Oh boy, do I have thoughts about “Meet Me at the Lake”!
You know that feeling when you’re curled up with a book, expecting to be swept away into a dreamy summer romance, but instead find yourself muttering “girl, what are you doing?” under your breath every few pages? Yeah, that was me with this one. As someone who devours romance novels like they’re bubble tea (and trust me, I know my bubble tea), I really wanted to love this book as much as I loved the gorgeous watercolor cover.
Let’s talk about the premise – Fern and Will spend ONE single day together in their early twenties, make these grand plans to meet up a year later, and then… nothing for a decade. Now, I get it. Sometimes you have an amazing connection with someone that just sticks with you. Last month, I had the most delightful conversation with an elderly gentleman at my favorite bookstore about our shared love for Jane Austen, and I still think about it. But I’m not planning my future around it!
The writing itself is beautiful – Fortune has a way with words that makes even mundane moments feel meaningful. The descriptions of the Brookbanks Resort transported me right to lakeside living, and I could practically smell the pine trees and feel the summer breeze. The setting is absolutely magical, and honestly, can someone please tell me if this resort actually exists because your girl needs a vacation!
But here’s where things get sticky (and not in a good maple syrup way). The pacing of this book is like watching someone try to parallel park for the first time – lots of back and forth without much progress. The first 200 pages drag like a Monday morning, with the characters dancing around their secrets like they’re participating in an elaborate ballet. And when those secrets finally come tumbling out? It’s like someone opened a pressure cooker without releasing the steam first – messy and all at once.
I have to give props to Fortune for her handling of mental health representation and non-traditional relationships. These elements were woven into the story with care and authenticity. The relationship between Fern’s mom and Peter was actually more compelling than the main romance – there’s something really beautiful about found families that always gets me right in the feels.
Speaking of the romance… sigh Look, I’m usually the first person to swoon over a second-chance romance. Just ask my cat – she’s had to listen to me gush about plenty of them. But Fern and Will’s connection felt more like a fantasy than a foundation for lasting love. They spent ONE DAY together (yes, I know I keep emphasizing this, but I’m still not over it), and we’re supposed to believe they’re soulmates? I’ve had longer relationships with houseplants!
The emotional cheating aspect of the story also left a bitter taste in my mouth. It’s handled in that new-adult, nobody-knows-what-they’re-doing way, but still. As someone who’s seen friends devastated by infidelity, it’s hard to root for a romance that starts with betrayal, even if it’s just emotional.
On a brighter note, the secondary characters are delightful! The resort staff and community members add depth and warmth to the story. They’re like the perfect supporting cast in a play – they enhance the main performance without stealing the show.
The alternating timeline structure, while interesting in theory, felt more like a device to stretch out the reveal of secrets rather than a natural way to tell the story. It’s like when someone takes forever to tell you a story and keeps going “but wait, let me back up…” – at some point, you just want them to get to the point!
Despite my criticisms, I can’t deny that Fortune has talent. Her prose is engaging, and she tackles complex themes with sensitivity. The mental health representation is particularly well done, and it’s refreshing to see a romance novel that doesn’t shy away from heavier topics.
Would I recommend this book? It really depends on what you’re looking for. If you love slow burns (and I mean SLOW), beautiful settings, and don’t mind suspending your disbelief about the power of a single day to shape a decade of longing, you might enjoy this. But if you’re like me and prefer your romances with a stronger foundation and faster pacing, you might want to skip this one.
Also, can we talk about that “charm the knickers off a nun” line? I actually snorted my tea when I read that! It’s these moments of levity that kept me reading even when the pacing tested my patience.
While “Meet Me at the Lake” wasn’t quite the summer romance I was hoping for, it did make me think about how our past shapes our present and the power of forgiveness – both of others and ourselves. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go start another romance novel to heal from this one!
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