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ARC Review: Barefoot Lake – Kim Swizz

I want to start this review by saying THANK YOU to Kim Swizz and Legends Literary Management for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an HONEST review. 

I LOVED this book. Barefoot Lake was one of those fall reads that i knew I’d be obsessing over so getting the chance to read it at the perfect time of the season was just incredible. It’s one of those stories that has you so wrapped up and it feels like the warmest hug. 

The storyline 

After the loss of her mother, Alice arrives in a small town called Wilcox Grove where she’s suddenly surrounded by people who knew and loved her mom. Living in her mom’s house by Barefoot Lake, Alice is confronted by a neighbor who seems to hate her for the sole reason of living in the house next door. 

As Alice and her neighbor, Jake, begin to form a bond through the ins and outs of Wilcox Grove, Alice must decide which life she wants more – the city life full of opportunity, or the small town life that feels like home? 

The characters 

I think i found bits and pieces of myself in Alice. It feels crazy to say but I found myself in Alice’s shoes on more than one occasion throughout the book. Does she choose herself or choose the career that is supposed to be what’s best for her? It’s like Alice’s decisions were my own and I felt myself working through the trauma of being in previous relationships where putting myself first just wasn’t an option. As Alice learned more and more about the right way to be loved, I realized more and more that I also deserve that. Ultimately, Alice taught me a lot about myself and the parts of me that I see in her reflected back to me in a way that I can say I’m proud of. She showed me that it’s okay to choose myself. 

Jake, my god I think I’m in love. When you think “book boyfriend”, you think: treats the girl right, puts her first, has NO flaws, yet as i learned more and more about Jake i realized that he’s the perfect book boyfriend because he’s real. He does have flaws, he has trauma, and a past that is devastatingly sad. But at the same time, he knows what’s right, he’s morally right… he’s pretty good looking too. All of the parts of Jake add up to make the perfect guy and i loved seeing Alice come alive with him. 

I can’t not mention Piper. Alice’s relationship with Piper had me in tears throughout the book. Not only were they the cutest of friendships but the utter and unwavering support that both girls provided each other had me dreaming of a friendship like that. I really hope to see more of Piper, maybe in a later book (hint hint, nudge nudge, Kim!)

The setting

Barefoot Lake, Wilcox Grove, you have my heart. Surrounded by all things cozy and fall and gorgeous, I fell so hard for this small town and everything it has to offer. The moment I heard about the bookstore-slash-bakery, I was sold. 

I’m begging you, Kim, please give me more Wilcox Grove!!!

The writing style 

This book was super easy to read. It took me a chapter or two to really get into the groove of it but once I did, I couldn’t put it down. It flowed perfectly and it gave me everything I needed from a small town romance filled with adorable characters.

Final thoughts 

I think I would go back and reread this book again and again if I could and I know it’ll be on my fall reread list for next year! I adored this book and I can’t wait to see what else Swizz has in store! 

Rating: 5/5⭐️


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