A lakeside summer, a new beginning… Sam to create her wedding dress…if only she can avoid the bride’s infuriating brother, who’s temporarily the boy next door.
Ian Summerhill knows a sabbatical in Haven Point is exactly what he and his children need to recover from their mother’s death. His romantic relationship with his ex-wife may have ended years ago, but caring for her throughout her illness broke his heart. All he wants is to watch his little sister walk down the aisle and to see his kids smile again. And somehow his lovely new neighbor is instrumental in both. But as their uneasy truce blossoms into a genuine friendship and more, Ian has obligations in England he can’t ignore—and a secret that threatens the fragile trust he and Sam have built.
Don’t miss Thayne’s next release, The Path to Sunshine Cove: three love stories in one with the emotional pull of Debbie Macomber, Barbara Delinsky and Susan Wiggs!
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The Summer at Lake Haven is book eleven in the Haven Point series. This was another great story in this series. I’m never disappointed. And I enjoyed the extra story included. Definitely worth picking up!
Summer at Lake Haven was just what I needed. Puppy dogs and interesting characters. Gorgeous guy, Ian, with 2 small children. Pretty young woman , Samantha, who jumps in icy water to save Ians son. Samantha learns they are renting the home next door for the summer. And surprise….Ian is the brother of her friend Gemma. Samantha is actually making Gemmas wedding gown. The wedding is part of the reason Ian is at Lake Haven. Both of them had suffered recent losses. Ians ex-wife has passed and Samanthas mother has passed. She’s feeling like …. well he’s kind of irresistible. Good thing she’s sworn off men for now. Ian is thinking how lovely this next door neighbor is. Ian wants to see his little sister, Gemma, walk down the aisle and hoping this summer will help his children deal with the death of their mother. Did I mention Ian is from England. And this is just for the summer…….or is it? The characters were realistic and held my attention until the end of the book.
I really liked this Haven Point series. I liked the characters and the plot of this tale. So nice to read a happily ever after with everything going on in this world. Thank you for bringing a bit of light to us all. So looking forward to reading more from this author.
Sweet and satisfying! With book eleven in her always beloved Haven Point series RaeAnne Thayne gives Samantha Fremont the happily ever after she’s been yearning for over the years. The characters are quick to draw the reader in, the children and puppies in the story line are delightful and the romance is sweet.
Samantha has been someone we’ve watched as she tried to find love for years as she wavered under her mother’s overpowering thumb. Now she’s lost a bit now that her mother is gone as she tries to find her knew norm and begins to flourish on her own.
Ian is quite attention grabbing. His kids are adorable, he’s secret royalty and he’s trying to figure out how to make sure his children heal after losing their mother.
I recommend this book and the entire series to anyone who enjoys a sweet romance set in a small town setting with a large cast of interwoven characters who are like family to each other. There’s always a sweet, happy ending in Haven Point!
Since I couldn’t go to the lake, I decided that RaeAnne Thayne’s latest book Summer at Lake Haven would be the next best thing. This is Thayne’s concluding book in her Haven Point series, and what a great wrap-up it is! Samantha Fremont is a creative, sweet, and endearing heroine, and Ian Summerhill is a scholarly, attractive English hero. I enjoyed seeing their relationship grow and develop as they dealt with Ian’s two adorable children and Samantha’s charming puppies.
Thayne is a master at writing heartwarming stories with delightful small-town settings and colorful, lovable, three-dimensional characters. I’ve enjoyed meeting many of the wonderful citizens of Haven Point in previous books in the series, and it was such fun to have some of them pop up again in this one. If you’re looking for a clean, charming read this summer, this book is the one for you. 4.5 stars
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the author/publisher. All opinions are my own.
An enthralling conclusion to the Haven Point series! RaeAnne Thayne gives us a rather shallow character, Samantha Fremont, in previous books in the series. In Summer at Lake Haven, skillful storytelling draws the reader into discovering the real Samantha Fremont. Years of negativity from a domineering mother, Samantha begins to experience “her” life after her mother’s sudden death. Englishman Ian Summerhill and his children rent the home next door while researching the local species of salmon and preparing for his sister’s wedding. The characters in Summer at Lake Haven are well-crafted and emotionally complex. Many tragedies of life are experienced by the main characters – suicide of a loved one, sudden loss of a parent, family obligation, sacrificing for one’s family. The joys of life are also experienced – loving children, puppies, wedding of a loved one, eligible man next door, life-long friendships. The story contained captivating characters. It was a joy to spend time with characters from previous books in the series – Charlene Bailey, Katrina, Eliza Caine, the “helping hands.” Summer at Haven Point is a good choice for anytime of the year, but especially during the summer.
Samantha Fremont sees two children playing near her dock on Lake Haven. She hears a splash, then a scream and runs to the dock. Sam jumps into the frigid water and rescues Thomas Summerhill. Sam meets Ian Summerhill- Thomas’s father- at the dock and notices his blue eyes and tousled appearance. A spark of attraction passes between the couple. I loved the pairing of the quiet, creative Sam with Ian the serious, biology professor, in this novel of second chances.
Samantha Fremont is at a crossroads. Her dream is to design bespoke wedding gowns. Her mother’s sudden death has presented a series of challenges for her. She has inherited her family’s lakeside home as well as her mother’s busy dress shop. The dress shop requires her attention-supervising her employees, ordering merchandise and assisting clients. Creating these special gowns is her heart’s desire and managing the store means she has less time to focus doing what she loves. Ian lives and breathes for his studies. He spends his mornings on the lake studying salmon and the afternoons with his children. Sam adores Ian’s children and is drawn to him. She realizes that Ian has his own set of challenges .Ian is coming to terms with his brother’s death, his divorce followed by ex-wife’s death. He is trying to balance family responsibilities with his love of teaching.
Summer at Lake Haven is a character driven story. I loved the author’s decision to have the Summerhills rent the house next door for a month. Sam and Ian had a month to figure out if they wanted to remain friends or pursue a relationship. Loved the couple’s passionate kisses by the lake and the truly romantic slow burn relationship the author creates for the couple. I was invested in their story from the first few pages of the novel. Both Sam and Ian were lonely – this realization pulled at my heartstrings .Both of them were afraid to step out of their comfort zone. This important piece resonated with me. Loved the conflict in the story; Sam and Ian had to overcome past mistakes, move past self-doubts and embrace the possibility of change.
RaeAnne Thayne draws you into Summer at Lake Haven with her romantic prose but’s it was her characters emotional, poignant journey that kept me reading. I loved reading about their dreams, hopes, friends and family.
If you are looking for a romantic, second chance love story with all the feels, pick up a copy of Summer at Lake Haven. Settle in with a glass of wine and enjoy!
Very enjoyable. This is a heartwarming and touching story of two people who feel trapped in the lives they have until they find each other and learn that love can change everything. The writing is superb and you will fall in love with Ian’s kids just like I did. Oh and did I mention there are puppies!! A nerdy professor with an accent no less, cute kids, and adorable puppies. What better recipe for a terrific romance is there? Definitely a book I recommend to everyone.
The latest book in the series features Samantha Fremont, a character who was somewhat iffy in earlier books. In this book, we find out why Sam was so focused on landing a man and why she never really has left the community to follow her dreams.
One of the interesting parts of the book is the arrival of bride to be Gemma’s brother Ian and his two young children from England. As if that is not enough of an impediment to a romance, he is actually an English Lord and will be moving to the family estate after the wedding. Sam doesn’t know that little tidbit however.
After an initial not “meet cute” introduction, Sam and Ian find themselves spending time together when his children start to look after her dogs while Sam is a work. Sam is also making Gemma’s gown, her own original design. This is a nice slow building romance with a few pushes along the way from friends and family.
I enjoyed the way, Ms. Thayne opened up Sam’s past life and explained why she has the life she does. Ian also has had to make tough decisions after a family tragedy. This provides the backdrop for the resolution of the issues that make this relationship a hard one to pull off given both of their circumstances. A sweet romance and a very enjoyable summer read.
Haven Point Book #11 (Samantha Fremont and Ian Summerhill’s story) by RaeAnne Thayne with the print copy coming out in Mass Market Max and includes a bonus novella, A Haven Point Beginning (Gemma Summerhill and Josh Bailey’s story).
Categorized as a clean and wholesome romance, this story is exactly that. A great beach read set in beautiful Idaho. Samantha Fremont is the owner of a fashion boutique and has just started designing wedding gowns for friends and clients in this small town. She is trying to step out of the shadows of a negative nellie nit picker of a mother who passed away unexpectedly 5 months ago. Throughout the book, you hear “what would my mother say” in typical sarcasm. Poor Samantha. As she is designing and sewing the PERFECT wedding gown for her friend Gemma Summerhill, Samantha meets Gemma’s brother Ian who has come from England for the wedding with his 2 children and nanny. They are renting the cottage next door to her for an extended summer vacation. Ian is a biology professor and spends his days researching salmon in Lake Haven. The two meet as neighbors, but very soon the attraction is too hard to resist as the pair are very well suited for each other. Ian neglects to tell Samantha that he is an Earl and that he will be returning to England to take over his family duties in that capacity. Grab yourself a copy of this beautiful book (just look at the peaceful cover design) and enjoy this sweet story and happy ever after.
I have enjoyed every Lake Haven book and I will be so sorry to see this wonderful series end.
Summer at Lake Haven is a charming story about two lonely people trying to come to terms with what the future has in store for them. Happily ever after looks good on Samantha and Ian.
I read an advanced copy of this book
Ian’s sister has moved to Lake Haven from Britain and is marrying a local. Sam has become one of her good friends and has agreed to design and make her wedding dress. Ian and his two young, adorable children move into the vacation rental next door to Sam. Neither Sam nor Ian is looking for romance, much less a summer fling. In this adorable story, RaeAnne Thayne pulls out all of the cuteness possible with kids, puppies, and a gorgeous Brit to temp Sam. It’s a lite, heartwarming read, just what I needed right now, and I really enjoyed it.
Samantha and Ian have the most lovely story. Neither wants a relationship and both feel drawn to the other. I enjoyed reading about Samantha overcoming her Mother’s negative influence now that she was gone. Sam is a very talented seamstress and designer.
She falls for Ian and his two children before finding out he is a titled Englishman. I can’t leave out the puppies she gets by surprise after buying a dog spontaneously. It’s a fun and entertaining love story
Summer at Lake Haven is another hit for RaeAnne Thayne, she has the ability to pull a person into the book and it is hard to put the book down until you finish. She does such a wonderful jobs bringing the characters to life, and describing the area so that you can see it in your mind. This book will melt your heart, and you can’t help but root for Samantha and Ian. I would definitely recommend this book to others. If it was possible to give half stars I would rate this book a 4.5 stars.
I received a ARC from NetGalley and Harlequin, and this is my fair and honest review of the book.
What do you get when you have two adorable kids, 4 sweet puppies, a woman alone and a British speaking hunk; a story full of pure romance. I thoroughly enjoyed going back to Haven’s Point meeting new characters and catching up with previous townspeople to see how their lives were going. This author has such a talent for bring stories as this one to life. The reader can easily imagine the town, country side, enjoy and get to know very easily each and every character in the story, whether they are the hero and heroine or secondary characters which add such flavor to the plot. Summer at Lake Haven was the perfect ending to this series and a lovely way for Samantha Fremont to get her happy ever after. This story has all the feel goods, with a bit of sadness for what Ian Summerhill and his children had been through which definitely touches the reader’s heartstring. I enjoyed watching Samantha get through the legacy of living with a bitter mother and becoming her own person. Ian’s parents were a fun addition to the story as well.
This is a beautiful story of two people dealing with grief, loneliness, and expectations and their pursuit of happiness. Samantha Fremont’s life is very full right now, with juggling the clothing boutique, her wedding dress design business, and the care of young puppies and cannot be distracted by her temporary handsome neighbor and his two children, but she finds herself drawn to this grieving and precious family. Ian Summerhill is in Haven Point for his sister’s wedding but also plans to spend time with his children in a magic setting before he must return to family obligations in England. It is a wonderful summer and a new beginning for all.
I received an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review; all opinions are my own.
Romance is in the air.
At Lake Haven..
Ian Summerhill has come over from England to Haven point for his sister’s wedding….
But running into Samantha Fremont.. was not part of his plan.. she’s a single woman who is a dressmaker and owns her own shop… his sister’s best friend..
Samantha has lost her mother 6 months ago and work is what gets her through her days. and of course puppies she wasn’t expecting.. she got a dog but the couple she got the dog from didn’t tell her. This Momma was expecting.. what a sweet surprise..
While Ian Summerhill it’s visiting for his sister’s wedding being Samantha’s neighbor.
His two children fall in love with these puppies Samantha offers for them to tend to them throughout the day to give them something to do with a little extra cash..
I’m always happy to read a book by this author she always has such sweet stories…
Thank you raeanne Thayne.
For this early ark
All thoughts in this review are of my own..
Samantha struggled to not listen to her mother’s voice in her head. Her mother died suddenly months ago, but her constant criticism is still playing in Sam’s head. So, when a hunky Englishman and his two adorable children show up next door, she hears her mother telling her not to get starry eyed about the man. Ian is everything Sam wants, but her past reminds her to not get involved. Ian and his children are still reeling from the death of his wife. He is hoping the time they spend in Idaho will help them heal. Sam and her puppies are just the medicine they all needed. But, a long distance relationship? Ian and Sam both have set lives in different continents. Can they make it work?
Summer at Lake Haven has it all–romance, family, children, dogs and a lovely setting! What more could you possibly want?
The romance between Summer and Ian is definitely of the slow burn type. There’s a lot of kissing and then “Oh, no. We shouldn’t” going on. I guess that just makes it that much sweeter when there is finally an agreement somewhere down the road to act on those feelings. Ian’s family obligations sure make it seem impossible for them to get together. But then they are so good together that they really shouldn’t have the option of ignoring what is between them.
The children and the puppies really help round out an already good book. Those children are so dang cute! This is a wonderful sweet, clean romance.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.
Summer at Lake Haven is the eleventh title in RaeAnne Thayne’s Haven Point series, and it’s the seventh novel in the series I’ve read and enjoyed, but for some reason it felt as if there was something missing in this novel, which is why I can only give it a 4-star rating. I liked it, but it didn’t move me as much as some of the previous novels in this series.
We meet Samantha Fremont, the heroine in this story, as she looks out her window at the lake and sees two young children, one male, one female playing on her dock, unsupervised. When the little boy falls into the lake, Samantha rushes out to rescue him. She soon meets their father, Ian Summerhill, a handsome British college professor who has rented the house next door, was told by the realtor that the dock was included in his rental (it wasn’t), and the attraction between these two happens fast. The children, Thomas and Amelia are adorable, and are over the moon when they learn that the dog that Samantha bought as a companion after her mothers’ death 6 months earlier, was pregnant and had just delivered 3 puppies.
Samantha is a seamstress and dress designer, and took over Fremont Fashions, her mother’s retail store after the death of her mother 6 months earlier. Samantha’s father killed himself years earlier when Samantha was just a child and it was then that her mother underwent quite a personality change, becoming very critical, very negative, very pessismistic, and very controlling. As a result, Samantha has low self-esteem, and always manages to hear her mother’s negative voice in her head, something that prevents her from fully experiencing joy, a relationship, and even her own success as her wedding gown designs are stunning and she’s developed quite a following. She’s also aware that her mother used to refer to her as the town flirt, falling in love with every guy she met and dated. Now, Samantha is 30 years old, unmarried, alone, as she sees her friends all finding love and happiness around her.
She’s currently working on her friend Gemma’s wedding gown. Gemma moved to Lake Haven from England, and it’s in Lake Haven that she met and is about to marry the love of her life. It doesn’t take long to discover that Ian is Gemma’s brother and he and his children are only in town for the month of the wedding, while he also does research on a specific type of salmon in the lake. It came as no surprise that Samantha soon found herself falling for the handsome professor and his adorable children. We also learn that he was in the process of divorcing his ex-wife when she was diagnosed with cancer and didn’t have long to live. Ian brought her back into his home and cared for her until her death, thinking that he was done with love and marriage for good. Additionally his older brother, David, had died, and that is, as the British say, the spanner in the works, but that’s all I’ll say about it in this review.
These are interesting characters, I’m already familiar with so many of the characters in this novel who were either featured or became secondary characters in previous novels, but I felt that Samantha spent far too much of her time wondering and worrying about what her mother would say about her decisions to carry more trendy clothing at her shop, about her design for Gemma’s wedding gown, about her attraction to Ian and his children, and every other facet of her life. I kept thinking she needed to visit a psychotherapist, because at age 30, she needed to believe in herself and her own decisions, rather than live her life the way her dead mother might have wanted.
Also, the attraction between Ian and Samantha happened way too quickly, and I’ve never been much of a fan of insta-love romances. Additionally, I missed seeing any real dramatic conflict in this novel. Aside from Ian’s “secret,” most of the novel was spent with Samantha hearing her mother’s voice in her own head, Ian spending a good deal of time is his own head, and nothing much happening outside of that. As a fan of RaeAnne Thayne’s well-written novels, this one just seemed to miss the mark when it came to plot, and while it was an enjoyable read, it wasn’t one of Ms. Thayne’s best.
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of the novel. The opinions expressed as my own.