I loved this book. Denise Hunter is quickly becoming a new favorite author of mine. the complexities of life that were navigated in this book were difficult to say the least. I had an inkling how the end would turn out, but def not from the beginning. I thought the audio version was great and i loved the voice of the narrator. I think it added to my overall experience. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will be recommending it to my bookish friends.

thank you netgalley for the advanced copy of the book. the review above is entirely my own honest feelings and in no way swayed.

This was the first book I read by Ms. Hunter, and I really enjoyed it. Josh has been in love with Maggie for years but respected the fact that she fell in love with his brother. Years after his brother passed away, he has finally decided to tell her how he feels and let the chips fall where they may. Unfortunately, just as he is about to tell her, she shows him a picture of a person who looks just like his deceased brother. Maggie has always looked at Josh as her brother but has always felt comfortable with him. She tells him about the man she saw because she doesn't want to hurt the rest of the family if she is wrong.

While searching for the look-alike, they grow closer, and she starts having feelings for him. She is surprised because she never looked at him that way before and she feels like she is betraying her husband. Josh is also the only man her daughter has ever known as a father figure. The bond her daughter and Josh share is fantastic and the relationship that develops between Josh and Maggie is just as wonderful.

When the secret is revealed, it has the chance of being great or catastrophic for the family. All of the scenarios they come up with are reasonable and I was so happy with the truth. There were some moments where I felt the characters were being redundant, but I tried to not let that override my enjoyment.

The narrator did a wonderful job of bringing the characters to life and bringing emotion to the words. I would definitely read more books by this author. I received an ARC and this is my honest, voluntary review.

This was my first Denise Hunter book and it was precious!! I loved multiple POV’s because it brought the storyline back together. The romance and subtle mystery was really sweet to read and the ending was unbelievable.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for this ARC.

This is my first book by this author, unfortunately. I really like the way she weaves a tale. This is a romance with a twist. The surprises kept coming. 5 stars

Many thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for an audio ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was very middle of the road for me. Very lifetime/hallmarkish. I will say it took me a minute to see the final plot twist, so points for that.

It also claims to be Christian, but anything about God is only briefly mentioned and not at all a main theme of the book. I would say the characters seem more like “Sunday Christians”. I don’t mind a book where God isn’t mentioned, but don’t market it as Christian if that’s only going to be a passing theme.

I would say this for anyone looking for a clean, quick read that includes a bit of romance, a bit of mystery, and a few cliches.

4 out of 5 stars
Heartfelt and Breezy Summer Romance

The Summer of You and Me is a charming and emotional read that perfectly captures the essence of a summer filled with second chances, self-discovery, and unexpected love. Robin Constantine writes with a light yet poignant touch, crafting characters that feel real and relatable.

Rooney and Bear’s relationship unfolds with a sweet intensity that pulls you in, and the Jersey Shore setting adds an extra layer of atmosphere that makes the story feel immersive and nostalgic. While the plot hits familiar beats typical of summer romances, Constantine’s focus on family, friendship, and personal growth gives it depth.

Some moments could have been explored more deeply, especially around the emotional stakes, but overall, it’s a feel-good story that leaves you smiling. Perfect for fans of Sarah Dessen and Jenny Han.

The Summer of You and Me is a sweet, emotionally layered romance that blends heartfelt storytelling with moments of real vulnerability. Denise Hunter captures the essence of young love and personal growth beautifully, weaving a story that's both charming and bittersweet. The characters feel authentic, and their emotional journeys—especially as they confront grief, forgiveness, and second chances—are handled with care and realism.

What really elevated this experience for me was the audiobook narration. The narrator was exceptional—her voice was expressive, her pacing was perfect, and she conveyed the emotional highs and lows with natural ease. She gave each character a distinct presence without overdoing it, which helped bring the entire story to life. It’s one of those audiobooks where the narration truly enhances the experience and pulls you deeper into the story.

While some of the romantic elements followed familiar patterns, they were still enjoyable and comforting in a way that fans of contemporary romance will appreciate. The chemistry between the lead characters felt genuine, and their emotional struggles added depth that kept me invested from start to finish.

For fans of One True Loves by TJR...

Maggie and Josh are in-laws but with a twist, his brother is dead.

The Summer of You and Me is a perfect beach read. I listened to it in audiobook form and the story was great. It was a cute read and quick read! It reminded me a lot of One True Loves but with less cohesiveness. I loved the beach setting but the character Josh lacked some depth for me.

I would have rated it more stars if the story was more cohesive. It felt like the first half of the book was about one storyline and the second was an entirely different one with the same characters.

I have been given an arc of this book in exchange for my honest review

The Summer of You and Me
By Denise Hunter
Narrated by Kim Churchill

Published April 22,2025

This was my first book by Denise Hunter and if all her books are like this she has a dedicated reader for life! I really liked being able to walk thought life with Maggie Reynolds. Through her grief and being a single parent an the all the struggles that go with it. Maggie a widow returned to Seabrook North Carolina for the summer with her sweet four year old Zoey. Then everything changes when she sees her deceased husbands doppelgänger while at the local carnival and thats when all the what ifs start running through her mind. I longed for Maggie and Josh to find their happily ever after, after everything that they both went thought loosing Ethan. This book pulled at my heart so much. There were parts that had me tearing up because I can’t even begin to imagine the hurt that Maggie was feeling during the whole time trying to figure out who the carnival boy was and if it was Ethan who was killed in action.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the ALC audiobook. All opinions are my own.

This was such a unique book and storyline. I truly couldn’t predict the ending.

I enjoyed the realistic look at family dynamics and watching Emma grow along the way. Having Zoey as a sidekick along for many of the adventures and seeing how she interacted with Josh was a fun twist.

I look forward to checking out more of this author’s books. Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for a honest review.

After reading Before We Were Us last year I knew I needed to pick up the latest Denise Hunter book! What a great premise...a young widow and her brother-in-law join forces to find out who a man is that looks like her deceased husband. This not-so-new relationship is complicated with a long history, lots of emotions and skepticism, mystery and...a sweet unfolding of faith-filled lives. Hunter has a way with words with lots of great dialogue among her characters. This is a clean, sweet romance, but definitely has some unexpected elements of real life interspersed. The characters are not perfect, making them more relatable. This would be great for you if you enjoy Christian fiction, romance, or even mysteries.
The audio version of this was also done really well.
Not sure if this will be continued as a series but I'd love to see what happens to Maggie and Josh next!
Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for this ARC. All opinions are mine.

This book was exactly what I was hoping it would be! A fun summer romance with some twists and turns along the way. There was just enough drama to keep me interested but not too much where it became overwhelming. I was more than pleased with this book and especially with the ending! The narration was perfect for the story and absolutely brought it to life.

The Summer of You and Me, by Denise Hunter, is the story of young widow Maggie Reynolds and the summer she finds closure and is ready to move forward. House sitting for her in-laws, Maggie and her daughter Zoey, are back in Seabrook where her story and her life with Ethan began. But after his wartime death, Maggie has spent little time there even though Erin, her best friend and sister-In-law, and her family still live there, as does her brother-In-law Josh.

Although a couple of years younger than Maggie, Josh has been carrying a torch for her since the day they first met. But it was his older brother, Ethan, that caught Maggie’s eye. Now that she is ready to begin again, Josh plans to lay his cards on the table until Maggie sees a young man in the crowd at the summer carnival that is Ethan’s doppelgänger. This leads to a hunt for the young man and answers as to who he is and why the uncanny resemblance.

This novel now takes a circuitous route to finding answers as well as a future for Maggie and Josh. I really enjoyed this book and I do recommend it.

What a beautiful and heartfelt story about loss, moving on and truly knowing yourself. I loved this book and the narrator was amazing.

The Summer of You and Me is the first book I have read of Denise Hunter and I really enjoyed it. I usually am not a 3rd person style but the way that Kim Churchill narrated and brought so much emotion to the story I did not even notice the POV. I’m not going to lie-I was pulled in from the very beginning. I felt so much for these characters that I was so invested up front I couldn’t stop reading. Going along for the ride as Maggie and Josh worked through and ultimately found their HEA was beautiful. I love the complexities and plot of this story. It’s one I have never read before. I love Denise’s style and will be picking up more from her.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for providing an audio ARC of The Summer of You and Me I really appreciate it.

The Summer of You and Me by Denise Hunter is a deeply emotional and captivating story about love, grief, family, and finding hope again after heartbreak. Maggie Reynolds has spent the last five years mourning her husband Ethan’s death, raising their daughter Zoey, and holding onto the life they once dreamed of. This summer at Seabrook—the place where their love story first began—is supposed to be her moment of closure. Instead, Maggie is thrown into emotional turmoil when she spots a man who could pass for her late husband’s twin.

From the first chapter, the story pulls you in with its emotional intensity and rich characters. Maggie’s journey feels raw and honest. Her grief is layered and complicated, especially when feelings for Josh—her late husband’s brother and her steadfast friend—begin to surface. Josh’s unspoken love for Maggie is tender, patient, and heartbreaking, making him one of the most genuine romantic leads I’ve read in a while.

The mystery of the lookalike adds a tense, page-turning element to the romance. Every time Maggie and Josh think they have answers, new secrets emerge, shifting everything they thought they knew. The suspense is perfectly woven into the emotional core of the story, never overshadowing the real focus: healing, forgiveness, and the courage to choose love again.

Denise Hunter’s writing shines with emotional depth and vivid descriptions. Seabrook feels like a real place—full of sun, ocean breezes, family gatherings, and memories both sweet and painful. She portrays grief with sensitivity and allows Maggie’s journey toward healing to feel realistic, not rushed or simplified.

The supporting characters add warmth and complexity to the story, especially Zoey, who brings so much heart to the narrative. The Reynolds family is beautifully portrayed, showing unconditional love and support, while Maggie’s relationship with her difficult mother adds another layer of emotional realism.

The audiobook, narrated by Kim Churchill, is outstanding. Churchill captures the emotional nuances of Maggie and Josh so well. Her distinct voices for each character, pacing, and emotional delivery make it feel like you’re living inside the story rather than just listening to it. I highly recommend experiencing this one in audio form too—it brings another level of life to an already stunning story.

The ending is heartwarming, satisfying, and absolutely worth every twist and tear along the way. The Summer of You and Me isn’t just a love story—it’s a story about finding your way home after life has shattered your plans, about how grief shapes us, and how love, even after loss, can still bloom in unexpected, beautiful ways.

This book will stay with me for a long time.
5 enthusiastic stars.

Sweet story of a romance that finally got its turn to thrive.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the advance copy of this audiobook.

Thank you NetGalley, Thomas Nelson Fiction and Denise Hunter for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book as a tale of love, loss, finding love in unexpected places, and the people we take with us along our journeys. The Summer of You and Me made me think a lot about my own life path and what I would do if I were in Maggie's situation.

I found Maggie's mom to be insufferable - and I know that was the point of her character. Trigger warning: narcissistic mother full of selfish ideologies and guilt trips.

I loved Josh and his parents but was a bit irked by all of Josh's use of "honey" throughout the book. Pet names typically don't bother me much, but this was a little overused.

All in all, a fantastic book, and I am hoping we might get a part 2 about their life together!

I enjoyed this book and was thankful for a different and unique plot from all the other romance books with the word summer in the title, haha! It was a light hearted, easy read, but also had a touch of mystery/what's going to happen next vibe, which I really liked how that aspect was weaved into it. A few times you think you would have it figured out, only for it to end up going a different way. The familial dynamic between the two main characters gave me a little icky/strange feeling, just a little.. obviously not enough to stop reading the book or anything. In the epilogue, how they said Maggie's mom didn't attend the wedding just because she was still upset that her daughter wouldn't date the guy she wanted to set her up with? Was a definite over-dramatic eye roll moment. This also could be a personal problem (lol) but it really bothered me anytime Josh called Maggie "honey". The word was said a lot overall in this book but when it was used in a mother/daughter way or something, it was fine, but it creeped me out how many times he would say it per conversation. But I would recommend this one to a friend! But I would recommend this one to a friend!

Wow I have never felt as conflicted before in a book as I did in this one. Most of the time I was ok with the romance, but it was also in the back of my mind… “is this relationship ok? Is it weird?”

The plot of them trying to figure out the identity of her late-husband’s lookalike was a whole roller-coaster as well. That story took me for a loop and I surprisingly didn’t see that ending coming. It’s this reason that I’m giving it 3 stars but it snuck by.