Susan's Review of The Summer Cottage by Annie Rains

This summer, they'll learn that home is where the heart is.

Somerset Lake is the perfect place for Trisha Langly and her son to start over. As the new manager for the Somerset Cottages, Trisha is instantly charmed by the property's elderly residents and her firecracker of a new boss, Vi Fletcher. But Trisha is less enchanted by Vi's protective grandson Jake. No matter how tempting she finds the handsome lawyer, Trisha knows that if Jake discovers the truth about her past, she'll lose the new life she's worked so hard to build.

Jake Fletcher left Somerset Lake after a tragic loss, but he's returning for the summer to care for his beloved grandmother, hoping Vi will sell the run-down cottages and finally slow down. There's just one problem: Trisha, Vi's new employee. She's smart, beautiful, and kind, but Jake's job is to protect his grandmother's interests, and his gut is telling him Trisha's hiding something that could jeopardize Vi's future. However, as they spend summer days renovating the property and bonding over their love for the town, Jake realizes that Trisha is a risk worth taking--if only she can trust him with her secrets . . . and her heart.

Annie Rains is one of my favorite authors. Her compelling characters, their stories, and descriptive voice me into her stories. Ms. Rains crafts a fabulous story for Trisha Langly and Jake Fletcher. Loved the plot premise- Trisha has been hired by Jake’s grandmother to oversee her rental cottages while Jake’s parents have asked him to convince his grandmother to sell the properties.

Grandmother Vi has asked them to work together to bring the cottages back to life. The chemistry simmered between Jake and Trisha as they worked side by side renovating the cottages, spent time with Trisha’s son Petey and attended community events. The couple’s slow burn romance was perfectly paced- loved reading how their friendship became so much more.

Love Annie Rains’ descriptive voice. I could picture Jake and Trisha sitting on the dock watching the sunset over Somerset Lake. I could hear Petey asking Jake a zillion questions about fishing, camping and flying. Loved the chapter where Trisha attended Tess’s book club. Trisha expected to be part of a book discussion—she left being part of a circle of supportive friends.

The Summer Cottage pulled at my heartstrings because Trisha made a difficult choice to move from Sweetwater Springs to Somerset Lake. She realized that she and Petey needed a fresh start. I loved the themes of honesty, forgiveness and hope in the novel. Family, home and community were important to Trisha and Jake—this made the book a 5 star read for me!

I adored the author’s Sweetwater Springs series. I am glad I joined Trisha and Petey in Somerset Lake! Loved the characters of Vi, Mr. S, Della Rose and Lucy and can’t wait to read more about them!

I highly recommend The Summer Cottage-- It’s a beautifully written small town romance filled with love, family drama and fantastic characters. Kick off your flip flops, grab a glass of wine and settle in for a heartfelt, sweet romance at Somerset Lake!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman
ARC from the publisher

Interview with Annie Rains

Susan: The Summer Cottage features Trisha and Petey Langley who were featured in the last Sweetwater Springs novel Reunited on Dragonfly Lane. Why did you choose Trisha and Petey to cross over to the new series?

Annie Rains: To be honest, characters sometimes just show up and demand to have their stories told. That’s what Trisha did. I didn’t know quite yet that my Sweetwater Springs series was over when she took her place as Sophie’s best friend in Reunited on Dragonfly Lane. Trisha’s move from Sweetwater Springs to Somerset Lake seemed like a natural next step for her at the end of book 7, and for me as well. It felt serendipitous in a way.

Susan: I loved getting to know Trisha and Petey and seeing them settle into Somerset Lake. I enjoyed reading about their journey—the road towards healing, trust and acceptance was not easy. The themes give the reader so much to think about. Was it difficult to write their story?

Annie Rains: Actually, I felt like Trisha’s and Petey’s story came very easy for me. I think everyone at some point in their lives has kept an aspect of their life hidden for fear of rejection from others, whether it be where you live, what you do, or what’s going on in your home life. I pulled from that one thread to write Trisha’s story. It’s hard to truly connect to someone else when you’re closed off the way Trisha is in the beginning of the book. I loved watching her open up to the town of Somerset Lake and to Jake. I enjoyed writing her and Petey’s arcs.

Susan: Petey is adorable! Such an inquisitive little boy with an adventurous spirit! His personality leaped off the pages of the book! He reminded me of my younger brother! Is he based on someone you know?

Annie Rains: Well, I work with children in my day job as a school-based occupational therapist. Petey’s inquisitive nature is a match for half the children I know, ha ha. I get asked a hundred and one questions throughout the day about a wide range of topics. I knew when I was writing Petey that I wanted him to have that same curious nature. As I wrote him, he really became his own character though. He’s not based on any one person in real life.

Susan: Loved that Trisha joined the Thursday night book club. Will any of the book club ladies be featured in the new series?

Annie Rains: Yes! I’m writing Tess Lanes story right now. She’s the owner of Lakeside Books. Her story is a lot of fun. It’s called TRUE LOVE BOOKSHOP and it’ll release next summer (2022).

Susan Tell us a little bit about the next Somerset Lake book— The Christmas Village!

Annie Rains: The Christmas Village is Lucy Hannagan and Miles Bruno’s story, and swoon! I loved writing these two! This is a second chance romance. Miles broke Lucy’s heart when they were young. After losing her mother last year, Lucy is living all alone in a huge pink house in The Village, an older neighborhood in Somerset Lake. She’s working to pay off her mom’s debt so she decides to rent out the apartment above her garage. Enter Miles Bruno who needs a temporary place to live. Miles convinces Lucy to enter the neighborhood annual Christmas decorating contest, which would further help pay down her mom’s debt. So it’s a book full of lights, tinsel, second chances, and new beginnings. This will be my first trade-sized paperback and I’m so excited for October 12th!

Thank you so much for sharing my book with your readers!!