Cover Image: Summer by the Tides

Summer by the Tides

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

What a wonderful book this was! One of those that you are sad that it is over. You want more of Maddy and Conner. The storyline is great and about forgiveness, families mending broken relationships and Maddy learning to love and trust again.

Was this review helpful?

I love Denise Hunter so I was elated when I was given the opportunity to review this book.

"The Truth Will Set You Free..."

Once upon a time twenty years ago, Maddy and her family were happy. That is, before they were all ripped apart. Maddy craves for her and her sister's to reunite but it's unlikely that it will ever happen. Loyalties have been shattered and betrayal has fueled the anger on both sides of the family.

That is, until their grandmother goes missing, forcing all the siblings under one roof. Old secrets come to light and relationships that seem broken forever might not be doomed after all.

I recommend this book of you enjoy touching romance stories with a powerful message.

This book is appropriate for ages 16+ for adult themes.

Was this review helpful?

I enjoy reading Denise Hunter books--they have well-thought--out plots, characters, and settings. Summer by the Tides is no different.

It's a little lighter than what I've been reading, but there are depths to be plumbed throughout the book. I absolutely loved it.

Maddy has been ignoring phone calls on her cell phone for a few days. She thought she was in her prime spot for her career to take off. Until she is betrayed by the man she thought was her boyfriend. He threw her under the bus in order to take the promotion she thought was hers.

The calls she was avoiding were from her grandmother's next door neighbor to tell her that Gram was missing and he didn't know what to do. He also called her sisters, who came in to sort through Gram's house and find clues to Gram's whereabouts.

The sisters have history together, as all sisters do, but their particular history doesn't include happy memories. Gram has planned this out so that the sisters will get together and work out their differences.

In this book, the reader will experience disappointments, hurricanes, and just a little bit of love.

This is a five star book, with two thumbs up, and reconciliation between sisters.

My thanks to Thomas Nelson Publishing for allowing me to read and review this book.

Was this review helpful?

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book was 5 stars, in my opinion and I read it in one sitting, because I couldn't stop reading. It is a story of 3 sisters who go to their grandma out of concern and love for her and their discovery of the bonds of siblings and family, forgiveness, grace, and strength of one's self in times of trouble, and a romance. It makes you feel like you know the characters and you feel all their emotions in a beautiful christian story, that was well written. Highly recommended.

Was this review helpful?

This is the first novel that I have read by author, Denise Hunter and I absolutely loved it! It is so refreshing to read a clean romance story about real people. Hunter's style of mixing in faith, romance and family was wonderful. I can highly recommend this book! I look forward to reading more of Hunter's novels.

Was this review helpful?

Denise has a wonderful way describing things that caught and kept my attention thru the book. It entrigued me to see how the various characters developed and worked together showing God's love to each other.
Inspired book that I enjoyed reading.

Was this review helpful?

Reminiscent of Robyn Carr or Susan Mallery, this novel was an enjoyable tale set in an oceanside town where sisters spent memorable moments as a family in their childhoods. Rife with heartache, betrayal, love, and mistrust, our heroine and hero find true love and broken family ties are mended by the final chapter. With spunky supporting characters (I loved the grandmother) and likeable, well-rounded leads, this was a clean and enjoyable novel of second chances, hope, and healing in a contemporary, charming setting.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Was this review helpful?

Summer by the Tides is a standalone book and I'm a little sad that it is not part of a series. I have grown attached to these characters and would love to see what they are doing in future books if it were a series. Gram has somehow manipulated all three of her daughters to come to her beach home. They show up at the home because Gran's next door neighbor called all of them that Gran was missing. The three daughters are estranged from each other due to something that happened 20 years earlier. As you read the story you learn that everyone in the story is keeping secrets. Every the grandmother has secrets. I loved the friendship and eventually love that developed between Maddie and Connor. At first she got the wrong impression of him but I like it that she was so open and willing to admit she was wrong directly to him. The ending of this story just made me smile.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Was this review helpful?

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is the ideal beach read. A quick, fun read with drama, humor and some beach love. Maddie, Nora, and Emma are three sisters that are harbouring some major grudges. They end up at their Grandmother's beach home after she is reported missing by a neighbor. These three have some serious issues. Great characters and very enjoyable.

Was this review helpful?

Denise Hunter has written an engaging story about three sisters who have drifted apart for years, but come back together to search for their missing grandmother. Family secrets of the past are revealed that have the potential to heal long-held hurts, or else drive the sisters further apart. Maddy, Nora, and Emma each have secrets of their own that need to be shared. This story of family, loss, forgiveness, and love kept me turning pages and cheering for the sisters to realize the treasure they have in each other. The setting of this story is gorgeous and made me 'long for a summer day at the lake. It would not surprise me at all if this sweet and clean romance by Denise Hunter did not end up as a Hallmark movie. A great book for light, entertaining reading.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

Maddy’s life was exactly how she wanted it. She’s assistant manager at a well-known restaurant in Charlotte, with a promotion coming her way any second. Her and her boyfriend slash coworker, Nick, have been going out for 6-months and things have been going well. But then everything crashes when she discovers her boyfriend kissing their boss and discussing taking the promotion for himself. So she leaves without a word, losing both her job and her boyfriend in an instant. So when she gets a call from her Gram’s neighbor, Connor, that Gram disappeared from her home, Maddy thinks now is a good time to get out of town and see what her Gram has been up to in Seahaven.

As it turns out, Connor called not just Maddy, but her two older sisters, Nora and Emma, to help track down their Gram. When they all get there, they’re in quite a shock to discover all 3 of them are there together. 20-years ago, a riff was formed between Nora and Emma and now even two decades later, things haven’t resolved. Their Gram has been wanting them to come clear out her beach house for years, but the granddaughters never agree to visiting together. So now that they’re there, they feel now’s a good a time as ever to get the job done. They hear from Gram and all is well, so they agree to sticking around until she returns to clean and fix up her home. But doing so without any disagreements will be a challenge. Maddy is determined to be peace-keeper and keep Nora and Emma from biting each other’s heads off.

Gram’s neighbor, Connor, is a widower and the owner of both the marina and a local restaurant, Sullivan’s Landing. When his restaurant manager has a family emergency, she leaves unexpectedly, leaving Connor in a pinch. He soon discovers that Maddy is a restaurant manager and begs for help at the Landing. Maddy’s gotten the impression that Connor is a sleezy ladies man, just like Nick. But even though she isn’t so sure about Connor, she agrees to work at the Landing. She doesn’t have a job anyway, so she has nothing to lose.

The more time her and her sisters spend together, the more Maddy realizes they all are tackling their own problems back home. None of them have a picture perfect life, even if one or all of the want to appear that they do. And Maddy also realizes that Connor is not the player that she originally thought. He’s actually kind, funny and just as damaged as she is. She misjudged him from day one and to make it up to him, she not only apologizes, but strikes up a friendship with Connor.

Maddy quickly learns that Connor is harboring romantic feelings for her and she’s fighting an inner battle of whether or not she should let herself have feeling for him back. She was burned by another man only a couple months previously and Maddy isn’t sure she’s ready to open her heart up again so quickly. But Maddy remembers that Connor has experienced a world of heartbreak himself and may understand her situation more than she realizes. Will Maddy admit to herself and Connor that she’s fallen head over heels or will she go back to Charlotte, leaving Connor as just another summer memory?

Summer by the Tides is Denise Hunter’s newest small-town romance novel. This time, the story’s set in the coastal town of Seahaven. Denise has done it yet again—she always gets me wrapped up in the characters, making me feel attached to each of them. I thoroughly enjoy Denise’s writing style, and Summer by the Tides is no exception. I’m not sure if this is a standalone or the start of a new series, but I wouldn’t mind seeing more of these characters, especially in the sunny town of Seahaven. A perfect summer, beach read, Summer by the Tides is another winner from Denise Hunter—4/5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson and Denise Hunter for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Another homerun for Denise Hunter!

I love Maddy and Connor. I really hope that there are more books with these characters. :)

Was this review helpful?

I love Denise Hunter's books!!! This one is a very good example of why. All three sisters are called to her grandmother's house because she is missing. Each one has secrets that they are not sure they want to share. As they work together to try to find their grandmother and then to fix up her house, they find that some of the old pains and hurts can be healed with time and conversation. Wonderful, sweet characters with flaws and talents! The love story is almost a side story from the sisters' relationship. I couldn't and wouldn't put it down until the last page!!!

Was this review helpful?

Oh my. What a wonderful read this book was! Denise has done it again. This is a story about estranged sisters and the road to reconciliation and forgiveness and each sister has their own issues to deal with.. This is also a story about a man who will discover hope again. All the main characters were great. The romance between Maddy & Conner (the heroine & the hero) was also super sweet. I love the dynamics of a broken family relationships in this story. It felt more layered in addition to the romance. Hope this is a series. I definitely recommend this!

Was this review helpful?

This is a well-written tale of three sisters. Grams disappears, bringing her three granddaughters running to her home searching for Grams. Grams calls from Boise, saying she is just fine. The sisters suspect this is a plot to force them together. Follow along as the three girls face the ugly details of their past and work through their individual relationships, uncover family secrets, and form a stronger bond. The characters are well formed and the story carries you along to the very end.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Was this review helpful?

I enjoyed this book as it is mostly about sisters, and as I have had 4 sisters in my life I could easily relate. It is also a love story between Maddy, the youngest sister and Connor . Do sisters keep secrets from one another? Oh yes, and it causes misunderstandings and problems. I really liked the setting for the story, also. Very good book, and one I will read again. Denise Hunter is such a good story teller. I love reading her books.

Was this review helpful?

In this standalone novel by a favored author, Denise Hunter, our heroine Maddy Monroe has recently experienced a major does of trauma when her boyfriend Nick betrays her. Not only does Nick cheat on her with another woman, he simultaneously steals the promotion she has long been working for. The next day, Maddy receives an urgent call from her beloved grandmother's neighbor, Connor Sullivan. He says her grandmother is missing - and could she come to Seahaven right away? Little does Maddie know that Connor has also reached out to her two sisters, who have long been estranged...and they are also on their way to Seahaven and the family cottage.

Connor is a local businessman and widower. Largely due to her recent heartbreak Maddie also fosters a distrust of men (in general it seems), but this leads her to make several snap judgments about Connors' motives as well as make some assumptions about his relationships.

I think I have read (if not all, then most) of Denise Hunter's books. I almost always want to rave about them. I found this one to be a total departure from her usual style or "voice", if you will. I can't say I loved it fully, as I usually do. I didn't dislike it either - it was an interesting story, in a lovely setting, with a satisfying conclusion. Beyond that mild endorsement, I will simply encourage you to check it out for yourself.

I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book by Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Denise Hunter is one of my must read authors...this is a beautiful story w/ characters that you will not soon forget. Experience this novel yourself...you will not be disappointed.

Was this review helpful?

What a heartwarming read! I wish I could give it 10 stars. Summer by the Tides brings out all the emotions- shock, sadness, and joy. Maddy, Nora, and Emma are brought to SeaHaven by their grandma’s neighbor, Conner Sullivan, when it appears Gram is missing. You quickly learn the sisters are harboring secrets not only about their pasts, but about their present lives. As the summer progresses, Maddy soon realizes she has projected past hurts onto Conner and he is not the person she made him out to be. Conner is himself as a lot of hurt in his past but has learned to put his trust in God. It takes an approaching storm to make them all realize that secrets are best out in the open so healing can begin.

This book accurately depicts how families can be torn apart and lives forever changed when things go unsaid or unforgiven. I found it very difficult to put down and hated for it to end.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Was this review helpful?

Summer by the Tides by Denise Hunter is a predictable contemporary romance featuring three sisters all with secrets. Filled with heart and intrigue, Hunter crafted a novel worth spending a couple of hours with. The novel enraptured my attention and kept me flipping the pages, so I could learn the truth holding each women in the story captive. The romance was sweet and moved along with the plot. I really enjoyed the hurricane as it made a secondary character as the truth deepened and became a reality. I believe fans of Beth K. Vogt, Melissa Tagg, and Courtney Walsh should pick this book up.

I received a complimentary copy of Summer by the Tides by Denise Hunter from Thomas Nelson Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

Was this review helpful?