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 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!

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 love beach town/city stories with characters starting over. This is a great weekend read and will be a non disappointing to your summer TBR list. Amazing story.

I received a audiobook copy from Thomas Nelson/Zondervan Audio and Netgalley. Opinions are my own.

A poignant tale of love, loss, and learning to let go and start afresh. With a diverse cast of characters and history, each one works toward a brighter future with hope and courage while helping one another along the way. The narrator did a great job with the story and it was a pleasurable read.

I absolutely LOVED this book! It was such an easy, enjoyable listen with a charming story that completely pulled me in. The characters were all so lovable, and the cozy village made it a place I never wanted to leave.

The biggest highlight was the mention of The Avett Brothers—what a surprise! I literally squealed. 🫶🏼

I truly didn’t want the story to end and I'm really hoping there will be a sequel. I’ll definitely be reading more from this author and crossing my fingers for another visit to Safe Harbor soon!

loved this audiobook!! a woman is left by her husband unexpectedly and tries to pick up the pieces... so heartfelt and moving.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Lily is blindsided. Things weren’t perfect, but life was good – she and her husband just moved to this small town on the water for his job and had started to create a new life here. And then this morning, she woke up to divorce papers and a missing husband. She can’t reach him by phone, his mother keeps calling, his office says he quit his job, and now she has to move out because the house belongs to his former employer, too. Lily has no family here, no friends, and no idea where she’s going. All she knows is she has to move forward – she’s always made it work before, and she’ll do it again.

The best-selling author of The Hideaway is back with her latest summer romance novel The Summer House. Lauren K. Denton is known for the small town southern charm throughout all her works. A native to Mobile, Alabama, Denton uses her local knowledge to build vivid scenes and backstories for her characters in this novel. This book delivers the perfect summer read full of redemption, romance, and reconnection.

I give The Summer House 5 out of 5 stars. My favorite part of this novel was how relatable each of these characters were. I connected immediately with Lily and Rose, as well as the cast of supporting characters. I chose the audio version of this book and could easily visualize each scene and the characters. I was so impressed with the storyline and loved this book so much I didn’t want to put it down!

With topics of abandonment by spouses and coparenting, this book may tough for some audiences. However, this is a great light read for your summer getaway and would make a great book to read with your girlfriends! If you enjoy books by Mary Kay Andrews, Heather Webber, or Kristy Woodson Harvey, I think you’ll love this novel, too!

I was drawn to this book because of the cover at first glance when I saw it on Netgalley – the beautiful southern porch with a swing and string lights is my dream set up! When I read the publisher’s blurb about a romance set on the Gulf Coast I knew I had to read this book. And I was not disappointed!

I listened to the audiobook of this and loved it. The narrator was absolutely perfect for the southern setting and the multiple POV. I found the story itself pretty inspiring in its own way. Lily wakes up to find her husband has left her and has got to put her life back together. By chance she finds a help wanted ad that leads her to Rose. While 40yrs apart, they both have some healing and fresh starts to make. Enter Rawlins and Coach, they are exactly what both women need. It’s completely clean and no smut. Just a number of people finding their own joy in life and figuring out what’s important along the way.

This was an absolutely wonderful book. I listened to it on audiobook and the narrator was top-notch which I think was crucial to to making this story come alive so well for me. Rose and Lily were well developed, complex characters that were likeable, even Rose with her complex personality and hard exterior.

The setting really came to life with the author's words and descriptions; I felt like I was on the warm coast of Alabama enjoying the sunshine and the water along with the crew. Which brings me to the setting, which is a retirement village. The description of it is spot on and comes to life and the supporting characters are fun and add so much to the story as well.

If you get a chance I would definitely give this a read or a listen.

Lauren K. Denton's The Summer House (audiobook) offers a heartwarming journey of rediscovery, proving it's never too late for a fresh start. Denton's signature Southern charm weaves through the tale of Lily Bishop, whose life is upended when she finds a goodbye note and divorce papers from her husband, just weeks after their move to Alabama for his job. Devastated and alone in a new town, Lily desperately needs both employment and a new home.

Opportunity arrives in the form of a hair stylist position at Safe Harbor, a small retirement community. This community is the brainchild of Rose Carrigan, a woman who built it after her own husband left her for his assistant. Rose runs a tight ship, keeping everyone, even her own family, at arm's length with her strict rules and cold exterior. Yet, Lily's arrival begins to thaw Rose's hardened heart, forging an unlikely friendship between the two women.

Lily's salon quickly becomes the hub of town gossip and shared secrets among Safe Harbor's colorful residents. As Lily finds herself drawn to Rose's nephew, Rawlins—a single dad who understands starting over—and observes a resident carrying a torch for Rose, both women begin to wonder if life and love hold more possibilities than they've ever imagined. The Summer House is a charming and inviting story about unexpected connections, the power of community, and the courage to embrace new beginnings, no matter where life's currents take you.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this book. I really enjoyed the characters, their growth and the setting. Such a fun book.

I just loved this book and didn't want it to end!
I absolutely loved this novel and couldn’t put it down. I felt like I was right at home amongst all the characters, some quirky and some down-to-earth.
If you are looking for a book that is both emotional and empowering, this story will bring you on that journey. For fans of women’s fiction and clean romances, this one will bring you through a calm, charming, feel good, community.

Realized as I started listening that I actually purchased this audiobook a few years back and was pleasantly surprised by the opportunity to listen through it again.
Lauren has a wonderful way of weaving in the view points of multiple characters while maintaining the integrity of each character's voice and keeping the personal story arcs intact.
I loved getting to travel to Safe Harbour Village with Lily and Rose. The viewpoint of a multi-generational group provides dimension and understanding to how a common experience can bring people together regardless of lifestyle or life stage.
The way Lily gets to experience a new start, new relationships, chosen family & friends is a reminder that life does not end when we experience loss or hardship, but rather we can seek new opportunities.
Bonus points for the top tier narration of this audio book. The soothing southern drawl makes the listening experience that must more enjoyable.