A review by kle105
The Lavender House by Hilary Boyd

3.0

This story follows Nancy de Freitas and her family. Nancy appears to be the type of matriarch that wants to help everyone, and while I can relate at times it was bordering at martyrdom. She finds herself attracted to a smoking, drinking, country singer while at a friends birthday. It is four years after her divorce, her husband leaving her for a younger woman.

She can't seem to fully commit as her mother, Frances is starting to become ill. She takes on her full care even when Frances doesn't want her to. You also have Nancy's daughter Louise who also "needs" her to help take care of her daughters.

Nancy's relationship suffers when both her mother and daughter don't seem to like her new man. Feeling pulled in many directions she seems to always pick her family.

I think i struggled with this one due to Nancy being older than I expected, she is in her early 60's. I also expected a stronger female, being older and more wise to stick up for herself, instead her daughter especially was bratty and ran all over her. Lavender House didn't really play a big part in the plot until the very end. While I feel the ending was ok, it was a little bit anticlimactic. Overall I don't think it was for me but feel others would enjoy it.

I received a free copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.