Summer of Love

By: Katie Fforde

Narrated by: Jane McDowell

Length: 11 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's Summary

Sian Bishop has only ever experienced one moment of recklessness – a moment that resulted in her beloved son Rory. It’s not that she doesn’t love the outcome of that wild night, but since then she has always taken the safer route. So when dependable, devoted Richard suggests a move to the beautiful English countryside, she leaves the hustle and bustle of the city behind, and she throws herself into the picture-postcard cottage garden, her furniture restoration business, and a new life in the country. Her good intentions are torpedoed on a glorious summer’s evening with the arrival of Gus Berresford. One-time explorer and full-time heartbreaker, Gus is ridiculously exciting, wonderfully glamorous and a completely inappropriate love interest for a single mum. But Gus and Sian have met before…Sian has no use for a fling, she simply mustn’t fall in love with the most unlikely suitor ever to cross her path – even if he has now crossed her path twice. But who knows what can happen in a summer of love…

©2011 Katie Fforde (P)2011 Random House Audiobooks

I just couldnt get into it

I tried for around 4 hours but just couldn't get into the story. The write-up and reviews were all positive but I just found that nothing happened. If you asked me to tell you what I listened to just a few hours ago, I cant remember - it just didn't spark an interest for me.

Maybe it was the narration which I didn't really enjoy - I like more of a Jilly Bond type voice. But, in saying that, I do think I'm in the minority as most people did seem to enjoy it.

A bit too predictable

Would you try another book from Katie Fforde and/or Jane McDowell?

I would not try another Katie Fforde book.

What about Jane McDowell’s performance did you like?

I really liked Jane McDowell's performance. She turned the book alive.

Was Summer of Love worth the listening time?

Yes

Disappointing narration

Excellent story but the narrator is very flat and lacks the ability to differentiate character's voices which makes it hard to follow and boring to listen to. Her attempt at the child's voice was laughable. Makes me more careful to listen to extracts on line before buying when it's a narrator I don't know.

At Last, Another Katie Fforde

I love Katie Fforde books and have read most of them. I love listening to them at night because I know they are lovely and relaxing and I will not be disturbed by any of it's content! Please Audible record some more asap I have been waiting for years for some more!!

Excellent Book!!

I am a big fan of Katie Fforde but this is the first of her books I have listened to as an audiobook and I really enjoyed it. The reader has a lovely voice and I have now listened to it many times. One of my favourite Katie Fforde books to date.

Well I never

Would you consider the audio edition of Summer of Love to be better than the print version?

It could be said, as I like to read in bed that the audio version is better However when sitting relaxing, the written version is better.

What did you like best about this story?

Rory

How did the narrator detract from the book?

I did not enjoy her narration. It felt breathless and stilled

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Get to know someone before you sleep with them.

Any additional comments?

I enjoy Katie Fforde but this narrator could put you off.

Great

Such a nice book to just sit and relax with- would recommend to anyone who just likes a nice chick flick.

Excellent

A great escape book. Just the thing to listen to under the duvet on an autumnal evening.

A real story of country living and the idyl......

Would you listen to Summer of Love again? Why?

No I only ever listen once

What other book might you compare Summer of Love to, and why?

Floras Lot by Katie Fforde or the beach hut.

What does Jane McDowell bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Accent and voice change for the characters whilst also allowing belief in the characters in the story.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The depiction of the setting and scenery. I have lived in the area Katie writes about and I can see myself there when she writes.

Any additional comments?

I listen to all books written by this author as they take me away from the hubbub of life as it is now and put me in a similar place and time .

Great book

I have really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. Narrator took a little getting used to.

Summer of love

Great story, ruined by terrible narration. Breathy boring flat voice, with no animation and weird inflections in all the wrong places. Ugh!
I’ve experienced the same narrator mangle other good books, namely the Ruth Galloway series by Ellie Griffiths.

Also known as A Perfect Proposal - Lovely Read

Katie never fails to write a book that draws a hopeless romantic in. If you're looking for a lovely little evening read to get lost in, and characters to fall in love with, stop your search, you've found it