This summer, we’re all taking a trip. Whether you need something to read while out of town or are just looking for a book to transport you elsewhere, this series is all about setting. In this edition, dive into a collection of novels that whisk you away to a lakeside destination! From thrilling mysteries to heartwarming romances, these books offer a variety of stories centered around the charm and tranquility of lakeside retreats. Explore the allure of lake house living in these captivating novels.

And don’t miss our other destinations! From beaches to road trips to books that take you abroad, you can travel the world without leaving the comfort of your A/C.

Meet Me at the Lake by Carley Fortune

Fern Brookbanks has spent too long thinking about Will Baxter. They shared a magical 24 hours in Toronto in their twenties, bonding deeply and promising to reunite a year later. Fern showed up, Will didn’t. Now 32, Fern runs her mother’s lakeside resort in Muskoka, a job she never wanted. The resort is a mess, and her ex is the manager. Just when she feels lost, Will arrives, nine years late, offering help. Despite his changed appearance and mysterious past, he might be the only one who understands her struggles. Fern must decide if she can trust him again and if she can save him as he once saved her.

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Just For The Summer by Abby Jimenez

Justin’s curse is viral thanks to Reddit: every woman he dates meets her soulmate right after they break up. Enter Emma, who has the same issue. They devise a plan to date and break up, hoping their curses will nullify each other, leading them to true love. Emma’s nursing job lands her in Minnesota. She and her best friend see dating Justin as a golden opportunity, especially if the setting is a cozy cottage on Lake Minnetonka. Their summer fling takes a serious turn when Emma’s toxic mother arrives and Justin becomes guardian to his three siblings. As feelings deepen, fate might have brought them together for real.

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Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen

The first time Eby Pim saw Lost Lake, it was on a postcard. A simple photo and a few words on a small square of paper, but she knew it was her future. That was decades ago. Now, with her husband George gone and most of her family passed away, Lost Lake’s once-charming cabins are fading in the Georgia heat. Eby plans to sell the property to a developer. Kate Pheris, who spent her best summer at Lost Lake at age twelve, returns with her daughter Devin, hoping to reclaim some of that lost magic. As people flock to Lost Lake seeking love, closure, second chances, and peace, they must find what they need before it’s too late.

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Funny Story by Emily Henry

Daphne cherished the way her fiancé, Peter, recounted their love story: meeting on a windy day, falling in love over a stray hat, and relocating to his lakeside hometown. Yet, Peter’s revelation of his love for childhood friend— Petra shattered that narrative. Stranded in picturesque Waning Bay, Michigan, Daphne, a children’s librarian, seeks solace in rooming with Petra’s ex, Miles Nowak. Despite their contrasting personalities, they forge an unlikely bond while nursing their heartaches. Their plan to fabricate summer adventures, fueled by heartbreak anthems and misleading photos, seems harmless. But as they navigate their charade, could love blossom between them?

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Famous In A Small Town by Viola Shipman

For eighty years, Mary Jackson has watched Good Hart, Michigan, evolve with tourists and developers. She awaits a stranger to inherit the Very Cherry General Store. Known as Cherry Mary, she runs the store, that’s also part post office, bakery, and sandwich shop, anticipating the prophecy she heard as a child. Becky Thatcher, seeking solace from her lackluster forty-year-old life, finds herself at the store with her best friend. As Mary speaks of destiny, Becky recalls her own childhood vacations and visions over the lake. Embracing Mary’s mentorship, Becky integrates into the eccentric community, believing in the possibility of destiny guiding her life.

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The Lightkeeper’s Daughters by Jean E. Pendziwol

Elizabeth, with failing eyesight but a sharp mind, immerses herself in music and memories as her vision fades. Discovery of her father’s journals in a shipwreck’s remains sparks a journey through time. With Morgan, a troubled teen on community service, Elizabeth explores the diaries, leading them to Porphyry Island on Lake Superior. Through the entries, they uncover intertwined destinies, linking them to the isolated island’s history. While Morgan finds answers to her family mysteries, Elizabeth faces questions that challenge her identity. The journals’ faded pages reveal more than they expected, intertwining their lives with the island’s enigmatic past.

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The Suite Spot by Trish Doller

Rachel Beck, a single mother stuck in a failing relationship and recently fired from her job in Miami Beach, takes a leap of faith by applying for a management position at a brewery hotel on Kelleys Island in Lake Erie. With her daughter in tow, Rachel embarks on a fresh start. On the island, she meets Mason, a brooding brewer with no hotel management experience. Despite the unexpected circumstances, Mason offers Rachel the opportunity to join him in building the hotel from scratch, presenting her with a chance to not only rebuild the hotel but also her own life.

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Good For You by Camille Pagán

Aly Jackson’s lifelong dream of becoming editor-in-chief of All Good magazine shatters when she overhears her coworkers ridiculing her, leading to a public meltdown and a month-long unpaid leave. Seeking solace, she retreats to her brother Luke’s Lake Michigan beach house, only to find it co-owned by Luke’s laid-back best friend, Wyatt. Despite Wyatt’s disinterest in selling, Aly contemplates whether their shared grief over Luke’s death could lead to something more. But as tensions rise, Aly must decide between her career aspirations and the possibility of finding healing and love in an unexpected place.

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Black Water Rising by Attica Locke

On a moonless night, while celebrating his wife’s birthday on the Houston bayou, Jay Porter hears a cry for help. Rescuing a distressed woman from drowning, he unwittingly triggers a chain of events. Formerly a lawyer with a turbulent past, Jay had buried his youthful indiscretions. His impulsive act lands him in a perilous murder investigation, endangering his career, family, and life. To unravel the mystery entwined with corporate power, Jay must confront his demons. Black Water Rising delivers a gripping thriller with a heart-pounding finale, showcasing the emergence of a dynamic new talent in the genre.

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The Sun Is Also A Star by Nicola Yoon

In The Sun Is Also a Star, Natasha, a pragmatic Jamaican girl facing deportation, crosses paths with Daniel, a Korean-American romantic poet, in New York City. As they spend a day together, their lives intertwine amidst the bustling cityscape. Natasha struggles to save her family from deportation while Daniel grapples with his parents’ expectations. Their connection deepens as they explore the city, including a poignant moment at a lakeside cabin. Despite their cultural differences, they find solace in each other, questioning fate and the universe’s role in their lives. Nicola Yoon’s novel beautifully captures the complexities of love and destiny.

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Summer At The Lake by Linda Barrett

Veteran NY cop Rick Cooper retreats to his family’s lake house with his dog and saxophone after a failed hostage negotiation results in a child’s death. He plans to fish and contemplate a career change. Single mom, Kristin McCarthy, hears Rick’s saxophone playing, which soothes her troubled daughter, Ashley. Despite her mistrust of police, Kristin seeks out the musician, hoping he can help. Rick, initially reluctant to get involved, is gradually won over by Kristin and Ashley’s genuine nature. As feelings develop, Kristin needs Rick to prove he’s trustworthy and committed before she can envision a future together.

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