Summer Rental

By: Mary Kay Andrews

Narrated by: Isabel Keating

Length: 14 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

Sometimes, when you need a change in your life, the tide just happens to pull you in the right direction…

Ellis, Julia, and Dorie. Best friends since Catholic grade school, they now find themselves, in their mid-thirties, at the crossroads of life and love. Ellis, recently fired from a job she gave everything to, is rudderless and now beginning to question the choices she's made over the past decade of her life. Julia—whose caustic wit covers up her wounds—has a man who loves her and is offering her the world, but she can't hide from how deeply insecure she feels about her looks, her brains, her life. And Dorie has just been shockingly betrayed by the man she loved and trusted the most in the world…though this is just the tip of the iceberg of her problems and secrets. A month in North Carolina's Outer Banks is just what they each of them needs.

Ty Bazemore is their landlord, though he's hanging on to the rambling old beach house by a thin thread. After an inauspicious first meeting with Ellis, the two find themselves disturbingly attracted to one another, even as Ty is about to lose everything he's ever cared about.

Maryn Shackleford is a stranger, and a woman on the run. Maryn needs just a few things in life: no questions, a good hiding place, and a new identity. Ellis, Julia, and Dorie can provide what Maryn wants; can they also provide what she needs?

Mary Kay Andrews' audiobook is the story of five people questioning everything they ever thought they knew about life. Five people on a journey that will uncover their secrets and point them on the path to forgiveness. Five people who each need a sea change, and one month in a summer rental that might just give it to them.
Summer Rental is one of Library Journal's Best Women's Fiction Books of 2011.

This program includes a bonus interview with the author.

©2011 Whodunnit, Inc. (P)2011 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“Isabel Keating's treatment of dialogue enhances the characters in this easy summer read...The over-the-top dialect of some of the minor characters combined with some amusing scenes give the listener some laughs that balance the challenging choices the main players face. The dialogue and individual characterizations make this especially good on audio.” —AudioFile Magazine

“Narrator Isabel Keating makes the most of the material, giving each character a distinctive Southern accent, fitting for these girls from Savannah. Recommended for Andrews's fans and those wishing some light fair.” —Library Journal

“Andrews…is at her warm and funny best…[she] simply excels at creating the kind of characters readers can relate to, and she has a fabulous sense of humor to boot.” —Library Journal (starred review)

Fun Listen

Where does Summer Rental rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Close to the top of the list.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Summer Rental?

Can't share it will ruin the story!

What about Isabel Keating’s performance did you like?

Isabel does a great job defining characters. I will look for her on more audible books.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Not extreme but both funny and touching at times.

Another favorite of MKA'S

I am a very big fan of all of Mary Kay Andrews' books. I bought this as a hardbound book as soon as it came out. And now I've listened to it on Audible. Loved them both. Can't wait for another book from MKA!!

A good book to read in the beach

If you are looking for a very light book this is the one. Is a little bit cheesy, but a nice smooth story.

Very cute!

This book kept me wanting more. Loved the story and slight suspense. Narrator is awesome!!! Have listened more than once : )

Predictable yet sweet

The story is just what you expect. The characters are very likable and relatable. I'm just weary from the same old recipe for a story. Looking for something new and refreshing in a storyline with out it getting too dark or going the other way and becoming too sappy. It may be several months before another one of Mary Kay's books.

Fantastic book!!

Love this book!! Wish there were a series! I would read this over and over!

Fun summer listen

This was a fun easy listen story. Perfect to relive the Outer Banks and east coast summer at the beach.

Love these books!

Would you consider the audio edition of Summer Rental to be better than the print version?

I only listen.

What did you like best about this story?

I just love Mary Kay Andrews' books.

What does Isabel Keating bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

This was a great narration. Otherwise I am not sure how to answer this question.

Great book, lousy narrator. :/

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Isabel Keating?

I believe that you need a woman with an actual southern accent for this book. There were a few parts I had to fast forward through and made me cringe. A lot of words were over pronounced and others came off very sleazy. I think that with a different narrator this book would have been awesome!

Any additional comments?

This is a great summer read. It was nice to have something 'not so serious' and fun. I do love Mary Kay Andrews books and this one didn't disappoint. I just really wish that the narrator was different.

Beginning didn't grab me, stayed with it,glad

I don't know why I couldn't get into the beginning of this book. It just didn't capture me. I like the narrator her voice is easy to listen to. I stayed with the book due to enjoy the author, and I am glad I did. It turned into an interesting read, some mystery, some romance, some life changing events, some secrets, all in all I really enjoyed this story. Well, written and well narrated.