Barefoot Summer

Madison McKinley is trying to desperately to put the loss of her twin brother, Michael, behind her. She's so desperate, she plans to brave her fear of water and swimming to enter the local sailing regatta to fulfill Michael's dream of being the youngest winner ever. What Madison didn't count on in her quest to honour her brother's memory was her substitute sailing teacher, Beckett O'Reilly. Beckett has always been an enigma since high school but as Madison spends more time with him, she discovers that there's more to him than meets the eye.

I quite enjoyed this Christian romance. Madison is a lovely character who felt wonderfully real and well-rounded. Beckett is just as interesting and the development of their relationship is enjoyable show more to read. I also appreciated that Madison is a regular church attender but who is still severely struggling to connect with God, which made her spiritual journey just as interesting. show less

Madison McKinley seems to have it all. She loves her job as a veterinarian and she's part of a very loving and supportive family, that everyone loves. Though Madison is grateful she still struggles to put her twins death (from years ago) behind her. She can't sleep from a recurring nightmare and it's affecting her life and her job. Madison thinks if she can win the upcoming Regatta race and fulfill her brother's dream, that the nightmares will disappear. She must first learn to sail though. Beckett O'Reilly has always loved Madison but knows she would never look at someone like him. He's changed from the troublemaker he was in high school but his family hasn't. Madison will do anything to win this race, even if it means working with show more Beckett. But as they work together there is a chemistry between them that cannot be denied. Beckett carries a secret though that could change everything. Can their new romance find strength in adversity or will it fade into the sunset? Will Madison find the peace she seeks in fulfilling her bother's dream?

What a great start to the Chapel Springs Series and might I say I love the cover! I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know all the folks and by the end of the book you really feel like you're good friends and can't wait to return. Beckett O'Reilly was such a great guy. He related to Madison so beautifully despite his own problems. Madison was easy to relate to. You can totally understand her feelings and emotions. Together they were great and I loved sharing their moments with them. The author did a beautiful job of covering a lot of family difficulties with grace and truth, but the most difficult was the death of a loved one. Just about everyone has faced that at some point and I loved what Madison's mother told Madison. "Life is a gift, however long it lasts. It's God's to give and take away as He sees fit. We go through life thinking we're entitled to our ninety, but we're not entitled to anything. All we can do is trust that He knows what He's doing. That He has a plan for all of us and that no pain He allows in our life will go unused." WOW, what powerful and comforting words. Now don't get me wrong, there are lots of playful moments to this story as well. It maintained that delicate balance which is so pleasing to the reader. Bottom line here is that you'll fall in love with the folks of Chapel Springs, I know I did. So if you're feeling the need to get away from the cold weather, I recommend you sail away to Chapel Springs for a Barefoot Summer!

As a side note, "A December Bride" is Layla O'Reilly's story (Beckett's sister). "Dancing with Fireflies" is Jade McKinley's story which I am looking forward to reading next.

Series: A Chapel Springs Romance (Book 1)
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (May 28, 2013)
ISBN-10: 1401687008
ISBN-13: 978-1401687007

For more information on this book or other books by Denise Hunter, I encourage you to visit her website at http://www.denisehunterbooks.com/ show less

The front cover drew me in, and the fact that I enjoy this author and her stories. It is a god summer read and although there was problems to be worked out, the story was just very sweet and full of romance and was hard to put down once I started.

Madison lost her twin brother in a drowning accident years ago and although she has good support from her close-knit family, she still struggles with nightmares and bad dreams, which is also affecting her job as a veterinarian. She needs to learn how to sail a boat so she can enter the regatta and win, something her brother always wanted to accomplish. But her teacher for this turns out to be Beckett O'Reilly, who she struggles to get along with for many reasons (which you will discover as you show more keep reading).

As the book states, "the chemistry between them is electrifying". Beckett has adored her from afar for many years and as the summer progresses, so will their feeling for each other. But there are a few secrets that need to be brought out into the open, which could tear this couple apart.

A few of my favorite excerpts from the book:

This one is talking about Beckett as he watched Madison; "On her porch, watching her watching a moth, and realizing he was the moth and she the light. It would always be this way."

And then there was Madison's Mom talking to her about her brother who died;
"But death is part of life. Not my favorite part, not by a long shot. But God does not owe us ninety years on this earth. Life is a gift, however long it lasts. It's God's to give and take away as He sees fit. We go through life thinking we're entitled to our ninety, but we're not entitled to anything. All we can do is trust that He knows what He's doing. That He has a plan for all of us, and that no pain He allows in our life will go unused."

I look forward to reading the next book in this series, "Dancing with Fireflies". Enjoy!! show less

I loved the contrast between trying to fix something all alone versus admitting there a problem and asking for help. Madison thinks she can magically fix her problems by making a grand gesture, but it isn't until she opens up to the healing God has for her that she can be open to love. It's a good message.

Gelezen in het nederlands:Blootvoets
Waarom blijft Madison haar nachtmerries houden over haar broer?Zou dit overgaan als ze de droom gaat waar maken van haar broer?Of is er veel meer aan de hand…?Ik vond het een lekker roman om zo even tussendoor te lezen,maar dat komt denk ik ook omdat ik de appelboomgaard toch echt wel beter vond,maar dat kan natuurlijk aan het onderwerp van het boek liggen.Want ook dit boek heeft de nodige diepgang en sleept je mee tot alle geheimen boven water zijn.

Madison lost her twin brother years ago and though her life is filled with her work and family she still has an empty place in her heart. Her brother had a dream of winning the town's annual regatta, Madison decides she is going to win it for him but first she needs to learn how to sail.

Beckett O'Reilly is going to teach her and though there have been bad vibes between them things change over the course of the summer. He has a secret that could ruin the possibility of a relationship.

Denise has written such a beautiful story about how a misunderstanding can hurt someone terribly. A wonderful tale of forgiveness, tragedy and triumph. A fantastic book to read at the beach or curled up on the sofa on a rainy afternoon.

I received a copy of show more this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. show less

Barefoot Summer, Series: A Chapel Springs Romance (Book 1) by Denise Hunter
Madison's family is large and they own a lot of land that need help with the crop harvesting. Some of the kids have grown up and left the area. Some are still around to help even with their own life's.
The story goes back in time to when she and others in the neighborhood were teens. She excelled in 10th grade and the guy she liked was older. He was a trouble maker and always got caught. He would come with his drunk dad to help with the harvesting.
They are from different sides of the track. She is now the vet and he fixes motors.
Love the scenery of the tower and what it means to them and also the talk of the boating. I found myself drawn to more learning on the show more subject and also felt a connection with the women at the nursing home as I knit for our local one. They all pray for Maddie and her friends and family.
Her twin brother Michael had drowned when he was 17 and he spent all the money he earned on a boat so he could race in the annual regatta and win all the money. She is terrified of the water and with help from Evan she is able to get used to the water.
She won the auction bid of sailing lessons from Beckett. He also builds custom boats besides fixing motors. She hopes to fulfill her brothers dream after she learns how to sail and fix up his boat to make it seaworthy.
Problems arise when Evan is called away and won't be sailing with her. There is much talk of time spent in church and prayers and bible study throughout the book. Some times they question why God let Michael die.
She is praying for peace at the end of the boat race and to find closure with Michael. Beckett has a secret that may help her or harm her.
Love how Beckett takes charge of everything in his family and just takes over and makes good decisions.
Although there are not many characters there are a handful and they are easy to keep track of. Such a fun easy going book to read I had a hard time putting it down at the end of the night.
Lots of mysteries along the way that only enhance this book to making it a really good read. Trust in God. Love how the book got it's title.
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. show less