Barefoot Summer

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 drowning, Madison McKinley has struggled to put it behind her. Despite the support of her close-knit family and her gratifying job as a veterinarian in their riverside town, the loss still haunts her.To find closure, Madison sets out to fulfill her brother’s dream of winning the town’s annual regatta. But first she has to learn to sail, and fast. Beckett O’Reilly knows Madison is out of his league, but someone neglected to tell his heart. Now she needs his help—and he’ll give it, because he owes her far more than she’ll ever know.  Madison will do anything—even work with the infamous Beckett O’Reilly—to reach her goal. And as much as she’d like to deny it, the chemistry between them is electrifying. As summer wanes, her feelings for him grow and a fledgling faith takes root in her heart.  But Beckett harbors a secret that will test the limits of their new love. Can their romance survive summer’s challenges? And will achieving her brother’s dream give Madison the peace she desperately seeks?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  Denise Hunter 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!

MY THOUGHTS ON THE BOOK:   The story really touched home with me having experienced the untimely death of my own brother.  In this story we are introduced to the mourning Madison McKinley and the boy who has loved her since high school, Beckett O'Reilly. As the story unfolds we come to know our two main characters -  Beckett, who is tender, loving  "bad boy" image holder, and  Madison  who is experiencing a deep hurt from the death of her twin brother, Michael.  Within the confines of the story we witness God's healing hand upon Madison as she deals with her twin's death. Going beyond the richly drawn spiritual challenges, the romance is touching. In Barefoot Summer, there isn't one dull moment; one scene is particularly hard-hitting, tying the title into a moving piece of truth and is also a demonstration of how, even when life looks hopeless, we have to take that first baby step of faith. It is the perfect summer read. I really loved this book and actually I read it in one evening. I could not put it down.  The characters reached out and had me from the first page of the story.  This is a must read.  If you are headed out on vacation this summer be sure this book is with you.

Disclaimer:  "I received this book from Litfuse for free in exchange for an honest review."