This was such a funny story. I was hooked from the very beginning. Josh was way too good to be true, Maggie was a sweetheart and I loved little Josie. There was mystery, humor, and pure romance. It was amazing! I loved how it was both - humorous but also deep. It was a story that I laughed, I cried, and I felt all the feels with both main characters. I can't wait to read more from Denise Hunter.

I received a copy of this book from netgalley but all opinions were mine. I wasn't required to write a review.

This is a well written book. I haven’t read Denise Hunter before but that will change now! The characters are great and I loved the weaving storyline - there are a lot of twists and plenty to keep it interesting. A great summer read!

It’s coming up to the fifth anniversary of Ethan’s death and his widow, Maggie, is finally past the grief. At least, until she sees Ethan’s dead ringer at the carnival …

Ethan’s younger brother, Josh, has been in love with Maggie since they met as teens, although he’s never told her (oh, I love a good unrequited romance, especially when he fell first). They’ve remained good friends, so Josh is the first person Maggie tells about Ethan’s doppelganger, and the two work together to find him.

Because what if the Army was wrong, and Ethan didn’t die?

It’s a great setup, and there were a few unexpected twists in the story, which were excellent. We read romance for the predictable ending, but I always love it when the story is able to surprise me – and The Summer of You and Me certainly achieved that element of surprise.

I also loved Maggie’s journey as a character. Her father left when she was a child (and having met her mother, this is exactly zero surprise). Her husband died (through no fault of his own). But both losses have left her scarred and afraid to love again. What she doesn’t realise (and which is evident to the reader from early on) is that Josh has always loved her, and his endless super-short-term relationships were his attempts to get over her. (Why do men think like that? Women would buy a dog, or a cat.)

The Summer of You and Me is an excellent and well-written story that engaged me from the start. Recommended for contemporary romance fans.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

The Summer of You and Me by Denise Hunter is a sweet summery romance. It is not a light romance but it is full of genuine emotions. Readers of romance will enjoy this second chance romance. I think it is even more interesting because of the conflicting emotions caused by the appearance of someone who looks like her deceased husband. This book has a little bit of everything– grief, hope, mystery, love, and redemption. It is well written and I recommend it wholeheartedly. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

This was a page turning afternoon read with a lovely beachy vibe. The story took me on a rollercoaster of emotions, from highs to lows, and sometimes (like a real rollercoaster) it felt a little stomach churning, however it all came right in the end. I loved that the story kept me guessing and was able to throw in a real curveball at the end.

This story has lots of romance, a definite mystery and a cute kid too. If you enjoy the conflict of a long love vs short love and the hangup over 'what will the family think?' then this is a great book to read. It is a stand alone book which makes it perfect for a relaxed read when you just want to escape to some sun and the beach (even when you can't physically). 5 stars.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was a good turn pager read!

I enjoyed the characters and the story line of loss, grief, forgiveness, redemption, and the need to sometimes set boundaries with people and that is okay! It also had me wondering just who the mystery look a like man was, and it certainly was not what I expected. So that made it a great turn pager!

So if you are looking for a good read, with a little bit of mystery, dealing with grief, with a bit of a Christian theme and light on romance, then you will want to get this book. It is a book, I would be okay with letting my older teen read.

Great book! Surprisingly suspenseful yet romantic. Would definitely recommend to friends. Didn’t see ending coming which is my fave!

The Summer of You and Me, by Denise Hunter, is the story of young widow Maggie Reynolds and the summer she finds closure and is ready to move forward. House sitting for her in-laws, Maggie and her daughter Zoey, are back in Seabrook where her story and her life with Ethan began. But after his wartime death, Maggie has spent little time there even though Erin, her best friend and sister-In-law, and her family still live there, as does her brother-In-law Josh.

Although a couple of years younger than Maggie, Josh has been carrying a torch for her since the day they first met. But it was his older brother, Ethan, that caught Maggie’s eye. Now that she is ready to begin again, Josh plans to lay his cards on the table until Maggie sees a young man in the crowd at the summer carnival that is Ethan’s doppelgänger. This leads to a hunt for the young man and answers as to who he is and why the uncanny resemblance.

This novel now takes a circuitous route to finding answers as well as a future for Maggie and Josh. I really enjoyed this book and I do recommend it.

Unexpected

I went into this book expecting a sweet romance and I got that, but I also got a deeply intricate family saga. I'm amazed at how everything came together. It was interesting to see a story spotlight a couple in their thirties. This was a sweet romance, I'd rate PG for kissing, mentions of death, cheating, references to sperm donors, and a narcissistic parent.

Denise Hunter is a must read for me and The Summer of You and Me did not disappoint. The beach setting, a mystery element and second chance at love were all components that makes this the perfect beach read.
Maggie is a widow who returns to her husband's hometown to spend the summer five years after his death. It is unknown to her that her brother-in-law Josh has been in love with her also since high school and now he would like his chance to love her. His plan comes to a halt when Maggie sees a man who looks and acts like her deceased husband.
I did not see the ending taking the turn it did. There were many scenarios that made is that someone was going to be hurt, but Hunter ties all the ends together perfectly.
I received a complimentary copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson, but all opinions are my own.

I have to admit that the reveal on this book took me by surprise - I definitely didn't see that coming, which is always a good thing with a book!
This was my first book by the author and I felt it was a light, quick read - not a lot of extra, not a lot of fluff, just straightforward and pleasant and easy to follow- light romance with a touch of mystery.

Maggie Reynolds husband passed away five years ago, it’s time for her to accept he’s gone and move forward. Maggie and her four year old daughter Zoey plan to spend the summer at Seabrook, where she and Ethan first met and fell in love.

Josh Reynolds is Maggie's brother-in-law and he and his sister Erin are her best friends and have supported her through losing Ethan. Josh has loved Maggie for years, but his brother won her heart, and should Josh finally tell her how he feels and if he does will he push Maggie away and upset his family. While in Seabrook and at a carnival she glimpses a man in a crowd who could pass for Ethan's twin, Maggie has two choices contact her grief counsellor as soon as possible or tell Josh and together they try to find the mystery man?

The narrative focuses on topics such as being high school sweethearts and losing your soulmate, is it wrong to fall in love with your deceased brothers wife and people’s attitudes towards this scenario, letting go and moving forward, single parenting and the theory of everyone having a twin or could it be something much more complicated and is Maggie and Josh prepared for the repercussions?

I received a copy of The Summer of You and Me by Denise Hunter from NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction and in exchange for an unbiased review. I really liked Maggie’s character, it wouldn’t be easy to be a widow at such a young age, raise her daughter alone and juggle work and her mother.

Ms Hunter is known for writing faith based and heart-warming stories set in small towns, about love, longing, forgiveness and new beginnings and five stars from me and I highly recommend.

Thank you Net Galley, Denise Hunter, and Thomas Nelson Publishing for an EARC copy of this book.

The idea behind this book is swoon worthy but I just couldn’t find a way to connect with the book. The characters and overall plot seemed jumbled. I did finish the end and was surprised by it but it was a slow,slow read for me.

"If Maggie Reynolds could just make it past August seventh, she would finally be able to breathe again. But nearly two months of bittersweet memories stood between now and then like an emotional minefield. She hoped returning to Seabrook, North Carolina, for the summer had not been a colossal mistake. Too late now. At least she had her four-year-old in tow to distract her from all of the above."

Losing her husband unexpectedly gutted Maggie. So when she thinks she sees him from a distance, she wonders if the military has been lying to her all along. His brother agrees to help her investigate. but he might have an ulterior motive for wanting to spend time with her. Can the two of them discover the truth together?

This book is one part mystery, one part romance, one part family and one part faith in a beautiful combination. While the book could possibly be called a beach read, there is so much more depth contained in the plot. Having a firsthand look as the main character processes grief adds substance to the plot.

I have read most of the author's books. While certain qualities define her books, She always manages to add an original aspect that makes the plot feel fresh. She is a must-read author for me, and I am definitely a fan.

I read an advanced copy of this book through netgalley. I wanted to read and review it. All opinions are my own.

Denise Hunter never disappoints. Her stories are always heartfelt, beautifully written, and full of emotion. This one was no exception—a touching, hope-filled read that stayed with me long after the last page. It’s the perfect book to add to your summer reading list. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy!

#TheSummerofYouandMe #NetGalley

The Summer of You and Me by Denise Hunter is a fun summer read with an exciting plot twist that I did not see coming yet added much to the plot line. I am a big fan of all Denise Hunter books and this one did not disappoint. I enjoyed the setting of this book and could easily picture it as I was reading. The characters were believable to easy to fall in love with. Another Hunter 5 star book for me!

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

I enjoy Denise Hunter's books but I did not love this one. It did have a surprise ending...it just took a long time to get there.

Denise Hunter has once again delivered an amazing heartfelt romance.

Widow Maggie is about to pass the 5th anniversary of her husband's death when she finds herself falling in love with her best friend. Is this allowed? Will it ruin the friendship? Her daughter needs a daddy. Before she can examine her feelings any further, she see her husband's doppelganger at the carnival and that sends her into a tailspin as she's determined to find out who he is! Will she be able to handle the truth?

Come along on this beautiful heartfelt story and you'll not be sorry for one minute of reading time!

Thank you to NetGalley, Denise Hunter and Thomas Nelson Publishing for allowing me this arc version in exchange for my opinion.

Rating 3.5

I enjoyed the mystery with the look alike which Maggie and Josh were investigating. I had my suspicions but the story went a different direction.

Maggie’s mom was an irritating character with all her emotional manipulation and childlike tantrums.

I feel like the reactions of everyone either relationship developments were realistic though it felt a bit dramatic.

The closure the characters were able to obtain was a satisfying conclusion to the story.

*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.*

This one made me feel all the feels!

As Maggie Reynolds approaches the fifth anniversary of her husband's death, she is determined to finally move forward with her life. But her summer takes a drastic turn when she spots a man who looks identical to Ethan. Along with her brother-in-law, Josh, she sets off to solve the mystery. As she finds herself drawn to Josh, will the ghost of her husband keep her from finding happiness again?

I love everything that Denise Hunter writes, and this one was no exception.

The setting of Seabrook was beautiful. I loved the relationship that Maggie had with her late husband's family. Zoey, her daughter, was adorable.

My favorite character was Josh, though. He was so sweet and caring for Maggie and Zoe. The love he had for them was present in every interaction.

The mystery man element was so interesting, too. I was fully invested in the story. And I did not see the final twist coming!

If you are looking for a sweet, clean romance with a bit of mystery and a lot of heart, you should check this one out.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.