When Pixie Nolan first came to Bramble, Kentucky, the abandoned and desperate young single mother found hope, healing, and a fresh start. With the loving support of her best friends—Marlow Heddings and her handsome Marine husband, Cort—Pixie is now happily raising her toddler son in a cozy cottage, managing Marlow’s thriving boutique, and designing firefly logo T-shirts that are selling like hotcakes. The past is behind her, and life is good.

She never expected to make an electrifying connection with a summer renter, a retired Navy SEAL with his own complicated past…

A rugged warrior with scars both seen and unseen, Brogan Rafferty arrives with an adorable baby girl in tow and settles into the lake house next door. And while he’s a stunning addition to the gorgeous scenery, it’s his caring devotion that captures Pixie’s heart—the way he gently snuggles away the precious infant’s cries, or swoops Pixie’s delighted little boy high in the air with his tattooed, muscular arms.

But it’s no coincidence that Brogan has found Pixie, and his startling revelations make it clear she’s the key to healing old regrets and building new dreams. And when a hostile stranger turns up with shocking accusations against Bramble’s new hometown hero, Pixie must put her own fears and heartbreak away for good—and learn what it truly means to trust.

Titles in the Firefly Summer series include:  The Guest Cottage ~ The Lake House ~

This story may contain language, violence, and/or sexual situations intended for an adult 18+ audience.

Title:  The Lake House
Series:  Firefly Summer #2
Author:  Lori Foster
Published:  May 26, 2026
Publisher:  Kensington Books
My Rating:  4.5 stars

The Lake House is the second story in the Firefly Summer series, this time giving us Pixie’s well-deserved romance.  I loved Pixie in Marlow and Cort’s story in The Guest Cottage, the first story in this series.  I’m beyond delighted to have her story now, and that we also get to visit once again with Marlow and Cort.  While I feel that Pixie’s story can stand on its own, I strongly believe that you’ll enjoy the first title as well, for background, yes, but it’s such a lovely, well-written romance on its own.

Pixie’s life is finally becoming settled.  She has her adorable toddler son, Andy, to keep her on her toes, and a job she loves managing Marlow’s boutique, plus a beautiful home on the lake to enjoy.  Her life is good now, far different from when she first landed in Bramble, Kentucky.  She’s happy, content, and if she’s sworn off men for good… knowing what happened to her, can anyone blame her for that decision?  Yet, fate has something else in mind when Brogan and wee tiny baby Shayna arrive as temporary summer guests renting Marlow and Cort’s nearby property.  While a friendship, and perhaps more, begins to grow between Pixie and Brogan, it soon becomes obvious that this stranger and baby girl didn’t arrive in town by chance.  Brogan has an agenda, but will he hesitate too long before revealing the true reason he’s in town?

I loved The Lake House so much.  I don’t want to give away more than you’d find in the cover blurb, so I’ll keep this review short. The emotions in Pixie and Brogan’s romance can be felt through the pages (or the screen) quite easily.  From laughter to tears, to suspicions to found love and family, you’ll experience all the feels in this one.  Their romance is well-written (but I expect that from Ms. Foster), deeply emotional, with passion, laughter, and the delightful antics of a toddler and baby’s bonding.  We have a vile villainess to deal with who deserves what is coming her way.  In all, I absolutely loved being back in this world for another realistic romance, and have my fingers crossed that there are more tales to be told ahead in this series.  If that sounds like your kind of romance, then you’re going to love Pixie and Brogan’s story.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley, and I sincerely thank the author or publishing house for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

This title is available at Amazon