I did not know how this book was going to turn out with some of the issues that I had read about. The author did a good job though in working everything out and doing it still with everything being light and not as depressing as it could have been.
Emma’s struggle is first with her thirty-birthday arriving which is also the time which her mother passed away. Telling her friends one thing in order to be alone it is the guy who stood her up at their senior prom, Jack who shows up at her door not wanting her to be alone for her birthday.
Jack wants to be with her now must convince her first of a relationship. He does this by asking her to be his fake girlfriend for the summer. When does eventually agree and we all know how these stories will end up, but here it is done with little differences and they each begin to deal with the past. I found this to be a good book with good characters.

Cute, quick read. Great for fans of small town romance. I really enjoyed the secondary characters and the setting, so I’ll definitely check out previous books in this serious. Am discovering I am not a fan of second chance romance however. I just can’t get into it. Trigger warnings for cancer references and a mom who had passed sometime earlier. As well as a main character putting off her checkup. I wasn’t expecting this element.

Emma is getting to the age that her mother died from cancer and now worried about her own health. When she receives a life list from her mother planning a 5k was on the list and wants to do this one wish her mother never got to do. Jack is her long time friend who is taking care of his nephew for the summer and somehow he ropes Emma into a fake relationship. Things get a bit complicated though when they realize their feelings are more then just friendship.

If you love friends to lovers romances you'll like this book. I loved getting to know both characters, their past and what they were dealing with currently. Jack and his family deal with addiction differently but they are doing what they can. Emma is dealing with the fact that she'll need to take the test to see if her genetics markers make her a candidate for possible cancer like her mother and grandmother before her. I loved the whole fake relationship, clearly they had a bit of a romantic past and feelings clearly haven't went away and they were fighting that attraction. You just can't help but root for the characters to get together and work things out. Overall this was a pretty enjoyable book and I recommend you lovely readers to check out this book.

Sunshine on Silver Lake was a perfect summer time read. I laughed and cried throughout the book. I really liked the two main characters, Emma and Jack. They both had such endearing personalities. You couldn’t help but love them.
This is the type of romance I like to read. Annie Rains has a true gift in her writing style that gives you warm, fuzzy feelings and puts a smile on your face.
If you are looking for the perfect summer book to read, this should be the book you pick up!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author, Annie Rains, for the opportunity to read and review this book for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.

Trope: Friends to Lovers
Steam level: 🔥

Annie & Jack may be fake dating, and then take their relationship up a notch but we don't read any of the steamy details.

I hadn't read an Annie Rains title before, and some of the ladies in my rom com bookclub had praised her books so I was thrilled to be approved for her newest title, Sunshine on Silver Lakes on Netgalley.

Even though this book is part of a series (this is actually book 5 in the Sweetwater Springs collection) it was a great standalone book as well. I thought it had great characters with plenty of detail and backstory, that came full circle in an enjoyable way. The supporting characters added to the story, and were fun to get to know in this heartwarming romance.

Small town contemporary romances always get me, and Annie Rains knows how to do it right! This book is a sweet novel full of romance and adorableness. It has two people pretending to be together, and suddenly a romance blooms! Emma and Jack two lovely characters with great chemistry, which makes this story even better.

There is also a fair amount of drama, such as cancer running in a family and parental and family issues. These are some of the subplots and don't really make the story too emotional.

Overall, Sunshine on Silver Lake is a great read for romance novels seeking something sweet and delightful. It's just so cozy and lovely! I highly recommend it.

Four out of five stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever, Grand Central Publishing for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.

4 star

I was pulled right into this story. The story has laughs, pain, secrets, second chances, and heartbreak.

If you have not read the below they are part of this series in case you want to read those books(s) first
Christmas on Mistletoe Lane (Sweetwater Springs, #1)
A Wedding on Lavender Hill (Sweetwater Springs #1.5)
Springtime at Hope Cottage (Sweetwater Springs, #2)
Kiss Me in Sweetwater Springs (Sweetwater Springs #2.5)
Snowfall on Cedar Trail (Sweetwater Springs #3)
Starting Over at Blueberry Creek (Sweetwater Springs #4)

This is Emma and Jack’s story. Emma and Jack had a brief high school romance that ended in her heart getting broken. Now years later Jack needs her to pretend to be his girlfriend for the summer. Jack needs a girlfriend for the summer so he can care for his nephew. But as the summer goes on he knows he wants more then pretend. Can he convince Emma to give him another chance? Or at the end of the summer will it all be over?

I loved these characters and the side characters. I felt I could connect with the characters and the story was a great read.

I recommend this book.

This is a cute, small town cozy romance that could be read as a stand-alone. It also incorporates fake dating, which I’m typically a fan of in stories!

I do wish the story was a little more fast paced as it did drag on a lot. It also would have been nicer if the same points were made over and over.

This is more of a behind closed doors romance and a slow burn.

Readers cannot help but be charmed by Annie Rains’ latest enchanting and delightful small town romance, Sunshine on Silver Lake.

Emma St James and Jack Hershey have been friends since practically the cradle. But that is all they have ever been to one another. In high school, Emma had thought that their friendship might develop into something deeper when Jack had asked her to be his date for prom, but when he stood her up at the eleventh hour, Emma had decided not to act upon her feelings for him. Although Emma and Jack are now adults, they are still the best of friends and the attraction that had blossomed between them as teenagers is stronger than ever, but the two of them maintain that they will never run the risk of jeopardizing their friendship by taking things further – even though they are still crazy about one another! Emma and Jack are keen to keep things strictly platonic between them, but fate seems to have other ideas in store for them…

Finding a box full of her late mother’s belongings, Emma finds a list of all the things her mom wanted to accomplish which sadly she was never able to fulfil. Realizing that she wants going to tick off all the items on her mom’s bucket list, Emma throws herself into organizing a 5K run – and it just so happens that Park Ranger Jack is the perfect man to help her with the job. But Jack needs a favor as well – his sister’s teenage son Sam is coming to stay with him for the summer and as he told Amanda that he is in a committed relationship, single Jack needs to find a pretend girlfriend – fast! And it just so happens that Emma is the perfect candidate for the job!

As Jack and Emma find themselves spending a lot of time together, their feelings for one another quickly intensify and before long there is certainly nothing pretend about their feelings for each other – or their red-hot kisses! As the summer heats up, so too does the sizzling chemistry between the two of them, but with so much history – not to mention past secrets and very present fears and insecurities – will Jack and Emma finally find the courage to admit the truth about their feelings for one another? Or will their inability to take a chance on love end up costing them the happiness that has eluded them so far?

Feel-good contemporary romance does not get any better than Annie Rains’ Sunshine on Silver Lake. An adorable, uplifting and addictive tale, Sunshine on Silver Lake is a friends to lovers romance that I absolutely loved. Emma and Jack are two fantastic characters it is impossible not to care about. They are kind-hearted, generous and giving people whom readers will fall in love with – especially as their banter sizzles, the chemistry between them is off the charts and their romance is poignant and heartfelt.

Annie Rains deftly and exquisitely blends humor, charm, warmth and heart in one irresistible summer romance readers will not be able to put down: Sunshine on Silver Lake.

It’s no secret that I’m a big Annie Rains fan! Annie’s stories take place in Sweetwater Springs - a town that I would move to tomorrow if I could!

I’ve loved all of this series, but I dare say SUNSHINE is my new favorite! This story is a friends to lovers, fake relationship in a small town - can you hear me squealing?

Annie writes authentic and heartwarming contemporary romances. I just love her writing & each story feels like a trip home.

Fans of Virgin River, you’ve got to take a trip to Sweetwater Springs. Each book is easily read as a standalone, but get ready because you’ll want to devour the entire series!

‘Sunshine on Silver Lake‘ is the fifth title in the ‘Sweetwater Springs‘ series, and, as always, we are about to set off on a charming, emotional adventure back in one of my favorite fictional small towns.

For a brief time in their teen years, Jack and Emma had a high school romance that ended in heartache. Wrong timing for the most part since both Jack and Emma still have unresolved feelings for each other – not that they would admit to that to anyone but their own inner conversations with themselves. Right now the planets are going to align as each needs something from the other – and perhaps that togetherness for one amazing summer can rekindle what their teenage selves had no clue how to deal with. One long, hot summer – two people who never stopped caring about each other – and a second chance to get love right this time around… if they are willing to put it all on the line and take that risk.

It’s not easy to deal with strong emotional issues like alcoholism or a parent’s cancer diagnosis in romance, they aren’t usually subjects that slip easily into a dialogue. Yet, ‘Sunshine on Silver Lake‘ proves (to me) to be an exception to that opinion of mine. Life happens, ya know? There’s not a darned thing we’re going to be able to do to change that simple fact. So, yeah, bad things happen to good people all the time – and we deal, each in our own ways. Years ago, Jack messed up. And Emma isn’t forgetting that. But right now they each need something from the other, and that one small change will take hold to allow two people who really do work well as a couple to see themselves now – not as what was.

There is laughter and frustration, tears and anger, love, and forgiveness within this story. The journey to get to a happy ending for Emma and Jack takes time, but it’s well worth the trip. There were moments when I was frustrated with Emma for not looking after herself, given her mother’s fate – but then we all deal as we can when we can, and I had to allow Emma to handle the emotional aspects in her own way. Jack knows what he lost with that prom night decision. He’s certainly not the same kid, and being around Emma again is reminding him of what he lost… unless he can show Emma just how right they are together and find a delayed happy ever after for them both. The secondary characters bring this story to life with quirkiness, friendships, and simply being a voice of reason or a listening ear. No one, not even a book exists in a vacuum, so those other characters are the life of any book for me.

I enjoyed myself (as I always do with this author) back in the ‘Sweetwater Springs‘ world again. If you’re in the mood for a romance that gives a second chance to two very deserving people, a lively small town, and realistic dealings with issues that matter – then you’d feel right at home with ‘Sunshine on Silver Lake‘.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher, Forever (Grand Central Publishing) via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

Another Annie Rains book I absolutely loved. I like how this book dug into the topics around grief, addiction, and women’s health while still maintaining a cute love story. These are all topics close to my heart right now which ,are the reading experience even more enjoyable.

What a charming read! Delightful beach reading. I really enjoyed the banter.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

4 stars

Sunshine on Silver Lake by Annie Rains is a well written and entertaining read.
The storyline in entertaining, it held my interest from start to end and I enjoyed watching the relationship between Jack and Emma unfold.

Overall, Sunshine on Silver Lake is a good addition to the Sweetwater Springs Series and I highly recommend it.

*Thank you to the publisher via Netgalley for the advance copy.*

Great book! This is a new author for me but I really definitely buy her books in the future. I didn't realize until I started reading this that it was the 5th book in a series. I still enjoyed it just the same! I do want to go back to read the others though. Recommended!

Love this series. Emma and Jack have been long time friends. Emma gets her moms box from a family friend and in it is her moms bucket list. Emma tries to complete some on her moms list that she couldn't complete. In the meantime emma tries to find love

As I am part of Forever Romance advance reader program. I get the honor of reading upcoming books from them. Whenever I see Annie Rains' name in the offering, I immediately request the title. I have become familiar enough with her books that I don't even need a blurb to check the box that says I Want It!

Well, Sunshine on Silver Lake is the fifth book in the Sweetwater Spring series. Other than the novellas, I have devoured this book from the very first one, Christmas on Mistletoe Lane. So I knew I was in for another delightful story.

There are several tropes in romance books. This book employs one of them - second chance romance. Here we have Emma St. James preparing for a 5K run. Through a bit of miscommunication, she has pretty much made it seem like her old flame, Jack Hershey, is her boyfriend. Will Jack go along with it? What about the fact that although high school was years in their past, the two still have a strong connection?

Meanwhile Jack has agreed to help his sister by caring for her teen son over the summer. In so doing readers get to see what actually split Emma and Jack up when they were teenagers. There are some very serious issues in this story that deal with more than one addiction and how addictions can forever alter lives.

Will Jack and Emma be able to find hope for their future? What about Jack, his nephew and his sister? That story right there is mega important and Annie Rains truly did it justice. Both Jack and Emma were very well-developed characters. Jack really had a lot of depth to him, and a very sweet nature. Emma and her past were heartbreaking. Of course, I just had to see her find joy and love in her life, even with the apparent conflicts. I really loved this story and hope that there is much more to come in this series. If not, I will pretty much read anything else Annie Rains has to offer.

Many thanks to Forever and to NetGalley for this ARC to review. This is my honest opinion.

The next installment of the Sweetwater Springs is here and you won’t be disappointed.
Emma and Jack have been friends since they were kids. He was there for her when her mom died from cancer and he was always willing and able to lend a hand. When he stood her up at prom she wouldn’t allow herself to imagine there ever being anything more to their friendship. Jack has always cared about Emma as a friend, and he wanted more. He knew he hurt, if not destroyed, his chance when he let alcohol control his life, but hasn't had a drink since. When helping out his sister somehow turns into Jack and Emma being in a fake relationship he realizes quickly he wishes it wasn't fake. Both Emma and Jack have heavy things to deal with in their personal lives, that could hinder their chances. Will they let each other be there for them when it really counts?
From the moment he placed three chocolate kisses on the café counter, I fell for Jack. Even with his faults, his will and determination to be better for himself and those he loved was admirable. Emma was a sweetheart. My heart hurt for all she went through with her mother and her own fears for herself and her future. However, her holding the past against Jack on multiple occasions, while believable, was frustrating. As in the other books the supporting characters continue to be a fun, caring, supportive group of friends. I love when you can feel the chemistry between a couple and the
story is so entertaining that you do not miss the sex scenes. The fade to black and jumping right to the after cuddles work perfectly for Jack and Emma's relationship.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest, voluntary review.

Emma St. James has just turned thirty, the age she lost her mother to cancer, and it’s brought back the feelings of grief, and fears she might be next. Finding out that her mother wanted to organize a 5K race to benefit a good cause but never got the chance gives Emma a way to honor her memory. Now she just needs to be fit into the busy calendar of their nature park. For that she needs the help of the one man who broke her heart prom night, Jack Hershey. Emma’s in luck though, because Jack needs a favor from her, too. He needs her to be his girlfriend for the Summer. Pretend, of course. Well, that’s what they tell themselves at first, and you know how the story goes…

Jack did let Emma down prom night, but not because he didn’t care or wasn’t interested. Jack has had his own struggle. One he has control of but doesn’t like to share.

When I figured out Emma’s emotional turmoil was over being the same age as her mother when she died of cancer and was avoiding her medical checkup, I almost stopped reading. My mother died of cancer at the age of forty-two and because of that I’ve had to go in often; for many years I was terrified that I’d have the same fate. So, I was worried it’d be tough reading this, however the author did a wonderful job handling the subject, and while this was a plot point it was presented in a way that didn’t stress me out and didn’t overtake the story.

Emma’s feelings were so very relatable because I’ve felt exactly like her. I enjoyed how she came to terms with her situation and took control. Fear does nothing, knowledge and a plan of action is empowering and comforting. I just really connected to Emma on a lot of levels. Even got her reactions to her father’s remarriage!

Sunshine on Silver Lake was very much a happy romance, despite dealing with some heavier issues like cancer and alcoholism. I loved seeing Emma and Jack fall for each other instead of longing from afar like they had for years. Jack was such a sweetheart, patient, and kind. He really had no idea Emma still carried a torch for him and got a bit swoony over every chocolate kiss gifted (it’s his thing since Hershey’s his last name) and really who wouldn’t?

This is book five in the series, but it’s not necessary to read the previous books before diving in.

Emma and Jack were childhood sweethearts that ended in heartbreak. They are now adults who both live in Sweetwater Springs and are now just friends..or is there more to it? Jack is trying to help out his sister, and it turns out he needs Emma's help to do that by pretending to date her for the summer. Follow their stories as the summer goes on and see what happens as they come to terms with the past and determine what they want for their futures. Sunshine on Silver Lake is a sweet summer story set in an idyllic town with supportive female friendships, cute city events and local shops, and of course family drama. This story had a lot of potential but I didn't love the writing style and some of the events seemed too simplistic and cheesy for me to accept.

Thank you to #NetGalley for an ARC of #SunshineonSilverLake!