Madison and Beckett just easily made the list of my all time favorite literary couples. This was such a perfectly heart-wrenching story that combines elements of faith, love, and family to create an achingly sweet tale. A solid 5/5 stars

Denise Hunter has quickly become one of my favorite authors. There is a scene about halfway through this book when one of the characters says "Mercy, Woman." and I answered back "Mercy, Indeed". She can write those moments like nobody else. Can not wait to get the next book!

This book was too cute!! I loved Beckett and Madison. They were so sweet together. I liked how they both grew from their pain and mistakes. Overall it was an enjoyable, summer read.

Such an awesome book! Oh to have a kiss leave such an impression on you that no other kiss can even compare to! Now that's totally worth it for sure!!

I loved this book! This one is tied with the third book The Wishing Season for my favorite of the series so far! I ended up reading this series totally out of order, I read the novella A December Bride first, then the second and third books Dancing With Fireflies and The Wishing Season and then finally reading this one which is the first book of the series, while I did experience some minor spoilers by reading them in that order, I didn't have a problem following the storyline. Though these book...

So, so good!! In this, book 1of Denise Hunter’s Chapel Springs series, Madison and Beckett are an unlikely couple - until they’re not. I sighed, I swooned, I smiled, I cried. And I finished it in 2 days. Now I’m on the hunt for book 2.

Aw this was a really cute and deep meaning Christian romance. The inclusion of faith wasn’t cheesy but actually added to the story in a great way. I really enjoyed it as my first book by this author!

This was sooo good. Loved everything about it! That’s all :)

I enjoyed this book very much! Looking forward to the rest of the series!

Where do I begin other than to say I loved this book?! Ever since I read The Convenient Groom years ago I've been a fan of Denise Hunter. While I've enjoyed all of her books since that first experience in Nantucket, none quite lived up on the romance side of things until her latest book, Barefoot Summer.Beckett O'Reilly is just one of those heroes and by "one of those" I mean a bit roguish, tall, dark, and handsome and oh so easy to fall in love with (*dreamy sigh* he has coal colored eyes). I c...

This author sure knows how to pack emotion, tender moments, and passion within the pages of each book she writes. I loved this book. It was compelling and interesting. I appreciated how there were so many lessons about secrets, forgiveness, and knowing God in a personal way inserted into the story line. I also loved how the author showed that a relationship with the living Savior does change the way someone lives their life and eventually people who long for similar peace will seek the same rela...

I figured out a few years ago that I am a fan of Denise Hunter’s writing. I have not read all of her books, but I am trying to rectify that! I have a few sitting on my bookshelf and a few waiting on my kindle. But, of those that I have read, I have loved each one. Barefoot Summer is definitely no exception to this.Madison McKinley is a successful veterinarian and the member of a wonderful family. But there is something eating away at her. Years ago, she lost her twin brother and the pain just ha...

SUMMARY: Madison’s heart closed the day her twin brother died.Since losing her twin, Michael, in a drowning incident, Madison has rejected the faith he lived by. Instead, she’s devoted her life to fulfilling Michael’s dream—winning the River Sail Regatta in their small Indiana town, Chapel Springs.As she trains for the regatta, Beckett O’Reilly is teaching Madison to swim. But he’s keeping a painful secret from her—and as they grow closer, that secret threatens to upend their lives . . . and the...

The title of this book might lead one (me) to believe that this is a fun, light summer 'beach read'. Such is not the case. While there is definitely fun to be had, there are also layers of meaning throughout this novel, including the title itself.I really liked both Madison and Beckett. I liked how they were portrayed as real people, struggling with difficult situations. I liked how their story was woven together, not just in the present day scenes, but in the memories of both characters.There w...

This is one of those books that I kept hearing was amazing, over and over again. So why three stars? I think my expectations had been built to high and came crashing down quickly.Issue #1 ~ I found the romance shallower than I had expected. I had expected a lot more development in the relationship before the characters started kissing, and that wasn't the casePositive #1 ~ The characters were amazingly well done. Hunter's talent in that regard was amazing.Issue #2 ~The story felt a little slow a...

It was a little weird to finally read this first book in the Chapel Springs series after having read all the others, and I think knowing some of the stories to come affected my enjoyment of this initial story a tad. But it still had all the sizzling romance and character depth I love about Denise's writing l, and now I'm dying to reread the rest of the series!

I really liked this. Sometimes I'm wary to read romance because I don't like the "fall in love, misunderstanding, break up, get back together after misunderstanding is cleared" plots. I'm glad that this was anything but that.Maddison and Beckett was easy to connect with and love, both individually on their own but also together. Maddison's struggle with her twin's death felt so real and raw. Beckett's own struggle with his messy heritage and how it could affect his future was heartbreaking to se...

Review on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1TN1N8J...Review on my blog: http://christianbookshelfreviews.blog...It's no secret that contemporary romance is not one of my favorite genres, so I didn't know how much I'd enjoy Barefoot Summer. I ended up really liking it and definitely plan on reading the next Chapel Spring novel.The characters were great and I loved the McKinley family. Beckett would probably be my favorite character - because of all the things he went through and had to overc...

I was immediately drawn to care for Madison and her family. The McKinleys are a charming brood; they may have their warts, but the parents show their love for their children in many ways. The small-town feel is a delight, and I loved the details about the regatta and how Beckett helps her face down her fear of water.

Denise Hunter is an author I love to love. She has the incredible ability to get inside her characters so deeply! And her plots! Oh my! I oftentimes need to sit down and prepare myself to read her books because I know my emotions will be put through the ringer by the time I’m finished with it! The blurb below isn’t lying when it says “the chemistry between them (Madison and Beckett) is electrifying”! This story between them is compelling. Rich. Everything I ask for in a book.Denise Hunter books