Gave up at 20%.
Didn't hold my interest at all. .
. .

A good start to a series. This is about 2 families dealing with loss and how they cope. This is a heart warming story.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

This book was special because the characters themselves were so special: both were dealing with their own losses and felt like their best days may be behind them. Little did they know!

I was really rooting for them to get together and was so excited when they did, I think I cheered out loud! The book really allowed us to watch their relationship grow and develop over time, so you were really cheering for their story.

The secondary characters, the other residents of the town and Anna’s Aunt Hope, were also great and added a great element to the story. Having grown up in a small town, it felt like the author really hit the nail on the head with her depiction of things. The secrets that threaten to complicate things for Anna and Aidan was interesting and I liked how it all turned out.

This was a feel-good romance that would be perfect for a vacation read or a day off. Fans of cute romances will not be disappointed!

I started off enjoying this book. I liked the stories of Anna and Aiden and the troubles they each had gone through. Even the thought of starting over like they had to is something I cannot imagine.

However, once the characters were introduced and their stories established, the book started to drag a little for me. I felt like many things were described too much or repeatedly, scenes too wordy, if that makes sense. As I said, I really liked the start of the story and the synopsis, but it simply did not execute for me.

Others may love this story and identify with it, but it was not for me. 2.5 stars

Anna loses her husband and after the funeral has passed, she takes her kids up to Lilac House where the family would always spend their summers. Anna's aunt lives in the same neighborhood and owns a Ballet shop and delivers some startling news to Anna about her husbands' activities towards the end of his life. Can Anna cope enough with her grief to help her children cope with theirs?

This is by no means the worst book I have ever read. It is well enough written and I would possibly have a warmer reaction to it in the summer, on holiday, next to a pool while drinking my weight in cocktails. Ultimately, I found the characters two-dimensional and the storyline dull and predictable. The fact that I could finish the book at all speaks to the authors' skills as a writer rather than her ability to come up with a great plot and interesting characters.

Other people may like this more. I think perhaps people that don't read as much and like a bit of easy escapism will get more than I did from the book.

I received #TheLakeHouse for free as a pre-release copy from #NetGalley

The Lilac House is a sweet romance, a feel good book to read. A wonderful story about family relationships, handling lose of loved ones, friendships, secrets and finding strength to go forward in life.
This is my first book by author, Barbara Josselsohn, and I look forward to reading more of this series.
Perfect summer, beach read.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read and give my honest review about this book.

How do you know when it’s time to start over and build a new future for yourself? One year, two, never? Secrets, lies, deception and heartbreak threaten to cripple both Anna and Aidan’s futures. The world of ballet forms the background for the sympathetic characters and the plot. This was the first book I have read by this author, but look forward to other entries in this new series.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book starts off with Anna and her children travelling to spend the summer at the family's summer home in the Adirondacks. This is the first summer are the house since her husband, an aspiring politicuan, died in a tragic car crash in the fall; the family is still adjusting to their new normal and Anna is considering selling the getaway that holds so many memories for her.

Anna is struggling with finding a new direction in her life - after an injury forced her to give up the ballet career she loved, she wholeheartedly embraced the role of politician's wife. Her aunt Hope springs an unexpected path on her, and while at Lake Summers, Hope finds a companion in Aidan, who has also lost his wife in the recent past.

This is a book about second chances, discovering who you are and what you want to be, also finding out there may be more to the people you love, and learning to move on together.

It is a well-written book, but I found myself not connecting with any one character. With several stories interwoven, and the story told from different character perspectives (Aidan, Hope, and Anna) I found I didn't connect with them as much as I would have liked to. Also, the ending tied the story up, but it felt a little rushed at the end.

A heartfelt bittersweet read...that whisks you away to the lake for your summer vacay!!
Absolute gorgeous summer read.

This was a beautiful story of two broken, lost souls who found their way back to life and happiness, and hopefully to everlasting love.

Anna lost her husband Greg, and with her two children Evie and Zac, she escaped to Lilac House in Lake Summers to be with her aunt Hope. Then she mer Aiden who had lost his wife, and both connected with each other. Until a secret brought the tension between them.

My first book by author Barbara Josselsohn, I was completely entranced by the story. The characters’ lives evolved smoothly with a few meanderings, but both soon filled me with curiosity to know what happened next.

I loved the premise of broken souls finding each other to live life again. The author’s writing brought out the various nuances of their life. Attraction flared between them along with a secret. I loved how Anna and Aiden dealt with it all. Set in a small town, the locals added flavor to the story. The various interconnections were well depicted.

Both the characters showed great strength in dealing with their individual losses. Seeing them pick up the pieces of their life was inspiring, especially Anna since I connected with her. Family and friendship and their importance were weaved into the foundations of the story along with huge dollops of emotions.

Overall, an interesting, lovable story over a dull weekend.

A well written story of loss and second chances. Great plot and character development. I look forward to reading more books in this series. My thanks to the publisher for my advance ebook. This is my unbiased review.

This would be a good book for the beach! I really felt like I was there when reading. It's a story of loss and second chances
Aidan and Anna were perfect for each other. Loved Aunt Hope! Thank you to Net Galley for the ebook.

Between 2 and 3, because it's not a romance, it's women's fiction.

Anna Harris is returning to the summer house with her children for the first time since her husband's death. Her Aunt Hope lives in the small town and has recently opened a high end ballet store and studio, and she also has a POV in the story, as she's still grappling with some mistakes she made in her past.

Then there's Aidan and his 15 yo son, who've lost their wife and mother two years before. Aidan is harboring a secret.

The small town life was captured well, and it was interesting to read about ballet and the accoutrements that go with it.

The writing style is a bit rambly, and the story was unnecessarily too long. There's also a lot of telling instead of showing which hinders the narration.

Readers of women's fiction will like it, but it's not a romance.

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

I love it when you find a new author and enjoy a great book knowing that it is part of a new series. Anna and Aiden meet in Lake Summers. They have both been through recent heartache and don't know whether they are ready for the spark of attraction between them to lead to anything more. I love books set in American small town settings where there is a strong sense of community. The locals are a great cast of characters and you can just imagine trying the latest trial of smoothies.
Aiden is tasked with making the town a thriving business centre with complementary stores bringing in custom.
I loved the dance element and could just imagine the ballet clothes and the dance studio.
The book explores family dynamics, loss, secrets and blossoming romance.
I can't wait to get my hands on book 2 in the series.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publishers. This was a nice feel good story. I liked the characters but found some of it very long winded so skipped quite a bit.

This was a light breezy story. I enjoyed the story and the characters. The town seemed like a nice place to visit. Love the cover!
At times I thought the story rambled, maybe alittle too wordy. There was too much thinking at times. Thanks to Netgalley for the early

I'm a sucker for romance and this book is based around romance! It includes the struggles of losing a husband, father, wife, mother, and a friend. I would highly suggest this book if your looking for an easy read and makes you thankful for what you have. You never know when you'll spend the last day with your loved ones!

When somone you love dies, your whole world is turned upside down. What ifs are running through your head, but you cannot turn back time. You have to look to the future and be there for your children. It's hard because you are trying to hide your sadness to protect your children, but on the other hand your children keep you sane and force you forward.

You cherish the memories, but those are the hardest and at the same time the most precious things do deal with. 

Suddenly you are devastated by a few revelations you need some time to absorb as well as by feelings your heart says you should follow but your head says to stay away.

When you thought you had it all figured out, you are forced to make a decision and you are caught between the devil and the deep bleu sea ...

This book is filled with romance and proves that love is not only for young people. Cupid finds a way to your heart, no matter what age you are. 

Somtimes we run from things that we cannot face, but in the end coming clean is the right way to go. It's not the easiest way, but it's the best way.

I loved how the author gave her characters the chance to grow and change their lives for the better.  I am happy to see that this is the first part in a series, because I don't want to say goobye yet. 5 stars.

Thank you, Barbara Josselsohn and Bookouture.

This book was absolutely sensational. The plot was fast paced and kept you guessing and turning pages until the end. So good!

After her husband’s death, Anna Harris and her two children move into the Lilac House, a place where Ana has always felt peace and tranquility. Anna keeps busy helping her aunt Hope run her shop in town and even begins to think she might fall in love again when she meets Aidan. The course of true love does not run smoothly, however, because Aidan won’t reveal the real reason he came to town. Then a secret about her husband’s death threatens to undo all of Anna’s progress. Can you ever really know anyone? And should you risk your heart even if it means you may have it broken?