I am always up for a Denise Hunter novel. It all started with The Convenient Groom back in 2008—I spied the book in a catalog (those were the days ...), bought it, and I've never looked back. I'm fairly certain I've read each book Hunter has released since then! So of course I had to get my hands on this book, which came out at the end of May.
From the bestselling author of The Convenient Groom (now a beloved Hallmark Original movie) comes a heartfelt story of family secrets, forgiveness, and unexpected romance.
Following a painful betrayal, Maddy Monroe’s love life is a wreck, and her restaurant career is in shambles. When her grandmother goes missing, she and her estranged sisters converge at the family beach house in Sea Haven, North Carolina. Being with uptight Nora and free-spirited Emma at the place where their family broke apart is a struggle, and undercurrents of jealousy and resentment threaten to pull the sisters under. In the midst of the storm, sparks begin to fly between Maddy and Gram’s maddening neighbor, Connor Murphy.
As the sisters pack up the family belongings, memories of idyllic, slow-paced summers are resurrected. But long-buried secrets also come to light as Maddy discovers that all was not as it appeared that last summer in Sea Haven—nor today in the seemingly perfect lives of her sisters.
As family tensions rise and Connor causes tumult in Maddy’s heart, the sisters must find a way to accept each other for the women they’ve become before the bitterness of the past destroys their hope for a future.
Genre: Christian Fiction, Contemporary Romance
Release Date: May 21, 2019
What could make for a better summer beach read than a book that's set at the beach? Denise Hunter's latest novel, Summer by the Tides, is perfect for summer reading.
Maddy Monroe's sisters Nora and Emma have been estranged for 20 years—ever since one fateful summer spent at their grandmother's beach house when their family fell apart. The three sisters return to the beach house when their grandmother goes missing. While there, they meet Connor, their grandmother's neighbor, and sparks immediately begin to fly between him and Maddy.
This book has all the hallmarks of a Denise Hunter romance: great chemistry between the romantic pair, believable obstacles to a "happily ever after," and an extremely satisfying resolution. However, it's more than just a romance; in fact, I'd say the relationships between Maddy and her sisters are what makes this novel stand out. Each sister has a secret (or two) she's hiding from the others, and the revelation of those secrets—as well as other family secrets—is extremely satisfying.
Though Maddy and Connor are clearly the main characters, I really connected with Emma, and her story is the one that brought me to tears as the novel reached its conclusion.
Hunter uses flashbacks to reveal what splintered the sisters' relationship in the past; sometimes, I'm not a fan of flashbacks, but here they really added to the story and helped bring it full circle.
This novel has a stronger faith thread than some of Hunter's other novels, dealing with sin, forgiveness, fear, and trust in God, but it never comes across as preachy. The book has the perfect balance of faith, family drama, and romance! 4-1/2 stars.
Buy the book.
Read my reviews of Hunter's Sweetbriar Cottage (3-1/2 stars), Blue Ridge Sunrise (4-1/2 stars), Honeysuckle Dreams (5 stars), and On Magnolia Lane (3-1/2 stars); the Summer Harbor books Falling like Snowflakes (5 stars), The Goodbye Bride (5 stars), and Just a Kiss (5 stars); the Chapel Springs books Barefoot Summer (5 stars), A December Bride (4-1/2 stars), Dancing with Fireflies (5 stars), The Wishing Season (5 stars), and Married 'til Monday (4-1/2 stars); Big Sky novels A Cowboy's Touch, The Accidental Bride (3-1/2 stars), and The Trouble with Cowboys (4-1/2 stars); and The Convenient Groom (5 stars).
Follow the tour:
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, June 4
The Power of Words, June 4
Back Porch Reads, June 4
The Morning Chapter, June 5
A Baker’s Perspective, June 5
Worthy2Read, June 5
Carla Loves To Read, June 6
Genesis 5020, June 6
Through the Fire Blogs, June 6
Among the Reads, June 7
Quiet Quilter, June 7
For Him and My Family, June 7
The Christian Fiction Girl, June 8
cultivating us, June 8
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 8
Girls Living For God’s Glory, June 9
Moments, June 9
Inklings and notions, June 9
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, June 10
Coast and anchor, June 10
amandainpa, June 10
Lighthouse Academy, June 11
EmpowerMoms, June 11
Pause for Tales, June 11
Christian Chick’s Thoughts, June 12
For The Love of Books, June 12
Just the Write Escape, June 12
All-of-a-kind Mom, June 13
Texas Book-aholic, June 13
Hallie Reads, June 13
2014 and Beyond, June 14
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 14
Simple Harvest Reads, June 14
Living Life Free In Christ, June 15
janicesbookreviews, June 15
Vicky Sluiter, June 15
Have A Wonderful Day, June 16
A Reader’s Brain, June 16
To Everything A Season, June 16
Lukewarm Tea, June 17
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 17
Daysong Reflections, June 17
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Denise is giving away a finished copy of Summer by the Tides!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/e541/summer-by-the-tides-celebration-tour-giveaway
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