Summer at the Lake

This a character-based book, about three people who meet by chance after a road accident. After the drama of the first chapters, the plot moves quite slowly as we get to know these delightful people, who are themselves getting to know each other.

I like it when a book is about an unusual, quirky person, and there are two of them: the elderly Esme, in her way, is as independent and unusual as the much younger Floriana. Then there's Adam, who is a predictably nice hero although, it being a modern novel, I didn’t guess until near the end whether or not he and Floriana were going to get together romantically.

By the time I was about half way through, I was completely hooked. It’s not that there’s any great excitement or tension, but show more all the main characters had got under my skin; Erica James has quite a gift of bringing people to life. There were other people in the book too, of course, but they were all more two-dimensional and unmemorable.

Towards the end there are sections which are poignant and moving, as well as a few surprises. I found the book, overall, uplifting and encouraging.

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Latest longer review: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/2025/06/summer-at-lake-by-erica-james.html show less

It was pleasant enough as a loaned summer read, but went on way too long for me as several side plots were added toward the end. The younger characters' romance was totally predictable so that added to the feeling of get on with it, while Esme's story was more interesting.

Een lekker boek voor deze zomer. Liefdevolle karakters waar je van gaat houden, De keuzes die je maakt voor je toekomst, maar eerst moet er veel op gelost worden uit het verleden. Het verhaal wisselt af tussen heden en verleden en laat je vooral voelen dat je je hart moet laten spreken. Ik heb er van genoten.

Another Erica James book that grew on me more as the book progressed. Good linkages between events in the present as well as events in the past. Good relationships developed as a result of Floriana being knocked down by a car, which led to three strangers meeting.

I just want to book a trip to Italy!

Leuk, opntspannend boek. Ben fan van Erica James