Merrylark
If you're a Hallmark Christmas movie fanatic, you know all about the small town of Evergreen. Hallmark has delighted us with stories about this close-knit town. If Evergreen really existed, many of us would move there!
In A Lake House Holiday, a similar town exists. It's the town of Merrylark, aptly named for the goodwill friends and neighbors extend to others.
Jolene Carter
Jolene Carter experienced a tragedy five years prior, and the savings she had dreamed of investing in her own coffee shop venture has been needed to sustain her ever since.
Jolene knows time is running out for her to find a real job before her dwindling savings disappears. Even though her lake house neighbors pay her to maintain their home for all their renters, it's not sustainable for her long-term.
It seems everyone in town relies on Jolene. She's a kind-hearted and compassionate woman who can't say no when she's needed. Whether she's helping her friend in her coffee truck, looking after a cranky old woman's cats, or rescuing the town baker when her oven goes on the fritz, Jolene happily lends a hand without expecting anything in return.
Luke Handley
Luke Handley rents the lake house in Merrylark for a week-long sabbatical. He's a rancher who is supposed to be enjoying his honeymoon, but since his fiancee broke their engagement, he proceeds with his getaway plans to recalibrate.
Only a short time into his stay, Luke is warmly welcomed by the residents of Merrylark and treated like family. It turns out, he has a lot to contribute to the town, and like Jolene, he's willing to be of service wherever he's needed.
Since Jolene oversees his stay at the lake, their paths cross out of necessity, but they enjoy each other's company, causing their business relationship to take a different turn.
As perfect strangers in the town suddenly become family, Luke falls in love with Merrylark. Will he fall for Jolene, too?
Kiara
Unannounced, Luke's ex shows up at the lake house, regretting her decision to let him go and hoping to rekindle their romance.
Kiara also gives Luke an envelope that will become the key to pursuing his dreams.
Conflict
Will a misunderstanding stop Luke and Jolene from being honest about their feelings toward one another?
When Luke leaves Merrylark to return to his family's ranch, Jolene resigns herself to remaining single and finding fulfillment in helping others.
Surprise
With the help of the dear folks from Merrylark, Luke devises a creative plan he hopes will give Jolene the desires of her heart and hopefully make her see how much she means to him. Will his plan work, or is it too late?
Clean Entertainment
If you love romances similar to Hallmark's that are clean and wholesome, then you will appreciate this book.
The author, Megan Squires, is a Christian, and her faith is woven throughout the novel in very subtle ways. Squires recognizes the reason for Christmas--Jesus--and the motives of each character's hearts are always pure. Jolene is the embodiment of grace, and she reflects the heart of a servant.
"The Golden Rule," or doing unto others as you'd have done unto you, is a thread throughout the whole novel. We see repeatedly where one good deed leads to another, and the reader is inspired to be the kind of person who could thrive in Merrylark--a place where no one is self-serving. Generosity, compassion, and kindness glues everyone together. Imagine living in a place where everyone was FOR and never AGAINST each other. Couldn't we all use a little of that inspiration right now?
Kiara would normally be the nemesis you'd want to hate, but even her character is like one from Hallmark--the type who chooses to react positively, without device, when things don't go as she plans.
In the novel, Jolene curls up with a Christmas romance movie that she knows always has the same plot and an ending wrapped up with a predictable, nice bow, so this is undoubtedly the author tipping her hat to Hallmark.
More Novels by Megan Squires
Once you read one Megan Squires novel you'll want to read another. In fact, she has a new book being released October 13, 2020, entitled,
Christmas at Yuletide Farm.
If you you love Megan Squires, check out her other titles:
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