I have to say this was not my favorite romance. I liked the overall plot, the characters, and Andi and Danny’s love story, but the dialogue was very cheesy. Sometimes the banter was awkward and the scenarios in the story were unbelievable. Who would intentionally crash a car into a parked car full of armed men and not get shot at or hurt in some way especially when they were prepared to kill Andi? There were times when I felt confused about what was happening because the details weren’t complete. For example, there is a scene where Andi is talking to her brothers about a plan and then in the next paragraph, another character mentions her brothers will be calling soon. When did the brothers leave and where are they calling from?🤷🏻‍♀️ The ending was a disappointment but at least it brought closure to the story. Not sure if I can recommend this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

The Wild Lavender Bookshop by Jodi Thomas is the second book in the Someday Valley Series. The book can be read as a stand alone and it is not dependent on the prior book. The series takes place in a small town in Texas, where most everyone knows everyone. The story really allows you to entertain the beginnings of couples and their stories between the gangsters and quiet strength.

Into this story drops in Andy Delane. She has received a letter from a lawyer looking for her due to her father’s will. The father she didn’t know and really didn’t care about, however she needs to hide due to something she saw while she waits for the case to go to court. The sheriff has her being guarded by one of his deputies, only for her to find him overbearing (kind of).

The bookstore ​​owner, Noah O’Brien has been watching life in Someday Valley. He left home and opened a small bookstore where he watches life all around him. School teacher Cora Lee Buchanan lives above the bookstore in a small apartment. She and Noah find each other by accident and suddenly know they are together.

The most interesting of all the stories was about Bear and his fairy. Two people who are seeming loners but have for years found each other. Each of these stories capture your hopes and heart. The Wild Lavender Bookshop by Jodi Thomas is a good read.

This is my all-time favorite Jodi Thomas story. I loved the characters and the lives they have and will build. There's mystery, intrigue, suspense with the right amount if romance. Ms. Thomas' style of alternating chapters on her different characters flower smoothly and effortlessly in the latest story from Honey Creek, TX.

The characters and their stories are interwoven like the yarn in your favorite afghan. It's comforting and leaves you feeling warm and cozy. Although part of a series, it can be read as a standalone book. I highly recommend this 5 star read.

Although I received a free ARC ebook from Netgalley and the publisher, all thoughts and opinions are the honest truth.

I reviewed The Wild Lavender Bookshop by Jodi Thomas. #TheWildLavenderBookshop #NetGalley. This is the first book I read by Jodi Thomas. I did not like this book. I found there was 4 stories going on at once and then they come together quickly. At the first of the book, the story dragged on and on about a lot nothing and then in everything happened it the last few chapters. There was too many characters that didn't need to be in the book. Also I feel like there were sentence and paragraphs missing or maybe the author wanted to end the book fast and just skipped them. Finally, the book cover of a beautiful older home and where the book store is are two different things, in the book it should like it is in a strip mall.

Noah O'Brien owns the local bookshop. Cora Lee Buchanan is a local schoolteacher. Cora and her sister come into the bookshop each week to discuss their father. Bart “Bear” Buchanan is the local handyman and has a secret. Eliza Dosela doesn't like people due to her family's past. Andilana “Andi” Delane works undercover for the Dallas Police. She saw something she shouldn't so now she's gone to check out the man & family who are supposed to be her relatives. Danny Davis is a Deputy for the Honey Creek Sheriff's Department. He just pulled over a woman for speeding only to have her show up at his office. Danny is assigned to keep an eye on the visitor for her protection. This group of Someday Valley residents' lives will intersect when they come to The Wild Lavender Bookshop.

The Wild Lavender Bookshop by Jodi Thomas is the second book in her Someday Valley series. The book follows another of the siblings whose father none of them knew. This story follows the of Andilana “Andi” Delane and Deputy Danny Davis as they work together to keep her safe. It also includes the owner of the local bookshop, Noah O'Brien who also wants to be a writer and whose bookshop seems to be a community meeting place for walkers. His business neighbor Bart Buchanan who everyone calls Bear and his two grown daughters, Katherine and Cora Lee. Cora Lee has had feelings for Noah since he came to town. Noah is just now seeing her for the person she is after conversations on the building's roof, both having apartments on the second floor. Bear is keeping a secret from everyone in town. He'd always noticed the neighbor girl since the beginning. A few years after his wife leaves, he starts a relationship with the local now woman whose always caught his attention. As the danger gets closer and The Wild Lavender Bookshop becomes the sanctuary for a woman in trouble to meet her long lost family, a romance for its owner and a local teacher as well as secrets maybe coming to light.

Jodi Thomas takes her fans and readers back to Someday Valley with the next book in the series The Wild Lavender Bookshop. Lost siblings find each while one is running from danger. There three romances taking place within the book. Noah O'Brien faces his past when he finds romance with Cora Lee Buchanan, who comes out from her sister's shadow. Her father Bear Buchanan is keeping a long-time love affair a secret from everyone. Deputy Danny Davis is assigned to protect the new visitor in town who doesn't want his help. There are characters who make a return in this book from the first book in the Someday Valley series, Strawberry Lane. Jodi Thomas writes a story with love, romance, danger and long-lost family that keeps the reader engaged and wondering what happens next. This reader enjoyed reading more about the somewhat quirky characters. She also keeps you wondering if the Danny and Andi will come together. There is also a look into the past of the area and the live of Eliza Dosela that will keep the reader wondering what actually happened. I recommend you take a trip to Someday Valley and peek into the lives as they revolve around The Wild Lavender Bookshop.

This book was really cute and I absolutely loved the sweetness of it. It was what I thought it would be going into the book and I loved that about it. It did fall flat in some spots unfortunately.

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.