I loved catching all of the references to places I’m familiar with in Florida, however, the story did not keep my attention. I did not finish because I was not that invested in the story, the characters, or where it was going.

Just because this one wasn’t for me doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try it.

This book definitely gave me vibes from the show Our Kind of People. Chareese Devlin comes back to Mount Dora for the first time in 10 years for her sister's debutante ball in which she faces the things that drove her away including an old flame, Duncan McNeal. At a crossroads in her own life, so goes through a time self-discovery involving her privilege as a wealthy black family in Mount Dora and its direct effect on her relationship with Duncan who was seen as not worthy of her because of his status. From the moment they reconnected, there was an intense attraction no matter how Duncan was mad at her from the past.

The story is so rich with their path to reconnection while also confronting and breaking some of the generational curses within their families that essentially tore them apart. The background of the families was really interesting and also had me clutching my pearls. And special shout out to Alexandria for being a piece of work for the majority of the book! Girl was working my nerves!

*Thank you to Forever Pub for this advance copy in exchange for this review.*

Reese and Duncan fell for one another when they were teens but her parents would not accept him because he was not of "their kind," She left town but flash forward - she's back because her sister is making her debut, Duncan- wow. He's now a real estate entrepreneur and he's got the money but, according to her parents it's not the right kind. It's amazing that these attitudes persist but they do. I rooted for the two of them. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARc. A good read.

I did not finish this book. I couldn't keep reading it. In the 32% that I did read, it was repetitive and nothing was happening nor explained. All I knew was that everyone was very rich, but only some people were the right kind of rich. And something dreadful happened between the FMC and the MMC 10 years ago that had ruined their relationship - but I only heard of this fact repeatedly and never learned what actually happened. I did not care enough to keep reading to figure out what truly happened.

This book explores the class system and racism in a small enclave Southern lake town of Mount Dora, Florida. Chareese (Reese) Devlin is 27 and returns to her summer home for a month as her 17 year old sisters prepares for her debutante ball. She hasn’t been here for ten years going to college and then going on to work in the fashion world. Her family is wealthy and considered town royalty. The ball has generational history to the town and helps keep the haves from the have nots. I probably wouldn’t read an contemporary book with the primary focus on debutante preparation except the story is entirely about black characters. Along with it comes some history of POC in this part of the south.

Reese was in love with Duncan McNeal but her parents forced them apart after her debutante ball ten years ago. He was from the wrong side of town but managed to get an Ivy league education. He has returned making millions and has done much to improve the town. He latest enterprise is buying Reese’s grandmothers historic Inn. He plans to turn it into a youth center, but Reese will do all she can to change the his mind for the place she loves. She also is asked to mentor his sister for the first person in his family to ever been included in the ball.

This is a drama filled second chance romance. It is complete with steamy times in the sheets, miscommunications, and old family secrets. The whole story takes place in just a few weeks but works because they had such a strong connection in their youth. The ending gets a little too twisty with everyone making peace that feels out of character. I think I’d have rather Reese defy her parents to be with her chosen love. I like Duncan and Reese but supporting characters are shallow and sometimes stereotypical.

The story is is dramatic complete with family angst, a spoiled sister and surprising ancestor story. Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. (3.5 Stars)

The ugliness of the past and a rekindling of love cross the pages in this intriguing story of families embroiled in a longtime battle. The battle ruined the love of Duncan and Chareese. With her at long last return, they find the love had endured, along with the ugliness that separated them. A truly deep and emotional story on many levels.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley, C. Chilove and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the ARC of A Lakeside Reunion. This is my personal review.
I am a huge fan of second chance romance books with good chemistry between the characters. Reese and Duncan had the right fit for the story.
Beyond them I had a very hard time with others in the story. There was so much going on in the story it was hard to concentrate on what was happening and why. I got to the end and was thinking about the story and wondered exactly what the author was trying to put together. It was a book that took me longer than usual to read but I knew I had to get to the end and hopefully have better feelings for the story.

Family dynamics…poor vs rich…secrets…love and romance…loss…family and friends…this author has woven a story that is fiction but reads like nonfiction…love that could not happen…the characters come alive on the pages of this book…some are likable…others not so much…a good story for a quick read. This book was sent to me electronically by Netgalley for review. Curl up in a comfy chair…grab a cup of herbal tea…enjoy.

I liked Reese and Duncan as characters, and they had great chemistry. I liked the plot overall, and it felt like a natural fit for our second-chance romance, up until the very end (at which point it felt contrived and happy-go-lucky) Unfortunately, the writing is extremely telling with a minimum of showing. It was very hard for me to pay attention and get through. A LOT of the showing happened in the first 20%, at which point there is zero investment in any of the characters or world, and I likely would have DNF'd this had it not been a book club book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the ARC.

In this story the author explored the complex themes of the class system, racism, and homophobia. Reese is a powerful woman in the world of fashion who finally comes home after 10 years away to support her sisters debut. She was chased away 10 years ago because she dared to love someone “beneath her”. When she comes home she runs into Duncan, the boy she has always loved, but was never supposed to. He has now finally made something of himself, but is considered “new money”. There was some great chemistry and push pull between Duncan and Reese. There were a lot of twists and turns, and secrets revealed as the story went on. An interesting second chance romance. I received an ARC of this story, and this is my honest review.

I was very happy to see that the setting was in Mt. Dora a place where I don't live very far from. I loved every minute of it and Mt. Dora is such a cute little town! I didn't want to leave it.
The author has done a good job in describing the scenery and made me feel like I was there.
Third person is ok but I really like the characters point of view better. I can relate to them better.
Reese and Duncan are a great couple.
I do love a good romance book with 2nd chances and secrets.
This book had everything that I loved about it.
The setting was my favorite thing. I also love secrets too. They are what made me keep turning the pages
5 stars for a good story! I recommend!
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Reese returns home to help with her sister's debutante ball. I love the setting and the story. enjoyed the story very much.

I have mixed feelings about this book due to its paradoxical nature. First, a compelling look at class systems and homophobia within our society coupled with steamy, often explicit, romantic encounters. Second, an annoying amount of repetition and uneven pacing in the storyline (if I read the word “elite” one more time…grr) contrasted with an ending that felt rushed and unrealistic in terms of a shift in decades-long hostilities.

There are plenty of characters to love and embrace as well as those who are annoyingly stubborn, narrow-minded and/or cruel in their behavior toward others. It makes for an intriguing mix and plenty of drama. For me, the book tried too hard to weave multiple issues into a cohesive novel. It kept me engaged, but I frequently wanted to give up and label it a DNF due to the prolonged conflicts due to miscommunication and unresolved painful feelings. The novel has some redeeming elements, but overall, I cannot give it a strong recommendation.

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This review is being posted immediately to my GoodReads account and will be posted on Amazon upon publication.

***I received a digital copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

I wanted to love this book but it felt a bit flat. The main characters, Chareese (Reese) and Duncan, were both very likable. The dialogue was fantastic. However, the characters themselves were a bit 2-dimensional.

I really liked the storyline. To summarize quickly, Reese returns to her family’s summer home to assist with her younger sister’s debutante ball. She has not been home in many years due to a traumatic event that occurred with her family and Duncan after her own debutante ball. She gets roped into mentoring Duncan’s younger sister, which causes drama between sisters, but it also brings her and Duncan closer again. Along the way, secrets are revealed about Reese’s family’s B and B. The author does a great job writing about social issues.

I’ll be looking forward to reading the next in the series!

Reese and Dunc have great tension and chemistry throughout the book. It's a bit of an emotional rollercoaster.. good second chance romance story. My only negative (not really a negative but just my personal preference) is the book is written in 3rd person dual perspective. I prefer it in the 1st person.

We love a lakeside reunion! This book got me out a massive slump and I really enjoyed it. My mom’s book club can’t wait to read once it’s published.

You know when you come across a book that is just perfect for the reading mood that you are in.
This was one of those!

Y'all I can't express enough how happy I was to receive this book!
I absolutely loved this story. My first book by this author and I'm already in love.

A Lakeside Reunion by C. Chilove was everything I was hoping it would be!
I had all of the feelings while reading this book.
Reese and Duncan's story was wonderful, thought-provoking and delightful.
C. Chilove creates relatable characters with moving stories and an interwoven cast that keeps on surprising you. I absolutely loved how well we got to know each of these characters.
The author knows how to pull the reader in and connect them with the characters.
The writing is absolutely beautiful! I could not put the book down.
And the setting.... Is just phenomenal.
Just an incredible book!

An adorable, uplifting romance… Easily one of my favorite romances I have read in the past year.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Forever,
Thank You for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this eARC!

Sweet and highly effective. It was perfect for what I was looking for in the moment, I was very happy getting into this. Highly recommend! I enjoyed this alot and had plenty of butterflies!