The Summer Remains

By: Seth King

Narrated by: Amy Landon, Zach Villa

Length: 11 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

Twenty-four-year-old Summer Johnson knows two things. The first is that due to a quickly worsening medical condition, she faces a risky surgery in three months' time that may or may not end in her death. The second is that she would like to fall in love before then.

As spring sinks into her namesake season on the Florida coastline, Summer plays the odds and downloads a new dating app - and after one intriguing message from a beautiful surfer named Cooper Nichols, it becomes clear that the story of what may be her last few months under the sun is about to be completely revised. All she has to do now is write something worth reading.

©2015 Seth King (P)2015 Tantor

Sad But A Little Cynical

This book is sad. It reminds of 2 other very popular books, with it's own twists. The characters were a little cynical for my taste and maybe even a little negative at times but I guess that's what made them realistic. I completely understand why Summer came off negative considering her life but I didn't love how they both seemed to think everyone was awful and purposely throwing their happiness in their faces just because they had things that they wanted to have in their lives. Summer disliked others because they had what she wanted which didn't make me see her in an inspiring light at all. I think the story was supposed to leave me feeling like, this girl who lived a hard life was strong and inspiring because of her illness but It left me feeling like she thought because she wasn't happy others shouldn't be either. But I will say she redeemed herself in my eyes with her message toward the end, that was the first time I think she thought of anyone else. I know this book was adored by many and I did enjoy it, but I didn't fall for the characters the way every one else did, nope, not even a single tear, but it did leave me with a heavy heart. I liked the narration a lot and am glad they had dual narration, I think it brought a lot to the story.

Story 3.5 Stars
Narration 4.5 Stars

An ABSOLUTE MUST listen to Audible

What did you love best about The Summer Remains?

Is it possible we can have another 5 star review for The Summer Remains?

YES we can!

From the moment Seth announced that is was available on Audible, I jumped on it! I am a HUGE audible fan. When I am driving to work, walking my dog, cleaning my bathroom or like today, taking my 17-year-old son for a week-long college visit. Yup - I am a glutton for punishment. I listened to the last 4 hours of this book to and from dropping my oldest child off at a college. Having a child old enough to stay at a college for a week in itself would have me as a blubbering mess, but I thought I would add to my misery so I listened to The Summer Remains.

Amy Landon has done our Summer so proud. She shifted seamlessly from Summer, to the sweet southern Shelly, to Autumn to Cooper. She WAS Summer. Her narration was one of the best I have ever listened to. I LOVED the book and was so hoping the narrators would do it justice, and well, Amy has!

Then I heard Zach. This narrator has captured the voice that was in my head. He WAS Cooper. He had my heart a-breaking and the tears a-flowing. Thank goodness my husband was driving because it would not have been safe situation for anyone if I was driving while listening to Cooper/Zach.

I am so excited for Seth King to have found such amazing voices for his amazing characters and again, I can't wait for more from Seth!

Who was your favorite character and why?

How to choose! Summer is just and amazing character and to have found such a friend in Cooper - so I refuse to choose!

Have you listened to any of Amy Landon and Zach Villa ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

i hadn't

If you could take any character from The Summer Remains out to dinner, who would it be and why?

I want to meet Cooper, take him in my arms and thank him for being such an amazing person. An amazing friend to Summer and an amazing son to his mother. This poor man has been dealt some tough cards and has continued to be positive and giving and loving. He needs a good friend and I am willing!

Any additional comments?

I absolutely loved the book and wasn't sure I could like it any more than I did....then I listened to the audible. These characters where perfect choices/voices for Summer and Cooper

Living on

Seth has made me feel at again, I thought I was numb forever. Thank you , I will live on.

BEST BOOK I HAVE EVER READ!!!

I don't usually review books...who has the time. But this book gutted me and lifted me all at once. It deserves pretty words of thanks for such a remarkable journey! Thank you for the honor of reading this book!

Wonderful, heartbreaking, beautiful love!

I loved every single thing about this book. A definite MUST read. Wabi sabi....there is beauty in the imperfections.

Tears flowing

A Heart-wrenching tale of an amazing love we can all only dream of, hope for, and pray to really be true ❤️

This was a beautiful, realistic love story.

Loved it! Laughed, cried, all the feels. What a beautiful realistic life romance. I would highly recommend.

Poignant

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. It's a good story and well written. Very nearly brought tears to my eyes. If I were in a different mood it probably would have. It's not quite over, so it could still happen.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Summer Remains?

Can't say. I hate spoilers and I hate reviews that read like a book report and summarize the story so I'll spare you.

Which character – as performed by Amy Landon and Zach Villa – was your favorite?

Cooper

If you could take any character from The Summer Remains out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Cooper

Any additional comments?

It doesn't really conform to the romance form, but it is romantic. I don't want to spoil anything but if you demand a romance to have all the elements, I wouldn't recommend this book for you. Otherwise, it's a great read.

Is editing a thing anymore?

This book was long, slow torture. Don’t waste 8+ hours of your life on it.

plodding

thos book should have been titled, "I have a scar". too much introspection for me.