The Summer of you and me, by Denise Hunter is a stand alone Christian contemporary story. This well written story is easy to read. The writing is so descriptive, it is easy to imagine the settings, people and happenings. This story is so realistic I felt like I was listening to a friend. Maggie and her daughter are spending the summer at her in-laws home while they are on vacation. While at a fair she sees someone that looks just like her late husband. Wanting to find him she turns to her late husband's brother, Josh, for help. While the two have always gotten along nicely, this time spent together grows their relationship.

This is such a good story. I enjoyed the way Maggie gets along with her late husband's family. I like how close she is to Josh and how he watches out for her and her daughter. I enjoyed how realistic the story is with how Josh's parents react to Maggie and Josh's new found relationship. This is a wonderful story of moving forward with life. I especially enjoyed the mystery behind the man Maggie sees at the fair and how he is connected to her. The ending really surprised me. This is a nice clean read story that grabbed my attention at the beginning and held it to the ends.

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

I*m always excited about the opportunity to read one of Denise Hunter*s books. Her small town stories and love, forgiveness and second chances are always so uplifting. This time, I loved the invitation to step into Maggie Reynold*s world and walk with her through grief and struggles of taking a chance at love while single parenting.

Widowed Maggie Reynolds has returned to Seabrook, NC for the summer with her tenacious 4-year-old, Zoey. When she sees her deceased husband*s doppelganger at the carnival, her heart stops and her mind races with what ifs.

I instantly connected to the characters and felt all the emotions as they discovered if love was a risk worth taking. Hunter*s exploration of unrequited love, abandonment, trust, and forgiveness kept me spellbound. I especially loved the examination of where we belong and who we consider home. Although I didn*t find myself in the book, I came away with a deeper commitment to be more welcoming and understanding. I*m quick to judge and Hunter always reminds us that her characters have more to them than meets the eye.

Maggie and Josh*s quest for the truth made for a compelling read - one that I*ll remember for quite some time!

I was gifted this copy by Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

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.

Completed: Mar. 24/25

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 doppelganger 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.

The Summer of You and Me did NOT disappoint. I have always enjoyed Hunter's works, but this one shined. Masterful plot twists, an unexpected ending, dealing with grief and forgiveness, and looking toward a hopeful, joyful future. So much packed into this novel.

Releases Apr 22nd. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.