This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
Reviewed by Emma Kingston
We meet Floriana at a life-changing moment after she has opened an invitation to the wedding of her one true love, former best friend Seb. But we are not the only ones to meet her at the momentous juncture in her life, property developer Adam Strong and elderly spinster Esme Silcox rush to her aid when she absent mindedly steps out in front of a car, her mind firmly fixated on her personal dilemma rather than the road. Minus some cuts and bruises, Floriana leaves relatively unscathed, but she has unwittingly met two people that will change the course of her life. This chance meeting leads the three characters to become embroiled in each other’s lives, the past, present and future. We learn about the unrequited love that has left Floriana without her best friend and living the life of a perpetual tourist in Oxford; the recent break-up that Adam just can’t seem to get over or understand, and the summer at Lake Como that Esme has never forgotten. They share secrets and stories, wisdom and hope.
To begin with, I did find the friendships an unlikely development, but was happy to suspend this skepticism in the search of a good story. I'm glad that I did. Summer At The Lake is about fate, missed opportunities and second chances. It is about love and friendship that crosses the boundaries of generations, countries and adversity. It makes you realise that it is never too late to do the things you ‘might have done’, whilst also consoling you that some things are best left alone. James jumps between the stories of the three main protagonists with ease. It didn’t feel stilted and I was never left wanting to return to one of the alternative stories because they were all so fascinating that they pulled you in until James released you to the next story. This style isn’t for everyone, but it was pure indulgence for anyone that admires the art of excellent story telling.
The book is due for release in February, but I firmly recommend that you put it on pre-order if you are in search of a well-written, enthralling spring-time read. I devoured the second half of the book when I should have been finishing up some last minute Christmas shopping, but it would be much better suited to a lazy afternoon on the sofa with the first of the Spring sunshine beaming through the windows.8/10
Erica James’ Website