One summer could expose years of family secrets . . . or leave them with a happily ever after they never saw coming. One of Southern Living’s “25 Beach Reads Perfect for Summer” When her grandmother goes missing from the family beach house, Maddy and her estranged sisters converge in Sea Haven, North Carolina. Being with uptight Nora and free-spirited Emma in the home where their family broke … family broke apart is a struggle Maddy is not in the mood to face, especially since she’s recovering from her ex-boyfriend’s betrayal.
As the sisters wait for word of their grandmother, they begin to pack up the family belongings–and unpack memories of the idyllic summers of their childhood. But with those memories come long-buried secrets, and Maddy discovers that all was not as it appeared that last summer in Sea Haven. Meanwhile, Gram’s neighbor, Connor Sullivan, seems overly interested in Gram’s whereabouts. Maddy is drawn in by his quick smile and steady gaze in spite of herself.
Undercurrents of jealousy and resentment threaten to pull the family under again, maybe for good this time. As tensions rise, the sisters must find a way to accept each other for the women they’ve become–and Maddy must decide if falling in love again is worth the potential heartbreak.
This inspirational contemporary read is a standalone novel.
Book length: approximately 85,000 words. Includes group discussion questions.
Praise for Summer by the Tides:
“A perfect blend of romance and women’s fiction.” –SHERRYL WOODS, #1 New York Times bestselling author
“I have never read a romance by Denise Hunter that didn’t sweep me away into a happily ever after. Treat yourself!” –Robin Lee Hatcher, bestselling author of Who I Am With You
“Denise Hunter once again proves she’s the queen of romantic drama. Summer by the Tides is both a perfect beach romance and a dramatic story of second chances as sisters unravel secrets that have torn them apart for years. This novel is Hunter at the top of her game. If you like Robyn Carr, you’ll love Denise Hunter. I couldn’t put it down!” –Colleen Coble, USA Today bestselling author of the Lavender Tides series
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4.5 stars
I am never disappointed with a book written by Denise Hunter. Seriously, how does she crank out winner after winner like she does?
Summer by the Tides brings three sisters, who are not that close to each other, together at the North Carolina coast. Through their time cleaning out their grandmother’s home, secrets are shared, truths revealed, and relationships healed.
I really enjoyed the sisters’ relationships in this one. All three of them are well-developed. You know from the get-go there’s tension and discord between them, but as more is revealed throughout the book, I found myself taking a side with one sister only to find some sympathy for the other as well.
And of course, there’s Connor. He and Maddy may have a rough start, but boy, oh boy, does he make up for it.
A perfect summer or beach read, Summer by the Tides will delight readers with it’s themes of family, faith, and forgiving the wrongs done you in the past.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
If you are looking for a great summer beach story, Summer by the Tides is one I can definitely recommend. The two main characters, Maddy Monroe and Connor Sullivan, were ones I instantly cared about.
This book has it all: great beach scenery, strained relationships between three sisters, issues that must be resolved, a hint of mystery regarding the grandmother’s whereabouts, a heroine who has a problem with trust, and a handsome widower who really needs a happily-ever-after. There is truly a wonderful balance of all of these issues within the pages.
I enjoyed the flashbacks that appeared throughout the book, highlighting how and when things went wrong for this family. And the romance that was woven into the present day timeline was just perfect. I was really rooting for Connor and Maddy to have a future together. I highly recommend it!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Summer by the Tides was such a wonderful, uplifting read about sisters trying to search for their grandmother even though 2 of the 3 sisters are feuding from years ago.
This story had all the feels, love, frustration, betrayal, flirtiness and secrets. What more could you ask for?
If you like stories that cover family relationships, enjoyable characters and beautiful settings, pick up this book now!
Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publishers for an ARC at my request. All thoughts given are my own and freely provided.
Secrets! Everyone in the family has secrets that they keep from one another! Maddy is the female protagonist who doesn’t want her family to know her romantic life and her career have ended. When her grandmother goes missing, Maddy and her two sisters reconnect at the family beach house but tensions are high. All three sisters and their grandmother want to appear to have perfect lives.
Neighbor Connor Murphy is a great male protagonist who tries to be helpful! Summer by the Tides is well written and touching as the family learns to share and trust again. You will enjoy this book by Denise Hunter! I received a complimentary e-book through NetGalley. This is my honest opinion.
Denise Hunter has written a layered, multi-generational summer read that will draw you in! “Summer by the Tides” introduces Maddy Monroe, a woman whose life is in the middle of many changes. When her Grandmother goes missing, she and her sisters descend on their beach house in Sea Haven, NC to try and locate her.
The complicated sister relationships are an interesting component of the book, as the reader gets to see the internal struggles of Maddy, Nora and Emma, as well as finding out exactly what tore their fragile family apart. Hunter incorporates the setting in her books in a way that almost makes it a character. (As someone who loves NC, she does it wonderfully!)
Connor is the neighbor that frustrates Maddy to no end at the beginning of the book, but as times goes by, he weakens her resolve. While we all know there are very few swoon worthy men with the exception of those Hunter writes about, Connor is both supportive and encouraging to Maddy in a time she needs it. ( I personally love that in a hero!)
Family stressors, unresolved issues, sisterly bonds that have withered, grief, estrangement, new love on the horizon after betrayal….Hunter doesn’t shy away from tough topics. I do like the complexity of her characters, along with real life issues. Hunter has done this well in her other books (Honeysuckle Dreams, for instance, deals with custody issues) and “Summer By The Tides” is no exception.
If you’re looking for a book to relish while you sit in the sun on vacation, this read is for you! Be prepared to be drawn into the story and connect with these characters. You might end up a little sunburnt, though, if you lose track of time! 😉
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and I chose to leave a review.
Summer by the Tides by Denise Hunter is a predictable, original contemporary romance featuring three sisters all with secrets. Filled with heart and intrigue, Hunter crafted a novel worth spending a couple of hours with. The novel enraptured my attention and kept me flipping the pages, so I could learn the truth holding each women in the story captive. The romance was sweet and moved along with the plot. I really enjoyed the hurricane as it made a secondary character as the truth deepened and became a reality. I believe fans of Beth K. Vogt, Melissa Tagg, and Courtney Walsh should pick this book up.
I received a complimentary copy of Summer by the Tides by Denise Hunter from Thomas Nelson Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.
When her grandmother goes missing from the family beach house, Maddy and her estranged sisters converge in Sea Haven, North Carolina. Being with uptight Nora and free-spirited Emma in the home where their family broke apart is a struggle Maddy is not in the mood to face, especially since she’s recovering from her ex-boyfriend’s betrayal.
As the sisters wait for word of their grandmother, they begin to pack up the family belongings—and unpack memories of the idyllic summers of their childhood. But with those memories come long-buried secrets, and Maddy discovers that all was not as it appeared that last summer in Sea Haven. Meanwhile, Gram’s neighbor, Connor Sullivan, seems overly interested in Gram’s whereabouts. Maddy is drawn in by his quick smile and steady gaze in spite of herself.
Undercurrents of jealousy and resentment threaten to pull the family under again, maybe for good this time. As tensions rise, the sisters must find a way to accept each other for the women they’ve become—and Maddy must decide if falling in love again is worth the potential heartbreak.
A clean beach read that shares some powerful truths, Summer by the Tides is a quick-moving tale about the courage it takes to face the past and love in spite of our fears.
‘She’d left God in the dust quite some time ago.’
Maddy is left reeling from an especially vicious betrayal, both professional and emotional when she is called back to her grandmother’s house in Sea Haven, NC. It seems her grandmother is missing and no one has any clue as to where she is. Her grandmother’s neighbor, Connor Sullivan, has called Maddy and her two sisters, Emma and Nora and when they converge on the old house, emotions run rampant between Emma and Nora from old hurts and betrayals.
The sisters get busy packing up family belongings in their grandmother’s home, and recall the good times they had their each summer as children. But there are many secrets in this family, secrets and betrayals that threaten their hearts. Tensions are high as jealousy, resentment and pain come against this family. Will they ever be able to put aside the past and be close again? Or will they just give in to defeat and go their separate ways?
Meanwhile, Connor Sullivan is beginning to have feelings for Maddy as she is for him. But Maddy is bound and determined never to love again after her most recent break up. After all, if you hide your heart, it can’t get hurt. Right? Maybe not.
Denise Hunter has long been a favorite of mine and I never fail to enjoy her books. She knows how to dig right into the reader’s heart and pull them into the story completely. Even her secondary characters are meaningful and good to know. She weaves the spiritual theme throughout this story, while capturing the complete emotional make up of her characters. This one moved me deeply and I found myself crying several times. Well done! I highly recommend Summer By The Tides.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers through Net Galley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Denise Hunter does it again by writing a great summer romance! This will be a great book to read at the beach this summer (or anytime or anywhere). In this latest release by Ms. Hunter, we learn about a set of sisters- Maddy, Nora, and Emma who have a struggling relationship with each other. Both the three of them love their grandmother. Each receive a phone call that she is missing so they all arrive to discover where their grandmother could be. The phone call was from their grandmother’s neighbor, Connor. Connor tries to help the girls, but has problems of his own. Together, they work on restoring the beach house and going through their grandmother’s belongings. During their cleaning, they discover things that they never knew. During their time together at the beach house, they must learn to live together in harmony. Can they overcome the hurts of the past? As always Ms. Hunter writes another fantastic romantic book! This book examines old hurts, forgiveness, and how to move past the past. I highly recommend this book! You will not be disappointed!
***I was given a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review. This is my honest opinion. Even though I received this copy free, I have purchased her books before.
Summer by the Tides by Denise Hunter
This newest work by Denise Hunter pulled me into the story at once and became a quick read for me, because I didn’t want to stop reading. This author’s novels are on my TBR pile and I’m never disappointed. While reading this book I wondered how the author always produces relevant and fresh stories that inspire and encourage me. This book tackled some difficult subjects and hidden secrets in a family of three sisters. The author did a wonderful job developing the story and her characters, and revealing these secrets and some nuggets of truth throughout the book.
Some of my favorite quotes were:
“…granting forgiveness doesn’t mean granting trust. One is given and the other is earned.”
“Then what you need is faith, dear. Faith in God, that He’ll get you through no matter what happens. Trust the Lord with your future, honey. He won’t let you down.”
“But I’m learning that once secrets are exposed…they lose their power.”
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I enjoyed this book, but it wasn’t a “can’t put down, can’t stop reading” kind of book. I felt like the attitude of Maddy came across harsh at the beginning, even though we knew what she had been through. Maybe a little bit more character development with her would have helped that? All in all, I enjoyed it and was glad a I finished it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Summer by the Tides written by author Denise Hunter is an engrossing story about three sisters who have chosen to distance themselves for almost twenty years after a shocking betrayal.
Maddie Monroe has had a very bad day. She was expecting a promtion to General Manager at the elite resturaunt, Pirouette. Instead she sees Nick, her boyfriend talking with Evangeline, her boss. Nick was making a play for her job promotion and an intimate advance with Evangeline. So Maddie walks away from her job and friends at the restaraunt in profound hurt. A day later when Maddie answers her phone she receivews a call from her grandmothers neighbor, Connor Sullivan. Her Grandmother seems to have disappeared! She immediately starts the four hour drive to Sea Haven, NC and to look for Grams. As the story unfolds more secrets are revealed between the three sisters and a lost faith is restored. I won’t post spoilers, but Maddie is dreading the tension between her sisters Emma and Nora as they try to solve the mystery of Grams disappearance.
Publication Date May 21, 2019