Reviews

The Memory of Lavender and Sage by Aimie K. Runyan

katearney's review

hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

3.5

prupell's review

5.0

I loved this book! It was so atmospheric. I loved the community, the setting, the friendships, the herbs and all the food! But, I especially liked the characters, and watching them develop throughout the book. It was just a joy to read.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Harper Muse for the ARC. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

sarah_reading_party's review against another edition

hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I really enjoyed the beautiful writing and storyline of The Memory of Lavender and Sage by Aimie K. Runyan. Tempèsta was such a compelling, strong character! She cared so much about life and her own happiness, about connecting with her mother’s heritage, and resting. It was so easy to love her and cheer for her, especially as she rooted herself in her mother’s village, the lovely Sainte-Colombe. The descriptions of France, of food, and scenery were just amazing. I really enjoyed this book, though I was taken aback by the inclusion of magical realism/fantasy. Despite that, I was glad I stuck with the book and got to know Tempèsta as she got to know the wonderful people and France itself. I was especially glad to see that Tempèsta didn’t swoop in to change things in the village but rather worked with what was already going well to make it even better. A lovely book!

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this eARC. All opinions are my own.

jordanbost's review

emotional inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

4.0

letters_to_words's review

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

3.0

laporziuncula's review

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

This was such a lovely book. Aimie K. Runyan has a gift for transporting you to the places in her books (this is my second of her novels, the first was A Bakery in Paris). A gift not unlike Tempèsta’s for nurturing and bringing the magic out of plants! That alone would give me reason to read them, even if there wasn’t a good story, but the story is always good too!

It’s a sweet love story, a beautiful story about going back to one’s roots, about what makes a place home, building and nurturing community, and the power of places and things to be conduits of love and memories. 

I don’t want to say much more than that and spoil it. Just read it and enjoy your trip to Saint-Colombe! 

ckreads28's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Read in Audio: This book is one for the readers that like to travel through what they are reading. It definitely brings you into the found family feeling of a small town as well as superstitions and traditions of another country. There are also so many quotes and that reminds you of the important things in life. Picking this up blind and getting to read my favorite genre of magical realism made it all the better.

By trying to find her family roots Tempèsta learns to find her way to herself and her truth. She shows a town a new way of life and they show her one as well. I love each friendship and bond she builds with and outside of her 

romance with Tibèri and when it does ignite is swoony especially their game of pretend

. I loved her friendship with Esètva (would love a book for her and Wal) and Jenofa (would also kill for a novella for Jenofa's relationship with Tempèsta's mom and maternal grandma). This book is the definition of cozy and healing especially ones of family wounds. 

It is also important to stick around for the author's note at the end.

This book definitely became one of my favorite books ever and one I will reread and get my own copies physical and otherwise. I need the quotes, recipes, and comfort in my life.

kimberlyjinspired's review

hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

chelz286's review

adventurous emotional hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

"It's the danger of dreams, isn't it? They can be beautiful, they can do more damage than good if they obscure reality too much." Aimie K. Runyan

I really loved this contemporary novel that still has history wound throughout its pages. Tempèsta has never really felt like she fit in with her family. Her grandmother has always been hard on her and she has felt lost since losing her mother passed years ago. Now the loss of her father has put things into perspective about life and dreams. She really isn't happy in her career and after the will of her father is read, she realizes the she now has the ability to seek out her dream of heading back to her mother's homeland and finding out more about her family on that side. Once she is in Sainte-Colombe she realizes that she may have just made a huge mistake. Buying a house sight unseen, not knowing the language well and not having a very warm welcome she wonders what her mother's life was like here. This is the first time she has really ventured out on her own, has made her own decisions and now she knows she needs to handle what she put into motion. Maybe Tempèsta can find what she has been searching for, as well as the answers about who her mother was and where she belongs. I really enjoyed this storyline, the characters and the food. Don't read this novel hungry! I loved that some of the recipes were included as well. The author wrote with such detail, I felt as if I could smell these meals. Loved this one! Thank you to the author for the complementary novel and to Suzy Approved Book Tours for the invite. This review is of my own opinion and accord. 

mv64's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0