has come to be known as.

Duncan Penhale is a man of order and process who possesses a brilliant mind. He also doesn’t expect to marry but enjoys his solitary life. He was looked upon as an odd man because of this. Elliot Mayfield also presents Duncan with an inheritance, but with the caveat that he must marry to claim this endowment.

Both Hazel and Duncan didn’t expect to have love in their lives as normal people would, but unexpectedly, each one fell in love with the other. They agree to a year of marriage in name only, and slowly they start to see how they fit into each other's lives, and it’s unexpected.

I think Love and Lavender is my favorite of the Mayfield series. Hazel and Duncan were so different yet they had so many similarities that they didn’t see at first. I really liked Hazel. She was strong yet she learned to be vulnerable with Duncan, something she hadn’t even done with her brother, Harry.

Duncan may be odd to others around him, but he knew how to love Hazel in the way that she truly needed. What made others look the other way would cause Duncan to take a huge interest. He didn’t fit in the crowd but he wasn’t made to fit, and neither was Hazel and that made them perfect for each other! I really enjoyed this.

My gratitude to Shadow Mountain and Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

WOW - I forgot how much I love historical fiction!!

This was quite possibly one of the cutest books ive ever read. I so admire the 2 main characters, Duncan and Hazel. I think I am obsessed with them now!! Also, I so appreciate that one of our main characters, Duncan, is neuro-divergent and our other main character is a person with a disability - I am highlighting these points because I have not read many books with this representation, ESPECIALLY within historical fiction/romance and I think it is awesome.

I don’t want to leave any sort of spoilers but if you don’t want to know anything else then stop reading but I absolutely adore the growth of their relationship. Duncan obviously isn’t our typical kind of love interest - he doesn’t say the right thing at the right time, he doesn’t necessarily know how to “romance” someone, and he has difficulty processing things that are no literal. But despite not being that typical hero, he has a way of making you adore him. Also, can we talk about how FUNNY this book is? I genuinely laughed so much while reading!!!

Overall, giving this wonderful book 5/5 stars. I sincerely loved it and I can’t wait for everyone to get to enjoy this <3

Yes - read it! Another excellent book in the Mayfair Family series. If you haven't read the series, I would encourage it since they are great books but it's not needed.

This is yet another book I read but forgot to post a review about so I read it again. Loved it just as much the second time.

Great, wonderful characters that you root for and want the very best in life for them, when life hasn't been fair to them. The storyline was kind of predictable but it was fun to go along for the ride waiting to see what happens along the route. HEA ending making the final piece of the trifecta for a great read!

I received an ARC from Netgalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing to prepare my honest review.

Hazel- has a physical disability on her leg, enjoys teaching, her biggest wish is to start her own school. Duncan- is misunderstood, lonely- turns out to be autistic, but there were no such diagnoses in those days.

What do they have in common? Uncle Elliott- who offers them both a cash prize- if they get married.Hazel and Duncan- both loners in the family, come up with the idea of ​​getting married together, get money, buy a school, and then go their separate ways.
But- Elliott sets an additional condition for them- they must be married for at least a year before they get the money.
Will they be able to hold out together? What if they also fall in love in the meantime? What will happen to their plans?
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I liked the book precisely because it is different. Here we have two people who are hindered by something - physically and mentally. They are both strong, independent and proud, and they find partners, friends and confidants in each other.
I was afraid the book would be pretty sad, so I also put off reading for a while, but it really positively surprised me.
But I read it for quite some time, it wasn’t exactly a quick read.

3.5 stars. This book is the 4th in a series. The story is beautifully written. I always enjoy Kilpack's writing. I enjoyed the unique characters she placed in this story--the female main character had a physical disability. I liked how she didn't want to allow that disability to limit her and worked to succeed in her goals despite it. The male main character displayed characteristics associated with autism. He was also well written and it was nice to see inside his head and understand some of his actions. Despite these positives, when I finished the book I was left feeling a little unsatisfied. The story felt a little bland, for lack of a better word. Again, it was well written but lacked a spark that would have kept me more interested.

The Mayfield Family stories have been so great to read. I love that the premise of the whole series is a marriage contract that a loving uncle proposes to his niece and nephews, with a few stipulations. Each contract has an incentive for each individual family member, with expectations to meet for them to get it. Hazel and Duncan were wonderful to get to know in this particular book.

Hazel has been living a life of independence as a mathematics teacher at an all girls school. Her idea of a substantial inheritance to be bestowed to her upon marriage is not a good one. She finds it quite offensive. How could she, a woman with a deformed foot, ever get married?

Duncan is a junior clerk in an accounting office. With his brilliant mind, social quirks, and his tendency to thrive with order and stability, the changes in his work life bring a lot of unsettled feelings. When he goes to Elliot Mayfield's home (his guardian's brother) to find out about his marriage contract and inheritance, he finds it intrusive. But after meeting Hazel and corresponding with her for over a year, he sees the marriage contract as a chance for them both to move forward in standing, while not exactly being married in anyway other than name. A marriage of convenience.

Hazel comes to agree and the two of them convince Uncle Elliot to agree, but not before agreeing to live together and act fully married outwardly for one year. But as they get further into the year, they realize their marriage is more than they anticipated. As the year comes to a close, they have to chose if they part ways, or continue in marriage in more than name.

I really enjoyed that Duncan was written as a character that, I'm guessing, has high functioning autism. His bluntness and Hazel's physical deformities made them an interesting couple with a really beautiful dynamic. Hazel's ability to see his quirks and show understanding is really beautiful for me, as a person who has a younger sibling with a disability, Duncan's easy way of pushing his comfort zone a little at a time is something I think I can learn from.

Josi Kilpack did a wonderful job with this book. I can tell she treated these characters with care. I loved it. I give it a 4.5 stars. Would read it again.

Love and Lavender is the fourth book in the Mayfield Family Series. While it is part of a series it could easily be read as a stand alone.

I really enjoyed reading this unique story of love found between two “imperfect “ people. The characters in this book were adorable and well written. Duncan was not your usual swoon worthy hero. He obviously has some type of autism. He was blunt and literal and I found him to be oddly endearing. Hazel, the heroine in this novel was dealing with her own hardships. She had been born with a club foot, but even worse than that had been neglected and ignored by her family because of her disability. I loved the interactions between the characters. They were real and relatable. It was fun watching them learn about and accept each other’s differences.

Love and Lavender is a sweet unique romance that I will be highly recommending.

Hazel Stillman is a woman of rare independence and limited opportunities. Born with a clubbed foot, she was sent away as a child and, knowing her disability means a marriage is unlikely, she devoted herself to scholarship and education.

Now working as a teacher in an elite private girls’ school, she is content with the way her story has unfolded. When her uncle Elliott Mayfield presents her with the prospect of a substantial inheritance if she marries, Hazel is offended. What kind of decent man would marry for her money? Besides, she loves her freedom as a professional, respected woman. When she hears rumors of the school possibly being sold, however, she knows she must consider all her options.

Duncan Penhale has a brilliant mind and thrives on order and process. He does not expect to marry because he likes his solitary life, shared only with his beloved cat. When Elliott Mayfield, his guardian’s brother, presents him with an inheritance if he marries a woman of social standing, Duncan finds it intrusive. However, with the inheritance, he could purchase the building in which he works and run his own firm. It would take an impressive and intellectual woman to understand and love him, quirks and all.

Hazel and Duncan believe they have found a solution to both of their problems: marry one another, receive their inheritances, and then part ways to enjoy their individual paths. But when Uncle Mayfield stipulates that they must live together as husband and wife for one year before receiving their inheritances, Hazel and Duncan reluctantly agree. Over time, their marriage of convenience becomes much more appealing than they had anticipated. At the end of the full year, will they go their separate ways or could an unlikely marriage have found unsuspecting love?

You need to read this book! The fourth installment of the Mayfield series is absolutely stunning! Josi S. Kilpack does an incredible job writing two very distinct characters. Hazel has a physical deformity that makes her feel inferior to others and unable to be loved. Duncan is at least a little autistic or maybe some other similar mental deformity. I absolutely loved Duncan! He was brilliantly written and I have never read a story where the hero was like him. It was just wonderfully done! I loved how Hazel and Duncan were able to find love even when they did not start out in love. I think it is important to realize that you don't necessarily have just one soul mate, but many different people that you can learn to love if you both put in the effort. I appreciated the messages in this book and would recommend!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I adored both of these characters. Hazel is a woman ahead of her time, in intellect and ambition, and loves her job as a teacher, and wants to run her own school. I love how her disability does not hold her back, despite the pain it causes her. Elliot is quite obviously on the spectrum, and has issues relating to others, but feels comfortable with Hazel right away. Hazel knows what it is like to be different and accepts Elliot for who he is, even if she doesn't always understand him. Somehow these two misfits fit together,

It isn't easy to find romances (or other books) starring people with disabilities that aren't inspiration porn. I am pleased to report that Josi S. Kilpack has written one. Duncan's ASD (which is clear, even though such a diagnosis didn't exist in the 1820s) doesn't give him superpowers, it doesn't make him "better" or "special," it just is a part of who he is and how he navigates the world. Likewise Hazel's club foot doesn't make her "brave" or "amazing," it simply is a part of who she is - in fact, we could argue that it's less influential than her gender in terms of obstacles to what she wants to do in life, which is teach advanced math to girls. Their differences may bring Hazel and Duncan together initially, given that both would like the marriage inheritance that a mutual relative has offered but that neither feels likely to marry based on how the world treats them.

It's in their marriage that I find myself knocking a star off my review. While I understand that this is a romance novel, and therefore marriage and true love are the goal (and frankly the guaranteed happy ending is why a lot of us love the genre!), I can't help thinking that Hazel specifically would have been better off, and maybe happier, with Duncan as a close friend rather than a husband. She finds him difficult to deal with even in the very end of the book, and while she certainly loves him for who he is (<i>for</i> not <i>despite</i>), there's just something off about their interactions that makes me think that his life will be easier, but hers more difficult if they make a go of their marriage. It's work for her, while for him it's comfort.

Despite that, I very much enjoyed Kilpack's writing and the human characters she created,. The book was a bit more faith-based than I was expecting, but that's not really a detriment so much as a note. Romance novels need to be written about all people, not just the perfect ones, and that's something that this book excels at, even if I didn't entirely love the characters' relationship.

I love Kilpack’s work and this series with Uncle Elliot coming up with inheritances encouraging each family member to marry for love. These books can be read out of order but I think reading in order is best as past book characters are mentioned (but you won’t be lost if you hadn’t read it).
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This book is about Hazel (we met her brother Harry in book 3 - that was a doozy! He had found himself in quite a pickle). 😵‍💫 But Hazel has a club foot which definitely hinders her in a society built upon looks. I appreciated that she had a disability and how strong she was, to be in chronic pain. Her growing up years had hardened her heart and she never thought she’d marry for love until Uncle Elliot’s inheritance.
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Duncan is an accountant, he likes math and numbers and how it always makes sense. He can’t figure out subtext and nuances in conversations with people. He would be labeled autistic but they didn’t have a term for that. He would’ve been in a home for kids but through many people’s kindnesses and love for him, raised him to deal with his eccentricities. He’s displeased with his coworkers and Uncle Elliot’s inheritance would let him be his own boss.
✖️
They strike up a marriage of convenience to both cash in on their inheritances. They just have to live together a year.
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Both of these characters are very complex. At times it made them unlikable. Duncan tries his hardest to make the marriage work but Hazel won’t budge or will manipulate to get what she wants. She understands Duncan and how his mind works to a degree but believes he can’t feel anything. It’s hard to like her a lot.
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But I kept reading for Duncan. The romance is slow but sweet.
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There were plenty of random facts throughout because they would discuss everything under the sun, and plenty of almost cringey breaks in etiquette (Duncan and his enthusiasm for some things😂) but a unique love story where two unlikely characters come together and build a life.
✖️
This book comes out in November. Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for the arc copy. These are my own thoughts and opinions.
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I have to say, this book was a surprise. I will admit that I struggled to get into the romance BUT at the same time, I was so impressed at how the author portrayed both characters, Duncan especially. There were some incredibly sweet moments and I enjoyed the story overall.

This book was amazing! I adored the storyline, with two people trying to find happiness and stability in life, which leads them to helping one another. Even better, each main character lives with a disability challenge (clubfoot for one, autism for the other). It was a beautiful story of getting to the heart of what really matters, giving space for each other to grow and be your own person, and ultimately, finding your own happily ever after. I can't wait to share the story with other friends when it releases!

For those who are not aware, this is part of a larger series of books around the Mayfield family. However, this title can be read as a stand alone as well.

I’ve really enjoyed this series. This book in particular, though, was different than any other I’ve read. The main characters, Duncan and Hazel, both had mental or physical limitations that made their interactions different. Duncan, is straight forward, honest, and socially a bit off. I assume that nowadays he would have been diagnosed on the autism spectrum. His character wasn’t swoon worthy but he was likable. He definitely grows on you. Hazel, however, has felt like an outcast by her family because she was born with a deformed foot. Both Duncan and Hazel had unconventional and hard upbringings but meshing their worlds together somehow made it work.
The story was interesting and unique. It’s a friends to marriage of convenience to something more type story. I enjoyed seeing them both grow and learn and I was happy with the ending.
I look forward to continue reading about the next Mayfield family members.

Hazel was born with a clubbed foot, Duncan has a brilliant mathematical mind, but not many social skills, They are both offered their dreams if they find someone to marry. They decide to marry each other in appearance only, for a year, to acquire their dreams. When they can finally have what they have dreamed of, is it still what they want?

I loved this story, we are all a little broken, and it is great that despite being broken we can sometimes find someone that loves us. I am grateful to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book and hope to read more from this author.

I have read one or two of the other books in this series and have enjoyed them and was excited to read that story. I received a free ARC from netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
I rank this at 4.5 stars.
I love the unique characters of Hazel and Duncan. They both seemed to be well written and I loved seeing the character development. I especially liked that they were both able to dream big and reach those dreams despite their limitations. This was such a sweet love story. It just shows there is a love match out there for everyone.
The only thing I did not love was Hazel's decision to keep Abigail's secret from Duncan. He deserves to know whether it is complex or not in my opinion.
#loveandlavender #netgalley

From the publisher: Hazel Stillman is a woman of rare independence and limited opportunities. Born with a clubbed foot, she was sent away as a child and, knowing her disability means a marriage is unlikely, she devoted herself to scholarship and education. When her uncle Elliott Mayfield presents her with the prospect of a substantial inheritance if she marries, Hazel is offended. What kind of decent man would marry for her money? Duncan Penhale has a brilliant mind and thrives on order and process. He does not expect to marry because he likes his solitary life, shared only with his beloved cat. When Elliott Mayfield, his guardian’s brother, presents him with an inheritance if he marries a woman of social standing, Duncan finds it intrusive. Hazel and Duncan believe they have found a solution to both of their problems: marry one another, receive their inheritances, and then part ways to enjoy their individual paths. But when Mayfield stipulates that they must live together for one year before receiving their inheritances, Hazel and Duncan reluctantly agree. At the end of the full year, will they go their separate ways or could an unlikely marriage have found unsuspecting love?

Josi S. Kilpack excels at writing about people who don’t often appear in historical fiction. In A Heart Revealed, she wrote about a vain woman coping with total hair loss. In this book, our heroine has a club foot and our hero has autism. (Imagine Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory in 1822 England and you have a pretty good understanding already of Duncan Penhale.)

Both Hazel and Duncan are prickly and at times annoying but the author presents them very sympathetically. This is book 4 in a series about a middle-aged man offering inheritances to various young people in his life if they marry. However, you definitely do not need to read the first three books to enjoy this one. They are more or less standalone stories. If you do want to start with book 1, it’s Promises and Primroses.

This is a very slow moving story. Hazel and Duncan are friends before they marry, but it takes a long time for that relationship to move beyond friendship. These two characters live together and go about their normal daily lives. Hazel has medical issues from her foot; Duncan struggles with people being put off by his ways and his dislike of being touched unexpectedly. If you like action, there’s not much here – few romantic interactions between the main characters, and no highwaymen or thieving street urchins. It’s probably unrealistic that life would have gone so well for this pair in 1822, but it’s nice to think so.

I read an advance reader copy of Love and Lavender from Netgalley. It is scheduled to be published in November 2021 and the Galesburg Public Library will own it. In the meantime, we own 10 other titles by Josi S. Kilpack if you’d like to read one of her other titles.