I was provided a free advanced copy of this from @netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
When her fiance breaks up with her only a few hours before the ceremony on Christmas Eve, Rebecca decides to head to their honeymoon on her own. At Christmas Cove, on Lake Tahoe, she meets some new characters and an old friend who help her realize she deserves so much more, and learn to believe in love again!
Although this was a cute, cozy, Christmas story, it lost some stars for me because of some unbelievable coincidences. And some of the drama seemed a bit contrived.
I think one of my favorite parts was a substory about a young couple traveling around Europe!
This one comes out at the end of the month, 26 Sep, so if you're looking for a cozy Christmas story in the next few months, keep this one in mind!
#NetGalley #ChristmasAtTheLake

A hallmark/Christmas romance book, that I couldn't wait to read!

Sadly, I just couldn't get into this book.

Hallmark Christmas movies are one of my favorite things during the season, so I had high hopes for this read. The miscommunication trope, the constant lying between the characters ended up being a complete turn off for me.

The setting was lovely, however, and I can imagine myself spending Christmas there!

I received this book as an ARC, so all opinions are my own. Thank you NetGalley.

Let me start with: Thank you to St. Martin's via Netgalley for the approval to read an early copy of Christmas at the Lake! I wasn't sure I'd get approved so whoever did approve me-- you made my day! I was so excited to read a Christmas romance!

Would recommend if you love:
-Max Christmas vibes; I mean the town is called Christmas Cove!
-miscommunication trope
-Lots of SUPER loveable characters
-FMC & MMC that undergoes some great character growth

What I personally loved: the descriptions of the town were so beautiful! I felt like I was right there in that lakeside cozy town at Christmastime and it was wonderful. I adored the stories from Meredith and Howard (honestly, I liked their romance stories more than the main characters). Overall, I liked this lighthearted, cozy romance.

Now on to why it is only a 3 star for me: [full disclosure some of these things seem nitpicky but they were glaring issues FOR ME PERSONALLY-- take that as you will]
-the miscommunication (read: blatant lies) got old after a while
-then when the truth comes out about Zach, this B Rebecca acts all pissy as if she isn't lying to him as well???
-how many times did we need to be told what the same room smelled like?
-I know this is an ARC but there were a lot of issues with grammar; even to the point the town was referred to as a completely different name!? and the timeline seemed clunky (the whole story takes place over the week between Christmas & New Year)

FYI, you're being warned;
*we're getting to the nitpicky stuff that bothered me but 98% of readers won't care or even notice these things*
[mini rants incoming]
-in the entire first 10% of the book ALL Kimi (Rebecca's best friend) talked about was her kid. LITERALLY entire pages of this B rambling about her kid. I don't GAF about this as it has the most minimal impact on the main character and/or story line; if the kid were crucial to the FMC relationships/ character development fine; but she wasn't. I rolled my eyes so much I was sure they were going to get stuck up there. By the time she (Kimi) had to leave I just wanted her to STFU already and GO. Boo, BYE.
-in the beginning Kimi mentions (sort of in passing) "you know how I felt about having kids" but SHE HAS A KID. The general idea was that she wanted to wait to have kids for a few years but her husband "talked her into it"?????? WHY is this a thing that is okay in society. Women are not placed on Earth to serve men and be mothers.
^ I could have ignored this one mention/ situation BUT THE SAME HAPPENED WITH MEREDITH'S CHARACTER. She didn't want to have kids, she specifically states this, but her husband talked her into starting to try to have kids???? MAAAAN this bothered me so much (enough to have a full rant in my review LOLOL)

This was a sweet, Hallmark movie-style book about Rebecca Huntley, who, hours before her Christmas Eve wedding to her long-time love and business partner, is dumped for a coworker. Rebecca decides to still go on their honeymoon to Christmas Cove, a charming village on the shores of Lake Tahoe, where she bumps into a college friend and gets swept up in all the charm Christmas Cove and its residents have to offer.

This is a quick read that takes place in a lovely setting with really lovable characters. I loved how both Rebecca and her college friend Zach are both on journeys of self discovery and are able to reconnect and lean on each other as they learn about themselves and figure out their next steps.

The few things I struggled with in this book that did lead to taking starts off my rating is the timeline, which seemed to go quite fast and then a reference would be made about what day it was and things didn't quite add up, and all of the errors in the book. I know this is an ARC and not a final proof, so I'm hoping that errors are caught before publishing, because they were distracting, especially when the name of the town and even characters names were misspelled or even just incorrect (at one point Christmas Cove is called Crystal Cove).

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Publishing for the digital copy. My review his honest and voluntary.

Christmas at the Lake is exactly what you would expect from an Anita Hughes holiday read. It is full of Hallmark holiday feels with a little bit of romance mixed in. Honestly this was not my favorite read from Hughes. I felt like the character development couldve been stronger and i was expecting more romance. Overall a good wholesome read.

“Christmas at the Lake” by Anita Hughes is a delightful second chance romance that left a lasting impression on me. One of the aspects I cherished most was how the current storyline was beautifully interspersed with Meredith and Rebecca’s retelling of their individual histories. This narrative technique added depth to the characters and allowed me to connect with them on a profound level.

Rebecca’s planning of the New Year’s Day evening party was a highlight for me. It showcased her creativity and love for the simple pleasures in life, which was a stark contrast to Ben’s desire for success. This contrast reinforced the key message of the book – the importance of honesty in relationships. It reminded me that true love thrives when built on a foundation of openness and authenticity.

The serendipity moments in the story and the magical Christmas elements added a touch of enchantment to the narrative. These elements made the story feel like a heartwarming fairy tale set in the picturesque Christmas Cove, and they kept me eagerly turning the pages.

In summary, “Christmas at the Lake” not only delivers a second chance at love but also serves as a reminder of the significance of being truthful in our relationships. With its captivating storytelling, memorable characters, and enchanting holiday backdrop, this book left me with a heartwarming sense of joy and a belief in the magic of love during the holiday season. It’s a story I’ll treasure for years to come.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher. The thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

Christmas at the Lake is exactly what you would expect from an Anita Hughes holiday read. It is full of "Hallmark holiday charm" with a little bit of romance mixed in. Honestly this was not my favorite read from Hughes, I truly think some of her previous Christmas novels were better in that the premise wasn't completely based on the characters lying to each other so much, for so long. I get it is an easy romantic novel trope- the innocent misunderstanding - and will work itself out by the end of the story, but I don't think this particular story hit its mark.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this novel. Christmas at the Lake comes out on September 26th.

A really nice story. Set at Christmas, it’s a romance, but so much more. When Rebecca is left on her wedding day by her fiance’ Ben she heads off to spend what was to be their honeymoon as a way to recharge and recover. Ben turned out to be an obnoxious jerk of the highest order so though what he did was truly heinous (cheating, becoming a pompous jerk with all his new money etc) so really did her a favor, but in the moment she felt broken. She bumps into Zach, an old college friend. Neither is honest with each other as they’re both embarrassed, uncomfortable and not satisfied with where they are in the lives. Through a series of assumptions, miscommunications (okay, full on lies) trying to figure out how to move forward and more they almost miss their second chance. It’s a sweet, lovely story about love at any age. It’s a wonderful cast of characters and exactly what I’ve come to anticipate from this author.

A cozy, festive holiday romance! Set primarily in Lake Tahoe, Anita Hughes’ latest tale, Christmas at the Lake, is most notable for Hughes’ vivid and luscious descriptions of the breathtaking winter scenery at Tahoe. Tech entrepreneur Rebecca has been jilted practically at the altar, and decides to nonetheless embark upon the Lake Tahoe honeymoon she originally planned. Soon after arriving, she meets an old college mate, a divorcee, and a travel consultant planning a New Years Day bash, among others. I look forward to Hughes’ annual holiday novels and truly enjoyed spending a few hours with these likable characters and their heartwarming story that ensues.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for the complimentary ARC. Opinions are my own.

Rebecca's life just fell apart- her fiance and cofounder of an app left her for the attorney for the company right before their wedding. She opts to head for Lake Tahoe to think about her future. She did not expect to run into Zack, an old college friend. Fans of the genre (and this series) know that there will be misunderstandings and miscommunications as these two settle into a second chance romance. Zack's work on a documentary opens up two more love stories which aren't admittedly deeply explored but they are sweet. I've been a fan of these Christmas novels which are not about but are set around the holiday because they're easy reads with good characters and just delightful settings. Yes these are privileged people and yes they're very trope-y but they're also quite enjoyable. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

If you're looking for a book to get you in the Christmas spirit, Christmas at the Lake, will have you decking the halls and singing Christmas carols.

Rebecca is six hours away from her Chrstimas wedding, when he fiance, Ben, walks into the bridal suite to announce that he doesn't want to marry her. Reeling from his affair, she decides to head to Christmas Cove where they had planned their week-long honeymoon.

While in Christmas Cove, Rebecca runs into Zach, a former classmate at UC Berkeley, who unbeknownst to her, had a crush on her. Rebecca and Zach were partners in a film class. Zach is in town competing in a film competition, which he needs to win to kick-start his stagnant career. At the suggestion of his resort roommate, Meredith, the film delves into the stories of Rebecca and Meredith's first loves.

Rebecca meets Howard, a travel company owner who is throwing a New Year's Day party and enlists her to help him manage the various vendors. While going through some of his boxes, she finds postcards from his European travels when he was younger. We learn of his first love, Kat.

The New Year's Day party wraps up several story lines into a nice bow, though I wasn't a fan of the ending. We never learn if Zach won the contest.

My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

#NetGalley #ChristmasatheLake

(3.5 Stars) The blurb gives the set up. Rebecca Huntley college sweetheart breaks off the with her on their wedding day after almost a decade together. They’ve built a successful app and the company is about to go public making them even more rich. She decides to take the honeymoon she planned to Christmas Cove on the shores of Lake Tahoe. While there she sees an old college friend Zach Mason. He studied film and she assumes he has been successful in Europe where he went after college.

Zach is actually waiting tables while trying to finish a film for a local festival. He assumes she is married as he new from the press of her upcoming wedding. Two other side romances are intermingled into this storyline. I love Lake Tahoe and could envision the location, although it could have been written as any city. Two other side characters stories and intertwined into the story to fill it out. There is a second chance for each of them. The lying about the situation continues for longer than I would like in the circumstances.

If you’re in the mood for a clean and heartwarming romance with likable characters this is an enjoyable story. I read the author’s holiday book last year as well. Both are good but don’t push into high rating range for me. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC and I leaving a voluntary review.

Thank you to Saint Martins Griffin and NetGalley for an ARC of this book, in exchange for my honest opinion.

Anita Hughes is the official Queen of Christmas novels, and this one did not disappoint.

Rebecca is so excited to marry her college sweetheart Ben on Christmas Day, and then head to Lake Tahoe for their honeymoon. Except on the morning of their wedding Ben calls it off, because he’s been having an affair. Devastated and confused, Rebecca decides she will still head to Lake Tahoe and try to enjoy the week. Soon after arriving she bumps into Zach, who she went to college with. Zach is there filming and editing a movie to win a contest. Rebecca too embarrassed by what happened, doesn’t tell Zach she isn’t married. And Zach too embarrassed to let Rebecca know he was also a waiter at the resort, doesn’t tell her. Rebecca then meets Howard, at her hotel when she agrees to help him plan his New Years Day party. As her and Ben spend more time together throughout the week, feelings from college begin to rush back in.

This story gave me all the warm and fuzzy feelings, and it definitely needs to be made into a Hallmark movie. The ending was absolutely perfect, and left every aspect of the story tied up in perfect little Christmas bows. This book is a must read this winter season!

Every year I wait for a new Christmas book by Hughes and I was so excited to read this one! Probably my favorite by far, even though I always say that when I read one by Hughes. I just love her writing so much! This one really had that magical Christmas feel to it, and the romance was great! I’m hoping for another Christmas read from Hughes in the future!

A sweet holiday second chance romance. Lies, lies, and more lies. Not the best way to start a relationship. The trip to Europe was quite enjoyable. Loved the ending for that excursion. Clever story. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

A sweet and heartwarming story about love at Christmas. Several story lines woven together created a beautiful book! Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced read!

really good book and kept me on my on my toes of what would happen. really enjoyed the characters and their journey and would read this author again.

Rebecca is ready to start living her happily ever after with her longtime boyfriend-turned-fiance Ben. Their forever is all set to begin on Christmas Eve, followed by a decked-out Christmas honeymoon at Lake Tahoe. But it looks like Rebecca's actually going to have a BLUE Christmas, because Ben just called it quits. Rebecca decides to pick up the pieces and head to Lake Tahoe to enjoy her honeymoon without Ben. What she never expected, however, was the chance to fall in love with an old friend, as well as some gorgeous Christmas magic!

I really enjoyed the fun Christmas setting! So many gorgeous scenes with fun holiday activities. It made me ready to celebrate, despite the fact that it's September as I write this. 😄 This book would make a tremendous "Hallmark" movie! Watching Rebecca and Zach fall for each other was a lot of fun too. I found most of the characters in this story to be very endearing.

The author packs her story with plenty of interesting tidbits, not just about the characters' backstories, but topics such as immigration, South Korean culture, nutriticion, etc. At times I found it challenging to wade through the myriad details in order to focus on the overarching plot. That being said, the reader is sure to come away from the story feeling like they got to really know the characters, learned something, and had some holiday fun!

Trigger warning: cheating

I'd like to thank St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the eARC of this story. All opinions expressed are my own.

ARC REVIEW
Christmas at the Lake
By Anita Hughes

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Publishing date: 9/26/23

Ohhhhh @hallmarkchannel ! I've found your next Christmas movie! 🎄 (You're welcome!)

Rebecca and Ben were getting married on Christmas. Until Ben told her that he was having an affair and he couldn't marry her....only hours before their wedding.

In Carrie Bradshaw fashion, heartbroken Rebecca heads to their honeymoon alone at Christmas Cove, a cute lakeside resort.

When she unexpectedly runs into an old college friend, she is too embarrassed to admit she was dumped on her wedding day....how long can she keep this hidden?

I loved this one! Not quite 5 stars, but it was great!

We actually get to follow a few different love stories as the story unfolds. I ADORE Christmas and romance, which means I'm a sucker for this type of story, and it didn't disappoint.

The way the story wraps up was so cute, and I definitely recommend adding to your holiday season tbr!

Big thanks to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for this arc!

I enjoyed parts of Christmas at the Lake, especially the main storyline with the characters Rebecca, Zach, Meredith, and Ben. I wish the story had focused more on these four characters and their stories. For me, there was too much backstory/flashbacks related to side characters and their love stories. I wanted to skim some of these stories even though I was pleased that the stories did get roped back into the main plot and made sense with the story.

The overall story seemed kind of like a women's fiction Hallmark movie. The buildup to Rebecca and Zach's romance was heavily friendship-focused. By the time I finally got to "feel" their romance, the story ended way too abruptly. **Spoilers** Rebecca never even admits to Zach that she lied to him, which was a major disappointment. She holds Zach accountable for his actions of lying and almost doesn't speak to him again, but then the story ends before she ever even apologizes to him. My favorite part of the story was actually Rebecca realizing that she needs to put herself first at times in a relationship and then sends Ben packing. The storyline between Rebecca and Ben was gripping and the most developed of the novel in my opinion, much more so than her budding relationship with Zach.

Overall, this story is well-written and worth a read. I recommend it to those that enjoy plot-based multi-character closed-door romance stories.