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The Destin Diaries #4
The Summer We Kept Secrets
Seven summers. Two families. One beach house. And a diary that holds all the secrets.
As the sun beats down on Destin, life at the Summer House takes a dramatic turn—starting with its tiniest new arrival. As Jonah settles into life as a single father of a newborn, he has to imagine a future he never dared to dream. When his seemingly perfect sister shows up with a few secrets of her own, the entire family dynamic is forced to shift.
Tessa is stepping into a new chapter—one that asks her to choose between playing it safe or taking the kind of risk that changes everything. And when Kate returns to Destin to see if her spark with Eli still burns, they face a test that could easily mean the end of this budding romance.
Meanwhile, Maggie must confront her deepest fears as she and Jo Ellen set off on a secret adventure that is equal parts heartstopping and hilarious.
In a season of sunshine and second chances, some secrets are meant to stay buried. But others will come to light and bring these two intertwined families ever closer...and forever changed.
The Destin Diaries -- A brand new heartwarming family saga co-written by bestselling women's fiction authors Hope Holloway and Cecelia Scott.
The Summer We Met (Book 1)
The Summer We Danced (Book 2)
The Summer We Made Promises (Book 3)
The Summer We Kept Secrets (Book 4)
The Summer We Let Go (Book 5)
The Summer We Celebrated (Book 6)
The Summer We Sailed Away (Book 7)
As the sun beats down on Destin, life at the Summer House takes a dramatic turn—starting with its tiniest new arrival. As Jonah settles into life as a single father of a newborn, he has to imagine a future he never dared to dream. When his seemingly perfect sister shows up with a few secrets of her own, the entire family dynamic is forced to shift.
Tessa is stepping into a new chapter—one that asks her to choose between playing it safe or taking the kind of risk that changes everything. And when Kate returns to Destin to see if her spark with Eli still burns, they face a test that could easily mean the end of this budding romance.
Meanwhile, Maggie must confront her deepest fears as she and Jo Ellen set off on a secret adventure that is equal parts heartstopping and hilarious.
In a season of sunshine and second chances, some secrets are meant to stay buried. But others will come to light and bring these two intertwined families ever closer...and forever changed.
The Destin Diaries -- A brand new heartwarming family saga co-written by bestselling women's fiction authors Hope Holloway and Cecelia Scott.
The Summer We Met (Book 1)
The Summer We Danced (Book 2)
The Summer We Made Promises (Book 3)
The Summer We Kept Secrets (Book 4)
The Summer We Let Go (Book 5)
The Summer We Celebrated (Book 6)
The Summer We Sailed Away (Book 7)
322 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 15, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
August 18, 2025
A Heartwarming, inspirational beach novel. Strong family relationships, and great childhood friends. This is book four of a series of six books, and quickly became a favorite of mine. I highly recommend.
August 3, 2025
The Summer We Kept Secrets continues the story of the summer house with the Lawson and Wylie families. It grabbed me and kept me captivated from the first page. It is filled with emotion, surprises, drama, family, and love. I laughed and cried - such a wonderful, heartwarming story! Although a person could jump in here, reading this series from the beginning is highly recommended - so many secrets, so many smiles, some heartaches, and above all, family that comes together for each other. I am loving this series!
April 10, 2026
I really enjoyed each of the characters. I love Tessa & how she knows what she wants after so many years of living off her looks. I was an Eli & Kate fan and hoped they would get together. This book pushed too much religion. Eli praising the lord out loud, hands in the air. He wasn’t like this in books 1/3. I had to skip ahead several times. Kate shouldn’t compromise her beliefs for him. Maggie being a control freak, happy she was tamed. It was a long long adventure with Jo Ellen. I had to again skip ahead.
Lacey & Roman who were just beginning their life were skipped over and basically in this whole book. They better open her eyes go for Peter. Jonah is 30 grieving with a baby, and again the Bible made him see life. Overall, this book didn’t feel like it went with the other three in the series & I couldn’t wait to be finished.. I’m just starting book 5, and I hope it’s better and back to the characters that I wrote to love in books 123.
Lacey & Roman who were just beginning their life were skipped over and basically in this whole book. They better open her eyes go for Peter. Jonah is 30 grieving with a baby, and again the Bible made him see life. Overall, this book didn’t feel like it went with the other three in the series & I couldn’t wait to be finished.. I’m just starting book 5, and I hope it’s better and back to the characters that I wrote to love in books 123.
August 17, 2025
WOW!!
This series just gets better and better!!! I have enjoyed all three books by Hope Holloway and Cecelia Scott in the Destin Diaries series but book four The Summer We Kept Secrets is beyond excellent!! Practically everyone in the family has a secret in book four. There is so much going on, just like the last three books. I thought revealing the secret of why the Lawson's & Wylie's had a thirty year falling out was so amazing! You find that answer at the end of book three, it made me figure all the secrets would go away, was I wrong!! Now I can not wait until book five to see what happens next. If you're into mystery, long walks along the sandy beach, surprises, laugh out loud humor, watching how God's hand changes things through prayer, faith and love - This books for you.
This series just gets better and better!!! I have enjoyed all three books by Hope Holloway and Cecelia Scott in the Destin Diaries series but book four The Summer We Kept Secrets is beyond excellent!! Practically everyone in the family has a secret in book four. There is so much going on, just like the last three books. I thought revealing the secret of why the Lawson's & Wylie's had a thirty year falling out was so amazing! You find that answer at the end of book three, it made me figure all the secrets would go away, was I wrong!! Now I can not wait until book five to see what happens next. If you're into mystery, long walks along the sandy beach, surprises, laugh out loud humor, watching how God's hand changes things through prayer, faith and love - This books for you.
August 19, 2025
We are back in Destin at Summer House. Secrets are revealed; new ones pop up. A lot of emotion, drama, surprises, but the central theme is family and love.
The Lawson and Wylie families are now friends. I look forward to visiting, getting caught up on the current news, and laughing and crying with them. Problems big and small are solved with support from all.
Even though my heart gets a workout, at the end of each book, I cannot wait to return.
Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
The Lawson and Wylie families are now friends. I look forward to visiting, getting caught up on the current news, and laughing and crying with them. Problems big and small are solved with support from all.
Even though my heart gets a workout, at the end of each book, I cannot wait to return.
Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
June 20, 2026
Continuing to enjoy this series and getting to know these two families. It’s a sweet, heartfelt series. I am
enjoying Eli’s faith and how he leads his family. On to book 5 !
enjoying Eli’s faith and how he leads his family. On to book 5 !
June 28, 2026
Loved the road trip in this book with Maggie and Jo Ellen. Ready for the next one!
October 10, 2025
This book just makes you fall in love with these amazing people
These books give you a front roll seat into a multi generational, dysfunctional, blended families. from the mom's of adult children, to grandmothers & great grandmother, children with children & grandchildren who together make of it seems like a breeze on a white sandy beach. The love and unloved, finding love in old friends, lost love whom is still grieved, and bonds of young adults who have turned into into old dear friends, midlife lovers finding a joy they thought would never come around again. All the things that make life a good lift. Be prepared to laugh, cry, be stunned and strained all in the same few pages.
These books give you a front roll seat into a multi generational, dysfunctional, blended families. from the mom's of adult children, to grandmothers & great grandmother, children with children & grandchildren who together make of it seems like a breeze on a white sandy beach. The love and unloved, finding love in old friends, lost love whom is still grieved, and bonds of young adults who have turned into into old dear friends, midlife lovers finding a joy they thought would never come around again. All the things that make life a good lift. Be prepared to laugh, cry, be stunned and strained all in the same few pages.
July 20, 2026
I was a little more annoyed with this book than the rest, but I really enjoyed the storyline of Jo Ellen and Maggie.
I’m not fond of the reader. It feels like she’s whispering a lot of the time, emotions are off, names are mispronounced and accents keep changing.
Meredith and Jonah really know how to bring on the drama. There was a lot of eye rolling. Although I do believe in God, I thought this book was very religious which I didn’t enjoy as much.
Maggie and Jo Ellen go on a road trip to pick up a car and their adventures are amazing. Maggie was someone who annoyed me from the start so it was nice to see her breaking down that wall and having a softer personality.
I give The Summer We Kept Secrets 3 out of 5 religiously dramatic, and self-deprecating thoughts.
I’m not fond of the reader. It feels like she’s whispering a lot of the time, emotions are off, names are mispronounced and accents keep changing.
Meredith and Jonah really know how to bring on the drama. There was a lot of eye rolling. Although I do believe in God, I thought this book was very religious which I didn’t enjoy as much.
Maggie and Jo Ellen go on a road trip to pick up a car and their adventures are amazing. Maggie was someone who annoyed me from the start so it was nice to see her breaking down that wall and having a softer personality.
I give The Summer We Kept Secrets 3 out of 5 religiously dramatic, and self-deprecating thoughts.
August 20, 2025
I love, love, love the Destin Diaries and all the characters. But now I'm crazy about Maggie and Jo Ellen. Their 'adventure' was so much fun I'm thinking of reading those chapters again. I'm praying for Kate and Eli, actually praying that Kate will understand prayer and Eli's faith. She's so smart (too smart?) and too hard-nosed scientific. They belong together. This is a dynamic and heart-throbbing series. Be sure to start with Book 1 so you don't miss any drama or trauma. Exceptional writing, too.
August 17, 2025
Family Love & Laughter
I loved this book! Lots of normal life challenges, family members with strong personalities but lots of love for each other. And the two grandmothers going on a road trip driving a stick-shift old convertible! Their antics made me LOL numerous times!!! Very well written with a storyline that is relatable and full of family love. A must read!
I loved this book! Lots of normal life challenges, family members with strong personalities but lots of love for each other. And the two grandmothers going on a road trip driving a stick-shift old convertible! Their antics made me LOL numerous times!!! Very well written with a storyline that is relatable and full of family love. A must read!
August 25, 2025
Five stars
Very good novel! The characters were very realistic and the families close and loving. I have been reading Hope Holloway novels for some time now and have been reading this series by Hope and Cecelia Scott from book one. I definitely recommend this series and applaud the authors for their work.
Very good novel! The characters were very realistic and the families close and loving. I have been reading Hope Holloway novels for some time now and have been reading this series by Hope and Cecelia Scott from book one. I definitely recommend this series and applaud the authors for their work.
August 28, 2025
Destin Diaries
Living in the vibrant coastal community of Destin, I found myself captivated by this remarkable series. The narrative weaves such an intimate tapestry that I feel deeply connected to the characters, as if they are my own family. The storytelling by Hope Holloway and Cecelia Scott creates an immersive experience that resonates with local readers and beyond.
Living in the vibrant coastal community of Destin, I found myself captivated by this remarkable series. The narrative weaves such an intimate tapestry that I feel deeply connected to the characters, as if they are my own family. The storytelling by Hope Holloway and Cecelia Scott creates an immersive experience that resonates with local readers and beyond.
August 14, 2025
The Destin Diaries is one of the best series! It’s a wonderful story with a brilliant portrayal of relationships; secrets, surprises, challenging love, and a road trip to end all. Cannot wait for the next one—-keep writing ladies! Thank you for the ARC copy.
August 16, 2025
secrets
Oh the secrets we keep. Makes for a very interesting story for sure. The two families in this book have certainly gone through a lot in the past and continue to in the future. Each situation unfolds in a very interesting and intriguing way. Loved it!
Oh the secrets we keep. Makes for a very interesting story for sure. The two families in this book have certainly gone through a lot in the past and continue to in the future. Each situation unfolds in a very interesting and intriguing way. Loved it!
August 24, 2025
One of the best series I've read in a long time.
I'm loving this series it great heart felt and surprising twist and turns . The families are amazing loving people whom care about there family's. Can't wait for the next book to come out.
I'm loving this series it great heart felt and surprising twist and turns . The families are amazing loving people whom care about there family's. Can't wait for the next book to come out.
August 25, 2025
Geez! Book 5 doesn’t come out until March!
I love this series and cannot wait for the next one. The true real life stories of all these people whose lives are intertwined are fascinating and heartbreaking along with heartwarming.
I love this series and cannot wait for the next one. The true real life stories of all these people whose lives are intertwined are fascinating and heartbreaking along with heartwarming.
August 26, 2025
Great Storyline, Full of Excitement and Love
I enjoyed this book and series. The multigenerational characters are are so well developed that you want to be a part of the family. I can’t wait for the next book!
I enjoyed this book and series. The multigenerational characters are are so well developed that you want to be a part of the family. I can’t wait for the next book!
September 4, 2025
secrets revealed. Love found. Prayers answered
Another great book by this duo. I look forward to the next chapter. All the characters are amazing and their stories just make me smile and at times cry. Hugs to the authors.
Another great book by this duo. I look forward to the next chapter. All the characters are amazing and their stories just make me smile and at times cry. Hugs to the authors.
September 6, 2025
I love this series- stories of families, friendships, love, faith, tragedies & joys.
The Destine vacation home brings them all together for a wonderful summer break, times of growth & learning, trials successes.
The Destine vacation home brings them all together for a wonderful summer break, times of growth & learning, trials successes.
October 17, 2025
Full of tense powerful love
I loved this continua tion of the Lawson
/Taylor beach saga. My sister and daughter would love this series. The two grandmas road trip was priceless fly funny.
I loved this continua tion of the Lawson
/Taylor beach saga. My sister and daughter would love this series. The two grandmas road trip was priceless fly funny.
November 5, 2025
DON’T MISS THIS SERIES!
I have enjoyed all of the books in this series but this book was the best one so far. The grandmother’s adventure had me laughing out loud and being 69 years old motivates me to get out there!
I have enjoyed all of the books in this series but this book was the best one so far. The grandmother’s adventure had me laughing out loud and being 69 years old motivates me to get out there!
August 17, 2025
Another great book!
I just love this crazy family. I laughed so many times while reading this book. Such fun characters and a heart warming story. Can’t wait for Book 5!
I just love this crazy family. I laughed so many times while reading this book. Such fun characters and a heart warming story. Can’t wait for Book 5!
August 17, 2025
Awesome
Each page of this book just keeps you mesmerized. Loving the series and look forward to more great books to read
Each page of this book just keeps you mesmerized. Loving the series and look forward to more great books to read
August 18, 2025
Loved it. A great continuation.i am in love with this family and their craziness. Definitely can’t wait for more.
August 20, 2025
I can't wait until the next book comes out!
August 22, 2025
What a great beach read. Love the series and can’t wait for the next one!
August 27, 2025
fun reading.
I really loved the Maggie -Jo Ellen story. It was so captivating. Keep up the good work and I’ll keep on reading!
I really loved the Maggie -Jo Ellen story. It was so captivating. Keep up the good work and I’ll keep on reading!
September 1, 2025
smiling
What a great read. I love Maggie and Jo Ann. Road trip ready Family first and amazing parents would recommend to any reader
What a great read. I love Maggie and Jo Ann. Road trip ready Family first and amazing parents would recommend to any reader
September 18, 2025
This was a great series. I am looking so forward to #5 in March.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews