Romance and old secrets beckon in this small North Carolina lake town. When her parents die in a tragic accident, Molly Bennett and her siblings pull together to fulfill their parents’ dream of turning their historic Bluebell, North Carolina, home back into an inn. Staying in town would be temporary–three years at most–then they plan to sell the inn, and Molly can get back to chasing her own … chasing her own dreams.
Adam Bradford (aka bestselling author Nathaniel Quinn) is a reclusive novelist with a bad case of writer’s block. Desperate for inspiration as his deadline approaches, he travels to the setting of his next book, a North Carolina lake town. There, he meets his muse, a young innkeeper who fancies herself in love with his alter ego.
Molly and Adam strike up an instant friendship. When Molly finds a long-lost letter in the walls of her inn, she and Adam embark on a mission to find the star-crossed lovers and bring them the closure they deserve. But Adam has secrets he isn’t ready to share. Past and present collide as truths surface, and Molly and Adam will have to decide if love is worth trusting.
“Nobody does summer romance better than Denise Hunter.” –JULIE LESSMAN, award-winning author
- Full-length romance novel
- Includes Discussion Questions for Book Clubs
- First book in the Bluebell Inn Romance series
- Book One: Lake Season
- Book Two: Carolina Breeze (available May 2020)
- Book Three: Autumn Skies (available October 2020)
more
Anyone who knows me fully understands that I will fangirl ANYTHING Denise Hunter writes—be it contemporary romance, time slip books, grocery lists, etc. So needless to say, I was looking forward to her latest release—Lake Season. And wow, this story captivated me from start to finish.
I feel the need to mention that the temperature dropped into the teens here in Ohio, and so a story set in the summer on the lake is absolutely ideal. The author did a great job painting the North Carolina backdrop with vivid descriptions that helped me envision the charming town of Bluebell.
As for the characters, Molly had such a sweet spirit about her and seemed to be one of those unique individuals that always lights up the room. And she loves reading. So yeah, we could be besties. Adam, the hero, is the character that surprised me the most. He was just such a nice guy. And as the pages wore on, I found myself rooting for him, wanting him to break free from the shadows he hid behind. Of course, the romance element was exploding with spark-filled chemistry. Hunter excels in that area for sure.
What was different about this story is that it’s a time slip. I loved the historical portions of the book, and it seemed to flow perfectly with the contemporary parts. Sometimes time slips can feel choppy and awkward, but this one had smooth transitions. Very well done.
The plot was well thought out and interesting. The romance, like I said above, is spot on. And the pacing was fabulous. If you enjoy stories that are both refreshing and intriguing, then this one is for you! Highly recommend!
*I received a copy from Netgalley. My opinions are my own.
Disclaimer: This novel was an exceptionally cathartic read for me. My review today is highly personal, but my point is not to be highly personal. My point is to express how deeply I agree with one of Ms. Hunter’s themes discussed in this novel. The best way to get this point across is to tell you my deeply personal story. If you are not in the mood to read my story I am 100% not offended. Let me just say, before you leave my blog, Lake Season is an absolute gem of a novel. I highly recommend it!!!
Ten months ago, I lost my stepdad, Mike. He was killed in a car accident. When one loses a loved one so violently and unexpectedly a pain unlike anything ever experienced is born. Immediately, the first thing that sprung to my mind was the last words I ever spoke to my stepdad. The last day I saw Mike was two weeks before he died. My mom and I made plans to have dinner at a local Mexican restaurant we liked to frequent. My daughter and I met my mom at the agreed-upon time, and much to my surprise Mike was with her. I was so happy to see him! You see, Mike was a fire captain. With all the fires happening in Southern California we didn’t get to see him as much so for him to be at this impromptu dinner was a big deal. We had an amazing time! We told funny stories, we laughed a lot, and we ate great food. It was awesome. When we were saying goodbye, my stepdad gave me a big hug and kiss, and I told him that I loved him. He told me, “I love you too, kid!” We got in our cars, and he smiled at me and gave me a wink. He and my mom went their way, and Bella and I went ours. That was the last time I would ever see or speak to my stepdad.
In Lake Season, the heroine, Molly, has also recently lost her parents to a car accident. Unfortunately, Molly’s last encounter with her parents wasn’t like mine. Molly blew her parents off never thinking she wouldn’t get to see or speak to them ever again this side of Heaven. Her final phone call with her parents leaves Molly with such guilt it becomes a heavy burden she carries daily, and she becomes a bit obsessed with making sure she never leaves a conversation unfinished. Of the characters in Lake Season, I heavily relate to Molly and her pain. Losing someone dear to you unexpectedly is like a repeated blow to your heart. It’s crushing, and painful isn’t a good enough word to describe what you are experiencing. The only thing that separates me from Molly (aside from the fact that I’m not fictional) is the magical, fantastic final dinner God orchestrated for me — I know with every fiber of my being that that last meal was truly God’s doing. I would have felt Molly’s guilt too if it weren’t for this one meal. God gave me a gift, and I will be forever grateful.
Lake Season is an excellent novel for so many reasons — the highly engaging plotline, the superb characters (especially Adam!!!), and the resonating themes. But Lake Season is one of my most favorite stories this year because it reinforces how important it is to tell our loved ones how much they mean to us in the here and now. Dear reader, do not leave your love under a bushel for you may not get a tomorrow. With everything that’s happened since my stepdad’s death, I cannot stress enough how important it is to tell your loved ones how you feel. Not a single one of us is promised a tomorrow. Read this novel because it is a great read, but read it also because it is a great reminder to not take those we love and care about for granted.
I received a review copy of this novel in eBook form from the publisher, Thomas Nelson, via Celebrate Lit. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Oh. My. Goodness. This book. I’m still processing (as I head on over to buy the next book). I am a crier. And I had to keep tissues through the last hundred pages or so of this book. Yes, I kind of saw the writing on the wall, but I didn’t even care. The way the story was handled was just lovely. I savored every blessed minute of it. Can’t wait to get my hands on Carolina Breeze.
This is a heartwarming story of two wounded people who find each other, but must also find the courage to move forward and embrace the feelings they have. It’s a story of hidden identity, healing, faith, and acceptance. Together Molly and Adam work to solve a mystery of unresolved love, giving the reader a “story within a story”. With excellent characters and a strong story, I found this book hard to put down. I look forward to a return to Bluebell!
I have enjoyed several books by Denise Hunter. However, I will say that this first book in her “A Bluebell Inn Romance” series also appealed to me because it is set in North Carolina. “Lake Season” had so many good literary elements to it. This book covered romance and mystery all at the same time. It kept me on the edge of my seat where the mystery was concerned but also where the romance was concerned because of typical miscommunication between the two main characters. You found yourself wanting so badly to just be able to step into the novel and tell both Molly and Adam just to be honest with each other. I think this book will appeal to a wide range of people and I suggest you read it.
This is my first Denise Hunter book, and it most certainly won’t be my last. Lake Season made me laugh, cry, and experience every emotion in between. I fell in love with the characters and the story Hunter weaves so flawlessly.
I absolutely could not put this book down. I felt myself growing along with the characters, especially Molly. This story will fill you with hope and wonder at God’s love, and I can’t put into words how much this book means to me. It is certainly one I will treasure always.
I enjoyed this story very much. I liked the Blue Bell small town setting.
I liked that the family members put their life on hold and worked together to fulfill their dead parents dream.
The storyline that an old letter between two sweethearts brought together two people who were hesitant to trust and to love someone new was inspiring.
I liked how the two people worked together searching for the letter’s sweethearts and in the end they brought to another family member an unbelievable reunion.
I enjoyed this delightful foray into North Carolina and some of the history associated with the place and people in the town of Bluebell. As a writer, I particularly enjoy novels that cast an author as one of the characters, which this does in a fun way—a writer with a pen name who wishes to remain out of the public eye. So what could happen when a new innkeeper who is an adoring fan rents him a room? Plenty of adventures, including a link to the past that they try to unravel. The story bursts with life and suspense and enough drama to keep the connection between reader and written word along with the hunger to find out what happens next in hopes of a wonderful ending. The package contains enough surprises to pique curiosity and satisfy the reader. Great characters and interesting plot. I received a copy from Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own.
Lake Season hits all the right notes! Wounded pasts, insecurities, attraction, romance, and even a bit of suspense with a resolution that resonates with the overall faith theme of God masterfully orchestrating the events of our lives, foreknowing the exercise of our free wills, with a loving, merciful hand. I also appreciated the appeal of the “nerdy” hero – one we don’t see often enough. One of Denise Hunter’s best!
I haven’t read many books by this author but based on this book, I am going to add her to my list of favorites. This was a nice, light fun romance with several additional plots going on. It was a quick read with interesting characters and a happily ever after ending. Basically this book has everything – a little romance, some mystery, a supportive family and a beautiful setting in North Carolina.
The Bennett parents were renovating an inn in their hometown of Bluebell, NC, when they were killed in a car accident. Their three children -Levi, 26 years old; Molly, 23 years old; and Grace, 18 years old decide to finish the renovation and open the inn to fulfill their parents’ dream. Lake Season is the first book in a new series and it is Molly’s story. Molly quit her last year in college to help renovate the inn with her brother and sister. She loves reading and there are lots of references to authors – both classical and current – but she has a crush on a never-met romance writer who writes under a pseudonym and she reads his books over and over. Adam shows up at the inn before the renovations are done and asks if there is a room available because his booking at a lake house had been cancelled and he wants to spend some time in town doing some research. Adam is a very solitary person who has a really poor self image but he decides quickly that Molly will be his ‘muse’ on his current project. When a letter is found from the 1960s during the renovation, he agrees to help Molly find out more about the person who wrote the love letter. The more time Adam and Molly spend together, the closer they become but they both have significant baggage from their past that is keeping their possible romance at a stand-still. Will they be able to get beyond their past hurts and disappointments and find their happily ever after?
I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to future books in this series. I’m ready to go back to Bluebell Inn and spend more time getting to know the Bennett family.
“That’s where it had all begun. Where he’d found Molly. Where he’d mistaken her for his muse, only to find she was actually the keeper of his heart.”
I love Denise Hunter’s books. They’re gut-wrenching, soul-stirring, heart-breaking, redemptive and utterly romantic. This first book in the new series is no exception. The author does throw in a bit of split-time twist to the plot, which is something new in her writing style and surprised me (in a most pleasant way) when I stepped back in time to 1962. Her attention to detail in the plot and characterization is incredible and her writing is easy to follow and the plot moves at a good pace. Her characters are so lovable – Molly, our heroine, is the bubbly sunshine of an innkeeper who subconsciously builds a wall around her heart for fear of sudden loss and betrayal, and Adam, our beautifully flawed hero, is a best-selling romance author hiding under a pseudonym for fear of disappointing others. Their present day relationship as innkeeper and guest converges with the past when Molly finds an old unsent/unreceived letter from 1962 in the wall of the inn and both Molly and Adam are driven to find the two people who were involved. Their romance is incredibly sweet and their path to finding freedom from their fears is satisfying and rewarding.
I can’t wait for the second book in the series where we’ll get to know Molly’s older brother Levi better. And it promises another split-time plot!
I received a copy of the book from Thomas Nelson via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
An astounding start to a new series. Denise Hunter is an accomplished author who, in my estimation knows how to write a page-turner with all the necessary elements: great characters, excellent narrative, and a meaningful purpose. First let me say the characters in this book are endearing and down to earth. Molly and Adam are authentic and realistic characters and look beyond the outward appearance of each other. “Brawn and athleticism fade,” she said, “Brains endure a lifetime.” The story took place in an idyllic setting, and the pace was perfect for a slow blossoming love story. There are many valuable takeaways from this novel with an overriding theme of a person’s value and purpose. “My worth, everyone’s worth, is based on God-given value.” “Fear is often just a lack of faith.”
I received an advanced copy from the publishers on NetGalley. The opinions in this review are my own.
What a wonderful start to a new series by Denise Hunter and a fabulous new family to fall in love with! I love that Denise Hunter has ventured into writing a dual timeline novel, which still includes the contemporary romance that she is known for.
Readers will enjoy the romance and the intrigue in the story as innkeeper Molly Bennett and Bluebell Inn guest Adam Bradford begin a quest to find the recipient of an old letter found in the walls of the inn. This was such an enjoyable book, and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.
I’ve heard readers say they will give a book one or two chapters and if not interested it will get put aside. However, one can’t do that with a Denise Hunter novel! A few chapters in I simply thought this book was about a shallow, immature, fangirling heroine obsessing over her favorite male author. But loving Hunter’s books as I do, I kept on reading and found out just how very wrong I was.
Lake Season is an absolutely delightful read—one that will scatter your battered emotions all over the page with laughing-out-loud moments, a dual timeline with two angst-filled romances, heartbreaking, ugly cry scenes, and very likeable characters. Once again Ms. Hunter exhibits her expertise as an author by penning a unique, witty, multifaceted story with as many layers as an onion!
Guaranteed to keep the reader madly flipping those pages to discover the secrets contained in an old letter and the slim possibility of a HEA after a deceit is revealed—Lake Season is definitely one not to be missed!
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson publishing via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review.**
This was an excellent afternoon read! I thoroughly every word of this book, I’m not generally into a romance type novel, but this was skillfully done. Thank you for the opportunity to devour this gem!
A lovely romance with a bit of a time-slip element that caused some tears at the end. A satisfying summer read.
This was such a sweet read. I loved getting an inside look at the life of a big-name author who is struggling to keep his identity private, but not for the right reason. And I loved the way Hunter developed the chatty female character but kept her likable. I generally dislike split-time novels, but this one was done in such a way that the historical part didn’t take up half the book, only a few short chapters and tied directly to the contemporary storyline, and it didn’t bother me a bit. I haven’t read a Denise Hunter book I didn’t like yet, and I don’t imagine doing so. I appreciate every time the way she subtly ties God’s healing of our hearts into her storylines. Great read!
This is the first book in the A Bluebell Inn Romance series. I can’t wait to read the next one. The story line is awesome and I loved it. The characters are perfect for the story. Three siblings trying to hold their lives together, an author trying to keep his privacy and an old love story that will draw you in and you’ll want to know the ending. I think you will love getting to know Levi, Grace, Molly, Adam and all the other wonderful folks in Bluebell. I received this book from NetGalley, but my opinion is my own. I also purchased this book.
In a blink of an eye, the Bennett kids lives changed. Levi has his job in another state, Molly has one semester of college left and Grace has high school to finish. Sell the inn and carry on. Only Grace is not having it. She doesn’t want to sell their home. She wants to finish the re-construction of the inn, open it up. An agreement was reached. Finish the construction open it up, make it profitable and then sell it in 3 years. Into the Bluebell Inn comes Adam Bradford, who is a writer. Never wanting people to know his real name, he writes under a pen name. He has writers block and was told to come here to relax and get his mojo back. From the moment he meets Molly, he feels a connection. Suddenly he has stories forming in his head. He has his muse. There is also a mystery. An old letter that was never mailed. The search is on. Thoroughly loved how they went about looking for closure.
Really enjoyed the story line in this book.