Book: Barefoot Summer

Madison's heart has been closed for years. But one summer can change everything.

In the years since her twin brother's tragic drowning, Madison has struggled with her ability to trust God--or anyone else, for that matter. It was her brother's dream to win the annual River Sail Regatta in their small harbor town of Chapel Springs, Indiana. And Madison's determined to honor his legacy by making his dream her own. Maybe then she can finally find closure.

But learning to sail means learning to swim. And her instructor is Beckett O'Reilly, a man who already has two strikes against him in Madison's eyes. Being on the water terrifies Madison. But Beckett's calming presence and unwavering confidence eases her fear. And as much as she'd like to deny it, the chemistry between them is electrifying.

As her feelings for him grow, a fledging faith begins to take root in her soul, as well. With Beckett, Madison feels alive for the first time in years--carefree and confident she can win the regatta, maybe even find love.

But Beckett harbors a secret that will test the limits of their love and the depth of Madison's faith. Will their love survive summer's challenge? And will achieving her brother's dream give Madison the peace she desperately seeks?

***

This is billed as a summer romance, but I found it to focus more on Madison's internal demons with the romance playing into it a little bit, but more as a secondary plot line.  Madison is afraid of the past, afraid of the water, and afraid of her nightmares. Beyond that she doesn't trust God and she's mad at Him for taking her twin in an unexplained accident.

These are some deep issues and I thought the author did a good job of working through them.  It's not a dark story at all, just real life.  I appreciated that it wasn't a completely sappy everything-works-out-perfectly kind of story.

Madison also comes from a large family and I can see the rest of the series focusing on each of her siblings in turn.  Should be some good reads!

***

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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!


I received this book from LitFuse in exchange for my fair and honest review.