The Summer We Celebrated

by Hope Holloway, Cecelia Scott

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

In Destin, the drama isn’t winding down—it’s deepening, carrying the families of the Summer House into a month marked by change, reflection, and unexpected reasons to gather.

An unforeseen newcomer unsettles Maggie in ways she never anticipated, challenging the forgiveness she thought she’d given her late husband. Kate and Eli face the tender, complicated work of aligning not just their lives, but their hearts, their faith, and what a shared future might truly require. And Meredith makes a surprising connection that stirs emotions—and possibilities—she never saw coming.

As the families gather to celebrate Tessa's breathtaking beach wedding, they face the risk that old memories could yet again destroy new relationships. Can the bond of friendship and family hold them together, or will a secret from the past tear them apart once again?

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

400 pages, Paperback

Published May 29, 2026

Reviews

[Linda Langford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I almost couldn’t breathe at the end of this book with everything happening between Eli and Kate. The struggle between someone with faith and someone without is such a real and relatable dynamic, and one I’ve experienced myself. I loved all the stories and the continued development of the relationships throughout the book. This family feels so real, like they live just down the road, and honestly, I want an invite to one of their backyard barbecues! I don’t think I’ve ever been this on the edge of my seat waiting for the next book in a series.

[Andrea Grimm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continuing to enjoy this series but I did find myself skimming sections in this one. The Eli and Kate storyline is getting a little drawn out. I feel like the end is predictable with only one more book to go. Even though I skimmed some in this one I am still really enjoying these two families, the multi generational aspect and the strong women in these families. I am a little sad that I have to wait until July 17th for the release of the last book.

[Sallie Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series!

[Sarah Skinner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it, BUT……

The story line with Kate and Eli is stretching a little thin and I was about to be sick of it. The other stories in this one were excellent, though, except I missed Vivian!! I will be super sad when this series wraps up. I feel like the Lawson and the Wylies are family!!

[Lisa Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this series! This book did not disappoint except for the fact there’s a two-month wait for the next one. I was trying to save it until then so I could read them back-to-back, but that didn’t happen.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Another heartwarming and wonderful book in the Destin Diaries series by Hope Holloway and Cecelia Scott. There is so much love to spread around in the Lawson and Wylie families. All the emotional feels are there: love, trust, and faith, along with life’s heartaches, confusion, and turmoil. Emma, Kate’s 17 year old daughter, made a life-changing mistake. Lessons are learned in a very difficult and hurtful manner but Emma grows up fast with the help and support of both families. Through that hurt, she and Eli develop a wonderful relationship as only Eli can master, giving her the father figure she needs and deserves. Kate is wrestling with her love and respect for Eli against his unwavering faith in God. Jonah is struggling with being a single dad while going to culinary school. Tessa and Dusty need to be married in order to adopt adorable little Olive. And Meredith is her usuaI workaholic self dealing with a new major work project in Destin. I love the heart and soul of these books, the strength of the women and men involved, and of the biological and found families. This series is women’s fiction at its best. I highly recommend this book and the entire series.

[Pj Ausdenmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story continues in the sixth book of this hopeful, heartwarming series. By now, these characters feel like family. I couldn't put the book down as their stories continued to evolve, evoking tears, laughter, and edge-of-my-seat tension. With multiple generations facing a variety of challenges, and strong themes of family and faith, there is no shortage of complex relationships and life-altering decisions on the line.

I can't wait to discover how everything plays out in the final book of the series. The Summer We Sailed Away is scheduled to be released on July 31, 2025. With the relationship threads still dangling and a hurricane on the horizon, I have a feeling this last book in the Destin Diaries series will be an emotional juggernaut.

This is a series that I strongly encourage readers to read in order.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Summer We Celebrated, book 6 in the Destin Diaries, packs a punch! The emotion is palpable, with a roller coaster of ups and downs. Life challenges, opportunities, setbacks, promises, disappointments, and through it all, love. The love and understanding of family draws them all together and helps each move forward. I love how this heartwarming series pulls me in and makes me feel like I’m part of it. I couldn’t put it down, and I’ll admit to plenty of smiles and tears. I look forward to the final book in the series, but am already dreading having to say good-bye to this wonderful group of family and friends. I highly recommend this whole series! Read it from the beginning - it’s a continuous story and you don’t want to miss a thing!

[Fleur · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are plenty of life changes happening both wonderful and stressful while we revisit the Lawson and Wylies in Destin. I adored how Meredith showed she is no kiddo when it comes to her work and I jus wanted to high five her and then we have Jonah who has come such a long way and the pay off is starting to show whilst also shinning a light on the struggles of solo parenting. I felt really torn with Kate and Eli as it's not an easy place to be and did feel at times Eli probably did try and influence things but also get where he is coming from, but also felt Kate is almost being pushed into having to change her beliefs.
Of course we ended with news that has me absolutely needing the next book and worried what is going to happen!

[Julie Booklover · Rating 4 out of 5]

We are back in Destin, FL and this book gets you in all the feels. The roller coaster of emotions as we navigate the Lawson and Wylie families. Life hits hard in this book, challenges, setbacks, disappointment, and heartache. Love, trust, faith, hope, and understanding draws these two families together. As we keep tabs on all the family members, we celebrate the new and love through the struggles.

As we are close to the final book I am looking forward to see how these two talented authors are going to wrap things up. But also looking forward to where they take us next.

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

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great story of faith and hope. I love all the emotions. Meredith is amazing and so professional. She handled herself so well with an immature worker and took care of the situation with help from her new heartthrob Connor.
Eli is such a great guy and helped Emma with her high school problems. If only he and Kate could figure everything out.
And Tessa tied the knot with Dustin and are ready to make a great life with little Olive.
This was so good! I can't wait for the next in the series.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Summer We Celebrated”
This is book 6 in the Destin Diaries series and it is packed full of adventures, challenges, lessons learned, new relationships but most of all lots of love. So much to celebrate! The Wylie and Lawson families spent many summers together at the beach years ago and are now enjoying reconnecting and supporting one another. The lasting friendships and love they share is what families are all about. What a great story and I can’t wait to see how book 7 concludes this great series.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jay813

Another glorious book in the Destin series. This time we are introduced to some new characters in the lives of Eli's children Jonah & Meredith. The story focuses largely on the struggle of Eli & Kate to reconcile their love with his deep faith vs her scientific mind. Sprinkle in a wedding, the tribulations of a single father & his looming career,an unscrupulous project manager with a disdain for women bosses and you have another great read. On to the next & final book in the series.

[Diane Jewell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Summer we Celebrated by Hope Holloway and Cecelia Scott ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Book 6 in the Destin Diaries series. This series must be read in order.

Welcome back to Destin Florida for this perfect summertime beach read. Catch up on your favorite family, BBQs and fun in the sun. I feel right at home with every book in this series. The struggles are real and they always find their way. Can't wait for book 7 to see what will happen next. Stay tuned it's coming later in the summer.

[Cindy Bates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great segment

This storyline is one I hate to see end but we all know it's coming soon.
This particular book delves more into the religious side then others. However, to me it adds some substance or base to the entire adventure.

This deals a lot with Kate, Eli , Emma, Jonah, and Meredith.

The next book is the last book. Hoping that down the road they will pull them all together again with many years later updates.

Happy reading!

[K H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book and I have to say it didn’t disappoint. There was enough in this book to keep me going what’s going to happen next. There were a few parts that made me go well isn’t that the truth. Women are not always viewed as equal in that job field. The childcare that was used made me want to go and take the child out of there. A name tag for an infant and losing an infant would have set off red flags. I will say that is it for my spoilers. I listed more than what I should have.

[Carole Anne Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chalenges, love and faith

I have thoroughly enjoyed this series. It has a bit of everything, but with each characters different struggles, avoids becoming too syrupy sweet, more realistic. At the same time, uplifting, joyful and full of love and acceptance. It is always hard waiting for the next book, also sad I believe the next book is the last in this series.

[Marie Maywalt · Rating 5 out of 5]

And Tessa marries

Love the story unfolding leading toTessa '& Dusty 's wedding day. Eli and Kate's relationship remains twisted and unresolved. This surprised me because it looks like they were close to finding their way to their way to each other. I like how the story leads us into the next one and upcoming hurricane in the aftermath of this natural disaster.

[Mary Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Celebrate,Love, Romance,and Tearz

I have read every book and wish number 7 was coming out tomorrow. Great characters and great romance. Even a crime solved. Loved it all. What impact will the ending have? I guess we have to wait and see.

[Kathy Breaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another beautiful story!

I have loved every minute of this book. So much fun to read when I can’t put it down. I can’t wait for the book, Hope and Cecelia are just the best writers. I laughed and cried thru the whole thing!

[Janice Youmans · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading and look forward to the next book as Eli and Kate resolve their spiritual verses scientific views . I did have a hard time reading all the developments/ landscaping issues with Meredith and Vance . It wasn’t my cup of tea .

[Cindy Rosenbeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good one to read. Yes, at times there was definite frustration with Kate. I had to keep putting myself in her shoes and remind myself how I’d feel if my daughter was following a faith I didn’t believe in. Cannot wait the next book in the series.

[Kathy Callander · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great series

I have loved each and every book in this series. They touch on so many different storylines with relatable characters. The description of the scenes lets me escape to Destin, even in my landlocked home.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for the ARC copy. What a good book and great series - a perfect beach read. It felt like l lived in the neighborhood and dropped in on old friends. Can’t wait for the next book!

[Michele Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good continuity of characters lives.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Winner

This book was the perfect transition from the previous book. I hope II do not have to wait long for the sequel!!

[Dolores Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

These stories get better with every book. Highly recommend.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just enjoy the series. It is not some great masterpiece but Holloway's books are easy to read and she does a great job of creating believable characters.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story about family and love and connections