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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Highly recommend reading this book next to a lake in Minnesota!
I picked this up on a whim for my summer vacation and it was everything I needed in a vacation book! The characters were fun, the mystery and suspense had me on my toes, and I enjoyed the romance too. I will be going back to read Jaclyn's first book ASAP!
Thanks to the publisher for an advance copy!
My Ratings:
🧍🏽‍♀️ 5/5 Characters
🌶️ 2/5 Spice
🎬 4/5 Ending
🧩 4.5/5 Plot
đź’« 4/5 Overall
I picked this up on a whim for my summer vacation and it was everything I needed in a vacation book! The characters were fun, the mystery and suspense had me on my toes, and I enjoyed the romance too. I will be going back to read Jaclyn's first book ASAP!
Thanks to the publisher for an advance copy!
My Ratings:
🧍🏽‍♀️ 5/5 Characters
🌶️ 2/5 Spice
🎬 4/5 Ending
🧩 4.5/5 Plot
đź’« 4/5 Overall
challenging
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I went into this book thinking it would be just a summer romance and instead it was so much more. It handles harder and uncomfortable topics regarding infertility and how some people you think are the closest in your life don't understand. The found family trope resonates hard in with book and handles the topic of moving away from home and being alone and finding your home away from home. Meddling family and neighbors bring a fun aspect to the book. Additionally, going from a relationship where the love fizzled away and finding new love is written very well. I found the book to be very fun and emotional with me laughing out loud and also tearing up.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Infertility, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Car accident
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Juneberry Lake brings some luck and the charm of small town living to Eliza. She is in desperate need of a fresh start after her life implodes. This place has exactly what Eliza needs - a cast of unique side characters, a leading man who works alongside her from an adorable coffee shop everyday, and a place to call home. I absolutely adored all the side characters and thought they added a lot to the story. I would recommend this for a lakeside read this summer! Thank you the author, publisher, and author for the gifted eARC. All opinions are my own.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
First, let me shout out Netgally and author Jaclyn Westlake for providing this ARC.
I've bumped it up to 4, but really it was more like a 3.75 star for me.
Now, where to begin.... overall, this book was nice? The low stakes, little bit of hallmark romance paired with mystery, was a decent vibe, but this was definitely a read once type piece for me. There were great things about this read, don't get me wrong! For starters, there is a large crew of diverse characters (love a read that has a relatable crew). Also, the cozy small town setting (my Midwestern-girl self, currently transplanted on the coast felt some homesickness for sure!), as well as the authors heartfelt representation to infertility. Buuuuut the romance left me a bit wanting (there was a little bit of fun, snappy, chemistry dialog where I was wishing for more) and the final "hurrah" of the mystery resolve fell a bit flat for me. While I'm not disappointed that I spent time with this read, I also felt like it took an unusually long time to get myself to finish it for no longer than it is. All in all, its cute enough; and if slow, cozy mysteries are your thing, you'll probably enjoy it.
I've bumped it up to 4, but really it was more like a 3.75 star for me.
Now, where to begin.... overall, this book was nice? The low stakes, little bit of hallmark romance paired with mystery, was a decent vibe, but this was definitely a read once type piece for me. There were great things about this read, don't get me wrong! For starters, there is a large crew of diverse characters (love a read that has a relatable crew). Also, the cozy small town setting (my Midwestern-girl self, currently transplanted on the coast felt some homesickness for sure!), as well as the authors heartfelt representation to infertility. Buuuuut the romance left me a bit wanting (there was a little bit of fun, snappy, chemistry dialog where I was wishing for more) and the final "hurrah" of the mystery resolve fell a bit flat for me. While I'm not disappointed that I spent time with this read, I also felt like it took an unusually long time to get myself to finish it for no longer than it is. All in all, its cute enough; and if slow, cozy mysteries are your thing, you'll probably enjoy it.
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
This novel was cute and heartwarming, with a deeper flashback story than I expected. Overall it was an easy read with a delightful cast of characters. The romance was more of a subplot which felt a little like false advertising, but I still enjoyed it. Pub date July 15, 2025.
For fans of Sarah Penner, Witch You Would, Sarah Adams
Thank you to @netgalley, @harpervoyargerus, and Jaclyn Westlake for a free ARC in exhange for an honest review.
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Did I think this was a small-town romance every time I saw the cover? Yes.
Is it? Not really. Though there is a romance subplot, it’s more of a cosy mystery.
After her engagement ends and blows up her throughly planned-out future, Eliza leaves San Francisco’s sky-high rents to buy a lake house in a Minnesotan town seeking remote workers. The town is picturesque but something is off with her friendly-ish neighbours… and everyone wants her to stop asking questions about the house’s previous owner. Thankfully she has another recent transplant, Joel, to help her figure things out. Filled with beautiful scenery, interesting characters and a twisty mystery, this light-hearted read is hits all the notes for a great summer read.
I loved the pacing, the serpentine plot unravels over the course of a summer and it’s glorisouly plot-heavy. It had a great sense of place, I was practically ready to move to Juneberry Lake myself! The author did a brilliant job at writing diverse and layered characters -all of which felt well-thought out and not forced.
Please note, some delicate topics do crop up, grief, infertility, cheating and addiction . These are handled sensitively but do be aware and read at your own discretion.
Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyagerand NetGalley for the complimentary galley in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility
Moderate: Addiction, Grief
Minor: Infidelity