Member Reviews
I liked Love’s Cure. It wasn’t my favorite of the series, but it was still a nice read. I liked Emmett and Crystal together, but felt the connection could have been stronger or written better.
I have just about read all of Judith Keim's books over the years and always enjoy them.
I liked the story of a Business women who has been hurt in the past taking a leap with the new Dr. in town while also welcoming her sister back to town who has escaped an abusive boyfriend. These women are trying to make something of their lives while also being an integral part of the community. For some reason this book fell flat for me. It was very slow and certain things were repeated over and over. I also didn't get the feeling of the spark between Crystal and the Dr. until near the end.
While I know I am in the minority for how I felt about this book, if you love a Judith Keim book you will appreciate this one as well.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.
Emmett and Crstsl the main characters of this small town romance, have issues with their families and past. He is from an influential, ambitious, politician family and has moved to break away from their influence. She is a strong woman, having pulled her sister and herself from a disaster of a mom's influence (an addiction & alcoholic). Emmett and Crystal start bonding over various activities, but have to overcome all the external influences thwarting their romance to get their hea.
#netgalley #LovesCure
Love’s Cure is a Lilac Lake book by Judith Keim. In the first three Lilac Lakes books the three Gilford sisters’ stories are told. The series now takes a new direction as residents of Lilac Lake have their stories told. This story is about Crystal Owen, owner of the Lilac Lake Cafe.
Crystal has always been the responsible one beginning as a ten year old seeing to the needs of her infant sister Mindy. Crystal’s mother was an addict and alcoholic who could barely care for herself and couldn’t seem to leave addiction behind no matter the programs that were tried. But the people of Lilac Lake, in particular Eugenia “Genie” Wittner, grandmother of the Gilford sisters were there to help. Crystal raised her sister and even put her through college to become a teacher. Mindy returns to Lilac Lake from Florida during the telling, escaping an abusive boyfriend.
New to Lilac Lake are Dr. Emmett Chambers, who is taking over the general practice from the retiring doctor, and Dr. Dirk McArthur, just out of dental school and in Lilac Lake to work with his uncle in the hopes of taking over the practice in the future. Dr. Chambers is immediately taken by Crystal, but his uppity mother and senator father find a cafe owner beneath his circumstance. This story follows the relationship as it develops despite pitfalls and while finding answers for his discordant parents.
As with all Ms. Keim’s books, I very much enjoyed this one. Her characters are well written and the twists of fate their lives encounter are always interesting. I do recommend this book!
Sweet, small town, romance. Crystal absolutely loves her small town. People there supported her when she needed most as she raised her sister when their mother passed away. She owns the local cafe and is surrounded by amazing friends. The only thing she feels is missing is a romantic partner. Enter Emmett. He’s moved to town to take over for the retiring doctor and to escape his parents’ scrutiny. Their chemistry is off the charts from their first meeting, but can she handle his political family who have made it clear that she isn’t up to their standards? Does she even want to put herself in that position for life?Initially Emmett is more than a little obtuse and doesn’t recognize how terrible his family is treating Crystal as he is so used to it. He’s the frog on the pot of water that is heating up so slowly he doesn’t realize he will boil, but thankfully has a moment and finally gets it. Its a quick easy read with wonderful character development and the ending we all came for.
The Lilac Lake series continues with Crystal, owner of the Lilac Lake Café. Emmett Chambers comes to Lilac Lake, to see about moving here for a year, because while going to medical school, he agreed he would work for one year in a rural area. Their GP, Dr. Johnson, is retiring.
As they get to know each other, there are ups and downs, lessons to be learned, both about themselves, and each other.
One thing about Lilac Lake, it is all about family. The one you have, the friends you make, and the family you hope to create. It is such a welcoming place, the connections that are made, and even the connection that the reader feels reading their story.
I received an ARC from Judith Keim through NetGalley.
Love's Cure by Judith Keim is a great book about young people figuring out their lives. They depend on friends and family to help them navigate their way.
When Emmett Chambers comes to Lilac Lake to replace Dr. Johnson, the town’s GP, Dr. Johnson asks Crystal, owner of the Lilac Lake Café, to show him around. Emmett is the son of an insufferable ambitious politician who is the reason Emmett has chosen the life of a doctor in a small town, away from politics. Just as the relationship between Crystal and Emmett heats up, Emmett’s mother finds out about it and is furious, deeming Crystal unsuitable for the family during her husband’s presidential campaign. Hoping to allow things to cool off, Crystal spends time at the Ogunquit Playhouse in Maine doing her usual summer gig as an extra in some of the plays put on there. But when she’s called upon to help Emmett’s mother with a problem there, everything changes for all of them.
Back at Lilac Lake and the whole gang is there. There’s a new doctor in town, Emmett Chambers has taken over Dr. Johnson’s practice. And the town is welcoming him with open arms, but Crystal owner of Lilac Lake Cafe is a little leery of the handsome doctor. It seems he is keeping secrets, but what? As she gets to know him better and wonders if there could be something between them or was it her hormones talking? With her own past history, honesty is important to her. Facing her own past only helps her grow into a better, stronger person. Will there be a chance for a HEA?
Since I read the previous book I enjoyed this way one much more. There are a lot of characters to keep straight so best to read in order. I do intend on reading the ones I missed, interesting characters and love to hear their stories. Thank you #NetGalley for this ARC. All opinions expressed are my own. #LovesCure #ALilacLakeBook
The little hamlet of Lilac Lake is growing and one of it's new citizens is Dr. Emmett Chambers, who has come to replace long time family Dr. Johnson who has retired. When Emmett is getting to know the town, the one person he is drawn to and would like to get to know more is Crystal who owns the Lilac Cafe'. Where the towns people like to hang out for their coffee in the morning and lunch. She has grown up in Lilac Lake and everyone knows her past, but she has always been good friends with Whitney, Dani and Taylor Gilford and their GG who treated her like one of her own. They know and love Crystal for who she is and so does her ex husband Nick who is now married to Whitney. As both Emmett's past and family's come to light, the two want to be see if they can have a life together, despite the obstacles put in their way. Can love conquer all?
I love Crystal and who she is not who others want her to be and she knows that she has fought to be where she is today, a respected member of the community. She built her business on her own and raised her sister when there was no one else. The people that helped along the way love her. She is one of my fav people in this series. Emmett was attracted to Chrystal from the start, but was he willing to look beyond the purple hair and see her for who she was on the inside. She was willing to do the same for him.
I was so melted by this book- it was just full of sweetness. The most darling story! I was so excited to share this with our bookclub.
Love’s Cure by Judith Keim is a love story that is filled with romance and conflict. Crystal meets Dr. Emmett Chambers and its love at first sight. Read the story and find out what happens.
4⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Wild Quail Publishing for an advanced copy of Love’s Cure.
This book is a spin-off of The Lilac Lake Inn Series. This book follows Crystal who has been a lifelong resident of Lilac Lake and she is also the owner of The Lilac Lake Cafe. She had a very difficult childhood dealing with a mother who was addicted to drugs and alcohol and taking care of her younger sister. She is very independent, outspoken, and free spirited which she has been fine with until she gets a longing to settle down and start a family. She meets the new doctor in town Emmett Chambers and she feels an instant attraction to him but she senses he is hiding something about himself. But they end up bonding over difficult family issues they both have endured but when his family thinks she is not good enough for him she begins to doubt their relationship will work.
I really enjoyed this book. I also read The Lilac Lake Inn Series which I also enjoyed and you do not have to read the other series first but it does give a lot of background on the town and characters. I really enjoy the author and her writing!
This book is a light, clean romance that takes place in a small town in New Hampshire. It's a new book in a series, but it was spun off from a previous series, the Lilac Inn Series. Many of the characters in this new book span over but the reader doesn't need to have read the previous books to enjoy this book fully.
Crystal had a mother with dependency problems so Crystal helped to raise her sister from the time she was eight yeas old. She now owns a cafe and is very successful. She is happy and has friends. When she finds out that the town doctor will be selling his house to a new doctor, and potentially selling his practice as well, Dr. Johnson asked Crystal to help the new doctor become acclimated to the bustling, but still small town. Both Crystal and Everett have things in their background that they would prefer not to discuss, but circumstances bring everything to the forefront. Can they be happy together? Can they build a life together with interfering forces?
I truly enjoy these light romances, where women stand with each other to support, encourage, and empathize with each other.
Judith Keim knows how to grab the reader from the beginning and never let go. I have enjoyed all of her other books and this was no exception. It is great to pick up a book and fall right into a familiar setting with well loved characters.
This book revolves around the life of Crystal who owns the local cafe. Her best friends, the Gilford girls, have all married and one even has a baby. Crystal feels her biological clock ticking, with no partner prospects in sight. Emmett Chambers, the new doctor in town, seems promising, but Crystal is not in a hurry to involve her feelings. She has a difficult past and wants to protect her heart.
Just when things are going quite well, Emmett's parents make an appearance. His mother is determined to make sure that nothing comes of a relationship with Crystal, and encourages Diana from Emmett's past to pursue him for a relationship. His father, a senator who is determined to run for president, just wants to ensure that they all present a united front to help his campaign. Emmett's past has not been easy either, and he even legally changed his name so as not to be associated with his family.
Can Crystal and Emmett's relationship survive all of the obstacles, or will it tear them apart? My only complaint revolves around a scene where there is a motor vehicle crash and an ambulance is called. The whole scene was completely inaccurate and unrealistic. Most people would read over this with no thoughts, but as a paramedic, it detracts from the book.
Overall, the book is wonderful and I highly recommend it!
charming read about the Lilac Lake series. Crystal who owns the popular cafe in town. She has an i attraction to the snew Doctor but his Mother instantly dislikes her as unacceptable for her son as her family is in politics. A cafe owner will not do for her son. As they work through family problems and careers to be together their attraction only grows. When a crisis occurs Crystal steps up to help. A charming beachy read with a beautiful lake setting. Well crafted characters and endearing ending for readers.
Thank you to Net Galley , the publisher and to the author for the opportunity.
4/5 Stars!
Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for this arc!
What a great book! This one had me blocked right away. Great storyline and great writing! Perfect summer read. I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. Also my first by this author but will not be my last!
A continued charming read of the Lilac Lake series. Our main character is Crystal who owns the popular cafe in town. She has an instant mutual attraction to the towns new Doctor but his Mother instantly dislikes her as unacceptable for her son as her family is in politics. A cafe owner will not do for her son. As they work through family problems and careers to be together their attraction only grows. When a crisis occurs it is Crystal who steps up to help. A charming beachy read with a beautiful lake setting. Well crafted characters and endearing ending for readers.
Thank you to Net Galley , the publisher and to the author for the opportunity. My review opinions are my own.
Another fantastic addition to the Lilac Lake series! You'll fall in love with Crystal and Emmett, and will ride on the journey to find out if their relationship can stand the test of time.
Loved this story .When Dr. Chambers comes to Lilac Lake to take over for Dr. Johnson, he suggests that Cyrstal be the one to show him around town. It's no too long before he meets the Lilac Lake crew, Whitney, Dani Tayler, Nick, Brad and all the rest. He also meets GG. He and Cyrstal start to be a couple and his mother finds out about it and does not approve. See what all they go through and if they can make a go at a relationship. A VERY GOOD READ.