Title:  Love on Lavender Island
Series:  Lavender Island #2
Author:  Lauren Christopher
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Published:  July 7, 2016
Publisher:  Montlake Romance
My Rating:  4 stars
Source:  NetGalley
Cover Description:

What’s worse than Paige Grant getting stuck in a window while breaking into her late grandmother’s Lavender Island ranch? Being discovered—and saved—by next-door neighbor Adam Mason. The Grants and Masons haven’t exactly been friendly in recent decades, despite Paige’s teenage crush on handsome, standoffish Adam. But the down-on-her-luck actress now needs more than saving: she wants to use part of Adam’s property to pull off a dramatic wedding for her idol, screen legend Dorothy Silver, in exchange for a movie role that could make her dreams come true.

Adam has been struggling with emotional and financial burdens inherited from the recent death of his father. Yet he reluctantly agrees to help Paige prepare the ranch for the wedding. As they continue to spend time together, sparks fly. But Paige is troubled by a secret that could ruin any hopes they have for a future together. When fire destroys the land that holds the key to both their dreams—and the secrets they carry make tensions run even hotter—can love rise from the ashes on Lavender Island?

Read on for my thoughts on Love On Lavender Island.  No true spoilers, promise.

Life rarely turns out the way we imagined it or even planned it carefully out in our youth.  When Paige had left Lavender Island she was embarking on something new, just for herself.  All that was her past – the hurts, the issues simply the drama was left far behind.  Yet here she was once again, trying to get into her grandmother’s house in order to pull off one grand scheme that would change her future.  Too bad her past caught her in the act.

Adam has enough trouble going on in his life at the moment, the last thing he needs is the drama that Paige intends to bring to their properties.  Still there is that possibility that this plan of Paige’s just might work out well for both of them, so he begrudgingly agrees.

Neither one of them expected the heartbreaking events that would destroy dreams, the secrets that might steal a future.  They certainly never planned on loving each other, now the question becomes can they survive what is being tossed at them with that new found love strong and intact when the truth comes to light.

Love on Lavender Island has so many layers to it, so much just under the surface that it tugs at your heart and your imagination.  Yes, love is strong – but will it be strong enough for two wounded lovers to find that happy ever after ending.  Paige and Adam are an engaging couple, one you tend to want to smack upside the head one moment and cuddle close the next.  The secondary cast of characters (which is as important to me as the main) are fun, noisy, troubling and full of that special-ness that just makes the story more realistic, more believable.

I certainly cried during this one, and got angry and at times just flabbergasted at the actions taking place.  You know you’re engaged in a story when you stop reading and say out loud – Really? Why? and then calmly fall back into the story.  I enjoyed my time spent with Paige, Adam and crew on Lavender Island and would definitely recommend this story to any Romance reader – especially those who like to go a bit deeper into the story.

*I received an e-ARC of Love On Lavender Island from the publisher, Montlake Romance and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*

Available in paperback, audio and for the Kindle