All Summer Long

A Novel

By: Dorothea Benton Frank

Narrated by: Bernadette Dunne

Length: 10 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's Summary

Dorothea Benton Frank novels are filled with smart and witty fiction that every listener wants in their library: soulful, edgy stories about realistic characters familiar to us all that explore the most deeply felt moments of life with wry humor and heart.

All Summer Long follows one charming New York couple - prominent interior designer Olivia Ritchie and her husband, Nicholas Seymour, an English professor and true Southern gentleman. They are seemingly polar opposites yet magnetically drawn together and in love for more than 14 years.

As they prepare to relocate to Charleston, SC, Olivia, the ultimate New Yorker, has reservations about the promise she made to retire in the Lowcountry, where Nick wants to return home and lead a more peaceful life. They are moving north to south, fast pace versus slow pace, and downsizing. Nick is ecstatic. Olivia is not. She can't let Nick know that their finances are not what he thought. Her client list is evaporating, their monetary reserves are dwindling, and maybe that house she picked out on Sullivan's Island needs too much work. Thank God for her assistant, Roni Larini, her right (and sometimes left) hand.

As they find themselves pondering the next step of their lives, Olivia and Nick travel with her billionaire clients and their friends, are swept up into the world of the ultrarich, and explore the globe with a cast of zany eccentrics over one tumultuous, hot summer. All as Olivia grapples with what lies ahead for her and Nick.

This is a story of how plans evolve and lives change in unexpected ways, how even those who have everything are still looking for something more. Even the most successful people can often struggle to keep things together. All Summer Long asks the ultimate question: Can money buy happiness? From Sullivan's Island to Necker Island to Nantucket to the beaches of Southern Spain, we'll come to recognize the many faces of true love - love that deepens and endures but only because one woman makes a tremendous leap of faith. And that leap changes everything.

©2016 Dorothea Benton Frank (P)2016 HarperCollins Publishers

Disappointing

Having never read a book by the author previously, I took a chance hoping for a good summer book. Unfortunately, I found the writing simplistic and uninteresting.

A Novel Sans a Story

Other than ultra polite conversation between one couple and the ridiculous immaturity of others, this vapid audio book left me wondering how it ever found a publisher. Clearly not my cup of tea.

Disappointed with narration

If you are like me, and have enjoyed Robin Miles as the delightful
narrator of Dorothea Benton Frank's books, you might be disappointed by the narration by Bernadette Dunne.

Don't get me wrong, she's a fine narrator.

BUT, she's not Robin Miles, who to me, IS the "voice" of Dorothea Benton Frank's books about the low country.

Nice escape

All Summer Long is great escape, beach book. Although I felt like the lead character is somewhat superficial, I was still rooting for her life to work out well.

Overly simplistic and disappointing

The write-up for this story made it seem enticing and enjoyable as light and entertaining listening. I was disappointed as I worked my way through the story to learn the story really focused on the frivolous and self-induced drama of a group of wealthy people. The characters lacked depth and shifted attitudes and behaviors on a whim to navigate through the small challenges the author threw their ways. There did not seem to be a main plot, just a series of small situations which I would classify as "rich people problems." If you enjoy detailed descriptions of house decor and clothing styles and are not looking for a story with depth, then you may find this entertaining. Otherwise, don't waste a credit on this book!

Disappointing

I used to really like Dorothea Benton Frank. In this book she did not flesh out the characters. I felt like a first grader could've written about it -- it was the most boring thing I've ever read. The plot had potential if she had just left out the lifestyles of the rich and famous parts. The characters were boring, one dimensional, and uninteresting. Sorry, Ms. Frank.

Disappointing

I always look forward to Dorthea Benton Frank novels. This one was very disappointing. The story didn't get interesting until 3/4 of the way through the novel. And the story seemed to be written annoyingly basic: she said, he said, she said, etc. I didn't know if I would finish the book. I'm glad I stuck through the first three quarters. The plot finally got interesting around chapter 15. Definitely my least favorite of all her stories.

Not one of Frank's best.

The characters were not well developed. This would have made a better novella than a novel. However, it was entertaining enough.

Dorothea Benton Frank does it again!

This was a fantastic book with an interesting story. The cast of characters are just that--characters! I really enjoyed every minute of it and couldn't put it down. Great narration for a great book.

My Friend Dorothea

I am a true fan of Dorothea Benton Franks work! She always has the capability to make me feel like part of the family. I could be friends with most of her main characters, which endears me to Dorothea. I recently learned of her passing and felt as if I lost a good friend. Devastated. One thing for sure, she has put a big want in my mind and heart to experience Sullivan’s Island Carolina. I hope to experience it someday. This story is just like all her others, heartwarming, while touching all the senses. She will be terribly missed.