Maggie was widowed 5 years ago. She finally feels ready to date again when she see someone in a crowd that looks just like her husband. With the help of her brother in law, Josh, who has always secretly been in love with her, she searches for the stranger and hopes to get answers that will help her heal.

This story had potential but somewhere in the slow start, it went haywire. New characters were added but none were ever well developed. Weird assumptions were made throughout the story and the love connection was blah. The mystery of it all fell flat.

Thank you, NetGalley, for this ARC in return for my honest review.

The premise of this book is so intriguing and full of plots twist I couldn't figure out how it could be positively resolved. The levels of emotional energy were deep and written with amazing deftness and heart. I could rhapsodize on and on but one needs to actually read and live the words of Denise Hunter to understand the story. Please do, you will be rewarded.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

The Summer of You and Me by Karla Sorensen is a heartfelt and emotional story about Maggie, who is finally ready to let go of her late husband, Ethan, and seek closure. She returns to Seabrook, where she and Ethan once shared a love story, hoping the summer will provide the healing she needs.

The book explores some interesting dynamics, especially with Josh, Maggie’s brother-in-law, who has secretly loved her for years. His confession adds an intriguing layer to the story, especially since his unrequited love has affected his relationships in the past. There’s also a mysterious element that adds a bit of suspense when Maggie runs into a man who looks just like Ethan, setting her and Josh on a quest to uncover the truth.

While the book was okay and kept me engaged, I found myself expecting a bit more from the plot. The pacing was a little slow at times, and while the emotional weight was present, I didn’t feel as invested in the characters’ journeys as I had hoped. The mystery surrounding the man who looks like Ethan was an interesting twist, but it didn’t quite deliver the depth I expected.

Overall, The Summer of You and Me offers a sweet and emotional read, but it didn't completely capture my attention the way I hoped it would. It's a solid choice if you're looking for a light, emotional romance with some family drama, but it might not be for everyone.

The Summer of You and Me is another fine romance by Denise Hunter.Maggie’s husband died in combat five years ago and she has been grieving her loss.Is she ready to move on?Her little daughter Zoe is a real part of the story and wells well written character.They are spending the summer at an island that holds special memories for her.She is enjoying her long held friendship with her brother in law Josh when she sees an unexpected face at the carnival.Although the start of the book is rather slow the twists and turns in emotions and family relationships build.You will enjoy this novel.Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for allowing me to read this ARC!

I really loved this book. It had a little bit of everything, Romance, drama, mystery, and friendship! I thought I had the mystery solved a few times but it turned out to be completely different than I thought it would be. I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the early read.

This is a sweet and easy read with a bit of a triangle and some mystery. It's the story of a young widowed mother, his family set over the summer. The characters are all likeable except one or two but that added into the drama.

There are complications for both main characters that change and resolve as we near the end. I don't want to spoil so can't say more.

I will say that I was glad that Maggie's heart was explained near the end and it helped it all make sense.

Moves a little too slow for me. Decent story and writing but I didn’t feel a connection to the main characters.

This was such a beautiful read to get lost in, a page tuner, and a story that will pull on your emotions!
A story of rebirth, but the journey there is full of questions and a mystery!
With her in-laws on a life time adventure, Maggy and her four year old daughter are enjoying their beach house in Seabrook, and spending time with her sister-in-law and family, and brother-in-law. I loved how Zoey's uncle was so good to her and "cupcake" felt loved!
There are questions that arise after a visit to the local amusement park, with a picture on her phone, who is this person?
Never would have guessed whom the mystery person was! Wow, what a story, and what a pleasure to be absorbed into this read and guess for answers.
This story has a lot of family dynamics, some very sweet romance, and some darling and precocious children. I loved that there was an epilogue!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Thomas Nelson, and was not required to give a positive review.

I really enjoy reading Denise Hunter's novels and The Summer of You and Me was just as enjoyable with the setting in a small town, a mystery, and unrequited love.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Denise Hunter never fails to deliver captivating and unique love stories that will keep me intrigued from start to finish... and this one was certainly no exception. To be honest, a war widow and her deceased husband's brother is one of those things that maybe shouldn't work or would be very difficult to pull off in a way that feels okay... but I couldn't help but love this story. The two had such a fantastic chemistry and I didn't think that it ever came across as taking away from that previous love or betraying it in any way. It was a complicated relationship, without a doubt, but one that I really enjoyed just the same. The added mystery of who the man that looked just like her late husband was only made the story more intriguing. It kept me guessing right through to the very end... with a twist that I certainly did not see coming. You'll definitely want to read it to see what happens! If you enjoy Christian romance, you absolutely won't want to miss this one!

**ARC received via Netgalley for consideration. All opinions are my own.

I finished it... but I don't really think I liked it??? There were some sweet moments, but the premise sold the book way better than the book itself.

Thanks to netgalley for the ARC!

2.75 stars | I was really excited when I started this book because of how unique the plotline sounded but I didn’t love the execution of it unfortunately. I loved the mystery aspect of this book but a lot of the other parts of this book just didn’t hit for me.

To start off, the pacing felt very off in my opinion. For the first 75% of this book I really struggled to connect with the characters and was very bored. Then, within the last quarter of the book the plot twist is unraveled (very quickly) and all this information is just thrown at you. It felt pretty messy (in my opinion). Towards the end there’s a ton of information thrown upon the reader; and to me it felt like it came out of nowhere and kind of unnecessary. With the information that is given it leaves the reader with questions and it gives the sense that the story is unfinished. The ending just felt a bit off to me.

I did like how this book dealt with the heavier topics that were in it. It didn’t brush over them at all, and really took the time to discuss them with a good amount of detail. I also really liked the main two characters that this story focuses on.

When I first finished this book I felt extremely conflicted on how I felt overall. It’s not necessarily bad, but I just don’t have a lot to say on it. At the same time I didn’t love it. It feels very middle ground to me.

Thank you to netgalley for sending me an arc to review. As always, thoughts are my own, and are no way influenced by early access to this title.

This is my first Denise Hunter book.

It’s been 5 years since Maggie lost her husband in the war. Josh his brother has also been there to help her get through everything. She has no idea that Josh has always been in love with Maggie. After 5 years as a widow will she be able to move on with her life. Will she fall in love with Josh her best friend.

The book completely surprised me—it was such a thrilling and enjoyable read! That twist at the end had my jaw on the floor—I’m still recovering!

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

Denise Hunter has hit the mark again!
Maggie Reynolds has experienced great joy and love as well as great loss and sorrow. She's spent five years mourning the loss of her husband Ethan while raising their daughter Zoey who he never had a chance to meet. She's shouldered all the burden and feels that she's done an okay job being on her own and raising her daughter. She's finally in a place in her life where she might be open to a new relationship but she needs to be sure and she needs to be sure that Ethan's family is ready for that.
Josh Reynolds owns his own business and has reached success in his life. He's set for everything except for watching his sister-in-law mourn the loss of his brother Ethan and raise their daughter on her own. He's done everything he can to be there for both of them and help Maggie through losing Ethan and putting herself back together. He's excited for her and Zoey to spend the summer in Seabrook, North Carolina, and be closer to family. He's also ready to take a step to happiness for his future. But just as he thinks it's time, Maggie makes a startling discovery that will change their lives.
Reader, you will love Maggie and Zoey; you will cheer in Josh's corner; you will be delighted by Erin, Josh's sister and Maggie's sister-in-law; you will silently wish Maggie's mother be sent to a land far far away. Reader, you will discover love, heartache, compassion, honesty, forgiveness and rediscovery. Reader, you will not be disappointed!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I always enjoy a story by this author. She is consistent in writing stories that are inspiring. I enjoy the characters and how they come to find their way in the end. There is always a story that alllows you to walk the journey of healing and finding truth and faith. There isn’t a book I have read by her I didn’t enjoy.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy.

Loved that there was a bit of mystery in this well written enjoyable book. I will definitely look to read additional titles from this author

This was a great book about unfolding what you think you know! Maggie and Josh think they know they truth, at least the truth that appears to be right in front of them, but they really don't. And are they going to let that truth come between them and their happiness?

This book had a good pace and was interesting. I was caught off guard with the romance and didn't really like it. It felt off to me. The story did have a good mystery which I did enjoy.


Thank you to NetGalley and Denise Hunter for allowing me to read this book!

I enjoyed this book. It had a little bit of everything romance, trust issues, suspense , a child, an animal, heartache, untruths and a beautiful setting. This book kept my interest and kept me guessing. As with most books like this we have a breakup, before we have the will they get back together moment. This one I struggled with. I struggle with the we are a happy couple, oh no we are not because of a misunderstanding.