Review & Giveaway - - Sunshine on Silver Lake

Sunshine on Silver Lake
by Annie Rains
Sweetwater Springs - Book 5
Publisher: Forever
Release Date: July 21, 2020
Reviewed by PJ

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?

PJ's Thoughts:

When I pick up a Sweetwater Springs book written by Annie Rains, I know I'm about to be immersed in a well-written story, with likable characters, set within a vibrant and supportive community, and laced with both humor and heart. 

There are so many layers to Emma and Jack's story, all expertly interwoven into a modern tapestry of second chances, forgiveness, hope, acceptance, love, and happily ever afters. I really pulled for these two to find their happiness and they had more than a few significant, emotional, and realistic, obstacles to overcome in order to achieve it.

While Emma was upbeat, kind, a successful businesswoman, and a good friend, past events in her life and anxiety about future possibilities had her approaching life from a position of fear. And that kept her from opening her heart to a potential relationship with Jack. It was also keeping her from bridging the emotional gap within her family. I found her emotional journey to be realistic and very satisfying.

I love a friends-to-lovers romance. Jack and Emma have been friends most of their lives. In fact, it's a testament to the strength of that friendship that it was able to survive a betrayal in their teens. Jack has spent the past several years nurturing that friendship (the Hershey Kisses were so sweet) but he too has significant baggage to address. I appreciated the pace of the changes in his relationship with Emma and his unconditional support of her, regardless of the circumstances. I also enjoyed how Rains used Jack's relationship with his sister and nephew to bring about the realization of his own failure to be forthcoming with his close friends, including Emma, about his personal demons. 

Well-formed secondary characters helped keep the story, and Jack and Emma's relationship, moving forward. They also added humor, emotional depth, and glimpses into potential main characters for future books in the series. 

Sunshine on Silver Lake is the fifth book in this series but like earlier books, it stands well on its own. I thoroughly enjoyed this return visit to Sweetwater Springs and Emma and Jack's journey to love. I hope we see more of them in future books. 

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Have you read any of the books in Annie Rains' Sweetwater Springs series?

Emma owns a coffee shop. If you opened a small business, what kind would it be?

Jack is a park ranger. Have you ever visited a national park? Do you have a favorite? 

One randomly chosen person who comments before 11:00 PM, July 21, will receive a print copy of Sunshine on Silver Lake, courtesy of Forever.  

*Must be 18

*U.S. / Canadian addresses only