Barefoot Summer: one summer can change everything

Barefoot Summer is the first book in the Chapel Springs Romance series by Denise Hunter. Madison McKinley has closed her heart for years, ever since the untimely death of her twin brother, Michael. She has struggled to put it behind her and despite the support of her tight-knit family and her satisfying job as a veterinarian in their small riverside town, the loss of her brother still haunts her. In an attempt to finally find closure, she sets out to fulfill her brother’s dream of winning the town’s annual regatta. There’s one small problem...she needs to learn to sail and fast. Beckett O’Reilly knows Madison is out of his league. Madison is reluctant to work with the infamous Beckett but she knows it's her only chance to meet her goal. Even though she denies it, the chemistry between them undeniable and as the summer wanes, her feelings for him grow. But Beckett harbors a secret that will test the limits of their new romance. Can their new relationship survive the summer’s challenges? Will achieving her brother’s dream give Madison the peace she desperately needs? 

Barefoot Summer is a sweet story of love, summer’s promise and the letting go of the grief which keeps us from living life to its fullest. I love small town stories and the characters who live there. Beckett is the son of the town drunk and Madison, the daughter of The Family of Chapel Springs. At one point, her father, Thomas, is described as the “Charles Ingalls of Chapel Springs.” It also deals with faith, God and coming to terms with unfathomable events. I liked how Ms. Hunter deals with these subjects by not oversimplifying them or being too complex; but presents it with real human questions, reactions and emotions. I also enjoyed how she presents the subject of alcoholism, the effects it has on the individual and his or her family and the misunderstanding and judgment of those who do not understand. I enjoyed every moment of Barefoot Summer and look forward to reading the rest of the series. I recommend Barefoot Summer. It is a fun read with real characters and real questions. 

Barefoot Summer is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook.