Lauren Denton has done it again. What a wonderful story - what wonderful characters. I love how she weaves unique characters into her stories. Ms Denton writes in such a way that she puts you into the middle of the story. I so wanted to comfort Lily and befriend Rose. While there is romance, there is so much more to this story, which is what I love. The complicated relationships between Rose and her brother, the relationship between Lily and Worth, and the relationships between members of the retirement village all play important roles in the book. I'm looking forward to the next book by Ms Denton.

I really enjoyed this story if unlikely friendship. It was a fun and lighter read; perfect for a lazy Sunday.

The Summer House is delightfully easy read about two women with very difficult life situations. By bringing these women together to help one another cope with these issues, Lauren Denton shows the world the importance of one generation to another. Throughout the novel, the women, appropriately named Lily and Rose, can been seen blossoming into better versions of themselves. Definitely worth reading!!

The Summer House was such a wonderful, unexpected read! I loved the atmosphere set by Lauren K. Denton and the characters as they moved through the simple parts of life. Lily Bishop wakes up to a letter and divorce papers from her husband. With nowhere to go, she spontaneously applies for a job as a hair stylist in a retirement village. Cue in Rose, who runs said retirement village and isn't the warm and fuzzy type of person. Matter of fact, Rose doesn't get involved much with the activities of the village. Once Lily and Rose meet, you can tell that Lily is going to be a positive influence on Rose and her life. The two women help each other in ways the other would never expect. Lily finds herself in this village and feels closer to her deceased mother.

Now with that being said, this book was beautifully written. This was my first novel by Lauren K. Denton and I would definitely read more from her. Not only is her writing style elegant, it's relatable. She writes characters with emotion and you see how they develop throughout the story. I also enjoyed all the side characters from the village. Usually in novels, the side characters are superficially developed and you don't really care for them. Denton, however, was able to make the reader care about what happened to these side characters. Another thing, this whole story had major Steel Magnolias vibes with the hair salon and the women.

I did not have any major dislikes of this novel. The 4-star rating was more or else based on the fact that it wasn't overly gripping. I enjoyed every page but I didn't close out of the e-book saying 'wow that book was amazing!' I did think the book was cute and it was a happy go lucky kind of read - hence the 4-star read.

This novel would be for anyone who enjoys a cute story about characters finding themselves and finding the positives of their lives. If readers enjoy developed characters with background reasons, they will thoroughly enjoy this story. For readers who enjoy romance heavy stories, this one probably isn't for them - the romance is there but it isn't the focal point of the story.

This was a cute summer read. I'm not sure I've ever ever read a book that took place in this part of the country, so I appreciated that this really immersed me in the feel of the area. The characters were all likeable and interesting.

Lily woke up one morning in a new town to an empty bed and divorce papers on the counter. Lily becomes the new hairstylist in the retirement community Rose has built up. Lily and Rose form a friendship, which is rare for Rose. Lily also takes up with Rawlins; Rose's nephew. They all have to explore the past so they can move on in the future.

The book offers an eclectic cast of characters, so it was fun to meet everyone and read about their interactions. Something just didn't click for me in this book though, and I can't put my finger on it. I enjoyed reading the book (the audio version is good as well), but it's almost liked I wanted more, or to go deeper with the characters. Maybe I felt left hanging at the end? I don't really know. It's still a good book, and I'm not at all sorry I read it, so definitely give it a chance.

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

This was a great summer read about starting over in life and being happy. The characters were great and the author was very descriptive. I wish some of the story lines would have been expanded however.
Overall the book was enjoyable and a quick read even though it was predictable.

A novel with the quiet pace and easy feel of summer. Inside you journey with the lead character through discovery only a terrible loss can bring. You celebrate her arrival at depths she didn’t know she possessed and you celebrate all that this stronger woman will experience.

This is a sweet story of second chances. Our main character Lily wakes up with her husband gone and divorce papers waiting. To add insult to injury she finds out she has no place to live and no family to turn to. She sees an ad for a hairdresser opening at a retirement community and the rest is history. She meets such lovely characters at the Safe Harbor Retirement Village, including Rose the manager. Through the course of the story both find redemption and maybe a second chance at love.
I love reading Lauren Denton's stories because I feel so good when I finish one and I want more stories of my new friends. She knows how to weave a truly southern story. I hope she continues to tell her stories for many years to come.

Some books can be read and enjoyed year-round. Others are meant specifically for a certain season–like Christmas fiction. The Summer House by Lauren K. Denton is a book that begs to be read in the summer with a cold glass of sweet tea.

This post contains affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I received a copy of this book through NetGalley.

I read Lauren’s book Hurricane Season last summer, and really enjoyed it. I like her characters and how the story flows. I hoped that The Summer House would have the same feeling.

SUMMARY
Lily Bishop left her life in Georgia behind and moved with her husband to a small town in Alabama. They had barely settled into their little rental house, when she woke up to find him gone. He left only a note and some divorce papers.

With no friends, no place to live and no job, Lily has to start over from scratch. She finds an ad for a beautician in a community called Safe Harbor.

Safe Harbor is a retirement community run by the crusty, uptight Rose Carrigan. Rose carries a deep hurt inside, and can’t forgive herself for the wrongs of her past.

She makes up for it by pushing people away. She enforces strict rules in the little community, and interacts with the other residents as little as possible.

But when Lily asks Rose for the job, and the use of the apartment above the beauty shop, something stirs inside Rose. She gives Lily the summer house on a probation period, provided she does a good job.

So begins a sweet summer of learning, forgiving, and a little romance. Lily and Rose’s lives have not gone like they planned. But they learn they can start over, and still have something amazingly beautiful.

THE SUMMER HOUSE REVIEW
The first thing I have to say about The Summer House is that I want to move into it and live. Not just in the actual house, but in the town of Safe Harbor itself.

The scenery scenery sounds idyllic. If I could retire and move there, I absolutely would. Tomorrow.

The characters are all really good, too. I admired Lily’s strength and resilience. I think she lost herself in her marriage.

She needed the residents of Safe Harbor, as well as memories of her mother, to help her find herself again.

But I think I liked Rose’s character even more. Her struggles felt so real to me. Seeing her transformation throughout the book was my favorite part.

Lauren also does an amazing job of writing secondary characters. I loved all of the residents of the village. They each had their own personality and were all so charming.

There is a bit of romance in The Summer House. But it’s really not the main focus. It’s really about relationships and finding the strength to begin again–even if you think it’s too late.

The Summer House is full of southern charm. It’ll make you want to pack up immediately and move to the Alabama Gulf Coast.

This is the perfect book for summer reading–so you better grab it fast!

For every women that has been dumped by her husband and for those that embrace stories of strong women ! This is not just a story of divorce, its a wonderful heartwarming story of having the courage to start over, embrace new experiences and new friends leaving all that was familiar behind. I loved the picturesque harbor setting (perfect for a summer read) and the unexpected friendships. For all of us that picked ourselves up and started over this is a story of a remarkable strong women who found her new life amid circumstances she never expected. A must read.

Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity for review. My review opinion is my own. I highly recommend this book .

Lily wakes up one morning and her husband has left her and left divorce papers. At a loss she moves to a senior community and becomes their hair dresser. She slowly makes friends through the senior village.
Rose owns the senior community with her ex husband. She hasn't spoken with her brother for years. Her nephew keeps her informed to her brother's life. She has made herself a loner.
A very uplifting book.

I wanted to give this author another chance, after the first two books I've read by her fell flat. Unfortunately this one was also another miss. for me. Though the characters were believable and easy to relate to and the writing was good. But I am beginning to think that women's fiction isn't for me.

I thoroughly enjoyed this new novel by Lauren Denton. The opening paragraphs pulled me into the story immediately and kept me engaged throughout. The story has a marvelous cast of colorful characters, some flawed and in need of second chances. These they find in the lovely seaside community of Safe Harbor. Lily and Rose form an unlikely friendship when they suddenly find themselves involved in each other's lives. Cantankerous Rose needs a hairstylist for her quaint seaside village community, and Lily requires work when she wakes to find divorce papers on the kitchen counter one morning. This novel is sure to please anyone looking for a delightful, engaging Summer read. My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for furnishing an ARC for this my honest review.

Author #Lauren K. Denton has a wonderful new novel ‘The Summer House ‘ out. And this journey is one many of us have taken. She wakes one morning to find a good bye note and divorce papers on the kitchen counter.Having moved to Alabama for his job only weeks before, Lily is devastated.
But keep in mind Sometimes it takes losing everything to find yourself again,This sums it up without telling the whole story.

I absolutely adored everything about this book. Lauren K Denton is fast becoming a favorite author of mine. Lily is the quintessential heroine and the cast of characters surrounding her are charming and sweet. Denton’s writing is so descriptive, I almost felt like I was in the town of Safe Harbor. This was the perfect way to spend a lazy summer day.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

This book was so good. I read HURRICANE SEASON by this same author and just knew this would be another good one. I was not at all disappointed.

Lily woke to one of the worse days ever. Her husband was gone and all he left was a note and divorce papers. What a way to start the day. She has no choice but to move on. Move out of their place and get a job. She’s a very strong young woman and picks up her life and moves on. She’s a very likable person. I admire her for many things. She gets a job in a retirement village as a hairdresser. Makes new friends and does great. She’s a very resilient young woman even when she is afraid of what lies ahead in her life.

Rose runs the retirement village and is a divorced woman who doesn’t take much off of anyone and doesn’t get to close. Her and Lily seem to hit it off great though. I liked Rose and her nephew and her great niece. Rose has some tough choices to make.

This book is a very light read and will keep you interested in the lives of all the characters. They are all so likable and you will feel like you are on the beach, in the hairdressers shop or in Rose’s office. It’s told in such a way that you have lots of feelings. It made me laugh in places and cry in others. It was truly a joy to read.

Thank you #NetGalley, #LaurenKDenton, #ThomasNelson

A true 5/5 stars and a very high recommendation.

When Lily wakes up one morning with a note from her husband that he just can't do it anymore, her life is fully upended. We get the opportunity to watch as she goes through the feelings of loss and then redemption as she gets her feet under her and she gets to learn who she is and all she can accomplish.

I thought this was a really sweet story. The perfect summer read. I enjoyed the characters. I loved watching the transformation of many of them as they allowed themselves to try new things and step outside their comfort zones.

I am learning to really love Lauren Denton's books. This one didn't disappoint in the good-feeling vibes!

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Summer House by Lauren K. Denton is a beautiful book about starting over, friendship, and romance. Lily Bishop wakes up one morning to find her husband gone, leaving behind a good-bye note and divorce papers. Lily has three days to vacate the rental home they are staying in and to find a job. Lily applies for a job at a salon in a small retirement village, and gets the job along with the small apartment above it. I really enjoyed this book, and watching several characters change and grow. If you enjoy an feel good story, I highly recommend this book. I will be reading more book by this author. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was a very enjoyable read. It has a great plot and wonderful, quirky characters that I really enjoyed learning more about. I love books by this author. She has a talent of making the characters come alive. Lily was a completely relatable character, and I found myself seeing the world through her eyes. She took what life doled out to her, turned it around and made it her own, all with the help of friends she has met along the way. She seems like a woman that generates a lot of respect. I definitely recommend this book, especially to those readers that enjoy books with characters that are just now starting to believe in themselves and in their strength.

I would like to thank Lauren K. Denton,Thomas Nelson Publishing and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.