I have read Denise Hunter books in the past and enjoyed them. While I did like this story and it kept my attention, there were a few things about this book that bothered me. I felt that for a Christian fiction book, the main characters did not handle their questions in a Christian way by jumping to extreme suspicions and speculations. Also, without giving away the ending this book has some triggers that might be difficult for some readers. I personally recognize that the reality described may happen but I did feel that it hit a few nerves. Finally, while this book is technically closed door there was a lot of spice and descriptive scenes.

I received a complementary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this one! The writing was great, it had me not wanting to put it down, and I loved the mystery element. At first the romantic relationship between the main characters was really throwing me off, being that they were former in-laws and everything. But as the story continued I was able to look past it and take the whole story in.

After her husband’s death five years ago, Maggie is ready to find closure. Returning to Seabrook — the town where she and her late husband, Ethan, first became childhood sweethearts, she thinks she is finally ready to let go and have a fresh start. While enjoying the carnival with her daughter, the last thing she expected was to see her husband, or at least the spitting image of him. The event rattles Maggie and she and Josh (Ethan’s brother), go on a quest to find out the man’s true identity.

This book was playing out like a Hallmark movie while I was reading it. It’s overall a great, clean, summer read and I really recommend it! ☀️🎡🌊

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

Five years ago Maggie was married to Ethan until he was killed by an IED. She was still loved and cherished by his parents and family, especially Ethan’s brother, Josh. She always felt welcomed especially with her and Ethan’s child Zoey to share. Josh was always there for Maggie, but she never saw him as a love interest. From friendship to feelings that are tentatively reciprocated until unexpectedly fate intercedes. Fate will either bring Maggie and Josh together in this endearing book, or forever break the bonds of what a family could be.

This novel is the book equivalent of having the softest blanket + the best homemade hot cocoa + the coziest chair near a fireplace + an amazing mountain view. [Insert blissful, contented sigh here.]

I've read a number of Denise Hunter novels and I truly believe they keep getting better. I've read the advanced copies of her last few and I gave her last release 5 stars. Yet... I love this one even a little more. (You'll have to read it to understand!).

This wasn't an easy story. Some may look at a romance developing between a widow (Maggie) and her late husband's brother as unacceptable or weird. I wondered how the author would handle it, yet she did it so well that it was endearing. Maggie had been widowed nearly five years and they'd always been close friends. He was a huge support system to her and the baby girl born after her late husband was killed. She had no idea he had feelings for her since they had met as teenagers. She dated and married his brother so he buried it and left it alone. Rightfully so.

It's truly a beautiful story of being yourself and taking a chance. You can't help but respect Josh and Maggie both. The depth of their friendship and mutual support is incredible. The ZING between them makes you want to grin ear-to-ear in a most ridiculous fashion.

The mystery element in this book is so intriguing. Maggie spots a doppelgänger of her late husband through her camera lens while at a carnival. She shares it with Josh and they're both shell-shocked. You find yourself wondering all the plausible scenarios right along with Maggie and Josh. It is a journey of discovery in more ways than either of them ever expected. There is joy, disappointment, shock, anger, heartache, and incredulity. And the HEA...happily ever after...is OFF the charts -- arm pumps, squeals of glee, and more blissful sighing cannot be helped.

I cannot recommend this *unique romance with a twist* enough! Be prepared to read from cover to cover in an oh-so-uber-satisfactory-way!

>>> HUGE thanks to Thomas Nelson and Net Galley for providing an advanced reader copy of this novel. This is my voluntary review and in my own words.

It’s been five years since Maggie lost her husband. This summer getaway to Seabrook is her chance to finally find closure and move on. While visiting a carnival on the boardwalk with her daughter, she sees her husband in the crowd. Unable to reach him in the sea of people, she calls her brother in law, Josh, (who has been in love with her for years) to help her investigate and locate the man she saw. As they piece together this mystery, she starts to see Josh in a new light.

A Christian romance that is so heartfelt, with a splash of mystery to keep you on your toes. There was a lot of emotion and depth throughout the story that pulls on your heartstrings!

Thanks to NetGalley & Denise Hunter for this sweet read! 💛

This was a beautiful story of two people trying to come to grips with tragedy and navigate the complexities of life after loss. The author drew me into the storyline and portrayed compassion and empathy for the main characters. This book also discussed several issues that are found in today's world and how to navigate them with a Christian worldview. It was a unique story and unlike any other that I have read before. I would recommend this as a quick and easy read.

The Summer of You and Me
Denise Hunter
April 22, 2025


Maggie is heading home to Seacrest, North Carolina. Each visit is difficult. Ethan´s family is there. She promised to come back for the summer. School is finished and her 4 year old daughter is ready to see her grandparents. They will be staying in their guest cottage. Each year since Ethanś death is almost as tough as the first year. She was pregnant when he left. He never met his beautiful baby girl. His folks still pressure her to dwell on his existence. Her sister in law, Erin has become her best friend. She helps but the only person who cares about her needs is Joshua, his brother.
The Summer of You and Me will be published on April 22, 2025 by Thomas Nelson. I was able to read and review Hunter´s latest novel via NetGalley. I appreciate being allowed to read the advance copy of her latest book. Once again she provides her readers with a passionate story of a family's struggles with an unfortunate loss. It is most difficult for his widow. How does she create a new life for herself and perhaps find a new father for her daughter. Family is not enough to overcome the loneliness of being alone. This excellent story is delightful. Readers will find it a welcome journey for the protagonist. Do enjoy!

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for an advanced e-reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The Summer of You and Me by Denise Hunter is the first book I’ve read by this author. I really enjoyed the relationship and connection between Maggie and Josh - it was very easy to root from them despite the conflicts they face. Occasionally the storyline was a bit slow for me and I found myself struggling to finish, however by the end of the book I found I still enjoyed reading it. The slight mystery aspect to it was a plus!

An unforgettable summer...

I feel as though I have done The Summer of You and Me a disservice as I read a book before hand that had a very similar plot. Because of this, what I felt was missing in The Summer of You and Me was highlighted by what I had enjoyed so much in the previous book. I also felt as though the writing did make it hard to find the characters believable or to connect to the characters, but I am one reader who rarely connects with characters. The plot line of The Summer of You and Me is one of my favourites, so I did think this was an okay. I was surprised towards the end with the twists and turns which is a bonus!

First 5 star read of the year! Wow, at first I was put off by the relationship dynamic of the MMC & FMC but the storyline was so good I was able to look past it. The FMC was married to the MMC brother who has passed away some years back making the love interests former in-laws.

The story also had some mystery elements as a young man who happens to look like the FMC deceased husband randomly pops up in town. So they go on a mission to find out who this man is and why does he look like her husband.

The writing was spectacular. I was intrigued from beginning to end. This was definitely a page turner. I stayed up all night reading this because I just couldn't put it down. The way the author was able to use her words and writing style was indescribable. I felt like I was watching a Hallmark movie in my mind. This was my first book by this author, however it won't be my last. The chapters were short and easy to read as well. This is a 10 out of 10 will recommend.

This is the story of Maggie and her young daughter who are still trying to recover from the death of her husband. Her brother in law Josh has been her rock all along. When Maggie sees someone who looks just like her husband, her world is overturned and she is left with many questions. Was her whole marriage a lie? She and Josh are on a mission this summer to figure it all out. This is a great easy read and I finished it in 2 days. There were a few twists that I didn't see coming and that made it even more enjoyable. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. This was my first book by this author and I'd love to read more of her work.

Denise Hunter tackles a variety of issues in this heart-warming and uplifting story. Maggie, a young widow with a five-year-old daughter, Zoey, has gone to spend the summer at her in-law’s beach house. Maggie’s brother-in-law, Josh, lives near the beach house, and he has been her friend and a great support person since the death of her late husband Ethan. Their summer takes on a whole new look as the days go by. Intrigued by a mysterious person and heartache from grief and loss and unknowns are wreaking havoc on what was supposed to be simply a delightful summer by the sea leading up to the 5th anniversary of Ethan’s death. Don’t worry, the story basically has a happily ever after in the end, but it is hard to make it to that point. Lots of tears and hardship are in store for Maggie, Josh, and their families. However, what I appreciated a lot about this book, besides the wonderful characters, the excellent plot, and the multiple conflict points, is how Denise Hunter tackles difficult inter-personal relationships, specifically, difficult family relationships. She does not dodge them or make them pretty on the outside, rather she delves in and walks the characters through situations that we likely encounter with loved ones or close friends in our own lives. Maggie’s mother is narcissistic and the author walks her through those interactions and that situation quite well, with Maggie needing to set boundaries and talk things through with someone else. Josh also has a difficult relationship in his life, and the author again walks Josh through some difficult conversations and the reader can see the results of that. This is something that has been lacking in Christian fiction for a long time, and it is so refreshing to see it and learn from it. I highly recommend this book. It is a great, summer-themed literary escape and it is also a great personal growth book too. Read it. You won’t regret it!

This was my first Denise Hunter read and I will definitely read more of her books. This is a story of love, loss, family and so much more. Maggie lost her first husband, Ethan, and she has never really gotten over him. She comes back to her summer home and spends time with Ethan's family and his younger brother. Josh is in love with her and has always been. (I really enjoyed reading the characters that were brought to life in this book.) They end up with a mystery to solve and the last 25% of the book unravels this mystery with a huge twist. Will Maggie and Josh end up living their happily ever after? Will she let go of Ethan? Add this to your TBR as it would make a great beach read!

Thank you Net Galley, Denise Hunter and Thomas Nelson Publishing for the opportunity to preview this novel. The opinions shared are my own.
The Summer of You and Me is expected to be released April 22, 2025.

Cute romance novel with very little spice. I thought it was predictable at times, but not in a bad way and there were still some surprises in the plot. The writing was well done and not heavy handed. Would recommend this to other friends as a sweet, enjoyable summer read.

Maggie is spending the summer at the beach with her daughter. Maggie lost her husband five years ago and is just now starting to live again. Josh Reynolds is her brother-in-law and her rock since Ethan died. Josh fell in love with Maggie over twenty years ago and has kept the secret from his family. As the summer starts Maggie sees a man that looks just like Ethan at the amusement park. As Josh and Maggie search for the man they become closer together; can Josh finally let Maggie know he is in love with her?

This book was really good. I really enjoyed it. Thank you to Netgalley for this arc. I enjoyed it so much. I can't wait to read more by this author.

The Summer of You and Me is an exciting, heartfelt book that hits all the right notes! It has a bit of everything, too, which I love. There's a great romance, but there's also mystery and drama and a healthy dose of inspiration.

All of that came through lots of twists and turns. Romance books are usually pretty predictable, but I loved how this one played out! It was certainly sweet, but it had hard moments, too, and they came in really unusual ways.

The Summer of You and Me is the perfect beach read. Denise Hunter has penned another winner!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

The Summer of You and Me by Denise Hunter had me yearning for sunshine weather and the joy of a book I couldn’t put down. Absolutely fell in love with the characters as they took me along with them in life’s struggles and unpredictable outcomes. I recommend reading this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book and the opinions are my own.

This was the first book I've read by Denise Hunter and I really enjoyed it. As I was reading it, I thought that it would make a good Hallmark movie. When I looked up the author, I see that she's written several books, 3 of which have been adapted to movies by Hallmark. It was an engaging story and I would recommend it.

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

Ooh, I wanted to like this so badly. I think remarriage as a Christian is definitely a touchy subject, and I feel like this story was not the best example of it, unfortunately. I loved both of the characters individually, but their relationship lacked a lot of depth and felt very circumstantial and immature. The mystery kept me reading, but once it was revealed, it weirded me out more than anything, so was unfortunately disappointed in that regard. I love most of Hunter's books. but sadly this one was a miss for me.