Five years after her husband's death, Maggie is finally ready to let go. Unbeknownst to Maggie, her brother-in-law, Josh Reynolds, has been in love with her for years and wants to confess. But his plans soon get put on hold when, shortly after Maggie returns to Seabrook, she runs into a man who could pass for Ethan's twin.

What carried the story for me was the mystery of the man's identity. Maggie and Josh explored all the possibilities and ended up with more questions than answers. It brought quite the plot twist.

Aside from that, I didn't buy into their own romance. The pacing felt off and had a quick resolution. Listening on audio made it easier for me to complete the book. The narrator, while a bit sharp, did a good job.

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

Rating: 3⭐
Steam level: 1🌶️ Kissing only

This story was so good! The mystery of Ethan's "twin" at the fair was so intriguing and the payoff was so worthwhile! I also loved how strongly the themes of grief, mental health, and found family played out through the story and seeing how natural the relationship between Maggie and Josh has evolved since they first met, throughout her marriage to Ethan, and since Ethan's death. Full of sweet, wholesome vibes!!

Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction | Thomas Nelson for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I loved this book and the storyline. I loved the characters and their growth. I will definitely will be looking for more book by this author. I would recommend this book.

Although the idea of a woman having a relationship with her late husband's brother could be cringeworthy, it is handled in a delicate, sensitive manner that makes it palatable here. The fact that there aren't any flashbacks so you never get to see Maggie and her late husband together, but you do see Maggie and her brother-in-law, Josh, together, helps. They are sweet together and seem well-suited. Josh's relationship with Maggie's young daughter is really touching as well.

The story has just the right mix of predictability and unpredictability. While the plotline about the man who looks like Maggie's late husband seems like it could slide into soap operish territory, it never does. The answer to the mystery is surprising but both plausible and satisfying.

The book is permeated with numerous warm, loving, caring characters that personify what a family should be. Only Maggie's mother, a character who sees Maggie as a reflection of herself, who, therefore, should live up to what she expects of her daughter, and one other character don't fit in with the overwhelmingly pleasant feelings that reading this book generates.

This was such a sweet summer romance. The story felt very authentic and natural. I really enjoyed the summer vibes and loved the beach, boat, and summer carnival scenes. I also loved the family story line and the relationship Maggie has with her late husband's family, as well as her sweet daughter. They mystery aspect was fun too! However, I did not love the "twist". It felt a little strange to me. But overall, super fun, lay by the pool or beach read.

Thank you Net Galley and the publisher for the advanced copy!

Yet another enjoyable Denise Hunter story. There's unrequited love, drama, dealing with abandonment issues, and interesting twists. I had a hard time putting it down as I wanted to know the answers to questions that came up. It's definitely worth the read.
I received an ARC copy from NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

I love Denise Hunter and her writing but this book was just okay for me. It seemed a little far fetched and sometimes redundant. I also guessed most of the way through who Will really was so that kind of was not a shock for me at the end. The romance was okay but unrealistic at times. With that being said I definitely will read this author again it's just that this book wasn't for me.

Death, Grief, unexpected feelings and secrets revealed, fill the pages of this book. Some definite twists and turns to finding a connection with an unknown person that is a doppelganger of Ethan. Can Josh help find the connection and will he be just as surprised? How will his family react? Will his new found relationship last through these ups and downs?

4.25/5 stars

Denise Hunter is automatically a go-to author for me, and this book doesn't fail to illustrate why.

This story focuses on a family dealing with grief (five years down the road), especially a widow and a brother of the deceased. I won't go into details here, but Hunter does a marvelous job of weaving a story that could be a bit eye-raising/unorthodox for some readers into a sweet, compelling journey of healing and moving forward after loss.

While I enjoyed all of the characters, I was specifically drawn to the earnest and long-suffering Josh. His patience, loyalty and empathy made him a standout among men. My only caveat, in comparison to Hunter's previous book characters, was feeling that the two mains were not as deeply drawn as I would have liked. But that feeling was not enough to detract from the satisfying story itself.

There were some instances that required a suspension of disbelief, particularly the surprise denouement, but in fiction that's more the norm, so again, no biggie.

This was a sweet, heartbreaking/heartwarming book with a subject handled deftly by Hunter. Yet another winner from her. And as an aside, I must say that (unlike a lot of books) the title of this book was a perfect fit for the subject and tenor of the story...a refreshing change from some off-the-wall titles.

My sincere thanks to the author, NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for providing the free early arc of The Summer of You and Me for review. The opinions are strictly my own.

The Summer of You and Me is the second book I have read written by Denise Hunter and I am so excited to read more. This was such a heart touching story, pulling me through all kinds of emotions. This was quite the journey.

The character development was intense. Seeing Maggie go through her grief of losing her husband and then seeing someone who could pass for his twin. It was a process going through it all with Maggie. Josh had so many issues to overcome throughout this story it was intense. My heart broke for him.

The storyline was so good. It was better than a movie. It kept me engage the whole time. It was fun going on this journey as Maggie works on finding love again, overcoming hurdles and helping Josh along the way.

Denise did a good job intertwining faith throughout the book.

*I received a complimentary copy from the author and voluntarily chose to review it. All opinions are my own.

This is my second Denise Hunter book and I'm completely sold. The summer vibes, the stranger, the hurt and all the love all in a beautiful town was stunning. Denise knocked this one out of the park.

The Summer of You and Me by Denise Hunter

Maggie Reynolds is opening her heart again when the past slaps her in the face. She sees a man that looks like her late husband and she is thrown a wild card!

Maggie is visiting Seabrook for the summer to find closure. It was where they fell in love as kids and where Evan’s family lives. She’s never realized that Josh, her brother-in-law, has held her in his heart for many years, This unrequited love seems to have sabotaged all of his relationships.

Josh wants to lay it all out and take a chance with Maggie,

They face impossible questions as they try to unravel the mystery of this man that could be Evan’s twin. As they chase answers they are faced with more questions. Maggie isn’t sure of anything, including whether she wants answers.

What a phenomenal story! It was unexpected and so well written!

I love Denise Hunter’s ability to just walk the reader into the story. This was a beautiful experience with wonderful characters!

The prose was so well executed and the audiobook narration was wonderful! A great storyteller with a warm and telling voice! I really enjoyed it!

I would like to Thank NetGalley for the opportunity to review an ARC for both the e-book and the audiobook for this novel. Both are excellent! 5/5⭐

The Summer of You and Me is an emotional roller coaster of a story that ran the gamut of feelings. Maggie and her in-laws are to spread her deceased military husband's ashes over the ocean this summer. But when someone who could be his doppelgänger is at the beachside carnival, things are upended for her and Josh, her brother-in-law. Could Ethan be alive? I honestly could not see how the story could end in a happy way. But ultimately, Denise Hunter pens a tale with twists, turns, healing, surprises, faith, and love in a way that is so sweet and heartwarming. Highly recommend this story. I received a copy in exchange for an honest review. These are my thoughts.

This is the best book I have read in a long time! It has amazing characters, lots of twists and turns, family dynamics and stirs all your emotions. I could not put it down! A very well written story. I wish all books were this good.

Looking for a powerful, emotive story? Look no further than The Summer of You and Me and make sure you clear your day. Maggie and Josh create such a dynamic chemistry that I found myself fully engrossed in their story. My mind was tripped up with all the possible options and explanations. I wasn’t quite sure how I wanted it to resolve and yet, when it did, it was utterly perfect, and no other outcome would have sufficed. Maggie and Josh have a beautiful friendship with long, deep roots and I love how Josh has always been there for her. Their interactions and the tender relationship with her daughter were truly heartwarming and endearing. Not to mention, all the family undercurrents created layers of complexity and realism. I genuinely loved this story and found the audio version to be even more captivating as the personalities and emotions really came through in the interactions.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

The Summer of you and me, by Denise Hunter is a stand alone Christian contemporary story. This well written story is easy to read. The writing is so descriptive, it is easy to imagine the settings, people and happenings. This story is so realistic I felt like I was listening to a friend. Maggie and her daughter are spending the summer at her in-laws home while they are on vacation. While at a fair she sees someone that looks just like her late husband. Wanting to find him she turns to her late husband’s brother, Josh, for help. While the two have always gotten along nicely, this time spent together grows their relationship.

This is such a good story. I enjoyed the way Maggie gets along with her late husband’s family. I like how close she is to Josh and how he watches out for her and her daughter. I enjoyed how realistic the story is with how Josh’s parents react to Maggie and Josh’s new found relationship. This is a wonderful story of moving forward with life. I especially enjoyed the mystery behind the man Maggie sees at the fair and how he is connected to her. The ending really surprised me. This is a nice clean read story that grabbed my attention at the beginning and held it to the ends.

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

I was excited to get early access to The Summer of You and Me, the latest release from Denise Hunter. This is the third book I’ve read by her, and once again—it’s a 5-star read. The Summer of You and Me is beautifully written. Summer, small-town charm, and a plot that keeps you guessing. What more could you want? I highly recommend it!

Publication Date- April 22, 2025
#TheSummerofYouandMe #NetGalley

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the advanced reader copy.

This book just wasn't for me. The beginning was too slow and I found myself uninterested in any of the main characters. Needing to wait until about halfway through for the story to kick into a new gear feels like asking too much from readers who have a lot of options.

OH I was drawn into this book from the beginning. I got a little disturbed in the middle - but as what usually happens with this fabulous author, I fell in love and cried with the characters! It was a wonderful book and will recommend it to everyone! Loved it and will listen to this book again!

Thank you to NetGalley for this story! All thoughts and opinions are my own!

3.5 Stars

Maggie, a young widow after her husband Ethan died overseas 5 years ago, is spending the summer at her in-laws' place in his childhood town of Seabrook. They are going to commemorate the 5 year anniversary of his death by spreading his ashes at the end of summer. When she is at the fair with her daughter, she sees a man and is shocked because it's Ethan! She tried to follow him but he was lost in the crowd. She immediately calls her friend Josh, who was also Ethan's brother and the two of them set off to find this mysterious doppelganger.

Josh has always been in love with his sister in law, ever since he was a boy, but she fell for his brother insead. He never stopped being there for her and they have always had a very close friendship. As Maggie and Josh go on this journey together, they are faced with opening old wounds and also realize that what's between them is more than friendship.

Part mystery, part romance, this story took you on an adventure of the past, present and how these two were going to navigate a future together. The stigma of dating your brother in law, although shocking to the family at first, I thought was well handled and explained in a way that didn't diminish her love for Ethan. It was as if, even though they were brothers, there was a different kind of love for each one.

I liked them working together to figure out this mini mystery but the big reveal at the end was a little out there, but I still liked that it preserved the integrity of the characters.

I would have liked to see Maggie set her boundaries with her narcissistic mother sooner and fight for her own peace, instead of letting her mother dictate her feelings and emotions.

Overall a nice closed door romance with a light mystery element that helped propel the story and characters forward.


Huge thanks to NetGalley for sharing this book’s digital advanced review copy with me in exchange for an honest review.

I read this book through a digital ARC fromNetGalley
Author: Denise Hunter
Genre: Romance, adult fiction, mini mystery
Troupe: Friends to Lovers

I want to thank Thomas Nelson Fiction | Thomas Nelson, Denise Hunter and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.