Summer by the Tides by Denise Hunter

Summer by the Tides

by Denise Hunter

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 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

Reviewed by phyllish on

4 of 5 stars

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The truth will set you free

Maddy had been convinced of several truths in her life. This summer, they would be put to the test. And the truth would indeed set her free.

True to Denise Hunter's signature style, Summer by the Tides takes Maddy on a journey of self-discovery as she and her sisters join together to find out where their Gram had gone. Each one seems to be hiding something...

I loved Maddy and Conner together. As Maddy was torn between wanting to trust him and the pains of her past, which held her back from doing just that, the tension was just right. I particularly enjoyed the scene when they were sitting outside, drawing lines in the sand with their toes. His strategy to the game of tic-tac-toe she started was incredibly sweet!

Lovers of both Christian Romance and women's fiction will enjoy this poignant story.
Read my full review at Among the Reads


I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.

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  • 7 June, 2019: Reviewed