I have heard a lot of praise for Brenda Novak, so I was excited to finally read one of her novels and see what the hype was about. This is a story about justice, truth, and finding the courage to do what’s right.

That’s exactly what Lucy sets out to do when she returns to her Virginia hometown 15 years after her father was imprisoned for the murders of three people. At the time, 17-year-old Lucy was shunned by the entire community, hated simply by association. Now successful in her own life, she still feels the unresolved weight of the past and suspects Mick McBride may have been wrongly convicted for one of the crimes. But when she returns to investigate, she meets resistance from everyone, especially the police chief, who seems more interested in preserving his legacy than uncovering the truth. The town has long since “moved on,” and Lucy’s digging threatens to reopen old wounds.

The central mystery is engaging and raises important questions about accountability and second chances. However, I found the multiple POVs to be underwhelming as they often repeated the same information and muddled the momentum of the story rather than deepening it.

There’s also a romantic subplot: Lucy reconnects with Ford, her summer fling from when they were 17. Despite having only spent four weeks together as teens, their feelings are suddenly intense and complicated—especially since Ford is now married and his wife is expecting. I didn’t fully buy into the romance, which felt rushed. I felt no spark.

That said, the story held my interest, especially thanks to the excellent audiobook narration. Courtney Patterson did a flawless job. While I would have preferred fewer perspectives and less filler, the overall experience was a good one.

May thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the advanced copy of the audiobook.

4.5 stars. I listened to the audio version of this book narrated by Courtney Patterson. The narration was perfect for this book, with very distinguishable voices for the different characters. This is a romantic suspense about a woman who returns to the hometown she was run out of after her father is convicted of murdering three locals.

Lucy ruffles a lot of feathers when she starts asking questions about one of the murders, trying to prove her father didn't do it. She finds an allie in Ford, a guy she loved in high school. He deserted her then, but is determined to help her now.

The mystery part of the book was pretty strong, especially as the story progressed. There were plenty of characters to love (Ford, I'm looking at you!), and plenty to detest. A well-balanced book that kept me listening to find out what was going to happen next.

Thanks to Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for the audiobook. All thoughts are my own.

I listened to the audiobook The Summer That Changed Everything by Brenda Novak. The narrator Courtney Patterson brought the book to life for me as I listened to it.
Lucy McBride has a goal she wants to meet in her life. Her father was convicted of murdering several people. She goes back to the town she lived in as a youth, and this is where she starts looking for the truth.
With everything pointing at her father being the guilty one was not enough to stop Lucy from continuing her quest to tell the truth.
This was an excellent combination of everything needed to make it the beach read you were looking for this summer.
Thank you NetGalley, Brenda Novak and Harlequin Audio for the copy of The Summer That Changed Everything.
This is my personal review.

This is my first novel by this popular author. This reads to me as a mystery with a side dish of romance. I enjoyed the mystery plot much more while the romance seemed like it was just there for fluff.

The Summer That Changed Everything by Brenda Novak
Contemporary romance with mystery.
Lucy Sinclair hasn’t seen her father in fifteen years. Since he was sent to prison for the murder of three people. Lucy wants answers and returns to North Hampton Beach to ask questions. The answers she receives are shocking. Her father says he didn’t kill the third victim and Lucy gets a witness statement that supports that. Ford Wagner is also back in the small town and is willing to help Lucy directly and hiring an investigator. Lucy and Ford find answers that contradict the original story. How do they get to the truth without putting anyone in danger?

🎧 I listened to an audiobook narrated by Courtney Patterson who gives a wonderful performance for all the various characters. The danger is growing with each question asked and the narrator brings that community tenseness to the playback. Everyone is on edge as more evidence is revealed and more answers bring original conclusions an uncertainty.
I listened at my preferred 1.5 to more closely match local conversations and the audiobook was clear and filled with life and action.

Absorbing and truly captivating.

I received the audiobook copy from NetGalley and publisher Harlequin Audio. I’ve also purchased an ebook copy to keep and a paperback copy directly from the author.

📖 - 3/5 ⭐️
🎧 - 4/5 ⭐️
Final Rating: 3.5 ⭐️

Bear with me here - this review starts a little rocky but you'll want to read the entire thing.

I was expecting this to be a romance book, but in all honesty I'd say the romance was more of a sub-plot than anything. At first I was a little disappointed, because I was expecting more chemistry between the MMC and FMC. Their relationship lacked depth and development sadly.

That being said, the mystery aspect of this book was compelling. As the reader you think you find out early on who the culprit is, and you watch from the outside as it all unfolds around the FMC and MMC. I'm not used to knowing these things so early on and I was afraid between that and the lack of romance I would have a hard time staying invested in the story.

I was wrong.

The story was intriguing and I binge listened to the last 4 hours of it almost straight through because I NEEDED the resolution. I ended up enjoying this as a mystery and could care less how much romance it had. The book is very well written with all the twists and turns unfolding throughout the plot.

The narrator executed the story so very well, I definitely recommend this as an audiobook.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the free audiobook in exchange for my honest review. Courtney Patterson does a great job narrating this story!

Lucy has returned home to figure out what happened with a neighborhood girl that her father is accused of killing. She reunites with her first love along the way.

There were parts of this I enjoyed, but overall this book was very slow to me. The first half of the book was repetitive and should have been condensed down. The ending was good and there were a lot of twists and turns. It was interesting to see who was guilty of what and some of it was surprising, but some of it I guessed based on behavior early on.

If you like slower thrillers that take their time with lots of details, this book is for you. I personally prefer more fast paced thrillers/mysteries. Overall, this was a good story of redemption.

Really loved this one! The combination of the cold case/murder mystery being resurfaced 15 years later and the slow burn romance. Chefs kiss! The perfect book for those that love a little bit of mystery and chemistry!

In The Summer That Changed Everything by Brenda Novak Lucy returns to her hometown to try to prove her father’s innocence and is reunited with her first love along the way.

There were parts of this I enjoyed, but overall the pacing was slow. Especially the first 1/3 of the book that felt extremely repetitive. The ending was good and had a lot of twists and turns. It was interesting to see who was guilty of what and some of it was surprising, but some of it I guessed based on behavior early on. (Which is part of reding mystery! so fun!)

If you like slower thrillers that take their time with lots of details, this book is for you. I personally prefer more fast paced for mine. I still think this story overall was a good story of redemption.

Thanks to NetGalley for the gifted eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Brenda Novak tells a tale masterfully. In "The Summer That Changed Everything" you find yourself immersed in the heart of Lucy Sinclair as she returns to a place she never wanted to see again. Also, she visits a man she never wanted to see again, her father. Lucy visits her father in prison, it's been 15 years since she last saw him as he was led away to spend the rest of his life behind bars for murder. Murders that rocked the small town and made her life unbearable living there. When Lucy returns and starts looking into what happened when she was just a teenager, many things did not make sense, like why murder the old couple who lived close by and were friends? And why a young girl?
Lucy's old flame Ford Wagner also recently returned to this small berg of a town, reeling from an unhappy marriage that resulted in a divorce. He finds himself still drawn to his first love, Lucy and wants to help her find answers. When Lucy finds out her one and only love is also in town she wonders if he will even talk to her. When Ford finds out the danger Lucy is in and how she is threatened to leave things alone he decides he must protect her.
I received the audio version of this great book and the narrator Courtney Patterson did an excellent reading. Giving the correct inflection and speed. I like the narration version of books, it's a way to hear the story and still get driving and work done.
I very much recommend this book in any version. Thank you Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for this arc this is my honest opinion.

Lucy McBride is all grown up now, so when she returns to the town that changed her life at 17, she’s not really sure what to expect…but she does know that she needs to figure some things out!

You see, at 17, her father was arrested and sentenced to life in jail for murder! An older couple that they were friendly with, and, a young girl/friend who kept coming on to Lucy’s boyfriend, Ford.

But the older she gets, the more she’s come to believe that her father didn’t kill her friend… the pieces just don’t seem to fit… and so she returns to North Hampton Beach for the summer, with the hope of finding some information that just might help her Dad!

She rents a small cottage, and the girl there is nice to her…so she’s HOPING that the town may follow this pathway. They do not. They don’t want her there, and don’t believe anything she has to say…

And then, surprise of all surprises, her ex-boyfriend ends up returning for the summer as well…while trying to heal from a broken marriage…

At first, she wants nothing to do with him, I mean after all, they broke up under awful circumstances… but she realizes, that he is actually trying to help her…

And so, after some initial hesitance, they begin to work together to try to figure out just what happened… all those years ago!

I’ll stop 🛑🛑 right here. 🛑🛑

But, let me say that I had all sorts of guesses going on. For the most part I was totally wrong, but for a little while (at least) I was kind of on the right track! 😮 But, my jaw was still hanging on the floor when all of it came out in the wash….

4 1/2 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 for me, happily rounded up to 5!

#TheSummerThatChangedEverything by #BrendaNovak and narrated beautifully by #CourtneyPatterson.

*** THIS ONE IS BEING RELEASED TODAY!! *** SO, LOOK 👀 FOR IT ON SHELVES, NOW… JUNE 3, 2025!!! ***

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #HarlequinAudio for an ARC of the audiobook, in exchange for an honest review.

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I truly enjoyed this book, it was a great and easy listen. It was a great murder mystery in a small beach town with a hint of romance with Lucy and Ford (in love with this name btw). Lucy came back to try and clear her dad’s name for atleast the girl her ages murder because it just never sat right with her that he got convicted for it with no real evidence. She knew or thought she knew we was guilty for the murder of two of her favorite people that she almost saw as grandparents. Then after a while she didn’t feel convinced in that either, turns out she was right to doubt all 3 murders. There were a lot of details and things happening in the beginning that I think was needed for the build up at the end to understand the town and the whole situation. The twists, turns and eventual actual killers were mind blowing! I really had fun listening to this entire book and it’s helped me get through the work day! I truly enjoyed the writing and narrating 5/5 stars for both!! Thank you so much for Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for allowing me to listen and review this book!

A genuine soap opera of a story, weaving together romance and mystery with the emotional punch fans of the genre will expect. While the plot holds enough intrigue to keep things moving, and the story fits well as a "no-brains" beach tote bag read, it doesn’t rise above familiar tropes.
The audiobook narration, particularly for the female characters, was grating at times and detracted from the immersion. It’s not a bad listen overall, but not amazing either—just a solid, forgettable summer distraction.

Thank you Harlequin Audio for the Advance Listen! Happy publication day!

when lucy heads back to her hometown to figure out what happened with a neighborhood girl who was supposedly killed by her father, she didn’t expect ford, her first summer love, to be there. as he helps to unravel the secrets buried in this town about the murders, the two of them slowly find their way back to each other.

I did enjoy pieces of this. I liked the mystery aspects and how hard Lucy was fighting for her father. I just wish ford wasn’t still married with a baby on the way even though there were divorce papers waiting to be signed. The romance felt a little icky to me but if he wasn’t married with a kid on the way I would’ve liked this more.

🎧 the audiobook was pretty well done. Courtney Patterson read for all perspectives (as this is in multiple pov) and I do wish there was one male narrator because I would get a little lost at points with the perspective changes.

Thank you harlequin for a finished copy!

The Summer That Changed Everything blends romance and mystery that hooks readers from beginning to end. A young woman, returns to her hometown uncover the truth behind her father’s conviction for murder after fifteen years. As she reconnects with her first love, she finds herself entangled in secrets that the town would rather keep buried.

Novak beautifully weaves both suspense and emotional depth to make this a compelling read for fans of both romance and thrillers. The idyllic coastal setting, the characters richly developed, making their struggles feel both real and relatable. Perfect read if you love second chances and buried secrets. This book is definitely worth adding to your summer reading list. #NetGalley #BrendaNovak #HarlequinAudio

Thank you NetGalley, Brenda Novak and Harlequin Audio for the ALC of this book.

What a story! I listened to this story and was not really expecting the direction the story took. Lucy's life changed in the summer she was 17. Her story leaves you wondering about how the actions of others can impact someone. There were quite a few surprises in this story. I really liked Ford and how he kept trying to make up how he reacted that summer. I enjoyed the path that it took to get to what really happened fifteen years ago. The story was told at a good pace and I was very surprised at how it worked out. It was a great story. The narration worked well. I was pulled into the story quickly and didn't want to stop. I received an advance copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

3.5⭐️
I have enjoyed Brenda Novak’s books, especially the Christmas ones. So I was glad to see this book available in my NetGalley account.

Lucy returns to Virginia to try and clear her father’s name of the murder he was found guilty of 15 years earlier. She knows in her gut that even though he was found guilty of the murder of a couple in their trailer park, her dad didn’t also murder her classmate. While starting on this hunt to clear her father, Lucy reconnects with the boy who broke her heart, Ford. He did stand by her while her father was on trial. Their romance was sweet and the plot was enjoyable. I predicted a lot of what was going to happen but one reveal did surprise me. I enjoyed the book but don’t think it’ll be something I will think about now that I finished the book.

Lucy’s father was convicted of three murders 15 years ago. While DNA evidence linked him to two victims, the third murder, involving a girl Lucy's age, seemed circumstantial. Now, Lucy returns home to uncover the truth, discovering far more than she expected, including reconnecting with her ex-boyfriend, Ford. The town resents her return, but Lucy is determined to prove her dad's innocence in the teen murder. This spicy romantic mystery will keep you guessing. I found myself deeply invested in solving the case and enjoyed seeing Lucy and Ford rekindle their relationship.

This was my first read by Brenda Novak, and I loved her writing and the way she kept me thinking I knew who was guilty, but still had doubt. I will be picking up one of her books again.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this advanced copy of The Summer That Changed Everything, and Brenda Novak for a terrific story.

I think I was about halfway through this audiobook and already knew it would be 5 stars for me. This was murder mystery meets romance & I loved it! Murder mystery is not my typical genre of choice, but I was absolutely hooked! The plot twists were not predictable to me. I devoured this audiobook about as quickly as possible to find out exactly what was going on! Courtney Patterson did an excellent job with narration & captured all the voices perfectly! Definitely add this one to your TBR either in print or audio! You will not be disappointed!

Thank you Brenda Novak, NetGalley, & Harlequin Audio for the opportunity to listen to the ALC & provide my honest opinion!

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 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 went back and forth in a companion read between the ebook (eARC) and the audio (ALC) and found I spent more time reading instead because one of the characters that the narrator read for I really wasn’t a fan of. I actually enjoyed her male characters but found the FMC voice somewhat irritating and it took me awhile to get used to. When I first started, it almost sounded like AI because of some of the word pronunciations. Ultimately, I did get used to it and it didn’t stop me or make me want to stop reading, but I did end up reading the digital version more than listening for this reason.

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.