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Lavender Moon: Discreet Paperback
Kaleb
I was always the bad boy.
The kid from the broken home and the wrong side of the tracks.
But in her eyes, I hung the moon.
The girl from my summers who I thought I’d never see again.
Finding her now right before I’m due to deploy is like a gift, one I’m not going to waste.
She was always meant to be mine and I’m going to make it official.
My silly girl is now my spirited wife, giving me someone to come home to.
Little do I know I won’t be coming home – at least not as the same man.
Luna
I never thought of myself as a good girl… but he does.
The boy I used to see every summer has grown into a brave soldier that I now get to call my husband.
Getting married so quickly was supposed to be a way to protect us both and keep us together for good.
But we both take on demons while he’s away, and when he comes home, it’s his that try to tear us apart.
Someone has to fight for us while he’s weary and wounded.
And now it’s my turn to go into battle.
From the author of the Turn it Up Series, comes an all new standalone about young love, and two people's harrowing journey to save it -as well as each other.
I was always the bad boy.
The kid from the broken home and the wrong side of the tracks.
But in her eyes, I hung the moon.
The girl from my summers who I thought I’d never see again.
Finding her now right before I’m due to deploy is like a gift, one I’m not going to waste.
She was always meant to be mine and I’m going to make it official.
My silly girl is now my spirited wife, giving me someone to come home to.
Little do I know I won’t be coming home – at least not as the same man.
Luna
I never thought of myself as a good girl… but he does.
The boy I used to see every summer has grown into a brave soldier that I now get to call my husband.
Getting married so quickly was supposed to be a way to protect us both and keep us together for good.
But we both take on demons while he’s away, and when he comes home, it’s his that try to tear us apart.
Someone has to fight for us while he’s weary and wounded.
And now it’s my turn to go into battle.
From the author of the Turn it Up Series, comes an all new standalone about young love, and two people's harrowing journey to save it -as well as each other.
442 pages, Paperback
Published December 10, 2023
804 people are currently reading
1782 people want to read
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June 9, 2025
CONTENT WARNING: This book contains themes that some may find triggering, including domestic violence (NOT between the main characters), addiction, and PTSD episodes. Please read cautiously.
Lavender Moon was about 21-year-old Luna (Conlin) Isaaks (her stepfather had adopted her), an artist, and 21-year-old Kaleb Shane (Dominic? Luna called him that in Chapter 5), a former corporal in the Army.
Kaleb and Luna met at summer camp when they were both ten years old. They quickly became fast friends, and they each returned to the camp every summer for the next 8 years. Although they lived far apart, they kept in touch with each other through written letters.
The book began with Kaleb's point of view in the present-day prologue, then it shifted back in time to Chapter 1, also written from his point of view, to when he and Luna were ten and met for the first time at camp. Chapter 2 jumped ahead 8 years, and they were 18, returning to camp as counselors. This chapter was split between Kaleb's and Luna's POV. While they had continued to exchange letters, Kaleb had hooked up with a girl named Cheyenne, with whom he had been intimate for several months. At first, his inner monologue said it had been nothing more than her providing him with a "distraction", (a placeholder is what he called all his past hookups later in the story), and that "she gave good head", he later admitted (again to himself) that it had been a lot more than that. When he was packing his things to head to camp, Cheyenne was angry that he had chosen to spend his summer being a camp counselor rather than spending it with her. She tried to push his buttons by admitting she had read his letters from Luna, which pissed him off enough to (vaguely) tell her it was over between them. When he arrived late at the camp, Luna noticed how much he had changed in the year since she'd last seen him, including all of the tattoos he sported.
At first, I was somewhat disappointed that the author had a ten-year-old talking like an adult, using words that most kids didn't even think about. But when I read Chapter 3, it put the whole thing in a different light because, from Luna's POV, it was as if she were 18 and thinking back to when she was 10. That made a strange sort of sense, but it didn't last long before it reverted to the past.
It was during their final year at camp that Luna's and Kaleb's feelings for each other started to veer off from mere friendship into something more, although for Kaleb, it was irritating, especially when another male counselor started showing interest in her. When things took a slightly intimate turn on their final night together, neither knew what to do afterward (they did everything without going 'all the way"). But Kaleb made a tactical error when he told her "it was no big deal". He knew instantly from her reaction he'd erred and tried to backtrack, but the damage was done. Unfortunately, he made it worse by drinking beer and Jack Daniels. When he tried to draw her out, Luna said she couldn't talk about it because she didn't want things to change between them. They both did the push/pull with neither of them wanting to reveal too much. With Kaleb more than a little drunk, the conversation turned heated, and when she pushed him too far, he finally told her about his abusive childhood. His confession eventually became ugly, venting hatred and worse at Luna. However, she had a few home truths to spew right back at him, and then Kaleb made a fatal error, bringing their friendship to a sudden, but definite end. Luna threw some more truths at him, confessed her love for him, and then walked away. The following morning, she packed her car and drove away from camp without seeing or talking to Kaleb.
It would be three years before they saw each other again. Kaleb was leaving summer camp and heading for boot camp in South Carolina. Luna had made a deal with her parents that she'd spend a year in college and, if she didn't care for it, they would help her choose an art school instead.
Two years after their breakup, and at the age of 20, Luna and her grandmother were packing up Luna's things when her abusive, narcissistic, soon-to-be ex-boyfriend arrived home. When he tried to prevent her from leaving, she stood her ground, backed by her grandmother, until he had no choice but to let them leave.
Another year passed, and the book flipped to Kaleb being promoted in rank to that of an Army Corporal. He and his friend Alex would be shipping out in three weeks. He would be spending the following year pulling his first tour of duty. They were granted leave to return home before being shipped out, and some of their old friends from school had invited them out to celebrate before leaving. Unknown to Kaleb, he would see Luna there, and it would change their lives once again. Once they were reunited, their relationship took the next step into intimacy. Then Kaleb invited her to visit his home after she offered to watch over it and his late grandfather's motorcycle garage while he was fulfilling his one-year tour of duty.
The day after they arrived at his home, Kaleb's regular hookup found them. While it wasn't a nasty meeting, Kaleb didn't verbally acknowledge his relationship with Luna. He pushed Cheyenne away, took Luna by the hand, and walked away. The following morning, he proposed to Luna. Two days later, they were married. Three weeks later, Kaleb left for his year-long tour. The next several chapters were devoted to the two of them exchanging emails and video chats as often as they could. Both withheld the worst of what they were experiencing from the other. Kaleb hid from her the things a soldier goes through in a war, and Luna didn't share all of the bad things that were happening with her ex-boyfriend.
Five months after Kaleb shipped out, Luna was on her way to her art classes when she ran into his former hookup, although it wasn't the first time. While it didn't play out too well, Luna managed to inform the girl of their marriage and, when she took a dig at her, Luna verbally knocked her back down with more truths that sent the other girl on her angry way. Because she was struggling in her pottery class, Luna got permission from her professor to stay late in the studio to come up with something that would allow her to achieve a passing grade. After managing to create something simple that satisfied her, she decided to crash at her apartment for the night rather than make the nearly two-hour drive home, only to come face-to-face with her ex. The encounter wasn't pleasant, turning violent not long after he arrived at her place, and ended with her in the hospital. Knowing it would only give him more worries, Luna refused to tell Kaleb what had happened. He had already told her that she was the only thing keeping him sane while he was "fighting the good fight. As for his part, he didn't tell her he was dealing with the issues of war, worrying about the changes he sensed in her, and fighting not to lose himself in the process. But he knew something was wrong.
When she arrived home after spending time doing a self-defense class at the gym, Luna found a bouquet of purple roses from Kaleb. It was their first Valentine's Day together as a couple, even though they were separated by an ocean. But it wasn't all pleasant, because she quickly received a call she had dreaded. Kaleb had been seriously injured in an explosion while on petrol. The only good news was that they would be sending him home, and he would arrive in two weeks. When they were at last reunited, they both sensed the changes the other had gone through, and they were each uncertain how to cope with it. After all, they were in unfamiliar territory and had been apart for more than 8 months. Needless to say, the trip home was uncomfortable. Once home, they had their first fight over his pain medicine. He needed the prescription meds, but Luna argued that he should give the OTC meds a chance. Kaleb blew up at her. Her attitude was way OTT, and she acted like her husband was a recovering addict, but Kaleb had never had a drug problem in the past, nor had she. However, she got the meds but still turned her back on him after getting into bed with him and turning out the light. Two weeks later, the town held a funeral for his best friend, Alex, who died on the same day Kaleb was injured. When it was over and they were back home, Luna allowed Kaleb to vent his frustrations with angry intimacies. However, things got out of hand, and she had to use her safe word. That led to Kaleb making a solo decision. He suggested they divorce. When she refused, they fought until she told him she wasn't giving up. His words to her were, "I'm going to f*cking break you, Luna!". She responded in a way that floored him. She dared him to give their relationship two more months, to make it to their first anniversary. But she gave him an out. She said if he wanted to fold, to not take the dare on the spot, she would give him the divorce he said he wanted. She did, however, move into a different bedroom to "give him space". Not long after the dare, Kaleb was given the all-clear to drive again, giving him a bit more freedom and less dependency on Luna. Exactly two months later to the day, Luna was served divorce papers.
This story had it all. The angst, the drama, the passion, and the heartbreak. The added PTSD, nightmares of war, assault, fear, and flat-out anger towards all who had wronged them along the way. The emotional rollercoaster hit all of the emotions one can handle, and then some. The push/pull between the main characters, while frequent, was done in such a way as to be realistic.
The way the author handled the issue of PTSD and what happens when a soldier returns home changed from the person he/she was before deploying was well done. Knowing each returning soldier has a different level of PTSD, this was done in such a way that it allowed the reader more than a little insight into how a couple struggles to reacclimate when they are reunited.
The two main characters were well-developed and mature, with a ton of room to grow, and oh, how they grew! It was difficult reading their struggles, but when they succeeded, it was a pleasure. This author knew how to write a successful story, and I can't wait to read more by her.
I gave this book a five-star rating, mainly because I loved both Luna and Kaleb's characters. It definitely earned every one of them, and I will not only be adding this book to my Keeper for the Shelves collection online, but I will also be purchasing one that I can have on hand to read whenever I want to. Oh, and there was a surprise awaiting the readers in the second epilogue, so be sure to find out what it was!! :)
Lavender Moon was about 21-year-old Luna (Conlin) Isaaks (her stepfather had adopted her), an artist, and 21-year-old Kaleb Shane (Dominic? Luna called him that in Chapter 5), a former corporal in the Army.
Kaleb and Luna met at summer camp when they were both ten years old. They quickly became fast friends, and they each returned to the camp every summer for the next 8 years. Although they lived far apart, they kept in touch with each other through written letters.
The book began with Kaleb's point of view in the present-day prologue, then it shifted back in time to Chapter 1, also written from his point of view, to when he and Luna were ten and met for the first time at camp. Chapter 2 jumped ahead 8 years, and they were 18, returning to camp as counselors. This chapter was split between Kaleb's and Luna's POV. While they had continued to exchange letters, Kaleb had hooked up with a girl named Cheyenne, with whom he had been intimate for several months. At first, his inner monologue said it had been nothing more than her providing him with a "distraction", (a placeholder is what he called all his past hookups later in the story), and that "she gave good head", he later admitted (again to himself) that it had been a lot more than that. When he was packing his things to head to camp, Cheyenne was angry that he had chosen to spend his summer being a camp counselor rather than spending it with her. She tried to push his buttons by admitting she had read his letters from Luna, which pissed him off enough to (vaguely) tell her it was over between them. When he arrived late at the camp, Luna noticed how much he had changed in the year since she'd last seen him, including all of the tattoos he sported.
At first, I was somewhat disappointed that the author had a ten-year-old talking like an adult, using words that most kids didn't even think about. But when I read Chapter 3, it put the whole thing in a different light because, from Luna's POV, it was as if she were 18 and thinking back to when she was 10. That made a strange sort of sense, but it didn't last long before it reverted to the past.
It was during their final year at camp that Luna's and Kaleb's feelings for each other started to veer off from mere friendship into something more, although for Kaleb, it was irritating, especially when another male counselor started showing interest in her. When things took a slightly intimate turn on their final night together, neither knew what to do afterward (they did everything without going 'all the way"). But Kaleb made a tactical error when he told her "it was no big deal". He knew instantly from her reaction he'd erred and tried to backtrack, but the damage was done. Unfortunately, he made it worse by drinking beer and Jack Daniels. When he tried to draw her out, Luna said she couldn't talk about it because she didn't want things to change between them. They both did the push/pull with neither of them wanting to reveal too much. With Kaleb more than a little drunk, the conversation turned heated, and when she pushed him too far, he finally told her about his abusive childhood. His confession eventually became ugly, venting hatred and worse at Luna. However, she had a few home truths to spew right back at him, and then Kaleb made a fatal error, bringing their friendship to a sudden, but definite end. Luna threw some more truths at him, confessed her love for him, and then walked away. The following morning, she packed her car and drove away from camp without seeing or talking to Kaleb.
It would be three years before they saw each other again. Kaleb was leaving summer camp and heading for boot camp in South Carolina. Luna had made a deal with her parents that she'd spend a year in college and, if she didn't care for it, they would help her choose an art school instead.
Two years after their breakup, and at the age of 20, Luna and her grandmother were packing up Luna's things when her abusive, narcissistic, soon-to-be ex-boyfriend arrived home. When he tried to prevent her from leaving, she stood her ground, backed by her grandmother, until he had no choice but to let them leave.
Another year passed, and the book flipped to Kaleb being promoted in rank to that of an Army Corporal. He and his friend Alex would be shipping out in three weeks. He would be spending the following year pulling his first tour of duty. They were granted leave to return home before being shipped out, and some of their old friends from school had invited them out to celebrate before leaving. Unknown to Kaleb, he would see Luna there, and it would change their lives once again. Once they were reunited, their relationship took the next step into intimacy. Then Kaleb invited her to visit his home after she offered to watch over it and his late grandfather's motorcycle garage while he was fulfilling his one-year tour of duty.
The day after they arrived at his home, Kaleb's regular hookup found them. While it wasn't a nasty meeting, Kaleb didn't verbally acknowledge his relationship with Luna. He pushed Cheyenne away, took Luna by the hand, and walked away. The following morning, he proposed to Luna. Two days later, they were married. Three weeks later, Kaleb left for his year-long tour. The next several chapters were devoted to the two of them exchanging emails and video chats as often as they could. Both withheld the worst of what they were experiencing from the other. Kaleb hid from her the things a soldier goes through in a war, and Luna didn't share all of the bad things that were happening with her ex-boyfriend.
Five months after Kaleb shipped out, Luna was on her way to her art classes when she ran into his former hookup, although it wasn't the first time. While it didn't play out too well, Luna managed to inform the girl of their marriage and, when she took a dig at her, Luna verbally knocked her back down with more truths that sent the other girl on her angry way. Because she was struggling in her pottery class, Luna got permission from her professor to stay late in the studio to come up with something that would allow her to achieve a passing grade. After managing to create something simple that satisfied her, she decided to crash at her apartment for the night rather than make the nearly two-hour drive home, only to come face-to-face with her ex. The encounter wasn't pleasant, turning violent not long after he arrived at her place, and ended with her in the hospital. Knowing it would only give him more worries, Luna refused to tell Kaleb what had happened. He had already told her that she was the only thing keeping him sane while he was "fighting the good fight. As for his part, he didn't tell her he was dealing with the issues of war, worrying about the changes he sensed in her, and fighting not to lose himself in the process. But he knew something was wrong.
When she arrived home after spending time doing a self-defense class at the gym, Luna found a bouquet of purple roses from Kaleb. It was their first Valentine's Day together as a couple, even though they were separated by an ocean. But it wasn't all pleasant, because she quickly received a call she had dreaded. Kaleb had been seriously injured in an explosion while on petrol. The only good news was that they would be sending him home, and he would arrive in two weeks. When they were at last reunited, they both sensed the changes the other had gone through, and they were each uncertain how to cope with it. After all, they were in unfamiliar territory and had been apart for more than 8 months. Needless to say, the trip home was uncomfortable. Once home, they had their first fight over his pain medicine. He needed the prescription meds, but Luna argued that he should give the OTC meds a chance. Kaleb blew up at her. Her attitude was way OTT, and she acted like her husband was a recovering addict, but Kaleb had never had a drug problem in the past, nor had she. However, she got the meds but still turned her back on him after getting into bed with him and turning out the light. Two weeks later, the town held a funeral for his best friend, Alex, who died on the same day Kaleb was injured. When it was over and they were back home, Luna allowed Kaleb to vent his frustrations with angry intimacies. However, things got out of hand, and she had to use her safe word. That led to Kaleb making a solo decision. He suggested they divorce. When she refused, they fought until she told him she wasn't giving up. His words to her were, "I'm going to f*cking break you, Luna!". She responded in a way that floored him. She dared him to give their relationship two more months, to make it to their first anniversary. But she gave him an out. She said if he wanted to fold, to not take the dare on the spot, she would give him the divorce he said he wanted. She did, however, move into a different bedroom to "give him space". Not long after the dare, Kaleb was given the all-clear to drive again, giving him a bit more freedom and less dependency on Luna. Exactly two months later to the day, Luna was served divorce papers.
This story had it all. The angst, the drama, the passion, and the heartbreak. The added PTSD, nightmares of war, assault, fear, and flat-out anger towards all who had wronged them along the way. The emotional rollercoaster hit all of the emotions one can handle, and then some. The push/pull between the main characters, while frequent, was done in such a way as to be realistic.
The way the author handled the issue of PTSD and what happens when a soldier returns home changed from the person he/she was before deploying was well done. Knowing each returning soldier has a different level of PTSD, this was done in such a way that it allowed the reader more than a little insight into how a couple struggles to reacclimate when they are reunited.
The two main characters were well-developed and mature, with a ton of room to grow, and oh, how they grew! It was difficult reading their struggles, but when they succeeded, it was a pleasure. This author knew how to write a successful story, and I can't wait to read more by her.
I gave this book a five-star rating, mainly because I loved both Luna and Kaleb's characters. It definitely earned every one of them, and I will not only be adding this book to my Keeper for the Shelves collection online, but I will also be purchasing one that I can have on hand to read whenever I want to. Oh, and there was a surprise awaiting the readers in the second epilogue, so be sure to find out what it was!! :)
December 10, 2023
This is an epic love story that will take you on an emotional rollercoaster – my heart bleed for Kaleb and Luna, as much as I smiled at their antics, I was also brought to tears. Natalie crafted a wonderful love story about a couple who fell in love as kids and the evolution of their relationship over the years – how they grew up while overcoming difficult childhoods, distance, trauma, and learning to communicate and be there for each other. It is beautifully written, and you can feel the emotion on every page – Kaleb and Luna are true soulmates with white hot chemistry, and they love hard. I really enjoyed the way these characters developed throughout the book…seeing their growth, especially Kaleb’s as he dealt with his issues. This was a hard-fought HEA and there were moments when I wasn’t sure they would get there, but that just made the eventual HEA so much sweeter. If you enjoy reading angsty books that will have your emotions, see-sawing all over the place until you get to the heartfelt HEA then this is definitely the book for you. I guarantee you will fall in love with Kaleb and Luna. A must TBR. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
November 15, 2023
This book was beyond amazing on so many levels. It’s a book that will definitely stay with me. I felt so many different emotions while reading it and at times my heart sank for Luna and Kaleb. Wounded military men is one of my favorite tropes, and having the mc’s have such an intense and beautiful relationship made it so much better. I loved seeing their relationship blossom and grow over the years and them go from childhood friends to lovers. But the tragedy and darkness that they have to endure is heartbreaking and will bring tears to your eyes. Their journey is happy, sad, angsty, gut wrenching, heartbreaking and beautiful.
I can’t say enough how much I loved this story and one thing I’m especially thankful for is through all his struggles and downward spiral, Kaleb stayed 100% faithful to Luna, he didn’t cheat and never thought about it.
I can’t say enough how much I loved this story and one thing I’m especially thankful for is through all his struggles and downward spiral, Kaleb stayed 100% faithful to Luna, he didn’t cheat and never thought about it.
November 20, 2023
The first few pages of this book had my heart racing so I knew I was in for a bumpy ride, but what a ride. Luna and Kaleb meet as young kids at summer camp, we follow them through letters written to each other for years while seeing each other at camp each year. We watch them fall in love, separate, come back together, separate again due to the Army, then hit severe bumpy roads. This does have a HEA, full of steam, horrible ex’s, swoons H and a feisty h. I’m a massive Natalie Parker fan and can’t wait for more from some of the secondary characters, fantastic read.
November 17, 2023
ARC Review
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Honestly, I can not rate this book high enough. There was so much thought put into this one. All the fine little details made it so much better. I had so many emotions throughout this book. Some parts made me mad, and in other parts, I was literally in tears, and then there were moments when I did nothing but laugh.
Luna & Kaleb went through so much in such a short period of time. To see them learn & grow not only apart but also together was amazing.
I'm so speechless right now. I feel like I will have a book hangover. I'm not sure if I'll be able to find a book anytime soon that will top this one.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Honestly, I can not rate this book high enough. There was so much thought put into this one. All the fine little details made it so much better. I had so many emotions throughout this book. Some parts made me mad, and in other parts, I was literally in tears, and then there were moments when I did nothing but laugh.
Luna & Kaleb went through so much in such a short period of time. To see them learn & grow not only apart but also together was amazing.
I'm so speechless right now. I feel like I will have a book hangover. I'm not sure if I'll be able to find a book anytime soon that will top this one.
November 14, 2023
This is my first read from this author and it definitely won’t be my last.Tropes include are
💜 childhood friends to lovers
🎖️military
💜small town
🎖️wounded hero
💜touch her n die vibes
🎖️dual pov
This is the story of Kaleb and Luna. This story begins when they are just 10 yrs old and meet at summer camp. They continue meeting every year at camp but in between they write letters like penpals. Years later they meet again. After losing touch for a few years. The story goes on from there.
I read this from cover to cover as this was such a beautiful, well written, emotional story that makes you believe in love. They had such a connection and their chemistry n banter was amazing as well. Thank you to greys promo for allowing me to read in advance.
💜 childhood friends to lovers
🎖️military
💜small town
🎖️wounded hero
💜touch her n die vibes
🎖️dual pov
This is the story of Kaleb and Luna. This story begins when they are just 10 yrs old and meet at summer camp. They continue meeting every year at camp but in between they write letters like penpals. Years later they meet again. After losing touch for a few years. The story goes on from there.
I read this from cover to cover as this was such a beautiful, well written, emotional story that makes you believe in love. They had such a connection and their chemistry n banter was amazing as well. Thank you to greys promo for allowing me to read in advance.
December 7, 2023
Lavender Moon is an incredible emotion ride. Kaleb had a rough start in life. Repeatedly abandoned by his father after the death of his mother, he was raised by his grandfather. They scraped by. When his father was around, he was abusive. The two things Kaleb had were his drawing and his yearly visit to a summer camp where he met Luna.
Luna was Kalebs opposite, or so he thought. The light to his dark. He loved heights she was afraid of them. He thought she had the perfect life, she didn't. As they grow and continue to meet yearly at camp, their relationship grows. They also correspond continuously Luna being open about her life, Kaleb, not so much.
When Kaleb returns from war, the reunite by chance, and the two agree that marriage is inevitable, but the bond between them is tested in so many ways.
This is a beautiful story, though lengthy at times. Sometimes, I don't like when books flashback between past and present, but this author did it well, IMO. The emotion in this story is raw and feels realistic. The chemistry between the main characters was incredible. Overall, this book was phenomenal. I do suggest checking the tw's and cw's as this story will not be for everyone.
ARC was provided by Grey's Promotions, and this is my honest review.
Luna was Kalebs opposite, or so he thought. The light to his dark. He loved heights she was afraid of them. He thought she had the perfect life, she didn't. As they grow and continue to meet yearly at camp, their relationship grows. They also correspond continuously Luna being open about her life, Kaleb, not so much.
When Kaleb returns from war, the reunite by chance, and the two agree that marriage is inevitable, but the bond between them is tested in so many ways.
This is a beautiful story, though lengthy at times. Sometimes, I don't like when books flashback between past and present, but this author did it well, IMO. The emotion in this story is raw and feels realistic. The chemistry between the main characters was incredible. Overall, this book was phenomenal. I do suggest checking the tw's and cw's as this story will not be for everyone.
ARC was provided by Grey's Promotions, and this is my honest review.
December 2, 2023
You can find this review and all my others over at Read Book. Repeat
I received a complimentary copy of this book and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Kaleb was always seen as the bad boy, he never had any friends really, he was always on his own. That is, until he met Luna at the age of 10 at summer camp. Every year they would reunite at camp, the time in between spent writing letters to one another and counting the days until they would see each other again. Now, Kaleb and Luna have grown up. Kaleb is a soldier about to head to war; Luna, an art student recovering from an abusive relationship. A chance meeting brings them back together once more for a whirlwind romance weeks before Kaleb leaves. Rushing into marriage in a bid to protect them both, they once again count down the days until Kaleb returns. In that time, they are both forced to face their own demons alone, and when Kaleb returns a different man, Luna is the one that must go to war. For him, for her and for their marriage. Will love be enough to pull them through? Or will this be the time that they say goodbye forever?
This was my first ever military romance read, and I can assure you, if they're all as brilliant as this one, it definitely won't be my last. When I read the blurb for it, something about it just pulled me in and I had to sign up to the ARC list for it. This was also my first read from this author, again, it will not be my last. It was such a well-rounded story that was a lot deeper than I was anticipating and hit a hell of a lot closer to home than what I was expecting.
The story itself was incredibly engaging and I struggled to put it down. If I didn't have to function as an adult and didn't have adult responsibilities, I wouldn't have put it down for anything. It's a character driven story and getting to know Luna and Kaleb as they grew up was wonderful. I feel like it gave me a deeper understanding of who they were and really endeared them to me. I thought their young love was absolutely adorable and I loved how Luna wasn't afraid to tell everyone that she and Kaleb were friends. I had initially thought that the story would be mostly Kaleb focused, with him going off to serve for a year and then coming back changed, and yes, we did get to see a lot of that. But there was a good portion of the story also dedicated to Luna and what she'd been through. This is the part of the story that really hit close to home for me, and not in a bad way either. Moreso in an enlightening way. I've had experience with narcissistic abuse from someone that I trusted with everything that I am, and while mine was not overt like Luna's was, I feel like this story made me feel seen. When Luna is speaking about the concerns that her grandmother had with the relationship in the beginning, it so very much mirrored my own experiences. Not entirely, but a lot of it. I was already aware of what I had been through, and I've educated myself a lot about it since, but this just gave me.... I'm not even sure what to call it, a sense of validation in a way? Validating what I'd been through and the behaviours that I'd seen and experienced from this person. And it also gave me an insight into how differently my situation could have been if certain things were different. My situation was a relatively clean break, and I know how lucky I am with that. This story did make me realise that if one of my family members was not living in the same town as me, that maybe my situation could have turned out a lot worse. I did initially experience the person calling me on a private number, but they were also trying to avoid me because of this family member's presence. I feel like this story also validated my initial anxieties and fears when I went no contact with this person. I felt really silly initially, but this story made me realise that my feelings and fears were incredibly valid and that there was a possibility that the person I'd gone no contact with could have done the things that I was worried about. I'm just very lucky for the support system that I have around me and very lucky for how protected I am. This part of Luna's story did make tiny tendrils of my anxiety rise up, but not in a bad way, I feel like being able to connect so strongly with Luna's situation is just one of the many aspects of this story that has made it one of my top reads for the year. And I feel like this story may have helped me on my healing journey, even if just a tiny bit. It showed me that there is hope, and that if someone really wants to try, they will, regardless of the challenges, regardless of the obstacles, if they really want to try, they will. This story also really illustrated the importance of healing, and not healing for someone else, but healing for yourself. Being stuck in the anger, the hurt, the betrayal isn't good. Of course you are allowed to feel all of these things and more, they're all a part of the journey and your emotions and feelings are valid. It's important to remember that you deserve more than to be stuck in these stages, you deserve more than to allow the person responsible for them to take anymore of your time and energy through these stages. You deserve to heal, to grow, to learn and to experience your life to the fullest through happiness and joy and love. And healing for you, that's how you do that. This story shows us this through two different yet interconnected journeys, showing that it doesn't matter what your trauma is, you can heal, there are ways to help you to do it, to help you on that journey, you just have to be willing to find them.
The characters, I feel like I don't have enough words to describe my love for them. Kaleb was such a wounded man, even before he went to war. He had experienced so much awfulness in his young life, yet he kept trying to put on a brave face and not let it ruin the good times. His story really illustrates the importance of healing too, it's fine to push through and keep going and not let these events and people bring you to your knees but pushing it down and not dealing with it is not healthy. And we see this as the story progresses, how his insecurities and fears really affected and disrupted his and Luna's marriage when he returned home changed. Getting to see Kaleb's character development throughout the entire story was honestly breathtaking. I love how strong and tenacious Luna is. She will fight until the ends of the earth for what she believes in and she tries her hardest not to let her trauma impact her life and her marriage while she's trying to be the white knight for Kaleb. She's so afraid of being hurt again that she doesn't give Kaleb a chance to explain the reason behind a certain event that takes place, and while that frustrated me, I could also understand it. I could see so much of myself in Luna.
All in all, this was an absolutely stunning story about trauma, healing, love, heartbreak and trust. it really showed the importance of healing, of allowing yourself to be vulnerable at times, and admitting when you need help and support. It's a story of hope, one that shows us a glimpse of the trials and tribulations of life. How even though we may feel that something has the power to break us, to shatter us into a million pieces that we couldn't even hope to put back together the same again, there is always a way. It's not easy, and it takes a lot, and it may take a while, but you will find yourself again. You may not be the same person that you were beforehand, but you will find yourself again, and I like to think that you don't need to be the same as you were before to be better than you were before. This is a story that really made me feel seen, and I appreciate it so much because I honestly feel like it has helped me heal that little bit more.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Kaleb was always seen as the bad boy, he never had any friends really, he was always on his own. That is, until he met Luna at the age of 10 at summer camp. Every year they would reunite at camp, the time in between spent writing letters to one another and counting the days until they would see each other again. Now, Kaleb and Luna have grown up. Kaleb is a soldier about to head to war; Luna, an art student recovering from an abusive relationship. A chance meeting brings them back together once more for a whirlwind romance weeks before Kaleb leaves. Rushing into marriage in a bid to protect them both, they once again count down the days until Kaleb returns. In that time, they are both forced to face their own demons alone, and when Kaleb returns a different man, Luna is the one that must go to war. For him, for her and for their marriage. Will love be enough to pull them through? Or will this be the time that they say goodbye forever?
This was my first ever military romance read, and I can assure you, if they're all as brilliant as this one, it definitely won't be my last. When I read the blurb for it, something about it just pulled me in and I had to sign up to the ARC list for it. This was also my first read from this author, again, it will not be my last. It was such a well-rounded story that was a lot deeper than I was anticipating and hit a hell of a lot closer to home than what I was expecting.
The story itself was incredibly engaging and I struggled to put it down. If I didn't have to function as an adult and didn't have adult responsibilities, I wouldn't have put it down for anything. It's a character driven story and getting to know Luna and Kaleb as they grew up was wonderful. I feel like it gave me a deeper understanding of who they were and really endeared them to me. I thought their young love was absolutely adorable and I loved how Luna wasn't afraid to tell everyone that she and Kaleb were friends. I had initially thought that the story would be mostly Kaleb focused, with him going off to serve for a year and then coming back changed, and yes, we did get to see a lot of that. But there was a good portion of the story also dedicated to Luna and what she'd been through. This is the part of the story that really hit close to home for me, and not in a bad way either. Moreso in an enlightening way. I've had experience with narcissistic abuse from someone that I trusted with everything that I am, and while mine was not overt like Luna's was, I feel like this story made me feel seen. When Luna is speaking about the concerns that her grandmother had with the relationship in the beginning, it so very much mirrored my own experiences. Not entirely, but a lot of it. I was already aware of what I had been through, and I've educated myself a lot about it since, but this just gave me.... I'm not even sure what to call it, a sense of validation in a way? Validating what I'd been through and the behaviours that I'd seen and experienced from this person. And it also gave me an insight into how differently my situation could have been if certain things were different. My situation was a relatively clean break, and I know how lucky I am with that. This story did make me realise that if one of my family members was not living in the same town as me, that maybe my situation could have turned out a lot worse. I did initially experience the person calling me on a private number, but they were also trying to avoid me because of this family member's presence. I feel like this story also validated my initial anxieties and fears when I went no contact with this person. I felt really silly initially, but this story made me realise that my feelings and fears were incredibly valid and that there was a possibility that the person I'd gone no contact with could have done the things that I was worried about. I'm just very lucky for the support system that I have around me and very lucky for how protected I am. This part of Luna's story did make tiny tendrils of my anxiety rise up, but not in a bad way, I feel like being able to connect so strongly with Luna's situation is just one of the many aspects of this story that has made it one of my top reads for the year. And I feel like this story may have helped me on my healing journey, even if just a tiny bit. It showed me that there is hope, and that if someone really wants to try, they will, regardless of the challenges, regardless of the obstacles, if they really want to try, they will. This story also really illustrated the importance of healing, and not healing for someone else, but healing for yourself. Being stuck in the anger, the hurt, the betrayal isn't good. Of course you are allowed to feel all of these things and more, they're all a part of the journey and your emotions and feelings are valid. It's important to remember that you deserve more than to be stuck in these stages, you deserve more than to allow the person responsible for them to take anymore of your time and energy through these stages. You deserve to heal, to grow, to learn and to experience your life to the fullest through happiness and joy and love. And healing for you, that's how you do that. This story shows us this through two different yet interconnected journeys, showing that it doesn't matter what your trauma is, you can heal, there are ways to help you to do it, to help you on that journey, you just have to be willing to find them.
The characters, I feel like I don't have enough words to describe my love for them. Kaleb was such a wounded man, even before he went to war. He had experienced so much awfulness in his young life, yet he kept trying to put on a brave face and not let it ruin the good times. His story really illustrates the importance of healing too, it's fine to push through and keep going and not let these events and people bring you to your knees but pushing it down and not dealing with it is not healthy. And we see this as the story progresses, how his insecurities and fears really affected and disrupted his and Luna's marriage when he returned home changed. Getting to see Kaleb's character development throughout the entire story was honestly breathtaking. I love how strong and tenacious Luna is. She will fight until the ends of the earth for what she believes in and she tries her hardest not to let her trauma impact her life and her marriage while she's trying to be the white knight for Kaleb. She's so afraid of being hurt again that she doesn't give Kaleb a chance to explain the reason behind a certain event that takes place, and while that frustrated me, I could also understand it. I could see so much of myself in Luna.
All in all, this was an absolutely stunning story about trauma, healing, love, heartbreak and trust. it really showed the importance of healing, of allowing yourself to be vulnerable at times, and admitting when you need help and support. It's a story of hope, one that shows us a glimpse of the trials and tribulations of life. How even though we may feel that something has the power to break us, to shatter us into a million pieces that we couldn't even hope to put back together the same again, there is always a way. It's not easy, and it takes a lot, and it may take a while, but you will find yourself again. You may not be the same person that you were beforehand, but you will find yourself again, and I like to think that you don't need to be the same as you were before to be better than you were before. This is a story that really made me feel seen, and I appreciate it so much because I honestly feel like it has helped me heal that little bit more.
November 18, 2023
Lavender Moon is the story of Kaleb and Luna. It was a beautiful and emotional story of two childhood summer friends losing touch and finding each other again.
They meet when they are 10. Kaleb is the loner kid with no friends and Luna is the seemingly happy girl who wants to be his friend. Through the years their friendship consisted of writing letters and seeing each other at summer camp. Truth or Dare becomes the thing that brings them together till it wasn’t. After years of not seeing each other they meet again.
When they meet again Kaleb is going off to serve his country in the army. So him and Luna make the most of the two weeks they have till he leaves. Including getting married.
These two really were everything each of them needed. The detail in what both characters go through while Kaleb is off fighting for his country was beautiful and painful but very real. When Kaleb comes home he isn’t the same man he was before. The journey to fight and keep each other in their lives was tough. But nothing worth fighting for is easy.
There are subjects and triggers in this book. Including ptsd and depression. It’s not overly steamy but the scenes that there was steam were top notch. It was the story that will
Make you enjoy this book
They meet when they are 10. Kaleb is the loner kid with no friends and Luna is the seemingly happy girl who wants to be his friend. Through the years their friendship consisted of writing letters and seeing each other at summer camp. Truth or Dare becomes the thing that brings them together till it wasn’t. After years of not seeing each other they meet again.
When they meet again Kaleb is going off to serve his country in the army. So him and Luna make the most of the two weeks they have till he leaves. Including getting married.
These two really were everything each of them needed. The detail in what both characters go through while Kaleb is off fighting for his country was beautiful and painful but very real. When Kaleb comes home he isn’t the same man he was before. The journey to fight and keep each other in their lives was tough. But nothing worth fighting for is easy.
There are subjects and triggers in this book. Including ptsd and depression. It’s not overly steamy but the scenes that there was steam were top notch. It was the story that will
Make you enjoy this book
November 13, 2023
Oh my goodness. This book was everything i didn't know i needed. This is 100% a must friggin read so run go download, preorder, dive in 😍❤️
It's no secret i am a sucker for friends to lover style books but the way this book is executed effortlessly. I love the flash back to present day vibes it really builds on their connection and characters!! Luna & Kaleb are drawn together from a young age and it feels natural. Their chemistry is raw and real. connection, understanding and friendship to lovers is gorgeous.
Holyguacamole there is some heartache and some really emotional scene's that reduced me to actual tears! Natalie has a way to rip your heart out for sure.
I love the cross over and how Natalie stills incorporates the Turn it Up boys 😍.
This journey is absolutely beautiful and i devoured in a day!!
It's no secret i am a sucker for friends to lover style books but the way this book is executed effortlessly. I love the flash back to present day vibes it really builds on their connection and characters!! Luna & Kaleb are drawn together from a young age and it feels natural. Their chemistry is raw and real. connection, understanding and friendship to lovers is gorgeous.
Holyguacamole there is some heartache and some really emotional scene's that reduced me to actual tears! Natalie has a way to rip your heart out for sure.
I love the cross over and how Natalie stills incorporates the Turn it Up boys 😍.
This journey is absolutely beautiful and i devoured in a day!!
November 28, 2023
There's nothing I love more in romance than authentic angst, and this baby is chock-full of it! This talented wordsmith is new to me, and I’m so grateful to the book friend who introduced me to Parker's work. I’m a fan for life and can’t wait to work my way through her back catalog as well as see what epic romance she gives us next.
Kaleb and Luna's story starts out so amazingly sweet. They meet as adolescents at summer camp and something clicks into place for them both. They may live in different cities and seem opposite in personality, but it just works for them. Over the years they maintain contact and spend a couple weeks together each summer at camp, and their friendship grows into more.
Shortly before Kaleb enlists in the military, he and Luna get married. No, they won’t be together right away, but she'll be his person and someone to come home to. Except the man who returns from the military is very different than the boy Luna married, yet she's determined to fight Kaleb's demons right alongside him.
Oh my heart y'all, if only every romance could be as good as this one!! I loved Luna and Kaleb so much and felt every bit of the pain, desperation and heartbreak on their road to forever. The challenges seemed insurmountable, but determination, tenacity, and, most of all, love saw them through. I cheered them on every step of the way and adored watching them turn adversity and ruin into growth and healing, becoming stronger together than they ever would have been otherwise.
A triumphant story of sweet, innocent love tested and shaped by life's circumstances that ultimately overcomes, this is everything you’re looking for in an extraordinary romance read. Heartfelt, humorous, tender and steamy, you definitely won’t want to miss this phenomenal, unforgettable love story!
Kaleb and Luna's story starts out so amazingly sweet. They meet as adolescents at summer camp and something clicks into place for them both. They may live in different cities and seem opposite in personality, but it just works for them. Over the years they maintain contact and spend a couple weeks together each summer at camp, and their friendship grows into more.
Shortly before Kaleb enlists in the military, he and Luna get married. No, they won’t be together right away, but she'll be his person and someone to come home to. Except the man who returns from the military is very different than the boy Luna married, yet she's determined to fight Kaleb's demons right alongside him.
Oh my heart y'all, if only every romance could be as good as this one!! I loved Luna and Kaleb so much and felt every bit of the pain, desperation and heartbreak on their road to forever. The challenges seemed insurmountable, but determination, tenacity, and, most of all, love saw them through. I cheered them on every step of the way and adored watching them turn adversity and ruin into growth and healing, becoming stronger together than they ever would have been otherwise.
A triumphant story of sweet, innocent love tested and shaped by life's circumstances that ultimately overcomes, this is everything you’re looking for in an extraordinary romance read. Heartfelt, humorous, tender and steamy, you definitely won’t want to miss this phenomenal, unforgettable love story!
January 22, 2024
Quick Summary: A deeply moving life story, love story
My Review: Lavender Moon by Natalie Parker is one of the most intense reads I've come across in some time. It completely shattered me. It is listed as a general fiction romance.
About the Book: Childhood friends cycle through the ups and downs of life and love together and apart.
About Kaleb and Luna's Journey: (Coded so as to avoid spoilers): A connection is made. Truth or dare takes shape. Grand reunions become a priority. Love is found. Love is cherished. Love is betrayed. Hurts and tragedies interrupt the flow. Hearts cry out. Love nirvana is the objective.
My Favorite Line: "I want you to know that you have a family with us..."
My Final Say: This was such an outstanding story. It was tragic and beautiful and real. My heart was full to overflowing with understanding. I've worked with veterans who lived like this. I've heard their stories, and they are heartbreaking. Sadly, I also know the stories of those who have been harassed and brutalized. Every uncovered aspect of Kaleb's life and experiences, as well as Luna's life and experiences was written with such depth. The overall character emotionality communicated in this novel was pretty darn powerful.
From My Heart: Thank you for telling this story. It needed to be told. There's a trueness to the writing that conveys so much.
Other: This book has several triggers. A thorough review of all of the author/publisher notes should be done before reading this novel.
Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Cover: 5/5
Triggers: 🚨
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Heartfelt appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher, and to NetGalley. Thank you for granting access to this title in exchange for an honest review. I cannot express how grateful I am to have had the opportunity. I look forward to reading more from this writer.
My Review: Lavender Moon by Natalie Parker is one of the most intense reads I've come across in some time. It completely shattered me. It is listed as a general fiction romance.
About the Book: Childhood friends cycle through the ups and downs of life and love together and apart.
About Kaleb and Luna's Journey: (Coded so as to avoid spoilers): A connection is made. Truth or dare takes shape. Grand reunions become a priority. Love is found. Love is cherished. Love is betrayed. Hurts and tragedies interrupt the flow. Hearts cry out. Love nirvana is the objective.
My Favorite Line: "I want you to know that you have a family with us..."
My Final Say: This was such an outstanding story. It was tragic and beautiful and real. My heart was full to overflowing with understanding. I've worked with veterans who lived like this. I've heard their stories, and they are heartbreaking. Sadly, I also know the stories of those who have been harassed and brutalized. Every uncovered aspect of Kaleb's life and experiences, as well as Luna's life and experiences was written with such depth. The overall character emotionality communicated in this novel was pretty darn powerful.
From My Heart: Thank you for telling this story. It needed to be told. There's a trueness to the writing that conveys so much.
Other: This book has several triggers. A thorough review of all of the author/publisher notes should be done before reading this novel.
Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Cover: 5/5
Triggers: 🚨
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Heartfelt appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher, and to NetGalley. Thank you for granting access to this title in exchange for an honest review. I cannot express how grateful I am to have had the opportunity. I look forward to reading more from this writer.
December 1, 2023
This book was so hard for me to read. It wasn't because I didn't enjoy the characters. I absolutely loved Kaleb and Luna. I've honestly loved Luna since she colored pictures with Melanie in Where You Are. So seeing her grown and falling in love made my heart happy. Kaleb was such a perfect match for her. Luna became the person Kaleb needed and vise versa. Seeing these two struggle was no fun. But unfortunately that is the way of any relationship, especially such a young relationship. They had to go through their struggles just to make it out in the end. It was the war ravaged PTSD that was hard for me. It's not easy going through it in real life. So reading about it brought up past experiences and struggles.
My heart absolutely broke for Luna and what she went through with her ex. I would never wish that on anyone. And even though she through she was doing the right thing I wish she had told Kaleb sooner than later. She might have thought telling him would have made being gone worse for him. But not telling him not only ate at her but also affected the outcome of everything that was to come.
Did Kaleb anger me? Multiple times. Did I give him some leeway? Yes and no. His anger, pain and fear did a lot of talking for him. That I wasn't mad about. It was his stubbornness to not try that really made me mad. It's like he just gave up and used his anger to express that. Well anger and pain medication. These two suffered so much.. not only in a short time. But for years. They were pen pals, camp buddies, best friends, lovers and then each others forever. The road to that forever wasn't easy. But it made the future better and brighter. They grew and became stronger for each other and with each other. This was a beautiful love strong ❤.
*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book for my honest and unbiased review*
My heart absolutely broke for Luna and what she went through with her ex. I would never wish that on anyone. And even though she through she was doing the right thing I wish she had told Kaleb sooner than later. She might have thought telling him would have made being gone worse for him. But not telling him not only ate at her but also affected the outcome of everything that was to come.
Did Kaleb anger me? Multiple times. Did I give him some leeway? Yes and no. His anger, pain and fear did a lot of talking for him. That I wasn't mad about. It was his stubbornness to not try that really made me mad. It's like he just gave up and used his anger to express that. Well anger and pain medication. These two suffered so much.. not only in a short time. But for years. They were pen pals, camp buddies, best friends, lovers and then each others forever. The road to that forever wasn't easy. But it made the future better and brighter. They grew and became stronger for each other and with each other. This was a beautiful love strong ❤.
*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book for my honest and unbiased review*
November 24, 2023
Wow.. this book was not what I was expecting, and that’s not a bad thing.
I hadn’t read this author before, I hadn’t even actually heard of this author before, but when I read the blurb to the book and saw the cover, I knew I had to grab it. I was intrigued and oh my god, this book took me on a roller coaster ride of emotions!
My heart hurt so much for Luna and Kaleb.
They didn’t have it easy at all. This book is a love story about a couple that grew up together, fell in love as children and their love only grew as they got older. It showed us how it grew while dealing with and overcoming some extremely difficult times. There were times when I thought they wouldn’t make it through the hard times but love prevailed even though they struggled at times, the love remained and they were there for each other through everything.
As they got old, these feelings they had for each other just intensified and the chemistry between the two of them was intense, to say the least! This love story was EPIC! In every single way possible. These two were just so perfect for each other, they were the definition of soulmates and it was made known from the very beginning of the book. This book pulled on my heartstrings, one minute I was laughing, and the next I had tears in my eyes!
It was breathtakingly beautiful, heartwarming yet emotional all at the same. The character's development as the book progressed as a couple and as individuals was well written and easy to read and I was completely lost in these two and their love story!
5 STARS!!
I hadn’t read this author before, I hadn’t even actually heard of this author before, but when I read the blurb to the book and saw the cover, I knew I had to grab it. I was intrigued and oh my god, this book took me on a roller coaster ride of emotions!
My heart hurt so much for Luna and Kaleb.
They didn’t have it easy at all. This book is a love story about a couple that grew up together, fell in love as children and their love only grew as they got older. It showed us how it grew while dealing with and overcoming some extremely difficult times. There were times when I thought they wouldn’t make it through the hard times but love prevailed even though they struggled at times, the love remained and they were there for each other through everything.
As they got old, these feelings they had for each other just intensified and the chemistry between the two of them was intense, to say the least! This love story was EPIC! In every single way possible. These two were just so perfect for each other, they were the definition of soulmates and it was made known from the very beginning of the book. This book pulled on my heartstrings, one minute I was laughing, and the next I had tears in my eyes!
It was breathtakingly beautiful, heartwarming yet emotional all at the same. The character's development as the book progressed as a couple and as individuals was well written and easy to read and I was completely lost in these two and their love story!
5 STARS!!
September 12, 2025
Relyn Rating: 3.5 stars
I always love childhood love love stories. This one was sweet.
I love rom-coms, romance novels, and love stories. So I read a lot of them. This is great fun for me, but it means that my personal "market" is oversaturated. It will take a truly great romance to get more than three stars. In case you are interested:
Relyn's personal rom-com & romance novel rating system
5 stars - This book is excellent. It stands out from the hundreds of other love stories I've read, and I loved it.
4 stars - Oh, I really, really liked this one.
3 stars - This was a good, entertaining book. I'm not sorry I read it.
2 stars - Meh - boring, or overdone, or in some other way just not a good fit for me
1 star - This one stunk.
I always love childhood love love stories. This one was sweet.
I love rom-coms, romance novels, and love stories. So I read a lot of them. This is great fun for me, but it means that my personal "market" is oversaturated. It will take a truly great romance to get more than three stars. In case you are interested:
Relyn's personal rom-com & romance novel rating system
5 stars - This book is excellent. It stands out from the hundreds of other love stories I've read, and I loved it.
4 stars - Oh, I really, really liked this one.
3 stars - This was a good, entertaining book. I'm not sorry I read it.
2 stars - Meh - boring, or overdone, or in some other way just not a good fit for me
1 star - This one stunk.
December 7, 2023
I will admit, as a military wife, this is a somewhat biased review. I adored this book so much. The depiction of how a soldier’s PTSD can affect the significant other was so, so well done and really hit home for me. I could definitely relate to how well Kaleb and Luna got at hiding their fears from one another and how that weighed on them. I loved how the story focused on how a strong marriage to a combat veteran is constantly showing up and fighting for each other, because it is so true. This was incredible. *I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
November 30, 2023
Everything about this best friend to lovers story is one word... Beautiful.
Luna and Kaleb's epic love story is one for the ages. It spans all the way back to when a boy meets a girl at summer camp and helps her conquer a fear. She shows him that he is not alone. Through letters and years, between all the highs and lows, these two have to fight with their inner most demons while fighting for their love.
The care that is taken with regards to sensitive subjects in this story... I felt every emotion that they go through. Kaleb's sketches and Luna's paintings are true expressions of their feelings. There’s no words to express how much in love with these two selfless people who give their all for love. And the small cameos... love it! All the stars are earned and deserved for Lavender Moon!
Luna and Kaleb's epic love story is one for the ages. It spans all the way back to when a boy meets a girl at summer camp and helps her conquer a fear. She shows him that he is not alone. Through letters and years, between all the highs and lows, these two have to fight with their inner most demons while fighting for their love.
The care that is taken with regards to sensitive subjects in this story... I felt every emotion that they go through. Kaleb's sketches and Luna's paintings are true expressions of their feelings. There’s no words to express how much in love with these two selfless people who give their all for love. And the small cameos... love it! All the stars are earned and deserved for Lavender Moon!
December 4, 2023
Lavender Moon by Natalie Parker is a small-town military romance, and it was an absolutely beautiful love story! I loved it so much! Kaleb and Luna grabbed hold of my heart from the very beginning and never let go. They were true soul mates, and this is a story I know I'll still be thinking about months or even years from now! If you love epic love stories like I do, this is a must-read! Highly recommended with a million stars!
March 12, 2024
This was a sweet and turbulent romance that had a recklessness that kept me reading. They had a special connection and lots of things to overcome. Well written and nerve-racking. It had all the feels and just what I look for in a weekend reading of romance.
Thanks NetGalley and the author for this eArc.
Thanks NetGalley and the author for this eArc.
December 6, 2023
The prologue scared me but the end was great. Kaleb and Lunas story was heartbreakingly good. I couldn't put it down. It grew over years and only a couple months so much happened. The chemistry was great and it was well written
December 15, 2023
Amazingly Emotional Read!
This author forces me to feel whenever I read one of her books, and this one did not disappoint. This book isn’t just a friends to lovers read. It’s a soul breaking, heart mending, panty melting read! I loved Luna and Kaleb. I loved how they fell in love as kids and that love persevered even when they screwed up royally with one another. I loved how Kaleb was broken by his past but emerged a stronger, better version of himself in the end. I loved even more what a strong resilient woman Luna was, and while she demonstrated such compassion, she didn’t lose herself in her heartbreak! This character were real and relatable, and I wish I could be a part of their world because if they were real, I would want them as friends. If you are looking for a book that is guaranteed to make you feel, grab this one now!!!
This author forces me to feel whenever I read one of her books, and this one did not disappoint. This book isn’t just a friends to lovers read. It’s a soul breaking, heart mending, panty melting read! I loved Luna and Kaleb. I loved how they fell in love as kids and that love persevered even when they screwed up royally with one another. I loved how Kaleb was broken by his past but emerged a stronger, better version of himself in the end. I loved even more what a strong resilient woman Luna was, and while she demonstrated such compassion, she didn’t lose herself in her heartbreak! This character were real and relatable, and I wish I could be a part of their world because if they were real, I would want them as friends. If you are looking for a book that is guaranteed to make you feel, grab this one now!!!
June 6, 2024
If I could give this more than five stars I totally would!!! This was everything I didn't know I needed to get me out of my book slump I've been in for the last few months!!
December 14, 2023
4.5 rounded up!
Wow, what a rollercoaster! In the absolute best way. Kaleb and Luna will make your heart sail and then break it in the next breath. And do it over and over and over again. So many amazing twists and turns for this book. I will prepare you, this book is a ride! Do not think it’s just a sweet love story about soulmates. It’s that and so much more. You will be sucked in and not let go. Dramatic? Yes. But I’m serious, the way it’s written is beautiful.
💕Highlights
-"Take what you want so I can take it all away."
-She was meant to light up the whole world, not just mine, and it would be a crime to waste that light on a broken-down lost cause: a wounded veteran who couldn’t come home to her whole.
-Either way, I’ve learned that life doesn’t have to be perfect to be damn good, and neither does a marriage.
💜Childhood friends to Soulmates
💜Nicknames: Silly Girl & Soilder
💜Military
💜Small Town
💜Touch her and 💀
💜Angst and Drama
💜Spice!
💜Every damn feel you have you will feel multiple times!!!
💜Please take the content warning seriously. Those aren’t just mentioned but major themes. (Done so well! But your mental health matters!)
Wow, what a rollercoaster! In the absolute best way. Kaleb and Luna will make your heart sail and then break it in the next breath. And do it over and over and over again. So many amazing twists and turns for this book. I will prepare you, this book is a ride! Do not think it’s just a sweet love story about soulmates. It’s that and so much more. You will be sucked in and not let go. Dramatic? Yes. But I’m serious, the way it’s written is beautiful.
💕Highlights
-"Take what you want so I can take it all away."
-She was meant to light up the whole world, not just mine, and it would be a crime to waste that light on a broken-down lost cause: a wounded veteran who couldn’t come home to her whole.
-Either way, I’ve learned that life doesn’t have to be perfect to be damn good, and neither does a marriage.
💜Childhood friends to Soulmates
💜Nicknames: Silly Girl & Soilder
💜Military
💜Small Town
💜Touch her and 💀
💜Angst and Drama
💜Spice!
💜Every damn feel you have you will feel multiple times!!!
💜Please take the content warning seriously. Those aren’t just mentioned but major themes. (Done so well! But your mental health matters!)
December 6, 2023
This was such a good book
April 24, 2025
Sweet Military Romance
This book doesn’t reinvent the wheel. It’s a solid military romance that deals with addiction and ptsd. Jumping into marriage was a bit far fetched but I understood the reasoning.
This book doesn’t reinvent the wheel. It’s a solid military romance that deals with addiction and ptsd. Jumping into marriage was a bit far fetched but I understood the reasoning.
December 10, 2023
Phenomenal story of childhood sweethearts
If you want a book to rip you a apart and put you back together again this is the book for you. It was full of emotional trauma, all of the good stuff not to mention all of the smexy and sweet stuff, everything that you would want in a small town, PTSD, military Romance. this book was emotionally draining, amazingly wonderful. whatever you do, if you pick one book to read, this should be it.
If you want a book to rip you a apart and put you back together again this is the book for you. It was full of emotional trauma, all of the good stuff not to mention all of the smexy and sweet stuff, everything that you would want in a small town, PTSD, military Romance. this book was emotionally draining, amazingly wonderful. whatever you do, if you pick one book to read, this should be it.
November 29, 2023
This book is totally Phenomenal...I absolutely loved reading it,even though it tied me up in so many emotional knots.
This is a beautiful love story between Luna and Kaleb that spans through the years...meeting at camp when they were 10 years old to the present day.
We are taken on an emotional journey with this couple as they struggle with their own demons and keeping their friendship alive.
Everyone who knows me will know that I am a crier when it comes to reading heartfelt books, and I was a bit of a mess reading Lavender Moon.The Plethora of emotions I went through as Kaleb and Luna dealt with the obstacles in their relationship both together and apart was both heart wrenching and Joyful.
There are so many memorable scenes in this book that I will never forget, from their first kiss,to Luna's tattoo,Kaleb drawing on Luna's hand,the bathroom scene...and the epic ending I have so much LOVE for this couple and for Natalie Parker's writing.
I was able to relate to both Characters and empathise with what they were both going through..Kaleb and his PTSD and Luna's addiction history it really made me sympathise with them both.
Like I said they meet at camp when they are 10..then become penpals for the rest of the time until they meet every year for camp.
One of those times they cross a line and part on bad terms and misunderstanding and it is years before they meet again.
Seeing one another atain its like no time has passed between them,and they realise that they love eachother and their friendship becomes more and it is the start of something special.But Kaleb is being deployed and so they will be apart for a whole year but within that year both Luna and Kaleb go through trauma.
When Kaleb comes home injured and a shadow of the man he was..things just begin to fall apart.
Luna has also changed she had gone through something awful when Kaleb was away and kept it a secret dealing with the aftemath by herself.
The cracks in their love become deep and they drift but not without fighting Luna never gives up until she is forced to.
Luna is an amazing character she is a beautiful person and is so patient with Kaleb her strength was so admirable,but a heart can only take so much before it has to give in and start protecting itself.
I LOve Kaleb though he is super sexy but has trouble with revealing his feelings,he has a small problem with anger and feels like he is not good enough for Luna now that he is broken.
They both have to find themselves before they can find eachother again,they have to get to know the people they have become and love that person before they can be together again.
The one thing that stands out throughout this story,is the PURE UNCONDITIONAL LOVE they have for eachother...no matter what happened between them they always knew they loved one another.
Natalie Parker has really out done herself with this story..It really made me think and I have alot more respect for the men and woman who fight for our country and the struggles they have when they try to integrate themselves back into society,especially when they have been through trauma while serving.
There should be more help for veterans,we should be protecting our soldiers more and giving them the tools they need to live life after being in the army...and helping their families cope too.
Lavender Moon is one powerful romance,touching and emotional it really did steal my heart away,with some angst and the right amount of steam and sweetness to balance it all out.
Thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining with a few surprises and thought provoking scenes..I LOVED every second reading it.
Bravo Natalie Parker you have yet again written another OUTSTANDING story.
EXCELLENT.
5 Stars.
This is a beautiful love story between Luna and Kaleb that spans through the years...meeting at camp when they were 10 years old to the present day.
We are taken on an emotional journey with this couple as they struggle with their own demons and keeping their friendship alive.
Everyone who knows me will know that I am a crier when it comes to reading heartfelt books, and I was a bit of a mess reading Lavender Moon.The Plethora of emotions I went through as Kaleb and Luna dealt with the obstacles in their relationship both together and apart was both heart wrenching and Joyful.
There are so many memorable scenes in this book that I will never forget, from their first kiss,to Luna's tattoo,Kaleb drawing on Luna's hand,the bathroom scene...and the epic ending I have so much LOVE for this couple and for Natalie Parker's writing.
I was able to relate to both Characters and empathise with what they were both going through..Kaleb and his PTSD and Luna's addiction history it really made me sympathise with them both.
Like I said they meet at camp when they are 10..then become penpals for the rest of the time until they meet every year for camp.
One of those times they cross a line and part on bad terms and misunderstanding and it is years before they meet again.
Seeing one another atain its like no time has passed between them,and they realise that they love eachother and their friendship becomes more and it is the start of something special.But Kaleb is being deployed and so they will be apart for a whole year but within that year both Luna and Kaleb go through trauma.
When Kaleb comes home injured and a shadow of the man he was..things just begin to fall apart.
Luna has also changed she had gone through something awful when Kaleb was away and kept it a secret dealing with the aftemath by herself.
The cracks in their love become deep and they drift but not without fighting Luna never gives up until she is forced to.
Luna is an amazing character she is a beautiful person and is so patient with Kaleb her strength was so admirable,but a heart can only take so much before it has to give in and start protecting itself.
I LOve Kaleb though he is super sexy but has trouble with revealing his feelings,he has a small problem with anger and feels like he is not good enough for Luna now that he is broken.
They both have to find themselves before they can find eachother again,they have to get to know the people they have become and love that person before they can be together again.
The one thing that stands out throughout this story,is the PURE UNCONDITIONAL LOVE they have for eachother...no matter what happened between them they always knew they loved one another.
Natalie Parker has really out done herself with this story..It really made me think and I have alot more respect for the men and woman who fight for our country and the struggles they have when they try to integrate themselves back into society,especially when they have been through trauma while serving.
There should be more help for veterans,we should be protecting our soldiers more and giving them the tools they need to live life after being in the army...and helping their families cope too.
Lavender Moon is one powerful romance,touching and emotional it really did steal my heart away,with some angst and the right amount of steam and sweetness to balance it all out.
Thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining with a few surprises and thought provoking scenes..I LOVED every second reading it.
Bravo Natalie Parker you have yet again written another OUTSTANDING story.
EXCELLENT.
5 Stars.
December 16, 2023
Arc review 🥰
This is a beautiful book that begins with showing the couple from their childhood years, before they were ever together. The start was hooking and their chemistry strong. The author tackled some difficult subjects nicely (addiction, PTSD). It's overall a nice book many will love. However, i feel like the author could have gone deeper into the characters minds and thoughts so their actions are better understood and their chemistry left more intensely throughout the story.
I can't deny there were many truly beautiful scenes in the book.
This is a beautiful book that begins with showing the couple from their childhood years, before they were ever together. The start was hooking and their chemistry strong. The author tackled some difficult subjects nicely (addiction, PTSD). It's overall a nice book many will love. However, i feel like the author could have gone deeper into the characters minds and thoughts so their actions are better understood and their chemistry left more intensely throughout the story.
I can't deny there were many truly beautiful scenes in the book.
December 13, 2023
This is beyond fantastic.
Luna is one mighty heroine: has a spine and stands up for what she thinks and feels, but retains her kindness.
This book had me swooning and sobbing, and has entered my regular reread list. Pick up a copy and I bet it will enter yours, too.
Luna is one mighty heroine: has a spine and stands up for what she thinks and feels, but retains her kindness.
This book had me swooning and sobbing, and has entered my regular reread list. Pick up a copy and I bet it will enter yours, too.
February 20, 2025
Put me to sleep a couple of times! Very long, pretty boring, and is mainly told in flashbacks. So you get all about them from age 10 onwards but it’s too much especially when 40% in and it still hasn’t gotten to present day! Skip - life is too short to read boring books. DNF
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