"barefoot summer" by denise hunter

About the book: Madison's heart has been closed for years. But one summer can change everything.

In the years since her twin brother's tragic drowning, Madison has struggled with her ability to trust God—or anyone else, for that matter. It was her brother's dream to win the annual River Sail Regatta in their small harbor town of Chapel Springs, Indiana. And Madison's determined to honor his legacy by making his dream her own. Maybe then she can finally find closure.

But learning to sail means learning to swim. And her instructor is Beckett O'Reilly, a man who already has two strikes against him in Madison's eyes. Being on the water terrifies Madison. But Beckett's calming presence and unwavering confidence eases her fear. And as much as she'd like to deny it, the chemistry between them is electrifying.

As her feelings for him grow, a fledgling faith begins to take root in her soul, as well. With Beckett, Madison feels alive for the first time in years—carefree and confident she can win the regatta, maybe even find love.

But Beckett harbors a secret that will test the limits of their love and the depth of Madison's faith. Will their love survive summer's challenge? And will achieving her brother's dream give Madison the peace she desperately seeks?

My take: If you're looking for contemporary Christian romance, you can't go wrong with a Denise Hunter novel. I've been a big fan of her books for several years now, and each book seems to top the last! (With the exception of The Convenient Groom, which is one of my favorite romance novels of all time—none of her succeeding books have been quite as wonderful as that one!)

I really enjoyed watching Madison and Beckett's relationship develop, and their chemistry practically lept off the page! Most romance novels are pretty formulaic, and while Barefoot Summer does follow the basic romance novel pattern, I definitely didn't anticipate the way a few things turned out. I also look forward to the next books in this series—I can't wait to get to know some of Madison's siblings better!

I absolutely loved Barefoot Summer, and I recommend it to any fan of contemporary romance. 5 stars.

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See my reviews of Hunter's A Cowboy's Touch, The Accidental Bride, and The Trouble with Cowboys. 

About the author: Denise lives in Indiana with her husband Kevin and their three sons. In 1996, Denise began her first book, a Christian romance novel, writing while her children napped. Two years later it was published, and she's been writing ever since. Her books often contain a strong romantic element, and her husband Kevin says he provides all her romantic material, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too!

Learn more about Denise at http://www.denisehunterbooks.com

About the giveaway:  Denise Hunter is celebrating her new Chapel Springs Romance series with a Summer Fun Giveaway. The first book, Barefoot Summer, is already a favorite with readers. “Hold-your-breath romance, heartache, and laugh-out-loud moments. It’s more than a good read. It’s a delight.” -- Lisa
 
Summer: it’s all about sunny skies, star-gazing, swimming, spending time with loved ones, and living as if a small part of the weight of the world has been lifted off your shoulders.

Get ready for some serious summer fun with Denise’s 12-Day Summer Sun giveaway. From June 10-21, keep your computer near as you head to the lake or your friend’s barbecue because Denise will be giving away a summer essential each day!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."