The Lake house is the fifth book in the Love Heart Lane series by Christie Barlow and like the others it soon encapsulates you into the warmth of Heartcross with lots of characters from the previous books. I’ve been excited about visiting the Lake House since the end of Starcross Manor where it was introduced and I certainly wasn’t disappointed at its grandeur and the fact it could only be reached by water taxi.

The story starts with a huge shock for Ella when she is put into an awful situation which devastated her. After months of not knowing what to do she is rescued by her best friend Callie who brings her back to Heartcross so she can heal. When her eyes meet with a handsome hunk Roman over some stolen sausages her life changes for the better. Roman also had some problems which he needed to overcome but together they find they can achieve anything.

This story shows the determination and true grit that women can draw on when surrounded by friends even after horrendous things happen and they think they’re at rock bottom.

Christie mentions some things in her acknowledgements which draw huge similarities to the story and like Ella she has managed to pull through adversity and create a more independent life for herself which is so admirable. I think this book was definitely written from the heart.

I’m now waiting for the next in the series Primrose Park sounds truly delightful.

This book is just brilliant! It's book number 5 of the Love Heart Lane Series and even though I loved every one of the 4th first books, I can say that number 5 is the best in my point of view! Right from the first chapter you are totally hooked and just want to know what is going to happen! It's such a great read, a pager tuner! It's full of mysteries and secrets and it is just so good! Also this book can be read as a stand-alone, you don't have to read the first 4 books to understand what is going on! I recommend this book at 100%! You won't regret buying it!

A cute and cozy type of read! Likeable characters, an easygoing plot, and a predictable yet cute romance. A quick and light read.

Readers are going to enjoy escaping between the pages of Christie Barlow’s uplifting, heartwarming and emotional new page-turner, The Lake House. A brilliant tale about hope, healing and new beginnings, contemporary romance fans are simply going to fall in love with this book!

When Ella had met Dr Alex James, she thought that the stars had finally aligned for her. After a rough couple of years where she had lost her parents in the most tragic of circumstances, Alex brought some much needed light to the darkness that had overwhelmed a grief-stricken Ella. Having moved in together, Ella and Alex had soon made a life for themselves and Ella truly thought that she had finally found her soulmate – until one day when her Prince Charming vanished off the face of the earth and took all of her savings with him! Betrayed, broken-hearted and flat broke, Ella begins to untangle Alex’s many lies and discovers that not only had he run away with her savings, but that he had also been using her credit card to run up thousands of pounds worth of debt. With no other choice but to sell her shop and most of her possessions, Ella doesn’t know which way to turn – until her friend Callie invites her to stay with her for a couple of months until she gets herself sorted out. Ella has no qualms about leaving her life in Chester behind and moving to the picturesque Scottish village of Heartcross. Welcomed with open arms by her new neighbours, Ella quickly begins to put down roots and settle down. Is Heartcross going to be a temporary stopgap for Ella? Or will it end up being her forever home?

Thanks to Callie, Ella finds a job working as a waitress at The Lake House, the new restaurant that has just opened in the village and although she will never win any waitressing awards, Ella is enjoying having some money of her own and not being constantly dependent on her best friend. Still incandescent with rage at being taken for a ride by her ex who left her virtually penniless, romance is certainly the last thing on Ella’s mind. Having been hurt once before and been left with a heart shattered into a million and one pieces, Ella is not about to make the same mistake again – so why can’t she stop thinking about handsome water taxi diver, Roman? The two of them hit it off straight away and although Ella finds herself attracted to Roman, dare she run the risk of putting her heart on the line for a second time? Or should she just keep her relationship with Roman strictly platonic?

Torn between her head and her heart, Ella wonders whether she should just take a leap of faith and a chance on love – until she realises that Roman might have some secrets of his own. Will Heartcross turn out to be the idyll she had hoped for? Or is Ella merely setting herself up for further heartache and disappointment?

Christie Barlow’s The Lake House is a delightful romantic read I couldn’t bear to stop reading. Full of wonderful characters that leap off the pages, my heart went out to Ella from the very first page and it was such a joy to see her confidence grow as she began to make a new life for herself surrounded by the lovely people living in Heartcross.

Funny, witty, heart-warming and so enjoyable the pages simply turn themselves, Christie Barlow has written another top-notch tale with The Lake House.

I liked the cosy village of Heartcross and I also liked the idea of the story: a restaurant in need of rescue and a couple of likable characters.

However, I felt that everything was told in fast-forward-mode. After only 2 days in Heartcross, Ella has THE idea how to save the beautiful restautant in a gorgeous location with the most delicious food by a highly qualified chef. It has only one problem: more staff than customers (nevermind the fact that owner Flynn just gave Ella a waitressing job, although he obviously doesn't need more employees but paying guests!).
At the same time, after only meeting a guy only twice, she urges him to not keep everything bottled up but confide his innermost secrets to her.

The rest of the book then went without a hitch, everything falling into place perfectly. All problems solved so very easily, and a grande finale with an annoying number of "Thank you" thrown in Ella's direction. "This is so surreal" exclaims Dolores at the big event in her honour, and yes, it seems to me that it really is.

Taking a water taxi to work every day - what wonderful way to commute!
I really enjoyed getting lost in Ella's world and being a fly on the wall while she attempts to regain her composure and get her life back on track.
The idea of an exclusive restaurant on an Island sounds idylic - I'd want to visit.
This does seem to be a whirlwind and a lot happens in a short space of time. I'm not complaining though. Sometimes books drag out the action. This one was certainly action packed.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for an ARC to review.

A lovely feel good factor story which bring a smile to your face and helps to whisk the reader away from the reality we are all facing at the moment. Part is a series but can be read as a stand-alone.

A sweet and enjoyable read from Christie Barlow. I've read some of the other books in the series and it was nice to see the characters again, although this works well as a standalone novel too.

Ella and Roman both have their own history, as does the Lake House restaurant. What's the future for them?

I have never read any of the authors novels before but am now definitely keen to do so as I thoroughly enjoyed this story (which is part of a series but reads really well as a stand alone novel). Despite the death of her parents and being the victim of a fraudster, Elle moves to live with her best friend and finds a whole new family, a new job, a reason to get up each day and love. Some great characters who are incredibly likeable and a great plot made this story an easy read for me. Looking forward to reading more of Christie’s work.

The Lake House is the fifth book in the gorgeous Love Heart Lane series. Although, if you haven't read the rest of the series you can certainly read this as a standalone novel.

Ella is certainly having a rough time. After being deceived by the man who she thought to be the love of her life, not only does she lose her money, she is also left heartbroken. Thankfully, Ella has a wonderful friendship with Callie, who invites her to Heartcross, allowing Ella to leave the past behind her. As Ella embarks on her new life, she has a job that she adores, and quickly makes friends with the locals, along with meeting Roman.
Ella and Roman share an attraction, but both of them are harbouring secrets that they have been unwilling to share.

I fell in love with this story right from the start. The characters are all so wonderful and realistic, you really do feel a connection to them from the start. Ella's is a strong woman, when you consider what she has overcome, it really makes your heart sing.

A heart warming, captivating read that pulls you in from the start. Full of friendship, romance, and a truly beautiful cast of characters, this book is an absolute must read.

The Lake House by Christie Barlow is the 5th book in the Love Heart Lane Series, and my first book by this author. This book was easy to read and perfect for an escape from cold weather or the pandemic. I will be reading more books by this author, I highly recommend this book if you enjoy romances.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Ella is working at the Lake House and needs to help raise it's profile so that everyone can enjoy everything that the exclusive restaurant has to offer. It really does have a romantic setting which makes you want to jump onboard the boat ferrying people across.
There is a spark of romance in the air and then a wonderful character steamrolls her way into the story. Dolores is absolutely delightful. One of life's eccentric souls that brighten up the fabric of life. She's acting as a saviour and you really enjoy every encounter.
I always enjoy Christie Barlows books and would heartily recommend this one.

I love this series because it's heartwarming and entertaining.
This one is a good addition and it made me smile and root for the characters.
it's the perfect book if you need to escape these bleak times and I spend a lovely afternoon.
Good characters, lovely setting and tightly knitted plot.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This is the fifth book in Christi Barlow‘s uplifting and feel good Love Heart Lane series. And it can definitely be read as a standalone.

Ella is going through the worst phase of her life. She has been deceived by the man who according to her was the love of her life. She is left heartbroken as well as penniless. But during such hard times, she has a wonderful friend Callie to help her out. Callie invites her to Heartcross. Ella sees this opportunity to leave the past behind and start afresh. So now after moving to Heartcross, Ella has a job that she loves, she quickly makes new friends and meets Roman, her love interest. But, both Ella and Roman have their share of secrets which they have kept from each other.

The characters are very beautifully portrayed. The character of Ella is amazing. She is a kind and lovely woman. She is determined to forget the past, move ahead and get her life back on track again. Ella’s journey as she gains confidence and discovers herself is truly inspiring. I loved Callie!! She is an amazing friend and a well-wisher of Ella. Callie welcomes Ella with open hands and expects nothing in return. Dolores, her cheerful neighbour, is my favourite character. Her cheerfulness, energy and enthusiasm for life is something we should take back from her. She is the kind of person who can bring a sweet smile to your face after a very bad day.

Everything is going on smoothly in Ella’s life. She has a job, wonderful friends, a cheerful neighbour and Roman. I love the chemistry between Ella and Roman. But to add some spice in their lives as well as the plot, comes our troublemaker. As much as I love Ella, I hate this troublemaker.

“The Lake House” is a very beautifully written story. I got invested in it right from the beginning. I loved the setting as well as the writing style. The author has written such beautiful descriptions of the settings that it all seems real.

Overall, The Lake house is a captivating, feel good and uplifting story with a perfect blend of friendship, love, heartbreak and hope. It is always a delight to read books by Christie Barlow and this book is no exception… I highly recommend this book!!

A well written, entertaining story that is a definite change of pace from the dark thrillers I've been reading. Emma is down on her luck and down on love when she decides to change her life around and move to Heartcross. There she meets so many new friends and one very interesting young man that she definitely is interested in, but is she ready to try again? Roman is definitely interested in Emma, but is it fair of him to bring her into his troubled life? But, as always, true love will prevail and this one is definitely "sigh" worthy!

Another visit to Love Heart Lane series and it was just as heartwarming as ever. This time, we get to follow Ella and Roman but also see how life is treating some familiar faces. It feels like such escapist reading, much needed at the moment and the setting is as stunning as ever. There are some surprising twists along the way and the story certainly does not seem stale. The village format is still yielding up refreshing stories.

I found Dolores to be a real character and she added a slice of humour to the story. Friendships, old and new, are shown to be integral to the story and a major reason why Hearrtcross is such a special place to live. Starting again is made to seem easy, although Ella has had a terrible time in the past. She has retained an optimistic attitude and is not jaundiced with refret and anger. This is a great choice for anyone looking for a series which grows to includes new characters but which retains the spark of its first series.

In short: A touch of glamour at the Lake House.

Another amazing book from Christie , I absolutely loved this so much , so much I was sad when it ended (but in a good way) Christie writes such amazing characters, great community and stories full of heart, so much I want to escape and move there. Always guaranteed to leave me feeling warm and happier than I went in, a book by Christie is a guaranteed smile. This will not disappoint you. Fabulous

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

The Lake House is book 5 in this wonderful series (and I'm thrilled to say that book 6, Primrose Park is due out in April 2021 so not long to wait!)

Ella has not had a good time. After losing her parents, she thought that she had found someone who could support her through her grief. Instead he betrays her in the worst possible way. After struggling alone for 6 months, her friend Callie finally persuades her to leave her home and join her in Heartcross, offering her the love and support she so desperately needs. Heartcross offers her the new start she needs; a new home, new friends and maybe even a new romance!

I love returning to Heartcross, it is such a lovely tightknit, supportive community and it is so easy to immerse yourself in it. As our real world continues to fight the challenges thrown up by a pandemic, it is such a delight to be able to lose yourself in such a wonderful place. As I've said many times before, I love getting involved in a book series because I love to revisit places. I like to see characters we have met before and find out where they are now. But what makes The Lake House stand apart from rest is that this time our central character is Ella, an outsider. Having a character join the village and see it with fresh eyes really does give a new perspective. Ella's heartbreak is very real, but it's inspiring to watch as she attempts to rebuild her life back up with nothing but her new found community. In the times that we currently live in, there is a lot we could learn from a place like Heartcross, fictional or not.

It would be remiss of me to not mention two other characters who I feel really help the book 'pop'. Roman is the local water taxi driver, and he is of course suitably handsome (love interest alert!!). Naturally there is some mystery surrounding him, which doesn't always tally up with the warm, giving character that he is portrayed as. As we learn more about him though, it becomes very clear that everyone has their secrets and their struggles, even if they have a smile on their face.

Finally, I cannot end my review without mentioning Dolores...what a legend! I can only hope to have lead a life as colourful as hers when I reach her advanced years, and she just goes to prove that it's never too late when it comes to love!

For me, the sign of a good book is one that is talked about. I introduced my two sisters to the Love Heart Lane series during lockdown number 1 (I know, I hate that the lockdown now have numbers!) and they have loved them. So much so that they have both been sat waiting for The Lake House to be released (I may or may not have mentioned to them how lucky I was to get an early copy!). If you find a book that you enjoy, then tell your friends. Now, more than ever, we all need a little lighthearted relief and books most definitely offer us that.

So, grab yourself a bar of chocolate, a glass of wine and snuggle up on your sofa with a copy of The Lake House - you won't regret it!

‘Is everyone this lovely in Heartcross?’

Everyone in Heartcross is lovely, think this is part of the charm of this Scottish community! I’ve loved every visit so far, would my trip to The Lake House make me feel all warm and fuzzy??

Well to start with, I was angry. Poor Ella being well and truly heartbroken by such a horrible specimen of masculinity. Thank goodness for friends like Callie. Whisking her off to bonnie Scotland to escape and reset her life. But Heartcross is full of surprises, things are never dull there let me tell you!!!

With each trip to Heartcross, my mental imagery explained of this quaint village and The Lake House is no different. Barlow has a knack of effortlessly painting the scenery to enhance my experience of my escape to Scotland. As Roman took Ella to The Lake House, my mind conjured up such a beautiful water bound establishment dripping in understated elegance, a place I’d adore to spend the evening, enjoying fine food and dangerous cocktails.

‘Once you arrive in Heartcross…’ ‘… You are here for good’

I got goosebumps as the story came to its climax and yet again Barlow made me cry. This woman knows how to write emotion into her books. I don’t think I’ve read a single one without shedding a tear or two. I’ll admit, I arrived in Heartcross five books ago and I’m hear for good! I’m just gutted this is a fictional place in the mind of Christie Barlow and not somewhere I can escape to!

It was lovely returning to Heartcross again, but although this is part of a series, it works perfectly as a stand alone novel.

There's a wonderful community feel to this story, plus a bit of drama, a great deal of romance and some great characters - something for everyone!