Summer Street Secrets — Jacie Middlemann

Summer Street Secrets is the third book in The Hills of Burlington series. It is a story of family, both the one we were born with and those we meet along the way.

The ink on Carrie's divorce papers was barely dry when she got the frantic call from her ex-husband's sister. Carrie's young niece had trusted when she shouldn't have and as a result was now the victim of internet bullying and harassment. Without a second thought Carrie agrees to her former sister-in-law's request to allow Addie to spend time with her in Burlington. Regardless of the divorce she is still family. Within hours of Addie's arrival Carrie realizes the damage done to her young niece is far worse than she could have anticipated and that a few shopping excursions weren't going to do the trick. Before long Carrie's mother is involved in the efforts to help Addie. Her cousins aren't far behind. But it's Grace, Carrie's neighbor and friend that she met shortly after her return to the city of her most precious childhood memories who comes up with the idea to give Addie and others like her what they need. And in the process gives Addie a way to do more than be a victim.

Carrie had come to Burlington months ago in search of her mother who'd been determined to return to the city she had always called home and had done just that without letting any of her family know. While she had never planned to stay once making sure her mother is happily settled in she finds that being surrounded by family who know and understand her best is no better place for starting over. And now in the midst of Addie's unexpected arrival Carrie's cautious friendship with Court turns a corner when he reveals to her his own closely held secret. One he is willing to allow to be exposed as part of the overall effort to help her niece.

And then there is her cousin Mary's newly purchased house on Summer Street. It's a mess both inside and out. But it's another connection to family. Family who came to Burlington to begin anew generations ago. Connections. They are surrounded by them and even as Carrie and her cousins embark on another of Casey's business savvy ideas they find the house is not all it seems…but so much more as they come to learn when they discover the long hidden secrets of the house on Summer Street.

Summer Street Secrets is a story of family. Both the family we're born to and grow up with and the family we find along the way. It is the story of where we go when we need support in our best and worst moments. Where and who we turn to when life throws all it can at us. And then more. And it is when we find that the where we go is really the who we go to. Family. Carrie found her own deep well of strength upon her return to Burlington and the family who'd made their way there before her. Now she hopes that surrounded by family and new friends in the city they all call home that Addie will find hers as well.

Summer Street Secrets, the third in the Hills of Burlington series, is the continuing family saga of six contemporary women, their family and friends, of different generations but drawn together at a time when all are at a crossroad in their lives…and searching for something they've not yet found.