The Best of Us

A Novel

By: Sarah Pekkanen

Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell

Length: 11 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's Summary

Paradise isn't quite what it seems as four college friends meet for an island vacation in this captivating new novel from the acclaimed author of These Girls.

Following a once-in-a-lifetime invitation, a group of old college friends leap at the chance to bring their husbands for a week's vacation at a private villa in Jamaica to celebrate a former classmates' 35th birthday.

All four women are desperate for a break and this seems like a perfect opportunity. Tina is drowning under the demands of mothering four young children. Allie needs to escape from the shattering news about an illness that runs in her family. Savannah is carrying the secret of her husband's infidelity. And, finally, there's Pauline, who spares no expense to throw her husband an unforgettable birthday celebration, hoping it will gloss over the cracks that have already formed in their new marriage.

The week begins idyllically, filled with languorous days and late nights of drinking and laughter. But as a hurricane approaches the island, turmoil builds, forcing each woman to re-evaluate everything she's known about the others - and herself.

©2013 Sarah Pekkanen (P)2013 Simon & Schuster Audio

painful to listen to

The narrator was fine. What bugged me the most was the annoying things the characters said, so stereotypical, ("I'll take a sex on the beach and maybe a drink too " as she looked at him and winked. ) The most annoying scene was in the hurricane when the one main character went out on the deck to hide a picture, so unrealistic and cheesy. I can't even go into detail bc I had to immediately read another book to get this one out of my head. .

bottom line. If you like rolling your eyes every time a character says something so dumb and fake or if you like failed romance novels, this is for you.

Love this!

This is my second book from this author. Absolutely loved it! I loved the characters, the story, the depth of the characters personalities. I want there to be a sequel , I have thought about these people all day today!

Very nice

When I first started this, I thought, “Oh no, I bought this why?” A couple of the characters were hard to like, there was some ankst, but as I read along, I found myself becoming more and more engrossed, and changing my mind about the characters. This book shows that love and willingness to be honest can overcome secrets and shame. I normally do not read books like this, but I’m so very very glad I read this one.

well done

I'd been reading suspense novels, and thought that this would be similar. Not what i expected at all, but what a pleasant surprise. I loved the characters with all their human flaws and imperfect edges.

slow torture

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

I Cannot Think Of Anyone Who Would. Graduates Of The University Of Virginia Will Be Especially Unhappy, As There Are Numerous Errors When The Characters Refer To The University.

What could Sarah Pekkanen have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

The Story Was Far Too Slow, Nothing Happens That Doesn't Take So Long To Come About That It's Obvious When It Finally Does Occur.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Narration Was A Monotone.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The Best of Us?

I'd Have Scrapped The Entire Thing.

Any additional comments?

I Feel Ripped Off.

Great performance!

The story was pretty good, and I really like this author, but there were so many parts to the story that were not believable at all. There were no characters that were just absolutely wonderful, but it was still a good story, and this narrator is one of my favorites.

womp womp

i hate leaving bad reviews but i gave up. boring and full of gender stereotypes

Ok story line, not my favorite from this author

I had to speed up the pace bevause the narrator was very hard to listen to. The story line wasn't the best I kept waiting for more of a climax in the story.

Wonderful

I thought the book was great! There was a few "really" moments when Savannah spoke where I rolled my eyes but besides that I thought book was great. The author did a really good job of describing the characters so I could visualize them in my head. I really enjoyed!

Fantastic

I couldn't put this down and hated that the book was over. I loved it.