This book had an interesting plot twist eary on and a totally unexpected one later. It has an unusual storyline for Brenda Novak but all in all, it was a good read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 3.75

If you’re a reader who likes:
-a beach town setting
-not one murder mystery, but two
-second chance romance
… then this is the book for you.

I was fairly entertained by this story and driven to find out what happened that summer all of those years ago. I lowered my rating for some cheese factors, but still enjoyed this read. I was surprised when one of the mysteries (real killer) was revealed so early, but found I enjoyed getting that killers inner dialogue, while still reading until the end to discover the killer of the other murder mystery. I felt like the reader was left out of some of the big reveals and it was almost “closed door” to some of the moments the book was building to.

📖 Lucy comes back to clear her father’s name of the conviction and sentence of the murder of 3 people 15 summers ago. Her ex-boyfriend (who left her when her father was arrested) arrives back in their beach hometown at the same time to escape from his ex-wife.

always enjoy Novak’s books. They are always intriguing and she blends genres flawlessly, there’s a little bit of something for everyone in her books. The Summer That Changed Everything is a small town murder mystery with a side of second chance romance.

After 15 years, Lucy, the FMC, returns home to try to prove her father didn’t commit the murder(s) he was wrongly convicted of. The townspeople were awful to her after the conviction back then causing her to leave town, but she is back and isn’t letting anyone run her off until she knows the truth. When she gets to town her old boyfriend, Ford, happens to be back in town as well. As they begin to reconnect, she’s able to convince him why she believes her father is innocent. The duo becomes a team to try and figure out the mystery of who really committed these murders.

This story is told in multiple POVs not very often does the murderer out themselves early in the book, but in true Novak form, she's not afraid to shake the “norm” up. I wasn’t sure where else the story could go after learning this info, but to my surprise we were just getting started on what became a wild ride full of twists and turns all the way to the end. I don’t want to say too much and give anything away, but this book is full of shady, unlikable, unreliable characters who hold lots of secrets and missing pieces to the puzzle which sets the scene for a great who-done-it mystery.

The audio book made for a great immersive experience. The narrator, Courtney Patterson, did a great job with giving each character their own voice. Her tone and pacing were spot on and helped create a mysterious, suspenseful atmospheric setting and plot.

Add this fast paced summer mystery to your summer TBR!

Thank you @htpbooks @readmirabooks @htp_hive @htpbooks_audio and @authorbrendanovak for the #gifted ARC and ALC. All thoughts are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Brenda Novak for this advanced reader’s copy of The Summer That Changed Everything

I enjoyed this book and I found it to be interesting but it didn’t exactly wow or shock me in any way. It was still a good book and the story was intriguing, but some parts were predictable so overall I’d just have to say it was good! Also I did enjoy the multiple POVs throughout, that was something that I feel really added to the story. This is obviously a personal preference and I would still recommend others to give it a read!

This book took me on a ride! I really felt for Lucy and what she went through when her father was convicted of murder while she was still in high school. Then coming back to her hometown to find out what really happened. I don’t want to give anything away, but man, it really was an emotional book that I think the cover does not reflect. I did enjoy the help she finally receives from Ford in the present, her high school bf that ended things when she needed him most.

Just read this book!

This was a fun read…there’s a big mystery AND a building romance! I loved Lucy and her fierce determination to find out if her father was, in fact, the murderer in a small coastal town when she was a teenager. This would be a great beach read!

Did Lucy's father really kill 3 people 15 years ago or is there more to the story. Lucy sets out to answer just this but people in her small town want the past to stay in the past.

THE SUMMER THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING – Brenda Novak
Mira
ISBN: 978-0-778-38768-8
June 3, 2025
Contemporary Romance

North Hampton Beach, Virginia – Present Day

Fifteen years ago, Lucy Sinclair’s life changed when her father was accused and convicted of murdering three people, including one of Lucy’s classmates. She hasn’t seen her father since, but one day she pays him a visit at the prison, where he insists that he didn’t kill Aurora, Lucy’s classmate. Lucy decides to return to Virginia and rent a beach bungalow in hopes of asking questions about Aurora’s murder. Back then, it was pretty much an open-and-shut investigation. Of course, Lucy’s return and questions will stir up old wounds. In fact, she has several people come right up to her and tell her to go away. But Lucy is determined. Then, she learns that her ex-boyfriend, Ford Wagner, is also spending the summer at the beach house next door…

Ford recently separated from his pregnant wife, Christina, who wants him back, not for love but for the money that will keep her in grand style. He plans to spend the summer deciding if getting back with her is the right thing to do. He learns that Lucy will be staying next door, which stirs up memories and regret because he dumped her when her father was arrested. Ford soon spots Lucy and contacts her. She is cool toward him, but he listens to her when she tells him what she has learned so far about the night Aurora was killed. Like Lucy, he quickly realizes there are holes in the investigation and hires an investigator. Will they crack the case and ease Lucy’s mind about her father? What about the two other people killed? Did Lucy’s alcoholic father really commit the crimes?

THE SUMMER THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING is a bit of a whodunit mystery about a past crime and the reconstruction of what happened that night. Once Lucy’s father was arrested, she became a persona non grata because she was the killer’s daughter. Since she was only seventeen, one could understand her confusion over whether her only parent was guilty or not. But having Ford abandon her was the final straw. After talking to her father, Lucy wants to get to the bottom of the murder of Aurora. Her father was drunk that night and remembers very little. She is resistant to Ford’s help at first, but after somebody breaks into the cabin, she realizes that someone wants to force her to leave town. She soon appreciates his help, even as old romantic feelings are rekindled. But Ford is still married to Christina.

As Ford and Lucy ask around town, they meet with reluctance and hostility. His old friend, Chet, believes that Lucy’s father killed Aurora for Lucy because Aurora was trying to break up Ford’s relationship with Lucy. After the break-in at the bungalow, Ford has Lucy move in with him at his beach house. This leads to them changing their relationship from one of friendship to one of lovers. But Christina is persistent in wanting him to return to DC, and soon, Ford’s mother finds out about Lucy. She isn’t happy. Will all these people come between Ford and Lucy? What will he decide about Christina? Will the murder(s) be solved, and is Lucy’s father innocent of at least one crime?

THE SUMMER THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING is an intriguing and entertaining tale that you won’t want to put down. Don’t miss this captivating read.

Patti Fischer
Romance Reviews Today

I picked up this book because of the cover, and let me tell you, I was totally surprised by what I found inside. I’ve never read anything by this author before, and I was in a bit of a reading slump, so I was hoping for something to get me back on track. But boy, was I in for a treat!

The story was absolutely captivating, and the characters were so well-developed that I couldn’t put it down. I found myself rooting for Lucy, and I really connected with her journey. It was a tough read, but it was also incredibly moving.

And let’s not forget about the small-town setting. It was so charming and inviting, and it added a whole new layer of depth to the story. This book was a real page-turner, and I loved every minute of it.

The writing style was simply amazing. It was so engaging and descriptive that I felt like I was right there with the characters. And Ford… oh my gosh, he had my heart from the very beginning. I was rooting for him to break free from his past and embrace his true self.

And you know what? He did! He wasn’t afraid to face his family and friends, and he stood up for what he believed in. It was a heartwarming story, and I’m so glad I read it.

If you’re looking for a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat, I highly recommend this one. Trust me, you won’t regret it!
About Book:
Lucy had changed her name and moved on from her life. After 15 years ago a summer changed everything in her small town. Lucy mother had left her at young age. It was her father and her living in a mobile home park. Her father Mick had a drinking problem. Which led him into some trouble. Which three people lost their lives. Lucy wasn’t sure about one of the people who lost their lives that night. Lucy comes back into the town that made her run away. Even her boyfriend turn on back then. But when she comes back she doesn’t realize how much is going to change. And all the people who want to help and the people have secrets that need those secrets kept buried.
I highly recommend this thank you the author and the publisher and netgalley for the opportunity to read such a page turner of a book. This book comes out June 3, 2025 and don’t skip on this book. My reviews will be up on bookbub, amazon, Goodreads, Instagram, TikTok @Amanda_coffee_books

This book is fine. That’s about the best way to describe it. The beginning is slow and repetitive. The ending is predictable, especially considering how one-dimensional some of the characters are. We are practically beat over the head with these human caricatures, so it’s super obvious who is going to be involved. There are a couple of little detail reveals that are surprising. Also, I am someone who knows and loves big words, but there were a couple words in here that it feels like the author opened up a thesaurus to find herself a new word, then used it on repeat to make sure we knew how smart she was. But repetitive does seem to be the theme of the book. The last 2/3 of the book aren’t a bad read. The premise of this book gave it sooooo much potential that it didn’t live up to, but it’s not a bad little thriller for the summer. You’ll have a good time reading by the pool. But will you ever pick it up again for a reread? I doubt it. Even still, I feel it’s all but guaranteed to be turned into a limited TV series. And it could be a good one. The elements are there, and, like I said, it’s a good by the pool book, but they just didn’t all come together as well as they could have. I received an ARC in return for an honest review.

Thank you to MIRA and Brenda Novak for this ARC.

What would you do if your father went to prison for the brutal deaths of three people? 👀 Lucy changed her name and moved far away, but after 15 years, she returns home to prove that her father may not be as guilty as everyone believes. 🫣

🌊 What did you love the most?
This small-town mystery is atmospheric and brimming with secrets. I loved how every character held a missing piece of the puzzle. Novak masterfully builds suspense by giving you just enough to keep you hooked while keeping the final reveal well hidden. When everything finally clicks together, it’s so satisfying! 😱🙌

The multiple POVs were also a highlight for me. Seeing the story unfold from various angles and realizing everyone is hiding something made for a twisty, immersive read. 😅

🌊 What to expect:
🔍 Detective-driven mystery
💗 Second chance romance subplot
🏘️ Small-town drama and secrets
👥 Multi-POV storytelling

🌊 How was the pace?
On the slower side in the middle, but worth it for the ending! I did feel like a few parts dragged, but the final twists made it worth the read.

🔥 Steam level: fade to black

🌊 Do you recommend this book?
I had a few quibbles with the convenient ending, but overall, I’d recommend this to fans of twisty summer mysteries and small-town secrets. It’s a solid pick if you’re craving an atmospheric mystery with a splash of romance. 🌊

🌊 Perfect for fans of:
📚 Megan Miranda
📚 Lisa Jewell
📚 Mary Kubica

🌊 Mood:
🌅 Suspenseful | 🌊 Beachy | 👀 Secrets unraveling

🌊 Read if you like:
📖 Slow-burn mysteries with a small-town setting
💔 Second chance romance mixed with crime fiction
🕵️‍♀️ Piecing together a murder mystery bit by bit

Lucy Sinclair hadn’t seen her father for 15 whole years. It’s been 15 long years since she sat in a courtroom with him and watched him be sentenced to life in prison. At just seventeen her life was changed forever when her father had murdered 3 people she had known. Wondering if there is more to the story she came back to Virginia to find out and talk with him.

Escaping a marriage which was doomed for divorce Ford Wagner, an old flame arrives back in North Hampton Beach. Leery of Lucy digging into the past but the more time they spent together things changed and he reconsidered the truth behind the death of their mutual friend that summer. In the small coastal town there’s a problem where there are plenty who would rather have it remain quiet.

Another 5* story by Brenda Novak. Second chance romance with a twist of mystery and lots of secrets to be had. You can just picture yourself on the beach along with some of the characters beside you enjoying the surf and quiet surroundings! Smell of the ocean and seagulls flying overhead! Solitude! But there is a lot of secrets to uncover and she keeps you guessing until the end in this not so quiet small coastal town. Of course there is a HEA! You’ll definitely want to pick this one up to read on the beach and enjoy! A must read!

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers in letting me read this book and allowing me to leave an honest review.

What a disappointment. I immediately requested this between the eye-catching cover and the romance-suspense synopsis. I've never got around to reading Brenda Novak's work despite having a few on my kindle, and unfortunately, this one didn't inspire me to want to read more. I really liked how this started out, with Lucy going back to North Hampton Beach to prove her father was not the killer of her former best friend. I've always liked the trope where the entire small town hates the female protagonist, especially when Susan Elizabeth Phillips does it ala Call Me Irresistible. However, I don't think the apprehension/hate towards Lucy as well as the coastal small beach town atmosphere was conveyed well. Actually, my primary struggle with this book was the writing style. I don't mind third person, again, SEP is my favorite author and she is a third-person POV queen, however, the writing style was SO MUCH TELLING and barely any showing. I didn't understand why Lucy and Ford were even drawn together because there was no build-up to their relationship in the past or future. This book would've majorly benefitted from flashbacks to both Lucy/Ford's relationship as teenagers AND flashbacks to the murders.

As the book progressed, the mystery became so farfetched, I was rolling my eyes at the convenience of things happening so the mystery could unfold.

As for the romance, I thought it was kinda gross. I never felt like I knew Lucy as a character internally, but what I did know was that she was a major doormat. We learn very early on that Ford's ex wife is pregnant from a hookup in the midst of their divorce battle. By itself, meh I'm not a fan of this trope, even if early on I was convinced the ex wife had made the pregnancy up to trap Ford. What pissed me off was the fact that Ford planned to go back to his ex wife after the summer was over, even if he would be miserable and it would be a toxic relationship for his child to grow up in. It pissed me off that Lucy was okay with Ford using her as a fling and allowing herself to fall in love with him again when he had no plans to stick around. It was giving me ick vibes, and I was never convinced by their romance anyways since there was zero buildup/chemistry shown beyond sexual intimacy.

Overall, an interesting concept, but it did absolutely nothing for me, and I was just glad to be done with it by the time I reached the epilogue.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc and alc.

This was another enjoyable beach read from best selling women's fiction author Brenda Novak. I especially liked how in addition to the women's fiction elements, this book had a hint of mystery elements to it as well. I thought the audiobook narrator Courtney Patterson did a great job. I was able to start and finish this book in one sitting on a road trip this summer, and I really did find it enjoyable. I am looking forward to Brenda Novak's next book!

What a great way to kick off summer reading with this little gem of a read!

I started with the audio version and was immediately drawn in to the storyline so much so that I could not stop listening. When I couldn’t listen I was reading it to see what would happen next. Pleasantly surprised as I thought I had the murder mystery all figured out, but I didn’t.

Thank you Netgalley for an advanced copy of the audio and digital version of this suspenseful book. I truly enjoyed the mix of romance and crime mystery all rolled into one action packed novel.

I’ve found with Brenda’s books, you think you’re going to read a light beach read (especially when you go in blind like I do), but you get so much more.

Gosh this town had some horrible people in it. The sad truth is that many incarcerated people have been wrongly convicted, but to read about it is heartbreaking. I wish Lucy and her father didn’t have to go through the hardships they faced for the past 15 years, but I’m glad she came back to the town now to reveal the truth.

I loved Ford (even when I couldn’t stand his brother, his horrible wife, and his past choices). I’m glad he and Lucy reconnected, and that he helped her this time around.

It started a bit slow for me, and some things I was able to predict. But the end still had a few twists, and I was satisfied with the ending. I enjoyed the mystery, romance, second chances, and the few people who redeemed themselves.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Thank you HTP The Hive for the ARC and Harlequin Audio for the ALC!

Thanks to NetGalley and Mira for the ARC of The Summer That Changed Everything!

This was a fun, fast-paced summer thriller—perfect for a beach read. I thought I had the plot all figured out, but the twists at the end completely caught me off guard. A great mix of mystery and romance that kept me hooked!

Another great book by Brenda Novak! This book had twists and turns galore. The writing was fantastic. The clues slowly revealed themselves. The end was satisfying and made me happy. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Title: The Summer That Changed Everything  
Author: Brenda Novak         
Genre: Romance    
Rating: 3 out of 5

She returned to prove her father's innocence, but there's no telling what she'll find…

It's been fifteen years since Lucy Sinclair saw her father. Fifteen long years since she sat in a courtroom and watched him sentenced to life in prison. He murdered three victims—all people she knew—which ruined her life at just seventeen. But now she’s back in Virginia to talk to him, wondering if there’s more to the story of what happened that fateful night.

An old flame, Ford Wagner, makes his own return to North Hampton Beach, fleeing a marriage that seems destined for divorce. He’s wary of Lucy and her digging into the past, but the more time they spend together, the closer they get and the more he finds himself reconsidering the truth behind the death of their mutual friend that summer. Problem is, there are plenty of those in this small coastal town who would prefer things stay quiet…

This was kind of a mediocre read to me. The characters felt very superficial with no depth to them at all. And the “mystery” of who the real killers were wasn’t much of a mystery at all, considering the rather heavy-handed handling of some of the people in town. No surprises in this read at all, and I wouldn’t recommend it.

Brenda Novak is a bestselling author. The Summer that Changed Everything is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Harlequin/MIRA in exchange for an honest review.)

(Blog link live 6/11).

I’ve read most of Brenda Novak’s books and am always eager to read a new one. There’s always intrigue and mystery along with romance. The Summer That Changed Everything is another winner. This one keeps you guessing. When Lucy was 17 her father was sent to prison for 3 murders. Fifteen years later she begins to question whether he committed one of the crimes. She returns to the town where she grew up and finds reasons to believe in his innocence. Can she prove it before the people who want to hide the truth stop her?