Light in Summer (Paperback) (Mary McNear)

Book Synopsis

"Butternut Lake is so beautifully rendered, you'll wish it was real."--Susan Wiggs, #1 New York Times bestselling author

Lovers of books by Debbie Macomber and Raeanne Thayne, small town stories and summertime reads will love The Light in Summer, as New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Mary McNear returns to Butternut Lake.

It's summertime on Butternut Lake, where the heat of noon is soothed by the cool breezes of the evening, where the pace grows slower, and sometimes, just sometimes, the summer light makes everything clearer...

For the lovely Billy Harper, Butternut Lake is the place she feels most at home, even though lately she feels the only one listening to her is Murphy...her faithful Labrador Retriever. Her teenage son, Luke, has gone from precious to precocious practically overnight. Her friends are wrapped up in their own lives, and Luke's father, Wesley, disappeared before his son was even born. No wonder she prefers to spend time with a good book, especially ones where everything ends in perfection.

But Billy is about to learn that anything is possible during the heady days of summer. Coming to terms with her past--the death of her father, the arrival of Cal Cooper, a complicated man with a definite interest in Billy, even the return of Wesley, will force her to have a little bit of faith in herself and others...and realize that happiness doesn't always mean perfection.

"This triumphant story had me reading until the wee hours of the morning."--#1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber on The Space Between Sisters

"My favorite kind of book..." New York Times bestselling author Susan Elizabeth Phillips on Moonlight on Butternut Lake

"A great emotional read for every women who must face the past before moving forward."--#1 New York Times bestselling author Sherryl Woods on Up at Butternut Lake

From the Back Cover

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Mary McNear brings you home to Butternut Lake and a novel filled with irresistible characters whom you will want to call your friends

For the lovely Billy Harper, Butternut Lake is the place she feels most at home, even though lately she believes the only one listening to her is Murphy . . . her faithful Labrador Retriever. Her teenage son, Luke, has gone from precious to precocious practically overnight. Her friends are wrapped up in their own lives, and Luke's father, Wesley, disappeared before his son was even born. No wonder she prefers to spend time with a good book, especially ones in which everything ends in perfection.

But Billy is about to learn that anything is possible during the heady days of summer. Coming to terms with her past--the death of her father; the arrival of Cal Cooper, a complicated man with a definite interest in Billy; even the return of Wesley--will force her to have a little bit of faith in herself and others . . . and realize that happiness doesn't always mean perfection.

Review Quotes

Praise for Moonlight on Butternut Lake: “A delicious setting and a heroine to cheer for, Moonlight on Butternut Lake is my favorite kind of book, one that treads that pleasurable line between romance and women's fiction. Enjoy! ”--Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Praise for The Space Between Sisters: “Butternut Lake is so beautifully rendered, you'll wish it was real.”--Susan Wiggs, New York Times bestselling author, on Moonlight on Butternut Lake

Praise for Up at Butternut Lake: “A great, emotional read for every woman who must face the past before moving forward.”--Sherryl Woods, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"[...] if you're packing your lakeside tote and hefting the canoe to the top of your vehicle, you might want to take along Up at Butternut Lake."--Minneapolis Star Tribune

"A sweet romance wrapped in several interesting storylines. It's easy to root for the happiness of all the leads."--New York Journal of Books

"Butternut Summer is a thoughtful examination of the pleasure and pain of love and the strength of the family bond and will leave fans eagerly awaiting the triptych's final installment."--Booklist

"Engaging and true to life, Butternut Summer offers a story not limited just to a beach read."--New York Journal of Books

"The perfect book to bring on summer vacation, this stay-up-all-night novel...is one that readers will love. With well-developed characters who captivate and a deeply emotional subplot [...] this novel is one to add to your collection for keeps."--RT Book Reviews (4 1/2 stars)

Praise for BUTTERNUT SUMMER: "Butternut Summer by Mary McNear made me laugh at times, and it also brought tears to my eyes. [...] I highly recommend Butternut Summer!"--Fresh Fiction

"McNear's latest Butternut Lake novel features small-town living at its best, teenaged angst and family dysfunction. [...] The perfect summer read that also works as a standalone novel."--RT Book Reviews

"A great, emotional read for every woman who must face the past before moving forward"--#1 New York Times bestselling author Sherryl Woods

"This triumphant story had me reading until the wee hours of the morning."--Debbie Macomber, #1 New York Times bestselling author