Rating: 
Summary: Truly annoying
Review: The very beginning with John was boring and I couldn't get into it. The only excitement was when Terry's story about Lily and the Cardinal broke. But that was it. Most people know better than to start talking to a reporter the way she did especially when she didn't want him to do an interview. Yes, how convenient to have a house in a nice small town to nestle into. I really hated the way she called her mother and grandmother by their first names. The author constantly talked of "Celia" this, Celia that, and the way Lily used her grandmother's perfume, wore some clothes of hers and took a bath with her grandmother's oil was just downright strange. It was like she was still alive. And it was annoying that the house had nothing of Lily's. Also annoying was that Celia was introduced into the story but I didn't get a clear picture of her. The family sub-plots just didn't work for me. Especially annoying was the attention given to Lily's mother, Maida. Right now I hate that name because it was used so much in the book. The author practically worshipped "MAIDA" because of how often the name appeared in the book. Maida said this, Maida that. WOW, it was so irritating, especially how often Lily called her by her first name. I found that whole "afraid of Maida, I need Maida's approval, Oh gosh, there's Maida" thing absolutely ridiculous. It just didn't work for me at all. The same with Gus, John's dad. He also called him "Gus" and not dad. WHY? Gus this. Gus that. I need Gus's approval. I was glad when Gus died (a part I skipped over) only because now I wouldn't have to read about him and his hard-to-read accent. I liked the Poppy/Griffin subplot better than the desperation and infatuation John and Lily had for the parents. It spoiled the main focus of the book. Truly unbelievable was the way Lily suddenly showed up at "the cider house" (which is another phrase constantly heard - Lily was at the cider house. The cider house...the cider house...SO repetitive) Why would she go to the (convenient) family business where her mother is when she is not comfortable with her mother, knowing that her mother wouldn't welcome her with open arms? Instead, Lily just shows up there and starts to work and suddenly working at the stupid cider house is her regular job. The focus on Maida, Maida, Maida as this overbearing and important presence was way too much. The ending was OK, but why did Lily contemplate hiring a lawyer when all they had to do was what John did in the end? Very irritating book.
Rating: 
Summary: A good and timely story but a litttle wordy
Review: I listened to this book on audio cassette. The reader did an outstanding job of varying the voices. Over all the tape was well done. The story, as other reviewers have said, is very timely. People can be destroyed by newspaper stories. But Lilly Blake came across as a little to fragile and slow to react. Many of the descriptions were a bit long and added nothing to the story. How many times was she told to get a lawyer and why did she hate them so? I felt that the character of Poppy, the disabled sister of Lilly was very contrived. Perhaps it was the voice that the reader used for her - it was cutesy to the point of being elfish. Her position as the town operator was probably needed to carry out elements of the plot, but the phone romance was totally predictable. Having never lived in a small town and being unfamiliar with New England, the whole thing about the protective nature of the people was interesting, but I wonder if it is still true in the 21st century. I live a very busy life and don't have time to read novels as I have in the past so the tapes work for me. Overall, I enjoyed the story but too many subplots may have clouded the true story and the abusive treatment of four of the characters by their parents almost got to be too much. While one reviewer commented about Lilly's good relationship with her niece Hanna, it seems to me that Lilly was remiss in not speaking up to her sister about the verbal abuse of the child. And why did Rose treat Hanna so badly? In listenting to the tapes it seemed to me that the end was a little long in coming and was a little too predictable. It seemed that it took at least one tape to many to get to. Too many cooks can spoil the broth but too many words, descriptions and subplots can also spoil a good and timely story.
Rating:
Summary: Lake Snooze
Review: This was the first novel I've read by Ms. Delinsky, and I was tempted to read it because friends (some of them writers themselves) had recommended it. Very disappointing. Two incredibly lackluster main characters; Lily herself seemed strangely outdated, and was very unconvincing as a classically-trained musician; the latter I attribute to poor research by Ms. Delinsky. John is so incredibly sensitive and well, nice, you wish one of his loons would strangle him. I couldn't help feeling this would have been far more interesting if Lily had had an affair with the Cardinal--who came over, incidentally, as being a creep; if he was really Lily's friend, shouldn't he have defended her? I was also annoyed by the ease with which Lily got out of the city and into a house in an idyllic setting etc; yes, I know it's a convention of contemporary romances that the heroine just happens to own a house somewhere, has a family business to tap into etc., but I find myself thinking about paying the health insurance premium. Talking of which, no mention of safe sex in the insipid love scenes, and that, Ms. Delinsky, is irresponsible behavior. Not to mention irresponsible writing. I had the impression at the end that this was a novel without a plot, despite the machinations of the press, and of Lily herself--suddenly Ms. Blah becomes an avenging angel? I'd say, don't bother, unless you really want to suspend disbelief. I hope she's written better novels, but I'm in no hurry to find out.
Rating:
Summary: Her first "loony" flop
Review: First of all, let me say I am a Delinsky fan. I have loved all I have read till I hit this one. Very current topic; an out of control media against the innocent. There ended the pleasure. It seemed to be full of characters, most of whom you know very little about till they come up again later in the book. This means searching through the beginning somewhere to identify them. I don't enjoy that at all. Add two milk-toast central characters who are more interested in loons than meeting life head on. I forced my way through but don't bother if you have anything else at all to do!
Rating: 
Summary: The Loons are interesting
Review: Lily, who sings and plays piano in a club at night and teaches music in school by day, lives in Boston. She has a friend who is a cardinal in the church. A reporter tells the world, Lily is having an affair with the cardinal, which is untrue, causes her to lose her jobs and move back home to the lake. She proceeds to correct the slander by making friends with John, another reporter that lives on the lake. Very easy reading, and a little Ho Hum.
Rating: 
Summary: Beautiful and Captivating
Review: A truely wonderful story of a woman that doesn't want to move back to her small, New England hometown because she feels that there is no opportunity for advancement and the living is too slow and predictable and everybody knows everybody too well. When she goes back home to escape the media, she eventually finds the comfort and loyalty of her hometown very essential and relaxing and finally understands what a privilege it is to live there. This story shows how ruthless the media can be as well as how the media can almost ruin lives by telling half truths. What made me buy this book was the beautiful dust jacket scene. Barbara Delinsky is a tremendous writer. This was the first book I read of hers and it made me read about 4 or 5 more--ALL of them very, very good, but Lake News is still my favorite. Lake News will make you realize the torment that famous people go through and will make you think twice about the news you read or hear. GREAT BOOK!!!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: from Russian translator
Review: I consider it an honour to translate this book into Russian. The more we have such fictions, the better for our soles, senses and consciense. The novel is outstanding not only due to its literary detailes and style but also due to the main idea. Thank God, it is very different from other "love" stories' with their usual sex, rape, pornography etc. etc. Remembering nearly each word of the story, I advise read and enjoy them all, as well as I did working with the text. Thanks, Barbara! You are great!
Rating:
Summary: Super summer read.
Review: Very entertaining. Wonderful sense of place (can I move to Lake Henry too??) and great characters, both the principals and the supportings. Absolutely a very quick read, and tough to put down, particularly at the beginning. My only disappointment was the "revenge" ending; without writing a spoiler, I have to say I really disliked it - both unlikely and unpleasant. Nonetheless, highly recommended beach reading.
Rating:
Summary: Those reporters are scary
Review: For those of you who have ever been interviewed and had the press turn your words around, this book is for you. This book struck so close to home. I was once interviewed for a newspaper before going on a ballet related trip to the Soviet Union and even though I was not quotted, some of my friends were and they got into huge trouble just because the reporter had ommited a few words to totally change the context of their thoughts. So, I could relate to this book. While I felt for Lily, I also felt that she should not have been so believing of Terry. I mean, he is a reporter and we all know that reporters never go off the job. But the degree with which Terry ruined Lily's life was just uncalled for. At first John started out not much better, he was only in it to write his book. But as he got to know Lily he turned out to be a great guy. All I have to say about the ending is that Terry got what he deserved and more. A true justice if there ever was one.
Rating:
Summary: I enjoyed this book!
Review: This was the first barbara book that I have read. She had done a book signing at a local bookshop up here in New Hampshire. She is such an nice and genuine caring person, and that is reflected in her characters. She has depth and puts an amazing amount of character in each person in her book that you feel that you could actually know each of the people as she describes them. Over all I give this book 5 stars and would whole-heartily recommend it to friends. It is definitly a book you should read when you KNOW that you won't be interrupted.
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