Book Review: The Lavender Bride by Alexandra Weston

It’s a pleasure to be welcoming Alexandra Weston back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, The Lavender Bride.

An English rose with American dreams

Audrey Wade longs to escape her domineering father and the bleak streets of post-war Yorkshire. Hollywood glitters with glamour, freedom, and the promise of a life with her best friend Freddie. But when Freddie abandons her, Audrey is left to chase her dreams alone.

A Heartthrob with secrets

Rex Trent is more than Hollywood’s leading man. Charismatic and dangerously handsome, he’s adored by millions and watched by powerful enemies in a paranoid 1950s America. One wrong move could destroy him.

A romance born of ambition and betrayal

When Rex proposes, Audrey is swept into Hollywood’s glamour and high-stakes secrets. But she soon discovers Rex’s dark side and faces a choice: cling to a man who may never love her, or risk everything to forge her own path?

A gripping new historical novel from a wonderful new voice. Perfect for fans of Taylor Jenkins-Reid, Wendy Holden and Allison Pataki.

*****

Audrey Wade has long held a dream to leave Sheffield for the promise of a great life in Hollywood, escaping post war Britain and her oppressive father forever.

After a few months of a new life in the US, Audrey catches the eye of film star, Rex Trent. Soon, she is caught up in a whirlwind of a life with him but is it what she really wanted?

Having previously read The Hollywood Governess, I was pleased to have the opportunity to join the blog tour for Alexandra Weston’s latest novel, The Lavender Bride. I am really going to try and talk about this book without spoilers.

This novel was just as engrossing as I imagined. Audrey grabs hold of you and doesn’t let go. She’s got a hope within her that you can’t help but love. There were times when I was reading when I wanted to reach into the pages and pull her away from her decisions. I loved her, felt sorry for her, felt her heartbreak and wished her the best all within this story.

Jack was wonderful. Freddie… I am not going to say much about him as it will spoil things. Same with Rex. This novel does mess with your sympathies when it comes to certain characters. There is a big element of empathy, especially when you consider the time in which this is based but their behaviour in certain scenes then makes it very complicated. When you read, which I hope you do, you’ll see what I mean. Alexandra Weston does a great job at pulling at the reader’s heartstrings in one moment and having them angry the next. At least for this reader anyway.

The plot was so well developed and beautifully written. The details of setting – I felt like I was in the golden age of Hollywood although things are never as they seem and the grass isn’t always greener. There wasn’t a moment where the story slowed, at least in my opinion. I pretty much read it in one sitting.

The Lavender Bride is a masterclass in historical fiction. It will make you smile, cheer and want to shed a tear. Bravo to the author.

About Alexandra Weston  –

Alexandra Weston writes historical fiction. She has a MA in Creative Writing from York St John University.

She has a lifelong passion for history and loves visiting stately homes, museums and old churches. She also writes fantasy as Alys West.

She lives with her partner and a ginger cat called Wilf in East Yorkshire. She sings with her local community choir and loves live music, hanging out in bookshops and eating cake.

Connect with Alexandra via Facebook, Twitter (X), Instagram and Bookbub. Click here to sign up to her newsletter.

The Lavender Bride was released by Boldwood Books on 28th March 2025. Click to buy on Amazon and Waterstones. 

by

Laura

I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.