This review is of "The Wild Lavender Bookshop (Someday Valley, 2)" by Jodi Thomas. The library version is what I read, so it's what I'm reviewing. Do note that the Kindle version is only $5.99 and the paperback is $$13.46 at the time I'm writing this review, much cheaper than the $35.99 library binding version.

"Return to the unforgettable world of Someday Valley, Texas, in this tender, uplifting novel of hearts in search of second chances. The trees that circle Someday Valley near Honey Creek are dressed in their fall finest, providing a pretty backdrop for the local businesses-including the little bookshop loved by schoolteacher Cora Lee Buchanan. There, under the watchful eye of owner Noah O'Brien, Cora Lee and her sister, Katherine, meet each Wednesday. Their talk mostly revolves around one subject- their father, known to everyone in town as Bear. Both Cora Lee and Katherine worry about Bear Buchanan. They've no idea Bear has a secret life of his own. As for the sisters, Katherine, beautiful and self-absorbed, is in search of her third husband, while Cora Lee is in love for the first time. On warm nights, she climbs up to her building's roof to chat with Noah and listen to the melody of the water below. Yet there is more intrigue afoot in Honey Creek . . . Andi Delane has arrived in town to hear the last wishes of the father she never met. She was shocked to get a letter from lawyer Jackson Landry, and she has few expectations-of this mysterious will, or of Deputy Danny Davis who's been assigned to protect her. But fall always brings changes, and this year there will be enough to alter not just the lives of those who call Honey Creek home, but the future of Someday Valley itself." Quoted parts from the book's Amazon sales page.

The bulk of my review will be in the "further comments" section at the bottom.

People who like sweet romance with suspense, small-town stories, old-fashioned romance, multiple intertwined stories, and / or full-circle stories.

The full circle part of the story, the small town feel, the characters.

Read the next one, but it's not out yet.

Mostly in touch with Andi's character. I couldn't relate as well to the other women, though I did enjoy their stories too.

"Jodi Thomas

New York Times and USA Today's bestselling author Jodi Thomas has published over 30 books in both the historical romance and contemporary genres, the majority of which are set in her home state of Texas. Publishers Weekly calls her novels "Distinctive...Memorable," and that in her stories "[tension] rides high, mixed with humor and kisses more passionate than most full-on love scenes." In 2006, Romance Writers of America (RITA) inducted Thomas into the RWA Hall of Fame for winning her third RITA for THE TEXAN'S REWARD. She also received the National Readers' Choice Award in 2009 for TWISTED CREEK (2008) and TALL, DARK, AND TEXAN (2008). While continuing to work as a novelist, Thomas also functions as Writer in Residence at the West Texas A&M University campus, where she inspires students and alumni in their own writing pursuits." This section is from the book's Amazon sales page

It was a nice read and I mostly enjoyed it.

This book centers around Andi's story - her work troubles following her to this small town and the suspense involved in that, and her romance with Deputy Danny, who at first she perceives as simple and bumbling and then comes to know as the smart and competent person he really is.

Her story intertwines with that of Cora Lee and Noah, the owner of the Wild Lavender Book Shop, two quiet people who find love together, and unexpectedly get involved in Andi's drama.

And all of their stories also intertwine with Bear and his lady love (sorry I forgot her name... she was great though, for what little she appeared in the book until the end - but at the end she was critical). Bear is also Cora Lee's father and the owner of the land / store that Noah leases. Noah and Cora Lee live in apartments above the book store.

I liked how everyone ended up involved in solving the suspense part and how things wrapped up in the end. I liked the romance parts. I liked most of the characters. I liked that the bookstore featured heavily in the book and was critical in the climax part.

Sometimes it was a little more wordy and slow than I prefer, and it wasn't my favorite book by this author, but I definitely will want to read the next one in the series. If you are new to Jody Thomas, I recommend starting with her "Harmony" series.

As you can gather from the first part of this review, I borrowed this book from my local library. I had to wait a few weeks, so I was definitely not the only one interested in reading it.

The Amazon page for it says it's not released yet, but I definitely read it. Not sure what's up with that. So I went to the paperback version for stats.

Here is where it stands at the moment of my writing t his review on the Amazon best seller list:
"Best Sellers Rank: #14,623 in Books ...

#444 in Western & Frontier Romance
#863 in Women's Domestic Life Fiction
#5,722 in Contemporary Romance (Books)"

I actually thought it would be higher. This makes me wonder if the kindle is higher? Wow, yes, what a difference!

"Best Sellers Rank: #5,622 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)

#81 in Western & Frontier Romance eBooks
#91 in Sisters Fiction
#112 in Western & Frontier Romance."

Interesting.

Anyway, if you like this kind of book and want a nice, mostly easy read, I recommend it.

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Created May 29, 2024 at 7:01pm • Submit your own review...