The Heart of Splendid Lake

by Amy Clipston

Bestselling author Amy Clipston transports readers to a picturesque lakeside town in this heartwarming contemporary romance.

Brianna is the youngest of the three Porter sisters and the only one who chose to stay in the small town of Splendid Lake, North Carolina. She followed in her father’s footsteps and became an expert boat mechanic, helping him run their small resort with cabin rentals, a convenience store, and a marina. 

When Brianna’s father unexpectedly dies, Brianna is steeped in grief and guilt—then left alone to clean up the mess. To make matters worse, a constant stream of real estate brokers begins marching through her property, offering to buy the family land. In particular, she keeps running into handsome real estate mogul Scott Gibson. 

As Brianna struggles to keep it all together, Scott finds his way into her heart. And as the two fight against their feelings, they just might find themselves forging a surprising and exciting new love at Splendid Lake.


Sweet and thoughtful contemporary read
Stand-alone novel
Book length: 93,000 words
Includes discussion questions for book clubs

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Christian Fiction, Christian, Audiobook, Clean Romance

352 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2021

About the author

Hi! I'm a bestselling author of heartwarming romance and happily ever after.

Contemporary Romance (Non-Amish)
The Heart of Splendid Lake (2021)
The View from Coral Cove (2022)
On the Way to Christmas (Anthology) (2022)
Something Old, Something New (2023)
Starstruck (2023)
Finding You (2024)
With This Ring (2025)
Second Chance at Sunshine Inn (7/2025)
The Lighthouse at the Cove (12/2025)

Stand Alone Amish Fiction
Caring for the Amish Family (4/2025)

Guideposts Amish Suspense
A Heart Set Free (9/2025)


An Amish Legacy
1. Foundation of Love (2022)
2. Building a Future (2022)
3. Breaking New Ground (2023)
4. The Hearts of Shelter (2023)

An Amish Marketplace
1. The Bake Shop (2019)
2. The Farm Stand (2020)
3. The Coffee Corner (2020)
4. The Jam and Jelly Nook (2021)

An Amish Homestead
1. A Place at our Table (2017)
2. Room on the Porch Swing (2018)
3. Seat by the Hearth (2018)
4. A Welcome at Our Door (2019)

An Amish Heirloom
1. The Forgotten Recipe (2015)
2. The Courtship Basket (2016)
3. The Cherished Quilt (2017)
4. The Beloved Hope Chest (2017)

Hearts of Lancaster Grand Hotel
1. A Hopeful Heart (2013)
2. A Mother’s Secret (2014)
3. A Dream of Home (2015)
4. A Simple Prayer (2015)

Kauffman Amish Bakery
1. A Gift of Grace (2009)
2. A Promise of Hope (2010)
3. A Place of Peace (2011)
4. A Life of Joy (2012)
5. A Season of Love (2012)

Amish Anthologies
• An Amish Kitchen (2012) – Spoonful of Love (Stand-alone story)
• An Amish Cradle (2015) – A Son for Always (This story complements A Mother’s Secret)
• An Amish Market (2016) – Love Birds (This story complements The Forgotten Recipe)
• An Amish Harvest (2016) – Love & Buggy Rides (This complements The Courtship Basket)
• An Amish Home (2017) – Home Sweet Home (Stand-alone story)
• An Amish Summer (2017) – Summer Storms (Stand-alone story)
• Amish Sweethearts (2018) –Complements The Kauffman Amish Bakery Series and also has a sequel to my story in An Amish Summer
• An Amish Heirloom (2018) – Complements A Place at our Table
• An Amish Homecoming (2018) – Complements A Place at our Table
• Seasons of an Amish Garden (2019) – Complements The Christmas Cat, novella included in An Amish Christmas Love
• An Amish Reunion (2019) – Complements Room on the Porch Swing
• An Amish Christmas Bakery (2019) – Cookies and Cheer (Stand-alone story)
• An Amish Singing (2021) (Collection of four stories by Amy Clipston)
• An Amish Christmas Wedding (2020) –Evergreen Love (Stand-alone story)
• An Amish Barn Raising (2021)
• An Amish Schoolroom (2021)
• An Amish Quilting Bee (2021)

Young Adult
1. Roadside Assistance (2011)
2. Reckless Heart (2012) (Kauffman Amish Bakery young adult book)
3. Destination Unknown (2014)
4. Miles from Nowhere (2015)

Non-Fiction
A Gift of Love (2014)

Seasonal
• A Plain and Simple Christmas (2010) Naomi’s Gift (2011)
• Kauffman Amish Christmas Collection (2012)
• An Amish Christmas Gift (2015) includes Naomi’s Gift
• An Amish Christmas Love (2017) –The Christmas Cat
• An Amish Christmas Bakery (2019)
• An Amish Christmas Wedding (2020)
• On the Way to Christmas (2022)

Reviews

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Romance. Brianna is going through so much because her father just died and her mother is having health issues. This book is all about Bri saving her families small resort and her trying to work out who she really loves. I have to say there was points of this book I just wanted to yell at Bri. I loved the small town feel in this book and the characters. The storyline was good but not great. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Thomas Nelson) or author (Amy Clipson) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

[Denise Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Heart of Splendid Lake offers a welcome escape in the form of a sympathetic heroine and her struggling lakeside resort. Clipston proficiently explores love and loss, family and friendship in a touching, small-town romance I devoured in a single day!

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars



This is my second book by this author and though I like her writing a lot, both books have had The heroine has been engaged/in a serious relationship for the majority of the book…with someone other than the love interest. This is just something I’m not here for in my romances. I struggle to even classify this as a romance. Much more women’s fiction.

Audio book source: Hoopla
Story Rating: 3 stars
Narrator: Gina Francesca
Narration Rating: 3.5 stars
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Length: 8h 59m

[Deanne Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let's see a show of hands here, who wants to visit the small town of Splendid Lake, North Carolina and while there stay in the cabins while visiting Brianna Porter her mother and Scott?
Thought so.
Very charming and heartwarming story that brings to mind summer vacations at my grandparents cottage and swimming in the creek.
Sweet wholesome romance that deals with overcoming grief in a positive way.
The book has warmth,humor and left me feeling uplifted.
I can't wait to see what this author will have for us next!

Pub Date 14 Sep 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I simply adored this book! I have really enjoyed Amy Clipston’s Amish romances and was excited to read a contemporary romance written by her. I was not disappointed. The characters and setting pulled me in, making me feel as if they were real people working to save a real resort and finding love while they were at it.

This novel had some really heart tugging moments. Brianna lost her father very suddenly. As if that wasn’t hard enough, her life took a couple more sudden and upsetting turns and she found herself fighting to keep the family resort open.

I loved the way the friendship grew between Brianna and Scott, even as the possibility of something more developing between them seemed impossible. The way Scott cared about Brianna and her mother, offering help whenever possible, made it clear the type of caring person that he was. I couldn’t help but like these two characters and want the best for them. There was great chemistry between these two.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...

[Kay Defreese · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have not read any of the author's previous works because she usually writes Amish fiction and I don't read a lot of Amish fiction. I read the description of this novel and since it sounded good I decided to read and so glad I took the chance on an author I've never read before. I loved visiting Splendid Lake and wish it were a real place so I could visit it. I loved how Brianna was so close to her father and grieved deeply when he was no longer there. I loved how she took care of her mother and was determined to keep the family business open. I loved how Scott, the real estate developer helped her out. What I didn't like about the story was that it took her too long to realize that man she was engaged to was not the right man for her. I don't know if this is a stand-alone novel or if the author will write romances for the other two Porter sisters. I hope so because I am not ready to let go of Bri and Scott. I'd like to keep up with them. Fans who like Denise Hunter or Becky Wade will love this modern romance story.

[Sherri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't wait to get back to these characters each time. That's a high star rating for me. This is my first read by Amy Clipston and plan on discovering more of her work.

Bri is reeling from the sudden death of her father, mother has a stroke and a fiancée and sisters who don't have time for her, and trying to get their family-resort ready to open by spring.

Enter Scott Gibson a real estate developer. What are his intentions? Why is he drawn to the quaint town and Splendid Lake?

Let's go sit down at the dock and discuss this.

[Loraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in small town North Carolina, Brianna is youngest of three sisters. The older two have taken off and spread their wings. But Brianna has always been close to her dad and is now helping him take care of their vacation rentals on Splended Lake. She has been engaged to Taylor for three years, but is still hesitant to set a date. When calamity strikes both her mom and dad, everything falls on Brianna. When a real estate agent, Scott, showed up with an offer for their complete business, was he an angel in disguise or a devil making the most of disaster?

It's been a long time since I have read something by Amy Clipston, and I absolutely could not put this sweet romance down! Brianna was such a caring person, and it seemed everyone dumped on her. I was frustrated with both her sisters who felt that money was the best things to help out when she truly needed physical support. I wanted to scream at her fiancee, as Taylor was such a jerk and so self-centered. And all I can say about Scott is oh what a swoon worthy hero! This is definitely a wonderful contemporary romance read!

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.

[Amy | Foxy Blogs · Rating 3 out of 5]

THREE POINT FIVE STARS

Early on in the book Brianna’s father passes away and leaves behind their family resort. He never let the family know about the financial debt he got into because of the resort. Once Brianna finds out she’s not sure how she’ll keep the place running. Her fiance, Taylor, is too busy running the town to help her.

Scott is a commercial real estate investor who would like to purchase the property. The roadblock stopping him from doing this is Brianna. She is against getting rid of the resort since it has been in her family for a long time.

Scott partners with Brianna on making the necessary repairs so the resort can open like normal for the season.

THE HEART OF SPLENDID LAKE
● Brianna (26) & Scott (30)
● runs a small resort with cabin rentals / commercial real estate agent
● Brianna is engaged to Taylor - they have dated on and off since high school
● engaged to Taylor for 96% of the book
● small town in North Carolina
● enemies to lovers
● barracuda car
● CW: father dies of heart attack, mother has a stroke

Audiobook source: Hoopla
Narrator: Gina Francesca
Length: 8H 59M

[Staci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice introduction to a new to me author.

Youngest daughter Bri loves her hometown of Splendid Lake and helping her dad run their family resort. Her world is turned over when her father passes away.

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brianna Porter loves working alongside her father at the family resort on Splendid Lake. After her father passes away suddenly, Brianna struggles to manage on her own while her mother deals with her grief. Scott Gibson, a real estate developer, arrives to make an offer on the place. Scott is just the first in a line of people who wish to purchase the Porter property. A set of circumstances threatens her family home and Brianna finds solace with kindhearted Scott. Brianna has been engaged to Taylor for three years and she is not one to back out on a commitment. What does the future hold for Brianna and the Porter resort? The Heart of Splendid Lake is Amy Clipston’s debut contemporary romance novel. I was drawn into this engaging story right away. I admit I was surprised because this is not the type of book that I normally read. I thought it was well-written (I would not expect less from Amy Clipston) with developed characters and a charming setting. It is an emotional story that will tug at your heartstrings. I could certainly relate to Brianna having to deal with her father’s death and her mother’s overwhelming grief. I thought all the characters were realistic and relatable. I enjoyed getting to know Brianna, Scott, Ava, Lois, and the other secondary characters. There is a friendly cat as well. Amy Clipston’s writing draws the reader in and holds them until the very end. The picturesque descriptions allowed me to visualize Splendid Lake, the town, and the resort. I could certainly understand Brianna and Scott’s desire to live there. The Heart of Splendid Lake is one of those stories that will have you staying up late to see how everything turns out. The Heart of Splendid Lake is a heartwarming, poignant tale with prodigious grief, moving memories, masses of maintenance, a mournful mother, a considerate developer, and an enthralling lake.

[Nora St Laurent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brianna’s world comes crashing in on all sides with the unexpected death of her father. She finds that things she thought were safe and secure were not. She learns some things about their financial situation that has her head spinning. How was she going to handle all this? That’s the questions. Would Brianna reach out to her two older sisters for help. Then in walks Scott Gibson a man that enters Brianna’s world because he is interested in buying the resort in the Splendid Lake community. Neither one of them could have imagined what would happen after Brianna threw Scott off her property. No, she wasn’t going to sell their family business. But there was something about the way Scott Gibson treated her that caught her attention.

This author deals with grief, loss, love and facing insurmountable obstacles together with family and friends. I enjoyed the small town feel and hanging out in Splendid Lake with all the locals and liked how they pull together and grew throughout the story.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have received a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.bookfun.org

[Mayda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brianna is reeling from the death of her father. Things go from bad to worse when she discovers that the summer resort owned by her parents is drowning in debt. Unable to pay off the loans, she may have to sell, something she is loathe to do. In the middle of this turmoil, her mother experiences a serious health event. Coming to Bri’s rescue is not her fiancé, but a man who had wanted to buy the resort to improve and then flip it. Brie has a lot to consider, and then reconsider. Yes, it’s likely readers will see where this story is headed, but that really doesn’t matter. With masterful storytelling and writing, the journey to the end is delightful and very entertaining. This title says it all: it is a sweet romance. Recommended especially for romance readers.

[Baylie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing and concept was good. The thing that I didn’t like was that the FMC was engaged for most of the book to a guy that wasn’t the love interest. So it was strange dynamics and felt like cheating as her feelings developed for someone else while being engaged already.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite a different read from this author but I felt she has done an ok job with this sweet contemporary romance.
All the characters are likeable except one. But then again, there's always that one in a crowd.
Clipston has done an amazing job with the subject that was at hand and I can relate to Brianna within reason.
It's hard taking care of someone you love and watching them suffer but let me tell you. God can work miracles and I enjoyed watching this person work through everything. Because watching her work through her troubles offers us readers hope. Hope at the end of a long dark tunnel.
I loved how the author shows us how important family is and the need to stick together especially through the hard times.
I just couldn't put this book down last night and now I'm very tired but a happy tired. I wanted to see how Brianna handled the things that life threw at her. I wasn't disappointed. She's amazing! Superwoman!
A great story and one I highly recommend!
Clipston is an awesome author. I always look forward to seeing what she comes out with next!
My thanks for a copy of this book.
All opinions are my own and I was NOT required to write a positive review.

[Connie Saunders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amy Clipston is a beloved author of Amish fiction but this book demonstrates just how versatile her writing skills are. The Heart of Splendid Lake is a contemporary romance that grabbed my heart and wouldn't let go! I loved meeting the Porter family who live in the magical town of Splendid Lake, North Carolina, and I'm convinced that I would absolutely fit in. From finding the latest best-seller at the Bookend, going to a movie at the Warner, or grabbing a special coffee at the Coffee Bean, this could be a place that I would like to call home. I might even find romance on the shores of Splendid Lake!

This story, however, isn't all light and fluffy romance. There are some heavy moments that involve death, grief, and the decisions that must be made after losing a loved one. I could understand Brianna wanting to hold on to the past, and I sympathized with the uncertainties in both her professional and personal life. Should she honor what had been, or accept that change can be good? Does her future include a love from her past, or is there a deeper love with someone new?

The Heart of Splendid Lake is a heartwarming story about family, faith, and hope, and the characters and setting make it especially appealing. I recommend it to all who enjoy contemporary romance.

I received a copy of this book from the author. There was no obligation for a favorable review. These are my own thoughts.

[Kailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has to be my favorite book by Amy Clipston! I loved her Amish books, but I really love her contemporary book! I tried to savor this one and not read it too fast. I really enjoyed it! I loved Scott and Brianna!


I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

[Melmo2610 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really sweet and charming romance with a beautiful setting. This story has great characters that fit the story well and bring just the right elements to the overall plot. Really enjoyed this one and wouldn’t mind another trip to Splendid Lake in the future.

[Maureen Timerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the beginning of this book the author references where this book idea comes from, sad, but having recently returned from the original site, I pictured this quaint town and the beautiful vista's this area offers!

As humans we take a lot for granted, and sometimes, like Brianna Porter our worlds come crumbling down, and then more, and more devastation. We watch this girl as she tries to be a super human and deal with all that is on her shoulders. Whom will come to aid her? Surprises and some heartbreak, you expect more from some individuals, but you do see what is more important.

Throughout the book you keep wondering what is going to happen, will the small resort survive? Will Brianna and Taylor finally tie the knot? What will happen to Scott, a character I really liked!

This will quickly become a page turner for you, I had the last page turned in one sitting.

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Thomas Nelson, and was not required to give a positive review.

[Lauri Gentry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet romance. It is closer to a 3.5 for me as it more Clean Fiction rather than Christian Fiction. Other than that it has all the right warm fuzzies in the romance department.

[Sarita · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a sweet contemporary about overcoming loss and struggles which can set you back in life, but can also make you stronger.

I adored Scott, he was so unselfish and caring and just all around a good guy. Bri managed her struggles and setbacks very maturely. I was just a bit frustrated with Bri and Taylor’s relationship and how she could not see earlier that he is not there for her.

I do not like stories where someone is in a relationship, especially committed like an engagement, and develops a relationship with someone else, even if it is just friendship.

At the end there was a HEA, I would just prefer it being done a bit differently.

*I listened to the audiobook on Scribd.*

[Ayla Will · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've loved Amy Clipston's novels for years, so when I saw she was branching out into non-Amish fiction, I was excited to give it a try. The Heart of Splendid Lake was very well-written but unfortunately, some aspects of the plot left me struggling to finish it.

Brianna loves her small town and the resort she's always called home. When tragedy strikes, she's left reeling in its wake and struggling to keep her beloved resort afloat. Her high school sweetheart turned fiancé, Taylor Reese seems to be constantly unavailable to her, but always on there for his multiple jobs. Enter real estate investor, Scott Gibson. He's had his eye on the resort for a while now, but now his eye is wandering towards the woman who is trying her hardest to keep it going.

I wish Brie had broken things off with Taylor right at the beginning of the book. If the plot had gone that direction, I would have really enjoyed reading about the budding relationship between her and Scott, but I felt like their actions danced dangerously close to cheating on her then-fiancé. I also really missed the strong faith aspect that is usually so present in Clipston's novels. I'm hopeful this is just part of the learning curve of writing a completely new genre, and will definitely still read any future novels Clipston writes.

*I received a complimentary copy of The Heart of Splendid Lake through the publisher and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. My positive review is not required.

[Becky of Becky's Bookshelves · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Heart of Splendid Lake by Amy Clipston takes place in gorgeous Splendid Lake, North Carolina. Brianna's life turns upside down when her beloved father passes right before it's time to open up their cabins at the lake resort. Their family has owned cabins at their lake resort for three generations. Scott, a real estate developer, is very interested in developing their Lake Splendid resort along with many others. . But, how do you give up on something that's been in your family so long?

I thoroughly enjoyed the story. I was very engaged with the characters and the author did a good job depicting how people walk through grief differently. Brianna and Scott had wonderful chemistry and I loved how they overcame their past, and both learned to be selfless in different ways. For me the story spoke to being honest with yourself, not letting the past dictate your future, and the importance of making hard choices. I loved the themes, characters, and the quaint setting. I recommend this sweet romance.

I was given a copy by the publisher through NetGalley. I was not obligated to write a positive review.

[Ebosereme Nwamu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in few hours. I loved every bit of it. The pace of the book was just right.
The characters were amazing and I loved them. They felt like old friends.
The chemistry between Brianna and Scott was electric. I loved how they complimented each other, how they teased and loved each other.
The settings was gorgeous. I wish I could take a vacation there.

This book really did my heart good.

Highly recommended if you love a romantic story with a strong sense of family, love and commitment.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and this is my honest opinion.

[Bethany Turner]

READ FOR ENDORSEMENT
A touching story of grief, love, and life carrying on, The Heart of Splendid Lake engaged my heart from the very first page. Sometimes the feelings we run from lead us to the hope we can’t escape, and that’s a beautiful thing to see through the eyes of these winning characters. Amy Clipston deftly guides readers on an emotionally satisfying journey that will appeal to fans of Denise Hunter and Becky Wade.

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book! Well written. Giving this 3.5 stars. *It is not a faith based book.* Its about a young woman, Brianna, who is engaged and living with her parents, helping her dad run a resort. The father dies and her mother soon after experiences significant issues. Brianna tries to figure out how she’s going to keep the resort running after finding out it’s at stake, when she meets a real estate investor, Scott, who offers to help Brianna and pick up the slack Briannas fiancé is leaving.

It’s set in a charming little lake town. I very much enjoyed the setting. And the characters. But not so much how predictable the storyline was. And I generally don’t care for romances where one man woos someone else’s woman to him, even if the woman��s current man is a jerk.

So. My rating isn’t based on the fact it isn’t faith based. I liked a lot about this book. But not so much the storyline, and am giving it 3.5.

[Sunnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Checking my blog for this author, I counted 28 reviews for her. But this was the first non-Amish book that I found. And she did a fantastic job! This is a contemporary romance set in North Carolina. The story revolves around Brianna who struggles with her father's recent passing and a resort that is in the red. The book is well developed and the author has woven an exquisite story of love, loss, family and friends, along with real-life struggles and joys.
It was a very different book than any of the other books I have read from this author. I really loved it and found it to be excellent and totally enjoyable.

I received an ebook copy from NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.

[Gretchen Garrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book. After all, the cover is amazing. It is set near a small town at a resort. And the plot revolves around family.

But there was an overriding reason why I could not like it. The main character. Normally I do not put spoilers in my review. But in order to explain my low review, this is what needs to happen.

Brianna faces the tragic death of her father. That was sad. Grief is hard.
But at the time, she is engaged to Taylor. He is trying to support her through the process of her loss, especially at the beginning. How does she reward him?

She flirts with a guy at the bookstore. When that same guy, Scott, shows up at her parent's house, she lets him sit with her in the dark on her parent's chairs after she had "run away from Taylor" because she wanted space. As Scott tries to help her get the resort ready, she spends so much time alone with him. At one point, she asks Taylor for more time to plan their wedding, but then as soon as he leaves, she rushes to her phone when she hears a text notification because she knows it is from Scott. Then she kisses Scott while she is still engaged.

I get the fact that Brianna and Taylor had been together for awhile. Sometimes high school sweethearts outgrow each other. They weren't married yet. But an engagement is a serious commitment. If she would have let Taylor go near the beginning of the book, it would have been fine. But she kept delaying and kept seeing Scott. They talked about Taylor being jealous, but personally I would not be okay with my husband spending frequent time alone with another woman - that would make me jealous in a proper way.

Brianna also gets frustrated when no one is around to help her. But her best friend frequently drops everything. Taylor tries as well. She whines when her sisters are not around to help with the resort, but she is the one who wanted to stay. Taylor is busy too, but she never offers to help him. The only one she is helping is her Mom, and that is even done reluctantly.

This quote sums it up, "She'd told Taylor the truth when she said the breakup was about the two of them. But that didn't mean she didn't have feelings for Scott. If only their shared love for Splendid lake could bring them together again." I felt like I was reading a soap opera.

There was not a faith element in this book. I was fine with that. The book was basically clean apart from the basically cheating aspect. I can tell that this author must be a good writer as she definitely has written quite a few books that most people seemed to love. Clearly this one rubbed me the wrong way. I read this book through NetGalley, and I am clearly not having a problem expressing my opinions. Final rating: 2.5 stars, rounded to 3. Finished in 11/2021

[Inspirationalfictionreader · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Heart of Splendid Lake is my first read by Amy Clipston. When I first started reading, I was immediately drawn into the story by the writing style, the small town feel, and the characters. When Scott and Brianna first met, I was sure this was going to be my kind of story.

Sadly, as I continued to read, I realized that this was not the fun and light story that I had hoped for. Without going into spoilers, right after Scott and Brianna meet, things turned heavy and sad. This continued pretty much throughout the story. I also really struggled with the love triangle, which, in my opinion, went on way too long.

While this story was not for me, I really did like the writing style and the many of the characters. I also think I will be in the minority with this review, but I just wanted something that was lighter.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own. The faith thread is light.

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Usually when I read a Amy Clipston, I am taken to a different way of life. The Amish lifestyle. A simplistic life style but with same longings that we all share at one time or another.

This was a treat and a surprise. Same simple lifestyle. What I would call tragic romance. A romance that is grown thru a tragedy. Amy usually speaks of faith in the Amish series she writes but this romance did not mention faith at all. It spoke of family ties, dreams, death and rebuilding.

Brianna Porter is starting her day in the town she grew up in. Helping her father run their resort by the lake in North Carolina. Splendid Lake is beautiful and is the perfect setting for family vacations. Her older sisters have chosen another lifestyle on each coast. Right away you are drawn into the relationship of her parents. They work together for a common goal. They enjoy each other's company and protect each other from harm. The day that changed Brianna's life forever, she meant a stranger at the local bookstore. Something different clicks between them. An easiness that she has never felt even with her fiancé. A fiancé that she has been engaged to for 3 years, known for 10 years but has never set the date. A text from her mother interrupts her thoughts from her banter with the unknown stranger and she quickly rushes home to find that her father has passed away.

Brianna's life change brings her to Scott Gibson. Scott whom she met at the bookstore right before learning of her father's death and again at his funeral when he suddenly appears at their resort walking along the shore. When he finally calls on her again knowing who Brianna is and her link to his new business venture, it ends badly and it gets more complicated. Scott has become a fixture in Brianna's life that she did not want and did not know how much she needed.

The relationship between Brianna and Scott are a contrast and the contrast shows the weakness in her current relationship with her fiancé. This of course leads to me just taking it all in. The walls that each has built because of different circumstances and how Brianna wants to remain true to relationship with her commitment and how Scott patiently loves her knowing that he will never have her. There is a respect for each other that is rare in relationships. I found that this virtue is worth pursing in all relationships. Brianna and her beloved resort is in trouble after the death of her father and that just adds to how relationships are strengthen and are weakened by tragedy and the unknown.

I enjoyed the character development and the plot in finding love in tragedy.

A special thank you to Thomas Nelson and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.