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Ruby Lake #1
Ruby Lake
Sydney Myers has been through several failed relationships in the past year, in addition to several other trauma's, and is now giving up on finding her knight in dented armor. When her boss sends her to Ruby Lake, a small, rural town in northern Wisconsin, the last thing she was looking for was love at first sight, not to mention a place in the world where she finally fits. Add in her city-savvy best friend, a jealous ex-girlfriend, a famous father, and a coffee shop full of off-the wall characters, and it becomes more challenging for Sydney to manage than a spinning plate competition. When disaster strikes close to home, Sydney is left with the unbearable choice of her family, or the life she has always dreamed of. Come with Sydney on her journey and laugh, cry and rediscover why some choices are not really choices at all, they are simply fate.
242 pages, Paperback
First published June 7, 2011
37 people are currently reading
438 people want to read
About the author
Sherrill Willis
4 books41 followersI am the author of Ruby Lake, and A Wedding in Ruby Lake, and the upcoming (10/13) Stay a While in Ruby Lake. I sincerely hope you enjoy my twist on typical romance books and look forward to seeing your reviews. Thank you for your support.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
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October 18, 2013I wrote it so of COURSE I like it. ;)
December 12, 2013
Ruby Lake
"This is what I think is the best part about being human, it's like nothing else, love."
This surprisingly "sexy" story opens with a burst of energy that brought me right out of my sleepy afternoon daze. I loved the sarcastic banter and realistic emotions that were scattered all over these pages. It was so spunky and energetic. Just what the doctor ordered (I've been having a bit of a winter bug.)
This story was entertaining and at the same time, easy to get cozy with almost immediately. The writing is sharp and the dialog clever. It feels effortless to fall into this story.
Ruby Lake takes you on an exhilarating journey. I had no hesitation falling in love with Sydney and her keen sense of humor. The plot was clever and enjoyable. It had me laughing one minute and feeling emotional the next.
"This is what I think is the best part about being human, it's like nothing else, love."
This surprisingly "sexy" story opens with a burst of energy that brought me right out of my sleepy afternoon daze. I loved the sarcastic banter and realistic emotions that were scattered all over these pages. It was so spunky and energetic. Just what the doctor ordered (I've been having a bit of a winter bug.)
This story was entertaining and at the same time, easy to get cozy with almost immediately. The writing is sharp and the dialog clever. It feels effortless to fall into this story.
Ruby Lake takes you on an exhilarating journey. I had no hesitation falling in love with Sydney and her keen sense of humor. The plot was clever and enjoyable. It had me laughing one minute and feeling emotional the next.
January 5, 2012
Two-haiku review:
California gal
Falls hard for Wisconsin guy
Can they make it work?
Story started well
But deteriorated
In plot and writing
California gal
Falls hard for Wisconsin guy
Can they make it work?
Story started well
But deteriorated
In plot and writing
January 8, 2012
Good story. This is the first book that I have read from this author. I enjoyed the story, however, the ending wrapped up extremely quickly and left some unanswered questions. For example, what transpired between Alex and Illiana and did Annie ever have a change of attitude? Overall, though, I liked the book
May 15, 2012
This book was filled with down to earth, believeable characters that steal your heart. And I hear that the next book is in the making! I cant wait to go back to Ruby Lake!
September 21, 2012
Ruby Lake is one of those books you read when you need a pick me up, something to make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I think it's even the kind of situation that I fantasized about happening to me when I was younger and single.
Book Description from Amazon:
Sydney Myers has been through several failed relationships in the past year, in addition to several other trauma's, and is now giving up on finding her knight in dented armor. When her boss sends her to Ruby Lake, a small, rural town in northern Wisconsin, the last thing she was looking for was love at first sight, not to mention a place in the world where she finally fits. Add in her city-savvy best friend, a jealous ex-girlfriend, a famous father, and a coffee shop full of off-the wall characters, and it becomes more challenging for Sydney to manage than a spinning plate competition.
When disaster strikes close to home, Sydney is left with the unbearable choice of her family, or the life she has always dreamed of. Come with Sydney on her journey and laugh, cry and rediscover why some choices are not really choices at all, they are simply fate.
Sherrill Willis did a fantastic job of not making the little things too obvious. I was surprised by the match ups in the book, she did not choose to put the most obvious characters together and I liked that. While the book really follows Sydney's relationship, the author leaves me with questions about other relationships in the book, good thing there is a second book, Ineed to find out what's up!
The off-the wall characters in the coffee shop were some of my favorites. All the ladies have a good sense of humor and they would do anything for each other. They gather and share their stories, laughing with each other, crying with each other, offering the support that only friends can really give.
Sydney is a strong and independant woman (who doesn't love a character like that!) who seems to be able to keep things under control until disaster strikes and I can't help but feel bad for her, can't a girl get a break!! Her luck with men has never seemed to be very good and while she is great at her job, she needs more. When she finally finds more and is working her way to being happy, she gets knocked down.
It's really hard to catagorize this book because at times I felt like it was written for college age or older, but then other times, I felt like it was more young adult. Overall it was a great read and I would definitely recommend it to someone who is looking for a "make you feel the warm and fuzzies" kind of book. It has a little friendship, love, and just enough drama to keep you reading more!
Book Description from Amazon:
Sydney Myers has been through several failed relationships in the past year, in addition to several other trauma's, and is now giving up on finding her knight in dented armor. When her boss sends her to Ruby Lake, a small, rural town in northern Wisconsin, the last thing she was looking for was love at first sight, not to mention a place in the world where she finally fits. Add in her city-savvy best friend, a jealous ex-girlfriend, a famous father, and a coffee shop full of off-the wall characters, and it becomes more challenging for Sydney to manage than a spinning plate competition.
When disaster strikes close to home, Sydney is left with the unbearable choice of her family, or the life she has always dreamed of. Come with Sydney on her journey and laugh, cry and rediscover why some choices are not really choices at all, they are simply fate.
Sherrill Willis did a fantastic job of not making the little things too obvious. I was surprised by the match ups in the book, she did not choose to put the most obvious characters together and I liked that. While the book really follows Sydney's relationship, the author leaves me with questions about other relationships in the book, good thing there is a second book, Ineed to find out what's up!
The off-the wall characters in the coffee shop were some of my favorites. All the ladies have a good sense of humor and they would do anything for each other. They gather and share their stories, laughing with each other, crying with each other, offering the support that only friends can really give.
Sydney is a strong and independant woman (who doesn't love a character like that!) who seems to be able to keep things under control until disaster strikes and I can't help but feel bad for her, can't a girl get a break!! Her luck with men has never seemed to be very good and while she is great at her job, she needs more. When she finally finds more and is working her way to being happy, she gets knocked down.
It's really hard to catagorize this book because at times I felt like it was written for college age or older, but then other times, I felt like it was more young adult. Overall it was a great read and I would definitely recommend it to someone who is looking for a "make you feel the warm and fuzzies" kind of book. It has a little friendship, love, and just enough drama to keep you reading more!
January 25, 2013
We start Ruby Lake with Sydney who loves her job building Databases for companies in Sacramento with her best friend Illana.
She's newly single and abit depressed over another failed relationship. What's fortuitous is that an out of town job has come up in Ruby Lake just when she needs to get away most.
With a not so subtle push from Illana Sydney flys to a very remote town and has a wake up call from the locals. Being a City girl it's a shock to the system to see people leaving their keys in their cars and their front doors unlocked.
The Party Supplies firm that's employed her however is full of drama and her first day there she makes an enemy of someone she's not even met and an admirer from one of the bosses.
Illana is soon drafted in and flown to Ruby Lake to help with the contract and the pair of them become awfully friendly with some local men and targets of jelousy from the women.
The plot have numerous ups and downs and I even had to check how far along the story was a few times as there was enough content and plot for 2 books!
Ruby Lake certainly isn't just about a girl flying to a small town and finding new love but about what happens afterward and all the problems inbetween. You really get a feel for the characters and there's plenty of room for development from them in the sequel.
You really journey with Sydney through lots of ups and downs and hear snippets of her back story when needed so you get a feel for who she is.
Illana is still quite one dimensional but she has her own story to come and is there for Sydney throughout.
The men i'll leave as a surprise :-)
The story was gripping and a fresh twist on a typical romance. Mills&Boone for the modern day reader!
Onto to the next one
She's newly single and abit depressed over another failed relationship. What's fortuitous is that an out of town job has come up in Ruby Lake just when she needs to get away most.
With a not so subtle push from Illana Sydney flys to a very remote town and has a wake up call from the locals. Being a City girl it's a shock to the system to see people leaving their keys in their cars and their front doors unlocked.
The Party Supplies firm that's employed her however is full of drama and her first day there she makes an enemy of someone she's not even met and an admirer from one of the bosses.
Illana is soon drafted in and flown to Ruby Lake to help with the contract and the pair of them become awfully friendly with some local men and targets of jelousy from the women.
The plot have numerous ups and downs and I even had to check how far along the story was a few times as there was enough content and plot for 2 books!
Ruby Lake certainly isn't just about a girl flying to a small town and finding new love but about what happens afterward and all the problems inbetween. You really get a feel for the characters and there's plenty of room for development from them in the sequel.
You really journey with Sydney through lots of ups and downs and hear snippets of her back story when needed so you get a feel for who she is.
Illana is still quite one dimensional but she has her own story to come and is there for Sydney throughout.
The men i'll leave as a surprise :-)
The story was gripping and a fresh twist on a typical romance. Mills&Boone for the modern day reader!
Onto to the next one
January 23, 2013
I really enjoyed Ruby Lake. Normally, Im a paranormal romance kinda girl, but decided on a whim to give this one a go. I must say, I was pleasantly surprised! The characters are so totally relatable, and each time I put the book (kindle- lol) down, I couldn't wait to pick it back up again.. Needless to say, I read the book in a record 2 days - thank goodness for a day off, and thanks Sherrill Willis for a great read! Can't wait to go back for the wedding! :)
January 25, 2012
Not sure how to rate this one. I wasn't expecting too much from it as an amazon freebie but the first part of the story was a real pleasant surprise. I found the ending rather rushed and a bit soap opera-y but all in all I enjoyed it.
February 16, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. I'm from Wisconsin and the setting and people rang true. I really found myself getting caught up in the characters. I hope to see a sequel. I would certainly pick that up.
May 4, 2012
Clear a few hours before starting this book, because having to put it down won't be an option. I loved the relationships and was happy to find myself in this place with these people. I am looking forward to my next trip to Ruby Lake.
May 13, 2012
It was all so vivd, I'm ready to pack up and move to Ruby Lake. I can't ait for "The Wedding" to atke place in the next book!
December 27, 2012
Enjoyed reading this book....found I couldn't put it down....I'd read the next in this series....there's got to be a wedding and more about Sydney's move to Ruby Lake...
January 6, 2013
Loved the storyline. Would love to see a sequel on their lives or even additional novels on Annie and Alex
January 11, 2013
Was glad to see there was a 2nd book as I enjoyed these characters.
August 23, 2018
An enjoyable read
I really like how the author introduced so many characters with their own stories within this story. I can see a long RUBY LAKE series just from this one book. I want to know everyone’s story! Enjoyed this book immensely!!
I really like how the author introduced so many characters with their own stories within this story. I can see a long RUBY LAKE series just from this one book. I want to know everyone’s story! Enjoyed this book immensely!!
December 20, 2015
Amateurish and silly.
The cover evokes a sense of gentle mystery -- dusk at the lake. Maybe rain. Romance. But the book is like having your loudest girlfriend chatter and shriek at you for two hours straight.
About nothing.
Well, not nothing. At the end of two hours, you've got about 90 seconds worth of plot. Our heroine travels from CA to a distant town. Her presence there alienates a woman (a villain straight out of a campfire skit -- if she had a mustache she'd twirl it -- but who is reduced to angry glares, slamming doors and childish pranks. This is drama worthy of a novel?). Romance ensues. That's it.
Ruby Lake isn't a terrible book, but it's written with terrible inefficiency. Though the author has a good handle on dialogue (I wouldn't call it witty but at least it's lively) ... does she have to write so damn much of it? It comes off as annoying because conveys so little useful character or plot info. Sigh.
That pretty much pertains to the whole book, which comes off a bit sloppy in its execution. Minor scenes that take the plot NOWHERE go on for pages and pages, and include rafts of detail that clutter the narrative. The overall plot is flat and without real suspense, tension or romance. The characters (all of them with the exception, maybe, of Ilana the best friend) are thin and cliched.
If you're going to tell a predictable, formulaic story (and there's nothing wrong with that), you gotta make it stylish and surprising enough to hold our interest! If we know from page 1 WHERE we're going, getting there better be fun!
It's not. Ruby Lake left me bored and frustrated.
The cover evokes a sense of gentle mystery -- dusk at the lake. Maybe rain. Romance. But the book is like having your loudest girlfriend chatter and shriek at you for two hours straight.
About nothing.
Well, not nothing. At the end of two hours, you've got about 90 seconds worth of plot. Our heroine travels from CA to a distant town. Her presence there alienates a woman (a villain straight out of a campfire skit -- if she had a mustache she'd twirl it -- but who is reduced to angry glares, slamming doors and childish pranks. This is drama worthy of a novel?). Romance ensues. That's it.
Ruby Lake isn't a terrible book, but it's written with terrible inefficiency. Though the author has a good handle on dialogue (I wouldn't call it witty but at least it's lively) ... does she have to write so damn much of it? It comes off as annoying because conveys so little useful character or plot info. Sigh.
That pretty much pertains to the whole book, which comes off a bit sloppy in its execution. Minor scenes that take the plot NOWHERE go on for pages and pages, and include rafts of detail that clutter the narrative. The overall plot is flat and without real suspense, tension or romance. The characters (all of them with the exception, maybe, of Ilana the best friend) are thin and cliched.
If you're going to tell a predictable, formulaic story (and there's nothing wrong with that), you gotta make it stylish and surprising enough to hold our interest! If we know from page 1 WHERE we're going, getting there better be fun!
It's not. Ruby Lake left me bored and frustrated.
January 9, 2013
The quirky characters in this book make for an amusing read. A computer nerd working in California is sent to Ruby Lake, Wisconsin on a project. She immediately adapts to the community and falls in love with one of the locals. The entire story is well written and entertaining.
It was a great free Kindle.
It was a great free Kindle.
February 4, 2013
Excellent book, with characters that are endearing and believable. I, honestly, and usually a true crime and fictional crime book reader. I figured I would try and change it up a bit, couldn't put it down! Sherrill's writing made me picture both the characters and Ruby Lake, by the end of the book I felt like they were my friends. Can't wait to read the second book.
June 17, 2013
I can't believe this book got so many high-point reviews. I started stumbling over the multiple glaring grammatical errors - basic stuff like plural vs possessive - within the first pages of the Prologue. And the amateurish style was too painful. I didn't even finish the prologue and deleted it from my Kindle. Good thing it was free.
January 10, 2012
This was a welcome break from all the holocaust reading I have been doing lately! It was a fast read, comfortably predictable. Only two stars since it was so predictable - another in a long list of beach novels.
February 2, 2014
Great story. I got this free from Bookbub and was not sure what to expect. There was not a character I didn't believe or like. The story was beautiful and now I know there are two more books for me to find in this series. I can't wait.
February 17, 2012
chick lit, bit too romantic for me.
February 3, 2012
This was a nice love story. A little predictable but definitly a good read for a free kindle book.
February 17, 2012
I read this on my Kindle. It was a really good easy read and had a great story line. I loved the end. I didn't want to put it down.
January 23, 2013
Great book!! Great Author!! Loved reading this, Sherrill makes you feel like you are right "in" the story! I have never read a book that made me feel that way!
June 3, 2012
Pretty good
March 15, 2015
I felt that halfway through the book the writing style changed. A new chapter would begin, referencing things that had previously happened but hadn't been written about yet.
March 1, 2013
A fun read.
June 3, 2013
Very average book. Nothing exceptional. Good easy, quick, read. Beach reading.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews