Lucy Sinclair has not seen her father or the town she grew up in for fifteen years. Her father was sent to prison for three murders in her hometown. She now believes he didn't kill the teenage girl and she's not sure if he killed the old couple in the mobile home park. She returns to North Hampton Beach to find clues about the murders that happened when she was seventeen.
Ford Wagner was Lucy's boyfriend at the time of the murders. Ford was from a rich family that only spent their summers in town. When the murders happened, he ghosted Lucy and now finds she is returning to town this summer. Ford is in town to get the family home ready to be sold.
This is a great story of what happened all those years ago and how that got away with murder. Ford and Lucy are spending time together and the future for them is not looking good.
The narrator for this book was great.

4⭐️ 1🌶️ 5🎧 I really enjoyed this book!! This story started with one murder case mystery and then evolved into two. We knew who the killer was early on for the 1st, and how those facts all came to light to the other characters had my eyes wide and chuckling all at the same time. The second case had a lot more mystery to it and truly had me shocked when the pieces all came together. So many twists and turns in the last few chapters.

I’m a sucker for a romance story and I did enjoy the second chance romance piece in this book, but didn’t really feel like it meshed will with the murder mystery aspect. I feel like this would have been better suited without the romance storyline. Ford and Lucy had so much against them, I wasn’t sure how they were going to make it out without total heartbreak. Ford’s ex is truly a wet blanket covered in mayo on a hot summer day, just truly human garbage; her antics were manipulative and unforgivable.

Courtney Patterson did a great job narrating this story. She does a fantastic job making the characters sound different.

When a horrible tragedy happens in a small town with an older couple and a young lady.

As time moves along and you can’t put the past behind you, you travel back home to the small town to find out the truth!

Young love, brings back many emotions and feelings but is it just because of you being back home or did the feelings never leave?

Brenda Novak does it again and I could not put this book down!

Fifteen years ago, Lucy Sinclair's father was convicted of killing an elderly couple of neighbours, as well as a teenager that Lucy had a problem with. After and during the trial, everyone treated Lucy like she has done it, and she finally left town. She landed on her feet after a few years and is now living in Las Vegas making a great living gambling. She decided to come back to Virginia and visit him at the jail to see if there was more to the story than what was considered the truth. She has rented a cottage in North Hampton Beach for the summer, to finally get closure. Her ex-boyfriend, the one who dumped her during the trial, Ford Wagner is also back, planning on fixing up his family's summer home to sell. He is going through a divorce and wants some time away from work and family. When he finds out Lucy is back, he wants to make amends. Lucy begins an investigation to find out who really killed the teenager, as her father is adamant that it wasn't him. How will the people of North Hampton Beach take this re-opening of old wounds? Will Lucy find out if someone else was responsible for the deaths and clear her father's name?

I enjoyed this mystery/romance by Brenda Novak. It was pretty easy to figure out who killed the teenager based on his behaviour, but it took awhile for Lucy and Ford to figure it out. The story starts out a bit slow, but I was okay with that, as it gave me the backstory. Lucy nosed around pretty good, and was able to get answers from people who had either lied 15 years earlier, or kept quiet with what they knew. When Ford and Lucy meet for the first time, she wants nothing to do with him. She has a new life and what happened with their relationship 15 years ago, is finished. Ford isn't going to give up that easy, and the more time they spend together, the more she begins to change her mind about him. There is lots of small town drama in this story, with parents who gave their kids everything or let them get away with things, based on who they were and their money. Some of them had to eat crow. This is a slow burn, summer mystery, with drama and some romance. I enjoyed it, but not as much as some of her other books. I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Courtney Patterson, who does an excellent job. Her depiction of Lucy was perfect and allowed me to picture her and all her nuances. I recommend you listen to this one if that is a format you enjoy.

A suspenseful story that has you wondering who really did it. Fifteen years have passed and Lucy has straightened up her life and is at a good place and wants to see if she can reconnect with her father. He is in jail for life for the murder of three people in their small costal town, being only 17 years old at the time she has questions, somethings just don’t make sense to the dad she knows. He was drunk and doesn’t remember anything. Lucy rents a small cottage in the town where it happened and runs into her summer time 1st love, Ford.
Ford has lots on his mind since his father passed he is juggling so many problems, a pending divorce and fatherhood, a gold digging second wife of his father, a lazy brother and a demanding mom plus running the company his father left behind. So when he see Lucy he remembers being young and in love. She only sees heartache, the boy who didn’t support her when her father was on trial. Ford is worried that Lucy is looking for answers that will only upset the locals, but when she is threaten and they find overlooked and missing clues he hires a PI. Mostly to absolve his guilt but to find out if there is a killer that is still out there.
One of my favorite reads by this author. I did have an inkling of who dun-nit, but the way the clues came together I wasn’t sure till the end. The narrator did an excellent job keeping me enthralled in the story. Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for this ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

I really enjoyed The Summer That Changed Everything — it was an engaging and emotional story that pulled me in from the start. I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator, Courtney Patterson, was fantastic; she brought the characters to life in a way that made me feel completely immersed in their world.

The plot centres around Lucy McBride and Ford Wagner, two well-drawn and relatable characters whose relationship unfolds with both tenderness and tension. I appreciated how their connection was rekindled — it felt authentic and layered.

At the heart of the novel is Lucy’s return to North Hampton Beach, not just to revisit her past but to investigate whether her father was truly guilty of the crimes that sent him to prison decades earlier—the murder of a teenage girl and an elderly couple who lived in the trailer park he managed. Once an alcoholic, Lucy’s father is now sober and had long urged her to stay away in order to protect her. That complex father-daughter dynamic adds real emotional weight to the story and grounds the mystery in something deeply personal.

The story arc was compelling, with just the right amount of mystery. There’s a well-executed red herring that kept me guessing, and I didn’t predict the ending, which I always consider a win in this genre.

The only aspect that didn’t quite sit right with me was Ford’s decision to spend the summer with Lucy, despite his plans to return to his wife afterward. That choice felt emotionally inconsistent, especially given the depth of the bond portrayed between Lucy and Ford. Still, this was a small flaw in an otherwise excellent story.

Overall, The Summer That Changed Everything was a heartfelt and satisfying read (or listen). If you enjoy character-driven stories with a touch of mystery and a strong emotional core, I’d definitely recommend it.

It’s the kind of book that stays with you long after the final chapter.

This was just perfect combo of thriller & romance. She goes back to her hometown to prove her father's innocence.

This was one of those stories where I could picture each scene and it almost felt like I was there with them trying to solve the case to all while everyone wanted it to stay quiet. The romance is slow but definitely worth sticking around for as well.

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced copy.

The Summer That Changed Everything has layers of story with mystery and romance. I loved the mystery, twists, turns, & love story! I just adore this new book & can’t recommend it enough!

I listened to the audio version of this book. The narration was excellent! The narrator did a wonderful job bringing the characters to life with the perfect amount of emotion. I really enjoyed listening to this story told in multiple POV’s. I was engrossed the entire time. It had a little bit of everything. What I liked most was the second chance romance and small town mystery, and the HEA, of course! It’s got lots of twist and turns that keep you guessing, and a great balance between romance and mystery, making it a must read! I admired Lucy’s determination and Ford’s unwavering dedication. Brenda Novak’s writing is so smooth and easy to read/listen to. She is quickly becoming a go to author for me.

4.25 stars ⭐️ This page turner was a perfect mix of mystery and romance!

Courtney Patterson did an excellent job narrating each character and making them distinguishable.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the ALC. All opinions are my own 🫶🏼

Fifteen years ago, Lucy Sinclair’s father was convicted of murdering three people in the small town of North Hampton Beach, Virginia. At just seventeen, with no other family, she was left to fend for herself. Lucy weathered some tough times but got through it and made something of herself. Now all these years later Lucy’s ready to go back to answer some nagging doubts she had about one of the murders. She doesn’t count on running into Ford, the man who abandoned her and broke her heart, but he’s also back in town taking a summer break from his own problems.

Lucy gets flak from the townsfolk right away when they find out why she’s there, but there are also ones who’ve questioned the past, as well. While we find out what’s behind one of the mysteries pretty early on, some of it doesn’t come all the way out until the end. I had my suspicions.

The Summer That Changed Everything was part romance, part mystery and a messy situation on several levels. Messy is usually something I avoid because I’m not a big fan of angst, but somehow Ms. Novak writes it in such a way that it doesn't come off as angsty. Once I started, I knew I’d have to read/listen to it all the way through! It wasn’t a story I’d have an easy time setting aside to continue later. I was riveted and had to know how it’d all turn out! I thoroughly enjoyed it and I’m still thinking about it!

I alternately read and listened to The Summer That Changed Everything. I thought Courtney Patterson performed all voices, males and female wonderfully with appropriate emotion, bringing the characters and story to life.

This isn't my typical genre, but the description sounded interesting, so I wanted to give it a chance, and I am so glad that I did! The Summer I changed everything is a wild and captivating summer read.
This book is about Lucy, whose father was accused of multiple gruesome murders in a small town.
After more than a decade away from the town Lucy decides to go back for the Summer. She does not fully believe her dad killed one her classmates, so she is there to find out the truth. This task will not be easy, most people would rather not dig up the past, so she does not receive the warmest welcomes. She will also have to face her first love, the one who broke her heart, who is also in town for the summer.


"Sometimes people are so guilt-ridden there's a part of them that wants to be caught"

"The best indicator of future behavior is past behavior."

Small Town
Secrets & Mystery
First Love
Second Chances
Whodunnit
Reconciliation

I thoroughly enjoyed the Narrator, Courtney Patterson. This is the first book I have listened to that she has narrated, but I would love to listen to more by her. Courtney has different enough voices for each character she portrays so that really helps keep track of the story and tell everyone apart. The audiobook was great; it really brings the book to life.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for this ALC!

Brenda Novak’s The Summer That Changed Everything is a compelling audiobook filled with mystery, romance, and the weight of long-buried secrets. Lucy Sinclair returns to her hometown after fifteen years, determined to clear her father’s name following his conviction for a triple murder that shattered her life as a teenager. As she digs deeper into the truth, listeners are drawn into a tense atmosphere where nothing is as it seems.

The return of Ford Wagner, an old flame fleeing his own troubled past, adds layers of emotional complexity and slow-burning chemistry. Novak expertly weaves together the threads of suspense, small-town dynamics, and unresolved feelings, making the coastal town of North Hampton Beach a vivid and immersive setting.

Narrated with heartfelt nuance, this audiobook is perfect for fans of mystery-laden romances and stories about facing the past to find hope for the future. The Summer That Changed Everything is a gripping listen that keeps you guessing until the very end.

The Summer That Changed Everything was my first book by Brenda Novak. It was absolutely phenomenal and I did see that ending coming. It was a perfect mixture between mystery/thriller and romance.

I rated this book 5/5 because it was my favorite for 2025!

This story is well written. The narrators voice is easy to understand and very likeable. However this story was not for me. I found myself getting distracted and lost unlike other audio books that just keep me hooked. I really wanted to love this story as the synopsis was right up my ally.

I still would recommend this book. It just was not for me.

This book had it all: mystery, suspense, complicated family relationships, romance. I loved every bit of it. Highly recommend picking this one up this summer.

Courtney Patterson did an excellent job narrating the audiobook.

Thank you Brenda Novak, Harlequin Audio, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

If you’re looking at this cover and thinking you’re going to find a summer rom-com in these pages, you’d be mistaken. However, if you’re thinking you’ve stumbled upon a good story, you’d be correct.

Lucy and Ford were dating the summer that life fell apart for Lucy, so why in the world would she ever go back to Virginia?

This story looks at young love and buried secrets, cover-ups and class division. It’s about the court of public opinion and how your life can be changed in one minute, one night or one summer.

I felt the ending of this one was the *tiniest* bit rushed, but I did enjoy the complex yet believable story these characters tell.

I listened to this audiobook, and I really enjoyed hearing the story come to life through the narrator. There were a lot of threads to keep straight but I never got lost in the telling or overwhelmed by the details.

Have you ever lost relationships because people believe a lie about you?

3.5 stars

This book was a bit of a mixed bag for me. While I did enjoy it overall, it was much slower paced than I tend to like. I was a bit distracted by an overabundance of details that didn’t seem relevant. The twist and resolution were great, and overall I was entertained.

I listened on audio which was very well done and superbly narrated.

My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This is my first book by Brenda Novak and I can not wait to read more. I think this is a perfect beach read...it has romance, a mystery, past lovers reconnecting, and a cast of interesting characters. This was a fast paced book that was so entertaining. The mystery part was pretty strong.....it kept me guessing as the twists kept coming at me as the story prgressed. And I loved the relationship between Ford and Lucy. I was rooting for them the whole book. A perfect beach read. I rated this a 4 star book on my Goodreads and other socials. I thought the author did a really good job....narrating a bunch of different characters and keeping it different must be hard. The narrator, Courtney Patterson, did a good job.

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 Audio, and Brenda Novak for this ALC in return for my honest review.