I requested to review this book because of two words in the summary: lake and hockey.   It is an interesting little romance/drama.  The setting in rural Michigan is perfectly described, and the hockey is a great addition to the plot.   Some of the other characters, particularly the father and his hospital roommate Max, as well as Henrik the hockey player from Europe, were delightful and I could relate to them.  

But there were some aspects to the book that were unrealistic, even for fiction.  I couldn't really grow to like the main character Robyn.  She was a bit too unfiltered and seemed not to really care about how her words and actions affected others.  And, the main male character, Cole, is 25, yet says he made $300K working in biotech research the previous year and is in charge of all sorts of research projects.  He would barely be out of grad school at 25, especially since he played semi-pro hockey for some of those  years, let alone in the position he's described as having.  While the main character's initial struggle with the difference in word usage between the English and Americans adds some charm to the story, there are some places where the author slips the English word usage into things that are said by people who've never left America (e.g., Grant uses the word "solicitor" instead of attorney or lawyer.)  But, overall, given the author is British, it's pretty amazing that she's gotten so much right about America and hockey.

Wonderful romantic comedy that tugs at your heartstrings at every turn. I absolutely loved the two main characters and found myself speeding through the pages and hoping for a happily ever after for these characters!

Another good read from Mandy baggott. I loved the characters in this one and the book was a good read.

Summer by the Lake by Mandy Baggot is a sweet and complicated romance that I really enjoyed.  Robyn is coming back to home to Michigan for the first time in nine years, after a tragedy sent her away.  Cole is moving to the same town in Michigan to start a new job.  There is an instant connection between the two, but they both have baggage to get through.  I love this story, but it was a roller coaster ride of emotions.  I enjoy Ms. Baggot's books, have not been disappointed yet.  I highly recommend this book.   
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Have you ever come across a situation or an incident in your lifetime which has been hard to understand or say accept, that you would rather go about your usual routine than face the reality of it? Summer by the Lake by Mandy Baggot is one such story about love, fear, stubbornness, and acceptance. It is not only a romance story but also a story about the struggles of facing your deepest fear, coming to terms with your situation and working to better it.

What did I like about the book?
I liked the plot of the book. Apart from being romance read, it had quite a few interesting parallel stories going on. The book was funny, sentimental, and an entertaining fictional read. The characters were pretty colorful and their links to the story as well as the protagonist were done nicely. 

What I didn’t like about the book?
The main character Robyn is supposed to be this bossy, sassy go-getter kind of a person. But at times, it just felt like she was being a reckless impulsive person trying to avoid the elephant in the room. While she is supposed to be confused and at times flustered by coming back to the town and facing her past, her reactions at times felt completely off to the scenario. The story dragged at times without moving forward.


Summer by the lake is slightly unconventional to the usual romance reads. It does make you feel all nice , warm, and gooey-eyed by the romance in the plot but it also makes you think and contemplate some harsh realities of life. 
Thank you @Netgalley and @Aria for giving me this really touching book to enjoy!

Readometer rating - 2.5* / 5*

I loved this book
The relationship between Cole and Robyn was great, and not too slushy.
The story line going on along side the romance was dealt with just right and although it was easy to spot who was guilty it was still an interesting reads

After 9 years in England having fled from home. Robyn Matthers has come home because her father is seriously ill in hospital. After getting off the plane she meets Cole Ryan who is starting a new job in Robyn's home town. They keep bumping into each other  and they've both got secrets.

I normally love Mandy's books but I found this book difficult to connect with both in terms of the storyline and also the characters.

This is a contemporary romance but with a strong thread running through it concerning traumatic events nine years ago, the after effects and searching for the truth.

Robyn Matthers is returning to her American hometown after spending nine years in England. Her father is ill in hospital and she’s going back to take over the running of his roadhouse and the local ice hockey team. Now I love ice hockey so that was definitely a winning element for me, though how they coped with so few players I have no idea!! On her journey she meets Cole Ryan, who is moving to work in the same town. She’s going back and will have lots of good and horrible memories to face . . . . he’s moving there leaving his family to make a fresh start with a new job and home. Can these two help each other heal?

This story is packed with small time characters, team players and one huge event that has affected so many of their lives. As the lies about what happened start to be revealed, can they discover the truth and bring the real perpetrator to justice? This is a very moving story but could be a trigger for some as it involves a fifteen year old being raped. It isn’t full of gory detail, but does show just how the victim can be traumatised long after it occurred and how it can impact on their relationships with others. There are many funny incidents, too, especially involving the precocious twins, Robyn’s stepmother to be, Cole’s Mum and the hockey players. You even get to find just where Henrik is from in the end!

I requested and was gifted a copy of this moving story via NetGalley and this is my honest review after choosing to read it…… I was so glad when the real perpetrator was caught!!

A  sweet and entertaining story, perfect for a lazy summer afternoon.
It's well written and you cannot help rooting for the character and enjoy the well plotted story.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

Mandy never fails to make me smile, a happiness in book form promise. From the moment you meet Robyn and Cole you root for them, you know there will be issues, dramas but you want them to get their HEA or at least HFN.  This is a great fast paced read and sadly you blink and it’s over because you’ve just been so enthralled You haven’t noticed. Wonderfully happy and cute romance 

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

A sweet, summer read and perfect for all chick lit fans! I been a fan of the authors work in the past and will continue to read her books because she transports me to new places! I loved this one!!! It's perfect for anyone's beach bags!

Robyn and Cole meet when they're both headed to Michigan.  Her dad is ill and she's also got to deal with his business and an ice hockey team.  Cole's looking for a fresh start. You know how this is going to go but you're going to root for this pair.  They both have issues (and they recognize them) but they're both focused on moving forward and doing what's right.  Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. It's a pleasant read which will keep u turning the pages.

This book had so much going on! Robyn is returning home after a long absence to help take care of her father. She meets Cole in the airport and they strike up a friendship. Robyn has issues. She talks a lot when she’s nervous. She has zero relationship with her mom. Her relationship with her other family is strained. She has to revamp the family business and try to run a failing hockey team. 

There are secrets in her past that she is still struggling with that come to the forefront. The story centers on Robyn and her life over the course of just a week. The book trips along from chapter to chapter, and before you know it, you’re near the end. 

It’s a quick read, perfect for summer break.

Summer by the Lake by Mandy Baggot a charming five-star read. I can honestly say that this was my favourite by this author, I have enjoyed the last few but they didn’t blow me away, this one did, I just had that little something extra, all of the novels have likeable and easy going characters but this one just made them extra somehow. This is filled with secrets and hurt, but its how the characters deal with the hurt that gives this the extra special warmth. Robyn will entertain you and Cole will add the sparkle to the water.

Mandy Baggot has written yet another super novel, with twists and turns  and maybe a surprise na
ear the end.  Family saga with romance but never straight forward but it must be read as it is well worth doing so. I really enjoyed it and I an sure you will too. This is a 5 star novel and I recommend it.

A lovely sunny read with a feel good ending. What more could you want? Set off on an adventure and with lovely characters and s fab setting

Robyn Mathers is heading home to Michigan. It is the first time that she has been back since she left aged just sixteen - nine years ago. Her Dad is seriously ill in hospital and somebody needs to be there to run his business and be the coach of the town's ice hockey club. Leaving London isn't hard but going back home could be the thing that finally breaks her. 

At the airport with little time for her to make the connecting flight, the handle on her carry-on luggage breaks. Rushing to her rescue is Cole Ryan who is heading for the same flight she is. Tall, dark and handsome he is the perfect gentleman and the chemistry between them is instant.  After their short flight they are soon good friends. Robyn is nervous about trusting anyone with her feelings especially as the secrets of her past are back with a vengeance as she goes back home. 

Cole is looking for a new start as well. Betrayal and hurt feature in his recent past and he is just looking to bury himself in his new job and maybe play a little hockey. The feelings that have surfaced after his chance meeting with Robyn are startling and a little daunting. Can he share his secrets and his past and learn to move on? 

As always Mandy Baggot's books are filled with likeable and relatable characters that you want to be best friends with. The small town setting sounds pretty idyllic. In an odd turn of events I find myself reviewing two consecutive books set in Michigan. It wasn't planned and I honestly can't remember any other books set there but they have ice hockey and nice diners so it sounds pretty good to me.  If this latest book by Mandy Baggot sounds a little familiar it was previously published under the title <em>Taking Charge</em>.

Supplied by Net Galley and Aria in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley, Aria and Mandy Baggot for the ARC of Summer By The Lake. In exchange  this is my personal honest review.

Robyn was on her way home to see her Dad who is in the hospital. She is planning to run her father’s roadhouse and local ice hockey team, that her father manages. Both are in desperate need of her to oversee them.
While at the airport her backpack handle breaks, and this is how she meets Cole. He offers to carry her bag to her flight which is the same one he is on.
The chemistry between the two is just what they both need in their lives. 
This is a very enjoyable likable mix of characters in the story.

I wanted to like this book and I wanted to give Mandy Baggot another try because people love her work. 

I have come to the sad conclusion that her books just aren't for me and that upsets me. 
I love the premises to all the books I've tried but I just find it so hard to connect with the characters and sadly end up losing interest. 

Dont let this review stop you from reading this book. Like I said a lot of people love this book and all her other ones and you may find that this is the book for you.