The Summer House was such a breath of fresh air. I loved each character and how you felt like you knew them. I would highly recommend this to everyone.

I am not sure why this book is NOT yet rated 5 stars by everyone! It was the best read I have had in awhile! I typically do not listen to audio books but this one had me hooked from the very begging to the end! It was romantic, heartbreaking, suspenseful! There was no smut. Such a very quick clean read. If you’re looking for a new book for your book club I highly recommend this book! I am now a new fan of this author! I will be looking into more books from her from here on out!

This was such a wholesome, heartwarming story that left me with a deep sense of peace and comfort. I’ve always been drawn to stories about women starting over, and The Summer House completely delivered on that front. Lily’s journey, full of loss, change, and unexpected friendship, was moving and relatable. I admired her perseverance and the quiet strength she found in building a new life from scratch.

The Southern charm, the charming Safe Harbor community, and the sweet relationships, especially between Lily and Rose, made this feel like a place I didn’t want to leave. The tone of the book was so gentle and lovely. It gave me that warm “feels like home” feeling, which is exactly what I wanted.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing the audiobook and the opportunity to enjoy this story. It is a perfect summer read, especially for those who love stories of resilience, second chances, and the unexpected ways we find connection.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5 Stars (Good)
Setting: A small coastal town in southern Alabama, primarily centered around a retirement community called Safe Harbor
Genre: Women’s Fiction

The Summer House by Lauren K. Denton had the charm and promise of a heartwarming Southern story, and while parts of it delivered, others left me wanting more.

Lily Bishop’s situation hooked me from the start—abandoned by her husband in a new town? That’s rough. Her decision to rebuild her life as a hair stylist at a retirement village was endearing, and I enjoyed watching her build unexpected friendships and find purpose again. The Safe Harbor setting, with its quirky residents and small-town Southern feel, gave the story a gentle, comforting backdrop.

Rose Carrigan’s character was a little harder to warm up to, though that’s kind of the point. Her guarded personality makes sense, but her emotional walls remained up for so long that I didn’t connect with her as deeply as I hoped to. The developing romance between Lily and Rawlins was sweet but didn’t bring much tension or surprise—it felt safe, maybe a little too safe.

There are heartfelt moments, and Denton’s writing is smooth and inviting. But overall, the pace dragged in places, and the plot felt a bit predictable. I wouldn’t call it a miss, but I wouldn’t rush to reread it either.

If you’re in the mood for a clean, easy summer read with themes of second chances, community, and healing, The Summer House may be just the gentle escape you’re looking for. #netgalley #thesummerhouse #booked_this_weekend

A sweet story about starting over and a fresh start! I loved both Rose and Lily's story as they navigated through the ups and downs of life. This was a really quick and easy read! I enjoyed it very much!

DNF at 50%

While I personally couldn’t get into this story, many readers might love the characters and setting and feel drawn into the emotional and reflective dual narrators.

We’re brought into a small Southern town through the eyes of Lily (20s, hairdresser), and Rose, (60s, owner and operator of an “active lifestyle community” that’s essentially a retirement community), I usually love escaping to a small town type of stories, but I think I had a hard time connecting to this one because both narrators were similar to me: their husbands had left them, and much of their thoughts focus on that and wanting children their husbands didn’t give them. I would’ve liked the voices of both women to feel more different. I also wanted more to happen in the first half of the book. For context, at the 51% mark or so, when I decided to call it quits, Lily had just had her first day of work at the community salon. I think some sites have it tagged as romance, but (at least in the part I read), this isn’t true. Neither woman had a romantic subplot by the 50% mark.

The author’s writing is breezy and mistake-free, so I’d definitely consider reading other works from her. Check out this book if you’re looking for a reflective, character-driven story with Southern charm.

In the quaint, sun-drenched setting of a close-knit Southern town, this narrative unfolds as a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit. Readers will be captivated by a deeply resonant tale of an individual embarking on a journey of profound personal reinvention, shedding old facades and embracing newfound possibilities. The story beautifully interweaves themes of emotional resilience, showcasing the strength found in vulnerability and the ability to rise above life's unexpected challenges. As the protagonist navigates their transformative path, they encounter a tapestry of richly drawn characters, leading to unexpected connections that blossom into meaningful relationships. Adding a delightful layer to this heartwarming story is a subtle undercurrent of small-town romance, promising tender moments and the sweet anticipation of love found in the most unassuming places. This book offers a comforting escape for those who appreciate stories that explore the complexities of the heart, celebrate the beauty of second chances, and leave readers with a lingering sense of warmth and optimism.

I absolutely adored this warm hug of a book. I only picked this up because the cover was attractive on the net galley menu. I had no idea what to expect. What I got was one of the loveliest, slice of warm pie, enveloping stories I’ve read this year. This was quiet and beautiful and all around absolutely lovely. I am so glad I read this book, and I cannot wait to find any of this author’s other work, or look forward to anything else she publishes. Outstanding, absolutely recommend.

I have tried for 3 days to login to listen to this book. It is requesting a passcode (my login) and it keeps saying that it is not accepted. So because I cannot listen to it, and it is not read now, I have to give it 1 star. Maybe I can download it from Hoopla, CloudReading, or my library with no problems, or passcodes.

I devoured this audiobook in one day. Such a beautiful book about relationships of all kinds. Many colorful and likable characters who are all going through their own relationship issues whether it be with family, friends or spouses. Well written and it unfolds perfectly as we discover connections between different characters and the issues that they have.
Really good and relaxing listen that makes you feel good.
Beautiful narration.

Lily finds herself in a small town in Alabama and has given up everything to follow her husband for his job. When in the first few pages he leaves her in the worst way (no spoilers!) and she must make some big life decisions and fast. Rose has lived the majority of her adult life in a community built for retired living and she has been running it without being a part of the community and just maybe she should drop her rough exterior and be a part of a community!

I was hesitant at first to pick up and read this one as I am consciously avoiding books with cheating and divorce and that sort of life things as I am just not enjoying those plotlines right now. But because I was already a fan of Lauren Denton I wanted to give this one a chance and I am glad I did as the cheating and divorce are really only encapsulated in the first few pages and the rest of the book focuses on Lily's life and a coming of age for a character who may be a little older than your typical coming of age! I also loved the addition of Rose and her storyline as it added just a little something extra to the whole book.

This book solidifies my love of Lauren Denton. If she can take a subject that I tend to avoid and write a story that I can fall in love with with characters that are jut delightful to follow, then I am a fan!