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Summer Lake Silver #1

Like Some Old Country Song

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You know those stories – where guy meets girl, they fall for each other, life does its best to tear them apart, but in the end, love conquers all and they embark on their life together?Yeah? Well, this isn’t one of those stories. This is more like some old country song. A song about a man and a woman who’ve already lived through great highs and lows. A man and a woman who’ve reached their fifties and who, despite humble beginnings have achieved great things in different ways.He’s had an amazing career as one of country music’s biggest names. She’s raised a daughter and given her everything she needed to go out and succeed in the world.They’ve both given their all to their chosen path in life, and when those paths cross, two lonely hearts finally see their chance at true happiness.It’s hardly a spoiler to say that an old country song might end with the sun setting over two rocking chairs on a front porch. You’ll have to pick up your copy of this heart-warming romance today to find out if Marianne and Clay’s story ends that way.This book is intended for readers age 18+Summer Lake Silver series features couples in their fifties and older. Just because a few decades - or more - have skipped by since you were in your twenties it doesn’t mean you can’t find love, does it? Summer Lake Silver stories find happily ever afters for those who remember being thirty-something—vaguely.Like Some Old Country Song - Clay and MarianneA Dream Too Far - Seymour and ChrisA Little Rain Must Fall - Ted and AudreyWhere the Rainbow Ends - Diego and IzzySilhouettes Shadows and Sunsets - Manny and NinaMore Than Sometimes - Cal and TeresaComing SoonLike a Soft Sweet Breeze - Russ and AlexandriaSummer Lake SeasonsA return to the wonderful small town so many readers have grown to love. We'll see our old friends around town and they'll feature to a greater or lesser extent in the new stories. I want you to be able to catch up on their lives if you know them - and to not feel like you're missing anything if you didn't read the original series.Angel and Luke in Take These Broken WingsMaria and Zack in Too Much Love to HideLogan and Roxy in Sunshine Over SnowIvan and Abbie in Chase the Blues AwayColt and Cassie in Forever Takes a WhileAustin and Amber in Tell the Stars to ShineDonovan and Elle in Please Don't Say Goodbye

222 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 25, 2019

1051 people are currently reading
335 people want to read

About the author

S.J. McCoy

77 books1,056 followers
Hi, I'm SJ. A coffee addict, lover of chocolate and drinker of good red wines. I'm a lost soul and a hopeless romantic. Reading and writing are necessary parts of who I am. Though perhaps not as necessary as coffee! I can drink coffee without writing, but I can't write without coffee.

I grew up loving romance novels, my first boyfriends were book boyfriends, but life intervened, as it tends to do, and I wandered down the paths of non fiction for many years. My life changed completely a couple of years ago and I returned to Romance to find my escape.

I write 'Sweet N Steamy' stories because to me there is enough angst and darkness in real life. My favorite romances are happy escapes with a focus on fun, friendships and happily-ever-afters, just like the ones I write.

These days I live in beautiful Montana, the last best place. If I'm not reading or writing you'll find me just down the road in the park - Yellowstone. I have deer, eagles and the occasional bear for company, and I like it that way :0)

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5 stars
609 (52%)
4 stars
301 (26%)
3 stars
168 (14%)
2 stars
52 (4%)
1 star
23 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
Profile Image for Mo.
1,404 reviews2 followers
July 11, 2020
If this is what is being churned out for those of us who are older and looking for older characters in books, God help us all! Saw that the main characters were mid-fifties ... ok the cover is a bit cheesy - actually the author should hire another editor or whoever it is that chooses covers for the books ... every single one of the guys look the same on each of the four covers. But I can sometimes get beyond a cover and I tried with this one.
Honestly, I ended up skimming. Total cheese-fest really. Love at first sight! Just couldn't buy the storyline at all ...

I mean did the author HAVE to mention the ages a lot of the time? In other books, you know their ages and that is that ... it is not shoved down your throat the whole time.

He was considered the granddaddy of country music these days ...

She was a woman, a woman who might be the wrong side of fifty ...

"Sweetie, when you get to be my age, you start to realize that you don't have all that many moments left on this earth."


What the fuck is the "wrong side of fifty"??
"many moment left on this earth ..." - at FIFTY FUCKING FIVE!!! Gimme a break.


Anyway, I will shut up. Will have to put up with reading about younger characters ... I just thought it might be a nice change to read a good book about those in my age-bracket ...

There was a nice lakeside house ...


Just as well it was only $1.12 but won't be continuing the series ...

Profile Image for Pet.
3,777 reviews7 followers
December 22, 2022
I hunt for books about mature couples, here are so few out there and those that are are not always good, but this one was perfect. I love how Clay fought for her, never quite giving up hope, I understood Marianne’s hesitation her fears, if I met and fell in love with my country singer idol I’d also doubt it’s reality. And to end over 50’ can be sexy and hot too.
Profile Image for Michelle.
348 reviews3 followers
September 23, 2019
DNF at 75%. I just didn't connect. I really thought I would love this book and I tried, I really did. But at 75% mark I just gave up.

On to something new.
914 reviews
May 23, 2020
Yawn. Two stars because I finished it but didn’t really care if I did. So predictable and boring. I was hopeful for a new series but nope.
Profile Image for Becky Claxon.
2,207 reviews18 followers
January 23, 2019
I just love this series! It was nice reading a story about an older, mature country star. Clay had never fell in love, but always had his song writing and performing. I was so glad to see him glob smacked by Marianne when he met her. Marianne can’t believe that he would be interested in someone like her. I can understand that, especially since she had a crush on him in her younger days. I loved Clay’s personality—he is kind, down to earth, and a generous person. I was glad to see that Marianne had her family and friends around her to help her realize that Clay was truly interested in her. Even though others didn’t understand that they wanted to take their relationship slowly, I was glad to see that is what they did. There is also a wacko involved in the book that brings some suspense to this beautiful story. I strongly encourage you to read the book. I voluntarily read an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book.
Profile Image for Jane.
1,214 reviews4 followers
September 17, 2019
I loved reading a book about something other than twenty year olds. Clay and Marianne are both in their mid fifties. They each felt their chance for love was slim. At their age it just didn't happen. They met at one of Clay's concerts (he is a popular country music star) and it was love at first sight. Clay knew they could make it work as he wanted to wind down his career. Marianne felt their worlds were just too different.

That is all you are going to get from me. Anymore and there would be spoilers. Marianne's insecurities and Clay's determination make for a wonderful love story. I loved every minute of this book and hope you will too.
Profile Image for Melissa.
82 reviews5 followers
January 13, 2022
I was looking forward to reading this book for a while, but this authors e-books are, for some reason, several dollars more than your average e-book. Saw it on sale, bought it, and read it. Glad I waited and saved my $. This book was just. not. good.

First, there were way too many characters. I say this knowing it is a spin-off series of another that has a slew of books (which I have not read), but still advertised that it can be read as a standalone. That said, you don’t need to squeeze every character into every book just so they make an appearance. I generally had no idea who was who and had to think about it for a moment or flip back to refresh myself. Not exactly fun when trying to immerse yourself in a story.

Second, the h was a 50 something yo woman divorced from her 1st husband after 3 yrs and then raised her daughter on her own. She was a wishy washy mouse of a woman. I have no clue, beyond her physicality, what would attract the H to her, let alone fall in instalove with her. She was whiny and annoying. Had no confidence. I just didn’t get it. There’s a scene at the end of the book where I think the author attempts to “redeem” her wishy washiness and show her as capable and in a position of strength, but it’s just not believable. It was too little too late.

Third, this book was sooooooooo repetitive. I do not need to be told the same things about characters motivations through inner monologue or character dialogue over and over. I got it the first time.

I could go on, but I’ll sum it up to say that these things all add up to a cheesy book that has no real character development and a flat story. What I find baffling is this author has such a large catalogue of books. If this book is indicative of her standard work, I don’t get the appeal.

514 reviews1 follower
September 12, 2019
When you are young and I love it can get extremely hot and heavy. But what about when you're over fifty? Don't expect this story to Marianne fast Marianne furious, it's Marianne a thinking story, with some hot sex. Marianne has already been in a failed marriage out of which came one good thing, get daughter Laura. Marianne doesn't need a man. Clay has never found the one and has no children. What he does have is a successful career in country singing and a recording company, along with close friends. But something is missing. Clay discovers what it is when he meets Marianne. So how do two mature people manoeuvre onto a common path when they have seen so many young ones fail. Can they meld their lives together to form a strong partnership? I the centre of all this is a stalker who is not afraid to overstep their AVO.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Lorraine S.
123 reviews
June 21, 2023
I really wanted to like it

Being an “older woman”, I really wanted to like this book but I just found it too repetitive in the first half. So much so, that I skipped to the end half way through. Clay went on and on about how he knew it was real love at first sight but wanted to take it slow. He was happy and told everyone he knew the same thing. Marianne was so unsure of her feelings that Clay had to keep convincing her it was real. This went on until I just couldn’t go any further. I may pick it up later and I will look at other books in this series. But for now, this is a disappointment.
364 reviews
May 29, 2020
This book was really hard to finish. It's clear you need to read this book in chronological order with the other books. This couple was just too perfect for me; no depth to the characters. It's a perfect choreography of love, a relationship and happily ever after. Even the antagonist was cheesy; couldn't the 'awesome' security team have vetted her out? I'll try one more book...everyone deserves a second chance.
206 reviews1 follower
August 29, 2020
I made it to chapter 9 and couldn't take it anymore! I don't know how old the author was when she wrote this but she makes women in their 50s seem like old non-sexual, ready to go in the grave people. I was so disappointed!! This was not steamy or really that romantic, it was just boring and depressed me.
447 reviews1 follower
April 18, 2019
Enjoyable Tead

Interesting story fun to see an older couple meet etc......well written love the return to Summer Lake and meet up with old friends. Good start to a new series in this saga highly recommend 4.5 Stars!
171 reviews1 follower
April 26, 2019
Just an old country singer ?

Wonderful story. Enchanting couple. He is such a romantic, she is style and grace. What an awesome way to start a new series, one about 'the oldies'. Proof that we may be old but we ain't dead yet. LOL.
5 reviews1 follower
January 4, 2020
Not a stand alone, read the Summer Lake series first

I wish I would have known to read the Summer Lake series before reading this. There were so many different secondary characters and backstories, it was very confusing.
102 reviews
April 3, 2021
Sweet story

Good story. The characters held some interest.
Clay doesn’t believe in love at first sight, until he meets Marianne. Marianne is full of insecurities and doubts. Clay has to work thru her issues to show her what they have is real and have the HEA they both want.
611 reviews
June 23, 2020
Boring

Could hardly get through it. Disappointing because Im in my fifties and expected a little more than “how old we are” every few lines. I wont be reading any more in this series . A shame because I was looking forward to this story.
Profile Image for Ginger .
102 reviews3 followers
September 14, 2020
Sweet

What a sweet love story, was worried she would leave when the crazy fan showed up and was glad she actually remembered she was from Texas and raised by a single mom got to serve a little whip a$$.


32 reviews1 follower
January 11, 2021
Not realistic

I found this book very hard to get into.
I know this is a book. But if you were a well known super star, I think you might be a little more jaded.
Couldn't get a real like for either character.
Profile Image for Carrie LaForge.
200 reviews1 follower
January 27, 2019
I love this song. This is actually for my age and it is so well written. What a beautiful love story.
Profile Image for Slick.
1,380 reviews43 followers
June 7, 2023
I wanted to love this story as I appreciate books about couples who are over 40 but unfortunately it seems authors thing over 40 means one foot in the grave or they write them like they are 20 but slap some gray hair on them and call it done. Just FYI, there are many people over 40, even over 50 who do not have gray hair and do not dye their hair.

In this book a Clay, country western star (called the grandfather of country western and he's mid 50's) falls in love at first sight with Marianne, the mother of a woman who designed an engagement ring for a friend of his. Marianne doesn't trust him and turns down his advances but one year later his assistant and her daughter team up to plan a birthday party for him that will put them in each other's path again which turns out they didn't need to do because both had decided to give the other a chance once again.

Honestly this book moved slowly and read like a diary more than a romance book. It was boring at times and at others so very, very predicatable.

I'll be honest I'm sad this book didn't work for me as I was looking forward to a new series of characters over 40, but after this one I'm done.
Profile Image for Laura .
28 reviews6 followers
January 25, 2019
Brilliant read

A new series from SJ McCoy, but still plenty of old friends if you've read her other stuff. As always a great story that can be read alone but in my opinion is best enjoyed by reading her other stuff first.

A popular country singer, who has done very well for himself and a timid mother who raised her daughter single handedly. At first they are not the pairing you'd come up with but as they work out their story you can see they are the perfect match for each other.

Great romance. Great stories. Great characters. These are what makes SJ's books winners with me all the time and this one was no exception.

Review written based on receiving and Advanced Review Copy in return for an honest review.

For years I had been a reluctant reader but after trying SJ McCoy's first book I have read everything she's published and am actively reading others stuff too, she re-awakened a long lost love of reading 😊
743 reviews2 followers
January 25, 2019
This was the perfect blend of our friends we love from Summer Lake and our friends we love from Nashville, coming together in perfect harmony. I truly enjoyed this book and appreciated a romance with an older hero and heroine. No matter what age you are finding true love isn’t always easy but when you find it you grab on and don’t let go. I loved that everyone in their lives wanted these two amazing people to get together and it was a joy to read their story. I thought it was touching when Smoke went to visit Marianne and shared his story with her of his ‘issues’ when he was with Laura, what a great son-in-law. I am so excited to read the next book in this Silver series. This quote I thought summed it all up, “Isn’t that all life ever is; one moment in time and then another and another until we reach the end”
Profile Image for Robin.
1,038 reviews
January 27, 2019
If your not a fan of SJ McCoy you are missing out. Character development is fantastic and always recurring characters from other series so you always stay connected to my Summer Lake, Remington Ranch, The Davenports and The Hamiltons. This is a new series about the older set or seasoned set of characters. Clay and Marianne met in the Wedding Flight when her daughter Laura's bachelorette party. The chemistry was immediate and off the charts. Marianne shyed away from Clay not believing the connection could be real because Clay was so good looking and a country superstar. The meet up a year later the sparks still fly and there families try to institute a new connection. The both deserve the happily ever after they never had. Another great story SJ.

Please to have the opportunity to read and advanced copy.
Profile Image for Marianne.
137 reviews2 followers
February 26, 2021
This is the first book I've read by this author and I really loved it! I am a complete sucker for "silver fox" romances. I loved how transparent, honest & forthright Marianne and Clay were about their mutual attraction and budding romance. They pulled no punches with their feelings and were so mature and realistic about what their future may or may not hold. That was such a breath of fresh air! I read for pleasure, and I read to escape reality and to enter into other more interesting worlds. This book was so lovely, and it provided the perfect escape I look for. Clay is as dreamy as any man can ever hope to be, and is now another favorite "book boyfriend" of mine. 😍 I certainly hope sweet dreams will visit me tonight as a result of reading this book. To the author-thanks for giving Clay's dream woman my name. Well played SJ, well-played!
Profile Image for Wendy Livingstone.
20.1k reviews257 followers
January 25, 2019
This is the first book in a new Silver series from this extremely talented author, and it is a refreshing change to read about an older hero / heroine. Marianne is Laura’s mum, and when she first meets Clay, who is a huge country star, they are instantly drawn to each other, yet she ran scared. Now a year later Clay is coming to Summer Lake and Marianne may be ready to take a chance. It was great to have a catch up from the well loved original characters in Summer Lake. This is a beautifully written story which had me totally captivated throughout this addictive page turner, and I cannot wait to read more in this amazing series. I highly recommend this authors’ work for all.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy via the author for an honest review.
Profile Image for Jennie Fortna.
2,542 reviews29 followers
November 5, 2019
Received from Sugar and Spice Book Club for honest review with no compensation.

Like Some Old Country Song is book 1 in the new series Summer Lake Silver by SJ McCoy and love reading about the older generations that have lived life, had losses and still think that there might be a HEA out here...

Clay McAdam, country superstar has lived a full life but has always know that he is still missing something and that is... someone to share his life and successes with...until he meets Marianne, who happens to be Laura Benson’s mother..and knowns she is his forever. Now to convince Marianne...but that may be much harder than he thinks only time and persistence will tell...

Romance, a little suspense, sexy times, family, friends and maybe a life filled with love!!
Profile Image for Jane.
Author 6 books89 followers
January 22, 2021
In Like Some Old Country Song Marianne and Clay, a mature couple meet at a concert in LA, where he feels something special for Marianne when she walks into his prep area for his concert. It takes them a year to come back together again. Clay is a top country western star, song writer and promoter of talent with his company. Marianne has raised a successful daughter, lives in a small town and makes jewelry for a hobby. She is reluctant to trade her peaceful life for the public life that Clay lives.

The romance is sweet, full of understanding and support of all of their friends and family. I loved the patience that Clay had with Marianne and how he worked so hard to be with her and make her comfortable. The happy ending was great too.
29 reviews
January 26, 2019
I received an arc copy of this book for an honest review.

AMAZING!
Loved it from start to finish.
This story has been building through other books written by this author, that’s what make all her books so great to read.
A love story for an older couple, Clay, famous country singing heart throb, Marianne, a mother who has never known real true love.
Love at first sight for both, but it took Marianne a while to come to her senses and believe in Clay.
Great story with some twists and turns along the way.
Always great to catch up with so many other characters from previous books throughout the different series.
Another wonderful book by a talented lady.

LOVED IT.
Profile Image for Karen Lambert-sykes.
35 reviews
January 27, 2019
Even though this is a new series it still has plenty of the summer lake gang throughout the book, this is the story of Laura’s mum Marianne she met Clay a famous country singer at her daughters bachelorette party and they were both instantly attracted.

One year on and they meet again to find the spark is still very much there, although Marianne has her doubts that they can be together as Clay lives and works in Nashville and Marianne is used to a small quiet life.

They also have the threat of a stalker to contend with which changes both their lives.

I am looking forward to the next book in the series

I received a free ARC for an honest review of this book.


3 reviews
January 24, 2019
SJ McCoy has done it again with another great love story. While her other books are about younger couples finding love this is about an older couple that we first met in "The Wedding Flight". All of her books are stand-alone books but once you start reading them you are going to want to read all of her books. Even if this is your first book of SJ McCoy's you can still fall in love with Clay and Marianne. They are one of my favorite couples that she has written about and I was actually sad when I got to the end of the book. We also get to go back to Summer Lake and visit with some old friends. I highly recommend this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews

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