Beyond the Lavender Fields Review

Posted by abakersp in Historical, Reviews / Spotlights / 0 Comments

Do you love history? Then I’ve got a treat for you! Beyond the Lavender Fields by Arlem Hawks is a wonderfully written historic novel that will have you grabbing for those history books, and learning more about France in the late 1700’s.

About the Book

Beyond the Lavender Fields ReviewBeyond the Lavender Fields
Author Arlem Hawks
Published by Shadow Mountain
on February 1, 2022
Genres: Fiction / Historical / General
Pages: 368

1792, France

Rumors of revolution in Paris swirl in Marseille, a bustling port city in southern France. Gilles Étienne, a clerk at the local soap factory, thrives on the news. Committed to the cause of equality, liberty, and brotherhood, he and his friends plan to march to Paris to dethrone the monarchy. His plans are halted when he meets Marie-Caroline Daubin, the beautiful daughter of the owner of the factory.

A bourgeoise and royalist, Marie-Caroline has been called home to Marseille to escape the unrest in Paris. She rebuffs Gilles's efforts to charm her and boldly expresses her view that violently imposed freedom is not really freedom for all. As Marie-Caroline takes risks to follow her beliefs, Gilles catches her in a dangerous secret that could cost her and her family their lives. As Gilles and Marie-Caroline spend more time together, she questions her initial assumptions about Gilles and realizes that perhaps they have more in common than she thought.

As the spirit of revolution descends on Marseille, people are killed and buildings are ransacked and burned to the ground. Gilles must choose between supporting the political change he believes in and protecting those he loves. And Marie-Caroline must battle between standing up for what she feels is right and risking her family's safety. With their lives and their nation in turmoil, both Gilles and Marie-Caroline wonder if a révolutionnaire and a royaliste can really be together or if they must live in a world that forces people to choose sides.

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My Perspective

Hawks gives so much history in Beyond the Lavender Fields, and I was there for it! It’s easy to tell when an author really pays attention to the research, because the details are so very well laid out in their story. Hawks is one of those authors. I don’t know much about France in 1792 – history class wasn’t exactly something I paid much attention to in high school (and I regret now), but I feel like I learned so much just in reading this book. And it makes me want more.

And while I loved the history, there are two things I loved even more. One – Gilles and Marie-Caroline. Their first meet was probably one of my favorite parts of the whole book honestly. I giggled. And the giggling didn’t stop there. The interaction between Gilles and Marie-Caroline throughout the entire book was just delightful. Chemistry? Oh yes. Bantor? Yep. Romance? Yes. But also the whole, I-don’t-like-you-but-I-secretly-like-you vibe. Hawks wrote it perfectly.

Here’s the other thing I loved about the book. The life lesson. Gilles and Marie-Caroline were on different sides, and therefore had some preconceived ideas about each other. But over time, they understood that even your enemies are human. They have thoughts, ideas, and (gasp) a heart. You really do need to get to know them to understand their “why” and how they came to be on the side they are on.

Beyond the Lavender Fields was a great read. History fans will love how much detail Hawks provides, and romance fans will fall in love with Gilles and Marie-Caroline. I sure did!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

About the Author

ARLEM HAWKS began making up stories before she could write. Living all over the western United States and traveling around the world gave her a love of cultures and people and the stories they have to tell. She has a bachelor’s degree in communications, with an emphasis in print journalism, and she lives in Arizona with her husband three children.