“ … a tender story of healing and finding a place to belong. This sweet, Southern romance doesn’t disappoint.” – Liz Talley Robin Lancaster, a twenty-six-year-old former kindergarten teacher, has her summer and her life all figured out. She’s ready to be on her own, writing and illustrating her children’s stories at her family’s beloved lake house. Once there, she intends to rekindle a romance … with Caleb Jackson, the area’s top hunting and fishing guide, and bag him for herself.Complications arise from the start when Robin finds out her mother has rented the lake house to a man they know nothing about. Matthew McLaughlin, forty-year-old widowed university professor and author from California, shows up at Pine Lake in crisis. A sabbatical might be his only hope to save much more than his career. He needs a place of refuge. Sharing the lake house with a lighthearted young woman and her dog is the last thing on his mind. Caleb Jackson has his own plans. He’s used to things going his way, but a man staying in Robin’s house presents unforeseen challenges. When paths unavoidably entangle for these three, hearts are on the line.
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I enjoyed this book from beginning to end! Will be following this author.
Good story, unpredictable until the end. Love blossoms where and when least expected. A
Christian influence throughout.
Sentimental, relatable story
MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK
When Matthew McLaughlin shows up at Pine Lake, never did he think he would be sharing the lake house with someone else. But Robin Lancaster was determined she was spending the summer at the lake house, despite the fact her mother had rented it out. And then there was Caleb Jackson, the heartthrob Robin was sure to snag while she spent the summer at the lake house.
I really enjoyed this story. The beautiful Southern setting makes a peaceful place to call home. Matthew needed a place like this while on sabbatical to try and salvage his job, but he learned so much more while he was at Pine Lake. Author Rose Chandler Johnson created wonderful realistic characters that drew me into the story and made me feel like part of the family. As the story unfolds, I was totally wrapped up in the details happening to each character. Each detailed scene gave the story more meaning as I continues to read. There were times the story got really interesting because of Matthew and Robin living in the same lake house for the summer, and Caleb looking on, which didn’t suit him so well. But Ms. Johnson does an outstanding job of crafting scenes and weaving them together to make this story a most enjoyable one to read. Pine Lake turns out to be the warm peaceful place that is needed for everyone. It is a place I long to visit, as I am sure everyone who reads this novel would say the same. I am looking for more books by Rose Chandler Johnson in the future. In the meantime, check out My Fathers House and God, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea, also by this same author.
A copy of this book was given to me by the author or publisher. I am not required to write a positive review. The opinions here in this review are totally mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
A great read. The writing and relationships between the characters is so well done. Loved the description of Pine Lake and surrounding areas. As you read this book you will feel like you are right there in the story. It was a hard book to put down and I read into the wee hours of the night.
A very good book
I loved this book because I love the refuge of a cottage by a lake! I loved the twists and turns of the reality of life for those who are discouraged by loss, but then all of a sudden the guest finds love again.
Heartwarming. Sometimes we think we can not go on, sometimes we think we know what we want but God tells and show us more. Lovely book.
I will withhold names for those who haven’t read the book… I thought one character was going to turn out to be a jerk and one was going to be a threat, but sometimes the right decision isn’t always the easy one, and sometimes we need to be open to learn something about ourselves that isn’t easy to swallow.
I really enjoyed this true to life story , clean romance. Refreshing.
very believible storyline and characters.keeps you rooting for the underdog all through it. I really thought it would turn out different ,if the one character changed and repented but I liked the ending
The main characters personalities were developed with interesting motivations and real-lofe experiences. Beautiful descriptions of the setting.
Good story of second chances
Refuge at Pine Lake is my first introduction to Rose Chandler Johnson’s writing. It definitely will not be the last. This heartwarming tale is a story of hope, grace healing, faith, overcoming and inspiration. I was intrigued from the beginning to the end. It is not a long read and I had no problem having it read in just a few hours. Which was, very well spent.
I highly recommend Refuge at Pine Lake for all readers. I believe so many would find it to relatable. I would love to give it one hundred stars if I could. I would love to read more by this author in the future.
I received this book from the publisher, but was not required to write a review. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
Refuge at pine lake
Matt is try to get over the death of his wife. He rents a lake house to get away from everything. Robin is the daughter of the one renting it to him. She is staying next door.
Robin is close by where her sister lives. I really enjoyed the interaction with the children her sister has. Also a dog in the book that adds a lot to the story. Also loved the character Mr. Charlie that goes fish with Matt.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from Prism book tours. I was not required to write an positive review. This is my own opinion.
Another summer read that made me want to pack a bag and head for a long week (or month) at the lake, Refuge at Pine Lake welcomes you to the beauty and majesty of Georgia country.
I appreciated that Matthew McLaughlin is not your typical hero from the romance genre. He is drowning in grief and guilt, to the point he is going through the motions of life. And, in fact, it’s the heroine of this book that rescues him.
There’s a bit of a love triangle in this book but I never liked Caleb for Robin. The guy just never sat well with me. I always felt like he was on the verge of being caught in a lie (and you’ll have to read the book to find out whether or not that was true).
A couple scenes slowed the cadence down, and I questioned whey they were included but overall, Rose Chandler Johnson gives readers a story of dreams lost, grace, and hope for a better, brighter future.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Very interesting story.
I loved the story. It wasnt predictable and I didnt want it to end. Even though the ending was so good.
Great read!!
Really fun book!!!