Lakeside Sweethearts

by Lisa Jordan

From Friendship to Romance

Agnes Kingsley can hardly bear to walk past the house she lived in as a married woman. It's full of bad memories she's never shared—not even with her best friend, Ian James. But now Ian wants her help to restore that old home for a community project. Agnes knows it's for a good cause, but as their work brings them even closer together, she's afraid to trust—in herself or in the feelings she's secretly harbored for her childhood friend. Yet as they chip away at the house, walls come down around both their hearts…uncovering a foundation to last a lifetime.

Genres: Love Inspired, Romance, Christian Fiction

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Mandy Boerma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read

A wonderful story of friendship, family and forgiveness. Highlighted with tensions, twists and a big rain storm bring this delightful story to a fantastic end.

[Dorel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book's storyline was okay. I liked the Christian ✝️ theme in this story. I liked Agnes's character. I felt sorry for Agnes. I liked Ian's character. I liked the ending.

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet read filled with love, heartache, and forgiveness. Many good life lessons gleaned the pages. A super fun read.

[Cate Marsden · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was well-written, but it fell firmly into the Not For Me category. I think someone looking for something different from their romances would love it, though.
I read romances as little doses of happiness, I admit that. I crave the guaranteed happy ending, and the neat wrapping-up of problems. Which was why this one didn't work for me, as much as I loved the characters and setting.
Because the heroine's infertility was set up very early in the book, along with her love of children, and the hero's desire for children of his own, I needed this issue to be resolved. I couldn't get "happy ending feelings" over their marriage, even though I was happy they were finally together, without knowing what happened on that front. I admire the writer for being realistic enough to stick with the infertility; there was no magical handwaving of the issue, no surprise pregnancy in the epilogue. But I still would have liked some hint as to how they worked it out. Did they adopt? Foster children? Learn that there were things (travel? mission work?) in life they wouldn't have been able to do as parents and therefore gradually embrace their life without children?
But it was a lovely book in many regards, and offered a comforting hopefulness in the face of the problems life throws at people. (Serious problems, too: among other things, the hero is dealing with his sister's incarceration for drunk driving that resulted in a death.)
Also, Ian is the best and clearest example of a "beta hero" I've seen. He's kind and devoted, but he's miles removed from the "rich alpha billionaire" who can thrown money and power at problems to make them go away.

[Jill Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lisa’s book is full of delightful characters, a great small-town setting, southern sass, and the kind of love story I love to see—long-lost sweethearts. If you’ve read Lisa's first books, you’ll appreciate those characters entwined in this book. (But if you haven't read the first books, this story can definitely stand alone.) Jordan deals with tough issues in a gentle manner. If you're looking for a meant-to-be love story, Lakeside Sweethearts won't disappoint.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Jill Kemerer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. Lisa Jordan tackles tough issues (consequences of drunk driving, spousal abuse, and more) and weaves them into a charming small-town setting with two strong, independent people perfect for each other! Picnics, swimming in the lake, and a Founder's Day festival make it a great summer read, but seeing Agnes work through her past fears to embrace love was my favorite part.

[Harlequin Books]

received 4 stars @ RT Book Reviews

[Harlequin Books]

"This is a sweet take on second chances and hope (RT Book Reviews)". 4 stars

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Divorced and abused woman has to find the courage to help renovate her old house.

[Adrienne]

Not rating because this storyline is not "up my alley."

This is simply a placeholder so that I do not pick this up again.

[Sheri Jesse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick, easy read.