What do you think?
Rate this book
Men of Millbrook Lake #3
Lakeside Sweetheart
An Unexpected Homecoming
Returning to her hometown to clear out her late mother's house, Vanessa Donovan's goal is to do the job quickly and escape. She refuses to get involved with Rory Sanderson, her handsome neighbor. And she can't let herself be dazzled by his smile and caring ways. Because if there's one thing Vanessa won't do, it's fall for a minister. While the pastor in Rory wants to mend Vanessa's wounds, the man in him can't resist the beautiful woman. But while he's helping her, Vanessa is doing the unthinkable—healing his own deep scars and opening his heart…if he can convince her that love is worth the risk.
Returning to her hometown to clear out her late mother's house, Vanessa Donovan's goal is to do the job quickly and escape. She refuses to get involved with Rory Sanderson, her handsome neighbor. And she can't let herself be dazzled by his smile and caring ways. Because if there's one thing Vanessa won't do, it's fall for a minister. While the pastor in Rory wants to mend Vanessa's wounds, the man in him can't resist the beautiful woman. But while he's helping her, Vanessa is doing the unthinkable—healing his own deep scars and opening his heart…if he can convince her that love is worth the risk.
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published May 24, 2016
14 people are currently reading
140 people want to read
About the author
Lenora Worth
278 books383 followersLenora Worth has written 75 books for three different publishers. She reached a milestone when she received her 50th book pin from Harlequin. Her books have won both regional and national awards and she now has millions of books in print and is a NY Times, USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestselling author. Currently she is writing both Love Inspired and Love Inspired Suspense and Tule Publishing. Married to her childhood sweetheart, Lenora has two grown children and lives in Florida.
Pen name: Lenora Nazworth
Pen name: Lenora Nazworth
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 31, 2021
Lake side Sweetheart is a love story about Rory Sanderson and Vanessa Donovan. Rory is the Minister at the Lakeside Church in Millbrook Lake Florida. Vanessa has come back to Millbrook Lake from New Orleans to clear out her late mother's house and sell it. Rory always seems happy and available to help members of his church when needed. Truth is he's not always been happy and at peace with God. There's something he's been hiding from his friends and church members. Vanessa too hides a past she'd rather keep from people. Being back home and cleaning out her mother's home has bought back unpleasant memories she'd rather not think about.
Rory's church sits across the street from Vanessa's mother's house. He can't help but notice her as she prepares her mother's home to be listed with a realtor. He has offered to help her but she turns him down. Truth is Vanessa would rather not attend his church or except his help. She remembers a minister from her past and it wasn't a good memory. Still Rory Sanderson is good looking and he's always friendly and inviting her to attend different activities at his church. Her friend Marla Caldwell says he's single and a good friend to her husband, but Vanessa won't be around long and besides she isn't looking for a relationship in her life right now.
I enjoyed this uplifting romance. It was an easy read about two lonely people who both suffered hurts in their past. Both had to overcome those hurts and trust each other enough to share their past with one another. There was other parts of the book that I also enjoyed that were not related to the romance part of the story. The church worked with troubled youths and Vanessa was drawn to that ministry.
I recommend this book to readers of contemporary romance. This book is part of a series but can be read out of order, however characters are carried over from book to book and are a part of each story.
I borrowed a copy from the local library. A review wasn't requested. All opinions expressed here are my own.
Rory's church sits across the street from Vanessa's mother's house. He can't help but notice her as she prepares her mother's home to be listed with a realtor. He has offered to help her but she turns him down. Truth is Vanessa would rather not attend his church or except his help. She remembers a minister from her past and it wasn't a good memory. Still Rory Sanderson is good looking and he's always friendly and inviting her to attend different activities at his church. Her friend Marla Caldwell says he's single and a good friend to her husband, but Vanessa won't be around long and besides she isn't looking for a relationship in her life right now.
I enjoyed this uplifting romance. It was an easy read about two lonely people who both suffered hurts in their past. Both had to overcome those hurts and trust each other enough to share their past with one another. There was other parts of the book that I also enjoyed that were not related to the romance part of the story. The church worked with troubled youths and Vanessa was drawn to that ministry.
I recommend this book to readers of contemporary romance. This book is part of a series but can be read out of order, however characters are carried over from book to book and are a part of each story.
I borrowed a copy from the local library. A review wasn't requested. All opinions expressed here are my own.
June 5, 2016
I so did not want this story to end. And now I want to read the next one. A magical tale of trust and healing.
April 26, 2022
A captivating story of two hurting individuals with hidden secrets from their past. Pastor Rory Sanderson is a very compassionate and willing to assist whoever. Vanessa had lost faith in ministers but there was something different about Pastor Rory. This is a quick paced story filled with true to life characters that are caring, compassionate for everyone in Millbrook. A beautiful story that gave way to tears, laughter, smiles, love and wanting the story to continue.
This was a used book purchased from our library book sale, thus no review was required. I have shared my own opinion.
This was a used book purchased from our library book sale, thus no review was required. I have shared my own opinion.
July 10, 2019
This was a very sweet uplifting story....I really love all the characters, very realistic and natural...Minister Rory is absolutely the best....very compassionate!
May 22, 2017
Vanessa Donovan returns home to deal with all her mother left behind after an untimely death. Determined to get through the details and return to her normal life, Vanessa tries to keep her emotions tucked away and her heart hardened. But the curious attention of her hometown's new pastor arrives with what appears to be genuine empathy and a helping hand. But with unhealed grief of his own, Rory Sanderson doesn't quite know what to do with the feelings he has for this beautiful new neighbor of his.
I appreciated the inner journeys of both the hero and the heroine in this story. The author did a good job of peeling away layers as the story went along, putting real motivations on the page. She handled the sensitive subject of a person who has been hurt by the church very well. I highly recommend this book for anybody wanting to get lost in a sweet romance.
I appreciated the inner journeys of both the hero and the heroine in this story. The author did a good job of peeling away layers as the story went along, putting real motivations on the page. She handled the sensitive subject of a person who has been hurt by the church very well. I highly recommend this book for anybody wanting to get lost in a sweet romance.
September 14, 2018
Four guys who own a cabin share time together at this cabin and each have their own story. This one is Rory and Vanessa's. Romance happened and another wedding of one the four guys. God element of forgiveness and restoration.
January 6, 2023
I loved this sweet romance of Vanessa and a preacher named Rory! I am so glad that I found this book in a second hand bookstore in Mystic, CT called No Other Book Like This. I just love reading Love Inspired books, anyway!
January 22, 2023
I enjoyed this story - along with the others in this series. Fun read. I really liked both characters and the way they were drawn together, yet had their walls that were firmly in place. Something about Rory that I was drawn to and the way he chose to look at the world.
July 17, 2016
i loved this story with two people needing to move thru their past to help each other move forward to a joyful life. i like how the issues the characters faced were written in a realistic way not delving too deep but not brushed aside. looking forward to Hunters story now that guy has layers n secrets....
December 16, 2016
I had to rate this one five stars because, even though the story wasn't overly exciting, it was sweet, and the characters, Vanessa and Rory, were quite endearing as well as one of the cuter couples I've read about. I would rate this book a 4.6-4.7.
Read
June 13, 2016"This is a sweet take on second chances and hope" (4 stars @ RT Book Reviews).
Miniseries: Men of Millbrook Lake
Miniseries: Men of Millbrook Lake
Read
June 1, 2016received 4 stars @ RT Book Reviews
Miniseries: Men of Millbrook Lake
Miniseries: Men of Millbrook Lake
June 9, 2016
This miniseries is a little different in that 2 books are Love Inspired & 2 are Love Inspired Suspense. Ended up reading the 2nd book after the 3rd book. Can't wait for Hunter's story.
June 30, 2016
Awesome book
really enjoyed the first book Lake side Hero now Lake side Sweetheart both books were great and I can't wait for the next one in the series.
really enjoyed the first book Lake side Hero now Lake side Sweetheart both books were great and I can't wait for the next one in the series.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews