Reviews with content warning for Mental illness - Meet Me at the Lake

While this book didn't resonate with me as much as the author's first, I liked the premise of this story and found it an easy read. Loved the way the author uses location descriptions- it's a lot of fun as someone from the region.

Content Warnings

lilhappyhermit's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The emotions this book elicited from me caught me off guard in the best way possible. I went into this with the impression that it was going to be a second chance, right person/wrong time, romance but when I tell you I was in TEARS at certain points in this book I mean it. It pulls at your heart strings and leaves you with this tender-hearted love for these characters and their journeys and how, inevitability, they are once again brought back together (even if it was 10 years "too late"). I had such a great time listening to this book and loved every second of Fern and Will's story.

Content Warnings

graciegru's review

Go to review page

emotional hopeful lighthearted sad medium-paced

3.25

Content Warnings

jadencove's review

Go to review page

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Content Warnings

miaetramontana's review

Go to review page

emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

FIRE!!!!! I saw negative reviews which initially kept me away but I freaking LOVED THIS BOOK. The characters were all so lovable, the banter was elite, and I extremely enjoyed the flashbacks. I love a second chance romance and I think this is totally realistic (UM HELLO HAS NO ONE EVER HAD A CRUSH BEFORE?!?!) Loved this one just as much as Every Summer After, if not more

Content Warnings

jlye's review

Go to review page

emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.75

I read this book for Canada Reads. I will straight up admit that I am not a fan of romance novels and this book did not change my opinion. I found the characters and basic plot to be unoriginal. Fern, in particular, was very annoying. Her entire life is consumed by a guy she spent one day with and she is more than happy to change the course of her life and family relationships based on this single interaction. The way she pines and chases after him from start to finish… Girl, have some dignity!!

The truth is that Fern doesn’t really know Will at all, which comes to a head in the rushed last quarter of the book.

The author’s note regarding mental health themes at the end of the book earned it an extra 0.75 of a star, but more time spent on character development would have a better way to convey these themes.

Content Warnings

More...