Summer Secrets

by Danielle Hughes

Some secrets are buried beneath the surface. Others lead you right to love.

When journalist Summer Holland returns to the lakeside town of Silverbrook, she’s chasing a story—one that’s been hidden in old newspaper clippings and long-held grudges. But what starts as a simple research trip quickly turns personal when she meets Patch West, a charming carpenter with a sun-kissed smile and a mystery of his own.
Neither of them knows their pasts are tangled in the same decades-old feud that divided their families and the town. As sparks fly and old wounds resurface, Summer and Patch must decide whether to walk away—or fight for something new.
Set against the golden glow of lake days, small-town secrets, and second chances, Summer Secrets is a sweet, feel-good romance about love, legacy, and the healing power of the truth.

They came searching for answers — but what they uncovered was love.

106 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 20, 2025

About the author

Busy mum to four gorgeous kids, Danielle loves reading, watching and writing fantasy stories for middle-grade and YA readers. She also dabbles in sweet, cozy romance and loves a classic Hallmark movie.

Reviews

[Ariana Copeland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very sweet

Loved this little Romeo and Juliet love story of a family feud that destroyed families and friendships. Seeing it all come together in Patch and Summer was touching and beautiful.

[Shawna Z · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this story in exchange for an honest review, however that does not influence my thoughts here.

This novella-length story is a quick read- I believe it took me about an hour from start-to-finish, but there is a lot of charm packed in here.

It’s the first time I have read anything by the author, and I wouldn’t mind trying her other works and get a better feel for her writing style, but she writes in a clear and engaging voice which is as refreshing as a cold lemonade on a hot summer day.

At its heart this is about Summer Holland, a newspaper reporter on a holiday from work and Patrick “Patch” West, a carpenter and furniture restorer. Both are in Silverbrook to visit their grandparents. Summer because she’s trying to find information regarding the old feud between the Monroes and Whitakers that began decades earlier. Patch because his mother’s recent death has him curious over a box of letters and half a heart charm necklace that his mother had tucked away that Patch and his father knew nothing about.

Of course in this small town the two meet at the local library and attraction sparks and quickly moves to something deeper and richer either could image… up until the moment an innocent conversation has them realizing Summer is a Monroe and Patch is a Whitaker.

Can this budding romance stand against the ongoing feud or can they somehow find a way to reconcile their broken families?

Summer and Patch are likable, if in the way that you can’t help but love a gentle golden retriever. A little too perfect, but neither feels plastic, and instead you’re left wanting to know more about them. The grandparents are seriously testy though, and I wonder if a few more moments of them being decent people in normal conversations could have gone a long way. Not a full-length story, however, as I think that would have stretched the storyline out to a breaking point.

A perfect summer day read swinging in a hammock under a shady tree or out at the beach. Completely clean romance story

[booklovingcat222 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this charming novella-length romance. From the very first page, I was captivated and found it hard to put down. The connection between the two main characters was beautifully portrayed—it gave me all the warm fuzzies. I especially loved how the story unfolded so naturally, with just the right balance of emotion and pacing. A delightful read that left me smiling.

Thank you to the author for this ARC.

[Kylie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful novella that is a fast paced love story. Patrick and Summer are really likeable and I found myself more than once smiling at the thought of them together and how their story unfolds. A couple of beautiful moments highlighting the importance of connection and forgiveness.
Definitely would love for their story to keep going, I wanna read more about them.

[Nicholynn Harrel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC book.

This story is a modern take on Romeo and Juliet with a much happier ending. It is a quick cozy read that just made me happy.

[Davette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute and cozy romantic short story. Left me wanting to know more.

I received an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Laura Moylan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a clean and cozy romantic story about how two families had worked together to make their town better- Silverbrook. But, things fell through because Whitaker decided to keep the town the way it was. But, since the town is a Lakeside resort the town took sides. Arthur Montrose is Summer’s grandfather and the person who wanted to build the Resort, with George Whitaker. Since this caused the Montrose’s to lose a lot of money, there were a lot of problems. Friendships and feuds happened. Summer Holland decides to visit her grandparents and learn more about what happened from the little bit she saw in a newspaper clipping and because she is a journalist. Her mother, Lillian went away to college and we find out that she ended up losing her best friend, who was a Whitaker. While in Silverbrook, Summer meets Patrick ‘Patch’ West, whose mother Juliet, had recently passed and he found in her things something that he wanted to return to her friend. We learn a lot about the history of the town and Summer and Patch end up getting romantic before finding out who they truly are and then problems arise. I found the book to be a little boring in places and put it down quite a bit, but that is just me.

I received this advance reading copy for free and am voluntarily leaving this review.

[Belle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a perfect bed-time treat. A short, sweet novella that contained enough mystery and chemistry between characters to keep me engaged.

Summer is a journalist on a family mission to discover her family's history and stumbles across an intergenerational feud. Patch has just buried his mother and has discovered a locket that belonged to her childhood best friend that he wants to return. Meeting each other at the local library, they are unaware they are researching each other. Sparks fly and soon both families are involved.

I received this novella as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Linda Kushnir · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the first page, my attention was grabbed and I found it difficult to put the book down! It was a gripping read. I could hardly wait to see how the plot , which is excellent, would be carried out! I certainly was not in any way disappointed! I only wish it were a full blown novel instead of a novella so I could spend more time in this delightful town, and with the main and back story characters. Kiddos to the author for providing such a pleasant enjoyable read!

[Ami Jacobs · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet clean (only kisses and holding hands) contemporary short romance story that showed a town overcoming its differences, leading to a cute romance. It was a quick little feel good story that was satisfying to read!