Thanks to Netgalley for the eARC of this book for the opportunity to read and give a honest review. This is not my first book I have read by Denise Hunter and wont be my last. She is a amazing author that I always recommend! I have read many of her books and have loved a lot of them. This one was by far one of my favorite. This book gives a bit of a mystery twist that leaves you wondering all the way up to the end. Then the romance just adds to the story. In this book we follow Maggie who was married to Ethan but Ethan sadly passed away at war. I felt a deep connection to this story since my husband also served as a solider in Iraq and sadly he lost one of his friends from his unit in a close similar fashion. So I could relate all the feelings Maggie felt. In this story its been 5 years since Ethan has passed and she comes back "home" for the summer with her daughter. There at the county fair she see someone who looks like her dead husband. That brings in the mystery of this story as she tries to find out is this her husband or is it someone who looks just like him. I wont give spoilers since it was very interesting and I didn't guess the answer at all. I loved reading to find out!

What a great book! Josh was my favorite character because of his extreme patience with Maggie. He’s also such a great father figure for Zoey. I was definitely caught off guard when the identity of Will’s father is revealed. I can’t really say much more without giving spoilers. Suffice it to say, when I see a Denise Hunter book I know I will enjoy reading it!

The Summer of You and Me is emotional and heartwarming. There are plenty of twists, as Maggie and Josh work together to discover the identity of a young man who is the spitting image of Maggie’s late husband, Ethan. They also navigate the changing relationship between themselves, and deal with the 5th anniversary of Ethan’s death. The story was a bit slow in parts, but it all came together in a very real, touching, and delightful way.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Maggie Reynolds is finally ready to move on after the death of her husband, Ethan. This is good news for her brother-in-law, Josh, who has been in love with Maggie even though she chose his brother first.

Maggie is finally ready to move on and begins dating Josh to see where things between them go. But it isn’t smooth sailing as they tell their family. To add to that challenge, they see a man who looks just like Ethan, except his name is Will. At first, Josh and Maggie assume it’s his Dad but when he vehemently denies it, they begin to think maybe Will’s father may be Ethan’s.

I really liked this easy-reading novel by Denise Hunter, it had some twists that I didn’t expect but it still came with a side of HEA!

My gratitude to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson. All opinions expressed are honest and mine.

Thank you very much for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

I feel like I'm definitely in the minority based on other reviews, but I had such a hard time getting into this story for some reason! I love the idea of a widow falling in love with her late husband's brother so I was immediately intrigued by the description. Still, something wasn't doing it for me unfortunately when I jumped into it.

I thought the story was sweet and definitely entertaining, but I don't think it's anything that I would recommend for everyone.

The Summer of You and Me is the first book I’ve read by Denise Hunter. This book is a very sweet Christian romance.

Five years after her husband's death, Maggie is back for the summer in Seabrook to spend time with her late husband’s family, the Reynoldses, and is ready for closure. While at the amusement park with her daughter Zoey, Maggie runs into a man who looks exactly like her late husband Ethan. She immediately calls her brother-in-law, Josh, and tells him that she thinks he could be alive. Josh meets up with her that night and they discuss a plan moving forward. However, their search leads to more questions than they could have ever imagined.

Josh Reynolds has had feelings for Maggie since he met her many years ago, but his brother Ethan ending up wining her heart. Maggie has always regarded Josh as a best friend and has always felt very comfortable with him. He was always there for her and helped her through Ethan’s passing. Josh realizes that he has to tell her how he really feels about her before it’s too late. He knows Maggie is ready to move on and he’s hoping she will move on with him.

Maggie and Josh have undeniable chemistry. Their relationship was truly heartwarming. I love how they were so comfortable and always gravitated towards one another. I was rooting for them from the beginning because they balance each other out so well.

Overall, I highly recommend this book! There were so many twists and turns that I was not expecting. I honestly couldn’t put it down!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you so much NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for this eARC.

I really enjoyed this installment from Denise, it felt different from her previous books but not in a negative way. I appreciated the way that she explored grief, but also the second chance at love that life can throw your way when you're least expecting it. Maggie and Josh were enjoyable characters to read and their love story was a satisfying one.

I really enjoyed this cozy romantic mystery. The plot twists kept me engaged. The characters were strong and likeable. I was surprised and delighted. Definitely want to read more from this author. Well done.

The Summer of You and Me started out strong and then it lost me somewhere around page 100. I really thought I would love this book but I found the writing choppy and I also found that I couldnt connect with the characters story.

It's a nice, harmless love story, but the Christian part of it stayed way in the background. It's so harmless that even the great reveal of the mystery man stays harmless. Don't expect suspense.

Maggie lost her husband Ethan in combat while pregnant with their daughter. His brother Josh was there for her all along the way. When she spots a young man who is the spitting image of her husband, she needs to find answers. Maggie and Josh investigate for months. They find clues, make assumptions, but finally learn the truth. I enjoyed this book very much. I received an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley, and this is my honest review.

After a slow start, this book takes readers on a roller coaster ride of emotional plot twists. I really liked the characters, and even though the plot became a little unbelievable, it was an entertaining read. I just couldn't get past the idea of Josh being Maggie's brother-in-law, especially since they had known each other a long time. It was just awkward. I'm not sure how the author could have made the plot work without this detail, but it would have been a 4-star if not for that fact.

Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC of the book.

The story of a young widow ready to venture into the world of dating again, when she thinks she sees her dead husband. She's still close with her brother-in-law, who has had feelings for her for half his life, even when she was married to his brother. Maggie turns to Josh to help her discover the identity of the man who resembles, Ethan, her deceased husband who died on a tour of duty.

The book explores the unknown man, a developing relationship between Maggie and Josh, and the dynamics their relationship has on others.

The book fell a little flat for me. It was a little slow, and the relationship between Maggie and Josh felt a little basic and also a little forced to me. There wasn't any one thing that made me feel that way, but I just didn't feel their relationship was authentic.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for an eARC of this novel.

The book is a little different from others I've read from Denise Hunter. It was a little "slower" reading for me , trying to keep track of everything happening and in what time frame.
That being said, it is another good story that I enjoyed. It has all the "feels" to it and keeps you reading so you can find out how it all comes together and turns out.
I received a complimentary copy of this book . Thank you to the publisher for the chance to read and review.

Maggie Reynolds was raised by a narcissistic woman, who had driven her husband away and he abandoned his daughter. She has self esteem issues. But she befriends Erin Reynolds in high school and spends as much as she can at the Reynolds home, because they are such a warm family. The first time Erin's little 13 year old brother, Josh, saw Maggie he fell in love. But it was big brother Ethan that stole Maggie's heart. Josh survived lymphoma, but his heart never strayed from Maggie, for years playing the playboy, and a failed marriage, because no one could match her. Ethan went into the military and was killed in Pakistan while Maggie was pregnant with their first child. So it was Josh who was there for her during labor and ever since. As the five year anniversary of his death approaches and Maggie is finally ready to move on, Josh hopes with him, she spots a man that looks exactly like a younger version of Ethan. With Josh's help they track down the man and find a mystery. How can he look so much like Ethan.

I admit, my guess was close, but no cigar. Fabulous characters, and an intriguing quest for the truth.
I read an Advanced Reader's Copy from the publisher via NetGalley.com. This dismay honest, unbiased and voluntary review. I recommend the book for a spellbinding read.

Denise Hunter crafts a tender, beachside romance in The Summer of You and Me, a story of second chances, healing, and the power of love to mend broken hearts. Perfect for fans of small-town charm and heartfelt storytelling, this book captures the essence of summer and the bittersweet pull of unresolved pasts.

The chemistry between the protagonists is undeniable, with their shared history adding emotional depth to their journey. Hunter’s ability to weave themes of faith, forgiveness, and personal growth into a compelling narrative shines through. The characters feel authentic, with flaws and struggles that make their eventual connection all the more rewarding.

The coastal setting is beautifully described, evoking the carefree yet contemplative mood of summer. It’s the perfect backdrop for a story that explores both the joy and heartache of love. While the pacing slows in a few areas, the emotional payoff and satisfying resolution make it worth the wait.

The Summer of You and Me is a moving story about letting go of the past and embracing the possibilities of the future. Denise Hunter delivers a heartfelt read that’s as refreshing as a day at the beach.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

At the start of the summer holidays, this book came at the perfect time. A summer read, a story of new love, past hurts, a touch of mystery and the delightful, never-let’s-you-down writing of Denise Hunter.

This summer is a chance for Maggie to finally find closure after her husband’s death five years ago. It’s time to find a fresh start and she does it better retuning to the place she and her husband created so many memories. But as she and her daughter are enjoying themselves at the carnival, the last things she expects to see is her husband, or at least the spitting image of him. Her first instinct is to call Josh, her husband’s brother, her friend and rock through the years of grief. Together they start to piece together the mystery of the man she spotted and the implications for their family. Working together helps her see Josh in a new light, a way he’s been hoping for, but never daring to try, for years.

As usual, Denise Hunter pens a delightful romance, with heartfelt connection, authentic reasons for the love interests to connect and spend time together. The mystery of the man who looks like Maggie’s husband should seem far fetched but it is just the perfect emotional addition to the story. And it really kept me guessing right up until the end.

Josh is a fantastic guy, loyal, faithful and continually there for Maggie. His long burn love for her has changed many things in his life but he never wavers from not pressuring her and being there for her in any way he can.

Maggie’s five-year-old daughter, Zoey is a vibrant addition to the story and brings many smiles and laughter to the page.

The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.

I devoured this book and found it the perfect way to unwind and start the summer.

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

Wow, such a great book! I think this is my favorite Denise Hunter book so far! A mysterious sighting of who she believes is her deceased husband leads Maggie Reynolds into a far more adventurous summer than she’d bargained for! From heartache to swoony romance, suspenseful mystery to shocking revelations, this book does NOT disappoint!! It kept me flipping the pages clear up until the end! The coastal setting was the perfect touch to make this a magical story that you don’t want to miss!

This book was. . .odd. Personally, I didn’t care for the whole falling for your husband’s brother part. The plot was good, although a little slow, as things took a long time to percolate before anything really went anywhere. I did like the message of forgiveness and love and how counseling played a part in getting over past hurt. All in all, it was middle of the road for me.

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

A charming story with an interesting premise. This book is gentle and easy to read, with characters that are realistic. Maggie and Josh are both very likeable and relatable, and the character of Zoey is beautifully written. Part mystery, part romance, The Summer of You and Me is hard to put down.

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