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Rosalind Abel
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The Veranda (Lavender Shores Book 3) Kindle Edition

by Rosalind Abel (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 360 ratings
Donovan Carlisle helps countless people in Lavender Shores with his skills as a therapist. It seems, however, that his ability to enable others to live their happiest life only works outside of himself. Donovan truly loves his life, but isn’t able to find a relationship that satisfies his heart’s craving. Maybe the problem is that the only man he wants is off-limits.
Spencer Epstein came to Lavender Shores to find himself. Instead, he married one of the local town beauties. He’d thought his prayers had finally been answered. Then, he met his pregnant fiancée’s brother. It turned out those answered prayers were just cruel twists of fate.
A decade later, after a divorce and the crumbling of all Spencer thought was set in stone, he sees his brother-in-law at a masquerade sex party. He takes full advantage of the anonymity and acts on the desires he’s held at bay all those years. The problem is, those silent and frenzied moments didn’t satiate anything. The fire and heat between the two men only grows as secrets are uncovered and they must determine if the cost of their passion is too high...

(Now contains Lavender Shores maps and family trees.)
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  1. Book 3 of 9
    Lavender Shores
  2. Print length
    258 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    August 25, 2017
  6. File size
    10.7 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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There are 9 books in this series.

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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0755F7NS6
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Amazon Digital Services
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 25, 2017
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 10.7 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 258 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 3 of 9 ‏ : ‎ Lavender Shores
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 360 ratings

About the author

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Rosalind Abel

Rosalind Abel

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Rosalind Abel grew up tending chickens along side her sweet and faithful Chow, Lord Elgin. While her fantasy of writing novels was born during her teen years, she never would have dreamed she’d one day publish steamy romances about gorgeous men. However, sometimes life turns out better than planned.

In between crafting scorching sex scenes and helping her men find their soul mate, Rosalind enjoys cooking, collecting toys, and making the best damn scrapbooks in the world (this claim hasn’t been proven, but she’s willing to put good money on it).

She adores MM Romance and the power it has to sweep the reader away into worlds filled with passion, steam, and love. Rosalind also enjoys her collection of plot bunnies, and welcomes new fuzzy ones in her home all the time, so feel free to send any adorable ones her way.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
360 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be a beautifully nuanced love story about second chances, with well-developed characters and natural dialogue. Moreover, they appreciate the picturesque town setting, with one customer describing it as a delightful installment in the Lavender Shores world. Additionally, customers praise the book's readability and functionality, with one noting how the characters work harmoniously together.

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Story qualityCharacter developmentReadabilityPacingBeautyDialogue qualityFunctionality
21 customers mention "Story quality"21 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy this beautifully nuanced story of love and second chances, with one customer noting how it portrays the coming together of lives.

"...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...." Read more

"...Now I’m back and oh my gosh. What a lovely, wonderful, swoony story this was. I adored these two together...." Read more

"...This is the strongest story in the series so far, for me...." Read more

"...I love this series because it does a great job of mixing high drama with an almost fairy tale setting, focusing on one location within Lavender..." Read more

11 customers mention "Character development"11 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the characters in the book, with one customer particularly appreciating the interaction between Donovan and Spencer.

"...The angst, humor, romance, and character development are well-balanced and work harmoniously together...." Read more

"...I also love this series because of the large cast of characters. In less capable hands, I would fear a cast this size of becoming unruly...." Read more

"...There's also enough development of the characters that they feel real, and familiar, as if they're someone I know, but without being carbon-copied..." Read more

"I have become a huge fan of Lavender Shores and it's many characters. I'm thankful that Donovan finally got his story, even though it wasn't easy...." Read more

11 customers mention "Readability"11 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be a must-read, with one customer particularly enjoying the lawyer and psychiatrist storyline.

"...Now I’m back and oh my gosh. What a lovely, wonderful, swoony story this was. I adored these two together...." Read more

"...and this adds to the pleasure of reading this book...." Read more

"This is a book about people closer to my age group, and it is good. No, actually it is great. I loved the interaction between Donovan and Spencer...." Read more

"...after this book and maybe a sex therapist to go along with it wow a must read." Read more

10 customers mention "Pacing"10 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the pacing of the book, with one customer noting it gets better with each installment.

"Welcome to Lavender Shores! If this is your first visit to the inimitable, quirky, and unforgettable residents of this picturesque town you..." Read more

"...They are also very sweet together. Secondary characters like Lamont, Gilbert and Robert make the story that much more perfect in my book...." Read more

"...shores series and I must say, this series is getting better and better all the time!..." Read more

"Spencer and Donovan are perfect! I loved this story. It flowed so we'll and of course all the characters were fun!..." Read more

6 customers mention "Beauty"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the picturesque town setting of the book, with one describing it as a delightful installment in the Lavender Shores world.

"...Now I’m back and oh my gosh. What a lovely, wonderful, swoony story this was. I adored these two together...." Read more

"...to the inimitable, quirky, and unforgettable residents of this picturesque town you will find a wonderful treat...." Read more

"...without too many spoilers, but suffice it to say I was delighted with The Veranda. I wish I had my own veranda!..." Read more

"...I really enjoyed it because of the crazy characters, the lovely town, interesting stories and the soapy dynasty of first families with the small..." Read more

4 customers mention "Dialogue quality"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the dialogue in the book, finding it natural and realistic, with one customer noting how each couple faces very real situations.

"...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..." Read more

"...She has a knack for writing very comfortable, natural dialog (which some authors tend to stumble over) and this adds to the pleasure of reading this..." Read more

"...Well written characters, dialogue and finally learning to be who you are meant to be!" Read more

"...Each couple faces very real and possible hurdles on their journey to their HEA. Come visit Lavender Shores, you won't be sorry!" Read more

4 customers mention "Functionality"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate how the elements of the book work together.

"...romance, and character development are well-balanced and work harmoniously together...." Read more

"...This all works great, until it begins to put a strain on their relationship, as secrets often do...." Read more

"...Well, the author made it work in beautifully. I love Spencer and Donovan...." Read more

"...These two are good together and I hope to see more of them in the future books." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Carol
    5.0 out of 5 stars Donavan and Spencer were amazing!
    Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    The Veranda is book three in the Lavender Shores series by Rosalind Abel. I read the first two books quite awhile ago but then got distracted by other books. Now I’m back and oh my gosh. What a lovely, wonderful, swoony story this was. I adored these two together.

    Donavan Carlisle is a therapist in Lavender Shores. He is forty two years old and has dedicated his life to helping others live a happy, healthy life. He just can’t seem to achieve the same for himself. Because for ten years, Donavan has pined for his half sister’s now ex-husband. The first time they met, it was like being struck by lightning. He has spent the last ten years making sure he kept his feelings hidden.

    Spencer Epstein is thirty nine years old and is a lawyer. He always knew he was gay. But his religious parents did everything they could to “change” him. When Spencer met Ericka, he thought those prayers had been answered. Until he met her half brother, Donavan. And his world came tumbling down. He loved Ericka and they had two beautiful children together. But she left him anyway for someone else. Now divorced, Spencer attends a masquerade party and immediately recognizes Donavan, despite his disguise. It’s a chance he can’t let pass so he goes for it and they have an encounter that changes their lives.

    “Now that we’d crossed that line, every fiber of my being needed him.”

    Spencer was so brave. After a lifetime of denial, he is ready to embrace who he is. And also, to do whatever he could to have the man he has loved for a decade of his life. I have to admit that I greatly disliked Ericka. She was not a good person. Along with Spencer’s parents. This man literally had no support from anyone. Yet, he still stood tall and tried to be a good father. I loved him with Donavan. I loved seeing them both transform into the happiest version of themselves. The next book in the series is going to be Lamont’s book called The Shipwreck. I can’t wait to read it.
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  • Spifette
    4.0 out of 5 stars Statement of the obvs: love can be worth the wait
    Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2017
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Donovan and Spencer, your story was more than worth waiting for, just like this opportunity for the two of you to discover if the last decade of wanting each other could be bested by actually being together.

    I'm jumping right in because, one of the things stuck at the front of my brain about this story is, we get to see the vulnerable and insecure sides of Donavan and how Spencer is the one who makes that possible, and this swoon-worthy element deserves all the recognition. Even better, Spencer gives Donavan the strength to share these parts of himself, to go for it in those moments when he has to make a choice emotionally: do I leap or do I play it "safe"?

    As for Spencer, as much as he's been through and kept hidden about himself all these years, he's a bit more ahead of the game than Donovan when it comes to going for it. This goes for most aspects of his life, a grabs your hand and smiles while shouting "let's go!" kind of personality.

    This is the strongest story in the series so far, for me. The angst, humor, romance, and character development are well-balanced and work harmoniously together.

    There are a few mistakes in the text itself, but they're minor and didn't slow things down for me.

    Spencer and the chapters he narrates are especially insightful regarding his efforts reconcile everything he was taught during his childhood, particularly by his father. That it's a sin to love who you love, to be who you are without trying to fit inside the boundaries of what someone else defines as who you should be.

    Gilbert, you're one of my favorite characters in this series, in any series. There is a complex multi-geared psyche beneath the sublimely snarky top layers of your personality, and we get to see more of both aspects in this story. #gilbertrules

    Things are not perfect, Spencer and Donavan have several obstacles to navigate, but they do just that by talking and listening to each other. Imagine that. Oh wait, ya don't hafta because these two show us how they do it and how it works. :D
    Helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • JP Jackson
    5.0 out of 5 stars another installment of this series does not disappoint. This story revolves around Lavender Shores's Therapist Donavan ...
    Reviewed in Canada on July 10, 2018
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Once again, another installment of this series does not disappoint.
    This story revolves around Lavender Shores's Therapist Donavan and his love interest (his ex-brother in law!) Spencer.

    I'll admit, though, the idea of taking on your sister's (even if it is your half-sister) ex as your lover is a bit...well, odd, but Rosalind Abel's message throughout the book is quite clear. Be true to yourself, and everyone deserves to be happy.

    Let's face it - sometimes it takes a while for us to 'get it right'. So, I was okay with setting aside the awkward familial relationship - and to be honest, it certainly created strife and controversy!

    On to the next book!
    Report
  • Charleyrose
    5.0 out of 5 stars Top shelf reading, Ms Abel is up there with Ms. Kennedy and Ms Lennox, hands down 6 stars!!
    Reviewed in Australia on August 27, 2017
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    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.
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  • JES
    4.0 out of 5 stars Relaxing on The Veranda sounds good to me!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 15, 2018
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    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.
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  • Linda A
    4.0 out of 5 stars Donovan and Spencer
    Reviewed in Australia on June 11, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    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.
    Report
  • Helennnlouise18
    4.0 out of 5 stars Read via KU
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 16, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    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.
    Report

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