Aster Lavender is a nerd. She's a beautiful nerd and a bibliophile. Almost any subject will do, but she loves science fiction the best. Aster makes kick-ass donuts and dreams of being a chef.

Brynn Garrett is a veterinarian, having traveled to Homer's Bluff, Kansas to take over the vet's office being vacated by Tyler, who's going to Chicago.

Brynn and Aster meet over an awkward donut purchase, and the rest is history. It's a history of stops, stops, more stops and a couple of starts. Brynn has been hurt beyond her wildest nightmares, and although she thinks Aster is the most beautiful woman she's seen in a long time, her heart tries to warn her to take it slow.

If ever a book was written as a roadmap on what will sink a relationship, this is that book. But the good thing about this story is that love might find a way. Through the tragedies and trials, love might find a way, but it'll be a rough road.

Join Aster and Brynn and their families and friends on a wild ride you won't soon forget. I loved this book, as I do all of Melissa Brayden's work.

Twists and turns: Small town, coming of age sapphic romance
I have yet to find a Brayden-romance which is not a good read. She is a wonderful accomplished writer who can write compelling romances with wit, sass and I love that she‘s stretching the English language to carry the story in a way rarely found in romances. The Last Lavender Sister is an interesting package: whenever you think now the two protagonists are on the road of romance there is another brilliant turn or a roadblock - talk about second chances. It‘s as if the author is laughing at the cookie cutter-romances. I loved how character driven the story is: Shy Lavender who is coming of age, Brynn‘s broken heart - both are ingredients for a slow burn or is it slow cooking? Because cooking and good food play a major role in this romance and as a foodie I wholeheartedly approve. I loved the tapestry of small town, family and relationships, grief and love, books (did I mention books?) and cute animals which enriched the story. So well done.
And there is a BUT - I need to mention that the final editing left me annoyed: Several times a thought is introduced and just a few pages or even lines later it comes up again as if it was never mentioned, food is ordered and then something different is served. It may sound like nit-picking, but it continued to distract me. This made me waver between giving 4 and 5 stars.

Aster Lavender is socially awkward and introverted. Aster Lavender is unassuming and shy. In small town Homer’s Bluff, even as the successful owner of the well received and popular donut shop, Hole In One; Aster Lavender is mostly only known as the last Lavender Sister.

When the chance to get out of her hometown arrives in the form of culinary school in Boston, Aster has the opportunity to see the world but in doing so, left her heart with the town’s stand-in veterinarian Brynn Garrett.

Brynn Garrett is bruised by love and Homer’s Bluff is an escape while she nurses her broken heart. When she begins quiet reading sessions that goes on to quality time with Aster, her heart loves the friendship but fears where it might lead.

The pair’s love affair and longing that span over years is angsty, unnerving and potent. In the Last Lavender Sister, Melissa Brayden wrote a character in Aster Lavender that will leave hearts broken but will have plenty celebrating her growth and success. As the years go by and events change and mold her, Aster Lavender is strong and unwavering, Aster Lavender is worldly and brilliant. And Aster Lavender is one of my favourites among all the characters that Melissa has written.

I just reviewed The Last Lavender Sister by Melissa Brayden. Thank you NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the ARC.

I really love Melissa’s book but unfortunately this one fell a bit flat compared to others. I don’t really enjoy time skips all that often and felt like things kept dragging on for the main characters. The writing itself was good I just wasn’t a big fan of the plot of parts 2 and 3. I enjoyed the ending but I honestly was tempted to give up when reading the book halfway through. Without spoiling too much, the main characters were just stressing me out. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good book about pining and absence makes the heart grow fonder type of feels.

Aster is the youngest in her family: a bustling farm family in Homer’s Bluff, Kansas. They take their last name, Lavender, seriously and have created a whole family business of it. But Aster is the odd one out. She’s started her own business, a gourmet doughnut shop, and is toying with the idea of going to culinary school, if she can get over herself. Enter Brynn.

A Chicago vet, recently and brutally split from the woman she thought was the love of her life, Brynn decides to take a chance and spend six months in Homer’s Bluff filling in for a vet school friend. She falls in love with the town…and the shy, quiet Aster.

This is a drawn-out romance, very sweet, but extremely frustrating, and not nearly hot enough for how long it took for Brynn and Aster to get together. If you’re more into romance, you may like this more but for me it was a solid meh.

3.5/5 stars

While I left this book feeling mostly positive, I have left this book with more mixed feelings than I expected. As always Melissa Brayden is super engaging in her writing, constructed loveable and interesting characters, and gave us a romance full of chemistry. I was absolutely in love with the beginning of this book. I fell head-first in the story and was absolutely in love with the characters and the blossoming relationship between Aster and Brynn. I also really enjoyed the small town setting, and think it was done really well in this book. You could really feel the opposing forces of the claustrophobia of a small town but at the same time the comfort zone that it represented for a lot of the characters.

While the romance was wonderful for the first half, there was an incredibly frustrating amount of back and forth, miscommunication and missed chances between Brynn and Aster. This is definitely a matter of person taste, but I am not a huge fan of drawn out conflict between romantic leads, especially with lots of miscommunication. I say it is mostly personal taste as the book and characters are keenly aware of the angsty and frustrating relationship they’ve engaged in. I think fans of second chances and epic love stories that span years will love this one.

While the romance was a bit hit or miss for me, there was so much wonderful heart in this story. There were so many amazing side characters that had well-fleshed our characters and stories as well. I really did fall in love with a whole cast of characters here, which was really rewarding to read.

I’ve been making my way through Brayden’s extensive collection of books and some of them just resonate so well it’s almost magical. Right from the first chapter of the “The Last Lavender Sister”, I knew right off that this was going to be just as magical and it was absolutely fabulous 😍 all the way to the end.

Aster Lavender is the youngest of four Lavenders and often the sibling that gets forgotten in the shuffle. Living in a small town is safe and devoid of any adventure until she meets Brynn who sparks that bit of courage required to go and explore the world outside of “Homer’s Bluff”

This is a small town romance with a bevy of other cuddly tropes, which I won’t go into because - hey no spoilers - all mixing wonderfully to create a narrative that swooped me into Aster’s and Brynns world. Aster’s introverted-ness and Brynn’s risk averse nature was captured so authentically, I just loved how well the characters were developed. The story spans a few years and while it’s not decades, it certainly had an “epic” like feel that I absolutely loved. 🥰

The side characters starting with Aster’s mother and her siblings are so well integrated into the storyline, that I enjoyed all the side plots and it really helped develop the dynamic they have with each other. I’ve said this before about Brayden’s books, when all the characters are so incredibly adorable and heartwarming, you know there is going to be some trauma thrown in and I had my suspicions confirmed as we headed into the third part of the book and not gonna lie - I was choking my way through that portion. 🥲

The HEA too was super cute, and to top it off, loaded with so much emotion, despite the heart wrenching 🥹I loved every little bit! I have a feeling this is going to be a series because there were some interesting story arcs that were opened and I am all in 🙌.This is a Melissa Brayden book that should not be missed and is definitely going on my re-read list! 5⭐️S

Thank you NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was an enjoyable read, but a bit frustrating at times. I did enjoy having a protagonist that said exactly what they were thinking for a change. Very rare in romantic fiction, and refreshing.

Aster Lavender is looking for excitement. She is tired of her small town, Homer’s Bluff and she is tired of being the forgettable member of her family, always outshined by her more charismatic siblings. She thinks she will have to leave town for something extraordinary to happen to her. Until the temporary vet, Brynn Garrett shows up and brings light into Aster’s overwise gray existence.

Brynn has had her heart broken and Chicago now feels too busy and way too lonely, even though she is surrounded by people. When her vet school friend calls and asks her to take over her practice for six months, Brynn thinks this may be the change she needs. The moment Aster sees Brynn she is struck by her beauty and Brynn finds Aster’s awkwardness endearing. The two strike up a friendship that has the potential to be so much more.



I have loved many of Melissa Brayden’s characters over the years, but I think Aster Lavender, may be my favorite of all of them. She has so many facets to her personality. She is socially awkward and nerdy yet isn’t afraid to make her feelings know and stand up for those she cares about. One of the many things I love about this book is that it spans several years so we get to see how Aster changes and grows as a person. Her character arc is wonderfully written.

Both Brynn and Aster are such memorable characters who have such big hearts you can’t help but root for them to make it work. I wanted to shake Brynn a few times, but it was all part of the journey. A journey I won’t soon forget and one I know I will revisit many times.

An ARC was received from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley for an honest review.

Receiving a Melissa Brayden's ARC is such a huge responsibility that all those who read her type of books would be excited to take. I love Brayden's writings. She has continuously proven to be one of the best author of her genre.

The Last Lavender Sister is about the story of Aster Lavender who owns the best donut place in town. Her place provides four types of donuts each day which keeps her customers on their toes as they wait their favourites. It is also about Brynn who is the new vet in town replacing the old vet for a short period of time. Brynn and Aster don't take that much time to hit off. The two embark on a friendship at first as they read books together. Their conversations become longer and more exciting after every meeting. They move into becoming lovers slowly with Brynn dealing with the leftover insecurities of her previous relationship.

I will not get into more detail so I don't spoil the book but I really loved the way it was written. It is definitely one of the easiest reads when it comes to structure and storyline. It isn't that easy on the topics for they can make the reader question things themselves but that makes it even more special.

I would recommend reading it if you are a fan of Melissa Brayden's books or if you are looking for a good WLW book that isn't in anyway about them being women but about their own experiences as humans embarking on the journey of life.

Thanks to NetGally, Bold Strokes Books and Melissa Brayden for providing an ARC in exchange of an honest review.

The Last Lavender Sister is a sweet, small town, angsty, romance. This is Melissa Brayden hitting all of the right notes.

This book focuses on Brynn Garrett, a big city veterinarian who moves to a small town to temporarily cover for an old college friend and Aster Lavender, she owns the gourmet doughnut shop and is the youngest of the Lavender family.

It’s an emotional rollercoaster, one minute your heart is swelling with happiness and the next your crying your eyes out. It’s a slow burn, the story takes place over a number of years and tugs at your heartstrings in every part.

If you love small town, big family, romance tropes, then this is the book for you! It was a great read, I never wanted to put it down. I feel like this book is Melissa Brayden at her best. The last book I had read by her didn’t hit me in the feelings the way this one and her previous books did.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. If you’re looking for a summer read, don’t hesitate, this one will take you on an angsty, sweet, sexy, ride.


I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

I absolutely loved this book! Brayden’s narrative grabbed me by the heartstrings and never loosened its grip. I became absorbed in Aster and Brynn’s world immediately and wanted to ride shotgun till the very end. I’ve always sang the praises of Brayden’s work, but she’s really outdone herself with this one!

When I reflected on why I loved this romance so much, I concluded it was because of the depth and emotion that she poured into it. She’s always done girl next door well, but this one is just so rich and layered. She didn’t hold back and readers feel it. The characters and their story are more for it. Bottom line, she achieves what many writers strive so hard to attain: reader connectivity and investment. The bond they form with these characters is cellular. They mean something to them. They can relate to their circumstances, their vulnerabilities and their fears. Simply put, Aster and Brynn’s narrative is masterfully penned and stirring.

Final remarks…

Brayden gets so many things right with this romance, I don’t even know where to start. The leading ladies are fantastic. They’re well-crafted and uniquely layered, giving the story dimension and texture. The secondary characters are not airbrushed on; they have substance and impact. Additionally, the themes play out so splendidly; one has to stop at times to appreciate the craftsmanship. Ultimately, Brayden gives readers a romance that’s far from fluff. It has true grit and weight, but isn’t overly heavy. This is one of Brayden’s best, one that I’d deem as re-readable, for sure.

Strengths…

Dynamic, engaging characters
Enticing, heartfelt plot
Layered, dynamic storytelling
Immersive story world
Emotional, but uplifting narrative
One of Brayden’s best

Melissa Brayden

The Last Lavender Sister

MC Brynn Garrett & Aster

Kansas

Home’s Bluff



The is a well written story. The story opens up with Brynn in a place where she needed a fresh start and some time away. This is a sweet story that moved with a little bit less speed. Aka slow burn , but I like that because you can see the characters develop. The relationship between the two main characters gets to grow and flourish. I love the name of the town and the animals Aster with her restaurant. A interesting story of love and finding yourself.



SideNote : The notes were super sweet! I loved that! 💜



I highly recommend this book 4 stars! I would like to thank Bold Strokes and NetGalley for the Arc.

This one felt like a breath of fresh air.

The pace was beautiful, the time jumps were unexpected and made the plot unique.

There were times when I wanted to shake some sense into Brynn, one of the main characters, because I felt like the drama was a bit unnecessary on her part.

I fell for Aster and loved her growth, you could definitely tell time had passed by and she was blossoming beautifully but keep her root personality.

Definitely an unlikely pairing, and I could also definitely see a spin off novella with the story of Aster’s sister.

Overall, a great book by an amazing author

DONUTS, DONUTS. DONUTS. GIVE ME.

The story was touching, very family-oriented. Come to think of it, there was quite some drama, Tad was crazy. We didn't hear much from the sisters' dad and my heart broke when that tragedy befell them.. There was something special about Aster's character before the "development" that I slightly related to but I am all Brynn, through and through.

On the serious note; I love how Melissa wrote Brynn's character. There is a sort of vulnerability that if you are not patient, you might miss the HEA. Brynn seemed like a tough person in the beginning until she wasn't and the way it was handled, I was enthralled. I didn't really care much for Aster's emotions at most moments because characters like Brynn are rare and sometimes poorly written. Though when Aster "gave up" on Brynn's "emotions" that kicked me in the gut because you couldn't blame her either, she is a person as well, entitled to feel how she wants to feel.

For me, in a way this book felt more like independent character growth, you know, the whole untying the note: because the main issue wasn't between the characters but about oneself. I am not a fan of time-jumps though in some cases, they do serve a purpose. The reconciliation between the main characters, should have either gotten more time or more.. emotions?? I am not sure which. It is in those rare moments when the angst was so deep that my brains takes a while to accept the HEA. This is usually because of the words used, the emotions expressed and body language used when we are in the angst zone. How the story is moved from the angst phase to HEA, can sometimes feel like a total whiplash.

Enjoyable read with charming characters. I loved Aster and her nerdy personality, and while I did get frustrated with Brynn, her actions were understandable. I would enjoy reading a sequel featuring Marigold and to catch up with these characters again.

I liked the dynamic between the main characters and the interesting twist to the classic small town story with the new arrival staying and the resident character leaving. As always, it was a very well written book. The slow burn element was very well done at the beginning but for me, it dragged on a little too long. I very much enjoyed the author's more angsty novels like Back to September and don't mind high angst levels but it was unwarranted here in my view. (Spoiler: There wasn't really anything major holding the two characters apart, the obstacles felt artificial and I felt like they wasted years because they were making a mountain out of small communication issues or personal hang-ups). A more concrete obstacle or less angst would have made this romance perfect. Nevertheless, I still enjoyed reading it.

It's official. Small-town romance is now one of my favorite tropes! And I have never craved doughnuts this much in my whole life.

Melissa is an incredible storyteller, and the chemistry between the main character is always on the spot. There’s also a second-chance wrapped into this book, Aster and Brynn didn’t get together at first, but I guess it’s reasonable because both of them are not ready even though they have feelings for each other. But I also feel like the story is a little too predictable and fluffy; everything seems magically sorted out.

Overall, I do enjoy this book. And I’m looking forward to reading Melissa's other small-town romance

Aster Lavender is the youngest in her family, quite brilliant and very shy. She dreams of leaving her small town and moving to a big city. She wants to go to culinary school and experience more in life. Brynn Garrett is a vet who moves from Chicago to the small Kansas town to help out a friend.
Brynn is sophisticated and worldly and recovering from a bad relationship.

Aster and Brynn start out as friends who like to read books on a local park bench. And later go through ups and downs in their relationship.

I liked the chemistry and slow burn between the MCs. Yes Brynn was frustrating with her insecurities, but I could sympathize with it. Having been burned once before she was very hesitant to let it happen again. Brayden did a fabulous job with the feels and the angst in this book. I liked both MCs and the supporting cast of characters. Very enjoyable read.

Arc received for a voluntary and honest review from Bold Strokes Books through NetGalley.

There is so much to like about this novel. Brynn and Aster are two amazing women and watching them grow and change is a treat readers are so infrequently indulged in. The progression over four parts is essential to their story line of becoming the perfect versions for them to be together. I vacillated back and forth whether I was annoyed by their immaturity to appreciation for the patience the author demonstrated to allow for a more organic development of their relationship. Either way, you’re going to like this masterfully built story by an award winning author. I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.