Lost Lake. Finished 3-19-14, rating 4.25/5, fiction, 294 pages. pub. 2014
Suley, Georgia, is home to Lost Lake Cottages and not much else. Which is why it’s the perfect place for newly-widowed Kate and her eccentric eight-year-old daughter Devin to heal. Kate spent one memorable childhood summer at Lost Lake, had her first almost-kiss at Lost Lake, and met a boy named Wes at Lost Lake. It was a place for dreaming. But Kate doesn’t believe in dreams anymore, and her Aunt Eby, Lost Lake’s owner, wants to sell the place and move on. Lost Lake’s magic is gone. As Kate discovers that time has a way of standing still at Lost Lake can she bring the cottages—and her heart—back to life? Because sometimes the things you love have a funny way of turning up again. And sometimes you never even know they were lost . . . until they are found.
from Goodreads
There are so many things to love about Allen’s writing. She has a light, lyrical quality that encourages fast and happy reading. And even though I always consider her books happy, she embraces difficult topics, like how to move on when who you love has died. Her characters are always so true and somewhat quirky and the icing on the cake is the magic that movies the story along. All of these make her books a delight to read. This was no exception.
Kate, her lively daughter Devin, and her great-aunt Eby are great anchors to this story of never giving up. Strong females at different stages in life but able to lean on each other as family. Kate, once she had woken up from her year of grief, saw Devin’s spirit and let her be exactly who she wanted to be. It was heartwarming.
Lost Lake made me wish it were a real place so I could make my reservations today. I loved the idea of the whole town getting behind Eby so she doesn’t sell her property. I loved each unique character’s back story. They were all engaging. I loved the romance of Paris. This is great Southern fiction with charm and the magic of childhood.
My only complaint is that it needed to be longer. It felt somewhat unfinished, or maybe just hurried. Or maybe it’s just that I didn’t it to end because I have to wait so long for another one to be written!
There’s a Facebook Quiz to see which character you’d be and I got Kate- “Who you are now is not who you started out to be. Your life is a journey. You follow the signs. Even when you’re lost, you don’t lose faith that you will get to where you’re supposed to be eventually.” If you take the quiz come back and tell me what character you got, I’d love to know!
I received this book from She Reads. Go on over and see what other bloggers think about this one.
I ended up with two copies of this one so I’m giving one away. Let me know you want it by leaving a comment and including your email address. And if you want to earn extra entries you can visit (or revisit) yesterday’s Lost quiz. I’ll draw a winner Monday at noon.
Stacy's Books 
I love her books!
Jpetroroy at gmail dot com
Reblogged this on infodespacho.
I’ve never read her work but I’m really anxious to. I met her and she is just charming. No need to enter me.
I can see that she would be 🙂
Well said! You capture in your review much of what I myself enjoyed about this novel.
She is talented, isn’t she?
I agree with everything you said about this book. I loved it.
I’m not surprised we agreed 🙂
I have yet to read this series. It’s on my must read list though. Maybe someday!
It’s not a series. They are all separate books, they just share a magical element.
That is good to know!
I’d like to read this one.
I haven’t read anything by Sarah Addison Allen yet either but I keep seeing wonderful reviews.
I’ve not read her work but I would like to do so. Please count me in.
Hi Stacy! As I think I’ve mentioned before, I absolutely love Sarah’s books! Don’t have this one yet and would love to win it. .. Catardiff at aol dot com … I think I first picked up one of her books because of one of your reviews. Have you read any of the Ladybug Farm series by Donna Ball? It’s light and upbeat reading, like Sarah. Also love Beth Hoffman (Saving Cee Cee Honeycutt). As always, your generosity is much appreciated..
I’m so glad that I started you on your SAA journey! That makes me feel good. I’ll add the Ladybug Farm series to my wishlist. Thanks forthe recommendation!
I loved it too and I got Kate in the quiz 🙂
We are kindred spirits 🙂
I enjoyed this book as well.
The monthly books are consistently great, aren’t they?
I’ve read a couple of her books, and they just don’t do it for me. I don’t hate them, but I don’t fall in love with them either. But boy does she have her fan club. I am definitely in the minority.
It happens. There are books I feel like I should love that annoy me 🙂
pick me pick me please!!!! I ADORE Sarah Addison Allen but have not had a chance to get this book yet! email address: stacy@thenovellife.com
This book would be wonderful. Thanks for this giveaway.
She is one of my favorite authors. As soon as I finish one of her books, I am anxious for the next one to be published. I think Garden Spells is still my favorite, but Lost Lake was great too.
Garden Spells still my favorite too 🙂
Would love to read this! cytljjb @ gmail com
It says a lot that you wanted it to be longer. I’ve heard great things about this author but I haven’t read any of her books yet. Sounds like I need to change that!