As chaotic as it can be, Rosie Dean loves her unruly life. But between raising twins alone, running her struggling bookshop, and secretly writing a parenting advice column, the single mom can’t think about dating. At least that’s what she tells herself . . . until her high school crush (and his incredible blue eyes) returns to Heart Lake for the summer. Even though Evan has grown into a huge grump, he’s still a super sexy one, and soon sparks begin to fly.

Single dad and widower Evan Mills is used to hearing he’s too serious. But with a grieving tween daughter to raise on his own, the graphic designer is just trying to stay strong for her. He hopes a few weeks at the lake will be the fresh start they both need. Evan never anticipated reconnecting with Rosie, or that she could make him feel whole again—if he’d give her the chance. Will one steamy summer with Rosie be long enough to melt Evan’s heart?

Includes the bonus novella, Annie Rains’ Kiss Me in Sweetwater Springs!

Titles in the Heart Lake series include — Dreaming of a Heart Lake Christmas —♥— The Little Bookstore on Heart Lake Lane —♥— A Heart Lake Summer —♥—

NetGalley ARC

Title:  The Little Bookstore on Heart Lake Lane
Series:  Heart Lake #2
Author:  Sarah Robinson
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Published:  May 23, 2023
Publisher:  Forever
My Rating:  4

The Little Bookstore on Heart Lake Lane continues the Heart Lake series with two single parents, a revised high school crush, and three kids who practically steal every single scene they’re in.  Basically, my kind of mid-heat, low-angst, believable romance.

Rosie’s life is full.  She’s a single mom to 8-year-old twins who keep her on her toes constantly.  She owns the town’s bookstore, Fact and Fiction, and while it’s not easy making a living from the store these days, she’s not about to give up.  In her downtime (yeah, right), she writes a parenting advice column for the local newspaper… anonymously, of course, don’t need to get into arguments with the residents over parenting advice!  She’s not worried about dating because one, she doesn’t have time, and two, well, see reason one.  That may change though when her high school crush comes back to town for the summer.  There are possibilities… and complications, as well.

Evan is back in town for the summer, but only to help his parents, especially his father.  His parents are aging, and Evan doesn’t like it one little bit, but time moves on for everyone.  He’s fortunate that he can work remotely while tending to things, making sure his 9-year-old daughter keeps her nose in her study books (and doesn’t get to act like a kid on summer break!), and trying his best to get through this time back home.  When his daughter makes friends with the bookstore owner’s twins he realizes just how time has moved on when he discovers his high school crush is all grown up with kids of her own.

Now about that parenting column… yeah, talk about a minefield when Evan writes in for advice.

I had fun with Rosie and Evan’s story.  A lot of that “getting to know” someone new was set aside when these former high school crushes were brought together through their children, and then by choice.  Watching them navigate their different parenting choices, discover that the sparks were still flying between them after all this time, and make the tough choices to allow their summer relationship to grow into something that could thrive all year, all their lives long was emotional, engaging, and filled with laughter as adjustments in attitude and lives were made.  I enjoyed myself back in this world, and look forward to the next release.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley, and I sincerely thank the author or publishing house for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

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