The Larkspur House

Haven Ridge #3

by Carla Laureano

Rose Cameron holds the record for bad decisions. Not only did she drop out of grad school to get married, but her husband wasn’t who he pretended to be—and his shady business dealings threatened both her reputation and her freedom. With no job, no friends, and her bank account nearing zero, an online job posting offers a place to escape from her shattered house assistant in a historic manor in the tiny town of Haven Ridge, Colorado.But the Larkspur House isn't the refuge she expected. For one thing, it’s not just a house, but a derelict, honest-to-goodness American castle. For another, the co-inheritor of the house—the brusque, uptight Will Parker—makes no secret of his desire to see her gone. He's more interested in selling the place before it crumbles into the Colorado landscape or bankrupts the trust that maintains it.Just when Rose is convinced she's made yet another terrible decision, she stumbles upon hidden secrets within Larkspur House's storied history—ones that could bridge the gap between her and Will, making Haven Ridge her forever home. But try as she might, Rose can't escape her past...and her own secrets just might destroy the new life she's begun building.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Audiobook, Christian Fiction, Contemporary

316 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2024

About the author

Carla Laureano is the RITA® Award-winning author of contemporary inspirational romance and Celtic fantasy (as C.E. Laureano). A graduate of Pepperdine University, she worked as a sales and marketing executive for nearly a decade before leaving corporate life behind to write fiction full-time. She currently lives in Denver with her husband and two sons, where she writes during the day and cooks things at night.

Reviews

[Courtney Clark]

A perfectly satisfying story conclusion. ALL the little things I love about a Laureano story:
-a smart, compassionate, no-nonsense heroine, Rose
-starchy and serious WILL finally cracks open his passionate side and gets his HEA!
-the Larkspur House's secrets are revealed!
-the story kept surprising me -- wholly unpredictable in the best way
-the Colorado setting feeds my soul. I want to visit the fictional town of Haven Ridge and hang out with this cast.
-maybe someday we'll get twin Erin's story?!?

[Joyce]

The third in the Haven Ridge series and perhaps my favorite so far!

[Rochelle]

Good story! Well written with an intriguing plot and engaging characters.

[Beverly]

An enjoyable novel full of people doing life together and figuring out where to place the puzzle pieces so they live life making a difference.

I hope there are additional novels to look forward to in Haven Ridge, Colorado.

[Patty]

I will return to Haven Ridge any time Carla Laureano has a new story to being me back. I really love this series.

The Larkspur House is her third full length novel set in Haven Ridge (there’s also a prequel novella). While you can read it as a stand alone, it will be a richer experience if you read the whole series as main characters from each story become the supporting cast for the next.

It’s a sweet, clean contemporary romance with nothing spicier than a passionate kiss. It is also more than a romance. The story is filled with friendship, family, and community. The slightly magical town of Haven Ridge remains an important character that brings together those who are needed - for each other and for the community.

I really hope this isn’t the last we read of Haven Ridge. Can she really introduce us to the Inn at Christmas Creek and not bring us a Christmas special?

[Sunshine]

Excellent addition to the Haven Ridge series! Rose Cameron's life has imploded due to a bad marriage to a husband-turned-embezzler (now ex-husband) who did his best to drag her down with him. Will Parker is recently heartbroken and returning to his hometown with very conflicted feelings. He's preparing to sell his stately but crumbling family home in a town that triggers bad memories and personal grief. As Rose and Will (and Will's sister Erin) band forces in a last-ditch effort to save the house, Rose and Will reluctantly develop feelings for each other. But all is not smooth sailing as they confront their own traumas and issues.

Haven Ridge is such an amazing (fictional) small town, and it makes me want to travel back to this area of Colorado (I've been to Salida and Buena Vista, and the area just as beautiful as described here!). This book can be read and enjoyed as a standalone, but characters from the earlier books do make frequent appearances. Having the backstory from earlier books enriches the reading experience! Any book from this series will captivate you and make you want to stop what you're doing to read all day long!

[Michele]

This was much better than the last book. It had minimal expression of physical attraction, unlike the offensive parts of the prior book. This book centers around Larkspur House, which is in danger of needing to be sold due to unmanageable necessary repairs. It is being cared for by the twin adult children of the owners, Erin and Will. Erin hires Rose to help with assessing the house and its needs and Rose is happy to do so as she is running away from a divorce and bad decisions she has made. It was an interesting story about the efforts to save the house in a small Colorado town. I was surprised, though, that the author seemed to be a bit geographically challenged, even though she is a Denver resident. Haven Ridge is a fictional town that is supposed to be very close to the real town of Salida. In the book, she says Haven Ridge is close to New Mexico and that Denver is northwest of there - both of which are incorrect. Doesn't take anything away from the story but is a bit strange to have this type of error.

[Sue Batt]

I waited a long time for this book!! it was well worth the wait!!

I live in Arvada, CO. And I would love to visit the little known town of
Haven Ridge, CO. and mingle with all the residents that live and work there. I loved the story of Rose and Will and Will’s sister, Erin.
I would love to ramble through the “Larkspur House”.
I highly recommend the entire series. I’m praying there will be another book, we need to find out what happens to Erin and the “Amelia Bixby Arts Center and Conservatory.

[Margaret Nelson]

I have really enjoyed all the Haven Ridge books. It had been awhile since I'd read the second book, and still enjoyed this one, so you can get away with not reading the first two first. However, I'm eager to go back and re-read the whole series. The characters are great, and the plot flow is just right. There was one plot twist I knew had to be coming, and the suspense about that kept me reading longer than I should have a couple of times. I think I've heard this is the final book, but I sure wish Laureano would write more about this special town!

[Karen]

I’m not sure why the author is going secular with their fiction, and I wish that they would stop saying that all of these heroes and heroines just happened to land in Haven Ridge at the exact right moment due to the “magic” of the town. *Sigh…

Still a good read, and I enjoyed the little bit of mystery in the plot, even though I knew exactly where it was going. This is a solid 4 due to being less morally ambiguous than the previous book in the series.

[Melanie Talevski]

I picked this book because, as a Colorado native, I recognized the beautiful castle on the front and have stayed at the beloved Glen Erie many a time. Then to hear the author is a Denverite and also a Rita Award winner, I was excited to read this book! With the plot with a brooding "Lord of the manor" and his twin sister, a heartbroken lover of history and architecture, and a the addition of the cutest town-- well it is a winner! I'm now going back to read Books 1 &2.

[Sherry Deatrick]

I love this series. But I must say this one was not a favorite. I didn't feel connected to the characters. And I can't say I really liked them or the storyline. I loved Will Parker in the previous book but he didn't seem the same in this one where he was a main character. I will always real Carla's books though. She is a gifted writer.

[Sue M. Van]

Haven Ridge series

Book 3 as all the others in the Haven Ridge series is a story worth reading. From beginning to end The Larkspur House is a story of little hope and lots of hope. A story of love and sadness, the reader won't be able to stop reading until the very end. A story worthy of 5 stars.

[Amy]

Haha! That's Glen Eyrie on the cover! (Though the purple bushes around and scenery behind it has been Photoshopped.) I wonder how much of this real-life Colorado Springs castle's history might play into the story? Looking forward to finding out!

[Hope]

I binge read this book because I really wanted to see how it all came together, I did guess correctly one of the books mysteries quite early in the book but all in all it was a good book with an interesting plot.

[Emslo]

This book was a fantastic mix of interesting characters, fun romance, bookish mystery, restored relationships, and doing what you love (not just what you think others want you to do). I loved the extra details of woodworking, cooking, hot springs, pony farm, book publishing, and so much more.

[April]

Easily 3.5 stars! Clean and genuine writing ✍️ with relatable characters. I’ve read several of this author’s books at this point and have yet to be disappointed. Pick one of her titles and give it a try.

[Tammie Fickas]

Carla Laureano has done it again. She expertly weaves a sweet romance with real life drama that draws me in to the story.

[Sara Tajeldin]

Wonderful

One of the best books of the year. I loved Rose and Will. Erin too. I enjoyed the story. It is very believable. You brought Haven Ridge to life . A book to read again and again. Hope you love it too.

[CarolynB]

A good read! A little different from the other books in the series, but really good.

[Anita Herrington]

I really enjoyed the vivid descriptions and the realism of the characters. I'll be reading more from Carla. Thank you.

[Karen]

Exactly what it is-clean contemporary small town romance! Loved the cameo from Ana and mention of Bittersweet Cafe from Laureano’s previous series

[Fanaticmama]

3.5⭐️just ho-hum

[Stacey]

I enjoyed much more then the previous 2 in the story.

[Nicole]

Realistic characters and a great story.

[Shande]

4.1 stars
At first, I enjoyed reading about the "house", town and characters without needing any romance to aid the story. But, it became clear that a romance was going to develop, and I was glad to read about it, and was anticipating that aspect. But it was drug on too long with misunderstandings and insecurity (surprisingly by the male protagonist). By the time things really got going between them, I'd already lost interest.

[Laura]

Loved reading this series!!! ❤️

[Amy Roelant]

Third in the series. Hope it all works out for them ...

[PottWab Regional Library]

A

[Kari Ringelberg]

Oh to live in a castle and discover all it's secrets! Back in Haven Ridge and enjoying that town all the more. Fun characters, sweet romance, relatable issues.