The Lake House by Lori Foster
~ Family can be a blessing or a curse ~ sometimes people who come into our lives can become a close-knit group that is the closets “family” of all ~
* Brogan Rafferty: retired Navy SEAL, single parent of infant niece (Shayna Raye), difficult childhood, joined military young, dealing with survivor’s guilt, strong, inteeligent, aware, safety & protection oriented, loves his niece, has a plan that includes Pixie and her son
* Pixie Nolan: single mother of Andy, manager of a boutique, creative, artistic, empathetic, good friend, supportive, positive, loving mother, responsible, honest, settling into her new stronger identity in Bramble, arrived in the series in book one, attracted to Brogan
* Andy Nolan: Shayna’s son, biological father was a philanderer now deceased, claims Shayna as “My Baby”
* Shayna: infant, assigned Brogan as her guardian, daughter of Brogan’s deceased half-sister Connie, provides impetus for Brogan’s visit to Bramble Kentucky
* Watching the interactions between Brogan and Pixie and seeing their relationship grow
* The love that abounded in this story: between friends, community, parents and their children, couples, and those that were soon to be couples
* The way Brogan stepped into warrior-protector-rescue mode more than once in the story
* Being reminded of a summer on a lake where my sister could have been Benny and how lucky Benny was while others in his situation have not been
* The small-town community feeling that is there for one another
* The open honest mature communication between Pixie and Brogan and also they way they communicated with the children
* The side romance that might be brewing between officer Flynn and Ellen (Benny’s mother)
* Wondering if perhaps Erin will star in the next book of the series
* All of it really except…
What I didn’t like:
* Thinking about how difficult the lives of both Brogan and Pixie were in the past
Did I like this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Definitely
Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Kensington Books for the ARC – This is my honest review.
Second chances, surprising revelations, and sweet, unexpected love go hand-in-hand in the tiny lakeside town at the heart of this charming series from New York Times bestselling author Lori Foster.
When Pixie Nolan first came to Bramble, Kentucky, the abandoned and desperate young single mother found hope, healing, and a fresh start. With the loving support of her best friends—Marlow Heddings and her handsome Marine husband, Cort—Pixie is now happily raising her toddler son in a cozy cottage, managing Marlow’s thriving boutique, and designing firefly logo t-shirts that are selling like hotcakes. The past is behind her, and life is good.
She never expected to make an electrifying connection with a summer renter, a retired Navy SEAL with his own complicated past . . .
A rugged warrior with scars both seen and unseen, Brogan Rafferty arrives with an adorable baby girl in tow and settles into the lake house next door. And while he’s a stunning addition to the gorgeous scenery, it’s his caring devotion that captures Pixie’s heart—the way he gently snuggles away the precious infant’s cries, or swoops Pixie’s delighted little boy high in the air with his tattooed, muscular arms.
But it’s no coincidence that Brogan has found Pixie, and his startling revelations make it clear she’s the key to healing old regrets and building new dreams. And when a hostile stranger turns up with shocking accusations against Bramble’s new hometown hero, Pixie must put her own fears and heartbreak away for good—and learn what it truly means to trust.
