Smile Like You Mean It

Renée Nichols returned to Summer Lake because she had nowhere left to turn. Her marriage, the charity she spent her life building, her entire life—they were all shattered when her husband was arrested. She’s getting by, even if barely standing on her own two feet. She has a job, even if it’s not the greatest. She has her childhood home to live in, even if it’s barely livable. 

 

Gabe Morgan is back in town, too—even if he’s only visiting. Every time she gets around him her heart rate and her temperature soar, but that’s just her overactive imagination, isn’t it? He might be even hotter now than he was in high school, but he’s still the town’s golden boy. He’s the town doctor’s son, she’s the town drunk’s daughter. He’s one of life’s good guys, he’ll help her out because it’s what he does. But that’s all. 

 

Gabe Morgan has been spending as much time as he can back in Summer Lake—though he couldn’t tell you why. He’s a partner in a successful firm of trial attorneys in New York City. He’s gone out and conquered the world as he always knew he would. So why is it every time he comes home to the lake, he feels like a failure? He’s achieved so much, but he hasn’t found happiness. 

 

Running into Renée again has made him question everything. She told him that love, family, and happiness are the most important things in life. He’s starting to agree—but will she be the one to help him find them? 

 

This book is intended for adult readers 18+ 

 

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Each Summer Lake Romance can be read as a stand alone book – no cliff hangers here! Each book contains one couple's story. However, they are best read in order to get full enjoyment of the underlying story and friendships. 

 

Love Like You've Never Been Hurt - Emma and Jack 

Work Like You Don't Need the Money - Pete and Holly 

Dance Like Nobody's Watching - Missy and Dan 

Fly Like You've Never Been Grounded - Smoke and Laura 

Laugh Like You've Never Cried - Michael and Megan 

Sing Like Nobody's Listening - Kenzie and Chase 

Smile Like You Mean It - Gabe and Renée 

The Wedding Dance - Missy and Dan's Wedding 

Chasing Tomorrow - Ben's backstory with Charlotte 

Dream Like Nothing's Impossible - April and Eddie 

Ride Like You've Never Fallen - Nate and Lily 

Live Like There's No Tomorrow - Ben's story 

The Wedding Flight – Smoke and Laura’s Wedding 

Fight Like You've Never Lost - Leanne and Ryan 

 

Remington Ranch series 

Meet the sexy brothers of Remington Ranch! Just like in SJ's Summer Lake Romance series you can expect a story that is both sweet and steamy! 


Mason 

Shane 

Carter 

Beau 

Four Weddings and a Vendetta 

 

A Chance and a Hope trilogy 

These are NOT meant to be read as standalone stories and need to be read in order. 

Chance Encounter 

Finding Hope 

Give Hope a Chance 

 

The Hamiltons Series 

This series follows the Hamilton family in California wine country. If you recognize the name Hamilton it’s because this is Smoke’s family who own one of the largest wine growing and distribution businesses in the country.  

 

Red Wine and Roses 

Champagne and daisies 

Marsala and Magnolias 

Prosecco and Peonies 

Milkshakes and Mistletoe 

Cognac and Cornflowers 

Bourbon and Bluebells 

Whiskey and Willow 

 

The Davenports Series 

This series featuring Hope’s cousins, the sexy brothers, of the Billionaire Davenport family. 

Oscar 

TJ 

Reid 

Spider 

 

Summer Lake Seasons 

Angel and Luke in Take These Broken Wings 

Maria and Zack in Too Much Love to Hide 

Logan and Roxy in Sunshine Over Snow 

Ivan and Abbie in Chase the Blues Away 

Colt and Cassie in Forever Takes a While 

Austin and Amber in Tell the Stars to Shine 

Donovan and Elle in Please Don’t Say Goodbye