Learning at 40

Lakeside Cottage, Book 2

By: L.B. Dunbar

Narrated by: Stephen Dexter, Stephanie Nemeth-Parker

Length: 9 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's Summary

She didn’t want a one-night stand. He couldn’t promise more than a 10-day fling. Sometimes compromise is all you need.

Zack Weller is timely, orderly, and meticulous. Too bad his seven-year-old twin sons are hellions. With his divorce final, a two-week vacation beckons him to his best friend’s cottage. Unfortunately, he can’t help the magnetic pull of memories from the house next door - the one that was once his childhood home - or fight the force of nature in the naked woman sunbathing in that backyard.

River Nagle is a free spirit. She understands the trials and tribulations some people face and offers the compassion to deal with them head-on. When she inherits a lakeside home, she takes the blessing for what it’s worth: a gift and a new beginning. Until one day two little boys make themselves at home in the tree fort in her backyard and she meets their hot, growly dad, who steals her wine, her time, and her heart.

Newly divorced, single father grump meets a ray-of-sunshine next-door neighbor in this small-town second-chance romance where learning to love over 40 works with the right teacher.

Welcome back to Lakeside Cottage.

©2021 L.B. Dunbar (P)2021 L.B. Dunbar

Good Story Overall

This is the second book in the series and it was a bit heavier than the first one as Zach has a lot of emotional baggage that he has to work through.

Meeting River helped him see that and she helped him process that baggage and put some of it away and work on sorting out the rest.

Stephen Dexter was a wonderful choice for the male lead in this story. His voice fits very well with the baggage of Zach and his voice is wonderful to listen to.

I don’t recall if I’ve ever listened to a book performed by Stephanie Nemeth-Parker but I will definitely keep her on my list to keep a look out for. I very much enjoyed her soft but strong voice.

So connected!

I loved the story of this book and how much it is intertwined with the first book! I love book series, and this one is awesome because of how it constantly reminds you of what happened to get everyone here. The characters are not just friends and relatives, but they all share in a sorrow that makes them who they are. I can’t wait to see what happens in book 3!

Flying in love

Another wonderful book for this wonderful series. Zack has so much baggage from his youth & his father, plus he has very active twin sons. River is living in Zack's childhood home. his boys find his old tree house in River's yard. The three Weller boys are drawn to River. They only have 10 days together but can it be more?
I really enjoy these books about the 40 plus couples. I hope the next book will be in audio soon. Stephen Dexter and Stephanie Nemeth-Parker were wonderful narrators.

My heart

What an epic journey with this read with all the feels. I love how the characters are older in life and I found them so easy to relate to. Zack is just a lost man who is going through the motions without realizing what is missing. River is the sunshine in his life he didn’t know was missing. Their story had incredible build up and truly stole my heart.

I originally read this story and then was able to listen and wow how the narrators brought this story to life all over again for me was just amazing!

I loved all the supporting characters too and so need to know more about mason and Anna

A Second-Time-Around Emotional Romance

Returning to Lakeside Cottage was an emotional ride that left me feeling connected to amazing characters. The feelings and emotions that were brought out in Learning at 40 gave me a sense of accomplishment, as if I had read a book filled with meaningful moments that left me a little wiser. The story broke my heart and put me through the wringer, but in the end, it gave me hope and filled my heart with happiness.

This is an awesome series to listen to on audible. The emotions are brought out 10-fold by narrators Stephen Dexter and Stephanie Nemeth-Parker. I love when the voices match the characters for me, and in this case, they definitely did. I was able to read and listen at the same time which totally lets me escape and become one with the story. I highly recommend giving it a try.

Second-chance romance is my kryptonite, and LB’s over 40 stories are always perfect. She knows how to pen stories that those of us who have experienced a little more life than others can really immerse ourselves in. Possibly even live vicariously through. Her words always hit home. They always resonate deep within my soul while they bring my imagination to life.

River is the perfect sunny companion to stand alongside the newly divorced, single father, Zack, and help him heal while he builds a new life. He doesn’t exactly make it easy on her, and he may not even deserve her friendship, but lucky for him, she stays the course and helps him see things through a totally different set of eyes. Her optimism and outlook gives Zack a whole other side of seeing things.

I enjoyed this couple and summer vacation lakeside cottage stories get me every time. Do yourself a favor and start at the beginning with Living at 40 to really enhance your overall enjoyment and love of the characters.

Great story and narration

Learning At 40 is book two in the latest Lakeside Cottage series, from L B Dunbar and although it can be read as a stand alone, I would recommend you read the first book in the series, Living At 40 first as I think you would get a better enjoyment of the books. After the emotional roller coaster that was book one, I was anxious to see what she had in store for Zack Weller and River Nagle’s story.

Finally divorced from his horrible ex, Zack is a single dad to his 7 year old twin sons, Oliver and Trevor, who are out of control. Returning to Lakeside Cottage for a much need holiday, Zack is intrigued by his neighbour River. When they are brought together by his sons, Zack is struggling with the upcoming anniversary of Ben’s death. Not only is he still reeling from the bitter divorce but he is struggling with the emotions that this anniversary is bringing to the surface. River could be just the ray of sunshine that he needs to help bring him back into the light.

The narration by Stephen Dexter and Stephanie Nemeth-Parker was well done and they brought the emotion and passion that was between Zack and River to life for me. They were easy to listen to and for me these two were spot on with their narration.

Never disappoints

Dunbar’s stories never fail to capture your attention. This is no different. Having already read Learning at 40, listening to it gave me a whole new experience with it. Highly recommend.

No Sophomore Slump

**No Spoilers**

The second book in the Lakeside Cottage series is a success! I held my breath while starting to read/listen to this follow-up of the first book, as I loved that one and was hoping for the same reaction in the second one. I was not disappointed. In my opinion, the overall plot of the series and, so far, each individual story for the men of Four Points, is definitely some of L.B.'s best writing to date. Zack indeed does have some learning to do as a single parent to a set of twins and in dealing with the past. What I love is that his story has depth and doesn't gloss over the parts the end up making it feel real and completely possible. She digs into the complications of relationships and takes the time to add just a little more in the believable category. One expects to hear each person's story in a series of books with a common theme, but what L.B. does to make the reader completely invested in the overall scope of the series is what sets these books apart for me. While the focus is on one particular story, she doesn't shy away from including the other characters and offering a moment for them to have the spotlight. And I want it! I crave those pieces .. of previous characters and of future ones! She's on a roll with this series and I highly recommend!

Narrators: Excellent! Stephen Dexter is always a favorite for me and he gives Zack his voice flawlessly. Stephanie does a fabulous job with River. She has a soulful voice, one that is believable as a pediatric oncology nurse who has seen some things.

Love this series

This series makes you stop and smell the roses. Life is HARD and we tend to make it harder on ourselves. LB Dunbar has gift of making all the noise settle into a beautiful melody.

The narrators have fabulous voices and makes the story comes to life. They make listening so enjoyable.

Entertaining

The narration team of Stephen Dexter and Stephanie Nemeth-Parker did a great job bringing this story and the characters to life.

I’m becoming addicted to my visits to Lakeside Cottage and Learning at 40 is the perfect addition to the series. This is single dad Zack Weller and River Nagle’s story and if you love single dad romance you won’t want to miss this emotional roller coaster.
Zack is finally divorced and trying to do his best for his out of control 7 year old twin sons, he decides a holiday to Lakeside Cottage is in order for everyone take a breather and try and recoup and this is where he meets his neighbour River.
His sons may have brought River into his life just when he needs her most, having his life turned upside down by a messy divorce and with the anniversary of Bens death coming up, he certainly needs some light in his life. So will River be the one to bring light out of the darkness……
This is an emotional roller coaster, the friends are all determined to keep Ben’s memory alive but that’s hard to do when you feel like your own life is falling apart. This story touched me on so many levels but watching River engage with Zack, Oliver and Trevor took this book to another level for me. This is a emotional romance about new beginnings, trust, love and friendship and I highly recommend this beautifully written read.