Lake Season, A Bluebell Inn Romance, by talented award winning author Denise Hunter is a Contemporary Christian Romance. It was a delightful family story with a sweet romance. As I read it I could picture seeing this pop up as a Hallmark movie one day.

Author Hunter is a prolific wordsmith. I have read many of her works and can honestly say that she has never disappointed me. Her style of writing draws readers into the the story. I felt like I was there. The conversation was natural and not stiff. Lake Season is a beautiful novel.

This is the story of Molly Bennett and her siblings. Both of their parents were killed in an accident and the children want to see their parents’ dream to fruition. Enter a romance writer, hidden love letter from years ago and this becomes a captivating book that is such a page turner it cannot be put down.

I loved this tale and truly hope to see it on Hallmark. I highly recommend it. It definitely gets a 5 star rating from me.

Denise Hunter always delivers and has me coming back for more! Lake Season is one of those books you can't put down once you start. The setting is charming as you would expect for a home turned inn located in North Carolina. So many emotions evoked with this one story that involves siblings who decide to put their lives on hold to complete the project their parents started. Add in a male romance author who becomes a guest at the inn before it's finished, a mystery found in the walls and secrets that are bubbling to the surface and you get an amazing story that you don't want to end. This one knocked it out of the park and I can't wait for the next book!

With any Denise Hunter, I expect a heartwarming, Christian story but in Lake Season she outdoes herself! I am so glad this is a start of a series and I’ll be able to return to this delightful small town and wonderful characters.

The main story follows Molly opening her family’s B and B, with her two siblings, in the wake of their parents sudden death. Whilst grief is a part of her emotional journey, the focus of the novel is moving forward through the pain. Molly’s first guest, Adam, fast becomes a friend and when a old but romantic letter is found in the walls, the two set to finding the sender and intended recipient.

Through flashbacks to the time the letter was written, Denise introduces two additional leading characters who are also struggling with their identity. Through each of these four characters, Denise wrestles with different elements of what it means to follow God’s path and trust in our innate worth as His child. It’s beautifully done.

Love is at the centre of this novel: family love, romantic love and community love. The book highlights the way we connect and lean on one another, how we build and break trust and how hard it is to rebuild that trust when fear paralyse us.

Amongst the serious threads of love, mystery, and hope is a healthy dose of humour and small town fun! It was so easy to read it straight through to see how it would all work out! I loved it from start to finish, it’s a five out of five on the en-JOY-ment scale and highly recommended!

This was a great read for the cold winter days when you’re longing for warm summer days! I loved the southern inn setting and found myself wanting to visit the inn for myself. The characters, both primary and secondary, were all fabulous.. The book had romance, family drama and a small mystery. The story is told in two timelines, both of which are done very well.

This book had a lot of heart and humor, but it also had one of my LEAST favorite tropes - the "not talking to one another even though that would quickly resolve the issue and take out about 75pgs of this book" trope. I thought the plot was interesting, the characters okay, the backstories that moved the plot along well done, and some parts towards the end MIND BOGGLINGLY unlikely (okay, more like 35% likely, which is still at least slightly boggling). I did like the addition of the mystery and the genealogy, even though parts of some of that journey were just so unbelievably sad.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the gifted book and opportunity to read and review it prior to its publication date! This in no way affected my review, all opinions are my own.

Denis hunter is a cheering writer. I like that about her. She sticks to what she knows. This book do that stuck to what it knows.

Lake Season by Denise Hunter is one of those books I read in 24 hours. The story opens with three siblings dealing with the death of their parents from a tragic accident. They decide to continue the project their parents had been working on; a B&B – the Bluebell Inn.

Lake Season is Molly’s story. She has her own issues of dealing with her parents’ death. Molly becomes friends with a ‘researcher’ who is staying at their inn. She asks him to help her research the heartbreaking letter that she finds during the remodel.
The letter reveals the story of Izzie and Ben from 40+ years prior. They had a beautiful story that weaved its way into Molly and Adam’s story.

Adam was a reclusive author who is in town to research his next novel. The scenes with him and Molly are adorable. Even though you know the secret is going to come out eventually.

I thoroughly enjoyed both stories. I would highly recommend this book.
I received this book from Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review.
You can see my full review at More Than a Review dot com where I rate the level of sex, violence, language and drug/alcohol use in books.

Good gracious! This wasn’t what I was expecting from Denise Hunter, but in the BEST way possible! I've loved her past heroes (Oh, Zac Callahan!), and was surprised as I started getting to know Adam. He's so different, his vulnerability fresh and unique, that he instantly won me over. And I adored the heroine in every way, from her love of books to her genuine heart. Add in the sibling relationships and the setting of a charming inn on a lake, and this all created the perfect novel. An extra bonus was the time-split aspect, teaming the reader up with the main characters to solve the mystery of a past romance. Perfection!

In Lake Season, siblings Molly, Levi, and Grace Bennett decide to fulfill their parents dream of renovating their large, old home and turning it into an inn after their parents’ untimely deaths. During the renovation, Molly finds an old letter stuck in the wall where the mail slot used to be when the building was a post office. When she opens and reads it, she discovers a beautiful letter written by a woman who was sorry for a falling out she had with the man she loved, asking for his forgiveness and for him to return to her. Molly is instantly drawn in, and she enlists the aid of Adam Bradford, a man staying at the inn who she has begun a friendship with, to help her try to track down the woman who wrote the letter and the man who never received it. As they work together on this project, their friendship begins to develop into something deeper, but Adam has a secret that might destroy what he’s built with Molly.

I really enjoyed reading Lake Season. Once I got into it, I couldn’t put it down. I had to know what was going to happen next. I appreciated that both Molly and Adam struggled with issues that a lot of people really do struggle with — trust issues due to being hurt by people’s lies in the past and feelings of inadequacy, feeling that your just not good enough due to not getting the acceptance you need from a parent. I could so easily identify with both characters. The story line was also exciting, jumping back in time to give us insight into the lives of the letter writer and intended recipient. And I loved the way Molly and Adam’s search ended. It was a twist that I didn’t see coming. Overall, I thought Lake Season was an interesting, exciting story full of hope and love.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Great story that gives you two stories for the price of one. Molly and Adam both were hurt from the past. They carried this burden every day, a heavy load to carry. A letter long forgotten brings healing and love.

Molly and her siblings sacrificed to fulfill their parents' dreams. In the process, Molly was able to fulfill hers.

Adam hid who he was. But at what cost?

The book took me to the lake. I wanted to stay at the B&B. It sounded so relaxing and quaint. Have you ever stayed at a B & B? I have a few times. It is a great experience. Who wouldn't enjoy Miss Della's muffins?

I received this free to review from Celebrate Lit.

Disclaimer: This novel was an exceptionally cathartic read for me. My review today is highly personal, but my point is not to be highly personal. My point is to express how deeply I agree with one of Ms. Hunter’s themes discussed in this novel. The best way to get this point across is to tell you my deeply personal story. If you are not in the mood to read my story I am 100% not offended. Let me just say, before you leave my blog, Lake Season is an absolute gem of a novel. I highly recommend it!!!

Ten months ago, I lost my stepdad, Mike. He was killed in a car accident. When one loses a loved one so violently and unexpectedly a pain unlike anything ever experienced is born. Immediately, the first thing that sprung to my mind was the last words I ever spoke to my stepdad. The last day I saw Mike was two weeks before he died. My mom and I made plans to have dinner at a local Mexican restaurant we liked to frequent. My daughter and I met my mom at the agreed-upon time, and much to my surprise Mike was with her. I was so happy to see him! You see, Mike was a fire captain. With all the fires happening in Southern California we didn’t get to see him as much so for him to be at this impromptu dinner was a big deal. We had an amazing time! We told funny stories, we laughed a lot, and we ate great food. It was awesome. When we were saying goodbye, my stepdad gave me a big hug and kiss, and I told him that I loved him. He told me, “I love you too, kid!” We got in our cars, and he smiled at me and gave me a wink. He and my mom went their way, and Bella and I went ours. That was the last time I would ever see or speak to my stepdad.

In Lake Season, the heroine, Molly, has also recently lost her parents to a car accident. Unfortunately, Molly’s last encounter with her parents wasn’t like mine. Molly blew her parents off never thinking she wouldn’t get to see or speak to them ever again this side of Heaven. Her final phone call with her parents leaves Molly with such guilt it becomes a heavy burden she carries daily, and she becomes a bit obsessed with making sure she never leaves a conversation unfinished. Of the characters in Lake Season, I heavily relate to Molly and her pain. Losing someone dear to you unexpectedly is like a repeated blow to your heart. It’s crushing, and painful isn’t a good enough word to describe what you are experiencing. The only thing that separates me from Molly (aside from the fact that I’m not fictional) is the magical, fantastic final dinner God orchestrated for me — I know with every fiber of my being that that last meal was truly God’s doing. I would have felt Molly’s guilt too if it weren’t for this one meal. God gave me a gift, and I will be forever grateful.

Lake Season is an excellent novel for so many reasons — the highly engaging plotline, the superb characters (especially Adam!!!), and the resonating themes. But Lake Season is one of my most favorite stories this year because it reinforces how important it is to tell our loved ones how much they mean to us in the here and now. Dear reader, do not leave your love under a bushel for you may not get a tomorrow. With everything that’s happened since my stepdad’s death, I cannot stress enough how important it is to tell your loved ones how you feel. Not a single one of us is promised a tomorrow. Read this novel because it is a great read, but read it also because it is a great reminder to not take those we love and care about for granted.

I received a review copy of this novel in eBook form from the publisher, Thomas Nelson, via Celebrate Lit. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Lake Season by Denise Hunter is a delightful read. It has everything— romance, mystery, a small town, and a small inn. It’s like a Hallmark movie but with a fabulous plot that will keep your attention from the very first page. This is the first book in a new series and I loved the balance between romance and mystery. My only complaint about this book is that I am impatient for the other books in the series to come out! The characters are written with such authenticity that you’ll feel like you know them and will want to see what happens next in their lives. This is a wonderful start to the series and I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves romantic suspense set in a small town. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

Who doesn’t love a story with an unconventional hero? Lake Season has one of those and so much more to enjoy.
Denise Hunter takes a popular romance trope or two—mistaken identity and a search for information about the writer of a found letter—and turns it into something completely unique.

Molly is such a likable character with her love of reading and propensity to ramble and overshare. Adam is quiet and reserved but kind and caring (as evidenced by his interactions with his friend, his mother, and Molly).
There’s also an additional storyline centered around the letter, making Lake Season a split time read. And the way it all comes together, in the end, left me sighing contentedly.

I’m already looking forward to catching up with Adam, Molly, the other Bennett siblings, and what’s happening at the Bluebell Inn in the next book in Hunter’s series.

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

The beginning of the book got me right away. I felt a sense of anxiety as the siblings tried to do what was best for the inn and everyone involved. Losing their parents was a shock, but now they had an eighteen year old sister to consider. As they work to reopen the inn they find themselves drawing closer as a family. I loved how they decided that the best way to honor their parents was to work together and allow God to heal their wounds.

Getting to know Molly was a wonderful treat. She has carried around so much guilt since her parents died unexpectedly. We are not guaranteed one moment on this earth and Molly now has to live with the regrets about her relationship with her parents. Her breakup with Dominic has caused her to keep people at arms length. It is as though she has built a wall up so she can't get hurt. The fear she has of getting close to someone could cost her finding true love.

Adam was my favorite character because he is a humble man who values life and friendship. I loved how the author included how much Molly and Adam both loved to read. They had many interesting conversations that developed into a real friendship. He has always felt like his dad was not proud of him and carries around the feeling that he is not good enough. The emotions in the story are so well written I could feel the pain and self doubt both characters had.

The story is a time slip where we encounter two people hopelessly in love. These characters bring a depth to the story and a romance that digs deep into the soul. A lost letter that is discovered will change lives and give hope, peace and closure to some. I have to say that this is one of the best books written by this author. She captures human feelings and expands on how our emotions can dictate wrong decisions. I loved going back and forth in time and couldn't wait to find out the ending of the story.

Fear plays a big part in the story as well as secrets. We think that if we hide something, it will never be found out. The funny thing is God knows just when to have those secrets revealed and is waiting to heal the wounds from fear and doubt. Trust is a big issue for many of us and I loved how the author shows us to always trust God and he will direct our path. The ending of the story is everything I hoped for yet still took my breath away. This is one story you will not forget as the author brings the past to the present in an unforgettable story of love and forgiveness.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

Denise Hunter books never fail to leave me feeling like no matter what life throws at you, everything will be ok. I'm admittedly not a huge fan of Christian romance books but I ALWAYS pick up ones by her because A) they're not overly Christian B) I always find the characters so easy to relate to. C) They always leave me feeling good about life.

As with all of her other books, this one doesn't disappoint. She seems to find a way to make all her situations seem like it could really happen. Absolutely worth picking up!

Thank you Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3045444660

What I think you should know:
Lake Season is the first book in the Bluebell Inn Romance series. It is a contemporary romance with snippets of a minor story set in the 1960s woven into the story. When Molly’s parents tragically die she and her siblings fulfill their dream of reopening Bluebell Inn as a bed breakfast. Adam Bradford is a reclusive author who hides his identity to all but a few friends.

What you might want to know:
If you haven’t fallen in love with Denise Hunter’s work it is only because you have not read it yet. For me each book I read of her seems better than the last and this is no exception. From the opening pages when the Bennett siblings decide to stick together I was hooked. Molly was such a wonderful and realistic character who was struggling with regret over choices in her past. I enjoyed watching her grow and evolve. Adam was a reminder for me to always encourage my sons in their talents, to remind them that God gave everyone a different gift . I can’t wait to read the next book in the series and look forward to reading more about the Bennett Family.

I received a complimentary copy for this book from Celebrate Lit, this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.

Lake Season by Denise Hunter – Likeable characters, in a lovely town with a blend of mystery and romance. I didn’t want this story to end.


I love a good mystery and when it’s tied to a little romance that’s a book I’ll want to read. That’s why I was excited to read Denise Hunter’s newest book Lake Season (A Bluebell Inn Romance).

Molly, Levi and Grace Bennett are siblings whose parents had died in a tragic accident a year ago. Grace is 18 years old and set upon staying in Bluebell. But it will take the commitment of all three of them to fulfill their parent’s dream and turn their home into a bed and breakfast inn. Ten months later, their inn is about to open when their first unofficial guest Adam Bradford walks in. Little do they know but under their roof is the famous author, who writes under the pen name Nathaniel Quinn, whose work Molly loves. Adam is in town to do a little research to help him get inspired so he can write his next bestseller. Adam is quite taken with Molly whom he considers his muse and he gets distracted when he tries to help Molly find the writer and recipient of a letter that’s been lost for 57 years.

That’s the background of Lake Season, which is set in the lovely lakeside town of Bluebell, North Carolina. My favorite character was Adam, he was kind and caring. He was rather shy and had some insecurities you wouldn’t expect for an accomplished writer. Molly was sweet, unpretentious, passionate and caring. She even cared about people she never knew. But she knew the importance of the letter she had in her possession and wanted to get it into the hands of the people it belonged to. I appreciated the caring and commitment that Levi, Molly, and Grace had for one another, a self-sacrificing love. I especially liked the relationship between Adam and Molly. They got to know each other and their attraction more than skin deep. I enjoyed the unfolding mystery of who Lizzie and Ben were and what had happened to them all those years ago.

Lake Season was a story that I didn’t want to end, so I took my time reading and savoring this story. When I finished, I felt a little sad leaving behind the characters I had come to care about. The characters were very likable and the town seemed inviting and like a place I would like to visit. I loved the blend of mystery and romance. Denise Hunter is on the shortlist of writers whose work I want to read. When I was reading Lake Season, I thought this would be a perfect Hallmark Channel movie.

I wish there had been more of the character’s faith included in the story, I think it would have been a richer story. I appreciated that the novel was clean in content and language.

If you like a blend of romance and mystery be sure to read Lake Season by Denise Hunter.

I would like to thank Thomas Nelson Publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of Lake Season and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Denise Hunter knocks another one out of the park with this book! I absolutely loved every minute of this book. I loved the characters. Molly and Adam were completely relatable, down-to-earth characters who were easy to love. It did not take long for me to become completely engrossed in the story. I wanted to see if they accomplished their missed to bring closure to the couple in the letter. I loved the surprises sprinkled in. If you love romance, you are not going to want to miss this book! Lake Season has definitely taken the spot as my new favorite Denise Hunter novel. I cannot wait to read the rest of this new series!

**I received a copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

"That's where it had all begun. Where he'd found Molly. Where he'd mistaken her for his muse, only to find she was actually the keeper of his heart."

I love Denise Hunter's books. They're gut-wrenching, soul-stirring, heart-breaking, redemptive and utterly romantic. This first book in the new series is no exception. The author does throw in a bit of split-time twist to the plot, which is something new in her writing style and surprised me (in a most pleasant way) when I stepped back in time to 1962. Her attention to detail in the plot and characterization is incredible and her writing is easy to follow and the plot moves at a good pace. Her characters are so lovable - Molly, our heroine, is the bubbly sunshine of an innkeeper who subconsciously builds a wall around her heart for fear of sudden loss and betrayal, and Adam, our beautifully flawed hero, is a best-selling romance author hiding under a pseudonym for fear of disappointing others. Their present day relationship as innkeeper and guest converges with the past when Molly finds an old unsent/unreceived letter from 1962 in the wall of the inn and both Molly and Adam are driven to find the two people who were involved. Their romance is incredibly sweet and their path to finding freedom from their fears is satisfying and rewarding.

I can't wait for the second book in the series where we'll get to know Molly's older brother Levi better. And it promises another split-time plot!
I received a copy of the book from Thomas Nelson via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.

I have loved every one of her books! This offering from Hunter is no exception. Her characters entrance you and make you root for them to win! I liked that the hero wasn't some stud walking around wounded inside. Instead he was a soft spoken man who did not want to be noticed for his work. His secret identity as an author, does lead to some misunderstandings and hurt feelings, but I liked where the story went! Well worth the time to read this one!