Lost Lake

By: Sarah Addison Allen

Narrated by: Janet Metzger

Length: 8 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

From the author of the New York Times bestseller Garden Spells comes a beautiful, haunting story of old loves and new, and the power of the connections that bind us forever…

The first time Eby Pim saw Lost Lake, it was on a picture postcard. Just an old photo and a few words on a small square of heavy stock, but when she saw it, she knew she was seeing her future.

That was half a lifetime ago. Now Lost Lake is about to slip into Eby’s past. Her husband, George, is long passed. Most of her demanding extended family are gone. All that’s left is a once-charming collection of lakeside cabins succumbing to the southern Georgia heat and damp, and an assortment of faithful misfits drawn back to Lost Lake year after year by their own unspoken dreams and desires.

It’s a lot, but it’s not enough to keep Eby from calling this her final summer at the lake, and relinquishing Lost Lake to a developer with cash in hand. Until one last chance at family knocks on her door.

Lost Lake is where Kate Pheris spent her last best summer at the age of twelve, before she learned of loneliness and heartbreak and loss. Now she’s all too familiar with those things, but she knows about hope, too, thanks to her resilient daughter, Devin, and her own willingness to start moving forward. Perhaps at Lost Lake her little girl can cling to her own childhood for just a little longer...and maybe Kate herself can rediscover something that slipped through her fingers so long ago.

One after another, people find their way to Lost Lake, looking for something that they weren’t sure they needed in the first place: love, closure, a second chance, peace, a mystery solved, a heart mended. Can they find what they need before it’s too late?

At once atmospheric and enchanting, Lost Lake shows Sarah Addison Allen at her finest, illuminating the secret longings and the everyday magic that wait to be discovered in the unlikeliest of places.

©2014 Sarah Addison Allen (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

"Metzger's Southern accents and variety of boisterous and genteel voices capture the eclectic personalities of townsfolk, while her alluring voice and smooth reading convey the tranquility of the lake community.... Listeners will be charmed." ( AudioFile)

Another great story by Ms Allen.

This author has become a favorite of mine.l Just enough magic to keep me guessing.

Nostalgic Summer on the Lake Beautiful Characters

A writer who paints a whole gorgeous canvas with her words writes of one nostalgic summer in the south when dreams and love, old and young, regrets and redemption all come to Lost Lake.

After experiencing the wonder and magic of Garden Spells, it was only a matter of time before I dove in once again to a book world this author created. I slowly connected with this story, but once I did; I was a goner. Lost Lake is an old lake resort near a small town and is hidden away save for the people who magically find their way there. I loved the blend of old nostalgia for what used to be, the intriguing moments of magical realism, people who have been lost finding their way, and of course love- one old and one a second chance for a younger pair.

There is a large cast of colorful, quirky characters and the narration shifts between them all. Present stories are interesting and the situation of the last summer before the lake resort being sold- or not- is enough to keep me reading, but it was digging into each person's pasts that brought to the surface the real gems of the story.

The pacing and tone of the story reflect the writing style with its drowsy, slower-paced meandering in the moist summer heat.

And if the story were not already a fabulous experience, I had the audio edition with the talented Janet Metzger bringing each of those fascinating characters to life. I will definitely pick up more of her work now that I've discovered it.

All in all, I got lost in the lush beauty and color of the story and I would encourage those who enjoy contemporary fiction with a strong dose of magical realism and romance to pick this one up.

Lovely Story

Lost Lake is a place we’ll all remember from our childhood. A lazy summer place to make memories and dream of the future. I loved all the characters and feel like they’re friends now. I think Beulah Dean is my favorite. She loved books like I do. But my favorite thing she said was the beginning will always be the same, but you can change the ending. Wise words.

Great narration

Nice easy to listen to story. Well written no sex, no drama wholesome story that I wouldn’t be afraid to listen to with my mom

Spend a Quiet Afternoon with Sarah Addison Allen

I think this book is wonderful. When I first began listening to this author I wasn't sure her work was my cup of tea. I have now listened to all of her audiobooks, and I have discovered that I truly lose myself in her stories. Most of the characters are likeable and quirky, and I love the bit of magic in all of her books. I will listen to this one again!

Love the beautiful writing!

Sarah is one of those writers that takes you to another world with her words. You hate for her books to end. Can't wait to read her next book.

Lost lake a good feeling storie

loved it left me with tbe most happiest feeling, and a little teared up I love when end bc happy!

Cheesy accents ruined it

All of the cheesy southern accents ruined the story for me. If I had not had to use a credit to be able to listen to the book I wouldn’t have finished it.

Might be better read. Narrator may drain the life out of the characters

I couldn’t be sure. I kept trying to listen to to this story. But I’d fall asleep. Then I’d fall asleep again. So I’d back it up to where I thought I had been and then I’d get a spoiler and back it up some more, so then I’d start over, but then I’d fall asleep. I want to love this book. I want to love these characters. I have found some of Sarah Addison Allen’s early work to be full of wonder, endearing and lovely little snippets of Southern Charm. Having spent my summers with my Alabama born grandmother, I felt at home in the pages of her books, but Lost Lake was just that; LOST. The character development was all over the place. It didn’t unravel effortlessly. I didn’t find myself invested in the their stories or their slice of the world. I plan on getting the book and reading it. I hope the characters will come to life for me there. The narrator did not capture…. well, anything well. She seemed absolutely disinterested from start to finish in the story. I hope I have better luck with the written book. I’ll change my rating if that is the case.

Sisterhood through Generations

Lots of wonderful characters suoporting one another. A sisterhood with a couple of romances making everyone happy.