Suddenly Single

Lake Haven #4

by Julia London

When her unicorn dreams collide with his mulish plans, the battle for the heart and soul of a quaint Victorian inn begins. . .

Jenny Turner needs to get her life together. She knows it, everyone knows it, and she’s going to do it. Soon. But one night when she catches her sometimes “boyfriend” cheating on her in the middle of a summer camping trip, she winds up at a quaint inn on the north shore of Lake Haven that it closed. This presents a problem. She can’t go home—her dad has a new woman in his life and doesn’t need Jenny’s help anymore. She can’t go to her friends—they are too eager to hook Jenny up with a job. With no place else to go, Jenny must convince the gruff but very hot innkeeper—who is wearing a kilt for some reason—to let her a stay a night. . .or ten.

Edan Mackenzie is closing up shop and going home to Scotland. He came to America a few years ago to help a favorite aunt with her inn and to see part of the world. But he ended up working so much he saw nothing, his aunt died, his girlfriend left him, and suddenly, the usually pragmatic Edan doesn’t know who he was or what he’s doing with his life anymore. He’s come up with a firm plan and specific goals and has no patience for those who don’t do the same. But then a woman with shining blue eyes and long legs walks right past his CLOSED sign and into his life, and clearly has no idea what she’s doing.

At first, Edan is mystified. But then he notices that chatty Jenny is starting to make sense in a weird way, and maybe her plans for getting her life together are perhaps better than his, and maybe this pretty, daffy woman is exactly what Edan needed all along. Just maybe, two people struggling to figure out where life will take them stumble into each other in the right cozy inn at the right time. . .

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Audiobook, Contemporary Romance

216 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 19, 2018

About the author

Julia London is the New York Times and USA Today best selling author of more than two dozen romantic fiction novels. She is the author of the popular historical romance series, the Cabot Sisters, including The Trouble with Honor, The Devil Takes a Bride, and The Scoundrel and the Debutante. She is also the author of several contemporary romances, including Homecoming Ranch, Return to Homecoming Ranch, and The Perfect Homecoming.

Julia is the recipient of the RT Bookclub Award for Best Historical Romance and a six-time finalist for the prestigious RITA award for excellence in romantic fiction. To keep up with all the Julia London news, please visit http://www.julialondon.com. Follow her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/julialondon

Reviews

[Jultri · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF 50%. Cantankerous Scot about to close his American inn to return back to Scotland in the hope of reviving his relationship with his ex-girlfriend. Aimless, trust-fund loaded heroine soul-searching her way through the region, even more restless after dumping her cheater boyfriend. He reluctantly lets her stay for a night or two after she talks her way into the inn. His initial irritation at her invasion of his peace and her constant inane chattering turns to fascination and physical attraction over the next few days of getting to know her. My initial irritation of her inane chattering unfortunately only grew greater. Will this woman just shut up?! In addition, her impulsiveness, lack of career commitment and socially aggressive behaviour is really quite off-putting. At 29, most people ought to have some direction in life. Even though the hero is 34 to her 29, the heroine feels too much like a NA character. I'm too old to read about identity crisis and directionless people who are still working out where their north is.

Great narration though.

[Jae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute.

[Rosemary K · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Jenny Turner breaks up with a cheating boyfriend, she finds a kilt-wearing Scotsman and his closed inn. Luckily Jenny is able to flummoxe him with her continuous chatter and he lets her stay. I wondered If the grumpy, taciturn proprietor and the drifting lass can find love? Jenny captivated me. She's sweet and funny. She made me laugh at her constant chatter. On the other hand I sympathized with her feelings of loss. Edan MacKenzie is sexy and closed off. He feels alone and lonely. The woman he thought he loved left him. I was sorry that he withdrew from life. I enjoyed seeing these two together. I loved these characters and the setting. The dialogue is perfection. It's both sassy and touching. It's always a pleasure to visit Lake Haven and see what Julia London has planned. I would really love to see the renovation that are made to the Cassian Inn.

[Mindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Polar opposites! Jenny's mouth runs a mile a minute and Edan is beyond a man of few words makes this a very fun read! Edan came to America to help is dying aunt with the inn, losing his aunt hit him hard but his fiance taking off to go home to Scotland was a bigger blow, he decided to go home to get his fiance back he just has to finish off the inn's bookings before he leaves. Jenny has always been searching for something, a job, a relationship her lot in life but when her boyfriend's cheating on her makes her seek a room in the closed inn. A quaint inn, wonderfully natural landscape and a man in a kilt..A KILT! what more could you ask for? I enjoyed Jenny's zest for life and Edan's dry wit, what a charming funny story!

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a cute series - but what makes it fantastic is the narration by Cristina Panfilio. She does an amazing Scottish accent and effortlessly switches into Italian and right back to the regular American accent - wow! That's some serious talent.

This story is just delightful. The whole "turnabout is fair play" was really fun. I can't wait for another book in this series. What a pleasure.

[Tiina · Rating 2 out of 5]

2,5. It wasn't wholly believable or I just didn't connect with the couples. Sure, there was lots going on in the world - quarantines galore and Estonia declared a national emergency for the first time in history. Scary, and this didn't hold my interest.
May have been the mood as the book is in no way bad.

The audio narration was good.

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

I usually love Julia's books, but I had a really hard time getting into this one. The premise of the story was good, I really liked Edan (the male lead) and his pups (would have liked to have seen more of them), I cringed every time Jenny (the female lead) showed up. She made it really hard for me to finish this book, she was just too over-the-top with her personality, quirks, whatever you want to call it. I call it extremely annoying. All in all it was a cute story, but if you can't stand "in-your-bubble" people, you'll probably be as annoyed as I was at the female lead.

[Kaetrin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed for AudioGals. Story great. Narration good except for dodgy Scottish accent.

https://www.audiogals.net/2019/05/sud...

[Sandy Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 4 in the Lake Haven series and can absolutely be read as a stand alone. Do I recommend the previous books? Yes, because they are great reads and you can get a feel for the characters and the area that is spoken about. But you don't need to read them to understand anything. This one is about Jenny Turner and Edan Mackenzie. Jenny was on a camping trip with her boyfriend when she catches him cheating. Now she is stuck in a little town and doesn't want to go home and be told "I told you so" by her friend's and family. She know's she needs to get her life in order but she doesn't know what to do with herself now that she doesn't have to help her dad any longer. The only place to stay is a local inn that is closing and she has to talk the grumpy innkeeper into letting her stay there temporarily. Edan is closing down the inn and planning to move back to Scotland. He came to the US to help his aunt run the inn but when his aunt passed and his girlfriend moved home, he is left adrift. He comes up with the plan to move home and win his girlfriend back. He doesn't have the time or patience for someone who doesn't have their life together. But after being forced to spend time with Jenny he may have to rethink his plans and goals.

I loved this book!! From the start I was sucked in and was cracking up at the things Jenny would say and do! She made the whole book for me! She is definitely scatterbrained but everything she does, she puts her whole heart into it. She doesn't have a shy bone in her body and can talk to anyone. I loved her whole character! Edan comes across as this grumpy man who never speaks but once you understand him and what drives him you get why he is the way he is. They are perfect for each other. She can push him to do the things he really wants to do but has never voiced while he grounds her and helps her keep on target with her plans and what it will take to make them happen. And the way everything plays out between them is not only funny at parts but hot and sweet. Great read!!

[Harper Hamilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who doesn’t think a Scot in a kilt is sexy? Edan Mackenzie came to America to help his aunt run her small inn located in Lake Haven. His girlfriend followed him from Scotland and they planned to marry. When his aunt died, he inherited the inn. But then it all starts to unravel. His girlfriend left him to return to Scotland, telling him she found him boring and she didn’t love him! Poor Edan withdrew socially and decided to sell the inn, return to Scotland, and win his girl back.

Jenny Turner shows up on the steps of Cassian Inn and asks for a room even though the sign clearly shows it is closed. An agreement for one night turns into two and then it seems she might never leave!

Jenny is aimless in her pursuits going from one thing to another, without a real course in life. To paraphrase one of my favorite lines, Jenny says she “aims” for lots of things but just never hits what she is looking for. She clearly baffles taciturn Edan with her constant chatter. And, let’s just agree- she is a misfit of grand proportions.

Julia London uses these two quirky characters to remind us that sometimes it takes the unraveling of the best laid plans to show us what really matters in life. That was really my favorite part of the story. Well, that and the man in the kilt!!

Suddenly Single is a light-hearted romance with a HEA that may influence your next vacation destination. Scotland anyone?

*I received an ARC from the author and voluntarily submitted this review. Opinions are my own.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jenny Turner has just broken up with her current boyfriend and she has found herself stranded at Lake Haven. Not wanting to admit defeat, she seeks a room at the inn across the lake from the campground where she left her former boyfriend. Never mind the fact that the inn is closed. She will sleep on the bench outside if she has to.

Edan has a plan. He is going to finish closing up his inn and then return to Scotland and convince his former fiancee that she is still in love with him. Little does he know that those plans are about to be derailed by a uninvited guest that will stir feelings in him that he thought we only for another. When his uninvited guest worms her way into staying he doesn't want to admit that she is intriguing to him.

As the two keep coming together, whether for meals or a trip to town. Somehow the two seem to fir together. When one of the last guests that are booked in the inn shows up and takes up some of Jenny's attention. Edan finds himself jealous. Now he must decide if he is ready to stay and fight for Jenny. He has finally found the right partner to help him run his inn. But can he convince her to take a chance on a quiet, brooding Scotsman?

Great installment and quick read. As always Julia London leaves me wanting the next installment to the Lake Haven series.

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I totally enjoyed reading Jenny and Edan’s story in Suddenly people who have no idea what exactly they want to do with their life but do have lots of ideas Single by Julia London, book four in her Lake Haven series. This is a story of two people struggling to figure out where life will take them.

While cross country camping, Jenny discovers her casual boyfriend cheating on her and winds up at a cute inn on the north shore of Lake Haven that happens to be closed. Edan was tired of working so much after his girlfriend left him and then his favorite aunt died, leaving him the inn. The quiet Edan decided to close up the inn, sell it, and return to his native Scotland. In a moment of weakness, Edan allows Jenny to stay a night or two or the rest of his life. As Jenny and Edan spend time together they find a shared set of ideas for renovating the inn as well as an attraction that ignites the chemistry between them. Somehow, these two are at the right place at the right time, a cozy inn in need of their ideas and help.

Ms. London wrote a wonderfully moving story filled with sexual chemistry, fun dialogue, and endearing characters that is not to be missed. I highly recommend this book to other readers.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Shelagh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed and cried my way through Suddenly Single. This latest addition to Julia London’s Lake Haven series is sweet, sexy, witty and fun though there are also moments when your heart is likely to bleed for either Jenny or Edan.
These two slipped under my skin so quickly. I knew they belonged together from the start though with Jenny so chatty and Edan so taciturn I couldn’t for the life of me see how that could work out. I adored the way Jenny wormed things out of Edam just by coming at him again and again - first a room in an inn that was closed, then a sandwich, then a lift. Just perfect! I felt for poor Edan, who had clearly never met anyone like Jenny.
Despite starting off light and packed with humour, this story has a deeper side to it. Both Jenny and Edan are suffering from rejection. Edan had convinced himself he was in love with his former fiancée Audra and hasn’t accepted that she really doesn’t love him. Jenny has spent years looking after her father and feels like a spare left leg thanks to his new live in girlfriend.
Packed with nice little twists and hooks to keep me interested, Suddenly Single is perfect weekend reading. I loved it!

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julia London wrote an amazing series in Lake Haven but it ended too soon. She listened to the fans and wrote one more romance in Lake Haven. It was worth the wait. While this story takes place in the Lake Haven community it is totally stand alone. It could have happened anywhere and would still be as good.
Two lonely people who have had bad experiences with love meet and form an unusual connection. Edan is the innkeeper who is planning to sell the inn and return to Scotland. Jenny shows up on his doorstep looking for a room in the closed inn. Edan takes pity on her and lets her stay. They are opposites in every way - Jenny can talk to a rock and make it smile, Edan barely says a word. Jenny is impulsive, Edan is thoughtful. The contrast in their character is what makes their relationship so fun and exciting and makes you pull for their Happily Ever After.
Well done Julia London!

[Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edan Mackenzie may be my favorite character in the Lake Haven series. I loved the character growth and how grumpy he is. There is something so relatable about watching the interplay between Edan and Jenny Turner. Jenny Turner is talkative and charismatic, which is the polar opposite of silent and thoughtful Edan. So watching the two of them find their fitting around each other is quite humorous at times. While the two characters find comfort and solace in each other, their character development is also internal. Overall well written and my favorite installment.
I received this book from the author at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher.

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's pure happenstance that brings Jenny Turner to Eden Mackenzie's inn, and her stay ends up affecting the two of them in more ways than they expected. A bad break-up is reminding Jenny that she's still not sure what she wants to do with her life, while Eden is readying himself to give up life in America to win back his ex-fiancee. She's bubbly and talkative and Eden's the grouch next door. It isn't supposed to work, but somehow it does.

I absolutely loved Jenny. Her babbling, her self-confidence, her persistence -- all of her personality made her completely likable. As she can't help falling for Eden, I enjoyed reading how he fell just as hard inch-by-inch. This is a sweet, summer read!

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Julia London's Lake Haven series and this book did not disappoint. The story is about Jenny Turner who needs to put her life around. On a camping trip she catches her boyfriend cheating on her. She ends up staying at an inn because she can't go home her dad has a new women he is seeing and he doesn't help Jenny anymore and she can't go to her friends because they are very eager to hook Jenny up with a job. Edan Mackenzie is going down the inn that his aunt owned to help her with it, but she died and he is going back home to Scotland. Maybe they just need each other to make their lives complete. This was a really great story. I love the plot and my favorite character was Jenny.

[Ginny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous, easy read. Jenny Turner is adrift, she spent most of her life taking care of her father until he introduces her to his girlfriend and tells her to go and live her own life. Except she has no idea what that is supposed to be. She can’t find s job that she feels that is right, so she goes from job to job, boyfriend to boyfriend. She dumps the current guy after he cheats on her during a camping trip, and ends up at an inn that is closing and an innkeeper in a kilt, Edan McKenzie. He wants nothing more than to continue closing up theInn and return to Scotland, but things can change, can’t they?

[Nancy Ku · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suddenly Single (Lake Haven #4) by Julia London ...The Lake Haven series just got better with the addition of this book. Thank you Julia London for letting me preview this book..and for taking me back to Lake Haven. Edan Mackenzie (his girlfriend left him..his favorite aunt died and he wants to sell the inn and go home to Scotland) Jenny Turner (needs to get it together and find herself..her father no longer needs her help...she caught her boyfriend cheating...and needs to find her place). He is the silent type and she never stops talking...sort of reminds me of my husband and me...and she sort of grows on him.. This is a funny, sweet, sexy , heartwarming story with a very HEA.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't read the others in the series -- yet -- but I thoroughly enjoyed this entry. It can be read as a standalone without any problem.

Jenny is on a camping trip with her boyfriend when she discovers him cheating on her. She stomps away and ends up at an inn on the other side of the lake, owned by a kilt-wearing Scotsman, Edan, who grumpily informs her that the inn is closing for good in two weeks. He too has been unlucky in love and is planning on returning home. He tells her she can stay for a while, and despite their differences, a relationship blooms and a HEA is made! It was fun watching these two overcome the odds.

I received an ARC for an honest review.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story in the Lake Haven series! I could relate to alot of things and feelings that Jenny and Edan were going through. Trying to make life plans and finding the one thing and place where you are meant to be. Plus I totally ramble when I am nervous or there is a gap in a conversation. TO me this book was so fresh and real and I loved it.

On a side note if you have read Julia London's historical series Highland Grooms you will recognize a decedent of the Mackenzie clan from Balhaire. This made me happy!

[Kerry Croucier · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great addition to the Lake Haven series! Combine a stoic grumpy Scotsman, in a kilt, no less, with his complete opposite, a talkative happy woman who doesn’t take no for an answer and you have a sweet love story about two people who are looking for their place and find it where they least expect it. I love the inn, and Edan and Jenny are such total opposites, watching the way they get together was a ton of fun. I enjoyed the story and giggled through almost all of it.
#Julia London #SuddenlySingle #LakeHaven

[Tuyetmai · Rating 5 out of 5]

We return back to Lake Haven with Suddenly Single. Jenny Turner and Edan Mackenzie are about as different as two people can be. This is a classic drive them crazy until they get under your skin and you can't live without them kind of book. It’s the getting to the happily ever after that’s frustrating. Suddenly Single was a fantastic read. I was delighted to discover that Edan hails from the Mackenzie’s of Julia’s Highland Groom series. Talk about continuity. My mediocre words cannot express how great a read this was.

[Alisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never surprised. I always love Julia's books. I loved the mile a minute talker Jenny, and the quiet Aden. I just wanted to laugh at her for the nonstop talking. I also enjoyed that we were focused mostly on them and not a lot of secondary characters. I do love secondary characters, just like the getting to know you of hero and heroine too. Lorenzo was funny. Would like to have more on Jenny's dad too

[Susan Gwisdala · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story. The characters of Jenny & Edan were very believable. The setting was exceptional as always . I really enjoyed heading back to Lake Haven. I hope that we get to visit again at some point. The added bonus is that the story served as a fantastic "bridge" between the Lake Haven series and the Highland Grooms series. I very much enjoyed reading this as much as I've enjoyed reading all of Julia London's books. It was a great journey back to both worlds.

[Luz T · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very fun contemporary romance about an out spoken woman, Jennifer and a very quiet Scottish guy, Edan. This is the fist CR book I read by this author and I truly enjoyed it. The h/H inner dialogues and bantering were very fun to read. They complemented each other very well. The early scenes in the books when Edan is trying to avoid Jennifer and yet she always finds him are very entertaining.
An eARC was given by the author for review.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in one night...an easy and fun read. Polar opposites Jenny and Edan meet and both change each other for the better. Where Jenny is talkative and a free spirit, Edan is a man of few words and more structured .Jenny needs a place to stay and Edan has an empty inn he wants to get rid of. He lets her stay there and the two become friends, helping each other out with their problems. Can these two different people find common ground...and maybe even love? A sweet romantic read!

[Madm007 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Men in Kilts💙

Loved reading Jenny and Edan's journey. Edan is a grumpy ol lost Scot, but verra hot, so he's forgiven lol. Jenny is a gorgeous whirlwind with unfiltered, nonstop vocals who has Edan speechless, well, he didn't talk much anyway.
Somehow they just work and it's funny, hot, beautiful, sometimes a bit sad as they get their HEA at the Cassian Inn.

[Terimacdonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, I am happy Jenny found her boyfriend cheating on her! I loved how she finds not only herself, but who she is meant to be with. Edan is the complete opposite of Jenny, but they are perfect for each other!

[Alisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I laughed the whole way through this one. I loved the dynamic between Jenny and Edan. Jenny's bubbly personality tumbled the unsuspecting Scot and was exactly what he needed. This was the perfect romantic comedy.