The Comeback Summer

By: Ali Brady

Narrated by: Brittany Pressley, Lauren Fortgang

Length: 11 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

Two sisters have one summer to crush their comfort zones and save their grandmother’s legacy in this sweet, sexy, and heartfelt novel by Ali Brady, author of The Beach Trap.

Hannah and Libby need a miracle. The PR agency they inherited from their grandmother is losing clients left and right, and the sisters are devastated at the thought of closing. The situation seems hopeless—until in walks Lou, an eccentric self-help guru who is looking for a new PR agency. Her business could solve all their problems—but there’s a catch. Whoever works with Lou must complete a twelve-week challenge as part of her “Crush Your Comfort Zone” program.

Hannah, whose worst nightmare is making small talk with strangers, is challenged to go on twelve first dates. Libby, who once claimed to have period cramps for four weeks straight to get out of gym class, is challenged to compete in an obstacle course race. The challenges begin with Hannah helping Libby train and Libby managing the dating app on her sister’s behalf. They’re both making good progress—until Hannah’s first love rolls into town, and Libby accidentally falls for a guy she’s supposed to be setting up with her sister.

Things get even more complicated when secrets come to light, making the sisters question the one relationship they’ve always counted on: each other. With their company’s future on the line, they can’t afford to fail. But in trying to make a comeback to honor their grandmother, are they pushing themselves down the wrong path?

©2023 Ali Brady (P)2023 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"This uplifting story will have you cheering for sisters Hannah and Libby as they push past the boundaries of their comfort zones. The dual narrative lets the readers experience Hannah's and Libby's compelling journeys, both of which unfold at a perfect pace throughout the story. The prose, character development and romance are a 10 out of 10 in the The Comeback Summer." —Suzanne Park, author of So We Meet Again

“Both heartful and so much fun, The Comeback Summer finds two sisters at forks in their road and challenges them to consider the path not taken: in love, in family, in life. A delightful confection all about reinvention.” —Allison Winn Scotch, New York Times bestselling author of The Rewind

“In this lovely story of sisterhood and summer, self-discovery deftly entwines with two sweet romances. Full of warmth, complexity and charm, The Comeback Summer is the perfect read.” —Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka, authors of Do I Know You?

THE BEST BOOK of 2023

Oh my goodness! This is my favorite book of 2023! There’s nothing better than a book about finding growth and authenticity…but in a love romance and sisterly relationship??? Come on!!! This is A MUST…MUST read!

Excellent summer read

Thoroughly enjoyed! Thought provoking - made me consider my own comfort zone! Great book for the start of summer!

Fun Summertime Read

A fun summertime read with a little self help psychology thrown in. Loved the sister relationship and Jewish culture references. Libby and Hannah were very likable characters!

Love the characters

I enjoyed listening to this book. It was easy to fall in love with the characters. I could feel each of the sister’s emotions. Highly recommend!!

10/10 loved it!

More than just a flighty summer rom com. Perfect read to get your mind, body and spirit moving this summer.

Quite Enjoyable!

This audiobook is a fun and lighthearted summer listen! It’s a great story about the love, growth and friendship between two sisters, with the right amount of romance to make it spicy. The characters are well-intentioned, messy and definitely relatable. I enjoyed rooting for all of them.

Comeback from…?

The concept of leaving one’s comfort zone is excellent, the character of Hannah was not. Libby is the more likable one. Hannah just kept contradicting herself. She said she would have told Josh to leave during college to pursue his dream but when he says that’s exactly what he wants to do 5 years later, she cries and tells him to stay. She was just too whiney a character. The end was very predictable.

Horrible... Hannah is just horrible!

I don't understand how anyone can accept Hannah as a character to be loved. She pines over the same person her entire life- never experiencing who she is without him... or her sister. She went from one person to the other. Never ever became a stand alone. Never learned to just be herself and spend her entire life chasing after the same person. Then ends up with him in the end. Her whole character is just crying over Josh. Her whole personality is needing and wanting him and not knowing who she is without him.