1. Barefoot Summer, Chapel Springs Romance Series #1
    Denise Hunter
    Thomas Nelson / 2013 / Trade Paperback
    Our Price$12.99 Retail Price$16.99 Save 24% ($4.00)
    4.5 out of 5 stars for Barefoot Summer, Chapel Springs Romance Series #1. View reviews of this product. 32 Reviews
    Availability: In Stock
    Stock No: WW687007
4.5 Stars Out Of 5
4.5 out of 5
(20)
(10)
(1)
(1)
(0)
Quality:
4.7 out Of 5
(4.7 out of 5)
Value:
4.6 out Of 5
(4.6 out of 5)
Meets Expectations:
4.6 out Of 5
(4.6 out of 5)
97%
of customers would recommend this product to a friend.
SORT BY:
SEE:
Displaying items 26-30 of 32
  1. Cara Putman
    Indiana
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    4 Stars Out Of 5
    Perfect summer read
    June 15, 2013
    Cara Putman
    Indiana
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    Denise is a master of creating characters and stories that I enjoy. Hers are always romance focused, and I am swept into a world where you know the hero and heroine can get together even though you know they should. This is also a story laced with the thread of regret over the past and forgiveness. You can't move into the future without confronting your past and extending forgiveness to yourself and others. This is a perfect summer read. I can't wait to return to southern Indiana in a future book!
  2. Alicia
    New York, NY
    Age: Under 18
    Gender: female
    4 Stars Out Of 5
    Redemption. Nautical. Lovely.
    June 11, 2013
    Alicia
    New York, NY
    Age: Under 18
    Gender: female
    Barefoot Summer main lesson is about redemption. We see that constantly in the lives of both main characters, Madison and Beckett. Madison hopes to let go of her hurt and pain surrounding the death of her twin brother by fulfilling his dream to be the youngest sailor to win the regatta. The only problem is she can not swim, nor can she sail. Beckett has difficulty seeing himself as the new person he has become in Christ and with the help of Madison and the Lord he begins to heal.

    The plot was refreshingly unique with the deep heart issues and the fun sailing lessons. I enjoyed the nautical feel to the story. The author did a great job developing Madison, I could relate so much with with her fear of water and her lack of expressive emotions. She felt real and was very down to earth. The author transitioned from both main characters and past and present with such ease. The writing style was simple, but so impact full. The emotions and spiritual topics ran deep and meaningful.

    I can not wait to read the next installments the the series and would definitely recommend this book to others.

    I received a complimentary copy, from Litfuse, in exchange for my independent and unbiased review.
  3. Iola
    New Zealand
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: female
    4 Stars Out Of 5
    Fun Summer Read
    June 7, 2013
    Iola
    New Zealand
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: female
    Quality: 4
    Value: 3
    Meets Expectations: 5
    Madison McKinley is a 26-year-old veterinarian back living in her home town of Chapel Springs, Indiana, and she has a dream. She wants to win the Annual River Sail Regatta in honour of her twin brother, Michael, a keen sailor who died when they were 17. There are only two things standing in her way: she doesn't know the first thing about sailing, and she is afraid of water.

    She wins a sailing lesson-and-regatta package at a local charity auction, but her plans go awry when she finds the lessons won't be from married-with-children Evan Higgins, but with the very single Beckett O'Reilly, reformed bad boy and son of the town alcoholic. Beckett has had a long-time crush on Maddy, so is happy to give her lessons, as long as she doesn't find out how he feels about her, doesn't find out what happened between him and her sister, Jade, and doesn't discover his secret–the one he doesn't know if she will be able to forgive.

    The opening was a bit confusing as I tried to sort out all the characters (especially the many McKinley siblings), but I soon worked them all out and settled into enjoying a well-plotted story. It wasn't a straightforward romance–there were enough twists and turns to keep it interesting and give it a pleasant depth not found in many contemporary Christian romances. The one slight fault was perhaps the outcome of the regatta ...

    I really enjoyed Barefoot Summer. I liked the characters, I liked the way the author dealt with Madison's issues with Christianity, and I especially liked Beckett, who has overcome a difficult childhood to become a man anyone would be proud to know, despite his inferiority complex. I liked the style of writing, and I especially liked the way the author introduced the various characters in the McKinley family, obviously setting us up for a sequel (which I will look forward to reading).

    Odd as it might seem, I read two books in a row about a twin who lost their faith in God when they lost their twin to death, this and An Open Heart by Harry Kraus. I enjoyed Barefoot Summer much more, because I could really believe Madison's faith journey, and I found the characters easier to relate to. Yes, the plot was more predictable than that of An Open Heart, and perhaps even a bit corny at times, but the storytelling was better. Or maybe it's just that I like the romance... A fun summer read (or, for those of us in the Southern Hemisphere, for cuddling up by the fire with).

    Thanks to Thomas Nelson and Booksneeze for providing a free ebook for review.
  4. Teddy G
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    4 Stars Out Of 5
    Compelling Characters - Good Read!
    June 3, 2013
    Teddy G
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    Quality: 4
    Value: 4
    Meets Expectations: 4
    Madison is determined to put her twin brother's death, and the resulting nightmares, behind her, and she thinks that fulfilling Michael's dream of winning the town's annual regatta before their 27th birthday will accomplish both. Only two things stand in her way: her terror of water, and her fear of Beckett O'Reilly - the man who is going to teach her to sail. Beckett has his own reasons for being apprehensive about this arrangement, but is determined to see it through. Can Madison win the race? Can she find a way to move on? Will Beckett be the key to helping her heal, or will he only bring more pain?

    I found myself really enjoying this book. I loved Madison's determination to train and win the regatta, even though she froze at the mere sight of water, and didn't even know how to swim. Although storylines of dead twins are really starting to freak me out, I could feel her grief that she'd refused to release about the loss of her other half. Her search for healing, and how faith might relate to that, was compelling, and I wanted her to find a way to live her life well without Michael. Beckett was an intriguing character on his own; his past and how he'd overcome it felt realistic and honest. He had scars from his past that still affected the way he saw himself, but he was trusting God to see him through his new life.

    I was excited to see that this was the first book in a series; I hope that the following books continue to expand on the other characters in Madison's family and that we continue to keep tabs on Madison and Beckett.

    I give this book 4 stars for enjoyability.

    I received a copy of this book from Thomas Nelson in exchange for my honest review.
  5. kp0719
    4 Stars Out Of 5
    barefoot summer
    May 30, 2013
    kp0719
    Quality: 4
    Value: 4
    Meets Expectations: 4
    The cover of Barefoot Summer by Denise Hunter prepares you for a great summer read!

    Madison McKinley wants to prepare for the town's annual regatta. It had always been a goal of her twin brother, Michael, to be the youngest winner of this race. After Michael's death, Madison is determined to win it for him!

    The plan gets complicated when Beckett O'Reilly gets involved as her sailing and swimming instructor. Madison has had an awkward relationship with Beckett since high school.

    Sit back and enjoy watching the relationship between Madison and Beckett grow!!!
Displaying items 26-30 of 32