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Lakeside Redemption
Zoe James is starting over. She's worked hard to get past the foolish mistakes that landed her in trouble four years ago. Now the young mom is back in Shelby Lake and ready to reconnect with her son. When she bumps into old friend Caleb Sullivan and his two adorable girls, she sees the possibility of a happy future. Caleb has always secretly loved Zoe, but her turbulent past brings up tough memories of his own. As they spend time together training his girls' new puppy, Zoe and Caleb will learn that if they can forgive themselves, they might have a chance at a new life—and new love—together.
- GenresLove Inspired
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 16, 2014
9 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 30, 2018
This was an adorable story of God’s redemptive grace. I liked that dog training was featured. That’s an intriguing career choice, and I thought that aspect was mostly well written. The girls were charming, and I really enjoyed Griffin as well.
A couple of things slightly hampered my enjoyment of this book. The challenge of having the lawsuit against Zoe for custody of her son seemed way underplayed. After the initial shocking scene when that thread began, it was hardly mentioned again and there was nothing Zoe did to battle the suit. She didn’t talk to a lawyer, didn’t attempt to gather proof that she was a fit mother, nothing. There were a couple of other smaller threads that felt lost or forgotten to me, but the biggest ones (other than the lawsuit) were completed satisfactorily.
Another thing that bothered me was the lack of quality copyediting. This is a trend with Love Inspired books that is steadily grating against my nerves. While I enjoy Ms. Jordan’s books, I might have to stop reading them unless they get published with a new publisher. It’s becoming obvious that Love Inspired (and its owner, Harlequin) doesn’t care to uphold a high quality of editing in their products. That is really disappointing to me, as I would think quality would trump quantity.
Overall, this was a great story, one that clearly shows how God’s grace can carry one through even the worst of mistakes. Forgiveness is real, and I like how it was portrayed in this book. I hope Ms. Jordan will consider a new publisher for future books, because I want more of her stories without having to worry about editing issues.
Content:
* alcohol
* pre-marital pregnancy
I was not compensated for my honest review.
A couple of things slightly hampered my enjoyment of this book. The challenge of having the lawsuit against Zoe for custody of her son seemed way underplayed. After the initial shocking scene when that thread began, it was hardly mentioned again and there was nothing Zoe did to battle the suit. She didn’t talk to a lawyer, didn’t attempt to gather proof that she was a fit mother, nothing. There were a couple of other smaller threads that felt lost or forgotten to me, but the biggest ones (other than the lawsuit) were completed satisfactorily.
Another thing that bothered me was the lack of quality copyediting. This is a trend with Love Inspired books that is steadily grating against my nerves. While I enjoy Ms. Jordan’s books, I might have to stop reading them unless they get published with a new publisher. It’s becoming obvious that Love Inspired (and its owner, Harlequin) doesn’t care to uphold a high quality of editing in their products. That is really disappointing to me, as I would think quality would trump quantity.
Overall, this was a great story, one that clearly shows how God’s grace can carry one through even the worst of mistakes. Forgiveness is real, and I like how it was portrayed in this book. I hope Ms. Jordan will consider a new publisher for future books, because I want more of her stories without having to worry about editing issues.
Content:
* alcohol
* pre-marital pregnancy
I was not compensated for my honest review.
Read
January 12, 2016"Part of Jordan’s continuing series, events unfold at a realistic pace in this tale of reconciliation and redemption" (RT Book Reviews, 4 stars).
Read
January 12, 2016received 4 stars @ RT Book Reviews
July 28, 2022
This is the 1st book I read by Lisa Jordan. I enjoyed this book's storyline. I really liked the Christian ✝️ theme in this story. I really liked Zoe's character. I felt sorry for Zoe. I really liked Caleb's character. I loved ❤️ Ella & Ava. I really liked the ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 22, 2017
Nice easy read. Very enjoyable & believable. For all who believe in second chances.
October 30, 2017
I just loved this story of redemption!
August 31, 2022
Beautiful story about finding love, forgiveness and second chances. Grab the tissues you may need the . Very well written and emotionally gripping. Love this!
February 23, 2015
Lakeside
Book 4
In the latest book by Lisa Jordan, we meet Zoe James. Actually, she was featured int he previous book (I believe) when her brother, Ian's, story was featured. In this book, Zoe is fresh out of Agape House and is trying to rebuild her life after making a huge mistake. She works as a dog trainer and meets an old college friend, Caleb Sullivan (Sully), who is trying to put his life back together after his wife walks away from him and their two daughters. Zoe is working hard at getting a home for her and her son, but she believes there are things that stand between her and Sully getting together.
The author does a wonderful job on this book. The way she handles Zoe's past with Sully is wonderful. So many times, secrets are revealed at the end so I was pleasantly surprised when that wasn't the case there. Sully was such a great man - tender with his daughters, as well as with Zoe and her son. The issues were handled tastefully. The romance was sweet and allowed to happen naturally. I found myself sighing many times.
And I thought some of the dialogue was pure ingenious by the author. Just loved it! Excellent book about redemption and starting over.
Book 4
In the latest book by Lisa Jordan, we meet Zoe James. Actually, she was featured int he previous book (I believe) when her brother, Ian's, story was featured. In this book, Zoe is fresh out of Agape House and is trying to rebuild her life after making a huge mistake. She works as a dog trainer and meets an old college friend, Caleb Sullivan (Sully), who is trying to put his life back together after his wife walks away from him and their two daughters. Zoe is working hard at getting a home for her and her son, but she believes there are things that stand between her and Sully getting together.
The author does a wonderful job on this book. The way she handles Zoe's past with Sully is wonderful. So many times, secrets are revealed at the end so I was pleasantly surprised when that wasn't the case there. Sully was such a great man - tender with his daughters, as well as with Zoe and her son. The issues were handled tastefully. The romance was sweet and allowed to happen naturally. I found myself sighing many times.
And I thought some of the dialogue was pure ingenious by the author. Just loved it! Excellent book about redemption and starting over.
March 7, 2015
Lakeside Redemption is a story of second chances. For Zoe James, second chances mean regaining custody of her son, regaining her father's trust and regaining her own self-respect. For Caleb Sullivan, second chances involve getting to know his old friend Zoe again and maybe, just maybe, finding a future for them, together. Unfortunately, Zoe's problems in her past hit Caleb in the part of his heart that wants only to protect his little girls. Can Zoe prove to both Caleb and her Dad that she has changed? Can she also prove to the courts that she is fit to raise her own son?
This book, while not super long, still managed to pack a powerful punch. It was hard not to re-examine how I look at people who come back to the community after doing time in prison. Am I suspicious? Do I see that they are doing their best to put their former ways behind them? Do I even LOOK for the best when it is so much easier to expect the worst?
I have enjoyed this series by Lisa Jordan and definitely recommend the book.
This book, while not super long, still managed to pack a powerful punch. It was hard not to re-examine how I look at people who come back to the community after doing time in prison. Am I suspicious? Do I see that they are doing their best to put their former ways behind them? Do I even LOOK for the best when it is so much easier to expect the worst?
I have enjoyed this series by Lisa Jordan and definitely recommend the book.
September 6, 2016
College friends Zoe and Caleb reunite years later as struggling single parents, attracted to one another though tentative about pursuing a relationship given their pasts.
The story’s a little predictable and I wanted a bit more dimension from Zoe’s former in-laws, while their anger was understandable, expressing other emotions like sadness and some overt love for their grandson, I think might have humanized them in a way that would have enriched Zoe’s conflict.
The dogs and kids were cute, and Caleb’s somewhat chaotic and messy household felt nicely like-like. I also appreciated that Zoe and Caleb actually talk to each other, aside from one brief instance, their romance wasn’t plagued by misunderstandings (which can be so annoying to read), they had genuine personal stuff from their pasts to work through before they could be together.
The story’s a little predictable and I wanted a bit more dimension from Zoe’s former in-laws, while their anger was understandable, expressing other emotions like sadness and some overt love for their grandson, I think might have humanized them in a way that would have enriched Zoe’s conflict.
The dogs and kids were cute, and Caleb’s somewhat chaotic and messy household felt nicely like-like. I also appreciated that Zoe and Caleb actually talk to each other, aside from one brief instance, their romance wasn’t plagued by misunderstandings (which can be so annoying to read), they had genuine personal stuff from their pasts to work through before they could be together.
February 24, 2015
LAKESIDE REDEMPTION
----------------------
This book took me by surprise. Even though I felt "meh" about the storyline when I read the book's blurb, as soon as I started it, I "fell" right into the story.
The book contains a healthy plot, developed characters, a sweet storyline, some realistic situations, and a few cute moments. The story honestly could have been expanded into several books, as the plot development was wrapped up very quickly at the end (fairly normal for the genre).
Otherwise, this is a solid book, and I will definitely put this author's works high on my list of future reads.
February 4, 2015
Lakeside Redemption by Lisa Jordan was a very good book. Zoe James has returned home after being in prison for being involved with her husbands death. And being in a hospital for rehab from alcohol. She has a son that is staying with her parents until Zoe gets her life back on the right track. Also returning home is Caleb Sullivan. He has two little girls. His wife left him. She liked to drink. A lot goes on in this story. A must read.
June 15, 2015
I totally enjoy this book. The story of the H and h was heartfelt and it had me crying and laughing. If you don't like sad stories this may not be for you. There were also parts when I wanted to yell at the h's child grandmother but it all worked out in the end. I read it in in one day.
August 8, 2015
Zoe James and Caleb Sullivan were friends in college. Zoe married Caleb's room mate Kyle and later had his son Griffin, but tragedy struck along with poor decisions with alcohol. Caleb's wife left him and thier two daughters...
September 1, 2015
I loved this story. I found myself laughing at parts, and definitely feeling for the characters throughout the story. The ending made me sappy, which is always a good sign. Well done, Lisa Jordan!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews