Welcome back to Sweetwater Springs, North Carolina for a heartwarming second-chance romance between a quirky café owner and a handsome park ranger.With summer just around the corner, Emma St. James is eagerly planning a 5K run at Sweetwater Springs National Park. But first she needs the help of one charming, rugged, and handsome park ranger. Her brief high school romance with Jack Hershey may … Jack Hershey may have ended in heartbreak, but Emma can’t deny that he still gives her butterflies. So when Jack responds to her request with an all-too-tempting plea to pretend to be his girlfriend for the summer, how can she say no?
Jack would do anything for his sister — even pretend to give up his bachelor life to care for his nephew. Passing his days with his high school sweetheart guarantees one long, hot summer — but only because every moment together leaves him wanting a real relationship. He can’t imagine spending another season without Emma by his side. Can he convince her to give their love a second chance before the summer draws to a close?
Includes the bonus novella A Fairytale Bride!
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This was another great book by Annie Rains that just warms your heart and makes you smile. It is a mix of friends to lovers and second chance tropes. Emma and Jack had a chance to get more than friendship from their relationship when they were younger, but a wrench was thrown into the works and they were back to friends before anything could even develop. They were then friends for years until a small fib to Jack’s sister threw them together as a couple. Will anything happen this time.
Lovely characters and a great plot made for a wonderful feel good romance that makes for a great summer read.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.
I’ve enjoyed every book in this series and this one is no exception. It is a fun, banter filled second chance romance that makes you laugh and keeps you completely entertained. Emma and Jack are amazing characters and I wanted them to be together from the very beginning. The book is very well written with a nice easy pace to the story. Definitely a recommended read.
I really enjoy this author so I was excited to get this book and sit down and read it. I really feel like this book was about healing and forgiveness and finding your true self. I really liked Emma she wanted to have it all together but she still wanted to please people as well so she really was looking to find herself. She really had her heart broken in the past and turning 30 has her really thinking and making hard decisions. Jack was easy to fall in love with. I liked how the author didn’t try and make the characters perfect. I liked reading again about Dawanda and her cappuccino readings you truly never know what’s going to come out of her mouth next. There were so many fun sub characters that I want to know more about and read their stories. I love how the story draws you in and keeps you going to the end. There is adult talk but over all this book was totally worth the read and you can’t go wrong. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.”
This story touched all of my emotions with its wonderful characters and the struggles they went through. Emma lost her mom and grandmother to cancer and she is afraid when she turned thirty that she would end up like them.
Then there is Jack, who has struggled with being a recovering alcoholic and having a dad, who is also an alcoholic and a sister, Amanda who has her own addiction issues. It was also a story of love, family and the beautiful, small town of Sweetwater with its wonderful, helpful people who were not perfect, but they still loved each other. I liked how the secrets and lies eventually were exposed and had to be dealt with. I really liked what Emma did to honor her mom’s memory and how she came to like her stepmom. I think this is my favorite book in this wonderful series. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.
Sunshine on Silver Lake is the fifth book in the Sweetwater Springs series. It is a sweet story with endearing characters. Jack and Emma were a wonderful couple with great chemistry. Jack asks Emma to pretend to be his girlfriend but, it won’t be long before it turns into something real. This is a wonderful story and I would recommend it.
This book will just tug on your heartstrings. Emma St. James is a strong accomplished woman. She is a people pleaser through and through. This year she is having a crisis of her own and doesn’t want anyone to know. Least of all Jack Hershey, the one that broke her heart. Now Jack Hershey is a forest ranger. He is an all around nice guy but his heart has belong to only one woman and he can’t cross the line. The fates are intervening. No more lies or half truths. He does win the lady of his dreams.
I am glad the author did justice to the two issues that figured prominently in the book.
This was a Summer on Silver Lake that was not where two people who grew up together never thought that things would turn out they way they had over the years. Emma St. James 30th birthday had come and she didn’t like it at all. It was the age she should have yearly woman’s wellness check up. But she was scared because of this was the age her mom has left her. She didn’t want to know if that was going to happen to her. So she cancelled and never rescheduled her appointment. So this year she was going to spend her birthday alone. Until Jack Hershey came into the Café and wanted to wish her a happy birthday and she stopped him. He left her three Hershey kisses on the counter. Everyone wanted her to go out for her birthday but she wasn’t into it this year she said she had plans. This was suppose to be a quiet evening home for her. But Jack showed up and things changed. Jack ended up with his nephew this summer. Jack and Emma where started out pretend boyfriend and girlfriend. Jack explained what happened to him at her prom night and Emma explained why she didn’t want a birthday this year. Sam told everyone was keeping things from him. He went to work with Emma at the Café and Emma planned a 5k race in honor of her mom. This is an emotional and story that I cried and laughed through but It was as you read more about Emma St. James and Jack Hershey you will fall in love with them just as much as I did. Annie got the characters to fit together just right.
Wow! This book is just amazing. It is so sweet and incredibly heartfelt. Whenever I picked up “Sunshine on Silver Lake”, I was whisked away to the lovely Sweetwater Springs, and I truly fell in love with the characters and town.
While this is the 5th book in Annie Rain’s “Sweetwater Springs” series, I believe it can be read as a stand-alone novel as well. This is the first of Ms. Rain’s books I have read, and I can’t wait to read more as this has just become one of my favorite series! Ms. Rain’s brings the fictional town to life in such an exquisite way, and I could really envision everything. Her characters all feel like such real people, and all of their interactions felt incredibly authentic. Their wants, fears, and needs are written in such a realistic way, and I was drawn in from the very first page to the last.
Emma, a café owner, and Jack, a ranger at the local park, have been friends since childhood. Perhaps they have hoped to be more than friends! Emma decides to put on a 5k in memory of her mother, and Jack works where Emma is hoping to hold it. He promises to try to figure out a way for Emma’s event to be held on such short notice. Furthermore, Jack’s sister asks him to watch his nephew, and Jack asks Emma to pretend to be his girlfriend when a misunderstanding occurs. What ensues is hilarious, entertaining, tugs at your heart strings, and is so moving.
(Possible spoilers!)
I truly found myself rooting for these two from the beginning.
It is so clear how drawn they are to one another, and many a moment had me squealing in delight as they realize and begin to act on their true feelings for each other. And Barnaby, Emma’s dog, is just so precious my goodness!
If you enjoy contemporary romance I highly recommend this book! I could not put it down, and could not wait to see how everything worked out. Some moments had me laughing out loud, some had me in tears, and everything just flowed absolutely brilliantly.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the ARC of this novel, and to Forever for sending me a finished copy of the book as well! I so enjoyed it!! All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
*Please Note: There are some heavier topics addressed in this book. I believe that they are handled beautifully and with the upmost respect by the author.
Thanks to NetGalley and Forever for the complimentary copy of this book.
Sunshine on Silver Lake by Annie Rains is an enjoyable small town romance. The book centers around Emma, a cafe owner, and Jack, a local park ranger. The two grew up together and have a rocky past but have still remained friends.
A lot of the book revolves around Emma and her dealing with emotions revolving around her mom’s death from breast cancer. I thought the book did a good job addressing issues of grief and the fears that people can have when a family member passes away from a hereditary disease. The book also delves into Jack and his family’s history of alcoholism. The author takes on difficult topics and addresses them in a very thoughtful way.
I think this book would appeal to readers that like some substance to their romance novels but don’t want the drama dragged out for too long. I’d also consider this one a fade to black romance so it is perfect for those that like low steam.
I’m always happy to visit Sweetwater Springs, or really any Annie Rain’s fictional world, because I know I’m always going to get an engaging story with complex characters.
Emma is a very tough but to crack. She is a successful cafe owner who’s well liked, so it seems on the surface like she’s got it all together. But years after her mom has passed, she not any closer to coming to grips with her loss. And the possible effects that her mom’s death may also have on her own health are keeping Emma from having a full life.
Jack would love a chance with Emma, but he’s not going to get one unless he can explain standing her up on the night of the big dance. Jack has his own issues he has yet to share with Emma or any other friends, and now he has his nephew in town, while Jack’s sister wages her own battle. As expected, complications ensue!
While there are some serious themes in the book, there is a lot of love and laughter, as well. Jack and Emma need to open their eyes and really see the other. They need to trust others as well as themselves to be able to move on with their lives. They are a great couple that the reader can’t help to cheer for.
Yet another great addition to my library from the wonderful Ms. Rains.
So happy to be back in the Town of Sweetwater Springs.
Stop and get a cup of coffee with Emma at her shop…And don’t forget to go and get some of the best chocolate and some flowers and go walk a trail where Jack works. It’s a town where you want a house right in the middle. Did not want it to end…now I’m waiting on the next book…lol
What a delightful book to lose myself in during these days of the coronavirus! Absolutely delightful! This is book #5 set in Sweetwater Springs, North Carolina, but since the main characters change in each book each can be read as a standalone. The principal characters in my latest visit to this charming town were Emma St. James, the cafe owner, and Jack Hershey, the park ranger. These two have a past based on childhood friendship and the fact that Jack stood Emma up for her senior prom. So, yes, they have a friendship, but Emma is a little leery of taking the relationship further since she remembers prom night like it was yesterday. Reading this book was like stepping away from reality and into the pages of a funny and heart-warming romance. The characters were so realistic that as I read it was like I could actually hear them talking to each other in my living room. If you enjoy happily ever after books with some rugged territory before the finale, then this book is for you. It was a fun and fast read, and I loved it!
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary hard copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
Emma and Jack’s story was way more angsty than I was expecting but it had so much love and support that I was completely sucked in.
There’s two pretty heavy topics in this book that sometimes can be hard to get right but both were dealt with respect and dignity. Without giving any spoilers, it’s clear that these were handled with care and some research was done. One of them I can be pretty judgey about but I have zero complaints.
Every visit to Sweetwater Springs has been a heartwarming escape. Every book introduces more characters that I want to see get their own HEA.
Annie Rains writes a captivating, second chance romance which features café owner Emma St. James and park ranger Jack Hershey. Sunshine on Silver Lake is my favorite book in the Sweetwater Spring series!! I adored the pairing of Emma and Jack! Their long- term friendship, the couple’s easy back and forth banter and the sparks of attraction that filled the air each time Jack gave Emma a Hershey’s Kiss drew me immediately into the novel.
The attraction between Jack and Emma—it is off the charts…and so very complicated. Jack broke Emma’s heart over ten years ago when he stood her up for her prom. Emma doesn’t know why Jack didn’t take her to prom. Even though she is attracted to him, Emma can’t let go of the hurt. They are strictly friends. Jack’s mom asks him to deliver a box to Emma. The box and its contents drew me into the story and set the stage for Emma’s journey.
Jack is my favorite Annie Rains hero. He made a huge mistake, learned from it and turned his life around. He is a kind man, who is devoted to his family and dedicated to his job. He understands that Emma is dreading her 30th birthday and wants to be there for her. There are a few complications; Emma’s father dislikes him, Jack’s nephew, Sam, is staying with him for the summer and Sam believes Emma and Jack are a couple.
Loved that the author dealt with the couple’s fears. Emma was afraid she was going to be diagnosed with breast cancer like her mom and grandmother. Jack did not want to be drawn into substance abuse like his sister and father. Jack’s decision to abstain from alcohol and Emma’s anxiety about her birthday and mammogram were perfectly written. I emphasized with Emma’s real fear and could relate to Jack’s choice. Both learned valuable lessons from their parents.
Emma organizes a 5k to honor her mother and to make a difference in people’s lives. Emma benefited the most from the run as she learned to confront her fears, to accept her mother’s death and to forgive Jack. The couple’s slow burn romance unfolds perfectly. Loved how Jack really wanted to be a better person for Emma and that he wanted more than friendship. Loved catching up with Brenna, Halona Granger and Luke and the other characters in the series. –
Sunshine on Silver Lake is filled with friends, family and love. Emma and Jack’s friends to lovers story will tug at your heart strings-it’s emotional, swoony and very romantic. Who can resist a man who carries Hershey’s kisses in his pocket?
Powerful, life-affirming romance!
Jack and Emma have been friends forever, dating back to their mothers’ friendship. One misstep years ago forced Jack to give up any dreams he had of pursuing more with Emma, until the one summer that his nephew comes to stay with him and he finds himself needing Emma to pretend to be his girlfriend for a while.
Emma has always harbored a crush on Jack and doesn’t understand what went wrong on that long-ago prom night, so she’s naturally hesitant to let her guard down during this season of pretending. Besides, she’s got her mind focused on fulfilling her late mother’s Life List while figuring out just how she’s going to come to terms with her own list of what-ifs and what can’t be avoided.
The story’s vibrant characters and enchanting small-town setting made this a non-stop read for me. The author finds romance around every corner, and I couldn’t help but fall in love with both Emma and Jack as they help each other conquer every obstacle in their path. If you like intensely-romantic stories (even with closed-door intimacy) you’ll love this beautiful love story. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
I absolutely loved this book! This was exactly the escape I needed from the craziness of life right now! This is definitely one of my favorite books in this series. Emma and Jack were such wonderful characters, and I loved their development and back stories. All the side characters were interesting and added a lot to the story. And the town of Sweetwater Springs feels like it’s own rich character. I so wish it was a real place I could go escape to right now! Another great book from Annie Rains! I can’t wait for the next Sweetwater Springs book to come out so I can visit again!
When Emma made a promise to her late mother that she would carry out her bucket list she never thought it would lead her to her high school beau Jack Hershey. She has signed up to complete a 5K run in support of the Women’s Wellness Center, as well as, plan the whole thing. But in order to get it added to the communities activity calendar at the National Park she needs the help of the town’s park ranger, who just so happens to be her ex high school boyfriend Jack. She knows working alongside him is going to be a test for her emotions and her heart… but nothing could have prepared her the deal Jack throws her way!
Sunshine on Silver Lake is a heartwarming second chance romance that is destined to have your heart skipping a beat with every page you turn! Watching these two fall for one another all over again, while trying to maintain a fake relationship was not only entertaining, but definitely good for my heart. They both tried their darnedest to keep things platonic, but their hearts were determined to lead them another way. With their first interaction all those old feelings came back, as well as some of the doubts, and they had Jack struggling to work his way back into the heart he broke. Emma just couldn’t seem to let go of the hurt he left behind. Jack definitely had his work cut out for him, but it was a challenge he handled perfectly. This was a bit of a slow burn type romance, taking plenty of time to mature, even though the sparks were evident at first glance. They had a lot of damage to repair and drama to sort out, but once they found their way it was nothing but happiness and all consuming love. I enjoyed this latest installment to the series, it’s pages held many moments that left me smiling, and had my heartstrings feeling a nice little tug! Highly recommend!
I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest and unbiased opinion.
The fifth book in the amazing Sweetwater Springs Series has me longing to visit such an amazing and fictional town. Sweetwater Springs Cafe owner Emma and her childhood friend Jack have come to a point where friendship is not enough. What begins as a make believe relationship suddenly transitions into something more but will Jack’s past mistakes and Emma’s fear of the future keep them from following their hearts? This magical series has had me from book one and continues to draw me in deeper with each chapter! Author Annie Rains has written a best selling series, about true to life issues, that will melt the hardest of hearts! I am anxiously awaiting the next book in my favorite hometown series!
This is a well written book that holds your attention from the first page until the last. It is so much more than a small town second chance romance. It has the whole range of emotions and you call feel every one of them. It will make you laugh, cry and feel every emotion in between. Emma and Jack’s story was a joy to read and it has a wonderful sounding recipe at the end. Thank you Forever (Grand Central Publishing) via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this wonderful book. All opinions expressed are my own.
3.5 stars
ARC received via Netgalley for an honest review
Heading back to Sweetwater Springs is like heading home. It has been one of my favourite series these past couple of years.
I have been looking forward to cafe owner Emma’s story – though I do end up craving baked goodies as I read.
Whilst I like Sunshine on Silver Lake, it wasn’t my favourite story in the series. I liked Jack and I liked Emma, I just didn’t get drawn into their romance. I got irritated at Emma for about the first 35% of the story, then I warmed up to her. Jack was adorable right from the start, and I may have yelled at my reader to walk away, she’s not worth it hahah.
I adore the town and it’s people, and love seeing bits of the other characters we have already met and fallen in love with.
I am looking forward to more of Sweetwater Springs