Sweet Lake: A Novel (A Sweet Lake Novel, 1) Paperback – February 28, 2017

I loved this book. It kept me on my toes at the fun and mystery. Thank you for sharing great reads.

Sweet Lake: A Novel : A Sweet Lake Novel Book 1 is by Christine Nolfi. This book is about the relationship between parents and children as well as between siblings. It is also about how family history can determine one’s future. It is well-written and is definitely realistic.Linnie Wayfair is working very hard to get her family inn profitable. She has worked extremely hard for seven years and is finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. However, to really be profitable, she has to open the second wing; but it will require a lot of renovation. She is doing what work she cn by herself or with the help of her friends because it is too expensive to find someone new. She really wants the inn to be profitable. However, she is getting really tired and has a feeling something is going to happen. Waking up and hearing the Sirens on the beach having a meeting doesn’t help. What are those old ladies up to now?Daniel Kittering is a local lawyer who is in love with Linnie; but he hasn’t told her yet. He would like to ease her burdens; but he doesn’t know how to do so. He is there as a sounding board for her when she comes in with a letter from her brother, Freddie. Freddie took all the money from the Inn’s account and left home seven years ago. Now he is back. It doesn’t help that Daniel undertook a job from Freddie too.Freddie has come back to town. The entire town has it in for him as his taking the money caused the town’s economy to drop when Linnie had to lay off people. Can he turn the town’s opinion around? Why is he back?

This is a new to me author and I found the book a fun read with quirky characters in a small town setting. The Wayfair Inn in Sweet Lake, Ohio has been in the Wayfair family for many generations and managed by a male family member until Freddie Wayfair stole money from the family and inn bank accounts then ran off to California to make his fortune in the film industry. Freddie's first video was his filming of the legendary group of local middle age and up women called the Sweet Lake Sirens as they paraded around Sweet Lake less than fully clothed. The group comes across as silly busybodies but truly want to spread kindness along with their shells, feathers and herbs. When Freddie left town to make his millions, he left the inn in a bad place without funds to function. A few months later, his father Treat had a stroke. This prompted Treat and wife, Sarah, to move to Florida and leave the inn in the hands of daughter, Linnie, who was less than willing to be in charge of the inn. Linnie has done a great job of getting the inn back in the black with her best friends, Jada and Cat. Both friends lost their own business when the inn was struggling as did other businesses in town. Linnie had to let half of the staff go during that time. Seven years later, Freddie returns home to wreck havoc and maybe claim his part of the inn. Needless to say, the townspeople, including Linnie and her friends don't want to see him return. Linnie's pal (although both see each other as more), lawyer Daniel Kettering is put in an awkward position when Freddie asks Daniel to represent him in a legal matter.This is a story with a strong cast of characters that are small town funny and quirky but yet the story deals with some serious issues-family hurts, forgiveness, loyalty, self confidence and romance.

The setting of the story, Sweet Lake , is a small tourist town that has grown up around a marvelous hotel, the Wayfair Inn, named for the family who owned and ran it, and the lake itself. Linnie Wayfair is currently trying to bring the Inn back to its former luxury with the help of her friends Jada and Cat. This small town also has a group of older women who meet on the beach at night wearing feathers, shells, and beads; singing, drinking, and casting spells: The Sirens.At the beginning the Sirens are on the beach at night worryingly about a letter Vinnie is about to get from her estranged brother Freddie a filmmaker in Hollywood. Freddie arrives in town with a crazy entourage to see Dan,Linnie's lawyer about a mysterious request. The set up works well.As the book progresses, the relationship between Linnie and Freddie becomes a main focus of the book,as well as the romantic relationship between Dan and Linnie, and Linnie's ability to come into her own, and develop the confidence she needs to deal with life.I found myself intrigued about all those things. I just wanted more understanding of Freddie and Linnie's relationship as children. Little Freddie needs to show some affection for his little sister for the conclusion to work. The influence of Frances, one of the Sirens needs more development, too.There is a good basis here, but it just didn't pull me into the conclusion.?

Characters are likeable and intriguing, storyline easy to follow. Found myself carrying about them all. Great book to curl up on the couch or sorry but the beach.

Linnie is working hard to restore the Wayfair Inn to its former glory after her brother depleted the family funds. It does not leave her much time or energy to pursue happiness in her personal life. But there is this one guy!

Christine Nolfi has the knack of getting into the hearts of her characters without getting too overly sentimental. This story takes the reader through friendships, siblings and love. Anyone with an adult sibling will find themselves nodding at some points in the story and squirming slightly at other times. The Sirens bring an added dimension of fun, wisdom and a healthy dose of slightly bonkers to the proceedings. Such a warm story highlighting friendships and loyalty regardless of age.

A pleasant read set in a family run hotel the story tells of family fueds troubling relationships and drama plenty of different characters who interact well a good story but could have had a bit more depth to it but overall played out well

I had difficulty in putting this book down and managed to read it over two days. I even began to love Freddy.

Enjoyed as something different, but not really my type of read.

An okay story but not one I would read again!