This book put me right in the mood for fall and winter nights, cuddled under a blanket and reading a good book. Kauffman's novellas are almost never long enough for me, I always want the full story, but I know I will see this characters again in the series. Back to Blue Hollow Falls and learning more about the 4 friends/co-workers who opened the lavender farm. I love the quirkiness and "big brain" of Avery Kent. I adored the subtle weave of her grief story and how she connected with like minded Dr. Ben. Finding someone else in the world who gets you is something everyone deserves and I'm so happy that Ben and Avery found each other.

Donna Kauffman is one of my all-time favorite authors. I thoroughly love all the Blue Hollow Falls books and this novella is no exception. Just like the other books in this series I would give this book more than five stars if I could - I look forward to reading this series again and again. This book is so much fun with the two exceptional characters. I will miss Donna's writing and her interaction with her readers. She's the first author who I connected with on social media and so appreciated her willingness to include me and her readers in book launches and her writing in general. I greatly appreciate receiving a copy of this book and all opinions are mine.

I’ve been a fan of Donna Kauffman for years, and I picked up Lavender & Mistletoe when it was released. But then I just set it aside. I finally read it in my effort to work through my to-be-read mountain.

Lavender & Mistletoe is a novella set in the fictional small town of Blue Falls Hollow, Virginia, around Christmastime. The book is part of the Blue Hollow Falls series, but I felt it stood alone quite well, seeing as it’s been a couple of years since I’ve read any of the books in the series, and I didn’t feel like I was missing anything.

Avery and Ben are two pretty unique characters, ones that I loved meeting. Both are geniuses who aren’t afraid to embrace it. However, they had very different upbringings, which becomes very apparent in how they tackle a new relationship. I loved seeing how Avery’s mind worked as she fell in love.

As a novella, Lavender & Mistletoe is solely focused on Avery and Ben’s love story. There’s no other plot and minimal conflict. But the character development was fabulous, and I was totally pulled into the story on page one and couldn’t put down the book until I was finished.

For fans of contemporary romance, I wholeheartedly recommend Lavender & Mistletoe, or really any book by Ms. Kauffman.

This is the next installment of Blue Hollow Falls. This story is about Avery, the smart one, who is also part of the lavender farm. She has lived her life as a smart girl, who really never knew what to do with herself, or her smarts until she met her friends through a support group for grieving. The four friends own a lavender farm and each have a special talent. Avery gets a chance to meet the person who is filling in for their town vet, while he is away for the holidays, when she saves a goat. The new vets name is Ben and they immediately have so much in common and hit it off at the very beginning. This is a great story to read in the wintertime! I was given an advanced reader copy for an honest review.

Sweet and easy to read story that doesn’t take a lot of concentration on the storyline to read. You can just sit back and enjoy the story itself.

I have been waiting for Avery's story since she first appeared. I had lots of questions about her backstory, and I couldn't wait to see the man who could match her. Ben was a perfect match! I loved his perspective on life and his focus on what is important. They had great chemistry as a couple, and I loved their humor. Very entertaining and romantic

Sometimes being brilliant makes it hard to have a relationship, but can two huge brains find the best in each other. I enjoyed the Blue Hollow Falls series, but somehow missed this novella along the way. Avery Kent is the one behind all the products at farm and tea house in Blue Hollow Falls. Now what is she to do to keep busy. She meets traveling Vet, Ben Chandler, and is immediately attracted to him, but thinks he would be perfect for one of her friends. Ben has other ideas and they gradually get to know each other and realize, they are a perfect couple. Can Ben, a wanderer and Avery, someone who loves Blue Hollow Falls make a go of a relationship. I love the characters in this series. They are a chosen family, who love and support one another. Ben is perfect to add to this group. He cares about others, especially animals. I enjoy the banter between these two and as they realize how deep their feelings go, they make me smile. A sweet, romance where two people that thought love and relationships were not for them, find their true love.

Love this author! And of course she didn’t disappoint. Her stories always captivate me. I’m going to miss her story telling.

OMG this was so flipping adorable. I love love love Donna Kauffman's Blue Hollow Falls series and this was a gratifying, bite-sized addition that's got me in the mood for Christmas. Two thumbs up! (Reviewed September 25, 2019)

Some thoughts about Mistletoe and Lavender:
1. I did not realize going in that this was 3.5 in a series. I probably would have enjoyed this book more if I was better acquainted with the cast of characters and their back story.
2. Avery is like a female Sheldon. It was strange to have Ben describe how much he liked her big brain. Some of his description of how smart she was compared to all the less intelligent people he had met was off putting. I probably would have liked this better if I knew her from other books.
3. Though this was mostly a closed door romance I was still surprised that referenced sex as much as it did. Not a bad thing. Just went in based on the title thinking it was a sweet romance.
4. I’m obsessed with lavender and lavender farms (my fiancé was going to propose to me in one but 2019 ended up being the worst year for lavender) so I’m sure I’ll read the rest of this series!
5. I loved the cast of characters and setting in this book to be so interesting! And the writing was compelling. Adding the earlier books to my TBR!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book!

This short holiday romance is book 3.5 in the Blue Hollow Falls series. On the way to a Christmas Party the ladies from the Lavender farm rescue a small goat in a snow bank. When they stop of the vet's Avery is intrigued with the new doctor. The brainy lady has finally met a man to catch her interest but will he be in town long enough to get to know her? A sweet short Christmas love story that will warm your heart. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

A lovely holiday read. If you're a fan of Hallmark Christmas movies, definitely pick up Lavender & Mistletoe

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Another great book!!! I love anything Donna Kauffman writes! She never disappoints me. Her storytelling astounds me!! Can't wait for her next book!!

I loved it! Put me right into a great festive mood. It was so good, it was a one setting, all the feels short story romance junkies cannot help but love.

Lavender and Mistletoe by Donna Kauffman is a charming Holiday short story that will warm your heart amd leave you feeling wonderful. I loved this story.

Complementary copy given of honest review.
Ben and Avery are both “big brained.” They find love when they need each other to help with a wayward goat. Love finds some in the most obscure places. It was a slow ready but a lovely book.

Sweet and engaging!!

Awe! Definitely a sweet, short story to capture your heart! I fell right in, and didn’t stop to the very end. I loved the characters oh so much.

Such a heartfelt, heartwarming Christmas read! I loved being back at Blue Hollow Falls with my favorite ladies. I can’t wait to go back!

Lavender and Mistletoe by Donna Kauffman is a wonderful holiday story. I have read many of Ms. Kauffman's books and enjoyed each one and this is no exception. If you are in need for a little romance this coming holiday season combined with characters who you would want to be your friends than this book is for you. This is part of The Blue Hollow Fall series but can definitely be read as a stand alone. I love reading holiday stories while I am snug on my couch with a cup of tea and a blanket. It doesn't get much better than that!
On a more serious note I love the advise that the characters give to each other. Most of it is wise and timely. The settings are wonderfully descriptive and you can imagine yourself there in the mountains of Virginia. I highly recommend this wonderful feel good story. I believe Ms. Kauffman has another winner on her hands. Can't wait to see what is next!

Lavender & Mistletoe
(Blue Hollow Falls #3.5)
by Donna Kauffman

Kindle Edition, 144 pages
Published September 24th 2019 by Zebra




Goodreads synopsis:
This Christmas, small-town Blue Hollow Falls will work big holiday magic for two people who have researched everything but love . . .
 
Avery Kent needs a project. The busy brain that earned her two PhDs before the age of eighteen is fascinated by the home she’s created with her three friends in Blue Hollow Falls, but the farm and the tearoom are running like clockwork now. As the holiday season approaches, it’s time for Avery to dive into one of her last uncharted research topics: love. Not for herself, of course; for her friend, Chey! But a closer look at the handsome young veterinarian Avery has chosen for this romantic equation has her wishing for gifts she never thought she wanted . . .
 
Another former child prodigy, Ben Chandler is more like Avery than she ever imagined. His intellect is a perfect match for hers—and everything else about him attracts her in ways that send delicious tingles down her spine. But a relationship? That’s something Avery will need to analyze—unless her friends can help Ben convince her that romance is more magic than science, and that a good old-fashioned kiss under the mistletoe is the perfect way to open her heart to the possibility of the greatest gift of all . . .
***

4.5 Stars

This is a novella in the Blue Hollow Falls series by Donna Kauffman.

I think I thought going into this that it was a full length novel. It is only 144 pages. I have not read any other books in this series so I am not certain why these two got set aside for their own novella.

Avery is not your usual heroine. She is a bit ADD and has to have something going to keep her mind engaged at all times. So, after sex she thinks dissecting it is the normal thing to do. She goes into the whys it worked with her partner and the whys it did not to make the experience better for both of them. She is not much along the lines of a go with the flow gal. And this kind of puts off most guys from coming into her zone.

A vet has come to town to fill in for the normal guy, and Ben seems to think Ava’s type of weird is the most wonderful type of weird in the world. They are matched in many ways. Together they discover love and a true purpose in life.

Just a lovely little story with two unusual protagonists.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

Lavender & Mistletoe is another winning addition to Donna Kauffman's Blue Hollow Falls series that features Avery Kent, who is the scary smart member of the quartet running Lavender Blue Farmhouse & Tea Room. I loved the story as it's filled with sweet and sassy nerd love once Avery meets veterinarian Ben Campbell.

Avery may be a certified genius with multiple degrees and can recall just about everything she's ever seen, heard or read, but she definitely misses the obvious with Ben. She tries to match him with Cheyenne, another member of the "fearsome foursome," but Ben has set his sights on Avery. When Avery finally realizes that Ben truly wants her and is as much a brain as she is, the die is cast.

As their relationship develops, there is wonderful, sexy banter between the two brainiacs. Kauffman also brings us up-to-date with Vivi, Chey and Hannah, the three other members of the quartet. I'm definitely looking forward to the rest of the series!

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.