The story was well written with some fantastic characters. It has some unexpected twists and turns which will keep you on the edge of you seat. I was certainly hooked throughout.

Although this is the fifth book in this series, you don’t need to have read any of the previous books in the series to be able to enjoy this one, it works perfectly well as a standalone. Although, I have to warn you that you will probably want to go back and read all the previous ones once you have finished this, so it could be dangerous for your bank balance!

At the beginning of the book, we meet Ella at the lowest ebb of her life. She has been betrayed and loses everything that is important to her, and has no idea what she is going to do with her life, until her best friend Callie swoops in and carries her off to the tiny village of Heartcross where Callie plans to help Ella get back on her feet. After all, Heartcross is a magical place.

This probably sounds very saccharine, especially if you are off a cynical disposition, but if you are a fan of light romances, I promise you that this book is heartwarming and absolutely full of charm, thanks to the skill of Christie’s writing. You won’t be able to help getting invested in Ella’s fate, and the goings on in Heartcross, especially once you get to know the other characters in the book.

Particularly Dolores. I absolutely loved Dolores. Christie has created someone so vivid and alive that she jumps off the page of the book and straight in to your imagination fully formed, and she is a total firecracker. She is one of those women that you hope you will turn in to when you get old, still full of life and joy and hope. I loved the way she is there to show Ella that there is so much for her to live for, even though she has been hurt and let down, and the end to her personal story really moved me. I had a tear in my eye at the culmination of her plot line.

Despite the fact that this is a light romance, Christie managed to create a lot of tension in the novel, because there were several ways that the story could have gone, although the main catalyst that began the book was actually the least fascinating mystery in the end. The story of Dolores, of how Ella integrates into the Heartcross community, the way she works to help them, whilst healing herself at the same time, and her friendship with Roman were all so wonderful and compelling that, by the time Ella’s old life rears it ugly head again, we barely care. We know Ella is better off where she is now, and we care more about her new life and her old. This is a joy of the book, we all develop and recover and move on just as Ella does, Christie really carries the reader along with the story.

This book was just the tonic that I needed to read after two very heavy, dark reads, dismal January weather and more tragic news. The real world is a bit of a crappy place to be at the moment, Heartcross is a much happier and warmer place to exist for a few hours. It is a place that really crawls under your skin and cheers you from the inside out. Pure escapism, which we all need a bit of at the moment. I have just downloaded Starcross Manor to my Kindle, I’m sure once you visit Heartcross, you’ll want to return too.

When I first started reading The Lake House, I had absolutely no idea that the book was part of series, let alone number five in that series! I was so engrossed in the story from cover to cover and loved every second of the story. We follow Emma who escapes to Heartcross for a fresh start – something I think everybody stuck in lockdown right now wishes they could do! The book really fed my need to get away from reality as I dove into the wonderful world of Heartcross.

The plot was sweet and short, but thoroughly developed in its three-hundred page entirety. There was such a strong, realistic community feel that I felt welcomed into the town along with Emma. I felt like I was there, amongst the people and living a life with them. The characters of Emma and Roman, and even the secondary characters we encounter around the story are all so wonderfully written that you can’t help but fall in love with them. Perhaps my favourite character was the eccentric and charming Dolores who earned and deserved her own happily ever after at the end of the story.

The book had a really good pace to it – I didn’t feel the book was moving too slow and at no point did it feel rushed. Everything seemed to unfold in a timely manner which had me gripped to find out what was going to happen next. I wanted to see how the romance progressed as I became invested in Emma and Roman’s romance. Though this book was a little predictable from the beginning, you forget all about that as the story progresses because it is so beautifully written.

I was absolutely stunned by how beautiful the cover is for this book! Had this book been on a shelf in my local bookshelf, I would have felt the need to pick it up because it is so, so pretty! I can’t wait to indulge in the other four books in this series, so hopefully a review for these will be coming very, very soon! Until then, I feel I can go no longer than a five with The Lake House. I just couldn’t fault it!

I've really enjoyed all of the novels in the Love Heart Lane series. Christie has a great style of writing that draws you in and this novel is no different. The description of the area sounded idyllic too. Overall, a lovely read.

I enjoyed reading this starting over story. Ella is a strong character with many talents. She puts those talents to work to help out her boss, get to know people in the community, and further her career in her new town. My favorite character is her downstairs neighbor and retired entertainer, Dolores. She is so full of spunk and color for an old woman and has many interesting stories to tell. The love interest. Roman is the epitome of the perfect man despite his family troubles. I also like the relationship between Ella and Roman. They are anchors for each other. Even though this book is number 5 in the series, it is fine to read as a stand-alone book. I look forward to going back and reading the previous books in the series. I recommend this book for hopeless romantics who enjoy reading a good love story.
Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins, UK, and One More Chapter for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

I will start by saying that this book is part of a series, and although it could be read as a stand alone, I would recommend reading the previous books. We do catch up with some of the fantastic residents of Heartcross along the way, but this is mainly the story about Ella, a newbie to the area. After dealing with some devastating news, Ella's friend Callie steps in & offers her friend a fresh start in Heartcross. After accepting a job at The Lake House, Ella discovers the venue is in trouble, so she sets about trying to help rescue the place, this is where the story really starts to take shape.

I’m a really big fan of Christie’s and the Love Heart Lane series is one of my favourites. I like how Christie creates such wonderful settings and relatable and likeable characters – The Heartcross community is like a familiar group of friends now and I’m fully invested in so many of their lives. It’s always a pleasure reading the next book and catching up with old favourites as well as new characters.
The Lake House is our fifth book in this series, although each can be read as a standalone I highly recommend reading all in this series.
Ella is our leading character this book and she finds herself in Heartcross after some serious trouble. She is at rock bottom because of other people’s secrets and deception, now she needs to start again, if she can. What a lovely character, I felt so sorry (and angry) for her, hoping that whatever happened it could all come good with a fresh start.
Roman instantly gained my interest and affection but what is he being so secretive about. Can Ella take any more lies and secrets? Can she trust him or not, it’s hard for her to tell after all she has been through. For Roman, he wants to do the best for everyone even if that means running into trouble himself.
The star of the show is most definitely Dolores. What a great character – she jumps off the page and into your heart. She deserves the adulation she receives.
I adored this story and the Lake House just sounds like the most phenomenal place – I’d go in a heartbeat if I could.
It’s the brilliant sense of community that you get with this book, yet again, that makes it so good. Christie doesn’t shy away from including issues and problems whilst creating a cosy and heart-warming read. You feel uplifted and happy for the characters, like they are friends. I couldn’t put it down, perfect cosy up and enjoy an afternoon type read.

Ella has had a horrific few months after her fiancé absconds with her inheritance leaving her with a broken heart and credit card debt for miles. When her friend Callie invites her to Heartcross, it's a much-needed fresh start and a chance to put her life back together. Fortunately for Ella, it can only get better from here.

Sometimes, you need a happy book. A book where things go right, not wrong. A book free from secondhand embarrassment or third-act dark moments full of moping and miscommunication.

This is that book.

Despite being fifth in a series that I haven't followed, it was easy to dive into Heartcross. It was a delight to sit back and watch Ella regain her confidence as she makes new friends and settles into a new village. Does it require a suspension of disbelief? A little, but it's refreshing to read about wrongs being righted and finding success after failure without the fear of the rug being pulled out from under you.

If you're wanting a light and fluffy read, perhaps as an antidote to the world outside of books, this may be just the novel you've been waiting for.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book via Rachel's Random Resources; all opinions are my own

This story is a contemporary, woman’s Fiction written from the perspective of Ella. Ella, who made several unwise choices, which left her homeless, having to sell her business and in thousands of dollars in debt because she trusted the wrong man. Ella, with the help of her best friend, is making a new start with a new job, new location and maybe a new man.
This story had a number of great concepts that I thought sounded great and wanted to read: a new romance, a glamorous party, a new start at a once renowned restaurant. This book was not for me. It read a lot like an outline, major points and ideas were there, but they lacked context, Because of this most of the characters did not seem developed and were boring. Most of them were there to compliment and move Ella forward. The most entertaining part of this book was the character Dolores, she had spunk, and a back story and you could not help but laugh at her Dolly Parton obsession, which you don't get from the other charters.
Another issue I had was a number of plot points did not make sense, especially the dramatic conclusion, it was over too quickly and it irritated me a number of choices that Ella made just to get her to a point.
Trigger warnings include Alcoholism and kidnapping
I received this ebook, via netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

Another in the series of Love Heart Lane and it's a great read as usual. Christie Barlow is a great author and her books are always a pleasure to enjoy never wanting them to end and they leave you wanting more. Well done Christie, 5 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this ARC

The Lake House is the fifth installment by Christie Barlow of the Love Heart Lane series.

This time round we followed the story of Ella. Ella moves to Heartcross after her life is turned on its head and her friend Callie (who we’ve met before) comes to her rescue. Ella moves in with Callie and gets a job at the Lake House restaurant that is owned by Flynn Carter, another returning character.

On her first day in Heartcross Ella meets Roman, the water taxi driver for the crossing to the Lake House. There is an instant connection between them but Roman is also dealing with his own difficulties.

Both Ella and Roman have had their lives turned upside down for different reasons. Can they open up and help each other come through these difficult times? What we do know is that Heartcross is the perfect place to get your life back on track.

As with all the books in the series there is a strong sense of community in the village and Ella feels this straight away. That community means we see the return on much loved characters that we have met across the previous books. We also meet Dolores, and wow what a wonderful character she is, I loved her. All the characters in this book, and the previous ones, are all relatable and lovable, which makes these books such a delight to read.

This is a great heartwarming, feel-good read that is perfect to escape in, especially given the current lockdown circumstances here in the UK.

And the good news is that there is more to come from the village of Heartcross with the next installment, Primrose Park, is coming soon.

Trigger Warnings
This book contains:
• A victim of a con-artist
• Teen alcohol addiction
• Death caused by alcohol overdose
Characters
This story follows Ella as she recovers from discovering she’s fallen victim to a con-artist as she moves to Heartcross. With no money, Ella is left with thousands of dollars of debt, no family, no friends and needing to get back onto her feet.
Roman, her love interest, is The Lakehouse water taxi driver. With a difficult past that slowly gets exposed as Ella gets to know him better, we understand why Roman is making the choices he is and why they’re so important to him.
Storyline
Ella moves to Heartcross when her friend, Callie, organises for her to become a waitress at the newly opened restaurant, The Lakehouse, to help her recover from the debt her ex-con-artist-fiancé left her with. Almost as soon as she arrives, she meets Dolores and Roman, along with all the other character’s we’ve gotten to know in Heartcross.
Before she even begins her first day of work, she learns the restaurant isn’t doing too well financially and if more bookings don’t start coming in soon it’ll need to close its doors again. Joining the Heartcross community spirit, Ella jumps in with a grand idea to showcase the venue and the community spirit and is immediately given free reign to make it happen within two weeks.
The story spends most of it’s time on Ella and Roman’s relationship, however Dolores is a large feature that helps them come together and grow to become the couple they end up being. Not to mention her own reunited love story.
Overall Thoughts
I was surprised that neither of the characters in this were one’s we’d met before, but Christie makes it work so beautifully. For such a surprising installment in the series I absolutely loved it!
Christie has a theme in each book that she follows, and I’m glad she’s continued that in this book. I love how she makes it so real and continues to show the impact these themes have on not just the one’s who experienced it, but those around them.
I can’t wait to see what she brings next!

Another great addition to the series. Ella was a great character! Loved the setting. Eagerly awaiting another addition?

Another tale of Heartcross Lane. As I’ve said in previous reviews, this series by Christie Barlow is one of my favorites. I know as soon as I open the book I will be swept into the lives of those living in Heartcross. It’s like visiting old friends.

The Lakehouse picks up where Starcross Manor ends. Right away we meet a new ‘friend’, Ella. After her life is turned completely upside down by a fraudster and the recent loss of her parents, her best friend Callie invites her to stay with her in Heartcross. She already has a new job lined up, at millionaire Flynn’s new restaurant The Lakehouse. As she starts to get settled in, she realized she is exactly where she needs to be.

While the book started off a little slow for me, about 40% through it was a whirlwind of a ride and could not wait to see what happened!

Several new characters are introduced in The Lakehouse. Ms. Barlow is fabulous about bringing the characters to life, where you feel like you’re visiting a large group of friends. As previously mentioned, there’s Ella. We also meet Roman, whose name is the perfect fit. He has secrets, but Ella is determined to convince him to open up to her, to lean on their newly formed friendship. Also, even though we met her in previous books, Delores (Callie’s downstairs’ neighbor) plays a larger role. Delores is a 90-year-old woman with a deaf dog and a bird. She is delightful, colorful, and quickly became my favorite! Of course other residents of Heartcross also made appearances.

I love how this book was a quick read, yet also filled with so much substance. Given what happened to Ella, this book touches on subjects that are real and usually taboo to discuss. Ella was taken advantage of, and as a result all of her money was stolen by a man she thought loved her. However, throughout her heartache she prevails and comes out so much stronger in the end. Even though she was struggling, she held her head up high, excelled at her new job, but most of all was not afraid to open up to her new friends about her tragedy.

I absolutely, 100% recommend this series! The emotions are real, the characters are genuine, and there’s no turning back once you meet them. While the books in this series can be read as a standalones, I recommend starting at the beginning.

“The Lake House " the 5th instalment in the Love Heart Lane series by Christie Barlow. What can I say other than I loved it and read in one day. I’m adding author to my favourites list and I have purchased the previous books in the series. Who doesn’t want to escape to a small village in Scotland...

The setting of a tiny village called Heartcross and its healing powers on your heart, self worth and just a feeling of community is heart warming especially today.

I found the characters to be well developed, and multi-dimensional. There were multiple sub-plots to keep you engaged and interested in the outcome. It's the story of a woman who finds herself while picking up the pieces after her parents,, friendship and love.

I will definitely read other books by this author.

I highly recommend this author and series.

I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from One More Chapter and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

What a fun feel good story this was. This was the fifth book in Christi Barlow‘s heartwarming Love Heart Lane series. each book in the series can definitely be read as a standalone, however there are appearances from characters in the previous books. Ella has reach rock-bottom. After the tragic death of her parents Ella met a man she thought was the love of her life who then turned out to be a complete scoundrel. Unwilling to give up Ella takes her friend Callie up on her offer to move to Heartcross. Heartcross is the definite cure. Not only does Ella have a new great job, make new wonderful friends, but she also meets the perfect man.

Loved this Story! The wonderful whimsical characters, the charming delightful setting, the friendship, the romance, the love. Ella was such a great character I loved how much spunk and trust she had even though she had gone through so much. Roman the love interest was probably too good to be true, but hey a girl can dream. Gorgeous, kind, smart, supportive, caring. The setting of the Lake House was perfection. A gorgeous manor with a magical history and a stunning setting, with the only way to get to it by boat. can’t wait for the next book in the series, I’m thinking it’s going to be Callie‘s turn.

This book in emojis 🛥 🥂 🌅 🌈 🎼

*** Big thank you to One More Chapter for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***

The last six months have been anything but easy for Ella. After tragically losing her parents she thought she had found love, but the person she thought she could count on turned out to be con-man. Having lost everything, including her business, Ella is at her lowest ebb when her good friend Callie offers a lifeline to leave the city behind and start again in the small Scottish village of Heartcross. With free accommodation staying at Callie's and a job at the newly opened Lake House restaurant Ella feels she may be able to finally turn to tide of her luck.

Ella isn't the only person fleeing their past for a new life in Heartcross and unfortunately Roman's fresh start isn't quite going to plan. His problems and secrets seem to have followed him and he is desperately trying to hold down his job driving the water taxi for the Lake House customers while dealing with his crumbling personal life.

The Lake House has been in Flynn's family for years and with it's glamourous, celeb filled history he was certain it's relaunch would be a success. However, business is slow despite the thriving tourism in Heartcross and if things don't change soon his vision for The Lake House will never become reality. Luckily for him new employee Ella arrives in the nick of time brimming with fresh ideas for getting customers through the door, but can she pull off an extravagant launch party with the help of Roman or will the pairs personal demons hold them back?

The Lake House is the fifth book in the Love Heart Lane Series and one which I have eagerly anticipating having absolutely adored the previous books. As with the others in the series there is no need to have read the previous instalments as each book features a different protagonist. However you do also get the chance to catch up with some of the other characters along the way which is fabulous too. For me I'm a stickler for reading books in order and I would highly recommend each and every one of them, in fact they just seem to get better with each new offering becoming my new favourite!

This series is all about community which is not only wonderful to read about, but also gives each book a feeling of coming home. It doesn't matter how long it is since I have read one of the books Barlow's beautiful writing transports me straight back into the heart of things within a couple of pages and I am hooked.

Despite being what I'd consider to be a quick read (probably because I couldn't put it down!) the characters are fully rounded and feel so relatable and real. The interactions between the characters and the no holds barred depiction of their faults and problems just make them easily come to life in my imagination. Barlow writes such a varied array of characters that all have distinct personalities making it very difficult to choose a favourite!

I really enjoyed watching the transition Ella undergoes during this story as she journeys to find herself, realising the inner strength she possesses and that she is capable of much more than hiding under her duvet from the world. This whole story is full of hope, change and above all new beginnings, perfect for the start of the year when this book was released, but also a wonderful heart-warming, feel-good tale guaranteed to give your mood a lift anytime.

The Lake House is yet another triumph from Christie Barlow who has cemented her place firmly on my favourite authors list with this latest release. If you are looking for an easy to read, feel good contemporary with a whole load of friendship and a dash of romance thrown in then this is the book for you - in fact that goes for the whole of the Love Heart Lane Series.

Ella has been scammed and used by the man she thought she loved. Now penniless, in major debt and feeling as if things will never improve, she’s heading to Heartcross with her best, and only remaining friend, Callie. Callie is the restaurant manager of Flynn’s newly reopened pet project, The Lake House – a fine dining restaurant accessible only by boat. Ella’s opportunity to find and make a new start all begin here: staying with Callie and getting her footing back.

The first neighbor / friend that Ella makes is Dolores: a nonagenarian singer who defies all descriptions only to say that everyone needs a Dolores in their life! She’s got a voice and a history that makes everything pale in comparison, and her sunny outlook on life is cheering and welcoming, particularly to someone like Ella, still finding her feet and ashamed of all that has happened.

Of course, we have to have a love interest and this is in the form of Roman, the captain of the water taxi with a bit of a secret of his own. Instantly he and Ella click, but her fear and retiscence from her last relationship, combined with Roman’s inability to share his story even as the fallout starts to happen just may bring everything to a halt. But not before Ella launches a plan to help the struggling Lake House make a name for itself, using Dolores’ ‘black book’ and arranging a star-studded night of revelry –

There’s a healing and magic to Heartcross, and the people are lovely. Getting to check up on characters we met earlier in the series, along with the very tangible issues that both Ella and Roman bring to the table are offset with the joy that is Dolores and the grand gala that is planned to fully integrate Ella into town and help Flynn keep his dream alive. A lovely story that will lead you to reading ALL the others in the series – book your escape to Love Heart Lane in the little village of Heartcross. You won’t regret it.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-aQw /” > <a> I am, Indeed </a>

Thank you to @rachelsrandomresources for a #giftedkindlecopy of this book. And @christie_barlow for letting me read this.

I haven't read the other books in this series this is book 5 but I felt it made no difference but I will definetley read the others.

We meet Ella who has had really bad luck she lost both parents about 2 years ago and meet the love of her life or so she thought. Luckily her friend callie comes to the rescue she tells her to come live with her at heartcross. Once she arrives she is shocked at how nice everyone is, she soon settles in with lovely neighbour Delores who likes to talk about years gone by when she used to entertain at the lake house. She finds out by callie that the lake house is in trouble and not making money like it should be so they all get together to help make it a success. Has Ella found her forever home or is trouble a foot.

Really enjoyable read.

This author's ability, to create a fictional world with believable characters and events, guarantees a lovely escapist read. The Lake House is the fifth story in the Love Heart Lane series, but the story is complete and readable as a standalone.

Ella is looking for a new start and finds a caring community in Heartcross. The Lake House restaurant is a vivid setting. The friendship and romance are realistic, as Ellia and Roman learn to trust and fall in love. Dolores is a pivotal and vibrant character in this book, which immerses the reader, in a world of hope, but with relatable conflict, and a recognisable antagonist.

If you are looking for an uplifting story, this book is worth a read.

I received a copy of this book from One More Chapter via NetGalley in return for an honest review.