Review: Christmas at the Lake by Anita Hughes

 

It’s the season for love, new dreams, and second chances.

On Christmas Eve, just hours before their wedding, Rebecca Huntley is left at the altar by Ben Cole, her college sweetheart and fellow co-founder of the hugely successful dating app, Dealbreakers.

Rebecca is shocked but a small part of her isn’t surprised. Dealbreakers matches potential couples by the things they hated, instead of what they had in common. Lately, she and Ben seem to have less and less in common. He craves the trappings of success, while Rebecca enjoys simple things.

Rebecca decides to go on their honeymoon to the cozy Christmas Cove Inn in the charming small town of Christmas Cove on the shores of Lake Tahoe. There, Rebecca runs into an old college friend, Zach Mason, who had always had a crush on Rebecca. Through a misunderstanding, Zach believes Rebecca is married to Ben, and Rebecca believes Zach is in a relationship with a sophisticated older woman, when really, he is a waiter at the hotel.

As Christmas week unfolds, will the two learn the truth about each other and then be open for a second chance at love? Or will they begin the new year with broken hearts? People are complicated. Everyone has positive attributes as well as faults – but none are deal breakers when you’re really in love.

 

My Review:

A beautifully written story.

This book is much more than just a Christmas story or a romance.  It’s about starting over after life takes an unexpected turn.  When Rebecca’s fiancé, Ben, breaks up with her on their wedding day, she decides to take the honeymoon on her own.  She always wanted to see Christmas Cove, in its full glory, at Christmas time.  She could also use some time to think and reevaluate her life.  What Rebecca didn’t expect was to be reunited with an old college friend, Zach, who was filming a movie.  They resume their friendship and even a small romance.  Rebecca also makes a few more friends while there.  Rebecca soon realizes the life she was living wasn’t what was best for her.  It was always about what was best for Ben.  

This book is so good.  I have read other books by this author and always look forward to when she has something new coming out.  This book ranked just as good as the rest.  A beautiful setting, great plot and characters that feel so real.  This book also had a great message about trying to do more for yourself, to keep yourself happy, and not always sacrificing your own happiness in order to please everyone else.    

 

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.