Dream Lake
by Lisa Kleypas
Friday Harbor
Alex Nolan, the most cynical of the three Nolan brothers on Washington's Friday Harbor, is drinking his way through a divorce and a collapsed development project. While helping his brother renovate an old Victorian house, he begins seeing a ghost no one else can see, a man who has lingered there for decades without knowing who he is. Then he meets Zoë Hoffman, a warm-hearted chef who has sworn off love after her own painful divorce. Kirkus notes both leads are wary of love, and the story weaves their romance together with the ghost's long-ago love story.
About This Book
Dream Lake is a contemporary romance novel by Lisa Kleypas, first published in 2012 by St. Martin's Griffin. It is part of the Friday Harbor series and runs 384 pages. Readers can expect opposites attract.
At a glance
- Genre
- Contemporary
- Trope
- Opposites Attract
- Length
- 384 pages
- Format
- Paperback
Where to read or listen
Get Dream Lake by Lisa Kleypas
These store links are affiliate links (Amazon, Audible, Bookshop.org and Libro.fm). As an Amazon Associate, Eikna earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Why You May Love This Book
You may love this if…
- A cynical man dealing with a ghostly presence at a renovation project finds his life intersecting with a woman who has sworn off love.
- Readers who enjoy paranormal elements in contemporary romance
- Fans of character-driven stories about overcoming past heartbreak
- Cynical
- Features Opposites Attract
This may not be ideal if…
- Protagonists' shared cynicism may slow the initial connection
The Romance
Tropes, dynamics, and the chemistry that drives this story.
Tropes
Relationship Dynamics
Details
Type: Contemporary/Paranormal
Pairing: unknown
Power balance: Equal, both emotionally guarded
How It Feels
The emotional landscape you'll move through while reading.
Moderate angst.
Heat Level
Based on available metadata and editorial review.
Who Is This Book For?
Best for
Reading mood
Recommended audience: Adult romance readers
Content Guidance
The Story
Spoiler-Free Synopsis
Alex Nolan is a man in the midst of personal and professional turmoil, including a divorce and a failed project. While working on a renovation in Friday Harbor, he discovers he can see the ghost of a man who doesn't know his own identity. His path crosses with Zoë Hoffman, a warm-hearted chef who is also recovering from a painful divorce. As their stories intertwine, they navigate their shared cynicism toward love alongside the ghost's own forgotten past.
Central Conflict
Both protagonists are struggling with emotional baggage from their past marriages and are resistant to forming new romantic attachments.
Setting
Friday Harbor, Washington
Strengths
- Intriguing blend of paranormal mystery and contemporary emotional arc
Consider before reading
- Protagonists' shared cynicism may slow the initial connection
Discussion Guide
Questions to deepen your reading experience or spark a book club conversation.
- 1
How does the central conflict shape the relationship between the main characters?
- 2
How does the setting influence the characters' decisions and their relationship?
- 3
How do the relationship dynamics evolve throughout the story?
- 4
Who would you most want to recommend this book to?
- 5
How did the pacing affect your reading experience?
- 6
Which aspect of the story did you find most compelling?
How This Profile Was Created
Eikna uses book metadata and AI-assisted analysis to create structured romance profiles. Public profiles are reviewed and approved by an editor before publication.
- Editor reviewed:
- Yes
- Last reviewed:
- October 4, 2026
- Confidence:
- Moderate confidence
- Profile version:
- eikna-public-book-intelligence-v1
About the Author
Lisa Kleypas
What Readers Say
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Publication Details
- Publisher
- St. Martin's Griffin
- Format
- Paperback
- Length
- 384 pages
- Language
- English
- ISBN-13
- 9781250008299
Dream Lake: quick answers
- Who wrote Dream Lake?
- Dream Lake was written by Lisa Kleypas.
- When was Dream Lake published?
- Dream Lake was first published in 2012 by St. Martin's Griffin.
- What genre is Dream Lake?
- Dream Lake is a contemporary romance novel, with opposites attract.
- How many pages is Dream Lake?
- Dream Lake is 384 pages long (Paperback).
- Is Dream Lake part of a series?
- Yes — it is part of the Friday Harbor series.
Are you the author? Verify your author profile to manage this book.
This is my book — sign inWhere to read or listen
Get Dream Lake by Lisa Kleypas
These store links are affiliate links (Amazon, Audible, Bookshop.org and Libro.fm). As an Amazon Associate, Eikna earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
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