Emma and Jack's story was way more angsty than I was expecting but it had so much love and support that I was completely sucked in.

There's two pretty heavy topics in this book that sometimes can be hard to get right but both were dealt with respect and dignity. Without giving any spoilers, it's clear that these were handled with care and some research was done. One of them I can be pretty judgey about but I have zero complaints.

Every visit to Sweetwater Springs has been a heartwarming escape. Every book introduces more characters that I want to see get their own HEA.

Another great read by Annie Rains. I read a couple other books in this series and enjoyed them also. Sweetwater Springs sounds like an enchanting town!

This story is about cafe owner, Emma, and Jack, a park ranger. It is a great small town romance that also brings up some more serious issues - addiction and breast cancer. Emma and Jack are both interesting, multilayered characters that have you rooting for them. It was a wonderful read.

I'm always so thrilled to come home to Sweetwater Springs! This series has catapulted its way into my favorites list and continues to cement that spot with each new book. This is one of the best ones too, IMO!

I loved that this was both fake dating AND (kinda) second chance romance AND childhood-friends-to-more. All of my tropes rolled into one in a way that made sense! Emma and Jack were close friends (almost more) in their younger years, until Jack blew her off for her senior prom. They did reconcile and remained friends throughout their adult lives living in Sweetwater Springs, but neither one of them would take the plunge into something more. When Jack suddenly has his nephew in his care for the summer, it's easy for him to pretend (for his sister's sake) that Emma is his girlfriend. Naturally, things progress into more. Emma is currently struggling with turning 30 and the bad feelings it provides about her mother's untimely passing and battle with cancer. I REALLY enjoyed both of these characters and thought their friends-to-more relationship developed incredibly naturally. 

As always, there wasn’t any minor drama to split the couple up and I was never frustrated by miscommunication. Rains generally does a great job of giving the characters actual problems that need to be worked through to cause the "breakup" moment in the book. This one was short-lived too.

Sweetwater Springs continues to be a fun, cute setting, and I love that we keep getting introduced to new female characters that MAY turn into future leading women in a companion story. Gimme books for Nina, Sophie, and Diana! Rains always sprinkles in hints of what may come in the future and I'm excited about all of the prospects.

Annie Rains writes a captivating, second chance romance which features café owner Emma St. James and park ranger Jack Hershey. Sunshine on Silver Lake is my favorite book in the Sweetwater Spring series!! I adored the pairing of Emma and Jack! Their long- term friendship, the couple’s easy back and forth banter and the sparks of attraction that filled the air each time Jack gave Emma a Hershey’s Kiss drew me immediately into the novel.
The attraction between Jack and Emma—it is off the charts…and so very complicated. Jack broke Emma’s heart over ten years ago when he stood her up for her prom. Emma doesn’t know why Jack didn’t take her to prom. Even though she is attracted to him, Emma can’t let go of the hurt. They are strictly friends. Jack’s mom asks him to deliver a box to Emma. The box and its contents drew me into the story and set the stage for Emma’s journey.
Jack is my favorite Annie Rains hero. He made a huge mistake, learned from it and turned his life around. He is a kind man, who is devoted to his family and dedicated to his job. He understands that Emma is dreading her 30th birthday and wants to be there for her. There are a few complications; Emma’s father dislikes him, Jack’s nephew, Sam, is staying with him for the summer and Sam believes Emma and Jack are a couple.
Loved that the author dealt with the couple’s fears. Emma was afraid she was going to be diagnosed with breast cancer like her mom and grandmother. Jack did not want to be drawn into substance abuse like his sister and father. Jack’s decision to abstain from alcohol and Emma’s anxiety about her birthday and mammogram were perfectly written. I emphasized with Emma’s real fear and could relate to Jack’s choice. Both learned valuable lessons from their parents.
Emma organizes a 5k to honor her mother and to make a difference in people’s lives. Emma benefited the most from the run as she learned to confront her fears, to accept her mother’s death and to forgive Jack. The couple’s slow burn romance unfolds perfectly. Loved how Jack really wanted to be a better person for Emma and that he wanted more than friendship. Loved catching up with Brenna, Halona Granger and Luke and the other characters in the series. -
Sunshine on Silver Lake is filled with friends, family and love. Emma and Jack’s friends to lovers story will tug at your heart strings-it’s emotional, swoony and very romantic. Who can resist a man who carries Hershey’s kisses in his pocket?

When I pick up a Sweetwater Springs book written by Annie Rains, I know I'm about to be immersed in a well-written story, with likable characters, set within a vibrant and supportive community, and laced with both humor and heart.

There are so many layers to Emma and Jack's story, all expertly interwoven into a modern tapestry of second chances, forgiveness, hope, acceptance, love, and happily ever afters. I really pulled for these two to find their happiness and they had more than a few significant, emotional, and realistic, obstacles to overcome in order to achieve it.

While Emma was upbeat, kind, a successful businesswoman, and a good friend, past events in her life and anxiety about future possibilities had her approaching life from a position of fear. And that kept her from opening her heart to a potential relationship with Jack. It was also keeping her from bridging the emotional gap within her family. I found her emotional journey to be realistic and very satisfying.

I love a friends-to-lovers romance. Jack and Emma have been friends most of their lives. In fact, it's a testament to the strength of that friendship that it was able to survive a betrayal in their teens. Jack has spent the past several years nurturing that friendship (the Hershey Kisses were so sweet) but he too has significant baggage to address. I appreciated the pace of the changes in his relationship with Emma and his unconditional support of her, regardless of the circumstances. I also enjoyed how Rains used Jack's relationship with his sister and nephew to bring about the realization of his own failure to be forthcoming with his close friends, including Emma, about his personal demons.

Well-formed secondary characters helped keep the story, and Jack and Emma's relationship, moving forward. They also added humor, emotional depth, and glimpses into potential main characters for future books in the series.

Sunshine on Silver Lake is the fifth book in this series but like earlier books, it stands well on its own. I thoroughly enjoyed this return visit to Sweetwater Springs and Emma and Jack's journey to love. I hope we see more of them in future books.

4.5 stars
*ARC received for fair and unbiased review

Thanks to NetGalley and Forever for the complimentary copy of this book.

Sunshine on Silver Lake by Annie Rains is an enjoyable small town romance. The book centers around Emma, a cafe owner, and Jack, a local park ranger. The two grew up together and have a rocky past but have still remained friends.

A lot of the book revolves around Emma and her dealing with emotions revolving around her mom's death from breast cancer. I thought the book did a good job addressing issues of grief and the fears that people can have when a family member passes away from a hereditary disease. The book also delves into Jack and his family's history of alcoholism. The author takes on difficult topics and addresses them in a very thoughtful way.

I think this book would appeal that like some substance to their romance novels but don't want the drama dragged out for too long. I'd also consider this one a fade to black romance so it is perfect for those that like low steam.

The fifth book in the amazing Sweetwater Springs Series has me longing to visit such an amazing and fictional town. Sweetwater Springs Cafe owner Emma and her childhood friend Jack have come to a point where friendship is not enough. What begins as a make believe relationship suddenly transitions into something more but will Jack's past mistakes and Emma's fear of the future keep them from following their hearts? This magical series has had me from book one and continues to draw me in deeper with each chapter! Author Annie Rains has written a best selling series, about true to life issues, that will melt the hardest of hearts! I am anxiously awaiting the next book in my favorite hometown series!

Emma and Jack had a disastrous prom date but years later there is still a spark. Emma owns a coffee cafe and Jack is park ranger. Jack’s sister Amanda asks to him to care for his nephew. Amanda assumes that Jack is dating Emma and they decide to pretend for her sake, since she is going through a tough time. Jack gives Emma a box from her mom which contained her bucket list. Her mom died from cancer a long time ago. Jack helps Emma fulfill the list. This book is part of a series but definitely can be read as a stand-alone. I enjoyed this book. I hope there are more in the series. Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the E-ARC. This is my own opinion.

Powerful, life-affirming romance!

Jack and Emma have been friends forever, dating back to their mothers' friendship. One misstep years ago forced Jack to give up any dreams he had of pursuing more with Emma, until the one summer that his nephew comes to stay with him and he finds himself needing Emma to pretend to be his girlfriend for a while.

Emma has always harbored a crush on Jack and doesn't understand what went wrong on that long-ago prom night, so she's naturally hesitant to let her guard down during this season of pretending. Besides, she's got her mind focused on fulfilling her late mother's Life List while figuring out just how she's going to come to terms with her own list of what-ifs and what can't be avoided.

The story's vibrant characters and enchanting small-town setting made this a non-stop read for me. The author finds romance around every corner, and I couldn't help but fall in love with both Emma and Jack as they help each other conquer every obstacle in their path. If you like intensely-romantic stories (even with closed-door intimacy) you'll love this beautiful love story. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

Although part of a series this story can be read as a standalone story and you should read it!

Emma and Jack deal with real life issues. The beauty in the writing is the description of the characters and how they approach every day life. The fears we deal with every day when dealing with genetics is dealt with in a realistic and genuine manner. You'll laugh and cry along with the characters and cheer them on with each triumph. A great beach read!

I received a free ARC eBook from Net Galley and the publisher in exchange for my honest opinions.

This book will just tug on your heartstrings. Emma St. James is a strong accomplished woman. She is a people pleaser through and through. This year she is having a crisis of her own and doesn't want anyone to know. Least of all Jack Hershey, the one that broke her heart. Now Jack Hershey is a forest ranger. He is an all around nice guy but his heart has belong to only one woman and he can't cross the line. The fates are intervening. No more lies or half truths. He does win the lady of his dreams.

I am glad the author did justice to the two issues that figured prominently in the book.

Sunshine on Silver Lake by Annie Rains. I loved the story of Jack and Emma. Sunshine on Silver Lake by Annie Rains was such a romantic love story. I have loved the whole series starting with the first one A Christmas one in the series. I think this one is probably my favorite though it deals with some very touching issues cancer. I loved the way she handled the issue of cancer. I lost my mother to esophagus cancer when my mom was 67. I cannot imagine losing your mother when she is only 30. Read the story it is very touching.

ARC received via Netgalley for an honest review

Heading back to Sweetwater Springs is like heading home. It has been one of my favourite series these past couple of years.

I have been looking forward to cafe owner Emma's story - though I do end up craving baked goodies as I read.

Whilst I like Sunshine on Silver Lake, it wasn't my favourite story in the series. I liked Jack and I liked Emma, I just didn't get drawn into their romance. I got irritated at Emma for about the first 35% of the story, then I warmed up to her. Jack was adorable right from the start, and I may have yelled at my reader to walk away, she's not worth it hahah.

I adore the town and it's people, and love seeing bits of the other characters we have already met and fallen in love with.

I am looking forward to more of Sweetwater Springs

Thank you to NetGalley, Forever Publishing and the author for providing me a free copy of this book (physical and e-ARC).

If you are looking for a great book to throw into your beach bag this summer, this is it!

Sunshine on Silver Lake follows Emma, a cafe owner who decides to host a 5K Run/Walk in her mother’s honour, and her best friend Jack, who is asked to look after his 15 year old nephew for the summer so his sister can seek treatment for addiction. Jack’s sister finds comfort in Jack and Emma being a couple, so they fake it, though it’s not really fake for either of them! I loved their trajectory of friends to lovers and thought the epilogue perfectly wrapped up their story. We also got a dual perspective, which is always wonderful in a romance novel.

However, just note that if you are looking for steam, you won’t find it here. This is a closed-door romance, so it’s perfect to passing onto your mom or even your grandmother when you’re done!

FYI; This book does deal with alcoholism and addiction, as well as the loss of a parent, so if those trigger you in any way, please proceed with caution.

I love this series about Sweetwater Springs. This one revolved around Emma (who owns a coffee shop) and Jack (a friend from high school). He wants more than friendship but she does not for most of the book. He stood her up for prom and she has not quite ever forgiven him. The characters were very likeable and I was rooting for Jack to win her over.
I got this book from NetGalley for an honest review

Another great read out of the Sweetwater Springs series.
This one is Emma and Jack's 2nd chance at romance, friends to lovers after 12 years, and with a lot of emotional baggage.
They figure out lying is never a good thing, pointed out by fifteen year old Sam, Jack's nephew, who I thought was a great addition to the cast of characters, along with a few others, and the ones we already know from the earlier journeys.
No one, absolutely no one is guaranteed a tomorrow, very poignant at this time in reality, and not necessarily expected nor anticipated. These two had to change gears a few times.
I loved the story, a lot of heartstrings pulled in this read, along with some very witty comments that had me laughing along the way. A bit of beautiful heat, more implied than described, so clean and sweet. The tears were here too, with some of life's brutal realities, and the choices and decisions that follow.
I loved Jack's character, he was honest and true, just trying to be the best man he could be. He had a presence about him, and wasn't perfect. Emma's character seemed rather immature at just dealing with life, no matter the issues. She just didn't stand out for me in a very good light.
I received an ARC from Forever (Grand Central Publishing) through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own, given voluntarily. No novella included with ARC, so no opinion.
A stand alone with its own HEA, and part of a great smalltown series.

I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. Sunshine on Silver Lake by Annie Rains is the fifth book in her Sweetwater Springs Series.
It can be read as a stand-alone. Emma Raines is conflicted about turning 30 because it’s the same age her mother was when she died of breast cancer. When she is given a box of her mothers things that contains a life list she decides to check off the items that her mother was unable to complete. Her good friend Jack Hershey has been in love with Emma since high school but his struggles with alcoholism have made him think that he is not good enough for her so when his sister mistakenly thinks they are in a relationship he convinces Emma to pretend that they are to ease his sisters mind and he gets to spend more time with her. This is a pleasurable small town second chance/fake relationship story and I enjoyed reading it. Steam Level: Kissing/Closed Door. Publishing Date July 21, 2020 #SunshineOnSilverLake #AnnieRains #ForeverGrandCentralPublishing #ContemporaryRomance #SmallTownRomance #bookstagram

This book is part of a series centered in Sweetwater Springs, a quaint town where people are friendly. This is Emma and Jack’s story. Emma is a coffee shop owner, Jack is a forest ranger. They’ve known each other for most of their lives, but due to one unfortunate incident, have kept it friendly as adults.

Emma and Jack start a fake relationship for the benefit of Jack’s sister, and the fun begins. This is a sweet, clean romance with a HEA. Good story, good editing.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

As you know I do love Annie Rains. Her Sweetwater Springs series has been so good. I've really enjoyed the characters and the writing. Each time I get one of her books in my hand I just want to sit down and do nothing until it's finished.

Let's talk about Sunshine on Silver Lake. I really liked these two. They are so meant to be together but neither can man up and tell the other. Instead, they play this dance of one step in, two steps back. This happens for most of the book. Usually, that might annoy me but for some reason with them, it didn't. I think it's because of how the author set up the story.

They had a few things going against them that you learn about as you read the story but even with their few issues they are able to work through them in no time once they realized what they mean to each other.

I totally understand why Emma felt the way she did about her stepmom and was glad she was able to deal with it.

I was also glad that the author didn't gloss over a major plot point of the story. I don't want to mention too much and give it away so I'll leave it to you to read it and figure out what I'm talking about.

This is a wonderful story of love and family and all the issues you have with them. But since it's a romance you have a HEA with both the romance and family. I think you'll enjoy the Hershey parts. I know I did. I'm really looking forward to more by this author and hope to see Jack and Emma in them.

I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. You can get your copy here https://www.amazon.com/Sunshine-Silver-Lake-novella-Sweetwater/dp/1538700883

This is the fifth book in the Sweetwater Springs Series. This also includes a bonus novella at the end! I have not read the first four books in the series, but I will be seeking them out! This is actually the first book by this author, but it definitely will not be my last!
We begin this book with Emma, the café owner in a bit of a brain fog. She tried not to think of today’s date, which she refers to as DOOMSDAY! A birthday, a big 3-0 birthday! Her childhood friend, Jack comes in to see her and instead of serenading her on her birthday, as he does every year, he talks her into going to dinner with him, but she tells him he has plans with her friends. He also places three Hershey kisses on the counter for her, as he could not fit thirty of them in his pocket. Jack was a ranger and as this was the end of June, this was his busy time. Recently, there had been an outbreak of squatters. It was against the law to camp overnight at Evergreen State Park and he was the one to reinforce this. He would normally give one warning and then issue a subsequent citation. Apparently, Jack stood Emma up on Prom night. Thirty is a big deal for Emma because that was when her mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her grandmother died of breast cancer BEFORE she was thirty and her mom at thirty. Jack comes by the shop the next morning at opening and brings her a shoebox that has been in the top of his mother’s closet as long as he can remember. She had said that they were things for Emma one day. The box was labeled JENNY’S THINGS, that was her mom! Jack heads to work and rescues a mother and young son from torrential downpour and then heads back to his office only to get a call from his sister asking a favor. Jack is asked to take his fifteen-year-old nephew, Sam for the rest of the summer. Uh, this is a bachelor who takes his nephew for a few weekends a year and is now asked to take him for an extended amount of time with little explanation, but he still says YES1 Sam is two hours away and Jack has to pick him up. That is a four-hour round trip! Amanda, Sam’s mom had been on some prescription drugs and is having withdrawal symptoms and is heading to a substance abuse facility. After Jack confesses this entire situation, Emma decides that she is going to come along on the road trip with Jack! Emma sleeps in Jack’s truck the entire way there and back. When she gets home, she discovers the box is still unopened where she left it. In the box is a list of things that Jenny wanted to do in her life. Some of these items were checked off and then there were some that were left off. Three to be exact were left; Start my own 5k, Save a life and Leave something wonderful behind when I die (50 years from now). She felt that she had to finish these items. We are then sent out on adventure of Sam’s summer with Jack and Emma trying to accomplish the items her mom sent out to do. This is a cute book with some underlying messages! I look forward to reading the previous books in this series!