Member Reviews
Summer by the Tides is a standalone book and I'm a little sad that it is not part of a series. I have grown attached to these characters and would love to see what they are doing in future books if it were a series. Gram has somehow manipulated all three of her daughters to come to her beach home. They show up at the home because Gran's next door neighbor called all of them that Gran was missing. The three daughters are estranged from each other due to something that happened 20 years earlier. As you read the story you learn that everyone in the story is keeping secrets. Every the grandmother has secrets. I loved the friendship and eventually love that developed between Maddie and Connor. At first she got the wrong impression of him but I like it that she was so open and willing to admit she was wrong directly to him. The ending of this story just made me smile.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is the ideal beach read. A quick, fun read with drama, humor and some beach love. Maddie, Nora, and Emma are three sisters that are harbouring some major grudges. They end up at their Grandmother's beach home after she is reported missing by a neighbor. These three have some serious issues. Great characters and very enjoyable.
Denise Hunter has written an engaging story about three sisters who have drifted apart for years, but come back together to search for their missing grandmother. Family secrets of the past are revealed that have the potential to heal long-held hurts, or else drive the sisters further apart. Maddy, Nora, and Emma each have secrets of their own that need to be shared. This story of family, loss, forgiveness, and love kept me turning pages and cheering for the sisters to realize the treasure they have in each other. The setting of this story is gorgeous and made me 'long for a summer day at the lake. It would not surprise me at all if this sweet and clean romance by Denise Hunter did not end up as a Hallmark movie. A great book for light, entertaining reading.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Maddy’s life was exactly how she wanted it. She’s assistant manager at a well-known restaurant in Charlotte, with a promotion coming her way any second. Her and her boyfriend slash coworker, Nick, have been going out for 6-months and things have been going well. But then everything crashes when she discovers her boyfriend kissing their boss and discussing taking the promotion for himself. So she leaves without a word, losing both her job and her boyfriend in an instant. So when she gets a call from her Gram’s neighbor, Connor, that Gram disappeared from her home, Maddy thinks now is a good time to get out of town and see what her Gram has been up to in Seahaven.
As it turns out, Connor called not just Maddy, but her two older sisters, Nora and Emma, to help track down their Gram. When they all get there, they’re in quite a shock to discover all 3 of them are there together. 20-years ago, a riff was formed between Nora and Emma and now even two decades later, things haven’t resolved. Their Gram has been wanting them to come clear out her beach house for years, but the granddaughters never agree to visiting together. So now that they’re there, they feel now’s a good a time as ever to get the job done. They hear from Gram and all is well, so they agree to sticking around until she returns to clean and fix up her home. But doing so without any disagreements will be a challenge. Maddy is determined to be peace-keeper and keep Nora and Emma from biting each other’s heads off.
Gram’s neighbor, Connor, is a widower and the owner of both the marina and a local restaurant, Sullivan’s Landing. When his restaurant manager has a family emergency, she leaves unexpectedly, leaving Connor in a pinch. He soon discovers that Maddy is a restaurant manager and begs for help at the Landing. Maddy’s gotten the impression that Connor is a sleezy ladies man, just like Nick. But even though she isn’t so sure about Connor, she agrees to work at the Landing. She doesn’t have a job anyway, so she has nothing to lose.
The more time her and her sisters spend together, the more Maddy realizes they all are tackling their own problems back home. None of them have a picture perfect life, even if one or all of the want to appear that they do. And Maddy also realizes that Connor is not the player that she originally thought. He’s actually kind, funny and just as damaged as she is. She misjudged him from day one and to make it up to him, she not only apologizes, but strikes up a friendship with Connor.
Maddy quickly learns that Connor is harboring romantic feelings for her and she’s fighting an inner battle of whether or not she should let herself have feeling for him back. She was burned by another man only a couple months previously and Maddy isn’t sure she’s ready to open her heart up again so quickly. But Maddy remembers that Connor has experienced a world of heartbreak himself and may understand her situation more than she realizes. Will Maddy admit to herself and Connor that she’s fallen head over heels or will she go back to Charlotte, leaving Connor as just another summer memory?
Summer by the Tides is Denise Hunter’s newest small-town romance novel. This time, the story’s set in the coastal town of Seahaven. Denise has done it yet again—she always gets me wrapped up in the characters, making me feel attached to each of them. I thoroughly enjoy Denise’s writing style, and Summer by the Tides is no exception. I’m not sure if this is a standalone or the start of a new series, but I wouldn’t mind seeing more of these characters, especially in the sunny town of Seahaven. A perfect summer, beach read, Summer by the Tides is another winner from Denise Hunter—4/5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson and Denise Hunter for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Another homerun for Denise Hunter!
I love Maddy and Connor. I really hope that there are more books with these characters. :)
I love Denise Hunter's books!!! This one is a very good example of why. All three sisters are called to her grandmother's house because she is missing. Each one has secrets that they are not sure they want to share. As they work together to try to find their grandmother and then to fix up her house, they find that some of the old pains and hurts can be healed with time and conversation. Wonderful, sweet characters with flaws and talents! The love story is almost a side story from the sisters' relationship. I couldn't and wouldn't put it down until the last page!!!
Oh my. What a wonderful read this book was! Denise has done it again. This is a story about estranged sisters and the road to reconciliation and forgiveness and each sister has their own issues to deal with.. This is also a story about a man who will discover hope again. All the main characters were great. The romance between Maddy & Conner (the heroine & the hero) was also super sweet. I love the dynamics of a broken family relationships in this story. It felt more layered in addition to the romance. Hope this is a series. I definitely recommend this!
This is a well-written tale of three sisters. Grams disappears, bringing her three granddaughters running to her home searching for Grams. Grams calls from Boise, saying she is just fine. The sisters suspect this is a plot to force them together. Follow along as the three girls face the ugly details of their past and work through their individual relationships, uncover family secrets, and form a stronger bond. The characters are well formed and the story carries you along to the very end.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I enjoyed this book as it is mostly about sisters, and as I have had 4 sisters in my life I could easily relate. It is also a love story between Maddy, the youngest sister and Connor . Do sisters keep secrets from one another? Oh yes, and it causes misunderstandings and problems. I really liked the setting for the story, also. Very good book, and one I will read again. Denise Hunter is such a good story teller. I love reading her books.
In this standalone novel by a favored author, Denise Hunter, our heroine Maddy Monroe has recently experienced a major does of trauma when her boyfriend Nick betrays her. Not only does Nick cheat on her with another woman, he simultaneously steals the promotion she has long been working for. The next day, Maddy receives an urgent call from her beloved grandmother's neighbor, Connor Sullivan. He says her grandmother is missing - and could she come to Seahaven right away? Little does Maddie know that Connor has also reached out to her two sisters, who have long been estranged...and they are also on their way to Seahaven and the family cottage.
Connor is a local businessman and widower. Largely due to her recent heartbreak Maddie also fosters a distrust of men (in general it seems), but this leads her to make several snap judgments about Connors' motives as well as make some assumptions about his relationships.
I think I have read (if not all, then most) of Denise Hunter's books. I almost always want to rave about them. I found this one to be a total departure from her usual style or "voice", if you will. I can't say I loved it fully, as I usually do. I didn't dislike it either - it was an interesting story, in a lovely setting, with a satisfying conclusion. Beyond that mild endorsement, I will simply encourage you to check it out for yourself.
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book by Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for my honest review.
Denise Hunter is one of my must read authors...this is a beautiful story w/ characters that you will not soon forget. Experience this novel yourself...you will not be disappointed.
What a heartwarming read! I wish I could give it 10 stars. Summer by the Tides brings out all the emotions- shock, sadness, and joy. Maddy, Nora, and Emma are brought to SeaHaven by their grandma’s neighbor, Conner Sullivan, when it appears Gram is missing. You quickly learn the sisters are harboring secrets not only about their pasts, but about their present lives. As the summer progresses, Maddy soon realizes she has projected past hurts onto Conner and he is not the person she made him out to be. Conner is himself as a lot of hurt in his past but has learned to put his trust in God. It takes an approaching storm to make them all realize that secrets are best out in the open so healing can begin.
This book accurately depicts how families can be torn apart and lives forever changed when things go unsaid or unforgiven. I found it very difficult to put down and hated for it to end.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
Summer by the Tides by Denise Hunter is a predictable contemporary romance featuring three sisters all with secrets. Filled with heart and intrigue, Hunter crafted a novel worth spending a couple of hours with. The novel enraptured my attention and kept me flipping the pages, so I could learn the truth holding each women in the story captive. The romance was sweet and moved along with the plot. I really enjoyed the hurricane as it made a secondary character as the truth deepened and became a reality. I believe fans of Beth K. Vogt, Melissa Tagg, and Courtney Walsh should pick this book up.
I received a complimentary copy of Summer by the Tides by Denise Hunter from Thomas Nelson Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.
I love this author’s books and Summer by the Tides was no exception. Excellent writing, great characters and setting. I highly recommend this book. I received an arc from Netgalley and this is my unbiased review.
I've read almost two dozen Denise Hunter books and am a big fan of her writing. My favorites have been Dancing with Fireflies and The Goodbye Bride. These two are going to have to make room on the shelf for Summer of the Tides! This story checks all the boxes for great reading, warm sunny beach setting, complex family dynamics, relatable characters and a fantastic love story with sizzling chemistry.
Maddy is the epitome of the "once burned, twice shy" idiom. Having just discovered her boyfriend's betrayal, she suspects every motive behind attractive neighbor Connor's helpfulness. Connor has suffered through his own hard times and become a stronger, more patient, faith-filled man because of it. Sisters Nora and Emma's complicated relationship provides a good deal of angst to the unfolding story of years past. Gram is nothing if not shockingly funny in her behavior and comments.
With a hurricane brewing, I couldn't help but see it as a parallel to the storm the family was facing. Everyone has secrets they hold inside to keep from being hurt. I love how Denise dealt with the issues of fear, pain, judgement and loss, and overcoming them all through love and forgiveness.
There are some great quotes in this book! Three of my favorites,
*Little sister advice-"Do you really think you're going to find a single woman your age without a little baggage? You're toting around at least a carry-on yourself. We all have issues, you know. That's just life."
*Self-sabotage-"You just make me feel so much, and I was afraid you'd break my heart. So I went ahead and broke it myself."
*Grandma wisdom-"Love's not always easy, but it's worth it. You'll never find happiness if you let fear stand in the way of what you truly desire."
I loved the epilogue and the way Hunter tied together all the details of their personal and professional lives. It's so satisfying I've reread those last few pages a good number of times. I don't know how she does it, but Hunter's writing gets better with each book. I hope this is a series and the next story we'll be reading will be Nora's!
I received a complimentary copy of Summer by the Tides from Thomas Nelson through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in my review are completely my own.
I am a huge fan of Denise Hunter's novels and her newest one coming out in May 2019 did not disappoint. When I am looking for a light hearted book, or a sweet love story, I turn to her work. Summer by the Tides tells the story of Maddy and her two sisters. The past tore them apart and when their grandmother goes missing, they return to their grandmother's home, the place where everything fell apart and find a way to make amends.
A quick and enjoyable summer read, even though I read it in winter!
While there is a romance, family, secrets and betrayal are at the heart of this novel. The characters are likeable and the setting perfect for escapist beach reading.
Gorgeous cover & intriguing title, 'Summer by the Tides' was an obvious pick for me. Who doesn't love the idea of a beach cottage on the Carolina coastline? Summer's spent idling the time away with the locals, savoring everything as a get away from the world. However, it isn't so easy breezy as it would appear. With flashbacks to their younger years, these three sisters thrown together upon the sudden disappearance of their Grandma - don't want to be in the same state as each other let alone the same house. What tore this family apart, and what big secrets are they hiding now? Next door neighbor Connor drew them together, and it seems he's feeling just a little bit agitated by the youngest of the three, Maddy.
While I wondered at times the extent of the drama and difficulties these ladies had faced over the years, it seemed a little far fetched. Almost too much - but it is balanced out by the easy going and loving family that Connor's exemplifies. The contrast is clear. His inner strength and faith despite the trials he has suffered is endearing and I loved his character. There's a yearning for Connor & Maddy to find the peace they are both seeking. It's a tender story in many places - all the while giving you the feel you are there, feeling the sand between the toes with the warm breeze coming in off the Atlantic.
Beautiful story, really hoping it's not a standalone. Different angle with the major characters being a lot older than usual. I first discovered this author via her Nantucket Island stories. It feels so good to be back by the Ocean. Loved it!
Thanks to Thomas Nelson for the eARC. This is my honest review.
I really enjoyed this book! It was different than Denise Hunters normal formula for a love story, but I liked it! Having a story with not just the characters falling in love, but also with the three sisters relationships gave the book some depth and kept me interested and engaged until the last page. Well done!!
I enjoy Denise Hunter’s books a lot, particularly her older ones. I liked this book in a new setting and will be interested to see if it becomes a series!