26. Summer at the Lake by Linda Barrett
Prompt: book with one of the four seasons in the title
Synopsis:
Veteran NY cop, Rick Cooper, heads to his family’s lake house after losing a hostage negotiation, resulting in the death a child. He brings only his dog and his saxophone for company. His agenda includes lots of fishing while figuring out an appropriate career change.
Single mom, Kristin McCarthy hears the sound of the saxophone gliding through the night air…a healing sound for her daughter. She begins a search for the person who can play so beautifully. Her high hopes fall, however, when the musician turns out to be a cop. The police fell short when she and Ashley needed them most. But still…if this cop could make a difference…if he can help Ashley…well, Kristin would do anything for her young daughter.
An attractive widow with a damaged kid are the last people Rick needs in his life, and he tries hard to remain aloof. The ladies, however, knock down his barriers simply by being themselves. Fearful but brave, smart but silly. Before long, warm feelings grow between him and Kristin. Feelings that spark potential for a future together.
However, before Kristin allows herself to dream, Rick must prove he’s a man she and her daughter can trust. Can they count on him forever?
Single mom, Kristin McCarthy hears the sound of the saxophone gliding through the night air…a healing sound for her daughter. She begins a search for the person who can play so beautifully. Her high hopes fall, however, when the musician turns out to be a cop. The police fell short when she and Ashley needed them most. But still…if this cop could make a difference…if he can help Ashley…well, Kristin would do anything for her young daughter.
An attractive widow with a damaged kid are the last people Rick needs in his life, and he tries hard to remain aloof. The ladies, however, knock down his barriers simply by being themselves. Fearful but brave, smart but silly. Before long, warm feelings grow between him and Kristin. Feelings that spark potential for a future together.
However, before Kristin allows herself to dream, Rick must prove he’s a man she and her daughter can trust. Can they count on him forever?
My Review:
This was a good, heartfelt romance. Kristin and Rick are struggling to come to terms with tragic experiences that happened to a child while under their care. As they come together to help Ashley regain her confidence and strength, Kristin and Rick form a simple friendship. It was filled with sincerity as it slowly developed into a warm romance.
At the forefront of this story was the healing and recovery of Ashley after she endured sexual assault/abuse. The author did an incredible job of dealing with such a sensitive topic, all the while avoiding the actual attack on the page. Everyone reacts differently when they suffer a trauma. For Ashley, she shut down completely. No parent wants to see their child hurt and unable to express their feelings and like any other parent, Kristin would do anything to help her daughter enjoy life again, to regain the innocence of childhood back. With the help of a therapy dog and music brought by Rick unexpectedly, Ashley begins to recover and get back to what she loves to do. Obviously, I don't think anyone gets over a traumatic event in a short amount of time, as in the pages of a book, but it was still nice to see Ashley start her way on her healing journey.
What I enjoyed the most about this book was how much music was incorporated into the story. Ashley's father was a musician who passed it on to his daughter, even though he died several years prior. Ashley, herself, is considered to be a music prodigy and plays the piano and flute. Rick and his family are also music players. I, myself, have played the piano. I also tried playing the flute, but I ended up quitting because the music teacher was horrible. She didn't really teach and expected you to know everything right off the bat and yes, starting with the very first lesson.
Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!
~Meg~
At the forefront of this story was the healing and recovery of Ashley after she endured sexual assault/abuse. The author did an incredible job of dealing with such a sensitive topic, all the while avoiding the actual attack on the page. Everyone reacts differently when they suffer a trauma. For Ashley, she shut down completely. No parent wants to see their child hurt and unable to express their feelings and like any other parent, Kristin would do anything to help her daughter enjoy life again, to regain the innocence of childhood back. With the help of a therapy dog and music brought by Rick unexpectedly, Ashley begins to recover and get back to what she loves to do. Obviously, I don't think anyone gets over a traumatic event in a short amount of time, as in the pages of a book, but it was still nice to see Ashley start her way on her healing journey.
What I enjoyed the most about this book was how much music was incorporated into the story. Ashley's father was a musician who passed it on to his daughter, even though he died several years prior. Ashley, herself, is considered to be a music prodigy and plays the piano and flute. Rick and his family are also music players. I, myself, have played the piano. I also tried playing the flute, but I ended up quitting because the music teacher was horrible. She didn't really teach and expected you to know everything right off the bat and yes, starting with the very first lesson.
Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!
~Meg~
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