Summer at Willow Lake[Lakeshore Chronicles - book 2]
By Susan Wiggs
Real estate expert Olivia Bellamy reluctantly trades a trendy Manhattan summer for her family's old resort camp in the Catskills, where her primary task will be renovating the bungalow colony for her grandparents, who want one last summer together filled with fun, friends and family. A posh resort in its heyday, the camp is now in disarray and Olivia is forced to hire contractor Connor Davis—a still-smoldering flame from her own summers at camp. But as the days grow warm, not even the inviting blue waters of Willow Lake can cool the passions flaring or keep shocking secrets at bay. The nostalgic joy of summers past breathes new promise into a special place and people…a promise meant to last long after the season ends.
A quote:
If you're drowning for real, and nobody believes you, then you sure as hell better figure out how to swim.
Thoughts:
Expectations: The first thing I saw was the cover, which I was much too hesitant about. I admit to be an extreme judge of book covers *shame*, but I really dislike it. However, Sarah was also much too insistent that I read it. And if she wants me to read this book so much, then it must good! In the end, she was right. Summer at Willow Lake is refreshing and lovely.
About Setting: It alternates between the city and Camp Kioga, which I had no trouble with whatsoever. The descriptions are written easily but engrossingly. You just can’t help but close your eyes and feel like transporting into the novel. For me it made me wish that I went to camp as a young teen! It sounds like a new and exciting experience.
About Characters: Olivia “Lolly” Bellamy comes from a big, wealthy family who owns Camp Kioga. She’s now a smoking, fit, professional real estate stager who used to be the lonely fat kid at camp. I found her character very appealing; she’s funny and real and serious with the right amount of strength in mind. Connor Davis is the good looking bad boy from Olivia’s past. And boy, how I love him. Together, they’re the ‘it’ couple, which makes me so, so happy. There are also many other characters who I look forward to read about in the other novels in this series. Such characters include Daisy and Julian, Max, Uncle Greg, and more.
About Plot: Olivia is in charge of reconstructing Camp Kioga for her grandparents’ 50th wedding celebration but her contractor is Connor Davis, who she shares a past with. Together, they must work to make the place look extravagant. That takes them back to old times and memories they shared with each other. As a child every summer, Olivia goes to Camp Kioga and spends time with Connor Davis. As the story switches from present day to their pasts and back and forth, we get to see how their relationship forms and develops. The story also touches upon other characters and their main backgrounds, making it overall enjoyable as well as satisfying.
Overall Rating: Y Y Y Y Y
Summer at Willow Lake is the perfect read if you’re looking for some way of escapism. It’s even more perfect in the summer, with the fresh feelings of the sun and the sky. I enjoyed it thoroughly and it will always be one of my pleasure reads.
About Characters: Olivia “Lolly” Bellamy comes from a big, wealthy family who owns Camp Kioga. She’s now a smoking, fit, professional real estate stager who used to be the lonely fat kid at camp. I found her character very appealing; she’s funny and real and serious with the right amount of strength in mind. Connor Davis is the good looking bad boy from Olivia’s past. And boy, how I love him. Together, they’re the ‘it’ couple, which makes me so, so happy. There are also many other characters who I look forward to read about in the other novels in this series. Such characters include Daisy and Julian, Max, Uncle Greg, and more.
About Plot: Olivia is in charge of reconstructing Camp Kioga for her grandparents’ 50th wedding celebration but her contractor is Connor Davis, who she shares a past with. Together, they must work to make the place look extravagant. That takes them back to old times and memories they shared with each other. As a child every summer, Olivia goes to Camp Kioga and spends time with Connor Davis. As the story switches from present day to their pasts and back and forth, we get to see how their relationship forms and develops. The story also touches upon other characters and their main backgrounds, making it overall enjoyable as well as satisfying.
Overall Rating: Y Y Y Y Y
Summer at Willow Lake is the perfect read if you’re looking for some way of escapism. It’s even more perfect in the summer, with the fresh feelings of the sun and the sky. I enjoyed it thoroughly and it will always be one of my pleasure reads.
This sounds like a great summer read. Thanks for putting it on my radar. Awesome review :)
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to read more Susan Wigg's after reading Summer by the Sea by her a couple of years ago. Summer by the Sea is really great. =) If you liked this one, you should definitely try that one out.
ReplyDeleteGreat review. =)