ABL Review At-A-Glance
Ø Title: Summer on Mirror Lake
Ø My Rating: 4.25
Ø Genre: Romance, Women’s Fiction
Ø Author:
JoAnn Ross
JoAnn Ross
Ø Format:
ARC*
ARC*
Ø Publication Date: June 11, 2019
Compare To:
Goodreads Synopsis
Summertime is the best time to lose yourself in
the romance of Honeymoon Harbor…
the romance of Honeymoon Harbor…
When he lands in the emergency room after
collapsing at the funeral of a colleague and friend, Wall Street hotshot
Gabriel Mannion initially rejects the diagnosis of an anxiety attack. But when
warned that if he doesn’t change his adrenaline-fueled, workaholic lifestyle he
could end up like his friend, Gabe reluctantly returns to his hometown of
Honeymoon Harbor to regroup.
collapsing at the funeral of a colleague and friend, Wall Street hotshot
Gabriel Mannion initially rejects the diagnosis of an anxiety attack. But when
warned that if he doesn’t change his adrenaline-fueled, workaholic lifestyle he
could end up like his friend, Gabe reluctantly returns to his hometown of
Honeymoon Harbor to regroup.
As he adjusts to the sight of mountains instead
of skyscrapers, Gabe discovers advantages to this small Pacific Northwest town
he once couldn’t wait to escape. But it’s irresistible librarian Chelsea
Prescott who, along with the two foster children she’s taken under her wing,
makes slowing down seem like the best prescription ever.
of skyscrapers, Gabe discovers advantages to this small Pacific Northwest town
he once couldn’t wait to escape. But it’s irresistible librarian Chelsea
Prescott who, along with the two foster children she’s taken under her wing,
makes slowing down seem like the best prescription ever.
Over the course of their summer romance, Gabe
gets a taste of the life he might have had if he’d taken a different path. But
with his return to New York City looming on the horizon, he’ll have to choose
between the success he’s worked tirelessly for and a ready-made family who
offers a very different, richly rewarding future…if he’ll only take the risk.
gets a taste of the life he might have had if he’d taken a different path. But
with his return to New York City looming on the horizon, he’ll have to choose
between the success he’s worked tirelessly for and a ready-made family who
offers a very different, richly rewarding future…if he’ll only take the risk.
My Thoughts…
I want to start of by saying that I did not read
books 1&2 of this series; however, I now wish I had and plan to add these
to my voluminous TBR shortly. In saying
this, I want everyone to know that though this is the 3rd in a
series of books, it can completely be read as a standalone. Every once in a while, another character will
be featured, and I found myself asking, what’s their story? But, this information isn’t necessary for
this story. Especially when other
couples were mentioned, I could hear echoes of previous installments, just
faintly. Enough to entice but not
required. Smart, Ms. Ross, very smart.
books 1&2 of this series; however, I now wish I had and plan to add these
to my voluminous TBR shortly. In saying
this, I want everyone to know that though this is the 3rd in a
series of books, it can completely be read as a standalone. Every once in a while, another character will
be featured, and I found myself asking, what’s their story? But, this information isn’t necessary for
this story. Especially when other
couples were mentioned, I could hear echoes of previous installments, just
faintly. Enough to entice but not
required. Smart, Ms. Ross, very smart.
This is a fun summertime romance. The plot, characters and story weren’t
groundbreaking, but were a real joy to read.
I felt good while reading this book and actually learned a great deal of
ancillary information, especially about boats and bowerbirds.
groundbreaking, but were a real joy to read.
I felt good while reading this book and actually learned a great deal of
ancillary information, especially about boats and bowerbirds.
The lead character, Chelsea, is almost
annoyingly perfect – cute smart, witty, energy for days, and selfless. I loved her and hated her a little because I
really want to be her. I think maybe she
could have had one or two more flaws, but that part seemed saved for Gabriel,
the other main character.
annoyingly perfect – cute smart, witty, energy for days, and selfless. I loved her and hated her a little because I
really want to be her. I think maybe she
could have had one or two more flaws, but that part seemed saved for Gabriel,
the other main character.
Gabriel is a man who has been told his life is
wrong. High stress job that has provided
lots of money but not much else. After a
health crisis, he is taking a summer vacation at home. Gabriel’s flaws aren’t as apparent until the
end, because, he seems to act like the perfect boyfriend. But once he must decide his priorities, his
values come into question. Gabriel is a
character I could sink my teeth into, and based on the description, I mean that
both literally and figuratively.
wrong. High stress job that has provided
lots of money but not much else. After a
health crisis, he is taking a summer vacation at home. Gabriel’s flaws aren’t as apparent until the
end, because, he seems to act like the perfect boyfriend. But once he must decide his priorities, his
values come into question. Gabriel is a
character I could sink my teeth into, and based on the description, I mean that
both literally and figuratively.
I loved reading this, especially since it’s
summer. I felt the story, and connected
with it. I truly wished I was at their
lake house. If you enjoy romantic reads,
this will not disappoint.
summer. I felt the story, and connected
with it. I truly wished I was at their
lake house. If you enjoy romantic reads,
this will not disappoint.
What Was Missing…
When a book doesn’t reach 5 stars, I like to
explain a little bit about why. In
Summer on Mirror Lake, I wanted more from the ending. I needed more build up to the ultimate
confrontation. I felt like the conflict
happened too quickly, as did the resolution.
Also, I would have enjoyed a tiny epilogue with an “update” on the
family. Then again, I can just wait for
book 4 to see where these chracters are, but patience is not my greatest
virtue.
explain a little bit about why. In
Summer on Mirror Lake, I wanted more from the ending. I needed more build up to the ultimate
confrontation. I felt like the conflict
happened too quickly, as did the resolution.
Also, I would have enjoyed a tiny epilogue with an “update” on the
family. Then again, I can just wait for
book 4 to see where these chracters are, but patience is not my greatest
virtue.
* Special thanks to JoAnn Ross, HQN, and TLC Book Tours for
providing a copy of Summer on Mirror Lake
in exchange for an
honest review.
providing a copy of Summer on Mirror Lake
in exchange for an
honest review.
I love these kinds of books to throw in my purse and read while I'm waiting to pick kids up from various activities. This sounds like a fun read! Thank you for being on this tour. Sara @ TLC Book Tours