Reviewed by Kat

TITLE: The Victorian

SERIES: Lavender Shores (Book #9)

AUTHOR: Rosalind Abel

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 336 pages

RELEASE DATE: December 17, 2018

BLURB:

Sexy bartender Seth Marino is the epitome of the allure and sophistication for which the town of Lavender Shores is known. For twenty years, Seth has found contentment and happiness as co-owner of the Blue Blossom Bed-and-Breakfast. Seth’s kind heart, good looks, and humor charm both locals and tourists—except the one person who despises him.

Charley Perez began building the life of his dreams a few years before Seth moved to town. Just as his hard work was about to pay off, Charley saw his hopes for building a restaurant worthy of his abuela’s recipes slip through his fingers when Seth arrived. Sure, maybe Charley has a temper, perhaps he should smile more, but does the whole world have to lay out the red carpet for the slutty bartender while never giving Charley a break?

When Lavender Shores welcomes a star-studded food-and-wine celebration, Seth and Charley are forced to work together, leading to an explosion of anger and passion. Both men find the heat and fire of hatred morphing into an irresistible attraction. But even as Seth sees a different side of Charley, the hurt and anger of the past simmer below the surface, threatening the future. And a lifetime of struggle isn’t easy for Charley, who must find the courage to show his true self in seeking help and reaching for his dreams.

(Contains Lavender Shores maps and family trees.)

REVIEW:

Another great trip back to Lavender Shores!

We are finally getting Seth Marino’s story. He is Heather Kelly’s business partner/co-owner of the Blue Blossom Bed-and-Breakfast. Heather is also his best friend. The Italian Stallion, as Heather refers to him, has been his mantle except to the cranky tavern owner Charley Perez wreckers to him as the town slut! When an unfortunate mixup occurs it adds fuel to this feud that has been building for the last 20 years. But will the new wine-and-food celebration be the straw that breaks the camels back with these two?

I have been waiting a long time, like since the first book, to hear Seth’s story. This was a pretty dark and, at times, disturbing story about Charley. He has some major mental issues that needed serious medical/physiological help. His level of anger and how he dealt, or lack of dealing with it, was scary at times. I was thankful that Mabel and Sapphire were the mother’s that he had needed since his abuela passed away. Mabel took him under her wing when he first arrived in town and has been his closest friend every since. It was obvious to her that he was hurting/suffering and kept a eye on him but I don’t think even she realized how on the edge he had become. Watching Charley and Seth interact had me rushing through the story to get my much needed breath of air I was holding. I wasn’t sure which way this was going to go!

The interjection of Senator Gonsalves and his wife was an interesting twist that I didn’t see coming. What a nasty piece of slime he was!

This was a harder read. Mental health difficulties are always hard to read about. What I like about this author is that they don’t shy away from serious issues but are known for tackling them head on and coming to the much needed resolution that is appropriate for the problem that is facing the characters.

I am a huge fan of Rosalind Abel and the town of Lavender Shores. What a better world we would live in if we had more place like this charming town. And having a character like Robert Kelly living there would insure that there would never be a dull moment! I highly recommend this book and the entire Lavender Shores Series. It is best to read this series in order to appreciate and understand the complex Founding Families dynamic and the characters that are referenced in the book. I am looking forward to poor Silas and his story next.

(A huge apology to all that have been waiting for this review, especially to Rosalind Abel. My life has been thrown a number of curveballs with my husband of 40 years cancer diagnosis. Life is finally 🤞getting back on track but we were shown how precious life is and are learning to take it one day at a time through his multiple surgeries and treatments. I hope you all understand.)

RATING:

BUY LINK:

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