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Love Notes
Hope Anderson’s heart is finally starting to thaw. Even Tommy Love’s is melting around the edges. They both want Rainbow Lake Lodge. Only one of them can have it. For Hope, recreating the past - reopening the lodge and seeing it bubbling with families, children, and laughter again – means new life. It’s the only way she can honor her late husband's legacy. For Tommy Lubinski of Tommy Love and the Love Notes fame, Rainbow Lake means coming home - peace, quiet, seclusion - and a second chance at stardom. Once he’s bulldozed the lodge and built his dream house overlooking the lake, everything will be perfect. Hope is sinking fast, but she’ll be fine if she can just keep her head above water until spring. Tommy’s troubles run a little deeper, but there’s no need to worry for now… Rainbow Lake is frozen solid. Or is it?
288 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2012
1 person is currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
Sherrie Hansen
25 books48 followersSherrie Hansen just retired from her life calling - operating a Victorian Bed & Breakfast and Tea House, The Blue Belle Inn. She enjoys writing novels, quilting, playing the piano, renovating old houses and traveling. Sherrie and her husband live in Northern Iowa.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 24, 2012
Sherrie Hansen Decker’s Love Notes is Christian romance where fiction is lifted up, not bogged down by faith. Genuine hope kindles slowly in human hearts. Beautiful music soars. Trials come, not because the characters are sinners but because they’re human and the world around us is wounded. The bad guys are drawn with space awaiting healing grace, and the scenery, towns and countryside are vivid with beauty and darkness side by side, hope hiding in the shadows.
An opening scene with winter coming, a dark storm brewing on the lake, paints assumptions that time will surely pull apart. Coincidence is nicely grounded in cause and effect. Miscommunications build on genuine misconception. And two great characters, both proudly, fiercely independent, slowly learn to see through different eyes. Forgiveness of others and self, acceptance of unwelcome advice, and finding what to stay true to when others guide you away, all these and more form a backdrop to Hope’s desire to keep Rainbow Lodge afloat and Tommy Love’s search for a song to revive his life and career.
One of them wants to escape from the crowds. The other seeks the company of crowds to enjoy the scenery. Somewhere behind it all they might be made for each other or might be made to set each other free. Meanwhile each is freed from the past as God writes his Love Notes on their hearts, through song, through beauty, through faithful community, and through hope.
The balance of finance and tradition in small towns is complicated. As well, “It’s complicated when two mature adults go into a relationship,” as one of the characters says. But complications can be anchored on solid ground and new life can be forged. This story kept me glued to the page, never knowing how I wanted the tale to end, but always sure the author would end it well. After all, she’s very clearly listening to the author of our lives as she writes these lives—Christian fiction indeed, where honest humanity meets heavenly hope.
Disclosure: I received a free ecopy of this novel from the author in exchange for my honest review and I honestly loved it.
An opening scene with winter coming, a dark storm brewing on the lake, paints assumptions that time will surely pull apart. Coincidence is nicely grounded in cause and effect. Miscommunications build on genuine misconception. And two great characters, both proudly, fiercely independent, slowly learn to see through different eyes. Forgiveness of others and self, acceptance of unwelcome advice, and finding what to stay true to when others guide you away, all these and more form a backdrop to Hope’s desire to keep Rainbow Lodge afloat and Tommy Love’s search for a song to revive his life and career.
One of them wants to escape from the crowds. The other seeks the company of crowds to enjoy the scenery. Somewhere behind it all they might be made for each other or might be made to set each other free. Meanwhile each is freed from the past as God writes his Love Notes on their hearts, through song, through beauty, through faithful community, and through hope.
The balance of finance and tradition in small towns is complicated. As well, “It’s complicated when two mature adults go into a relationship,” as one of the characters says. But complications can be anchored on solid ground and new life can be forged. This story kept me glued to the page, never knowing how I wanted the tale to end, but always sure the author would end it well. After all, she’s very clearly listening to the author of our lives as she writes these lives—Christian fiction indeed, where honest humanity meets heavenly hope.
Disclosure: I received a free ecopy of this novel from the author in exchange for my honest review and I honestly loved it.
June 5, 2019
This exciting story made me want to read faster and faster to see how conflicts would be resolved. (Like reading the Nancy Drew series, in that each chapter ended on excitement, I couldn’t put the book down-- I read the paperback--I couldn't put it down at then end of any one chapter.) Yet, in the end, it came full circle into nice soft landing. This author wrote the story well, with all the necessary story elements in place. Furthermore, historical facts and quips were incorporated into the story line; this is one intelligent author! One of the main characters is a musician, who in the beginning I was introduced to as him being an antagonist; he then converted to a protagonist. Yes, for being well written and a lively story, I recommend this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 21, 2019
Love Notes by Sherri Hansen
5 out of 5 stars
Christian romance with all the flair and nuance
"This story line was very captivating. The novel was very quick and easy reading. The plot and its characters were riveting and I soon found myself engulfed in the story, rooting for one character and then surprisingly, changing course and rooting for a different unsuspecting one later in the story. I was unexpectedly thrown off guard in a delightful way more than once. The most surprising thing, (beyond all the surprising plot twists) is that me not being Christian had no affect at all on me totally enjoying it from the first page to the last.
5 out of 5 stars
Christian romance with all the flair and nuance
"This story line was very captivating. The novel was very quick and easy reading. The plot and its characters were riveting and I soon found myself engulfed in the story, rooting for one character and then surprisingly, changing course and rooting for a different unsuspecting one later in the story. I was unexpectedly thrown off guard in a delightful way more than once. The most surprising thing, (beyond all the surprising plot twists) is that me not being Christian had no affect at all on me totally enjoying it from the first page to the last.
June 3, 2018
Sherrie Is a talented writer who eloquently draws her reader into her stories, this Christian romance is no exception. The characters are multifaceted as they genuinely struggle with human emotions.
Miscommunications by leading characters who are both independent push the story forward. Forgiveness, self acceptance, and healing bring it to a satisfying conclusion as their worlds strive to find common ground.
This love story, filled with the magic of small town living wrapped up with suspense, makes Love Notes a page turner. You don’t want to miss this book.
Miscommunications by leading characters who are both independent push the story forward. Forgiveness, self acceptance, and healing bring it to a satisfying conclusion as their worlds strive to find common ground.
This love story, filled with the magic of small town living wrapped up with suspense, makes Love Notes a page turner. You don’t want to miss this book.
October 24, 2018
I found this to be an interesting romance. Anytime you can relate fiction to everyday life such as paying bills and property fix up is all right with me. I especially enjoyed the attention to details throughout the book which is a reason the reader is drawn into the character’s reality. Everyone hopes that people who have gone on have taken care of business. Love Notes definitely delivers.
January 9, 2019
A lovely Christian story, with two great characters who are portrayed depth and conviction. I thoroughly enjoyed the locations, so beautifully depicted. The journey of Hope and Tommy is convincing, I could feel along with them through each twist and turn; the baddie was good in a baddie way too! Will go on my read again shelf.
June 16, 2019
A great romance with great characters and a wonderful read. Refreshing and hard to put down. I enjoyed it immensely.
February 25, 2019
Sherrie Hansen never disappoints. I love her writing style. She has the ability to deliver a sweet romance that keeps the reader highly engaged.
Love Notes explores the theme of getting stuck and being unable to move forward after life-challenges. It’s incredibly identifiable. Hansen has a 6th sense when it comes to characterization in her books. Her characters are flawless in their imperfections. They are mature portrayals with all the good, the bad and the ugly that real people have. Timing is off, the wrong things come out of their mouths, and their struggles mirror real-life.
Tommy, the main male character in the book, is cringeworthy at times as an aging past-his-prime singer, but Hansen did a fantastic job of capturing the challenges someone at his juncture in life would face. Hope, his love interest has her own demons to deal with after the loss of her husband and she stubbornly clings to them.
Like other Hansen’s books, Love Notes ends on a happy note, but the road to get there is definitely rocky.
Love Notes explores the theme of getting stuck and being unable to move forward after life-challenges. It’s incredibly identifiable. Hansen has a 6th sense when it comes to characterization in her books. Her characters are flawless in their imperfections. They are mature portrayals with all the good, the bad and the ugly that real people have. Timing is off, the wrong things come out of their mouths, and their struggles mirror real-life.
Tommy, the main male character in the book, is cringeworthy at times as an aging past-his-prime singer, but Hansen did a fantastic job of capturing the challenges someone at his juncture in life would face. Hope, his love interest has her own demons to deal with after the loss of her husband and she stubbornly clings to them.
Like other Hansen’s books, Love Notes ends on a happy note, but the road to get there is definitely rocky.
February 16, 2020
I really enjoy everything this author puts out and this story is no exception. This has great characters and a lovely setting, just like all of her books. She describes everything so perfectly. I also thought the rock star element was fun. This was a sweet romance and engaging read.
July 2, 2012
Love Notes is my debut Christian Inspirational novel, written under my married name, Sherrie Hansen Decker. It's set in Embarrass, at Rainbow Lake Lodge, in beautiful northern Minnesota. Enjoy!
September 19, 2012
Find a complete listing for Love Notes under Sherrie Hansen Decker. Love Notes is my debut Christian Inspirational, published under my married name.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews