The Summer That Changed Everything by Brenda Novak @authorbrendanovak @copatter @harlequinbooks #TheSummerEverythingChanged

the setup…
Lucy Sinclair, formerly McBride, left North Hampton Beach fifteen years ago after her father Mick was accused and convicted of the murder of three people. She was only seventeen and suddenly on her own. One of the victims, Aurora Clark, was perceived to be her “rival” for the affections of her then boyfriend Ford Wagner and she became a pariah herself. Now she’s back because Lucy has reason to believe that maybe Mick was not responsible for Aurora’s murder. Coincidentally, Ford is also back in town for the summer, separated from his wife and headed for divorce. He has lots of regrets for how he handled his relationship with Lucy and wants to make amends. Their partnership in seeking the truth is ruffling quite a few feathers in the town.

the heart of the story…
It’s clear from the start that something isn’t right about how those murders were investigated. The town is divided about Lucy and Ford’s meddling but the more they dig, the more their instincts seem to be on target. Lucy and Ford were also given their second chance. Older, wiser and free from family pressures, they resurrected feelings that never died, equally unpopular.

the narration…
Courtney Patterson is a new voice for me and I loved her storytelling skills! She has a great tone and her male voices were excellent.

the bottom line…
This had everything…mystery, suspense, romance, family drama…creating a wonderful brew of a story. I admired Lucy for her perseverance, making something of herself from ashes and having the strength to face a hostile town to find justice for her father. Ford turned out to be honorable and his persistence was just as admirable. It has Novak’s signature style that makes every story riveting. I just wish this was the start of a series as I’d like to see more of these characters.

Book Info

• Release Date: June 3, 2025
• Narrator: Courtney Patterson
• Audio Length: 10 hours, 39 minutes
• Publisher: Harlequin Audio

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