The Summer of You and Me by Denise Hunter

 The Summer of You and Me

Book Summary

Maggie Reynolds is finally ready for love again—until the past shows up in the form of someone who may or may not be the late husband she thought she'd lost.

Five years after her husband's death, Maggie is finally ready to let go of him and the dreams she had for their future. A summer at Seabrook, where she and Ethan first became childhood sweethearts, seems the perfect time and place to find closure. Plus, she gets to spend time with his family, the Reynoldses, whom she loves like her own.

Unbeknownst to Maggie, her brother-in-law, Josh Reynolds, has been in love with her since they first met all those years ago. But his brother ultimately won Maggie's heart, and Josh's unrequited love has ruined all his relationships. If Maggie is ready to move on, then Josh is ready to lay it all on the line and come clean about his true feelings for her.

But his plans soon get put on hold when, shortly after Maggie returns to Seabrook, she runs into a man who could pass for Ethan's twin. But he disappears into the amusement park crowd before she can confront him.

The event rattles Maggie, stirs up impossible questions, and sends Josh and her on a quest to discover the man's true identity. But their search ends up raising more questions than answers—and soon Maggie isn't sure she wants those answers after all.

My Thoughts

The Summer of You and Me by Denise Hunter has Maggie Reynolds and her daughter returning to Seabrook Island, South Carolina for the summer.  I found the premise for The Summer of You and Me interesting, but the book failed to draw me in.  The story was overly dramatic in places and unbelievable in others (I rolled my eyes more than once).  It is an emotional story.  Maggie’s feelings ran the gamut as she deals with the grief over her husband’s death (he has been dead for five years) and the new feelings for Josh, her brother-in-law and friend.  I wanted to tell her to pull it together (she has a daughter who needs her and knows when her mother is upset).  I felt the drama with Maggie’s mother was unneeded (there was enough going on). Maggie’s mother behaved like a child, and I do not know why Maggie fell for her mother’s schemes each time.  

The storyline with the deceased husband’s double was predictable thanks to a tidbit the author tossed in that did not flow with the rest of the story.  I tried but I was unable to connect with the characters and it did not help that the story moved at a leisurely pace. The Summer of You and Me is a clean, Christian story (attending church, prayer, no swearing or intimate situations).   I did not feel that the title fit the story because it was not just Maggie and Josh.  There was Maggie’s daughter and Josh’s family (Maggie is staying in her in-law’s home).  I have been branching out to try different authors and genres to get me out of my reading rut.  Unfortunately, The Summer of You and Me was not my cup of tea. While it did not suit me, if the premise appeals to you, I encourage you to download a sample to check it out for yourself.

The Summer of You and Me is available from Amazon.  You can find Denise Hunter's other novels here. The images today are of Seabrook Island, SC where The Summer of You and Me was set.  Denise Hunter has The Second Story Bookshop coming out October 7. Thank you for joining me today.  I hope everyone had an enjoyable Easter. My mother and I had a quiet day. She loves her Snoopy Easter Bunny that does the bunny hop and the little woodstock in a decorated egg costume.  Tomorrow, I will be sharing my thoughts on Written in Stone by Paige Shelton.  It is the tenth novel in A Scottish Bookshop Mysteries. I hope that you have a an uplifting day.  I am heading out to run a couple of errands. Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

Before We Were Us by Denise Hunter

 Before We Were Us

Book Summary

She can’t remember. He can’t forget.

When Lauren Wentworth wakes up in the hospital after falling from a ladder, she has more questions than answers. Way more. She knows where she is—the wilds of New Hampshire. But she’s apparently lost the last four months of her life. Is she really contemplating forfeiting her big-city dream job for a position at a rustic resort? And how did her number one nemesis become her adoring boyfriend?

Jonah Landry is crushed to learn Lauren has forgotten their entire summer together. Terrified of losing her for good, he determines to help her remember their deep connection as she finishes her obligation to the resort. But soon it becomes apparent Lauren doesn’t want to remember falling in love with him or rethinking the entire course of her career. She wants to pretend the summer never happened and move on with her life. Without him.

As Lauren falls back into the steady routines of resort work with Jonah, she’s relieved her memories haven’t returned and remains resolute about her big-city future. But as autumn leads into winter, she begins to see glimpses of the Jonah she’s forgotten. Will she be able to resist the steady love of this patient man? Or is her heart destined for its own freefall?

My Thoughts

I found Before We Were Us by Denise Hunter to be a predictable story. It begins the day of Lauren’s accident.  It does not give readers a chance to get to know the characters or their history before the main event.  The story goes back and forth between the present and the months leading up to the Lauren’s accident.  I was not a fan of Lauren.  I found her attitude and behavior frustrating. Lauren was unkind to Jonah (I am being kind with my phrasing). I felt bad for Joanah who was being very patient. I liked Dr. Carson, and there was potential for this character.  I enjoyed the descriptions of the Pinehaven Lodge and the surrounding area (sounds like a beautiful place to reside and vacation).   I wish the author had captured New Hampshire because, based on the descriptions, the lodge could have been located in any New England state.  The Christian element is light.  There are repetitive details, and the ending was rushed.   I wanted to like Before We Were Us, but I did not.  Unfortunately, Before We Were Us is a forgettable tale.  

Renovated barn for wedding venue

Before We Were Us is available from Amazon*.  While Before We Were Us did not resonate with me, I suggest you download a sample to see if it appeals to you.  You can find Denise Hunter's other novels here.  Thank you for visiting today.  I am taking a little vacation next week in honor of my birthday. It is not everyday that a person turns fifty-five! I am hoping to pesuade my mother out of the house, so we can go out to dinner (I do not want to cook on my birthday). I have also been burning the candle at both ends, so I plan on relaxing (some cat naps on the couch).  I will return on Tuesday, September 24 with K-9 Ranch Protection by Darlene L. Turner.  I hope that you have a relaxing weekend and a cheerful week.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

*This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.  Thank you for supporting The Avid Reader.

Bookshop by the Sea by Denise Hunter

Bookshop by the Sea 

Book Summary

Bookshop by the Sea by Denise Hunter has Sophie Lawson within days of her dream of owning a bookstore becoming a reality.  She must first get through her sister’s wedding and prevent any disasters from occurring.  Sophie must also deal with seeing her ex-boyfriend, Aiden Maddox for the first time in seven years.  She is still angry over how and when he left all those years ago.  After the wedding, Sophie falls to sleep in the beach house she is borrowing until her apartment over the bookshop is completed.  She hears noises during the night and finds Aiden entering the house.  A hurricane is bearing down on the town which means his flight was canceled and all the hotels are booked.  Sophie has no choice but let Aiden stay until the storm is over.  Sophie still cares for Aiden, but she does not know if she could trust him again.  She is also worried about getting the bookstore ready in time for her opening.  The day is set, and a famous author will be arriving to do a book signing.  Aiden’s feelings for Sophie have not changed in seven years.  Can Aiden convince Sophie that he has changed?  The pair have a lot to talk over and plenty of time with a hurricane on the way. 

My Thoughts

Bookshop by the Sea by Denise Hunter is a sweet Christian romance.  It contains Denise Hunter’s conversational writing style which draws the reader into the book.  The book has realistic characters.  I like that the characters were not perfect.  It gave them a chance to learn from their mistakes and grow.  I just love Pippa, Sophie’s dog.  She was such a sweetie.  I enjoyed the descriptions of the Piper’s Cove.  It sounded like a quaint town where I want to live.  The residents are just great.  This is a special community where people help each other in time of need.  They are a welcoming bunch.  Sophie had a vision for the bookshop that was special.  I could relate to her love of books.  My favorite phrase from Bookshop by the Sea came from Sophie when she said, “I love how books can transport you to another place.”   For those who love Christian romances, you will thoroughly enjoy this charming tale.  While it is a lovely story, it is predictable and there are repetitive details.  I like how the Christian elements were woven into the book.  There are good life lessons learned by our characters.  We see that we are never too old to learn from our mistakes and change our ways.  I appreciated the epilogue that nicely wrapped up the book.  Bookshop By the Sea is a story about healing, forgiveness, realizing dreams, and second chances.  

Bookshop by the Sea is available from Amazon*.  You can find Denise Hunter's other novels here.  Thank you for visiting today. I will be back tomorrow with Under the Cover of Murder by Lauren Elliott. It is the 6th A Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery.   I am off to do some work in our yard.  I am planting flowers out front and I need to add rock along the side of the house where the down spouts drain (Too much water.  It looked like a lake during the recent rain storms).  I hope that you have a gratifying day.  Take care of yourself, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.