Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook.

I just want to say, I absolutely loved this story. I had no idea where it was going but I adored the adventure it took me on.

There were spots where i was sitting on the edge of my sit not sure which way the mystery of the book was going to turn.

Cute love story with a side of mystery. Read it!

I was initially intrigued by the idea that the main character had seen the spitting image of her dead husband and that she would be seeking to solve the mystery of who that young man was. And while I found that part of the story interesting, the twist at the end was not entirely shocking to me. I found the characters frustrating through most of the story. Their flaws were front and center and incredibly repetitive. Instead of working through struggles, they ran from them and let them come between each other. The characters I enjoyed the most were the side characters - the young man who looked like the main characters dead husband and his girlfriend.

This story is a raw story of walking through grief and love and loss and abandonment. I think it was a heavier story than I had been mentally prepared to walk through and perhaps that is why I struggled to connect with the story in a meaningful way.

The Summer of You and Me is a heartfelt and layered story that took me by surprise in the best way. While it delivers all the emotional depth and romantic connection you’d hope for in a summer read, it never crosses into overly cheesy or one-dimensional territory. Denise Hunter strikes a perfect balance between warmth and weight, making this book stand out in the contemporary romance genre.

Maggie and Josh's shared grief over losing Ethan adds a profound emotional core to the story. Their journey felt authentic, and their pain was portrayed with such care that it gave the book a rich, resonant undercurrent. This grief made the characters feel real and gave the romance more depth—it wasn't just about sparks, but about healing, growth, and second chances.

One of my favorite elements was the mystery surrounding Will and his uncanny resemblance to Ethan. It added an unexpected and gripping twist that kept me flipping pages. The plot twists—especially toward the end—completely caught me off guard in the best way. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, another curveball was thrown. I genuinely stayed on my toes the whole time.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It has that perfect summer beach vibe, making it an ideal companion for a day of relaxing in the sun. With its heartfelt storytelling, surprising twists, and emotional depth, The Summer of You and Me is more than just a beach read—it's a story that stays with you long after the final page.

⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

This book starts off with Maggie and her four year old daughter Zoey returning to Seabrook, NC for the summer. While at a carnival she sees a stranger who looks exactly like her late husband, her world stopped. How could and what ifs ran through her mind. She had to know how was there a stranger walking around the same town she once fell in love with her late husband in.

This book takes you through the heartbreak of a widowed military spouse, finding healing and new love.

This book starts off a little slow in my opinion, the “action” or “drama” doesn’t start till almost 75%. I felt a little bored at times while reading but I did enjoy that the author wrote it in a way that it’s narrated than having just two POVs. We get to have the knowledge of more than Maggie and Josh’s thoughts/feelings. Being able to have insight on most of the characters made me feel a little more connected to them.

Bottomline:
It’s a good book about processing grief and becoming a new mom without your husband. Finding new love after all the time that’s past. I would’ve gave it a higher rating if the twist and everything that happened a little earlier in the book rather than the ending with everything speeding up to towards the end of the book.

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 twist and turns that this triggers work their way through the rest of the story, as both Maggie and Josh must reflect on their relationships and the past before they can face their future head-on.

I really enjoyed this book and liked the warmth and relatability of the relationships between the characters. There were times that I found myself frustrated with Magige because of her thinking, but at the same time, given all that she had been through, it was probably very realistic. In the end, it was a wonderful story and I was very happy with how it turned out.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this Advanced Reader Copy. All opinions are my own.

I am not a huge romance reader, but this book did it. for me! A great story on love, family and connection.
We start in the story of Maggies summer, and get the details of the past years through different characters tellings. There is a character every one can relate to in this story, best friends, lovers, narcissists, toxic family members. I think a great moral of the story is the deep love parents have for their children, and what that does or doesn't do for them. I'll add Denise Hunter to my favorite authors!

3.5 ⭐️
This was such a sweet story. Loved all the characters and their many layers and dimensions.
Maggie lost the love of her life, Ethan almost 5 years ago. When she is convinced she sees him at the local carnival her summer gets turned upside down in the most wonderfully unexpected way.
If you need a sweet romance for the summer, this is it. Spicy level is low and the story really just focuses on the emotional romance. Loved it.

Five years after her husband's death, Maggie is finally ready to let go. Unbeknownst to Maggie, her brother-in-law, Josh Reynolds, has been in love with her for years and wants to confess. 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.

What carried the story for me was the mystery of the man's identity. Maggie and Josh explored all the possibilities and ended up with more questions than answers. It brought quite the plot twist.

Aside from that, I didn't buy into their own romance. The pacing felt off and had a quick resolution. Listening on audio made it easier for me to complete the book. The narrator, while a bit sharp, did a good job.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Rating: 3⭐
Steam level: 1🌶️ Kissing only

The Summer of You and Me by Denise Hunter is an emotional, beautifully written story about love, loss, and the complicated path to healing. Maggie’s journey of letting go while reconnecting with the past tugs at the heart, and Josh’s long-held feelings add layers of longing and hope. The seaside setting of Seabrook is the perfect backdrop for this tender and slightly suspenseful love story. With just the right mix of romance and intrigue, this book kept me turning the pages and rooting for Maggie to find the happiness she deserves. Perfect for fans of small-town stories with big emotional payoffs.

An incredible summer read!!
I LOVED the mystery and the twists in this one and it’s still all fiction and a fun romance at the same time. The characters are all really enjoyable and I couldn’t put it down. I really enjoyed this one and highly recommend it.

I have really been enjoying reading Denise Hunter's books as of late and this new contemporary romance was so sweet. I love the way Hunter tackles hard things in relationships and then really highlights the joy by the end of the story. This story had ups and downs, grief and joy, and a bit of mystery that kept me listening, needing to know how the ending would unfold.
This book had a sort of love triangle without having a love triangle. Josh has been in love with Maggie since they were teens, but his older brother Ethan won the girl and Josh tried all he could to move past his unrequited love. After Ethan is killed while serving in the military, Josh steps in as a support for Maggie and her daughter, secretly hoping to finally have his chance to be something more. The dynamic was really good between Josh and Maggie. I wasn't sure at first how I'd feel about the whole her being married to his brother previously thing, but it actually shook out really good for me in the story and by the end, I was on board with it.
This book had some twists and I enjoyed the turn of fate, a turn that I actually was surprised by and surprised by how much I loved it. It was really unique and tied up a lot of things for the main characters.
I listened to the audiobook version of this novel. I liked the way Kim Churchill did both POVs. I found it easy to listen to and follow along. I ended up being so invested in the story, I listened to the entire audiobook in one day.
I received an advance listening copy of this novel from Netgalley, Thomas Nelson, and Zondervan fiction. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I recommend this audiobook.

After losing her husband five years ago, Maggie is ready to start again with her four years ago old daughter and find happiness again. Can the love she is looking for be nearer than she thinks? Josh has been pinning for Maggie since he met her, but she married his brother Ethan. Can he help find the answers she needs and show her his heart? The audiobook with Kim Churchill is awesome. Thanks to NetGalley for the ALC. this is my honest review.

Angst-riddled and full of surprises. In some ways this contemporary romance plays out as I thought it would…until it doesn’t. Love the way Hunter kept me balancing on an emotional tightrope all the way through. I’m still dizzy from the nosebleed heights and the occasional free fall! Brilliantly executed. Compelling read. BUT, make sure to have some (or a lot) of comfort chocolate on hand.

Loved the way the story unfolds. It’s almost lazy at times occasionally punctuated by a sense of urgency that set my pulse rate soaring. The friendship-to-more developing relationship is both precarious and hopeful. So. Many. Complications!!! Not the least of which is Josh being Maggie’s deceased husband’s brother. Yikes! Honestly, it’s my faith in Denise Hunter’s storytelling that convinced me to pick up this book despite that unusual situation!

Of course she deals with that particular issue brilliantly and weaves a captivating story full of raw emotion and soaring hope…as well as that longed for happily ever after. (Phew!)

I enjoyed listening to Kim Churchill’s narration of ‘The Summer of You and Me’. She has become a familiar voice in my audio reads and I love the way she builds upon the author’s words in order to deliver a satisfying and memorable listening experience.

My thanks to Thomas Nelson, Zondervan Fiction Audio and Net Galley for providing me with an audio edition of this book.

Maggie Reynold’s has spent the last five years grieving for her deceased husband Ethan. She believes she is ready to move on. Maggie is a teacher; she plans to spend the summer in Seabrook, NC along with her four-year-old daughter Zoey. While she and Zoey are visiting a carnival, she sees someone that looks like her deceased husband. She contacted Josh, her best friend and brother-in-law. Josh has loved Maggie from the day he first met her. But his older brother won Maggie’s hand. Josh’s feelings for Maggie have destroyed all his relationships including his marriage. He rushed to her side to attempt to figure out who she saw.
Maggie has feelings for Josh, but she feels guilty because he is her former brother-in-law. She feels like she is betraying Ethan. She doesn’t want to get hurt.
It is so obvious that Maggie and Josh love each other. I enjoyed watching their feeling grow and how they overcome obstacles standing in their way. Maggie and Josh work well together. They uncover several secrets as they search for the identity of the person she saw at the carnival.
The characters in this book are mostly interesting and likeable. Zoey is sweet. Josh’s parents were loving and supportive. However, Maggie’s mother is horrible. Author Denise Hunter demonstrates the importance of good family dynamics, the need for closure, the need to heal. This tale demonstrates Christian values.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

The Summer of You and Me by Denise Hunter was my first book by this author and I enjoyed it.  There were summer vibes which I needed right now, a very PG romance and family drama. This novel is appropriate for a wide variety of ages because it is not overly done on the romance. I did like the family dynamic and the characters felt warm and cozy to me. I was not a big fan of the plot, but was able to look passed it to get to the end of the novel to see where it would go. It was obvious where the book was headed which makes this for a nice light read with emotional and deep undertones.

Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for my gifted audiobook copy. I finished this one is a very short amount of time and overall enjoyed my time with the novel.

The Summer of You and Me is the second book I have read written by Denise Hunter and I am so excited to read more. This was such a heart touching story, pulling me through all kinds of emotions. This was quite the journey.

The character development was intense. Seeing Maggie go through her grief of losing her husband and then seeing someone who could pass for his twin. It was a process going through it all with Maggie. Josh had so many issues to overcome throughout this story it was intense. My heart broke for him.

The storyline was so good. It was better than a movie. It kept me engage the whole time. It was fun going on this journey as Maggie works on finding love again, overcoming hurdles and helping Josh along the way.

Denise did a good job intertwining faith throughout the book.

*I received a complimentary copy from the author and voluntarily chose to review it. All opinions are my own.

The Summer of You and Me by Denise Hunter
Maggie Reynolds is opening her heart again when the past slaps her in the face. She sees a man that looks like her late husband and she is thrown a wild card!
Maggie is visiting Seabrook for the summer to find closure. It was where they fell in love as kids and where Evan’s family lives. She’s never realized that Josh, her brother-in-law, has held her in his heart for many years, This unrequited love seems to have sabotaged all of his relationships.
Josh wants to lay it all out and take a chance with Maggie,
They face impossible questions as they try to unravel the mystery of this man that could be Evan’s twin. As they chase answers they are faced with more questions. Maggie isn’t sure of anything, including whether she wants answers.
What a phenomenal story! It was unexpected and so well written!
I love Denise Hunter’s ability to just walk the reader into the story. This was a beautiful experience with wonderful characters!
The prose was so well executed and the audiobook narration was wonderful! A great storyteller with a warm and telling voice! I really enjoyed it!
I would like to Thank NetGalley for the opportunity to review an ARC for both the e-book and the audiobook for this novel. Both are excellent! 5/5⭐

I really enjoyed this book. Another hit from Denise Hunter. It was heartwarming and made me chuckle at times. It did a really good job dealing with some hard issues. Thank you bet galley and the publishers for allowing me to listen to the audio arc of this

Title: The Summer of You and Me
Series: n/a
Author(s): Denise Hunter
Genre:
Publication Date: April 22nd, 2025
Publishing Co.: Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio
Length: pages/ 56 chapters
Rating: 4 .5 ⭐️ / 🌶️

Trigger Warnings:

* Death of Spouse

Tropes:

* Family Drama
* Small-Town/Home Town

Denise Hunter has written another heart-wrenching story that literally grabs you from page one! If you're looking for a dark romance read with spiciness, Ms.Hunter's novels are not for you. If you're looking for a love story with well-developed characters that you can relate to, please do yourself a favor and check out her work.

The Summer of You and Me had me on a roller coaster of emotions between FMC Maggie and MMC. Josh, you could feel the connection between these two from the very beginning, and although you learn early on that Josh is the brother of Maggie's husband, Ethan, who has passed, you can't help but long for them to have the happily ever after that they deserved. There are a few twists that will have you flipping the pages to find out how it all plays out.

Ms. Hunter has been a "must-read" author for me for several years; her storytelling is top-notch, and this latest novel in her portfolio doesn't miss. Please add The Summer of You and Me to your beach read TBR; you won't be sorry.


I'd like to thank Netgalley, Thomas Nelson, and Zondervan Fiction Audio for an advanced copy of The Summer of You and Me in exchange for an honest review.

*I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. This review is my own opinion*

Looking for a powerful, emotive story? Look no further than The Summer of You and Me and make sure you clear your day. Maggie and Josh create such a dynamic chemistry that I found myself fully engrossed in their story. My mind was tripped up with all the possible options and explanations. I wasn’t quite sure how I wanted it to resolve and yet, when it did, it was utterly perfect, and no other outcome would have sufficed. Maggie and Josh have a beautiful friendship with long, deep roots and I love how Josh has always been there for her. Their interactions and the tender relationship with her daughter were truly heartwarming and endearing. Not to mention, all the family undercurrents created layers of complexity and realism. I genuinely loved this story and found the audio version to be even more captivating as the personalities and emotions really came through in the interactions.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.