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)

Great story about friendship

Any additional comments?

With subplots going for each character the story was multi-leveled and there was never a dull moment in Summer Rental. Even though the narrator very occasionally slipped with a bit of a Jersey type accent, she did very well with the main characters southern voices, as well as defining a different sounding voice for each person. Keating has a pleasant voice to listen to and I would gladly listen to more books read by her.

Loved the book!

A perfect summer read. Made me want to visit Nags Head, NC. When the book ended I was hoping for a sequel.

On par for Mary Kay Andrews

I enjoy a light listen, and this is one of them. Mary Kay Andrews books are solid stories about friendship and love. This was no different. If you enjoy her, you will enjoy this!

Enjoyed

I always really enjoy her books they are fun easy comforting books.great summer reads The narrators are always great I have listened to allot of them more then once.

Overall good

Overall, it was good. I won't say it was the most amazing story I've ever read (or listened to) but it was pleasant and entertaining. I enjoyed it. I liked the characters, and didn't mind the narrator.

Love the cast and story line

I really enjoyed the way Ms Andrews adds another dimension to the story with descriptions of the area, the center of action and each of the characters. It gives a fullness to the plot. Plot was fun. Keeps you in the know but not so much you “know” everything. Nice tension! Really would love to know what happens to these characters lives in the future.

Loved it

I love Mary Kay Andrews Hissy Fit, so someone told me about Summer Rental so this was my first audiobook. I really enjoyed it.

great story great listen

I was not ready for it to end. Great story. Worth every penny. Will keep in library and listen to again. Down loaded for my daughter. Funny, smart, so like real girlfriends. Can't say enough. I love this story.

Great mid thirties chick story

Really enjoyed the 4 women and their individual stories, coming together in August. They are all around my age, and I enjoyed getting immersed in their individual lives, with a few twists and turns. The southern accents were a nice touch too, although it took me a bit to adjust to being a Yankee myself!

Great!!

This is a great, ENJOYABLE book...great reading for summer, fall, winter or spring! Give us more Mary Kay...maybe even continue with these characters...easy as you have left the door open to many possibilities for a continuance, THOUGH NOTHING FELT OPEN AT THE END!! I would say, that is the sign of a great author!!