The Summer House

GIVEAWAY

DENTON, LAUREN K.
THE SUMMER HOUSE

The Summer House weaves Lauren K. Denton's inviting Southern charm around a woman's journey to find herself.

Sometimes it takes losing everything to find yourself again.

Lily Bishop wakes up one morning to find a good-bye note and divorce papers from her husband on the kitchen counter. Having moved to Alabama for his job only weeks before, Lily is devastated, but a flyer at the grocery store for a hair stylist position in a local retirement community provides a refuge while she contemplates her next steps.

Rose Carrigan built the small retirement village of Safe Harbor years ago -- just before her husband ran off with his assistant. Now she runs a tight ship, making sure the residents follow her strict rules. Rose keeps everyone at arm's length, including her own family. But when Lily shows up asking for a job and a place to live, Rose's cool exterior begins to thaw.

Lily and Rose form an unlikely friendship, and Lily's salon soon becomes the place where residents share town gossip, as well as a few secrets. Lily soon finds herself drawn to Rose's nephew, Rawlins -- a single dad and shrimper who's had some practice at starting over -- and one of the residents may be carrying a torch for Rose as well.

Neither Lily nor Rose is where she expected to be, but the summer makes them both wonder if there's more to life and love than what they've experienced so far.

My Review:

Lauren K. Denton delivers another intergenerational story infused with heart and hope and the kind of characters you want for your best friends. She has this charming Southern style that welcomes a reader in. It's gently paced - which doesn't mean it's not compelling -- more like the words wrap around your heart and mind, urging you to take your time and really explore the characters and setting. As much as I wanted to discover what would happen next, I was content to sit in each moment and savor the storytelling genius.

Two women, decades apart in age, are stalling over the same life trauma. Rose has been letting her past fester to the point it has scarred her present. Lily hovers on the cusp of doing the exact same thing until gruff, never-get-involved Rose uncharacteristically reaches out. A beautiful study on the complexities of relationships and the burdens we persist on carrying unnecessarily.

Two budding romances add a frisson of toe-curls and lighten the heavier aspects of this novel as do a bevy of delightful (and a few not-so delightful) secondary characters. Love the goings on in the Safe Harbor community. They provide some giggle-worthy moments as well as some moving, heart-felt ones.

I enjoyed listening to the audible version narrated by Devon O'Day. She's a familiar voice in my audible arsenal which made me feel all the more at home inside this story.

Please note: I would not categorize this novel as Christian Fiction even though the publisher is Thomas Nelson. It is beautifully written and definitely a clean read and while forgiveness plays a role in both Rose and Lily's lives, it doesn't obviously come from a place of faith and the story lacks a definitive inspirational thread.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of  The Summer House, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday August 15 2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck