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Smith Mountain Lake #3
Fences
Can true love ever overcome betrayal?
At eighteen, Tate Callahan left Smith Mountain Lake with no intention of ever coming back. The one thing he'd believed in after a lifetime of growing up in foster homes was his love for Jillie Andrews and her love for him. But a single act of jealousy had destroyed all that, and Tate has spent the past eighteen years trying to convince himself what they had was never real. And he's done a pretty good job of it, until the day someone decides the past isn't better left alone. When old accusations are brought to light, Tate believes Jillie is responsible and heads back to Smith Mountain Lake to once and for all prove to himself that she is not the woman of his dreams, but the woman who had destroyed his dreams. What he finds though isn't at all what he'd expected. And the question he will have to answer is whether the protective fences we build around ourselves can ever be taken down, letting us see not only what might have been, but what can still be.
At eighteen, Tate Callahan left Smith Mountain Lake with no intention of ever coming back. The one thing he'd believed in after a lifetime of growing up in foster homes was his love for Jillie Andrews and her love for him. But a single act of jealousy had destroyed all that, and Tate has spent the past eighteen years trying to convince himself what they had was never real. And he's done a pretty good job of it, until the day someone decides the past isn't better left alone. When old accusations are brought to light, Tate believes Jillie is responsible and heads back to Smith Mountain Lake to once and for all prove to himself that she is not the woman of his dreams, but the woman who had destroyed his dreams. What he finds though isn't at all what he'd expected. And the question he will have to answer is whether the protective fences we build around ourselves can ever be taken down, letting us see not only what might have been, but what can still be.
- GenresRomance
338 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 11, 2017
2567 people are currently reading
282 people want to read
About the author
Inglath Cooper
63 books941 followersVirginia author Inglath Cooper fell in love with reading as a little girl, devouring most of the books in her elementary school library. At some point, she decided she wanted to pursue a writing career, creating romance fiction that did for others what her favorite books have done for her. “I love character-driven books that leave me feeling as if I’ve really known these people and make me wish I didn’t have to turn the last page.”
“Romance fiction has always appealed to me because it deals with so many of the relationships in a woman’s life. Not only the love of her life, but often her relationship with her mother, sister or best friend. Romance authors have so much room to explore many of the meaningful moments and transitions in women’s lives. And who doesn’t love a good love story?”
Inglath most often writes stories about love and life that are set in small Virginia towns like the one where she grew up. “I like to think the flavor of my hometown shows up in my books both in their setting and through the characters who people it.”
When aspiring writers ask her how to be an author, she says, “Everything I know about writing books I learned from reading books.”
Inglath has been chosen as a RITA® Award winner for best long contemporary romance novel given out each year by Romance Writers of America. Her books are available through Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, itunes.com, and Kobobooks.com.
Outside of writing, Inglath is actively involved in dog rescue, working with The Franklin County Humane Society to place dogs and cats in need of rehoming. She volunteers her time in every capacity possible: serving on the Board of Directors, fundraising, photographing dogs and cats available for adoption and serving as a foster home. “Helping an abused or neglected dog go on to have a wonderful life with a family who loves them is more rewarding than I can possibly say.”
“Romance fiction has always appealed to me because it deals with so many of the relationships in a woman’s life. Not only the love of her life, but often her relationship with her mother, sister or best friend. Romance authors have so much room to explore many of the meaningful moments and transitions in women’s lives. And who doesn’t love a good love story?”
Inglath most often writes stories about love and life that are set in small Virginia towns like the one where she grew up. “I like to think the flavor of my hometown shows up in my books both in their setting and through the characters who people it.”
When aspiring writers ask her how to be an author, she says, “Everything I know about writing books I learned from reading books.”
Inglath has been chosen as a RITA® Award winner for best long contemporary romance novel given out each year by Romance Writers of America. Her books are available through Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, itunes.com, and Kobobooks.com.
Outside of writing, Inglath is actively involved in dog rescue, working with The Franklin County Humane Society to place dogs and cats in need of rehoming. She volunteers her time in every capacity possible: serving on the Board of Directors, fundraising, photographing dogs and cats available for adoption and serving as a foster home. “Helping an abused or neglected dog go on to have a wonderful life with a family who loves them is more rewarding than I can possibly say.”
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
May 29, 2019
I really liked the first two books in this series, but this one missed the mark for me. It was so different from the first two and not what I was expecting. Jillie Andrews is living with her mother-in-law, sister-in-law (Angela) and two daughters after her husband died. She's miserable, but doesn't seem to have any choice but to put up with her MIL's bullying (it's not really explained why.) Tate Callahan was Jillie's high school boyfriend, but left town after an accusation by Angela. He's become an author and, after suffering from writer's block, decides to go back to Smith Mountain Lake to see if he can find his muse. I don't think I liked any of the characters in this book - Jillie was a doormat, Tate was depressing, the MIL was a b*tch, Angela and was also a b*tch and doormat to her mother and friend, Poppy, and Poppy was just plain evil. I was also not satisfied with the ending - there were so many unanswered questions!!! I do like the setting of these stories, and hope there are more books to come, but I also hope they go back to the style of the first two books in the series.
December 30, 2018
Another great read in the Smith Mountain Lake series.
What a lot of twists and turns in this 3rd installment Tate Callahan was pretty much run out of town 18 yrs ago with a story that wasn't real and no one stood up for him. Especially his best friend Jillie who is still in town with her two daughters living with her horrible mother in law who rules the world. One wild ride for sure
What a lot of twists and turns in this 3rd installment Tate Callahan was pretty much run out of town 18 yrs ago with a story that wasn't real and no one stood up for him. Especially his best friend Jillie who is still in town with her two daughters living with her horrible mother in law who rules the world. One wild ride for sure
March 30, 2020
I just really really liked this book. I read it in one sitting because I couldn’t put it down! It wasn’t an action packed edge-of-your-seat mystery thriller. It was just a very sweet story about love and loss, where right prevails and wrong is punished. The only thing wrong with this book was that it needed an epilogue to tie up some loose ends. I highly recommend this book!
January 12, 2018
Unfinished ending.
I felt the ending was left hanging. Whatever happened to Judith? Did she recover? Did Jillie get her money back from Poppy? Still wondering!
I felt the ending was left hanging. Whatever happened to Judith? Did she recover? Did Jillie get her money back from Poppy? Still wondering!
June 28, 2017
This book was probably my favorite of the series. It is slightly more fast paced than the other two, but it still has that meandering feel to it.
There is a lot going on in this story. Tate and Jillie were involved as teenagers, but then Tate was accused of raping a 16 year old girl and Jillie didn't stand by his side. He leaves and becomes a successful writer, but is suffering from writer's block. Out of nowhere a new story about the rape appears in the newspaper and Tate decides to go back and confront Jillie, as he thinks she is the one to have leaked the story.
Jillie was married with 2 children and her husband suddenly killed himself a year ago, leaving everything to his mother. She still lives with his mother and sister and their relationship is strained to say the least.
When Tate confronts her, Jillie is upset and confused. They soon begin to see that there is more going on than meets the eye!
There is a lot going on in this story. Tate and Jillie were involved as teenagers, but then Tate was accused of raping a 16 year old girl and Jillie didn't stand by his side. He leaves and becomes a successful writer, but is suffering from writer's block. Out of nowhere a new story about the rape appears in the newspaper and Tate decides to go back and confront Jillie, as he thinks she is the one to have leaked the story.
Jillie was married with 2 children and her husband suddenly killed himself a year ago, leaving everything to his mother. She still lives with his mother and sister and their relationship is strained to say the least.
When Tate confronts her, Jillie is upset and confused. They soon begin to see that there is more going on than meets the eye!
December 6, 2017
Truly a gifted writer! Each of the three books in this Smith Mountain Lake series were heart wrenching yet heart warming with special endings! Embarking on an Inglath Cooper journey to now enjoy everything she's written that I can get into my Kindle!
August 17, 2020
3.5 stars
The intertwining backstory and who dunnit made the book more engaging. It did feel more focused on the mystery than the potential second chance romance between Tate and Jillie. For me, the ending felt rushed and was a disappointment. The main characters kiss upon reuniting but are mad at one another. Then about half way they kiss again and Jillie says she's not ready for it. We really see no additional romance after that. Late in the book, it's implied they kiss and perhaps do more but it is a bit of a kill-joy to not have seen more angst or passion in them coming together. It was treated as an afterthought vs focus of the book.
In the end despite feeling good about the early parts of the book, I'm disappointed. I have to ding the book for whats' missing. There are way too many loose ends that were not answered: what happened with the will, what about his book, is there a conviction, what happens to Judith. In addition, we never really did get the complete story on the incident that caused Tate and Jillie to part. We know what it is but not with the level of detail to understand how painful it was for them to carry with them all these years. Add in the lack of attention to their romance near the end and it fell flat.
The intertwining backstory and who dunnit made the book more engaging. It did feel more focused on the mystery than the potential second chance romance between Tate and Jillie. For me, the ending felt rushed and was a disappointment. The main characters kiss upon reuniting but are mad at one another. Then about half way they kiss again and Jillie says she's not ready for it. We really see no additional romance after that. Late in the book, it's implied they kiss and perhaps do more but it is a bit of a kill-joy to not have seen more angst or passion in them coming together. It was treated as an afterthought vs focus of the book.
In the end despite feeling good about the early parts of the book, I'm disappointed. I have to ding the book for whats' missing. There are way too many loose ends that were not answered: what happened with the will, what about his book, is there a conviction, what happens to Judith. In addition, we never really did get the complete story on the incident that caused Tate and Jillie to part. We know what it is but not with the level of detail to understand how painful it was for them to carry with them all these years. Add in the lack of attention to their romance near the end and it fell flat.
March 1, 2019
"An Awesome, Compelling Story"
Tate Callahan was 18 years old when he left Smith Mountain Lake with no plans of ever returning. He had been raised in foster homes. The one good thing is the love he had for Jillie Andrews but jealousy destroyed the relationship. Public accusations rise from that relationship so he does finally return home to prove she is the one that had been at fault. Can the fences they have around themselves be broken down? Yeah, we know it's not easy, but this story is captivating and proves real love is never lost. The story is very heartwarming and intriguing of how fences need never be built very high. Strongly recommended.
Tate Callahan was 18 years old when he left Smith Mountain Lake with no plans of ever returning. He had been raised in foster homes. The one good thing is the love he had for Jillie Andrews but jealousy destroyed the relationship. Public accusations rise from that relationship so he does finally return home to prove she is the one that had been at fault. Can the fences they have around themselves be broken down? Yeah, we know it's not easy, but this story is captivating and proves real love is never lost. The story is very heartwarming and intriguing of how fences need never be built very high. Strongly recommended.
January 1, 2025
great story with many surprising twists!
Another awesome book by this author, set again in Smith Mountain Lake. This one is quite differ from the previous books, set in the equestrian world of the south initially and the. In the world of the uber rich & privileged. It gives us Tate & Jillie, young best friends & early loves, who meet up when both tragedy and under-handedness explodes both of their now separate lives.
The story is well written and has excellent characters. The equine element is sweet. And we get to,say hello to a couple of the other folks from the area we met in the other books!
Another awesome book by this author, set again in Smith Mountain Lake. This one is quite differ from the previous books, set in the equestrian world of the south initially and the. In the world of the uber rich & privileged. It gives us Tate & Jillie, young best friends & early loves, who meet up when both tragedy and under-handedness explodes both of their now separate lives.
The story is well written and has excellent characters. The equine element is sweet. And we get to,say hello to a couple of the other folks from the area we met in the other books!
August 2, 2018
Always a great read.
I have read most of Inglath Cooper's books. The series are always fun because they always intertwine character just enough to make you feel you know people around town. The series are nice because it's like not having to put down a good book...it keeps going!
I may have found one glaring mistake on the first page of chapter 75. Judith does not pull out of Cross Country,but Stone Meadow. I had two read the sentence twice. Poppy snuck into Stone Meadow to poison the #itch.😇
I have read most of Inglath Cooper's books. The series are always fun because they always intertwine character just enough to make you feel you know people around town. The series are nice because it's like not having to put down a good book...it keeps going!
I may have found one glaring mistake on the first page of chapter 75. Judith does not pull out of Cross Country,but Stone Meadow. I had two read the sentence twice. Poppy snuck into Stone Meadow to poison the #itch.😇
July 3, 2019
Another great story
This third story at Smith Mountain Lake is about Jilli and Tate. Childhood sweethearts, torn apart by a false accusation of rape. Eighteen years later Tate returns to SML to confront Jillian over a press leak regarding the rape accusation. Things are nothing like he expects. Jilli is trapped in a world she has no control of and he finds he still loves her. Evil and cruel forces are in play. Can Jilli save herself and her daughters with Tates help?
This third story at Smith Mountain Lake is about Jilli and Tate. Childhood sweethearts, torn apart by a false accusation of rape. Eighteen years later Tate returns to SML to confront Jillian over a press leak regarding the rape accusation. Things are nothing like he expects. Jilli is trapped in a world she has no control of and he finds he still loves her. Evil and cruel forces are in play. Can Jilli save herself and her daughters with Tates help?
April 17, 2018
More Please
I truly love this series of books. The character's are so real that I need to know more. This last book , Fences, leaves many unanswered questions. I really want to know what happens to Judith - does she survive? What happens to Angela.. I did find a couple of errors that better editing should have caught. All in all a great read.
I truly love this series of books. The character's are so real that I need to know more. This last book , Fences, leaves many unanswered questions. I really want to know what happens to Judith - does she survive? What happens to Angela.. I did find a couple of errors that better editing should have caught. All in all a great read.
June 30, 2018
Love wins
I love that this story has some of my favorite things. Virginia, horses, a real man, love, the forever kind
Smith mountain is truly my dream. As a Kentucky gal it seemed like I was there ever step with Jillie.
All three books are wonderfully written. Ms. Cooper keep writing, we love it.
I love that this story has some of my favorite things. Virginia, horses, a real man, love, the forever kind
Smith mountain is truly my dream. As a Kentucky gal it seemed like I was there ever step with Jillie.
All three books are wonderfully written. Ms. Cooper keep writing, we love it.
January 1, 2019
Maybe it's because I had a high school sweetheart myself, but this book really spoke to me. There's something about that first love of your life that's always hard to shake, and I think many people wonder... what if? What if you'd never broken up? Where would you both be? Does that love ever really die? And this book dove head first into all of those questions and more.
March 15, 2019
Not my favorite
I have become totally hooked on Inglath Coopers story. She can build a tale like no one else. While this is far from my favorite, it is a beautifully told saga of a woman whose life is tangled in regrets. Ms cooper is the best at presenting the whys behind the reality. I love the human err, the happy endings, and the life in between.
I have become totally hooked on Inglath Coopers story. She can build a tale like no one else. While this is far from my favorite, it is a beautifully told saga of a woman whose life is tangled in regrets. Ms cooper is the best at presenting the whys behind the reality. I love the human err, the happy endings, and the life in between.
October 28, 2020
Fences
This another exceptionally good book by Inglath! I am thoroughly enjoying her books. Fences was another book I didn't want to put down. The characters are interesting and engaging. I was so glad that Jillie and Tate got a second chance especially with so many people against them.
This another exceptionally good book by Inglath! I am thoroughly enjoying her books. Fences was another book I didn't want to put down. The characters are interesting and engaging. I was so glad that Jillie and Tate got a second chance especially with so many people against them.
February 17, 2021
Enjoyable read
This story had me hooked from the beginning. I found it to be an enjoyable read, one that can be read in nearly one sitting.
A little romance with a dash of darkness woven in.
The only thing I didn’t care for was the rushed ending, and unlikely build up scenarios with the antagonist.
But other than that, I enjoyed the book.
This story had me hooked from the beginning. I found it to be an enjoyable read, one that can be read in nearly one sitting.
A little romance with a dash of darkness woven in.
The only thing I didn’t care for was the rushed ending, and unlikely build up scenarios with the antagonist.
But other than that, I enjoyed the book.
April 5, 2021
Another wonderful book
Loved this book as much as the rest of the Smith Mountain Lake series; would love to read more about the people living in this part of Virginia! So many questions in my mind about what happens next, does Judith survive? What happens regarding new will? Does Tate write again?
Loved this book as much as the rest of the Smith Mountain Lake series; would love to read more about the people living in this part of Virginia! So many questions in my mind about what happens next, does Judith survive? What happens regarding new will? Does Tate write again?
September 3, 2021
Not disappointed once more
I recently discovered Ms. Coopers books and am delighted by the hold each one has had on me. I generally finish one in just a day. I like the fact that I can read her clean but not sappy sweet content and be entertained . No offensive language or explicit sex. Thank you.
I recently discovered Ms. Coopers books and am delighted by the hold each one has had on me. I generally finish one in just a day. I like the fact that I can read her clean but not sappy sweet content and be entertained . No offensive language or explicit sex. Thank you.
December 6, 2017
Great read!
Along with Smith Mountain Lake books 1 and 2, book 3 is a wonderful story that I could hardly put down. It is full of romance, mystery, animals and all the ingredients of a good story. In fact I want to go live in all of Ms Coppers fictional towns!
Along with Smith Mountain Lake books 1 and 2, book 3 is a wonderful story that I could hardly put down. It is full of romance, mystery, animals and all the ingredients of a good story. In fact I want to go live in all of Ms Coppers fictional towns!
July 10, 2018
I am reading the series...love them!!! Each book is amazing, filled with stories that are believable and filled with amazing stories that challenge the reason for love. Please read these heart filled reasons to love again..
September 12, 2018
really liked the two main characters. My heart went out to them because of all the pain they went through before they finally got a life together. I enjoyed this series and would recommend to those who like realistic romances.
June 22, 2019
Teary eyed
I loved reading this book. I never wanted to put it down. I Loved the fight to where it took them to get where they got to the end. The wedding! I really loved the ending. Can't wait to read the next book, holding the is another one.
I loved reading this book. I never wanted to put it down. I Loved the fight to where it took them to get where they got to the end. The wedding! I really loved the ending. Can't wait to read the next book, holding the is another one.
March 19, 2020
Outstanding
I enjoyed reading this book. The writing flowed easily and effortless. The characters were well developed and compelling.The storyline was different,engaging,suspenseful and the setting was beautiful,breathe taken. Overall an outstanding book.
I enjoyed reading this book. The writing flowed easily and effortless. The characters were well developed and compelling.The storyline was different,engaging,suspenseful and the setting was beautiful,breathe taken. Overall an outstanding book.
August 17, 2020
Terrific
I have just recently started reading this author and she is a terrific writer. I live in Franklin County and I know of her and her family. I am thrilled with her SML series which I devoured. I also loved And Then You loved me!!!
I have just recently started reading this author and she is a terrific writer. I live in Franklin County and I know of her and her family. I am thrilled with her SML series which I devoured. I also loved And Then You loved me!!!
November 20, 2020
Great read
This writer knows how to make a person come alive in her books. Love her writing. Every story is different, but the characters are so real! Love traveling the globe through her eyes and feeling like I am actually there.
This writer knows how to make a person come alive in her books. Love her writing. Every story is different, but the characters are so real! Love traveling the globe through her eyes and feeling like I am actually there.
February 20, 2021
Although it took me a little bit longer to get into this book then the two preceding it, once I did it was quite a journey – thus the five star ranking! I truly enjoyed reading this series, quite quickly if I may add, and felt that this was a fitting conclusion. I’ll miss these characters dearly.
April 13, 2021
True Love
This is a great escape romance novel. I enjoyed getting lost in the story. I also live at Smith Mountain Lake so I enjoyed the setting. I would recommend this book to others.
This is a great escape romance novel. I enjoyed getting lost in the story. I also live at Smith Mountain Lake so I enjoyed the setting. I would recommend this book to others.
May 29, 2021
Unanswered questions
This would have five stars if the ending weren't so rushed that we actually get to find out if one of the characters lives or dies, as well as other details of the plot being left unresolved. Annoying.
This would have five stars if the ending weren't so rushed that we actually get to find out if one of the characters lives or dies, as well as other details of the plot being left unresolved. Annoying.
November 21, 2023
review
Loved the book, but didn’t understand why nothing was said about what happened to Judith in the end, the company & the house. It left one hanging in question, which is good if another book was going to follow.
Disappointed that wasn’t addressed.
Loved the book, but didn’t understand why nothing was said about what happened to Judith in the end, the company & the house. It left one hanging in question, which is good if another book was going to follow.
Disappointed that wasn’t addressed.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews