Books by Barbara Josselsohn

Laurel and her son Simon are planning on a quiet Christmas at home in New York, when she gets a call from her father saying he needs her in Lake Summers in the heart of the Adirondacks.As twinkling lights go up and snowflakes begin to fall, Laurel can’t wait to leave New York behind to help her father run the family business and make snow angels with her son, even if it’s just for Christmas. But when she walks through the door, she’s shocked to find the inn in disrepair, and a letter saying her father will be gone until Christmas Eve…No one in town knows where Laurel’s father is, and she doesn’t know whether to be worried or angry – but she won’t let the inn go under, and nothing will get in the way of the perfect Christmas for her son. Seeing the worn-out wooden bannisters, bare of festive lights, she immediately recruits her childhood friend, brooding local carpenter Joel Hutcherson. They might disagree on whether any walls need to come down, but each rip in the carpet makes Laurel more concerned for her father, and Joel is a welcome distraction. And when he admits that Laurel was his first crush, she realizes she’s falling for him.Amongst her father’s things, Laurel uncovers a card with beautiful, ornate writing and learns why he disappeared. It changes everything. Worse still, she thinks Joel knew the truth all along. A wholesome Christmas romance about fresh starts, the importance of family and learning how to follow your heart. Perfect for fans of Mary Alice Monroe, Rachel Hanna and Carolyn Brown.“Had me hooked from the start… a delightful feel-good holiday story… Enjoy this book curled up with a hot cup of cocoa, you won’t want to put it down.” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars“As soon as I started to read this heart-warming tale I was quickly immersed… everything I want in a holiday book. It’s romantic, festive, and heart-warming in all the best ways… a slow-burn romance… delightful.” The Bashful Bookworm“A wonderful, magical Christmas book. Reminds me of holiday movies… Warms my heart.” Avid Reader, 5 stars“From the very first page I knew I was in for a treat… A page-turner… An absolute delight… A seasonal love story with a little twist of mystery.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars“A lovely holiday romance… emotional… charming… will appeal to readers of contemporary romance, second-chance romance, and small-town romance.” One More BookBarbara Josselsohn is an award-winning journalist and novelist. Her novels center around second chances, family relationships and, of course, romance. She lives just north of New York City.

"I am at loss of words to explain how I felt about this. I loved the plot... the author has really done an amazing job in writing this wonderful book. Well done, you have written a wonderful masterpiece... will stay with me for a long time." Goodreads reviewer.Returning home to her family’s little lake house is the perfect way for Jenna to escape her heartbreaking divorce. Her mother Sweet has been losing her memory and Jenna is sure that taking her daughter Sophie for a break with Sweet in Lake Summers, tucked under the Adirondack Mountains, is what they all need.Jenna finds comfort in lazy afternoons along the water, and during long nights overlooking their bluebell garden, she’s relieved to hear Sweet telling stories about her long-lost loves. Surrounded by family, it seems that some of Sweet’s memories have returned and Jenna knows she has made the right decision to come home. But when she meets handsome next-door neighbour Troy, she is reminded of a tragedy in her past she has tried hard to forget.Troy is the boy with whom Jenna shared her very first kiss—she’s relived that moment under the stars every night since she was seventeen. But though he once swept Jenna off her feet, he also broke her heart, and living next door to him for the summer feels impossible.But sometimes the only way to heal is with those who know you best, and despite her best efforts, Jenna is drawn to Troy again. With her family reunited at last and happier than ever before, is she finally brave enough to face up to her past, and settle down in Lake Summers forever?An unforgettable romance that will whisk you away to the sunny shores of Lake Summers. Perfect for fans of Carolyn Brown, Debbie Macomber, Mary Alice Monroe and anyone who’s ever dreamed of rekindling a long-lost love.What readers are saying about The Bluebell Girls:"We would all love to be supported by the quirky characters of idyllic Lake Summers. I wish I could run away there myself! You will need to read The Bluebell Girls to find out their stories, and their story may just change your own." Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars"I loved this book... such a great read, the characters were wonderful and the family story and secrets made this a page-turner. Now excuse me as I pack to move to Lake Summers." Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars"Reading The Bluebell Girls was such a wholesome and comforting escape from the reality of truly difficult times in our world. Barbara Josselsohn conjures up a special, timeless place... a feel-good, hopeful tale." Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars.The Lake Summer series has sold over 12,000 copiesFor fans of Carolyn Brown and Debbie MacomberBarbara Josselsohn is an award-winning journalist and novelist. Her novels center around second chances, family relationships and, of course, romance. She is the author of the Lake Summers series set in the fictional town of Lake Summers, nestled in the Adirondacks Mountains, which includes the books The Lilac House and The Bluebell Girls. She lives just north of New York City.

A family secret. A new romance. And a summer she will never forget. When Caroline left Lake Summers thirty years ago, she thought she’d never return to the place where she lost her parents. But when she finds out that the town’s lily garden lovingly built by her mother is going to be destroyed, she knows fate is calling. Dropping everything at her office in Chicago, she knows she is the only person who can save the garden.Caroline and her daughter Lee are welcomed home by the warm smile of her mother’s best friend Maxine, and piles of pancakes at her cozy little restaurant in town. And Caroline soon learns she isn’t the only person invested in saving her mother’s legacy when she meets handsome historian Aaron. As she gets to know him, strolling along the sparkling lakeshore, she can’t imagine anywhere else she’d rather be.But then Caroline learns a terrible secret about the day her mother died. And soon the real reason Aaron is in Lake Summers comes to light. Will the truth about the people she loves force her to give up a future with Aaron, and the beautiful town that has always been in her heart?An utterly uplifting and heart-warming story about loss and memory, family and forgiveness. Perfect for fans of Carolyn Brown, Joanne Harris, and Mary Alice Monroe.“I devoured this beauty in a day! Talk about being hooked to a book! This one did it to me! Had me from the first page and didn't let go! I loved these characters they were realistic and raw! The story also had me wrapped. Looking for a light-hearted read that will tug at the heart? Read this book!” Goodreads reviewer“An uplifting, refreshing romance novel that leaves you with a fuzziness after you finish reading it… a story of family, friends, forgiveness and second chances. A refreshing summer read.’ Netgalley reviewer“Another uplifting, and heart-warming book about small-town life, families, and friendship. It’s perfect for a light summer read, and you’ll fall in love with the small town of Lake Summers and the townsfolk who inhabit it… sweet and realistic. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a sweet summer romance.” The Bashful BookwormBarbara Josselsohn is an award-winning journalist and novelist. Her novels center around second chances, family relationships and, of course, romance. She lives just north of New York City.

Three generations. One summer that will change everything.Growing up in Lake Summers, Jenna and her mother Sweet were known as the bluebell girls. Jenna was carefree, always running barefoot through their wildflower garden, and no one expected her to live in their little lake house in the Adirondack Mountains forever. But when Sweet's health declines Jenna must return from her life near New York, and with her own daughter Sophie in tow, their family home comes to life again.Away from the stress of her recent divorce, Jenna finds comfort in lazy afternoons along the water and long nights watching Sweet tell Sophie stories about her long-lost loves. And when she meets Sweet's new next-door neighbour Troy, she recognizes him instantly as the boy with whom she shared her first kiss.Seeing Troy reminds Jenna of just how reckless she once was, but as their feelings resurface, so do the secrets they hide about a tragedy in their past. And with Sweet and Sophie closer than ever before, Jenna is forced to make a choice: will she flee again, or is she finally brave enough to be honest with Troy and settle down in Lake Summers forever?An unforgettable romance that will whisk you away to the sunny shores of Lake Summers. Perfect for fans of Carolyn Brown, Debbie Macomber, Mary Alice Monroe and anyone who's ever dreamed of rekindling a long-lost love. What readers are saying about Barbara Josselsohn:"This book about second chances both wrenched and warmed my heart… I highly recommend this book… One of my favorites this year. Please don't miss it!" Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews, 5 stars<"This book, uplifting and lovely, is very important in this time of chaos and uncertainty. Read it to sooth your frazzled nerves and to restore your faith in humanity." Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars"I did not want to put this book down. With sympathetic and believable characters, a plot that moved along at a good clip, and a compelling story line, this book was a page-turner… A well-written and engrossing story." Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars"A beautiful story… I was completely entranced." Book Reviews By Shalini"This book was special… a feel-good romance that would be perfect for a vacation read or a day off. Fans of cute romances will not be disappointed!" (e)Book Nerd Reviews"A heartfelt bittersweet read... Whisks you away to the lake for your summer vacay!!... Absolutely gorgeous summer read." Bookworms United Book Club"Will touch your heart… I wanted the book to keep going on." Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars"This book is filled with romance… I don't want to say goodbye." Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars"It left me smiling." Audio Killed the Bookmark"It's wonderful to pick up a book and get lost inside its pages. This is exactly what happened with The Lilac House. I was swept up… I didn't want the book to end. Moving, heartfelt and wonderful… This was just the kind of read I needed right now. Highly recommended." Jessica Belmont, 5 stars