The Love We Keep

Toni Blake returns with the most emotional, tender novel yet in her enchanting Summer Island series.

Suzanne Quinlan has been through a lot lately, so nothing sounds better than a peaceful winter in her cozy cottage on Summer Island. The last thing she wants is a massive lifestyle adjustment—especially when it comes in the form of an injured Zack Sheppard, who is sullen, angry and completely dependent on her.

Zack values his independence above all else. But when he falls down his icy steps, he finds himself with a serious leg injury and in need of round-the-clock care. The only person available to help is his ex’s best friend, Suzanne. It doesn’t hurt that Suzanne is far more attractive than he ever realized, but he’s never been one to settle, and he sure isn’t going to start now.

As Suzanne and Zack grow closer, they both realize they’re in this thing more deeply than they ever thought, and it’s started to cause tension in their small, close-knit community, too. Will Zack be able to commit this time, and will Suzanne be able to trust him? One thing is certain: come spring, the lives and loves of Summer Island will never be the same.

Read a preview of The Love We Keep

A Summer Island novel, book 3

A Summer Island novel, book 3

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Awards & Honors

  • An Amazon Best of the Month pick February 2020

A Note from Toni

There are really no words for how much this book means to me. When I was supposed to be writing it, my mother was dying and I couldn’t focus on anything else. After she passed away and I got through the funeral, I had six weeks before my deadline and no book. Although I still wasn’t entirely ready to write, in my heart, I did anyway, and just threw myself completely into the process. I wrote really fast, really vigorously, and because I didn’t have the luxury of time, I just trusted myself and wrote whatever came to me. By deadline day, I had a book – which was 25,000 words too long. I know, I know, readers don’t mind long books, but publishers do – because paper costs money and it is a business. So I painstakingly pared the book down, removing a full twenty percent of it, bit by bit. What I ended up with was a book I love, and a book I could not have written the same way if I hadn’t just gone through the loss of someone I loved more than anything. Writing it was painful but cathartic. I don’t cry at my own books, even though many readers tell me they do. But this one I cried when writing and I cried when editing. When you read it, you’ll know the part. 😉 I’m very proud that this book won the 2020 Bookseller’s Best Award.


Reviews for The Love We Keep

“Deeply rooted in emotion, THE LOVE WE KEEP will definitely give you the feels.” ~Under the Covers Book Blog

“This book just kept getting better and better. Read it in 2 nights. Couldn't put it down. I cried and laughed.” ~Tabby, a reader

 “An emotional tale that keeps you glued to the pages. You will be rooting for Zack and Suzanne to get together. They go through the ups and downs of love, friendship, and everything in between. But, once the end comes, readers will be smiling with tears of happiness for them. Don’t miss THE LOVE WE KEEP.” ~Patti Fischer, Vine Voice

“One of the most intense emotional endings to a book I’ve possibly read ever. It’s left me thinking about love, friendship, and family from a new heightened perspective! LOVE, LOVE, LOVED THIS! BUY NOW!” ~Traci W., a reader

 “This book is heartfelt, emotional, funny and just plain wonderful.” ~ LoveToRead, Vine Voice