The Lighthouse Library

Applemore Bay #6

by Rachael Lucas

Part of: Applemore Bay Series (6 books)

Meg’s life changes forever the day her husband dies… but not in the way everyone thinks.

A summer house-sitting her old friend’s place on the old lighthouse in the little village of Applemore seems like the perfect opportunity to work out what she wants from the second half of her life.

She arrives to discover she’s responsible for keeping an eye on the little free library on the lighthouse path, and soon learns that it has a not-so-secret role - it’s used as a drop off point to exchange everything from fresh-laid eggs to lost keys and love notes.

It’s hard to stay invisible in a small town, and it turns out that friendship, family and love can be found when you least expect it…

A brand new standalone novel set in the much-loved village of Applemore, from the bestselling author of The Winter Cottage.

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Chick Lit, Ebooks

Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2024

About the author

Rachael Lucas has written 15 novels for adults and teenagers, including the Carnegie nominated THE STATE OF GRACE, the top ten bestseller SEALED WITH A KISS and many more. She is also the author (as Rosie Curtis) of sweet holiday romance We Met in December, an Amazon Editors' Pick. Her novels have been translated into many languages, including Korean, Hungarian, Italian, Turkish, French, German, Latvian, Estonian, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, and more.

Sign up for Rachael's newsletter at rachaellucas.com, and find her on Facebook at facebook.com/rachaellucaswriter for behind the scenes news and updates.

Rachael lives by the seaside in the north west of England with her family and two very enthusiastic spaniels. When she's not writing at the kitchen table with a coffee by her side, she's out walking the dogs on the beach or the nearby pinewoods. She's a huge Kindle fan - her ten year old self would have been over the moon to be able to carry a whole library around in her pocket - and a lover of sweet, romantic, small town stories, which is exactly what she likes to write. She's a big Hallmark movie fan, wanted to be Anne of Green Gables when she was growing up, and Jo March was her literary heroine. (She still is.)

Rachael's books are full of warmth and gentle humour, as well as beautiful small town settings which give her readers an escape from everyday. Rachael has been described as having "a gift for capturing complex emotion and both romantic and platonic intimacy" and writing which "exudes positivity and warmth" which has received starred reviews in Publisher's Weekly. The British Guardian called her "honest, romantic and hilarious". Her teenage boys think she's a bit disorganised, and that she forgets to cook dinner when she's writing. (Luckily they don't get to leave a review.)

Reviews

[Linniegayl]

If this was the end of the author's Applemore Bay series, it was a lovely finish. Our hero and heroine are two "older" (49 or so) characters, who each get a second chance at love while in Applemore Bay. I liked both of the main characters, as well as many of the secondary ones.

We do get to see many characters who appeared in the previous entries in the series, but I think this would work fine on its own.

[Ann]

What a marvellous book to end a brilliant series.
We already know that Applemore is a beautiful setting and a wonderful community. Meg and Gabe's story is just and absolute joy. Great to meet up with old friends from previous books and also meet new characters.

[Grace Power]

Lovely to be back in Applemore, it’s such a glorious setting. Meg is house sitting and finds herself falling in love with the community and one person in particular. Enjoyed catching up with some characters from previous books and loved all the gorgeous dogs, especially Eliza. The ending came too soon and I was sorry to say goodbye to Applemore.

[Michelle]

The Lighthouse Library

The last of the Applemore series? or maybe one more.
Another lovely outing to Applemore. It was lovely to catch up with past characters and welcome new ones.

[Pam]

This was a lovely book. The story was delightful and the characters were well done. I recommend this book but suggest that read the other Applemore books first.


Amazon synopsis:
A peaceful summer - house-sitting her old friend’s lighthouse cottage in the tiny Highland village of Applemore - is the perfect chance to work out what she wants from the second half of her life…

She discovers she’s responsible for the little free library on the lighthouse path, and quickly learns it has a second role - it’s a drop off point to exchange everything from fresh-laid eggs to lost keys and love notes. Meg finds herself caught up in village life and discovers the close-knit community has secrets under the surface - and she has to find confidence to deal with them…

Forestry worker Gabe has found a new life in Applemore. He’s resisted the well meaning attempts of his match-making co-workers and is loving the peace after a high-flying city career.
When he meets Meg, he starts to wonder if fate might be offering him a second chance at happiness - but first he has to deal with the past he’s left behind…

It’s hard to stay invisible in a small town like Applemore, where friendship, family and love are waiting just around the corner.

[Maritere Matosantos]

The Lighthouse Library by Rachel Lucas

It’s always heartwarming to read about people who care about giving back, helping those in need, making the world a better place. The Lighthouse Library is the sixth book in a series taking place in Applemore, Scotland. As readers we are transported to this magical place where people welcome newcomers, work hard, have a smile on their faces and warmth in their hearts. The library comes about when the bookstore of the town closed its doors and the need for books is fulfilled by this simple site where interchanges take place. But, Meg, who has agreed to house sit for her friend, adds a community chest where people leave their extra seeds, bread, cakes and other goods for those in need.

This book is a fast read, a sweet tale about second chances. Lucas presents lovable characters, lifelong lessons and starting over advice voiced by her characters. I enjoyed the plot. At times her detailed descriptions of the natural landscape was too much for me. However, it was enjoyable and an easy read providing a view into the Scottish countryside and kind people who live there.

[carrietracy]

Absolute disappointment. It's an older couple, which I really liked, but they don't even meet until 20% into the book, and that's just a quick paths crossing. They really start interacting about 35% of the way through the book and then the only real interactions you get between them are these occasional run ins and then you have to follow each of them through their daily lives - chores, jobs, grocery etc. Where's their spark! They deserve some spark! Some interest! Some ANYTHING! Not just "oh this is a vaguely attractive person of my nearly dead age".

Also - maybe stuff is different in Scotland, what do I know. But everyone becoming grandparents in their late 40s... well, that's my age and I've got a kid in elementary school still. This wasn't like a fluke thing. It was like everyone who is not quite 50 is becoming a grandparent.

[Karen Bowman]

I enjoyed all the Applemore books, reading them at a time when I just needed relief from all the stresses of life. Rachael Lucas writes well and makes the settings and characters come to life. After reading one Applemore right after the other, though, it felt like the storylines became predictable. Okay, I can handle that. What I'd really like to see improved is the copy editing. I think I was born knowing spelling and grammar and typos are extremely annoying. There were quire a few in the series, where good proofreading would have caught them. In the Lighthouse Library, towards the end there was a section that made no sense at all. These are things that tone down the pleasure of reading. Still, I would read more of her books and look forward to doing so.

[Joanne]

good book

I love this series set in Applemore Bay in the Highlands of Scotland. I love getting to know all the characters and the eccentricities of small town life. I’m really hoping this won’t be the last visit to Applemore Bay. Once you start reading one of these books you don’t want to stop as always the narration was excellent. I can’t wait to read another book by Rachel Lucas now.

[Kendra Allen]

Wonderful Read

Yet again, Rachael Lucas, has written a wonderful story with great characters, sprinkled with life from the other five books in the series. This story of a new life, after a less than happy past, brings joy to more than the main characters. It has made me want to go back and read all the books again to relive life in Applemore village. Highly recommended

[Debbieafranklin]

This was a very endearing book

I loved reading this book it was like meeting old friends after being away for a long time & also meeting new friends. I have previously read a couple of books about Applemoore Bay and didn't realise there were more books so I'm now going to look for the ones I've not read and read them now. They are well worth reading.

[Mrs S Browne]

Fabulous revisit to Applemore

Weaving the lives of widow Meg and life changer Gabe, this revisit to Applemore is just fabulous!
All our friends are there in the wings plus some new additions- it is so vividly described, the reader is there in every page.
The healing power of the Highlands and nature makes the magic of this tale.
Thoroughly recommend!!!!

[Elva Cartwright]

The Lighthouse Library: Feel Good Romance (Applemore Bay) Rachel Lucas

I so enjoyed reading this book of second chances. The characters were portrayed so well and I loved the community of Applemore Bay. I am looking forward to reading the next book and follow the characters lives and the Village life.

[Michael C]

A delightful clean gentle romance with the lead characters middle aged and seeking to put their pasts behind them, and finding happiness where they do not expect to. It is one of a series of novels set in a small community on the coast of Scotland, but stands on its own. A good cosy read to curl up with.

[Calista Cates]

Revisit Applemore and A New Romance

Applemore in the Highlands of Scotland, a place of community, acceptance and blossoming love. Great plot, wonderful characters and delightful dialogue Rachel Lucas at h
er finest.

[Mrs Alexandra Elvidge]

A great new visit to Applemore

I loved this book, such a feel good adventure. I wanted the escapism to carry on and on. You don't have to read the rest of the series to be able to read this one, but let's face it, why wouldn't you want to?!

[Julie Foster]

I loved returning to Applemore and catching up with the locals. This book is Meg and Gabe's story. Meg was house sitting for her friend Helen and Gabe worked for the Forestry. A bit of romance and a lot of goodwill comes to Applemore.

[Deborah Rush]

Love her writing. Descriptions are good. Easy reading. I just want interesting characters and a happy ending that makes you feel good when you’re finished. It is lazy reading, not really thought provoking or intellectual, but very enjoyable in my opinion.

[christine]

The lighthouse Library

What a beautiful and uplifting story. The characters are definitely funny and thoughtful. There are so many things I enjoyed about this series is it's A must read. As always happy reading.

[Silvia]

Lovely

That's all I can say. The book is lovely. No huge drama or jealousy intrigue, or people hating on one another. Just one woman finding herself again and being happy in an unexpected place.

[Amanda Bennett]

I enjoyed listening to this book. When I was near the end I discovered it was actually the 6th book of a series. This didn’t seem to be a issue as I still enjoyed it. I shall read the other five books in the correct order. 😀

[Anna]

A lighthearted( mostly) romance about an “older” woman (fifty is not old, people!) in a setting that always draws me in ( coastal Scotland, lighthouses, libraries) not exactly a fluffy read, it was mostly stress free, which is what I enjoy now, in a real world that has enough stresses. The settings were well described so I could picture it all, the characters not so much. I enjoyed it adequately.

[Niki]

+:
Lovely series
Cozy light read
Lovely setting
-:
As much as I loved the other books set in Applemore, I felt something lacking in this story. Nothing much happened which made the book a bit boring at times.

[Victoria Satterley]

Easy read and nice to be back in the Applemore setting but the stories that don’t focus on the Frazer family always seem to lack something and the pace is super slow as we have to spend time getting to know the new characters.

[Mary Green]

Fantastic series!

These books are all wonderful, whether reading just one (that will never work 🤣) or the whole series. Each can stand alone, but you’ll want to read the whole series.

[Catherine Depriest]

Simply Perfect

Rachael Lucas writes the best feel good stories! There’s romance, beautiful scenery, friendship and kindness. Such an enjoyable read! Her characters remind us there is still goodness in this crazy world!

[Pat Weingartner]

Great Read!

I loved book 5 in this series watching Gabe and Meg finding their HEA. I'm looking forward to reading book 6 in this series and will definitely recommend this book to everyone.

[Josie]

Another wonderful read

Idyllic escapism - so enjoyed this, but as I finish this one, and as always it means I’m just ready for the next one

[MRS S COBAIN]

Must read x

Just read this in a single sitting, loved the characters, settings and the story. Rachael has a lovely way with words. I enjoyed every page.

[Pers]

Sweet.