The summer house /

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

It's never too late to start over. The Summer House weaves Lauren K. Denton's inviting Southern charm around a woman's journey to find herself in a small beach town--with a little help from the local retirement community.

Lily Bishop wakes up one morning to find a good-bye note and divorce papers from her husband on the kitchen counter. Having just moved to Alabama for his job only weeks before, Lily is devastated. New to town and knowing no one, Lily finds herself in desperate need of a job and a new place to live. When Lily hears that a hair stylist is needed at small retirement community, she decides to apply.

Rose Carrigan built the small retirement village of Safe Harbor years ago--just before her husband ran off with his assistant. Now she runs a tight ship, making sure the residents follow her strict rules. Rose keeps everyone at arm's length, including her own family. But when Lily shows up asking for a job and a place to live, Rose's cold exterior begins to thaw.

Lily and Rose form an unlikely friendship, and Lily's salon soon becomes the place where the colorful residents share town gossip and a few secrets. Lily soon finds herself drawn to Rose's nephew, Rawlins--a single dad and shrimper who's had some practice at starting over--and one of the residents may be carrying a torch for Rose as well.

Neither Lily nor Rose is where she expected to be, but the summer makes them both wonder if there's more to life and love than what they've experienced so far.

The Summer House is a:

Cozy novel full of charm and heart that's perfect vacation reading Celebration of new beginnings, friendship, and family Sweet, clean romance set on the Gulf Coast

"The perfect summer read! Situated on the Alabama Gulf Coast, you'll feel the sun, taste the salt, and linger with new friends--you won't want to leave. And with lyrical prose and rich characters, The Summer House is a beautifully poignant reminder that we are never too young to find a good place to stand nor too old to start over."--Katherine Reay, bestselling author of The Printed Letter Bookshop and Dear Mr. Knightley

Reviews provided by Syndetics

Publishers Weekly Review

Denton (Glory Road) delivers a moving story about the friendship of two women reeling from betrayal and divorce. In Safe Harbor, Ala., Lily Bishop comes home one day to find an apology note from her husband alongside signed divorce papers. Rose Carrigan, the co-owner and manager of a local retirement community, gets an email from her ex-husband and co-owner, who left her for his assistant, saying he wants to sell the company and has found a buyer. Lily and Rose strike up a friendship when Lily, who used to cut hair, goes to work as a hair stylist at the retirement community, and her arrival is the catalyst for fence mending between Rose and the largely disgruntled client base. Rose, still bitter after a difficult divorce, finds it easier to open herself up to new friendships, and Lily slowly becomes comfortable in her hairstyling skill, leaning in to her gut feelings to provide the inspired hairstyles that each client needs. Through their shared faith and resiliency, Lily and Rose bring calm and happiness to the formerly uptight community, and Rose is able to keep control. Rachel Hauck fans will want to take a look. (June)