The Nearlake Series: Book 2
Publication Date: November 11, 2025
Charlie Benson is happy with her life; she just feels a little lost. The empty nest years haven’t been as easy as she thought they might be, and while planning her daughter’s wedding should be fun, it’s become more about appeasing overbearing relatives than her daughter’s happiness.
Davis Benson wants nothing more than for his wife to be happy, but since their two kids left for college, things just haven’t been the same. Charlie isn’t her usual bubbly self, and the empty nest years aren’t as fun as he expected.
When a potential real estate deal threatens the small town where they live, and Charlie and Davis risk losing their home, their world feels beyond their control, making it increasingly difficult to find hope. Together, they must find a way to carve a new path unlike the one they imagined, holding tight to what matters most.
Charlie Benson is the epitome of a people pleaser. She’s agreeable and always thinks of others first.
However, with her stress level nearing an explosive point, she must determine what she really wants. Author Lara Van Hulzen delivers a faith-based story highlighting life as an empty nester in A Love for a Lifetime.
Married to a loving husband with two adult children, Charlie loves her real estate job in the community. She’s having trouble navigating an empty nest, especially with interference regarding her daughter’s wedding.
Both Charlie and Davis would be considered good characters. Although they face some challenging decisions after learning that the family home they live in may be sold, it forces them to communicate.
I fell in love with the White Pine house and its rich history. The compelling back story brings it to life and adds a perfect complement to Charlie’s story.
A Love for a Lifetime illustrates the importance of having faith, even during times of turbulence.
Writing stories since she was a young girl, Lara’s dream of being a novelist became a reality with her Men of Honor series. An avid reader, she worked as a book reviewer for 18 years with various organizations. She has a BA in Journalism and a Masters of Divinity in Chaplaincy. Lara loves tea, baseball and living in Idaho with her husband and Great Dane.
