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The Summer of You and Me

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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.

351 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2025

342 people are currently reading
18166 people want to read

About the author

Denise Hunter

86 books4,670 followers
Denise Hunter is the award-winning author of more than 40 novels, three of which have been adapted into Hallmark movies.

Denise writes heartwarming, small-town romances, peopled with layered characters who have real-life issues. Her readers enjoy the vicarious thrill of falling in love and the promise of a happily-ever-after sigh as they savor the final pages of her books.

In 1996, Denise began her first novel, writing while her children napped. Two years later it was published, and she's been writing ever since. Her books contain a strong romantic element, and her husband says he provides all her romantic material, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too!

Denise and her husband live in Indiana, where they raised three sons, and are currently enjoying an empty nest.

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 763 reviews
Profile Image for Darla.
4,824 reviews1,227 followers
April 11, 2025
This one gets five shiny, Summer stars from me. 😎

Up until I read this upcoming release, I had only picked up one Denise Hunter book. To be honest, I was a bit underwhelmed.

Not long ago I saw this one available in audio on NetGalley. Here I am just four days later -- already done. I would turn it on to walk the dog and then kept listening in the car, during other chores, etc. It was hard to put down.

Here are five elements that made this a real winner for me:

😎The summery setting with the MC Maggie staying at a beach house and enjoying outside time with her four-year-old Zoey and extended family.
😎The mysterious stranger. How could someone who looked just like her husband be walking around in the town they once lived in as a married couple.
😎A military widow representation and a look at the aftermath of losing that loved one during deployment overseas.
😎The extended family of Maggie's beloved husband Ethan rallies around her and has such a healthy and life-affirming attitude.
😎That Epilogue was simply delightful. What a heartwarming ending to Maggie's sometimes stressful Summer.

Bonus reason: That cover! 🎡

Thank you to Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for both an audio and digital ARC of this release scheduled for April 22, 2025. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Oceana Reads Co..
952 reviews2,354 followers
June 27, 2025
I loved everything about this!

The characters, plot, mystery, romance, conflicts - ALL PERFECTION.
Josh 😍

Highly recommend!!!!

Tropes & Triggers: no language, only kissing, second chance romance, childhood friends, death of husband, toxic parent relationship, single parenting.
Profile Image for theliterateleprechaun .
2,441 reviews217 followers
November 30, 2024
I’m always excited at the opportunity to read one of Denise Hunter’s books. Her small-town stories about 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.
Profile Image for Casey Reads 🌸.
433 reviews410 followers
July 22, 2025
Maggie’s husband Ethan died years ago, but she suddenly sees what appears to be him in a crowd. Is it really him or is she just having trouble moving on?

I enjoyed the mystery of this book and who the mystery guy was more than the actual romance. I found the book way slower than I would have liked. I think this should have been about 50-75 pages shorter.

I will say the twist of who the guy was surprised me. What I had suspected the whole book turned out to be wrong.

This will probably appeal to people who like more of a slow burn with a little mystery mixed in. It was good, but nothing memorable in my opinion.
Profile Image for Sandysbookaday (taking a step back for a while).
2,625 reviews2,473 followers
April 24, 2025
EXCERPT: Maggie lifted the phone and stepped back to capture the entire ride. Camera in place, she waited for Zoey to glance over, but her daughter was busy working the car's steering wheel. When the ride circled back around, Zoey glanced up and flashed a smile.
But a passerby blocked the shot. Maggie's gaze homed in on the screen. On the man.
A tsunami slammed into her heart.
She gaped at his face even as he exited the frame.
It couldn't be. She lowered the phone and searched the crowd. There he was, disappearing into the fray.
She charged that way, her attention pinned to the spot where she'd last seen him. There. Just a car's length away, striding in the other direction. She followed, her body surging with adrenaline, her eyes wide, afraid to blink. She laser focused on the white ball cap, bobbing in the sea of people.
She crashed into somebody, glanced down as a young boy caught his balance. "Sorry, honey." Breathless words scraped from her throat, barely audible.
She glanced around, frantically seeking. In that brief moment she'd lost sight of him. Where was he? Where was he? She scrambled toward the spot where she'd last seen him, the juncture where the walkway split in three directions.
She turned in circles. No sign of him. The white hat was nowhere to be seen. Her breath hitched. Her heart shriveled. She had to return to Zoey before the ride ended.
Still she searched, growing dizzy with the motion, the spinning rides, the blaring music. With the soul-crushing realization he was gone. The unbelievable realization of who she'd just seen.
Ethan.
Impossible. She gave her head a shake. Her mind was playing tricks on her again. It couldn't be Ethan. It absolutely couldn't be her childhood sweetheart, the only man she'd ever loved, the man she'd married and conceived a child with.
Because he was killed five years ago at his military post in Pakistan.


ABOUT 'THE SUMMER OF YOU AND ME': 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 of 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 at all.

MY THOUGHTS: Some time ago I read a book with a similar plot and wasn't particularly excited by it. That wasn't a problem with Denise Hunter's The Summer of You and Me which I found to be a touching and emotional read.

I can't begin to imagine the feeling of being pregnant and widowed. To cope with being a single mom for four years and then to see your dead husband's face . . . ?

Along with a second chance romance, one that not everyone in Maggie's life approves of, there is a mystery regarding the identity and the parentage of Maggie's husband's lookalike.

I liked the gentle way this read progressed. It wasn't in any hurry to get anywhere; it wasn't overly dramatic or OTT (maybe with the exception of Maggie's mom who is a WITCH!). I appreciated the slow growth romance and the candor of Maggie's daughter Zoey (NO filter!). I totally understood Maggie's reservations about becoming involved with Josh, but all the time I was silently cheering them on.

The mystery keeps the book from becoming too saccharine and really had me scratching my head as Maggie and Josh managed to disprove theory after theory. The actual answer was one I hadn't even considered but was entirely plausible.

I did feel that there was far too much information on the plot contained in the blurb - it exposes more than 50% of the plot, leaving little to discover in the read. So I am going to recommend that you don't read the blurb immediately before beginning the book.

It is definitely not a smooth road for Maggie and Josh, but it is an enjoyable journey for the reader. I'll definitely be reading more from this author.

⭐⭐⭐.8

#TheSummerofYouandMe #NetGalley

MEET THE AUTHOR: Denise writes heartwarming, small-town romances, peopled with layered characters who have real-life issues. Her readers enjoy the vicarious thrill of falling in love and the promise of a happily-ever-after sigh as they savor the final pages of her books.

In 1996, Denise began her first novel, writing while her children napped. Her books contain a strong romantic element, and her husband says he provides all her romantic material, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too!

Denise and her husband live in Indiana, where they raised three sons, and are currently enjoying an empty nest.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for providing an audio ARC of The Summer of You and Me written by Denise Hunter and narrated by Kim Churchill. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
Profile Image for Gloria.
1,137 reviews162 followers
April 13, 2025
The Summer of You and Me is an emotional roller coaster of a story that ran the gamut of feelings. Maggie and her in-laws are to spread her deceased military husband's ashes over the ocean this summer. But when someone who could be his doppelgänger is at the beachside carnival, things are upended for her and Josh, her brother-in-law. Could Ethan be alive? I honestly could not see how the story could end in a happy way. But ultimately, Denise Hunter pens a tale with twists, turns, healing, surprises, faith, and love in a way that is so sweet and heartwarming. Highly recommend this story.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review. These are my thoughts.
Profile Image for Karren  Sandercock .
1,313 reviews392 followers
May 15, 2025
Maggie Reynolds husband passed away five years ago, it’s time for her to accept he’s gone and move forward. Maggie and her four year old daughter Zoey plan to spend the summer at Seabrook, where she and Ethan first met and fell in love.

Josh Reynolds is Maggie's brother-in-law and he and his sister Erin are her best friends and have supported her through losing Ethan. Josh has loved Maggie for years, but his brother won her heart, and should Josh finally tell her how he feels and if he does will he push Maggie away and upset his family. While in Seabrook and at a carnival she glimpses a man in a crowd who could pass for Ethan's twin, Maggie has two choices contact her grief counsellor as soon as possible or tell Josh and together they try to find the mystery man?

The narrative focuses on topics such as being high school sweethearts and losing your soulmate, is it wrong to fall in love with your deceased brothers wife and people’s attitudes towards this scenario, letting go and moving forward, single parenting and the theory of everyone having a twin or could it be something much more complicated and is Maggie and Josh prepared for the repercussions?

I received a copy of The Summer of You and Me by Denise Hunter from NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction and in exchange for an unbiased review. I really liked Maggie’s character, it wouldn’t be easy to be a widow at such a young age, raise her daughter alone and juggle work and her mother.

Ms Hunter is known for writing faith based and heart-warming stories set in small towns, about love, longing, forgiveness and new beginnings and five stars from me and I highly recommend.
Profile Image for Amanda (BookLoverAmanda).
710 reviews1,011 followers
July 2, 2025
The Summer of You and Me by Denise Hunter
5 Stars
BLOG POST: https://bookloveramanda.blogspot.com/...


Set in North Carolina, Maggie has been grieving the loss of her husband the last five years. She is taking pictures one day with her little girl at the amusement park one day and thinks she sees someone who looks like her late husband. Her brother-in-law, Josh, helps her figure out this odd mystery....and who the man is that looks like her late husband. Soon...feelings happen and they try to navigate them, through grief and how to handle the romantic feelings that are happening.
Loved Josh's character so much, he was a great guy. This is a clean romance, with no language. There are not many faith elements (couple of prayers during moments of grief) as this is just a clean read. Audio narration is great!

The way the grief in this book was explored was beautiful and the ending had me in tears with the revealing of everything in the mystery aspect. This felt realistic in many ways.

- Clean summer romance books
- Light mystery elements
- Childhood friends
- North Carolina setting
- Death of husband / grief storyline
- Toxic relationship with mother/daughter
- Single Mom Trope
- Great dialogue

Definitely recommend!
Profile Image for Robin Hatcher.
Author 120 books3,252 followers
December 11, 2024
This story pulled at my heartstrings from the first chapter right through to the last. I longed for Maggie and Josh to find their happily ever after, despite the emotional rollercoaster they were on. Denise Hunter has written a beautiful story, filled with the complexities that come with loving others, especially members of our own families.
— Robin Lee Hatcher, Christy Award-winning author of Wishing for Mistletoe and To Capture a Mountain Man
Profile Image for Anisa Brown.
67 reviews9 followers
March 23, 2025
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.
Profile Image for mads ꫂৎ.
196 reviews29 followers
February 17, 2025
2.75 stars | I was really excited when I started this book because of how unique the plotline sounded but I didn’t love the execution of it unfortunately. I loved the mystery aspect of this book but a lot of the other parts of this book just didn’t hit for me.

To start off, the pacing felt very off in my opinion. For the first 75% of this book I really struggled to connect with the characters and was very bored. Then, within the last quarter of the book the plot twist is unraveled (very quickly) and all this information is just thrown at you. It felt pretty messy (in my opinion). Towards the end there’s a ton of information thrown upon the reader; and to me it felt like it came out of nowhere and kind of unnecessary. With the information that is given it leaves the reader with questions and it gives the sense that the story is unfinished. The ending just felt a bit off to me.

I did like how this book dealt with the heavier topics that were in it. It didn’t brush over them at all, and really took the time to discuss them with a good amount of detail. I also really liked the main two characters that this story focuses on.

When I first finished this book I felt extremely conflicted on how I felt overall. It’s not necessarily bad, but I just don’t have a lot to say on it. At the same time I didn’t love it. It feels very middle ground to me.

Thank you to netgalley for sending me an arc to review. As always, thoughts are my own, and are no way influenced by early access to this title.
Profile Image for KellyJ1028.
533 reviews79 followers
January 22, 2025
Each time I read a book by Denise Hunter, I am never disappointed. Her writing style is something that resonates with me completely. This is a cute Christian romance story with some mystery & intrigue woven in. I think it is different than her other books but in such a
good way . Maggie is a widow & mom, coming to terms with her husband’s death. It has been 5 yrs since Ethan was killed during a war. Maggie and her daughter return to Seabrook, the place where she grew up & fell in love with Ethan. While visiting her in laws, she goes to a fair in town, she sees a man that looks just like her late husband. As her and Josh ( Ethan’s brother) start investigating he confesses his feelings to her , he has always had a crush on her. The characters were written with such emotion and depth , and had flaws like the rest of us, which made it that much more relatable.

This book had a little bit of everything.. mystery, love, family dynamics, healing and personal growth. I loved this story and it may be my new favorite.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Profile Image for Susan.
1,493 reviews206 followers
April 29, 2025
THE SUMMER OF YOU AND ME by Denise Hunter squeezed my heart relentlessly over and over again. It is all about family and faith and totally heart tugging. It had me flipping through the pages like a woman on a mission. I had to know what was going to happen to Maggie and Josh and all the secondary characters. All of Denise’s characters feel genuine and relatable and put your emotions on one heck of a roller coaster ride. As you are reading, you will find yourself cheering for all of them, praying they can work out their problems and be happy once again. You will also wonder how much heartache a person can stand before they completely break down and shatter.

THE SUMMER OF YOU AND ME is filled with family drama, forgiveness, mystery and romance. It is also an emotional rich story, so much so that it just might be the best novel that I have read by Denise Hunter so far.

THE SUMMER OF YOU AND ME is the story of Maggie, who lost her husband five years ago. She decides to spend the summer in their old home town once again even though she knows the memories will probably be many and very painful. She is supposed to spread his ashes with her in laws, but before that happens, she spots someone who looks exactly like Ethan. Hang on people, THE SUMMER OF YOU AND ME is an intense and crazy ride.

THE SUMMER OF YOU AND ME is a quick read that you can easily read in one sitting and love every minute of it. It is one heck of a crazy emotional roller coaster ride! I have never met a Denise Hunter book that I didn’t love and once I started reading I knew I was going on one heck of an emotional journey! Whatever you are reading, put it down, and run and get this book! If you’ve never read a Denise Hunter novel (and you know who you are) this would be a perfect one to hook you!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.
Profile Image for Carly.
247 reviews35 followers
May 13, 2025
This was such a cozy summer read with sweet romance and a dash of mystery. I loved the carnival atmosphere as well and the journey of growth the characters went on. I will continue to look forward to what Denise Hunter writes!!
Profile Image for Candy.
504 reviews68 followers
April 23, 2025
I loved this story so much, it might be my favorite story of hers! I love how each of her stories are written with such heart and realism. The characters are perfectly flawed like all of us and you feel all the emotions they feel!

Maggie is a war widow and coming to terms with living without her husband. It’s been almost 5 years and her and her 5 year old daughter are visiting her in-laws seaside town for the summer. While at the carnival she sees someone who is the spitting image of her deceased husband. She immediately calls her husband’s brother Josh, and he rushes to the carnival to try to help her find the guy. What is going on? Why is there someone in their town that looks exactly like her husband who supposedly died 5 years ago.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy.
Profile Image for Dana Michael.
1,401 reviews179 followers
April 22, 2025
The Summer of You and Me is my new favorite book by Denise Hunter! I loved the characters and the storyline. This book had a mystery to it that kept me riveted! There are twists that blew my mind! I absolutely loved the ending! I listened to this book and the narrator was perfect for the performance. I highly recommend this romance!
*I was given a copy of this book by Thomas Nelson Publishers, and this is my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Deborah Raney.
Author 77 books682 followers
May 20, 2025
4.5 stars. It took me a little while to get into it, but once I did I couldn't put it down. Very sweet and not at all predictable. Denise Hunter really made me feel the attraction between Josh and Maggie. I loved the extended family too, even though it took me a while to remember who everybody was in relation to everybody else. Recommended!
Profile Image for Madison.
1,088 reviews71 followers
December 21, 2024
At the start of the summer holidays, this book came at the perfect time. A summer read, a story of new love, past hurts, a touch of mystery and the delightful, never-let’s-you-down writing of Denise Hunter.

This summer is a chance for Maggie to finally find closure after her husband’s death five years ago. It’s time to find a fresh start and she does it better retuning to the place she and her husband created so many memories. But as she and her daughter are enjoying themselves at the carnival, the last things she expects to see is her husband, or at least the spitting image of him. Her first instinct is to call Josh, her husband’s brother, her friend and rock through the years of grief. Together they start to piece together the mystery of the man she spotted and the implications for their family. Working together helps her see Josh in a new light, a way he’s been hoping for, but never daring to try, for years.

As usual, Denise Hunter pens a delightful romance, with heartfelt connection, authentic reasons for the love interests to connect and spend time together. The mystery of the man who looks like Maggie’s husband should seem far fetched but it is just the perfect emotional addition to the story. And it really kept me guessing right up until the end.

Josh is a fantastic guy, loyal, faithful and continually there for Maggie. His long burn love for her has changed many things in his life but he never wavers from not pressuring her and being there for her in any way he can.

Maggie’s five-year-old daughter, Zoey is a vibrant addition to the story and brings many smiles and laughter to the page.

The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.

I devoured this book and found it the perfect way to unwind and start the summer.

Find more reviews, reading age guides, content advisory, and recommendations on my blog Madison's Library
Profile Image for Cara Putman.
Author 66 books1,896 followers
May 8, 2025
Denise Hunter is a favorite romance of author of mine this book features the slow-burn, flash romance between a widow and her brother-in-law. Kind of a second-chance romance, but not really. There’s a mysterious man who pulls the past into today with a mystery that has to be confronted, a mother who is awful, a cat of supporting characters that are wonderful, and a path to growth for the hero and heroine that is real and angst laden. It’s a summer romance with heart. ❤️

I really enjoyed the audiobook too. It was well-produced.
323 reviews3 followers
December 14, 2024
I’m mixed on this book. On one hand, I felt it was so respectful of the complex situations it navigated, the ending tied things up nicely without feeling rushed or random, and I appreciated the cast of supporting characters having their own depth. On the other hand, it felt a bit slow paced and I found it hard to get really invested for about 75% of the book.
Profile Image for Victoria (TheMennomilistReads).
1,569 reviews16 followers
August 18, 2025
3.5 stars
This is a story about a young widow who has a little girl growing up without her father. It is hard for them both, but they are doing their best. Thankfully, the widow, Maggie, is close to the brother of her late husband. His name is Josh. He has always had a thing for Maggie and is ready to tell her, when at a carnival, Maggie spots someone who looks just like her husband. This leads to all sorts of thoughts and investigations by Maggie and Josh. Who is this guy? Is it maybe her husband? Maybe he didn't actually die? Why wouldn't he want to be with his wife and meet his daughter who was in the womb when he died?

This was a sweet family tale about love, discovery, and getting through grief. It is also about how to handle toxic controlling parents.

I would NOT call this a Christian book though. They went to church like one time and didn't really talk much else about the faith.

The story was engaging and very cute. The characters were relatable, lovable, and filled with emotion. I liked the human aspect of it.
Profile Image for Angie Miale.
1,102 reviews140 followers
November 18, 2024
Maggie sees a man at a carnival she thinks is her husband who died in the war 5 years ago. She teams up with her brother in law who has always carried a torch for her. They try to determine if he somehow survived the bomb and how he has showed up. They explore every opportunity and fall in love along the way.

Folks, this one was not for me. It started out slow and dragged a lot getting to the big reveal. No spoilers, but there was a bit of an "ick" factor for me in Maggie and Josh's relationship since he was her husband's brother. The Will storyline I also found to be a bit unnerving. Didn't love this story, but I really enjoyed the character of Maggie's daughter, Zoey and her conversations with her mom. It is hard to write kids' dialogue well and this was excellent. I would have loved more Zoey.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson fiction for the ARC. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Profile Image for Suzanne Roq.
323 reviews30 followers
June 1, 2025
I was completely engrossed in this story of family and friendship, lost and found, loss and love.
It's a unique story line and I couldn't figure it out until Denise's story unfolded the truth before my eyes. I loved every moment of reading this lovely romance. Update to add that the audio recording narrated by Kim Churchill is stellar.
Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for providing a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Jazz .☘︎ ݁˖.
160 reviews15 followers
June 15, 2025
Romantic drama with an exciting blend of mystery!

I really enjoyed the dynamic between Josh and Maggie—the connection was undeniable! However, I wish their relationship had more buildup. Yes, the connection was there, but it felt like things moved too fast with them romantically, which missed a lot of the emotional depth that could’ve made their story better.

There was something about the pacing and structure of this that felt a bit off to me—I can’t pinpoint it, but certain parts didn’t deliver.

The plot twist was the best!!! I didn’t see that coming at ALL. I was literally freaking out, but it turned out to be so wholesome that I cried.

Even though the story didn’t reach its full potential, it was still an entertaining and emotional read that I’d recommend! Definitely worth diving into.

The audiobook was the best pair for this read; if you read it, PLEASE listen along to it. It makes it so much more engaging!

𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙉𝙚𝙩𝙂𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙮 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙍𝘾 & 𝙖𝙪𝙙𝙞𝙤𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠!

Book itself: 2.6 ★
Audiobook: 4.1 ★
Profile Image for Johneice.
66 reviews
August 1, 2025
I honestly don’t know what to say! This book exceeded all of my expectations! 🥹😁 I have been wanting to read Denise Hunter’s books for a while now! So, when I finally was able to borrow this book on Libby, I was so happy. My goodness, everything about this story was so good. The plot, characters, mystery, romance, just ahhh! ❤️❤️❤️ LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!! I loved the author’s writing style! The way that she crafted this story was so beautiful to read. I loved the mystery that was mixed in with the romance, and that was only a part of it. I loved Josh, Maggie, and Zoey! Josh will DEFINITELY be added to the book boyfriend list. 🤭😂 All of the other side characters (expect for Maggie’s mom, I could not stand her 😡) were great to read about as well. This was a very thought provoking story, and I thought I had it all figured out, when I in fact, did not! I will for sure be reading more books by Denise Hunter. 10/10, would recommend! 🥰
Profile Image for Jo|Ruth Reads.
652 reviews80 followers
July 21, 2025
Wow, just wow. I did not see all the twists and turns coming in this one. It’s a classic friends to more romance where he falls first and hard, but it’s also layered with mystery that keeps you hooked. I was completely blindsided by the ending in the best way. I absolutely loved it. This was only my second book by Denise, and I’m officially hooked. I’ve already started collecting more of her work.

When Maggie finally feels ready to move forward after the death of her husband, the last thing she expects is to come face to face with someone who looks exactly like her late husband. How is that even possible? Someone is hiding secrets from the past, and now they’re bubbling up at the worst possible moment. The timing of the lookalike’s appearance couldn’t have been worse.

Josh has loved Maggie his entire life, but as the wife of his late brother, she was always off limits. This summer, he’s finally ready to tell her how he feels, but he doesn’t know if she’ll ever see him that way. And with the mysterious lookalike stirring up confusion and old wounds, his long-awaited confession might not get the chance it deserves.

Y’all, this was such a page turner!!! And Josh, oh Josh. He is absolute perfection through it all. Patient, selfless, with a heart of gold. Even after having his heart shattered when Maggie married his brother, he stayed by her side, always giving, always supporting. It’s the ultimate friends to more love story, and it stole my heart.❤️
I gave this one 4.5, rounded to a 5!

I need to read more books by Denise ASAP!
Profile Image for Tamara.
899 reviews11 followers
March 24, 2025
Maggie Reynolds is finally ready to move on after the death of her husband, Ethan. This is good news for her brother-in-law, Josh, who has been in love with Maggie forever even though she chose his brother first.

Maggie is finally ready to move on and begins dating Josh to see where things between them go. But it isn’t smooth sailing as they tell their family. To add to that challenge, they see a man who looks just like Ethan, except his name is Will. At first, Josh and Maggie assume it’s his Dad but when he vehemently denies it, they begin to think maybe Will’s father may be Ethan’s.

I really liked this easy-reading novel by Denise Hunter, it had some twists that I didn’t expect but it still came with a side of HEA!

My gratitude to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson. All opinions expressed are honest and mine.
Profile Image for Sara.
258 reviews
June 2, 2025
I wasn't going to rate this book, but I have to because it contains one of the dumbest unnecessary plot components I've ever read.

You mean to tell me that the FMC married her best friend's older brother and then when her husband is killed while deployed asks her younger brother in law to be her "birth partner"?? Not the sister in law/best friend?? In what world does someone ask their BROTHER IN LAW to be their birth partner?!?!?? THAT GIVES ME SO MUCH ICK.

It didn't get dumber from there, but it didn't get better either. Literally finished it just so I'd feel qualified to protest because ew ew ew ew 🤢
Profile Image for Alayna | Literarily Persuaded.
67 reviews
March 7, 2025
2.5 ✨
Y’all this was… interesting…
I really don’t know what to make of it. It was just interesting. The storyline, the plot, the characters… interesting. And not necessarily in a good way. It felt very odd, and not something I really enjoyed.
The writing was superb though. It sucked me in, and I loved reading the words written, just not the story. It’s really hard to write good, realistic young children, and this author definitely did that well.
I just sadly found everything else in the story very odd. The family relationships at the end of the book are *complicated* to say the least. How on earth do they keep everything straight???
It was sadly just a miss for me.

*thanks to NetGalley, for giving me an E-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
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