This was such a great story line. When I first met Maggie and Josh I really loved how they interacted, how they related to each other was a great interaction. Them finding a man who looked like Maggie’s deceased husband really grabbed my attention and did not let me go until the very end of this book. I could not put it down because I needed to know what was going to happen. I was not disappointed with this story. I really enjoyed every word of this book. It’s been a long time since a book hooked me like this.

I want to thank NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for this advanced reader copy. This is my honest opinion.

Now that was a stay-up-late-to-finish book! I believe this is my first Denise Hunter book even though I am familiar with the name, but it won't be the last! I loved the mystery arc of this book. It created increased depth and excitement. I loved the setting and overall atmosphere of the island summer vacation feel. There are no swears or alcohol and level 2 kisses only. Present tense, Dual POV with a few chapters in a third person's POV that created further depth and understanding on the readers part.

This was another really good book by this author.
It was emotional and heartfelt. There were a few surprises too. It’s an easy to read book that was hard to put down.

Denise Hunter's The Summer of You and Me audiobook offers a poignant and intriguing blend of second-chance romance and suspenseful mystery, all set against the charming backdrop of Seabrook. The narration beautifully captures Maggie's emotional journey as she returns to her late husband's hometown, hoping to find closure five years after his death.

The introduction of Josh, her brother-in-law who has harbored a long-standing, unrequited love for her, adds a layer of heartwarming potential for a new beginning. However, Hunter cleverly throws a compelling curveball into the mix when Maggie encounters a man who bears an uncanny resemblance to her deceased husband. This unsettling event propels Maggie and Josh on a quest for answers that quickly becomes more complex and emotionally charged than either of them anticipated.

The audiobook effectively builds suspense as Maggie grapples with the impossible possibility of her past returning, while simultaneously navigating her growing feelings for Josh. The mystery surrounding the look-alike keeps the listener engaged, raising questions about identity, loss, and the secrets that might be lurking beneath the surface of their small town.

The Summer of You and Me is a captivating listen that beautifully balances the delicate emotions of grief and the tentative hope of new love with a compelling undercurrent of mystery. Hunter crafts a story that explores the complexities of the heart and the unexpected ways the past can resurface, leaving the listener eager to uncover the truth alongside Maggie and Josh.

This is my first novel by this author, and it was a very well written storyline that captures you and draws you into the pages. This novel is a contemporary fiction, and it displays a lot of emotions with moving on after a loss of a loved one.

Maggie Reynolds and her four-year-old daughter Zoey are on holiday in Seabrook, North Carolina, a place which is full of bittersweet memories of her late husband, Ethan, the love of her life. Her best friend Erin, Ethan’s sister and his younger brother Josh live there, and, together with his parents Becky and Brad, they are planning to scatter his ashes on the fifth anniversary of his death, when the unthinkable happens! While at the fair Maggie sees Ethan’s double in the distance. Did the army make a mistake? Could her husband possibly still be alive? Maggie and Josh set out to find the truth without involving the rest of the Reynolds family.

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!

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.