Love at the Lake

Delaneys in Love #3

by Julie Milo

Only one of them can get what they want. Unless they both admit they want the same thing: each other.

Olivia Delaney is a little lost in life after graduating college. She’s living with her parents, working odd jobs, and trying—and failing—to not compare herself to her older sisters.

Working at a children’s sleepaway camp for the summer could be just the reset she needs.

But when she arrives at Camp Prairie Star for orientation, her fresh start becomes a trip down memory lane. Olivia’s new coworker Gage is not only her best friend’s twin brother, he’s also the guy she walked away from five years ago and hasn’t stopped thinking about since.

Their chemistry is undeniable, but nothing else has changed since high school either. Gage is working toward his dream career, while Olivia isn’t even sure what she’ll be doing when the summer ends. She’s certain of one thing, she refuses to hold Gage back.

Between water fights, night swims, and canoeing together at the lake, Gage’s goals narrow down to one convincing Olivia that their summer together is not a fling; it’s the start of forever.

Love at the Lake is a closed door/just kisses, best friend’s twin brother, summer fling romcom featuring dyslexia and adult adoptee representation. It’s the third book in the interconnected Delaneys in Love series, but may be read as a standalone.

378 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2026

About the author

Julie Milo spends most of her time reading and writing. When she’s not reading and writing scholarly stuff for her day job, she’s reading romance, nonfiction, and literary fiction for fun. She writes closed door/kisses only (also called “sweet”) romantic comedies.

Julie was raised, but not born, in Florida where she started dictating stories to her parents before she even knew how to write. By kindergarten she was writing and illustrating picture books and subjecting her classmates to read alouds at school. While the illustrating did not stick (her drawing skills never evolved past about third grade), the writing did, and for most of her childhood, her answer to “What do you want to be when you grow up?” was “an author.” Returning to writing decades later is a dream come true, and Julie is proud to finally be able to call herself an author.

Julie currently lives on the Gulf coast of Florida with her thoughtful husband, two amazing children, and two dogs (one delightful pit bull and one very energetic black lab). She loves dessert and hates cold weather.

Reviews

[Brittany]

This sweet second chance story had some great flashbacks in it so that I really felt like I knew these characters both in the present and in the past. The setting of the summer camp was fun, as was the mutual pining between the two.

Gage and Olivia both had some serious emotional baggage that complicated things for them and they had to eventually learn how to communicate their feelings and worries to each other before they could truly begin a real relationship. The author touched on feelings of inadequacy due to a late dyslexia diagnosis for Olivia and struggles with feelings of abandonment for Gage related to his adoption. I thought the author did a great job with both topics.

(4.5 stars)

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Paula]

Way too fluffy for half the book, and then finally the story begins to dive into deeper themes. It was so boring to read high school nonsense of does he like me, does she like me, etc. Not to mention that both the leads were beautiful white blond athletic marvels (barf). After they matured however and started to discuss real feelings and concepts, I was interested. Of course the ending was way too perfect, as was the epilogue add-on. Don’t authors understand that flaws and problems grab our attention way more than smooth, easy lives? I give it three stars for partially tackling the heavy themes of dyslexia and adoption.

[Kariann Morse]

I received a copy of this book as an ARC. This review holds my honest thoughts 🥹

This book was 5 stars!!! 🥹 I devoured it in a few days (would’ve been a shorter time but you know, work life 🤣).

I loved Gage and Olivia’s relationship 🥹. It wasn’t smooth sailing. It was filled with bumps, challenges, obstacles, fears, etc., but they overcame it together 🥹. I admire them so much 🥹.

In the beginning, I had a push pull relationship with Olivia. But I think that was because I saw so much of myself in her 🥺. It was easy for me to “tell” her to stop comparing herself when I do that daily. It was also easy for me to say, “Olivia no one thinks that about you” when again, I do that daily about anything 🥺.
I relate and understand her feelings of feeling lost after graduating college. Feeling like she’s behind because she doesn’t have everything figured out (I don’t) 🥺. But it was so empowering to me to see that she overcame those feelings 🥹. That she realized that she IS worthy of things in her life and that she deserves anything coming her way 🥹.

The care that Julie Milo put into with the themes of Dyslexia and Adoption in this book was so well done. I don’t have experience with either of them and although I have no idea what it is like, I understand a little more about both Dyslexia and feelings of adoption 🥹

I couldn’t be more grateful that I received this book as an ARC. I have been here since the beginning, Love In The Stacks. Being given the chance to ARC read all 3 of Julie’s books is something I hold dear to my heart 🥹. I love this series and I am so sad that it is over 🥺

[Emma]

I love Julie’s writing because her characters feel so familiar- like a bestie telling me their love story. Olivia struggled with her self-image, and it causes her to run away from the things (ahem people) she really wants due to feeling undeserving. I found her feelings relatsble, but maybe not her reactions to them. I enjoyed reading from Gage’s POV, especially in regard to his experience as an adult who was adopted as a child. It is a perspective I don’t see much but appreciate all the same. I loved the summer camp vibes, the banter and chemistry between Olivia and Gage, and the hard fought HEA.

[Barbara DeNamur]

This is a love story of two childhood friends. Olivia is Annie’s best friend and therefore good friends with Gage, Annie’s twin brother. They do everything together. About the age of 13, Olivia realizes that she loves Gage but is afraid to let anyone know. Olivia has dyslexia and feels inadequate unless she is on the soccer field where she rocks. Olivia’s athletic talents take her a long way in H.S. and College. Gage also realizes he loves Olivia, but just as he is about to act on his feelings, Olivia ghosts him. Gage and Annie are adopted, and Gage has issues with abandonment by his birth mother, Maggie. When Gage and Olivia end up at the same summer camp for children, they are immediately drawn to each other. Olivia lies and says she wants a summer fling. Their relationship blossoms, but the end of summer comes too fast. Will Olivia be able to come to terms with their feelings and growing love, or run away again? Gage is afraid of the total loss of Olivia, and he doesn’t know how she can just walk away. How can he ever learn to trust her again? This is a complete story of learning and growing as young adults encounter the “real” world after college. The fun scenes of romance, the delightful side characters and family members made this a book I could not put down. I love a story with clean romance plus an honest meaning behind it.

[Simone Gremillion]

A second chances, forced proximity, romcom that will have you rooting for the MMC and hoping that the FMC will stop getting in her own way.

Olivia is an intelligent young woman who made her way through school and college on her soccer performance. She is very intelligent but because of a late dyslexia diagnosis, has always thought of herself as dumb. While bouncing around different jobs and only finding happiness when she’s outdoors she lands a summer job at a camp leading the activities.

Gage has always been the smart one and part of Olivia’s best friend trio with his twin sister. Just when he thought they may have more of a future together than just being friends, she ghosts him. Now who but Olivia walks back into his life. He still notices her and everything she doesn’t say.

Five years later and they both wind up working for the same summer camp. He hasn’t stopped comparing all other girls to her and she has done her best to stop thinking of him but when they see each other daily, how can those feelings stay buried?

#arcread #secondchanceromance #nospiceromcom #forcedproximityromcom #releaseday

**I received an advanced copy of this book and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Smiley_Kylie]

4.5/5 ❤️

Olivia Delaney is feeling a little directionless after college and has taken some odd jobs. She's actually looking forward to working at a kid's overnight camp over the summer, until she walks into orientation to find Gage, her best friend's twin brother and the guy she walked away from years ago. The instant chemistry is apparent between Gage and Olivia. Though they haven't interacted in five years, their shared history and attraction can't be ignored. 

I like that the relationship wasn't all sunshine and roses. They both avoid sharing their true feelings, so I kept inwardly screaming at them to tell each other the truth and especially for Olivia to get out of her own way and stop self sabotaging! The payoff is worth it, though. There are so many sweet and swoony moments, but they also put in real work to overcome their individual struggles to be the best versions of themselves for each other. 

This is the third in the Delaneys in Love series. It can be read as a standalone, though I think the books are best enjoyed in order: 

📚 Love in the Stacks
🔬 Love in the Lab 
🛶 Love at the Lake 

I'm grateful to have been able to read an ARC of this story. All thoughts are my own.

💕: kisses
⚠️: dyslexia, adoption, fear of abandonment

[Megan Olds]

I enjoyed it. I really like the adoption highlight, too.

And romantic and ice cream trips for the win, haha. And I like all of Olivia and Gage’s inside-joke camaraderie. Duncan’s cute.

And I’m glad I’m not the only one who “wallows” over seemingly small things. Maybe Olivia is an HSP, too. Or maybe I’m too hard on myself for what’s considered to be normal human emotional reactions.

Flings are the stupidest idea ever—Annie agrees with me!! 😆 Ay caramba, tropes…Although it’s nice to have the switch in this book of the guy being the more committed one and saying “I love you” first. Even if I, in a roundabout way, understand Olivia’s reasons.

Are we sure 10-year-old boys would end a skit with a princess? Unless they’re REALLY insightful to Gage’s life…!

Good message in Chapter 34, Nicole! And nice metaphors at the starts of Chapters 35 and 38.

And a hope-filled, romantic ending!

[Andrea Britton]

What a sweet clean romance! Ahhhh these two. Gage was a total golden retriever book boyfriend. You could feel his love for Olivia on each page these two are together. You could feel how much he missed her. He’d always wanted more but when Olivia shot things down and ghosted him five years ago, he never truly got over her.

Olivia is at a crossroads in life. She doesn’t feel settled yet. So when her best friend, Annie found her a summer camp job, she was going to try and take it one day at a time. Tillage walks in a sees Gage. These two fall back into their feelings though Olivia wants it to be a fling, Gage wants more. They have the best summer together. But Olivia gets spooked again. Though this time she gets it together before it’s too late.

I loved their friendship, their chemistry and the way they each loved one another. A great entertaining story!

Thank you to the author for my advanced readers copy.

[Sandy]

Fun summer camp time with awkwardness, weirdness, absurdity, and childish behavior from camp workers.
Two miserable ex-friends are that way because of one's valid insecurities. It wouldn't be so tragic if they didn't harbor old feelings while dating other people. Unfortunately, they didn't madly fall in love for life with someone else to lessen past mistake.
Thank goodness for the hero's sister orchestrating for them to be in the same place.
How will the heroine overcome feelings of inequality, worthlessness, inferiority, deficiency, failure and so on to be with the hero?

The harshest judge is oneself. The heroine should have shared her self-worth problems with both closest friends many times until she believed and accepted that worth is goodness and other personality traits, and not so much accomplishments or smarts, so as not to belittle or compare herself, therefore ruining her relationship with her friend/first love.

It's my problem that I can't accept people who, after finding and then losing their first love, can be with others while still having feelings for that special person and in the end get back together with their first love.

[Jenny x Carolena]

Love at the Lake is the perfect summer read — warm, fun, and built on a genuinely strong foundation of friendship. Olivia and Gage's second chance romance unfolds naturally through forced proximity at a summer camp and their connection breathes without rushing past the emotional layers underneath. What really sets this one apart is the depth of its characters. Olivia's later-in-life dyslexia diagnosis adds a quiet, meaningful thread to her story, and Gage's struggles rooted in his experience as an adoptee are handled with real care and authenticity. As someone who can personally relate to that side of his journey, those moments hit especially close to home. Sweet, swoony, and full of heart — this is a closed door romance that proves you don't need anything more than genuine chemistry and characters worth rooting for.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Zulma]

This story is about Gage and Olivia (Delaney) they met when they were really young because Olivia is Gage twin sister Annie Best friend. At the age of 13 at Gage and Annie 14th birthday party Olivia realizes she has feelings for Gage. But doesn't want to ruin the friendship so she says nothing. In HS Gage finally asks her out. Then Graduation day is here and Olivia over hears girls in the bathroom saying how Gage must be with her cause she pretty and he wants a trophy wife cause he's super smart and she's dumb. But it's not that she's dumb she has dyslexia. Olivia pushes Gage away and they don't speak for 5 years until they are both at an away summer camp for kids and get to spend the summer together. Feelings are involved and heartbreak may or may not happen. This book kept me captive reading to find out what happens next and rooting for Gage and Olivia. Thanks to the author for the opportunity to read this as part of an ARC.

[Lauren]

This honestly pains me because I love this author and really enjoyed both of her other books that I read.

I will say that Julie Milo has a gift for writing the best MMC’s. Gage is smart, kind, fun and absolutely smitten. I think his incredible sweetness made Olivia’s actions even more obnoxious. Listen, I get why she believed she wasn’t good enough for Gage, but also, I didn’t get it at all. The reason was dumb and even if she has some insecurities, she’s a grown woman! Her reasons for stringing Gage along and repeatedly breaking his heart just felt very immature and even cruel. She knows he loves her and yet she insists that they’re just a “summer fling” and kisses him and hangs out with him all summer and then pushes him away again and again. It’s just not something you do to someone you care about. Had this been a YA middle school romance, I could have maybe let it go with enough character growth and groveling, but Olivia is a full adult and would rather repeatedly hurt this man she cares about than be honest with him.

[Kat Crowder]

Amazing end of the series!

I am in love with this book! Both the FMC and MMC are so real and relatable. They both struggle with big issues in life but are still drawn to each other, even after years apart.

I had a lot of fun reading this book. There is lots of humor and the relationship between the main characters is fun and flirty. There is also a lot of depth to each of the main characters. I enjoyed watching them grow as individuals and enjoyed that things didn’t work out as easy as some books do. It’s nice to see a book that can actually mimic real life. I definitely recommend this book and this series.

This book is no spice and dual POV. It’s book 3 in a series but can be read as a stand alone if you want but will be enjoyed better as part of the series.

[Shannon Binegar-Foster]

We finally get Olivia’s story. She is a bit at odds on how to proceed after college. She agrees to spend the summer as an activity director at a children’s sleep away camp. Imagine her surprise when her high school crush Gage is a camp counselor. He just so happens to be her best friends twin. He has some family issues he is working on. Chemistry flares and they agree to a summer fling. Will her insecurities from high school make her push him away yet again? Or can they work through their issues and find true love. This was such a moving love story. Of course we still get the healthy dose of humor from not only her sisters but his sister as well. Loved it so much. Sorry to see the series end. I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

[Kimberly]

I absolutely adore this book! I finished it so fast because I just couldn't put it down! The love these two have is palpable from the very beginning and Julie's writing makes you feel the love they have and the pain they each experience. The banter between these two was also so fun to read! The characters just truly enjoyed each other and were best friends while they fell in love.

Additionally, the therapy piece was super incredible to read. The way they chose to tackle their struggles head on, together was lovely to read and helped give so much depth to the story and characters. Would definitely recommend this to anyone who wants sweet love stories with fun banter and some serious depth!

[Cherilyn (Cherwhatyouread)]

This is such a fun summer romance but with a lot of depth! I loved the friendship and history that Olivia and Gage shared. From best friends to high school crushes to more when they’re both single at the same summer camp as adults. Olivia suggests a summer fling which gets messy as old feelings resurface and they both want more. Both Olivia and Gage have deep vulnerabilities which they have to work through in order to have a healthy relationship (which is the end goal and they work really hard! I was cheering them on as they figured life out.). Your heart will ache for Olivia with her dyslexia and for Gage with his feelings about his adoption.

Favorite parts
-the flashbacks to when feelings started
-the sharing stick moments (including their Walmart adventure)
-Gage’s sister Annie (Olivia’s best friend) and her “involvement”
-Olivia’s job interview
-Gage’s relationship with his birth mom
-their picnics.

Favorite Quotes
“Whatever you want. I hope you come to find out that what you want is me.”

What’s going on is that I’m in love with Gage. Again. Still. Always. But now I’m in love with the man he is today. The fun, thoughtful, sweet man I’m so proud he grew up to be. And at the same time, I’m in love with every version of him I’ve ever known. I see them all in his eyes, all wrapped up inside his perfect heart.

[Megan | Reads Alotl Books]

I am so glad I was able to finish this series off! I've loved Olivia since book 1 and she is the sister I most relate too! Her story is full of emotions. Gage and Olivia had a chance once, but Liv ruined it before it could really get started. (Gotta love those HS emotions.)

5 years later and they end up working at the same summer camp. I loved how Gage's Twin & Olivia's BFF Annie keeps it a secret they would be working together. She stays completely out of their lives except for this one little push to help them be friends again. I respect that so much.

The roller coaster that is Olivia and Gage is sweet, swoony, secretive with deep emotions, regrets, fears and the unknown. I adored their story and I truly felt for Olivia and her view of herself. Gage also has such deep feelings for Liv, but he struggles with trust and abandonment, things Liv does without realizing it.

[Mallory Bolick]

Thank you Julie Milo for the arc! This book was such a fun one to read! The tropes for this one—second chance, forced proximity, summer camp, summer fling, secret dating, best friend’s twin brother, childhood crush—were pulled off so well. Gage and Olivia’s story was very bumpy. They are both flawed, as is everybody, and I loved seeing them overcome their issues to be together. If you are looking for a sweet, swoony romance, you should read this one! And even better, it has all the summer vibes, perfect timing as summer is approaching. If you’re looking for a new read, try this book and the other two in the Delaneys in Love series!

[Candalyn]

This was a really cute 2nd or 3rd(?) chance romcom, that I didn't want to lut down - Literally read it in half a day. I have loved this series! This was my least favorite of the 3-- having a harder time with some of the small plot pieces, quick then slow rebounds, teenage-y drama, (and a 'good girl' thrown in- not my jam) -- BUT I so appreciate the careful handling of subject matter, feeling, messy family relationships, and ultimately our HEA.

Plus if you can just casually throw in such an excellent star wars joke, clearly a keeper!! 💚

I'll be looking forward to the next Julie Milo book that we hopefully don't have to wait too long for!

[Kirsty Manning]

I loved this book! For some reason I didn't realise it was part of a 3 book series and I have read the second one so it was lovely to read it and recognise a couple of the characters.

This love story was perfect. I loved the second chance at romance between the couple and I love how much the story showed their insecurities and emotional baggage. It didn't feel like a heavy read but I love that it had some depth to it and how you could see how the couple's life experiences made them who they are. It was a really enjoyable read and I've now purchased the first book of the series to see where it all began!

[Kristen]

I have thoroughly enjoyed this series about the Delaney sisters. Each one is unique, with their own challenges. Olivia’s is dyslexia but add in all the insecurities that come with it, especially since she was diagnosed much later than normal. Gage was an absolute gem, the sweetest guy but with his own insecurities stemming from his adoption as a baby. I loved their friendship and how they finally learned to communicate and be vulnerable. Fantastic writing and I can’t wait for another book from this author.

[Moni Guis]

I really loved this book. I connected easily with both Molly and Gage, their interests, their personalities, everything. I loved the situation they were in - what a fun summer camp read. This was a sweet, second chance, best friend's brother romance with a huge emphasis on healing and learning to trust. Well done, Julie Milo! 😊

[S. King]

Olivia and Gage are such a sweet couple! Believe me when I say that you will absolutely love this story. There's plenty of kisses, plenty of humor, and plenty of tender, heart-warming moments.

And, the sharing stick!! Oh my goodness, that seems like something I would do! 

Very highly recommended!

[Andrea Marinovic]

My favorite book in the series. Although I got frustrated at Olivia, I found myself relating to her. And actually learned some things I wanted to do based on her character.
I loved to see the growth from both Olivia and Gage. I loved the funny stick moment, the lessons learned and the romance. Definitely recommend.

[Regina]

Book 3 of the Delaney sisters series was so good and who doesn’t love a book set in summer camp. Olivia, Gage and Annie best friends since their childhood until Olivia ghosted Gage at graduation. Now they are camp counselors at the same summer camp. Gage and Olivia find that same connection as they had five years ago, but will ghosts of the past be able to remain in the past.

[Monica]

Such a sweet story ❤️ I love that the characters have so much growth throughout the story. I love that this also had disability representation as well as blended family representation.

Out of context quote:
"By lunch, I determine that it would have been easier if I’d promised Annie to be creepy rather than friendly. I’ve got creepy on lock."

Representation: adoption and dyslexia.

[LaDawn Everett]

Another fun read by Julie Milo, Author. With lines like "I was lying liar who lied", you can't go wrong. If you haven't read "Love in the Stacks" or "Love in the Lab" yet, then you have a lot to look forward to! Entertaining, fun, sweet reads with characters you want to be friends with!

[Brandi]

This book has a lot more depth than I originally expected. I fully enjoyed reading the story. I really liked the characters and the storyline. I loved that most of it took place at a summer camp. It's a very sweet story that I will definitely read again!

[Jessica Boomhower]

I read this as a beta read as someone who is dyslexic. The author did a great job portraying the struggles and doubts of dyslexia that continue in life and even into relationships.