Review: Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen

From Good Reads:

Suley, Georgia, is home to Lost Lake Cottages and not much else. Which is why it's the perfect place for newly-widowed Kate and her eccentric eight-year-old daughter Devin to heal. Kate spent one memorable childhood summer at Lost Lake, had her first almost-kiss at Lost Lake, and met a boy named Wes at Lost Lake. It was a place for dreaming. But Kate doesn't believe in dreams anymore, and her Aunt Eby, Lost Lake's owner, wants to sell the place and move on. Lost Lake's magic is gone. As Kate discovers that time has a way of standing still at Lost Lake can she bring the cottages—and her heart—back to life? Because sometimes the things you love have a funny way of turning up again. And sometimes you never even know they were lost . . . until they are found. 

My thoughts:  There's always excitement and anticipation in the literary community when Sarah Addison Allen publishes a new book. All her books have consistently wonderful stories, perfect sense of place, characters ( I just couldn't help but fall in  love with eight- year- old Devin. Her innate innocence and willingness to believe was so endearing)  that are easy to relate to and themes of love, friendship and family. All these are generally winning characteristics for contemporary fiction, but in Allen's hand, they become exceptional. It may just well be the addition of some magic realism to her  plots. You know in your heart that some situations cannot be real but still, you wish they were.

While Lost Lake was a most enjoyable read, The Peach Keeper and The Sugar Queen are still my favorites.  I would recommend any of her books. 4****

Sarah Addison Allen can be found at her website , on Goodreads and on Facebook.

Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by Net Galley/St. Martin's Press in exchange for my honest opinion.