The Summer We Let Go

by Hope Holloway, Cecelia Scott

Seven summers. Two families. One beach house. And a diary that holds all the secrets.

Vivien Lawson thought she was doing the right thing when she walked away from Peter McCarthy months earlier. But when he returns to Destin, distant and firmly in the friend zone, Vivien is forced to confront an unsettling truth—she may have let go of the one thing she’d always wanted.

When Tessa Wylie takes on an unexpected responsibility, she discovers a depth of love and purpose she never dreamed possible. Lacey is facing a difficult decision she simply cannot make without losing something, or someone, dear to her. And Crista comes to Destin for a respite during pregnancy only to reveal that her perfect life might be anything but perfect.

Determined to prove her daughter’s suspicions are wrong, Maggie persuades Jo Ellen to set out on another quest in their iconic red T-bird. This time they’re searching for the truth, so a few rules may get bent, some boundaries crossed, and they’re certain to end up precisely where they shouldn’t be.

Set against the white sands of Destin, this is a story of second chances, unexpected love, and the courage it takes to release the past in order to claim the future.

The Destin Diaries -- A 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)

Genres: Fiction, Womens Fiction, Romance

376 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 27, 2026

Reviews

[Linda Langford · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heart-tugger. This family and their friends continue dealing with a myriad of relationship and family issues, but they are very close. Great fifth installment for The Destin Diaries series!

[Lisa Purple · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful read!

Loved the continuation of the storyline and can't wait to read the next 2!!! These books remind me of my family, although we dont live coastal, we are close and enjoy spending time together when it allows. So I appreciate the narrative, keep up the good work and thank you for a real life series!

[Mary Sanford · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Summer We Let Go

I enjoyed the whole book. The way all of the couples finally realized they were meant to be together and Olive came into the life of the person who helped her mom. Everyone saving the bridge from being torn down. You have to read the next book to find out every one ends up.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Summer We Let Go” returns us to Destin, Florida and more adventures with the Wylie and Lawson families. There is suspense, heartache, struggles, new love, and big decisions. In the end there is a lot of letting go for everyone but these families are always there for one another. What a great new story in this series, but one can definitely read as a stand alone book. Loved it and can’t wait for the next book!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Summer We Let Go brings us back to the beach in Destin, Florida with the Lawson and Wylie clans and all their shenanigans. The matriarchs, Jo Ellen and Maggie, make a life changing decision. Tessa takes on the responsibility of taking care of a cute, precocious two year old little girl. Vivien regrets breaking things off with Peter. Lacey has a difficult decision to make involving her boyfriend and her job. There is so much heart, love, and emotion in the book which made it very difficult for me to put down. The story revolves around family, both biological and found families. As always, you can read each book individually but I highly recommend the entire series. I fell in love with all the characters and am already anxious for the next installment.

[Pj Ausdenmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Summer We Let Go brings readers another hopeful, humorous, and heartwarming installment in the Destin Diaries series. I love the interweaving of multiple generations of these two families. In this fifth book (of the 7-book series), we have new beginnings, self-discovery, surprising decisions, and a lovely "letting go" tradition that I think I'm going to add to my own life, although maybe without the bridge.


If you enjoy family - and family of the heart - sagas with hope, faith, humor, romance, and characters you'll want to spend the summer at the beach with, I enthusiastically recommend this book and series. This is a series where each book builds upon the previous one. In my opinion, it's best enjoyed by reading the books in order.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Summer We Let Go is a delightful return to Destin, reuniting us with the Lawton and Wylie families. Hope Holloway and Cecelia Scott do such a great job of bringing in all the feels - the heartache, the angst, the joy of growing love, the frustration of questioning decisions, the freedom of letting go. There are life changing decisions, and always the support, love, and connections of family - the one a person is born with, and the one they create. I loved it and will anxiously await the next book.

[Julie Booklover · Rating 4 out of 5]

We are back to the beach in Destin, FL, we are a little over halfway in the series and I am still hooked on the Lawson and Wylie families. With this book comes the reflection on decisions. The resulting frustrations bring feelings of angst, love, heartache, and letting go of expectations. But always centered around family and support whether born into or found, and one of the reasons I love these two authors.

This book hit home, and I am ready for the next book in the series.

Thank you to the Authors for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved The Summer We Let Go. It’s an easy, emotional read with relatable characters and so much heart. The themes of starting over and letting go of expectations really resonated with me.

Some parts broke my heart, but they came together in such satisfying ways. A few storylines left me wanting more—which just makes me even more excited for what’s next in the Destin beach series.

You won’t find a better beach read!

[Neshama Mousseau · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love this writing team: separately and when paired up. This series got my attention frim book 1 and I really look forward to each installment. In this book, A lot of love relationships and deeper longings get sorted out. No spoilers. Read this book for a great beach read.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The summer we let go

Book 5 in the destin series.
The story of the Lawson and Wylie families. Along with many others.
Family, friendships, love, romance, uncertain futures along with hope faith and much more!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved getting back to Destin, FL with these families. There is so much love, strength, hope in this series. There was also some hard decisions that had to be made and many tears. It was so good and can't wait for the next one!

[Roberta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series has all the feels!

I have enjoyed every book in this series. The characters are all so relatable. I enjoy the monologue between the characters and watching them develop. I can fully relate to Maggie and Jo as a widow myself, although not quite their age.

[Michelle Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This whole series is a lot of fun! You can’t help but love each of the well drawn characters! I enjoyed the welcome surprise in this book involving Tessa and her protégé, who face similar predicaments. Well done ladies! Can’t wait for the next book!

[Lisa Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a long wait for this next book in the series, but it was worth it! The characters are so relatable, and I love that we follow three generations of these two families. I recommend the series to anyone who loves generational drama, clean romance, and good plot lines.

[Barbara Shuman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

At first there were so many characters I didn't think I could keep them straight. This is book 5 and I did not read 1-4. Some great families and friends a wait. I laughed and cried. You will really enjoy this story.

[Louise Barr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Family is forever


I can't wait for the next book about these people who do anything for each other. Life is to short, and what you think your future is can change in an instant?
Family matters more than anything else in our life's.

[Cathy Major · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love, love! I thoroughly enjoyed reading the Destin Beach series. All five books were so heartwarming and enjoyable that I could not put them down! Love reading about each character and relationships that intermingle. I certainly can't wait until Book 6 comes out!

[Gloria Bandsma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun and good

This was a This was a light-hearted fun book to read and following the characters has been a wonderful time I'm just sorry I can't read the next book 6 yet. The characters are wonderful and are true to life

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s so nice to be back in Destin! Perfectly drawn characters, twisty turny plots and an Oceanside setting make this a perfect-unputdownable read. Thank you for the ARC copy.

[SUSAN SKOGLUND · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun light Destin, FL story of family, love and friendship/ very enjoyable quick read!

[Jeannine · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book filled with lots of surprises

I love this series and can’t wait for the next one. It’s hard to wait to see what happens next in their lives.

[Josey Fansher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obsessed

Truly obsessed with this series. Love all the characters. Love the life of 1990s and how it comes back together. Must read series.

[Sarah Skinner · Rating 5 out of 5]

warm & sunny book!

Another great book in the Destin series! I read this one quickly, just two days, and now I have to wait for Book 6!!

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Family Adventures

I love read in about these families. Yes it’s a feel good read and easy to enjoy! Lots of drama, joy & love

[K H · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed this series so far and look forward to seeing where the characters go from here! I am looking forward to all the changes ahead for the characters as well.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was my favorite so far ❤️

This book had everything and I can’t wait to read the next one coming out soon. I sure it won’t disappoint.

[Beth Forsythe · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent series

This series has been great- i don’t want it to end! Every book has been a great read & i couldn’t put them down!

[Kathy Callander · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m all in

Each book draws me in to this special group of people. I can’t wait for the next book in the series to come out.

[Patrice DeLaPaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love each of these characters and their storylines, struggles and resolutions. I also love going back to Destin!