SISTERS OF SUMMER’S END (Summer Resort #2) by Lori Foster-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 11, 2019

As the summer ends, friendship begins…When single mom Joy Lee abandoned her old life to take a job at a lakeside resort, she found something that her family’s wealth and influence could never buy: peace of mind. Not easy to come by for the once-burned divorce who keeps everyone at a distance. But when her new friend, Maris, dares her to take a chance with the drive-in’s charismatic new owner, everything changes for Joy and her young son. A difficult childhood has left Maris Kennedy with definite priorities. Her job running Summer’s End, the camp store and cafe, comes first. Always. Nothing could ever make her risk that hard-won security–especially not her free-spirited colleague. But the more she encourages Joy to open herself up to new experiences, the more Maris begins to wonder what she, too, might be missing. Learning how to trust will bring Joy and Maris together.

And soon they form a friendship that leaves them as close as sisters–and open to love where they least expect it…in Summer’s End.

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REVIEW: SISTERS OF SUMMER’S END is the second instalment in Lori Foster’s contemporary, adult SUMMER RESORT romance series focusing on the men and women who live and work at the lakeside resort Cooper’s Charm in Woodbine, Ohio. This is thirty year old, single mother and recreation director Joy Lee, and drive-in owner Royce Nakirk’s story line. SISTERS OF SUMMERS END can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary. There is also a secondary romance developing between camp store owner Maris Kennedy, and handyman Daron Hardy.

Told from several third person perspectives including Royce and Joy SISTERS OF SUMMERS END follows the building relationship between single mother and recreation director Joy Lee, and drive-in owner Royce Nakirk, Six years earlier Joy Lee found herself pregnant and alone but hoping to make a new life she settled into Cooper’s Charm lakeside resort where she would become the recreational director and find a new family with the people for whom she worked and loved. Fast forward to present day wherein Joy will come face to face with the drive-in’s new owner Royce Nakirk that has her reconsidering her self-imposed life as a single mother. What ensues is the building friendship and relationship between Royce and Joy, and the potential fall-out as Joy’s past offers her a second chance- for a price.

Meanwhile camp store owner Maris Kennedy is oblivious to the attention of handyman Daron Hardy. Always serving the customers and the people with whom she lives and works, Maris is blind to Daron’s attention including the subtle flirtatious jibs and jibes.
The relationship between Joy and Royce is one of immediate attention but Joy tends to keep to herself as she is a single mother trying to make it on her own. Having been tossed aside by the father of her child, then her own parents, Joy struggles with opening her heart to another possible failed relationship. The $ex scenes are passionate but mostly implied.

The secondary and colorful supporting characters include Cooper Cochran and his wife Phoenix Rose, as well as Phoenix’ sister Ridley (Cooper’s Charm #1), as well as Joy’s son Jack, and her parents Cara and Wallace Reed. The friendships and camaraderie between the employees at Cooper’s Charm is sweet, loving and protective.

SISTERS OF SUMMER’S END is a story of family, friendships, romance and love The premise is entertaining and endearing; the romance is tender; the characters are energetic and spirited. SISTERS OF SUMMERS END is the perfect beach read for a lazy summer afternoon.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one -COOPER’S CHARM

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy