This book somehow had me feeling ALL the things. It was sweet, nostalgic, hopeful and romantic. The idea of seeing your deceased ex spouse is... Well, really sad. I loved the MMC in this, who is also her (former??) brother-in-law. Such a sweet love story with actual boundaries and healthy conversations being had.

My first by Denise H. Loved!

4.5/5.0

Denise Hunter is one of my favorites, and I always look forward to picking up her new titles. I had no idea what to expect when I went ahead and gave this one a try, but wow what a touching and poignant story, and it may just be my favorite book she's ever written.

The Summer of You and Me tells the story of a young man named Josh who's been in love with his brother's wife since they were teenagers. After his brother's death, he grows even closer to Maggie, but doesn't know how he'll ever be able to cross that line. When a chance encounter at a carnival with someone who shares an uncanny resemblance to Maggie's deceased husband occurs, it sends both Maggie and Josh on a quest with questions they may not actually want the answers to. Along the way, feelings begin to emerge between them that leave both dreaming of happily ever after, but can they ever move past everything between them to find their way there?

A story that left me thinking about it many days after I finished it, this wonderful romance is truly Denise Hunter at her best. The reader gets to follow along on every moment building between Josh and Maggie, while also getting to try and help them solve the mystery of who exactly is this doppelganger along the way.

The writing is heartfelt and wonderful, the romance was angsty and swoon worthy, and the mystery honestly had me second guessing everything at every turn and I still wasn't prepared for how everything was going to reveal at the end.

Without a doubt, this is one of my favorite reads of the year, and I can't possibly recommend it enough.

I applaud the author on delivering another fantastic clean romance that's truly unlike anything she's ever written before. I'd say the faith element is a little light, but it is still there and I enjoyed that fact.

Final Rating: 5/5.

I can't possibly recommend this one enough, especially if you enjoy sweet romances with a side of mystery.

Thanks so much to Thomas Nelson for allowing me to read and review this title!

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary advance reader copy of this novel from the publisher (Thomas Nelson) via NetGalley. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and this is my honest review.

Just let me say, I was so excited when NetGalley approved my request to read Denise Hunters new upcoming book. This book is such an emotional story about Maggie and Josh. They have been in each others lives for many years as friends. Well that is what Maggie believes. Josh is the brother of her late husband and has been there for her. It’s been five years and Maggie and her daughter, Zoey, are returning to Seabrook this Summer to spread her late husbands ashes with his family. This book will definitely pull at your heart strings with all the emotions in in this story. Hunter did a great job telling this story. I highly recommend you add to your list.

It was a slower start for me on this one, but once I got more into the mystery and drama of it I enjoyed it! I loved the grief of a spouse displayed in this story, it felt raw and messy which the reality. I also adored Maggie’s relationship with her daughter, it was so sweet! However, I didn’t buy into the romance between Maggie and John and it just felt trauma bonded to me. John was obsessed from the start and Maggie felt removed for most of it. I didn’t enjoy the comparison of John to her late husband.. idk didn’t hit for me. I didn’t NOT enjoy this book, but I wasn’t in love. The ending wrapped up well for me and the plot twist bumped up the stars.

Maggie and Ethan met and fell in love as teenagers. Ethan's brother Josh has had a crush on Maggie since they were teenagers but he has never told anyone, least of all Maggie. Maggie and Ethan marry and Ethan joins the service as a paramedic. Ethan is killed in the line of duty. Maggie is pregnant with their first child, Zoey. It's been 5 years since Ethan was killed. Maggie goes back home to stay in Josh's parents home at the beach for the summer. Josh and Maggie spend a lot of time together doing things with Zoey. When they take Zoey to the fair, Maggies see a young man that look a lot like her deceased husband. That sighting sets a search in motion. Will they be able to solve the mystery? Did Ethan cheat on Maggie and have a son? Did Ethan and Josh's dad cheat on their mother and have a son? So many twists and turns in this sweet love story. You won't want to miss it! I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed are my own. #netgalley #summerofyouandme #thomasnelsonfiction

This book wasn't quite sure what it wanted to be and wasn't my favorite Hunter title. I can't quite put my finger on why.

You can always count on a heartwarming and cozy story from Denise Hunter and The Summer of You and Me is a perfect example! This might be Hunter’s best story yet.

This story has it all: Love, Grief, Romance, Insecurity, Second Chances, Family, Single Parenting, Unrequited Love, the Beach and a mystery to top it off!

The characters are well developed with compelling back stories that grab your interest and keep you reading. It’s classified as Christian romance, but it’s not overdone or in your face. I expect to see this as a future Hallmark movie!

Buy this book to enjoy this summer! It is a sweet story that will have you feeling good.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

"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! 💛