Latest Book By Dianne C. Braley

The Summer Before

“THE SUMMER BEFORE is a gripping and emotionally charged exploration of trauma, guilt, and the unyielding strength of friendship. With the intensity of Kate Elizabeth Russell’s My Dark Vanessa and a haunting complexity that lingers long after the last page, this novel offers a profoundly empathetic and thought-provoking examination of the aftermath of a harrowing experience and its far-reaching consequences.”

– Anna David, NYT bestselling author/CEO, Legacy Launch Pad Publishing

“Masterfully crafted, The Summer Before is a poignant exploration into the repercussions of evil, even for those on the periphery of a crime. Part love story, part coming-of-age story, part legal thriller, Braley weaves a meaningful story of love, healing, and ultimately hope. An emotional page-turner I couldn’t put down.”

– Suzanne Redfearn, #1 Amazon bestselling author of In an Instant

Buy on Amazon

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Book Synopsis

If someone you love was assaulted, abused, or a victim of a crime—you are a secondary victim. If the perpetrator is also someone you love, there are no words.

Madeline and Summer are more than best friends—they’re sisters in everything but blood. But Summer has a dark secret. Someone close has been hurting her, and when the truth emerges, it shatters their world.

Six years after the trial, Madeline is a haunted young woman in Boston, tormented by guilt and betrayal. On the brink of suicide, she embarks on a journey to confront the past, heal, and reclaim her life.

And can this be the intro? With the words New Book?

📖 THE SUMMER BEFORE is a gripping and emotional novel for fans of All Girls by Emily Layden and My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell.

Order today and be among the first to dive into this powerful story.

Meet The Author

A gritty New Englander, Dianne C. Braley found love for the written word early on, reading and creating stories while trying to escape hers, growing up in the turbulent world of alcoholism. After putting her pencil down for a time, she became a registered nurse finding strength and calm in caring for those who couldn’t care for themselves. Still, she never lost her drive to write, and later she found her passion again on the island of Martha’s Vineyard with the help of a famous author who became her friend and motivator.

What Readers Are Saying

That was quite a rollercoaster to read, very emotional and powerful, and it was so gritty and achingly real.

Samantha G.

The writing here is both atmospheric and elegant.

Brianna S.

An exquisite debut from a thrilling new voice. The Silence in the Sound is a poetic story, powerfully told. Emotional yet exhilarating, Dianne C. Braley’s novel is alluring through every page.

Anna David

NY Times bestselling author of Party Girl and founder of Legacy Launch Pad

In The Silence in the Sound, Dianne Braley fashions a moving tale in which complicated love—for an alcoholic father, testy patient, unnervingly enigmatic lover, and Martha’s Vineyard—interweaves to create a compelling narrative. Georgette returns as an adult to the island, lured by the memory of a significant weekend there as a teenager with her father. She becomes the private nurse to the famous author Mr. S. for whom, despite his difficult nature, she develops a deep fondness. But Georgette can’t outrun the damage from growing up with an addict in a dysfunctional home as she becomes entangled in a complicated relationship with Dock—a local contractor with a mysterious past. Brimming with rich characters and a provocative storyline, Braley movingly explores if our history indelibly determines our future.

Abby Remer

Published author and writer for the Martha’s Vineyard Times

This story is a compelling exploration and damnation of the harmful effects of substance abuse and how the harm it causes lingers beyond the self.

J. Flowers-Olnowich

The Silence in the Sound is an unflinching look at the legacy of addiction and the soul-destroying effect it has on family and friends. Love does not conquer all for George, and her long journey from anger to forgiveness is grueling. In George, author Braley has given us a believable, flawed character whose story compels the reader to root for her.

Susan Wilson

NY Times bestselling author of One Good Dog

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Recent Blog Posts

Don’t Judge The Summer Before by Its Cover: A Dark Summer Read You Won’t Forget

Jun 27, 2025

When readers first pick up The Summer Before, they often think it’s an easy beach read. I get it—the cover shows a girl jumping into the water, the title says Summer, and it’s set on a stunning Massachusetts island filled with beaches, lighthouses, and salty air....

Writing the Hard Stuff: How Much Is Too Much?

May 27, 2025

This past weekend, I had the joy of doing what every writer dreams of—talking with readers face-to-face. Thank you to Barnes & Noble in Hingham and the always-welcoming West Tisbury Library on Martha’s Vineyard for hosting two incredible signings. The...

The Shadow System Is No Longer Quiet—And No Longer Deniable

Apr 27, 2025

I’m writing this because I’m not just a writer—I have other interests, too. And one of them, like many of you, is in the place we call home. In our state. In our systems. In the corruption that could just as easily target any one of us. We could be Karen Read. That’s...

Collateral Damage: The Hidden Victims of Addiction and Sexual Assault

Apr 7, 2025

AN INTERESTING PERSPECTIVE? I realize I have discussed this before—why wouldn’t I, when these are the topics of my last two books? I feel like it can’t be talked about enough. When I recently found myself drawing a parallel between the issues of addiction and sexual...

Turning Life’s Mess Into a Story: Why We Write Our Wrongs

Mar 7, 2025

Let’s be honest—most of us are just walking around like real-life Batman, except instead of fighting crime in a cool suit, we’re out here subconsciously trying to fix our own past mistakes, rewrite our traumas, or undo the absolute mess someone else made of our lives....

Being a Writer Is Sort of Bullsh*t—And We Do It Anyway

Feb 8, 2025

The Glamorous Lie of the Writing Life If you tell people you’re a writer, they tend to react in one of two ways: either with wide-eyed admiration or a polite but barely concealed look of skepticism. “Oh, wow! Like, books?”Or…“That’s…cool. But, like, what do you really...