The Lavender Thief (Essentially Sweet Romance Book 1)

Stephanie maintains a carefully organized life with strict routines, but her world is disrupted when she discovers her apartment manager murdered in the stairwell. The investigation brings Detective Mark Wellborn into her life, and she finds herself distracted by him despite her need for control and order. Mark notices details others miss—moved items in her apartment, a recurring white van, and Stephanie's attempts to manage her fear. As he works to protect her, the line between professional duty and personal feeling becomes increasingly difficult to maintain. Both must keep their interactions professional until the murder is solved, but the attraction between them grows. As someone begins invading the safe spaces of her life, Stephanie must confront whether she can abandon her need for perfection. The story follows her investigation into the murder while exploring her relationship with Mark, featuring her goldendoodle, comedic moments, and suspenseful twists.