A Taste of Lavender

A Taste of Series #1

by Charlie D. Van

After nine years, twenty-six-year-old Monroe Félix exits an abusive relationship with longtime boyfriend Dave Black. Shortly after, she gets a life-changing diagnosis of bipolar disorder, PTSD, and alcoholism. As this happens Monroe meets fifty-one-year-old producer Darcy Hart. The two become fast friends, but as their relationship grows, feelings start to develop. As they get closer, they find in each other's company what they had never known before. However, not all is well, as Dave lurks in the shadows of Monroe's life, tormenting her at every turn. Will Monroe and Darcy be able to survive Dave's interference?

326 pages, Paperback

Published May 26, 2025

About the author

Artist aspiring something. Latine. Nonbinary. Bisexual. Disabled. Creator of Take All You Can, Hartbreaker, Only Seasons, and House Of The Rising Sun, and the A Taste Saga.

Reviews

[Shelby Walls · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing! It talks about real life problems such as relationship PSTD and mental illness. It has romance as well. I was gripped and could hardly put the book down! A Taste of Lavender has you rooting for love while also rooting for the downfall of other characters. I highly recommend reading this and it’s not boring at all in any parts, very well written:)

[🥀TheBookWyrm🥀 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not only is Charlie a wonderful author, but I found out that they also did the art themselves.

This is a breath of fresh air, something that helped me out of my massive book slump. It’s dark, gritty and raw. But, it’s beautifully written like a sleep token song. 10/5 will reread.

[Wendy Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haunting. Honest. Unflinchingly human.

A Taste of Lavender is the kind of story that doesn’t just speak—it bleeds. Monroe Félix’s journey through trauma, recovery, and rebirth is raw and real in a way most books only pretend to be. You don’t read this story; you live it, heartbeat by trembling heartbeat.

Charlie D. Van writes with the precision of a poet and the empathy of someone who has looked darkness in the eye and refused to flinch. Every page hums with truth, pain, and a strange kind of beauty that only survival can create. Darcy and Monroe’s bond isn’t the kind of romance built on fantasy—it’s forged in the fire of healing, in the spaces between brokenness and hope.

This book reminds you that love doesn’t always arrive wrapped in perfection. Sometimes, it crawls out of ruin, reaching for the light with shaking hands—and that’s what makes it sacred.

If you’ve ever clawed your way out of your own shadows, this story will find you. And it will stay.

[Koa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Words can not describe the feelings I have for this book, it has been a rollercoaster of emotions. The trauma and the mental state of this poor girl broke my heart. She didn’t do anything to deserve all she went through and the toxicity of her family and the one person she was supposed to count on was so very harsh. Then mister charming came into the picture and right off the bat you could tell he was a sweetheart. So attentive and caring. But it seems like the struggle is real and we are in for another rollercoaster ride.
Mental illness, trauma, alc*h*l and d**g abuse, love and drama. The graphics as ever are so goood, I love this authors art! She adds a picture of a scene from the chapter at the end of said chapter! Personally I feel more connected to the characters by this! I see the image and I feel it!