Patio Lanterns

The Blue Canoe Cottage #1

by Barbara Kellyn

Three sisters, one cottage, and a secret that could upend everything—welcome to Lake Whippoorwill, where love and chaos go hand in hand.

Robin, the impulsive youngest of the Pelletier sisters, arrives at the family cottage to scatter their mother’s ashes on the lake they once called their second home. Living out of a rusty van as the merch queen for a band on the verge of collapse, Robin is the first to show up with her stinky three-legged dog—and no cottage key in sight. With nowhere else to go, she ends up passing time with Rick, the rugged, older, neighbour-next-door quietly licking his wounds after being forced into early retirement. One unforgettable night together leaves Robin’s life even more tangled, while Rick begins to wonder what his second act might look like now that Robin’s whirlwind energy has crashed into his lakeside solitude.

When Robin’s sisters arrive and threaten to put her inheritance in trust until she proves she’s outgrown her reckless ways, Robin vows to organize a last-minute memorial to show she's changed. The only problem? She can’t get Rick out of her head—or stay out of his bed—even after discovering he’s the estranged father of her teenage crush, who’s suddenly back in her life. Reckless doesn't even begin to cover it.

As Robin scrambles to juggle runaway dogs, a secret fling, and out-of-control memorial plans, she’s determined to prove she’s responsible—no matter how messy things get. She’s totally, one hundred percent got it all under control. Really.

Genres: Romance

300 pages, ebook

Published June 10, 2025

About the author

Canadian romcom author Barbara Kellyn writes funny, steamy stories about likeable heroines worth rooting for and alluring heroes worth the trouble of falling for, and is tickled that readers have crowned her “the Queen of Banter.”

Barbara has published five, full-length standalone romantic comedy novels and two holiday novellas, including Kobo Originals' 2024 Holiday Romcom Writing Contest winner, Polar Opposites, and thanks her lucky stars that she got her happily ever after in real life.

Reviews

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, given to me by Kobo Originals via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
3.5 stars.
A fascinating take on love beyond age difference “Patio Lanterns”, by Barbara Kellyn, is also an interesting story about family, community and the connection and sense of belonging to a place.
I loved the chemistry, attraction, passion, tenderness mixed with hot sexual desire between Robin and Rick.
The way the author addressed the age gap issues felt raw, honest and heartfelt.
I also loved the sense of humor.
Watching Rick so smitten with Robin is just sweet, even endearing, and totally plausible. He’s really an alluring man.
There’s a freshness in their relationship that is captivating.
Robin is also an appealing character: I liked her disinhibition, feistiness and surprising competence and coolness.
I liked the characters, the relationships and interactions and the general tendency to doing the right thing despite the cost.
The story is well written and an enjoyable read.
The level of smut was too much and didn’t grab my interest.

[Greta West · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Canadian summer romp-com with heart

I would like to request that Barbara Kellyn write my life. I want to live at Lake Whippoorwill, and if I could please have my own Rick Hunter? Thanks very much. Zaddy, indeed!

This book has everything I want in a romance; it’s heartwarming AND hot. I laughed hysterically and bawled my guts out. And the setting and scenery described in Patio Lanterns gave me warm, summertime camp feels. I loved every minute of this book.

*taps microphone* Is this thing on? Book 2, please, now!

[Sarah Snow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a Barbara fan to begin with, but this book delivered more than expected. In addition to the super-hot and heartwarming love story of Rick and Robin (holy well-done age-gap trope), this book illustrates the importance of family, community, and tradition in a world that is hell-bent on wiping that away. Also, there were parts of this book that were laugh out loud hilarious, such as a dog named after music producer, Mutt Lange! How cleaver! This book is a must read for the summer, and I can't wait for others in the series.

[Lisanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5

[Vicki thevickivolumes · Rating 4 out of 5]

"fuck you Orillia! and Gordon Lightfoot sucks donkey balls!"

first read of my vacation down, and it was exactly what I needed.

✔️ funny
✔️ steamy
✔️ age gap
✔️ a wise old witch
✔️ set on the lake
✔️ in Muskoka!
✔️ Orillia mentioned
✔️ MESS

I adored the newest addition to my daddy line up - Rick, but even more, I absolutely fell in love with Robin. a ballsy no (but deep down all the) fucks given mess of a human - who absolutely would scream sing the line "I just want some recognition for having good tits and a big heart" during Tummy Hurts at a Reene Rapp concert.

10/10 recommend if you are looking for a quick messy summer read. perfect for the Carley Fortune girlies looking for their next Canadian Summer Cottage fix! can't wait to read the rest of the series (and see if Barbara can do the impossible and make me like Lark 😅).

[Erin Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars - it was pretty cute, and as a Canadian, I loved the Canadian summer on the lake storyline. Also, as a very large chested woman who is attracted to the older men, I related to the FMC 😅

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something about early summer holds core memories; warm evenings, long days spent at a lake and nights of glowing patio lanterns. This book by Barbara Kellyn taps into all that and so much more! The imagery made me feel like I was there at Lake Whipporwill. Another great read by Barbara Kellyn. Looking forward to the next book in this series.

[Evie Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Want a gorgeous, swoony romcom with a lakeside setting to die for? Like your female characters complex and relatable? Love a well-seasoned side of beefcake who knows how to put experience to good use in the bedroom?

Then you need to make Patio Lanterns your next read!

I love Barbara Kellyn’s writing. Her books are intelligent, beautifully written, and always put a smile on my face. In Patio Lanterns, three sisters—Robin, Lark, and Dove—are back at the family’s lakeside cottage to scatter their mother’s ashes. Robin is the youngest and has always seen herself as the black sheep of the family, the one who can’t seem to get it together. She’s been travelling with a band as their merch manager and now, after they’ve imploded, she’s stuck with no money and a three-legged, smelly dog called Mutt Lange.

She accidentally arrives a day early at the cottage, and when she can’t get in, she heads to the neighbour’s house, where she hopes to find her old crush.

I’m not going to say what happens next because I don’t want to spoil all the surprises, but suffice it to say she gets more than she expects…

I read Patio Lanterns over two days—I couldn’t put it down. It made me laugh, swoon, and get hot under the collar. If you’re after twists and turns, quirky side characters with big secrets, family dynamics we can all relate to, and plenty of heat from the get-go, then you’ll love this book.

Kobo Originals always deliver, and this is another stand-out title from Barbara Kellyn. I can’t wait to read the next two books in the series!

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a fan of Barbara Kellyn's work, I can confidently say Patio Lanterns is another exceptional addition to her repertoire. Kellyn masterfully balances humour, heart, and heat (you've been warned!) in this captivating story about finding your way on your own terms. This novel is a fantastic read for anyone who enjoys stories centered around family, unexpected romance, and the journey of self-discovery. Personally, I couldn’t put it down.
As a proud Canadian, I deeply appreciated the Canadiana references sprinkled throughout the book; they truly brought the setting to life. I can easily picture myself spending a summer on Lake Whippoorwill, making this the perfect read to take to the lake. I’m thrilled that Patio Lanterns is the inaugural book in a new series, as I'm already eagerly anticipating the next installments.

[Diana Chabai-Booker · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was young, my summers were marked by trips to my grandma's cottage. It was not an extravagant place (it actually didn't even have running water), but the whole idea of being "at the lake" was magical to me. Swimming in the lake, trips to the drive-in for ice cream, walking to the general store to get supplies for dinner. Every second of it seemed more precious because it was at this special place. That's what reading this book felt like for me. Every page is soaked in charm and feels like summer. Would pair perfectly with some cold red grapes and the smell of freshly applied sunscreen. I can't wait to spend more time with these characters!! (crossposted from my Kobo review)

[Blake Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barbara Kellyn delivers again with this delightful tale that's refreshing as a dip in a lake on a steamy summer day, hotter than a roaring bonfire under the stars and more satisfying than an ooey, gooey Smore's melted over the campfire.

Robin and Rick will leave you breathless in the very best way and the surprise between them...well, yeah. Just read.

This book is perfect for your own vacation to the lake, an entertaining, snort-inducing spice fest that's made for binging as the summer sky melts into those blissful summer nights.

[Nicole Sharp · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a fan of Barbara Kellyn, I rush to read her new books when they come out.
Patio Lanterns did NOT disappoint.
First piece of advice when you start reading Patio Lanterns, make sure you don’t have anything else to do, because you will not want to put this book down.
Always well written, intelligent, fun, and engaging - Barbara Kellyn delivers what we crave once again! Relatable characters, plenty of laughs and plenty of summer heat!
This book is the perfect summer read!

[Cheryl Hanzidiakou · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Chelsie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story, there was some real steamy details in some of the scenes. A great summer story.