Jasper Getty is living his dream as the owner of the charming bookshop, Lavender Pages. For seven years, he’s enjoyed the safety and freedom to be himself, selling books by day and curling up and getting lost in novels by night. But a dark page from the past comes back to haunt Jasper as his ex begins stalking him. Russell Wallace hit reset on his life in Nashville and became a bodyguard after … decades of living according to family expectations. But even years later, he doesn’t believe he deserves happiness. When Russell is asked to travel to the beautiful seaside town of Lavender Shores to protect a friend’s brother, he expects nothing more than a job and a paycheck. But Lavender Shores reveals a world Russell never imagined, and his immediate attraction to the adorably geeky Jasper complicates an already difficult job. Jolted by the memory of a shared moment and paths that crossed years ago intensifies the sparks into a bonfire of passion and hope. When danger comes pounding at the door, Jasper is in danger of losing his life… and his heart.
(Contains Lavender Shores maps and family trees.)
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Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 7 in the Lavender Shores series, and I would recommend you read the other books before this one. Not totally necessary, but you should, not least because I said so!
Jasper is happy in Lavender Shores, working his bookshop, Lavender Pages. That is, until someone he thought long gone turns up. So Harrison, Jasper’s older brother, hires a bodyguard for Jasper while he is out of town. But Jasper and Russell have met before, 7 years ago. While neither immediately remembers their encounter, its clear the attraction is felt from both sides. When Jasper’s ex gets nasty, can Russell keep his head to save Jasper??
In another review for this series, I said I was enjoying these books because there were no nutty exes or no violence to deal with but I LOVED this because there is both of these in this book! Go Figure!
I really am struggling to word what I need to say about this book, I loved it that much! So bare with me, okay?? I might waffle!
Jasper is happy. He doesn’t want a relationship but he can get as much or as little male companionship as he wants. That is, til Russell walks through his door and then all bets are off. I loved that neither Jasper or Russell believed they deserved to be truly happy, but they each thought the other did.
Russell’s reason for being in that bathhouse 7 years ago comes out all in one go, and your heart breaks for him, it really does. I’m not gonna go into details, cos spoilers and all but know this, it really is painful reading.
I’m not usually one for professions of love early on. While the words are bandied about in each guy’s head early, they aren’t SAID early. They were said at the right and proper time, I thought.
Loved that Jasper managed to dig deep inside himself to bring things to a head with the nutty ex. I won’t say how.
Harrison obviously plays a part here, and there are some pop ups along the way of other couples who have had their stories.
But now I’m left wanting another story. One which has already gone. Pete, from the coffee shop, already had his happy ever after, but his husband has passed away. And now I want THEIR story!
Abel keeps doing that to me, making me want stories, stories and MORE stories!! A sign of an accomplished author, that, making me want more, more MORE!!
Who is next?? No idea, and I really don’t care so long as I can get my grubby little mitts on it!
310 pages; one sitting; wanting more, means I can’t give it anything other than…
5 full stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
This series is full of wonderful couples in an absolute dream of a town. I wish I could live in Lavender Shores, where it is widely accepted that love is love, without caveats. This time around, the focus is on geeky bookstore owner Jasper, who needs protection when his unstable ex is released from prison. Jasper’s brother Harrison (from book six, The Glasshouse) hires his friend Russell to come to town and make sure Jasper remains safe. But it turns out, Jasper and Russell have met before, and that one time thing has special meaning for each of them. How will they get along as they spend every hour of every day together?
I love these characters. Jasper is a sexy, geeky romance reader, but he is so much more than that. I love seeing Russell figure that out as the story progresses. And big tough Russell is terrified of falling for the younger man, but he knows that he can’t help himself. Meanwhile, the other residents of Lavender Shores are terrific support characters. (I especially love Xander, the teen who works for Jasper in the bookshop.) Neal, the ex who is harassing Jasper, is truly creepy and horrible.
There are some violent moments in this book, and some very dark feelings, but there is so much more that is sweet, funny, hopeful, sexy and perfect. I love the setting, the flow of words, and the beautiful love story that unfolds between Russell and Jasper. This is another wonderful book in a beloved series.
I have loved every book in the Lavender Shores series and book 7, The Alcove is no exception! It is another well-written, awesome story by Rosalind Abel!
The Alcove tells the story of bookshop owner, Jasper Getty and his bodyguard, Russell Wallace as Russell works to keep Jasper safe from his psychotic ex while they fight their budding attraction for each other. So much laughter, love and super steamy hotness in this story; add in a visit with the rest of the Lavender Shores residents and Rosalind Abel really knocks it out of the park! I can’t wait to see where she takes us next in this series!