Lost Lake - Book Review

Wow! I've disappeared from the blog for awhile. But what better time to return then with a review of Sarah Addison Allen's novel Lost Lake? It's beautiful green cover is perfect on this St. Patrick's Day. Lost Lake is also the She Reads book of the month.

A year after the sudden death of her husband, Kate and her eight-year old daughter Devin begin cleaning out the attic in preparation for their move to her mother-in-law's home. They find an old postcard for Lost Lake where Kate's aunt owns a camp and where Kate spent the best summer of her life. Waking up and realizing that her mother-in-law's plans are not best for her family, Kate and Devin head south to visit Lost Lake.

Aunt Eby is making plans to sell Lost Lake. After all these years, the death of her husband George, and the dwindling business at Lost Lake, Eby is arranging to sell the land to a developer and spend her final years traveling in Europe.

But Lost Lake means so much to so many people. Kate and Devin arrive just in time to help the locals and the faithful visitors try to save Lost Lake.

Beginning with a young newly wed couple honeymooning in Paris and a mysterious suicide jumper, the prologue immediately captured my attention. There were all the necessary elements for drama: young love, romantic setting, a mysterious personage and a nutty family in pursuit. As the novel moved into present day and different characters I was initially disappointed. I preferred to stay in Paris with young Eby and George and the mysterious girl. It took a little while for me to embrace the story of Kate and Devin.

However, with Allen's pure writing and ability to stir emotion, I soon fell in love with the story and magic of Lost Lake. Kate and Eby were characters worth rooting for as they attempt to create their own futures and are cheered on by a delightful cast of supporting characters. There is love, mystery, redemption and hope.

Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen is comfort food. It's the lovely story with the happy ending to share with your best friend when she's feeling down. It's a hug in a book. Inspiring nostalgic memories of those places and people from our childhoods that changed our lives and the desire to go back and hold on to those moments for dear life, Lost Lake is magical.

Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen is published by St. Martin's Press in January 2014. Don't forget to check out other reviews from She Reads members.

I just found out that there is a companion story to Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen called Waking Kate. The Kindle version is free. I'm anxious to read it.

**I received a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. No other compensation was received**