In her debut, The Treehouse on Dog River Bend, Catherine Drake brings us a book that you have to add to your reading list for the summer. It has charm, fun and the type of romance that will have you anticipating what’s to come.

Hannah Spencer is simply awesome. She is the type of character that many women out there may see in themselves or know someone that is alike. She knows who she is and what she wants, and is learning life as she goes along. With wanting a change on her horizon, after getting laid off from an unfulfilling job, she sees the start of that change with an opportunity in Vermont. Little did she know life has a way of taking you out of your comfort zone to point you in the direction you are meant to be.

On her path to a better her, she jumps on the chance to help her sister by watching her children for the summer. While she’s there, inspiration strikes her with a chance to give back to them and fulfill a dream that she and her sister once had, to build a treehouse. The treehouse isn’t the only thing she builds.

On a chance encounter that turns out to be her neighbor, Nathan Wild puts a wrench in her plans. He is everything that will make your heart swoon. The problem is, he just came back there and is trying to get his life settled. With her plans temporary in Vermont and her head on a fresh restart elsewhere, is what she is looking for right in front of her?

Overall, I loved this read. Hannah is such a likable character. The development of her relationship with Nathan is on her own terms and is so sweet to read. The hidden gem in this book is the kids, Nora and Owen. They are hilarious and bring some fun moments to the book. Her interactions with them are full of laugh out loud moments. Her family and friends bring some noteworthy moments as well.

When you take a chance on an author, it’s always the best feeling in the world when they leave a great impression on you that makes you want to invest in what’s to come. I’m really excited to see what’s next for her. I recommend adding this one to your reading list.

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