This Christmas, small-town Blue Hollow Falls will work big holiday magic for two people who have researched everything but love . . . Avery Kent needs a project. The busy brain that earned her two PhDs before the age of eighteen is fascinated by the home she’s created with her three friends in Blue Hollow Falls, but the farm and the tearoom are running like clockwork now. As the holiday season … now. As the holiday season approaches, it’s time for Avery to dive into one of her last uncharted research topics: love. Not for herself, of course; for her friend, Chey! But a closer look at the handsome young veterinarian Avery has chosen for this romantic equation has her wishing for gifts she never thought she wanted . . .
Another former child prodigy, Ben Chandler is more like Avery than she ever imagined. His intellect is a perfect match for hers—and everything else about him attracts her in ways that send delicious tingles down her spine. But a relationship? That’s something Avery will need to analyze—unless her friends can help Ben convince her that romance is more magic than science, and that a good old-fashioned kiss under the mistletoe is the perfect way to open her heart to the possibility of the greatest gift of all . . .
Praise for Donna Kauffman
“Charming characters, emotion galore, a small town—you’re going to love Donna Kauffman!” —Lori Foster
“We all know where there’s Donna Kauffman, there’s a rollicking, sexy read chock‑full of charm and sparkle.” —USAToday.com
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Lavender & Mistletoe is a novella installment in Donna Kauffman’s Blue Hollow Falls series. Lavender Blue is the lavender farm begun by four very different women who came together in a time of grief but bonded in such a way as to form a family of their own. This story focuses on the youngest of the group, 26 year old Big Brain Avery Kent.
Avery completed her second PhD when 18. Soon after graduation her parents were killed in an accident putting much of her life on hold. Her parents were academics, she lived her entire life on a college campus. When her parents died, Avery was at loose ends until she bonded with her newfound family, the ladies of Lavender Blue.
As Avery and fellow Lavender lady Cheyenne McCafferty are leaving a holiday event, Avery spies the result of a vehicle sliding in the snow in a small hump in the snow. She hollers for Chey to stop, runs from their truck, and recovers a pygmy goat in the snow mound. Removing her own jacket, Avery wraps the small creature in the coat and returns to the truck. Chey heads for their local veterinarian, however he is away and young Dr. Ben Campbell is filling in during his absence.
There seems to be an instant connection between Avery and Ben, however Avery tries to ignore it and instead match the new veterinarian with her friend Chey. But Chey and housemother Vivi have other ideas. You see, Ben is a Big Brain too, and they see him a perfect match for Avery.
As the story evolves, the reader follows as Avery learns to open herself to the possibility of a real relationship with Ben despite her fear of where his job will lead him when their own veterinarian returns.
This is a lovely story. The characters are warm, the surroundings lovely. I did enjoy this story and I do recommend it.
Lavender & Mistletoe (Kindle Edition) Donna Kauffman This is the 4th book in the BLUE HOLLOW FALLS Series. Thank you to the publisher and #NetGalley for letting me preview this book. Donna has done a wonderful job again with this addition to the series.. by the way the books can be read as stand alone’s …but I suggest reading all of them. Avery Kent (super smart…running the lavender farm with her three friends) Ben Chandler( also super smart and a Veterinarian who is filling in for the regular vet) Avery thinks he would be perfect for Chey ….but he is perfect for Avery. This story won’t let you put it down it has all the feels, laughter, tears, and a great love at first sight story that gets us to a very HEA. I am looking forward to the next book UNDER THE FIREFLY MOON which is Chey’s story.
I really enjoyed this book. I really liked Avery. I understood here. I’m not as brilliant as she is but I did identify with her in many ways. I loved her curiosity. I’m totally like that. It was exciting for me to read about a character whose mind moves along seeing everything. She isn’t so good romantically. I understand that too. It was amazing for me to read her. Ben, her love interest, was just as amazing. I love the way he understood and accepted her. It just made me sigh in bliss!
I definitely want to read more in this series.
* I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. I appreciate the opportunity to read this book. The review was written honestly and voluntarily.*
I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my fair and honest review.
I have loved all of the Blue Hollow Falls series, I happen to think this is my favorite of them all, Avery is so smart that she has a hard time interacting with others. Looking to figure out the love thing she intends to match up her friend Chey and and Ben the fill-in vet. Not realizing that she is interested in him herself. If you enjoy Christmas stories, I am sure that you will enjoy this wonderful book. I definetly would recommend this book to others.
This is a great read! Being a novella, it is short and an easy read, but it still has a lot of depth. Great story of two people who often felt like misfits growing up, finding each other and their HEA. Add in a “found family” and very good friends, and this is a delightful return to Blue Hollow Falls. For anyone who hasn’t read the series, it’s an easy jump in point as well. Entertaining, captivating, and heartwarming.
I adore small town stories with characters that steal a bit of my heart as I read about them. This book was one of those times. I came to love Avery Kent and her Big Brain (she is a genius). She is gifted with the ability to learn and understand easily, and remember everything. Her character, as well as the others, are so well developed that I felt a part of the community of the lavender farm, which Avery is a part owner. Avery is surrounded by people that love her and want the best of life for her.
Welcome the temporary veterinarian, Ben Chandler (who is also a genius), and Avery’s life definitely takes a time warp to her happily ever after future when she rescues a pygmy goat in the snow. Ben and Avery are immediately attracted to each other, but in spite of that, Avery wants to match him up with her friend. That is not to be, as you will find out as the story unfolds.
I really enjoyed this book. Unlike most romance stories, where the hero and heroine are attracted, then have a disagreement, only to be reunited, this story flows as I wish life would. Avery and Ben are rational, intelligent people that are trained to research and find a solution instead of jumping to a wrong conclusion. They are a bonded couple before they even realize that they are.
Thank you to NetGalley.com and Kensington Book for allowing me to read the ARC of heartwarming book. I look forward to more stories taking place in Blue Hollow Falls.
I received an ARC through Netgalley.
If you’re a fan of romantic holiday stories with a happily ever after guarantee, then you will love Donna Kauffman’s latest novella. This is a heartwarming, fun read. Avery’s intelligence is off the charts, but relationships are beyond her knowledge or experience. Ben is a swoon-worthy hero. He’s understanding and accepting of Avery. A former child prodigy himself, he gets her in a way that no one else has before. Ben’s also more than willing to teach her all there is to know about love and chemistry.
Although this is part of the Blue Hollow Falls series, this can be read as a standalone.
Get ready for the most wonderful, warm, heartwarming read. I always brace myself for the inevitable conflict in a story however Avery and Ben are the most amazing characters and their story is sweet and deep and will wrap you in a (light on the holiday) romance. Although we met Avery in a previous book, the author writes more depth so we get to know her and what makes her the absolute character she is. Ben is new to the Blue Hollow Falls family but he is the most understanding individual…just what Avery needs and a match for her in every way.
I love the Blue Hollow Falls stories and this one doesn’t disappoint. Avery is so very smart and intelligent – she often says she has a big brain and makes no apologies for who she is. Ben is the perfect match for her as he, too, has a high IQ but the most important thing is…he ‘gets’ her. They also complement each other in most ways. And their chemistry is off the charts, right from the start.
Lavender & Mistletoe is a standalone story and it is wonderful; no deep, tragic storylines. I loved it and enjoyed my stay in Blue Hollow Falls once again. I highly recommend this story and all the rest of the books in the series.
This was fun to read. Two big brains trying to work their way around feelings. Another home run by Donna Kauffman, with a supporting cast of characters you just have to love.
What’s not to love about a sensual Christmas novella. I loved getting to know Avery and Ben in this charming story set in the hills of Virginia. One particular poignant part for me was, my own pup has two IVDD surgeries and to touch on this subject warmed my heart. So in addition to the love story between two people it was heart warming the obvious love for all 4 legged creatures too.
Just a great read. The last book of my Christmas collection.
Lavender and Mistletoe by Donna Kauffman is another wonderful installment to the Blue Hollow Falls series. This installment visits with Avery Kent and Ben Chandler. Both are child prodigies that find each other in Blue Hollow Falls and slowly allow the attraction to overtake them and finally find the love that Avery didn’t think she’d find. A traveling vet and a brainy scientist/tea shop owner finding forever one Christmas.
This short and sweet story is sure to capture your attention and warm your heart with love and Christmas cheer!
Avery Kent is not your average person, she is the brain behind Lavender Blue. She is the pragmatic and logical one. She is skeptical of love, that is until Ben Chandler shows up to cover for the local Vet! Will Avery be able to see the magic in love?
I loved this story and was so happy to be back visiting friends in Blue Hallow Falls. This story definately tugged at my heartstrings and I cant wait for more in this series.
Thank you to Author Donna Kauffman for allowing me to read and provide my honest opinion on this novella.
While Christmas shopping I often find the gift that is perfect for me. This is the line of thought that happens to Avery as she tries to match a friend up with Ben chandler in Lavender & Mistletoe by Donna Kauffman. He is not as perfect for her friend Chey as he is for her. Ben knows it but Avery must analyze it logically. Since when is love logical?
Delightful story with a quirky character who is brilliant but like so many who are never quite fits in. Enter veterinarian Ben Chandler, another brilliant mind who gets Avery, one pygmy goat and some true blue but meddlesome friends and you have a wonderful story. Plus it takes place in Blue Hollow Falls and at Christmas too. Reading just doesn’t get any better than this.
An ARC of the book was given to me by the publisher through Net Galley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The first thing I want to say about Lavender & Mistletoe is it felt so good to be back with my “friends”. Donna Kauffman created a community and you feel like you just can’t wait to get there yourself. Her characters have heart, comedy and empathy for each other. I love to read books from a series in order but each of the Blue Hollow Falls can be ready out of order. This is book 3.5, a novella. I didn’t want the book to end but it was an easy quick read. Holiday books are the best! It would be my recommendation to read the books in order and start with Blue Hollow Falls. You will fall in love with the characters and find an awesome author in the process!
Avery has the ability to think quickly and she was riding with her friend Chey and realizes that something was tossed out of a vehicle who came through before they did. Avery gets out and climbs down an embankment and rescues a baby goat. Chey and Avery carefully drive him to see the veterinarian Ben to have the goat checked out. The snowstorm is really bad so they spend the night at his place and head home the next day. Sometimes Avery is so busy with charts and graphs that she doesn’t see what really is going on around her.
A cute story that I think you will enjoy. I really enjoyed the book