Publisher : Forever Pub
Release Date: July 21 2020
Welcome back to Sweetwater Springs, North Carolina for a heartwarming second-chance romance between a quirky café owner and a handsome park ranger.
With summer just around the corner, Emma St. James is eagerly planning a 5K run at Sweetwater Springs National Park. But first she needs the help of one charming, rugged, and handsome park ranger. Her brief high school romance with Jack Hershey may have ended in heartbreak, but Emma can’t deny that he still gives her butterflies. So when Jack responds to her request with an all-too-tempting plea to pretend to be his girlfriend for the summer, how can she say no?
Jack would do anything for his sister — even pretend to give up his bachelor life to care for his nephew. Passing his days with his high school sweetheart guarantees one long, hot summer — but only because every moment together leaves him wanting a real relationship. He can’t imagine spending another season without Emma by his side. Can he convince her to give their love a second chance before the summer draws to a close?
[I received a physical copy from the publisher for an honest review]
Sunshine on Silver Lake is the newest novel in the Sweetwater Springs series by Annie Rains. Each book can be read and enjoy completely on their own but this is such a charming group of friends you end up wanting to read all their happily ever afters.
Emma and Jack have been friends since they were kids. He was there for her when her mom died from cancer and always there to lend a hand. After he stood her up at prom she never left herself imagine there being anything more to their friendship. Jack has always cared about Emma as a friend and more. He screwed up his chance when he let alcohol control his life but hasn’t had a drink since. When helping out his sister somehow turns into Jack and Emma being in a fake relationship he realizes quickly he wishes it wasn’t fake. Both Emma and Jack have heavy things to deal with in their personal lives , will they let each other be there for them when it really counts.
“None of Emma’s other friends gave her heart flutters though. Just Jack.”
Jack I instantly loved right from the moment he placed three chocolate kisses on the café counter. Even with his faults, his will and determination to be better for himself and those he loved was admirable. Emma was a sweetheart. My heart hurt for all she went through with her mother and her own fears for herself and her future. However, her holding the past against Jack on multiple occasions, while believable, was frustrating. As in the other books the supporting characters continue to a fun, caring, supportive group of friends. I love when you can feel a couples chemistry and the story is so entertaining that you do miss the sex scenes. The fade to black and jumping right to the after cuddles work perfectly for Jack and Emma’s relationship.
“Whatever lie you need me to tell you, I will, because I don’t want you to say goodbye. You are the best thing in my life.”
Sunshine on Silver Lake is a wonderful small town romance with both a fake dating and friends to lovers tropes included. Great characters and smooth story line make this a read for any contemporary romance reader.
OnceUpon_A_BookDream 