Like eating stew and dumplings on a cold day in winter, reading the second book in Jen Gilroy's Firefly Lake series left me feeling happy, warm and satisfied.

Actually “reading” is probably the wrong way to describe what happened when I opened Summer On Firefly Lake because it felt more like I’d been invited to pull up a chair and sit for a while. Jen's writing is so rich in colour that the place felt like home and the characters like friends.

I could use words such as gentle, heartwarming, charming and sweet and still not really cover just how lovely this book is. That’s not to say the story is without action and drama, oh no, there’s plenty of that. While the main characters are Mia and Nick, a wonderful supporting cast definitely help throw in a few twists and turns - and they certainly earn their happy ending.

As I said, this is book two in the series - and several of the characters from the first book, The Cottage At Firefly Lake, make a welcome reappearance - but it works well as a standalone.

And while I might have mentioned a winter stew at the start, this book is perfect whatever the season.

I'm already looking forward to book three.

This is the second book in the Firefly Lake series and I would suggest the series is read in order for the best reading experience. 

Mia Gibbs is recently divorced and has moved back to Firefly Lake where she used to spend her summers in her youth. She is now living near her sister, Charlie again, and feels this is the best environment for her two daughters. It also brings her back in close proximity to former bad boy now respectable attorney, Nick McGuire. 

Nick is also on the other side of a divorce after he caught his ex-wife cheating with his boss and resolute not to get involved in a relationship ever again, feeling he has little to offer a woman. When he hires Mia as a house help for his mother, he starts to have yearnings for Mia in ways he had been determined to never give in to again. 

This was a sweet, gentle small town story. There was a little romance and a touch of hotness thrown in but it wasn’t overloaded. In fact I found it a little slow going looking at it from a romance angle, however from the goings on of a small town there were lots packed in the book. 

I do think this would be better read after the first book as I found it hard to pick up as a standalone. The history of Nick and Mia were added in mid chapters whereas up to points it was felt there was no history as such between them. At the start there were lots of characters brought in which I feel had I read the first book it would have flowed better for me. 

Overall though it was a pleasant enough read with a great small town feel. In fact the ambiance and the background were the winning elements of the book for me. I would have liked much more romance and for that to be brought in earlier in the read. Taking all that into consideration this was a 3.5 star read for me.

While the book felt a bit busy, Summer on Firefly Lake was a fabulous beach read. The story is unpredictable, which made reading more exciting for me. 

Mia and Nick knew each other as teenagers. A failed attempt at romance caused a misunderstanding that each held close. Years later, both divorced, they rekindle their friendship. Mia's children are away with her ex-husband and Nick is in town to help his mother. 

The two embark on a story of support, friendship, and love. They need each other as much as they don't want to admit it. There were several side plots that just added to the overall character of the book. Their story is pushing and pulling, but just the perfect amount to keep you sucked in.

*Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads*

Readers are welcomed back to the lively small town of Firefly Lake where the residents find that there's nothing greater than love and family.

Mia is rebuilding her life after spending years in a loveless marriage. She's finally gaining true independence for herself, and her darling little girls who are spending the summer with their father and his new family. Nick McGuire is helping her gain some of that independence by hiring her to help his mother organize his childhood home. Never one to mix business with pleasure, Nick tries in vain to keep Mia at arm's length. However, their past and Mia's nurturing disposition entices him to take their friendship to a new level and possibly pave the way for a future together.

Summer on Firefly Lake is a small town romance with layers that readers will love digging into. From the drama that Mia's ex-husband brings to town to Mia and Nick's whirlwind relationship, Jen Gilroy fashions this story into the romance to read this summer! It's one of those stories that gives all its special characters a chance at happiness and leaves readers tingling in the aftermath, ready for more.

There's no doubt the Firefly Lake series will continue with the small town's sense of nostalgia and romance in the next installment, Back Home at Firefly Lake.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review*

Summer on Firefly Lake is a beautiful story full of romance, family and friends. Just like The Cottage at Firefly Lake, this book is a second chance romance but with a much more beautiful and complex story. 

This is Mia and Nick’s story, how they get their chance to be together after 20 years. They both are divorced, Mia has two daughters, Nick doesn’t have children and both their partners were unfaithful, so now they are guarded and very hesitant about starting a new relationship. But they are so attracted to each other, and they are single and Why the heck no? Right? 

With the mix of Nick’s mother, an amazing old lady who found love at the age of 60, a little girl who wants a family desperately, the birth of Lexie, Charlie and Sean’s baby, this book had me crying and laughing and sighing. I loved every single word of it, every single moment Mia and Nick spent together, and how they found love after 20 years of bad decisions, but what matters is that they found each other and their HEA. 

I can’t wait for the next book of the series, and despite there’s no information about who will be the main characters, I guess it’ll be about Nick’s sister.

Enjoyed it, I like second chance romances!
This is a voluntary review and I do not get paid for this review! My thoughts are my own.

Firstly, I want to find myself a hammock by a lake, take my kindle and a cup of tea and just relax after looking at this cover.

This is the second book in the Firefly series, and whilst it could be read as a standalone, there are some things that won't make much sense.

It took me a while to warm up to Mia in the first book The Cottage at Firefly Lake, however once I did I needed to know more of her story.

Newly divorced, single mum, trying to make a go at life on her own for the first time in a long time, I had a lot of respect for her.

Nick is the boy she liked as a teen, now the man she knows she shouldn't want, but can't help herself.

I love the push/pull between them, the blossoming of their "just friends' non-relationship - that everyone could see was more than just that. They bounced off each other so well. They give each other the kick in the pants they both need to restart their lives.

There is quite a bit going on in this book, however none of it seemed over the top. It is full of emotion, fun, laughs and family dramas that we can all relate to in some way.

It is winter here, and whilst I was reading this, tucked under a nice warm blanket, I was imagining myself by Firefly Lake.

Can't wait for book 3

Love this cover, I wanna hang out in that hammock for a while, Such a great read. I will be checking out #1 soon enough, I am new to this series and new to this author. Loved the well developed character, the plot, I wanna move to Firefly Lake, that is what dreams are made of ... such a light hearted quick read for me. Made me wish to know more about this author and her style. I am such a new fan. Loved this read!! Well done! ( ;

Well written with relatable characters this was my first book by this author but it won't be my last.

Nick and Mia were an interesting pair, and played well off each other. Mia was very relatable and Nick was both hot and understanding, which is quite the sexy pairing. I love Firefly Lake.

My Rating:

4.5

Favorite Quotes:

…the name Mia had answered to for almost seventeen years was all of a sudden wrong. Like the pair of pointy black shoes that pinched, but she’d kept anyway…

Luc Simard is so hot he might as well have steam coming out of his ears.

“I reminded her, when I mentioned I knew all the beds her shoes have been under.”  “Great-aunt Bernice?” Nick’s mouth fell open. Bernice was over eighty, favored fussy floral prints and sensible shoes, and had been widowed as long as he could remember. “You think she’s too old?” Liz poked Nick’s chin with a forefinger and closed his mouth. “We women have needs, and there are lots of lonely and able widowers in this town.”

I’ve also heard enough about babies from Sean. Lexie’s great, but you and I don’t have to have one. I like sleep too much.

My Review:

Ms. Gilroy’s Firefly Lake series had already nestled into my heart with her debut novel of Cottage at Firefly Lake, however, she continues to hone her skills and perfect her craft with her second book, Summer On Firefly Lake.  Mia had seemed like an enigma to me in the first book and I wasn’t sure she was trustworthy.  My concerns were for naught as while reading Mia’s story, I feared possible rib fracture from the compressions her issues created in my chest.  I relished Mia’s transformation as well as her blossoming non-relationship with her “friend” Nick.  The storyline was emotive, and busy and eventful across many characters and households, with a smooth storytelling narrative and polished details that produced sharp visuals while also setting the emotional tone.  Ms. Gilroy has mad skills and I am an avid fan, eagerly awaiting book three in this series, which I see listed on Goodreads for a December release.  The holidays are already looking up.

reviewing for publication, August digital issue of RT Book Reiews