About the Book

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.

Review

The Summer Cottage, is the first book of four in the Somerset Lake series. After the book, we’re given a glimpse into the second book, The Christmas Village and the novella, Kiss Me in Sweetwater Springs.

There’s something special about characters who have been heart broken by life that deserve and get a second chance. Somerset Lake is one of those places that embodies what you want home to feel like. Trisha, a single mother after the debacle with her ex husband, getting a second chance at life, really grabs the heart. Starting over isn’t easy and raising a child under the ominous cloud of the past can be difficult but seeing her work hard and not give up makes you want to root for her. She is a likable character that deserves a chance to have a great life for herself and Petey. Petey, her son was so adorable and such a lovable character. His big heart just shines through.He’s inquisitive and charismatic. Hopefully we will see them again in the upcoming books.

Jake, you can’t help but fall in love with him. He has such a big heart that deserves to be loved. The love he has for his grandmother is pure bliss. The sentimentality of her life experience with his desire of obligation to her pulls at the heart. I loved the relationship and bond he had with her. The wisdom and influence of his grandmother on his life makes me reminisce about my own grandparents. The joy of how fate found him and didn’t want to let go gave us something to root for him in the book. His and Trisha’s journey unfolding had the right balance that was emotional, heartwarming and pulls in the right places.

The supporting characters were enjoyable to read as well. The residents of Somerset Lake with their quirks and charm brought some fun and sass. Many friendships including the book club girls with Trisha, made you want to be part of the gang. It would be nice to see these folks again in the series. They truly represented the heart of the community.

Overall, this was a wonderful introduction to the series and I look forward to discovering what’s to come in Somerset Lake. If you haven’t already read this, this would be a wonderful series to read through.

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