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)

Suspenseful

it is a walk through changes and decisions in.our lives and how they affect our finally decision making due to them.

Gripping

I loved this book. I was hesitant at first with the different characters but I loved hearing all of their takes on the narrative.

I was sad when it was over because I felt like I was at Eptied with the girls!

a perfect summer read (or listen)

What made the experience of listening to Summer Rental the most enjoyable?

The three women in Summer Rental are so different and lead totally different lives. However, the summer brings them back together and shows the true bonds of their friendship. The strange woman they let into their lives slowly develops into a bigger character and the transformation is exciting.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Ellis is the character I relate most to, so I enjoyed her parts of the book the best. She isn't one of those characters who is stubborn from the get-go and refuses to live her life the way she wants.

Which scene was your favorite?

The scene at the very end of the book where all the characters go after Don was both hilarious and suspenseful. I can't say any more or I will ruin the story.

Delightful summer read!!!

Would you listen to Summer Rental again? Why?

Perhaps, it's got a lovely location, great friends and I love Islands. The storyline was very interesting.

What did you like best about this story?

The island setting and the close friendships of Ellis, Dorrie and Julia.

Have you listened to any of Isabel Keating’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I believe Isabel Keating was excellent! She definitely was into every character which pulls me the listener right with her!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

A must see!

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed this book, it had great relationships, suspense pulling unity in all directions to help Madison. Love in all directions and on the Island. Great detail! Holds interest from the get go!!! I love that.

Perfect fun summer reading!

I love Mary Kay Andrews' books in general, and so was very excited to get going on this one. I was not disappointed. It is not my MOST favorite of hers (Savannah Blues and Savannah Breeze are my faves, also liked The Fixer Upper) but still very fun and had me laughing out loud in parts. It is a little Nancy Drewish but that is ok with me because as a kid I liked those too. If you want lighthearted fun reading with a little bit of suspense thrown in, I reccommend it.

Enjoyable

What a great summer read. The characters were believable and likable. Nice book to listen to while you are walking.

Wonderful

Great book. I listen to my books when I jog, or ride my bike and I couldn't wait to get out each morning. Felt like I was there at the beach.

Look elsewhere

Despite the mutual "love fest" at the end of the book (an interview between the author and the narrator) I found this to be about as filling as cotton candy. The story has been done before (yawn) and the narrator makes the characters sound stupid and cliched. Pass on this listen.

fabulous read!

unexpected and hysterical summer vacation! makes you be part of the story. best summer vacation ever!

Great fun summer girls read

Fun, laughable, I could pick myself and my friends out thru the entire story even the serious parts. a good beach read.