The Ride of Her Life the third book in the Lake Manawa Summers series by Lorna Seilstad. I reviewed the first book in the series, Making Waves, back in September 2010 (was that really almost 2 years ago?!) and really enjoyed it. This one was no different, but let me tell you more about it first:
She’s planted firmly on solid ground.
He’s ready to sweep her off her feet.
The only man pragmatic Lilly Hart needs in her life is a six-year-old. Widowed for three years, Lilly has decided to leave the home of her intrusive in-laws to stand on her own. However, her in-laws find her new life as a cook at Lake Manawa utterly unsuitable for their grandson. When an argument ensues, a handsome stranger–who designs roller coasters, of all things–intercedes on her behalf. But Lilly is not about to get involved with any man, especially this cocky gentleman. Little does she know she is about to begin the ride of her life.
Filled with the sweet romance of summer, The Ride of Her Life will have you laughing out loud and sighing contentedly as you spend the summer of 1906 at Lake Manawa.
I was glad for a little help to get into the summer feeling, and The Ride of Her Life really delivered. It reminded me a lot of Pt. Pleasant Beach in NJ, with the small carnival area but tons of activity. The story of building the brand-new contraption called the roller coaster was exciting and just the kind of historical facts that I enjoy.
This installment in the series had a totally different feel than the first one to me. Maybe it’s because I was lucky enough to read the first book at the Outer Banks in NC but this book definitely felt more like it took place on a lake and not an oceanfront.
Seilstad does an excellent job of setting up Ben’s parents as the villains in the book. Unfortunately, many grandparents are also like them in varying degrees, thinking they know best for the grandchildren and never thinking there may be a different way or that the parents of that child may know what they’re doing. I’m glad that in this book, Lilly had the sheriff on her side, as it often seems with these kinds of stories that the whole world is against the protagonist.
If you’re looking for a book to get you into the summer mood, look no further than The Ride of Her Life by Lorna Seilstad. Or, if you’re like me and need to read a series in order, start with the first book in the series, Making Waves.
Available May 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
