In this book we visit Safe Harbor Village. It is a retirement community that is owned and run by divorcee Rose. She holds herself apart from everyone else and does not try to make friends or attend any clubs or social gatherings. The resident call her the ice queen! She feels that has the owner she has to stay separate and she had fooled herself into believing that she was happy that way.

Next we meet Lily. Her husband quit his job and wants a divorce. She has to vacate their apartment because it was a perk of his job. She is broke with nowhere to go. She sees an ad for a hairdresser at Safe Harbor Village. Before she was married she used to cut hair. Her Mother had a home salon and she grew up helping her out. She applies and Rose reluctantly hires her on a trial basis.

The job comes with a salon and apartment above it so it is the answer to Lily's prayers. The village is home to quite a few interesting characters. As Lily gets to know them she learns alot about herself and starts to find her footing. She feels compelled to try to draw Rose out and encourages her new friends to include her too. Eventually Rose does come out of her shell and realizes that being alone and separate is not a good way to live.

I thought it was interesting that the two main characters have flower names - Rose and Lily. It was a pleasure to see them grow and bloom in this book!

The Summer House by author Lauren K. Denton was an enjoyable read of women’s fiction. The 2 main characters, Lily and Rose, were both easy to relate to and very likable. It’s a story about laying the past to rest, making some changes and learning to live again and be happy. There’s much to be learned from reading this. It shows that living with guilt and bitterness is not the way and that forgiveness will set you free. There were so many things I enjoyed about this story, the location, the senior citizens with their entertaining personalities, and the little romances in the making. I knew this was going to be a win of a read for me as I’ve enjoyed all of the other books by this author. It’s definitely one I would recommend. I’d like to thank NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for allowing me the pleasure to read an advanced reader copy. I’m torn between rating this book so I’ll give it 4 stars although it probably deserves 5. At any rate, it’s very good!

The Summer House by Lauren Denton was my best read so far this year.  I enjoyed all the characters and especially the setting location.  I am sure my enjoyment of this book has much to do with my age (66) as I can identify with the supporting characters and would love to live in Safe Harbor Village. Lauren Denton has a great writing talent her characters draw you in always wanting more.  The descriptions of the place truly make you want to live there. Thank you Net Galley and Thomas Nelson for the opportunity to read this novel. Bon Secour!

I really enjoyed this story, loved the characters and felt so much for them. I would absolutely read more stories about this community and characters and think a series would be fantastic. Totally enjoyed and will look for more from this Author. Thank you for the opportunity to read and share my thought.

I enjoyed this book the friendships across the generations really spoke to me as someone who has always been close to family and friends of all ages, would definitely recommend

The Summer House by Lauren K. Denton is a light read that will bring some smiles and quite a few laughs to your day. The story follows Lily, whose husband left her by leaving a note and divorce papers on the kitchen counter one morning, and Rose, who has been hoarding her hurts for many years. When Rose gives Lily a job at the Safe Harbor Village hair salon, the two may find more than they were looking for. Lily will find a purpose and a path, while Rose finds a friend and a way to forgive herself. Add some quirky neighbors in a retirement village to the mix, and it gets even better. I really enjoyed this story. The cover caught my eye and the book itself was great. Yes, it was a light read, but it also talked about some very real issues, things like self-worth, starting over, and forgiveness. Each of us has had moments in our life that pull us in new directions. This book gives us Lily and Rose's stories, but it also has some great characters who bring joy and life to the story. You definitely want to check it out! I received a free copy of this story from NetGalley for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

What a sweet novel! This was my first foray into Lauren Denton’s books, and this novel reminded me a bit of Jenny Colgan’s delightful books (which are among my favorites). The pace was on the slower side, but honestly, that’s about what I need right now. I liked that the romance was understated rather than a too-good-to-be-true fairytale, and I loved the community setting, which had so many characters with depths to explore.

THE SUMMER HOUSE is another winner by Lauren Denton. Fans of her writing will not be disappointed in this new novel which explores the idea of starting over. We follow Lily, whose marriage just ended, and Rose, who is a bit prickly due to her past. The small southern community is full of charm and we are rooting for these characters from page one. I like the theme of redemption and starting over. Watching Rose "blossom" is delightful and I was so happy for Lily by the conclusion of the story. The romance with Rawlins is a nice touch and I enjoyed how it did not take over Lily's life. She remained a strong and independent person. Overall, this is a charming story with believable characters who grow in admirable ways.

Started off slow but like her other books the story ended in a happy way. Quick read full of southern charm

The Summer House is the latest story by Lauren K Denton. This is an easy read with lovable characters that show you it's never too late for starting over. This is a book that makes you feel good while reading it and hate to see your friends depart on the last page. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you Net Galley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the early copy.

I enjoyed this feel good story! It was predictable and cozy, which is exactly what I was looking for. Everyone loves a good redemption story and this well written books contains many. I enjoyed the characters and found myself rooting for many of them as they navigated new territory. This book is a warm hug that will leave you smiling! My thanks to the publisher for the advance reader in exchange for my honest review.

This was a delightful story about courage, compassion and never giving up. Lily finds herself alone, without a place to live and no idea what just happened. The Author didn’t dwell on her tragedy but quickly focused on the “what next”. There was no self pity. This overall was important to keep the story in a positive and light mode. The journey and the relationships were unexpected and heart warming. I would love to find a small community like this where people know you and care about you. Refreshing! #netgalley. Highly recommend!

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

It's interesting that during this time of uncertainty, I'm finding myself drawn to the classics and feel good stories, and The Summer House definitely falls into the latter category. Lauren K. Denton does a wonderful job of creating characters that I care about, and she knows how to romanticize the South. I enjoyed the redemption stories of both Lily and Rose, though they both were going through very different things. This book was exactly what I needed right now.

This was my first by this author and I enjoyed it. Lily wakes up one morning to find that her husband of a year has left, leaving a note that says "I'm sorry" and divorce papers. She then has to start looking for a place to live, a job and searching within as to why she even married him in the first place. When she is at the store she sees the ad for Haridresser and applies. This is where she meets Rose, Rawlins, Coach, Tiny, Kitty, Roberta and a few others. I felt this book was about self discovery, forgiveness and fresh starts. Good read.

Lauren Denton knows how to write Southern fiction filled with charm and emotion. I enjoyed this book’s theme of starting over after heartbreak and finding new purpose in life. Lily and Rose, although generations apart in age, both had my admiration and sympathy as they sought to rebuild their lives. It was also fun following the antics of the characters in this small southern retirement village. The vivid descriptions of the village of Safe Harbor and the sea shore were enough to make me long to visit there. It’s a good story to escape into when you feel as if you’d like to visit another location without traveling there.

This is a clean, sweet book with just a touch of romance. However, I do want to mention something here. Although this book is published by a Christian publishing company, I’d categorize it in more of the “general clean fiction” genre. There’s a new genre developing in Christian publishing that’s called “crossover fiction” and I believe this is an example of that. There’s very little reference to faith in the book, but there are good moral principles held all throughout the story. There are also references to social drinking (not drunkenness). I thought the book’s themes of love, hope, and forgiveness was well done. I’m only mentioning this in case this makes a difference to you in choosing to read the book.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

#TheSummerHouse #NetGalley
A story about losing what you thought was everything, and picking up the pieces. Lily Bishop, is surprised to wake up one morning, to an empty house and divorce papers on her kitchen counter. Lily finds peace in a small town, near the water and quickly makes friends and enjoys the slow pace of life, and finds, it is just what she needs.
As Lily gets to know her neighbors, she also comes to know herself, and tries to be a source for good. This book was a quick read and I could picture the quaint town and Lily's hair salon.

The Summer House by Lauren K. Denton was an uplifting novel, set in Alabama. When Lily wakes up one morning, she finds a letter from her husband telling her he "can't do this anymore" next to a set of signed divorce papers. Stunned, she reaches out to him but is unable to get in touch with him. In short order she finds herself without a home. With no job, she answers an ad for a hairstyling position in the small village of Safe Harbor, a retirement community that is owned by Rose Carrigan, a lonely, feisty woman who run Safe Harbor with an iron fist. Lily brings something out in Rose and she hires her on the spot. But is Safe Harbor the right place for Lily, a young woman on her own? Will she feel comfortable with her elderly clientele and her apartment over her shop? And will Lily have any influence on Rose and her gruff manner?

The Summer House was a delightful, enjoyable read, especially in the uncomfortable time we are currently living in, with Covid-19 and quarantines across our country. It was wonderful to escape to the sunshine for just a little while. I highly recommend it!

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

I have loved all of Lauren Denton’s books. They are filled with southern charm and great characters. I can so easily visualize the community Lily becomes a part of in this story. A great tale of figuring out who you are and who you belong to. I love that her books are written about places in Alabama whether fictional or real. The gulf scenes make me want to venture down to Foley and Gulf Shores, my favorite place to wander to in the Spring and Summer.

I loved the Southern charm that was present in this book. The story was hopeful and heartwarming, with realistic and charming characters. This was a great escape from self quarantine!
Many thanks to Thomas Nelson Fiction and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Lily Bishop wakes up one morning to find her husband of a year gone and divorce papers waiting for her to sign. She feels blindsided by this turn of events, but not having much choice, she answers an ad for a hairstylist in Safe Harbor Village, a small retirement community started by Rose Carrigan over forty years ago.
Rose is known as the Ice Queen among the retirement community just not to her face. She doesn’t need a new hairstylist, but Lily convinces her that she won’t be any trouble and that she’ll even help her out in the office. For reasons Rose doesn’t even understand herself, she hires Lily and allows her to move into the apartment above the hair salon.
For Lily, I loved seeing how she was able to open her own shop and come into her own by using the money her Mom had saved for years unbeknownst to her. Lily has regrets, doubts, and sadness regarding her marriage to Worth, but as time goes on, she starts to see where she is, is a good place to be. She’s met Rawlins, (Rose’s nephew) and they definitely have some chemistry between each other. They both have some past issues, and they are willing to tread the edges of their pain to get to know each other. Hazel, Rawlins's daughter is precious.
I have read Ms. Denton’s previous novels and I think this was my favorite so far. It wasn’t hard to connect with any of the characters and they were all so likable, even the ones that meant to cause problems (in little ways). I do admit that I thought Rose a little rough in the beginning but it seems after she let Lily cut her hair that the doors of possibilities in her life just flew open! She had a different perspective even though she was still the same person, however, her heart had open to opportunities that otherwise would’ve stayed closed.
This was really enjoyable read for me, as all Lauren K. Denton’s stories have been. It was easy to become a part of the Safe Harbor Village.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.