The Summer I Found You

A Novel

A recently divorced single mom returns to her family’s fixer-upper beach house and finds romance amidst the heartbreak—and truths buried under generations of lies—in this summertime romance, perfect for fans of The Beach House and Nora Goes Off Script.

When Dahlia Newberry escapes her terrible marriage and returns to Long Island’s North Fork to put her family’s beach house on the market, she discovers the property has fallen into disrepair, and she has no idea how she’ll get it from fixer to fabulous in a month’s time.

Things start to look up when she discovers her neighbor is Noah, a handsome reality TV star known for his Hamptons-set home renovation series. Noah turns out to be quite handy and pitches in to help Dahlia with the renovations and, as chemistry sparks between them, her self-discovery too.

Meanwhile, Dahlia discovers a letter from her Aunt Lil, whose dying wish was for Dahlia to find a key that unlocks a mystery spanning three generations. Soon Dahlia is unearthing mysterious clues buried in the garden that threaten to upend everything she believes about her world.

The truth is supposed to set her free, but excavated secrets have a way of shattering an already fragile life—unless Dahlia can find a way to bloom into the woman she was always meant to be.

This debut novel by an accomplished home design influencer is perfect for fans of HGTV shows and steamy summer romances.

©2026 Jennifer O'Brien (P)2026 Spotify Audiobooks

Beach Read

I absolutely loved this debut! From the very first chapter, I was swept away by Dahlia’s journey—a single mom returning to her family’s worn-down beach house on Long Island’s North Fork. This book has everything I adore in a summer read: romance, mystery, family secrets, and emotional healing. The setting so vivid I could practically smell the ocean air.

Dahlia is such a beautifully written character—vulnerable, resilient, and deeply relatable—and her growth throughout the story is genuinely inspiring. I loved Noah, the charming, unexpectedly down-to-earth reality TV star next door. Their chemistry is perfection. Their relationship builds in such a natural, heart-fluttery way that I found myself grinning throughout the book.
What truly sets this book apart for me, is the multigenerational mystery woven through Dahlia’s late Aunt Lil’s letter. The clues, the buried secrets, the emotional unraveling across generations—everything ties together in a way that feels both poignant and powerful. The author balances romance and suspense flawlessly.

I can’t recommend it enough. A stunning debut and an author I will definitely be following from here on out! 🌊💛📚

All the feels

Loved the story, but the female narrator really grated on my nerves. The male narrator was spot on.