THE SUMMER THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING is a study of some really dysfunctional people with relationships that bely imagination. Brenda Novak stretched her creative muscle in thinking up this odd group of characters. And then assigned them roles in a crime sequence that defied even the best armchair detective from solving. Sure there was a myriad of clues. But surely these clues were just meant to be puzzling. So you might say THE SUMMER THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING is a puzzle with all the pieces scattered upright on the table. All in clear view and yet impossibly regarded as too odd to be possible.
We are all together as Lucy Sinclair decides to visit her father Mick McBride in prison. He is currently serving a life sentence for not one but three murders. Lucy has not seen or heard from him in fifteen years. Mick had told his then seventeen-year-old daughter to never contact him. He had made a mess of his life. But for Lucy he had up to then managed struggling with alcohol, running a trailer park, somewhat supporting the two of them. For all his faults Lucy still loved her dad. Perplexing for sure.
The murders didn’t seem connected in any way. And yet the investigation led to the conviction. Mick was found guilty by the DNA evidence found at the site of the murder of an elderly couple that lived in the trailer park. Mick was found guilty of the murder of a teenage girl by what was circumstantial. What perplexed Lucy was her dad didn’t fight the judgement for the couple. But he had said to Lucy that he didn’t kill Aurora.
Lucy is puzzled by Micks remarks which sets the stage for her setting out to see if there wasn’t a possibility that there was a killer at large. No one was looking. No one seemed to care. The killer was in prison. What exactly happened seventeen years ago. The case is closed. And now Lucy finds herself unpopularly digging into the circumstances of three dead people.
THE SUMMER THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING is a study of what mistakes we make as teenagers can often follow us through life. Somewhat innocent associations can unfortunately change the direction our lives take. The town is divided into wealthy folks that summer at this shore and those that are full time residents. Those are the folks that work on the island and are at times snubbed by the part timers. Mick and Lucy were part of the hard scrabble that eked out a living. When Mick was incarcerated, Lucy had to make her own way which found her in Vegas. Coming back home was the last thing Lucy ever thought of doing. But she was willing to use the summer to get clarity of what her father hinted at. There might just be a murderer still on the island.

This is my first book by Brenda Novak and she is now added to my must read list! I instantly connected with the characters and was invested in them individually and how the would be together. It was a perfect mix between true crime and romance with a great HEA.

This is an ARC Review. I want to thank Brenda Novak and Harlequin Trade Publishing for allowing me the chance to read this book ahead of release day!

This book by far passed every expectation I might have had for this book. This was my first book by Brenda Novak and it absolutely will not be close to my last. Her writing style matches my every existence. It had the perfect balance of dialogue, backstory and description. Lucy and Ford’s history only made their current reunion all the better. Knowing Ford was there along the way to assist Lucy find the truth. It’s just the truth isn’t as easy to find as any of us would hope. The twists and turns of trying to figure out who exactly did it and why was never ending. Just when I picked my top suspect it changed again a few chapters later. The mix between mystery and romance genres is exactly the read everyone needs.

I like how this was a mix of romance and mystery. Normally I am not a fan of too many elements going on, but this was a nice read. My first one from this author.

Lucy returns to her hometown intent on proving that her father did not commit all of the murders that he was currently in jail for. She is intent on determining the truth behind what really happened. Her arrival in town was not greeted fondly by the residents, as they did not want old memories and wound to be reopened. Lucy is surprised to find that her high school boyfriend Ford is also in town as he is figuring out his future as his marriage falls apart. Lucy and Ford are drawn together and become partners in finding the truth.

The first 25% of this book was slower for me and harder for me to get hooked in the story. However, the second half of the book had a much faster pace with several twists that kept me reading quickly.

Exactly what I expect from Brenda Novak. This book has a little bit of everything. Fast read. Throw this one in your beach bag this summer.

Thank you #netgalley and #harlequin #mira for the eARC.

What a story! This is the first mystery by this author in a while and she hasn’t lost her ability to write a good mystery. Although we find out fairly early in the book who committed one of the three murders in question the suspense builds as it gets closer to that truth being revealed. It was a complete shock to me to find out who was responsible for the other murders. The suspense builds as the story moves along and I was never quite sure what was going to happen next. If you’re a fan of a good mystery/thriller book with some romance you will enjoy this book. I couldn’t put it down and read it in one day. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I really enjoyed this book. I liked the fact that Ford came back and proposed. It was really romantic. I love reading romance books that have a happy ending, I'm grateful that netgalley and the publishers let me read this in exchange for an honest review

She 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 this book was very slow to me. Especially the first 1/3 of the book that felt extremely repetitive and could have been condensed to about 2 chapters. 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.

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.

Novak never disappoints! This story is a beautifully layered blend of romance, self-discovery, and the weight of the past. Lucy’s return to her hometown is steeped in tension, but it is not just about uncovering the truth. It is about confronting memories, reclaiming her voice, and navigating the undeniable pull of first love. The romance between Lucy and Ford carries years of history, simmering with longing and regret. Their connection is raw and real, set against a backdrop of a town that holds as many secrets as it does whispers of redemption. The writing is immersive, pulling you deep into an atmosphere thick with suspense and emotion. It is a story of forgiveness, of finding clarity in the most unexpected places, and of love that refuses to be buried.

4 stars! ⭐️ Brenda Novak does it again! This page turner was a perfect mix of mystery and romance!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A wonderful mystery that takes Lucy on a wild ride trying to prove her father’s innocence 15 years later. With a small town against her it’s not an easy task.
This versatile author is still at the top of her game no matter what she writes it’s hours of enjoyment.

I flew through this one!

It's suspenseful, filled with drama and interesting characters. I rooted for Lucy the whole time. Her father was convicted of triple murder but she thinks her dad is innocent. However, the whole small town they lived in turned on her when her dad was arrested, including her boyfriend Ford. The books starts with her returning the the town years later to uncover the real killer.

I was immersed in this story. The plot was compelling, dramatic and mysterious. It kept me guessing which I liked in the mystery books I pick up. Who wants to be able to guess who the culprit is? The writing drew me in and kept me sat. Lucy was such a wonderful character. I really liked her a lot. Ford took some getting used to but he came around to team Lucy so he won me over. The romance was a well done second chance romance. I liked seeing these two reconnect and repair their relationship. Plus the chemistry between them was pretty good too.

If you like mystery books with a sprinkling of romance, give this a try. You won't be able to put it down.

When I see a book by this author I rarely even read what it's about before diving right in.
Lucy's father was convicted of a triple murder when she was 17. One of the murders just doesn't sit right with her even after all this time. So she goes back to where it happened. Not only is she back but her ex boyfriend Ford as well. He abandoned her after her father was arrested. The whole town kinda turned on her. So they aren't super happy to have her back in town. But Lucy is determined to figure out who is responsible for the teen murder because she doesn't believe her dad is.
I really enjoyed this book. I got really invested in who could have done it and loved how ford and Lucy started to reconnect.

The Summer that Changed Everything was an enjoyable, at times slow read for me.

I love mysteries/thrillers that have a little romance on the side. Unfortunately the romance didn’t work super well for me because I never found myself interested in Ford, our MMC.

Lucy I really enjoyed! And the mystery/crime elements were fun to follow though mostly predictable. Though not all mysterious, it’s fun to know some things before the characters and be waiting for them to figure it out. I was on the edge of my seat about how things would unfold.


Thank you to Harlequin and NetGalley for the eARC!

We’re all driven by something. For Lucy McBride, it’s getting at the truth, righting a wrong. With her father, Mick McBride, in prison for the last 15 years, she’s had plenty of time to think and concludes that something just isn’t right about her father’s conviction in Lucy’s friend’s death. She returns to the small town where she was raised and begins campaigning and investigating on Mick’s behalf.

I enjoyed the look at small-town life; the allegiances and the willingness to paint everyone with the same brush. I applauded and cheered on Lucy as she faced everyone to find answers. The chemistry and connection with Ford Wagner added to the story.

This was a great balance of love, suspense and family dynamics.

I was gifted this story by Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

this was my first book by this author but i enjoyed my read!! i found myself fighting at first to get into the book but about 70 pages in i was hooked and ready for it to never end

Romantic suspense is one of my favorite sub-genres, and I always find myself thoroughly hooked by Brenda Novak’s captivating storytelling! Therefore, I was absolutely thrilled to dive into her latest novel, “The Summer That Changed Everything”! The story centers around Lucy Sinclair, who, after leaving her hometown fifteen years earlier, returns to confront the ghosts of her past. Her father was convicted of a horrific crime—murdering three people—and Lucy is convinced that there’s more to the story than what everyone believes.

Upon her arrival in the town that still whispers her family’s name, she discovers that her high school boyfriend, Ford Wagner, is also back for a brief visit. Ford was not only her boyfriend but also one of her good friend, yet he shattered her heart the moment he turned away from her, siding with the community that ostracized her after her father’s arrest. Now, with Ford in the midst of a difficult divorce and Lucy determined to unravel the truth behind her father's shocking actions, they find themselves in a complicated emotional web where they both could use a shoulder to lean on.

As the tension builds, I was completely on the edge of my seat, excited to see how Brenda Novak would weave these two complicated backstories together. The way she masterfully blends the elements of mystery, suspense, and romance is truly remarkable! I believe she doesn’t receive enough recognition for her incredible talent in crafting nail-biting mysteries that keep readers guessing until the very end. “The Summer That Changed Everything” is a compelling five-star novel that deserves a top spot on your summer reading list— very highly recommended!

This is my first time reading a book by this author and I absolutely loved it! I look forward to reading more of her books in the future. Thank you NetGalley and Mira for this advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review.

This gripping novel by a must-read author pulls you in from the first page and doesn’t let go. Lucy Sinclair returns to North Hampton Beach after 15 years to prove her father’s innocence. At just 17, her world was shattered when her father was convicted of murdering three people, including her friend Aurora. The entire town turned against her, but now, Lucy’s back with questions about what really happened that night—and she’s determined to find answers.

Lucy isn’t alone in her search for the truth. Her ex-boyfriend, Ford Wagner, has also returned to town, escaping a crumbling marriage. Though wary of Lucy and her mission, Ford soon finds himself drawn back into her life. Together, they work to uncover the secrets the town has buried for years, enlisting the help of a private investigator to dig deeper into Aurora’s death. But as they close in on the truth, they realize there are those in this small coastal town who will do anything to keep the past hidden.

The characters are complex and compelling, and the chemistry between Lucy and Ford is electric. Their shared history and growing partnership add an emotional depth to the suspenseful plot. The author does an excellent job of building tension, weaving in twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very end.

The atmospheric setting of North Hampton Beach, with its small-town secrets and haunting past, adds to the story’s intrigue. Lucy’s determination to clear her father’s name and confront the truth about Aurora’s murder is both inspiring and heartbreaking, making her a protagonist you can’t help but root for.

This novel is a perfect blend of mystery, romance, and drama. It’s an emotional, edge-of-your-seat thriller that will have you racing to the final page. If you love stories about digging into dark secrets, confronting the past, and second-chance romance, this one is not to be missed. I always recommend any book by Brenda Novak, one of my favorite local authors.