Strong Small Town Tale. This is one of those tales that has a bit of a lot. Rich boy falls in love with trailer park trash girl over the course of one fateful teenage summer. Events happen in their small seasonal town, and small seasonal townspeople - including police - respond as small seasonable townspeople all too often do, even in real life.

But what if... what if damn near *everyone* was wrong?

What if the truth of that summer all those years ago was so much more complex? What if virtually *no one* had anywhere near a complete picture of what was happening, due to *everyone* having far too many prejudices and preconceptions?

Can wrongs done that summer all those years ago be corrected all this time later - at least to some degree or another? Can relationships destroyed then - family, community, romantically, and others - be repaired after so much time has passed and so much bitterness has been so deeply internalized?

Novak here provides a stunning tale perfect for summer reading that delves into all of the above in a tale that ultimately leaves the reader a bit breathless and a lot of emotions to deal with. It isn't a comedy, though it has a touch of that. It isn't a romance per se, though it does in fact meet all known qualifications there and may be marketed as such. This is far more a family/ small town drama, and one that plays out quite remarkably well.

Very much recommended.

Based on the cover, I was expecting this story to have a bit more humor or lightness to it—but it ended up being a more serious mystery with a second-chance twist.

Lucy returns to her hometown to clear her father’s name after years of silence between them, ever since that one fateful summer. She reconnects with Ford, a guy she briefly dated for a month in high school before everything went down. For such a short relationship, their deep bond in the present felt a little hard to buy into—but they did make a good team when it came to unraveling the mystery.

While the plot kept me interested, it wasn’t quite the kind of read I was hoping for. A solid mystery, just not the vibe I expected going in.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the free advanced copy. I’m leaving this review voluntarily.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing/Mira for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

Oh I absolutely loved the concept of this book - was expecting an emotional hard-core rollercoaster & all of the small town gossip and secrets. That's not what I read though - instead the first half of the book felt like a repeating over-explanation of the same feelings and emotions and it was just too much. I get it - she's returning to the hometown that hates her, she's recently seen her father after so many years and now is determined to prove his innocence, AND her ex is there - so it's a lot, but to just have that being repeated? I was not interested in the least bit.

I loved how the mystery came in later and the ending was really good - the twists & turns to get to the ending felt really fun and I really enjoyed finding out the truth! I was able to guess things, but it was still fun to watch it play out.

I think this is a perfect one for lovers of SLOW thrillers - with all the detail, and the gradual escalation and solution. This one helped me to realize that I need the fast paced thrillers and that's ok but this is still a worthwhile read!

Fifteen years ago, Lucy Sinclair’s father was convicted of murdering three people in the small town of North Hampton Beach, Virginia. At just seventeen, with no other family, she was left to fend for herself. Lucy weathered some tough times but got through it and made something of herself. Now all these years later Lucy’s ready to go back to answer some nagging doubts she had about one of the murders. She doesn’t count on running into Ford, the man who abandoned her and broke her heart, but he’s also back in town taking a summer break from his own problems.

Lucy gets flak from the townsfolk right away when they find out why she’s there, but there are also ones who’ve questioned the past, as well. While we find out what’s behind one of the mysteries pretty early on, some of it doesn’t come all the way out until the end. I had my suspicions.

The Summer That Changed Everything was part romance, part mystery and a messy situation on several levels. Messy is usually something I avoid because I’m not a big fan of angst, but somehow Ms. Novak writes it in such a way that it doesn't come off as angsty. Once I started, I knew I’d have to read/listen to it all the way through! It wasn’t a story I’d have an easy time setting aside to continue later. I was riveted and had to know how it’d all turn out! I thoroughly enjoyed it and I’m still thinking about it!

I alternately read and listened to The Summer That Changed Everything. I thought Courtney Patterson performed all voices, males and female wonderfully with appropriate emotion, bringing the characters and story to life.

So happy to be given the chance to review this book. Brenda Novak is a favorite author for me. Clearing your father's name, reconnecting with your past and working together with a long lost love, all are elements of this story. The story is a little predictable, but there is comfort in that for a reader familiar with the author and her writing style.

Brenda Novak’s The Summer That Changed Everything is a compelling audiobook filled with mystery, romance, and the weight of long-buried secrets. Lucy Sinclair returns to her hometown after fifteen years, determined to clear her father’s name following his conviction for a triple murder that shattered her life as a teenager. As she digs deeper into the truth, listeners are drawn into a tense atmosphere where nothing is as it seems.

The return of Ford Wagner, an old flame fleeing his own troubled past, adds layers of emotional complexity and slow-burning chemistry. Novak expertly weaves together the threads of suspense, small-town dynamics, and unresolved feelings, making the coastal town of North Hampton Beach a vivid and immersive setting.

Narrated with heartfelt nuance, this audiobook is perfect for fans of mystery-laden romances and stories about facing the past to find hope for the future. The Summer That Changed Everything is a gripping listen that keeps you guessing until the very end.

Lucy returns to her hometown to revisit see her father, who has been in prison for the past 25 years, and begins to re-examine the evidence of his murder conviction. What unfolds is more than she can imagine, including reuniting with the boy she loved the summer her father was convicted.

There are certainly strong plot elements here: a small town with buried secrets, and the tension of a rekindled romance. But overall, this book didn’t quite land for me.
The third person narration felt off, and I didn't *feel* the characters the way I usually do. The frequent shifts in point of view were sometimes confusing. While I appreciate the themes and ambition of the story, this one didn’t fully meet my expectations. Still, fans of small town mysteries and character driven plots may enjoy it more than I did.

Thank you to Harlequin and NetGalley for the ARC

Thank you to NetGalley for the free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Brenda Novak’s The Summer That Changed Everything is a gripping blend of family drama, mystery, and romance that pulls readers into a small-town setting haunted by past crimes and buried secrets.

The story follows Lucy Sinclair, a woman whose life has been shadowed by her father’s conviction for three brutal murders fifteen years ago. After spending most of her adult life distancing herself from the tragedy, Lucy makes the bold decision to return to the place where it all began. Her goal: uncover the truth and finally get clarity on whether her father is truly guilty—or if an innocent man has spent over a decade behind bars.

Novak crafts a compelling narrative filled with emotional depth and suspense. The layers of mystery unravel at a satisfying pace, with enough twists to keep readers engaged without straying into melodrama. Lucy is a sympathetic and strong protagonist, and her journey toward understanding—both of her past and herself—is one many readers will find deeply moving.

While the romance subplot is more of a slow burn, it adds a nice touch of warmth and complexity without detracting from the central mystery. Novak does a good job of balancing the emotional weight of family secrets with the intrigue of a whodunit.

If you're a fan of domestic suspense with heart, The Summer That Changed Everything is worth adding to your summer reading list. It’s a story about second chances, buried truths, and the courage it takes to confront the past—no matter how painful.

3.75 ⭐️
15 years after her father was convicted of murdering an elderly couple and a girl in her grade, Lucy ventures back to North Hampton Beach for the first time. In hopes of proving her dad innocent of one of the murders, she sets off on her own investigation. What she didn’t expect was to see her old boyfriend also back in town for the summer.

Unfortunately, I solved most of this one in the first few chapters, but that didn’t keep it from being a page turner. Although I was hoping I was wrong the whole time, the author does a great job of keeping the reader intrigued and invested in the characters.

There were multiple POVs in a single chapter which got a little confusing at times. (although I had an arc, so that could have changed for the final publication). The multiple POVs did add to the mystery and character development of all those involved, so overall I thought it was worth it.

I think classifying this novel as Contemporary Fiction (instead of romance or mystery/thriller) is what makes my thoughts on rating higher. The FMC goes through a journey of her own— not just to free her father but to free herself from everything that has happened since that fateful summer.

Quick, enjoyable summer beach read.

This was more of a women’s fiction than a straight romance, but since Ms. Novak does both very well, this was a pleasure to read. It is somewhat of a murder mystery, well actually two murders and Lucy, daughter of the convicted killer of both of these, comes to the seaside town where she and her father lived 15 years ago to see if there is any way to help him. Ford was her boyfriend back 15 years ago, and has also come back to the beach town to decide what to do with his wife from whom he has separated. Ford and Lucy then go on the journey to find out if her father did commit these murders or not. There is suspense, friends from before who come back every summer and all want to put these murders to bed. They do not like Lucy and Ford looking into because there are secrets to keep. All in all a very satisfying read!

I really enjoyed The Summer That Changed Everything — it’s a warm, heartfelt story about family, love, and finding yourself. The characters felt real and easy to connect with, and Brenda Novak’s writing is super approachable and smooth.

The story was mostly engaging, though a few parts felt a little predictable, and I was hoping for some more twists to keep me totally hooked. But overall, it was a nice read with some sweet and emotional moments that stuck with me.

If you like contemporary stories that focus on personal growth and hope, this one’s definitely worth checking out!

I really enjoyed this book! The combination of a summer-y beach read and a suspenseful mystery made it unputdownable. It was easy enough to file away all of the findings of the investigation to (mostly) solve the murders on my own, while still being able to enjoy the romance subplot! My only critique would be that some of the loose ends were tied up a little *too* nice and conveniently, but I also think that adds to the ‘beach read’ element.

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy!

Absolutely loved this book! The Summer That Changed Everything was everything I hoped it would be and more. The storyline pulled me in right from the start, and I completely fell in love with the characters—they felt so real and relatable. Brenda Novak has a way of creating emotional depth without ever feeling heavy, and this book is a perfect example of that.

The setting was beautiful and made the whole story feel like a true escape. I could picture every scene like I was right there. I’ve really enjoyed her last few books, and this one might be my favorite yet. Highly recommend to anyone who loves heartfelt stories with strong friendships, second chances, and a touch of summer magic.

What a gripping book - was literally hooked from chapter 1 and finished reading the whole book within a weekend! Loved how unique this was - it was different from any other romance that I've read! 5 stars for sure!!!

If you’re looking for a fast paced wonderful written murder mystery then I highly recommend this book! I was hooked until the very last page. It is a five star recommendation from me!

Lucy‘s father was convicted of three murders. Even though Lucy is totally heartbroken about this she absolutely does not believe that her father is responsible for the murder of Aurora. She has returned to North Hampton Beach determined to prove her father’s innocence. Upon arriving in town, one of her first encounters is with her high school sweetheart Ford. He ends up going out of his way to help Lucy in anyway he can to right this story that started 15 years earlier. The complicated family dynamics just added to the overall story!

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Brenda Novak for this ARC in return for my honest review.

Both The Summer that Changed Everything and Such Good People share a common theme, finding justice for the innocent. The only difference is that from the beginning, we are not so sure Lucy Sinclair's (formerly McBride) father is innocent of the crimes for which he has been accused.

When Lucy returns to North Hampton Beach fifteen years after the course of events that changed her life forever, she doesn't expect a warm reception; in fact, she hopes that she will be able to conduct her investigation quietly. Such is not the case when she's returning to a town that is convinced that she played some small part in one of the murders.

Also returning to town is Lucy's first love, Ford Wagner, who, at the urging of his family, shunned Lucy when she needed him most. Now determined to make up for the past, he chooses to make up for the past and help Lucy discover who could have committed the murders that shook the town so many years ago.

While parts of the book felt a little rushed, I truly enjoyed the book, and I suggest it for all fans of crime/suspense novels.

Novak’s latest takes on the idea of memory and how our perceptions are colored by circumstances. The twists and turns kept me guessing even as I thought I had it figured out.

I received this ARC for my unbiased opinion.

Lucy Sinclair returns to her home town to try to clear her father's name is just the beginning of this novel that takes on a journey of self-discovery. From meeting up with an ex-boyfriend to trying to solve the mystery surrounding her father's incarceration, it was hard to put down.

Another excellent read from Author Brenda Novak! Fully entertaining and suspenseful! She had me hooked until the very last pages of the novel. A page turner! Engaging! A 5 Star read for me! Found myself in the comfort of another Brenda Novak novel, love her style!

It might be hard to prove innocence after 15 years in prison, but Lucy Sinclair was determined to prove her father’s innocence. At seventeen Lucy survived watching her father being sentenced to life in prison for murdering not one, not two but three people Lucy knew, two of which she loved like grandparents. She came back to the small town in Virginia where she grew up not knowing her boyfriend, Ford Wagner, from long ago would also happen to show up at North Hampton Beach.
Lucy had the odds against her in a small town where no one wanted to “stir things up “. Ford’s interest in Lucy even all these years later was piqued yet uncertain how he felt about digging up the past.
This romantic suspense novel is a thrilling summer read that has you hoping against all odds. The murder mystery will keep you curious enough as secrets are disclosed to question whether Lucy’s efforts are worthy or strictly useless.
Loved and highly recommend this novel from one of my favorite authors !

Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing / Mira for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. Review will be published on Instagram & Goodreads at shereadswith_coffee . Will also post to Bookbub and Amazon.

Thank you for loving me to have an early copy. Loved this story. I usually do not like mysteries, but this was a perfect combination of to,acne mixed in with a hunt for the real killers. Loved the story so much, I am off to buy a copy at the store and read it again.