5 out of 5 stars – A Heartwarming Summer Romance with Depth and Charm

The Summer of You and Me is everything I want in a contemporary romance—tender & beautifully written.

The characters feel incredibly real. The chemistry between the leads is undeniable, and I found myself rooting for them from the very first chapter. What sets this novel apart is how it balances sweet romance with deeper emotional threads—grief, second chances, and the healing power of love.

Hunter's descriptions of the coastal setting are so vivid, you can almost feel the ocean breeze and hear the waves. It's the perfect escape, especially for readers craving a story that feels both comforting and meaningful.

Highly recommend for anyone who loves heartfelt, clean romance!

Hands down I loved this book. Could not stop listening when I started. I had to know what happened next. You walk through heartbreak with the main character and feels every part of the heartbreak. But then it was happy and you felt every part of that emotion too. It was just the perfect read. And would he great for a summer read.

This book was a beautifully written story full of love, heartache, and suspense. It was definitely quite the roller coaster at times. I enjoyed how the mystery of who Will’s father was continued to build as time went on. I have not read anything quite like this.

I thought there was a good representation on how therapy can help with overcoming grief and emotional abuse. I also love that Ethan’s family was so including of Maggie even after Ethan’s passing.

It was extremely refreshing to read a book that talked about Christian values and beliefs. I love that they included praying and going to church into the storyline.

I gave this 4 stars because even though I was rooting for Josh the entire book, it took some time for me to look past the fact that he was Ethan’s brother.

Thank you so much to NetGalley as well as Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for this ARC of The Summer of You and Me.

#TheSummerofYouandMe #NetGalley

Denise Hunter’s The Summer of You and Me is a touching and emotionally rich romance that captures the essence of young love, deep-rooted friendship, and the courage it takes to open one’s heart again. With her signature warmth and heartfelt storytelling, she delivers a beautiful summer story that lingers long after the last page.
Maggie, our main protagonist, is trying to let go of her traumatic past. She has lost her husband, Ethan Reynolds, who was deployed on a military mission in Pakistan. Maggie has not recovered from her past, and for five years she’s lived with his memory, while raising her daughter. Now she is considering being open to a new relationship.
Unbeknownst to her, Maggie’s brother-in-law, Josh Reynolds, has always been in love with her. But he’d kept his emotions in check, knowing Maggie hadn’t moved on from her past. Until one day, Maggie tells him she’s seen her husband’s twin in a crowd.
Maggie and Josh are on the hunt for looking for Ethan. Their connection feels natural and deeply layered, evolving through shared memories, unresolved feelings, and tender moments that sparkle with emotional truth.
The setting—a quaint beach town—adds a dreamy, sun-kissed atmosphere that perfectly frames the story. What stands out most is the emotional depth. The author gracefully tackles themes of loss, grief, parenthood, and personal growth while maintaining a light, hopeful tone. Maggie’s internal struggles and Josh’s quiet strength make their journey feel both realistic and inspiring.
The Summer of You and Me is more than just a summer romance—it's a heartfelt exploration of second chances and the risks we take for love. Fans of clean, emotionally resonant love stories will be swept away by Maggie and Josh’s unforgettable summer.
I received an audio Arc from NetGalley.

I thought I had this one figured out REAL early, but was pleasantly surprised I was wrong! I LOVED the mystery aspect of this book, it reminded me of When We Believed in Mermaids by Barbara O’Neal. Unfortunately, the romance was not convincing at first. It seemed very rushed and I did not like the overuse of the nickname “honey” because I was not interested in the relationship part of the book (shocking I know!). Thankfully it got better towards the end. This book is SO bingeable! It’s like she put crack in it, I couldn’t put it down!

Read if you like found family and second chance romance!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to @thomasnelson, @zondervanbooks, @netgalley for the ALC! Out TODAY!!

Denise Hunter books are great when you need a light, clean read. This one has a mystery identity plot that keeps the reader wondering.and reading. I would have preferred more of that plot than the romance but that is just me.
An audiobook is always more enjoyable when there is both a female and male reader and so I think I would have enjoyed this if I would have read it completely in print. The male voice was not quite distinguishable enough for me.

I LOVED this book-so, so much!!
The story follows a military widow who lost her husband while he was deployed overseas. We get an intimate look at her life in the aftermath-what grief really looks like when the world keeps turning.
A Set against the dreamy backdrop of a beach house in the summer, she's joined by her 4-year-old daughter and extended family as they gather to honor her husband's memory and scatter his ashes in the ocean.
But then, on the pier, she spots a man who looks exactly like her late husband. That moment shakes her to the core and sends her spiraling with questions— about life, love, faith, and what "home" really means now.
This book is such an emotional rollercoaster-raw, tender, and full of heart. It beautifully balances the weight of loss with the glimmers of hope. If you've ever experienced grief or wrestled with finding peace after heartbreak, this one will hit you right in the soul.

After seeing who she this is her deceased husband at a local carnival, Maggie goes on a journey to discover things she never imagined could have been possible.

Yet she doesn’t venture on this journey alone, she has Josh, her late brother-in-law/life long friend, turned super uncle to her only daughter. Josh however, has his own secret, he has loved Maggie since the moment he met her.

Oh man the twist and turns and the pulled heartstrings! Absolutely loved the Summer of You and Me!

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the ARC.

EXCERPT: <i>Maggie lifted the phone and stepped back to capture the entire ride. Camera in place, she waited for Zoey to glance over, but her daughter was busy working the car's steering wheel. When the ride circled back around, Zoey glanced up and flashed a smile.
But a passerby blocked the shot. Maggie's gaze homed in on the screen. On the man.
A tsunami slammed into her heart.
She gaped at his face even as he exited the frame. </i>It couldn't be. <i>She lowered the phone and searched the crowd. There he was, disappearing into the fray.
She charged that way, her attention pinned to the spot where she'd last seen him. There. Just a car's length away, striding in the other direction. She followed, her body surging with adrenaline, her eyes wide, afraid to blink. She laser focused on the white ball cap, bobbing in the sea of people.
She crashed into somebody, glanced down as a young boy caught his balance. "Sorry, honey." Breathless words scraped from her throat, barely audible.
She glanced around, frantically seeking. In that brief moment she'd lost sight of him. Where was he? Where was he? She scrambled toward the spot where she'd last seen him, the juncture where the walkway split in three directions.
She turned in circles. No sign of him. The white hat was nowhere to be seen. Her breath hitched. Her heart shriveled. She had to return to Zoey before the ride ended.
Still she searched, growing dizzy with the motion, the spinning rides, the blaring music. With the soul-crushing realization he was gone. The unbelievable realization of who she'd just seen.
Ethan.
Impossible. She gave her head a shake. Her mind was playing tricks on her again. It couldn't be Ethan. It absolutely couldn't be her childhood sweetheart, the only man she'd ever loved, the man she'd married and conceived a child with.
Because he was killed five years ago at his military post in Pakistan. </i>

ABOUT 'THE SUMMER OF YOU AND ME': Maggie Reynolds is finally ready for love again--until the past shows up in the form of someone who may or may not be the late husband she thought she'd lost.

Five years after her husband's death, Maggie is finally ready to let go of him and the dreams she had for their future. A summer at Seabrook, where she and Ethan first became childhood sweethearts, seems the perfect time and place to find closure. Plus, she gets to spend time with his family, the Reynoldses, whom she loves like her own.

Unbeknownst to Maggie, her brother-in-law, Josh Reynolds, has been in love with her since they first met all those years ago. But his brother ultimately won Maggie's heart, and Josh's unrequited love has ruined all of his relationships. If Maggie is ready to move on, then Josh is ready to lay it all on the line and come clean about his true feelings for her.

But his plans soon get put on hold when, shortly after Maggie returns to Seabrook, she runs into a man who could pass for Ethan's twin. But he disappears into the amusement-park crowd before she can confront him.

The event rattles Maggie, stirs up impossible questions, and sends Josh and her on a quest to discover the man's true identity. But their search ends up raising more questions than answers--and soon Maggie isn't sure she wants those answers at all.

MY THOUGHTS: I read a book with a similar plot to The Summer of You and Me some time ago and I have to say that I far prefer Denise Hunter's spin on the events.

There are a number of threads running through this book encompassing grief, single parenthood, artificial insemination and locating unknown family members via genealogy/DNA websites plus a healthy dose of second chance romance.

I did feel that there was far too much information on the plot contained in the blurb - it exposes more than 50% of the plot, leaving little to discover in the read. So I am going to recommend that you don't read the blurb immediately before beginning the book.

The story itself is a pleasant read/listen. I could envisage the situation between Josh and Maggie occurring and just how some family members might react. Maggie's daughter Zoey is a sweetheart and just at that age where they blurt out everything - NO FILTER! I could easily understand Maggie's feelings - after all, she has a lot to lose if it all went wrong.

The mystery keeps the book from becoming too saccharine and really had me scratching my head as Maggie and Josh managed to disprove theory after theory. The actual answer was one I hadn't even considered but was entirely plausible.

I liked but didn't love The Summer of You and Me and will probably read more from this author at some point. Kim Churchill did a great job of the narration.

⭐⭐⭐.6

#TheSummerofYouandMe #NetGalley

MEET THE AUTHOR: Denise writes heartwarming, small-town romances, peopled with layered characters who have real-life issues. Her readers enjoy the vicarious thrill of falling in love and the promise of a happily-ever-after sigh as they savor the final pages of her books.

In 1996, Denise began her first novel, writing while her children napped. Her books contain a strong romantic element, and her husband says he provides all her romantic material, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too!

Denise and her husband live in Indiana, where they raised three sons, and are currently enjoying an empty nest.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for providing an audio ARC of The Summer of You and Me written by Denise Hunter and narrated by Kim Churchill. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

4.5 ⭐️
This was my first time reading a book by Denise Hunter, and I was pleasantly surprised. The love story was unique and had me hooked from beginning to end. The trope used here can be tricky to pull off without feeling awkward or cringey, but Denise handled it beautifully.
I really loved the dynamic between Maggie and Josh and how their story unfolded—it felt authentic and heartfelt. The twist involving Will was an added bonus that kept things interesting.
Overall, it’s a clean, wholesome second-chance romance that I truly enjoyed and would recommend.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

Release date 4/22/2025

Thank you Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for this audiobook due to be released April 22, 2025. All opinions are my own.

Having lost her military husband five years prior, Maggie Reynolds has finally mustered the courage to return to her hometown of Seabrook, the place that holds so many special memories of her time with Ethan as they dated, ultimately married, and looked forward to all the future held for their family. With those plans now shattered, going back to spend her summer in Seabrook would be both a struggle and a blessing. She welcomed time to spend with friends and Ethan's family, but knew her emotions would be fragile. No sooner had Maggie arrived in Seabrook that she caught a glimpse of someone who appeared to be a perfect younger version of her dead husband. After seeing her husband's look-alike and then losing him in a crowd, Maggie was shaken to her core. Her summer was going to be full of twists, surprises, adventures, and new discoveries that she would never have thought possible, and I loved being along for the ride throughout the story! This is one that has all the feels without the predictability of similar books! I look forward to reading others by this author.

The narrator/reader of the audiobook did an excellent job of pacing, clarity, and conveying emotion.

The Summer of You and Me is my new favorite book by Denise Hunter! I loved the characters and the storyline. This book had a mystery to it that kept me riveted! There are twists that blew my mind! I absolutely loved the ending! I listened to this book and the narrator was perfect for the performance. I highly recommend this romance!
*I was given a copy of this book by Thomas Nelson Publishers, and this is my honest opinion.

I have read and enjoyed many of Denise Hunter’s books but this one did’nt quite do it for me. The storyline is fine and the romance is even quite sweet, but I just did not feel immersed in the book. Lately I have found myself quite impatient with female narrators reading the male parts of speech. The narrator did an excellent job otherwise.

If you are looking for a clean read, this one had some sensuality between the main characters though not overly so.

I'm thankful and lucky to have received both the eBook and audiobook of "The Summer of You and Me". Both were fantastic and the narrator was great.

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

The FMC, Maggie, is still grieving her high school sweetheart and husband who passed away 5 years ago. She and her 4yr old daughter are staying at her in-laws beach house for the summer and is still very close with her SIL and BIL.

The first night back she catches a glimpse of someone who looks like a teenage version of her late husband. She immediately reaches out to her BIL to track him down.

Maggie has always been close with and relied on Josh, her BIL. Josh has always been in love with Maggie.

I don’t know how to process this book. I listened to the audio (which is always a little harder for me to connect with a book) and it took a long time for me to get hooked, but then I wanted to see what was happening next.

I don’t know if it was the storyline itself or characters/lack of chemistry (extremely closed door) that really bothered me. Maggie seemed so reliant on Josh but not really that into him.

There were a few things thrown in to make the storyline work that felt like they were just dropped in but felt underdeveloped- Josh’s illness, a rather serious error and Maggie only being truly herself with Josh.

Overall, it was a fine book but not something I’ll remember for long or talk about to all my friends.

I also didn’t notice the Christian genre when I requested so the random religious parts felt like a lot but now make sense knowing it is promoted that way.

Maggie became a war widow five years ago. She was blessed with a beautiful little girl who never got to meet her Daddy. She is also lucky to have wonderful in-laws and a brother-in-law, Josh, who has been pining for her since the day they met. One day, Maggie takes her daughter to a fair and spots a young man who is the mirror image of her late husband. She then tells Josh, and the two team up to solve the mystery while falling in love.

This story excels in building suspense through a tightly crafted mystery. The plot revolves around secrets from the protagonist’s late ex-husband, and as the truth slowly comes to light, the tension never lets up. Each revelation raises the stakes, keeping the reader on edge as characters dig deeper into the past.

The pacing is deliberate, with each twist adding complexity to the mystery and revealing new layers of betrayal. The characters are well-developed, and their reactions to the secrets they uncover feel grounded and authentic. The emotional weight of the story is carefully balanced with the growing suspense, making the discoveries all the more impactful.

The mystery is what drives the story forward, and the way it unfolds keeps you engaged, with enough surprises to keep you guessing until the very end.

BOOK REVIEW of The Summer of You and Me by Denise Hunter

Five years have passed since the death of her army medic husband and Maggie Reynolds has finally returned to Seabrook for the summer. Maggie is ready to move forward with her life, but all that comes to a screeching halt when she sees a young man at the local amusement park that looks exactly like her dead husband. That is when she enlists the help of her deceased husband’s brother, Josh, to help unravel the questions.

I think I expected more of a mystery element to this book based on the synopsis I read, but this books is light mystery and very heavy romance. I appreciate the male main character and his unwavering commitment to Maggie. He is a great character that has flaws, but is ultimately a wonderful guy that has experienced a lot as a young man. The female main character is hard for me to connect with.
I find the physical attraction and the physical interaction to be lustful. There were too many mentions of “wanting more” that are not clarified but allude to much more, and I felt uncomfortable - Not triggered or tempted- just not comfortable with the language used and the focus on the body.
The faith elements are light, and are used specifically in moments of a quick prayer for help in an uncomfortable situation and not as a daily walk.

Overall, the story was well written and the character building was excellent as a whole. I did like the concept of the romance, but the excessive lustful behavior was not what I expected for a Christian book. However, I can easily see this being a book that many readers would enjoy.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson, Zondervan Fiction Audio and Netgalley for an audio advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own. Publication Release Date: April 22, 2025

Joshua and Maggie "s love story was powerful and amazing . As I traveled through their lives I saw the love they had each other. Even though Maggie 's grief show her that she can love and trust again in a relationship with someone. I also glad that Joshua got what he wished for a long time because the other women did not measure up to Maggie. Finally, the twist was surprising to me ,I shred some tears and my heart fill with joy . Love is life changing. I received a complimentary copy of this book . Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I thank you Thomas Nelson Fiction and Zondervan. #The Summer of You and Me #NetGalley

I really enjoyed this book especially the further it got along. It was funny to me that Josh kept calling Maggie honey over and over again, even before she realized he liked her. Just something random that distracted me from what was actually going on. The theme of them trying to find Maggie's late husband's doppelgänger was a little stalkerish to me for a while but improved further in the book. There was so much to love in this book though. There were deep issues of grief, abandonment issues, childhood illness, parental narcissism, along with a mystery that didn't get solved til the end of the book. I loved that what happened wasn't at all what I expected. All in all, I enjoyed this book and am glad I read it. The audio was very well done. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.