The Summer House by Lauren K. Denton

☆☆☆☆
ebook, 296 pages
Expected publication: June 2nd 2020 by Thomas Nelson
About the Book:
Sometimes it takes losing everything to find yourself again. Lily Bishop wakes up one morning to find a good-bye note and divorce papers from her husband on the kitchen counter. Having moved to Alabama for his job only weeks before, Lily is devastated, but a flyer at the grocery store for a hair stylist position in a local retirement community provides a refuge while she contemplates her next steps. Rose Carrigan built the small retirement village of Safe Harbor years ago—just before her husband ran off with his assistant. Now she runs a tight ship, making sure the residents follow her strict rules. Rose keeps everyone at arm’s length, including her own family. But when Lily shows up asking for a job and a place to live, Rose’s cold exterior begins to thaw. Lily and Rose form an unlikely friendship, and Lily’s salon soon becomes the place where residents share town gossip, as well as a few secrets. Lily soon finds herself drawn to Rose’s nephew, Rawlins—a single dad and shrimper who’s had some practice at starting over—and one of the residents may be carrying a torch for Rose as well. Neither Lily nor Rose is where she expected to be, but the summer makes them both wonder if there’s more to life and love than what they’ve experienced so far. The Summer House weaves Lauren K. Denton’s inviting Southern charm around a woman’s journey to find herself.

When someone you love leaves you, it changes you, and therapy or work or drink can’t ever really fix it.

This is my first book by Lauren K. Denton, which surprises me as I love southern fiction and this book did not disappoint! I love how Ms. Denton writes about relationships, the challenges and the satisfaction that they can bring. This book is told via two points of view...the elder Rose and the new resident and hairdresser Lily.

At first I thought Lily was going to be flaky but she sure turned into one strong, independent woman. The story made me feel like part of the neighbourhood. The characters were so interesting and the narrator's backstories were so intriguing.

This book is full of love, wit and southern charm. A great story to read during this quarantine. The characters’ personalities and resilience were well written. This unforgettable read is just what I needed to escape for a few hours and it left my heart full, happy and content. Visit Safe Harbor right away. You just might want to stay there forever. Highly recommend.

Thank you NetGalley, Thomas Nelson and Lauren K. Denton for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an impartial review; all opinions are my own.

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