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Haven Point #11
Summer at Lake Haven
A lakeside summer, a new beginning…
Samantha Fremont has been struggling with the weight of her mother’s expectations for years. But now that her mother has passed away, it’s time for Sam to be bold and finally establish the fashion design business she’s always dreamed of. And the perfect opportunity has fallen into her lap. Her friend’s getting married and has asked Sam to create her wedding dress…if only she can avoid the bride’s infuriating brother, who’s temporarily the boy next door.
Ian Summerhill knows a sabbatical in Haven Point is exactly what he and his children need to recover from their mother’s death. His romantic relationship with his ex-wife may have ended years ago, but caring for her throughout her illness broke his heart. All he wants is to watch his little sister walk down the aisle and to see his kids smile again. And somehow his lovely new neighbor is instrumental in both. But as their uneasy truce blossoms into a genuine friendship and more, Ian has obligations in England he can’t ignore—and a secret that threatens the fragile trust he and Sam have built.
Samantha Fremont has been struggling with the weight of her mother’s expectations for years. But now that her mother has passed away, it’s time for Sam to be bold and finally establish the fashion design business she’s always dreamed of. And the perfect opportunity has fallen into her lap. Her friend’s getting married and has asked Sam to create her wedding dress…if only she can avoid the bride’s infuriating brother, who’s temporarily the boy next door.
Ian Summerhill knows a sabbatical in Haven Point is exactly what he and his children need to recover from their mother’s death. His romantic relationship with his ex-wife may have ended years ago, but caring for her throughout her illness broke his heart. All he wants is to watch his little sister walk down the aisle and to see his kids smile again. And somehow his lovely new neighbor is instrumental in both. But as their uneasy truce blossoms into a genuine friendship and more, Ian has obligations in England he can’t ignore—and a secret that threatens the fragile trust he and Sam have built.
384 pages, Paperback
First published June 23, 2020
1324 people are currently reading
4767 people want to read
About the author
RaeAnne Thayne
311 books3,845 followersI'm not one of those people who knew from birth she was destined to become a writer. I always loved to read and throughout my childhood I could usually be found with a book in my hands. To the disgust of my friends, I even enjoyed creative writing assignments that made them all groan. But I had other dreams besides writing. I wanted to be an actress or a teacher or a lawyer.
Life took a different turn for me, though, when my mother made me take a journalism elective in high school (thanks, Mom!). I knew the first day that this was where I belonged.
After I graduated from college in journalism, I took a job at the local daily newspaper and I reveled in the challenge and the diversity of it. One day I could be interviewing the latest country music star, the next day I was writing about local motorcycle gangs or interviewing an award-winning scientist.
Through it all -- through the natural progression of my career from reporter to editor -- I wrote stories in my head. Not just any stories, either, but romances, the kind of books I have devoured since junior high school, with tales about real people going through the trials and tribulations of life until they find deep and lasting love.
I had no idea how to put these people on paper, but knew I had to try -- their stories were too compelling for me to ignore. I sold my first book in 1995 and now, more than 30 books later, I've come to love everything about writing, from the click of the computer keys under my fingers to the "that's-it!" feeling I get when a story is flowing.
I write full-time now (well, as full-time as I can manage juggling my kids!) amid the raw beauty of the northern Utah mountains.
Even though I might not have dreamed of being a writer when I was younger, now I simply can't imagine my life any other way.
I love to hear from readers. You can reach me at my email address, raeannethayne@gmail.com
Life took a different turn for me, though, when my mother made me take a journalism elective in high school (thanks, Mom!). I knew the first day that this was where I belonged.
After I graduated from college in journalism, I took a job at the local daily newspaper and I reveled in the challenge and the diversity of it. One day I could be interviewing the latest country music star, the next day I was writing about local motorcycle gangs or interviewing an award-winning scientist.
Through it all -- through the natural progression of my career from reporter to editor -- I wrote stories in my head. Not just any stories, either, but romances, the kind of books I have devoured since junior high school, with tales about real people going through the trials and tribulations of life until they find deep and lasting love.
I had no idea how to put these people on paper, but knew I had to try -- their stories were too compelling for me to ignore. I sold my first book in 1995 and now, more than 30 books later, I've come to love everything about writing, from the click of the computer keys under my fingers to the "that's-it!" feeling I get when a story is flowing.
I write full-time now (well, as full-time as I can manage juggling my kids!) amid the raw beauty of the northern Utah mountains.
Even though I might not have dreamed of being a writer when I was younger, now I simply can't imagine my life any other way.
I love to hear from readers. You can reach me at my email address, raeannethayne@gmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 349 reviews
July 31, 2020
Summer at Lake Haven by RaeAnne Thayne is a 2020 HQN publication.
A pleasant summertime romance
Samantha lived under her mother’s thumb her entire life, enduring her criticisms and negativity without fully realizing the impact it was having on her. With her mother’s passing, Samantha is naturally grieving, but she’s also ready to hit the reset button and start living her life with a fresh outlook.
While Samantha has dreams of becoming a fashion designer, for now, she’s content to run her shop and design a dream wedding dress for her best friend, Gemma. She also has her hands full taking care of newborn puppies. Despite her penchant for falling in love easily and often, Samantha is too busy to even think about romance- which she concedes is the last thing she needs in her life anyway.
Ian Somerhill arrives in Haven Point to attend his sister’s wedding and to enjoy a bit of down time with his two children before he must return to England and step into a role of duty that will take over his life.
Ian moves into the cottage right next door to his sister’s best friend for the summer. Initially, Ian rubs Samantha the wrong way, but she is taken with his kids immediately. Despite the friction between them, Samantha and Ian grow closer as the wedding date approaches.
Unfortunately, no matter how much they might want to explore the possibilities, Ian’s life is complicated, and his obligations are non-negotiable….
I love RaeAnne Thayne and have enjoyed several books in Lake Haven series. Sadly, this is the last chapter in the series. While this is not the strongest offering of the series, it was a nice, sweet romance perfect for light summertime reading.
Cute kids, adorable puppies, fashion designs, good friends, and a lovely happily ever after is hard to beat.
3.5 stars
A pleasant summertime romance
Samantha lived under her mother’s thumb her entire life, enduring her criticisms and negativity without fully realizing the impact it was having on her. With her mother’s passing, Samantha is naturally grieving, but she’s also ready to hit the reset button and start living her life with a fresh outlook.
While Samantha has dreams of becoming a fashion designer, for now, she’s content to run her shop and design a dream wedding dress for her best friend, Gemma. She also has her hands full taking care of newborn puppies. Despite her penchant for falling in love easily and often, Samantha is too busy to even think about romance- which she concedes is the last thing she needs in her life anyway.
Ian Somerhill arrives in Haven Point to attend his sister’s wedding and to enjoy a bit of down time with his two children before he must return to England and step into a role of duty that will take over his life.
Ian moves into the cottage right next door to his sister’s best friend for the summer. Initially, Ian rubs Samantha the wrong way, but she is taken with his kids immediately. Despite the friction between them, Samantha and Ian grow closer as the wedding date approaches.
Unfortunately, no matter how much they might want to explore the possibilities, Ian’s life is complicated, and his obligations are non-negotiable….
I love RaeAnne Thayne and have enjoyed several books in Lake Haven series. Sadly, this is the last chapter in the series. While this is not the strongest offering of the series, it was a nice, sweet romance perfect for light summertime reading.
Cute kids, adorable puppies, fashion designs, good friends, and a lovely happily ever after is hard to beat.
3.5 stars
June 20, 2020
I read the first in this series a couple of years ago and having not been blown away I left it there. But being the sucker I am for a pretty cover and a single dad plus having it on good authority the series got better, I decided to try again.
At heart, I’ll always be a boring biologist who knows more about the mating habits of salmon than I do about what makes a woman tick.”
It’s no secret I have a fondness for intellectual men and Ian absolutely has the whole sexy-and he-doesn’t-know-it geeky vibe going on from the moment we meet him and his two adorable, albeit slightly overly well-spoken, kids who quickly steal his neighbour and wedding dress designer, Sam’s heart. And what slowly unfolds is heartwarming romance that is very much at the sweeter end of the scale between two people who aren’t looking for love, but find themselves sharing past hurts and falling deeper as they spend more time together.
How could the future Earl of Whatever the Heck Margaret Had Said pursue anything with a dressmaker from a tiny town in Idaho?”
The fact that’s this is the last in the Haven Point series and I’ve missed out several books in between made no difference to my overall enjoyment, if anything its piqued my curiosity on some of the couples who featured.
Copy received courtesy of Mills & Boon via NetGalley for an honest and unbiased opinion.
At heart, I’ll always be a boring biologist who knows more about the mating habits of salmon than I do about what makes a woman tick.”
It’s no secret I have a fondness for intellectual men and Ian absolutely has the whole sexy-and he-doesn’t-know-it geeky vibe going on from the moment we meet him and his two adorable, albeit slightly overly well-spoken, kids who quickly steal his neighbour and wedding dress designer, Sam’s heart. And what slowly unfolds is heartwarming romance that is very much at the sweeter end of the scale between two people who aren’t looking for love, but find themselves sharing past hurts and falling deeper as they spend more time together.
How could the future Earl of Whatever the Heck Margaret Had Said pursue anything with a dressmaker from a tiny town in Idaho?”
The fact that’s this is the last in the Haven Point series and I’ve missed out several books in between made no difference to my overall enjoyment, if anything its piqued my curiosity on some of the couples who featured.
Copy received courtesy of Mills & Boon via NetGalley for an honest and unbiased opinion.
September 3, 2020
This is eleventh in a series and there's a lot of community build up that this one rests on. Unfortunately, the biggest overlap seems to be with A Haven Point Beginning, which is extremely short (40 pages) and one I skipped. I felt that keenly because Gemma is Ian's sister and their family connection is important.
This felt like the wrap on the series, so it's sad it wasn't a better story. Ian was great and Sam was okay when she wasn't being an idiot about her abusive mother (who is fortunately dead and good riddance). I really liked seeing two quiet, contemplative people, both rocked by loss, find comfort and solace in each other. Their interactions were quietly moving and his family frankly rocked.
Unfortunately, they both have this huge case of negative motivation* that was worsened by being completely unexamined. In other words, both were all "this can't last past Gemma's wedding" but without following up with any of the "because..." that would be natural and indicate motivation/characterization. So it was beyond lame and dragged the story to a crawl while being extremely frustrating because the reasons matter. I mean, we can assume that for Sam it has something to do with the stupid store her mother bound her to that she "just can't leave" but she doesn't actually say/think so and even if that were it, there are about a million ways around that idiocy (as we learn once they decide that they're going to do the thing and, lo and behold! here are all the obvious solutions just sitting like so many ducks in a line waiting to be noticed).
So I was pulled along enough that I finished it, but I can't say it was actually worthwhile. So two stars for a couple I liked and wanted to be together and some lovely family bits, even though I had to wade through a lot of mushy nonsense to get there.
A note about Chaste: They spend all their time with some great kisses, but a lot of mushy-headed nonsense about how they can't be together because they don't do flings. So there's no sex, explicit or otherwise, making this pretty chaste (though a stray thought or two by Ian had some yearning for intimacy).
* Negative Motivations: I kind of hate that the term "negative motivation" isn't widespread, yet. Since it isn't, I'm going to save off this little jag to append to my reviews that feature the term. Jennifer Crusie blogged about it a bit back (or, if that link doesn't work, here's a cache of the original) and it changed how I understand story. The problem with the term is that if you've never heard it before, you'd assume it meant motivations that are harmful or immoral. Not so. What it refers to is motivations not to do something. The thing is that many of us are motivated to not do things for a lot of different, perfectly valid and reasonable, reasons. The problem is that in a story motivations to not do things are a huge drag on the plot—particularly considering the fact that most negative motivations are overcome by the character simply deciding they don't care any more (or, rather, that they do care and are now motivated to do the thing). So not only do you have a counter to action but you also have a situation where to overcome it, all a character has to do is change their mind. Which means eventually, the reader is rooting for the character to get over him/herself already and do the thing we want them to do. Conflict drives story. Conflict between a reader and a main character drives readers away from story.
This felt like the wrap on the series, so it's sad it wasn't a better story. Ian was great and Sam was okay when she wasn't being an idiot about her abusive mother (who is fortunately dead and good riddance). I really liked seeing two quiet, contemplative people, both rocked by loss, find comfort and solace in each other. Their interactions were quietly moving and his family frankly rocked.
Unfortunately, they both have this huge case of negative motivation* that was worsened by being completely unexamined. In other words, both were all "this can't last past Gemma's wedding" but without following up with any of the "because..." that would be natural and indicate motivation/characterization. So it was beyond lame and dragged the story to a crawl while being extremely frustrating because the reasons matter. I mean, we can assume that for Sam it has something to do with the stupid store her mother bound her to that she "just can't leave" but she doesn't actually say/think so and even if that were it, there are about a million ways around that idiocy (as we learn once they decide that they're going to do the thing and, lo and behold! here are all the obvious solutions just sitting like so many ducks in a line waiting to be noticed).
So I was pulled along enough that I finished it, but I can't say it was actually worthwhile. So two stars for a couple I liked and wanted to be together and some lovely family bits, even though I had to wade through a lot of mushy nonsense to get there.
A note about Chaste: They spend all their time with some great kisses, but a lot of mushy-headed nonsense about how they can't be together because they don't do flings. So there's no sex, explicit or otherwise, making this pretty chaste (though a stray thought or two by Ian had some yearning for intimacy).
* Negative Motivations: I kind of hate that the term "negative motivation" isn't widespread, yet. Since it isn't, I'm going to save off this little jag to append to my reviews that feature the term. Jennifer Crusie blogged about it a bit back (or, if that link doesn't work, here's a cache of the original) and it changed how I understand story. The problem with the term is that if you've never heard it before, you'd assume it meant motivations that are harmful or immoral. Not so. What it refers to is motivations not to do something. The thing is that many of us are motivated to not do things for a lot of different, perfectly valid and reasonable, reasons. The problem is that in a story motivations to not do things are a huge drag on the plot—particularly considering the fact that most negative motivations are overcome by the character simply deciding they don't care any more (or, rather, that they do care and are now motivated to do the thing). So not only do you have a counter to action but you also have a situation where to overcome it, all a character has to do is change their mind. Which means eventually, the reader is rooting for the character to get over him/herself already and do the thing we want them to do. Conflict drives story. Conflict between a reader and a main character drives readers away from story.
September 30, 2023
Three and a half stars
Samantha Fremont has spent her life under the shadow of her mother and her expectations. Such has been her influence on Sam that she can still hear her mother’s voice in her head, even though she recently died. This could be the time to expand her fashion business. Meanwhile she is running the clothing shop her mother started and designing and making the wedding dress for her friend Gemma. Could this launch her dress design career?
Since he is already going to be in Lake Haven for his sister’s wedding, Ian Summerhill from England thinks a summer in Lake Haven is what his two children Amelia and Thomas, need to recover from the recent trauma of their mother’s death from cancer. Though they were divorced Ian felt he could not do anything else but care for her in her illness.
In Lake Haven he rents the place next to Sam, and despite some initial problems he and his children become friendly with Sam and her three unexpected puppies. Sam is a woman in her late twenties with a habit of flirting and falling in love easily. She also has a very caring nature and would do anything for her friends and community. Ian has obligations he must fulfil to family, though he would rather be pursing his own interest with salmon. Neither of them are in the market for a romance or a fling with no future. And yet…… somehow a definite spark ignites.
I liked the two main chapters, especially Ian. A good lot of secondary characters too with Margaret and Henry, parents of Gemma and Ian. And caring friends who support Sam.
I enjoyed this charming book because I liked the characters and the setting. However, I got tired of being told multiple times how adorable and cute the puppies are and how adorable and delightful, Amelia and Thomas are. A few less adjectives would have made for a better book. Repetition of the past could also have been cut down. Despite those quibbles this was an enjoyable read about family, obligation, grief, friendships, love and community.
This is book 11 in the series. I had read two earlier books in the series with other characters but it is not necessary to have read them as this book can stand alone. A sweet engaging read.
Samantha Fremont has spent her life under the shadow of her mother and her expectations. Such has been her influence on Sam that she can still hear her mother’s voice in her head, even though she recently died. This could be the time to expand her fashion business. Meanwhile she is running the clothing shop her mother started and designing and making the wedding dress for her friend Gemma. Could this launch her dress design career?
Since he is already going to be in Lake Haven for his sister’s wedding, Ian Summerhill from England thinks a summer in Lake Haven is what his two children Amelia and Thomas, need to recover from the recent trauma of their mother’s death from cancer. Though they were divorced Ian felt he could not do anything else but care for her in her illness.
In Lake Haven he rents the place next to Sam, and despite some initial problems he and his children become friendly with Sam and her three unexpected puppies. Sam is a woman in her late twenties with a habit of flirting and falling in love easily. She also has a very caring nature and would do anything for her friends and community. Ian has obligations he must fulfil to family, though he would rather be pursing his own interest with salmon. Neither of them are in the market for a romance or a fling with no future. And yet…… somehow a definite spark ignites.
I liked the two main chapters, especially Ian. A good lot of secondary characters too with Margaret and Henry, parents of Gemma and Ian. And caring friends who support Sam.
I enjoyed this charming book because I liked the characters and the setting. However, I got tired of being told multiple times how adorable and cute the puppies are and how adorable and delightful, Amelia and Thomas are. A few less adjectives would have made for a better book. Repetition of the past could also have been cut down. Despite those quibbles this was an enjoyable read about family, obligation, grief, friendships, love and community.
This is book 11 in the series. I had read two earlier books in the series with other characters but it is not necessary to have read them as this book can stand alone. A sweet engaging read.
July 2, 2020
This was book number 11 in the Haven Point series. But you can read it as a stand alone. I love the sweet romance and the strong writing I had all the feels. Thayne is such a great story teller.
I hate to see this series come to an end.
Grab this fast, fun summer read and enjoy this great romance.
I hate to see this series come to an end.
Grab this fast, fun summer read and enjoy this great romance.
June 15, 2020
I received a copy of the book from the author for my honest and unpaid review.
A very well written story that is heartwarming. A story worth reading that will melt your heart. A story of love, second chances and moving on with your life.
Samantha needs to get over her mother's bad influence on her life all these years. She needs to think for herself.
Love Ian and his two adorable kids.
This is a great summer beach read!
A very well written story that is heartwarming. A story worth reading that will melt your heart. A story of love, second chances and moving on with your life.
Samantha needs to get over her mother's bad influence on her life all these years. She needs to think for herself.
Love Ian and his two adorable kids.
This is a great summer beach read!
June 22, 2020
RaeAnne Thayne is one of my favorite authors and her Haven Point series is an absolutely wonderful series to read. Her latest is Summer at Lake Haven and it’s a thoroughly entertaining story. Samantha Fremont is settling into a good work routine and has sworn off men for the foreseeable future. She wants to concentrate on herself and doesn’t need the distraction of a man in her life. Besides, she’s got too much on her plate right now with the wedding gowns to design and taking care of puppies. What she didn’t expect was for the house next door to be rented out to a handsome, brooding Englishman and his 2 adorable children.
Ian Summerhill has come to Lake Haven to attend his sister’s wedding and enjoy a summer vacation before he returns to England to perform his duty. Knowing his life is going to change, he wants to do what he loves and study the salmon habitat in Lake Haven. He knows that his kids are drawn to Sam and her puppies but why does she have to be so darn attractive and easy to talk to, when he knows nothing could come of it? He fights it but for some reason he can’t stop kissing her.
Isn’t it always the case that when there is something you don’t want, you find it is exactly what you need? Sam may not want a man in her life but Ian turns out to be exactly the right man for her. Her younger self fell head over heels in love with any boy she was dating and never could make the relationships last. Now that she’s alone, she’s trying to break that habit and do things slower and with some thought. Each time she’s with Ian she finds good qualities that she likes about him and of course there are those kisses. She knows he’s leaving right after the wedding but it doesn’t stop her from enjoying the little time she has with him and his children.
The author has created a charming small town, with diverse characters, and made it a place you would want to live. But all good things are coming to an end and it’s going to be a little sad to leave it. Summer at Lake Haven was an entertaining story woven with puppies, adorable children and a reluctant couple. Both were scared to take the leap of faith and take a chance on love. It was fun watching them fight their attraction and satisfying when they realize they are right for one another. Summer at Lake Haven is a charming addition to the series and ends the series on a high note.
Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
Ian Summerhill has come to Lake Haven to attend his sister’s wedding and enjoy a summer vacation before he returns to England to perform his duty. Knowing his life is going to change, he wants to do what he loves and study the salmon habitat in Lake Haven. He knows that his kids are drawn to Sam and her puppies but why does she have to be so darn attractive and easy to talk to, when he knows nothing could come of it? He fights it but for some reason he can’t stop kissing her.
Isn’t it always the case that when there is something you don’t want, you find it is exactly what you need? Sam may not want a man in her life but Ian turns out to be exactly the right man for her. Her younger self fell head over heels in love with any boy she was dating and never could make the relationships last. Now that she’s alone, she’s trying to break that habit and do things slower and with some thought. Each time she’s with Ian she finds good qualities that she likes about him and of course there are those kisses. She knows he’s leaving right after the wedding but it doesn’t stop her from enjoying the little time she has with him and his children.
The author has created a charming small town, with diverse characters, and made it a place you would want to live. But all good things are coming to an end and it’s going to be a little sad to leave it. Summer at Lake Haven was an entertaining story woven with puppies, adorable children and a reluctant couple. Both were scared to take the leap of faith and take a chance on love. It was fun watching them fight their attraction and satisfying when they realize they are right for one another. Summer at Lake Haven is a charming addition to the series and ends the series on a high note.
Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
July 3, 2020
I usually love just about every book I read from this author. This one felt a little forced to me. Samantha (wedding gown designer) and Ian (the bride-to-be's brother) meet and bing, bam, boom...after a handful of brief encounters and one hiking trip they both apparently fall madly in love.
Normally, RaeAnne Thayne's books feel so real and her characters so relatable. I'm just not sure why exactly this one didn't quite ring true for me. I actually enjoyed the bonus novella more that was included in the edition I read, which tells how Ian's sister Gemma and her fiancé Josh got together.
I am sad that this is the final book in the Haven Point series, but I know there will be more books from this author that I will love.
Normally, RaeAnne Thayne's books feel so real and her characters so relatable. I'm just not sure why exactly this one didn't quite ring true for me. I actually enjoyed the bonus novella more that was included in the edition I read, which tells how Ian's sister Gemma and her fiancé Josh got together.
I am sad that this is the final book in the Haven Point series, but I know there will be more books from this author that I will love.
November 1, 2020
Perfect ending to the series!!!
Want to read
June 29, 2020Samantha is dealing with the loss of her mother who passed six months earlier and left her alone not to mention confused. You see she has spent most of her life coping with her mother's notion of how she should live her life. Now that her mother is gone Samantha is still living how her mother thought she should but she soon sees maybe that wasn't quite right. It's hard to change though, especially when you've spent your entire life basically living for someone else. She is slowly making changes when Ian enters into her life. Ian is the brother of one of her best friends who will be getting married in a month. Ian along with his two children are staying in the rental next door to Samantha's home. Ian has his own set of issues to deal with. The death of the children's mother has been hard on them all and moving forward isn't something that can be done quickly. Raising children alone is not easy and bigger changes are coming to his life since the death of his brother. Follow along as these two forge a friendship but feel so much more. Can they stop looking into the past and look toward the future for a.happiness they both deserve? This was a lovely romantic read with two wonderful characters who just want to find love and fill their lives with happiness.
June 22, 2020
I write this review feeling bittersweet because it’s the final book in the Haven Point series 😩😭 This series has brought me so much joy, I’ve fallen in love with the town and its residents over the years and I’ll miss looking forward to a new book. I took my sweet time reading this one too knowing that it was the last and I have to say, it was a very fitting ending to one of my favorite small town romance series.
I’ve been dying to read a book following Samantha forever now, she’s been one of the best reoccurring characters throughout the entire series and I was so happy she was finally getting her own book. Besides finally getting to learn more about Sam you have this charming English family visiting for the summer and a wedding, talk about the perfect setting for romance. This is romance at its purest and sweetest, it’s clean and adorable and so heartwarming. Highly recommend this whole series!
I’ve been dying to read a book following Samantha forever now, she’s been one of the best reoccurring characters throughout the entire series and I was so happy she was finally getting her own book. Besides finally getting to learn more about Sam you have this charming English family visiting for the summer and a wedding, talk about the perfect setting for romance. This is romance at its purest and sweetest, it’s clean and adorable and so heartwarming. Highly recommend this whole series!
September 3, 2020
Sam is a very talented wedding dress designer. She owns a clothing shop and dress design business in Lake Haven.
She is working on coming to terms with her mother's death and becoming her own person.
She is making a wedding dress for one of her best friends, Gemma Summerhill.
Gemma's brother Ian, has moved into a next door rental for the summer.
He is trying to get over his own tragedy of his wife dying of cancer and his brother dying in an accident.
He has brought his two young children.
Gemma meets Ian and the children and offers them a job feeding and playing with her rescue puppies.
The kids couldn't be happier. Ian starts to notice his lovely neighbor as well.
Ian has his own secrets and Gemma has hers.
A lovely story about two characters that have their own problems to come to grips with but help heal each other.
She is working on coming to terms with her mother's death and becoming her own person.
She is making a wedding dress for one of her best friends, Gemma Summerhill.
Gemma's brother Ian, has moved into a next door rental for the summer.
He is trying to get over his own tragedy of his wife dying of cancer and his brother dying in an accident.
He has brought his two young children.
Gemma meets Ian and the children and offers them a job feeding and playing with her rescue puppies.
The kids couldn't be happier. Ian starts to notice his lovely neighbor as well.
Ian has his own secrets and Gemma has hers.
A lovely story about two characters that have their own problems to come to grips with but help heal each other.
June 19, 2020
I loved this book! It was romance at its purest and truly kept me smiling from beginning to end. Samantha Fremont, a wedding dress designer who also inherited Fremont Fashions from her mother, lives with her new dog, Betsey, who surprised her with three puppies. Ian Summerhill, who lives in England, along with his two children and Letty Gilbert, the children’s caretaker and overall helper for the family, temporarily rent the house next door to Sam for part of the summer, as he is in Lake Haven, Idaho for his sister Gemma’s wedding. Sam, also Gemma’s friend, has designed and is making her wedding dress. Ian and Sam’s relationship as friends, after a bit of a rough start, was lovely. I really enjoyed watching their friendship grow, and the children were very endearing. Well written, as this author never disappoints me, it was a beautiful story. The novella, A Haven Point Beginning, which is Gemma Summerhill and Joshua Bailey’s story, is included in the print version, or it can be read separately in digital format. It is sweet and romantic!
November 20, 2020
I read this entire series this fall and I’m sad to say this latest release is the weakest. You know how it seems like an author just throws a book out there because of a deadline or something but didn’t really want to? The whole series has all of these deep community ties and this one just glances at them and brings in an entirely new family. It was just fine. I’ll read more though. I’m sure there will be a single person all of a sudden landed with two children for some reason who meets another single person who is having a rough time for some reason and they’ll manage to overcome it all to find true and lasting love along with said children 😉
July 17, 2020
This is the first time I've been disappointed with a new RaeAnne Thayne book. I almost quit, less than halfway through because I was bored, so very bored. Usually there are a couple of storylines going on in the Lake Haven books that keep you interested in more than just the main romantic couple. Not so much in this story. The only thing that happens in this book is 1 wedding, 1 nature walk and a couple of dinners. Way too much time spent inside the heads of the two main characters.
I expect more depth from a RaeAnne Thayne story.
I expect more depth from a RaeAnne Thayne story.
July 29, 2020
Solid four star .. some bits just really resonated with me .. and some cheesy bits too .. Gemma’s & Josh’s story was okay.
June 25, 2020
Actual Rating: 4.5 Stars
See the full review at HarlequinJunkie
The perfect beach read with its warmth, depth of emotions, and strong theme of family and friendship, Summer at Lake Haven gives RaeAnne Thayne’s Haven Point series the heartfelt send off it deserves.
As sad as I am to see the Haven Point series coming to an end (for now…as RaeAnne could surprise us in the future!) Samantha Fremont’s romance was well worth the wait. We’ve seen her in other books of course where she’s Kat Bailey Callahan’s best friend practically since they were born. Sam’s world had been quite shaken up recently, though. With her mother passing away, it set her on a path to figure out who she truly was and what she wanted her future to look like... Read More
See the full review at HarlequinJunkie
The perfect beach read with its warmth, depth of emotions, and strong theme of family and friendship, Summer at Lake Haven gives RaeAnne Thayne’s Haven Point series the heartfelt send off it deserves.
As sad as I am to see the Haven Point series coming to an end (for now…as RaeAnne could surprise us in the future!) Samantha Fremont’s romance was well worth the wait. We’ve seen her in other books of course where she’s Kat Bailey Callahan’s best friend practically since they were born. Sam’s world had been quite shaken up recently, though. With her mother passing away, it set her on a path to figure out who she truly was and what she wanted her future to look like... Read More
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July 2, 2020Categories
Contemporary Women's Fiction, Wholesome Romance, Contemporary Romance
Miniseries
Haven Point
Contemporary Women's Fiction, Wholesome Romance, Contemporary Romance
Miniseries
Haven Point
April 29, 2020
This book is wonderful. It was a heartwarming story of romance, they did not think they would be able to have their happily ever after but that were able to work it out. I enjoy returning to this little town to visit the people we have fallen in love with and make New friends.
Thank you netgalley and harlequin for allowing me to read this title for an honest review.
Thank you netgalley and harlequin for allowing me to read this title for an honest review.
April 27, 2020
Samantha and Ian have the most lovely story. Neither wants a relationship and both feel drawn to the other. I enjoyed reading about Samantha overcoming her Mother's negative influence now that she was gone. Sam is a very talented seamstress and designer.
She falls for Ian and his two children before finding out he is a titled Englishman. I can't leave out the puppies she gets by surprise after buying a dog spontaneously. It's a fun and entertaining love story.
She falls for Ian and his two children before finding out he is a titled Englishman. I can't leave out the puppies she gets by surprise after buying a dog spontaneously. It's a fun and entertaining love story.
April 26, 2020
Samantha was going through the motions of her life after her mother’s death. She runs her store and designed wedding dresses. Then her friend Gemma’s wedding brings her brother Ian to town. ARC from NetGalley.
July 4, 2020
3.5-3.75 stars
Summer at Lake Haven was a sweet story and delightful addition to the Haven Point series. I enjoyed the royalty aspect, as well as the endearing children, Amelia and Thomas, Samantha’s adorable puppies, the scenic lake setting and the interesting aspect of wedding dress design and creation. I also loved Ian’s caring parents!
Admittedly, I don’t think I connected quite as much with this story as some previous ones, and I do wish it would have been a bit less repetitive on certain topics, but overall it was certainly a cute story.
I also read the related short story that was included about Gemma’s introduction to Lake Haven and how she met Josh, her future husband, and I absolutely loved it! It was the perfect add-on to her brother Ian’s story.
Summer at Lake Haven was a sweet story and delightful addition to the Haven Point series. I enjoyed the royalty aspect, as well as the endearing children, Amelia and Thomas, Samantha’s adorable puppies, the scenic lake setting and the interesting aspect of wedding dress design and creation. I also loved Ian’s caring parents!
Admittedly, I don’t think I connected quite as much with this story as some previous ones, and I do wish it would have been a bit less repetitive on certain topics, but overall it was certainly a cute story.
I also read the related short story that was included about Gemma’s introduction to Lake Haven and how she met Josh, her future husband, and I absolutely loved it! It was the perfect add-on to her brother Ian’s story.
August 4, 2020
This is book 11 in the Haven Point series and could be read as a stand alone. The re-occuring characters from the series are well explained. Samantha is designing Gemma's wedding dress. Gemma's family has arrived at Haven Point to spend the summer before the wedding. Ian is going to study the salmon in the lake and plans to use Samantha's dock as his base. Now Ian and his two children are worming their way into her heart. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
December 2, 2025
Very quick easy read
June 17, 2020
Remember when you were a kid, and summer seemed to last forever and was all about playing outside, reading all night, fireflies and popsicles? That is what this book made me feel while I was reading it – like I was on an endless summer vacation. It was so light and easy and happy – plus, it had puppies and a rumply, British professor love interest…
Samantha is a romantic – how could you not be, if you are a wedding dress designer? She and her late mother used to run a boutique together – now that her mother is gone, the boutique is Samantha’s, which she runs while designing custom wedding dresses as well. Samantha is learning to live life out from under the shadow of her sharp tongued mother, who seemed to always have a derisive or mocking thing to say, even to her devoted daughter. Starry-eyed Sam, she would call her, making fun (and not in a lighthearted teasing way) of Samantha’s quick propensity to fall in love. So now that Sam is on her own for the first time ever, she is trying to override that little voice inside that wants to hold her back, that niggling of self-doubt.
When Ian and his family move in next door for the summer, Samantha vows she will not fall head over heels for this handsome, fish obsessed professor. She has learned her lesson. Ian has a past – and future – of his own that overshadows any hope of a relationship, the least of which is the geographical distance.
I enjoyed this easy little summer read very much – I love RaeAnne Thayne and Haven Point, so this was a sweet return to favorite characters. They just make me smile! And this book was no different. I loved seeing the evolution of Samantha and Ian, and also their own personal growth overcoming the history that is weighing them down.
All in all, a must read for your summer reading, whether you are on a beach or just at home!
Thanks to NetGalley for the review copy in exchange for an honest review!
Samantha is a romantic – how could you not be, if you are a wedding dress designer? She and her late mother used to run a boutique together – now that her mother is gone, the boutique is Samantha’s, which she runs while designing custom wedding dresses as well. Samantha is learning to live life out from under the shadow of her sharp tongued mother, who seemed to always have a derisive or mocking thing to say, even to her devoted daughter. Starry-eyed Sam, she would call her, making fun (and not in a lighthearted teasing way) of Samantha’s quick propensity to fall in love. So now that Sam is on her own for the first time ever, she is trying to override that little voice inside that wants to hold her back, that niggling of self-doubt.
When Ian and his family move in next door for the summer, Samantha vows she will not fall head over heels for this handsome, fish obsessed professor. She has learned her lesson. Ian has a past – and future – of his own that overshadows any hope of a relationship, the least of which is the geographical distance.
I enjoyed this easy little summer read very much – I love RaeAnne Thayne and Haven Point, so this was a sweet return to favorite characters. They just make me smile! And this book was no different. I loved seeing the evolution of Samantha and Ian, and also their own personal growth overcoming the history that is weighing them down.
All in all, a must read for your summer reading, whether you are on a beach or just at home!
Thanks to NetGalley for the review copy in exchange for an honest review!
August 16, 2020
I borrowed this audio book from our local library. RaeAnne Thayne is one of my "go-to" authors. I always enjoy her books. She has, what seems to me, to be an effortless writing style. The story just flows from the page/narrator in seamless prose. The main character, Samantha Fremont, is a young woman that is very insecure with her own abilities/decision making skills. Her father died when she was young and she was raised solely by her overbearing mother. Her mother had a way of always making her feel as if her thoughts and feelings didn't amount to much. Samantha's mother had died approximately six months before the action of the story takes place. Samantha's passion is designing wedding dresses; her job is running the clothing store business her mother started: Fremont Fashions.
Ian Summerhill is the male lead in this story. He is Samantha's friend's brother; visiting from England. He is in Lake Haven for the summer to hopefully help himself and his children recover and move on from their mother's death. He is also using this time before his sister's wedding, to do more research on one of his pet projects regarding a certain type of salmon; and before he must take up the reins of the family businesses. Ian and Samantha start off on the wrong foot, so to speak. To Samantha's way of thinking, Ian is infuriating; despite his sexy British accent and mussed hair just dying for someone to run their fingers through to fix.
Ian Summerhill is the male lead in this story. He is Samantha's friend's brother; visiting from England. He is in Lake Haven for the summer to hopefully help himself and his children recover and move on from their mother's death. He is also using this time before his sister's wedding, to do more research on one of his pet projects regarding a certain type of salmon; and before he must take up the reins of the family businesses. Ian and Samantha start off on the wrong foot, so to speak. To Samantha's way of thinking, Ian is infuriating; despite his sexy British accent and mussed hair just dying for someone to run their fingers through to fix.
August 15, 2020
I enjoyed Thayne's previous books, of course, and this is the final book of the series that introduced me to Thayne... unfortunately, I haven't really been that entertained, mainly due to the very short time (well, it's a month but still short in my opinion) of Ian and Samantha say "I Love You" to one another. It rarely works for me, that kind of short-time-span of falling in love in stories... except for some circumstances, like forced proximity, or things that make the relationship feels intense and intimate ... but not here.
I liked the idea that both Ian and Sam were actually lonely, and they found each other and shared that feeling... but come on, Sam was supposed to accept that she would . Maybe it happens in real life to some people, but I need MORE convincing in my fiction *shrugs*
I liked the idea that both Ian and Sam were actually lonely, and they found each other and shared that feeling... but come on, Sam was supposed to accept that she would . Maybe it happens in real life to some people, but I need MORE convincing in my fiction *shrugs*
June 24, 2020
Against a lakeside setting, a heartwarming romance begins. Ian and Samantha are both recovering from loss. They're not looking for love but when it finds them can they make it work? Complex characters and a lovely setting make this an enjoyable gentle romance. There are numerous barriers to a happy ever, but the uplifting ending is worth the angst.
This is a lovely Summer romance for lovers of happy endings.
I received a copy of this book from Mills and Boon via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
This is a lovely Summer romance for lovers of happy endings.
I received a copy of this book from Mills and Boon via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
May 6, 2023
This was the most wholesome and frustrating book I have ever read. Let me explain...
A British dude and an American dudette, is a weakness for me. Like I would also automatically fall for someone with a british accent (🍓🍉Harry Styles🍓🍉) but when they fell for each other they kept trying to talk themselves out of pursuing the other cause 'it would never work' if you love the person where was the attitude of 'I love them, I'll do anything for them' I wanted that. Lord Summerhill had is Mama talk to him and tell him it's worth it 🤦🏻♀️
A British dude and an American dudette, is a weakness for me. Like I would also automatically fall for someone with a british accent (🍓🍉Harry Styles🍓🍉) but when they fell for each other they kept trying to talk themselves out of pursuing the other cause 'it would never work' if you love the person where was the attitude of 'I love them, I'll do anything for them' I wanted that. Lord Summerhill had is Mama talk to him and tell him it's worth it 🤦🏻♀️
May 5, 2022
I liked the overall story, as well as the various characters. I felt like the relationship between Ian and Sam was rushed though. It just didn’t seem as if there was much chemistry between the two of them. They kissed a few times, didn’t seem to interact all that much one-on-one, and then suddenly they were professing their undying love.
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