Leeanna Morgan

A Lakeside Thanksgiving by Leeanna Morgan is a 2021 publication.

This is the third book in the ‘Sapphire Bay’ series. I picked this book because the title suggested it was centered around the Thanksgiving holiday. I have not read the previous installments- but hope to go back and fill in the backstory a little someday- but that said, one can glean the gist of things and it is not necessary to have read the first two books to enjoy this one.

Thanksgiving is mentioned several times in this book- but if you are thinking this story is in any way a traditional turkey day tale filled with holiday staples and big families gathered around the table with plenty of side drama- then you would be wrong. In this story there is a wedding taking place at Thanksgiving, and planning time is short.

But the main focal point of the story is centered around Barbara. Barbara is in Sapphire Bay for a few more months due to a sitpulation made by her grandmother. She intends to head straight back to San Diego the minute her family obligations are filled. Then she meets Theo- a local radio station owner who also left the big city -but for very different reasons. It seems like the real deal between them until their big city lives tempt them to return to the frenetic lives they had before coming to Sapphire Bay.

I admit to feeling a little disappointed that Thanksgiving itself wasn't more of a focal point in the story - sort of mentioned in passing, really. There are so few novels centered around this holiday, I had hoped to find one that would remind us to push the pause button on all the Christmas commercialism and take time to be with family and friends- count our blessings, and reflect on who and what is important to us.

But, upon further reflection, the message was one that I get on board with- but I must say this, though-

Putting people before careers, slowing down and taking time to find solitude, to help others, to pay it forward are not exclusive to small town living. In fact, I live in a small town and we are just as guilty of working sixty or more hours in a week as those who live in cities. No small town is as idealistic as books make them sound and both have their unique challenges- but whereever you live- you can still adopt a mentality of prioritizing and finding a balance between work and family.

So, overall, I ended up really liking this story, though it was not exactly what I had in mind. It’s clean, pleasant, and while light on the surface, there’s a gentle, but important message there, too.

Happy Thanksgiving!

4 stars… (more)

Tess owns a cafe in a small town out West. Logan has been coming to Tess' cafe for a year and has tried to get her attention but nothing has worked. That is until he writes an article about a bride-to-be whose home has been robbed and her bridesmaids dresses have been stolen. Then Tess needs him, but doesn't trust him.

This was a great premise but I kept thinking Tess really had given up on love, I don't think this would have ended the way it did if it wasn't for Logan's determination. It was okay.… (more)