Author:  Carla Neggers
Publisher: MIRA
Genre: Contemporary Fiction          
Source: Emer Flounders

Goodreads:  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.

Ope’s Opinion: This is a quick, easy romantic read with a little mystery in it.  This is the fourth book in the Swift River Valley series. It is the first one I read.  I did not feel lost.  The author did a good job of introducing each character and letting you know how they are related to others.  I did feel like I might want to go back and read the other characters stories.

The first half of the book felt very repetitive.  I think I was told several times that Brody had a pumpkin incident with the Sloan brothers.  I never did hear that whole story.

The second half of the book was great!  I loved how strong and independent Heather Sloan was.  I liked that she fell in love, but continued with her life and her dreams.  She didn’t get swallowed up by Brody.

The story was predictable, but had a lot of fun along the way.  There was an adorable pup, a lot of Sloan brothers and Brody’s friends that all add a lot of enjoyable characters to Brody and Heathers story.

I would read Carla Neggers again.

Rating: Three Chairs – I like the book enough to suggest it to a friend or two.