Summers with Miss Elizabeth

by Lori Knowles

“FOR DOCK LOVERS AND DAYDREAMERS”

A tender, funny, heartbreaking new summer novel set in Muskoka, Canada's Hamptons—for lovers of Elin Hilderbrand, Carly Fortune and Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeny. One wealthy family. One beautiful cottage. Many summers of secrets. More than a decade after tragedy strikes, Colin Montgomery returns to Wynward Cottage to spend one last summer with the marvelous Miss Elizabeth. As a child, he was saved by the Wynward family. Ultimately it’s Colin who saves the Wynwards.

Shy, orphaned Colin Montgomery appears to finally have it an ivy-league education, a century-old, lakeside cottage in Muskoka, and a benefactor in the marvelous “Miss Elizabeth” Wynward, the shrewd, champagne-swilling mistress of Pittsburgh’s Wynward Steel.

Colin spends idyllic summers of the 1970s alongside the spirited yet troubled Wynward grandchildren. They swim, they sail, they fall in love, they ride in glossy wooden launches. But when tragedy strikes, the Wynwards are ripped away from the lake, away from each other. Fifteen years later, with the grand lady’s health failing, it’s up to Colin to bring them together. With help from old family photographs, he must take on the charming force that is Miss Elizabeth to unravel family secrets and uncover what really happened. By welcoming him into the family as a child, the Wynwards rescued Colin. Ultimately it’s Colin who rescues the Wynwards.

Genres: Fiction

488 pages, Paperback

Published May 1, 2024

About the author

Lori Knowles is a writer, journalist, co-editor of Ski Canada Magazine and former columnist for the Toronto Sun. Her debut novel is Summers With Miss Elizabeth, a beachy family drama in set in Muskoka, Canada's Hamptons, that was written for dock lovers, daydreamers and fans of Elin Hilderbrand and Delia Owens.

Reviews

[Joan Hargrave · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! It is so well written - interesting characters with all sorts of secrets and family dramas. I didn’t want to put it down - that,to me, is the telltale sign of a great read. I also met the author at a local farmers market and love that I’m supporting a local author! If you’re looking for a summer read, this is it. Enjoy!

[Krista MacLean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summers with Miss Elizabeth transports you back to a time where you lived out the hours of a summer day with field walks, breezy porch chats, and lake swims. Lori’s descriptive writing not only makes you imagine you are there but makes you feel it. An excellent story about family, friendship and loyalty.

[Sharon Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading Summers with Miss Elizabeth! From page 1, I was drawn into the story. Lori’s character development and plot twist demonstrates her ability to write an amazing story. Lori, I am so glad I met you at The Shipyards and that you asked me if I like to read. This book was a great read. Being on vacation in Muskoka made it even better.

[Rebecca J · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just put down the book after finishing the last few pages. Needless to say, there were tears glistening in my eyes. Lori did a marvellous job at capturing the Muskoka summer scene, along with the family dynamics of the Wynward family. Lori kept me guessing the WHOLE book. When I thought I had it figured out, NOPE, she threw me off again!!! This is most definitely a summer MUST read. Thank you for setting the summer mood with this book launch.

[Mariya T (msbookworld) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summers with Miss Elizabeth is a mix of coming of age, forgiveness and discovering that your family is not just the one you are born with but also the people you choose time and time again. This book makes for a quick, although not always light, read in the sun. If you enjoyed books like the Summer I Turned Pretty, but are alright with something less romance heavy then I think you will really enjoy Summers with Miss Elizabeth

[Shadow Mystique · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. The suspense is there throughout. Also has a romance element while not making it about romance. Ending is a bit bitter-sweet but I loved it! Lori Knowles makes you feel all the emotions she is trying to convey. The characters are very well developed and visual details are amazing. The ending definitely made me tear up!

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful read , one of those books that you don’t want to say goodbye to. I will miss everyone I got to know through “Summers WITH Miss Elizabeth” I was drawn into the story pulled by beautiful words connecting with all of my senses and my own cottage life memories with every sentence. A wonderful choice for my summer vacation week at my cottage in North Muskoka.

[Bruce Hanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Summers With Miss Elizabeth" is not my normal mystery/adventure read. Instead, this story leans more towards literary. As a result, for me, it was slower moving in parts than I"m used to because there were no threats of blowing up the Parliament buildings or the Whitehouse! Where was the bomb with the numbers counting down? And yet, I kept reading and turning the pages, intrigued by the characters, the lifestyles and the reality of the setting. Suspense was built not by the possibility of catastrophic explosions, but through the characters themselves: their similarities, their contrasts their inter-relationships and the possible catastrophic changes in their lives. Well written with believable and interesting characters and setting, it ends with impact. A 5 star read.

[Renée T · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is by a local author, and I was able to borrow a copy from a friend of mine. I was pleasantly surprised and will definitely read the next ones that she writes.

It’s a story of family, tragedy and the things we do for the people in our lives. I was intrigued by the different timelines and the array of characters. They felt like people I had met before and could understand.

If you’re looking for a suspenseful read that is different and supports a smaller author, I would recommend giving Summers with Miss Elizabeth a read.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is nothing short of BRILLIANT! I got this book at a farmers market in bracebridge from the author herself (how lucky am I). This is a book that I wasn’t able to put down and I was sobbing by the end. Lori explores the difficult human nature, coming of age, addictions, grief and healing. Despite some heavy topics, this book feels warm and cozy. Absolutely beautiful writing. Highly recommend!!!

[Katherine Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deftly skipping back and forth between the years, debut novelist Lori Knowles paints beautiful pictures with words in Summers with Miss Elizabeth. Attentive to detail, she conjures up not just images of Muskoka summers spent on the lake, but the sounds and smells of carefree summer days of the past, contrasting them with the complexities of family dynamics. A beautiful first novel!

[Anna Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful novel - fast paced with great descriptions - I felt I was walking through the cottage with the characters, and I could feel the wind on the dock...and extra fun to have the novel set in Muskoka which is my favorite place. Can hardly wait for the next installment of the series! Highly recommend this book.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Totally enjoyed this story. Lori so accurately and wonderfully describes experiences on the dock and around the lake and her characters are so real. Thanks for sharing this book at the Lake of Bays Garden Centre and for signing my copy. It will remain at the cottage for other summer visitors to get wrapped up in on the dock!

[Olivia Hoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fantastic dock summer read! I meet this author at a farmers market and she was the kindest and most inspiring person! She signed my book and wrote the cutest little message inside. This book had me captured from the first page until the very end. It was the perfect combination of romance, murder, mental health, and easy summer read !
10/10 recommend ❤️❤️❤️

[Kaitlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Knowles perfectly captures the timelessness of Muskoka summers and the magic of life at the cottage while seamlessly contrasting it with societal and personal dramas that easily make this a must-read summer novel!

[Beverley Brewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

With unforgettable characters, Summers With Miss Elizabeth, is an emotionally charged saga in which to lose yourself. Beautifully written with descriptions of a landscape that I yearned to savour a little longer. Might there be a sequel? Hope so.

[Sheridan Rondeau · Rating 5 out of 5]

A top-drawer review for this debut novel. Perfect for gifting, including hostess Thank You baskets. Lori's writing mixes character studies with a storyline that will carry you from beginning to end. Love love love it!

[Edward R Endean · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect summer cottage “dock book”

A fun and intriguing story of that “perfect” family dynasty and the people who come in and out of their lives. Principally set in cottage country a cast of interesting characters made for a delightful read.

[Mary J · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an enjoyable read. I read it quickly as it is well-written, and I was invested in the characters and their stories.

The novel is set primarily at a summer home in Muskoka in the late 70s, and so many scenes reminded me of my own early cottage years. The learning-to-waterski scenes were spot on, as were the descriptions of the various water crafts. Hello, neighbours' roaring Sidewinder!

It's a fictionlized account of one of the rich families from Pittsburgh, who've cottaged on Lake Muskoka's Millionaires' Row for decades. The story is told from the perspective of a widowed 10 year-old boy, which is rare and was so well done.

Although the novel explores heavier topics such as difficult family relations, addiction, grief, and healing, the book is warm and not too heavy.

[Kelsea Dale · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Maybe it’s from growing up with Muskoka as my backyard but I could so clearly picture this book and the characters. The story was one of love and loss, friendship and family drama and secrets. It’s a great easy summer read.

[Wendie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lori Knowles is a brilliant story teller who weaves a page turning tale of family secrets and complicated relationships. Summers with Miss Elizabeth deserves a place as a best seller!

[Scrappy16 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2 stars.

[Arden Ruttle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much that I could barely put it down! Lori paints the most perfect picture of summers in Muskoka and I think everyone who lives here or visits for the summer should read this book!

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book bringing back so many memories of summer, family and time spent at a family members cottage. Also so intertwined family dynamics and truth-telling. Such an enjoyable read!

[Jane Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really nice cottage read with a few twists and turns. Lots of great relatable details for the Ontario cottagers especially for those on Lake of Bays !!

[Karen Towsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great summer read. Thanks to Knowles Plumbing for leaving it on my cottage table after putting in the water! So many cottage moments to relate to: relationships, challenges, joys, family. I loved it!

[Amanda Macdonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book to read in Lake of Bays by a local author (who sold me this book herself!)

[Fyonna Vanderwerf · Rating 5 out of 5]

a delicious read about Muskoka past
dig down on the playlist!!!
these characters will capture you!!

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful look at life in Muskoka with secret filled lives of Miss Elizabeth's family.

[Ashley Waites · Rating 4 out of 5]

Light, cute summer read. Loved the references to Muskoka & love supporting a Canadian author! Can’t wait to read her next books :)