From Haywood Smith, the New York Times bestselling author of THE RED HAT CLUB novels comes a pitch perfect story of four sisters who are forced to come together after years of silence
Sisters Dahlia, Iris, Violet, and Rose—all with grown children of their own—have a complicated relationship, so when their grandmother's will requires them to spend the whole summer—without friends or family—"camping in" at her run-down lodge on re mote Lake Clare in order to inherit the valuable land, old rivalries and new understanding emerge, with plenty of laughs along the way.
Desperate to save her Buckhead home from foreclosure after being left in the lurch, recent divorcee Dahlia must complete the summer and sell her share immediately. Practical, even-tempered Violet will be no problem, but Iris has been Dahlia's nemesis since she learned to say, "no" to her big sister. And super-sweet, quirky Garage Sale Queen Rose is so "green" she'd test the patience of a saint.
As tempers flare and old secrets are revealed, four grown women discover that the past is never truly buried, in Haywood Smith's Ladies of the Lake.
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"Really good read. Enjoyed the 'flower'sisters and all the personalities that made up this group of women. Not a 'serious 'book by any means, but a light, take it as it comes, laugh along story. However, the aspect of adult sisters accepting the peculiar dynamics of their relationships forged since birth, is interesting."
— Tanja (5 out of 5 stars)
“Smith gives readers a lovely comedy with poise.
— Publishers WeeklyCynthia Darlow…ably captures each sister's range of moods…A nice, light listen.
— Library Journal" Unlike The Queen Bee of Mimosa Branch, I didn't feel like I had to be a post-menopausal southerner to enjoy this book. Ok, so maybe that description applies to the main characters of this book, but it was still laugh-out-loud funny in places, although predictable in others. "
— Cathy, 2/11/2014" A decent book. Quick and easy to read. The end was a bit of a let down though. "
— Amy, 2/10/2014" library book. Romance is not usually my first genre choice, but Haywood Smith is always delightful. There was enough character development between the sisters that I felt it was a very enjoyable read. It made me laugh, cry and just feel good. "
— Lee, 2/9/2014" A funny and revealing look at four sisters who grow to love each other more when spending a summer at the lake house in northern Georgia. "
— Lschneier, 2/8/2014" Easy, breezy read. I did find many of Dahlia's thoughts and actions too hard to believe: swimming nude across the lake, which lead to the chigger infestation, come on. And, traveling half way around the world to a remote, near uncharted isle of paradise, unannounced, for a month, to reunite with her estranged son; really? If you can put your brain on vacation and not question the logic or lack there of, okay. "
— Janice, 2/4/2014" If you have sisters, you will love the interactions of the sisters in this book. Entertaining although very lightweight. "
— Martha, 1/28/2014" Light, chick book "
— Sallie, 1/26/2014" I am familiar with the North Georgia setting which made this a fun summer read. The arguing and bickering of these adult women was ridiculous. Not having sisters, I'm not absolutely sure, but I hope it is not very realistic. This read offered playfulness, romance and a summer vacation at the lake. If you cannot really spend your summer in that way, the next best thing is to read about it. "
— Melissa, 1/13/2014" Read this book on a whim, and turn out seriously enjoying it. Loved the charecters, loved their relationships. This book had me laughing out loud and crying. "
— Michelle, 1/10/2014" Interesting story but a bit unrealistic with a too good to be true knight in shining armor and a predictable ending, but nice mind candy. "
— Wendy, 1/9/2014" This book was just ridiculous. Don't waste your time. "
— JQ, 1/5/2014" This book started off with such promise but it was one of those that wrapped up everything at the end with no thought and some of the plot lines weren't needed. Clete was a little creepy even though the author tried not to make him that way by explaining things but he still was. "
— Therese, 12/31/2013" I rarely give up on a book but I couldn't get into this one. I was drawn to the premise of four sisters living together. I usually like this author. "
— Anne, 12/17/2013" Sisters who can't get along are forced to live together for the summer in order to inherit their grandmother's estate. Mostly a character study, with plenty of conflict, a bit of intrigue, and some romance to boot. It's pretty predictable, but entertaining. "
— Bonnie, 11/29/2013" Tool me forever to get through this book. Story was ok but very predictable. Not alot of excitement "
— Annette, 11/12/2013" Really enjoyed this one, life still can be fun after 50, having two sisters with different personalities made this book close to home "
— Judy, 10/30/2013" I loved this book, but mostly because of the sister aspect. I tried to read another of her books, and I didn't enjoy it...as a matter of fact I quit reading it. "
— Deanna, 1/11/2013" An easy read about sisters... Just found some of it funny in how siblings relate to each other and everyone has a role when they are together. "
— Laura, 9/18/2012" kinda slow moving but a great overall story line. having lived on a lake part-time during my childhood and as an adult i found it interesting. thinking about reading more of her books! "
— Debbie, 8/30/2012" Okay, but did not keep me up at night. "
— Lee, 8/5/2012" So good but way too short! I love the point of view from an old fashioned Southern woman. "
— Christa, 7/13/2012" Omg!!! Loved loved loved it!!! I was guessing the whole time. But, boy howdy, I was wrong. I loved every page. Haywood is an amazing writer. I cannot wait to start another one. "
— Crystal, 7/5/2012" Entertaining light read. Starts slow, picks up as it progresses. "
— Kathy, 7/3/2012" Well, I just loved-it...Clete loved him. Loved his whole far-fa-nooggle family...May we all be as loved someday. I'll admit I cryed and I yelled ;) "
— Samantha, 7/21/2011" Love books about Georgia and all the places I remember growing up. "
— Sallye, 7/19/2011" Light reading mostly targeted at women like me over 50! I really enjoyed it. "
— Pam, 7/17/2011" this was a treat - made me wish for a sister "
— Patty, 5/29/2011" Cute.. Would be good read for someone late 40s and older. "
— Kristi, 5/21/2011" My only complaint is that the narrator (I listened to the audiobook) should have checked her pronounciation of the places she reads. I know that some of our North Georgia towns have interesting names, but it was hard to hear them read over and over again incorrectly! "
— Cheryl, 3/25/2011" I give it a 3.5. It was a fun book. The things that happened in it were unrealistic but the familial relationships were very interesting. A cute love story as well. "
— Aleena, 1/29/2011" kinda slow moving but a great overall story line. having lived on a lake part-time during my childhood and as an adult i found it interesting. thinking about reading more of her books! "
— Debbie, 1/4/2011" Unlike The Queen Bee of Mimosa Branch, I didn't feel like I had to be a post-menopausal southerner to enjoy this book. Ok, so maybe that description applies to the main characters of this book, but it was still laugh-out-loud funny in places, although predictable in others. "
— Cathy, 10/13/2010" Cute.. Would be good read for someone late 40s and older. "
— Kristi, 10/7/2010" If you have sisters, you will love the interactions of the sisters in this book. Entertaining although very lightweight. "
— Martha, 9/24/2010" Just OK. Light, predictable, fairy tale, cliche. Still, it was fun enough and it's not like I wasted a lot of time getting through it. This is the second of her books I've read. Based on the two, I think if you've read one, you've read them all, so I probably won't bother with another. "
— LolaLa, 9/21/2010" An entertaining read! Some very funny parts to this novel about sisters! "
— Cheryl, 8/31/2010" Great book about sisters with differing personalities and how they are forced to get along one summer. Really enjoyed! "
— Theresa, 8/12/2010" A funny and revealing look at four sisters who grow to love each other more when spending a summer at the lake house in northern Georgia. "
— Lschneier, 8/12/2010" This book was a cute and hilarous book. I enjoyed it very much..smiles. <br/> "
— Debi, 6/18/2010Haywood Smith is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Red Hat Club and Queen Bee of Mimosa Branch, among other works. She lives in Buford, Georgia.
Cynthia Darlow’s unusual voice makes her devotion to the spoken arts a natural fit. As a narrator and veteran of Broadway, off-Broadway, regional theater, film, and television, her characterizations and facility with dialects are unforgettable. Her audiobook narrations have earned her seven AudioFile Earphones Awards. She is a member of The Actors Company Theatre (TACT), whose mission it is to present concert performances of long-neglected, language-driven plays.