I received this book free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen Published by St. Martin's Press on January 21st 2014
Pages: 304
Genres: Magical Realism
Format: ARC
Source: the Publisher
Amazon
Goodreads
Also by this author: Garden Spells, First Frost
From the New York Times bestselling author of Garden Spells comes a novel about heartbroken people finding hope at a magical place in Georgia called Lost Lake.
Suley, Georgia, is home to Lost Lake Cottages and not much else. Which is why it's the perfect place for newly-widowed Kate and her eccentric eight-year-old daughter Devin to heal. Kate spent one memorable childhood summer at Lost Lake, had her first almost-kiss at Lost Lake, and met a boy named Wes at Lost Lake. It was a place for dreaming. But Kate doesn't believe in dreams anymore, and her Aunt Eby, Lost Lake's owner, wants to sell the place and move on. Lost Lake's magic is gone. As Kate discovers that time has a way of standing still at Lost Lake can she bring the cottages—and her heart—back to life? Because sometimes the things you love have a funny way of turning up again. And sometimes you never even know they were lost . . . until they are found.
‘Sometimes, all you need is something to believe in.’
Kate has lived in a slumberous state since her husband passed away a year ago. She wakes one morning and feels truly awake for the first time since the accident and looks around to realize her life has ran away from her while she was ‘asleep’. Her mother-in-law has sold her house, has put her daughter Devin into a private school and is in the process of moving the two into her house. Nothing is as she would want it and she decides to take a spontaneous trip with Devin to Lost Lake, an unforgettable place where she visited one summer as a child
Sarah Addison Allen’s signature magical touches were present in Lost Lake but what was even more magical was her exceptional cast of characters. Kate herself was an enigma but there was her quirky daughter Devin, her charming Aunt Eby and Selma and Bulahdeen the two best friends that love to hate each other. They were all so delightfully enchanting additions to the story and even their back stories were welcome additions and didn’t detract from the story as a whole. The camaraderie these characters generated was infectious and alluring.
‘When your cup is empty, you do not mourn what is gone. Because if you do, you will miss the opportunity to fill it again.’
This is Sarah Addison Allen’s first book in three years due to a break she took after being diagnosed with breast cancer. In her book trailer she explains she discovered: “Sometimes you are at your most lost right before you find your way again.” Lost Lake is a stirring and atmospheric novel of healing, of overcoming disastrous events and insurmountable obstacles that was most inspirational.
Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies
I’d been wondering about this book! It sounds lovely. I would have thought it would be a very sad read, but it sounds like the characters make it fun and uplifting. I’ll have to check it out!
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Bonnie
It has it’s sad moments as all Sarah Addison Allen books seem to have but by the end they are definitely uplifting tales. The characters were so much fun in this one. Hope you enjoy it!
Kara @ Great Imaginations
Same rating I gave it. I also thought it was brilliant. OMG, I loved the characters and setting! I think this was way better than The Peach Keeper, which I didn’t really like all that much. It was just missing…something. I love how she utilized the alligator because I love alligators. That’s enough; I’ll shut up now.
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Bonnie
The characters were so very brilliant. All of them! Can’t remember her name right now but that little old lady was the absolute best. I agree, The Peach Keeper was not her best (Garden Spells is actually my least favorite) but Sugar Queen is still my all-time favorite. The alligators were ingenious and at first I wasn’t sold but she totally made it work. 😀
Heidi
I am very much looking forward to this one. I love Sarah’s books even though The Peach Keeper was a bit disappointing. I can’t wait to dig into it. I am glad that you fell in love with the characters and that there is lots of magic! Happy New Year, Bonnie!
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Bonnie
I agree, Peach Keeper was not her best. Sugar Queen will forever be my favorite. <3 But this one was lovely and definitely worth a read. Happy New Year to you too, Heidi!
WriterMJones
I can’t wait to read this book and I’m happy I found your blog. Def bookmarking!
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