Summer by the Tides

By Denise Hunter

I am a huge fan of Denise Hunter so the moment I read Summer by the Tides would release on May 21, 2019, I pre-ordered a copy. Then it hit me I could probably read it before release through Netgalley and so I requested a copy and did in fact get an ARC. I’ve read Summer by the Tides twice, and seriously could read it again and enjoy it just as much. It’s a compelling story about a dysfunctional family and how things aren’t always the way they seem on the surface.

 

The Monroe family is messed up to say the least and it takes the conniving of grandmother Monroe to get her granddaughters together to heal the hurts they’ve experienced as a family. The characters are wonderfully developed and the story as it unfolds pulled me in more and more. Of course, there is romance involved. It’s between Maddy Monroe, the youngest granddaughter, and the grandmother’s hunky next door neighbor Connor Sullivan.
 
It isn’t love at first sight between Connor and Maddy; it’s dislike at first sight, which makes for some fabulous moments where sparks and digs fly. But as they spend time together, Maddy and Connor find they are attracted to one another. “He was like sand on her skin after a day at the beach. No matter, how hard she tried to get rid of it, it just kept turning up in unexpected places.” Maddy has trust issues and for good reason. One of my favorite lines in the book expresses her hesitancy to pursue romance so beautifully and in a way I could feel personally: “It was hard to be content in a relationship when you were always waiting for the other shoe to drop.” Connor has a heart of gold and has learned through tragedy what’s most important in life. He knows he has to be a man Maddy can trust and his goodness explodes on the pages. He is swoon-worthy both in his physical description (“Conner looked like male perfection”) and in his inner beauty. If you don’t love Conner after reading this book and have him in your top five book boyfriends, there is something wrong with you.

Ultimately, Summer by the Tides is about bringing secrets to light so forgiveness can happen and relationships can be restored, and it’s about having faith that God is in control even when things feel so out-of-control.  

 

It’s a delightful five-star book with a good message delivered in an entertaining, unforgettable story. It might even make you want to head to the beach.

 

Have you read Summer by the Tides? Who was your favorite character? What did you like most about the book?