Annie Rains returns to the blog with the first in her spin-off series Somerset Lake with
The Summer Cottage
Having read and really enjoyed Annie’s Sweetwater Springs series, I was more than ready to stay in that world, or close to it, with this series. Focused on healing, second chances and new opportunities, we have Trisha and her young son Petey, having left Sweetwater Springs and all they knew there after Trisha’s husband was jailed for fraud. Knowing that Petey was being harassed and teased at school became her sole focus – and a new opportunity just a few towns (and hours away) seemed to be the perfect opportunity. Running the summer cottages on Somerset Lake for Vi Fletcher – and a job that came with housing and a small salary was just the ticket. Or so she thought.
First arrives Vi’s grandson Jake – in town on behalf of his family to get Vi to sell up and move to Florida with the family. Being alone after the death of her husband, and getting up there in years, not to mention a stroke some months back – the family is worried and knows that Vi can’t manage things physically, and with money being tight, financially – particularly after some storms wreaked damage on many of the cabins. Jake is, of course, protective of his grandmother, doesn’t particularly want to face the memories he’s got in the area, and isn’t sure that the beautiful yet highly private property manager is there for the right reasons.
Oh, this was fun – from the instant attraction between Jake and Trisha and the secrets that both held, to their developing a friendship and trust, unearthing both Jake and Trisha’s issues with trust, grief and simply discovering their next step was truly engaging and felt both plausible and natural. Of course, there are tons of dramatic moments, but new friends, the visit from old friends from Sweetwater Springs and some serious soul-searching brings a story full of hope, light and happiness – with plenty of fodder for new relationships and furthering the new friendships to come.

Title: The Summer Cottage
Author: Annie Rains
Series: Somerset Lake #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Family Saga, Friendship, Grief, Romantic Elements, Second Chance, Setting: American, Small Town
Published by: Forever
ISBN: 1538703424
Published on: 25 May, 2021
Format:eARC
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Pages: 423
Rated:

Heat:



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!
A copy of this title was provided via Publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Great review thank you. Sounds very good, I’m looking forward to it
Penney
Penney – If you’ve not read any of Annie Rains’ books – you need to – she’s fabulous – and the Sweetwater Springs stories (the ones that this series spins off from) are adorable….