Love On The Lake

Tahoe Made Men #2

by Sara Evou

I moved to the lake to be closer to my family, in hopes that one day they’d love me as much as I always wanted them to.
I had no idea I would find an entirely different kind of love.

I lived a quiet life. I was a computer programmer with some eclectic hobbies and a tendency to keep people at arm’s length.

Emilio Caruso was the exact opposite. He was devastatingly handsome. A seemingly carefree playboy with a dangerous past.
I should have stayed away from him.

Instead, he made me laugh. He gave me the chance to be who I am without judgment and showed me a different side of life I’d never experienced.
His persistence became impossible to deny, and I couldn’t help but be attracted to him and long for more.

But when both of our pasts come back to haunt us, we’re forced to decide if what we have together is worth fighting for.
Can our love survive?

And more importantly, can we?

Forever In The Foothills is book 2 in the Tahoe Made Men series. It is a spicy mafia romance that has banter for days. It's not as dark as some mafia romances, but it has suspenseful moments (it is mafia, after all!). Each book features a different couple, but there's a mafia subplot that runs through each book. They can be read as standalones, but best if you read them in order!

Genres: Romance

332 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 26, 2026

About the author

Sara Evou loves love more than anything. Her favorite thing to write is curvy, older women and their down bad men.
After years of being unable to express her creativity in her job as an accountant, she decided to channel her love of romance into her own stories. She’s lived everywhere from Reno to Colorado to DC, but currently calls Nashville home. When she isn’t reading, writing, or thinking about writing, she enjoys traveling, pole dancing, baking at home, and playing with her sweet pup.

Follow her on social media and sign up for her newsletter to stay up to date on all the exciting news about upcoming books.

For a free ebook novella, sign up for her newsletter below!

https://dl.bookfunnel.com/r93t980da1

Reviews

[Sim-fully Ever After · Rating 4 out of 5]

4🌟 | 3🌶️

A little flirting, a lot of tension, and two people with plenty to figure out made this such a fun read.

The chemistry was there from the start, but I really enjoyed watching it grow into something deeper. The banter kept me smiling, and there were plenty of moments that made me completely invested in their relationship.

Ava was incredibly easy to root for, especially as she worked through her insecurities and learned to trust herself more. Emilio was charming, playful, and persistent, but his patience with her was what really won me over. I loved the way he encouraged her without trying to change her, and seeing Ava slowly let her guard down made their relationship feel that much more rewarding.

The romance stayed at the center while the suspense and mafia elements added some extra excitement without overwhelming the story. I also really enjoyed the found-family dynamic and seeing Ava discover the kind of support she had always wanted.

Overall, this was a spicy, entertaining addition to the series with plenty of chemistry, humor, and emotional growth.

~~~~

A sincere thank you to Sara Evou and Love Notes PR for the ARC! 🥰📚

I’m so grateful for the early read. As always, all thoughts and opinions are completely my own. ✨

[Doroty · Rating 5 out of 5]

📚 🆁🅴🆅🅸🅴🆆 📚

Love On The Lake pulled me in from the very beginning, and I knew I was going to be completely invested in Ava and Emilio’s story. The attraction between these two was practically crackling from the very first moment they met, but what made me fall for them was everything that came after.

Ava completely stole my heart. She’s intelligent, independent, curvy, and so easy to root for, but underneath that strength is a woman who has been hurt enough to build some serious walls around herself. I loved watching her slowly learn that she could be herself without having to earn someone’s love or constantly question whether she was enough.

And Emilio… what a man. 😍 He comes across as confident, charming, playful, and completely sure of himself, but there’s so much more to him beneath that carefree exterior. His humor and persistence were impossible not to love, but it was the way he saw Ava—really saw her—and gave her the space to be exactly who she was that made me swoon.

Their relationship felt like so much more than chemistry and spice. They challenged each other, brought out the best in one another, and slowly became a safe place for each other. I especially loved watching them break down those carefully built walls and realize that letting someone in doesn’t have to mean losing yourself.

The banter had me smiling, the emotional moments had me invested, and the suspense kept me turning the pages. The mafia element added just enough danger without taking away from what I loved most: Ava and Emilio and the beautiful way their relationship developed.

I absolutely loved this story and these two. ❤️‍🔥

Thank you @lovenotes.pr for the ARC copy!

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[VickydpBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I moved to the lake to be closer to my family, hoping that maybe one day they’d love me as much as I’d always wanted them to. Instead, I found an entirely different kind of love—and I absolutely loved watching this story unfold. ❤️

This is Book 2 in the Tahoe Made Men series, and it gives us a fantastic new couple while continuing the mafia storyline running throughout the series.

Emilio Caruso was the perfect opposite to our more reserved heroine. He’s devastatingly handsome, confident, seemingly carefree, and has that dangerous edge that comes with his past. Their chemistry was 🔥, but what I loved most was their banter. These two had me smiling, laughing, and completely invested in their relationship.

I really enjoyed seeing Emilio give her the freedom to be herself without judgment. Their relationship felt like more than just attraction—it was about finding someone who truly sees you and makes you feel safe enough to let your guard down.

While this is a spicy mafia romance, it isn’t as dark as some books in the genre. There’s still plenty of suspense and danger, because… mafia! 😏 The twists involving both of their pasts added another layer to the story and kept me wondering whether they would be able to overcome everything thrown their way.

The Tahoe Made Men books feature different couples, so this can technically be read as a standalone, but I definitely recommend reading the series in order so you can fully appreciate the ongoing mafia subplot.

Spicy romance + fantastic banter + suspense + a swoony love story = a great addition to the series! ❤️‍🔥

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Julie Booklover · Rating 4 out of 5]

As we venture into book two of the Tahoe Made Men series, we have a new couple, but the underlying mafia thread continues. While this book is technically a standalone, this reader recommends reading them in order. Also note that this has mafia undertones, I would classify it suspense. There is danger, and that edge of suspense, but not dark mafia that some are used to.

Emilio and Ava are not strangers we briefly me them in Meet Me In the Mountains, and I was excited to know their story. Now I was not disappointed, and the banter is even better this book!

Emilio you are a patient man, giving Ava her space and letting her catch up to you. The found family you create gives her confidence and allows her to shine.

I am ready for the next book.

Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review

[Tracy George · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book, so went back to read the first in the series first. These are interconnected and while you could read as a stand-alone, I definitely recommend reading in order.

I love the characters in this series. The back-stories and character development is just enough that you can connect with each person.

The plot 🤌 Perfect! I love the way these books build but don't leave you hanging.

[C.J. · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

Ava had me from the very beginning because, as someone who also hates being forced to socialize with coworkers, I felt her pain on a spiritual level.

We meet Ava at a conference where she reluctantly goes to the bar to socialize and ends up meeting Emilio. She recognizes him immediately, and he is smooth, charming, and they have a great time playing darts. Of course, because apparently these two cannot have nice things, she comes back from the bathroom and sees him with another woman. Months later, they cross paths again at a work party, and Emilio pretends he doesn't recognize her. Ava already struggles with feeling like she isn't chosen, so this understandably hits a nerve.

And Emilio? Sir. You were losing points before you even had a chance.

I felt for Ava, her insecurities aren't just there for drama; they are rooted in the way her family treated her and how that made her feel like she would always be the person people didn't choose. I appreciated that we actually see her going to therapy and working through things instead of having everything magically fixed because she met a man.

Emilio was... a lot. He was persistent, but he also had a talent for putting his foot directly into his mouth every time Ava started lowering her walls. Every time I thought, "Okay, we're getting somewhere," this man would do something that made her think he wasn't actually interested. The job offer was especially frustrating because of how easily she interpreted it as him not wanting her romantically.

But I will give this man his flowers for being the consent king. He wanted her badly, but he never pushed. He waited for her to give him the green light, and even when he had every opportunity to take things further, he pumped the brakes because he knew she needed something different. That mattered, especially considering his past as a womanizer and playboy.

His persistence was also hilarious. The man basically refused to give up. However, with reason as Ava could barely say no to him, whether it was golf, his boat, or anything else. And the way he kept insisting he didn't understand why she affected him so much... Emilio, my guy, YOU LIKE HER. Please catch up.

I loved watching Ava slowly let him in, especially when she finally told him what was really going on. Her family situation was heartbreaking, and I wanted to hug her more than once. When she finally cut them off? FINALLY. And Emilio being ready to scorch the earth on her behalf was everything.

I also loved his found family. The way they welcomed Ava and gave her the kind of family dynamic she had always wanted was so sweet. Claire and Julia were especially great, and I loved how protective Julia was of Ava given Emilio's reputation. They were exactly the kind of friends Ava needed.

I really enjoyed having both couples' storylines happening alongside each other. Having read the previous book definitely made the experience better, especially with the events surrounding Gio, the uncle, and everything leading up to the explosion. The high-stakes storyline continues to give everyone some much-needed perspective, and I'm glad we're finally getting some resolution with the uncle.

And that ending? I knew it. I didn't believe for one second that Emilio was actually gone. The funeral, everyone keeping the secret, Ava seeing the "accident"... GIRL. I was stressed, but also completely unconvinced.

The payoff was still satisfying, though!

Overall, this was a really good addition to the series. Emilio got on my nerves several times because he kept messing things up, but I also understood that he was figuring out that what he felt for Ava was different from anything he'd experienced before. He was patient, persistent, protective, and willing to give her the time she needed.

And now I'm absolutely ready for Luca's story. The man can keep denying it all he wants, but I'm pretty sure that yoga teacher already has him in her hands.

Thank you to Love Notes PR and the author for the ARC!

[Jenna Lundberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

🏔️❤️ She Came to the Lake Looking for Love and Found Where She Belonged ❤️🏔️
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 Stars | 🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3 Chili Peppers

I knew from the beginning that I was going to be completely invested in Ava and Emilio's story. We first met these two in Meet Me in the Mountains, and after seeing their banter and chemistry there, I couldn't wait to find out what Sara Evou had planned for them.

Love on the Lake absolutely delivered. ❤️

Ava completely stole my heart.

She's intelligent, independent, curvy, a computer programmer by day, a hacker in her spare time, takes Krav Maga classes, and has an assortment of eclectic interests that make her feel so uniquely HER.

But underneath that capable exterior is a woman who has spent much of her life feeling like the odd one out.

Ava moves to the lake hoping that being closer to her family might finally give her the love and approval she's always wanted from them. She's guarded but still hopeful, and I think that's what made me connect with her so much. No matter how many walls she's built, there's still a part of Ava that wants to believe she'll eventually be enough.

Then she meets Emilio Caruso.

Oh, Emilio. 😍😂

On the surface, Emilio is Ava's complete opposite. He's confident, charming, outgoing, persistent, and has flirting down to an art form. He comes across as the carefree former mafia playboy who always has a joke ready and seems determined to get a reaction out of Ava whenever possible.

And from the moment he meets her, this man is completely fascinated by her.

The banter between them was SO GOOD.

A little misunderstanding early on creates this fantastic push and pull between them, and normally miscommunication can frustrate me, but it actually worked for Ava's character. She's spent so much of her life protecting herself that when something scares or hurts her, her instinct is to retreat rather than talk about it.

Watching that slowly change was one of my favorite parts of her growth.

The more Ava trusts Emilio, the more willing she becomes to tell him what she's actually feeling, including the insecurities she'd normally keep buried.

And Emilio gives her the space to do it.

That's what made me fall for him.

He doesn't look at Ava and decide she needs to become more like him. He isn't trying to turn the quiet programmer into some completely different woman.

He genuinely likes Ava exactly as she is.

Her intelligence.

Her quirks.

Her hobbies.

Her curves.

Her independence.

All of it.

I especially loved that he even goes to her Krav Maga class. 😂 There's something so swoony about Emilio entering Ava's world instead of always expecting her to follow him into his.

And underneath all that carefree charm is a man with walls of his own.

Emilio is such a secret teddy bear. ❤️

He lost his parents when he was young, he's incredibly attached to Gio and Luca, and underneath the jokes is someone carrying his own hurt. He dreams about opening a brewery but has struggled with what pursuing that dream could mean for the people he loves.

That's when I realized Ava and Emilio really aren't as different as they initially appear.

Ava protects herself by keeping people out.

Emilio protects himself by hiding behind humor.

She builds walls.

He cracks jokes.

And somehow they become the people capable of seeing behind each other's defenses.

I LOVED that.

Their relationship isn't one-sided healing either. Emilio helps Ava build her confidence and understand that she doesn't have to change herself to deserve love, while Ava sees beyond Emilio's playboy exterior and encourages the man underneath it.

They challenge each other without trying to change each other.

And the chemistry? 🔥🔥🔥

It practically crackles between them from the beginning. Their flirting and banter build so naturally into the physical side of their relationship, and the spice definitely delivered.

I'll just say the golf cart scene was...memorable. 😂🌶️

But what made their relationship work for me was that the emotional connection remained at the center.

Ava is also much more involved in the action than I expected. Her hacking skills become genuinely useful when she starts helping Emilio and the others with the ongoing situation involving his family.

I LOVE when an FMC's career and skills actually matter to the plot.

Of course, getting involved also means getting closer to danger.

This is still a mafia romance, after all. 😂

I thought Sara Evou struck a great balance with that side of the story. There was enough suspense and danger to keep me turning the pages without allowing the mafia storyline to overwhelm Ava and Emilio's romance.

And then there is the found family. 🥹❤️

Ava comes to Tahoe hoping to finally receive the acceptance she's always wanted from her biological family.

Instead, she begins discovering that family isn't always about the people you're related to.

Sometimes it's the people who simply make room for you.

The people who don't make you earn your place.

The people who let you show up as your weird, brilliant, complicated self and still say, “Yep, you're one of us.”

That part of Ava's journey really got me.

She spends so much time wondering whether she's enough for other people, while Emilio looks at her and never seems confused about the answer.

Of course she is.

Love on the Lake is Book 2 in the Tahoe Made Men series. Each book follows a different couple, but because the larger mafia storyline continues between books and Ava and Emilio were introduced previously, I'd definitely recommend starting with Meet Me in the Mountains if you want the full experience.

This story gave me fantastic banter, a curvy hacker heroine I adored, a hilarious former-playboy MMC who's secretly one giant teddy bear, emotional growth, found family, suspense, plenty of heat, and two people who learn that letting someone love you doesn't mean giving up who you are.

Ava came to the lake hoping her family might finally choose her.

What she found was something even better.

People who never made her question whether she belonged in the first place. ❤️🏔️

Thank you to Sara Evou and Love Notes PR for the gifted advanced reader copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Claudia June Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐ Rating: 4 / 5 Stars (Comfort Mafia with a big warm heart)

🌶️ Spice: 3.5 / 5 (Praise kink, tender open door, consent king)

[MILD SPOILERS AHEAD — COME GOSSIP WITH ME]


OKAAAAAAYYYY before we start I need you sat, focused and nips at attention because girlies, gays, they's and everyone reading this… I need you to understand something… I love Mafia Romance for VARIOUS reasons, I bet you do too, but THIS BOOK? This book… showed me a new layer to Mafia Romance that now, a bit after having read this, I have decided is now NEW STANDARD I WILL JUDGE ALL MAFIA ROMANCE TO. (That's it. It's canon now.)

But I am getting ahead of myself, like always, let me just *breaths deeply* center myself and follow my own rules.

Sat. Focused. *looks down and nods* nips at attention, confirmed.

Okay, so sometimes you want a mafia romance where you’re stressed for your life, right? The whole action packed dark underworld blah blah blah but thennnn…. sometimes… you just want (no need) a 43-year-old REFORMED mobster who falls down the stairs in love with a snarky programmer while Grandma Norma knits everyone Christmas stockings. (I loved Grandma by the way. She’s mine now. I adopted her legally. No take backs.)

*Love On The Lake* is a PURE… COZY… MAFIA… COMFORRRRTTT… and I ate it up with a spoon. Then proceeded to lick the bowl clean. (Not ashamed.)

Ava… oh Ava… she is an elite dark-web hacker who also teaches a women's self-defense class (such a baddie omg) and copes with trauma by peering into Lake Tahoe wondering how many bodies are down there (very normal, very not weird lol). And Emilio… sweet, sweet Daddy Reformed Emilio is a reformed Vegas made-man casino owner who saves her number as "Future Wife" within five minutes of meeting her. (We love a man who knows what he wants and just GO’S for it lol)

The moments that had me kicking my feet: (Basically the entire book but I wanna be professional and give *some* key moments:)

* The Self-Defense Meet-Cute: Emilio literally signs up for Ava's WOMEN’S-ONLY self-defense class and happily volunteers as the dummy assailant just so she can practice-knee him in the GROIN. That is DEDICATION. THAT is a MAN who is IN IT.

* SockHack: A dark-web hacker who demands payment in *used, sweaty men's athletic socks*. I will never look at my laundry the same way again. Unhinged in the best way. Creativity? 10/10. Loved this so much.

* The Boat Scene & "You, Ava Halloway, are perfection": When the open door arrives, Emilio is pure praise and devotion, completely dismantling Ava's past insecurities about her body. And it had me literally kicking my sheets off the bed and my husband doing a wellness check on me. (not kidding he was concerned lol)

* The Climax & Funeral Crash: The car-bomb fake-out had my heart in my throat for a second not ganna lie, Sara you had me there, for a second, just one, you got a full-throated GASP out of me lol, but….. Emilio returning alive, like the cat with nine lives?? He made the reunion so sweet. *(And don't get confused by the priest at the wedding calling him Giovanni—it's Emilio's wedding, definitely just a funny little typo!)* Not a dig, I swear, just a friendly little whoopsie. Didn’t matter, I still cried at this wedding.

If you need gritty, ruthless mob violence, this book is not that, this is much lighter and suspense-focused. But if you want a cozy, banter-filled found-family hug wrapped in a casino aesthetic, Sara Evou nailed it.

**CW:** Past attempted assault (discussed, not depicted), emotional family neglect, mafia/suspense violence, faked death/grief scare, explicit sexual content.


*I was gifted a copy and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.*

[chaptersandcheckups · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

Thank you Sara and Love Notes PR for this arc!!

I’m obsessed with this series and Sara’s writing!! We get light mafia with an MMC who is reformed mafia and playboy, and a FMC who is trying to find her way AND a computer programmer by day and hacker in her spare time!

Emilio Caruso and Ava were first introduced in Meet me in the Mountains and I couldn’t wait to see where their story would go with their banter

I absolutely loved Emilio in this! He was obsessed with Ava from the first time he met her but still gave her freedom to be who she is.. and even helped with building her confidence. He even attends her Krav Maga class! He’s always been the person to crack jokes and make people feel good but on the inside he’s just as hurt.. with the loss of his parents at a young age and wanting to open his own brewery but not want to leave Gio and Luca!!

Ava had always been the odd one, out of her siblings, seeking her parents approval, but soon learns that found family is often better! There were quite a few misunderstandings that could have been avoided if she had just talked to Emilio, but they made the story what it is! He helped her gain her confidence back and as the story progressed she openly expressed her insecurities to him!

The golf cart scene was one of my favorites and I loved the banter between the two in the beginning! Just led to even better smut!

[Brandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dive into Love On The Lake by Sara Evou's . This spicy mafia romance introduces Ava, a brilliant computer programmer with carefully built emotional walls, seeking a new life by the lake. Her world is upended by Emilio Caruso, a charming playboy whose mysterious past and infectious humor slowly dismantle her defenses.

Despite Ava's guarded nature, Emilio offers her the freedom to embrace her true self, igniting an undeniable, passionate connection. Their romance deepens, but shadows from their entwined pasts soon emerge, threatening to shatter everything.

Evou masterfully blends heartwarming intimacy with thrilling suspense, offering a refreshingly nuanced take on the genre. The novel celebrates empowering character arcs, notably Ava's journey as an intelligent, curvy heroine. The electric chemistry between Ava and Emilio is organically developed, showcasing profound personal growth as they navigate individual battles.

While part of an overarching mafia subplot, Love On The Lake provides a fulfilling standalone experience, though reading the series in order enriches the journey. Prepare for an emotionally deep, suspenseful, and utterly unputdownable read.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love On The Lake by Sara Evou was such a fun addition to the Tahoe Made Men series! I really enjoyed the chemistry between the characters and the way their relationship developed. The banter, attraction, and emotional moments kept me turning the pages, while the suspenseful mafia elements added just enough danger and excitement without overwhelming the romance. The MMC Emilio is the kind of confident, persistent hero who is impossible not to enjoy, and I loved watching him bring the heroine out of her comfort zone. Their connection felt natural, and there were plenty of moments that made me smile while still keeping the tension high. Sara Evou does a great job balancing romance, spice, humor, and suspense. I also enjoyed seeing the ongoing mafia storyline woven into the book. It can be read as a standalone, but I think reading the series in order would make the experience even better. Overall, Love On The Lake is a great choice for readers who enjoy spicy romance, possessive heroes, witty banter, and a little danger mixed into their happily-ever-after!

I received an ARC copy from Love Notes PR. Thank you for giving me the chance to read this novel and share my honest review of the novel

[Heather Molin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely DEVOURED this book!!!

This is the second book in the Tahoe Made Men Series and while you can read it as a standalone there are events that overlap and may be a little confusing and feel a little rushed if you have not read the first one. Ava and Emilio were real and raw and refreshing in ways mafia romance sometimes lacks.

Ava was smart, funny and a tough while Emilio was charming, protective. I loved how Emilio didnt put any pressure on Ava and knew when to let her spread her wings and prove herself instead of trying to keep her sheltered. The was Ava grew to trust herself and herself worth while after finding a new and supportive found family made me incredibly happy as someone who also has deep family wounds.

There is definitely violence and talk of some triggering things (this is a mafia romance after all even if it's considered mafia lite) so make sure you check those before diving in! But if you enjoy mafia adjacent/mafia lite romances, found family, an FMC that learns to stand up for herself, vengeance, and a swoon worthy MMC this book is for you!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Lisa Ann D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

“It’s not a big deal. I think I just misinterpreted things with you. And it’s very confusing.” If she’s confused, then I’m even more confused because I thought I was very clear about us. “What do you mean by misinterpreted things with me?”
🏔️

LOVE ON THE LAKE (TAHOE MADE MEN 2)
BY SARA EVOU
314 PAGES
RELEASE DATE: AUGUST 26, 2026
𝚎𝙰𝚁𝙲 𝚁𝙴𝚅𝙸𝙴𝚆
𝙼𝚈 𝚁𝙰𝚃𝙸𝙽𝙶: ★★★★☆

▁🏔️▁
I’m really enjoying what the author is doing with this series. I’ve been a fan of Sara’s for a while. I loved the Nashville Security series. This new series feels both fresh & familiar at the same time.

🏔️


𝚃𝚁𝙾𝙿𝙴𝚂 & 𝙾𝚃𝙷𝙴𝚁 𝙶𝙾𝙾𝙳𝙸𝙴 𝙶𝙾𝙾𝙳𝚂:
Socks—- iykyk 😂
He’s ex mafia
She’s a computer programmer/hacker
He’s a playboy who changes his ways for her
She’s curvy and in her 30’s
Small town mountain vibes
Banter
Mafia but not dark
Light Suspense
Found Family
Spicy
🏔️


“Ava, you’re the sexiest fucking woman I’ve ever had my mouth on.”
🏔️


𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴. 𝗕𝗲 𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘄𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝘄𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝘃𝗲𝘀.
❤︎ ❤︎ ❤︎
𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗤𝗨𝗘𝗘𝗥 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥
𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗙𝗔𝗧 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥
𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗗𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗘 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥
✨🌈✨

[Ashlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

6 ⭐️ Series!!!!!!!

GIVE ME BOOK NUMBER 3 IMMEDIATELY!!!! I AM SCREAMING AND I CANNOT GET ENOUGH. 😭🔥

Where do I even begin? What do I say? HOW do I say anything without giving everything away?!

If you haven't heard of this series yet, YES, you are missing out.

This book had me SO MAD for a moment. I didn't even believe it; but just in case it was real, I was SO ANGRY AND SAD. 😭 I literally cannot say more than that without spoiling it. Just trust me on this one, okay?!

You do NOT want to miss Emilio & Ava. ❤️‍🔥 Two battered souls and hearts who finally get to know what it means to be loved.

Actually, you know what? Just go ahead & dive face-first into Tahoe Made Men, Book 1. I devoured both books back to back, completely unable to put them down. I laughed so hard and screamed “I KNEW IT!” at the “yoga teacher/muffin girl” conversations 😂 and just all-around enjoyed this book so very much.

You're welcome. 😊

[Dawn Cornelius · Rating 4 out of 5]

This books picks up with a new POV of the events from book one and I loved how this was done!

Emilio is a secret teddy bear and I love it! Ava is guarded but hopeful which is so endearing.

These two were perfect from the first time they meet. Emilio’s flirting game is the best! A little miscommunication that night sets up for a push and pull chemistry between them. Normally I hate miscommunication, but I think for their story it is importance for Ava’s character growth.

When Ava begins helping them track down their lousy excuse for an uncle, they realize just how much they care for each other which scares them both. I love how this storyline got them closer to one another and breaking down each other’s walls with their pasts.

I love how even with danger arising from Emilio’s family, he still can’t truly stay away from Ava. Ava is understanding but always honest with him which was refreshing.

Thank you to Love Notes PR for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Sara & Love Notes PR for the ARC✨

This is a second chance, miscommunication (lightly), ex-mafia, found family, romance. The mafia is not heavy, but there is some mention.

I absolutely adored Emilio in this, even when I was overly frustrated with how he handled his attraction to her. It felt like the second she let her guard down, Emilio did something to put them immediately back up. He was obsessed with her from the beginning & watching their relationship form was beautifully done. He won her trust, her heart, and her mind.

Ava is independent, intelligent, and insecure. Watching her work through her insecurities & try to rebuild a life for herself is so painfully beautiful. I admire her strength & felt her painful moments deeply. Seeking the approval of her parents and siblings, she slowly comes to terms with the found family being all she needed.

[PrincessStitchy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved being back in this story and hearing about Norma! Everyone needs a Norma in their lives.

Emillo honestly what a man!! The way to protects the people he loves ❤️ also "kitten" 🥵

Oh Ava - no wonder Emillo hating her family I was right there with him. And the girl needs more confidence of course he'd want her *get it girl*

As always you are kept on your toes with the Mafia drama! Sitting on the edge of my seat and nearly breaking my heart even though I knew there was a slight chance I was wrong. But you still get the banter and friendships between the boys - Gio, Emillio and Lucas and the girls - Julia, Claire and Ava!

" Welcome to the family"😭😭❤️❤️
I can not wait to read book 3 and hopefully see Lucas find his girl- Yoga, muffin women who knows but I'm here for it!

[Alannah Muir · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ✨ ARC REVIEW

Ava is emotionally unavailable because of her messed-up family. But she can't ignore the gravitational pull toward Emilio... even if she questions his intentions every step of the way.

Emilio can't understand why Ava ghosted him the night they met. All he knows is she's been here all along, living in the same town—and this time, he's not letting her walk away.

Another Sara Evou MMC who is patient, persistent, and intentional... even when miscommunication gets in the way. 🖤

Thank you Sara Evou and Love Notes PR for the ARC✨

🖤 Slow Burn
🤍 Ex-Mafia(ish) × Computer Programmer
🖤 Reformed Player
🤍 Closed-Off FMC
🖤 Curvy FMC in Her 30s
🤍 Small-Town Mountain Vibes
🖤 Age Gap
🤍 Found Family

An ick for me is the nickname kitten. I’M SORRY. 😢

[Sierra Cody · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

I knew I was going to love Emilio and Ava the moment we got a glimpse of them in the first book, and they absolutely did not disappoint! 🥹❤️ Their chemistry, the tension, and watching their relationship unfold made this such a fun and satisfying read. I loved getting to see more of their story and finally getting the romance I had been waiting for. Emilio had me completely sold, and Ava was such a great match for him.

My only reason for dropping this from 5 stars to 4.5 was the ending. I needed a little more conflict resolution, and some of the issues felt like they were wrapped up too quickly. The ending felt a bit rushed, and I wanted more time to see everything fully play out.

Still, I absolutely adored Emilio and Ava and would happily read more from them.💕

[De Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fell in love here

Oh my goodness. This book was bursting at its seams with so much going on in its pages. Ava and Emilio were so good together. I couldn’t get enough of their interactions. Ava was so relatable and I couldn’t stop myself from cheering for her. Emilio was so sweet and patient and caring. The tension and chemistry between them were off the charts. The connection was genuine and so endearing. Getting to watch things grow and develop into a deeper and more intense version was so satisfying to see. And I cannot say enough about the banter. I was cackling and holding my sides. Overall this book had me invested and intrigued. And left me feeling satisfied and happy.

[Lucia · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC Review

This took me a bit longer to read. I struggled to connect with the characters at first but then I was able to understand them as the book progressed.

It was a swoony read with a lot of chemistry between Ava and Emilio. We see them slowly working through their problems and we see their characters grow. While that was nice to see, there were a lot of miscommunications and misunderstandings between them that could have been solved easily. For me, it was a bit annoying but I am glad everything worked out though.

My favourite is the found family theme. I love how they interact with Giovanni, Luca, Claire and Norma.

Overall 3.5⭐️

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one picks up right where the last book left off, which I loved it made the transition into Ava and Emilio’s story feel seamless. The beginning was a bit slow to get going, but once it found its footing, the rest was solid.

Ava and Emilio have great chemistry together. I really appreciated how present he was for her the effort he put into showing up and proving himself never felt performative, it felt earned. And as always, it’s great seeing the other characters from the series woven back in; that interconnected feel is one of my favorite things about this series so far.

Looking forward to book 3!

[clara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love on the Lake by Sara Evou is the second book of The Tahoe Made Men Series. I absolutely love the first book Meet Me in the Mountains.Emilios and Avas story is definitely one of my favorites 😍.
Their story will have you hooked turning pages. I was surely rooting for them.
Ava is so smart and independent.
Emilio ❤️ he's confident and funny.
Their banter had me smiling.
His attempt to sign up for her self-defense classe was not what he expected. I loved how they were each other's safe place and how he kept trying. The found family was exactly what she needed. The danger that arises just makes you more invested. I loved reading Ava and Emilios story.
Definitely recommend

[Rachelclune88 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really connected with Ava She’s quiet, independent, a little guarded, and happy keeping people at arm’s length. Watching her open herself up and discover what can happen when you let your guard down.

And we can't forget Emilio… A carefree playboy with a very complicated past who manages to get past her inner defensive wall. I loved how he made her playful and made her laugh. He loved her just being herself and that was everything.

But even with all these wall breaking moments when their pasts come back into their lives, they’re forced to decide just how much they’re willing to risk for each other.

[Aleksandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love On The Lake by Sara Evou is a sweet, spicy, light-mafia romance centered on Ava and Emilio, whose very different personalities somehow fit together perfectly. I loved watching Ava slowly learn to trust again after her terrible family experiences, while Emilio’s honesty, humor, and persistence helped her open up. Their chemistry and all the little sweet moments made this story especially heartwarming. I also enjoyed the crossover with the previous book—it was easy to follow without feeling repetitive. A lovely romance with just enough mafia suspense to keep things interesting!

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love on the Lake by Sara Evou

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5 stars)

This book is an emotional and heartwarming gem. The bond between Emilio and Ava feels completely real. Watching Ava heal from her past while Emilio uses his humor and honesty to guide her is beautiful. Their chemistry jumps off the page, making this a deeply satisfying romance you will not want to put down.

If you love a light dark contemporary romance with incredible chemistry and a plot centered on mutual support, add this to your TBR immediately. It’s an emotional, heartwarming must read for anyone who loves a good healing journey.

[Myra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Love Notes PR for sending me this Arc!
Wow.
Just WOOWW!

Love On The Lake was such a good, sweet and steamy romance! I loooveedd the whole opposites attract/contrast between our main characters, Ava and Emilio. Their chemistry was so fun to witness and read, and I loved how he would just encourage her to let loose and be herself, and to step outside of her comfort zone!

This book had me smiling SO many times. 🤭

Theres so many secrets, a crazy family dynamic, and a whole crap ton of suspense!

It was such an easy and entertaining read. I would definitely read it again!

[Amanda Wakefield · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am in love with the Tahoe Made Men Series!! Ava & Emilio's book did NOT disappoint.

Ava can we be besties?!?!? A girl who has been hurt but still lets herself love again. Also a baddie with a hobby of hacking - we love a women in STEM

Emilio how are you a big old golden retriever who sometimes acts like a Doberman and man why is that soooo hot.

I think found family, banter, insane chemistry, suspense and the perfect spice level makes a great book and Love on the Lake has all of the above!

[lisa’ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m really appreciative for the opportunity given by Sara Evou and Love Notes PR for receiving this ARC!

2.5 ⭐️ I was waiting for Emilio and Ava’s story and at first it was really good, between the banter and the storyline, but then, I don’t know what happened but it got so quick, the plot was really confusing and didn’t really make sense, and their storyline for their relationship was just confusing, one page they can’t see each other, and the next he breaks into her house, like sorry but what?

[Amber Mock · Rating 3 out of 5]

🌟 ARC Review 🌟

I was lucky enough to be part of the ARC team to read this book before its release, and below are my honest thoughts!.

If you like:
💻 Ex-Mafia MMC x Computer Hacker FMC
♥️ Reformed Player Who Changes For Her
💁🏼‍♀️ She's Curvy & In Her 30's
🏔️ Small Town Mountain Vibes

Rating: 3.5

Review:
This is book 2 in the Tahoe Made Men Series and is recommended to read in order.
This was a fast-paced, cute, fun read with some really nice spice and twists, with a 3rd-act breakup but a happily ever after.