Barefoot Season

A Blackberry Island Novel, Book 1

De: Susan Mallery

Narrado por: Sarah Grace

Michelle Sanderson may appear to be a strong, independent woman, but on the inside, she’s still the wounded girl who fled home years ago. A young army vet, Michelle returns to the quaint Blackberry Island Inn to claim her inheritance and recover from the perils of war. Instead, she finds the owner’s suite occupied by the last person she wants to see.

Carly Williams and Michelle were once inseparable, until a shocking betrayal destroyed their friendship. And now Carly is implicated in the financial disaster lurking behind the inn’s cheerful veneer.

Single mother Carly has weathered rumors, lies, and secrets for a lifetime, and is finally starting to move forward with love and life. But if the Blackberry Island Inn goes under, Carly and her daughter will go with it. To save their livelihoods, Carly and Michelle will undertake a turbulent truce. It’ll take more than a successful season to move beyond their devastating past, but with a little luck and a beautiful summer, they may just rediscover the friendship of a lifetime.

©2012 Susan Mallery (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Great Beach Read!

I was in a hurry to purchase something to keep my interest while I traveled, and I'm embarrassed to say, the cover (and author, as I love you previous work) caught my attention! But I'm glad, because this was a great story and performance! I couldn't shut it off and, unfortunately, didn't last as long as I'd hoped because of my constant listening! Mallery and Grace did not disappoint!

Solid story arc, very human characters

I enjoyed the book. It is well-written, the characters believable, and the ending satisfying. However, the blurb and placing of the book among lesbian romances led me to believe this was a lesbian romance; I was disappointed that it wasn’t. It was good, though. I finished it,

Uncharacteristically vague for Susan Mallery

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I'm not sure that the narration is not to blame for this irritating book. I went back to check to make sure I was reading the first in the series. Details were doled out piecemeal to explain actions and comments were already completed. By chapter 6 I was seriously frustrated by how unnecessary the confusion, rudeness and lack of communication between the characters was. I have read almost all of Susan Mallery's books. This book is not the Susan Mallery I am used to. Part of this could have been the slow speed and the overly dramatic inflection of the narrator. Where was Therese Plummer, for example, when they chose the narrator? I will try the book in print, but I almost resented the time I spent listening to this.

Would you ever listen to anything by Susan Mallery again?

I really enjoy Susan Mallery's books. Most of them are light with just enough conflict to make the story keep flowing. I have listened to many of them more than once, just because they are entertaining, without requiring serious emotional involvement of the audience. I believe that such is the role of romantic comedies in our lives. Any book by Susan Mallery goes on my "must read" list. This one is the first exception to that personal policy.

What didn’t you like about Sarah Grace’s performance?

The pace was too slow. Increasing the speed of the narration on my iPhone just made it really choppy. At any speed the inflection that she used in an attempt, I assume, to stress the importance of somewhat mundane actions or comments, was distracting and eventually irritating. Every detail in a story is not of equal importance.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

With the right actors, I believe this book might have good movie potential. Part of the benefit would be that the details that were so sparingly doled out could be built into the scene rather than needing to be explained verbally.

Any additional comments?

I read many books in hard copy. I may give this one a try in that format.

Great Book

This was a very good book and an easy listen. I enjoyed it very much. Starting the second book today.

great book

I loved this book it kept me interested and had surprises, my husband is a combat vet with nightmares and this was so hopeful to me that someone can get the help they need.