title: Return to Willow Lake (The Lakeshore Chronicles)
author:  Susan Wiggs 
description: "With the ease of a master, Wiggs introduces complicated, flesh-and-blood characters into her idyllic but identifiable small town setting..."--Publishers Weekly Starred Review on The Winter Lodge (Best Books of 2007 selection)<Br><Br>"Susan Wiggs paints the details of human relationships with the finesse of a master."<Br><Br>-Jodi Picoult<Br><Br>"Wiggs's storytelling is heartwarming... clutter free... [for] romance and women's fiction readers of any age."<Br><Br>--Publishers Weekly<Br><Br>"Wiggs's talent is reflected in her thoroughly believable characters as well as the way she recognizes the importance of family by blood or other ties."<Br><Br>--Library Journal<Br><Br>"Susan Wiggs writes with bright assurance, humor and compassion."<Br><Br>--Luanne Rice<Br><Br>"Empathetic protagonists, interesting secondary characters, well-written flashbacks, and delicious recipes add depth to this touching, complex romance..."<Br><Br>--Library Journal on The Winter Lodge<Br><Br>"Emotionally intense."<Br><Br>Booklist on The Winter Lodge<Br><Br>"Wiggs is at the top of her game here, combining a charming setting with subtly shaded characters and more than a touch of humor. This is the kind of book a reader doesn't want to see end but can't help devouring as quickly as possible."<Br><Br>--RT Book Reviews [Top Pick] on Snowfall at Willow Lake<Br><Br>"Rich with life lessons, nod-along moments and characters with whom readers can easily relate.... Delightful and wise, Wiggs's latest shines."<Br><Br>--Publishers Weekly on Dockside<Br><Br>"Wonderfully evoked characters, a spellbinding story line, and insights into the human condition will appeal to every reader."<Br><Br>--Booklist on Summer at Willow Lake
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  Return to Willow Lake (Lakeshore Chronicles #9) by Susan Wiggs
  
  Part One
  
  SONNET ROMANO’S
  
  MUST-DO-BEFORE-AGE-THIRTY LIST
  
  college degree
  
  overseas internship
  
  bond with estranged father
  
  find a better apartment
  
  fall in love
  
  A Scout is never taken by surprise; he knows exactly what to do when anything
  unexpected happens.
  
  —ROBERT BADEN-POWELL (SCOUTING FOR BOYS, 1908)
  
  Chapter One
  
  Moments before the wedding was to begin, Sonnet Romano shuddered with a wave
  of nervousness. “Mom,” she said, hurrying over to the window, which framed a
  view of Willow Lake, “what if I screw up?”
  
  Her mother turned from the window. The late afternoon light shrouded Nina
  Bellamy’s slender form, and for a moment she appeared ethereal and as young as
  Sonnet herself. Nina looked fantastic in her autumn-gold silk sheath, her dark
  hair swept back into a low chignon. Only someone who knew her the way Sonnet
  did might notice the subtle lines of fatigue around her eyes and mouth, the
  vague puffin