Terrific story about family, finding yourself, and overcoming tragedy. This is the second book in the series. I haven't read the first one, but enough backstory was explained to keep me from feeling lost. There are three main characters: Genevieve Prentice, her daughter Willow Eldridge, and their neighbor, Noah Tannehill. Genevieve and her sister, Helen, own a lodge in Lake in the Clouds, Colorado. Willow, widowed two years earlier, moves there with her two children, looking for a fresh start and to reconnect with her mother. She meets the reclusive Noah, a firefighter recovering from injuries received during a tragic incident.

Genevieve has enjoyed her new life in Colorado. After many years as a mom, she has enjoyed traveling, exploring nature, and getting involved in her new community. With her latest project ending and facing a milestone birthday, she feels a bit lost about where her life is heading. When Willow moves to town, Genevieve suddenly finds herself slipping back into family mode, being a mom and Nana on call. She feels she is losing all her progress after her move. I could feel her frustration and fear as she wondered about her future. She received helpful advice from two men, and I enjoyed watching her take that advice. I liked seeing her reconnect with Willow, though there were a few bumps in their road along the way. Her support of Willow is crucial during an unexpected crisis. Her last scene in the book is hilarious and satisfying.

Willow left Nashville hoping to make a better life for her children and reconnect with her mother. During Willow's marriage, they became estranged, and she feels it was mostly her fault. She's ready to come clean about her marriage, her husband, and their life, but talking about it is more challenging than she expects. In the meantime, she steps in as the planner for her brother's upcoming wedding and discovers a possible career path. She also has eight-year-old Drew and four-year-old Emma to take care of. Drew is a pistol with some issues stemming from his father's death, and he keeps Willow on her toes. Drew brings Willow together with Noah in a scene that could have been any parent's nightmare but was the start of a meaningful friendship. I liked seeing the changes and healing that Willow experienced during the book.

Noah moved into his grandfather's house in Lake in the Clouds after experiencing a tragic fire call that left him badly injured. He spends most of his time in his workshop, avoiding people whenever possible. Thanks to Drew, Noah, and Willow are frequently thrown together and soon form a friendship. Noah is surprised to find himself emerging from his shell. I ached for Noah and the trauma he suffered and rooted for him to overcome the demons that haunted him.

I enjoyed watching the relationship between Noah and Willow develop. It started rocky, thanks to Drew's antics, but they soon discovered that their traumatic pasts made it easier to relate to each other. The more time they spent together, the closer they grew, and the more they could share the details of their pasts. I liked how they were able to help each other look at events from a different perspective, enabling them to heal and move forward. There are also some beautiful scenes involving them and the children and the effect on their developing relationship. They each experience an unexpected curveball that must be dealt with before they can look to a future together, but they make it happen with love and support from each other and their friends and families.

Secondary characters such as Gabe Throckmorton and Genevieve's sister Helen add extra interest to the book. I liked Gabe, who is still grieving the loss of his wife but has a growing and changing friendship with Genevieve. I look forward to later books and seeing if that relationship progresses. I loved Helen. She is fun-loving and outspoken, and she loves her family. She and Genevieve have had a great time together over the past two years, and she is understandably hurt when Genevieve appears to no longer have time for her. They must deal with a few growing pains, but in the end, their relationship is stronger than ever. I laughed out loud at Helen's method of getting stop signs for the town.

Do you ever long for a good, yet wholesome, read? One where you will care about the characters and their story and where you can hope for a happy ending? Do you like knowing that a book is part of a series so that it is possible to look forward to future good reads? You will know if you are this kind of reader. If you are, Emily March’s new series of which this is book 2 may be just right for you.

This title can be read as a standalone but, for the fun of it, readers may also want to look at the first book. This time, get to know Genevieve who lives in Lake Cloud, Colorado. She is just getting back on her feet when a visit from her daughter Willow leads to disruption. Willow is quite busy but also wants/needs to make time for some serious talk with her mother.

Readers also meet Noah. He has a few secrets of his own. What will happen as these three characters go through their days?

This book is sure to be enjoyed by readers of women’s fiction and those who like stories by writers like Debbie Macomber. It is easy to recommend this one.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Forever Grand Central Publishing for this title . All opinions are my own.

A wonderful story about second chances and learning to let people in, even when it is hard. Noah is a recluse and he likes it that way. He feels guilty because of an accident at work, that took his brother’s life. He believes it should have been him. When Willow’s son wanders onto his property, Noah starts to open up. But whether he can be who she and her kids need remains to be seen.

Willow is trying to make amends with her mom after her husband proved to not be a nice man. Her mom never liked her ex and now she is a single mom to two kids and she is trying to find her way. She is intrigued by Noah, but has a doozy of a secret thrown into her life. She handled it better than I would have.

As they spend time together, they both start letting their guard down, but just when things are looking up, Noah has a choice to make. I really liked this book, but I wish we could have seen at least part of a chapter with him and his sister-in-law. I also liked Genevieve, Willow’s mom, but wish we could have found out if she ever gave her friend a chance.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and look forward to more from Ms. March. I received an ARC and this is my honest, voluntary review.

Balancing Act by Emily March
Lake in the Clouds series #2. Contemporary chick lit, romance. Family oriented. Can be read as a stand-alone. Best read in order since this book continues the timeline after the first.
Multiple POV Genevieve, Noah and Willow, all 3rd person. A wedding in the early part of this book is the couple from the first book.
Genevieve Prentice is settled in Lake in the Clouds, Colorado forging new relationships with her adult children. Willow Eldridge has moved to Lake in the Clouds to rebuild a relationship with her mother. Her focus is also on her troubled young son who has some emotional trauma to work through. Drew befriends a quiet, reclusive man that builds doll house models for training fire fighters. Noah has his own demons and PTSD to deal with, but puppies and a talkative young boy helps to ease his heart just a bit.

Genevieve is struggling to keep something of her own. Not her kids or sister.
Willow is rebuilding her life now in Lake in the Clouds but there is pressure to move back to TN from her in laws. There are more complications that her late husband has left behind.
Noah feels guilty that he survived the fire when his brother did not.
Healing. Living. Connections and family. Healing hearts. Life and complications thrown in. Survive. Adjust and conquer. And love.

Lots going on here. It comes down to family and love. Relationships. Healing.
It feels epic. I know these people. It’s heartwarming and deep. And I hope to revisit Lake in the Clouds again soon.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley. I also purchased a copy to keep.

I loved Balancing Act by Emily March, book two in her Lake in the Clouds series; a story that was heartwarming, emotional, and beautifully weaves the story of Genevieve Prentice and her daughter Willow Eldridge. Set in the picturesque Lake in the Clouds, the story explores the complications and difficulties within family relationships and the challenges of rediscovering love after loss.

Willow, a newly widowed mom with two young children, has followed her Mom to Colorado, ready to swallow her pride and come clean about her life in Nashville. The guilt she feels about her broken relationship with Genevieve is only one layer of the trauma she's struggling with. While there she meets a reclusive neighbor, Noah Tannehill, an irresistible man fighting demons of his own. He is recovering from injuries sustained as a firefighter; some are psychological and/or PTSD. Maybe this sweet town can provide the answers and healing she, her family, and Noah needs; and maybe throw in hope and harmony along the way.

Genevieve and Helen continue navigating the second half of their lives, exploring who they are and what makes them tick. Genevieve struggles with trying to do it all, and not doing it well at all; something many can relate to. She tries to hold on to her new and improved independence while balancing her need to be the mom and grandmother that Willow and her children need, while also being independent as she explores her own life; finding a passion that will fill her well.

Ms. March wrote an amazing story with interesting characters and a sweet romance. It's easy to identify with the topic of PTSD and grief in this story, provoking thoughtfulness and soothing readers who might need comfort in their lives. I highly recommend Balancing Act to other readers and look forward to the next book in this series.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

This is a beautiful story set in Lake in the Clouds. I was really invested in Willow and Drew but not only them but all of the characters. This is the first book I've read in this series, so I need to go back and read the other story but had no problem catching on. The writer has way of pulling you into the town and story and I can't wait to read the first book in the series.

This is the second story in the Lake in the Clouds and continues the story about Genevieve Prentice and her family, including her daughter, Willow. There is a slow build up to finding out all of the details with Willow’s background and Noah, the man who will help her and her son. I love anything by Emily March and this does not disappoint. I can’t wait for the next story!

I was so excited to revisit Lake of the Clouds! I really enjoyed The Getaway, the first story in the series, and Balancing Act is just as wonderful. I appreciate books that are written in which the main characters are my age and deal with family issues. The characters, young and old, and all well-developed and likeable, and there is a sweet love story between two of the younger characters. This book is another heartwarming story by Emily March—she never disappoints! Thanks to NetGalley and Forever for the advance reader copy of this book.

Emily March’s Balancing Act is the second book in her Lake in the Clouds Series. Mother and daughter take center stage in this story. Genevieve Prentice is working on her relationship with her daughter Willow. Yet there is much about Genevieve and her sister, Helena since they are still evoking into their lives now that they have entered a new season of life. Discovering who you have become is also work in progress. Then relationships take a lot of work but so very worth it as Emily March explores all these relationships and a romantic one in this book. Willow’s two children are jewels that stood out in this novel.

So realistic with times to smile, tears to shed, secrets to reveal and love to be discover. A heartfelt women’s fiction book with a side of romance. Recommend to readers today.

An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Genevieve and her grown daughter Willow are trying to find the balance in life, but it is difficult to get it right. Genevieve is going to be turning 60 and is also struggling with her purpose in life. She wants to be needed, but she also wants to do the things she wants to do. Willow is a single mother of 2 since her husband was killed in a car accident. She has secrets that she hasn't told her family but is learning she can't move forward until she faces the past. The story takes us along on their journey, but life doesn't do what they want, they have to figure out what life has given them, so they can move forward in life.
I have been struggling with what my purpose in life is with the changes life has given me, so seeing this book, felt like it was a sign. As I read the book, it was comforting, knowing others go through the same things I do. It helped me navigate, just like it helped Genevieve and Willow navigate their journey.
I received an ARC from Forever through NetGalley.

"Balancing Act" (Lake in the Clouds Book 2) by Emily March was a terrific read. I loved reading about Genevieve, Helen, Willow, Drew, Emma, and Luke. This story had romance, passion, family, friends, humor, interesting and entertaining characters, twists, and more. I can't wait to see what happens next with all of these entertaining characters. I highly recommend it to all fans of romance, family, friends, small-town life, humor, and series.

I liked the continuing development of the story of Genevieve and her kids.
The focus is in Willow and does she have a lot to unload about her past and marriage. Nosh the recluse is a perfect character to act as a counterweight to Willow’s business.
Genevieve has to figure out where she fits and what she really wants out of life. Helen is her usual ram through the wall at 1000 miles per hour.
It’s a gentle solid story with some surprises but I liked how many of the issues were resolved.
Float on this read for another visit to Lake in the Clouds Colorado.

This is a wonderfully crafted book of family, moving on, finding what one needs out of life and almost every character experienced personal growth. There was cheating, death, injury, and personal sacrifice.

The characters of Willow and Noah were both very fully developed and I loved the way they interacted.
Willow was a woman who had had her life turned upside down and yet she was still able to help others and see other points of view. Noah had suffered loss, both emotionally and physically. Willow and her children are able to bring him out of his hermit life to once again experience joy and love. The children added a lot to the story.

This book left me feeling happy, which is what I want out of a book.

Thanks to Forever Pub and NetGalley for the gifted copy. All thoughts are my own.

Balancing Act was my first time reading anything by this author and it did not disappoint. In this book we follow Willow who has moved to Colorado to be near her mother after her husband died seems like the perfect move. This book had great characters and an amazing plot. If you love reading about small towns or romances then this book is one you need to read. I highly enjoyed reading this and look forward to reading more by this author. Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for this ARC read in exchange of my honest review.

Family at a crossroads…

Genevieve and her family are back! I was happy to jump back into Lake in the Clouds and catch up with the Prentice family goings on. Four grown siblings stumbling through life as we all do, supported by a loving mother and pistol of an aunt, there was always something percolating…
Willow and her young family are settling into the resort even as plans for the future are still uncertain. It’s been over a year since her husband died, and we’re finding out exactly what happened with Willow’s marriage and how it affected all her relationships. Complicated, complicated and the past was going to rear its head again…

Noah Tannehill was their neighbour but he kept to himself, filling his days in the workshop and living with his own regrets. Together they made an interesting pair as misgivings collided with good, old-fashioned chemistry…

This had the same pacing and tone as the first book which made for another easy-going, meandering read. It takes a while to get to the point at times but when you get there it was well worth the wait. The drama was not as explosive as the first instalment in this series (which I highly recommend you read first) but when there is family – people! – you know fireworks will follow. This will be added to the ‘picker-upper’ shelf, when I want something easy to read but with heart at the center and enough kick to make it oh so interesting… Can’t wait for more!

Loved the story and loved the characters. Willow has been dealing with so much since her husband died and making the move to Colorado to be near her mother seems to be the perfect move. Her children need their grandmother and Willow needs her mom. Willow and her mother had a very close relationship until Willow started to date her husband. Now she wants to come clean with her mom about the years they have been estranged. Noah is still recovering from a horrible accident and is in a really dark place. He isn't fit to be around others. When Willow's son gets lost and ends up at Noah's, Drew instantly wants Noah to be his friend. As Willow deals with her own past, she wants to help Noah deal with his, but he isn't making it easy. Then, Willow is dealt another blow. Will it ever end? Her husband keeps hurting her from the grave. Can two people who have lots of excess baggage come together and make a life?

Genevieve Prentice is trying to find balance with being a Nana/Mama, Sister and just herself. her daughter Willow and two grandkids have moved to Colorado to be closer to her. She's dealing with the death of her husband and his secrets he left behind.
Noah Tannehill is recovering from an accident that happened while firefighting. He's barely living. He meets Drew, Willow's son by chance and it opens something in his heart.
I really enjoyed this book. A little family drama with some closed door romance. This book evoked a lot of emotions. Laughter, happy tears and some sad tears.

Another great story set in Lake in the Clouds!

We're back for another visit to Lake in the Clouds, CO. Willow, Genevieve's daughter has temporarily moved there with her children after the sudden death of her husband. She needs her family, and Genevieve is more than ready to step into her Nana shoes.

Noah, a firefighter recovering from a fire-related injury to both his body and his emotional state, is wary of letting anyone in. He's forced to react, though, when Willow's son Drew shows up at his workshop expecting to find Santa. Noah calls Willow, and their friendship begins, rocky at first.

I really enjoyed this book. Willow and Noah's story is sweet, while both are fraught with pain and emotional baggage, they support one another and eventually get closer, even when another bombshell is dropped on Willow. She relies on her Mom and Aunt as well, and keeps it all together for her kids. Recommended for anyone who enjoys small town, mostly clean romance, kids, puppies and love.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

I love this family! Genevieve and Helen are back! I love the sister relationship and these two provide getting older goals! The books in this series are connected, but I think you can enjoy this one standalone. Willow's life has been hard and it's not getting easier. I loved how she faces each challenge. Noah is the perfect grump hero. The two are destined for each other. I was pulled into the story and read it quickly. There were plenty of heart tugging moments as well as lots of chuckles. I can hardly wait for the next book in the series. I received an advance copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Willow Eldridge has moved to Lake in the Clouds where her mother lives. Willow and Genevieve Prentice have a difficult relationship. Willow has been keeping secrets about her marriage from her mother. Now that she is a widow raising 2 young children it's time to make amends.
Noah is living in Lake in the Clouds and keeping secrets too. He is healing from an accident and just wants to be left along. Drew shows up at Noah's home and when he calls Willow to come get her son it starts as a strange relationship between the two.
I love all the twist and turns of the story. Willow finally opens up to her mother and Noah lets Willow into his life.
This is a well written story with wonderful characters and I look forward to more on the family.