Summer in a Bottle - by Annie Rains (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

In this tender, uplifting novel for fans of Josie Silver and Rebecca Serle, a young woman returns to her North Carolina hometown hoping to make new memories, but finds history repeating itself--literally . . .

Dumped by her fiancé, opinion columnist Lyla Dune returns to small-town Lakewood to heal, and to help her parents prep their house for sale. When she decides to open a time capsule she buried in high school, she finds a diary filled with memorable moments from the last summer she spent at home, right before college. Some of the events feel like they happened yesterday. That's normal. Not so normal is that they actually start happening all over again . . .

Lyla gets a flat tire in the same spot and is saved by the same person. The same movie is playing at the theater. Her house has the same leak it once had. As her current summer increasingly mirrors that last one, Lyla worries it will end just as disastrously: with a category 3 hurricane--and with losing Travis, the best friend she was always secretly in love with, when he moved away. If only she hadn't been too scared to admit it.

She revisits other fears too, like the fear of rejection that led her to abandon her passion for fiction writing. And when she reconnects with Travis, Lyla becomes certain that unless she does what her younger self was unable to do, she'll suffer the same regrets. But if this time around she can gather her courage, maybe the life that was falling apart when she arrived will fall back together--even better than before.

Review Quotes

Praise for Annie Rains

"With a hint of magic and a heaping of friendship, Annie Rains has spun a tale that guides us through Melody, Liz, and Bri's lives and loves that is sure to capture the hearts of readers. Rains is an expert in characters, holding the reader's hand as they become invested in her heroines' daily troubles and triumphs. I love this charming book!" ―Tif Marcelo, USA Today Bestselling Author of When Jasmine Blooms on The Charmed Friends of Trove Isle

"The Charmed Friends of Trove Isle has a whole lot of heart! Magic shines in the pages of this uplifting story about love and forgiveness, the enduring bonds of friendship, and the importance of finding the place where you most belong." ―Heather Webber, USA Today Bestselling Author of Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe on The Charmed Friends of Trove Isle

"Annie Rains highlights the importance of family, friendship, and forgiveness in this moving tale of three women overcoming the past. From the first page to the last, The Charmed Friends of Trove Isle feels like coming home." ―Lucy Gilmore, author of The Lonely Hearts Book Club on The Charmed Friends of Trove Isle

"Annie never disappoints but this one particularly hits out of the park with all the feels. I love a story of friendship and the little bit of magic woven in...chef's kiss! 100% recommend!" ―Jeanette Escudero, author of The Apology Project on The Charmed Friends of Trove Isle
"Rains draws inspiration from The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants in this sweet contemporary about second chances...The women's friendship with each other is just as important to the plot as the charming romance. Fans of quaint and affecting small-town stories will be in heaven." ―Publishers Weekly on The Charmed Friends of Trove Isle

"Rains delivers a poignant portrait of love and second chances in this Christmasy, Groundhog Day-esque tale... Rains makes all the variations on December 4 feel fresh and exciting, drawing readers into Diana's quest to reshape the past and change the future. Readers will eagerly devour this clever and emotional romance." ―Publishers Weekly on Through the Snow Globe

"Annie Rains is a gifted storyteller." ―RaeAnne Thayne, New York Times bestselling author

"Annie Rains puts her heart in every word!" ―Brenda Novak, New York Times bestselling author

"Don't miss this sparkling debut full of heart and emotion!" ―Lori Wilde, New York Times bestselling author of Welcome to Forever on Christmas on Mistletoe Lane

About the Author

Annie Rains is a USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance and fiction set in her home state of North Carolina. She lives with her husband, three children, feisty rescue cat, and mischievous dog in a small town full of lovable folks, scenic downtown areas, and breathtaking nature--similar to the towns she writes about in her books. Readers can find her at AnnieRains.com.