This is my first Anita Hughes’ book.

First of all, this is not what I call a traditional Christmas book as it doesn’t play a huge role in the story but it provides the setting in Lake Tahoe. Most of the story happens between Christmas and New Year’s and expected traditions are missing.

There is a lot going on in this book, you have the main storyline about Rebecca and Zach which starts with lies on both sides, you have Harold’s journal which Rebecca is reading and finally, you have the couples involved in Zach’s documentary film. Because of this, it was difficult for me to engage in the main story and keep focus.

I have never been to Lake Tahoe but the author makes it seems as it is very small as the main characters keep meeting countless times by chance, just walking in the street, in a shop or restaurant.

The book explores first love and second chances but I found it very hard to believe. Some would call it the magic of Christmas.!

Also, I may have missed a part but I felt all of the lies were not totally divulged by the end of the story and that bothered me.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me a complimentary e-arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

If you're looking for a sweet, quick holiday read Christmas at the Lake has you covered! Anita Hughes did an amazing job of creating characters that are full of depth and immensely relatable. The beautiful setting alone is sure to draw you in from page one. Add this one to your tbr ASAP!

PS - be prepared for some frustrating levels of miscommunication...

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this book, in exchange for my honest opinion.

It’s not the holiday season until I’ve read Anita Hughes new Christmas book. She transports you directly into the scene and gives you the quintessential hallmark book that warms your heart. This was no different. Enjoyed thoroughly!

I have enjoyed Anita Hughes Christmas books over the years and found Christmas at the Lake another entertaining and enjoyable story. A short synopsis: On Christmas Eve, just hours before their wedding, Rebecca Huntley is left at the altar by Ben Cole. He is off to St. Barts's for three weeks with the head of legal of the company they founded together. Rebecca decides to go to the Christmas Cove Inn, the place they had planned their honeymoon, anyway. She runs into an old college friend, Zach Mason, who always had a crush on her. Due to a miscommunication, everyone, including Zach think she is married and there on her honeymoon, and she believes Zach is a making movies in Europe and in a relationship with an older, sophisticated women, when he is really a waiter at the Inn. Will they learn the truth about one another and find love?

I really liked the author's writing and descriptions of the area. I have been to Lake Tahoe and it is gorgeous, but now I want to go back. This Christmas story had a backdrop of Christmas with festive activities, but Zach's and Rebecca's story was the main focus. They were both great characters, who deserved a second chance. All the secondary characters and their stories added to the story making it realistic. Once the truth comes out, there is some angst and drama, but I liked the way it all played out in the end. Why only 4 stars? The one trope I really dislike is the miscommunication trope. Remember, honesty is the best policy. If you enjoy a festive story, second chance romance and are okay with miscommunication, then you will love this book.

This is a good book. The two main characters are Rebecca and Zach. They have known each other since college. Rebecca has had a wedding go wrong, her fiancé cancelled the wedding just a few hours before it was supposed to start. She decides to go on the honeymoon by herself. At the hotel she runs into Zach. They each have issues but together they work them out and fall in love.

A fun holiday romance with a sprinkle of magic. The story is light hearted second chance of love story. It was a heartfelt and heartwarming read..
The setting is on the shores of Lake Tahoe. I have been to Lake Tahoe many times, The authors description of Lake Tahoe brought back many happy memories.
A perfect festive, second chance book to share with others this holiday season.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

With the perfect blend of banter, emotion, and crackling love scenes, Anita Hughes delivers once more a stirring love story that delves deep into the hearts and souls of its characters, kindling deep emotions in the reader.

I loved every second of this Romantic Christmas read! I’m a sucker for Christmas books and this one didn’t disappoint!

Christmas at the Lake was an enjoyable read, perfect for the holiday season.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this novel.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for my copy of Christmas at the Lake by Anita Hughes in exchange for an honest review. It published September 26, 2023.
Anita Hughes does it again! Every year I look forward to these wonderful Christmas stories. The character development, the romance, the location! This is so much better than any Hallmark movie! I highly recommend this sweet story! I cannot wait for her books in the future!

This is a great story!!! Who doesn’t love a Christmas romance? This book has it all – wonderful characters: both the main and supporting; a beautiful setting, and a second chance at love. Anita Hughes does a wonderful job of allowing the reader to feel like they are a part of the story. I also like that the dating app that Rebecca and her former fiancé created matched people on the things that they hate not things they have in common. This offers insight into the characters of the book as you read the story. If you are a fan of Hallmark Christmas movies, then you will love this book!!!

Thanks to Net Galley and Griffin Publishing for the reader's galley in return for an honest review of this book.

Christmas at the Lake
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Anita Hughes

I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.

Synopsis: On Christmas Eve, just hours before their wedding, Rebecca Huntley is left at the altar by Ben Cole, her college sweetheart and fellow co-founder of the hugely successful dating app, Dealbreakers. He’s fallen in love with the app’s head of legal, and they are going to leave for three weeks in St. Bart’s.

Rebecca is shocked but a small part of her isn’t surprised. Dealbreakers matches potential couples by the things they hated, instead of what they had in common. Lately, she and Ben seem to have less and less in common. He craves the trappings of success, while Rebecca enjoys simple things.

Rebecca decides to go on their honeymoon to the cozy Christmas Cove Inn in the charming small town of Christmas Cove on the shores of Lake Tahoe. There, Rebecca runs into an old college friend, Zach Mason, who had always had a crush on Rebecca. Through a misunderstanding, Zach believes Rebecca is married to Ben, and Rebecca believes Zach is in a relationship with a sophisticated older woman, when really, he is a waiter at the hotel.

As Christmas week unfolds, will the two learn the truth about each other and then be open for a second chance at love? Or will they begin the new year with broken hearts?

People are complicated. Everyone has positive attributes as well as faults – but none are dealbreakers when you’re really in love.

My Thoughts: This is a sweet holiday romance that will have you coming back each year. Rebecca was left at the alter when her fiancée (now ex) decides he wants to be with the head of the legal department, and this unfolds just hours before they are to be married. Rebecca decides to go to the cabin they have reserved for their honeymoon on her own. While at the cabin, she bumps into an old college friend, Zach. It is presumed that they are each in a relationship. Will their friendship strengthen into something more? This follows the tropes of friends to lovers, holiday romance, second chance romance, and miscommunication.

The story was narrated in a dual POV, by both Rebeca and Zach, in their respective perspectives. I personally love dual POV as you get both sides of the story. I really loved how the focus was no on Christmas/Holidays, it was on Rebecca and Zach, it was used to enhance the story and not the plot line. I have not been to Lake Tahoe yet, it is one place I would like to visit. The author does a superior job with describing Lake Tahoe, I really felt like I was at Lake Tahoe witnessing the story unfolding. The characters were created with depth, chemistry, compassion, and kept me invested in the storyline. The author’s writing style was complex, creative, clean, beautiful, and flowed well with an excellent pace. I loved the quaint town setting and really brings the magic of Christmas through the pages.

This was a sweet, endearing, and heartfelt Christmas read. If you love holiday romances, you will love this one. This really reminds me of my favorite channel during the holiday season, a typical picturesque Hallmark Christmas movie playing out on the pages of the story. The story gives off the feel good vibes at the conclusion of the story. The story also evokes high season feeling vibes. I would highly recommend picking up for the holiday season.

This is such a great feel good book perfect for the holidays. It’s a nice clean love story that had my attention from the first few pages. I would say it’s a quick read I read, it over 2 days .
I love how the main character is on a self discovery journey after a devastating break up. It’s also a second chance love story times two. Well written and I will be looking for more books by this author to read.

I voluntarily received a free advanced copy from NetGalley and all opinions are my own .

I would Recommend this book to my family and friend and my book clubs

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! Anita Hughes Christmas books are like a gaint hug. They are magical and warm and this one did not disappoint. The two main characters are enjoyable and you find yourself rooting for them.

Spending Christmas at the lake sounded like an idyllic honeymoon spot until it turned into a snow globe of emotions'. Rebecca is shaken and stirred into action by her best friend Kimi to turn her honeymoon into a healing oasis.

While the snowflakes circle in Lake Tahoe, guests are going through their own trials. Unknowingly, Zach is about to be fired as he sits down with a guest after seeing a vision from his past. Trying to break into the film business, Zach is trying to support himself while entering a holiday contest. Meredith takes him under her wing and provides a safe place for him to edit his project while reconnecting with Rebecca.

While filming a 'When Harry Met Sally' montage of how couples met, Zach records his friends stories and unlocks the real meaning of love. Will he be brave enough to take a chance or will past heartbreaks leave Zach more secure behind the camera?

Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for the early edition of "Christmas at the Lake" in exchange for an honest review. I eagerly await Anita Hughes' books and enjoyed her holiday read. Hughes' heartfelt books provide the perfect escape reads to embrace the Christmas spirit and being in love.

An adorable Christmas romance! I enjoyed every page of this book. The story is heartwarming, romantic and funny. The festive small town and darling characters make this a cozy, charming romance. I laughed at times and was holding my breath at others. This book should be made into a movie. It's a wonderful read.

ALWAYS LOVE A CHRISTMAS STORY FROM ANITA HUGHES. I LOVE HOW SHE GETS YOU FEELING YOU'RE WHERE EVER SHE SETS THE STORY AND DESCRIBES THINGS PERFECTLY. ALSO GREAT CHARACTERS THIS TIME.

Here is a book to add to your holiday reading. It is a heartwarming tale of love and second chances. The setting of the story is in Lake Tahoe at the Christmas Cove Lodge. From the author’s descriptions of this magical place, I want to visit there! This would make a wonderful Hallmark Christmas movie.

Rebecca Huntley and Zach Mason knew each other in college eight years ago. They meet again at the Christmas Cove Lodge during the holiday season. Both are embarrassed to admit their life situation with each other. Zach thinks Rebecca is on her honeymoon. Rebecca thinks Zach is a successful film maker who is in a relationship with an older woman. During their stay at the lodge they keep running into each other. How long will their secrets stay a secret?

“True love doesn’t change over time, even if you’ve been apart.”

“Anything could happen, all she had to do was believe.”

The characters in "Christmas at the Lake" are beautifully flawed, making them relatable and endearing. They remind us that no one is perfect, and our flaws can become endearing quirks when viewed through the lens of love. The story unfolds with a perfect blend of humor, romance, and heartfelt moments that capture the essence of the holiday season.

"Christmas at the Lake" is a poignant reminder that sometimes, the greatest gifts come in the form of unexpected encounters and the chance to rekindle lost connections. It's a story that invites us to embrace the complexity of human nature and to find love in the most unexpected places.

This was a cozy, sweet romance that I could absolutely see being made into a Hallmark movie.

While I enjoyed the author's writing style, the descriptions of Christmas Cove and most of the secondary characters and plot, I wasn't a big fan of the lies and miscommunications between the main characters.

I would pick up another story from Anita Hughes but I just didn't fall in love with this one in the way that I'd hoped to.