The Lavender Thief by Elysian Hunt is the first book in the Essentially Sweet Romance series. Stephanie Pierce is a young woman in her early twenties who dreams of setting up her own essential oil business by age thirty. But her life turns upside down when she discovers the body of her apartment manager in the building. When the handsome lead detective, Mark Wellborn, comes to investigate, Stephanie is inexplicably attracted to him. While she learns the essential oil business alongside her best friend, Becca, Stephanie discovers someone is stalking her and has been to her apartment and her workplace. Mark offers her protection, but soon, Stephanie finds herself embroiled in a conspiracy to smuggle stolen diamonds that puts her life in danger. When her beloved Goldendoodle is kidnapped, Stephanie must make a difficult choice.

A crime sleuth mystery filled with romance, drama, and humor, The Lavender Thief is a blast from start to finish. It is primarily a romantic comedy with an absorbing plot featuring twists and turns that make you want to know more with each chapter. Author Elysian Hunt paces the plot brilliantly and keeps it moving while keeping the reader entertained with the underlying mystery and the chemistry between the two main characters. Stephanie is hilarious. She has a bubbly personality, and every scene between her and Mark was a joy to read. I also loved Stephanie's friendship with Becca. The formidable villain keeps you on edge until the end. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. If you're a fan of romantic comedies, do not miss out on this one!

The Lavender Thief by Elysian Hunt follows Stephanie Pierce, who discovers her apartment manager, Richard, dead, leading to an investigation by Detective Mark Wellborn. Initially believed to be a natural death, it is later revealed that Richard was murdered. As Stephanie tries to manage her safety concerns, her friend Beck introduces her to essential oils through her business, Essential Sense. As the investigation unfolds, Stephanie realizes she is being targeted by a hooded intruder who actually breaks into her apartment, leading to a police chase where the intruder escapes and remains on the loose. Stephanie learns she may be an unwitting mule through her essential oil products, and the FBI plans to use her as bait. Throughout, Mark remains a protective figure and they develop a deeper connection as they juggle the escalating threats to her safety.

In The Lavender Thief by Elysian Hunt, readers are treated to a cozy mystery infused with romance and a deep dive into the world of essential oils. The oils are almost characters themselves and readers are given details about various types, including their uses and applications, and even get a rundown in the back matter. The characters of Stephanie and Mark are well-developed and relatable, though it's Stephanie's dog, Bugle, who steals the show in a way that any dog in literature does. The writing itself is engaging and fluid, evenly mixing the suspense of a woman in a deadly situation and more light-hearted moments. Mark is as delicious as readers hope for and the attraction, while immediate, builds at an organic pace. The combination of mystery, great characters, and a focus on aromatherapy makes this novel a supremely unique read, perfect for fans of cozy mysteries looking for a touch of romance along the way.