The details…
- Author: Melissa Brayden
- Title: The Last Lavender Sister
- Publisher: Bold Strokes Books
- Publication date: July 12, 2022
- Available formats: ebook, paperback. audiobook
- File size: 1231 KB
- Print length: 264 pages
- Audio: narrator by Lula Larkin, 10 hours, 28 minutes
- Genre: romance
- Theme: small town community, family, finding one’s place, chasing dreams, finding true love, healing broken hearts, learning to trust, friendship, women loving women
- Tropes: girl next door, broken-hearted newcomer
The blurb from the publisher…
When your parents name you and your three siblings after flowers, the world is stacked against you. At least, that’s how Aster Lavender feels. The youngest daughter, Aster always keeps her head down and lets her siblings stand in the spotlight. She sells her gourmet doughnuts from Hole in One, the small drive-through stand in sleepy Homer’s Bluff, Kansas, and daydreams about seeing the big beautiful world. Love is never going to happen, especially when the only other lesbians in town are already married to each other.
Beautiful Brynn Garrett arrives to fill in for Homer Bluff’s only veterinarian, and suddenly every pet in town is sick. Brynn’s older, smarter, and way out of Aster’s league. Plus, she’s only in town temporarily and definitely running from something. Aster didn’t plan for a connection so strong it knocks the wind right out of her, but Brynn makes her feel like anything but a wallflower.
My thoughts…
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
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A bit about the author…
Melissa Brayden is a multi-award winning romance author with twenty-one novels published with Bold Strokes Books. She is currently hard at work on her next book and embracing the full-time writer’s life in San Antonio, Texas.
Melissa is married and working really hard at keeping two short humans alive. For personal enjoyment, she spends time with her Jack Russell Terriers and checks out the NYC theater scene whenever possible. She considers herself a reluctant patron of spin class, but would much rather be sipping wine and staring off into space. Kissing scenes remain her favorite.
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