REVIEWED BY KIRA SLAUGHTER
Jenny’s lived her whole life in Willow Lake, finding safety and warmth running her little bakery. Until one winter she loses everything in a devastating house fire. Sifting through the ashes she finds a chance for a different life...
Whilst touched by the love of the community and surprised by the attention of her gorgeous rescuer, Rourke McKnight, Jenny’s heart is caught by another treasure. An undiscovered family of strangers waiting to make her their own.
But in chasing one dream another may slip through Jenny’s fingers. If she stays in Willow Lake long enough for the snow to settle, happiness is waiting to find her.
Susan Wiggs is definitely one of my new favourite authors. After reading her last two books, Summer at Willow Lake and Just Breathe, I couldn’t wait to read this one. It’s based around the occupants of a small town in New York called Avalon.
In The Winter Lodge, Jenny Majesky is the main focus of the book, and what happens to her when her house burns down. It was her Grandmother’s house and contained all of the memories from her childhood and her Grandmothers time in America. When the dust has settled, Jenny has to sift through the wreckage to see if there is anything worth keeping. As well as doing this, she is also trying to find out the reason why Rourke McKnight, her life-long crush, is paying her so much attention.
I thought this book was brilliant as it kept flitting between Jenny's past when she first met Rourke, to the present day where she is trying to figure out her feelings for him. There has always been something between the two of them, and by going back and forth between past and present day, it really helps to build tension up within the story.
Jenny is also fighting personal demons; she has always wanted to find out the reason why her mother ran out on her when she was four years old. As well as detailing hers and Rourke’s relationship, the book also letters included that Jenny wrote to her mother every year.
As well as Jenny’s story, there is also a sub plot based around the character of Daisy, who has just moved to Avalon to live with her Dad and little brother. Her story is also very interesting and I can see it leading onto another book in the Willow Lake series.
A highly enjoyable read, and one which made me feel like sitting by the fire with a huge mug of hot chocolate.
8/10
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