Hallmark movie vibes

-small town (Honey Creek)
-6 lonely souls
-3 blossoming romances
-fake dating
-found family
-and a little bit of suspense

This book was adorable and I read 70% of it in one sitting. I truly felt like I was transported to this cute little town in Honey Creek.

Noah O’Brien left the New York City rat race and a sterile relationship with his parents behind, settling in sleepy Someday Valley, where he opened a bookstore. He’s content enough watching life unfold, telling himself that one day he’ll pursue his own dreams of being a writer. Cora, his neighbor, and the youngest daughter of reclusive Bear Buchanan, always catches his eye, but can he take a chance that she might want more than just a casual chat over coffee? Bear sneaks away to the country to pursue his own secret dream, while Deputy Danny Davis gets assigned to watch a new arrival to his town, independent and prickly Andi Delane. Andi is keeping her own secrets and is hiding from dangerous enemies, but also hopes to connect with brothers she never knew she had. Andi’s lived on the edge with her dangerous job, never settling down, and some big, tall deputy who sees through her tough facade isn’t going to change that, or is he? There’s a lot going on beneath the surface in Someday Valley.

Jodi Thomas has perfected small town, slice of life romance. Her writing shines through character work that evolves within organically interconnected stories. Humor and pathos are well balanced as the characters are often flawed but deeply lovable. Spare but lovely prose wraps readers in a warm hug as they get to know characters that feel like real people and watch them form relationships and heal from past hurts. Even though almost all of her stories take place in Texas, the reader won’t ever tire of seeing the location through her eyes. This story has three different romances, each one distinct, and fully satisfying, somehow passionate but sweet at the same time. Readers will want to come back and visit Someday Valley, just to see how everyone is doing, long after they finish this book.

4.5 stars.

There is a full cast of characters. Each interwoven with each other. They all have big personalities that comes out in the story. There is a mystery feel to it throughout with romance. Noah the bookshop owner. Cora Lee who is a teacher living in the same building. Bear the town fix it person and the father of Cora Lee. Eliza who keeps to herself and has an unexpected secret behind her. Dan the town deputy assigned to protect Andi who’s a detective from Dallas who shows up in town to find her long lost brothers that she just learned about and is hiding away in this small town for other reasons. You will enjoy these characters as they develop in the story. It has that small town feeling to it! There are twist and turns and some surprising developments and loads of romance. If you like Robyn Carr and Susan Mallery’s stories you will love Jodi Thomas! You can read as a stand alone like I did. Don’t pass this one up! I always enjoy Jodi Thomas! A must read!

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers in letting me read this book and allowing me to leave an honest review.

This is another sweet book in this series. A Dallas detective comes to town to hide out and also meet her brothers for the first time but trouble follows her here. You get her story but also a side story of the bookshop owner. I always enjoy Jodi Thomas’s books.

Really enjoyed this story and all of the characters! Set in Someday Valley, Texas, this is a sweet novel whose main characters are filled with humor and the background characters are quirky. Hard to put down, it was an enjoyable read. My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I thought this was really well written and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future. I think it will find readers at our library, so we will definitely be purchasing for the collection.

The story focuses on two sets of people. Noah retiring and shy owner of the bookshop and Cora Lee a primary school teacher, under the domineering elder sister and an elusive father Bear. We have Delane come on a flying visit to find out anything about her missing father, and the three siblings she never knew about. Delane is in hiding because she has a bounty on her head so she needs to be anonymous in a place she is not known.

Delane and Noah were not looking for love or romance. It found them in subtle ways, creeping up on them. With the gunfight that went around, all ended well.

A light read.

I recommend The Wild Lavender Bookshop by Jodi Thomas. The characters were wonderful in the story. I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and the publisher. This is my honest and personal review. Happy Reading!

A small town romance with wonderful, quirky, colorful characters. This book did just what a good book should do, completely entertain me in another world. The Wild Lavendar Bookshop is well written and filled with secrets, suspense, romance, sweetness and emotion. It's intriguing, heartfelt, tender and inspiring. This book/series really is comfort reading at it's finest. . A truly great read.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐢𝐬𝐭:

In the picturesque Someday Valley near Honey Creek, the Buchanan sisters, Cora Lee and Katherine, regularly meet at a charming local bookshop owned by Noah O’Brien. Their conversations often revolve around their father, the enigmatic Bear Buchanan, who harbors a secret life unbeknownst to his daughters. While Katherine, preoccupied with finding her third husband, embodies beauty and self-absorption, Cora Lee finds herself falling in love for the first time, seeking solace on the rooftop of her building during warm nights with Noah.

The arrival of Andi Delane in town to settle her late father's mysterious will, under the protection of Deputy Danny Davis, stirs up intrigue in the tranquil community. As the autumn season brings about inevitable changes, the lives of Honey Creek's residents, including the Buchanan sisters and their fellow townspeople, are poised for transformative shifts that could alter not just their individual destinies, but also the future of Someday Valley itself.

𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬 & 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
🏡 Small town romance
🤫 Mystery & secrets
🫂 Family & friendship
📚 2nd book in a series
🔥 Slow burn romance

𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝕝𝕠𝕧𝕖:
✳︎ Southern charm
✳︎ Books about books
✳︎ Multiple characters and storylines

𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:
This novel unfolds a gradual romance, with characters whose connections deepen and flourish until the very end. It is yet another captivating addition to the series, featuring individuals embarking on journeys of self-discovery and ultimately discovering a renewed sense of love, hope, and belonging in a remarkable setting. What sets this series apart, and particularly this book, is its message that everyone, regardless of their circumstances or obstacles, is worthy of love and deserving of happiness.

𝕄𝕪 ℝ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (𝟺/𝟻)

𝚃𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚔 𝚢𝚘𝚞, 𝙽𝚎𝚝𝙶𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚎𝚢 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙰𝚁𝙲!

I was almost two-thirds of the way through "The Wild Lavender Bookshop" before I realized that it was the sequel to a book I'd really enjoyed previously. So I wish I'd made that connection much sooner. There's something to be said for a series installment that can be read as a standalone. Yet had I made the connection earlier, I think it would have been more satisfying.

While I enjoyed this story, I felt like both the title and marketing copy were a bit misleading. The way I read things Andi and Danny were the main characters, and everyone else seemed secondary to their storyline. Yet, the book is named after the bookshop Noah owns and that he and Cora live above (even though that's most of the role the shop plays). And the book description makes them seem like more significant characters (along with Cora's sister Katherine and their father Bear) than they really were. So I found that all confusing.

Despite all that, I did enjoy the story overall, and it was nice to see Andi finally get to meet two of her brothers (who were featured in the first book of the series). Given that there's one more brother to locate, I'm hoping there will be a third book in the series to look forward to.

Thank you to Jodi Thomas, Kensington Books, and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

"The Wild Lavender Bookshop" by Jodie Thomas follows the lives of six different people whose paths converge in unexpected ways, ultimately helping each other find their destinies and a place to call home.

Noah O’Brien is a reserved young man who leaves New York to move to Someday Valley, settling into the Wild Lavender Bookshop and its upstairs apartment, owned by Bear Buchanan, the local handyman. Noah is an observer of his surroundings, often watching his renter Cora Lee Buchanan, a sweet elementary school teacher and Bear's younger daughter. They quietly watch each other as they go about their daily routines.

Andi Delane is a newcomer to town, staying in a cabin near the river. She recently learned about her birth father's passing and the existence of half-brothers, leading to a will that complicates her life. Andi's safety is at risk due to her involvement in a legal case, and while the local sheriff and a Texas Ranger watch over her, young deputy Danny Davis takes a special interest in her safety, determined to prove himself.

Bear Buchanan is a Vietnam veteran and versatile fixer-upper, who occasionally disappears on mysterious trips. His neighbor, Eliza Docela, is the only person who truly understands him, and their unique connection plays a crucial role in bringing this diverse group of people together.

The story explores the individual journeys of these characters as they navigate personal growth, relationships, and the challenges that bring them together. The book weaves a compelling narrative of intertwined lives in a small town, offering a fresh perspective on their journeys. With elements of suspense, romance, and community, it's a captivating tale that brings warmth and a sense of belonging to its readers.

This book took me by surprise I was NOT expecting such a fast paced book. I was thinking love amongst the books. There was but throw in some Texas Rangers, cops, some cartel members, ‘nam vets with shotguns. It was great!

Favorite quote was “Happiness is never something you find, it’s something you create”

This is the first book i read of Jodi Thomas', however it won't be the last. Having done some research i discovered this is the 2nd in a series, however it can easily be read as a stand-alone.

The book cover and title is what initially made me want to read it, however i quickly got pulled in by the main theme of the book, L O V E. The story is set in a small town, Someday Valley, and the Wild Lavender Bookshop is at the very centre of it all... and our journey.

Throughout the book, we follow the story of 6 people, who seem to be running/ hiding away from something or are unknowingly lost. As the book progresses, they become 3 couples which show us the power of love.

Through their stories and through their eyes, Andy & Danny, Noah & Cora Lee, and Bear & Eliza, we discover how love can be the one thing that sets our life on its 'always meant to be' path.

Each individual and each couple has a story and teaches us something different; our destinies and life trajectories are intertwined and if we all come together, work together, life can be so much better and happier. I think the moral of the book, is that love can look different to us all, it can mean something else and certainly, if we stay open to it, come in our lives at different times.

While the action of the book and the story development can feel a little rushed and lacking, i think the author wants to make the reader reflect on the topics it approaches, while also giving the reader a light, easy and cute romantic story.

This would be a great book to read and discuss for a book club and would definitely recommend it.

This is my honest review; thanks #NetGalley for the advance copy of the book.

I feel like I read an incomplete version of the book. I saw other's reviews for this story and I really felt like I was missing something. I was slightly shocked by the lack of both plot and closure with some of the storylines.

In this book, one of our main characters, is a detective who needs to lay low until a big drug trial. So, she goes to a small Texas town where she was born to meet her two half=brothers. She meets a deputy who is set to protect her and they start to "fake date" for cover. There is also a bookstore owner who is lonely and falls in love with his lonely 1st grade teacher neighbor. (They fall in love within a week).

Then we find out that the drug cartel is coming after our detective so she needs to escape. And is able to escape so quickly and easily and there's a mole in the Texas Rangers but we never find out who.

Everyone falls in love within a week. We barely meet the brothers. We never learn what this important case is and WHY it's so important. It just really felt like I was dropped into a series halfway through it because everything happened so quickly and felt so gilded.

I don't know, I really felt like I missed something.

I liked how this book caught my attention immediately with Andi Delane speeding into Honey Creek, Texas surrounded by mystery and an intriguing background. I found it interesting that she threw the ticket the handsome cop gave her right out the window.
I  enjoyed how the three romances brewing became entwined together to make a perfect romantic, suspenseful story where lonely souls seemed to find each other.  I read the book in one afternoon because I could not put the book down.  I was spellbound with all of the characters and their stories.  I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.

New York Times bestselling author Jodi Thomas is back with the second book in her heartwarming Someday Valley series, The Lavender Bookshop. The series, a spinoff of her Honey Creek series, will charm you as the preceding book, reconnect with some old friends and make room in your heart for some more.

Returning to Someday Valley, we are greeted by it's southern charm and rustic beauty. The Lavender Bookshop sets in roots in the heart of this town, bringing comfort to the folks and a sense of home for owner Noah O'Brien. Leaving his life behind with dreams and uncertainty, he finds himself right in the heart of a town that has claimed others such as him. Unsure of what's to come or where he's headed, he finds himself getting everything that he could ever want unexpectedly including the heart of a sweet school teacher, Cora Lee Buchanan.

Cora Lee, not only in love with his bookstore but finds herself enamored by his subtle charm and kindness. As their budding friendship blossoms, they find themselves creating their own story, searching for their happy ending and hea. These two bring joy and innocence to the book that you can't help but root for them.

Cora wasn't the only Buchanan in search of their hea. Bear, her father, known for his toughness and grumpy stature finds that tough exterior crumbling. Don't let the outside fool you because beyond that tough exterior is a big softie inside. Every town has their secrets and with him, the longing and desire for a secret love has crippled his life. When a friend needs help that puts his secret life in jeopardy, it forces a new chapter that leads to everything his he thought his heart couldn't have. Decisions are made that change his life in ways he couldn't imagine.

As we left off in the first book, the search was on for the siblings of Rusty. In storms Andi Delane, a tough gal who needs and counts on no one. While hiding low from some folks after her for a case she is on, she comes to town in search of the brothers she never knew. When she unexpectedly finds out that a deputy has been assigned to protect her, she finds herself struggling to let him in. As she lowers her guard, she finds herself not only trying to survive but fighting a losing battle that is trying to get her to stop running from the one thing she is trying to stay away from. There's something in the air in this town and as she finds out, there's something that pulls you in and doesn't let go.

This book was a slow burn romance with characters that simmered beautifully to the end. Another wonderful book in this series introducing characters that were in search of something and found a second chance of love, hope and renewed assurance that they were meant to be where they were in this wonderful place. What I love about this series and characters, especially in this book is that no matter who you are or what hardships that seem to block your blessings, you deserve to be loved.

I’m usually a big fan of Jodi Thomas’s books. This one started out with her usual interweaving of stories about lonely, solitary people who find each other. For the first half of the book, I was enjoying the characters as they got to know each other and felt their attraction for each other. There was a subplot with the main female character who had come to this small town to hide out while awaiting having to testify against a criminal.

Then suddenly, after all the couples have easily gotten together with each other, there is suddenly danger introduced. Then there is some convoluted plan to evade and capture the criminals who suddenly appeared in this little town to go after the female protagonist. It was all very unbelievable. But even if you suspended disbelief, it was so quickly and easily resolved. It was rather disappointing.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

This is book 2 of the series. Andi comes meet the brothers she did not know she had.. The characters are interesting and you will love some, cheer for some and dislike some. The story has suspense, some twists, and of course romance. A nice addition to the series and enjoyable reading.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the Publisher and leaving a review by my own accord.

At the end of book one, Rusty O’Sullivan learned that he had a sister. The Wild Lavender Bookshop, book two of Someday Valley by Jodi Thomas is her story. However as it is with all of Ms. Thomas’ books, it is not only her story but several others too. Noah O’Brien is the owner of the Wild Lavender Bookshop so it is his story along with Cora Lee Buchanan. Then it is Cora Lee’s father story as well as Deputy Danny Davis. Lawyer Jackson Landry makes an appearance but his forever outcome never comes into this story and neither does Rusty’s or Zach. I will admit I was hoping to see how everything would work out for them. I guess that is to come later.

Andi’s story does feel complete even with danger following her to Honey Creek. How this entire group and other members of the community come together to provide the solution needed is quite the story. I feel like I am part of this community now, A community of gossip, but also of love and care. Take a visit to Honey Creek and be sure to visit the Wild Lavender Bookshop while you are there.