The Summer Cottage by Annie Rains (Somerset Lake #1)

 

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The perfect summer read! The Summer Cottage is a beautifully tangled web of secrets and regrets. My heart physically ached while this story unfolded, and yet I couldn't put it down.

Jake never wanted to return to Somerset Lake, since it only held memories of loss and heartache for him, but he'd do anything for his grandma, even if it means going against the rest of his family to honor her wishes.

Trisha is trying to start over somewhere that nobody knows what her ex-husband has done. Leaving the past behind is easier said than done. This story had my heart from the second Jake gave Petey the nickname "Copilot."

With meddling neighbors, nudist elderly mornings, greedy family and a lovable grandma - Jake & Trisha are in for an adventure that you'll want to go on again and again. I can't wait for more of the characters in this series to have their stories told!

💋 Romance

SUMMARY:

This summer, they'll learn that home is where the heart is.

Somerset Lake is the perfect place for Trisha Langly and her son to start over. As the new manager for the Somerset Cottages, Trisha is instantly charmed by the property's elderly residents and her firecracker of a new boss, Vi Fletcher. But Trisha is less enchanted by Vi's protective grandson Jake. No matter how tempting she finds the handsome lawyer, Trisha knows that if Jake discovers the truth about her past, she'll lose the new life she's worked so hard to build.

Jake Fletcher left Somerset Lake after a tragic loss, but he's returning for the summer to care for his beloved grandmother, hoping Vi will sell the run-down cottages and finally slow down. There's just one problem: Trisha, Vi's new employee. She's smart, beautiful, and kind, but Jake's job is to protect his grandmother's interests, and his gut is telling him Trisha's hiding something that could jeopardize Vi's future. However, as they spend summer days renovating the property and bonding over their love for the town, Jake realizes that Trisha is a risk worth taking -- if only she can trust him with her secrets...and her heart.

Includes the bonus novella Kiss Me in Sweetwater Springs!

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Back in the Burbs by Tracy Wolff, Avery Flynn (The Burbs #1)

 

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If you need a good escape from reality, this is it! Back in the Burbs was everything I was hoping for from this dynamic pair of writers, and more!!!

Nick is one of those broody characters that you love to hate, the kind that always follow the rules and sticks to a daily routine that doesn't involve having a social life.

Mallory has suffered one loss after another and is tired of people making decisions for her and being told what she should do. This is the fresh start she needs and she'll do everything in her power to make it a reality.

I adore all of Avery Flynn's books, so I knew I would be all-in with this one, but from the first to last page I was a goner. So many shenanigans with the HOA and surrounding busy-bodies, you're guaranteed to get a good ab workout from laughter.

With plenty of witty banter, tender moments of realization and an underlying romance with the enemy, this has been quite the delightful escape from the norm. Put this on your must-read list for 2021!

😄 Comedy

 💧 Drama

💋 Romance

SUMMARY:

Ever have one of those days where life just plain sucks? Welcome to my last three months -- ever since I caught my can't-be-soon-enough ex-husband cheating with his paralegal. I'm thirty-five years old, and I've lost my NYC apartment, my job, my money, and frankly, my dignity.

But the final heartache in the suck sandwich of my life? My great-aunt Maggie died. The only family member who's ever gotten me.

Ever after death, though, she's helping me get back up. She's willed me the keys to a house in the burbs, of all places, and dared me to grab life by the family jewels. Well, I've got the vise grips already in hand (my ex should take note) and I'm ready to fight for my life again.

Too bad that bravado only lasts as long as it takes to drive into Huckleberry Hills. And see the house.

There are forty-seven separate HOA violations, and I feel them all in my bones. Honestly, I'm surprised no one's "accidentally" torched the house yet. I want to, and I've only been standing in front of it for five minutes. But then my hot, grumpy neighbor tells me to mow the lawn first and I'm just...done. Done with men too sexy for their own good and done with anyone telling me what to do ever again.

First rule of surviving the burbs? There is nothing that YouTube and a glass of wine can't conquer.

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My Beautiful Neighbor by Piper Rayne (The Greene Family #1)

 

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Perfect series for anyone missing the Bailey family! My Beautiful Neighbor is a wonderful new series, loosely tied to The Baileys series. 

The prequel, My Twist of Fortune, introduces the Greene family, so while it's not required, it definitely makes the series more enjoyable to see how it all began, while getting to know each character better.

Presley Knight comes to town to break the news to a sister neither of them new about, but she finds a lot more than she expected. After inheriting a building from the mother she never knew, she must decide if she wants a fresh start and a chance to know her only remaining blood relative, or if she wants to high-tail it home to the safety of her parents.

Cade Greene doesn't get too close to anyone after losing his mother drastically at a young age, but the message has failed to be received by his heart, often causing him to walk away from those he loves.

My Bailey-loving heart is extremely happy right now! I loved seeing Grandma Dori again, as well as the rest of the Green family that I fell in love with while reading the prequel. A very mellow, slow build romance, and a delightful start to another epic series.

😄 Comedy

 💧 Drama

💋 Romance

SUMMARY:

Who's the mystery woman who just walked into my brewery?

I'm not the only one from my Alaskan small town asking themselves that question. But I'm positive, I'm the only one in Sunrise Bay undressing the pretty blonde in my head. Everything about her, from her make-up to her high heels says she's a fish out of water.

Whispers and speculations run rampant until the secret of who she is gets uncovered. Then the rumor mill goes into overdrive when she announces she's staying to open a bookstore in the building next to mine -- throwing a big wrench into my plans to buy that empty building.

I quickly find myself in a tug-of-war since my business partner/brother is upset she's ruined the opportunity to expand our business. I try to keep my distance, but I've got one sister with a gossip column on the local radio station and two meddling grandmas setting me up as a tour director.

And now I kind of like the idea of our new neighbor staying. But small-town life isn't for the weak -- time will tell if she has what it takes to be one of us.

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Friends Like Us by Sarah Mackenzie (Cranberry Cove #2)

 

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A feel-good story you won't forget! Friends Like Us is the heart-wrenching journey of two friends at different points of their life, both needing a change to move forward.

Bree Rhodes is trying to live her life to the fullest after a cancer scare makes her rethink everything. Her journey is to start taking chances and stepping out of the comfort zone she's always lived in.

Jill Kelly is taking one day at a time after suffering a tremendous loss, but she doesn't let anyone close to her and is harboring a secret.

I feel like I have several aspects in common with both Bree and Jill, so this story hit very close to home for me and will be one I hold very near to my heart.

A beautiful story of friendship, adventure and discovering genuine happiness begins with loving yourself! This was such a wonderful emotional journey and I'll definitely revisit it again soon.

 💧 Drama

SUMMARY:

Bree Rhodes and Jill Kelly have been best friends since kindergarten. When Bree survives a cancer scare, the knitting shop assistant takes it as a sign to step out of her comfort zone...or at least take a few tentative tiptoes. But in no time she's in over her head with a hot architect, a new puppy and a shot at buying her dream inn. And the harder she tries to stay afloat in her new normal, the harder it is to hold onto her friendship with Jill who seems to be ebbing away.

While her best friend is living her best life, art boutique owner, Jill, is simply trying to live. Still struggling after a freak motorcycle accident took the life of her husband, Jill doesn't know how to start over -- or if she even wants to. Life isn't easy as a young widow, especially when she's hiding a painful secret. But when she learns that the fairytale Maine cottage she'd once dreamed of buying with her husband is on the market, she has to decide whether she's ready to let go of the past and to write a new chapter. But the only way to really heal is by revealing to Bree a truth that will either destroy their friendship forever or bring them closer together.

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The Boyfriend Contract by Victoria James

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The Boyfriend Contract will pull at your heartstrings! I often found myself wanting to reach into the book, just to wrap Emily in a giant hug and give her the love she didn't experience growing up.

If you want a feel good book, look no further: Emily Birmingham has lived a life full of regret, constantly being demeaned and bullied by her brother. When she has the chance to start over and get out from under his controlling hands, she doesn't hesitate.

Cooper Merrick comes from a family that would do anything for one another, but his guard is up after losing the love of his life, and the last thing he wants is to open his heart to someone new.

I struggled with who I loved more: Cooper or his entire family! They're such lovable, entertaining characters and you'll find yourself shaking your head at their antics, all while trying to contain your laughter.

A truly enjoyable romance, with enough drama to keep you guessing what will happen next, and tender moments you won't forget. I absolutely loved this book and wish I could find more Coopers in the world!

 💧 Drama
💋 Romance

Summary:
Emily Birmingham has had it up to here with men.

Growing up with an overbearing father and then her brother inherits everything she's worked her whole life to build. Now she's living in her grandmother's dilapidated house in the middle of nowhere Canada, jobless, and dealing with the most annoyingly sexy contractor on the planet. Exactly when did her life become an anti-Hallmark movie?

Cooper Merrick learned the hard way that love is definitely not worth the risk. He's happy running the family contracting business alongside his well-meaning but overly-opinionated brothers...happy enough until polished and perfect Emily enters his world. Nothing prepared him for the ways she turns his life upside down and reaches the parts of himself he's closed off from the world.

But when he finally gets up the nerve to ask Emily out, she says her next date will need to come with a written contract and some very particular ground rules. Yeah, it sounds crazy, but why does he find himself wanting to sign on the dotted line?

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