The details…
- Title : Marigold
- Author : Melissa Brayden
- Publisher : Bold Strokes Books
- Publication date : July 11, 2023
- Page numbers source ISBN : 163679436X
- Available formats : ebook, paperback, audiobook
- File size : 1274 KB
- Print length : 257 pages
- Listening Length : 10 hours and 28 minutes (Narrator: Lula Larkin)
- Genre : romance
- Trope : enemies to lovers
- Themes : love, family relationships , dynamics between sisters, family run small businesses, small towns and communities, grief, finding love, women loving women, taking risks, self-growth
The blurb from the publisher…
Marigold Lavender lights up every room she enters. Then she’s left to turn out the lights and head home alone. Soft on the inside and a go-getter on the outside, Marigold just wants to make sure everyone else is okay before worrying about herself. When an awful big-city food critic trashes her sister Aster’s new restaurant, Marigold pauses her search for her own happily-ever-after to go to war with the woman, who happens to be just as delectable as she is sour.
Alexis Wakefield’s brutal honesty is what makes her successful. Her readers trust her judgment, and a few sharp strokes from her keyboard can make or break a new restaurant. When, on a whim, she reviews a small-town eatery getting lots of buzz, the owner’s sister sabotages everything, leaving her professional world in jeopardy. Marigold Lavender has gone too far and must pay for the damage she’s caused.
My thoughts…
This story is all about relationships, not just Marigold and Alexis’s, but the ones that surround them too. It’s about family and community and how important they are, especially when it comes to getting the girl.Brayden’s latest novel Marigold might be one of her finest to date, but it’s too difficult to truly say. The Last Lavender Sister, her previous one, was a runaway hit and a 2023 Goldie Winner. Furthermore, it’s the basis for everything to love about this new romance, and if early reviews are any indicator, it will no doubt be just as favored.
But why do Brayden’s readers love the Lavenders so? The answer is no mystery. It’s the way she develops the relationships between the family members and their community. There’s a wisdom there that’s so generous and comforting; it nearly melts the heart. She understands the intricacies of families and the relationships inside them—especially between women. The nuances of the Lavender sisters and the quirks they share are scripted with a beauty that makes each scene just glow. It all works to give the storytelling texture and flavor, a real depth readers have grown to appreciate and trust.
Basically, it all comes down to this: Brayden writes with an emotional intelligence that elevates the storytelling like no other. She has a keen eye for it. Her ability to skillfully portray conversations, dialogues, and non-verbal cues effectively—one’s that convey emotions and intentions—make the storytelling pop. She knows how to capture the subtle differences of body language, tone of voice, and facial expressions so they add layers of realism to the interactions between her characters. This heightened level of communication enhances the readers’ experience, making them feel intimately involved in the unfolding of the story. It’s what draws her readers to her writing. It’s what keeps them coming back book after book.
Readers see Brayden’s sharp eye for emotional intelligence first hand in the interactions of the Lavender family. Because she understands the intricacies of human emotions and relationships, she utilizes it for full effect in this romance. It helps her create characters that feel real and relatable, individuals with their own unique sets of desires, fears, and vulnerabilities. By delving deep into Alexis and Marigold’s emotions, Brayden is able to portray them authentically, giving readers the ability to connect with them on a personal level. Their chemistry and attraction is a powerful part of the story. It facilitates scenarios that allow emotions to flourish. By exploring the characters’ emotional responses to each other and their world, Brayden builds a strong bond between them, all while keeping readers invested in their relationship.
Final thoughts…
These characters will get under your skin. In fact, I’m just going to come right out and say it: I wish I was the fourth Lavender sister. I’d revel in every moment with them. I’d cheer Marigold and Alexis on and show up everyday at The Lavender House because they are all that special. Marigold is a gorgeous romance and I didn’t want it to end—ever.
Strengths…
- Engaging storyline
- Well-crafted and well-scripted narrative
- Lovely, well-developed characters
- Engaging, heart-tugging romance
- Endearing story world
This book is available from…
A bit about the author…
Melissa Brayden is a multi-award-winning romance author, embracing the full-time writer’s life in San Antonio, Texas, and enjoying every minute of it.
Melissa is married and working really hard at remembering to do the dishes. For personal enjoyment, she spends time with her Jack Russell terriers and checks out the NYC theater scene as often as possible. She considers herself a reluctant patron of spin class, but would much rather be sipping merlot and staring off into space. Bring her coffee, wine, or doughnuts and you’ll have a friend for life. Interested in knowing more? Click on the links below.
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