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.

Thank you so much to HTP Books for the gifted book!

The cover may not suggest that this book is mostly a book about small town murders, but I know by now that you never know WHAT to expect when you pick up a Brenda Novak book! One thing I always know with Brenda, her books will NEVER be boring!

The best thing about this book was how many interesting plot lines there were! It had romance, mystery, small town vibes, family drama, etc.

I thought the ending was absolute perfection! This will be the perfect summer read to toss in your beach bag!

It's complicated...

Lucy is back in town, finally ready to face her past. Maybe. Its complicated. He father went away for a crime people in town would like to remain in the past.

Ford is back in town, too. Its been a long time since he and Lucy were together and he's married. Like I said, its complicated.

Nuanced, layered with a mystery to unravel, Brenda Novak is so skilled at her craft.
Recommend.

I loved everything about this!
Lucy and Ford were a great couple, and I loved the second chance aspect of their relationship! I loved the setting at the beach. I loved the mystery. I loved the overcoming really hard obstacles aspect of the story. I loved the forgiveness that happened when things were solved. I loved all of it. A really great summer read!

I love a good mystery and this one was so tightly woven that I had no idea what would happen until the final reveal. Novak outdid herself. Just when I thought I had it figured out she threw in an unexpected twist that sent me careening in a totally different direction. I was thoroughly absorbed in every page, trying to decide where she would take the story next. I love when an author accomplishes that!

The romantic part of the story is no less complicated with Ford and Lucy reuniting after their teenage relationship crashed and burned. There's tension and mistrust (understandable, considering what happened after her father was arrested) but Novak handles it with a deft hand. Their actions in present day feel authentic and their slowly unfolding relationship, with its peaks and valleys, real and organic.

If you're looking for a well-crafted romantic suspense novel with a cross-class, second-chance romance, a tightly-woven mystery, a hostile community, unexpected twists, and a hard-won happy ending, add The Summer That Changed Everything to your summer reading list. I highly recommend it.
4.5 stars

ARC received from publisher via NetGalley
Fair and unbiased review

Lucy McBride returns to her childhood home, where her father is a convicted murder. She wants to be sure her father was not wrongly accused of killing her teenage rival.

Of course no one is happy to see her return. They treat her as a pariah. Her first love returns to town to get away from his impending divorce. Together, they work on finding the truth, as well as, addressing their own past.

Set in a fictional town on the banks of the Potomac River in Virginia. The setting was great and well captured. This is a good read. A little darker than a normal book by the author but well written and kept me quickly turning those pages. This is more a 3.5 star read. I would like to thank NetGalley and MIRA Books for this advance read.

Brenda Novak sure knows how to capture my attention!
The Summer That Changed Everything was such a wonderful read.
Brenda Novak is one of those authors that I go to when I want to pick up a book that I know I’ll love even before I begin reading it. Whether it’s her romance or suspense I haven’t found a story I didn’t like.

I really enjoyed the story line of this book, however it felt slow and boring for much of the story. It was very repetitive and very slow to move. I wanted more drama and fun, and it was just very descriptive. The story picked up at the ending and there were some fun twists that I did not expect, but overall it was just an okay read. I wanted more from the characters and the story and I just never felt like it was delivered. Lucy's father has been in prison for 15 years for murdering 3 people in their small town.  She returns to the small beach town where the murders occured looking for answers. Ford, her old love, is also back for the summer and they find themselves uncovering secrets from the past. If you are looking for a quick read, but not something that is going to blow your mind, definitely give this a try. It is by no means not good, it just moved too slowly for my liking.
Thank you netgalley for my advanced reader copies

I enjoyed reading The Summer That Changed Everything by Brenda Novak. You will fall in love with all the characters. I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely. Happy Reading!

Nobody can write a suspenseful romance novel like Brenda Novak! Every time I think I've read her best book, she writes another that's even better. She is that author that makes you want to read all her books after reading one. They just keep getting better and better. Do yourself a favor. Start with this one and then read them all!

Fifteen years after her father was convicted of murder, Lucy Sinclair returns to a town that would rather forget. As she starts asking questions, an old flame-Ford Wagner-gets pulled back into a past neither of them escaped. But North Hampton Beach has its own way of burying secrets… and it doesn’t take kindly to being unearthed. Really enjoyed this one-if you love romantic suspense this one’s for you!