Victoria's Reviews > Lost Lake

The books I read when I was twenty completely changed when I read them when I was sixty. You know why? Because the endings changed. After you finish a book, the story still goes on in your mind. You can never change the beginning, but you can always change the end.

At this time of year I tend toward lighter reading, not enough energy to dive into deep or emotional subject matter and this fit my mood perfectly. Lovely storytelling, quirky and lovable characters and while the plot is predictable, you go along for the ride because you want to spend time in this world that Addison Allen has created for you. This is my fourth novel by this author and she never disappoints. Some magical realism, a dose of comeuppance and a lot of heart made for a light, satisfying, read.

She understood that the hardest times in life to go through were when you were transitioning from one version of yourself to another.

This is a story about the haunting of the past, loss, longings, second chances, mending hearts and, to an extent, closure. It’s the cast of eccentric characters, however, that really shines from Eby, the stalwart aunt with a heart of gold; to Lisette, haunted by the boy who committed suicide when she rejected him; to Buhladeen, the octogenarian with a penchant for the bottle; and Selma, seven times divorced and sashaying her way through town on her way to the eighth. Each has a back story that illuminates who they became and why this special place holds a place in their hearts and each will burrow their way into yours.

When your cup is empty, you do not mourn what is gone. Because if you do, you will miss the opportunity to fill it again.

Filled with homespun wisdom, ghosts, love charms and even a magical alligator, this was a 3.5 rounded up to 4 because for a few hours I was lost in a magical place.