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Member Reviews

I loved The Hideaway, so I had no doubt I'd love The Summer House as well.

I love beach reads, southern fiction, and women’s fiction and this book hits on all of those. I really enjoyed the unique setting of this story, centering on an older crowd in a retirement community in the south. Lily and Rose are fabulous characters and I loved getting to know them. There are many stories within the story and I enjoyed every minute of it. Especially the little bit of romance and the heaping of growth.

If you aren't already in love with the south, that'll change after you read this tale.

Thank you, NetGalley, for my complimentary copy.

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Sweet, easy going story that's perfect for a beach read. The characters are loveable, relatable and enjoyable. I loved the newsletter, filled with quirky details to keep the residents on track. Lily is a delightful character with her positive attitude. I loved the way she and Rose helped each other. Highly recommended!

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I have read all four of Lauren K. Denton's novels. They definitely belong in the Southern fiction genre. I really enjoyed her first novel, The Hideaway. In The Summer House, Denton crafted Lily and Rose, two women who needed to learn to carry on with their lives and move forward from the past. Having a story take place at a retirement community is different, yet nice. I enjoy talking to the older generation and learning about their pasts. it was nice to see how well Lily fit right in and Rose learned to fit in. Their is some romance, but nothing to take away from the overall plot. The only issue I had with the plot was the "gossip rag" that was published by Shirley that got inserted into the pages of the story. Most of the time, I just skipped right over them to return to the story. This is definitely a delightful little read that any one of any age would enjoy to read. I recommend picking up a copy.

I received a complimentary copy of The Summer House by Lauren K. Denton from Thomas Nelson Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

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Lauren Denton, where have you been my whole life? How have I not read more of her books? I fell in love with every character from page 1 and was rooting for Lily to make a new life for herself. I knew the second she met Rose, they would become great friends and help each other through their struggles. I wish I saved this book to read on the beach, it is a perfect beach read that will make you feel as though you are down in the South on the water. I gave this 4 stars only because it was a bit predicable, but I highly will recommend to all friends. Can't wait to read more by Lauren.

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I was ecstatic to have the privilege to read this book as an advanced reader copy, as I love Lauren Denton! Just like her others, this book did not disappoint. It follows the story of Lily, who without forewarning, finds herself facing divorce after her husband leaves her a note and has left. The story follows her finding a new start and also finding herself. The story of Lily is intertwined with the story of Rose, who gives Lily a job, and a chance at a new life, while battling her own past. I love that the characters are able to learn and grow from one another. It is a cozy, feel good read, and I recommend you check it out. It would be a great book to take to the beach this summer!

I received an advance copy of The Summer House by Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

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A very well written romance. Great plot, believable characters and a fantastic southern setting. Love this author’s books and The Southern House was no exception. I received an arc from the publisher and this is my unbiased review.

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Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a digital copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

And honestly? I loved this book. I requested it because of the cover alone...I have always had a thing for porch swings. It only took me a couple of pages to get into the book. The main character in the beginning is Lily. Fresh from moving to a new city and a new house, she wakes up one morning to find a goodbye letter and some divorce papers. He didn't even make the coffee before he propped the letter up by the machine. THAT is bad enough but then she finds out that the place they were staying in was contingent on the job he had, which he also walked away from. So now she is alone and without a place to stay. She comes upon some women talking about how a hairdresser is needed at their retirement community and since that is what she used to do, she decided to apply. Rose becomes another main character and Rose is the owner of the retirement community. As she is applying, Lily finds out that as a perk, she would get to live above the shop and things go from there. We meet so many people in that community and there are so many stories within stories that I was not quite ready to let them go.

Maybe I liked it so much because I am middle aged and thinking towards that direction, I have no idea. But I am telling you that if this place were real, I would seriously be contemplating going there when it was time to retire and settle in somewhere. I would seriously love to meet these people if they were real.

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What is it with books set in the South? Just the setting and you are instantly transported to a magical place... I love all of Denton books. I anticipate her next book ever since I read The Hideaway. She has a talent in descriptions that transport you and make your fall in love with the South! This is a charming and heart warming novel about new beginnings, the courage to make your own destiny and the power of friendship and community. A truly relaxing story, full of Southern Charm...

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Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The Summer House was a cute, fun read! The characters were likable and I loved the coastal Alabama setting. It was your typical starting over novel. It would be a great beach read!

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Lauren K Denton has another bestseller! What happens when your husband leaves you out of the blue and you have no family to step in and help you. Lily meets some women by chance who invite her to be the hairdresser at their retirement village, but she must meet with Rose's approval. Lives change, friends are made and people can be family without being related.

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The Summer House is a heartwarming tale of new beginnings. I particularly enjoyed how Lauren K Denton lead her characters to face their lives and the mistakes they'd made and offered them a second chance.
It's a nice read for people who like to think about life and enjoy a warm tale with a happy end.

I received a free advanced readers' copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

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In all of the best ways, this book was "quaint." It felt like a piece of home and you could connect with most of the characters on some level. The writing was fantastic and I never felt like I was being burdened with a page of fluff.

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Lovely easy going read. I really enjoyed this one. It was well written. Great plot perfect for these cold winter nights dreaming about summer coming

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First, thanks to #netgalley for this opportunity to read another Lauren K. Denton book.
Another inspiring book by Lauren K. Denton. If you have read the other Lauren K. Denton books, you know how they flow.

With this one, you get to see how the characters help each other out to get past issues they are dealing with in their lives. I love that the books take place in the south, and also that the author helps you know the people during the story.

Totally recommend #TheSummerHouse

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I picked this book because I wanted an uplifting, gentle read and this didn't disappoint. This new book is set in and around a coastal retirement community in southern Alabama with believable characters spanning the expected (quirky) personalities to a few solid thirty-somethings. Angst, regret, love and new beginnings all drive the story and have you pulling for the new beginnings to take root and blossom into love. It's good to be reminded that love and acceptance does not have an age limit, and especially in a book that you'd feel comfortable giving to an older relative to read.

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This book is enjoyable. It’s a quick, fun read perfect for the beach or by the pool.
The story flows well and is pretty predictable.

The story follows a young woman as her short marriage falls apart shockingly. Without notice she has to build a new life for herself while she learns about herself and does some healing. The characters are so fun. They are delightfully well developed and each ones makes you want to move into this special place!

If you are looking for a fun summer read this one will not disappoint.

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The Summer House is a delightful read! Parallel characters face the task of starting over. The main character accepts the talent she instinctively learned from her mother to become self-sufficient. She finds her place as a cosmetologist in a small coastal community, and as her business grows, her confidence increases, allowing her the freedom to be happy and content. As hairstyles are reshaped, lives are transformed. Decades of guilt and self-imposed penance shift and finally are addressed as truths are uncovered. The simplicity of activities purely organized for fun and social opportunities refresh the beauty of face-to-face personal interactions too often missed in today’s social media world of communication. Life is meant to be lived and enjoyed with laughter and camaraderie where each person feels value and self-worth, recognizing the unique talents of people working together for the good of a community is a treasure these characters celebrate!

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This was a heart warming story about starting over that I really enjoyed! This was my first read by this author but not my last. She created an enjoyable setting with enjoyable characters!

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This is yet another captivating read by Lauren K. Denton that was engrossing from the first page and kept me turning the pages until the last.

Lily wakes up one morning to find that her husband left in the middle of the night, leaving a note of apology with divorce papers on their favorite coffee maker. In the aftermath she winds up as the hairstylist for a senior living community and winds her way into the heart of the owner, Rose, who is nicknamed the Ice Queen.

I really was drawn in by these realistic characters who both had stories that kept me interested and the fun that fellow neighbors brought to the story.

My main downside with this novel is that I felt that it wrapped up way too quickly and could have been expanded upon.

Despite this I think it's a great read and I loved my time spent in this world.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for an eARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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I had not read this author before but I really loved this book. This is the story of Lily Bishop who wakes up with her husband gone and divorce papers on the table, then finds out from her husband's job that since he left the rental they have is for the person who is taking the job. Following a job lead Lily ends up in Safe Harbor, a retirement community running her own salon. Read the story to see how things work out for Lily and the community owner Rose. See how the whole community supports each other. A Good Read.

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