Jen Gilroy takes readers home again. Back to the painful moments, the heartbreaking disappointments and a chance at finding out where a person really belongs. Firefly Lake is the place in the review mirror, that continues to call your name. A place that allows healing, redemption and new beginnings. Cat was the girl who never fit in. Luc was the boy with the world at his feet. Until life got in the way and brought the big hockey star and the single mother, back to their roots. Back Home at Firefly Lake is about being strong enough to move forward, when the world tries to hold you back.

Cat has returned home to Firefly Lake with her 12-year-old daughter, Amy. She’s a single mom with a PhD in humanities. She’s received a research grant to work on her book. She has made do in the past taking contract teaching jobs at different Universities but has so far been unsuccessful finding a permanent job. She is renting an apartment over the Craft Gallery in town and is helping the owner out for extra income.

Luc has been back in Firefly Lake for a couple years now. He is a former NHL player. He was injured and permanently sidelined. He also lost his wife, Maggie, and unborn child when her unknown aneurysm burst. Maggie was the love of his life and he has no desire to look for love again. He is learning the ropes at his family’s Creamery and teaching hockey to the local boys.

Luc and Cat have history. She harbored a secret crush on him in high school and tutored him in chemistry their senior year. Luc never looked at her that way but always felt protective of her. He was the popular jock and she was the book-loving wallflower.

When Cat takes Amy to sign up for hockey, she is reminded of her crush on Luc. For the first time, Luc sees Cat as more than a family friend. Luc is still mourning his wife and doesn’t want to develop feelings for Cat. Cat is trying to figure out her next steps in life and doesn’t need or want any complications. She’s managed on her own so far and will continue to do so.

Luc had a couple of majorly obtuse moments in the story that had me saying, “Seriously?” Out loud. And a “well, duh”, when he figured it out. Of course, Cat had her own issues. Amy came across as more of a petulant toddler than a hormonal preteen with her outbursts.

Nick and Mia get married as planned from the previous book. Georgia and Ward solidify their relationship, and we get to see a couple glimpses of Charlie, Sean and their baby. Looks like Georgia will get her story next. The 3 sisters, Charlie, Mia and Gloria have formed a tighter bond together and with their mom since they returned home. This story is very predictable, especially the twist at the end.

The first book in the series remains my favorite. Imho, the next two aren’t nearly as successful. While characters overlap, it can easily be read as a standalone

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by the publisher and NetGalley.

This small town, poignant story left me with a good feeling and put me in the Christmas spirit. Luc and Cat both return to Firefly Lake when their lives take a different direction than planned. They return for different reasons, but they each need the healing qualities the small town and their families can provide. Neither of their lives have turned out the way they anticipated and they are trying to do the best they can with what life has given them. They are not excited to return to their hometown, but feel they have no other choice. The people in Firefly Lake are good and hardworking but it is a small town and everybody is in your business. Everyone knows you and feels they have the right to comment or give advice.

Luc and Cat are brought together when Luc coaches Cat’s daughter in hockey. They are both attracted to each other but too broken to admit their feelings to themselves or each other. They are good together and need each other but keep fighting their feelings. At thirty five, Luc is devastated that he has lost both his wife and his NHL hockey career. He is just existing day to day. Luc is attracted to Cat but feels guilty and worries he is being untrue to his wife. Cat reluctantly returns to Firefly Lake with her twelve year old daughter Amy. Cat has her PhD from Harvard which she achieved while also taking care of Amy. Cat is caring and considerate and has always tried to make people happy.

I liked Luc and Cat. They each deserve happiness and I wanted everything to work out for them. Of course, there are a few bumps in the road. Firefly Lake is the perfect place for both of them. They need to heal and stop feeling guilty for decisions they made. Even though Luc and Cat are successful, they each feel they are failures in different areas of their lives. I thoroughly enjoyed this heartwarming story.

Cat and Luc - mad about each other, but neither realizes the other feels the same way. Nice little story .

Lindas Book Obsession Review of “Back Home at Firefly Lake” by Jen Gilroy, Forever(Grand Central Publishing) December 5, 2017

My Review of “Back Home at Firefly Lake” by Jen Gilroy

What a heartwarming and enjoyable novel Jen Gilroy has written in “Back Home at Firefly Lake”. The genres for this story are Fiction, Women’s Fiction and Romance. The timeline of this story is in the present, and only goes back to the past when it pertains to the characters or events. This book is the third in a series, but easily is a stand alone.
The author describes her characters as complex, complicated and confused due to circumstances of the story. I really like the characters of the story and feel like they could be my neighbors are friends. Most of the characters have been in other books in this series, and there are a few new ones.
Cat McGuire, a single mom, and her young daughter Amy return to Firefly Lake, after her mom’s health scare.They are also able to be closer to their family. Cat McGuire eventually hopes to get a permanent College teaching position. She lives in an apartment with Amy in the same Craft Gallery that she is working in. Amy is an excellent hockey player and the move to Firefly Lake, is a setback for her. Coach Luc Simard decides to help Amy and has her play on the boys hockey team, (since the town doesn’t have a girl’s team).
Luc is young widower and has guilty feelings about his wife’s death. Luc had been a Professional Hockey player, and has returned to Firefly Lake to work with his dad in his business. In his spare time he coaches the students.
Both Cat and Luc are attracted to each other. Is it possible for them to overcome their problems.?
I love the way Jen Gilroy describes family, friends, community, love and hope.
I also appreciate that the author believes in second chances. I would highly recommend this entertaining and emotional story for those readers that appreciate Women’s Fiction and Romance Novels. I would like to thank Jen Gilroy, NetGalley and Forever(Grand Central Publishing) for an Advanced Review Copy for my honest review. Happy Reading!!

I reviewed this for RT Book reviews December 2017 issue you can see my published review there