Lavender Blue

Blue Hollow Falls #3

by Donna Kauffman

In the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains lies a small town with a big heart—and a chance to begin again . . .
 
When Hannah Montgomery buys a lavender farm in Blue Hollow Falls with three friends, she’s creating a life she never imagined—one she hopes will honor the memory of the sweet young son she tragically lost years ago. Standing on the porch of the sprawling farmhouse, looking out on row upon row of those lush purple plumes, Hannah is ready to embrace this fresh, new start . . .
 
Then she meets Wilson McCall. The stonemason hired to fix their crumbling chimneys and leaky roof is quieter than most folks in the Falls. Hannah’s not surprised to learn the widower struggles with his own grief. Who could blame her if she finds joy in making Will laugh again, or if she feels a poignant kinship when she sees him with his teenaged son?  But her deepening friendship with Will reminds Hannah that there’s a part of her that still needs to heal—awakening a tender yearning to have a life that isn’t just good enough, but lived fully—even if that means taking risks once more . . .
 
Praise for Donna Kauffman
 
“Charming characters, emotion galore, a small town—you’re going to love Donna Kauffman!” —Lori Foster
 
 “We all know where there's Donna Kauffman, there's a rollicking, sexy read chock‑full of charm and sparkle.” —USAToday.com

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Audiobook, Chick Lit

343 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 29, 2019

About the author

USA Today bestseller and award winning author of the Cupcake Club series and the Blueberry Cove series, DONNA KAUFFMAN has been gratified to see her books get rave reviews in venues ranging from Kirkus Reviews and Library Journal to Entertainment Weekly and Cosmopolitan. She lives in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains in southwestern Virginia, where she is happily working on the next book in her brand new Blue Hollow Falls series, set right in her mountain home area. When she's not writing, she can be found recapping the popular tv show NCIS for USA Today, or escaping into her garden to play in the dirt. Donna also works as a volunteer wildlife transporter for two local sanctuaries, giving orphaned and injured wildlife a second chance at survival. You can catch up on all of her adventures via her author page on Facebook, or on Twitter, or Instagram @writerchick. Donna loves to hear from readers!

Donna Kauffman passed away on April 9, 2020 of pancreatic cancer.

Reviews

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 - "Here is my truth..." Stars!

We return to Blue Hollow Falls for the third book in the series; Lavender Blue. Donna finally gives the readers widower Will McCall’s story, this is a guy who has intrigued from the beginning, and the author has kept the information release in regard to him and his son Jake, at more of a slow trickle rather than a steady flow. Which essentially means I have been itching to read this book since before it was even written!

"It’s hard… Asking for help."

I knew before starting that Lavender Blue would be an emotional read. The one thing you do get to know about Will if you have read the previous books in the series, is that apart from his apparent love for his son, this is a man that keeps his emotions about everything firmly on lockdown. Not one to waste breath on words either, so if one word will suffice as an answer you won’t find him spilling unnecessary sentences if the conversation doesn’t require it.

They were not going to be wallowers. They were going to be warriors… Life warriors.

Hannah Montgomery, and her friends Vivi, Avery and Chey are new to the area, having bought a rundown farmhouse and the surrounding lavender fields, the four women are looking for a fresh start, opening new businesses and moving on with their lives. The one thing that binds them all – Grief, each of them has suffered loss, and they have built the foundations of their friendship by giving each other the strength they need when they are struggling with their losses. Something that also draws Hannah to Will, and vice versa.

His one baby step forward today had turned into a full on marathon and he wasn’t quite sure how he felt about any of it…

Although a romance, this is also a story about learning to live with loss, and move on from grief. Hannah you could almost say has embraced hers, while Will has locked it away in a box, and refused to deal with it. But it’s starting to now have an effect on his relationship with his son, and seeing how Hannah deals with her loss gives him hope and the push that he needs to open up and try to deal with the loss of his wife all those years ago. This can always be a tricky subject in relation to writing a romance where a dead spouse plays a part, but I think because the author touched upon Will’s guilt for having feelings for another woman other than his wife, it wasn’t overplayed, I think the length of time passed also helped in that regard as well, because although the grief for him is still fresh the loss of his relationship isn’t.

The whole thing had felt healthy, natural, and very real…

Not the fluffiest of reads, but then I wasn’t expecting it to be, Jake added the light to Will’s dark, and Hannah’s openness made it easier to digest the loss she was dealing with too. The romance isn’t heavy in this one, but when it came, it was touching, sweet, emotional and Will was everything I expected him to be in regards to how he treated Hannah.

"Sometimes three really is the perfect size crowd…"

According to Amazon Lavender & Mistletoe is the next book due for release from the series, which is in September, I am hoping that we do get to return to Blue Hollow Falls before then though, because this is a series I am coming to love more and more with each new addition to it.

ARC generously provided by the author via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A town of artisans, craftsmen, farmers and ranchers didn't grab your attention, then Kauffman’s ability to pen characters that you want as your friends and neighbors, children you can’t help but love and some interesting livestock that puts the icing on the cake.

Lavender Blue brings us back to the Blue Ridge Mountains where Hannah Montgomery, a co-owner of a new lavender farm is looking for a new start. When she meets Wilson McCall, the relationship is a bit rocky by Wilson’s emotional scars. Hannah does have her own emotional scars, but I found her outlook refreshing and cathartic and not debilitating as in Wilson’s mindset.

Don’t be surprised if you are pulled through the emotional gambit, Lavender Blue slowly peels Wilson’s and Hannah’s heart-wrenching circumstances to the surface but it sure made for some marvelous reading.

I received this ARC copy of Lavender Blue from Kensington Books - Zebra. This is my honest and voluntary review. Lavender Blue is set for publication Jan. 29, 2019.

My Rating: 4 stars
Written by: Donna Kauffman
Series: Blue Hollow Falls
Sequence in Series: Book 3
Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Zebra
Publication Date: January 29, 2019
ISBN-10: 1420145495
ISBN-13: 978-1420145496
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Lavender-Blue-...
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lave...
Itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/lave...

[Dorine · Rating 4 out of 5]

LAVENDER BLUE by Donna Kauffman entertains, filled with family and misfits who find their way to this loving artists’ community. Kauffman has a knack for writing about the place I’d like to call home. I was easily taken in by the characters’ welcoming nature, while enchanted by their comradery and empathy when healing wounded hearts.

Visit the original review in color at my site, TheZestQuest.com.

Even though this novel is filled with light, that doesn’t mean there isn’t deep emotion. Far from it. But the light is always there, teasing the shadows to dispel. There may be some triggers for anyone who has suffered loss recently. This book features recovery but determining whether you’re ready to witness it in multiples should be considered before reading it.

Four friends from grief counseling move to the Blue Ridge Mountains to run a lavender farm and open a tea room. Each with their own set of issues and talents, their armor-in-common binds them together. Illustrator and painter Hannah Montgomery hopes to create an artistic place for her talent to regroup, as well as learn the lavender business, after losing her young son Liam. Her friends Vivienne, Avery, and Cheyenne each lost someone close to them, so this new venture between them is self-preservation as much as financial.

Blue Hollow Falls is the perfect place to start a new business, especially an artistic one. The artist community is growing, expressly with Addie Pearl motivating the expansion. I really loved the music scenes and felt my loss for not reading BLUESTONE AND VINE, first. I’ll remedy that soon.

Getting acquainted with Will McCall and his son in BLUE HOLLOW FALLS set the stage nicely for their stories in this book. I was quite excited to see Will as the choice for Hannah. It was far from an easy journey, though, since he’s still overcome by the loss of his wife. Will’s grief nestles into his quiet demeaner. Hannah’s loss is just as fresh, but she has done the work toward healing. Can Hannah be the light Will is seeking, or is he too far behind Hannah’s recovery to make her feel safe in a loving relationship?

There are so many things to love in LAVENDER BLUE. An artist-themed story is always a preference and one of my favorite herbs is lavender. Having spent years taking classes and teaching them in herb-related themes, the location feels like home. Farming in general is a hot button, so I would have grabbed this title without Hannah’s background. Add in the artists’ community and a tea room and I’m ready to move in. Even though every theme and idea hit my favorites, this book didn’t match my love for the first novel, BLUE HOLLOW FALLS.

I think what put me off the most is Hannah going gaga over Will’s body, ogling him and going on about it every chance she gets in her mind. I get it. She’s into him – it just became a repetitive thought process. Being the type of reader who doesn’t like too much inner dialogue, it tends to annoy me if it’s repetitive. Other than that, I loved everything else about this book.

But I was shocked by something Addie Pearl did – she irritated me, and it seemed over-the-top busybody-ish. Almost mean and I wasn’t expecting that from her. Even though I adored Addie Pearl toward the end, I felt that if I was Hannah or Will, I’d be a bit more miffed than they were. Being especially fond of all the characters in this community, I can feel a bit protective. It’s that kind of place where you don’t want to close the book and see them go away.

If you’re new to the series, I highly suggest you read it from the beginning just for pure enjoyment. I skipped book 1.5 and book 2, in order to review this quickly and wasn’t confused, but I feel like I missed out on some of the fun. I’m glad I have the other two books in my purchased TBR so I can catch up. If you just want to know what all the fuss is about, it won’t hurt to start the series here and work backwards. LAVENDER BLUE is a fun book, so it’s worth the read no matter where you start.

There was one especially tender moment between Will and Hannah that spoke to me. Hannah made me cry, even though I tried to hold it together. She’s normally a very bubbly person, so when her emotion hits, it’s hard not to feel deep compassion for her. I love Donna Kauffman’s way of setting a scene between two people. She inserts their movement with the dialogue just enough so I can see their facial expressions as if they’re in front of me. Will and Hannah had so many telling, tender scenes like that.

About halfway through, this book slowed, and I had a hard time staying focused. That could have been my flighty January brain, or repetitive thoughts from the characters, that bogged me down. Repetitiveness is one of my pet-peeves, so whether that slowed the book for me or not, it was why I dropped my rating a point because of my own picky preferences.

I adored Will and Hannah, especially Hannah’s bubbly personality. Vivienne, Cheyenne and Avery are great additions to the cast. I’m especially excited that Avery’s story is next in LAVENDER & MISTLETOE because I do love a female Brainiac. I am sad that it’s only a novella because I’m sure I’m going to want more.

LAVENDER BLUE by Donna Kauffman is a fun novel to take you to a good down-home rendition of music, art, festivals and community. Grief recovery is a stand-out theme throughout, but it’s cathartic and not overly sad, with laugh-out-loud moments to buoy the mood. Hannah’s light is a big reason for the beauty of this book. A cute addition to the Blue Hollow Falls series.

Review by Dorine, courtesy of TheZestQuest.com. Digital copy provided by the publisher for an honest review. Thanks in advance for following links and promoting this review on social media.

[Chris Conley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Donna Kauffman tells such wonderful stories. These tales set in Blue Hollow Falls are full of insights and tools to help folks get through rough times. Her characters are very real and people I wish I knew.

[Helen - Great Reads & Tea Leaves · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Now was the time for building and restoring, for repairing and learning. The time for opening their doors, their lavender fields, their tearoom, and welcoming the world.”

‘Lavender Blue’ is a sweet story with many likeable characters set in a gorgeous rural location - stunning lavender fields of Virginia. I mean, what is there not to love about this book cover? At its heart, this is a book about grieving and healing and I think Kauffman does a worthy job for such heartwrenching issues. This book is the third in a series but can most definitely be read as a standalone. I have not read any others and had no problem at all following along with the story.

“I’ve become a firm believer that not everything that’s ever happened to us in life needs to be worked on or sorted out.”

Although it tackles the different ways people deal with loss, it balances this nicely with some light romance. It is, in fact, a mutual sharing of grief that brings the two lead characters together and their romance is of a more mature kind which makes for a nice change. However, as stated, much of the book is dedicated to learning to move on from sorrow and let yourself live happily again. I appreciated Will and Hannah’s honesty and the processes and considerations they granted each other to work through and come out the other side in starting afresh.

“... if it’s not affecting your life, your ability to live it as you please, then”—she shrugged—“who cares? The past is the past is the past. Focus on the now, look toward the future.”

That being said, there were parts where it became a bit too much and repetitive concerning the sorrow, doubts and reluctance. There are many conversations where matters are discussed over and over - still, it’s a good way for readers in similar situations to view how such matters can be handled. It has some solid thoughts on how to deal with grief over the loss of a loved one.

All up this is a pleasant enough read with the themes of sorrow, friendship, love, family and friends. A well balanced heartwarming and sweet tale of healing, providing thoughtful and compassionate characters that will appeal to many.

“I’ve spent many an hour pondering that landscape and my place in it. Puts the world in perspective.” She smiled. “I call it time well spent.”


This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been enjoying the Hollow Falls series by Donna Kauffman. Each book has characters from previous stories, but you don't have to read the first ones in the series to enjoy this one. Will McCall is a widower with a teenage son, Jake. He used to build, repair and play fiddles, but after the death of his wife Zoe, he never picked up another fiddle, and is now working in construction and as a handyman. Hannah Montgomery, and her friends Vivi, Avery and Chey are the newest residents to Blue Hollow Falls, recently purchasing a lavender farm, along with a rundown farmhouse. Each of these women have their own baggage, but they are eager to start a new life. Will is fixing up the farmhouse and he and Hannah seem to have an attraction to one another, although they are both fighting it. It is Jake, that binds them together. As they get to know one another better, their stories and their grief pours out of them.

This is a beautiful story. It is a story of dealing with grief, families, second chances and romance. I loved how Jake and Bailey helped Hannah share her feelings, both love and grief, while sharing about her son. Will learns that he doesn't need to feel guilt if and when he becomes attracted to another woman. While dealing with their feelings and baggage, it was wonderful to see the way their friends and family supported them and loved them. This story had me on an emotional roller coaster. There was humour, fear, sadness and grief, but overall, this was a HAE story with a lot of baggage being unpacked and put away properly. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.

I listened to the audiobook of Lavender Blue, narrated by Amanda Ronconi. She also narrated Bluestone & Vine, the previous book in this series, so many of the voices she used were familiar to me and I recognized the characters. She has an easy listening to voice and adds in expression and intonation where necessary to enhance enjoyment of the story. As a female narrator, the male voices are well done and not too feminine sounding. I will be putting Amanda Ronconi on my list of narrators that I enjoy. The publisher, Tantor Audio, generously provided me with the audiobook upon request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.

[Taryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this third book of the series we are introduced to Hannah Montgomery who has, along with three friends, purchased a lavender farm. She is trying to make a new start for herself and hopes to honor the memory of her son at the same time. Enter Wilson McCall a man with his own tragedies and grief to deal with. Wilson has been hired to fix several items in the house that comes with the farm. As time goes by and the two spend more time together Hannah is able to bring some laughter into Wilson's life. The two feel a connection but will their grief be to much of a barrier or will they be able to break through and both find true happiness. Along the way she realizes that she must heal herself if she will ever be able to move forward and share happiness with another. Will Wilson come to such a realization or will his grief get the better of him? This was such a charming and heartfelt read that will have you crying, laughing and rooting for love.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Received an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for a fair review"
“Lavender Blue” is a heartwarming story, with likeable characters, about deep loss, grieving and healing and then constituting a new family of tree.
It’s great to have an older romantic couple. Will is a guarded hero, all silent and strong, and I already loved him from the first book. His and Hannah’s frankness with each other makes him loose some of his aura of mystery, but the honesty is refreshing. And perhaps the pinning for the late wife was a bit exaggerated?
All the talk and psychoanalysis, especially between the female characters but involving Will too, was a bit redundant and brought too much telling for my taste, but all in all this was a pleasant read about love, friendship, family and parenting, set against the backdrop of the beautiful lavender fields, in Blue Hollow Falls, Virginia.
I'm grateful to the publisher, Kensington Books/Zebra, and NetGalley for providing a free copy

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fearsome foursome of women who jointly own a lavender farm are delightful new characters in this series.
Hannah is the artist in this group and is instantly drawn to Will McCall, the expert stone mason working on their property.
The story bogged down a bit for me in the middle and counseling is a big part of this book..that makes it the most “angsty” story in this series..but the strong ending was satisfying and wonderful.
DK has my loyal readership for this Blue Hollow Falls series.

[Dani C. (Polly's Place) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm sorry but talking to your dead wife, having her tell you that she likes your new love interest and then getting her permission in a way to date her - huge turn off!

I love the cover though!

[Linda Smatzny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of Hannah Montgomery and Wilson McCall set in Blue Hollow Falls. Hannah is one of four women who have bought a lavender farm and are turning it into a business. Will is a stonemason who has been hired to redo the four chimneys in the main house. Both of these people have suffered a very tragic loss in their lives and chosen very different ways of coping. This story is about Will opening himself up and moving forward. The book was a very quick easy read.

[Cindy (Romance addict) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was awesome! How do you learn to love and trust again after loosing two of the things that meant more to you than practically life itself? Learning to deal with the past and how to incorporate those memories into the present are quite the predicament for Hannah. She has made a major life decision by moving to a place in a beautiful town that is unfamiliar to her with three of her very close friends. They know practically everything about one another and learn to lean on each other for support. But Hannah gains more than she bargained for in the small town of Blue Hollow Falls. She develops deep friendships within the town and soon learns to love again.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tells the story of a character who has appeared in previous books. Will is a widower with a teenage son who is also a vet. He always was a very mysterious character who is a brilliant stone mason, but quiet and obviously emotionally wounded by the tragic loss of his wife. Hannah is a former childrens' book illustrator who purchases a Lavender Farm with four of her close friends, who is also dealing with the loss of her young son in tragic circumstances. One is stuck in the past, never really having dealt with the initial grief and the other having worked through a lot of her grief, but still a work in progress. Does anyone ever lose their grief completely. Nope. It is with you every single day. It is how you work through it, learn to live with it and keep living is the crux of this sweet love story. It is a story of two people with a common history of loss and how they each help each other. I thought Donna Kauffman brilliantly captured that grieving process with the heartwarming and emotional story. I loved it.

[Candy · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the things I like about Donna Kaufman’s writing is that her characters grapple with real-life issues and own their real-life flaws. This book is no different. I’ve been waiting for Will’s story since meeting him in the previous books (but you don’t need to have read them to enjoy this one). I was intrigued by the “fearsome foursome” of ladies working together to revive a deserted lavender farm, and would have actually liked to hear a bit more about their struggles and learning process (maybe in a future book?). I hope the other three ladies get their own books!

My only beef with this book is that there’s some redundancy in the recounting of Will’s issues with burying his grief, and Hannah’s sharing of her experience in turning her grief around. That said, I really enjoyed the reappearance of the dynamic characters of the community and the building of a new landmark at the lavender farm (but I missed having an update on Sunny & Sawyer from the first book). I think the juxtaposition of Will’s grief management vs. Hannah’s, and how they help each other heal and grow, makes this book worth a book club pick. Will deserves to be happy again, and so does Hannah, and together they help each other find a new HEA.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this is the third book in the series, it can definitely be read as a stand alone. I didn't read the others in this series and I had no issue at all following along. If you're in the mood for a light-hearted romance novel this is definitely not the one for you. Both Will and Hannah have seen their share of tragedy. And in fact tit is their shared sorrow and grief that actually bring them together. Much of this book is focused on the characters learning to live again despite having faced tremendous personal loss. And finding that it is ok to find happiness again. It is an emotional book but fortunately it is a romance novel so you can expect the happy ending even if it is a difficult road to get there for the characters involved.

[Lynne Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've wanted to read Will's story since the end of Bluestone & Vine and his book doesn't disappoint. After meeting Hannah and learning how she handles her grief, we learn more about Will and why he's closed himself off. Join Will on his journey back to love.
This cover would have caught my eye even if I wasn't reading the series. I hope there are more stories coming from Blue Hollow Falls.
I received this book from NetGalley for an honest review.

[Cathy Geha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lavender Blue by Donna Kauffman
Blue Hollow Falls #3

I love Blue Hollow Falls and the community that lives there. I can see it, feel it and want to be a member of it as I read the stories that take place within it. This was a book that warmed my heart and made me happy even though the heavy topic of loss, grieving and making one’s way forward with life after a great loss was central to this book. It was healing, good and provided a HEA...I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Hannah Montgomery and three of her friends, met at a grief group, have gone together to purchase a lavender farm in Blue Hollow Falls. Each of the women have suffered loss and bring special talents to their joint business venture. I look forward to finding out what will happen to Chey, Avery & Vivi in future books. Hannah is an artist and illustrator who lost her son and is divorced from her husband. Her way of living through the pain warmed my heart and as she shared her thoughts with others I grew to like her more and more. She was comfortable in her skin, knew what she wanted, was a good friend, willing to give and to share, enjoyed life and found humor and beauty around her.

Wilson “Will” McCall was a hunk and a half but a quiet deep sort of man. He is a widow and single parent of a fourteen year old son. In the previous book I liked him and hoped he would be able to deal with his grief and in this book he does just that...and opens himself up to what life again. I loved the way he interacted with his son and how that relationship grew, too. Will and Hannah were perfect for one another and I liked the slow growth to their relationship and the fire that entered it when they finally opened up to one another.

I loved this book and hope that this series will continue long enough for Will’s son Jake to grow up and choose what he wants to do with his life and also to find out what will happen to Bailey – she is someone I would love to see as an adult in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensginton-Zebra for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

[Kait Nolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm mopping tears as I write this. This, dear friends, is a Kleenex book. But in the BEST possible way. I admit to a little skepticism when I saw who the next hero was because while Will most definitely deserved love, he seemed so broken, I couldn't imagine the woman who'd set that to rights and so often this setup can turn out like a hot mess. But oh! Hannah is perfect for him. And for Jake. They've all experienced and been shaped by great loss, and seeing Will and Hannah come together, working through all those powerful emotions was just a privilege to be on the sidelines for. Lavender Blue delivers on ALL THE FEELS. It's simply beautiful. Clearly this series has a special place in the author's heart and now, absolutely, in mine.

[Jennifer Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read for romance lovers!! This is the first book from this series that I have read, but I don't feel like I missed too much. There's always the reference of other couples, but that just made me want to go back and read their stories!!

Will and Hannah have a lot of emotional issues going on. Hannah has dealt with some, Will hardly any. I think their emotional connection was definitely brought to life in this one. They helped one-another overcome stuff perfectly. I loved their story and can't wait to read the others!! I also enjoyed reading about lavender and all the stuff you can do with it!

I probably would've given the book a 4.5 if I could've because there was a lot of inner dialog and I'm more of a multi-people convo-dialog (if you know what I'm saying). But that's really what this book needed since they were overcoming things so 5 stars it is!! :-)

I was given a copy of this ebook in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Shari · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story for two broken souls who take the chance of falling in love again. Hannah has arrived in Blue Hollow Falls to buy a lavender farm and to start a new life. Wilson is a stonemason, that has been hired to fix the chimneys of the farm. Soon a friendship develops between the two but are they both willing to open their hearts up again.

Loved these characters, very heartwarming and full of emotion. Loved Will's son, Jake.He is so open to Hannah and Will's friendship that is growing into so much more. Loved this story, so much more than a romance, I highly recommend.

[Jennifer Ritter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lavender Blue is the fifth book in Donna Kauffman’s Blue Hollow Falls series. Hannah Montgomery and three dear friends have bought a lavender farm just outside of Blue Hollow Falls in Virginia. Each of the four women come from a past of deep loss, and part of their healing process has brought them to this point. Vivienne Baudin actually inherited the farm, but the others have bought in to the venture.

Their plans are to open a tea shop and produce products that center around lavender, be it tea, cookies, soaps, or essential oils. But first there are many repairs and much restoration to be done. One major project is the restoration and rebuilding of the four large chimneys. Stone mason and widower Wilson McCall has been at the farm for a few weeks working on the chimneys.

On the day Hannah makes his close up acquaintance, it happens as he grabs her and holds her up against the outside porch wall as bricks come crashing down from a chimney that had not been restored as per the architectural plans that were on file. From that time on there is a deeper connection between them. Hannah also makes a connection with Will’s 14 year old son, Jacob. He is the same age her son Liam would have been if he were still here.

Both Hannah and Will are working through their grief, having lost their ways when they lost their loved ones. Even though they tentatively move forward in a relationship, it takes a severe storm to bring the three of them together.

This is a very good novel filled with rich characters, beautiful scenery, and a wonderful story. I enjoyed this book very much and look forward to the next book in this series. I do recommend this book!

[Margaret Dombrowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first read about the Blue Hollow Falls series. It was an in-depth glimpse of losing someone close to you, and finding your way back.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was packed full of emotion. Grief, anger, love, panic and friendship all showed up in this book. I'll have to admit it started off kind of slow for me, but I also had lots of distracting life issues going on at the time. I definitely got more into it in the last half of the book.
I did love Hannah and Will together. They had both suffered tremendous loss in their lives and were still pretty deep in the grief process. I loved how they were able to help each other through to the point that they could at least see light at the end of the tunnel. Their passionate feelings for each other came as a surprise to them...a lovely surprise. The building of that passion and emotional feelings were accomplished in a superb fashion by Kauffman. I was totally vested in their relationship.
This book made me laugh and cry. As always, the secondary characters were well developed by Kauffman and very interesting in their own right. Love must come to them as well--and I can't wait!

[Audrey Bramhall · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just ok

I think I have read all of Ms. Kaufman's books and enjoyed then. But this book did not live up to expectations. Good characters but it took too many words to tell the story.

[Glittergirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do you deal with grief...This story is a contrast of two people who dealt with it very differently, one chose to get stuck in his grief and the other by giving to others. I love the sensitive touch Donna gives dealing with this difficult subject. She gives us a deep, sensitive and emotional story filled with love and healing. Hannah Montgomery lost her son 7 years ago. Wilson "Will" McCall lost his wife/soul-mate about 7 years ago as well.

Hannah is in Blue Hollow Falls with 3 friends who met in The Friday Morning Grief Group. They've decided to be "Life Warriors" and dubbed themselves "The Fearsome Foursome". They've chosen to pay tribute to their loved one by being bringers of light, positive thinking and spreaders of joy. Awesome, just awesome! They've gone into business together at Vivi's inherited lavender farm in Kentucky's Blue Mountains and decided to open a Tea House & sell various lavender products at their new venture.

Will retired from his career in the military to raise his young son, Jacob now 14 after his mother passed away. He's a very talented stone mason and has bottled up his grief, burying it away undealt with. He's a man of few words and doesn't make friends because he's withdrawn from people. His mother's dear friend Addie Pearl Whittaker, whom we've met in previous books is a font of wisdom in this story and I loved her character dearly. She tells Will that he's got his feelings about Zoey bottled away but they're still fresh because he's never dealt with them. Jake has inherited his mother's gift of singing and Will's of fiddle playing. He's a natural talent and Will can't deal with it. Will used to make beautifully crafted fiddles and perform with Zoey. Will finds himself hurting Jake because he can't watch and cheer Jake on when he performs. Will keeps getting bombarded with grief he doesn't know how to deal with so he closes it off and retreats hurting those around him who care.

Then he meets Hannah and is drawn to her joy. There is chemistry between them. Will feels something for a woman for the first time since Zoey. Hannah finds herself pulled toward Will as well but Jake's the same age as her son would have been posing a situation she has to look at. As their relationship grows Will finally opens to Hannah to find how she did the "work" to find joy in her life once again since he feels stuck. She gives him the gift of another way to see things he hadn't considered.

I am so glad I rediscovered Donna's author's voice when I ARC read Kate Pearce's Anthology A Season To Celebrate. I'm really looking forward to reading Avery, Cheyenne and Vivi's love stories.

[Gale · Rating 5 out of 5]

It feels like I have been waiting forever for Lavender Blue and Will’s story but in truth, it hasn’t been that long. It is just that this the third book of the Blue Hollow Falls series (no worries, it is a standalone, however I cannot imagine NOT reading about this small mountain community) with some novellas in between. For me, Will has stood out from the beginning so I was anxious to read his story and why he was the way that he was. My complaint to the author is that while I fell in love with Blue Hollow Falls, and the main characters of the other stories, I picked a favorite right from the first book. And then I had a second favorite. And then…well, you get the idea. The stories and people just keep getting better and better!

Lavender Blue is about Wilson (Will) McCall, his son Jake, and Hannah Montgomery. Hannah was a new character for me; she and some friends (talk about “characters”!) purchase a lavender farm and the story really focuses around the property. That’s where the title comes from.

I can’t do the story justice so I will give you some highlights – Will lost his wife oh so long ago, while he was serving overseas. He never had the chance to say goodbye and feels such grief, even after so many, many years. His son Jake…he is such a wonderful young man! Will has done an amazing job of raising him, with the help of the good folks in Blue Hollow Falls. Jake plays a big part in this story, as he should, because Will and Hannah grow closer and a teenage boy in the mix is a pretty big deal. Read LB for the wonderfully woven tale of why and how this comes to be.

Hannah and her friends are also dealing with some huge life-changing issues so all the people in Blue Hollow Falls weave themselves into each other’s lives…and of course, stick their nose into the budding relationship between Hannah and Will. I just adore these busybodies! And the animals, well, they play a part as well and I can just picture how soft and cuddly and crazy they are, from the book descriptions.

I cannot say enough about Blue Hollow Falls and all the people I’ve come to know and love. Lavender Blue made me read-sniffle again, but in an entirely good way, and I missed everyone when I finished the story. Definitely recommend this book and the entire series. Although I have my copy pre-ordered, I received a free, advance copy of this book from the publisher. This is my unbiased and voluntary review.

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED Hannah and Will’s story in Lavender Blue by Donna Kaufman, book three in her Blue Hollow Falls series and I really struggled to put it down; visualizing the beauty of this place through its descriptive words. This is a story of two grieving souls struggling, along different paths after losing a loved one. Grab a box of tissues and curl up while enjoying this wonderful story enriched by friendship, love, grief, humor, and healing.

Will McCall, a widower, is a stone mason, learned at his grandfather’s knee. After the death of his wife and also his mother Will left the military returning to Blue Hollow Falls to raise his son. His grief truly broke him, leaving him lost and with living an empty existence. Hannah Montgomery and her friends, also survivors of grief, moved to town to open a lavender farm. Hannah, an illustrator for children’s books, lost her seven-year old son in a car accident, which was also the end of her marriage. Will, repairing the stone work around the old farm house, finds Hannah intriguing and interesting, wanting to spend time with her. Hannah is interested in the quiet, hot man in the white t-shirt.

Hannah is the yin to Will’s yang, wanting to help heal the brokenness in Will from his loss. She is the perfect antidote in assisting him move forward, working through those powerful emotions holding Will’s heart hostage and putting it back together again; open to loving another. Will’s teen son Jake, neighbor Bailey and Addie Pearl all play a role in supporting these two in healing as well as a loving relationship. Healing from grief appears in a variety of forms, and love blooms when you least expect it.

Ms. Kauffman, a talented story teller, wrote a joyful, funny, tender sweet, emotional and heartwarming tale that is not to be missed. She provided a story rich with sexy banter, a little steam, emotion, and endearing characters not only giving Hannah and Will a chance at having a solid, loving future together but also a wonderful community of supportive friends. I highly recommend Lavender Blue to other readers and look forward to the next book in this outstanding series.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Sue Galuska · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never read a book of Donna Kauffman's that I have not loved and this one is no exception. What I will tell you is that this story brought with it a lot of really strong emotions and at times I just kept the Puffs right next to me!

Hannah Montgomery, along with her 3 friends, decide to buy a lavender farm in Blue Hollow Falls. Each of them have things from their past that they are trying to put behind them and thought this new adventure just might do the trick. Hannah's past involved her teenage son that she lost way too young.

The ladies hire Wilson "Will" McCall to help fix up the old farm. Hannah is strongly drawn to Will and quickly realizes that Will has lost someone very close to him....his wife. Will also has a 14 year old son, Jake, who just happens to be the same age that her son, Liam, would have been. As Hannah and Will bond over their grief, the normally quiet Will is in awe of how Hannah handles the past. He would very much like to move on with his life because it has been 10 years since Zoey died but he just isn't sure how. For once Will is ready to try and move on with his life but as Hannah gets closer to Will and Jake, she is not sure if she will really be able to handle a teenage boy in her life that reminds her a lot of Liam.

As Will and Hannah navigate through this emotional roller coaster ride, they both have to figure out how to honor their past while at the same time embracing these new feelings that they have for each other.

I just adored these characters. They were both so real that I felt like I could really be friends with either of them. Will seemed like the perfect guy that you would want loving you because when he finally does give his heart, he gives it 110%! Hannah on the other hand didn't need much encouragement when it came to Will...she was ready to jump head first into that hunk of a man! I loved Hannah's fresh, uplifting way of life. I wish more people in the world were like her. Overall this book was perfect! This was another great addition to this series and I hope we get to read Hannah's friends stories in the near future! ;)

[Quinn Fforde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since Wilson McCall appeared in the first book of this series, I have been dying to know his story. He obviously had some major stuff going on, but he definitely wasn't talking about it. Then he had an unexpectedly emotional reaction to Jake's learning to play the fiddle in Bluestone and Vine. That just broke my heart for Will, and I was thrilled for him to get his HEA.
The path to that HEA is very emotional. I didn't even try to count the number of times I had to wipe tears from my eyes in order to keep reading. Given the synopsis, that wasn't a big surprise. The surprise was how uplifting the discussions of loss were -- but in a realistic way, not a patronizing way. Everyone is this book has lost at least one important person, and they all have ideas about dealing with loss to bring to the table. If I had to pick a central message for this book, it would be that those of us who are still living have to find ways to honor and remember those we have lost while we live the best way we know how. Having just lost my mother last year, this resonated with me.
Hannah is a new character in the series, and I enjoyed getting to know her. She is very grounded and in touch with herself. She is also very thoughtful and compassionate. I loved her. She is exactly the kind of woman I would love to go to dinner with or hang out with.
I also really loved the friends Hannah brought with her into Blue Hollow Falls. Those women are hilarious, and I hope they are getting stories soon. I love this series, and the characters that populate it. I can't recommend it highly enough.

[Bobbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It seems this is the third book in the Blue Hollow Falls series about an small mountain town in the Blue Ridge Mountains. I had not read either of the previous books so I can honestly say this is a standalone. However, I will also admit that there is good possibility that I will go back and read the first 2. Hannah and three other friends have bought an old house in Blue Hollow Falls and are opening a lavender store with a tea room. These four women have become friends because they have all lost someone close to them and met in a grief counseling group. Each has come to terms with their loss (mostly) and now are living together and starting this venture. The Romance revolves around Hannah and Will, a stonemason who is repairing their old house. This book’s theme of loss is consistent throughout the book and what makes it a good and meaningful read. Hannah and Will realize they have both suffered loss, and between them, they develop a loving relationship. Will has a teenage son who plays a prominent role in this book, and between Jake and his friend, Bailey, I thoroughly enjoyed my time spent with them. A nice contemporary read that has all the feels. The “heat quotient” was mild to moderate, so if you love a good small town story, and I am a sucker for them, this is a very good read!