The perfect summer romance novel! This book was lighthearted, funny and makes you catch yourself smiling when you least expect it.

Summer by the Lake by Mandy Baggot 

Cole and Robyn met on a flight from Chicago to Pontage. She’s returning home after 9 years as her father is gravely ill and he’s taking on a new position at the pharmaceutical company in the town. The story starts out as a fun loving woman trying to get everyone back into shape. 

It is fun with humorous characters but there is a heart wrenching underlying storyline that just pulls at every heart string and is handled really well by Mandy Baggott . 

A well written can’t put down novel with a wealth of characters.

Ice hockey players, need I say more, especially good looking, talented, sexy ice-hockey players!

And a determined woman, Robyn who is back in town after 9 years, to help her father out while he undergoes a bypass. 

Robyn has a taken no prisoners approach to revamping both the roadhouse and also the ice-hockey team her father, Eddie, coaches. 

I loved how Robyn was speaking to Eddie and his ward mate Max, in the hospital scenes.  She is determined that both men will improve!

And then there is Cole, incredibly intelligent, kind hearted and just there, from a chance meeting on the way to a plane, he is in Robyn's life. 

Neither of them want to date though for their own reasons and the reasons Robyn hasn't been back to her hometown in 9 year is traumatic. 

This is Mandy Baggot at her finest with characters you care about, a budding romance and a real sense of place.  I was rooting on the ice-hockey team, and loved seeing the changes in the Roadhouse. 

A delightful and enjoyable story to read. 

Thank you to Aria and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Nice feel hood book to make you smile. Well written and good plot. Nice to read on these cold dark nights and imagine your there with the characters

Mandy Baggot really excels at this type of crazy, fun rfilled omance but what sets her apart from many other writers of this genre is the way she handles sensitive subjects. Outwardly Robyn is a real feisty girl who tunelessly sings Reba McEntire songs and thinks nothing of playing ice hockey with the men but she has a past she prefers to forget. Cole is tall, dark and handsome and is trying to find a cure for cancer, what's not to like but what is he trying to escape. . When these two come together it's electric but can they find happiness or will their pasts destroy any chance of a lasting romance. I laughed and I cried my way through this book and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.

This book was so refreshing to read! I loved the complex backgrounds of the characters, and the ways in which they grew throughout this book. 
I really loved the fact that the author paid so much attention to setting the scene throughout the story, as it really helped me get a better grasp of the characters too. 

I truly enjoyed this book, and look forward to reading more from Mandy Baggot in the future!.

I struggled to get into this book. I’m not sure why as I usually love Mandy Baggot’s writing, but this just didn’t grab me in the same way as her other books have done in the past. I think it was perhaps the American setting, nothing against America but I prefer UK-based books (and UK spelling, the American spellings in the book are definitely annoying). 
That said, I’ve still given it 4 stars as it was a well-rounded book with interesting and at times challenging themes within the story. 
I can’t say I warmed to the main character, Robyn, as she was too forward & bossy for my liking, but hey, I’m certainly not anti-female empowerment and there is no reason why women shouldn’t be like that, I like strong female leads, and Robyn is certainly this, but perhaps I just like my characters a bit more pleasant & easy-going than Robyn. 
A good summer read, but just not my cup of tea.

this is such a sweet summer read. i'm really glad i read this one and got to read it earlier than everyone else. thanks netgalley for supporting me!!!

I love to read a string of contemporary romance novels through the summer, but after a while they can become samey.  This however, was quite different.  I loved the main protagonist Robyn, who having spent 9 years in the UK returns to Michigan to support her sick father. She is strong and determined, but damaged and vulnerable at the same time.  At the airport she meets Cole, who is a dream of a character, strong, masculine and kind he helps Robyn when her luggage breaks.  

The story is strong, there are some challenging storylines throughout which make your heart ache, but as the quote goes 'adversity does not build character, it reveals it'.

I love Mandy Baggot's books, they are all different and totally compelling.

I don’t know why it’s taken me so long to get to this book. It certainly is a book that you won’t want to put down. I loved all the characters and where this book took me. A lovely read.

I was so happy to read another book by Mandy Baggot as i love her writing style and her romances! But unfortunately this time I didn't really enjoy this book "Summer by the Lake" only because I didn't really like the main character Robyn.  She was way too boyish, too vulgar and straighforward for me and so I just couldn't relate to her and wasn't very attracted by her. So I had a hard time enjoying this book. But I am sure a lot of people will like her way to be and will enjoy this book much more that I did because Mandy Baggot is a brilliant author. It just didn't do it for me this time. I am sure I will enjoy her next book much more!

I really enjoyed this book, in fact I read it in one sitting. The chemistry between the main couple is so well written and the pace of the book is excellent. The story unfolds carefully and beautifully, allowing you to guess ahead and sometimes you're right - but sometimes you're wrong! 

It has a good cast of characters, all well shaped and described. I also loved the descriptions of places, none of which I have been to but I could easily imagine anyway. This is the second Mandy Baggot book that has impressed me, she's now on  my 'must read' list.

I thought that this a really great story - it has everything I look for in a book, it was funny, heartfelt and romantic - definitely a book to brighten your day!

I thought that the characters were very good, they were well developed, they were genuine, amusing and caring and I really loved getting to know them, they were so well developed and their interaction was perfect - this story was one that really captured the feelings!

The writing style was perfect for me, the detail was very good and I felt like I was with them throughout their journey.

It is 5 stars from me for this one, another excellent release from Mandy - very highly recommended!!

Good storyline. great charcters, the story flowed really well, and it was a fun read. I sat and read this in the garden and it was a great way to while away an afternoon.

I absolutely loved the story of Robyn and Cole. A whirlwind romance and a back story of some serious issues.....for both of them. Perfectly told, with humour, tender moments and a bit of spice. I love a Mandy Baggot book and this one is fabulous!

I love rom-com with a bite! This novel had this in spades and kept me from sleeping, and I couldn't have been more pleased! Ms Baggot has delivered a novel full of wit, charm, twists, turns and shocks. Not easy to read because of that, but all the more gripping and unputdownable because of that. Made a nice change and I can't wait to read more of this author.

My thanks to Netgalley and Aria for the reading copy.

The story of Robyn and Cole.
They meet at the airport, both heading to the same town. They both have secrets and as they share these with each other become closer. The book deals with some difficult issues.

I tired hard to like and finish this book. Sadly I didn't get to the end. I'm not sure why it didn't stick with me. Maybe I've read too many similar stories recently of estranged families re-uniting. It just didn't grab me.
Thanks to the publishers and Net Galley for the ARC to review.

Another hidden gem by the author, nothing passes me but great thigs from Mandy. 
This is a sweet yet compliacted romance, Robyn Mathers is heading back to Michigan where  its the first time shes been back since her teeenage years. Her Dada is seriuosly poorly and someone has to run his buiness whilst hes poorly. She also has to run the ice hockey team. Robyn doesnt find leaving London too difficult but she doesnt know if she can do everything that is needed of her.  Things begin to dwindle badly and one thing happens and before you know shes talking to a man, tall dark handsome and they get on greatly. Who wouldnt like to be sat on a long flight next to someone as stunning as him. 
Cole is after a new begining too but can he trust? Cole wants the happy every after but can he move on.....
I love Mandys book, they are always rel;ateable and you find yourself wanting to ive in these quaint little towns, it is a rebaranded book called taking charge but luckily for me i have not read it so be warned if you are fellow readers and have read all of her previous books. 
Thank you to netgalley and the pub;lishers for this read in replacing an honest review.

I don't think this is the best example of this author's work. For at least half of the book, I struggled with it, feeling that the chick lit Britishness of the cover didn't match the setting, and that the blurb didn't reflect the serious events at the heart of the story. It's tone and plot was more in line with Jodi Picoult than the lighthearted rom com that was suggested.

However, despite my difficulty with it, I gradually was drawn in - not by the romance but by the whodunnit aspect, which seemed to me to be far more central and significant than the romance.