Summer by the Tides
by Denise Hunter

Thomas Nelson--FICTION

Thomas Nelson

Christian , Romance

Pub Date 21 May 2019


I am reviewing a copy of Summer by the Tides through Thomas Nelson Fiction and Netgalley:

If you are looking for a perfect read for the Beach, or simply on a long warm day I recommend Summer by the Tides.



Maddy’s Grandmother goes missing from the family beach house in Sea Haven North Carolina where she and her estranged sisters converge to try to figure out the mystery of where there Grandmother could have gone without having any bags packed or anything! Being with Nora who is uptight and Emma who is free spirited in the Home their family split apart in is not something Maddy wants to deal with especially with Nora and Emma often butting heads.



As the girls wait for news on their Grandmother the girls begin to pack up family belongings and unpack memories of the idyllic summers of their childhood. But the memories also bring up long buried secrets. Maddy soon discovers things were not as she had thought they had been the last summer her family had spent together in Sea Haven. In the meantime Gram’s neighbor Connor Sullivan seems overly interested in their Grandmothers whereabouts, and Maddy is drawn to his quick smile and steady gaze.




Jealousy and resentment threaten to pull the family apart once again and this time it might be forever. With tensions rising each girl must accept the women they have become.



I found Summer by the Tides to be a story that pulled me in and didn’t let go, a story that was relatable in many ways therefore I give it five out of five stars!



Happy Reading!

Secrets! Everyone in the family has secrets that they keep from one another! Maddy is the female protagonist who doesn't want her family to know her romantic life and her career have ended. When her grandmother goes missing, Maddy and her two sisters reconnect at the family beach house but tensions are high. All three sisters and their grandmother want to appear to have perfect lives.
Neighbor Connor Murphy is a great male protagonist who tries to be helpful! Summer by the Tides is well written and touching as the family learns to share and trust again. You will enjoy this book by Denise Hunter! I received a complimentary e-book through NetGalley. This is my honest opinion.

This is story has a lot of family drama, family secrets, humor and romance. I found it to be a very heartwarming read about three sisters that many years ago had a major falling out with each other. The journey to forgiving each other is very emotional and certainly tugged at my heartstrings.
Thank you to NetGallery for the opportunity to read this book and leave a honest review.

Sometimes love hurts—and sometimes it can heal in the most unexpected way. Camden Grayson loves her challenging career, but the rest of her life could use some improvement. “Moving on” is Cam’s mantra. But there’s a difference, her two sisters insist, between one who moves on . . . and one who keeps moving. Cam’s full-throttle life skids to a stop when her father buys a remote island off the coast of Maine. Paul Grayson has a dream to breathe new life into the island—a dream that includes reuniting his estranged daughters. Certain Dad has lost his mind, the three sisters rush to the island. To Cam’s surprise, the slow pace of island life appeals to her, along with the locals—and one in particular. Seth Walker, the scruffy island schoolteacher harbors more than a few surprises. With On a Summer Tide, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher begins a brand-new contemporary romance series that is sure to delight her fans and draw new ones.



My Thoughts: This is a wonderful story about how family roles and events mold a person and their life. Welcome to a story that brings a family back together again, where they begin to see each other for who they are and what their abilities or gifting is; how they learn to work together and learn to love one another again. It is also a story about learning to forgive, that people do grow as they live their life; that people do learn from their mistakes. It is a story about being honest with one another.


Suzanne Woods Fisher will does not disappoint in this novel. Once again she has spun a wonderful true to life tale. Living on a small island is quaint. I know, I come from a small island in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay; Smith Island. This novel reminds me so much of where I come from, no police, a small school, etc. and a small population. The author has spun a tale that makes the reader want to come to visit this place and take home some of the distinctiveness it gives the residents and visitors.



Readers will enjoy this new series, I certainly look forward to more from Suzanne Woods Fisher!

If you are looking for a great summer beach story, Summer by the Tides is one I can definitely recommend. The two main characters, Maddy Monroe and Connor Sullivan, were ones I instantly cared about.

This book has it all: great beach scenery, strained relationships between three sisters, issues that must be resolved, a hint of mystery regarding the grandmother’s whereabouts, a heroine who has a problem with trust, and a handsome widower who really needs a happily-ever-after. There is truly a wonderful balance of all of these issues within the pages.

I enjoyed the flashbacks that appeared throughout the book, highlighting how and when things went wrong for this family. And the romance that was woven into the present day timeline was just perfect. I was really rooting for Connor and Maddy to have a future together. I highly recommend it!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Summer by the Tides by Denise Hunter
This was a book that I truly enjoyed! Sometimes I get in a bit of a rut after I finish a really good book and I struggle to find another good one to take its place. When I read this, I had finished a couple of great reads, and then was extremely disappointed in another. Summer by the Tides was exactly the book I needed to get out of a slump!
Maddy’s whole life comes crashing down in the space of just a few minutes. She loses her boyfriend and career all at once. She’s devastated and has no idea what to do next. Then she receives a call from Sea Haven, North Carolina where she spent so many happy summers as a child. Her grandmother has gone missing. Maddy and her two estranged sisters rush to the town to search for her.
The sisters, who used to be close, have barely spoken for years. As summer rolls by, secrets are revealed from the past and the present. But can it bring healing? Or only drive them further apart? Maddy gave up on love and trust that fateful summer twenty years ago. But she finds herself strangely attracted to her grandma’s handsome neighbor, Connor. Can she learn to trust again?
I love every one of Denise’s books! Summer by the Tides is the perfect summer read. You’ll love the story, and the relationships between the sisters, but you’ll also love the romance angle, too. The final chapters contain twists you won’t see coming. And it wraps up with the perfect conclusion! While I love book series, it’s fun to read a standalone every once in a while. If you’re looking for a perfect read for the beach (or the mountains, or the car ride to some other fabulous vacation!) you can’t go wrong with Summer by the Tides.

Romance, clean; mild Christian faith elements
4.5 for me as a reader. Rounded up, this deserves to be widely read. Gorgeous small town, family story with a sweet, heartfelt romance. This is by far my favorite book of Denise Hunter's. She captures the misunderstandings, hurts, hearts, and moments of this family to a 'T'. The characters, setting, and the story line were honest, real, hurting, and genuine. This was a perfect read for me. With the Christian setting, so many novels deal with drastically fallen characters that have to redeem themselves, and while I get that story line, this is a novel of forgiveness and healing without the awfulness and consequences of a deep sin. (I am not judging, just commenting). This was truly every day life at its lowest, complex, but salvageable state. The problems were there, they weren't easy to fix or forgive, but they lived, they loved, and as they tried to muddle through, they were able to see the light of hope and peace through their efforts and returning to faith as well. The Christian faith elements were sweet, gentle and honest. Loved how they were included in this novel.
Along with all of this, Maddy and Connor's story, their hearts was a lovely gorgeous read. It was 'real' in the most honest sense and the characters just bled, hoped, hurt, and loved through this story. Highly recommend if you love a good romance with some forgiveness and growth in it. Perfect read for me. Again, my favorite of everything I have read of Denise Hunter's.

The saying you can pick your friends, but not your family is very applicable during this read as family drama will play a large role in Maddy Monroe's life and love life. This the first time I have read anything by Denise Hunter but I have had the pleasure of watching her Hallmark movie "The Convenient Groom". I can see this as another great Hallmark movie of Love, Family, God and struggles. We see the characters go from seemingly happy lives in total despair over the disappearance of their beloved Grams to family secrets unfolding in a stream of heartache.

We find Maddy, Nora and Emma three estranged sisters coming together at their Grandmother's home, whereas children they spend their happy family summers. That was before everything went wrong one summer to pull this family in different directions.

Connor Murphy has his hands full this his marina and restaurant that finding someone to even think about, is too hard. What he needs is help with the restaurant where he is struggling to tread water and keep the business alive without his manager

The town of Sea Haven sounds like a very wonderful place to holiday or even live. The author had great descriptive language that had you feeling the salty water and sandy beaches along with the characters. Both of our characters were overcoming some trouble with their love life of late, but will these two find common ground and trust to see what they may be together. Or will the past overtake their dreams?

There were many great characters in this book that I would love to read more about from the witty and loving Grams two both Maddy's two sisters as well as Connor's sisters. There was still so much to learn about them all I just wanted to keep reading. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future as this was a very enjoyable book. From the writing style to the speed in which it reads and the wonderful characters involved in this intriguing story.

I received a complimentary copy of this Ebook from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in my review are completely honest and voluntary.

I am a huge Denise Hunter fan. I couldn't wait for this book to be released! This is a quick beachy romance that any Christian Fiction reader would love. The romantic relationship in addition to the family relationship development and growth was very well done. Denise Hunter has a way of transporting you to a small town and really sets you up to feel like you are apart of these characters lives. My favorite part of Denise Hunter's writing is her ability to really set up these amazing small town settings. I want to go visit every place she writes about. I have to say though that I wish this book was a little longer. Being only 300 pages there were places where I wanted more development or more details. Unfortunately, I can't say where those places are without spoiling a lot of key points in the story. It made me sad that this book is standalone because I definitely left this book wanting more, which is also a sign that this book is worth the read. I'm invested in these characters and more Denise Hunter! Thank you to Denise Hunter, Thomas Nelson, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book!

Summer by the Tides was such a wonderful, uplifting read about sisters trying to search for their grandmother even though 2 of the 3 sisters are feuding from years ago.

This story had all the feels, love, frustration, betrayal, flirtiness and secrets. What more could you ask for?

If you like stories that cover family relationships, enjoyable characters and beautiful settings, pick up this book now!

Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publishers for an ARC at my request. All thoughts given are my own and freely provided.

I've been looking forward to this book for so long! I was excited to finally get to sit down and enjoy it. Denise Hunter is one of my go-to authors and I'm always watching for her next book.

The coastal setting of this book was magic to me. I'm in desperate need of some summer beach time and this story made that desire even stronger.

There are some strong family dynamics happening in this book. Maddy and her sisters have drifted apart. They really have no idea what is happening in each other's lives and when they are thrown together it makes for some tense situations. The detailed backstory is revealed bit by bit, intertwining with current circumstances. It made for an excellent build up of emotions. I loved getting to know all the characters in such a personal way.

Maddy is the youngest by quite a bit. She is the one trying to keep the peace between her warring sisters. Emotionally she has a lot on her plate. Poor Connor gets the brunt of Maddy's frustrations and betrayals in the beginning as he is misjudged and just a titch mistreated. Fortunately, he is a good, solid guy. He is honest and he is kind. I really loved him. Maddy eventually comes around to the knowledge of the kind of stand up guy he is and I loved when that shift started to happen.

This book was full of emotion and conflict that came to rest in a very satisfying ending. I was all in and enjoyed every single page.

Content: peril, kissing, Christian elements (talk of God, trusting in God)

- I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Summer by the Tides by Denise Hunter. I loved the book. Maddy was my favorite character because she was always trying to get her sisters back together. The book brought happy tears to my eyes many times. Read the book you will really like it.

I have yet to pick up a Denise Hunter book that didn't suck me in, make me love her characters, and keep me up WAY too late trying to finish it. Summer By the Tides is no exception! This story of three sisters, thrown together by their love and concern for their grandmother, has some seriously gut-wrenching moments.

When Maddy Monroe is betrayed by her boyfriend, she loses both her love interest and her job. Receiving word that her grandmother has disappeared gives her something to concentrate on besides her misery so she travels to Sea Haven, North Carolina to begin the search. On arrival, she discovers that the neighbor who called her also called both of her sisters - her older, FEUDING sisters who haven't spoken to each other in 20 years. Can they navigate the tension in the place their family's cracks finally splintered, to find a relationship that sister's are supposed to have?

Suspicious of all men, Maddy is doubly suspicious of her grandmother's neighbor, Connor Murphy. Did their grandmother enlist his help to get all of the girls in one place? When he asks for her temporary help running his restaurant, she begins to see the man of honor behind the beach bum image he projects. As sparks start to fly between the two of them, can Maddy take a step of faith and find a man she can believe in?

Told from both present day, and 20 years ago perspectives, Summer By the Tides, shows the Monroe family in all their dysfunction. The tension between the sisters snaps, but their deep grief also comes through. Connor was a joy to read about.

Romance readers will enjoy Summer by the Tides, as will, I think, women's fiction readers. The conflict between the sisters is one that I'm sure is played out in various variations all over. Denise Hunter fans all over will rejoice that she has a new book published. I know I did! I highly recommend!

I enjoyed this book, but it wasn't a "can't put down, can't stop reading" kind of book. I felt like the attitude of Maddy came across harsh at the beginning, even though we knew what she had been through. Maybe a little bit more character development with her would have helped that? All in all, I enjoyed it and I was glad that I finished it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

What can I say about Denise Hunter's writing. Her books are sooo great, they make movies out of them. It is because of Denise that I became obsessed with the Smitten series and could not wait to read the next one. Her new book Summer By The Tides is a work of art. It is a very sweet love story about second love . Both Maddy and Connor were in love before, at least she thought she was. Both were suffering from broken hearts. Conner because his wife had died and Maddy due to betrayal and deceit. Neither was looking for another romance. She and her two estranged sisters are called to Sea Haven, North Carolina when their grandmother becomes missing. It is the helpful neighbor Connor Murphy who has contacted the girls. The family has not visited Sea Haven together for twenty years. There was a devastating situation that took place that summer and the family has not been able to get past it. While waiting for grandmother to return, the girls decide to fix up the house and go through their rooms and the attic. Grandmother had expressed she wanted to sell the beach house. There are secrets that are discovered that have been hidden for years. Denise Hunter writes a book of love, family, hope and forgiveness. I loved the book and would definitely recommend it. I received a complimentary copy from the publishers Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Denise Hunter has written a layered, multi-generational summer read that will draw you in! "Summer by the Tides" introduces Maddy Monroe, a woman whose life is in the middle of many changes. When her Grandmother goes missing, she and her sisters descend on their beach house in Sea Haven, NC to try and locate her.

The complicated sister relationships are an interesting component of the book, as the reader gets to see the internal struggles of Maddy, Nora and Emma, as well as finding out exactly what tore their fragile family apart. Hunter incorporates the setting in her books in a way that almost makes it a character. (As someone who loves NC, she does it wonderfully!)

Connor is the neighbor that frustrates Maddy to no end at the beginning of the book, but as times goes by, he weakens her resolve. While we all know there are very few swoon worthy men with the exception of those Hunter writes about, Connor is both supportive and encouraging to Maddy in a time she needs it. ( I personally love that in a hero!)

Family stressors, unresolved issues, sisterly bonds that have withered, grief, estrangement, new love on the horizon after betrayal....Hunter doesn't shy away from tough topics. I do like the complexity of her characters, along with real life issues. Hunter has done this well in her other books (Honeysuckle Dreams, for instance, deals with custody issues) and "Summer By The Tides" is no exception.

If you're looking for a book to relish while you sit in the sun on vacation, this read is for you! Be prepared to be drawn into the story and connect with these characters. You might end up a little sunburnt, though, if you lose track of time! ;)

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and I chose to leave a review.

A clean beach read that shares some powerful truths, Summer by the Tides is a quick-moving tale about the courage it takes to face the past and love in spite of our fears. Hunter is incredibly gifted at creating characters that readers connect with deeply. Her newest offering is no exception. She weaves a sweet romance through the complexities of family secrets and the reality of a young woman finding her footing in her faith. This is an excellent book and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys women's fiction.

I received a copy of this novel from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. All expressed opinions are my own.

3.75 stars
Summer By the Tides is a light, feel-good romance with a positive message of faith and a healthy dose of reality. This story focuses on three somewhat estranged sisters, each with a unique past they are struggling with, who come together to search for their missing grandmother on the shores of the small coastal town of Seahaven, North Carolina. Connor, the helpful neighbor and local marina and restaurant owner, alerts the sisters to the grandmother’s disappearance, but we quickly learn that this was mere subterfuge for a greater purpose.

The story primarily focuses on Maddy, the youngest sister, and her relationship with Connor, the “boy next door”. Judging him based on preconceived and misguided first impressions, she quickly learns how wrong she is. As the story continues, she struggles to learn to trust her instincts once again, to believe in love despite relationships that have failed, to step out in faith, and to grant forgiveness. The story also encompasses the other two sisters and the concept of flawed family. There is a clear message that people fail. We all make mistakes. We are flawed. But we are also called to offer grace, forgiveness and to hope anew, and move forward seeking the good in life, because it’s there if we open our eyes and hearts to it.

This story is a quick read, and while delving into deeper topics, it is still light fiction and somewhat predictable. There are a few tropes and cliches that I’d rather do without, but the overall message is an important one. And in my opinion, Denise Hunter is queen of quaint small town settings and characters you want to befriend. It’s a simple, sweet, uplifting story that is worth reading.

Maddy and her estranged sisters receive calls stating that their grandmother is missing. As they each, unbeknownst to the other, return to their grandmother's home, they each return with secrets and sorrows and pride that makes it difficult to share with their sisters. Romance, forgiveness, vulnerability, and pride mingle together in this real-life novel. This isn't a lighthearted novel, but it isn't difficult to read. It IS difficult to put down once you begin reading it! There are twists and turns until the VERY end of the story as unexpected secrets are revealed every step of the journey. Great book!

Summer by the Tides is definitely soap opera worthy. Maddy Monroe and her family experience a wide range of storms both literally and figuratively. Observing her family's ruined relationships, and personally experiencing betrayal, has left Maddy with the firm opinion that love is not worth the trouble. On top of all that, Maddy has placed God on the shelf, vaguely aware of Him, but not interacting with Him.

Connor Sullivan, Maddy's grandmother's neighbor, contacts Maddy and both of her sisters with the news that their grandmother is missing, drawing all three to Seahaven, the vacation home of their youth. Once the sisters all arrive, it is obvious that they are not one big happy family. While Maddy takes an immediate dislike to Connnor, they do find a way to work together when out-of-work Maddy's management skills are needed at his restaurant. Despite the friction between them, Connor is drawn to her, the first woman who has caught his attention since his wife's death three years earlier.

If you are a fan of the soaps or have fond memories of watching them with your mom or grandma, you will enjoy Summer by the Tides. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.