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A Simple Love Story #1

Simplicity: A Simple Love Story, Book 1

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Wealthy Lanna Davenport has the perfect life, and she hates it. She’s never fit into the mold of upper class “princess". She would rather spend her life painting than let her overbearing mother parade her around for the eligible bachelors of her social circle, even if those suitors include Adam Munroe, the son of California’s most famous art dealer.

When a handsome new gardener Luke turns up and shows her there’s more to art than putting color on canvas, Lanna eagerly starts to explore a world outside of what she’s been allowed to know. But the surprisingly down-to-earth Adam makes it easy to be part of her own world and still be her unconventional self.

As she grows closer to Adam, but tempted by the freedom Luke can offer, Lanna is faced with the first choice she’s ever made for Does she stay true to herself in the life she’s known, or does she paint beyond the canvas of her past and leave it all behind?

Simplicity is a story of life, love, and finding happiness in an increasingly complex world.

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Published May 20, 2020

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Dana LeCheminant

40 books384 followers

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5 stars
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28 (30%)
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20 (21%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
Profile Image for Marilee .
1,451 reviews231 followers
July 17, 2020
Wow. Just, wow. I picked up this book thinking it would be another sweet contemporary romance with a love triangle. Well, it was that but it was so much more. It was raw. It was emotional. It was poetic. I was intrigued after the first chapter, but by chapter four, I was hooked.

Lanna Davenport lives a sheltered high society life and is rarely allowed to choose anything for herself. Her one medium of expression is her painting. She meets both Luke and Adam on the same day and is captivated by both men for different reasons, and she is about to discover that life, and love, can be anything but simple.

This beautiful novel is Lanna's journey to discover who she is, what (and who) she wants in life, and how to live with greater simplicity.

I am still in a book coma because this book gave me all the feels and I am still reflecting on it. A glowing 5 stars!
Profile Image for Cathy.
1,936 reviews69 followers
July 17, 2020
I really enjoyed this book by a new to me author, Dana LeCheminant. It’s billed as a simple love story. And it was…but there was a lot going on in this book.

Lanna is a complex character. She’s a young woman whose mother thinks she needs to parade her in front of all of society to get her married. But Lanna would far rather paint in the barn and get paint in her hair than get dressed up and wear make up. I really liked Lanna. She was down to earth, even though her world wasn’t. And she wasn’t sure what she wanted out of life.

Lanna had two men in her life. There’s Luke and Adam. Luke is one of the gardeners at her home. He finds her painting. I think that he was kind of the “forbidden man.” Lanna knows there’s no way her mother would approve. So she kind of flirts, has fun, sneaks out. I really liked Luke for Lanna. It was kind of sad when she had to hide who he was from her mother.

Then there’s Adam. This is the man her mom wants Lanna to go after. It doesn’t hurt that Lanna likes Adam and he likes her.

I really liked the way this book helped me remember how I felt during those adult teen times. The author did a really great job with plot and characters. It’s always fun to see things through multiple view points, but this plot probably worked better with just Lanna’s.

I can’t wait for more by this author! She did a great job with this one.

I was sent an e-copy of Simplicity as a gift from the author. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Morgan Giesbrecht.
Author 2 books180 followers
Read
November 26, 2024
Readers, beware! This is not a rom-com. I wasn’t expecting to need tissues! 😭

In all seriousness, Dana is a rom-com queen. This however is a sweet romance with very high emotional stakes (I was woefully unprepared, haha). It has a love triangle which pains my soul, cuz I always root for the wrong guy. And I wasn’t expecting that ending.

Is the story cute? Yes. Just… you might cry.
Profile Image for Mara.
1,462 reviews110 followers
July 27, 2020
"Perfection is essential. If you're not perfect, Lanna, you're coming up short." Lanna's mother's words repeat over and over in her head. Lanna comes from a wealthy family where much is expected of her by her mother, so her life is not entirely her own. Lanna wants to paint, to be an artist, not dress up in expensive clothes with perfect hair and flawless makeup and be paraded to be seen by the eligible sons of other wealthy families.

Soon Lanna has two men getting her attention. Two men who couldn't be more different. There's Luke, a gardener who works part-time on their estate. He helps her find her soul when she paints. He's someone she could never be with unless she left her family, but when she's with Luke she's just Lanna.

Then there's Adam Munroe, the son of California’s most famous art dealer Gilroy Munroe, who's a new client of Lanna's father. According to Lanna's mother, Adam could be her last chance. To her surprise, Adam is nicer than Lanna thought he'd be and he made social events bearable.

I don't like love triangles, but this is more a story of a young woman who at 25 years of age, hasn't been able to make her own life choices and is trying to figure out what she truly wants. As I was reading I wasn't sure who I wanted Lanna to choose and was shocked and saddened by an unexpected event in the story.

Lanna's mother reminded me of the Regency mothers parading their daughters at all the social events, but cutting them down by pointing out all their "flaws" in private. I was happy and relieved to see a different side of her towards the end of the book, but it took a life-changing event to get her there. On the other hand, I really liked Lanna's brother who has recently returned after being gone for many years--I loved how he cared for his sister.

This is my first book by this author and I'm happy she asked me to read her book. I look forward to reading other books by her. I received a complimentary copy from the author. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Profile Image for Anna (The_Reading_Pantry).
366 reviews59 followers
May 9, 2021
I really enjoyed the clean romance in this book! It was exciting to delve into the world of a wealthy modern “princess” who learns to make decisions on her own.

There were a couple things that bothered me, but it was still enjoyable! I definitely enjoyed the reference to artists and the emotion behind painting. It helped me connect to the main character more.

You know it’s a good book when you are still thinking about the characters days after you read it. I was sad about the ending, but that isn’t going to stop me from buying the sequel.
383 reviews14 followers
September 9, 2022
surprisingly good even though I hate this trope.

First up - I HATE love triangles. HATE them. And I especially hate them when they're resolved by one of the parties leaving/being killed off in a flash at the end (Hunger Games, anyone?). And then, spoiled rich girl complaining about her perfect life? Sorry, it's just SO hard to relate. But this was a surprisingly good despite all that, which is why it's retaining 4 stars. I would actually say it's impressive because I can't remember a time I awarded 4 stars to a book where I was so against much of its premise.
Profile Image for Natasha.
300 reviews2 followers
July 25, 2024
Meh. Distracting enough to finish. A little cheesy. Definitely set up as a series but doubt I’ll continue.
16 reviews
June 11, 2020
Who Does She Choose?
Lanna had the perfect life and she hates it. Her mother is always pushing her to find a rich husband. She meets Adam, a rich heir, and Luke, who works with the gardener at her parents home. She enjoys herself with both, but she must choose who she feels the best for her. Who does she go with, Adam, who her mother wants her to be with, or Luke, who makes her feel freedom? I highly recommend this book, it has joyous times and sad times for Lanna. I received this book for free and I definitely want to give my honest opinion. I look forward to reading more books by this author.
Profile Image for Ashley Weston.
58 reviews5 followers
January 28, 2020
“Lanna, I wanted to thank you.” “Thank me? I mumbled. “For what?” “For being exactly what I need. The world is a whole lot easier to deal with knowing you’re in it.”
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Swoon! This was such a great and entertaining read! I loved all the characters, and I loved the meaning behind it. The entire time, I was caught between who I was rooting for, when the love triangle became more complicated. At one point I wanted to throw my kindle! But that’s what I LOVE about reading! I love when the author can take you through so many emotions. To me, that’s what makes a great book. Ones that make you FEEL. I loved this story and can’t wait to read more! -
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Simplicity but Dana LeCheminant is a sweet love story between a girl who was raised manipulated and told what to do, living in the life of the rich, and ultimately having no decisions for her own. Caught in between falling for a man of her caliber, according to her mom, and a man who sees her completely, she is torn between love and understanding what that looks and feels like! I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and it will not be a last of hers!
224 reviews
March 26, 2020
Simplicity claims to be a simple love story but it is anything but. As the "Davenport princess," wealthy Lanna has tried to be everything her mother wants her to be. Losing her two brothers, one to death and one to who knows where, made her life ever more lonely. Her only relief is her art. Even that becomes an unknown as the dashing gardener, Luke, questions the soul in her paintings. On the other hand, Adam, the wealthy heir to the Munroe art empire, shows her everything good and wholesome that can come from a life among the elite. Can she choose between the two men who help push the boundaries of her sheltered life? Or will tragedy change the course of her life.

This sweet love story tugs at the heart strings as Dana LeCheminant speaks to the loneliness in every reader's soul. Lanna's life exemplifies the perfectionist standards that are so hard to achieve while her suitors introduce the spontaneity and comfort we all desire. This heart-wrenching story pushes the reader to follow the path of Lanna and reevaluate all that is important while providing a good romance.
Profile Image for Jacqueline.
121 reviews3 followers
April 25, 2020
I received this book from the author on StoryOrigin for an honest review.

This story is an average young adult love story. A rich girl with family issues is torn between two guys - the guy that her family would approve of and who belongs to her world, and the guy who is a gardener but who teaches her more about herself than anyone ever has.

For me, this book was just okay. I read through the first half pretty quickly, but it took me a while to pick it back up. I just wasn't drawn to it, but once I did pick it back up (20 days later) I was able to fly through the ending. I was a bit surprised at how it ended - I didn't actually see one of the events unfolding the way it did - so kudos to the author for that surprise.

I probably would read the second book if I ever found it on Kindle Unlimited, but I'm not going out to search for it.
Profile Image for Angeline.
735 reviews23 followers
September 23, 2020
“Never apologize for being you, Lanna,” he said quietly. “You can be anything.”
Wow, I wasn’t sure how I would feel about this book because it featured a love triangle but I actually really enjoyed it! Simplicity is the first book in Dana LeCheminant’s Simple Love Stories series. First of all, I really liked the title. I feel like it really fit the book. Lanna was tired of trying to fit into the mold of the upper class, she was different from them and she knew it. She would rather spend time painting, but one day everything changes as she finds herself with not one but two suitors. Who will she choose and how can she stay true to herself if she has only just found herself?
Lanna was so sweet and I really liked her, but I also felt really bad for her. She didn’t fit in and she was nearly breaking under the weight of the expectations of others and the scars of life. She was never allowed to grieve for the life she lost and so it has really affected her. She was close to losing herself, but then she learned how to trusly paint and in painting she found the strength to live.
I loved how Lanna could paint, I thought that it was so cool. I can’t paint at all and I was jealous of her abilities. It was amazing how painting really added to the story and how it showed Lanna.
Okay, I was on the fence with Adam and Luke. I didn't know who she was going to end up with. They both helped her in different ways. Luke taught her how to find herself, but I feel like Adam truly helped her blossom. I liked both of their characters, but I think that Adam was my favorite.
This book was a great start to a new series! There were so many twists and turns that I didn’t see coming. I knew that I was rooting for Lanna, but I didn’t know which guy was better for her. However, everything worked out in the end. I adored the ending and I am excited to read the next books! Simplicity was a lovely book and I would definitely recommend it!
Profile Image for Sarah Hill.
Author 7 books57 followers
June 4, 2021
As I sit her writing this review I am literally bawling. I don't know if that's a good thing, a bad thing, or what it is. This book is a simple as it's title present. It's a love story, that turns into a bit of a triangle, that I guess isn't so simple, but because my heart was stolen from the first smile Luke Hawthorne gave Lanna and those reading this book, the triangle never existed for me, making it quite simple! I know this book is about Lanna Davenport, the Davenport Princess, but for me, it was about Luke. How this guy pulled every bit of positivity in the world into himself and then let it shine through his smile, his laugh and his sarcastic ness that left a smile that would not go away on my face.
As simple as it was for me to give my heart fully to Luke, it wasn't so easy for Lanna. She fell for two great guys Luke Hawthorne and Adam Munroe. Both showed her that she didn't have to live the life her mom planned for her in different ways. Adam is a stand up guy, I don't want to take away from him him in any way. When I read this book I pictured him as a young Brendan Fraser and we all know how swoonworthy Brendan is! Had Luke not stolen my heart with his smile and the way he saw the world, I would have been very happy with Adam. When Luke was making me smile, I saw a young Sean Faris and come on ladies, we all know that smile that reaches so far past his eyes we can't help but smile too. My heart was completely wrapped around Luke. Completely. Anyway, there is love, confusion, discovery and heartache, but since I won't give any spoilers, you'll have to read this book to see where it all fits! Thank you LeCheminant for writing a book that totally wrecked me, I may never forgive you.
1,314 reviews58 followers
March 15, 2021
This was a sweet contemporary romance with the billionaire trope and a bit of a love triangle. Lanna has grown up super wealthy, but she has never felt like she fit into the world she was born to. When she meets both Luke, an everyday gardener, and then Adam, who's family money is right up there with hers, she's torn as both men seem to bring out something inside of her.
This book had a lot of surprises I did not see coming and I am honestly still a little shocked by the ending. I read this book after having read later novels in the series though, so while I was reading, I already knew who she ended up with, just not the how. I think had I not known I might have felt differently reading this, but I don't know if that would have been better or worse. I give this 3.5 stars. It's one I recommend, but I'm still figuring out how I feel about it. I do think reading the other books will influence my opinion where I'd probably bump this up to a four-star read.
The writing is clean both in grammar and in content. I definitely think this author has a talent and look forward to more books by her.
Profile Image for Alexis Stewart.
84 reviews
March 30, 2022
"I leaned back a little to get a more distant look, noticing for the first time that rain pounded on the roof of the stables where I'd hidden myself to avoid my mother's constant criticisms of how I was "coming up short." She'd been especially bad today and seemed convinced I would either end up alone or a lesbian if I didn't snag myself a husband soon."

Thankfully I have not ever had to experience the criticism from either of my parents. But I could just imagine as I read this story how hurtful and awful it would feel to constantly feel like you were falling short, that you weren't good enough or even if your parents loved you.

I first read the Term's of Inheritance from Dana and am just starting to read The Simple Love Story series. We hear a little bit more of Luke in that series. But it was great being able to read a little bit more about him as I read this book. Luke really helps Lana to see how important she is and helps her to be able to find herself. He also helps her to start to cope with the fears that she has had since the lose of her brother.
Profile Image for Savannah M.
347 reviews
July 26, 2022
First of all, this book was so well written! Each scene was described in a way that I felt I was there, but never overly wordy or too descriptive. I really loved both Luke and Adam’s personalities. My struggle with this story was Lanna. I really liked her character in every way but one. She felt too wish washy to me about her feelings. It made it feel like whichever one was in front of her, she like him best. That being said, this never comes off as being selfish or manipulative from her. She is genuinely confused and torn. You really feel her angst and how hard she was struggling. But it wasn’t fair to the two great guys who had their hearts tied up with her. This story was heartbreaking, and in a way that was very unexpected. After such a shocking twist, I really wanted the ending to be longer. I needed more time with Lanna afterwards and that was a part of the story I wish we had more of. But overall, I really enjoyed this story and I can’t wait to read the second one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Heather.
Author 15 books467 followers
February 23, 2021
This is my first Dana LeCheminant book, and it won't be my last! This book is the first in the "A Simple Love Story" series, and it does it's job well as a sweet contemporary romance. LeCheminant's writing style is simply beautiful, and I loved her descriptions! Her characters pop off the page, and it was fun to lose myself in Lanna's world.

I am not a fan of love triangles, so that aspect was a little rough for me. I loved both guys for who they were and how they helped Lanna grow. This one made me cry, but it made me smile, too.

If you like a sweet and simple romance with a good amount of swoon and beautiful writing, give this one a try!
275 reviews3 followers
February 18, 2024
disappointing

I’ve read two other series by this author and really enjoyed the characters and banter and her take on common tropes…so had high hopes for this series.

First, this reads almost like a regency but set in more modern times so it hit funky for me. Second it is a love triangle and I was very disappointed in how the author resolved that…but I’m going for no spoilers. I don’t think this was a particularly simple love story and am unlikely to read the rest. It looks like the next book is a 17 yo falling in love with someone much older and I just can’t as the mother of a 17 yo myself. These appear to be earlier books. Her more recent ones were much better.
365 reviews6 followers
March 14, 2020
I received a free copy of this book to review: Absolutely outstanding! A raw, emotive narrative of a young woman, trapped in her mother's expectations - who crosses paths with 2 young men - both admirable, charming and romantic in their own ways. Both were such real, amazing men in their own rights, I didn't know for which to root!! Dana depicts deep, authentic characters and there is something relatable for everyone in this poignant tale of self-discovery, living beyond a facade, and falling in love. A clean, dramatic love story. 
Profile Image for Mindy Smith.
423 reviews2 followers
February 11, 2021
Waffling back and forth about this book. I'm feeling like it should be a 3.5 probably. It was good, it just felt really rushed. I really didn't like the main character, and how indecisive she was. She was really stringing the two men around in the story, too. And then everything just happened so fast. They all fell in love so quickly, and it felt like there were holes. And then when the major incident happened, it just all happened so fast! And then it felt like everyone just kinda settled. So, it was ok for me.
Profile Image for Jamie Ann Bartlett.
Author 4 books7 followers
March 7, 2023
Best Love Triangle Trope Ever

Aside from the bad guy having my last name this book was awesome. I loved getting to know Lanna, Luke, and Adam and they took this journey together. I wasn't ever sure that I would figure out whom Lanna would chose and though the ending was nothing like I expected up until it all changed I can honestly say I loved how it all unfolded. Thanks Dana its a wonderful story, full of heart!
Profile Image for Bethany Shaw.
58 reviews
March 31, 2023
This book 😭♥️ I usually do not enjoy stories like this but this one captivated me so much. I typically hate the back-and-forth between two people you love but this one was relatable and very sweet. It completely broke my heart and put it back together. I loved it.

Content warning: a verbally and emotionally abusive and controlling mother, death of a loved one, and mention of suicide.

🌶️: just kisses
🤬: none
Profile Image for Michaela | Reading in the Heartland.
3,667 reviews68 followers
June 29, 2020
Intense. Especially if you’re like me and once you find an author you adore you just dive into the books without looking at the blurbs. Powerful. The details of loves. So many emotions. I feel drained but alive. I couldn’t have imagined a more perfect start to this series. Breathtaking.



I received a complimentary copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
55 reviews
November 11, 2022
One less star for the ending

I really liked the story until the sorrowful ending. It wrenched my emotions, because I thought the other guy deserved Lanna more. The author’s end might be more realistic, but I would have preferred the other guy. The other minor irritation was why not spell h name Lana.
Profile Image for Riella Cristobal .
421 reviews8 followers
April 19, 2025
Oh my goodness! The twists and turns in this book! I am getting into more of Ms. LeCheminant's backlist and I was really excited to start this first series. While it took me a couple chapters to really get into the story, I connected and felt for the characters. I was definitely surprised by the ending, but am eager to read more in the series!
257 reviews1 follower
November 25, 2019
This was a great read. Usually romance books follow the same pattern, but this one is different. I totally did not see the ending coming. Story was fun and original, and the characters were complex and likable. Two thumbs up!
1 review
November 11, 2019
Great read!

I was captivated after a couple pages. Great story from a great author. I can't wait for the next book to become available.
Profile Image for Jordan (maui.seaside.reading).
32 reviews2 followers
June 9, 2020
Such a fun read!

I found myself feeling every emotion as I read through this, getting so attached to the characters and what they were going through! I couldn’t put it down!
85 reviews
May 13, 2021
Loved it

Just wow! Luke & Lanna, Adam & Lanna- I hate love triangles but this story was so much more and it tore my heart out. Read it. I think you’ll love it.
3 reviews1 follower
May 15, 2021
Just wow! Luke & Lanna, Adam & Lanna- I hate love triangles but this story was so much more and it tore my heart out. Read it. I think you’ll love it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews

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