A review by s_a_crow
Sweet Lake by Christine Nolfi

5.0

You will want to while away the sweet summer days at the Ohio lake hotel of the Wayfair. Sweet Lake is that great summer read. Christine Nolfi’s opening line “Coconuts bouncing down a bowling lane.” The auditory imagery right on.

This read will fill you with empathy for not only the main character Linnie but the entire town. You get a great sense of Linnie’s problems, her mindset, the millstone around her neck. I could identify with Linnie, her daily life, the way she takes care of the people who work for her and her friends. I am a home healthcare worker and can see how she feels about the Wayfair in her decisions.

Her cast of characters fill the town with life and vibrancy. I love her inner circle of friends Jada and Cat are awesome support characters. When are you going to share Jada’s recipe for brownies? I long to read their individual stories. I can see these three women grow into amazing pillars of the community. Quite like the reigning Sirens. The Sirens are a great addition the way they mentor the town. Their behind the scenes schemes are “I love Lucy” perfect. I love the differences between the two leaders of the Sirens and how they complement each other.

Within the first chapter, the world of this small Ohio lake town is so real. I couldn’t help but immerse myself into these lives and want them to succeed. Christine does an amazing job setting up the goals and desires of the whole town.

Linnie’s arc is cleverly presented. You long to help her through her struggles and empathize with Daniel as he does his best. Her struggle to find a place inside her own family is both heartbreaking and triumphant. The greatest journey can often be to find ourselves.

Buy Sweet Lake today and slip into a story worth reading.