Sunshine on Silver Lake

This delightful story deals with issues of addiction, cancer and self-awareness, moving beyond past conceptions, family relationships, and keeping secrets. They are handled well as they are woven into a heartwarming story filled with charming characters, second chances, and the support of family and good friends. This is a great small town romance and I look forward to a return to Sweetwater Springs.

Loved this easy read! Emma and Jack were attracted to each other in high school but a bad prom date caused a rift between them. They have a second chance at their relationship but obstacles get in the way. Jack has family issues and Emma has family health issues that could also affect her. It was just a wonderful small town story about Emma and Jack and the other characters in Silver Lake!

Thanks to Annie Raines and Forever of Hatchette Book Group for the opportunity to read this book!

I've read quite a few books by Annie, but it wasn't until I had finished this book and was thinking about it that I realized how truly amazing Annie is at writing books that incorporate real-life, honest topics that fold into the HEA story so well that you leave happy and content with what you just read. Annie's books have included traumatic life events like accidents, illness, and death but they never feel like they're too much to handle. There are always great characters, a fantastic setting, and a wonderful story to life you up and make it all work out in the end.

Emma is a really great, complex character. She knows her fellow towns-people so well, does so much for them, and asks so little in return. She's also not aware of how great she is. I spent so much of this book wanting to give her a hug and tell her it was all going to be ok. Watching her figure that out for herself was really fulfilling and it was so worth it to see her get her HEA.

Jack is just a perfect romantic lead. He's the golden boy who you just imagine with a halo around him, which he has no idea he has because life has made him think he's not worthy. Watching him come into his own and move for what he wanted was really great. He and Emma go so well together.

It's always great to go back to Sweetwater Springs. There's just the perfect mix of warm, caring characters with the right amount of meddling folks who know what's right for everyone else. It's like going back to that quaint small town where you spent vacations as a kid - warm, comforting, and just the right little amount of twee to make you consider rolling your eyes before you laugh and go get that next cup of coffee with your friends so you can discuss the latest town shenanigans.

Sunshine on Silver Lake is a book that just makes me smile. I had all of the feelings while reading this book, but in the end, it is an awesome friends-to-lovers romance.

Emma St. James owns the Sweetwater Cafe and has decided to plan a 5K in her mother's memory. Knowing that she's going to need help to pull it off, she asks the one person in her life who she knows has some pull with getting her a spot on the activities calendar at the National Park, her friend Jack. The complicated thing is that while she and Jack have been friends for ages, the fact is she still has feelings for him even after he stood her up years before when he was to take her to her senior prom.

Jack Hershey is the Sweetwater Springs National Park ranger and he's doing his best to continue to keep the demons from his past right where they belong. When he receives a call from his sister and she asks him to take his teenage nephew for a few weeks in the summer as she battles her own demons, he's happy to help out, but when a misunderstanding leads to his sister thinking he's dating Emma, things get a little dicey.

Knowing that Jack has to keep up the facade that he and Emma are a couple, he makes a deal with her - pose as his girlfriend and he'll get her a date for the 5K. Simple, right?! Not so much! With the two best friends trying to fight what they really feel, will they make it through the summer in a faux relationship or will it turn real?

There was so much to love about this book. Emma and Jack as characters were great. They were both dealing with things that are very common in our society today and I really liked the way Rains handled those issues. The anxiety and the worry that comes along with anything to do with medical tests is agonizing and you could feel that in the words that were written. Anyone that battles any kind of addiction fights a daily battle and you could feel Jack doing that in this book. I also really liked the play between Jack and Emma's Dad. Jack had something to prove and while I didn't love how Mr. St. James baited Jack on one occasion, I knew what he was doing and it fit.

I devoured this book and it's one I'd highly suggest adding to your summer reading list!

**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

I was sent this book from the publisher/publicity team. My ratings and reviews will be my own personal opinions and are in no way influenced by publishers or authors who may have sent me books to review.

When one of your favorite publicists recommends a book, you grab it! I was not disappointed.

I have actually never read anything from Annie Rains, and now I am hooked. I did not realize this was the 5th book in the Sweetwater Springs series as it can be read as a standalone. I just went and purchased book one as I really want to get back into these characters and world.

If you love a great friends to lovers story, you need to pick this one up. I really loved how relatable the characters were and watching their relationship grow. I have been in a horrible reading slump lately, but I could not put this one down.

Overall, I loved this and look forward to reading more from this author.