Changes are coming to Elk Canyon Lake. Will anything survive the upheaval?
As Bennett and Hazel work to find something normal in their unexpected romance, their worlds slip sideways all over again. They know they've found love, but can it endure despite their very different personalities and life outlooks? On top of that, there are so many profound changes . . .
Bennett is working to establish a new life in Montana, and Hazel's brother Hunter is coming back. To stay.
Hunter Wallace never had an intention to return to Elk Canyon Lake, even if the woman who held his heart had stubbornly remained there. But after a medical discharge sends his life skittering, he has run into a dead-end. The lake might be all he's got, so he's bound and determined to make something of it.
Janie Truitt has proven she's got the grit it takes to be her own boss. Her business is flourishing, as much as possible in tiny Luna, Montana. She's steady, and if she doesn't think about Hunter, she's happy. But the not thinking about Hunter is going to be difficult when he rumbles back into her world.
Come back to the majestic beauty of Elk Canyon Lake, a remote and breathtaking wonder hidden in the stunning Montana Mountains. There you'll find unexpected romance, the redemption of broken pasts, and hope dawning anew.
REDEMPTION
1. Lake Shore Wandering 2. Lake Shore Return 3. Lake Shore Splendor (coming December 2023) 4. Lake Shore Awakening (coming Feburary 2024)
Jennifer Rodewald is passionate about the Word of God and the powerful vehicle of story. Four kids and her own personal superman make her home in southwestern Nebraska delightfully chaotic.
Born in Colorado, she experienced both the seclusion of rugged mountain living and the busy streets of a Denver suburb during her growing up years. Somewhere in the middle of college, she married a Husker and found her way back to the quiet lifestyle of a rural area, which suits just fine.
Blessed with a robust curiosity, Jen loves to research. Whether she’s investigating the history of a given area, the biography of a Christian icon, or how nature declares the glory of God, her daily goal is to learn something new. Aiming to live with boundless enthusiasm, her creed is vision, pursuit, and excellence.
Jen lives and writes in a lovely speck of a town where she watches with amazement while her children grow up way too fast, gardens, and marvels at God’s mighty hand in everyday life.
This series is one continuing story about hardened people, so the redemption is realistically slow in breaking through. We've been conditioned to have everything wrapped up in one book, so even though each book does have significant growth for the characters, so much is needed that it's frustrating when they're not "all the way" yet. Janie in particular seems far more bitter than necessary for the wound she has, but the whole lot needs Jesus. I love Captain Brighton. I am not a fan of storylines of believers dating with the intention of marrying unbelievers because that goes directly against Scripture, so that also keeps this installment from being a favorite by this author. With that said, I am definitely looking forward to seeing what she does in the next installment for these characters.
Hunter returns to Luna, Montana after he is medically discharged from the Navy. Not something he expected but neither is his sister visiting him in the hospital. He is seeing changes in his sister that he knows is because of Bennett. Hazel is still as stubborn as ever but she is resisting the changes that are all around her. In the beginning, I didn't quite understand what the author had meant about this series being a saga but this second book is starting to show what she was talking about...All the characters have rough edges, secrets, and not-so-great intentions. I like John Brighton he doesn't forget about Hunter and makes the effort to visit him once he leaves the Navy.
What a great continuation of the story that started in Lake Shore Wandering. I love that we’re following the same characters from the first book and getting to see their struggles and triumphs, their growth and setbacks. I’ve enjoyed watching their lives unfold—the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Hazel can be a difficult person at times. She's stubborn, direct, and set in her ways, and while I didn’t agree with a lot of what she said and did, I could relate to her awkwardness around others and to the fact that she was an introvert.
I didn’t think I’d like Bennett at the beginning of the first story, but, oh my, I’ve loved seeing the change in him. I love watching him try to be a better man and rediscover his faith in God. Despite how different he and Hazel are, I think they’re really good for each other. They make each other better, and I hope they can make their relationship work.
Hunter had a bit of a chip on his shoulder, and I can’t say that I liked him very much to begin with. Especially with what he did in the first book. But somewhere along the way, he really started to grow on me. I’m loving his transformation. Things are tough for him at the start of this book. He has a very contentious relationship with his sister Hazel, and then he’s dealt a blow with his job. I was so glad he had his commanding officer, John Brighton, in his life. What a godsend he was!
I liked Janie instantly. She had a brightness and joy about her that was infectious. But her sunshiny attitude disappeared whenever Hunter showed up or was even mentioned. I was so eager to learn their history and why there was so much animosity between them. I’m hoping they can work through their issues because it’s obvious they still care for one another.
I love how Jennifer Rodewald makes me feel like I’m reading about real people dealing with real-life issues. I always say this about her books, but there’s such an authenticity to them. That’s one of the things I love most about her books. I'm loving this series so far and am so eager for the next one!
I received an advanced copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.
Hazel doesn't like change. Yes, Bennett's arrival turned out to be a good thing, but she'd like everything else to stay the same, thank you very much. Unfortunately, she's not going to get her wish. When her estranged brother falls ill, she finally realises it's time to reconcile - but when his career falls apart, the changes only balloon. She's trying to do everything on her own. Will she ever recognise the need to let others in - and the fact that ultimately, only one being can truly help? Or is her relationship with Bennett doomed? And can the sibling find redemption at the place that is the source of their pain?
A great continuation of the series - deeply touching and inspiring, and I loved it. Hazel has a lot of growing to do, and so do Hunter and Bennett (though to a slightly lesser extent). It's a very emotional journey, and I found it very meaningful. The two romances-in-the-making are far from smooth and I'm really hoping that Hunter and Janie can start to work things out better in the next book - not to mention that while it's nice to see Hazel and Bennett together, they've still got a long way to go. The focus of this book, though, felt like it was more on the relationship between Hazel and Hunter, and they made good progress, which was lovely to watch. Note that these aren't standalone stories - this relies on the previous book, and ends in somewhat of a cliffhanger. Nevertheless, a great story - highly recommended, and I'm really looking forward to the next book.
Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.
“That was the hard, sad reality of life. People messed up. Relationships were messy. Forgiveness was hard.”
When I read that this would be more of a saga series, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. I liked opening this book with another character’s point of view. I felt a bit wary going into our characters from book one because I really do not like the cohabitation visits going on. However, knowing this author and her heart, and faith, and convictions, and having read her other books, I stuck with it. I can honestly say this book and series is very different from her other ones. But, that doesn’t mean it’s not great, because it is. It’s a deep dive into characters who all started this series on the wrong side of things with Christ. We see Bennett back looking for God and His ways and plans. We get to deep dive more into the process of relationships: familial, friendship, and romantic. I’m excited to see where this series goes. As a saga series, it’s very “normal” in the flow progression and I’m super excited that we get the “side” characters of Hunter and Janie and their pasts and presents. It was a lovely, though also painful and heart breaking, read in what sounds like a very picturesque setting.
I received an ARC of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Hunter had finally returned to Luna for good, but not because he wanted to. And at last, we get a glimpse into Hunter and Janie’s past.
There’s so much I love about this book. First, how the book tackles the Wallace siblings’ reconciliation, and this is important because their relationship affects all the other relationships and the people around them.
Then, Bennett and Hunter’s brotherhood, in building and sharing their faith in God. Which will become very important going forward. And I really love how God would put men of God or brothers in Christ in Hunter and Bennett’s life, that can help them grow their faith and become their accountability partner. Not just Hunter and Bennett to each other. And although this story is fictional, this does happen in real life. And it shows that as believers, God never meant for us to do life alone. That’s also why God wants us to pray for and strengthen one another.
And whether we like Bennett and Hazel’s relationship in this book or not, I can’t really deny that he’s a good influence for her. Bennett knows how to draw boundaries with Hazel and can hold her accountable for her actions, which lead to Hazel changing into her better self and even accepting that changes are not that bad.
Oh boy, here we go guys. Lake Shore Return is full of emotion, turmoil, change, romance, intrigue and so much more. We now have two storylines goin - Hunter and Hazel, and I am here for it! Rodewald dives a little deeper into the emotions in this second novel in the series, and I'm glad because she does such an amazing job. Plus we start to see a real faith thread here, and Rodewald did a great job of balancing that as well.
There is a lot of character growth in this story, and yet there are still some things that are not resolved by the end. That's why we need to keep going with the series. Honestly? I appreciate that it is being written this way. Way to many times in romance novels we see a happy ending, and the next in the series moves onto a different couple. This feels more realistic, and something I can better relate to.
If you haven't read book one in the series, you will definitely want to go back and read it so you get the big picture. I'm excited to see what's next for these characters.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This series is deep and hard, painful and beautiful. It’s not a series to be quickly skimmed, but deeply felt. I was so hesitant with the first book as it wasn’t at all what I expected, but I was drawn in with the artistry of Rodewald’s writing. I have so many paragraphs highlighted in these books. So much I want to learn and take to heart in my own life!
Lake Shore Return is about exposing the ugliness of deep wounds in order to be not only healed, but be set free. Bennet and Hazel, Hunter and Janie have stories of raw brokenness and yet also love that is so worth fighting for.
This second book is a beautiful unfolding of hope and redemption, and I can’t wait to see how these individuals and their relationships will play out in the next book. I’m so encouraged by Hunter’s new life and look forward to seeing more healing and restoration in each one’s lives and relationships. This is a series to be savored!
Lake Shore Return is a continuation of the characters and story that began in Lake Shore Wandering. Hazel, Bennett, Hunter, and Janie have struggles and are dealing with bitterness from the past. Medically discharged from the Navy, Hunter returns to Montana to put down roots and stay. Hazel, an introvert and who doesn't like changes, hasn't forgiven her brother for the stunt he pulled in Lake Shore Wandering and isn't thrilled he has returned. We get the backstory of Hunter and Janie's former relationship and secrets from the past are revealed. Themes of redemption and returning are woven into this story. I enjoyed how Hunter's former commanding officer John Brighton took Hunter under his wing and displayed Christ to him. As this is a saga, I'm looking forward to the continuation of the characters in the next installment.
This book was not at all what I expected. There is much unresolved at the end but I can’t truly claim the story was incomplete. I don’t much like Hazel. Her issues run deep and poison most interactions with others. She struggles mightily in ways I don’t understand but also in one way that I get, specifically being introverted. Bennett has come a long way in personal development. He’s working on his personal relationship with Christ and trying to have a relationship with Hazel. Then there’s Hunter and Janie as well as John Brighton. These supporting characters add balance to this tale. My favorite parts of this book were the prayers and John’s letters to Hunter. I received an advanced copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.
Another moving and emotional ride from this author. It’s best to read the first in the series to appreciate the characters. Bennett and Hazel are figuring how to have a long distance romance, with Hazel still very doubtful of her worth. We see much more of Janie and Hunter - what drew them together in the first place and what caused the massive rift in their relationship. As always, with this author, we see God at work, both in restoring relationships and drawing people to Him. I love this story and these characters. The struggles they face are dealt with in a relatable way and I feel their pain and their joy. Off to read the third book!
Another good installment of the Lake Shore series. The characters are so well developed and different. Hazel is a true mountain lioness, so fierce and stubborn. You never know which personality will show up, but she is changing, evolving into a better balanced woman. Hazel and her brother had such a rough childhood, so much baggage and so little real love. Loved seeing the maturity of Bennett. He is growing in his Christianity and has a positive influence on both Hazel and Hunter. Can’t wait to read the next book in this series.
Just like real life is messy, I appreciate Christian fiction that reflects the struggles and difficulties that don’t easily clean up. This story features characters with dysfunctional histories, and as it takes time to work through the issues, this author is using multiple books to take us through the process. It is definitely well worth it, but readers should know that they will want to read the entire series.
It would have been difficult to imagine that the conflict could have been realistically resolved in this story. The author took it out there. She was dealing with people so far removed from God that it would have taken nothing short of a miracle to bring about reconciliation; redemption.
This is the second installment of a powerful story, but man, does it leave you hanging. There needs to be a disclaimer that a) it’s not a standalone and b) wait for for whole series before you begin. That said, these books tackle hard subjects with grace and most of all, redemption. Now I shall sit and wait for the next chapter.
Wow! This second book in the series is probably my favorite! You have two siblings who struggle with their past and forgiving each other, and even allowing God into their lives. This is such a true-to-life and powerful story that I highly recommend to everyone. Very well done!
I enjoyed the storyline and life the characters though struggle a bit to visualise Hazel. I would rather read a whole novel that has a complete end rather than having to keep waiting for the next book in the series.
Pleasantly surprised with this 2nd book in series. Found first book a bit predictable and far fetched at the beginning, but this book much deeper and believable with good christian content. Looking forward to reading book 3 now.
You definitely want to read this series in order, as each new book builds on the previous one. New characters show up, but you really need the back stories on the main characters that show up in all the books. There are plot twists galore in this book, characters trying to adjust to new challenges, and lots of good Biblical teaching.
I'm enjoying this series of books, which is more of an ongoing serial than individual stories. I'm heading to buy the next one right now! Such emotional issues that are tackled - pull out the tissues for this one! Highly recommended, but start with book 1!
I have absolutely loved every book by Jennifer Rodewald, until this series. There is a Christian base to it and each character experiences growth, though some are more stubborn about it than others, but I had a serious issue with the "experienced Christian" who is leading another into the Christian life.
Hunter is the first to consider Christianity and his mentor comes to his house every week for Bible study and he brings (and drinks) alcohol. I know our culture tells us the occasional drink is normal, but the Bible tells us to abstain from every appearance of evil and alcohol has never had an appearance of holiness.
Hazel is absolutely annoying. Everything about her stubbornness was annoying. Her bitterness towards everybody was like watching her grip a knife by the blade and the harder she held on to it the deeper it cut but she refused to let go. Then I realized I'm like that in a few ways too and in the end my heart just broke for her. She had a hard life and never learned how to love anyone.
Overall the book was well written and the characters grew but I would not recommend it to a friend. I think Jennifer has many more books that are worth reading.