Iris Standish's life has been turned upside down. Her husband Paul has blind sided her with wanting a separation. THE LAKE SEASON is filled with love, heartbreak, family, and romance. Iris has always had the love of her family, which is why she runs home to them when her life falls apart. But she has always felt like an outsider looking in. Her parents, while maybe not meaning to, have always played favorites with her sister, Leah. No matter what Leah does, no matter how many bad decisions she makes, her parents have always had her back. Iris doesn't feel like they are the same way with her.

Leah has shocked everyone by announcing she is getting married and wants Iris there to help her with all the plans. Once home, Iris is shocked by the changes her family has made to the farm and barn in her absence. The one thing that appears to be exactly the same is her sister. Leah still seems to be a little reckless and attention seeking - you know the kind that always has to be the life of the party. Iris becomes concerned by some of Leah's strange behavior. Although Iris tries to get Leah to open up, Leah refuses to confide in her and their relationship becomes just like it was when they were kids. Iris was always picking up the pieces to the mess Leah would leave behind and she finds herself doing it again. Why don't her parents make Leah take responsibility for her actions?

While all of this is going on, Iris finds herself constantly running into one of her teenage crushes, Cooper Woods. Iris hides out in the barn that Cooper is renovating for her family, to escape her problems. Cooper learns of Iris's troubles at home and offers to listen when she wants to talk. At the same time, he teaches her so many things as she helps him in the restoration of the barn. Their renewed friendship is just what each of them need. Neither one of them is interested in a summer fling, but is there really time for anything more?

I still can't believe THE LAKE SEASON is a debut novel. Once I started reading, I couldn't stop. I read this wonderful story in two sittings! Hannah McKinnon pulled me right in from the very first page and never let me go. She does such a great job of describing the scenery and the way the characters are feeling that it was almost as if I were right there with them at the lake and the farm. I love when an author can put me in their story.

I usually am reading many books at one time but once I started THE LAKE SEASON all other books were put aside. I found myself cheering for the Standish family, wondering if tragedy would pull this family together or splinter it further apart. I finished reading the very last page with a huge lump in my throat and a big smile on my face! I can not wait to read more by Ms. McKinnon.