"The Summer of You and Me" is an emotional novel of dealing with loss, but also finding yourself and a new love. Denise Hunter writes such emotional books and this one is no exception to that. Maggie's husband died 5 years earlier and she has been relying on his brother Josh for so much since his death. As she goes to the beach town where Josh lives for the summer, these two explore the possibility of more. Enter a young man that looks just like Maggie's deceased husband and a layer of mystery is brought into the book.

I liked this second opportunity romance book. Though most of the book is set in summer at the beach, the book does go later into the fall so I feel this could be read anytime of the year. I felt like most of the characters had relatable emotions (except for Maggie's mom who you aren't supposed to like). I liked Maggie's daughter Zoey a lot as well - she added a cuteness factor and provided some much needed lightness to darker moments and emotions from the adults in the book.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson and Netgalley for an opportunity to read an ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

No smut, easy story, wraps up nicely at the end...I’m always up for a Denise Hunter book!

Thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley for my advance reader copy in exchange for my honest feedback.

I am very grateful for clean romance stories but the plot for this one didn't sit quite right with me. I was looking forward to a sweet love based on years of friendship with some mystery thrown in, but the background for Maggie and Josh's romance made me feel unsettled. Denise Hunter's writing is easy and engaging but the characters themselves and their murky motivations kept me from wanting to continue the story.

Special thanks to the Publisher, Thomas Nelson Fiction, and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was my second novel by Denise Hunter and she’s amazing! In both of her books the characters are relatable and flawed, allowing the reader to connect with the story on a personal level. Pub date 4/22
This was a such beautiful story. It’s packed full of love, grief, family, friendship, forgiveness and even mystery. All of the characters (except Maggie’s mom 😅) are wonderful and so well-written, I couldn’t help connecting with them. The plot is very unique which makes the book even better.
Maggie and Josh’s friendship was so sweet, especially his enduring love for her. I really hoped they would get their “happily ever after”.
The author will take you on an emotional pursuit for answers. Along the way, you will think they have found their answers and another piece of information will change the course of their path. The twists and turns made it impossible to put this book down. I sobbed several times and even gasped out loud more than once.
Highly recommend 💕
Thank you to the publisher/author for the opportunity to read this complimentary advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. This book releases in April. I loved this story! The main character’s husband passed away in the military five years ago and she comes back home to her hometown during the summer. While she is at a carnival taking a picture a man walks in front of her camera and she realizes he looks just like her husband. She and her brother in law work together to solve the mystery. Such a good, sweet Christian romance. Highly recommend!

The mysterious man that looks like Maggie's dead husband is the twist that keeps this book moving.

I loved how Josh would drop everything to be there for Maggie and I loved how they worked together to find the mystery man and figure out why he looked like her late husband.

This book kept me guessing until the end. I liked the evolution of fthe mystery with a side of romance. This was kind of a quiet romance. Josh is just the ultimate guy that does everything he can for the woman he loves.

I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley. This is my honest review.

The Summer of You and Me is a sweet, clean summer romance with a touch of mystery. A perfect read for the pool or beach!

I was into it at first and at about 20% im like ok can we get this going? It felt so repetitive and so much of inner thoughts. I couldn’t do it anymore but I am curious about the strange man they saw, so darn

I have read Denise Hunter books in the past and enjoyed them. While I did like this story and it kept my attention, there were a few things about this book that bothered me. I felt that for a Christian fiction book, the main characters did not handle their questions in a Christian way by jumping to extreme suspicions and speculations. Also, without giving away the ending this book has some triggers that might be difficult for some readers. I personally recognize that the reality described may happen but I did feel that it hit a few nerves. Finally, while this book is technically closed door there was a lot of spice and descriptive scenes.

I received a complementary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this one! The writing was great, it had me not wanting to put it down, and I loved the mystery element. At first the romantic relationship between the main characters was really throwing me off, being that they were former in-laws and everything. But as the story continued I was able to look past it and take the whole story in.

After her husband’s death five years ago, Maggie is ready to find closure. Returning to Seabrook — the town where she and her late husband, Ethan, first became childhood sweethearts, she thinks she is finally ready to let go and have a fresh start. While enjoying the carnival with her daughter, the last thing she expected was to see her husband, or at least the spitting image of him. The event rattles Maggie and she and Josh (Ethan’s brother), go on a quest to find out the man’s true identity.

This book was playing out like a Hallmark movie while I was reading it. It’s overall a great, clean, summer read and I really recommend it! ☀️🎡🌊

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction.

Five years ago Maggie was married to Ethan until he was killed by an IED. She was still loved and cherished by his parents and family, especially Ethan’s brother, Josh. She always felt welcomed especially with her and Ethan’s child Zoey to share. Josh was always there for Maggie, but she never saw him as a love interest. From friendship to feelings that are tentatively reciprocated until unexpectedly fate intercedes. Fate will either bring Maggie and Josh together in this endearing book, or forever break the bonds of what a family could be.

This novel is the book equivalent of having the softest blanket + the best homemade hot cocoa + the coziest chair near a fireplace + an amazing mountain view. [Insert blissful, contented sigh here.]

I've read a number of Denise Hunter novels and I truly believe they keep getting better. I've read the advanced copies of her last few and I gave her last release 5 stars. Yet... I love this one even a little more. (You'll have to read it to understand!).

This wasn't an easy story. Some may look at a romance developing between a widow (Maggie) and her late husband's brother as unacceptable or weird. I wondered how the author would handle it, yet she did it so well that it was endearing. Maggie had been widowed nearly five years and they'd always been close friends. He was a huge support system to her and the baby girl born after her late husband was killed. She had no idea he had feelings for her since they had met as teenagers. She dated and married his brother so he buried it and left it alone. Rightfully so.

It's truly a beautiful story of being yourself and taking a chance. You can't help but respect Josh and Maggie both. The depth of their friendship and mutual support is incredible. The ZING between them makes you want to grin ear-to-ear in a most ridiculous fashion.

The mystery element in this book is so intriguing. Maggie spots a doppelgänger of her late husband through her camera lens while at a carnival. She shares it with Josh and they're both shell-shocked. You find yourself wondering all the plausible scenarios right along with Maggie and Josh. It is a journey of discovery in more ways than either of them ever expected. There is joy, disappointment, shock, anger, heartache, and incredulity. And the HEA...happily ever after...is OFF the charts -- arm pumps, squeals of glee, and more blissful sighing cannot be helped.

I cannot recommend this *unique romance with a twist* enough! Be prepared to read from cover to cover in an oh-so-uber-satisfactory-way!

>>> HUGE thanks to Thomas Nelson and Net Galley for providing an advanced reader copy of this novel. This is my voluntary review and in my own words.

It’s been five years since Maggie lost her husband. This summer getaway to Seabrook is her chance to finally find closure and move on. While visiting a carnival on the boardwalk with her daughter, she sees her husband in the crowd. Unable to reach him in the sea of people, she calls her brother in law, Josh, (who has been in love with her for years) to help her investigate and locate the man she saw. As they piece together this mystery, she starts to see Josh in a new light.

A Christian romance that is so heartfelt, with a splash of mystery to keep you on your toes. There was a lot of emotion and depth throughout the story that pulls on your heartstrings!

Thanks to NetGalley & Denise Hunter for this sweet read! 💛

This was a beautiful story of two people trying to come to grips with tragedy and navigate the complexities of life after loss. The author drew me into the storyline and portrayed compassion and empathy for the main characters. This book also discussed several issues that are found in today's world and how to navigate them with a Christian worldview. It was a unique story and unlike any other that I have read before. I would recommend this as a quick and easy read.

The Summer of You and Me
Denise Hunter
April 22, 2025


Maggie is heading home to Seacrest, North Carolina. Each visit is difficult. Ethan´s family is there. She promised to come back for the summer. School is finished and her 4 year old daughter is ready to see her grandparents. They will be staying in their guest cottage. Each year since Ethanś death is almost as tough as the first year. She was pregnant when he left. He never met his beautiful baby girl. His folks still pressure her to dwell on his existence. Her sister in law, Erin has become her best friend. She helps but the only person who cares about her needs is Joshua, his brother.
The Summer of You and Me will be published on April 22, 2025 by Thomas Nelson. I was able to read and review Hunter´s latest novel via NetGalley. I appreciate being allowed to read the advance copy of her latest book. Once again she provides her readers with a passionate story of a family's struggles with an unfortunate loss. It is most difficult for his widow. How does she create a new life for herself and perhaps find a new father for her daughter. Family is not enough to overcome the loneliness of being alone. This excellent story is delightful. Readers will find it a welcome journey for the protagonist. Do enjoy!

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for an advanced e-reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The Summer of You and Me by Denise Hunter is the first book I’ve read by this author. I really enjoyed the relationship and connection between Maggie and Josh - it was very easy to root from them despite the conflicts they face. Occasionally the storyline was a bit slow for me and I found myself struggling to finish, however by the end of the book I found I still enjoyed reading it. The slight mystery aspect to it was a plus!

An unforgettable summer...

I feel as though I have done The Summer of You and Me a disservice as I read a book before hand that had a very similar plot. Because of this, what I felt was missing in The Summer of You and Me was highlighted by what I had enjoyed so much in the previous book. I also felt as though the writing did make it hard to find the characters believable or to connect to the characters, but I am one reader who rarely connects with characters. The plot line of The Summer of You and Me is one of my favourites, so I did think this was an okay. I was surprised towards the end with the twists and turns which is a bonus!

First 5 star read of the year! Wow, at first I was put off by the relationship dynamic of the MMC & FMC but the storyline was so good I was able to look past it. The FMC was married to the MMC brother who has passed away some years back making the love interests former in-laws.

The story also had some mystery elements as a young man who happens to look like the FMC deceased husband randomly pops up in town. So they go on a mission to find out who this man is and why does he look like her husband.

The writing was spectacular. I was intrigued from beginning to end. This was definitely a page turner. I stayed up all night reading this because I just couldn't put it down. The way the author was able to use her words and writing style was indescribable. I felt like I was watching a Hallmark movie in my mind. This was my first book by this author, however it won't be my last. The chapters were short and easy to read as well. This is a 10 out of 10 will recommend.

This is the story of Maggie and her young daughter who are still trying to recover from the death of her husband. Her brother in law Josh has been her rock all along. When Maggie sees someone who looks just like her husband, her world is overturned and she is left with many questions. Was her whole marriage a lie? She and Josh are on a mission this summer to figure it all out. This is a great easy read and I finished it in 2 days. There were a few twists that I didn't see coming and that made it even more enjoyable. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. This was my first book by this author and I'd love to read more of her work.

Denise Hunter tackles a variety of issues in this heart-warming and uplifting story. Maggie, a young widow with a five-year-old daughter, Zoey, has gone to spend the summer at her in-law’s beach house. Maggie’s brother-in-law, Josh, lives near the beach house, and he has been her friend and a great support person since the death of her late husband Ethan. Their summer takes on a whole new look as the days go by. Intrigued by a mysterious person and heartache from grief and loss and unknowns are wreaking havoc on what was supposed to be simply a delightful summer by the sea leading up to the 5th anniversary of Ethan’s death. Don’t worry, the story basically has a happily ever after in the end, but it is hard to make it to that point. Lots of tears and hardship are in store for Maggie, Josh, and their families. However, what I appreciated a lot about this book, besides the wonderful characters, the excellent plot, and the multiple conflict points, is how Denise Hunter tackles difficult inter-personal relationships, specifically, difficult family relationships. She does not dodge them or make them pretty on the outside, rather she delves in and walks the characters through situations that we likely encounter with loved ones or close friends in our own lives. Maggie’s mother is narcissistic and the author walks her through those interactions and that situation quite well, with Maggie needing to set boundaries and talk things through with someone else. Josh also has a difficult relationship in his life, and the author again walks Josh through some difficult conversations and the reader can see the results of that. This is something that has been lacking in Christian fiction for a long time, and it is so refreshing to see it and learn from it. I highly recommend this book. It is a great, summer-themed literary escape and it is also a great personal growth book too. Read it. You won’t regret it!