"Christmas at the Lake" is a romantic and hopeful story that centers around Rebecca Huntley and her unexpected wedding day disappointment. The author, Anita Hughes, skillfully portrays Rebecca's journey of self-discovery and the possibility of finding love in unexpected places.

Rebecca's experience of being left at the altar by her college sweetheart, Ben Cole, prompts her to reevaluate her relationship and her own desires. She decides to embark on the honeymoon trip alone, finding solace at the Christmas Cove Inn in the town of Christmas Cove on Lake Tahoe.

During her stay, Rebecca reconnects with an old college friend, Zach Mason, who has been harboring a long-time crush on her. However, a misunderstanding leads to Rebecca and Zach both believing that the other is in a committed relationship. This creates the perfect opportunity for the characters to explore their feelings for each other and potentially start anew.

Throughout the story, the author explores the complexities of relationships and the notion of deal breakers in love. Rebecca and Zach's journey allows them to discover that true love is not solely based on shared interests or the absence of faults but lies in embracing one another's imperfections.

As the Christmas week unfolds, readers will find themselves rooting for Rebecca and Zach to uncover the truth and take the chance for a second shot at love. The story offers a heartwarming depiction of the holiday season, love, and the possibility of finding happiness in unexpected circumstances.

This book is a delightful read for those who enjoy romantic stories set during the holiday season. Anita Hughes masterfully weaves a tale of love, self-discovery, and the magic of the Christmas season that will leave readers feeling uplifted and hopeful.

I really enjoyed Christmas at the Lake by Anita Hughes! It was an unfolding love story within the retelling of 2 other love stories. They all had bumps that challenge along the route and none was the same old story. If you are looking for a quick, sweet read with just the right amount of Christmas, this is the one for you. Thank you to NetGalley, Ms. Hughes and St. Martin's publishers for the opportunity to review this sweet book.

BOOK REVIEW: Christmas At The Lake by Anita Hughes First i want to give a big thank you to Anita, @St. Martin’s Press & @NetGalley for the chance to read this book!

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This story was very cute inreally loved Ben and Rebecca’s story it was one of my favorite’s i love getting into the Christmas spirit with these books!

this is like the perfect Hallmark movie, but as a book so its better! I loved Rebecca and Zach's relationship in this story-- Rebecca is reeling from her heartbreak and Zach thinks she's married and not available-- but they both pick up as good friends from when they knew each other years before. As they reunite their friendship and truths come to light, these two have the sweetest romance story come to life. I love the Christmas setting! The holidays are my favorite time of year so I loved the holiday magic that is at the forefront of this story. Overall, very cute, sweet, magical, quick read :)
Thank you for the ARC!!!

Christmas is special to Rebecca, and she plans on marrying Ben with whom she set up a dating app. They have been together for 8 years. He shows up at her hotel room Christmas Eve telling her the marriage is off right after the rehearsal dinner. He has fallen in love with the head lawyer for the company. Rebecca decides to go on the honeymoon alone to a resort town that celebrates Christmas. She meets Howard who needs a party planner for his New Year’s party. She also runs into Zach with whom she had a film school class in college. Zach had a crush on her back then but believes she is on her honeymoon and Rebecca does not set him straight. Zach is without a room and Meredith, an older woman who met him at a film festival, offers him her extra bedroom. I loved this book. Zach was such a contrast to the self-centered Ben. Zach is working on a film about love and his interviews with Meredith are so good. Both are very selfless and cared about people. Howard gives complete control over the party to Rebecca. Rebecca is so creative, and it was easy to imagine all the decorations, food, music, etc. that went into the evening. The quaint town and the lodge bring out the magic of Christmas. Great book about second chances.

Rebecca is left at the altar but decides to go on her honeymoon to the Christmas Inn, where she meets up with an old friend. very sweet storu.

I love a good romance book and this did not disappoint. Well developed, characters, witty banter, what more can you ask for?

There is something about the Christmas season that makes all hopes, dreams, and second chances seem possible. Christmas at the Lake by Anita Hughes is a book that does just that! If you love a good Christmas romance, I will wait right here so you can add it to your Christmas reading list. Seriously I cannot wait to buy a physical copy when it comes out in September this year!

Meet Rebecca. She experiences every person's nightmare and is left by her college sweetheart, at the altar, on their Christmas Eve wedding. Brokenhearted, she heads to Christmas Cove Inn in Christmas Cove, Lake Tahoe, on what was supposed to be her honeymoon. There she runs into an old college friend who had always had a crush on her. Due to a misunderstanding, he believes she is married, and she thinks he is in a relationship with an older woman. Will the two learn the truth about each other as the week before Christmas unfolds, or will a second chance at love pass them by?

I would not be mad if Hallmark turned this into a Christmas movie. They must get a buttload of pitches, but this one deserves a chance at the spotlight. I have countless good things to say about this book. Hughes paints a beautiful picture of the area, and I highly recommend picking up a copy in September for all of you romance readers and holiday readers!

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an eARC in exchange for my honest review!

Cute light romance novel that read like a Hallmark movie. Always fun to read a cheery Christmas novel . A fun little escape from reality.

Every reader thinks they can call a romance novels ending down to the happily ever after, but this book should be able to keep even the wisest on their toes until the very end. After being dumped just hours before her wedding Rebecca and her bestie decided to go on the honeymoon to Christmas Cove Inn anyways. Being dumped by the love of her life and left by her best friend due to an emergency all in one day amplified the joy of running into an old friend from college at dinner. Zach was taken aback by running into Rebecca after all these years, he had a crush on her in college but never got the chance to tell her. Read Christmas at the Lake Sept 26th to see if these two make the most of their second chance.

I really enjoyed this story of finding yourself after heartbreak and loss and finding love in unexpected places. This Christmas series has been pretty popular with our patrons, and I know fans of previous installments in the series will snap this one up too. I will definitely be recommending this one to patrons who are looking for a sweet and festive read.

Thanks Netgalley for the ARC. So I have to admit it was weird to read a Christmas book in May - while enjoying the warm sunshine. But it was a fun, sweet read. I love seasonal books. Love enemies-to-lovers trope. Enjoyed the main characters. I love reading this author and cannot wait to read more.

this book had it all. the feels and you get that story of getting to know your friend again. i really liked this story and will read more from them. Good read and had me hooked.

Book Title: Christmas at the Lake
Author: Anita Hughes
Publisher: Saint Martin’s Press-St. Martin Griffin
Genre: Women's Fiction/Romance
Pub Date: September 26, 2023
My Rating: 4 Stars!

When I read " Christmas in New York" which I loved! I ended with being anxious to read another Anita Hughes story.
My comments: . . .
I am reading this in my big comfy reading chair in front of our fireplace. Only it is in the middle of August and we are having a major heat wave! Although there is no fire in our fireplace I can totally hear a fire crackling in one of the Plaza Hotel fireplaces and can see snowflakes floating down. (BTW: I live in Southern California ~ somewhat near Dana Point where Ms. Hughes and her family currently live ~ and haven’t seen snow well we can see snow in our distant mountains.)

In this story Rebecca Huntley is left at the alter by her college sweetheart Ben Cole, yet decides to go on their honeymoon to the cozy Christmas Cove Inn in the charming small town of Christmas Cove on the shores of Lake Tahoe.
Rebecca runs into Zach Mason, an old college friend, who had always had a crush on her.
Zach believes Rebecca is married to Ben due to a misunderstanding and Rebecca believes Zach is in a relationship with an older woman.

Awww I loved that this as it was more than boy meet girl they fall in love there is a misunderstand everything falls apart and they get back together.
Well that did kind of happen but there were side stories that kept me curious.
I mentioned when I read “Christmas in New York’ we were having a heat wave. Guess what? Although it is April and we are have 90 degree weather. SO in addition to Ms. Hughes being a great write she is also a predictor of ‘heat waves’!!!

I love the setting for this story. The cover is winter in Lake Tahoe. We have vacation there several times- in the winter as well as the summer. It is located on the edge of California and Nevada. The Nevada side is a mini Vegas with fab casinos and fun night life.
This winter the area got 15feet of snow - yes feet! Ski season should go until June.
We were never in Tahoe at Christmas but the descriptions Anita Hughes writes about are so vivid, I was totally transported!

I look forward to the reading the next adventure.
Any suggestion on when you would like an early heat wave in 2024?


Want to thank NetGalley and Saint Martin’s Press - St. Martin Griffin for granting me the pleasure of reading this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for September 26, 2023.

A cozy, feel good holiday read featuring a second chance romance.

After being left at the altar, Rebecca decides to still go on her honeymoon to a cozy Christmas inn in a holiday town. There she runs into a past love, and other characters whose love lives are intertwined in Rebecca’s story. The author so eloquently described the Christmas inn and town making for a cozy read.

This feel good romantic holiday read will make you smile and burst with holiday spirit.

Thank you St. Martin’s Griffin and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy.

4.25/5 stars! This is a sweet, quick holiday read. I didn't love the cover and the premise felt a bit too sweet for me, so I was a bit worried heading into this book. I was pleasantly surprised! The characters are charming and full of depth and watching Rebecca and Zach work through their miscommunication/friends-to-lovers story was lovely.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review

Christmas at the Lake by Anita Hughes is a tolerable novel that does not quite hit the mark. First, it started out very slow and gave too many details. It felt like I was reading a blog or watching a reality TV show about Rebecca's life. The books' details was dragged out at times, which made it difficult to finish reading. Also, there were some glaring typos. Now on to the positives: I loved the characters and their back stories! They seemed very genuine and real. I especially loved hearing about the relationships between the couples in the book. Additionally, the backdrop of Lake Tahoe during the holidays was a perfect setting. All in all, give Christmas at the Lake a try if you love holiday romances!!! 😊📚🎄✨ #christmasatthelake #anitahughes #bookreview #bookstagram #booklover #bookish #bookrecommendations #booksbooksbooks

This feel-good romance is perfect for Hallmark movie fans and second chance romance lovers! This was my first book by this author, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised. When Rebecca’s fiancé, Ben dumps her for another woman, she goes on her honeymoon at Lake Tahoe alone. There she meets a man from her past , Zach, an old classmate from college. The setting is snowy, cozy, and perfect for falling in love. With more than one romance blooming throughout this novel, and the dual POVs-Zach and Rebecca- it was a delight to read.
I felt like the book was a bit short to really develop the way I would have liked to have seen it, and the plot was pretty predictable, but it was a fun read, nevertheless. I give it a solid 3 1/2 stars, but because of the wonderful Lake Tahoe, setting and vivid descriptions, I would round up to a four. Not the best holiday romance I’ve read but an enjoyable read. Thank you to NetGalley for an an ARC digital copy.

Christmas at the Lake by Anita Hughes is a wonderful Christmas book. The story is written with lots of Christmas love at Christmas.

This was a cute, feel good, holiday romance.
I loved that there were so many different romance stories tied into one. The cozy and quaint location of Christmas Cove only made the story that much better. Keeping this at four stars because I wish we would have gotten more of Rebecca and Zach together. I can’t wait to read this again at Christmas time!