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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Sweet and engaging!!
Awe! Definitely a sweet, short story to capture your heart! I fell right in, and didn’t stop to the very end. I loved the characters oh so much.
Such a heartfelt, heartwarming Christmas read! I loved being back at Blue Hollow Falls with my favorite ladies. I can’t wait to go back!
With the holidays approaching Avery is In desperate need of a project to keep her curious mind busy. She has decided that she must analyze love, how it occurs, what makes it happen, and the stuff inbetween. She thinks helping her friend Chey in this department will give her all the data she needs to come to some sort of hypothesis. When her and Chey come across a mini goat on the side of the road, half frozen, they race to the local vet to see what he can do for the tiny animal. They soon learn that their resident vet is on vacation and a much younger attractive man is helping him out while he is gone. Avery thinks he is the perfect match for her friend and can’t wait to start taking notes on the twos interaction. The problem with this is Ben is attracted to Avery and Avery herself sees herself looking at Ben in a way she has never looked at a man before. Follow along as these two skirt their feelings for each other. Will Ben’s stay just be temporary or will it end up being forever? Can Avery leave all she knows and follow a man that she must met in the name of love? This was a touching and romantic read that had my heart racing, hoping that love would find a way!!!
This is the story of Avery Kent and Ben Chandler; both smarter than average, both leery of romance, they hide behind their intellect. Until Ben comes to cover the community vet off on a seminar and Avery brings in an almost frozen goat, and is struck silent. The chemistry between the two of them drives almost every brain cell from the room, and the rest of the novella focuses on the growing romance wrapped in the community of Blue Hollow.
I love lavender in almost every form out there, and have been watching this series with some interest. I was quite excited when I won this from Goodreads recently. I had just read another ARC including a piece by Donna Kauffman and quickly picked this up. I was not disappointed and you won’t be either. Highly Recommended 5/5
[disclaimer: I received this book in a Goodreads giveaway and voluntarily read and reviewed it]
Wonderful Christmas read
I love Donna Kaufman. I’ve read every one of her books. This series just keeps going. Now, still attached to the same area this mini trilogy traces the love stories of the three women who with Hannah , whose story we’ve read already, are in the lavender products business. Avery, our first of the three, finds her perfect match. Kaufman’s stories are well written. We don’t wallow a long with the woman’s angst and indecisions. The writing is light and sweet, and difficult to put down ! I look forward to every upcoming new bok.
I love the Blue Hollow Falls books, and this short book drew me right back into the town and the people. Donna Kauffman creates engaging characters, and in this novella, the focus is on Avery and Ben.
Although I wished for a longer story, perhaps the length was just right for the two “big brains”, who would not mess around but just go for it. A great story!
Lavender & Mistletoe is another winning addition to Donna Kauffman’s Blue Hollow Falls series that features Avery Kent, who is the scary smart member of the quartet running Lavender Blue Farmhouse & Tea Room. I loved the story as it’s filled with sweet and sassy nerd love once Avery meets veterinarian Ben Campbell.
Avery may be a certified genius with multiple degrees and can recall just about everything she’s ever seen, heard or read, but she definitely misses the obvious with Ben. She tries to match him with Cheyenne, another member of the “fearsome foursome,” but Ben has set his sights on Avery. When Avery finally realizes that Ben truly wants her and is as much a brain as she is, the die is cast.
As their relationship develops, there is wonderful, sexy banter between the two brainiacs. Kauffman also brings us up-to-date with Vivi, Chey and Hannah, the three other members of the quartet. I’m definitely looking forward to the rest of the series!
Avery Kent was part of a foursome who owned and ran the lavender farm in Blue Hollow. She was a brain and had earned two doctorates, the first before she was 18. She was referred to as the mad scientist.
Ben Chandler was an Aussie transplant who was filling in for the town veterinarian while he was away. He had an instant connection with Avery but she was blind to it, at first.
As they spent more time together and share intimacies, both conversations and deed, they both began to see how great there connection was. Ben’s time in town had an expiration date, though. Would this connection be worth the effort to make something more?
I liked this book, although I am not a fan of descriptive sex scenes. I prefer the behind closed doors approach. The story was well written and had a happy ending.
I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.
This was flipping adorable!!! Avery and Ben have so much laughter and it was a joy to read. I love love love Donna Kauffman’s Blue Hollow Falls series and can never wait for the next installment! Two thumbs up for this bite-sized addition to tide us over until Chey!
Avery Kent is the unique person of their Lavender Blue farm group. A child prodigy with more degrees than she knows what to do with and she is currently at a crossroads in her life. The Lavender Blue farm is running smoothly and Avery needs something to research to appease her big brain. Avery gets the idea to research love, especially in regards for finding Chey the perfect guy. When Avery meets Ben Campbell, the temporary veterinarian in Blue Hallow Falls she thinks he would be the perfect man but when Avery starts to have her own funny feelings around Ben she is starting to second guess her choice.
Of course all of Avery’s friend realize that Ben would be perfect for Avery and together with Ben they go about trying to show this to her. Avery may be a genius but it takes a while for her head to wrap around the fact of her and Ben but once she does she’s all in.
Avery is such a fun person. I cannot imagine what it would be like to have that type of brain but she embraces it well. I just adored Ben. He is such a sweet perfect guy for Avery and together they were perfect. I just loved their happy ending….it was perfect for them!
This book put me right in the mood for fall and winter nights, cuddled under a blanket and reading a good book. Kauffman’s novellas are almost never long enough for me, I always want the full story, but I know I will see this characters again in the series. Back to Blue Hollow Falls and learning more about the 4 friends/co-workers who opened the lavender farm. I love the quirkiness and “big brain” of Avery Kent. I adored the subtle weave of her grief story and how she connected with like minded Dr. Ben. Finding someone else in the world who gets you is something everyone deserves and I’m so happy that Ben and Avery found each other.
I read this novella as a standalone and it was the perfect way to start the christmas season! Donna Kauffman writting makes you feel apart of the characters and their stories! I loved the real Chrstmas feels of this book and am delighted I can go back and read the rest of this amazing series and see more into each of these characters!! Im in love with everything this author writes ! A must read Christmas book that will make you get your decorations up and ready! Thank you Netgalley, The publisher and author for my ARC copy in exchange for my honest review!!! LOVED IT!!!!
This amazing holiday romance novella has made my Christmas spirit go into overdrive! In Lavender & Mistletoe, we get to return to Blue Hollow Falls, one of my favorite series by Author Donna Kauffman! Avery, a genius, is trying to figure out the logistics of love. She decides the best approach would be to fix her friend Chey up with the new Veterinarian that is filling in. Dr. Ben Chandler has more in common with Avery than she wants to admit. When Avery realizes that she has feelings for Ben, she doesn’t know how to handle the situation. Will Avery get what she wants the most for Christmas this year, or will her overanalyzing cause her to lose her chance at love? I absolutely love all of Author Donna Kauffman’s books. Writing with so much feeling and passion, I can almost feel the emotions that her wonderful characters experience! I highly recommend this beautiful and majestic Christmas novella!
This one came at the right time to escape into a world that also had whispers of magic of the season. I found that the characters in this one so suited each other but also gave such a delight in seeing something that was not so easy for them. I would say Avery and Ben take you away on their tale that right away wraps around you. Their personalities jump off the pages with the chemistry smoldering. Science and Magic come head to head in this one with that being the big factor that keeps you there. I know hands down who would come out on top but following these two and getting their story you have to see for yourself.
The perfect afternoon read!! Avery is a “brainiac” and needs a new research project, love. She then meets the new temporary veterinarian, Ben, a child genius. Avery wants to play matchmaker for her friend, Chey until she soon finds herself head over heels for Ben. Finding love when you least expect it, is so fun!!
Loved these two together, they were so perfect for each other, so much a like!! Great banter and chemistry between them. Loved the opening scene with goat. This is part of a series but can be read as a stand alone.
I LOVED Avery and Ben’s story in Lavender and Mistletoe by Donna Kauffman, book 3.5 in her Blue Hollow Falls series and I really struggled to put it down; visualizing the beauty of this place through its descriptive words. This is a story of two incredibly intelligent people who help each other understand how to use their gifts. It’s winter, everything is running as should be at the farm, and Avery Kent needs a research project to keep her brain busy. She started researching love, in order to prove that romance is a science. Then she meets the new veterinarian, Ben; a child genius, like Avery. At first, Avery thinks she should fix him up with her friend Chey, until she meets him. Not only are they two peas in a pod, the chemistry they have is sizzling and off the charts. Avery never expected to find love, at least until Ben touches her, kisses her, and loves her. Now if only Ben could get Avery to open her heart and accept his love. I love these two together. They may be very much alike but there are enough differences to make them two halves of a whole; or is that heart.
Ms. Kauffman, a talented story teller, wrote a joyful, funny, tender sweet, emotional and heartwarming tale that is not to be missed. She provided a tale rich with sexual chemistry, amusing banter, and amazing characters giving Avery and Ben a chance for happiness, love and a future together. I highly recommend Lavender and Mistletoe to other readers and look forward to the next book in this outstanding series.
I won a copy of this book from the publisher.
Lavender & Mistletoe by Donna Kauffman
Blue Hollow Falls 3.5
Loving and lovely this was the perfect novella length holiday romance for me to read today. Avery Kent is a genius who is comfortable, for the most part, in her skin. When Avery meets Dr. Ben Campbell, veterinarian subbing for the local animal doctor, her logical mind takes a back seat to chemistry and as the feeling is mutual…a delightful romance begins.
I loved this couple and the way they flowed effortlessly toward their HEA. They were so smart that they knew almost immediately they had met their fated mates and it was a joy to see where they would end up because it was a no brainer that they would end up together somewhere in the world.
Did I like this book? Oh my…YES
Would I read more in this series? Without a doubt
Am I looking forward to Chey’s story? Can’t wait!
Blue Hollow Falls is a delightful place with wonderful people. I eagerly look forward to each book that appears and can’t wait to read the next one.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books-Zebra for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
I loved this novella of Avery and Ben. They are two brainiacs that discover peace and harmony together around the holiday season. It was so great to see two people who were outsiders all their lives because of their unusual mental abilities come together and find a kindred spirit (and off the scale sexual attraction) to each other.
It was hilarious that Avery was intent on Ben being perfect for her friend even as she was having a high level attraction to him. So…maybe she wasn’t always super smart. Ben, however, knew what he wanted right from the start and that is so sexy in a man.
There is something about Kauffman’s writing that makes you feel at home–like the setting is just around the corner and the characters are just waiting to become your best friends. Blue Hollow Falls is the perfect setting.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
This was another wonderful quick read in this series! This time it was all about Avery. Usually the technical one, the scientific one, she is struck by the love bug. New to town, filling in for the resident vet, Ben come in to play. At first Avery thought he’d be a perfect match for Chey, but couldn’t deny the flutters she had when ever she was around Ben.
I don’t want to give too much away, so read it! You will enjoy this story just as much, if not more than any of the other Blue Hollow Falls stories. I am waiting patiently to read more about what will happen for Chey! I loved that little tease at the end of this book!
Loved, loved, loved, Avery and Ben. She was just too adorable and he was absolutely sweet on her, as he should be. I loved how smart she was and how he completely understood her. Really enjoyed their undeniable chemistry and conversations and I was so glad they both got their happily ever after. Such a wonderful story to curl up by the fire to read.
*I voluntarily read an advance copy of this book*