Barefoot Summer by Denise Hunter

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?

Barefoot Summer by Denise Hunter was a sweet and an enjoyable novel that explored how love and God can mend a heart that has been overwhelmed by loss. The novel was an easy read, but the plot line was interesting and contained a good mixture of humor, sadness, suspense, and interactions between characters. The story was told from the perspective of both Beckett and Madison, which allowed the reader to see what both characters were thinking. The major characters of Beckett and Madison were developed fairly well and were relatable in their characteristics, choices, and the situations they had to deal with. The other more minor characters helped the major characters connect with one another, added comic relief at times, and helped Beckett and Madison work through their struggles and differences. Overall, I found Barefoot Summer to be a light but enjoyable novel that would be a great read beside a pool or while at the beach.

I received this novel for free from Thomas Nelson and Booksneeze.com in exchange for an honest review.