Series: The Inn on the Lake #1
Publication Date: 20th June 2025
Purchase Link: https://mybook.to/MapleTreeLodge
Goodreads Book Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/217965087-coming-home-to-maple-tree-lodge
Genre: Small Town Romance
3.7 Stars
One Liner: Sweet and cozy; low-stakes romance
Book Blurb:
A family and hotel in desperate need of
help…
Maple Tree Lodge has been the home of the Jackson
family for over a century. But the hotel has never been a success, and following the sudden loss of his father, architect Ben Jackson soon discovers
the hotel is close to financial ruin. Ben has to make some tough decisions if
the hotel is to survive and his family are to keep a roof over their heads.
With the hotel in urgent need of a renovation, Ben’s
sister calls on the talents of her best friend, interior designer Lily Watson.
Cash-strapped Lily needs a successful project to prove to herself and her
high-achieving parents that she can carve a successful career and Maple Tree
Lodge sounds like just the place for Lily to showcase her talents. However,
Lily’s vision for a cozy, country Cotswolds hotel is the complete opposite to
what Ben has in mind for a minimalistic, modern makeover and fireworks ensue!
Can they work together to save Maple Tree Lodge?
Can Lily help Ben and his family find a future
together?
And can Ben show Lily that there's more to life than
work?
As autumn at Maple Tree Lodge begins to weave its
magic spell, perhaps Lily will discover somewhere to finally call home and a
reason to stay...
***
My Thoughts:
The story comes in Lily and Ben’s third-person POVs.
Since I enjoyed the previous series by the author, I was excited to read this one. It is set in the same region, a fictional setting in the UK countryside, close to London. A few characters from the other series make a guest appearance here. Only one of them has a slightly prominent role… Dodgy Del! Yeah, though here, he seems to be less prone to causing trouble.
This is a low-stakes romance with very little angst or
drama. If you are into intense love stories, this may not work for you. But if
you want something hopeful, lighthearted, and cozy, you will enjoy the book.
The writing is mostly ‘tell’ with very little ‘show’.
Also, there’s an infodump right at the beginning (this seems to be the author’s
writing style). Still, the book has a good pace. I could finish 70% in a single
sitting.
Though we have some heavy themes like the death of a
parent, tensions in the family, a heroine with reinforced walls, financial
concerns, etc., they don’t feel overwhelming. The feel-good vibes are strong
and ensure there’s a sense of hope from start to finish.
Family and friendships are the core of the plot. I
loved all members of the Jackson family as well as the friends of the MCs. Two
pairs for the next books have been hinted at, and there’s one person left.
We’ll have to wait and see how that goes. So, this is also bound to be a
four-book series set in the beautiful Maple Tree Lodge.
The remote setting of the lodge nestled in the woods
with a lake close by and hundreds of ancient trees feels like the best place to
be! I enjoyed the descriptions of the interiors of the lodge and the nature
around it. Since the story happens over four-six months, we can see the
seasonal changes as well.
To summarize, Coming Home to Maple Tree Lodge is a
cozy and heartwarming story about finding your place in the world and having a
supportive family. It works well as a breather between heavier reads.
Thank you, Rachel’s Random Resources and Boldwood
Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion
about the book.
#NetGalley
***
About the Author – Alison Sherlock
Alison Sherlock is the author of the bestselling Willow
Tree Hall books. Alison enjoyed reading and writing stories from an early age
and gave up office life to follow her dream. Her series for Boldwood is set in
a fictional Cotswold village.
Follow the Author:
Twitter: @AlisonSherlock
Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/AlisonSherlockNews
Bookbub Profile: @AlisonSherlock
***
This has been a stop on the
#ComingHomeToMapleTreeLodge blog tour by Rachel's Random Resources (@rararesources).
Thanks for stopping by!
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