Title:Echo Lake
Author:Carla Neggers
Series:Swift River Valley, #4
Narrator:Susan Boyce
Published:January 2015, Blackstone Audio Inc / MIRA
Length:9 hours 25 minutes / 352 pages
Source:Library / Netgalley
In snowy Swift River Valley, unexpected romance is just around the corner…
Heather
Sloan has landed her dream job—the renovation of Vic Scarlatti’s
stately 1912 country home overlooking the icy waters of Echo Lake in
Knights Bridge, Massachusetts. It’s the perfect project for the family
business, but for once, Heather is in charge.Diplomatic
Security Service agent Brody Hancock left Knights Bridge at eighteen, a
few steps ahead of arrest and the wrath of Heather’s older brothers.
Though Brody had never planned to return, Vic, a retired diplomat and
friend, needs his help.Staying at Vic’s guest house makes it
impossible to avoid running into a Sloan at every turn—especially
Heather. Seeing her again has affected Brody more than he wants to
admit. But Heather is wary of Brody’s sudden interest in her, and she
suspects there’s more to his homecoming than he’s letting on…Set against the scenic backdrop of a New England winter, Echo Lake is a captivating tale of family, friends and the possibility of new love.
My thoughts:This is the 4th book in Carla Neggers’ Swift River Valley series, but it’s only the second book I’ve read and I have to say, I find it’s a series I don’t necessarily have to read in order. Not that I don’t want to read all every book, but I just haven’t found the time yet!
This book is Heather and Brody’s story and I really enjoyed it! They share a past and there is definitely chemistry between them now that they have reconnected all these years later – much like my husband and I did – but what I like is that this story is not just a straight romance. There is also a mystery involved, which kept the book interesting and intriguing and just that little bit suspenseful.
This is a story about second chances – not only for our main characters, but for some of the other characters we get to meet as well. There are many tender, heartwarming scenes throughout this book that I just loved, as well as some humorous ones to balance everything out – after all, when you have five overbearing, overprotective older brothers, there’s bound to be some issues – but how could you not love them!
I love returning to this series when I get a chance. The quaint New England charm that Carla Neggers manages to infuse into the town of Knightsbridge comes out in spades, making me wish it were a real town I could visit! I am hoping I am able to return to this series sooner rather than later and catch up with these characters…it really is a good series!
Audio thoughts:This is the first time I’ve listened to Susan Boyce narrate and the first time time I’ve listened to a book in this series…and I enjoyed both! Susan did a great job bringing this book to life – giving each character their own unique voice and bringing just the right amount of humor and tension to her voice when needed. I’m torn though as to whether I will continue to listen to the series on audio or just pick up the print version – nothing against Susan – but having now read and listened to a book in each format, I’m not sure what I will do. But, it’s good to know that I do like the narrator should I choose to go the audio route!
Books in this series:
1. Secrets of the Lost Summer
2. That Night on Thistle Lane
3. Cider Brook
3.5 Christmas at Carriage Hill
4. Echo Lake
5. A Knights Bridge Christmas
6. The Spring at Moss Hill
7. Red Clover Inn
Mmm I have a few of these in my wish list at Audible and I think I will give the first one a try on audiobook and see how I go. And love New England as a setting.