Thank you NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing and Lori Foster for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a standalone book but book #3 in a series. I didn’t read the first 2 and didn’t feel like I missed anything important.

3.5⭐️

Berkley is happy to start over in Cemetery, IN and live in relative isolation and care for the pets at the new shelter. Lawson is 1yr into living in town and happy to be living under the radar as much as he can.

Berkley and Lawson both are running from a rough past that happened to overlap. They grew up in the same rough neighborhood and knew of each other. They are drawn to each other and determined to avoid the other.

Enter Betty, the feisty elder town matriarch who has a soft spot for Berkley and animals. Betty helps Berkley stretch her comfort zone by giving the town and Lawson a place in her heart.

I enjoyed Berkley and Lawson but did feel like things escalated a little fast at the end. Lark and Oliver were a fun secondary story and I’m wondering if they’ll get a book in the future.

Overall it was a cute story, I felt the writing was a little bit “tell” instead of “show or feel” so maybe that’s why it wasn’t more of a connection for me. However it was a quick, easy read.

Berkly “..made the right decision when she’d accepted the new job and, basically, a new life. The notoriety that so often haunted her couldn’t possibly bother her here, not in this quaint rural setting bustling with activity and filled with kindness.”
Berkely has left her old life and started working at a pet rescue. All is better for her until she runs into someone from her past.. someone who knows the reason she ran away.

It was a cute, clean little romance. I liked that it showed more than one couple coming together in the book. You get to know the characters from their own thoughts and by seeing them through the eyes of the other couple in town. I also enjoyed that you get to see the relationships start and grow and the attachment to the town itself grow. Also, the added drama of the ex and his effects throughout the story added just a bit of drama.
I didn't like how quickly some of the characters seemed to change their minds about what they wanted in life. It didn't feel like it gave them time to actually change and truly understand themselves.
Overall, I liked the story and would recommend it to someone looking for a quick, clean, summery read..

The Love Shack
Lori Foster
June 11, 2024

We are back in Cemetery, Indiana for another part of Lori Foster’s series. She brings home a duo, Berkley Carr and Lawson Sadler. Two people who went to high school together. He always had a secret draw to her but she was younger and caught in a web caring for her mother who was ill. She became involved with a guy who was older, and unbeknown to her, married. When caught in a situation by his wife her name became ugly amongst townsfolk. After her mother's past Berkley left hoping she could shed the past but it always was there in her mind and heart.
The Love Shack will be published by Harlequin Digital Sales on June 11, 2024. I was able to read and review part 3 in the Cemetery series via recommendation from Rachel Brown of Foster’s Crew team and NetGalley. It is such a delight to read. The series is fun and enlightening. The story of Berkley and Lawson as well as other new characters gives the reader contemporary views of the little burgh. It’s such a pleasure to explore the latest in her series. The Love Shack is a surprise and delight. Don’t pass this one by - do enjoy!!

⭐⭐⭐
🌶️
netgalley arc

*A very OK Hallmark romance
*I honestly enjoyed the plot and the kooky small town antics, and the four main characters were likeable enough.
*The writing itself is what was lacking for me; it felt disjointed and very tell-not-show. Everyone fell into love with no explanation. Time passed, but not in a way that made sense.
*Overall, it was fine. A solid 3 stars

Welcome back to Cemetery, Indiana ( home of Kathleen IYKYK). I have enjoyed this series but this one just couldn’t hold my attention. I never felt a real spark between any of the characters and the plot moved extremely slow. It is still a nice little beach read though

Unfortunately, "The Love Shack" by Lori Foster didn't quite connect with me. I found it difficult to relate to the main character and her closed-off approach to life, which might be more a reflection of my preferences than the writing itself.

Additionally, I felt that Oliver and Lark's story started too late in the narrative, making it challenging to fully engage with their relationship and root for their romance.

While Lori Foster's writing is usually enjoyable, this particular story just didn't resonate with me. However, I appreciate the opportunity to read and review it.

3.5 Stars- small-town clean romance
~~~~~~~~~~~
I have to say I have some mixed feelings about this book. Normally I’m a big Foster fan because she writes sweet, clean romance stories full of heart. While this one was a fun, delightful, Chick Lit type romance, I really didn’t feel a connection between the people.

That’s not to say Foster did not include a lot of interest in characters. Oh, she certainly did. And I think that’s where some of my issue lies. I think there are too many people.

She wrote the story including so much about the townspeople and I really wanted a more in-depth connection between the two main characters. They had a history and that history was binding them together. That was the great part!

There’s also a tiny bit of suspense scattered through for a heightened level of security. But there was a deeper level of spark that was missing for me.

I’ve always loved Foster's writing as her stories are always unique and entertaining. The Love Shack is no different. I was just looking for a little bit more fire and passion and less small town in your business story. This is of no fault to the author. I’m kind of about that right now.

This was the perfect summer read. I enjoyed the characters and the story. I can tell Berkley and I would be quick friends, her love for animals drew my interest and my connection to her. Small town, feel good read.

This is a very cute read. I really enjoyed all of the characters. Berkley is a someone you really want to see good things happen to. She runs a shelter and we get lots of entertaining moments with the animals. Her dog Hero is such a wonderful part of the book. Her cat Cheese cracked me up, I have a cat that opens and closes doors behind him and it is hilarious to watch. Lawson was from Berkley's hometown and watching them reconnect was lovely. There was a secondary couple Lark and Oliver that you get to watch meet each other. I feel like they could have had their own book, I wanted to spend more time with them. This has a very beach read feel to it and I highly recommend it for anyone who wants an easy read that is full of characters you can root for. I always enjoy Lori Foster, if you haven’t tried any of her books you should definitely pick one up.

This book is the best for me this year. It has Lori’s trademark on it, with Cemetery, Indiana being in the spotlight once again. I laughed out loud, shed tears, but most of all loved all the newcomers to Cemetery looking for a place to put down roots and call home. Berkley and Lawson acquaintances from the past landing in the same place at the same time. Strange right? What about two more people moving there to start a new life as well? The town’s mysterious Kathleen showing up unexpectedly here and there ends up with someone new.. Hero, leading the way to The Love Shack. If you haven’t read The Honeymoon Cottage and The Flower shop I would definitely read them as well. This is a town where I would love to live. I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my fair and honest review

⭐️: 4
🌶️: 1

✨ small town
✨ found family
✨ self discovery
✨ animal lovers

The Love Shack is a charming, contemporary romance that follows two different couples who have troubled pasts and find themselves seeking a new start in the adorable small town of Cemetary, Indiana, and of course unexpectedly falling in love. 

This story was sweet and had all of the feel-good, beach read vibes. The characters were lovable and the side characters (and animals!) were just as delightful. If you are looking for a heartwarming, easy read - this is it!

🌶️ = closed door

📚Thank you NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing and Lori Foster for the ARC of The Love Shack.

Cemetery is always such a fun town to visit. The characters always make me laugh and I love how they all interact with Kathleen. Betty is the grandma of all and while she runs the town with an iron fist it seems she knows how to have fun. Lawson and Berkeley may have their issues but they are perfect for each other.

In “The Love Shack” (Indiana Summers Series #3) by Lori Foster we get to know Berkley, the owner of the new animal shelter in Cemetery and Lawson, the owner of the custom tee shirt store. They have a past that both are running from but avoiding each other is impossible. As they become closer their past catches up to them and they just might need to bring in reinforcements.

There are plenty of antics – between a thieving cat, an overprotective dog and Kathleen (who Lawson is not a fan of). Plus, throw in some well-loved friends (new and old) and you have a fun read with a little bit of everything.

I received an advanced copy of this book, and this is my honest opinion.

The Love Shack is the story of 2 soon to be couples in a beach town. They meet (or re-meet in one case) and fall in love. There's some comedic relief in the form of the town mannequin's escapades.

I would say this is a pretty formulaic closed door romance. I freely admit that this is a 'me thing,' but it felt like there was some gratuitous trauma. the formula for each of the 4 main romantic leads is 1) be afraid to reveal your trauma because you'll be judged for it, 2) reveal your trauma to your love interest, 3) be miraculously healed, 4) fall in love. The repetition of this pattern multiple times left me feeling like there was little other character or relationship development.

Thank you to Lori Foster and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Love Shack, which is the third book in the Indiana Summers Series, was an easy, fun beach read. I enjoyed all the characters and the quirkiness of the town. This closed door, small town romance involves two people who are new to town who happen to share the same difficult past. An enjoyable read.

"The Love Shack" by Lori Foster is a charming and heartwarming story about two people, Berkley Carr and Lawson Salder, who are trying to overcome their past and find love. Berkley, who runs The Love Shack Animal Haven, is haunted by a scandal from her youth, while Lawson has moved to Cemetery, Indiana, to escape the poverty of his childhood. Despite their past, they find it hard to ignore the attraction they feel for each other.

The book is a delightful blend of romance, humor, and animal welfare. Lori Foster has created a vivid and charming setting in Cemetery, Indiana, and the characters are well-developed and relatable. The love story between Berkley and Lawson is sweet and romantic, and it is heartening to see them overcome their past hurts and embrace the love they deserve.

The book is a quick and easy read, perfect for a lazy afternoon or a weekend getaway. It is a great reminder that sometimes, the past can hold us back, but with a little courage and determination, we can move forward and find love. Overall, "The Love Shack" is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a feel-good romance with a touch of humor and animal welfare."

Very enjoyable book! You can always count on Lori Foster to deliver a funny, sweet, romantic plot with a little bit of drama. All the things I love most - substance with my romance.

This book is about Berkley who runs the new animal shelter in the town of Cemetery. In general, Berkley is pretty solitary and closed off. She was burned in the past by a scandal that still haunts her a bit even though in all reality she was the victim. When she finds out someone from her past lives in Cemetery also, she is immediately wary. Lawson, however, knows Berkley was a victim and feels bad he didn't do more back in the day. He was two years older than her and had his own problems growing up with deadbeat parents and trying to escape their small town. Now though, Lawson sees Berkley for who she is - a strong, beautiful and independent woman. He is immediately drawn to her despite her hesitation. Enter a protective dog who tries to save everyone, a cat that steals things, a mannequin that mysteriously keeps showing up and a busy body octogenarian and you have a story that is just full of hilarity and surprises. When Berkley's past tries to come back to cause problems, everyone steps in to make sure she knows she is not alone and loved.

Great read. Would definitely recommend. I love the humor and connection you feel with the characters. Plus the romance.

The Love Shack by Lori Foster would make a perfect beach read. It’s a story that you connect with immediately. This is a story of starting over and understanding that friends are the family we choose. It’s about a community looking out for it’s people and taking care of one another. Berkley is starting over and hoping the scandal she is leaving in her past does not find her. She is making her way in Cemetery running The Love Shack an animal shelter when she runs into someone from her past, Lawson. At first she is worried about what someone from her past could mean but soon their love story is a beautiful thing to read! I also love the relationship between Berkley and Betty. I found myself cheering for all of the new romances and friendships. This was a great book and I am looking forward to reading more by Lori Foster.
Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for a free advance copy in exchange for a review.
#romance #animallovers #netgalley #LoriFoster #TheLoveShack #Harlequin

The story is about Berkley and Lawson in Cemetery, Indiana. They've both been through tough times and become friends over their shared past in another town. They move to Indiana to start fresh. I liked how the story is set in a small town where everyone knows each other. There's even a funny joke about a town mannequin.

But I had a hard time with how the main characters deal with their problems. They've been hiding their pain for years and haven't talked to anyone about it. Berkley especially lets her past control her life. So is she really okay? Some parts of the story seem unbelievable. Also, there's a lot of unnecessary stuff that drags on for pages.

It would have been better if the story switched between different times. That could have helped explain their past better.

Thank you to netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Love Shack (Kindle Edition) by Lori Foster
We are back in Cemetery, Indiana a wonderful town full of fantastic people and the mannequin Kathleen. There are two romances Berkley who runs THE LOVE SHACK and animal rescue and Lawson who runs the print shop - they knew each other in the past. We also have Lark and Oliver who have their own troubled past. There are Fantastic animals and Betty Cemetery who manages everyone. All I know is I would love to live in Cemetery and have these people as friends.

Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Page-turner Funny Entertaining Romantic Informative Tear-jerker Action-packed Happily Ever After Great world building Unpredictable Wonderful characters Easy-to-read.