After reading the first Sweet Lake novel, I was excited to return to Sweet Lake for The Comfort of Secrets! This book is another captivating, tender story about the wonderful people who reside in Sweet Lake, Ohio. Cat Mendoza has lived in Sweet Lake her whole life, and she's excited for the chance to help the Wayfair Inn become successful. Sent to Sweet Lake to help with advertising, Ryan D'Angelo is enchanted by Cat, and she wonders if she's finally found "the one". But Ryan is still haunted by memories of his brutal childhood, and the pain and memories stand in their way. I loved revisiting with The Sirens, a group of women who spend their days protecting the rest of their town; these women are steadfast in their beliefs, and loyal to their last breath. The Comfort of Secrets is a perfect combination of story elements; romance, suspense, secrets, and families. "Family is about the people we choose to hold close in our lives."

I know this book doesn't come out until July, but if I were you, I would grab it as a preorder or put your name in for it at your local bookstore or library! I am a fan of Christine Nolfi and I believe this is her best book yet! You get the whole package: fantastic plot that's easy to follow but that has several sub-plots woven in that I'm not going to talk about because I don't want to spoil anything; characters that you love or hate - there's no in-between, and I was actually able to visualize them in my head! Third, you get a beautiful location in the fall of the year that just makes you want to fall in love! It's got everything and, to top it off is the remarkable writing from this author. I cannot fault one thing - except when she used "KSU" I thought it was Kansas not Kent. My bad....

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and Lake Union Publishing for this great read in return for an honest review.

The Comfort of Secrets is a must for those lazy summer days. First meet the Sirens. An eclectic and well intentioned group of ladies that have some unusual quirks. Now meet Cat Mendoza. Beautiful and full of energy, but unlucky in the career department and finding love. As the event coordinator for the newly restored Wayfair Inn of Sweet Lake, Ohio, life is about to get a little more interesting. In walks Ryan D’Angelo from out of town and he’s turning heads. He has a story and a reclusive mother that Cat and the Sirens find mysterious and comes full circle to Sweet Lake.

This has plenty of twists to keep the story moving along. A great cast of characters, a hint of a new romance, and the unexpected revelation of family.

The escape to Sweet Lake is like an easy, breezy vacation you don’t want to end.

I loved this book as I did the first one in this series. It was mostly Cat's story and was another great one. Christine Nolfi is a great writer who will capture your attention from the start and you won't want it to end.
I honestly loved this book and can't wait for the next book now.
Another 5 stars for the Sweet Lake series!!

"The Comfort of Secrets" (Sweet Lake series book 2) by Christine Nolfi

A truly magnificent addition to the Sweet Lake series.

The Wayfair hotel is being renovated and thriving. Linnie has promoted her two best friends, Jada and Cat. Amongst the three they have begun to create a truly remarkable plan to increase patronage, put the Wayfair back on the map, employ more people, and hopefully get the town of Sweet Lake back on its feet.

This is Cat's story. She finally meets the man of her dreams. And he has met the woman of his dreams. But there are many issues which complicate their situation. Are they headed for heartbreak or can they work through things and work toward the future they want?

Ryan has a shaky and difficult past; a mother with many secrets and who is an abuse survivor; a father he only knows as an abuser; and many questions about his past and extended family, amongst other things. Getting answers from his mother...not so easy. She has many secrets of her own...some that could lead to heartbreak or quite the opposite. Living in fear and holding in so many secrets is a tough way to live and to survive.

The Sirens are back in full force. Initially they want to help the Wayfair by teaching classes as part of their activities schedule. Who wouldn't want to attend classes on natural medicine from your spice rack? Or how to reach loved ones who have died, that you are angry and you want to have the last word? Or better yet: "Sex in the Twilight Years: Myth or Magic?" In fact, they would like to fill up the events calendar for the next year!! Cat questions the validity of these in general, but as family friendly classes?? She has reasons to be concerned. But they are the Sirens.

There is a teen band that is planned to play an outdoor concert at the Wayfair. It is becoming the most popular attraction Sweet Lake has had in decades. With a blog, an electronic skateboard with bungee cords, and one player that has to have steak at every meal...it is easy to see where things might become a bit...um...difficult and overwhelming with this crew.

And the old tree house that Linnie refurbished for her brother? Well now it is adult accessible. A great time out place. For talking. Okay and maybe a few kisses. But when Cat and Ryan bump into...her mother and few other Sirens as they are leaving, well, you can guess what they think happened and what rumors may (or may not) be passed along...and the potential repercussions. Let's just say tempers flair, questions are asked, and some Sirens are interested in more than what might have happened in the tree house. Damage control: too late or still an option??

This novel has everything from the Sirens acts of kindness in secret, supporting and helping others through difficult times, and their strong sense of friendship and sisterhood. There is a mystery surrounding one of the sirens, Ryan, Ryan's mother Julia, and a few other characters. When it comes to a head will things work out or totally fall apart for everyone involved?

This novel is full of life lessons, lost loves, the strength of family, familial issues, romance, the strength and benefits of friendship, self-growth, secrets, openness, honesty...but at the root of it all there is love.

Christine Nolfi has written such genuine and realistic characters. They all have their flaws, but wonderful strengths that help guide them on their journey. She has written a gem of a novel with so many subplots that are blended so masterfully that the major plot just seems to have numerous aspects to it.

She has written a novel full of humor, of honesty, with realism, with meaning, and with strength. At the core there is always friendship and love.

The author clearly writes from her heart and has created another enervating novel that wil captivate the reader from beginning to end. A novel the reader won't want to put down. A novel for every woman late teens to late adulthood. A novel not to be put on your TBR pile, but one to be read now (or next).

Fall in love with Sweet Lake and your favorite characters all over again with "The Comfort of Secrets."

Rating: 4.85
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

(My only issue: waiting for the next book in the series!! I even re-read "Sweet Lake" (book 1) before reading this novel. It was just as great the second time around...maybe even better.)

https://www.goodreads.com/LKBoyd

Thoroughly enjoyed this second book about Sweet Lake. Ms. Nolfi's writing style is like sitting down with a friend. I love the chemistry she shows between her characters, as friends, love interests and family. She touched on a dark subject in this book with honesty and scary reality.

This is the second book of Ms. Nolfi's that I've had the pleasure of reading.

Once again, Christine Nolfi weaves her magic as she takes us back to the wonderful town of Sweet Lake and it's unique and quirky characters. This time around, the focus is on another of the characters associated with the Wayfair Inn, the nucleus around which life in this small town revolves. If you enjoy the magic of small town life, neighbors and families you've known for generations, and the slow, leisurely pace of life in a place where you can still walk up and down the sidewalks and stop in at small, family-owned businesses, you'll want to spend time in Sweet Lake. It will put a smile on your face and you'll never want to leave.

I have so much love for this book.

Amazing characters? Check! The Sirens are all fabulous, as are all the rest - except the bad guy, of course.

Amazing setting? Double check! Sweet Lake sounds like such a beautiful town, full of nature, friendship, love...and secrets, of course.

Amazing storyline? Triple check! There is suspense, romance, mystical things, friendship, secrets, plot twists, etc.

I cannot recommend this book enough!

Christine Nolfi is such a talented author. She guides you through friendships, tragedy, love, secrets. The characters in her novels are so real and believable. It is like visiting old friends once you open the book and step into the pages of this new book in the series. I look forward to reading more books of this series.

I absolutely adore this new series by Christine Nolfi. She never disappoints. I love the characters and the stories and how intricately they are woven together. In this second book we find Cat trying to get the advertising of the Wayfair off to a great start. Ryan is an advertising guru filling in for his partner. But, his life is full of secrets and turmoil. Sparks fly from the get go but, with the rollercoaster of a ride they are on they have a lot to overcome. Christine's writing is like a movie inside my head. Bright vivid characters that bring the story to life. Colorful humor and suspense galore. It will keep the pages turning long into the night. You will always find what you are looking for in Christine's books. Whether it's romance suspense or humor, she's got it all covered.

I loved getting to know Cat and Ryan. Very we written!!!

I highly recommend this book, it continues the story in book 1 but even if you have not read book 1 I believe you would enjoy this book. All your favorites are in it but it mainly is Cat's story. Christine Nolfi teally knows how to draw you in...hope book 3 is in the works. Get this book, ylu wont be disappointed.

Don't tell anyone...but I think I liked this Sweet lake novel better than the first one! Once I picked it up I couldn't put it down. In The Comfort of Secrets, we go back to the lovely Ohio town filled with beloved and colorful characters ... Linnie, Jada, and the whacky Sirens, just to name a few.. Cat Mendoza gets her turn at love this time around. I loved the Latin flavor this lent to the tale... In the setting of the Mayfair Inn, we find old friends, family drama, dark secrets, and love. Nolfi creates wonderful characters, those we care about and also those not so much. Well written, so good. I can't wait for book #3. Is it Jada's turn?

Hidden secrets have a way of revealing themselves in one way or another. In this story, the past and the present become interwoven through life circumstances of the characters. I enjoy the way the author gives each character a meaningful life story. While reading this story, I laughed, cried, became angry, was on the edge of my seat with anticipation of what would happen next and then, I was filled with hope. I enjoyed this story very much. I received a copy of this story from the author and this is my personal honest opinion.

The second book in the Sweet Lake Series did not disappoint. I loved how the author took one of the best friends in the first book and focused on developing the character. Meet Cat Mendoza, newly promoted and unorganized Event planner for the Wayfair Inn. The book just draws you in as Sweet Lake, Ohio is a town where you can visualize living. The author introduces new characters that bring some interesting twists to the storyline. You'll also find romance, strong friendships, and an unfortunate family drama. I can't wait until the next book comes out in the series.

Discovered this author via Facebook a few months ago. This is the third novel I have read, with her others on my reading list. Christine Nolfi has a wonderful style that combines romance and humor with issues many women face...being good at a job, finding love, dealing with disappointment...and reminds us of the power of friendship and the wisdom of kindness. The second in her Sweet Lake series, The Comfort of Secrets is easy to fall into, with believable characters and enough plot twists to keep you immersed in the story until you realize it's time to wait for the next installment.

The second novel in the Sweet Lake series is a hit in my estimation. I hope you will read it and agree. It is a book about romance, mystery, deception, learning, and grief. Sweet Lake is a place where one can fancy living in. Sounds almost like any small hometown in Ohio. New characters are introduced and are just as entertaining as the previous ones. The author has included the three childhood friends and while this one is based upon only one, there is insight into what is happening in the other two's lives. Again, the sirens are present. Don't know what or who the sirens are yet? You'll have to read this series to gain knowledge of them. The writing is excellent. The story is both entertaining and a bit sad. While the book wraps up this particular story, I can't wait until the next one appears.

I am so happy to have discovered Sweet Lake, Ohio and all it's wonderful characters. This book was one that I could not put down once started. It is full of emotions that will make you laugh, maybe cry, and show you how important friendship and family is in our lives.

This is the second book in the series and it stands on it's own, but I would not miss the first one. It is a warm and heartfelt series that I can't get enough of....and oh those Sweet Lake Sirens!!! Don't miss this series.