Lara Van Hulzen

I picked up this novel during a trying time, and it was the escape that I was needing. What first struck me was the gorgeously relaxing cover, which carried over into this charming story.

Jojo is one of my favorite characters, with sweet Mallory coming in second. I always gravitate to the crafty gals and the bookworms. I felt like I knew these characters and was absorbed into this world. I could easily see myself being one of Sadie and Jojo’s friends and doing life with them. When I think show more of small-town living, it is this picturesque example found in A Love Worth Waiting For, a place where people truly care about one another and love, support, and encourage each other.

I would’ve liked to have had more of a mystery thrown in, besides the morsel we’re thrown, but other than that, is this a very solid and absorbing clean romance by an author that I’ve never had the pleasure of reading before? It was a treat during a trying time in my life that I am very thankful for. show less

A Love for a Lifetime is a moving and inspiring character-driven story. Some of my favorite elements of fiction are love, faith, and new beginnings, and this layered story envelops them all.

One thing I especially enjoyed about this sweet romance is that the main characters are already a mid-life married couple. It’s effortless to connect with Charlie and empathize with how she must face life in a new light after she and her (swoon-worthy) husband Davis become empty nesters. As an empty show more nester myself, planning my daughter’s wedding and moving to a new home in recent years, I can relate to so much of what Charlie experiences.

Visiting the fictional town of Nearlake, Idaho is a joy—being completely wrapped in the small-town atmosphere and history. The townsfolk now feel like friends, and I won’t soon forget them. I appreciate how the story includes realistic hardships in familial relationships, as well as dear ones, and gives a realistic representation of families, friends, a sense of community, and even wedding planning. This novella doesn’t feel like a novella, in that it contains loads of depth, well-rounded characters, unmistakable character growth, and is oh-so-satisfying. Though this is book 2 in the series, it works wonderfully on its own. (I haven’t read book 1 in the series—YET, but I have it and can’t wait.)

First Line: Charlie looked at her phone as it rang.
Series: The Nearlake Series, book 2
Genre: Sweet Romance, Women’s fiction
Author: Lara Van Hulzen
Page Count: 259

#CoverLoverBookReview received a review copy of this book. Opinions are 100% my own. show less

A Love Worth Waiting For by Lara Van Hulzen is a delight. I didn’t want to put it down on the one hand but I didn’t want to finish it too quickly on the other hand.

The heroine Sadie Woods runs an antique store with her aunt JoJo in Nearlake, ID. Her aunt is recovering from cancer and the two of them are facing financial problems. Sadie walks into the store to find a broken back window. When the Deputy Sheriff, James Larsen, arrives to investigate, the plot line is set. He’s a retired show more NFL player who was a football star in the local high school who Sadie had a crush on. He’s now a widower with a 15 year old daughter, Maddie. He had noticed her in high school and now he’s taken with her.

The twists and turns of the story are believable, well-written and touching. It’s a wonderful escape from a culture that has become coarse and superficial into a community of caring people who know what’s important and lasting. This is Book 1 in the Nearlake series and I’m looking forward to the next one! show less

This is the first book I've read by Lara and I quite liked it. The great part about mixed author series is that you discover many brilliant new writers. For me this book was like wrapping myself up in a blanket of soft clouds.

That is the only way I can express the way Wes and Noelle fall in love. There's nothing rushed or hurried about their feelings. More like they allowed themselves to let the love just flow over them and then they open their eyes and realise they love each other. Yup show more this may sound whimsy or sappy but that's exactly how I felt it happen.

ARC provided by the the publisher via NetGalley for voluntary review consideration. show less