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Oak Street #1
Summertime Lilie
Lilies endure and so does Brittany. She’s never had a better reason to face her fears than when her son makes friends with a handsome new neighbor.
Brittany Masters has big plans for a quiet summer chasing her six-year-old son around the pool and trying to stay on top of her yard work.
Matt Knight is planning to spend the summer months renovating his new house and preparing for his next year as a middle school teacher. Upon meeting the attractive single mother next door and her precious son, Matt’s summer priorities begin to shift.
A chance meeting at the cancer clinic where Brittany works renews a connection with an old friend that gives her the perspective she's been missing as she adjusts to the new opportunities that are revealed. From quiet nights on her front porch swing in Matt's company to long talks in the clinic with her old/new friend, Brittany's summer is anything but routine.
Summertime Lilies is the first book in the Oak Street Series, a Contemporary Christian Romance. Each book can be read standalone but are better when enjoyed in order.
Brittany Masters has big plans for a quiet summer chasing her six-year-old son around the pool and trying to stay on top of her yard work.
Matt Knight is planning to spend the summer months renovating his new house and preparing for his next year as a middle school teacher. Upon meeting the attractive single mother next door and her precious son, Matt’s summer priorities begin to shift.
A chance meeting at the cancer clinic where Brittany works renews a connection with an old friend that gives her the perspective she's been missing as she adjusts to the new opportunities that are revealed. From quiet nights on her front porch swing in Matt's company to long talks in the clinic with her old/new friend, Brittany's summer is anything but routine.
Summertime Lilies is the first book in the Oak Street Series, a Contemporary Christian Romance. Each book can be read standalone but are better when enjoyed in order.
234 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 6, 2021
32 people are currently reading
133 people want to read
About the author
L.M. Karen
12 books163 followersLM Karen writes contemporary clean and wholesome romance. As a longtime lover of words, she can generally be found behind her laptop or with a book in her hand. A graduate of Toccoa Falls College, her heart is in the mountains. She eventually made use of the voices in her head by putting them on the page.
To learn more or sign up for my newsletter, visit: lmkarenauthor.com
To learn more or sign up for my newsletter, visit: lmkarenauthor.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
June 3, 2021
The worst part about agreeing to read and review someone's book is when you open it up to the first page and discover that it's written in the style you hate most. First-person. Present tense.
Look, I grumble a lot about first person, but where I really struggle is with present tense. So here I was with my beautiful book and an opening that I could tell might be good... but I didn't want to read. Just being honest here.
And that's the problem with reviewing books. You have to be honest. But no matter how kind you try to be, that honesty is going to hurt someone who put heart and soul into every one of those words.
So now I'm left with a conundrum. I must be honest, and I must honor my commitment to read (done) and review (ouch!) a book I received free from the author because I requested it.
I felt certain in those first few pages that most of the problem would that present tense business. Let's face it. If the trouble is your personal preference, then you can be honest without it being the author's fault.
If that were all it was.
Yep, I'm getting the not-so-good out of the way so I can tell you what the author got right in Summertime Lilies. Because she did--LOTS of right. She wrote lots of things I really loved, actually.
So here's what I didn't. Conflict--there wasn't much, really. Tension... not much of that either. Writers often talk about "Mary Sue" characters--those perfect people who have token flaws and really are too good to be true. Too good to be interesting. Well, in Summertime Lilies, I'd say the Mary Sue was the conflict/tension.
Lots of things came up that could have really created an engaging read, but instead, the author cleaned it up quicker than a neat freak at a crime scene. Not once did I believe that anything might keep Brittany and Matt apart. Their argument--both of them were right and wrong. It was obvious. The inlaw troubles? Not there. The token love triangle? Yeah... that third arm was broken off at the nub right away (thank goodness).
And then there was the faith element.
The characters pray. They go to church. And in an unexpected twist, they even consider what the Lord would want from them outside of church. That was refreshing! Part of me wants to complain that Brittany grew more from her interactions and bits of wisdom from a cousin than she did from the Lord--but I don't believe it. Not really.
I think the point is that the Lord used this woman to speak some necessary truths into Brittany's heart. And that was a beautiful thing.
But an irreverent use of "God," a few mild euphemisms, and a definite obsession with lusting after her neighbor with his shirt off left things uncomfortable for me. Had the faith element not been in there, I'd have considered it a "clean read" and moved along. But with those elements, the others then stand out as a problem.
So with that out of the way, what did the author do right in Summertime Lilies?
A lot, actually. For one thing, the pacing of the book was perfect. Seriously, if it hadn't been, I'd have struggled to get through the present tenseness. That's a big signal to me, by the way. Nothing shows pacing problems (for the way my brain works, anyway) faster than me being eager to walk away from it every thirty-two-point-six seconds. Didn't happen.
Characterization--amazing. Seriously, I cared about these characters. I fell in love with Grady--actually, he's the best character of them all, except perhaps her brother Matt's sister. Those three characters have no Mary Sue tendencies. Still, even Brittany and Matt, with their almost too-perfectnesses, made me care about them and root for them. And that happened even when I knew nothing would really stand in their way. Even when I shook my head at the idea that Christmas presents would cause a real problem.
Description--mostly perfect. Seriously. Not once did I go, "Get on with it already!" Instead, I spent most of the book knowing exactly where I was, what was around me, and all without too much attention drawn to the setting. WOOHOO!
The Hook--not of this book, though. Nope. It was the teaser chapter to the next book. This one is about Brittany's brother and whooooeee! I liked him in Summertime Lilies. I did not like him in this teaser. At all. I wanted to smack him. Give him a piece of my mind. Douse him in ice water. All at once.
And that's what left me on a great note. Because you see... I'm dying to read that next book. I'm so ticked off at the guy it makes my head spin. Did you read that? I am dying to read a book written in first-person, present tense because the author made me ticked off at a character being a jerk.
That's what was missing from Summertime Lilies. I didn't get that emotionally invested until the teaser for book two. But that's okay. Because book two is going to be amazing. I can just taste it.
Look, I grumble a lot about first person, but where I really struggle is with present tense. So here I was with my beautiful book and an opening that I could tell might be good... but I didn't want to read. Just being honest here.
And that's the problem with reviewing books. You have to be honest. But no matter how kind you try to be, that honesty is going to hurt someone who put heart and soul into every one of those words.
So now I'm left with a conundrum. I must be honest, and I must honor my commitment to read (done) and review (ouch!) a book I received free from the author because I requested it.
I felt certain in those first few pages that most of the problem would that present tense business. Let's face it. If the trouble is your personal preference, then you can be honest without it being the author's fault.
If that were all it was.
Yep, I'm getting the not-so-good out of the way so I can tell you what the author got right in Summertime Lilies. Because she did--LOTS of right. She wrote lots of things I really loved, actually.
So here's what I didn't. Conflict--there wasn't much, really. Tension... not much of that either. Writers often talk about "Mary Sue" characters--those perfect people who have token flaws and really are too good to be true. Too good to be interesting. Well, in Summertime Lilies, I'd say the Mary Sue was the conflict/tension.
Lots of things came up that could have really created an engaging read, but instead, the author cleaned it up quicker than a neat freak at a crime scene. Not once did I believe that anything might keep Brittany and Matt apart. Their argument--both of them were right and wrong. It was obvious. The inlaw troubles? Not there. The token love triangle? Yeah... that third arm was broken off at the nub right away (thank goodness).
And then there was the faith element.
The characters pray. They go to church. And in an unexpected twist, they even consider what the Lord would want from them outside of church. That was refreshing! Part of me wants to complain that Brittany grew more from her interactions and bits of wisdom from a cousin than she did from the Lord--but I don't believe it. Not really.
I think the point is that the Lord used this woman to speak some necessary truths into Brittany's heart. And that was a beautiful thing.
But an irreverent use of "God," a few mild euphemisms, and a definite obsession with lusting after her neighbor with his shirt off left things uncomfortable for me. Had the faith element not been in there, I'd have considered it a "clean read" and moved along. But with those elements, the others then stand out as a problem.
So with that out of the way, what did the author do right in Summertime Lilies?
A lot, actually. For one thing, the pacing of the book was perfect. Seriously, if it hadn't been, I'd have struggled to get through the present tenseness. That's a big signal to me, by the way. Nothing shows pacing problems (for the way my brain works, anyway) faster than me being eager to walk away from it every thirty-two-point-six seconds. Didn't happen.
Characterization--amazing. Seriously, I cared about these characters. I fell in love with Grady--actually, he's the best character of them all, except perhaps her brother Matt's sister. Those three characters have no Mary Sue tendencies. Still, even Brittany and Matt, with their almost too-perfectnesses, made me care about them and root for them. And that happened even when I knew nothing would really stand in their way. Even when I shook my head at the idea that Christmas presents would cause a real problem.
Description--mostly perfect. Seriously. Not once did I go, "Get on with it already!" Instead, I spent most of the book knowing exactly where I was, what was around me, and all without too much attention drawn to the setting. WOOHOO!
The Hook--not of this book, though. Nope. It was the teaser chapter to the next book. This one is about Brittany's brother and whooooeee! I liked him in Summertime Lilies. I did not like him in this teaser. At all. I wanted to smack him. Give him a piece of my mind. Douse him in ice water. All at once.
And that's what left me on a great note. Because you see... I'm dying to read that next book. I'm so ticked off at the guy it makes my head spin. Did you read that? I am dying to read a book written in first-person, present tense because the author made me ticked off at a character being a jerk.
That's what was missing from Summertime Lilies. I didn't get that emotionally invested until the teaser for book two. But that's okay. Because book two is going to be amazing. I can just taste it.
February 3, 2021
Please read! I absolutely loved this book. It is full of heart, friendship, and hilarity!! She writes like she’s talking to her best friend:) It is great.
June 5, 2021
Interesting sweet romance with little tension.
The characters were amazing. I loved little Grady, very rambunctious, sweet and intelligent child.
Matt and Brittany were a lovely couple. I greatly admired Matt's devotion and loved for Brittany and Grady. His parents were a delight.
I can't wait for Derek and Maddy's story.
Very relaxing read.
I received a copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.
The characters were amazing. I loved little Grady, very rambunctious, sweet and intelligent child.
Matt and Brittany were a lovely couple. I greatly admired Matt's devotion and loved for Brittany and Grady. His parents were a delight.
I can't wait for Derek and Maddy's story.
Very relaxing read.
I received a copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.
February 10, 2021
This book drew you into the story and made you feel like you were a part of their lives. The humor and romance were in good balance with the authors style keeping you wanting to read more. This book made me laugh out loud and brought me to tears. I can’t wait for the next book in the Oak Street Series!
June 17, 2021
SUMMERTIME LILIES is a story about a single mom and the guy who moves next door and befriends her and her son. It's about finding love in unexpected places and learning to trust someone else with your happiness. Great characters and a sweet romance is sure to delight fans of clean romance as well as Christian romance.
I loved Brittany and her son from the start! She is a woman who has had to depend on herself to support her little family, except for her parents who help out quite a bit. She's good at what she does as a managing nurse and as a mom, but her life is real and genuine. There were so many things I could relate to as a mom and everything felt realistic. I also really liked that this romance focused on a single mom as one of the main characters. There aren't as many of these stories out there as there should be. I also really liked Matt. He seems a bit too good to be true, but he is a genuinely good guy. They were both surprised to find themselves attracted to each other since they're next door neighbors. They also both have some baggage they had to work through.
I really loved the friendship and romance aspect of this story. Obviously the romance is why I read these types of books, but this was a slowly building and I loved how Matt slowly woos Brittany. It was sweet, very romantic and also showed the good heart he had. I also liked the family dynamics in this story. They're varied and all added an additional depth to the story. I wouldn't actually call this Christian. It is mentioned that the characters attend church and they prayers and such are referenced, but there isn't a religious theme or any preaching. It would make a good read for the clean romance general market.
I didn't have a lot of complaints with the actual story. There were things that could have been developed more or a resolution that could have lasted a bit longer with more depth, but didn't necessarily affect my enjoyment of the story. The only things that I really have to complain about were technical. There were a lot of mixed up tenses, grammatical errors, and a few misspellings. However, these might have been fixed in the final manuscript (if not, it definitely needed more editing to fix all those issues).
In the end, was it what I wished for? This was a pretty quick and light read, and one that I thoroughly enjoyed. It made me smile and pulled on my heart. I'll definitely check out future releases from this author.
Content: A brief reference to date drug rape (not descriptive in any way). Clean.
Source: I received a complimentary copy through Celebrate Lit, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.
I loved Brittany and her son from the start! She is a woman who has had to depend on herself to support her little family, except for her parents who help out quite a bit. She's good at what she does as a managing nurse and as a mom, but her life is real and genuine. There were so many things I could relate to as a mom and everything felt realistic. I also really liked that this romance focused on a single mom as one of the main characters. There aren't as many of these stories out there as there should be. I also really liked Matt. He seems a bit too good to be true, but he is a genuinely good guy. They were both surprised to find themselves attracted to each other since they're next door neighbors. They also both have some baggage they had to work through.
I really loved the friendship and romance aspect of this story. Obviously the romance is why I read these types of books, but this was a slowly building and I loved how Matt slowly woos Brittany. It was sweet, very romantic and also showed the good heart he had. I also liked the family dynamics in this story. They're varied and all added an additional depth to the story. I wouldn't actually call this Christian. It is mentioned that the characters attend church and they prayers and such are referenced, but there isn't a religious theme or any preaching. It would make a good read for the clean romance general market.
I didn't have a lot of complaints with the actual story. There were things that could have been developed more or a resolution that could have lasted a bit longer with more depth, but didn't necessarily affect my enjoyment of the story. The only things that I really have to complain about were technical. There were a lot of mixed up tenses, grammatical errors, and a few misspellings. However, these might have been fixed in the final manuscript (if not, it definitely needed more editing to fix all those issues).
In the end, was it what I wished for? This was a pretty quick and light read, and one that I thoroughly enjoyed. It made me smile and pulled on my heart. I'll definitely check out future releases from this author.
Content: A brief reference to date drug rape (not descriptive in any way). Clean.
Source: I received a complimentary copy through Celebrate Lit, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.
June 2, 2021
Let me start with the not so positive aspects of this book so we can move on. I really struggled with Brittany’s inner dialogue about her hot neighbor, with and without a shirt. I get this is a romance but in the beginning of this book it was way too much. HOWEVER I hung in there and I’m glad I did. I read the book in one day because after that it kept my attention.
This isn’t simply a feel good story. Author LM Karen writes a true to life storyline where everything isn’t all lollipops and rainbows. Brittany had dealt with pain in her life and continues to. But the situations are written with grace and truth. Karen doesn’t skirt around the challenges but faces them head on.
I enjoyed the humor. In fact, that was my favorite part. Matt had some crazy one liners that caused me to laugh out loud. And what a great guy. Caring for the neighbors who need someone, this character was well developed and so likeable. And what an adorable little boy! His character rounds out the story well.
Summertime Lilies is contemporary Christian fiction but the only Christian aspect is praying before meals and attending church. I would have liked to see a bit more. However it is still a good book and if you enjoy contemporary fiction then please do give it a read. I did enjoy the author’s unique, sometimes quirky, writing style, and for her first book she did well. I’m looking forward to book 2 in the series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.
This isn’t simply a feel good story. Author LM Karen writes a true to life storyline where everything isn’t all lollipops and rainbows. Brittany had dealt with pain in her life and continues to. But the situations are written with grace and truth. Karen doesn’t skirt around the challenges but faces them head on.
I enjoyed the humor. In fact, that was my favorite part. Matt had some crazy one liners that caused me to laugh out loud. And what a great guy. Caring for the neighbors who need someone, this character was well developed and so likeable. And what an adorable little boy! His character rounds out the story well.
Summertime Lilies is contemporary Christian fiction but the only Christian aspect is praying before meals and attending church. I would have liked to see a bit more. However it is still a good book and if you enjoy contemporary fiction then please do give it a read. I did enjoy the author’s unique, sometimes quirky, writing style, and for her first book she did well. I’m looking forward to book 2 in the series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.
June 4, 2021
This book surprised me in a good way. I was expecting a light-hearted, summertime-themed clean romance and there are moments like that. Brittney and Matt make a great couple and Brittney’s little son is adorable. But several chapters into the book, this story finds its true heart in the character of Lilly, a lovely young woman who is going through cancer treatments. As Brittney and Lilly spend time together during Lilly’s treatments, Brittney finds courage and strength to reach out for the life she thought she could never have. Lilly’s wisdom is worth reading and can be applied to our own lives.
The only thing that slightly annoyed me in this book was the repeated references to Brittney’s reaction to seeing how “hot” Matt was with his shirt off. Once would have been enough to convey that message to us. But I still enjoyed reading this sweet, clean story with a wonderful message of hope.
Be aware that there’s a non-descriptive reference to sexual assault; and that one of the main characters is struggling with cancer. Just wanted to mention these things in case these are triggers for you.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
The only thing that slightly annoyed me in this book was the repeated references to Brittney’s reaction to seeing how “hot” Matt was with his shirt off. Once would have been enough to convey that message to us. But I still enjoyed reading this sweet, clean story with a wonderful message of hope.
Be aware that there’s a non-descriptive reference to sexual assault; and that one of the main characters is struggling with cancer. Just wanted to mention these things in case these are triggers for you.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
January 25, 2025
Sweet Romance! that gets you very emotionally involved .
February 8, 2021
Good clean romance
I am not much of a book reader but I wanted to read this one because the authors grandfather told me about it. I'm really glad I did. I didn't want to put it down. I'm looking forward to the next one as this one left me wondering what happened to a couple of the characters!
I am not much of a book reader but I wanted to read this one because the authors grandfather told me about it. I'm really glad I did. I didn't want to put it down. I'm looking forward to the next one as this one left me wondering what happened to a couple of the characters!
February 4, 2021
A sweet love story but so much more! It is heartwarming, poignant, inspiring and funny - all in one! Oh, and the front porch swing - my favorite happy place! Well worth the read!
June 12, 2021
This is definitely one of those books that makes it hard to review. I didn't hate it but I didn't fall in love with it either. It was somewhere in the middle for me. I think what saved this book for me was the humor. The one liners from Matt were on point and just made me chuckle. He is also a great character that is well developed. Actually all the characters were pretty good. Brittany could be a bit irritating. She over thinks A LOT and has some type of inner monologue going on that is annoying. One thing that bothered me is her obsession with the neighbor. At some points while reading I just wanted to shout... okay we get it he's hot. I think that part was a bit over the top.
Lilly was definitely the star of the book along with Matt. She is a wonderful character that teaches Brittany some wonderful needed lessons. Overall I thought it was a good read. I think the author did a good job for what seems to be her first novel since I didn't find anything else by her. This is considered Christian fiction but it is very light in that regard. I think this would be a good summertime quick read.
I received a copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
Lilly was definitely the star of the book along with Matt. She is a wonderful character that teaches Brittany some wonderful needed lessons. Overall I thought it was a good read. I think the author did a good job for what seems to be her first novel since I didn't find anything else by her. This is considered Christian fiction but it is very light in that regard. I think this would be a good summertime quick read.
I received a copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
June 6, 2021
There is A LOT to love about Summertime Lilies by LM Karen. I’m so, so glad I volunteered to read for this tour. This book is one of my new favorites of the year! I love how engaging this story is right from the very beginning. Pages flew by and I hated when I had to put the book down. I really love the characters in this story. I appreciate how strong, determined, and fierce Brittany is. She is a selfless mother, a dedicated nurse, and an all-around amazing person. She is definitely someone I would want to be close friends with. Matt is a wonderful hero. He is kind, compassionate, and self-sacrificing. He listens to Brittany and really pays attention to the small, important details. And, his interactions with Brittany’s son, Grady, are so sweet and heartwarming. Matt is a great guy, and it doesn’t hurt that he’s really nice on the eyes, too! What I love the most about this book is its discussion on God making beauty out of ashes. Life can really knock us around and sometimes things happen that are just so ugly, so painful, and so devastating that they can nearly break us. But God. God, if we let Him, can take our bad and turn it into good. Nothing is impossible with God. Brittany is one such example of a woman who allows God to turn a traumatic event into a blessing. I love how Brittany could have used her experience as an excuse to be angry and cold towards others and to give up on life, but she doesn’t. She is no one’s victim. She takes life one day at a time and strives to always bring her best. Brittany is a great example of a strong, independent, God-fearing woman … and I love her character!
This is another novel I could gush on and on about, but I won’t. Instead, I will end this review by saying that Summertime Lilies is a must-read. I enjoyed every minute of this story and I am sad my time with these characters is over. If you are a fan of well-written, highly engaging Contemporary Romances then definitely check out Summertime Lilies by LM Karen today. You won’t be disappointed that you did!
I received a review copy of this novel in eBook form from the author, LM Karen, via Celebrate Lit. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
This is another novel I could gush on and on about, but I won’t. Instead, I will end this review by saying that Summertime Lilies is a must-read. I enjoyed every minute of this story and I am sad my time with these characters is over. If you are a fan of well-written, highly engaging Contemporary Romances then definitely check out Summertime Lilies by LM Karen today. You won’t be disappointed that you did!
I received a review copy of this novel in eBook form from the author, LM Karen, via Celebrate Lit. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
June 15, 2021
I was very intrigued by the title and cover of this book. Summertime Lilies by L.M. Karen is the first book in the Oak Street Series. L.M. Karen is also a debut author, with this being her very first novel.
Brittany Masters is a busy, single mom, who enjoys Summertime and plans to enjoy the Summer with big plans. She also works as a Manager of Nurses at a Cancer Clinic. 2 things change the course of her Summer Plans. Matt, a new neighbor, begins to make friends with Brittany's son. Brittany thinks Matt is HOT and notices he has an interest in her. Brittany wants to take any new relationship at a slow pace due to past relationships and being hurt. The other thing that changes up her Summer Plans is that she runs into an old friend while at work one day. The friend and Brittany get to talking and something that the friend says really gives Brittany a new mindset about life and the future. Summertime now goes from "Fast and Busy" to "Relaxing and Enjoying life". Will Matt and Brittany dive into a romantic relationship? Does she maintain the connection with her old friend?
Summer is my favorite season as I enjoy the outdoors and all the busy times of Summer. It seems Brittany also enjoys Summer and all that it brings. I have to admit it took a couple of chapters to really get into the storyline of this book, but once I finally understood the author's writing, I enjoyed the book. Matt really respected Brittany and her wanting to take things slow due to past relationships. The sitting on the front porch is soo romantic and a great way to take a relationship slow. The one thing that I didn't see much of in this book, was Faith. The book is Christian Romance, but it seemed more focused on the Romance then Faith. GREAT Book!
Brittany Masters is a busy, single mom, who enjoys Summertime and plans to enjoy the Summer with big plans. She also works as a Manager of Nurses at a Cancer Clinic. 2 things change the course of her Summer Plans. Matt, a new neighbor, begins to make friends with Brittany's son. Brittany thinks Matt is HOT and notices he has an interest in her. Brittany wants to take any new relationship at a slow pace due to past relationships and being hurt. The other thing that changes up her Summer Plans is that she runs into an old friend while at work one day. The friend and Brittany get to talking and something that the friend says really gives Brittany a new mindset about life and the future. Summertime now goes from "Fast and Busy" to "Relaxing and Enjoying life". Will Matt and Brittany dive into a romantic relationship? Does she maintain the connection with her old friend?
Summer is my favorite season as I enjoy the outdoors and all the busy times of Summer. It seems Brittany also enjoys Summer and all that it brings. I have to admit it took a couple of chapters to really get into the storyline of this book, but once I finally understood the author's writing, I enjoyed the book. Matt really respected Brittany and her wanting to take things slow due to past relationships. The sitting on the front porch is soo romantic and a great way to take a relationship slow. The one thing that I didn't see much of in this book, was Faith. The book is Christian Romance, but it seemed more focused on the Romance then Faith. GREAT Book!
June 11, 2021
When I first read the description for Summertime Lillies, I was intrigued. It sounded like a great book, and I couldn't wait to check it out. When I started reading, I must admit I was just a bit disappointed to see that it was written in first person, present tense...a style that I find can be hard to do well. I also find that--because it's not one that I read much in-- it can take me a bit to get into the pace of the story. I gave the story a chance and read on, and am happy to say that once I got into the pace, the first person didn't bother me a bit. I was drawn into these character's lives and wanted to know what would happen next, regardless of how the story was told.
I enjoyed Brittany and Matt's romance and found Matt to be the perfect book boyfriend--- so thoughtful and considerate to Brittany's past. There was a lot of attention paid to physical attractiveness, which some more conservative readers might not like... but personally, it didn't bother me--- only showed that these characters are human! I still found it to be a very sweet and clean romance. While I enjoyed this sweet love story, it was really Lilly's character who added a wonderful depth to the story that made it quite beautiful.
This is the first book in the Oak Street series, and the debut from the author too...and an impressive debut at that. I look forward to reading more from the series and from the author in the future!
**I received a complimentary copy of this book for consideration. All thoughts are my own.
I enjoyed Brittany and Matt's romance and found Matt to be the perfect book boyfriend--- so thoughtful and considerate to Brittany's past. There was a lot of attention paid to physical attractiveness, which some more conservative readers might not like... but personally, it didn't bother me--- only showed that these characters are human! I still found it to be a very sweet and clean romance. While I enjoyed this sweet love story, it was really Lilly's character who added a wonderful depth to the story that made it quite beautiful.
This is the first book in the Oak Street series, and the debut from the author too...and an impressive debut at that. I look forward to reading more from the series and from the author in the future!
**I received a complimentary copy of this book for consideration. All thoughts are my own.
June 16, 2021
Summertime Lilies is a Christian fiction novel that brings hard topics and life into the forefront as a couple finds love amid the summer.
This is book one of a series and you get a teaser chapter of book two at the end of this one. I might have to admit that I am eager to read book two and not because I was so enamored with book one. I mean, I liked this book but the main characters weren’t my favorite ones. It was some of those secondary characters that stole my heart and made me to where I cannot wait for book two.
Okay. This book moved at a great pace. The characters were awesome. There was no mystery though, no suspense, no conflict that left you biting your nails. I’m a lover of those things so this book seemed super tame to me and did not captivate me.
I did not appreciate the bits of lust from our main character. She’s a Christian and there is a faith element in the book so I was not expecting those explanations. Now, don’t get me wrong, it’s still a clean read. But it didn’t seem to fit with the book.
It is safe to say that I did enjoy the book though there were things I would have changed and I am looking forward to reading book two.
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received through Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
This is book one of a series and you get a teaser chapter of book two at the end of this one. I might have to admit that I am eager to read book two and not because I was so enamored with book one. I mean, I liked this book but the main characters weren’t my favorite ones. It was some of those secondary characters that stole my heart and made me to where I cannot wait for book two.
Okay. This book moved at a great pace. The characters were awesome. There was no mystery though, no suspense, no conflict that left you biting your nails. I’m a lover of those things so this book seemed super tame to me and did not captivate me.
I did not appreciate the bits of lust from our main character. She’s a Christian and there is a faith element in the book so I was not expecting those explanations. Now, don’t get me wrong, it’s still a clean read. But it didn’t seem to fit with the book.
It is safe to say that I did enjoy the book though there were things I would have changed and I am looking forward to reading book two.
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received through Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
June 17, 2021
"Summertime Lilies" by LM Karen is a really good book. I have to be honest and say there are three things I didn't like about the book which are
1 too much talk in the beginning about there next-door neighbor shirt being off or not.
2 there are three times the word p---ed is used( again when I am reading Christian genre) I do not like words that I consider swear words in the books. I prefer words like mad or angry. I know this is just me.
3 I really didn't like the two instances where the word freaking was used, such as this one "Merry freaking Christmas to me. It really seems inappropriate to me especially here since Christmas is a religious holiday and this book is listed as Christian.
I really think we all need to take Lily's advice and live it ourselves. The advice is " Laugh, Make the memories. Live for the moments together."
This book isn't all sweet as "Real life" does happen and, yes, at the end a few tears fall as it made me think of mom.
I still recommend this book and will say that I didn't really found the book to be Christian at all because the only thing even resembling Christianity is praying before meals and going to Church.
This is book 1 and I am looking forward to reading book 2.
I received a complimentary copy from the author and Celebrate Lit and these are my own opinions.
1 too much talk in the beginning about there next-door neighbor shirt being off or not.
2 there are three times the word p---ed is used( again when I am reading Christian genre) I do not like words that I consider swear words in the books. I prefer words like mad or angry. I know this is just me.
3 I really didn't like the two instances where the word freaking was used, such as this one "Merry freaking Christmas to me. It really seems inappropriate to me especially here since Christmas is a religious holiday and this book is listed as Christian.
I really think we all need to take Lily's advice and live it ourselves. The advice is " Laugh, Make the memories. Live for the moments together."
This book isn't all sweet as "Real life" does happen and, yes, at the end a few tears fall as it made me think of mom.
I still recommend this book and will say that I didn't really found the book to be Christian at all because the only thing even resembling Christianity is praying before meals and going to Church.
This is book 1 and I am looking forward to reading book 2.
I received a complimentary copy from the author and Celebrate Lit and these are my own opinions.
April 1, 2022
The only reason I gave this 4 stars is because the perspective in which the book was written (first-person present tense) was unusual too me and took some getting used to. But the story and writing style grew on me after a while, it was just a bit different.
I really appreciated the sweet simplicity of this Christian romance. Too many times, romances are full of dramatic twists. The characters in these books don't always communicate their thoughts and feelings with each other, instead choosing to sit and brood on them. This causes conflict and tension, which is sometimes annoying to me. In my experience, the best and most authentic relationships in life are simple and strong due to the ability to communicate openly and quickly work through differences. LM Karen does a wonderful job at capturing the sweet everyday simplicity that makes a relationship strong and long-lasting.
This story was so refreshing. Brittany and Matt's relationship reminded me of my relationship with my husband, and Grady reminded me of my own sweet daughter and brought a smile to my face. I also want to thank the author for including the little details: Brittany cleaning her house or bemoaning forgetting to put a roast in the slow-cooker. They made me laugh as I can relate, and made me feel better about myself as a mother. Thank you LM Karen!
I really appreciated the sweet simplicity of this Christian romance. Too many times, romances are full of dramatic twists. The characters in these books don't always communicate their thoughts and feelings with each other, instead choosing to sit and brood on them. This causes conflict and tension, which is sometimes annoying to me. In my experience, the best and most authentic relationships in life are simple and strong due to the ability to communicate openly and quickly work through differences. LM Karen does a wonderful job at capturing the sweet everyday simplicity that makes a relationship strong and long-lasting.
This story was so refreshing. Brittany and Matt's relationship reminded me of my relationship with my husband, and Grady reminded me of my own sweet daughter and brought a smile to my face. I also want to thank the author for including the little details: Brittany cleaning her house or bemoaning forgetting to put a roast in the slow-cooker. They made me laugh as I can relate, and made me feel better about myself as a mother. Thank you LM Karen!
June 7, 2021
Well I have to start by saying right away I had a problem with the book. Brittany is taking to her son discussing if he has a dad . She says, “no you do not have a daddy.” Hmm. The kid does have a daddy maybe just not living with them. This was a very concerning answer to give a small child.
One of the big problems I have with Brittany is that she overthinks everything. A new neighbor moved in. He is hot and we all know it because that is all she talks about. Then she starts obsessing about what if Matt and her son grow close and things don’t work out between him and her. The great thing about Matt is he is a nice guy. A really down to earth nice guy. So can I tell Brittany to stop everything and just live? Don’t worry about the what ifs but live for now
The best part of the book for me was getting to meet Lilly. What a wonderful character. She teaches her cousin Brittany a few lessons that we could all benefit from. Enjoy life, make each day count and smile. We forget sometimes that time has slipped by and we have lost touch with a family member or friend. This book reminds us to not let another day pass without reaching out to that person and rekindle that relationship.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion,
One of the big problems I have with Brittany is that she overthinks everything. A new neighbor moved in. He is hot and we all know it because that is all she talks about. Then she starts obsessing about what if Matt and her son grow close and things don’t work out between him and her. The great thing about Matt is he is a nice guy. A really down to earth nice guy. So can I tell Brittany to stop everything and just live? Don’t worry about the what ifs but live for now
The best part of the book for me was getting to meet Lilly. What a wonderful character. She teaches her cousin Brittany a few lessons that we could all benefit from. Enjoy life, make each day count and smile. We forget sometimes that time has slipped by and we have lost touch with a family member or friend. This book reminds us to not let another day pass without reaching out to that person and rekindle that relationship.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion,
June 9, 2021
Summertime Lilies is a Contemporary Christian book that is written by LM Karen. I am not familiar with this author, and this is the first book that I have read by them. This is the first book in the Oak Street Series. This book is written in First Person - which is something that I have not read in awhile.
This story focuses on Brittney. She is a single mom. She is also a nurse. I did not agree with her parenting style - telling her child that they do not have a daddy. That bothered me. She also has a habit of overthinking everything. You will learn the chaos that goes on in her head. Brittney has dealt with a lot of pain from her past - and struggles with some of the decisions that she makes. Her new neighbor moves in - and she has a mega crush on him. Lilly, Brittney's cousin is my favorite character. She teaches Brittney some valuable life lessons.
Overall this was an OK book. I felt the characters were well written, they storyline was true to real life, and the writing flows nicely. I am not a fan of first person dialog, however I was able to follow along. There is not a super strong faith element - but they do pray, go to church etc.
I received a copy of this book through the Celebrate Lit blogging program - all thoughts are my own.
This story focuses on Brittney. She is a single mom. She is also a nurse. I did not agree with her parenting style - telling her child that they do not have a daddy. That bothered me. She also has a habit of overthinking everything. You will learn the chaos that goes on in her head. Brittney has dealt with a lot of pain from her past - and struggles with some of the decisions that she makes. Her new neighbor moves in - and she has a mega crush on him. Lilly, Brittney's cousin is my favorite character. She teaches Brittney some valuable life lessons.
Overall this was an OK book. I felt the characters were well written, they storyline was true to real life, and the writing flows nicely. I am not a fan of first person dialog, however I was able to follow along. There is not a super strong faith element - but they do pray, go to church etc.
I received a copy of this book through the Celebrate Lit blogging program - all thoughts are my own.
June 10, 2021
At first I was worried that this would be like every other romance - boy and girl meet; they start a relationship; they have a silly misunderstanding; they breakup; they get back together. And while Summertime Lilies did follow this formula to an extent, it also had more depth and dimension than I expected. In fact, the "misunderstanding" was a very legitimate one and something that made sense as to why it would come up between Brittany and Matt. I won't say what it is, but it makes sense and it isn't some shallow and petty misunderstanding that often occurs in most romances.
I really enjoyed getting to know the characters, and I like how they along with each other. I also liked how Brittany's long lost friend has an impact on her life, more so than she realizes, especially in encouraging her to live life and take risks.
There is a lot more I wish I could say about Summertime Lilies, but I can't because I don't want to give away spoilers. I'll end my review by saying that this was a good, clean romance that packs a punch at the end - for those of you who have read it, you'll know what I am referring to. I highly recommend it and I cannot wait for the next book in the series. 4/5 Stars.
I really enjoyed getting to know the characters, and I like how they along with each other. I also liked how Brittany's long lost friend has an impact on her life, more so than she realizes, especially in encouraging her to live life and take risks.
There is a lot more I wish I could say about Summertime Lilies, but I can't because I don't want to give away spoilers. I'll end my review by saying that this was a good, clean romance that packs a punch at the end - for those of you who have read it, you'll know what I am referring to. I highly recommend it and I cannot wait for the next book in the series. 4/5 Stars.
June 16, 2021
Brittany was starting her summer like any other summer until things started changing for her. She gets a new neighbor who captures her son’s attention as well as her own. Things change even more when she was reacquainted with a cousin during her job which is a nurse for cancer treatments. It is startling for her to imagine someone her own age to be facing such difficult news.
Lilly opens Brittany’s eyes that she tends to overthink the possibility of “what ifs” and broaden her perspective of life ahead. Her advice was valuable as she knew her life was going to be cut short. The book made the reader really think about what was important as well.
The book had many components that were lighthearted and had added humor in the right places to lighten the mood. The book was realistic and relatable. It was considered a Christian novel but I felt like opportunities to share about faith were missed.
I would recommend this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own and I was not required to leave a positive review.
Lilly opens Brittany’s eyes that she tends to overthink the possibility of “what ifs” and broaden her perspective of life ahead. Her advice was valuable as she knew her life was going to be cut short. The book made the reader really think about what was important as well.
The book had many components that were lighthearted and had added humor in the right places to lighten the mood. The book was realistic and relatable. It was considered a Christian novel but I felt like opportunities to share about faith were missed.
I would recommend this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own and I was not required to leave a positive review.
November 25, 2024
Good Grief These Books are Good 😊
So this is gonna sound weird, but I started with the second one, now I’m reading the first one and after this, I’ll probably read the third one to the series. So out of order, but at least I’m getting the last one right. Lol. This series is so sweet and good. I was looking for Christian romance, and this isn’t very faith-based but they do pray, they do speak of Christianity and their faith, and the characters make it known that they attend church. But don’t go into depth like I’m used to with some of my books. Where they’ll quote script, vocalize their prayer, sometimes even have hints or inspiration from the Holy Spirit. This series was just making sure you were aware that they were Christian. And honestly, there’s nothing wrong with that. These are just more of a light. Almost calming since I usually read suspense romance. The second one did have a little bit of suspense in it, though. But I hope everybody enjoys it as much as I do and may God bless you all and keep you in everything you do 🤗🫶🏼🤗🤲🏼
So this is gonna sound weird, but I started with the second one, now I’m reading the first one and after this, I’ll probably read the third one to the series. So out of order, but at least I’m getting the last one right. Lol. This series is so sweet and good. I was looking for Christian romance, and this isn’t very faith-based but they do pray, they do speak of Christianity and their faith, and the characters make it known that they attend church. But don’t go into depth like I’m used to with some of my books. Where they’ll quote script, vocalize their prayer, sometimes even have hints or inspiration from the Holy Spirit. This series was just making sure you were aware that they were Christian. And honestly, there’s nothing wrong with that. These are just more of a light. Almost calming since I usually read suspense romance. The second one did have a little bit of suspense in it, though. But I hope everybody enjoys it as much as I do and may God bless you all and keep you in everything you do 🤗🫶🏼🤗🤲🏼
June 4, 2021
Summertime Lilies provides a moving and heartfelt exploration of Brittany Masters (a single mom), her son Grady, their family plus a new neighbor Matt along with his family plus Brittany’s co-workers from the Cancer wing where she serves as a nurse manager. I loved everything about this book. Brittany’s strength, Grady’s enthusiasm, and Matt’s giving spirit. While I do not want to spoil anything for you the ending of this book made me cry. The author wrote it in such a poignant way.
While some intense moments happen, I appreciate how the author allowed the relationship between Brittany and Matt to develop. I also appreciated the dynamics between Brittany and her brother Derek, along with Matt and his sister Maddy. Both sets of parents also bring a wonderful dynamic to this story. This book shows So check it out for yourself.
I received a complimentary copy of this book, but it in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.
While some intense moments happen, I appreciate how the author allowed the relationship between Brittany and Matt to develop. I also appreciated the dynamics between Brittany and her brother Derek, along with Matt and his sister Maddy. Both sets of parents also bring a wonderful dynamic to this story. This book shows So check it out for yourself.
I received a complimentary copy of this book, but it in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.
June 15, 2021
I think this book was a good, quick summer read. I will admit that it took me a bit to get into the book and have it 'flow' for me. Once I really got into it, I enjoyed it and there was a good flow. I think the characters were well written and mostly realistic. I think the author wrote the physical attraction realistically, I know it will bother some readers but it was well done.
My favorite character was probably Brittany's cousin. I did like the relationship between Matt and Brittany. She is an overthinker and I relate to that really. There is a lot to think about in life and love but sometimes you just need to live in the moment and enjoy. I felt there was something missing from the book, maybe some tension or a 'problem' to work through. Overall, I enjoyed it.
3/5
Thank you to the author/publisher for the review copy of this book via Celebrate Lit. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.
My favorite character was probably Brittany's cousin. I did like the relationship between Matt and Brittany. She is an overthinker and I relate to that really. There is a lot to think about in life and love but sometimes you just need to live in the moment and enjoy. I felt there was something missing from the book, maybe some tension or a 'problem' to work through. Overall, I enjoyed it.
3/5
Thank you to the author/publisher for the review copy of this book via Celebrate Lit. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.
May 25, 2021
Summertime Lilies by LM Karen
Summertime Lilies is a beautiful, moving story of courage, love and faith. I really enjoyed reading this book. There is romance and humor. The characters are wonderful and so well presented that you feel like you know them. From the book:”This is what men do, Grady. We hunt and provide for the family.” “I thought we were picking up Chinese food?” Grady asks in confusion. “There are many ways to hunt in this day and age,” I can’t wait for the next book in this series. I would recommend this book for Christian fiction readers, romance fans, fiction readers and anyone wanting to read a good, well written book. This story took me on an emotional journey. Worth the read. This was provided through Celebrate Lit, the publisher, and author for my review. The opinions expressed are my own thoughts.
Summertime Lilies is a beautiful, moving story of courage, love and faith. I really enjoyed reading this book. There is romance and humor. The characters are wonderful and so well presented that you feel like you know them. From the book:”This is what men do, Grady. We hunt and provide for the family.” “I thought we were picking up Chinese food?” Grady asks in confusion. “There are many ways to hunt in this day and age,” I can’t wait for the next book in this series. I would recommend this book for Christian fiction readers, romance fans, fiction readers and anyone wanting to read a good, well written book. This story took me on an emotional journey. Worth the read. This was provided through Celebrate Lit, the publisher, and author for my review. The opinions expressed are my own thoughts.
June 4, 2021
Summertime Lilies begins the Oak Street series by
LM Karen. It is, also, the debut for this author. I thought it was a pretty good read. I enjoyed reading Brittany’s story. I admired Brittany’s bravery and strength as she grows throughout. My favorite character had to be Lilly. Her wise words really are ones that so many need to hear. It is not a very long book to read, with just under two hundred pages. But it is one that will make a reader smile and feel connected to the characters.
I am giving Summertime Lilies four and a half stars. I recommend it for readers who enjoy reading sweet, heartwarming and clean romance. I will be looking forward to reading the next installment from the Oak Street series.
I received a copy of Summertime Lilies from the publisher. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.
LM Karen. It is, also, the debut for this author. I thought it was a pretty good read. I enjoyed reading Brittany’s story. I admired Brittany’s bravery and strength as she grows throughout. My favorite character had to be Lilly. Her wise words really are ones that so many need to hear. It is not a very long book to read, with just under two hundred pages. But it is one that will make a reader smile and feel connected to the characters.
I am giving Summertime Lilies four and a half stars. I recommend it for readers who enjoy reading sweet, heartwarming and clean romance. I will be looking forward to reading the next installment from the Oak Street series.
I received a copy of Summertime Lilies from the publisher. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.
June 10, 2021
I LOVED this book. The romance between Brittany and Matt is slow and sweet. I enjoyed getting to know their families and I am excited to read the next book in this series and really hope it’s about Maddy and Derek.
Grady was a cutie too, Brittany’s son. Lily was a wonderful character as well. The ending was totally prefect, bittersweet actually.
Although, I did have some questions at the end. Like why did Gordan give Brittany the creeps, is there going to be more to that or is that it? I kind of kept waiting for the other shoe to drop but it never did. I guess we’ll see what happens in the next book.
A copy of this book was given to me through Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own.
Grady was a cutie too, Brittany’s son. Lily was a wonderful character as well. The ending was totally prefect, bittersweet actually.
Although, I did have some questions at the end. Like why did Gordan give Brittany the creeps, is there going to be more to that or is that it? I kind of kept waiting for the other shoe to drop but it never did. I guess we’ll see what happens in the next book.
A copy of this book was given to me through Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own.
June 8, 2021
With the majority of the book set during the Summer, this book is the perfect summer read. It has the sweet romance, the laughter and a smattering of serious moments. I really enjoyed this book. The only thing that took a bit of getting used to was the fact that the book is written in present tense which is not my favourite. There were some really great messages in this book. I enjoyed that there was some depth to it, as well as being an adorable romance. I definitely cannot wait for the next book to come out. There is a teaser chapter at the end and it was fantastic. This is a book you did not want to miss.
March 6, 2021
Summertime Lilies is a remarkable piece of perfection. Lovable, imperfect people dealing with all life’s promises and problems, teaching us life lessons. I say “people” not “characters” because I know them. They are my family and friends, now. LM Karen has written of them in such a descriptive and delightfully humorous way. Thank you for sharing this story with the world, with me... giving us an “impossible-to-put-down” book. I’m absorbing these life lessons, hoping to become more like Lily and Brittany.
March 16, 2021
Yes, this story will definitely give you all the the feels....at least it did for me! I so identified with Brittany, having been a single parent to a rambunctious little boy! Her independent nature and work ethic really struck home for me, and then when you add in the extended family and the way everyone is centered on God first, well, it was simply a wonderful read for me. I am very much looking forward to book 2!
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