The Summer Cottage by Viola Shipman
Source: NetGalley and Graydon House
Rating: 5/5 stars

For as long as she has been alive, the Creaky Cottage has been a place of refuge, of comfort, and of family fun for Adie Lou Kruger. As a recently divorced adult, Adie Lou has never needed the Creaky Cottage more and for the first time in the refuge’s history, Adie Lou is considering sharing the space with others. With nothing but a dream, a set of plans, a willing contractor, and a pile of cash, Adie Lou sets out to convert her beloved Creaky Cottage into a Bed and Breakfast.

As Adie Lou embarks on a brand-new life with her B&B, she discovers so much about her life, her place in the world, and what she truly wants to accomplish with her home and space. What’s more, with each new bit of renovation, Adie Lou discovers some bit of history about the cottage she was previously unaware of. These discoveries allow Adie to do some digging into her own past as well as the past/history of the site and the community. Each new discovery and each new revelation allow Adie to become even more committed to her endeavors and more connected to the community around her.

To be sure, Adie Lou’s efforts aren’t always met with ease and acceptance. In fact, the further she digs into history and the more remodeling she approves the more resistance she meets one a few fronts. For example, the head of the local preservation society seems hell bent on making Adie Lou’s life miserable and if Adie Lou can’t find a way around her or through her, her dream is going to die before it ever gets a chance to really live. On the flip side of the cranky old lady is a most welcome surprise in the form of an old friend with the potential to become so much more to Adie Lou. As with everything in life, Adie Lou is discovering that the bad is always tempered by the good and if you keep to your path and follow your heart, all will work out as it is meant to work out.

The Bottom Line: I found so much to love about this book from the setting to the characters to the message. Every element of this story is tied to the Creaky Cottage and the rules of the cottage which guide Adie Lou in her pursuits. Adie Lou isn’t just about making money and forging a new path for herself but honoring the life she has lived, the struggles she has endured, and sharing her strength and wisdom with others. By sharing the Creaky Cottage and its rules with others, Adie Lou is also honoring the history of the site and the community it is a part of. Ultimately, this is a book about discovery, healing, helping others, and sharing and providing comfort for those not quite certain of their decisions or their path. Love and friendship factor heavily into this read as well. I found Adie Lou to be a wonderful leading lady, a woman who doesn’t have all the answers, is somewhat battered and bruised by life, but not at all willing to give up. Her strength and her determination fuel her dreams without making her an overbearing character. At every level, Adie Lou Kruger is just who she needs to be! Every element of this book reflects what is so good and so very welcome in women’s fiction which makes it an recommendation for lovers of this genre.

I've read this author before, and was very excited to receive an advanced copy of her latest novel! This book makes me crave a summer house and retirement, and I am only 31! Could not put it down, and finished it in a matter of hours. Those are the BEST kind of books.

I adored this book. I knew going in that I would enjoy it because I love books about starting over, and the hgtv fanatic in me always enjoys a good home renovation story, but I didn’t know that I would fall in love with both the characters and the cottage itself. This story if full of hope and love and looking forward. Though the character is dealing with a lot of grief, over both the loss of her marriage and the loss of her parents, she doesn’t let it get her down and I found myself rooting for her through the whole story. I really loved this book and I know that a lot of other readers will too! Definitely recommend this one!

Rule#1: Leave Your Troubles at the Door. Rule#3 Nap Often. Rule#13 Everyone Must Be Present for Sunset.

A charming story bursting with sunsets and love. Viola Shipman Rights such delightful books filled with engaging characters and good vibes. Stories about The importance of family tradition and friendship. Tales that make you realize we are all forever tied to our loved ones that came before us.

Adie Lou has returned to her families summer cottage after divorcing her philandering husband, quitting her demanding job, and grieving the loss of her parents. Her plan is to turn the beloved summer cottage into a bed and breakfast, however this is not quite as easy as she thought it would be.(Where are the property brothers when you need them?) The cottage needs a lot of renovation, not to mention part of the property has been declared a historical monument. BUT Adie Lou not deterred! Even after her first weekend of demanding rude guess. Adie Lou decides to focus on the positive and what transpires is a lovely story full of hope and love.

Adie Lou was a compelling, likable, and relatable character. I admired her strength and tenacity. I loved watching her navigate her way through the cottage renovations and then navigate her way through love. Very sweet, a little sappy, The romance in this book is sure to make you smile. BUT this book is much more than a romance. It is about figuring out what really makes you happy and the magic of family traditions.

🎧🎧🎧 this book is narrated by Tanya Eby who did a stellar job as always! Something I want to give Miss EBy major props for is that she does a remarkable job with male voices. Seriously you forget that it is a female narrating. Another story I felt was enhanced by the listening experience!

Rule #14: Shake the Sand from Your Feet, But Never Shake the Memories of Our Summer Cottage. It Is Family!

*** huge thank you to Harper audio and Harlequin for my copies of this book ***

Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publishers for the advanced copy in exchange for my review!

This book was absolutely everything that I wanted right now. I may as well have been reading a Hallmark movie, but in the best way (worth noting that I love Hallmark movies, and refuse to feel guilty about it).

This story is full of very sweet characters in an incredibly charming setting. And while it does take place after a nasty divorce, and while yes there is a romantic storyline, the real love at the heart of this story are the love of family and of your traditions, and I couldn’t get enough of it. All of this wrapped around a story of a woman reclaiming her life with pride and courage, and learning about herself through the past, and all leading up to a very satisfying ending.

I wanted to make sure that I finished this novel in time for its publication day today, so I jumped in yesterday and couldn’t put it down. It felt heartwarming and genuine, and I loved every minute of it. I highly recommend this book - my only complaint was that I couldn’t read it on a beach with the sand between my toes!

When Adie Lou's world falls apart, she heads back to the one place that has been a constant comfort to her—her family's Creaky Cottage. When she decides to turn it into a bed-and-breakfast as a tribute to her parents and grandparents–her past–she remembers how important it is to follow and live the cottage rules.

I have absolutely just fallen in love with every one of Viola Shipman's stories. The author takes some ordinary item, such as in the case of his first book, a charm bracelet, and in this case, a summer cottage, and weaves a warm, beautiful tale, full of love and lots of wonderful memories. They always make me stop and think about the treasures that we have in our family and the stories that they could tell.

The Summer Cottage is the perfect book to read right now as we are coming up on beach-read season. You will become wrapped up in the lives of Adie Lou and Creaky Cottage, just like I did. I would so love to take a vacation there after reading this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Graydon House Books for an Advanced Reader's Copy in exchange for an honest review.

Adie Lou, middle aged and at a crossroads in both her marriage and career, decides to renovate her deceased parents' beloved summer cottage and embark on a fresh start as an innkeeper on the shores of Lake Michigan.

Liked: The main character was mostly likable, and as readers we are able to root for her evolution into the woman she hopes to become after a series of changes in her life. I loved the setting of Lake Michigan since this region doesn't often make an appearance in other summer novels similar to this. The book reads like a Hallmark movie, which is exactly what I needed in my life right now.

Disliked: The entire prologue could go, as it's not necessary to set up the story. The cheesy factor is a tad high for me. The romance felt rushed and I wasn't invested. It annoyed me to no end that this grown woman wants to be called Adie Lou and she falls in love with a man she calls "Scooter".

I can recommend this book as an enjoyably light summer read.

The Summer Cottage
Viola Shipman

There are very few men authors who can speak to my feminine soul but Wade Rouse aka Viola Shipman is one of them, maybe when he sits down to write a story using his grandmother’s name as his pseudonym a bit of her soul touches him or maybe he’s just one of those men who really get women but whatever it is it works and his latest novel, The Summer Cottage proves it. It’s a tale about love, loss, turning lemons into lemonade and starting over, where the main protagonist Adie Lou finally comes of age in middle age taking a huge leap of faith. The narrative has a laid back-times gone by feel featuring emotional as well as laugh out loud passages with well developed characters and vivid colorful settings that will bring back memories to all of us who waited for the song of the * “peepers” the first harbinger of Spring and who spent some or all of our summers barefoot, swimsuit clad and full of sand in our own version of Creaky Cottage and the rest of us who wish we had. Fans of Sarah Morgan, Kristin Hannah and Sally Hepworth will eat this read right up.
When Adie Lou Clarke’s cheating husband asked for a divorce she decided it was time to totally chuck her old life including her ad exec job (which she hated) and make a new start by turning her family’s rundown generational Lake Michigan summer cottage into a B&B. And although most people think she’s nuts and she’s constantly fighting remodel nightmares and red tape from the town’s historical committee she’s also gotten some much needed support from family, friends and neighbors. So if she doesn’t run out of money, patience and sanity first she just might be an innkeeper by her Memorial Day goal.

Memorable Quotes:
* “My dad, like so many Michiganders, calls a certain frog that lives in these parts “peepers” for their distinctive call–a single, high-pitched peep…”
“We all doubt ourselves, which ultimately paralyzes us from becoming who we want to be.”
Emotion is strength, not a weakness. It’s ultimately what makes women better survivors than men.”

The Summer Cottage by Viola Shipman was one of the best books I have read this spring. Perhaps for even longer. Each Viola Shipman novel, I have read has been wonderful. What blows my mind about them is Viola Shipman is a pen name for a man! Each of the three books ( I have previously read The Recipe Box and The Hope Chest.) were beautifully written from a woman’s point of view with such feeling and understanding.

Adie Lou Kruger every summer was at the Summer Cottage with her parents and grandparents. They were very important times for her and the fun rules they cottage had were part of the fun. However Adie is all grown up, has a job and a son and her life is about to take a huge turn. She is divorcing her husband (his choice) and has decided to start all over at the Summer Cottage making it a bed and breakfast. There are many challenges ahead of her, especially to get everything done before the season is open. She is determined to succeed, but there is so much to do and it takes so much money.

I loved how the cottage rules are chapter headings. I loved how her son and best friend were such a help to her. I loved her determination and positiveness. I loved how empowered I felt when I finished the novel. I loved how the lake ws woven into the tale. The Summer Cottage is definitely one of the best novels I have read. It is a great read.

The Hope Chest was my first introduction into the wonderful world of author Viola Shipman. The Summer Cottage, the latest is even more lovely and inspiring.

Adie Lou Kruger spent her summers as a child at her grandparent's summer home called Creaky Cottage, and then as a married adult with a child and husband at the same cottage when her parents took it over. There were very simple rules which had to be followed while at the cottage such as "Leave your troubles at the door" and my personal favorite "Nap often". It was perhaps the best times of her life.

But when her parents both die and Adie Lou's marriage fails she believes she should sell the cottage and begin to rebuild her life. Unable to let go of the memories of what the cottage has meant to her throughout her life, she makes a decision which will change her trajectory.

She decides to turn the much loved and much run down cottage into a bed-and-breakfast although many people doubt it will be able to succeed. Adie Lou watches as the progress of renovating the cottage. which comes with its own share of problems. begins to inspire her to feel hopeful about her decision as well as feeling empowered despite the harsh realities she encounters along the way.

The Summer Cottage is about finding out who you really are, finding love in many different forms, the importance of family of all types and especially the goodwill and tenderness of others.

Thank you #NetGalley #Graydon House #The Summer Cottage #Viola Shipman. The book will be out April 22.

After inheriting an old family cottage on Lake Michigan and going through a painful divorce, Adelaide decides to keep the cottage and turn it into a B &B. She and her son have old friends, meet new ones and change their entire direction in life. This well-written novel is all about family, traditions, love, life and laughter. Includes a reading guide and would be an excellent choice for book club reading. Publication date is April 23, 2019.

The Summer Cottage is a truly inspirational story about a woman who decides to turn her family summer cottage into a B&B when her marriage ends. While renovating Creaky Cottage, Adie Lou discovers hidden historic gems along the way. It was fun to learn the history of the cottage in each of the discoveries. She rediscovers the town of Saugatuck, where she spent every summer while growing up. She makes new friends; she even falls in love and even rescues a dog. Set on a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan, the descriptions took me away. The cottage, lake and town were so vividly written, they could have been their own characters in the book.

The book is written in sections using Adie Lou’s grandfather’s rules that were to be obeyed while visiting the cottage, “wake up smiling” and “nap often” are just a couple. But, my favorite rule is “Everyone must be present for the sunset”. My favorite quote from the book comes from this rule which we should all to try to remember at the end of each day:


“Sunsets are like snowflakes. No one is the same, my mom said. We miss too many of them rushing around. They are celebrations because every day is an accomplishment, a blessing of epic magnitude that we all take for granted. No matter how difficult a day has been, a sunset proves that there is still hope and good things can happen tomorrow. See how slowly they seem to take, and then how quickly they fade?”

This book left a lasting impression on me. I highly recommend it.

I would like to thank HARLEQUIN - Graydon House Books and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

By the time I reached the end of this book, I was a bawling mess - it was that beautifully written. The story of Addie Lou''s journey through her life change was incredibly moving with highs and lows as she created a new life as an innkeeper in Michigan. I only wish there was a little more dramatic challenge here and there - maybe the ex could have been a little more damaging to her psyche, a few more psycho guests, something but overall this was one of the best reads so far of 2019!

Perfect summer book for the beach! Adie Lou, recently divorced, decides against selling the family cottage on the lake. She moves into the Michigan cottage in the dead of winter and starts to renovate it and make it into a B&B. Adie Lou learns more about the history of the house and strives to make her dreams come true. This is a sweet story about families and connections to the most important things in life. Recommended!

I have read all of Viola Shipman's books and was thrilled to be approved for an ARC of The Summer Cottage.

The beauty of the book lies in following Adie Lou through the bumps, setbacks, and joys of both an emotional journey and a practical journey. She picks herself up, gives herself a talking to (or someone else does) and moves on. I can only imagine that her journey is similar to those that other divorced or widowed women find themselves going through.

Evan was an awesome character, as was Scooter and several others. Really there are too many to list. I especially enjoyed the Dragoon Lady.

If you haven't already treated yourself to a Viola Shipman novel, do so soon! You will be happy you did.

Many thanks to Netgalley, the author and publisher for approving my request for an ARC. All thoughts in this review are my own and freely given.

Freshly divorced, Adie Lou is looking to make a change. Stuck working at a job that she hates, she's looking for the change that will light the fire in her soul and make her happy again. And so she decides to turn her family's summer cottage into a B and B. As we know, nothing in life ever goes according to plan, and soon Adie Lou is questioning her sanity and her ability to make her dream a reality.

Inspired by a letter she finds in the walls of her family's property, Adie Lou is determined to make her new life in Saugatuck happy and everything she wants it to be.

I thoroughly admired Adie Lou's courage and conviction to live the life that she wanted and to do what made her happy. Women all too often succumb to society's pressures and we lose our essence, our inner fire, sacrifice our dreams, and become what others want us to be. This book was an eye opener to what we could become if we have the guts to go after what we want. And it brought tears to my eyes often because Adie Lou is a character that so many of us can relate to. I know many of us hold back (myself included) on taking a chance because of fear. Fear of failure. Fear at change. But we just have to take that leap of faith and hope that everything works out in the end.

“‘ Success is not final, failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts.’”

The Summer Cottage is a beautiful and inspiring tale of love, friendship, courage, adversity, and a woman looking to find herself and her place in this world. This was my first book by Viola Shipman and I can assure you it won't be my last.

This was my first book by author Viola Shipman and it won’t be my last. This was the perfect read to take on vacation, it’s a palate cleanser - refreshing and satisfying. It fits into the “second chances” genre with the main character Adie Lou recently going through a divorce and deciding to renovate her family’s cottage into a B&B on Lake Michigan.

She is a relatable, fun woman in her 40s and she’s been in a marriage where her husband criticized her every move and then cheats on her. Instead of falling apart, she decides to make a huge lifestyle change and return to the place where she was happiest.

The lake locals remember her parents and want to help her succeed and even though it’s not all smooth sailing (pun intended) and it’s a ton of hard work, she creates a special place that reminds her guests and herself of the happy summers she spent there.

There are many great reminders and choice bits of wisdom throughout the book. I was fascinated by the fact that a man (the author is Wade Rouse who writes under his grandmothers name) could write women’s fiction so well!

This is a feel good, gentle read that made me laugh out loud and even tear up a little. Adie Lou will appeal to many women - who hasn’t wanted to try something new, to be brave and independent?

This is a good read for a summer vacation. Just the right amount of romance, midlife renewal, and a dash of business adventure thrown in.

After Adie Lou’s husband has an affair, she decides to rebuild her life and her beach cottage where she grew up. There are struggles along the way, both in her life and rebuilding the cottage. I loved the cottage rules, and the feeling of renewal after reading this book. This was a “feel good” book and was a great beach read for me. Thanks to Graydon House and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I absolutely loved this book! I had so many connections with the story. My family has had a cabin since 1941. Although we didn't have "rules" there were expectations about what you would do. We didn't have sparklers, but we definitely have traditions. I loved how the main character found what she loved in life and went for it!