Shoulder Season

A Novel

By: Christina Clancy

Narrated by: Karissa Vacker

Length: 10 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

Named a Best Book of Summer by Good Morning America • CNN • Parade • EW • Travel & Leisure • PopSugar • New York Post • BuzzFeed • Brit & Co • SheReads • Women.com

A dazzling portrait of a young woman coming into her own, the youthful allure of sex, drugs, and rock and roll, and what we lose—and gain—when we leave home.

ONCE IN A LIFETIME, YOU CAN HAVE THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE

The small town of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin is an unlikely location for a Playboy Resort, and nineteen-year old Sherri Taylor is an unlikely bunny. Growing up in neighboring East Troy, Sherri plays the organ at the local church and has never felt comfortable in her own skin. But when her parents die in quick succession, she leaves the only home she’s ever known for the chance to be part of a glamorous slice of history. In the winter of 1981, in a costume two sizes too small, her toes pinched by stilettos, Sherri joins the daughters of dairy farmers and factory workers for the defining experience of her life.

Living in the “bunny hutch”—Playboy’s version of a college dorm—Sherri gets her education in the joys of sisterhood, the thrill of financial independence, the magic of first love, and the heady effects of sex, drugs, and rock and roll. But as spring gives way to summer, Sherri finds herself caught in a romantic triangle—and the tragedy that ensues will haunt her for the next forty years.

From the Midwestern prairie to the California desert, from Wisconsin lakes to the Pacific Ocean, this is a story of what happens when small town life is sprinkled with stardust, and what we lose—and gain—when we leave home. With a heroine to root for and a narrative to get lost in, Christina Clancy's Shoulder Season is a sexy, evocative tale, drenched in longing and desire, that captures a fleeting moment in American history with nostalgia and heart.

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin's Press

©2021 Christina Clancy (P)2021 Macmillan Audio

A bit boring

Struggled to finish although tied up loose ends nicely, a little wordy for our taste.

I'm stingy with five star reviews

When I was in high school I was voted most likely to appear in Playboy. I never thought I had the cup size for that but fantasied about being a bunny. If Sherri and I had met in the 80's we would have been the definition of hell on wheels! Loved everything about this book and Karissa Vacker does an amazing job with the narration. Definitely worth the listen.

Fun story

Story follows a teenager who loses her naiveté and realizes life is what you make of it.

Not what I expected

The narration was good, but the story was not. The main character, Sherri, was stupid and unlikable and the story was depressing. It is hard to listen when mistakes are made and repeated over and over again. I do not recommend this book

Amazing Story

Such a great story about a local community!! I could picture absolutely everything!! Thank you!

LOVE this book.

I absolutely was totally immersed in this book. felt like i could relate to all the characters. So sad when thr book ended, like I had lost a friend.

Story from my home area

To begin, I loved this book. I am from the area and worked at the resort in the shops a few years earlier during college. All of the local references were great! Some were off a bit but probably to advance the story. In the middle I kept thinking no way all of this would happen to one person, maybe it would seem more reasonable if it was spread out to a couple of girls. No one could “not” learn their lesson and not be more careful so often? Thinking back though - maybe the innocence of so many girls from these small towns could lead to these choices. The story does work out. It is well written and thoughtful. It gets the heart of the people who live there, who worked there and sort of why some of the girls took these jobs. I enjoyed watching through the glass doors of the shop and reading the book and I am now thinking I was smart to stay behind the door! Recommend !

1st audible

Loved it. My first audible and it did not disappoint. Try for yourself. Enjoy. Enjoy.

Great story, not crazy about ending

I really liked the characters in this story. I felt as if I was right there as Sherry grew into her new job/career. I understand how a young person needs to belong and I loved how her past compelled her forward. I screamed into my phone to try to stop her from making some missteps.
I recommend the book, but I didn't care for the neat ending. Without giving it away, l couldn't digest the reveal at the end.

Annoying

It was difficult to have any sympathy whatsoever for Sherri, the main character. She was supposed to be smart, but she continually made very poor choices. The strongest part of this story was the description of the Playboy resort.