Frances F. (quiltgal) reviewed Up at Butternut Lake (Butternut Lake, Bk 1) on + 51 more book reviews
The story line held my interest, but the overall plot was rather predictable. Fine for a light beach read.
Kristin D. (kdurham2813) reviewed Up at Butternut Lake (Butternut Lake, Bk 1) on + 753 more book reviews
Check out the full review Kritters Ramblings
Allie is a young mother who has been widowed due to war and is trying to make a new home for her and her son without the memories that linger in their previous hometown. She returns to a lake house from her childhood where there are a few people who knew her before this most recent tragedy in her life.
The minor characters had a story of their own which added to the story, but didn't distract. The owner of the local diner is a recent empty nester and is really feeling the loneliness without her daughter at home. Jax is a mom of three with the fourth on the way and has kept a secret from her husband and she must confront this to move her marriage forward. I enjoyed having these full stories settle within Allie's story.
Allie is a young mother who has been widowed due to war and is trying to make a new home for her and her son without the memories that linger in their previous hometown. She returns to a lake house from her childhood where there are a few people who knew her before this most recent tragedy in her life.
The minor characters had a story of their own which added to the story, but didn't distract. The owner of the local diner is a recent empty nester and is really feeling the loneliness without her daughter at home. Jax is a mom of three with the fourth on the way and has kept a secret from her husband and she must confront this to move her marriage forward. I enjoyed having these full stories settle within Allie's story.
Kimberly N. (kimberlyrav) -
A wonderful summer read! This is the book you would take with you on vacation. It brings out all the nostalgia of summer. A log cabin, a lake, a boat, a thunderstorm or two and a romance. I am more of a mystery read person, but this book really grabbed me and didn't let up till the end.
The main character Allie, has lost her husband in Afghanistan, from running up on an IED. She has a young son and decides to move away from the home her son has ever known to a cabin by the lake that belongs to her deceased grandfather, a place called Butternut Lake. She comes to Butternut to get away from people, places and things. Longing for privacy and peace, but that is the last thing she gets.
The book is full of situations a lot of people face in life. One thing Allie has to learn is whether to hide away and let the world go on without her or should she leave the past behind and face the world, learn to live again.
I highly recommend this book. Just a real to life, honest to goodness great read!
The main character Allie, has lost her husband in Afghanistan, from running up on an IED. She has a young son and decides to move away from the home her son has ever known to a cabin by the lake that belongs to her deceased grandfather, a place called Butternut Lake. She comes to Butternut to get away from people, places and things. Longing for privacy and peace, but that is the last thing she gets.
The book is full of situations a lot of people face in life. One thing Allie has to learn is whether to hide away and let the world go on without her or should she leave the past behind and face the world, learn to live again.
I highly recommend this book. Just a real to life, honest to goodness great read!
Annetta D. (abdunham) reviewed Up at Butternut Lake (Butternut Lake, Bk 1) on + 415 more book reviews
Loved this new series by Mary McNear. Touching, funny, poignant and sad all in one! A great read and can't wait to read the next one in the series.
Marilyn M. (IndulgeYourself) -
I really enjoyed this cozy romance novel. This is the first book in a small series (maybe a trilogy?). I live in the Midwest so I loved the "up north" lake setting, the small town life, the characters. I was fully invested in all of the characters and for the most part it was very realistic. Only parts of Jax's story I felt were a bit unrealistic. It was an easy, enjoyable read that had so many elements - women's friendship, grief, romance with just the right amount of sizzle, motherhood, etc. I am ordering the next book int he series right away as I want to keep reading about these people and this community. I would definitely recommend this one.
