A beautifully written novel about loss, family relationships, and marriage. the writing was very evocative and thoughtful and the subject of grief and anger was dealt with beautifully. A wonderful read.

I fell in love with the main characters of this book and loved reading about them, especially sisters Alex, Sam, and Jess. The relationship between the three sisters is so realistic and resonating, and despite the drama each sister has, the love and bonds between them is strong and relentless. I was gripped throughout this book and did not want to put it down. I was sad for it to end. This is a new author for me and I am eager to read more by her.

Three grown sisters are unexpectedly reunited at the family cottage when their father tragically dies, leaving them reeling in grief. Added to that is the discovery that he had a mistress which makes them question their whole childhood relationships with the man they thought they knew and loved.

Full of family secrets, relatable motherhood struggles and a poignant exploration of the bonds between sisters. This latest book from Heather Dixon is a perfect beach read for fans of authors like Mary Kay Andrews or Debbie Macomber.

This was a complex and layered domestic drama that is sure to delight lovers of small town stories full of emotional depth and relatable characters. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for early digital and audio copies in exchange for my honest review! I, for one, am excited to see what happens to the sisters in the next book in this new series!

This book started out very strong with the death of the father / husband of the London family. It's one of those convenient heart-attacks that is clearly there just to dispose of the character. The rest of the family then gather at the family lakehouse and uncover secrets. There is drama, love, and family galore. The marked down stars are because there is a little too much telling instead of showing, and there are a couple of elements of the ending that were unsatisfying to me. It felt like the author hadn't quite worked out how to untangle things, so it's a bit rushed and simplistic. Still, a pleasant, dramatic way to spend my reading time.

Their father’s sudden death brings sisters Alex, Sam and Jess back to the family’s lake house to support their mother. Things become complicated when Alex discovers a hidden trove of love letters written to their father and obviously treasured by him. The sisters’ different reactions to this drive this excellent, well-written family drama. While Alex wants to discover the identity of the other woman and exactly what happened between her parents, Sam is dealing with a surprise of her own and Jess is strangely not interested. The three sisters keep their feelings to themselves and that begins to fracture their once close relationship. Alex’ determined search worries her husband and sisters so she hides her disturbing conduct that borders on stalking. Sam is attracted to a handsome neighbor but worries that Jess may be jealous so she keeps it a secret. And Jess…poor Jess has been protecting her family at her expense for almost her whole life.

Last Summer at the Lake House is about families. It’s also about guilt, adultery, lies, suspicion and forgiveness. The sisters have to learn to forgive each other…and themselves. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and Heather Dixon for this ARC.

Last Summer at the Lake House is an intriguing modern family drama that kept me pinned to the pages until I finished reading it (in one sitting). This is a story about death, grief, betrayal and secrets but also life, joy, faithfulness and truth. And surrounding all this is the magnetic power of sisterhood, the healing freedom of forgiveness and the unquestionable need for new beginnings.

Three sisters. Alex, Sam and Jess are drawn back to the Lake House in Summerville—a place of many happy childhood memories and an escape destination during their adult years. But death brings them together this time, after hearing the tragic news that their father has had a sudden heart attack and not survived. They each think of the last time and last words they had with their father. Something I am sure we can all relate to when a loved one of our own has passed.

The sisters are in shock at their sudden loss but they pull themselves together as they must meet and offer support to their mother, help her make arrangements, while processing their grief. Each sister shares her journey so we get three different viewpoints which gives the story complexity. Although we get to know each sister fairly well, the plot mostly revolves around one of them stumbling across some letters written to their father. Who is this woman? And how long did he know her? And to what extent was their relationship? This discovery sets the sisters into a spin as they try to untangle the details of this mystery. And what they discover sends them reeling. It affects them so deeply, it makes them question their father’s integrity and mars their memories of him.

Also, in the mix are three other men: an attractive new neighbour named Hunter, heavy drinker and less than mature boyfriend of Sam’s named Wes and Alex’s steady and understanding husband Ben. It is interesting to see the various relationship dynamics, how they change or become exposed during the many challenges that arise after news of the sister’s father’s passing.

Last Summer at the Lake House is filled with tension and unexpected twists. You can feel the bonds of sisterhood, the desire to protect each other. Even though friction sparks some negative reactions between them while they try to deal with the painful secrets of their father. We see the sisters struggle with their own identity, as they question the past and attempt to resolve the conflicts within and without and between them.

Sometimes uncovering past secrets can cause great harm and alter a person’s memories. Alex is so bent on digging up the truth about her father, she forgets the potential side effects. Until this bomb shatters the hearts of all once it is known. Yet does it set her free? Only when she realises she must forgive that a calmness will wash the residue from her heart and fill the troubled void.

This is a great family novel that is relatable and heart shattering yet carries a strong message of hope and restoration. You will love many things about Jess the writer, Sam the independent woman and Alex the good daughter, mother and wife. And you will find Carol their mother has had her own share of heartaches and carried many wounds. I highly recommend this emotional novel that covers brilliantly some challenging, life-altering topics. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for my review copy.

"Last Summer at the Lake House" is a beautifully crafted family drama that explores the complexities of sisterhood, love, and the enduring bonds that tie a family together. Heather Dixon weaves a poignant and unforgettable tale that will resonate with readers.

The story unfolds with a heart-wrenching phone call that shatters the world of the three sisters, Alex, Sam, and Jess. The loss of their father brings them back to the family lake house in Summerville, where they not only grapple with their grief but also uncover a shocking secret that their father had kept hidden. Alex takes the lead in the search for answers, discovering a cache of love letters that raise questions about the past.

Heather Dixon brilliantly portrays the sisters' individual struggles and the tension that builds as they navigate their grief while trying to protect their mother from further trauma. Each character is thoughtfully developed, with their own distinct reasons for wanting to unearth the truth or avoid it. The family dynamics are authentic and emotionally resonant, making the story relatable to anyone who has experienced loss and secrets within their own family.

Dixon explores how the past can reshape the present and how uncovering hidden truths can lead to unexpected revelations and transformations. As the sisters come to terms with their father's secret history, their lives are forever changed in ways they could never have predicted.

"Last Summer at the Lake House" is a heartfelt narrative that examines the intricacies of sisterhood and marriage, offering readers a compelling story of resilience, rediscovery, and the enduring love that binds a family. This emotionally charged tale illustrates the strength of familial relationships and the power of confronting the past to shape a hopeful future.

"Last Summer at the Lake House" is a moving and thought-provoking exploration of love, loss, and the enduring connections that define a family.

"Heather Dixon's 'Last Summer at the Lake House' is a collage of sisterhood, secrets, and rediscovery. A poignant journey through the heart of family bonds and the power of confronting the past." — A mosaic of secrets and resilience.

"In this emotionally charged narrative, Heather Dixon crafts a mesmerizing exploration of love, loss, and the enduring connections that define a family. 'Last Summer at the Lake House' is a story that will stay with you." — A story that lingers in your heart.

"Dixon's storytelling ability shines in 'Last Summer at the Lake House.' The compelling blend of secrets, revelations, and the strength of sisterhood creates an unforgettable narrative that will resonate with readers of all walks of life." — A narrative of secrets, sisterhood, and hope.

"With her skillful character development and authentic emotion, Heather Dixon invites readers into the intimate world of a grieving family. 'Last Summer at the Lake House' is a beautifully written tale of love, healing, and the power of resilience." — An intimate journey through love and healing.

"Heather Dixon's narrative is a masterful exploration of the past's impact on the present. 'Last Summer at the Lake House' is a mesmerizing journey that seamlessly blends family drama, mystery, and romance, creating a narrative that captivates and enchants." — A mesmerizing blend of drama, mystery, and romance.

"In 'Last Summer at the Lake House,' Heather Dixon captures the essence of family bonds and the secrets that bind us. A tale that will resonate with fans of Mary Alice Munro and Debbie Macomber, this is a story of heartache and rediscovery." — An essence of family bonds and rediscovery.

"With its compelling narrative, 'Last Summer at the Lake House' is an exploration of the hidden truths that shape our lives. Dixon's storytelling is proof of the enduring strength of familial connections and the hope that can be found in the darkest of times." — An exploration of hidden truths and enduring strength.

"Heather Dixon crafts a narrative that speaks to the heart of love and the impact of buried secrets. 'Last Summer at the Lake House' is an unforgettable tale that weaves family, mystery, and rediscovery into a captivating and evocative story." — A tale of love, secrets, and rediscovery.

"In 'Last Summer at the Lake House,' Dixon paints a vivid portrait of family dynamics, and the enduring connections that define us. An emotionally charged narrative that will resonate with anyone who has cherished the bonds of family." — A vivid portrait of family bonds and connections.

"Heather Dixon's storytelling is a revelation. 'Last Summer at the Lake House' is a narrative of love and secrets, woven together in a way that captivates and leaves you yearning for more." — A revelation of love and secrets woven into one captivating narrative.

I received a complimentary copy of this book "Last Summer at the Lake House" and all opinions expressed are my own. Overall I found this book to be ok. I felt bored at times reading as it seemed to drag on.

The Last Summer at the Lake House is my first Novel by Heather Dixon. I enjoyed her writing style and read this book in 2 sittings!

Alex, Sam, and Jess are siblings who are very close, but each so different. The story follows their journey as they grieve the death of their father and try to come to terms with a terrible secret they uncover when some notes are discovered hidden away. As each sister deals with this in her own way, tensions arise that threaten to tear the close-knit family apart.

While I found some parts a little repetitive, I really enjoyed the story. It deals with family bonds, secrets, grief, betrayal, guilt, anxiety, love, and forgiveness. It was heartbreaking at times with many happy moments as well. The author did a great job portraying the impact of overthinking and anxiety, something many can relate to very well. Each character was very relatable, the events plausible, and I could clearly see the setting in my mind - all in all, a nice quick read to curl up with.

Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and the author for a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

•𝕃𝕒𝕤𝕥 𝕊𝕦𝕞𝕞𝕖𝕣 𝔸𝕥 𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕃𝕒𝕜𝕖 ℍ𝕠𝕦𝕤𝕖
•ℍ𝕖𝕒𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕣 𝔻𝕚𝕩𝕠𝕟

3 Sisters hear the news of their Father's passing & return to their family Lake House to start sorting his belongings.

The discovery of a stash of love letters written to their Father sends Alex on a mission to find the author but why aren't her Sisters as outraged?

Family secrets come to light, were their childhood memories all a lie?

This was a lovely read, I empathised with all 3 Sisters & was intrigued to find out the real story.

Thanks to @netgalley for letting me read this.

My first book by @heatherdixonwriter

4🌟

#books #bookstagram #netgalley

Following the sudden death of their father, three sisters discover love notes indicating he had been having an affair.

The blurb suggested that there were lots of secrets for his family to discover, but that was pretty much it. The book explores how they each come to accept that their father wasn’t the man they thought he was, over the course of a summer.

There were a couple of additional characters in the book - the ‘other’ woman and the handsome next-door-neighbour whose purpose in the book was a abundantly clear from the very beginning; definitely no suspense involved there.

It was an ok story but lacking in depth and plot twists with the loose ends tied up far too neatly for my liking.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was really readable and enjoyable although it was poignant as the story explored how three sisters come to terms with their fathers death. I haven't read the author before but certainly would do so again. Many thanks

A lovely story but, sad at times. This one definitely pulled at my heartstrings. Very readable and I'm looking forward to the next one. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

I enjoyed reading this book and seeing how each of three sisters handled grief and learning inconceivable truths about their recently deceased father. I loved the bonds between the sisters and how they each valued the relationships they have with each other and their mother. Small town settings (and especially lake towns) are my favorite, so this was right up my alley! Thank you Net Galley for the ARC!

This book has a lot going for it on a number of fronts, but also a few shortcomings. At the heart of the novel is the London family, consisting of three sisters - Alex, Sam and Jess - raised by loving parents in what's appears to be a picture-perfect childhood.

But appearances, of course, can be deceptive. And it turns out that the London family is no exception. After the sudden and shocking death of John London, all three daughters come up to their cabin by the lake in order to support their mother Carol in taking care of the funeral formalities, and also to spend the summer there together.

But after the eldest daughter Alex finds a stash of love letters written by an unknown woman to her father, everything that the London daughters thought they knew about their parents' marriage is called into question.

Even as Alex becomes fixated on finding out more about her father's love affair, Sam is taken by surprise and emotionally taken over by an unexpected pregnancy, and Jess must deal with her own struggle over how to tell her sisters that she has always known about their father's infidelity.

The strength of this book lies in the sensitivity with which the daughters' shock at the discovery of their beloved father's secrets is handled. And the writer conveys very effectively the pain, trauma and conflict that all of them, particularly Alex and Jess, experience.

Some parts of the book dragged, especially towards the end, where much of what was written felt predictable. I was also less convinced by some of the fault lines that appeared in the three women's relationships with each other (specifically over the issue of their father's lies). Other aspects of the sibling dynamics and their relationships with their mother are conveyed quite convincingly. So I would describe the novel as a slightly mixed bag, but with a strong core in terms of the examination of the three father-daughter relationships.

After the death of their father, sisters Alex, Sam, and Jess return to the family's summer lake house. Not only do they have to help their mother settle things and deal with their own grief and personal issues, but they also discover secrets and betrayals of a father they thought they knew well. Last Summer at the Lake House is a family drama that will keep you turning pages. Thanks to author Heather Dixon, Storm Publishing, and NetGalley. I received a complimentary copy of this ebook. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

This book started out very strong with the death of the father / husband of the London family. It's one of those convenient heart-attacks that is clearly there just to dispose of the character. The rest of the family then gather at the family lakehouse and uncover secrets. There is drama, love, and family galore. The marked down stars are because there is a little too much telling instead of showing, and there are a couple of elements of the ending that were unsatisfying to me. It felt like the author hadn't quite worked out how to untangle things, so it's a bit rushed and simplistic. Still, a pleasant, dramatic way to spend my reading time.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-Arc in exchange for an honest review.

Before my grandma died she revealed the location of a secret collection of letter written to her by a man named Henry. They were to find the letter before grandpa found them and let Henry know that Grandma was gone.
Maybe we weren't upset because grandma was a badass or because grandpa was a step grandpa. I don't know. No one felt betrayed at all.
They were in love before grandpa married our grandpa and didn't get together after that divorce because by then he was married to someone else. WWII did a number on romances.
So anyway, these girls find some illicit love letters and feel betrayed. Maybe that's how Henry's family felt.
Love is complicated and I guess so is grief.
My point is the book made me feel things and that's a good book every time.

This was a great book! I laughed, cried, and was angry during this book! I read it in one day cause I had to know what happened! I would definitely recommend this book!

After finding a deep family secret after their father passes away, three sisters deal with the outcome. The story revolves how wach sister deals with the secret only to find out that nothing matters more than the unconditional love of family.