The Veranda: Lavender Shores

So I’ve now read the first five books in this series (I skipped over this one because I wanted to read Connor’s and Lamont’s respective stories first) and this one fell a bit flat for me. I hated the opening sequence. It strikes me as rather ironic that Lavendar Shores is supposed to be this idillic safe haven for gays, yet the author carries one of the most negative stereotypes about gay men - that they’re all indescrimminately promiscuous - through each of the books, with this one opening at a sex party where the attendees are disguised from one another.Donovan and Spencer make a good couple. They mesh well and they’re feelings for each other feel believable. However, I thought the constant questioning and self-doubt they each expressed as they worked through the reality of their situation became a tad bit repetitive and it went on for chapter after chapter after chapter. And as with a couple of the books, the big angsty moment of truth was rather anticlimactic. Erica was a loathsome character whenever she appeared in any of the stories so there was no way, no matter how hard Spencer tried, to make her even remotely simpathetic. I give Spencer a lot of credit for being as foregiving as he was. And Donovan’s father? WTF? Trying to present him as some moralistic icon of two founding families was laughable and it made his confrontation with Donovan and Spencer totally laughable.Without giving anything away, I can say that I did find the epilogue to be rather sweet.

In reading The Veranda, I couldn't help but think of the old England Dan and John Ford Coley song that goes "It's sad to belong to someone else, when the right one comes along." Spencer, having gone through years of reparative therapy, thought his attraction to Erica was the answer to heartfelt prayer, until he met Erica's half-brother Donovan the night of their engagement party and realized he belonged to someone else when the right one did come along. After ten years of marriage and two children, Erica and Spencer are divorced and Spencer is finally free to act on his attraction for Donovan. And Donovan? Turns out Donovan, with a string of unsuccessful relationships, has been waiting for Spencer, even if he didn't fully realize it.I think this story of former brothers-in-law who finally get their chance at happiness together could have been somewhat bizarre in another author's hands, but Rosalind Abel really pulls off this beautifully nuanced story of love at first glance and the ten years it took before that love was finally realized."It’s you, Donovan. It will always be you.” He started to look away, and I grabbed his leg, waiting for him to look at me again. “It’s always been you. Even when I tried to make that not be true, it still was."Add in milk chocolate p@nis cookies, absolutely sizzling sex on Spencer's desk in a high-rise (full-glass window) law office and a heaping helping of suit p@rn and there is plenty to like about The Veranda:"We were just two regular men on a date. Two men who’d wanted to be with each other for a decade. Two men who had just had killer rounds of sex, donned suits, and driven to the Castro for cheeseburgers. Well, maybe regular was an overstatement."Three books into the Lavender Shores series, I really like the range of stories Rosalind Abel has given us. The Palisade was almost a fairy tale story of true love, while The Garden had two damaged MCs who saved one another. The Veranda gives us a story of improbable second chances and the joy and amazing gift of finally being there when the right one comes along. 5 stars."For the first time in my life, I was being exactly who I was. And while maybe that should’ve been the most terrifying thing in the world, it felt absolutely amazing."

Welcome to Lavender Shores!If this is your first visit to the inimitable, quirky, and unforgettable residents of this picturesque town you will find a wonderful treat. If you have laughed and enjoyed reading the THE PALISADES and THE GARDEN be ready for another wonderful escape into the world of the Lavender Shores residents.THE VERANDA is Donovan Carlisle and Spencer Epstein’s story. Be prepared to chuckle, gasp, and occasionally sniffle as these brother’s-in-law go from a decade long silent attraction to a hesitant and hopeful affair. As a successful therapist and a malpractice attorney they are suddenly confronted with the freedom to acknowledge the magnetism between them. Donovan and Spencer are not twenty-somethings eager to ignore the repercussions of being seen out together in the gossipy town. Escaping to San Francisco they explore their feelings and attraction in a comfortable setting. Add reparative therapy to Spencer’s past and a life time of never finding a satisfactory love to Donovan’s life and these two will finally be able to leave their pasts and create a loving relationship together. At last they realize the wait for each other had been worth it.Luckily, we also catch up with some of our favorite residents in the quaint Lavender Shores community; the wonderful outrageous and endearing Robert, the no-nonsense Gilbert with heart on his sleeve, and the wistful, intuitive Lamont. Careful attention to the dialog make it easy and realistic to read although you will giggle out loud and the timely details make this the best Lavender Shores to date. You will never again watch Cats without a sigh and a smile. If this is your first venture into Lavender Shores, THE PALASIDES and THE GARDEN are must reads too although be warned you may want to move there!

Another welcome return to Lavender Shores. This place is a real contradiction. It has the Founding families with their traditions and historical rivalry and then you have how progressive some of them are by holding a Pride Parade and supporting the LGBTQ community. It makes the area a magnet for people to live their lives how they want.This was a foray into the worlds of Donovan and Spencer. Both very likeable MC's who had missed each other 10 years prior when their paths first crossed but were heading in different directions. Clearly told from both POV, we find out what happens when Spencer becomes a free agent again after marriage and children, which then sets them on an emotional journey together.It is what I would call a gentle read but is also one that keeps you hooked from the get go. There are a lot of good secondary characters, some of whose stories are yet to be told I'm sure. Romantic, sensitively played where the children are concerned, with some angst, yet funny at times, we see their relationship progress. It is also hot and sexy as they get to know each other in a more biblical sense (pretty much in the first few pages) and then some!This is a series I return to when I want a good, solid read with likeable characters and a sense of family not always related by blood.Looking forward to book 4.

I loved this pairing! Abel’s characters are older, and I’m loving the lack of teenage drama as they work out relationships. Terrific read.

I LOVE the 8th book in this series and I read that first and was intrigued enough to make my way backwards. The premise is good, and the initial chapters zoom by because both Donovan and Spencer are interesting characters. The tension resolved a smidge quickly, which was understandable but it just felt like a bit of a let down after reading the angstiness that was some of the other books in this series. Overall, still recommend, and would actually recommend going in order because I think I spoiled my own experience by going backwards.

A really lovely book, the third in this series, set in Lavender Shores.Donovan is the therapist in the town and is privy to lots of secrets. He has helped a lot of people over the years, but he is unable to stop himself from loving Spencer, his sister’s husband. Donovan fell in love on the night Spencer and a pregnant Erica got engaged.Now more than a decade later Spencer and Erica are divorced.When attending a masquerade party, Donovan is pounced upon and devoured by a person in a cat costume. He is stunned when he realises its Spencer he is having a sexual encounter with. After bumping into each other a few times and being embarrassed, they both figure out its impossible to avoid the inevitable and agree to meet up and things go from embarrassing to fantastic very quickly.

So my two all time favourite authors are Sloane Kennedy and Lucy Lennox, both ladies sit on the top shelf. Now I add Rosalind Abel, she is awesome and fabulous and deliciously talented. This installment of her Lavender Shores series is an absolute must to read. So, so damn good. I eagerly awaited Donovan Carlisle's story and it was just so worth the wait. He and Spencer Epstein were touching, and sad, and happy and so in love it was a joy to read. What made this book so special was the delightful way Rosalind wove through the monologue from both men, their insightful expose of their own value, their sacrifices, their personal growth, their enduring love for each other, their hidden desires, needs and fears it was what made the book so damn good, I'm kinda lost for more words.Read in order for maximum enjoyment and proper backstory building. Lavender shoes is an excellent series and I cannot wait of Lamont's story.