The Lilac House, the first book in the Lake Summers series by Barbara Josselsohn, is a beautiful novel about finding yourself, love and moving on.

Anna Harris, not too long ago, lost her husband, Greg. They shared two beautiful kids together and their summer escape to Lake Summers is something that they always cherished. After a loss, the first time without your loved one is hard but with her children at her side, coming back to one of her favorite places, she’s determined to make new memories and rebuild her their lives.

Coming back to Lake Summers, trying to adjust has brought back many memories. Diving into this small town and helping her aunt’s store has renewed a passion within her that’s made her start to feel herself again. Going through the emotions and memories surrounding them, having her aunt there has made life easier to get through.

Then as people show up in your life right on time, she meets a consultant, Aidan, who helps the local businesses in the area. Initially, getting advice to help her aunt, they find themselves growing towards each other from their common shared loss and things that seem to bond them together.

As everything seems to fall into place, not expecting to feel this way again, two things happen. One, she discovers something about Greg and his death that changes everything. Also, Aidan has been holding back a secret as to what brought him to Lake Summers that could put everything he has worked for at risk.

While these two broken hearts may have found each other, will this close the door for a chance for happiness?

The Lilac House had many layers to the book that interwove a beautiful story. Loss is such a hard thing to deal with, but I loved the story that evolved from Anna and Aidan finding each other and maneuvering their way into each other’s lives. Their shared experiences, finding a common bond delicately captures the sentiment that even though they lost their loves, it’s never too late for someone else to come into your life and capture your heart. Either friendship or romance, moving on and letting love in, this was a nice storyline.

Hope was complex but had a voice that will resonate with you. She was overcome with guilt for herself for not being the person she wanted to be for herself or to her family. Having secrets of her own that affected her relationship with Anna, when discovered, allowed her to heal from her own loss and let herself to be loved and worthy.

Overall, this story that deals with love, loss and moving on was a wonderful read. All the characters in the book brought a realness and insightful perspective that collectively came together sharing experiences of the heart of community and the importance of familial support. I would’ve loved to get a conclusion on what transpired in their lives after, but it was a nice ending. I’m looking forward to the other books in the series.

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